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That was when it appeared. The moment it appeared, everyone tensed up.

It was several times stronger than anything we’d encountered until now. A two-meter-long giant scorpion. A Red Death Stalker. Its name made it sound like a tough enemy.

Alicia got thrown away in no time at all. The scorpion was stronger than I’d initially thought. Dana’s spear was deflected as well. It was also fast. So much so that it could keep up with Cara’s speed and send out attacks. Mia’s spells also seemed to have no effect. Cara’s face tightened from the urgency.

(Is this one that bad? I’ve never seen Cara make that face before.)

The scorpion’s poisonous stinger shot toward Cara.

(She can’t dodge that! This is bad!)

I leapt forward, slashed the scorpion’s tail with my right sword, then drew my left and split its body in half.

The moment it died, four more Red Death Stalkers appeared around us. It seemed like they’d sensed the death of their comrade.

Cara’s face grew even darker. It appeared that these enemies were too much for Cara and the others to handle. I had known they were here from the start; however, I’d assumed they’d be no threat as they were Mobs from this zone. I had underestimated them.

This truly was a lesson for me. I couldn’t rely on the excuse that I didn’t gauge their strength because they were all Blue.

I had to get better at grasping the strength of my enemies.

The weight of their presence, the strength of their Mana. I had to be better at grasping the intricacies of their strength. I couldn’t let this mistake happen again. With that in mind, I quickly took out the remaining four scorpions.

However! Just as I was slashing the last one, my swords broke!

(NOOOO! I got these swords from Papa Howard! How could I break both of them! I put too much Chi in them!)

I’d exceeded the swords’ capacity and filled them with more Chi than they could handle!

“Nooooo!” I dropped to the ground, picked up the broken pieces, and wailed.

Then Jessica came over.

“Su, are you alright? Are you hurt? Does it hurt somewhere?”
“J-Jessica… My swords… They broke…”
“What? Swords? Um… Are you hurt anywhere?”
“N-No… But my swords… I borrowed them.”
“O-Oh… I see… So you’re not hurt.”
“We were facing a group of Red Death Stalkers. Of course, they’d break.”

Dana said while making her way to us.

“B-But it’s all because of me.”
“The Red Death Stalkers’ exoskeletons are made of minerals. There’s nothing you could have done.” Cara said, tapping the scorpion’s shell. Then continued, “You normally shouldn’t be able to cut through these.”
“Well, it seems we’re all safe, so how about we return to the station for now? We should also report the appearance of the Red Death Stalkers.” Corin suggested while looking around at everyone.
“You’re right. Let’s do that.” Jessica agreed.

Alicia, who’d initially been blown away, was now back and had fully healed from the damage. So we all decided to go back to the station and report the scorpions.

A bit of a commotion ensued after we reported our findings at the station. Some members of the guard went to check the scorpion corpses. Upon their return, they asked us more concrete questions, after which a team from the village was sent to collect the corpses. Soon after, Papa Howard appeared.

“S-Sir Howard, I’m so sorry.”
“Susie, what happened? Why are you apologizing?”
“I-I broke the swords you lent me. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize, Susie. You did what you had to do.”
“B-But it’s all because of me.”
“The one who needs to apologize is me, Susie. I gave you weapons that weren’t fit for your strength. I’m sure you weren’t able to fight as you would have wanted. I apologize.”
“S-Sir Howard, there is no need for you to apologize! It’s because I was careless!”
“No, no. This is on me. I failed to give you swords that would suit you better. You don’t need to worry, Susie.”

This exchange of each of us trying to one-up the other continued until someone finally chimed in to stop us.

“Then how about we use this chance to forge weapons worthy of Miss Susie?”

The village chief, August Dulles, asked. Sir August had come alongside the members of the Amukham House to the station to collect the corpses.

“The Red Death Stalkers’ exoskeletons can make for some pretty strong weapons. So, how about we just use these to make new weapons for Miss Susie and say that they’re a present from Sir Howard?”
“Now that’s a wonderful idea, August! I’d expect nothing less of you!”

Sir Howard exclaimed, slapping Sir August’s shoulder repeatedly with a huge smile on his face.

Sir August’s big frame shook with every hit. It might have just been my imagination, but his smile seemed a bit crooked.

“S-Swords for me?”
“That’s right, Susie! Swords for you. Let’s make ones that match your current gear. What do you say?”
“But that’s way too much.”
“Don’t be shy. Having a powerful weapon will also benefit the village. And most of all, I want you to have them. Will you accept?”
“I will! Thank you! I’m so happy!”

Sir Howard nodded enthusiastically.

“Haha, that’s great!”
“B-Boss?”
“What’s up with that kind look?”
“That expression can’t be real!”

The station members all had to take some steps back, unable to believe their eyes.

“I-Is this Sir Cloud’s infamous doting mode?!” Cara muttered.
“But we see it all the time when in Su’s house, don’t we, Bibi?”
“Mia, keep quiet! You’re too loud!”

(Huh? What is Beako on about? This atmosphere is weird. Well, whatever… I’m glad no one got hurt today. Sir Howard also seems quite happy! As long as Papa Howard’s happy, then I’m happy.)

It had been a fun day. I got to hunt with everyone using my first gear, and I even got promised a new pair of swords!

I wondered if Papa Howard would smile when he saw me with the new swords and dressed in this outfit. He totally would! I couldn’t wait!