Party Activities Begin

If you want to level up from 10th to 9th grade, the valley we went to earlier is just right. While collecting Vaz grass, it's also possible to look for goblins. Although it's a bit late, I inform everyone of our destination and get their approval.

Speaking of achievement counts, each quest gives one point, with no exceptions. Whether you do it alone or with others, it's still one point. So, the mid to lower tiers are quite easy. Personal quests can only be taken by individuals. For parties, adjustments need to be made each time. Generally, the leader is prioritized, and the remainder points are distributed to those with lower levels. By the way, power leveling is encouraged. It's about supporting the growth of newcomers while explaining things as teacher or senior would do.

In other words, higher-level people complete quests, allowing lower-level individuals to gain achievement counts. However, this is only within the context of 9th grade. If you can't kill goblins, you won't be able to proceed further.

Upon arriving at the valley, we decide on our roles. Riza engages targets and gets used to her equipment. The shield will be practiced later with a wooden sword or something similar, so for now, I focus on getting her used to using the hammer. Fia needs to raise her "vigilance," so she patrols the area to spot goblins. She marks their locations with numbers and arrows and circles around.

I collect Vaz grass. We need money and points.

"Riza, when goblins come like this, swing in a way that you can hit their heads, chests, and legs."

"Like this?"

"Yes, exactly. Keep repeating it until your body gets used to it. Also, consider various directions they might approach from."

I act as the dummy while collecting Vaz grass. After giving Riza instructions several times, Fia quickly returns.

"Goblins are moving this way."

"Where?"

"They're coming from there."

"Alright, let's move and hide to take the first strike."

Fia leads us, walking quietly without making noise. We crouch in the bushes, pointing out the goblins.

Two goblins slowly walk by.

"Fia, keep watch for others. Riza, take the left side. Run past the left goblin and hit its chest with the hammer. I'll handle the right one. Let's start on my signal."

I visualize the attack in my mind. The goblin's chest explodes. I adjust the compression and speed. My initial image was too excessive. Keeping the same speed, I reduce the compression scale. It looks good now.

I point my index finger at the goblin's chest. Everything is set. I nod to signal.

"Execute."

As soon as I shout, the right goblin's chest explodes, and it collapses backward. At that moment, Rizu jumps out of the bushes and swings her hammer slightly downward, hitting the left goblin's chest cleanly. The head part neatly hits the chest. She pulls back with a hooking motion, causing the goblin to slide to the left with a dull sound and stop. Its body spasms, but its chest is caved in; its ribs are probably broken.

Riza pulls out her axe from her waist and cuts the goblin's neck. It spasms for a moment before becoming still.

Riza and I cut off their noses and quickly return to our original spot.

"What was that!?! That was your first time, right!? How did you do it so smoothly!!"

Fia exclaims in surprise.

"I watched how my father moved during hunts."

Riza smiles. There's no aversion; only a sense of accomplishment. Indeed, someone who has seen life and death is different.

"Nice job, Riza. I'm proud of you."

I compliment her, and she beams with pride.

After that, while collecting Vaz grass, we ambush any goblins we find. For three goblins, Fia also takes the front. However, the goblins confused by Fia's preemptive magical attack are no match for us. Without much trouble, 30 bundles of Vaz grass are ready, and we've collected 20 noses. There are more monsters than expected. It was probably just luck that we didn't find any before.

It must be getting close to sunset.

"Should we head back?"

"Yeah! But this was so easy. What was all the previous hard work for?"

Fia is thrilled.

"It's great to contribute to Hiro's cause." Riza is also in high spirits.

On our way back, I stay at the rear, keeping watch. Checking with "Perception," I see that Fia's "One-Handed Sword" has slightly increased, and Riza now has "Hammer Technique."

Upon arriving at the guild, we get our items appraised. It's the usual staff.

"The completion fee is 40,000 for 20 goblins and 24,000 Vaz for 30 bundles. Total is 64,000 Vaz. Is that correct?"

"Yes. Please allocate the achievement counts to us."

This brings Riza's achievement count to 50.

The completion fee is divided into four parts, with one part going into party funds as a pool. I'll keep it temporarily. It will definitely be temporary... or not.

"Wow, even after dividing by four, getting 16,000 in a day? That's insane. Unbelievable."

Fia is overjoyed.

"Alone, you can catch at most three goblins a day. Sometimes you make no income. Occasionally, you find and collect herbs, but they rot before reaching the required amount."

"It's all about planning."

"Riza-tan is amazing!"

They start bantering.

"But being in a party is great. I used to feel lonely and scared alone." Fia whispers softly.