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They had developed a technique that combined mental imagery transmission and telepathy, allowing them to share their perspectives and communicate even when apart. After finishing their experiments, they turned their attention to another aspect.
"The ‘fatigue recovery' attribute seems pretty straightforward. It does what it says" (Tatsuro)
"It's incredible how even beyond our stats, we're gaining recovery abilities" (Ai)
"It's great that something is enhancing the recovery rate for both energy (Ki) and magic power, just by being close to each other" (Tatsuro)
"Sticking together is the best part of this title, isn't it?" (Ai)
Tatsuro could not help but nod in agreement. While they could choose to be close physically, it was entirely different when they had a reason to be, and it felt special.
After thoroughly enjoying the sensation of being close in their rhinoceros carriage, they decided to address the issue of level limits. They activated the help function, which had been a while since they last used it.
"What does that symbol next to the stats mean?… Is the experience required for level 50 already met? If it has been met, why isn't the level increasing? To reach level 50, do I need to overcome some personal barrier?" (Tatsuro)
"‘Personal barrier' is quite a vague way to put it" (Ai)
"Yeah, I need more specifics. ‘It varies depending on the situation, location, and the person isn't very helpful" (Tatsuro)
"Although it's blunt, it seems like there's no concrete answer. Maybe the help function can't provide an answer either" (Ai)
They complained to the help function and asked questions from various angles, but no clear information was available on the topic.
"Hmm… This is on hold," (Tatsuro)
"There's no other way, so let's search slowly" (Ai)
As they continued, thinking it was about time to check the outside, the carriage speed gradually decreased and eventually stopped.
They hurriedly returned to the driver's seat to see what was happening. They found Jeanne had run out of magical power and was slumped over.
"I'm sorry!" (Tatsuro)
"What happened!?" (Ai)
Before Ai could grasp the situation, Tatsuro quickly replenished her magic power, and Jeanne immediately regained her strength.
"Sorry about that. I was thinking with my sense of time." (Tatsuro) This update is available on noᴠelfire.net
"Come to think of it, during Tatsuro's time, and I was usually right by his side. But, Cardina-chan is also using magic constantly. Is she okay?" (Ai)
Tatsuro called Cardina, who had been using detection magic for them, to check. She was fine on that front.
However, Tatsuro ensured Cardina was in top shape and replenished her magical power. Then he turned to Ai.
"Detection magic for breaking spells requires a lot of concentration. However, once you get used to it, you can significantly reduce magical consumption. But wind magic constantly releases magical power, so it has poor fuel efficiency. I forgot because I was used to the title effect as a given…" (Tatsuro)
While saying this, Tatsuro gently petted Jeanne again and decided to take a break.
After asking Cardina to monitor the surroundings, they spread sleeping bags inside the carriage and had lunch side by side. Then, before Jeanne got too tired, Tatsuro convinced her it was okay to stop here for a while, and both of them got back into the driver's seat to continue their journey.
As they smoothly advanced on the cobblestone road, the people they passed by for the umpteenth time widened their eyes in surprise at the sight of Jeanne.
Even though they had chosen the land route to avoid drawing attention, Tatsuro could not bring himself to complain about Jeanne, who was working so hard to transport them. He concluded that it does not matter.
Gradually, the number of trees on the roadside decreased, and the landscape began to change into a grassy plain.
"You know, there haven't been any monsters coming out at all," (Ai)
"Yeah, maybe the Obsul area was just unusual" (Tatsuro)
"In that case, we might need to look for a place where monsters are likely to appear." (Ai)
"I've heard about dungeons a few times. How about those?" (Tatsuro)
"Indeed, there doesn't seem to be a place with a higher likelihood of monster appearances than dungeons around here. Let's see if there's a dungeon in this area." (Ai)
While continuing their journey through this otherworldly landscape that seemed tempting, their top priority was safely returning to Japan. They had earned enough SP from slaying the magic dragon, so they could afford to take a few days off, but an extended stay would become problematic for both of them.
With these thoughts in mind, they began considering the option of exploring a dungeon. Just then, Cardina let out a cry from atop the carriage. It seemed that monsters were nearby.
Upon hearing this, Jeanne slowed down according to Tatsuro's instructions.
"Well, it looks like the monsters are finally showing up" (Tatsuro)
"It would be nice if a monster with a lot of skills and is easy to defeat shows up" (Ai)
Saying this, both took out their respective staff, whip, and gem sword and prepared themselves.
At that moment, Ai suddenly noticed something unusual about the gem sword.
"Huh? It is still in its rainbow-colored form even though I have not infused it with mana. It should be green." (Ai)
She had put it into her[Item Box]as soon as she finished using it, so she had just noticed. However, it was already in a rainbow color state without contact with mana.
"Hmm, now that you mention it, the color is like when I channel mana, but there's no inner brilliance overflowing from it. Maybe I should try channeling some mana into it" (Tatsuro)
"Let's give it a try." (Tatsuro)
With determination, he began infusing mana into the gem sword.
