Since they hadn't found Iron Ore, the achievement for smelting iron would be difficult to complete in a short time.
Natsuyu had made all necessary preparations and entered his current optimal state; it was time to start considering arming themselves.
Natsuyu set aside the Stone Axe and Stone Pickaxe he had just made, took out Cut Grass and Twigs, and crafted a Simple Backpack.
Yukinoshita Yukino was curiously lifting a Stone Axe nearly a meter long, swinging it slowly. Because the Stone Axe had considerable weight, one could see her arms tensing with effort, her movements quite serious.
Natsuyu carried the Simple Backpack over to Yukinoshita Yukino. "This Backpack is for you. Take a Stone Axe as a defensive tool."
Looking at the Backpack, Yukinoshita Yukino immediately set down the Stone Axe and pointed at herself in surprise:
"I can use this magical Extra-dimensional Backpack too?"
"I've already made it, so give it a try."
These words held a certain magic. Yukinoshita Yukino subconsciously took the Simple Backpack. With a look of expectation, she stuffed the Stone Axe into the Backpack; seeing that it could truly fit entirely inside, a flash of joy appeared on her lovely face.
Next, with focused eyes, Yukinoshita Yukino stuffed the Stone Axe into the Backpack and took it out, repeating this several times. She then began putting other things into the Backpack, acting like a little girl who had received a novel toy, having the time of her life.
Natsuyu began gathering resources nearby, only stopping once he had filled both his and Yukinoshita Yukino's Backpacks.
The total resources were as follows:
Natsuyu's Backpack: Stone * 40, Logs * 20, Twigs * 40, Cut Grass * 40, Stone Workbench * 2, Stone Axe * 2, Stone Pickaxe * 1, Stone * 40.
At the same time, he tested and found that the Crafting Tables could also stack.
In Yukinoshita Yukino's Backpack, the resources were almost identical to Natsuyu's, the only difference being the absence of a workbench, replaced by a Wooden Axe.
The weight of a Stone Axe was still a bit heavy for a girl with a slender frame like Yukinoshita Yukino.
Extra tools and those with reduced Durability were left behind by Natsuyu.
This was a habit Natsuyu had from playing MC; when resources were abundant, seeing equipment with low durability felt like an eyesore, so he would discard them and only take full-durability gear.
The two set out on their path of exploration once more.
Yukinoshita Yukino carried the Simple Backpack over one shoulder. Staring at Natsuyu while pretending not to care, she inquired softly:
"How can I manage to take things out of the Backpack from a distance like you do?"
As she spoke, she even reached out with her fair palm and grasped at the air, imagining the scene of telekinetically retrieving objects, looking charmingly naive.
This was a classic case of the Seller's Show not matching the Buyer's Show.
Natsuyu could retrieve items from the Backpack with a single thought.
Yukinoshita Yukino could not; she had to reach her hand into the Backpack and silently think of the item she wanted before she could pull it out—an extra, troublesome step.
Natsuyu guessed this might be related to his System Slots, but he didn't want to tell Yukinoshita Yukino the truth. He spread his hands and said:
"I'm not clear on that myself."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded and moved the Simple Backpack to her front to make accessing equipment easier. Her large eyes looked seriously at Natsuyu as she parted her thin lips:
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Natsuyu waved it off. To stabilize the problem girl's sense of belonging to the team, he deliberately said in a warm voice:
"We're friends, after all. It's only right to think of you when there's good stuff."
Yukinoshita Yukino pursed her lips and remained silent, which was a tacit acceptance of this friendship.
Friend...
Natsuyu was her only friend.
Yukinoshita Yukino's mood was complex; she couldn't say she was happy, but she felt a bit awkward, as if her private space of many years had been encroached upon by Natsuyu. Yet, she didn't resist the feeling of getting closer to him.
Wait.
Something occurred to Yukinoshita Yukino, and her eyes suddenly widened a fraction.
She had no friends, and her social circle consisted almost entirely of family.
Did this not mean that, aside from family, Natsuyu had already become her closest person?
In fact, he wasn't just her closest member of the opposite sex.
Even if females were included, Natsuyu was still the one she was closest to!
This friendship was entered into too hastily.
Yukinoshita Yukino grumbled in her heart, feeling even more awkward.
But if she were to bluntly refuse being friends with Natsuyu now, her EQ wasn't that low, nor was she willing to reject this sudden friendship.
Yukinoshita Yukino stole a glance at Natsuyu and saw him focused on the path, seemingly unaware that he was already her "number one" outside of her family. Sensing the lack of awareness regarding this slightly romantic implication, she felt a sense of relief.
She would just pretend nothing happened.
"Yukinoshita, do you think Ema and the others can find a water source?" Natsuyu struck up a conversation.
Why do you call me Yukinoshita, but call her Ema... No, why am I thinking about this?
Yukinoshita Yukino's fingertips hurriedly curled her hair ends as she looked down at the ground, saying casually, "I'm not sure. Their direction probably isn't toward the forest. Don't hold too much hope for them; the chance of finding water here is likely greater."
Natsuyu said softly, "Then let's go a bit deeper. If we encounter creatures or truly can't find water, we'll head back and regroup with Ema and the others."
"Alright, Natsuyu-kun, you could also..."
"Hm? Why did you stop mid-sentence?"
Meeting Natsuyu's confused gaze, Yukinoshita Yukino's clever brain worked at high speed, and she smiled elegantly:
"When we go back, you could also make an Extra-dimensional Backpack for Ema and the others. We can gather more resources that way."
Natsuyu nodded in full agreement. "I was thinking the same thing. We can't play favorites; everyone should have a Backpack."
Yukinoshita Yukino let out a hidden sigh.
She began to accept the fact that Natsuyu was her only friend, but she was not Natsuyu's only friend.
Regardless, she and he were just ordinary friends.
Yukinoshita Yukino curled her hair ends even more forcefully, suddenly feeling a sting on her scalp. Looking at the two long hairs she had pulled out, she felt once again that she had entered this friendship too hastily!
For Yukinoshita Yukino—who had been exceptionally outstanding since childhood and hoped to become the best, even surpassing her sister Haruno—it was somewhat unacceptable.
In the realm of friendship—a relationship she'd never had and thus cared about... no, was slightly concerned with—she had actually fallen behind other women.
However, this was purely out of her competitive nature; it absolutely, positively had nothing to do with any other factors.
Natsuyu suddenly said, "Yukinoshita, I still have to thank you for being so understanding. Remember to help me keep my secret."
"Mm-hmm." At least you know your place.
Yukinoshita Yukino's thin lips curled up as she replied softly, "I accept your thanks."
...
They had clearly agreed to search for water and to retreat if they met a Monster. Everything was decided to ensure maximum safety. So why did things turn out like this?
Cool, trickling stream water washed over the rocks. The soil, nourished and moistened by the water vapor, appeared deep black. Natsuyu and Yukinoshita Yukino were practically shoulder-to-shoulder, hiding behind a rock, peeking their heads out one above the other to stare at the opposite bank of the stream.
White, silky fibers were woven into a large cocoon between three Oak Trees.