The time that Yuu would usually spend on gathering herbs, he now spends it on hunting goblins.

Using the long sword and armor set he has gotten from Hage, it became easy. What’s more, the equipment set size changes by itself to suit the wearer.

However, hunting goblins consisted merely of throwing rocks and killing them from a distance. In the meantime any nearing goblins would be easily handled thanks to his [Swordmanship] skill.

After killing the goblins, he collected magic stones. Sometimes, when a monster gets killed, they will drop their magic stone. It could be used later to power a ‘magic tool’. He also didn’t forget to cut off their ears. Even if he couldn’t get reimbursed by the Resser village, other guild halls would accept them.

“Fireball!”

I have also practiced using magic, but the damage was still low. The goblin’s face was burned down and I had to use “Heal!” to recover it’s ears. Then I casted fireball once again. The cast time isn’t so bad.

He tried doing it once again, but during the next battle he wasn’t able to cast the fireball. There was the issue of concentration. Attacking, defending and casting magic at the same time wasn’t going well.Therefore, He decided to just simply cut their necks.

“You’re pretty strong.”

I raised my guard at that comment. I looked through my surroundings and i could see Nina.

“Hey Yu! How can you use both magic and sword skills?”

She was standing three meters away from me. When hunting in the mountains, I would always raise my guard and when facing goblins it was further increased. From where did she come from?

“You.. Where did you come from?”

However, there’s was a more pressing issue.

“Please forgive me and forget about what happened yesterday.”

“I’ve been here all along for about an hour. About yesterday, Stella already told me about it.”

What? I didn’t notice her for one whole hour?

“I’m sorry.. After I talked to grandma, I found out about what really happened. She asked me to apologize to you.”

“I really don’t want to forgive you, but I respect Stella-san. However, I’ll can think about it you if you will become my friend.”

“Friends.. You and I? Ha.. Ha…”

Yuu glared at Nina. He couldn’t have cared less about her and what he did to her before.

However, he respected Stella. Only her.

“Friends?”

Having said that, Yuu ran away once again.

“Strange guy! Strange guy! Strange guy! He is just like how Stella-san said.”

Nina remembered her conversation with Stella. It took place after Yuu left the house. Stella tried to apologize to Nina.

“Well, just use this as a chance to be friends with him.”

“But… He has… Has… What am I going to do… Huhuhuhu…” she was crying and being consoled by Stella. Stella patiently talked to her and explained about Yuu’s situation. She also apologized over and over again.

“I’m sorry. Yuu is still lacking common sense and his attitude appears bad, but he didn’t mean to do those things.”

Nina has also realized that, when he did that thing (slapped her ass) yesterday, he wasn’t being lustful like the other men.

“Yuu is basically shy and tends to do things opposite to what he means. He is also straightforward and hotheaded sometimes. But if you get to know him, he is a sweet boy. Please try being his friend. Good luck Nina-chan.”

The day after I had encountered Nina and ran away once more, I went back home. At home, Stella told me stories about Nina, but it fell on deaf ears. 

Since Stella had brought the tools I had asked for, I could start working on the bath.

Since that day, Nina has been stalking me for two weeks. When I managed to check her status, it has been increased.

———

Name: Nina Levers

Race: Human

Job: Thief

Level: 12

HP: 76

MP: 21

Strength: 21

Agility: 53

Vitality: 21

Intelligence: 16

Magic: 11

Luck: 22

Passive Skills

Dagger mastery: Lvl. 1

Trap search: Lvl. 1

Awareness: Lvl. 1

Silent step: Lvl. 1

Active Skills

Steal: Lvl. 1

Disarm trap: Lvl. 1

Stealth: Lvl. 1

Stalking: Lvl. 1

Special Skills

None

———-

Nina’s agility has been increased and she has gotten a new skill from following Yuu. While Yuu was trying hard to increase his skills, Nina earned them easily.

“Hey… Stop following me.”

“What? Then are you finally ready to become friends with me?”

“Become friends with you? Why would I?”

“Firstly, even if you kill goblins you couldn’t turn in the quest. I’ll do it for you and will give you the rewards. Secondly, I’ll show you a cave that’s better to level up and earn money in.”

Whoa.. This cowgirl actually came up with such thoughts. It would be good if I could get the rewards from the guild and the monsters in the cave may give me new skills. Yu wasn’t so stupid as to refuse something that would only benefit him.

“Okay, I’ll make a party with you. However, I don’t trust you. So don’t try to do anything strange.”

Nina replied while blushing a little.

“Not a party. We’ll become friends… And… If I can’t get married anymore.. You have to take responsibility!”

“What?”