On the web of silky fibers between the trees on the opposite bank of the stream, a massive, rounded eight-legged Monster was curled up, its articulated limbs tucked in as it took a nap.
It was a Spider Monster.
Natsuyu's eyes burned with intensity. In his vision, a Golden Exclamation Mark appeared above the Spider Monster's head, rapidly enlarging.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations on achieving the Achievement "Discovering a Monster." Please shout the incantation "I want to be a Monster Hunter" loudly to receive the rewards: Information Appraisal, Experience 10.]
It was a Golden Exclamation Mark!
Natsuyu had encountered an exclamation mark once before when he opened his Inventory and unlocked the Basic Achievement Tree.
By now, relying on the Basic Achievement Tree, his Physique had significantly strengthened, and he had obtained many powerful pieces of equipment.
Without a doubt, discovering this Golden Exclamation Mark represented a new achievement tree!
Yukinoshita Yukino stared at the black Spider Monster for a while before whispering calmly into Natsuyu's ear:
"It's confirmed that the Monsters in the forest are giant spiders. They look to be about half a meter long and are not a species from Earth; they don't seem like something to be trifled with. Given the presence of a nest, these spiders should be social creatures."
"We have already found the water source, so our exploration mission is complete. According to your previous arrangement, let's head back and regroup with Sakuraba Ema and the others."
She fully agreed with Natsuyu's cautious decision-making.
"No," Natsuyu countered.
Yukinoshita Yukino's face was a sea of question marks. "Wasn't this your arrangement?"
The corners of Natsuyu's mouth curled up as he said, "The plan has changed. Yukinoshita, when you're playing a game and see a red reward dot, can you resist clicking it?"
"I can."
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression remained calm. "I rarely play games."
Natsuyu's smile vanished.
He had forgotten; the wealthy Flat-no was a rare breed.
He missed the normal Kushida Kikyo.
Well, actually, that tea-sipping Miss Cold Soba wasn't exactly normal either.
Ema and Kiana were also top-tier "landmine" types.
Are there even any humans left, I ask you?
Natsuyu said speechlessly, "I need to trigger the conditions to unlock a new ability. Don't leave yet."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded with a smile. "I guessed as much."
Natsuyu widened his eyes slightly, looking at the smug beauty right in front of him. "Were you teasing me on purpose just now?"
Yukinoshita Yukino tilted her head, feigning ignorance with a smile. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Wait, shouldn't Yukinoshita's character be a jealous, tsundere, sharp-tongued type? Since when did she become manipulative? Your character is breaking!
Natsuyu massaged his forehead in exasperation and waved his hand. "Anyway, back up a bit with me first."
"Mm."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded submissively. "Understood, Captain-kun."
Natsuyu watched in surprise as Yukinoshita Yukino momentarily displayed the soft, sweet temperament of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
"Why are you staring at me?" Yukinoshita Yukino demanded, her eyes narrowing.
Natsuyu gave a relieved smile. "I was just thinking about how to improve everyone's situation."
Sure enough, Yukinoshita Yukino was still that sharp-tongued tsundere.
If Yukinoshita Yukino had admitted to teasing him just now, Natsuyu wouldn't have been angry; he would have felt gratified, seeing it as proof that their relationship had improved to the point where they could joke.
Instead, Yukinoshita Yukino chose to play dumb and then hissed at him.
Does anyone else get that a mute Yukino is T0, but a talking Yukino is bottom-tier?
Seeing Natsuyu turn to leave, Yukinoshita Yukino quietly exhaled in relief and followed him with small steps.
Why had she felt like teasing Natsuyu just now?
It certainly wasn't because Natsuyu called Ema by her first name while using her family name. She wasn't that petty, and she didn't care at all who Natsuyu was close to.
On the other side, once Natsuyu had walked far enough to ensure the Spider Monster was out of sight, he shouted loudly:
"I want to be a Monster Hunter!"
[You have received the rewards: Information Appraisal, Experience 10.]
It was Information Appraisal!
In games, novels, or manga, this was the most universal, fundamental, and important ability.
Appraising an enemy's information allowed one to avoid powerful foes and bully weaker ones, greatly increasing safety.
Appraising item information allowed one to know which things had side effects and which had beneficial effects, making full use of every resource.
Furthermore, if a Monster disguised itself as a teammate, a single Appraisal could see through the deception, perfectly countering illusions or actor-type enemies.
In short, this was a god-tier skill!
Natsuyu accepted "Information Appraisal" with a grin.
[Natsuyu: Level 3 (Experience 20/25)]
He was only 5 Experience points away from leveling up again!
Most importantly:
[You have opened the "Combat Achievement Tree."]
[Combat Achievement Tree:
Discovering a Monster — It's Strike Time! (Kill one type of Monster) — ?]
[You can unlock hidden achievement trees through exploration and discovery.]
Natsuyu had originally thought that unlocking a hidden achievement tree would be very difficult.
He hadn't expected that simply seeing a Monster would successfully unlock a second achievement tree.
Moreover, the second achievement tree was combat-related, meaning it could increase Natsuyu's combat methods.
I was wondering where my swords and armor went; turns out they were waiting here.
He set the sword aside for now; an axe could serve as a substitute.
Armor was very important. Owning a set of armor could effectively boost one's courage and margin for error during cold-weapon combat.
In ancient societies, armored units' combat power was always higher than unarmored ones; they weren't even in the same league.
Furthermore, after being able to craft armor, Kiana and the others wouldn't have to be naked after washing their clothes.
They could wear armor to cover their bodies, and while the clothes were drying, they could go commando...
Natsuyu looked at Yukinoshita Yukino following behind him and subconsciously imagined her "commando" form. He quickly reined in his drifting thoughts and averted his gaze, saying:
"Let's go, let's head back to the stream."
"..."
Having just stopped, Yukinoshita Yukino watched Natsuyu's leading figure and had no choice but to follow, asking in confusion:
"What are we going back there for?"
"To leave a mark, so it's easier to find our way when we come back."
Yukinoshita Yukino was persuaded and followed Natsuyu back and forth.
In reality, this was just an excuse Natsuyu had come up with.
An ability like Appraisal could be linked to an invasion of privacy; he didn't want to tell Yukinoshita Yukino and the others about it and make them overthink.
One shouldn't mention things that affect team unity.
Natsuyu's true intention for going back was to use Appraisal on the Spider Monster.
Anyone who gains an appraisal ability and can resist using it on an unknown Monster is a real pro (thumbs up).
Natsuyu walked quickly to the back of the familiar large rock, crouched down out of sight, and poked his head out.
Looking at the Spider Monster napping on its nest across the stream, he shouted in his heart with anticipation:
Appraisal!
[Round-headed Spider (Lower-tier Monster)
Physique: 0.7
Soul: 0.3
Charm: 0.3
Evaluation: Possesses toxin (common tissue-dissolving toxin). The tips of its eight legs are sharp but fragile. Its cuticle defense is average, and its skin defense is weak.
Drops: Spider Silk, Venom Gland, Monster Meat.]
[Tier 1 Spider Nest (No Level)
Physique: 0.4
Soul: 0
Charm: 0.4
Evaluation: The nest where Round-headed Spiders live. Small in size, accommodating a maximum of 3 Round-headed Spiders.
Drops: Spider Silk.]
Huh, the Spider Monster only has 0.7 Physique?