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The Otherworld Conquest Method of a Reincarnated Porter Chapter 171

To the Western Forest 2

「A superior species flame-skinned wolf, you say?!」

In order to share information about the monster I’ve defeated, I show them the flame-skinned wolf’s corpse. There may be many strong enemies of rank 26, so I wonder if he’ll suggest we retreat? That would be good in its own way.

「Yeah, look at these fangs. It’s without a doubt a superior species flame-skinned wolf.」

「Hmph, perhaps that this guy just happens to have big fangs? You’re just trying to attract Michie and Mian’s attention by insisting that the monster you defeated is a superior species, aren’t you?」

「Huh?」

「「…..」」

Huh, seriously? It seems that not only Rancebeat, but also Michiyopuana and Miancrawler don’t think it’s a superior species. Would they trust me if I told them I could use appraisal? But I don’t want to show my cards too much… What should I do?

「I think there’s no doubt about it. I bought some information at the Adventurer’s Association, after all. Haven’t you guys checked out the monster distribution map?」

「I mean, the Adventurer’s Association’s monster distribution map can only serve as a reference, and that kind of information is just a means of making money.」

「Hmm, if I have to put it, Rance said it was crazy that we have to pay the two small silver coins, you see.」

「S, shut up. At any rate, no matter what kind of monsters there are, we’re going to just hunt our target, the flame-skinned wolves. Besides, let’s assume that one is a superior species, how could a lowly porter defeat it? It doesn’t add up, don’t you think?」

Well, if you think about it normally, that would certainly be the case. Not only is it strange for a porter to be able to defeat a superior species monster, it’s unnatural for him to be able to accurately identify monsters.

「C’mon, isn’t it fine, we’ve defeated the monster anyway. Leaving aside whether that one is a superior species or not, Sei is very strong and reliable. I think we can add him to our fighting force.」

「Hahaha, I see. Alright, in that case, let’s have Sei join the battle from now on, shall we? I’m looking forward to it, alright? Fufufu, alright, let’s go.」

With Rance in the lead, we start walking through the forest again. In the end, the question of whether the monster I defeated was a superior species or not ends up getting left uncleared. Just like this, I hope nothing happens, but…

「Sei, I’m sorry. Because of me, you’ll have to join the battle.」

「Michie, I don’t really mind. But that one was without a doubt a higher species. You and Miancrawler should really be careful.」

「Okay, I get it.」

「Umm, Sei.」

「What is it, Miancrawler?」

「Thank you so much for earlier. And you can call me Mian.」

「I see, please take care of me, Mian.」

「Hmm, for Mian to personally ask a guy she just met to call her by her nickname, that’s unusual~」

「It, it’s not like I have some ulterior motives or anything.」

「Hey, we’re not here to play, you know?!」

When we get scolded by Rancebeat, Michiyopuana sticks out her tongue and makes a charming face. So cute. How should I put it, as someone who is mentally an old man, these close sisters stir up my desire to protect them. I want to protect these two at least.

Even so, even though it can’t be compared to the demonic dragon mountain range, perhaps this forest is still pretty dangerous. When we return to the Adventurer’s Association today, let’s take a look at the monster distribution map.

「Halt.」

Everyone stops moving at Rancebeat’s signal.

A quadruped creature is approaching from the right diagonal. It looks like there’s one, no, two of them. Appraisal!

 

Rock Tanuki, Rank 13

 

「Oh, there are two of them. Let’s see, shall I deal with one of them and leave the other one to you, Sei? You could defeat a superior species flame-skinned wolf, so of course you’ll do it, right?」

「Eh~, Rance, being mean is bad for your image, you know?」

「We ought to fight them together.」

「Ah, no, I’ll fight it. Michie, Mian, please keep an eye on the surrounding area.」

Alright, they’re not that strong of an opponent, so let’s fight in a way that’ll make Rancebeat look good.

Having a hard time and taking more time to defeat my opponent than Rancebeat, let’s go with that. Like this, he’ll be able to attract the attention of the women, and his mood will surely turn for the better. Nothing good comes from fighting with a fellow party member, after all.

「Hmph, if I finish off my opponent first, I’ll lend you a hand, Sei.」

「Yeah, please.」

Rancebeat and I step forward. We’re about ten meters away from the enemy.

