Chapter 65 A Month Later

<Quest [Conquer a dungeon] is completed.>

<Questline [Hunter's Path] updated.>

After killing the monster, I put the stone into my magic pouch. Then, started walking around to grab other loot in this place.

'There should be a chest behind the coffin.'

And just as I thought, a chest was hidden behind the coffin.

Normally that chest would be opened by injecting a person's mana into it, but since my core was sealed, I wasn't able to do it, well, at least normally.

Directing the lightning mana in the air to the chest, I opened it.

Inside, there were a bunch of plants, some potions, and a key.

'This key is a pretty important item in the game.'

Remembering that, I put the key into the pouch.

And then started waiting for the dungeon to be closed while eating my meal containing dry meat with soup.

***

While I was adventuring and fighting with monsters, I observed quite a lot of things.

Firstly, since this world is based on a game, generally, the monsters attacking patterns are fixed. While playing the game, with the input read function, you can control the attacks of the monsters to a certain extent.

And the thing I observed was that the monsters' way of attacking is heavily influenced by the combat in the game, although it was not certain.

That was the reason why I was able to deal with this monster this easily; all the attack patterns in the game were the same as the one before me.

Anyway, after finishing the monster and waiting for a while, I got sucked into a portal and blasted off to where I entered not long after.

Looking at the time shown on the watch I left, I saw two hours passed in this world.

'Hmm, the effects of smell-blocking powder should still be there. I can move then.'

Concluding that, I got out of the cave.

After observing the surroundings for a while, I didn't notice anything weird.

With that, I picked up my speed, running all the way back.

Although I was pretty exhausted, since the way on the back was pretty much cleared aside from some new monsters showing up, I was able to get out of the forest around the night.

'I should visit a close village.'

With that thought, I started riding my horse to the village close by, which I located on the map.

After riding for thirty minutes or so, I was able to reach there.

Entering the village, I saw an inn. Paying a relatively low price for an inn, I rented a room for a night. Cleaning myself in the bathroom with a bucket, I went to my bed.

And fell asleep not long after.

***

After waking up and getting rid of the drowsiness, I left the inn and started traveling again.

Although the inn was nothing but a good one, it was still a lot better than sleeping on the floor in the tent.

There is also the fact that a village is probably safer than a tent, which lets me lower my vigilance.

And with my body cleaned, I felt refreshed. My aura reserves were also filled, so I was ready for a fight as well.

While riding, I decided to check my quest and stats.

---------------------------

Quest – Conquer a dungeon (Completed)

Now you have entered the dungeon for the first time; it is time to conquer it.

Rewards - +0.1 strength

------------------------------

Questline – Hunter's Path

Definition – As a hunter, you need to hunt, but a hunter never stops moving.

Quest – Travel to a different country

Rewards – +0.1 speed stat

-------------------------------

Looking at the questline appearing beside me, I thought;

'Just as I expected, quests are parallel with the things I am planning, at least for now. I was already planning to travel to upgrade my sword, and seeing the contents of my quest proves it.'

Thinking that I kept riding, not bothering with anything else.

Take a break from time to time to fill my stomach and rest, then travel for a while….

I kept repeating this routine until I reached the city.

***

After reaching the city, I returned to my original routine.

Training in the morning with my sword and aura as well as my body.

Resting until noon.

Then clearing dungeons, killing monsters, and taking quests for the rest of the day.

My days were pretty much monotonous like that.

Those 'beforehand dogs' now normal people didn't bother me either, so the days were pretty eventful.

However, with all those fights and training I did, I felt my growth started getting faster and faster.

With all those strengthening of the foundation of my aura as well as my body, the growth speed of mine should already be pretty fast.

However, the most important thing was the speed of my making money.

Since I will need to travel to a different country, I won't do it on horseback, of course, meaning I will need to use a teleportation gate.

However, as I have mentioned before, those gates are pretty expensive since they are basically designed for nobles' use.