The color remained the same as they did, but the sword regained its radiance, and even finer particles of light began to scatter from the blade.
"It became incredibly glamorous! Looks so cool!" (Ai)
"Indeed, it's a sword that tickles the heart of a young boy. It might even shoot beams eventually" (Tatsuro)
"If it can do that, maybe we can incorporate it into the Yashiki-ryu secret style techniques" (Ai)
"When did you come up with that… Ah, here they come." (Tatsuro)
As they exchanged jokes and waited for the monsters, the open grassy plain made spotting the monsters' positions easy.
From what they could see, there were two lizard-like monsters about the size of medium-sized dogs, moving on all fours. However, despite seeing only two of them, the results of their detection magic showed four.
Puzzled by this, Tatsuro used water magic to create a shallow, wide pool of water in the grassy field. The two visible lizard monsters splashed toward it, creating water splashes where the other two unseen creatures were supposed to be.
"Well, that makes it pretty clear," (Ai)
"Indeed. So, should we take care of the visible ones?" (Tatsuro)
"That works for me. It should be a breeze!" (Ai)
Since there was still some distance between them and the monsters, Ai approached the lizard closest to her with the tip of her whip. The whip extended long and thin, piercing the lizard without a beat.
Then, as she withdrew the mana, the extended whip returned to its original state. However, because it had become thicker, it was stuck inside the pierced lizard and pulled it closer to Ai.
"Whoa, something strange got attached to my whip" (Ai)
"It looks like it's already dead, so you should be fine" (Tatsuro)
They confirmed the death status using [Information magic], allowing Tatsuro to focus on his assigned lizard. First, he used water magic to create a whirlpool where he suspected the two invisible lizards were. His plan worked perfectly, slowing down their movements.
On the other hand, Ai, responsible for the surviving lizard, created a current to pull it closer to her side and separate it from the two unseen ones.
Tatsuro then gathered the surrounding water into a massive sphere, trapping the invisible lizards. To prevent their escape, he created a swirling current inside, akin to a washing machine, effectively suffocating them.
After about thirty seconds of washing, the trapped creatures began to convulse, indicating they were still alive. Tatsuro released the sphere and used water magic to bring the water closer to him. Worried that they might regain consciousness suddenly, he used earth magic to restrain their limbs and activated[Level Eater]
Skills: [Bite Lv.2], [Invisibility Lv.3]
("Weak!? It should be strong with these unusual skills… Well, I guess it would not be good if powerful monsters appeared on the roads between towns.") Tatsuro thought
Skills: [Bite Lv.0], [Invisibility Lv.0]
Tatsuro also continued to absorb levels from the other lizard, extracting (13) SP and levels from both creatures. After performing the cremation process, he turned to Ai, who had already won her battle and thoroughly burned her opponent.
"Is this it? But if the monsters we finally meet are at this level, it's not very efficient for SP farming" (Tatsuro)
"Various things were happening around that forest. …I hope it doesn't become something else" (Ai)
Despite their slight apprehension, they returned to the carriage and asked Jeanne to head towards their next destination. They made several stops for magical power replenishment, and eventually, as the sun began to set, they decided to camp by the side of the road since they planned to spend the night outdoors.
Jeanne rested inside Tatsuro for a while, and Cardina replenished her magical power and went on alert duty in the vicinity. (TN: the case of Jeanne resting inside Tatsuro is the same as how summoners can make their monsters disappear to save their MP, so don't get confused!)
Then, it was time for their first-ever dragon meat cooking session.
"It's finally time to eat that," (Ai)
"Yeah, according to Lela-san, it's even okay to eat it raw" (Tatsuro)
However, despite the assurance, they still resisted eating meat they had never tried. So, they took out a barbecue set they had bought in Obsul, separated the meat from the skin, and cut it into bite-sized pieces with a knife.
They placed the slices on the grill, trying to make it resemble yakiniku, and since they had not bought any fuel for the fire, they used Tatsuro's fire magic to sear it. In the meantime, Ai seasoned it with salt.
"It looks quite delicious," (Ai)
"The smell and everything… it's just like yakiniku" (Tatsuro)
Mouths watering from the delicious aroma, they eagerly awaited when the meat was fully cooked. Finally, both sides were nicely seared.
"Itadakimasu!" they exclaimed in unison.
They picked up the meat with their specially made lightweight stone chopsticks and took a bite.
"It's delicious!" (Tatsuro)
Their voices leaked out as the meat melted in their mouths. Despite being seasoned with only salt, it was the most delicious meat they had ever tasted.
Savoring the unimaginable flavor, they chewed slowly and then swallowed simultaneously.
||You have acquired the title ‘Dragon Eater.'||
"Huh? What?" Ai and Tatsuro exchanged surprised glances as they heard this announcement, having only eaten the meat.
For people who bought the chapter in advance; Thank you very much ♥ it goes a long way to keep me running