Ch.88 The Voices that are Heard at The Start of Investigation

Vester's POV

Dropping a vine onto the lake's surface, I gaze upon the clouds floating in the sky.

"I can't catch anything..."

Two days have passed since I commissioned myachil♡-san to make my protection gear.

Currently, I'm fishing in a lake in the Fairy Forest under a clear, windless sky.

The fishing rod is homemade. It's made from a combination of pear tree branches and plant vines. Despite its appearance, I can guarantee its strength.

However, it's still a primitive fishing rod made simply by wrapping vines around a branch and tying them together. It's not exactly sturdy enough to be used repeatedly.

The first one I made, which I used to fish for Pacific Saury yesterday, broke. The one I'm using now is the second one. It's a fishing rod made from a pear tree branch, in the fishing rod category of weapon items, made using the same materials and the same process.

From early morning, I dangled a plant vine—not a fishing line—into the lake's surface, and without even thinking about whether I'd catch anything or not, I just lazily hung around.

Yesterday, after checking my main body's status, I planted the mandarin orange seeds I got from making sweets, watered them, and then went fishing at my leisure.

The first mandarin orange seed I planted hasn't sprouted yet. That's to be expected, since it hasn't been that long since I planted it.

By the way, this is my main body's status:

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Name: Vester

Age: 3 months old

Race: Blood-Rotten Tree

Main Job: Apprentice Chef

Sub Job: Apprentice Mage

Level: 15

HP: 69/69

MP: 69/69

STR: 38

VIT:39

AGI: 45

DEX: 42

LUK: 48

<Magic>

• Appraisal

• Mist Water Lv.1

• Telekinesis

<Species-specific skills>

• Clone Creation

• Blood-Rotten Tree Powder Lv.2

<Equipment section>

Title: Brutal and Cruel Victory

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As expected, my level went up by 3 to level 15. Other than that, nothing else changed.

However, one interesting thing has come to light.

It's something that's obvious if I think about it for a bit, but it seems that hanging a sword or putting accessories to my branches give me a status boost... In short, I've discovered that I can get stronger even in my tree form.

Having said that, I don't intend to decorate my main body with accessories or anything like that for now

Why? Well, it's true that it makes you stronger if I do.

But think about it for a moment: what would happen if a tree existed with swords and armor propped up at its base, clothes wrapped around or hanging from its branches, and adorned with accessories?

Most players and NPCs would probably stay away, thinking it might be a trap, but some would go over excitedly, thinking "Yay, treasure!", and take everything instead.

A tree decorated in the middle of a forest would stand out and be easily found. It would significantly increase the risk to my life.

Few people may be able to reach this hidden area , but for those lucky enough to get there, it will seem like a treasure trove.

Therefore, the only time I would do it is if a battle breaks out in the Fairy Forest. Unless it's an unforeseen event, I won't decorate myself.

Yesterday I did all sorts of things, but today I watered the plants, made a fishing rod, and then go straight to fishing.

This kind of luxury is possible because I have plenty of time to dedicate solely to myself.

"I think I'll call it a day here."

I release my back from the goblin plushie I've been using as a makeshift chair.

A cute, albeit stylized, green monster plush toy. It's a prize from a crane game in the entertainment facility of the inn "Frog Manor".

I was really looking forward to playing the crane game, but I woke up late and didn't have time to play.

Before heading back to the Fairy Forest, I stopped by and tried my luck at a crane game that cost 20 Monies per play 13 times. I didn't get what I wanted, but I did get a prize that I wouldn't have seen during my first life, so I guess you could call it a rare item.

This goblin plushie is three times my size. However, the opening of my bag is smaller than that, so I can't fit it inside.

I could force it in, but it would be terrible if my bag tore and broke, so I used telekinesis to carry it as I flew through the night.

I heard a rumor that a player bought a bed and tried to put it into his magic sack, but the sack split open and exploded, killing them.

