2-5 Black Tentacles Like Wood Ear Mushrooms
https://26885.mitemin.net/i363841/
In the guild's archive room, I gazed at a map of the entire Teba Region.
It was vast. The area inside the "walls" of the Teba Region was depicted as a perfect square. It wasn't drawn to precise scale, but crossing it north-south or east-west would take more than a week—around ten days, at least.
Tarstira, our current location, was the eastern gateway, so naturally it sat at the eastern edge. North-south wise, it was a bit toward the north.
About two days west lay a hub called Cross Point. It seemed to get its name from the major roads intersecting there and the nearby river.
To the south of the Teba Region stretched a steep mountain range from the west, acting as a natural lid. That apparently served as the southern wall.
A river flowed from the southern end of this mountain range toward the center, tracing a gentle S-shape as it headed northeast.
This river divided the region east-west, with the eastern district comprising about a third of the total area.
For the time being, we'd be operating in this eastern district.
The key areas to watch out for in the Teba Region were several designated danger zones.
The most notorious was the prominent mountain range in the south. That was the worst one.
Then there was another river flowing south-to-north along the western wall, emptying into a lake in the west. The area around that lake was bad news too.
Incidentally, the big river separating the east and west districts was called the Kansen River, and its upstream section was also dangerous.
In other words...
The west and south were no-gos.
That summed it up. So heading north from here seemed the safest bet. There were no towns to the north of the eastern district, but there was an open military outpost. That would be our immediate goal.
From there, crossing a bridge over the Kansen River and heading far west would lead to a town called Novos.
The area around it didn't have any extremely hazardous spots, so that might be our next target. There was a somewhat dangerous spot called Saza Mountain nearby, but we could skirt it.
It came down to choosing between heading to the transportation hub of Cross Point or the northern outpost of Novos.
I wondered if it was okay to make such a detailed map public, even if it wasn't perfectly accurate. But I guess it was fine. If you had the guts to invade the Teba Region—a monster nest—then by all means, go ahead.
Hell, they might even be thrilled if someone took over management for them.
Of course, details on the positions and sizes of each faction's military outposts were mostly omitted.
"Master, looking at this, it seems there are forests to the east and west of the plains we're exploring right now."
"Yeah. I've been thinking of scouting the eastern forest soon. What do you think?"
"The eastern forest..."
It stretched north-south along the walls, elongated in that direction. Heading due north from Tarstira would take us straight into it, and emerging on the other side would put us near the military outpost.
While traversing the forest, if anything came up, we could bail out without pushing it and head to either Tarstira or the outpost via the nearby road. That seemed safest.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"Hmm, we'll check that carefully. The eastern forest doesn't seem to have many heat rock bears either."
"I see..."
"Apparently, they weren't around in the old days. They migrated from the southern mountains. Efforts to exterminate them failed, and later they were left alone because they helped balance the ecosystem. I read that in a book earlier."
"So even that big bear has quite the history, huh."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Sarsa's phrasing. That was an amusing way to put it.
"Yeah. But lately, their numbers have been growing and causing problems."
"...And yet we're told off if we hunt them on our own?"
"Exactly. Seems like there's a disconnect between the field ops and the higher-ups. Every world has its bureaucratic bullshit, huh."
"True. Back when I was a merchant, we got hit with unfair tax hikes or license revocations for ridiculous reasons... It was tough."
A dark shadow flickered in Sarsa's eyes, so I didn't pry. It probably tied into why she ended up a slave. Hang in there, Sarsa. Stay strong.
"W-well, anyway, a lot of rookies avoid those heavy-hitter bears and flock to Cross Point. We bucked that trend, though."
"The guild folks didn't mention heading to Cross Point, did they?"
"Nope. Maybe outdated info, or maybe issues cropped up. Seems like strong monsters are plentiful there too, so maybe they don't recommend it for small rookie parties."
"Could be."
"Yeah. The draw might be the large garrison. Just speculation, though."
"...You mean relying on the Warrior Squad?"
"Probably. If so, it makes sense why the royal-backed guild wouldn't push it. No need for monster hunts that steal the Warrior Squad's thunder."
"Ah..."
Sarsa nodded in understanding and fell silent. It was just speculation on my part, though.