Normally commoners and those who can't afford to use those gates would be traveling with a convoy. However, the distance between my destination and the place I am in is pretty huge, and I don't want to lose that much time just traveling with a convoy.

That was the reason why I was basically trying pretty hard in the dungeon.

And today is the last day I will be staying in Chusport City.

Just like any normal day, I woke up in the morning and trained with my sword as well as my body. Then, went to the adventurers guild for any information regarding a new dungeon.

Since I was basically clearing dungeons like a machine, my title in the guild was 'Machine Boy.'

It was a bit cringe but nothing much either.

Today, I went to the dungeon just like the same before, hunted a bunch of two-star monsters, and returned around to my room around the evening.

After taking a bath and cleaning myself, I went to the guild to exchange materials with my money.

Entering there, I saw the guild was pretty much empty since the rush hours were already over.

Slowly making my way to Jane's desk, I heard her calling me.

"Wow, wow, mister Machine Boy is here."

"Hey, I told you don't call me like that."

"Why, though? It is funny."

"I am not having fun here. It is cringe."

"Heh~ So even you can be embarrassed."

"Why? Do you think I don't have any emotions?"

"It looks like that from the outside."

Shrugging her shoulders, she said with a slight smile.

"Anyway, are you here to exchange cores again?"

"Yes."

Saying that, I spilled the cores that I collected into the table.

"Hmm, 59 two-star monster cores. Today is a bit less, huh?"

"Well, I will be leaving tomorrow, so I don't want to tire myself too hard."

"You are leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Ah…. Will you be coming back?"

"Probably not, at least for a while."

"I see. At what time?"

"Tomorrow at noon."

"At noon…. Then, what are you going to do  now?"

"Probably rest in my room after grabbing dinner. Why?"

"Wait here for a while, don't go anywhere."

Saying that, Jane left the desk, and went to the Guild Master's office, entering it.

After talking there for a while, she went out with a slight smile on her face.

"Come with me. I will treat you to dinner."

"Wa-"

"I don't accept no as an answer; just come with me. You don't have anything to do anyway."

Grabbing my arm after putting her coat on, she started dragging me to the entrance.

"Okay, okay. Just release my arm. I won't be going anywhere."

"Heh….. Be a good boy like that."

"….."

Just like that, we walked while talking until we reached the residential zone.

"I don't think this place has any restaurants?"

"Who said we would be eating in a restaurant, though?"

"Hmm…. So, you are saying you will be making me dinner."

"Yep…."

Dragging me, we entered a pretty good-looking detached house with a good garden.

It was pretty impressive, considering the room I was staying in for this whole month, albeit it was nothing compared to the mansion of the dukedom.

"Make yourself home. I will be preparing the meal."

Saying that she left me in the room alone, entered the kitchen, and started preparing the food.

Then, I decided to look around.

/MEOW/

Seeing the cat with white fur, I remembered a certain moment.

'I see, so it was not a hickey on her neck but a mark from her cat….'

After waiting for approximately thirty minutes or so, she returned.

"Come, the dinner is ready."

Seeing the hearty meal prepared in front of me, I was in awe for a moment.

"You were waiting for this, weren't you?"

"Hmm…. I don't know what you are talking about~."

"Heh… So be it."

Sitting at the table, we started eating dinner while talking.

At some point, she stood up and brought a bottle with her.

"Hey, isn't that a wine?"

"Yes. A pretty good one as well."

"You know I am a minor, right?"

"Heh, so you are saying you can't handle any alcohol?"

"…. Fill me one."

"Good boy."

At this point, if a person can't understand the signals she is sending, then he is not a man.

Accepting the challenge, I grabbed the cup gulping it with one go.

<Host, do you want me to purify the alcohol and reduce the effects?>

'No need. Let me release myself; it has been quite a long time. I will defeat her with my own will.'

<Understood.>

Just like that, we started drinking, and the following was pretty much obvious…..