Chapter 229: Rock vs Flying 4
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Mon-Fri
Illustrations: Posted in discord.
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"Does this actually work?"
"Well, it's still just a monster."
My companions agreed with my response to Han Se-Ah's musing.
We had just delivered a spicy 24-hour suspension kick to a harpy and had now captured our fourth one.
The harpy, smart enough to recognize staffs and bows and distinguish between archers and mages, was still only a one-star in intelligence.
Han Se-Ah easily tricked them using the inventory to surprise them.
"They probably never expected arrows to shoot out of nowhere. Even I wouldn't have believed it if someone told me in the past."
"Our family doesn't have such treasures. At best, they might reduce weight or volume."
Even a magically enchanted carriage can't store items like an inventory.
It might make 100kg feel like 60kg or compress a 3m tall object into 1m.
So, when two women, without a carriage, staff, or bow, suddenly pulled out bows, arrows, and staffs from thin air and fired sticky arrowheads, the harpies, who had only seen mercenaries retrieve items from carriages, were completely caught off guard.
Even if they knew about the magic carriage, only Han Se-Ah, a player, could produce items out of thin air from an inventory.
"We'll turn the camera around, tie them up tightly, and show you."
-It's like a country grandma catching a chicken.
-The chicken or duck bundled up, with only its head poking out LOL.
-But with only the head sticking out, it looks like a human trafficking scene.
-The main source of income for the hero party is kidnapping and slave trading.
-If multiplayer was possible, I would've immediately bought one with gold.
While looking for the passage and lowering the harpies' guard on high mountain paths, Grace and Han Se-Ah avoid fighting even when a wild shadow leopard appears.
Once they get dangerously close for an arrow shot, they whip out their weapons from the inventory and boom!
Despite their intelligence, the captured harpies couldn't warn the others telepathically, making it surprisingly easy to capture them.
Aside from the time it takes to lower their guard, the situation is perfect.
Even if they only occasionally get shadow leopard mana stones, there's no loss, thanks to the dwarf side quest and the bounty for harpies as research material.
"Should we give this to the magic tower?"
"Or maybe to the temple?"
"Hmm, I wonder what our brothers and sisters will discover..."
Afterwards, they wrapped the fallen harpy in thick cloth, tying it tightly with rope and leaving only its head and feet exposed to avoid a stream suspension.
The companions casually chatted while looking at the bundled harpy.
Kyah? Kyaaak-!
True to its reputation as the named monster of the 41st floor, the raptor's claws, nearly as large as kitchen knives, scratched at the rocks and shattered stones in its struggle.
But even this formidable creature had its limits, with a body partly human.
The harpy, its knees and calves tightly bound, could only flail its ankles, kicking up dust but causing no real harm.
"Will those guys try to escape again this time?"
Han Se-Ah seems to rely on me, a naturally born 6 tank.
We can set up ambushes using lures to catch harpies on the 42nd floor, but that's for later.
If the harpies don't impede our progress, we'll ignore them and forge ahead.
The magic tower has begun researching harpies and has even developed lures -
My companions agree with my reasoning without any objections.
Who would challenge our leader, a renowned, beautiful hero mage with numerous accolades?
The only downside to this plan is that, should a formidable foe emerge, I, as the party's tank, will be in the line of fire.
Me?
Facing danger?
Considering the enhanced lich we encountered on the 40th floor, I should be well-prepared for enemies up through at least the 60th-floor boss.
"Then let's set off first thing tomorrow morning. For today, we should buy a camouflage net and head to the lodge... no, the mansion."
"It's odd, owning a mansion and all."
As I watch Han Se-Ah lead the conversation from harpies to our mansion, I think about our accommodations.
The mansion in the adventurers' city, a gift from the princess, is managed by maid Emma and butler Sebastian.
Its grandeur and luxury make it more of a 'guild house' than a mere home.
Beyond the large iron gate is a meticulously maintained garden with a quaint fountain.
A noble mansion complete with a coachman, gardener, butler, and maids.
While Katie might be at ease with it, Grace and Irene clearly feel overwhelmed.
Their frequent tower visits for harpy captures haven't given them much time to acclimate to the mansion.
"But Emma's cooking is really delicious. I'd love to learn and use her recipes inside the tower."
"Absolutely, Emma's cooking could rival that of restaurant chefs."
Despite the discomfort of being served by maids, everyone relished the delicious meals.
Irene, particularly smitten by Emma's culinary skills, was eager to learn from her.
Emma's cooking was the most reminiscent of modern cuisine.
Not every inn could serve chicken and beer to the same standard.
There were both delectable and mediocre chickens, cafes with excellent macarons and those with superior coffee - quite the fantasy game world.
In this world, Emma was an NPC designed to facilitate comfortable gameplay progression, hence her exceptional cooking talent.
"We have to leave early tomorrow, so no alcohol tonight... I'll ask Emma for her seasoned chicken."
"That sounds perfect. It's spicy, sweet, and absolutely scrumptious."
-This is the essence of K-food.
-Is seasoned chicken a traditional dish?
-Well, since the sauce is made in Korea, we should consider it a special dish.
-But BB Games is an American company, why the emphasis on Korean cuisine?
-Let's not get too nationalistic. The cafe has macarons, and there's plenty of American-style chicken and other international foods.
"It's funny to see Grace and Irene so excited about seasoned chicken... It's like watching a quirky, nationalistic TV show live."
Aside from the humorous sight of an archer in leather armor with a large bow and a priestess in a nun's outfit requesting seasoned chicken from the maid, it was a peaceful day.
Except for the unexpected guest who couldn't wait and decided to visit the mansion that night.