"Rushing straight to Cross Point leaves you with basically only the route to the capital Taraleskind afterward. I think sticking here was the right call. As long as we watch for bears, the dangerous monsters seem scarce... I think."
We took a day off and gathered info more cautiously this time. No monsters as heavily warned-about as the heat rock bears turned up. The guild gave their stamp of approval that nothing in the forest outclassed them in raw combat power, though trickier foes with special tactics were plentiful, so no slacking.
That said, we weren't diving into the forest right away. With the day off, today we'd focus on scouting the area between Tarstira and the forest to get our bearings. Once that was solid, we'd grind some easy prey.
"Hup."
I parried the enemy's attacks with Water Wall and Air Pressure, creating openings. Sarsa's arrow pierced its head with pinpoint accuracy.
I swept my magic sword through the dog-type monster, now stripped of its fight.
Leading the fang dogs was a somewhat rare monster called a wind dog.
As the name implied, it used wind magic—like a wind armor to deflect our strikes. A tricky bastard.
So we countered with magic of our own, letting Sarsa exploit the gaps to take it down.
"Sarsa, your aim's improved. Perfect shot."
Her archery accuracy had jumped a full level since the heat rock bear fight.
"Yes, I think I've gotten the knack for hitting moving targets. Thanks to you drawing their attention, Master."
"Nah, knowing you've got my back means I don't have to take dumb risks. We're even."
"Yes."
Sarsa flashed a radiant smile. She must be thrilled to finally feel like a real asset in battle. Heartwarming stuff. Whoops—switch job back to Vigilante and activate Aura Sense.
"...No movement for now, but stay alert a bit longer. Wind dog parts might fetch a good price."
Oh yeah, I hadn't checked the dissection seminar schedule. Gotta sign up ASAP.
I roughly butchered it with the black dagger and recovered the magic stone.
Nice and smooth—should net at least one silver coin.
Hold up, something's approaching slowly from the forest.
"What the hell is that?"
Finally, a tentacle monster. A volleyball-sized black orb extending tentacles as legs. Creepy as hell.
"No mouth or eyes in sight... Figures."
The strategy guide illustrated it as featureless, and sure enough, it was just the orb and tentacles. Called a black orb. Lame name.
Switching to Swordsman, I fired a fireball. Typical plant-type; hates fire.
Noticing me, the black orb writhed its tentacles and fled.
I caught up and sliced the tentacles one by one with my MP-infused magic sword. When it counterattacked, I threw up a fire wall to block. It retracted them. Rinse and repeat—done. Easy if you seize the initiative.
"A rare one today. Close to the forest?"
I bundled the severed tentacles, aligning their lengths and tying them. These sold well—not as alchemy mats, but food. Crunchy and crisp like wood ear mushrooms. Blanch 'em for salad or stir-fry. I'd eaten something similar in town.
"Seeing it alive like this kills my appetite..."
Sarsa looked pained. Yeah, watching it squirm was gross.
Hoped this didn't ruin her foodie side. I'd comfort her properly tonight.
With that, today's hunt wrapped up.
"Appraisals, please."
At the Monster Hunter Guild, I handed over the stones and mats. Two silvers and change.
"Also, when's the next dissection seminar?"
"Dissection? We just did one, so about two weeks."
What? Bad timing.
"...Any other way to learn dissection?"
"You can hire staff privately for a fee. Good for guild profits, so we prioritize you."
"Got it. How much?"
"One silver per session."
"Silver, huh. Book me for tomorrow."
"Should be fine. Specify a time."
Might as well go first thing in the morning.
No set duration, so earlier the better.
"See you tomorrow."
With time to kill, I hit the public bath to freshen up.
This town's baths were small but popular for proper washing first. Favorite spot, though crowds meant waiting at the door sometimes.
Dinner out. The salad had that crunch—mixed feelings.
"Morning."
"Morning."
At the guild, they said to meet outside the gate for field training. Heading to the plains, a lone man waited.
Middle-aged human, wild beard standing out. Tall—nearly two meters? Intimidating.
"Personal dissection lesson, right? I'm no good at lectures, so I teach hands-on outside."
"Cool."
"That long sword your weapon? Hunt your own prey for practice."
"Got it."
Zigzagging the plains, scanning for enemies. Nabbed some fang dogs.
Sarsa drew them with her bow; I intercepted with sword. Just three—easy.
