First, Kill the Legs!!

I woke up to an odd sensation around my mouth. Looking up, I saw Riza leaning over me, kissing me.

"Good morning," she said with a mischievous grin.

"Good morning. You startled me."

"Fufu. Each day, I love you more than the last—yesterday, today, tomorrow. It's getting stronger and stronger."

Looking at her expression, it struck me that she and Teisha must be mother and daughter.

"I'll go get ready," she said, about to leave the bed.

But before she could stand up, she was embraced from behind.

"Fufu. Are you a clingy one?"

She turned around and kissed me.

"Honestly, I didn't realize it, but maybe so."

Slipping out of my arms, Riza headed toward the door.

"Thank you for the meals," I said as she faced me again.

"Fufu. You're welcome. But mostly, I'm your wife. I'll keep practicing!"

Riza opened the door and went to the kitchen.

Opening the window, I saw that it was a clear day.

I changed clothes. I had borrowed a few outfits, and I'll wash them in the leftover water from last night or at the river near the house.

This village didn't have sewers, but they drew water from a small tributary creek of the river, which flowed into specific areas for domestic use. There were many wells because the forest was nearby, and the water quality was high, so drinking water and domestic water were clearly separated.

I wondered if I could make a hand pump available to everyone. From my smartphone's encyclopedia, I could see concept diagrams and simple designs. I didn't know how advanced this civilization's craftsmanship was, but mass production through casting seemed possible. However, since I wasn't sure if patents existed here, I couldn't be certain about making money from it. Fetching water from wells was still hard work, so I didn't want to do it myself.

"After finishing my work, I'll go to the blacksmith's shop to check the prices of weapons," I thought as I headed to the living room.

"Good morning."

"Oh, good morning," Teisha replied.

"I'm going to fetch water."

"Ara ara, that's not good."

Carrying a jar, I went to fetch water. The well was already a gathering place for discussions. After exchanging greetings and making small talk, I returned home. My muscle soreness had calmed down significantly.

"I'm back."

"Oh. Thank you. I'm always sorry," Teisha said.

"Not at all. I'm indebted to your family for letting me staying here."

Breakfast was barley porridge with bacon, cabbage, and root vegetables stir-fried. There was also a soup based on fowl meat.

After breakfast, the two went hunting.

When it was just me and Teisha, I handed her a package with 5,000 Waruru coins wrapped in cloth.

"What is this?" she asked, looking surprised.

"It's for all your help. Please take it."

Since the room rent was 5,000 World coins and she had helped me with many things, this wasn't nearly enough.

"But that's not right. You're our guest, and you're my daughter's fiancé. I can't accept this."

"Even if just for the time I'm staying here, please take it."

After some back-and-forth, she agreed to take it.

I received lunch and headed to the Adventurers' Guild. Checking the job board, there was no change in the price of Vaz grass today. It must be almost depleted.

"Hey, 'Herb'," a tall man with leather armor and a long sword at his waist called out. His expression didn't seem hostile.

"I heard that a new person who recently joined is making a lot of money with Vaz grass. Isn't that you?"

"Yes. I think so."

I hesitated since I didn't understand his intentions.

"Oi, I'm not here to cause trouble. As we level up, our missions becomes harder. There aren't many clerics who can heal wounds, so wound medicine is a matter of life and death. Lately, there's been a shortage, and prices have gone up. Everyone appreciates those who gather Vaz grass for us. So, 'Herb,' we're grateful. Keep it up."

He turned around and waved goodbye.

He was like a storm. At least I wasn't disliked or seen as troublesome. Maybe I wouldn't get roped into unnecessary disputes.

On the way to the northern forest, I let my mind wander. In rural areas with close-knit communities, interactions increase unavoidably. Honestly, I feel a bit socially awkward by my own judgment, but there's no choice but to adapt. It's quite stressful.

I arrived at the marshland. Scanning around, it was clear that harvest-able Vaz grass was decreasing.

"Should I go a bit further?"

As before, I marked every 5 meters with an arrow and a '1.' By this point, we'd likely be entering the territory of wild animals. I kept my guard up, moving slowly.

Along the way, I picked any manageable Vaz grass.

Suddenly, I felt a chill and sensed something. Was it from the 'Alert' effect? Without making a sound, I hid in the bushes and carefully surveyed my surroundings.

"There they are."

Two goblins were crouched, spears at their sides, chewing on what looked like small animals, similar to rabbits.

"I don't want to be caught off guard. Maybe take them one by one with magic."

I prepared a bullet-like spell.

Imagining a spherical ball of wind about 20 cm in diameter compressed into 5 mm...

"Attribute: Wind. Pressure definition. Shape is a cone with the tip indented 2 mm, radius 5 mm, and length 7 mm. Fixed at 10 cm in front of the right index finger. Aim forward, speed 150 km/h..."

I began to chant quietly. The target was the back of the closer goblin. Hiding behind bushes, I carefully aimed with my index finger.

"Execute."

With a 'gucha' sound, the goblin's back caved in instantly, and its chest expanded before bursting. The chest was completely torn open, and it died immediately.

<Skill 'Acquisition' reports: Skill 'Acquisition' conditions have been fulfilled. Target's skill 'Alert' 0.01 has been integrated.>

Listening to the voice of 'Acquisition,' I watched the remaining goblin. It seemed shocked by its companion's sudden death, frozen in fear.

Imagining a spherical ball of wind about 10 cm in diameter compressed into 5 mm...

"Attribute: Wind. Pressure definition. Shape is a cone with radius 5 mm and length 1 cm. Fixed at 10 cm in front of the right index finger. Aim forward, add spiral rotation, speed 150 km/h..."

I began chanting again. The target was the remaining goblin's left knee. I aimed carefully.

"Execute."

With a 'kucha' sound, a 5 cm hole opened in the goblin's left knee.

"Gyaaahhhhhh!!"

It screamed in pain, clutching its knee and shaking while squatting.

I didn't know if there were others nearby. I ran out of hiding to attack from behind with the makeshift glaive. Even though it was still alive, I pulled out my knife and cut its neck. A hissing sound escaped its throat before it died.

Hmm? No report from 'Acquisition.'

<Understood. Since the goblin doesn't possess higher-level skills, there's no transfer.>

Looking around, there were no other goblins. I hid for about 10 minutes to see if reinforcements would come, but nothing happened. They must not be very smart. Maybe the previous goblins were just stragglers.

I carved out their noses and mutilated their limbs before hiding them in bushes. Since we were far from the marshland, the hiding job wasn't perfect, but I hoped predators would clean up the blood scent.

The fatigue from using magic wasn't bad. This level of combat was manageable, but prolonged battles weren't ideal. Keeping power output minimal was a precaution against unforeseen circumstances.

Aiming for the legs made sense since immobilizing them gave me an advantage with my long-range weapon.

"Headshots would be one hit, but considering the target zones, it's too difficult. Well, no choice."

I sprinkled dirt over the bloodstains and did minimal hiding before moving on.

As I went north, a stream came into view. The Vaz grass was flourishing here.

"Oh, this should keep us going for a while," I thought with some relief.

I cleaned up the blood from earlier in the stream.

"Tense. Tired. Let's rest."

I sat on a nearby rock and drank water from my canteen. It felt like nectar after all that tension.