Ah, not good, while we’re talking, the monsters start circulating their magical energy. I should use instant step to launch a preemptive attack… No can do, it’s not good for me to kill my opponent before Rancebeat. Damn it, looks like something’s coming. Is it instant step, or perhaps…

The monsters’ magical energy starts to interfere with the ground. This, it looks like earth magic is coming. Not good, Michiyopuana and Miancrawler are behind us. If we dodge the magic, the two, who are in the line of fire, will be in danger.

「Alright, victory goes to the one who makes the first move.」

Rancebeat rushes out with instant step. I take out a mithril alloy shield from my storage and channel magical energy into it.

Sure enough, the ground in front of the rock tanukis rises up and spherical lumps of earth come flying at us.

「Oops, that was dangerous.」

Rancebeat narrowly dodges the lump of earth.

It’s not 「Oops, that was dangerous.」, duh. The ones who are in danger are the two standing in the back. I block the lumps of earth with my shield, which is imbued with magical energy. *Bam, bam* A heavy impact runs through my hands that are holding the shield, but no damage is done.

After putting the shield into my storage, I close in on the rock tanuki with instant step. Rancebeat unleashes attacks at the first one. I attack the second one in the neck… Ah, shoot, I’ll end up killing it. I lightly swing my sword down at its eye, then move behind it and cut off its hind legs. Alright, with this, all that’s left is to finish it off.

「Haa, haa, Sei, want me to help you?」

「Yeah, please.」

Having Rancebeat, who has defeated the first one, lend me his strength, I finish off the second one, and the battle is over. Alright, with this, everyone’s happy.

I skin the monsters we defeated, take out the magic stone, and the dismantling is done.

「Haa, haa, how was that, Michie, Mian? Did you have a good look at my heroic…」

「Sei, you really saved us there~, you purposely blocked the earth magic with your shield, didn’t you?」

「Yes, at that rate, I might not have been able to dodge it.」

Oh, it seems the two girls who were watching the battle from behind fully grasped my intentions. Having the two young sisters thank me together makes me blush.

「C, curse you, porter!」

Sigh, somehow, it seems Rancebeat’s hatred for me has ended up growing even more.

Well, I don’t care about this guy anymore. But, leaving this guy aside, I’m worried about Michiyopuana and Miancrawler. If it’s just these three, I think it will be tough for them to work as adventurers in this forest. It seems these two usually operate in the stone tower labyrinth, and since my original goal happens to be that place, if possible, I’d like to accompany them until there.

「We’ve made a decent amount today, so why don’t we call it a day here? We can just come here again tomorrow.」

Yes, there’s no need to rush. I want to gather information about this forest and challenge it fully prepared tomorrow.

「Stop joking, porter. I haven’t used my full strength yet. Alright, let’s go.」

「「「…..」」」

Since the sun is still up there, we’re hesitating whether to continue exploring or retreat, but in the end, there’s no strong reason to object to it, so we decide to continue walking through the forest. After fighting two more battles, I think it’s about time to retreat.

「Hey, Rance, let’s go back for today.」

「It’s dangerous to go too deep.」

「Hmm, you’re right. I haven’t fought enough yet, but let’s continue tomorrow.」

「By the way, you know the way back, right?」

「Huh, yeah. Probably, that way. Well, I mean, I know the direction.」

This guy, is it really going to be okay? Well, I think he got the direction right, so we should be able to get back before the sun sets. Just to be sure, I’d like to confirm the place we’re returning to from a high vantage point, though.

「Hey, why don’t we climb up this slope and check the direction of the town?」

「Yeah, mm, let’s do that.」

Rancebeat doesn’t seem particularly opposed to my suggestion. He must be a little unsure about the direction.

We climb up the small slope. There’s nothing but flat forest, so we should be able to check it from the top.

「Wow~, what a great view~」

「We can also see the town.」

「Hahaha, how’s that? I got the direction right, didn’t I?」

From the top, we can look down on the town, and in the distance, I can see a few other groups of adventurers. It seems they’re also preparing to retreat.

Hmm? That’s, I can see the lone adventurer dressed in a black robe. Without even taking along a porter, what on earth is she doing in such a place?

Ah, shoot. Since this peak has such a great view, it seems we’ve been taking our time too much. I can see a pack of demonic wolves coming in our direction.

「Hey, look at that.」

「Huh, shoot.」

「A pack of flame-skinned wolves…」

「That’s bad, alright, follow me.」

With Rancebeat in the lead, we go down the slope. I think the pack of demonic wolves numbered about ten to fifteen. If there are any superior species in the mix, it would be a pretty tough battle. It might be difficult for everyone to return unscathed.