"Hmm."
The big guy stroked his beard appreciatively, pulling a massive knife to match his build.
"Not bad in a fight. But enough—watch and learn."
Like a craftsman.
I'm a step-by-step theory guy, though.
"For furred monsters, peel like this... Smooth strokes. Heard you toss the hides?"
"Yeah."
"Wasteful. Fang dog okay, but wolf or bear pelts pay big."
"That's why I'm here. Free class was two weeks out."
"Smart move."
He kept at it silently, so I memorized. My questions got "watch," but Sarsa's earned answers. Pervert.
"Don't look so grumpy. Hers were good questions. Not favoritism... much."
"You admit it? Hide it better."
He grinned crookedly. Creepy laugh.
"Now you two dissect. Find more dog-types."
I'm no scout. Luck.
Luckily, another small fang dog pack. Secured two carcasses.
"Hmm, same moves, different results."
"Obviously. No practice or skill. Lend it—your pressure's off."
Snatched my black dagger for demo. Tell me the force, dude.
"Master, done."
"Nice, minion girl's got talent."
Just a lech?
"Sarsa."
"Right, right. I'm Tsutsu. Call me Tsu-chan."
No one will.
"...I'm Yoyo."
"Huh. Got it."
Not interested?
"Sarsa-chan, wanna try a bird-type next?"
"Sure, but can you down one?"
Bird-types flee if not aggressive. Sarsa's aim was up, worth a shot...
"No prob. Watch."
Tsutsu strode briskly, occasionally checking ground, straight ahead.
"There."
Nothing visible his way.
Soon, a tiny dot in the sky approached.
"Ugh... Gah!"
Tsutsu yelled, sword ready. Bird locked on, diving.
The yell lured it? Yellow energy slashed out, vanishing skyward.
"Kiki!"
Shrieked, plummeting. Downed.
"Skill?"
"Obviously. Hurry."
Prey for others otherwise. Jogged to site, watched dissection.
"Get it?"
"No... More explanation."
"Steps, kinda..."
Damn, Sarsa's too good. Master dignity fading.
He downed more birds, I stared at his hands, memorizing. Then practice nonstop. Gory, but no choice.
"Eh, good enough. Sarsa-chan should lead dissections."
"Yeah, felt that today."
Sarsa was deft-handed, quick learner. Reverse roles—her dissecting, me vigilant—might be efficient.
I had vigilance skills. Practical division. Not losing. Nope!
"That's it for today. Plants next time."
"Not one-offs..."
"Rome wasn't built in a day. One silver for both."
"Sigh."
Diligent or miser? Some pay goes to instructor.
"By the way, Yoyo, your style's intriguing. Spar?"
"Pass."
"No refusing. Guild staff bonus."
"...Real swords only."
"Fine for now."
Bloody bonus.
"...No injuries."
Drew sword, waited signal, swung down.
Tsutsu parried easy with knife, feinted thrust, shifted, kicked my solar plexus.
"Gah! Huff!"
"Hm. Good physique, shit technique. Weak."
"Cough, cough..."
I knew, but no formal training. Worked in thief fights—ambushes only, yeah...
"Don't think monster hunting skips it? Some subhumans use better tech than humans. Can't hurt to learn."
"Cough... No chance before."
"Sigh. Know about guild spar requests? Idle staff oblige. Use it."
"Learn by doing."
"Yep. I'll handle while in Tarstira. One silver per."
Watch-and-learn fanatic. Just pocket change? Gimme commentary for my coin. Sarsa questions?
"How long per? Instant loss for silver's depressing."
"...Two hours, one silver."
"Deal. Been mulling technique gaps."
Wanna exclude this guy, but he's strong swordsman. Fine opponent. Grudgingly.
Next days: mornings dissection practice, afternoons post-hunt spars.
Spars last to avoid battered hunts. Physically, mentally.
Damn, tamed Sarsa's S storm, now masochistic beatings.
If I awaken as M? Depressing.
Added a Teba Region map.
(Kinda. If it contradicts text, text wins.)
Guild gripes addressed with some follow-up (excuses) in activity report.
Check if interested.
Maybe do feedback replies normally.
Once started, wanna do all—on hold.
Thanks for typos, comments, feedback. Referenced.
Even "whoa, spotted that!" typos.
Super helpful.