822 Bear, decides on the future policy - Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

"Then, what do you plan to do next? You haven't been able to gather the Beltra grass because of the monsters, right?" "Now that you two have taken down the Giant Snake, we're planning to head out and gather the Beltra grass. Even if Mane can make the medicine, we still need the grass as an ingredient." Indeed, to have Mane make the medicine, the raw medicinal herb is necessary. "If you just tell us the location, we can go gather it." Mane knows exactly what kind of medicinal herb Beltra grass is. She can gather it in our stead if needed. "I appreciate the thought, but it's in a bit of a hard-to-find spot, so it would be quicker if we went ourselves." "But you couldn't gather it because of the monsters, right?" They tried to approach where the herbs were, but they couldn't gather them due to the monsters. "We spent about two days running from the Giant Snake. The monsters might have moved on by now." In other words, it's uncertain until they actually go and see. "Just to confirm, what are your skills like? You said earlier it would be better if just the two of you went to gather it. If something unexpected happens and you can't fight the monsters, it could be life-threatening." Though I thought to myself that Mane shouldn't really be passing judgment on others. In her case, she can't protect herself, hence she's hired me as a guard. "We're D-rank adventurers. I use a sword. Lydia mainly uses a bow but can use a bit of magic too, so we can manage a fight." "Of course, something as big as that snake is beyond us." That beast was too massive. Unless one had the skill level of Jade's party, it would be impossible. A C-rank level of skill is necessary. "Also, as I said earlier, we avoid fighting monsters. Lydia is good with her eyes and ears, so she's skilled at scouting. She can pick up on signs monsters have passed by." "Signs of monsters passing by?" "Things like footprints, marks of a body rubbing against a tree, or if it's a wolf, some shed fur. Lydia spots those and figures out where monsters might have been, allowing us to avoid those areas." "Thanks to Lydia, we've been able to steer clear of monsters. If there's no choice but to advance, she checks the type and number of monsters. If it looks manageable, she ambushes them with her bow or magic, and I charge in to finish them off." Rather than face them head-on, they attack from a distance, and when the monsters are hurt, they finish them off. Monsters do the same; they ambush suddenly. There's no need to fight honorably. Spotting them first gives one an advantage. Even I use my detection skills to ascertain their positions and attack preemptively. "You seem more competent than I expected." "It's just that this is the only way we know how to fight." Having an established fighting style is commendable. They don't take unnecessary risks. "I've considered joining a party, but given my sister's illness, I can't ask others for help. Even if I did, there might be disputes over reward distribution." "And revealing the location of the herbs we found could lead to possible poaching by other adventurers after a party disbands." Indeed, it’s possible. If they obtain the information on the medicinal herbs, Zect and Lydia could become unnecessary. Of course, not all adventurers would do such a thing. But it's not guaranteed that the adventurers they partner with wouldn't. Mistaking who to partner with could lead to being unable to procure the herbs. "True. The things in the forest belong to no one. Anyone can gather them without repercussion." Things in the forest aren't anyone's possession. It's a common strategy to handle things discreetly so that others don't find out. Nobody wants their hard-found resources taken by others. Even in games, experience points or lucrative spots are best kept secret to avoid competition. After listening to the conversation, Mane pondered for a moment. "Yuna, take these two with you or don't. It's your decision." I was taken aback at the sudden responsibility handed to me. "Me?" "Among us, you're the strongest. You have the authority to decide, Yuna." "Shouldn't Mane, the employer, have that authority?" "No. My right only extends to asking." "That's pretty much the same, isn’t it?" "You have the right to refuse, Yuna. The employer might demand the unreasonable. You have the right to refuse such demands. When in a dangerous area, the strongest and most experienced should make the decisions; that minimizes risk to life." Indeed, I have the right to refuse if asked to do something unreasonable like slaying a dragon. "If someone insists on the