Apparently, the dark magic cast upon it lost its form and malfunctioned, causing an explosion.

Since the manufacturing process is the same, it wouldn't be surprising if it could happen to my bag too. It's better to be safe than sorry.

If there's no such problem though, I'd just use my telekinetic powers to push the plushie until it goes inside the bag.

Incidentally, some areas such as the halls and entertainment facilities within the "Frog Manor" are open to the public free of charge. Use is permitted within reasonable limits.

◇◆◇

"I didn't manage to catch anything"

"That is too bad."

I returned to my main body with the stuffed animal and now I'm having a conversation with Nabla-kun. (TL: The treant introduced in Ch.23)

I caught 6 fishes yesterday, and I'm not going into this with the mindset of "I'm definitely going to catch one!", so even if I don't catch any, it's not a problem.

It's nature, after all. There will be days when you don't catch anything.

"It can't be helped. Some days are like that."

"There will be a good thing in not catching any."

"I hope so."

As I replied to his encouraging words, a bright light suddenly burst in.

"Again."

"You're shining again."

"It is too bright."

Using my hand as a visor, I narrow my eyes.

In front of me is a white light. And there's something circular on the ground, like a magic circle.

For a fleeting moment, just a brief instant, his body glowed.

That incident that happened once before, when I thought it was an enemy attack.

Yesterday, his body glowed twice, but since there was nothing else happening and no harm was done, I was somewhat convinced that it wasn't an attack.

When I asked him, he said there was nothing particularly wrong with his body.

"Lend it to me."

He simply replied "too bright" to the fleeting shine on his body, then shifted his interest to something else.

Despite not knowing the true nature of the light, there is this lack of interest, this lack of curiosity.

Could it be that he actually knows what that is, and now he's responding this way knowing that...?

...No, that can't be right.

"Okay."

I fly closer to Nabla-kun and give him the goblin plushie.

He wiggles his branch, skillfully moves it around, and wraps it around the plushie. He then playfully squeezes and loosens it, as if to check its texture, and seems to enjoy touching it.

Does he like the feel of the cotton, or does he like the look of it, or does he just like a plushie in general? Despite his appearance, he's a three-month-old child just like me. He's at that age where he can't help but touch anything that catches his interest.

Despite his horrifying appearance, his words and actions are far from scary; in fact, they're almost cute. The combination of these two makes him a kind-hearted monster who's simply frightening in appearance.

He might just be treating me that way because we're fellow residents here though.

To strangers who aren't part of the group, he might only appear as monstrous, murder machine-like creatures.

Because Nabla-kun is an event monster.

Honey-san, also known as NPC Cern, is the character who appears at the end of the bond event. You could even call her a boss.

The quest will probably involve retrieving Cern-san's bones or something like that. I thought so before, but I can't find any other reason to defeat him, so that's probably it.

I've never met or defeated either of them, and this is all based on photos and a little information I found online, so it's possible it's the kind of thing that can be resolved through negotiation.

"...Oh, I see. Is the true nature of the light perhaps related to an event?"

"What happened?"

Nabla-kun turns his face towards me, still holding the plushie. The squeezing continues.

"I may have figured out the true nature of that light. It's just a possibility, but it's about bond-."

I stopped halfway through my sentence.

I wonder if he would even understand what I was about to say about the bonding event. I feel like he wouldn't understand even if I explained it directly.

But is that really true? Is it really related to an event?

I think it's too early to draw any conclusions.

For now, I know that it wasn't an attack, but I have no idea if it will lead to a bonding event or not.

It's appearing without permission, so it's neither come out of goodwill nor does it seem to cause any harm, nor does it seem malicious. Since I don't know what the reason is, it would be better to gather more information before drawing any conclusions.

On the contrary, if I jump to conclusions and take action, only to find out that the light wasn't related to an event at all, then everything up to that point would have been a complete waste of time and effort.

It would be best to go to town and check whether there are any players who have accepted the quest, or if they have already accepted it and are on their way here.

