Manowa Chapter 245

「Well now, which way to the doggie?」

While saying that, Yumika was driving Hippo-kun Clear. Hippo-kun High with its chalky skin was also pretty, but this transparent Hippo-kun Clear was the most popular with the girl group.

And when the accompanying adventurers got used to the novelness of the Hippo-kuns, they became interested in Hippo-kun Clear, which seemed to be a superior version of what they were riding. They were captivated by the radiance of the object shaped like a mixture of a dragon and a horse that could be called a work of art.

In the first place, Hippo-kun Clear was made with the Crystal Dragon material Dragon Crystal Stone and used a Dragon Heart for its motive power. The materials alone were expensive, and they were used in such an extravagant way, so the surrounding people's eyes being drawn to it was natural. Though it was usually overshadowed by Hippomaru-kun.

「Yo, sis. That horse is incredible. Was that also made by that Kazane?」

Then an adventurer approached Yumika from behind and questioned her about Clear. The Hippo-kuns they were riding were the same, but the fact that it could run so comfortably even inside the forest made it no wonder that he wanted one by all means.

「That's right, but since it's a Golem, that... what was that country's name... Toure? They would also be able to make one, right?」

After Yumika easily answered, the adventurer following behind said「I see」and nodded.

「A Golem? Certainly, these were made with earth some time ago.」

When they heard that, the surrounding adventurers started saying the words Golem and Toure. Apparently, they were thinking one could be obtained in the Kingdom of Toure. By the way, Yumika wasn't very familiar with the Golem situation, so she had a similar perception, and she wasn't particularly trying to deceive them.

「Oi, found something.」

As Yumika and the others talked, the beastman adventurer riding ahead called out.

「Mu」

Yumika turned in the direction of the beastman's voice and certainly saw that something was considerably ahead.

(Ah, as expected, a beastman's nose is really effective, isn't it)

Although they weren't as effective as Kazane's『Dog's Sense of Smell』Skill, which could currently sniff out even ghosts, every party wanted a beastkin. From traveling with Kazane, Yumika was well aware that having a beastkin's sense of smell was very useful, both for hunting prey and for avoiding monsters. Although in this time's hunt, that sense of smell hadn't been a decisive factor so far.

「Chasing that would be bad, right?」

Yumika squinted and looked at the something the beastman discovered. It didn't seem to be moving.

「Based on our experience so far, the likelihood of an ambush is high... rather, it's almost certain. That's a Snake Wolf.」

The elf adventurer riding the same Hippo-kun as the beastman replied. Yumika had heard the two were in a rank B party. The beastmen was named Mokko and the elf was named Mark.

「Snake Wolf?」

「It's a lizard wolf that lives in this area and silently hunts prey.」

Emily was riding Clear behind Yumika and answered her question. A lizard wolf was a lizard with an ecology resembling a wolf. Snake Wolves were a monster of that type that were also called Silent Killers. They were primarily feared by adventurers encamping at night.

「They are highly stealthy monsters. They aren't the type to readily show their figures, and if they feel like it, they can even hide from beastkin noses.」

The elf Mark nodded after Emily's words.

「It's extremely suspicious that it's showing its figure. Moreover, at that distance, it will definitely be able to run away if we pursue it.」

The surrounding adventurers agreed with Mark.

This team with Yumika and Emily had 10 Hippo-kuns, but there many people who were better suited to riding as a group of two instead of three, so the total number of people with Yumika and Emily included was 27.

「Purposely taking its invitation is also an option, though.」

The problem was how many this number of people would be able to beat. Yumika alone had no problem. She had her G.o.d Wolf Transformation and Dragonoidization. However, the only members capable of matching Yumika without any transformations were probably the beastman Mokko and the rearguard bow user Rondo. Emily's face turned pale after Yumika's mutter.

「Wai, wait a second, you're not serious, are you?」

If we charge together, I will surely die. Emily was convinced of that and screamed.

「NnーI'll try consulting with Kazane」

Yumika thought that even if it were impossible with them alone, if they coordinated with the others they should be able to do it, so she started typing in her constantly open Chat Window.

Yumika:「This is Yumika.」

Kazane:「'Allo 'allo. This is Kazane.」

Yumika:「We found something called a Snake Wolf right now. It seems to be luring us, though.」

Kazane:「Umm, which way does it go when it runs away?」

Yumika moved forward little by little and watched the direction the Snake Wolf moved in response.

Yumika:「Northeast from here?」

Kazane:「Roger. Then we'll have you do a pincer attack Naoki. At this distance, it will take about 10 minutes?」

Naoki:「Is that everything?」

Kazane:「So then, advance without overpursuing. Is Naoki also OK?」

Yumika:「Understood.」

Naoki:「Okay, Aneki.」

The chat ended there. Yumika then told the adventurers what she had decided with Kazane. The adventurers couldn't see the Window, so they had no idea if Yumika had actually conversed with Kazane, but they had confirmed that they would they actually be able to coordinate before coming here. As might be expected, they didn't think she would tell such a stupid lie when their lives were on the line. Everybody understood that they had no choice but to trust her.

