My goodness, this paramecium—
With a Physique attribute of 4.5, she is practically a superhuman!
But why is it her determination so low...
Natsuyu helplessly propped his forehead with his hand.
Kiana is also a walking landmine.
She is actually experimental subject k423; once this is exposed, Kiana's self-perception will collapse. It would be very easy for her to undergo Herrscherization, letting the Sirin personality take control of the body to begin seeking revenge on all of humanity.
The good news was that the Herrscherization version of Kiana had no track record of actually destroying the world.
Though, given sufficient Honkai Energy, she definitely possessed the strength to destroy the world.
Overall, however, Kiana was a very resilient girl, and her level of mental determination was higher than Sakuraba Ema's.
Natsuyu felt mentally exhausted; why were the people around him all of the "landmine" variety?
Two girls who could destroy the world if he was slightly careless, and another girl who, if her dark past were exposed, would raise both hands and feet in favor of world destruction.
Yukinoshita Yukino was better—simple and pure, without any "big thunders."
I misjudged you, Yukino.
Natsuyu looked tenderly toward Yukinoshita Yukino and gave her a thumbs up.
Yukinoshita Yukino met his gaze and immediately glared. "I already told you my stats."
"..."
A Flat-no who only knows how to hiss like a cat simply can't compare to the fragrant and soft Ema, the thrilling duality of Kikyo, or the peerless punching power of Lord Kiana!
Good grief, why did she have to have such a sharp tongue!
Natsuyu laughed out of frustration. Having collected the data, he didn't dally and began crafting Armor and weapons for the girls.
"Let's head out and wipe out the Round-headed Spiders!"
...
Natsuyu led the team, following the marks left by his Axe toward the location of the small stream.
Originally, Yukinoshita Yukino was leading the way while Natsuyu was in the back instructing Sakuraba Ema—who was handling a crossbow for the first time—on how to use it.
Unexpectedly, even with the Axe marks as guides, Yukinoshita Yukino nearly led the team the wrong way.
This person is a true road-blind; there is no arguing that.
Natsuyu quickly told the red-eared Yukinoshita Yukino to go teach Sakuraba Ema while he took over leading.
Fortunately, the others didn't know the correct path, so the fact that a certain someone was a total road-blind wasn't exposed.
Speaking of which, Yukinoshita Yukino really did know how to teach.
Natsuyu had pointed things out for ten minutes and Sakuraba Ema had only learned a little.
Once Yukinoshita Yukino took over the instruction, Natsuyu turned around to find that Sakuraba Ema had already learned and was even starting to teach Kushida Kikyo how to use the crossbow.
The sound of the gurgling stream drifted over.
Natsuyu's spirits lifted. They had arrived. He turned to the girls and said:
"The area ahead is where the Round-headed Spiders are active."
"Once we cross the stream, everyone put on your Armor."
Energetic, sweet voices came from behind him:
"Yes!" * 3
A certain Flat-no did not join the collective shout.
The stream was less than a meter wide; even Sakuraba Ema and Kushida Kikyo, who had the worst motor skills, could jump across.
Kiana saw the traces of green blood splattered nearby and the broken Spider Nest. She walked forward to examine them:
"You two fought the spiders here?"
"That's right."
Natsuyu responded and took the protective gear out of his Simple Backpack.
[Stone Helmet (100% Durability): Ordinary Armor.
Provides protection for the top, back, and sides of the head.
Padded with Rabbit Down; low warmth retention.
Evaluation: Watch out for face-plants.]
[Stone Body Armor (100% Durability): Ordinary Armor.
Provides protection for the torso.
Padded with Rabbit Down; excellent warmth retention.
Evaluation: Winter's gospel armor; surely no one would wear this in the summer?]
[Stone Shorts (100% Durability): Ordinary Armor.
Provides protection for the thighs.
Padded with Rabbit Down; excellent warmth retention.
Evaluation: Can't be any longer; if they were, you wouldn't be able to bend your knees.]
Natsuyu put on these armor pieces, feeling them heavy, tight, and stuffy.
He didn't craft any footwear; wearing boots would affect mobility too much. During combat, they would just have to be careful to protect the unarmored areas.
As for what to use for protection...
[Stone Shield (100% Durability): Ordinary weapon.
A sturdy shield one meter in height, surface polished smooth.
Evaluation: Anything with a hardness lower than Stone that hits this will take recoil damage.]
Three pieces of armor and a shield formed a perfect armament.
He could set the shield on the ground to act as a support for the Wooden Crossbow.
He also kept a sword by his side, ready for use at any time.
With the five of them close together, they were practically an indestructible wall.
Mere Round-headed Spiders?
If they dared to attack, they would certainly never return!
Natsuyu thought for a moment, then removed his armor and said, "I'll go lure the monsters. You all get ready to fire."
Hearing this, Kiana patted the Stone Body Armor over her "large-sized cups," making muffled thumping sounds:
"Let me go. This armor doesn't hinder my movements."
When Natsuyu wore the Stone Armor, he had to consider the reduction in speed.
Kiana had no such concerns.
The heavy Stone Armor made it difficult for Sakuraba Ema even to run, but for Kiana, it was like putting on a down jacket in winter—there was almost no impact.
Truly a perfect body.
Natsuyu envied that Physique of 4.5. He shook his head and said with a smile, "Kiana, I need you to protect everyone. If you encounter a Round-headed Spider ambush while I'm away, everyone's safety depends on you."
"We can't all act at once."
Kiana regretfully gave up, then grinned broadly while touching the helmet on the back of her head. "I got it. Stay safe."
Sakuraba Ema and Kushida Kikyo also expressed their worry bluntly:
"Natsuyu, be careful."
"If it doesn't work, come back and we'll go over together."
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at the two worrying needlessly. she wanted to say that those spiders couldn't even run as fast as Natsuyu, so there was nothing to worry about, but the words reached her lips and turned into a concise blessing:
"Don't get hurt."
"Okay."
Natsuyu picked up a crossbow, waved, and ran deep into the woods, alertly scanning his surroundings.
After advancing about a hundred meters, he found a small Spider Nest ahead, along with spider corpses nearby.
Did they move the corpses over here?
Natsuyu hid behind a tree and looked toward the area around the Spider Nest. He saw Round-headed Spiders feeding on half a bird carcass. He crept closer and raised his Wooden Crossbow.
His reason for acting alone was also to gain some Experience first.
He took an Arrow from his Backpack.
[Stone-tipped Wooden Arrow (100% Durability): Ordinary weapon.
Sharpened Stone serves as the arrowhead, decreasing maximum range but increasing power and the durability of the tip.
Evaluation: Fire quickly, fire quickly!]
Natsuyu drew the crossbow string fully, aimed at a Round-headed Spider over ten meters away, tilted up slightly to account for the arc, and pulled the trigger.
Whoosh—
Puchi!
The Arrow flashed past, piercing straight through the Round-headed Spider's head and burying itself in the dirt.
A Poison Gland and a piece of Monster Meat dropped beside it.
A one-shot headshot!
[You killed a Lower-level Monster, gaining Experience +1.]
[Natsuyu: Level 4 (Experience 24/30).]
"Ssss-vvv----!"
The Spider Nest vibrated. Round-headed Spiders sensing danger rushed out, hissing alertly as they scanned the area, but they didn't spot Natsuyu behind the tree.
Natsuyu continued reloading Arrows, peeked out, and aimed.
Whoosh—
Puchi!
Yet another Round-headed Spider was killed, its abdomen pierced!