Chapter 36: Friends’ Everyday Encounter

Chapter 36: Friends' Everyday Encounter

Deep inside the fog-covered forest on the 35th floor, three figures were slowly advancing, stepping carefully on dry branches.

The black-haired boy walking at the front suddenly stopped and raised his hand, signaling his companions to stay alert.

"Hachiman—" the pink-haired girl carrying a battle axe was about to speak but was interrupted.

"Another 700 meters and we'll reach the Fir Plaza. The terrain there is suitable for defensive battles," the boy said, using his sword sheath to push aside hanging vines. "But Liz, if you step on any more poisonous thorns, the cost of the fifth antidote this week will come out of your forging fee."

"Cheapskate! Last time, you deliberately led us into a trap zone."

Agil, carrying a giant hammer, said, "Alright, alright, you two, stop arguing."

If an ordinary player accidentally wandered into this place at this moment, they would probably drop their jaw in shock.

In the so-called "Death Maze" — the confusing forest — these three guys were wandering as casually as if they were in their own backyard.

The reason it's called the Death Maze is obvious once you enter: this deep forest, where not a single ray of sunlight penetrates, completely disorients those not accustomed to it.

But occasionally, there are those who are not affected by the confusion.

Hachiman is one of those few.

"Why doesn't Hachiman get lost?"

"Of course, it's because of these sharp eyes that can see through illusions."

"Ah, yeah yeah, because you're so stubborn."

"Tch."

"Oh, this place looks good?"

"Then let's take this as our base and level up a bit."

For some reason, today Hachiman had come here with Agil and Lizbeth.

The story dates back to an afternoon three days ago when the three had this conversation at Agil's outdoor stall:

"Agil~ long time no see~"

"Oh, Liz, what do you need?"

"Nothing, just passing by. Oh, isn't that Hachiman? Hey~ Hachiman~"

Hearing the call, Hachiman quickly walked over.

"Hey, don't shout my name in the street like that."

"Who cares~ By the way, if you're free, want to level up together?"

"Huh? Why should I..."

"I've been slacking off lately and thought it's about time to raise my level."

Hachiman wanted to find an excuse to decline but ended up blurting his usual line:

"Ah~ sorry, I've been a bit... um... busy recently."

"Okay~ then let's set off immediately."

"Wait, wasn't I refusing just now?"

"Huh? That sounds like you're free to me."

"Tch... can't argue with you. Just for a little while."

"Awesome!"

"Hey, can you two take me along too?"

"Hm? Agil wants to level up too?"

"Sort of. I've been busy with business lately and feel a bit unprepared for the next floor's boss fight."

"Alright then, a three-person team it is. Agil, pack up your stall."

"Got it."

"Then, the three-person squad departs!"

And so it happened.

"I'll lure the monsters."

"Thanks."

"Hachiman, good luck~"

Hachiman strode confidently into the confusing forest like walking on flat ground.

"Agil, how's business recently?"

"To be honest, the loot from the confusing forest is totally insufficient."

"Ah~ makes sense. This place is the frontline, and monsters act in groups."

"The difficulty is too harsh for mid- to low-level adventurers; hardly anyone can infiltrate alone."

"Good thing Hachiman is here."

"Yeah, he never gets lost and controls the number of monsters perfectly."

"Ah, looks like they're coming."

"Oh."

"Three. I'll hold two, you each take one."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hachiman rushed out from the forest, followed closely by three agile, gorilla-like monsters.

He skillfully controlled two of them while Agil and Lizbeth, both strong fighters, took turns delivering heavy strikes. After quickly defeating the first, they attacked the second, while Hachiman took on the last alone. The last monster soon fell.

"This is easy."

"Right, no matter how many there are, we can use the terrain. Just take them down one by one."

"Leave it to us!"

For Hachiman, it was especially comfortable working with these two.

They knew how to keep proper boundaries and maintain just the right distance — truly business-minded.

"Let's go for the next wave!"

"Always ready!"

After hunting for some time, all three leveled up considerably and gathered a lot of materials. Just as they were preparing to return fully loaded, Hachiman suddenly remembered something and proposed:

"By the way, I found something interesting. Want to check it out?"

Following Hachiman, they reached a wide-open plaza with a solitary giant fir tree standing in the center.

"This is a fir tree? So big."

"Like a Christmas tree?"

"Exactly. In such a suspicious plaza, the fir might mean a special Christmas-limited monster?"

"Could be."

"What I want to show you is this. Let's rest here for a bit and then head back. Seems no monsters spawn nearby."

After a short rest, the three cleared monsters along the way and returned to town.

Several days later, Kirito called Hachiman out.

Though Kirito seemed mentally recovered on the surface, he still looked preoccupied.

In Kirito's eyes, Hachiman wore a similar expression.

"What's up today?"

"Actually, I heard from Agil..." Kirito mentioned the giant fir tree.

He had tried to find it but failed and hoped Hachiman could take him there.

'It really isn't easy to find.'

Hachiman, having just finished a mission segment, agreed.

The two quickly slaughtered monsters along the way. The only real danger was once when Hachiman made a mistake and attracted over a dozen gorilla monsters — but the battle was a total one-sided crush.

Near the plaza, Hachiman suddenly became alert.

"Kirito, wait, there's something here."

"For Hachiman to be cautious... is it a mid-level boss?"

"Yeah, at least not a regular mob."

The two cautiously advanced and discovered a treant disguised as a tree.

"That's it."

"Looks like an ordinary tree... is it a tree demon?"

"Camouflaged, let's attack."

The surprise attack was quickly met with counterattacks; swinging branches made it hard for them to get close.

"Can you cut those branches? My attack range isn't enough."

"No problem."

"I'll follow up with combos."

Kirito feigned an attack to lure the branches, and at the moment Kirito cut them cleanly, Hachiman immediately followed with a critical blade skill combo, repeatedly using the skill 'Crescent Moon'.

After several rounds, the treant disintegrated into light after about ten minutes.

"Phew, that took some time."

"A mid-boss like this probably won't respawn, but just in case, let's report to Asuna."

"Oh, it dropped... a Phantom Sphere?"

"Never heard of it."

"There are quite a few; let's split them."

"The usage instructions say... it links with the map to form a 3D projection."

"Let's try it out in the safe zone."

At Fir Plaza, Kirito looked up in awe:

"Such a big Christmas tree... If it were decorated with lights in such a brutal game, it'd be kind of funny."

After using the Phantom Sphere, two glowing, dreamy spherical maps hovered in the air.

"Interesting, this should be good for navigation."

"We just wandered around casually but got an unexpected reward."

"Now I'm tempted to collect all the map data."

"And if monsters don't respawn, no one else will get this."

The two exchanged smiles.

'Hoping this helps Kirito feel a little relieved.'

'Hoping Hachiman can change his mood with this.'

Thus ended a day on the 35th floor. In the future, these Phantom Spheres would become treasured items for the strategy group, shining brilliantly on various battlefields.

Important Announcement!

I posted a new Fanfiction! A Re:Zero one this time!

Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back

Summuary:

After experiencing a game once, Subaru Natsuki had someone he admired in his heart.

Today as well, Subaru Natsuki is chasing after his close friend, fighting while learning and imitating his friend's fighting style.

Moreover, he now has two cheat-like powers.

One is the "Return by Death" cheat that came from who-knows-where.

The other was sent by the god who organized the game.

As always you can read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on and pa tre on VarieTL

There you can also read 5 other Fanfiction of Oregairu and 2 Fanfiction of Re:Zero