And even now, Emily behind Yumika didn't really understand what the thing Yumika and the others called the Window was. Only Kazane, Yumika, and Naoki could use it. It seemed that Tatsuo could also see it when he was touching Kazane, but there were times when Emily felt like the three were getting their stories straight to lie in a way that was completely invisible to her.

Though Emily also knew that Naoki used that Window on a routine basis. Naoki was the only one who could see and use it, but they were greatly helped by the Item Box and Map when they were a party of three.

And Emily now sensed it was a connection between Naoki and Yumika. There was also the trouble she had discovered the other day with the love rival named Tiara, but Emily felt once again that her biggest enemy was Yumika.

That rival was communicating with Naoki using a method Emily didn't understand. No matter the situation, it probably couldn't be helped that Emily's jealousy didn't stop.

(Ah. I feel an unpleasant gaze again)

Yumika muttered in her mind. Yumika, who received Emily's Jura.s.sic gaze beam with every little thing, was still thinking about how to resolve the misunderstanding. Since she was his ex girlfriend, Emily seemed needlessly vigilant of her when they talked.

In any case, when she pulled herself together and tried to focus on the surroundings,

「What is this?」

She saw a phantom image of a ma.s.s of killing intent suddenly turning towards them.

「This is bad. Enemies!!」

The adventurers hurriedly look around at Yumika's shout. The beastman Mokko sensed the same indication as Yumika and was already combat ready.

(Why didn't I notice until now!?)

Yumika tutted as she jumped off Hippo-kun Clear,

「Mokko-san, watch west!」

「Aye!」

Mokko was the only one who was able to respond properly, so she gave him instructions as she ran east. Emily looked at Yumika with surprised eyes, but she was astonished when she saw the countless beasts ahead of Yumika.

「Monsters!?」

「Why are they so close?」

It was a pincer attack from the east and west by a mixed group of monsters that included Wind attribute monsters like Sylphyn Wolves and Kamaitachi Dogs. Poisonous claw possessing Kobold Blues and High Kobolds, as well as two-headed wolves called Geminis Heads, could also be seen.

And the number was disadvantageous: more than 100. Maybe even more than 200. Furthermore, there was a huge black wolf behind the monsters. Yumika could tell that monster was the Demon Wolf Fenrir Imitator. There weren't many monsters that released that degree of intimidating air.

「There's no way we can win in this situation, right?」

Emily said that reflexively, but she represented the feelings of most of the adventurers there. However, there were people that were already moving.

「Retreat! Retreatーー!!」

Contrary to her own words, Yumika rushed toward the enemies as she gave instructions to the adventurers. The adventurers simultaneously obeyed and made U-turns with their Hippo-kuns to run back the direction they came.

「Bow users and magicians, serve as the rear guard. These horses can arbitrarily move without our control. Fire at will!」

The bow user Rondo came to the front from the back of the formation and spoke.

「Yumika, you're!」

By the time Emily shouted, Yumika was already rus.h.i.+ng into combat, and she shouted back.

「I'll have to wing it! Mokko-san, you too!」

「Acknowledged!」

Mokko replied from the opposite direction.

(Ah, dammit, isn't this more dangerous than Rock Hold's Monster House?)

While so complaining in her mind, Yumika immediately used her Wolf G.o.d Transformation and started exterminating the surrounding monsters. She also summoned her silver wolf followers, but she sent them to Mokko.

The beastman Mokko was a powerful person on the verge of rank A, but the enemies were welling up like they were limitless. It seemed his partner elf Mark was coming to pick him up with Hippo-kun, but the enemies were increasing one after the other, and they probably wouldn't be able to escape as it was. So she had no choice but to send her silver wolves to guard them. Furthermore, the higher-cla.s.s monsters were approaching her in the meantime.

And in the middle of this predicament, cold sweat was streaming down Yumika's back. The question was how to stall for time until Naoki and Kazane came to help.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Magic Swordswoman

t.i.tle: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Draghorn Tonfa (Incomplete) x2, Dragonscale Breastplate, Drake Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Sylphyn Skirt, Plasma Pants, Dragon Eating Ogre King's Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, Magic Acc.u.mulator, White Magic Acc.u.mulator, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring

Level : 33

Health: 135

Magic Power: 260+420

Strength: 57+20

Agility: 52+14

Endurance: 33

Wisdom : 65

Dexterity : 41

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror s.h.i.+eld』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior's Memory』『Night Vision』『Crus.h.i.+ng Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv3』『Rush』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material s.h.i.+eld: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『St.u.r.dier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Fabricated Coercion』『Stone Minotaur』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『s.p.a.ce Expansion』『Pseudo-silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』

Kazane:「There's no contact from Yumika...」