Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Natsuyu holding the spider silk with a persistent smile, feeling somewhat puzzled. "We've already collected so much spider silk, yet you still get this happy over a harvest. You're certainly easy to please."
"That's where you're wrong."
Natsuyu wagged a finger and strode over to chop another strand of thick silk, obtaining another high-grade spider silk. His heart was filled with the joy of a bountiful harvest.
Yukinoshita Yukino followed him, picking up a piece of high-grade spider silk and pulling it a few times in her hands to test it. She cast her gaze at him again. "It doesn't feel any different."
Natsuyu didn't keep her in suspense and gave the answer directly. "Bows and crossbows made from a spider warrior's silk are more powerful, and the arrows can fly further."
"Moreover, the upgraded crossbow bolts can actually damage the spider warrior."
Yukinoshita Yukino raised an eyebrow, a faint smile curling at her lips. she carefully tucked the high-grade spider silk into her backpack. "This kind of spider silk is indeed precious."
"A spider warrior's silk can make a crossbow that harms it. What is this? 'Don't be afraid of being poisoned; the antidote is always within seven steps'?"
Natsuyu looked relaxed as he planned out a future of abundant firepower:
"Once we've crafted a batch of high-grade wooden crossbows, we'll hunt some birds to collect feathers. If we encounter monsters of the spider warrior's caliber again, we can completely settle them with crossbow bolts."
This was good news. Yukinoshita Yukino also sensed the importance of the high-grade spider silk and helped Natsuyu collect it.
In the end, they collected a total of 24 strands of high-grade spider silk—a massive haul!
In a joyful mood, Natsuyu stepped lightly to an oak tree and began chopping with a stone axe that had lost more than half its durability.
The high-grade spider silk was an unexpected boon, but Natsuyu still needed to gather a batch of basic resources to replenish the losses from this battle.
The stone axe was highly efficient at chopping. After three or four hits, the oak tree would explode into several logs.
Yukinoshita Yukino followed quietly behind Natsuyu. Whenever resources dropped, she would collect them into her backpack.
The two worked together in silence.
Time passed, and the sun began to tilt westward.
The warm midday temperature cooled down with bouts of fresh breeze.
"Screech~~!"
Hearing the familiar sound, Natsuyu and Yukinoshita Yukino turned simultaneously to see a round-headed spider in the distance.
Having experienced the arduous battle with the spider warrior, Natsuyu actually found this little thing somewhat ugly yet endearingly clumsy.
Yukinoshita Yukino instantly became alert, nervously scanning the surroundings. "These spider monsters really are persistent. Let's go notify the others!"
"Don't worry, there's only this one spider nearby."
Natsuyu's vision was very strong now; he had already confirmed there were no other round-headed spiders around.
It was essentially a doorstep delivery of an experience pack.
Seeing them, the round-headed spider moved from caution to aggression. Its insect eyes turned fierce as it initiated a charge.
"It's not a good habit to provoke a strong enemy on a whim, little spider."
Natsuyu chuckled lightly, tossed the worn stone axe in his hand, and threw it out.
Bang!
Headshot!
[You killed a lower-level monster, gained experience +1]
[Natsuyu: Level 6 (30/40 experience)]
The round-headed spider was directly smashed and split in two from head to belly by the terrifying force. Green insect blood splattered everywhere, looking exceptionally disgusting.
Yukinoshita Yukino was surprised to find that she could already maintain her composure in the face of such a bloody scene. Without waiting for Natsuyu to collect the loot, she stepped forward, picked up the drops, and walked back dragging the two halves of the corpse with a look of disdain:
"Use a bit less force next time."
"Alright."
Natsuyu nodded, accepting the suggestion. He stepped forward, used his stone axe to lightly hack the spider corpse to obtain a poison gland, and then continued chopping trees.
Yukinoshita Yukino squatted by the creek to wash her hands carefully. Looking at Natsuyu's profile, she asked with some confusion:
"You've already collected five backpacks' worth of wood. Why are you still chopping trees? I think we should collect more stone."
Natsuyu didn't stop his movements. He said softly, "Yukinoshita, do you really trust Tokisaki Kurumi?"
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced sideways, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. "...I thought you trusted her very much. After all, Tokisaki Kurumi is an impeccable beauty who also regards you highly."
Natsuyu didn't deny it. "I do trust Tokisaki Kurumi quite a bit. But trusting her doesn't mean I will completely rely on her."
"Since we know that a large number of shadow monsters appear at night, I must collect enough logs for fuel to prevent any unexpected situations on Tokisaki Kurumi's side."
Yukinoshita Yukino was speechless.
This man was simply too cautious.
But it was precisely this all-encompassing caution that made Yukinoshita Yukino feel both secure and trusting.
She was now starting to be truly convinced by Natsuyu's role as captain.
Though she was loath to admit it, if she were the captain, she certainly wouldn't be as excellent as Natsuyu.
—This sort of thing is enough to know in one's heart; it absolutely must not be said aloud.
"Screech~~!"
Natsuyu and Yukinoshita Yukino looked at another round-headed spider in the distance charging toward them at the same time and fell into silence.
"There isn't a large group of spiders nearby."
Natsuyu gave the affirmative answer before Yukinoshita Yukino could ask. He threw a new stone axe and headshot the round-headed spider.
[You killed...]
Yukinoshita Yukino remained silent for a moment. "Natsuyu, do you think..."
"Could there be a second spider warrior in the forest?"
Natsuyu was silent, not answering that question.
The presence of more spider monsters in the forest was a good thing for Natsuyu, as it meant there was more experience waiting to be gained.
However, hunting just one spider warrior had left them exhausted.
Even with upgraded equipment now, if they were to have another encounter with a spider warrior—especially if there was a large group of round-headed spiders helping it—the thought alone was unsettling.
Natsuyu took a deep breath and immediately said, "Let's get some water and then leave the forest."
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression was heavy as she nodded in agreement. Then, she asked in confusion:
"What should be used to carry water?"
Natsuyu fell into thought. Finally, he pulled out a wooden boot, his mouth twitching. "This is currently the only container capable of holding water."
"..." Yukinoshita Yukino chose silence, eventually stammering:
"Then use it... use it to carry water."
A few minutes later.
The two returned to the resting spot.
The three girls were resting shoulder-to-shoulder, leaning against an oak tree and chatting and laughing.
Natsuyu looked at the peaceful scene and chuckled:
"Everyone, we're heading back!"
Yukinoshita Yukino spoke on Natsuyu's behalf, recounting their discoveries and speculations.
There were still many round-headed spiders in the forest, and there might even be more than one spider warrior!
Ema Sakuraba and Kushida Kikyo turned pale with fright, and Kiana also knit her brows.
If there were still spider warriors in the forest, it was definitely bad news.
Natsuyu said, "It's getting late. We'll come back tomorrow to explore the true face of this forest."
"For now, let's head back and set up a few traps in advance. That way, even if we encounter another spider warrior or some other monster, we'll have the strength to fight."