07. Signs of Reincarnated Persons
"Fire!"
We concealed ourselves in the outer perimeter of the Black Forest, confirmed the appearance of soldiers from the enemy nation Claciel and start firing arrows.
Counterattack was almost nonexistent.
They were moving in a plain without cover while we hid ourselves in the forest.
We were able to take down enemies on foot before they approached and retaliated. Even for soldiers on horses, they are aware that entering the forest will be disadvantageous.
On the other hand, if they go a distance from the forest where the arrows can't hit, it means setting foot in the marsh.
It's already winter but why does the marsh remain?
Is there any other reason aside from being obviously made on purpose? It was improvised by water mages from Ticia's army.
The soldiers we encountered were probably small-scale units whose aim is to launch surprise attacks not from the front but at the rear and flank and was ordered to retreat if discovered.
Then the enemy soldiers will travel inside the Black Forest to avoid being found... one will probably think so, but they cannot do such life-throwing act and I think they also don't want to. If they were normal humans, that is.
Black Forest is a danger zone infested with monsters.
As for why we, the commando unit, can lurk at the perimeter is all thanks to my handmade sachet that wards off monsters.
Past life knowledge was useful! Becoming an Item Master wasn't for naught!
By the way, it's only possible to lurk in the Black Forest at morning as expected. It would be ill-advised at night when ferocious nocturnal monsters appear frequently.
Our unit also takes rest somewhere far from the forest.
For the same reason, there aren't night assaults either.
It is impossible to mobilize at night inside the forest ------- or so it's supposed to be.
*
"Captain, is there something..."
At my subordinate's words, I placed my index finger on his lips, preventing him from talking. Just like that, I made a "follow me silently" gesture. I erased my presence and began moving between the trees.
I stepped a little inside the Black Forest that was gloomy even at noon. Approaching gradually, there was the sounds of rough breathing and something being chewed. In the forest's little open space, the monster called Zepar was digging the ground single-mindedly.
Zepar is a huge wild boar with ultramarine pelt. Its species is rank C. Though it still looks young, it is difficult to kill with a normal NPC's abilities.
Judging that it is possible for Geraias natives, I deployed my subordinates such that they surrounded the monster. Having absorbed the lessons from "bootcamp", my subordinates were able to judge orders with just hand signs and they moved soundlessly. I also gave directions on the attack sequence, watching out for an opportunity to attack the monster.
"--------Fire!"
Choosing the moment when the Zepar thrust its face into the hole it dug using its forefeet, we fired the enchanted arrows all at once.
The person who also enchanted the arrows was me.
An item craftsman can also enchant weapons...although the ones I can enchant are limited to nonmetal items.
Working overnight was worthwhile.
The Zepar that was covered with arrows around its whole body pulled out its face from the hole and released a roar of anger.
At the roar with "petrification" debuff, several men started and dropped their bows. Other subordinates' movements also became dull. Having resisted the debuff, I fired an arrow that was enchanted with magic to the Zepar's gaping mouth.
Unfortunately for you, the mere rank C abnormal status debuff you fired is ineffective against me who inherited my game stats before reincarnation!!
...Sorry, this player with B-rank combat prowess is just talking big.
There's still A, S, SS, SSS further upwards, but since there's quite a strength difference this time, isn't talking big alright?
The magic arrow with fire attribute burned the interior of the Zepar's body through its throat, putting an end to its life.
Of course, I also restructured the magic arrows and enhanced its effects.
The Age of Item Crafters has arrived!
----------I'm aware that it's a delusion, but the opponent was a small fry so at least let me off for this much-------
*
We verified that the monster that toppled sideways was unable to move.
When we rolled to the corpse to an open place, the subordinates who had been hiding themselves also appeared.
"There are no signs of other monsters in the vicinity. Commander, what should we do with this?"
"Remain on lookout, quickly dismantle it. This monster's meat is delicious. The left overs after we eat, if we take it to the main force, they'll owe us a favor."
Shouts of joy rose from between the men.
The dismantling group, lookouts and overseer was immediately decided upon. The operation to dismantle the prey that we were unable to transport due to its huge size started right then.
"The scent of blood will summon other monsters so act quickly."
"------Is this alright?" asked Arowa in a low voice, looking anxious.
"I want to show evidence that a Zepar appeared. I don't want them to not believe us even when we say we defeated it. Besides, the meat's delicious. If it goes well, we might get words of praise along with some alcohol."
There were cheers from the surrounding men who seemed to be listening attentively.
While smiling wryly at the materialistic men, I asked Arowa, "Hey, do you know this mushroom?"
The part that the monster was digging up a while ago was made apparent by its foot. There, many remains of white mushrooms covered with soil were scattered about.
"No, I haven't seen this mushroom in Geirias. Is this a native species in Black Forest?"
"Yeah, it's winter already but it looks like the type that grows from this time."
"-----I see."
While nodding at the subordinate who said so from beside me, I knelt down.
I picked up a bitten mushroom, wrapped it up with a washcloth as to not crush it and tucked it away in my pouch.
I---the previous me, recognize this mushroom.
I didn't mean that I know the real thing. It was listed in the walkthrough site together with a screenshot.
If raised to a certain size, it summons wild monsters using a drug-like attraction ability. When the mushroom is damaged, the attraction ability apparently disappears.
It is not a native mushroom limited to Black Forest.
It is produced through Alchemy, a trap item that summons monsters.
The possible Alchemy rank that can produce it is A. Report broken chapters
The maximum rank an NPC can reach in <
Producing the mushroom and planting it in the Black Forest, that was impossible for anyone other than a reincarnated person endowed with their previous life's knowledge and rank.