Chapter 31 - 31.First Hunt

Albert distributes the supplies they bought before they walk out of the village. He gave 3 lesser HP potions to James and Alice each since they need them more than others. He and Kana took 2 lesser HP potions and 2 lesser MP potions each and distribute the lesser antidote evenly; 1 for every party member. The last lesser MP potions go to James as he needs MP to maintain BONE-VOYAGE.

Along the way to their destination, they strategize on how to hunt efficiently. They decided that James and his skeleton would attack first while Alice would go attack it whenever she can. James and Alice's teamwork is on a good level as they train it a lot with Anna; But as a worried brother, Albert keeps reminding Alice to be careful and to hide behind James's shield as much as she can.

After sparring with Anna, James is more inclined to be in melee range as he performs an attack and defense combo with his skeleton. He feels that he can control BONE-VOYAGE better at closer range and since the party didn't really have tank class he took one for the team and aim to be one. As unusual as-is for a necromancer to be tank his shield mastery help greatly, BONE_VOYAGE can also help as it's stronger than other normal skeletons.

Kana and Albert can't really contribute as they don't really proficient in fighting. Kana still can't use any skill but she improved a lot; She can inscribe her rune faster trying to cast a healing skill but the end, which arguably more important still failed her. As for Albert, he can try communicating with Luna utilizing his new skill but it was still up to her whether she would help or not. Relaying your life on a pet snake you just got 3 days ago doesn't really sit well but Albert believes she would listen to him when it counts.

It took the party 10 minutes from the village gate to the hunting location. Chaos can be seen all around as 100+ students running around chasing monsters trying to complete their quest. Luckily horned rabbit is the most basic monster so the village hall set unlimited amount can be submitted otherwise some people would return with nothing.

Group of students can be seen working together taking down multiple enemies but soon problems can be seen occurs one after another. Students stumbling over each other, friendly fire, stuff that usually the game designer disabled to make player life easier start happening making it more difficult to hunt. One thing that almost put everyone on the edge is that missing projectile can accidentally hit other parties making the field practically a survival battleground.

James: "I don't think to go in the middle of that is a good idea,"

Kana: "Should we just pick some Earth Chives and hunt in other places?"

Albert: "Hunt in other places seems dangerous as we're only level 1, but hunting here seems very inefficient."

Alice: "What should we do then?"

Albert: "I don't know; Maybe we hunt for 1 or 2 stray rabbits on the edge while focus on collecting Earth Chives."

James: "Well, that seems reasonable for now. We can relocate later after we get used to fighting monsters."

The group decides to look for Earth Chives on the sides while hoping to take down 1 or 2 stray rabbits. Not many people seem to be interested in gathering quests and more focused on hunting one. Granted hot blood teenager is eager to show off their new power and picking vegetables wouldn't complete the objective.

10 minutes went by; the party found a few Earth Chives but failed to take down any horned rabbit.

Although not rare, Earth Chives is not common herb and the location where they grow didn't make it easier to find one either. They grow alongside normal Chives so you need to look carefully or you'll miss it.

Sudently 4 rabbits pop out from a burrow hidden near the group; 1 big and 3 small ones. Unfortunately for the rabbits, waiting outside their burrow are 4 people and 1 snake waiting for some action.

Albert plays his zither making Luna move from his hand to face one of the smaller rabbits. James cast his summon skeleton skill while Alice try to buy him time facing 2 rabbits alone.

-10

Alice start pounding at one of the smaller rabbits. Acknowledging the threat the 2 rabbits start retaliating while the last one facing a 1-meter long white snake.

-5

-6

It only takes 2 attacks from 2 fluffy rabbits to chop off Alice HP down to 90%. Granted her class is not the designated tank class like some knight that has a deep HP pool. But it still surprises the party as the rabbit dealt more damage than they expected. Finish casting his skill James and BONE-VOYAGE charge to the big and small rabbit hoping to take the agro off Alice.

-12

-7

BONE-VOYAGE wooden club did more damage than James shield charge but James's charge knocks the rabbit back resulting in Alice facing 1 less rabbit.

-1(BLOCK)

-9

-6

-11

-10

James tank 2 of the rabbit attack manage to successfully block one of it with his shield while the third rabbit trade attack with Alice 10 attack damage fist. BONE-VOYAE doubles up with Alice hitting it for another 11 damage making it officially bellow 50%. Albert continues playing his tune while Luna successfully constricts one of the rabbits decreasing it HP bit by bit.

-2

-2

-2

-3

-3

The poor rabbit is helpless against its natural enemy as red-colored number keeps popping up above its head. Kana observe the fight worriedly trying to cast her skill to no avail.

The battle proceeds and they traded hit back and forth trying to kill the others. James HP depleted at a concerning pace as his maximum HP is alarmingly low compared to normal frontliner. Kana looking at the party tab and prompt James to drink the HP potion when his HP reaches 40%.

Lucky for him, his right hand is free from any weapon so he proceeds taking a lesser HP potion from his inventory and chugged it all up. With 1 rabbit down on the count, the trio put gagged up on the last two while Luna put the last one out of misery.

+5

-1(BLOCK)

-9

-11

-11

+5

Two +5's float above James's head restoring about 10% of his HP. On his right side, Alice and James's skeleton tag team and killed one of the rabbits without any problems. They then proceed to help James with the last one. Alice and BONE-VOYAGE are at free reign as James intercepts a lot of the monster attack resulting in them take small to no damage.

+5

-8

-13

-10

+5

It took almost 2 minutes for the party to take out all 4 horned rabbits without any casualties. James ends up uses 1 of the 3 lesser HP potions he has; healing a total of 30 HP maxing James HP pool. Alice stuff all rabbits carcasses into her inventory and the party decides to take a small break on the sides after that intense fight.