impossible, hiring someone capable of it at a high price is the employer’s responsibility." That's what adventurer ranks are for. Low ranks might be unable, but higher ranks might manage. "Therefore, only you can make the final decision here, Yuna." It feels like being pushed into it, but it's logical. "For fighting, I'm pretty much useless," Mane said, strangely puffing up her chest. Although she says that, the liquid that repelled the snake was indeed useful. "We can manage gathering the herbs ourselves." "I understand if you don’t want us to know the herb's location. But it's unusual for something like the Giant Snake to appear near the forest entrance." "Is it?" "This forest is vast. Nobody knows how far it extends. Sanya once tried using a summoned bird for reconnaissance but was attacked by an airborne monster and had to stop quickly. Sanya said 'the forest seemed endless.'" Sanya must have visited here before. Or maybe she sent the bird from the capital? Considering it once flew to Crimonia, it's plausible. "Being attacked by such a creature after just two days in the forest seems off." "Two days?" "You only entered the forest two days ago?" "Yes, and you two?" "...Ten days." "You must have avoided monsters by taking detours. That's the difference in skill between you and Yuna." I'm glad they acknowledged it, although the credit largely goes to Kumayuru and Kumakyu who accelerated our progress. Without them, Mane's pace would have slowed by having to walk. "…Brother." "…Understood. Yuna…" Zect looked at me. "Just 'Yuna' is fine." Given that Mane is older, I used "Ms. Mane," but since Zect was clearly unsure about addressing a younger girl dressed as a bear, I offered my name. "If Yuna agrees, please take us with you. If things turn dangerous, you can abandon me, but please protect Lydia." "…Brother!" Was abandonment assumed? Well, from Zect's point, his sister is what matters most. "Yuna, what will you decide?" It's not like I have much choice; the atmosphere makes refusal feel impossible. I pondered the situation. Personally, having them along would likely be a burden. My advantage here is mainly in guiding the way. I wanted a bit more benefit. "Alright. If you know of any promising locations for medicinal herbs, please share that information with Mane." "Well..." "I don't mean to take them from you. Once we obtain the herbs we need, this will be our first and last trip to this forest." "That's true. I have no further business here. And as I mentioned before, if we can establish a trade agreement, there shouldn't be any issues. If I need more herbs from this forest in the future, I can simply contact you then." "…Understood. In that case, I'll guide you." A deal was struck. Though it doesn't really benefit me, it provides Mane an advantage, so it's acceptable. "Also, I'd expect you to follow my instructions." "Understood." "Nice working with you, Yuna-chan." Both of them agreed. This favorable outcome seemed to be thanks to having taken down the Giant Snake. Moreover, it appeared Lydia was going to call me Yuna-chan. "So, if we're heading out together, let me introduce Kumayuru and Kumakyu. The black bear is Kumayuru and the white bear is Kumakyu. They're my summoned creatures. They won't attack unless provoked. But if you try anything against us, they'll defend, so please be mindful." I gave them the necessary warning. While I didn't expect Zect and Lydia to turn against us, you never know what life might throw at you. After all, being suddenly thrust into another world dressed in a bear costume was part of my reality. Compared to that, the likelihood of being raided by adventurers is arguably greater. "What cute names, Kumayuru and Kumakyu." "They'll alert us if any monsters approach, so you can relax." "Seems like you won't have much need of me then." "Still, if you notice anything, do let us know." Our discussion concluded, and we prepared to leave the cave. I mounted Kumakyu, Mane rode on Kumayuru, and the two of them walked alongside. "How far to the exit?" "Not too far." "We ran a short distance when attacked by the Giant Snake." Following Zect's lead, we walked for a while until we started seeing the light from outside. I used my detection skill. There were no monsters in the direction of the exit. "Even so, it’s really true that the Snake doesn’t come near us." "We were attacked several times whenever we passed through." "It’s the medicine I made. Of course, it works." There might be other reasons, such as Kumayuru and Kumakyu's presence deterring attacks, but I kept that to myself. That the medicine worked against the Giant Snake was indeed a fact. And thus, we safely emerged from the cave.