Chapter 25

The shopping list for today had arrived on the “Hero Message” app.

Because the status board requires calling up to check every time, we recently mainly use this app for communication. It’s convenient, allowing us to send photos and videos for quick exchanges.

As usual, all three of them requested plenty of food and seasonings, but the contents have started to change slightly.

In particular, Haruto , who initially asked mainly for snacks like chips, is now requesting canned goods, instant noodles, calorie bars, and sweet bread.

“Well, snacks don’t really fill you up. Did he finally realize that?”

Natsuki ’s requests focus on instant noodles, packaged rice, canned food, and then ten packs each of honey, jam, and chocolate.

“I didn’t know he liked sweets that much.”

I found it curious, but I put my question aside for now as I wanted to get to bed early.

Next, I checked Akimi’s requests: bouillon, dashi powder, instant miso soup, pasta with sauce, and a lot of tea bags as usual. He’d also ordered about twenty packets of sugar.

“Since it’s from the dollar store, the sugar packets are small, but does he really need that much? Or is it one of those other-world quirks?”

When I asked in the message about this mystery, I got a quick affirmative response.

Apparently, they weren’t trying to hide it.

“I’ve been selling sugar and tea to the royal couple. Natsuki  seems to be selling chocolate, honey, and jam to the princess too. We’ve made a fair profit!”

As expected of Akimi, winning favor with the royal couple and turning a profit as well. And Natsuki ’s close with the princess too; that explains all the sweets. I wonder if they’ll eventually expand to cookies and candy.

“Haruto , on the other hand, probably wouldn’t think of reselling anything… His list just reflects his simple desires.”

While he’s mocked by Natsuki , his younger sister, and the brawnier types, Haruto  has a straightforward personality without any pretense, and I hope he stays that way.

“Well, making some money isn’t a bad idea. Just sell enough to not raise any suspicion.”

If we sell too much, people might start to suspect we have unusual skills and try to take advantage of us. Though, since we were summoned by the Creator God, we should be safe. For now, we’re managing by claiming everything’s kept in the [Item Box].

“Well, I think I’ll head to bed now.”

With all the shopping requests completed, I sent the items to each of their [Item Boxes].

For breakfast, I had rice balls, fried horn rabbit, and instant miso soup.

I warmed the packaged rice, mixed it with salmon flakes, and formed it into rice balls—it turned out quite tasty. The dollar store has a good selection of flavored seaweed, salmon flakes, and seasoning sprinkles, so I can enjoy various rice ball flavors.

“To think ‘Heat Warm’ could be such a handy everyday magic…”

I had been using hot water to heat packaged rice until Natsuki  pointed out, “Heat Warm is just like a microwave.”

“Why didn’t I think of that?”

Hot water baths were a slow and tedious process, but with magic, I could enjoy steaming fresh rice in just thirty seconds. The instant wakame miso soup tasted incredibly satisfying.

The fried horn rabbit, kept crispy thanks to the [Item Box], was delicious. The crispy coating gave way to tender, juicy meat that nearly made me groan with delight. Monster meat is great, so I’ll aim to hunt plenty today.

“At around two in the afternoon, I’ll stop progressing and set up a temporary base. Maintaining a six-hour travel pace, I’ll use the remaining time for hunting and gathering nearby to earn points and stock up on food.”

If I cut down about twenty trees when setting up the base, that alone will net me 100,000 points. Wood is such a valuable resource.

I’ll hunt as actively as possible to level up, and securing tasty meat is a top priority.

I’d like to try meat other than rabbit too.

Yesterday, I found a few vegetables, and I plan to search more actively. There’s already onion, garlic, carrots, and mizuna here, so I expect I can find others.

“Alright, let’s go.”

After quickly packing up the camp and checking my gear, I was ready to go as usual.

With a hoodie, flannel shirt, waterproof jacket, and an axe in my backpack, I kept it light with a knife in my pocket for gathering. For now, this setup feels optimal.

Using plenty of magic to defeat monsters, I had raised my level little by little. The [Item Box] is already at level 4, spacious enough to hold my tent and tiny house.

Now that I could finely control my magical power, I decided to try out a skill acquisition method from a grimoire. I closed my eyes, focused on the magic within me, and spread it throughout my body.

My senses sharpened.

As I slowly opened my eyes and observed my surroundings, I felt heightened awareness.

High Elves have keen eyesight, and their slightly pointed ears pick up small sounds.

With my fists unclenched, I lightly kicked off the ground, landing easily on a thick branch two meters above.

The sensation of power filling even my fingertips was a little disorienting, but it felt pretty good.

“Looks like it worked—Body Reinforcement.”

The [Body Reinforcement] skill allowed me to enhance my physical power several times using my magic.

Though nimble and quick as a High Elf, my physical strength was unimpressive. But with this skill, even my slender body could supposedly knock down monsters with a punch. This other world is incredible.

“Well then, let’s move on.”

I landed lightly on the ground.

Running swiftly through the forest, I felt no fatigue, watching the scenery change at twice the usual speed. I kicked off the ground, jumped over fallen trees, and traversed muddy spots by using branches for footing.

My awareness of monsters sharpened even further.

It seems the synergy between the [Body Reinforcement] skill and the [Presence Detection] skill allowed for growth. I could now sense monsters a hundred meters away, rather than just a few dozen.

“Wind Cutter.”

I had become proficient with wind magic in addition to water magic. Initially, I was hesitant to shed blood, but suffocation magic takes too long.

If I could cleanly sever a neck, the remains wouldn’t be too gruesome.

I could now collect defeated monsters into my [Item Box] without hesitation.

“Somehow, I feel like the meat tastes better if I let the blood drain.”

The dismantling process is handled automatically during material buyback, so it’s less of a hassle.

Carnivorous monsters like foxes and wolves are inedible, so I convert them all to points.

I almost danced with joy when I came across an Almiraj, a giant rabbit monster larger than a horn rabbit.

“It’s huge. Over twice the size of a horn rabbit.”

Feeling the hefty weight of the meat, I smiled.

It didn’t seem like a very active monster; its meat was softer than a horn rabbit’s, more fatty than muscular. The fur was long and plush.

“Maybe I’ll make steaks out of it, or roast it would work too.”

I gathered herbs that would complement the meat and moved through the forest, feeling excited.

I caught a familiar sweet scent wafting to my nose.

It was the kind of wild fruit I’d occasionally find on mountain treks back home, eating it as a snack.

“Akebi.”

It’s an autumn fruit, but here it was, ripened and plentiful in early summer. Not questioning it too deeply, I decided to gather some for today’s dessert.

The oval fruit splits open when ripe. The whitish flesh has a jelly-like texture, and biting into it releases a rich sweetness. I spat out the bitter seeds on the spot.

“I remember hearing the thick skin can be eaten if you stuff it with minced meat and fry it.”

People also harvest young shoots or dry the leaves for Akebi tea, but since I wasn’t short on food, I stuck to enjoying the sweet flesh.

“It’s tastier than the ones I had in Japan. This must be the perfect time for it, so I’ll happily take some.”

I harvested as much as I could while making sure to leave seeds scattered around, hoping it would be forgiven. Eventually, I planned to contribute with High Elf plant magic.

“The grimoire says I’ll be able to encourage growth and control plants—it sounds exciting.”

With a carefree laugh, I scattered a group of attacking Forest Wolves with wind magic.