Leaving something that has popped into your head unattended is dangerous and cannot be ignored.

In this situation, where I don't know when they will come, I can't relax.

"What about the bond?"

"Oh... I'm sorry. Please forget about it for now."

First, let's confirm whether Nabla-kun truly knows nothing about the nature of the light. It's not a problem if he doesn't know, but it would be helpful if he did.

If this is related to a bonding event, then I might be considered an enemy for helping him, but he is one of my kind and a comrade. I want to help him before something bad happens.

"Nabla-kun, do you know anything about body bioluminescence?"

Last time the answer was "Whi knows?" but what will the answer be this time?

"I don't know. But there is one time when I woke up, I was in a different place."

"Different place...?"

"There were lots of little people."

The response I received was astonishing.

"Wait, that's..." Just as the answer to the unconscious realm part two I hadn't used myself came to mind, I heard some kind of sound in the distance.

"...Uh..."

"...Uh...Uh..."

No, it might be a voice.

I can't see them, but I can definitely hear something.

"...Yiiiiiiaaah..."

"...Ahhh...ohhhhh..."

The gradually growing louder voices indicate that something is getting closer.

"I wonder what it is."

"Sounds scary."

I exchanged glances with Nabla-kun, feeling a strange sensation as if something like this had happened before, or maybe not.

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〘Furniture Item: Goblin Plushie〙

★★★☆☆

A stylized, slightly cuter version of a goblin plush toy.

This is a prize from a crane game at the inn "Frog Manor", and is not for sale.

It's packed tightly with cotton, but it's not too packed and feels great to the touch.

If you leave it outside, goblins will come near it. They seem to think it's one of their friends taking a break, even though it's clearly small.

Creator: Elf Nilhunt

〘Ornament Guild〙

This guild is often joined by people who love gemstones, enjoy decorating themselves with accessories, or simply enjoy making ornaments.

The guild is decorated with overflowing accessories, ranging from gaudy high-end areas, flashy areas, cute whimsical areas and even eerie areas resembling demon summoning.

Membership requirement: You must possess one gem.

〘Job: Apprentice Accessory Maker〙

Primary craftsman. A craftsman who creates all kinds of wearable jewelry using various materials such as gemstones, plastics, and glass. There are no restrictions on the materials used.

A job you can take on by joining the Ornament Guild.

You will feel like you can make accessories like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings better now than you could before you took this job.

There is a 50% chance that the finished product will have an additional bonus, and if it does, the bonus is moderate.

When set as the main Job, it provides a slight bonus to MP, DEX, and LUK.

Employment requirements:

① Possess one gemstone.

② Join the Ornament Guild.

〘Job: Apprentice Jeweler〙

Primary craftman. Craftsmen who work with gemstones such as emeralds and sapphires, including polishing, cutting, carving, and processing the gemstones themselves.

A job you can take by joining the Ornament Guild.

Taking this job reduces the chances of making mistakes when processing gemstones, etc.

The rarer the completed item, the better the effects it will have on the accessory used.

Please note that using materials other than gemstones in jewelry will not produce the same results as described above.

When set as the main job, it provides a slight bonus in DEX and LUK.

Employment requirements:

① Possess one gemstone.

② Join the Ornament Guild.

〘Job: Apprentice Jewelry Maker〙

A profession derived from Accessories Maker. These artisans create jewelry using gemstones such as diamonds and rubies, and precious metals such as gold and platinum.

They design, create, and repair jewelry, process precious metals, and combine them with gemstones.

This job specializes in making jewelry, and there is a 70% chance that the finished product will have additional bonus.

If you create an item that does not use gemstones instead, it will not have additional bonus.

When set as the main job, it provides a slight bonus in DEX and LUK.

Employment requirements:

① Must be employed as Accessory Maker.

② Must have created 5 types of accessories using gemstones.

③ Must show the completed accessories to a guild staff member.

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