「This way.」

「Huh, Rance?」

「Just shut up and follow me!」

The direction Rancebeat is leading us in is slightly off the route to the town.

Huh, don’t tell me, this guy…

As we run, sure enough, I catch sight of the black robe-clad adventurer walking up ahead. She seems quite wary of us, who are running towards her. Well, I guess that’s only natural. What are we going to do? Are we going to join forces and fight the pack of wolves?

「Alright, run past them at once.」

Geh?! Are you serious? Is he trying to push the pack of demonic wolves onto this solo adventurer? Sigh, as expected, I can’t overlook this one.

「Michie, Mian, run to the town without looking back. I’ll act as the rear guard.」

I stop running and turn around in the direction we have just come from.

If it’s just me, it would be a little tough, but I don’t think I would die. I draw my mithril sword and get ready for battle.

「Hey, you should run too. A pack of demonic wolves is coming, you know?!」

「…..」

The black-robed adventurer is silent, but I wonder if she understands the situation she’s in. She’ll get in the way of the battle, so I hope she could run away quickly, though. This is bad, here they come.

The pack of flame-skinned wolves doesn’t suddenly attack me, but instead stops running and starts to threaten me. There are eleven, twelve, thirteen of them. Moreover, at least three of them are superior species. Alright, let’s fight while focusing on defense. I take out my mithril shield. Now then, let’s go.

「Sei!」

「Huh…」

「We’ve come to help.」

A, are you serious? It seems Michiyopuana and Miancrawler have stopped running and come to join the fight.

No, I don’t need help, though. If anything, it’d be easier for me to fight alone… No, let’s obediently accept their feelings. They probably couldn’t bring themselves to leave me behind. Both of them are truly nice girls. Let’s cut ties with a scummy adventurer like Rancebeat as soon as today.

「If the four of us work together, we should be able to manage one way or another.」

I see, so Rancebeat doesn’t come back with them. Does he not feel a sense of guilt for pushing a pack of monsters onto someone else?

「You’re a magician, right? The three of us will protect you, so please support us with your magic.」

「…..」

「I’m cutting ties with Rance as of today.」

Huh, is she for real? She’s adding a stranger to our fighting force? It’s risky, but it can’t be helped.

Still, it seems Rancebeat has run away as he was. How should I put it, I’m relieved that he’s a consistent scummy bastard. With this, I can cut ties with him without any worries.

I take out three large iron shields from my storage and throw them behind me.

「Alright, we’ll face them while focusing on defense. Michie, Mian, get on either side of the magician and keep the monsters at bay while protecting them with those shields. I’ll handle most of the attacking.」

The instruction for the magician is, well, I guess it’s fine. I don’t know what kind of magic she can use, so let’s just hope that she’ll make herself useful in her own way.

I channel magical energy into my whole body, as well as my sword and shield.

「Haaah!」

Instant step!

I swiftly move in front of the nearest flame-skinned wolf, and cut off both of its forelegs with a sweeping slash. Here they come!

I knock the wolf coming at me from the left with my shield, and make holes in the faces of the two wolves coming from the right with a high-speed thrust. Next ones are above!

Another two jump into the air and attack me. The timing is just perfect. They attack me at the same time, so I swing my sword in an arc, dealing fatal blows to both of their necks. Alright, I quickly return to my original position with a back step.

A moment later, the six flame-skinned wolves start bleeding and weakly lose their balance.

I’ve consumed a considerable amount of magical energy, but thanks to my high level, I still have some room to spare.

「Huh, huh… amazing.」

「I couldn’t see it at all.」

「…..」

Phew, at this rate, I should be able to manage one way or another. I’ll cut down their number little by little without letting my guard down. At that moment…

「「「Awooo ───!」」」

The pack of flame-skinned wolves starts howling all at once. Not good, I have a bad feeling about this.

Hmm, two flame-skinning wolves are approaching from the left. Looks like it’s just as the woman I paid for yesterday said, that flame-skinned wolves call for their friends. We have to end this battle as soon as possible.

Once more, instant step… ugh.

「Damn it.」

Those guys, they’re firing fire magic at me.

Some are shooting fire, while others are howling. They’ve got such a neat division of labor. I deflect the fire magic with my shield, but the howling continues.

Not good, the reinforcements are rapidly increasing in number. In the distance, I can hear the howling of wolves, and then a rumbling sound and vibrations of a pack of beasts approaching.

This is bad, it would be one thing if it was just me, but… what should I do?!