It was a success. What was? Ogakichi-kun's confession, of course.
Ogakichi-kun reported this to me, blushing, after I woke up today before pairing up for sparring with him which became my daily routine before morning practice.
Well, I expected it to be a success so I was not surprised. Although Ogakichi-kun did not notice it, but Asue-chan had fallen for him since some time now.
The intelligence that Asue-chan had already consulted with Dhammi-chan about it fell into my hands, so I was sure about my guess.
There really was no worry about him getting rejected, I also secretly shared all the details of yesterday's strategy meeting with Dhammi-chan using the ear cuffs in order to arrange their meeting properly.
The fact that things turned out this way was all a matter of course.
The only thing I was worried about is whether he would get too excited last night and break Asue-chan.
TL Note : He's an Ogre, but Asue-chan should be just as big. TL Note : No, she's around 2.4 m and Ogakichi-kun is 2.8 m, not to mention his brute strength. ~Obarou
Well, I mentioned previously that I had put Ogakichi-kun in charge of the male elves so he could get advance practice, but there was precedent where he broke various things in his first time with a partner that had a 1 meter difference in physical size. He was assigned a 2 meter tall Elf, the biggest of them, the elf was healed by Hobuji-kun and is being kept in bed right now.
Asue-chan is currently our top miner, mining [ Spirit Stones ] that appeared in our mine because of the influence of Velvet's dungeon, and various rare ores, so it would put a dent in our mining efficiency if she couldn't work.
The current Asue-chan is an excavator-like existence. Depending on her condition I may have to adjust the mining schedule.
That was what I was thinking, but according to the report everything seems to be fine.
It was probably thanks to the fact that it was not Ogakichi-kun's first time, Asue-chan being tough and that he honored the promise he made with me last night at the strategy meeting, it seems he was able to do it in moderation. Well, I'm pleased with the outcome more than anything.
At any rate, during today's sparring, Ogakichi-kun was so full of energy that he took several of my hits head-on, nevertheless, he kept smiling with trembling knees.
It was too annoying to the point that I thought of letting him continue fighting with some Black skeletons to let his feelings out on them. I started arranging it immediately.
Sparring finished at noon. Ogakichi-kun and I were heading out to go capture Hind bears when Dhammi-chan and Asue-chan came up and said they wanted to come along.
When I asked Asue-chan about how her mining is progressing, she said that she had been steadfastly working all morning and had already met her quota, so for the first time in a while the four of us went out hunting together.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to encounter any Hind bears as I hoped, but we succeeded in hunting:
5 Stamp boars.
6 [ Poison Mantises ] with a 1-meter in height body and sickles dripping with purple venom.
4 [ Rhinoceros Beetles ] with a 1-meter long horn and a lustrous black iron-like exoskeleton.
5 Argiopes.
4 Demon spiders.
3 [ Messenger Locusts ] 60cm in height and grey-shelled.
11 [ Yellow Monkeys ] with yellow fur and a strangely-developed thick long tail.
As expected from an area that I haven't been to before, there was a lot of monsters that I hadn't eaten yet. There wasn't any that I can say were exceptionally delicious, but all of them were good enough.
However, the Poison mantises which have very a strong venom that can kill even an ogre and the crustacean-type Rhinoceros beetles could be eaten only by me, so unfortunately I can't let the others eat them.
It's unfortunate. Yeah, it's an extremely unfortunate matter.
I stripped off the parts that can be used and stored them in my [Item Box]. Then we ate everything together.
Ability [Molt] learned
Ability [Elytron Generation] learned
Ability [End Edge] learned
Ability [Silent Kill] learned
Ability [Horn Blow] learned
Ability [Dissonance] learned
Ability [Parasite] learned
Ability [Improved Jumping Power] learned
Ability [Strong Vitality] learned
Ability [Exoskeleton] learned
Ability [Wrought Iron Shell Armor] learned
Ability [Surging Combat Instinct] learned
Ability [Weakness to Cold] learned
I became a henshin hero.
TL Note: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HenshinHero
Well, when I ate the Rhinoceros beetle I obtained [Exoskeleton]. My armor which is made using the Red bear's leather was immediately taken in the instant I activated it and a lustrous carapace-like armor with a mix of red and black took its place. I looked like a humanoid Stag beetle that was 2m and 50cm tall.
I wondered for a moment why did I look look like a Stag beetle even though I ate a Rhinoceros beetle? thinking about it again, that's probably because of my horns.
When I focused on my slightly curved, sword-like pair of horns, I could get them to move. As a test I held a tree in between them, and *slash*, I was able to easily cut it. I didn't feel the slightest bit of resistance, my horns were very sharp. This is interesting.
I examined the exoskeleton for some time.
As a result, I found out that even though this exoskeleton is very easy to move in, it is extremely sturdy. I tested it by having Ogakichi-kun hit me, not only did the part he hit get dented only a little even with his brute strength, it even restored the damage. The exoskeleton possessed a restoration capability. In addition, I did not feel any pain, it seems like there is a mechanism incorporated into it that reduces damage by dispersing the impact throughout the exoskeleton.
It felt like wearing the armor I used when I was deployed for work before my reincarnation, a power suit made from biometal. I didn't feel like my movements are being hindered at all, rather it feels like I can move even faster and more freely than normal.
Moreover, the exoskeleton seemed to even have power assist. I couldn't find any faults in it. Well, maybe being too conspicuous is one.
Well, to be honest this is an extremely good ability.
The only real problem is that as soon as I deactivated [Exoskeleton] I got naked. Well, it's to be expected because the material was my armor. Since I had trousers that I made beforehand in my [Item Box], it was not that much of a problem, nevertheless, I don't really have a stripping hobby, so it would have been better if I was spared from this.
I was a little hurt that my armor, full of memories from my fight with the Red bear disappeared, but realizing that it merely took another form, I restored my spirits. Well, when I focused on it in my head--
[Ability [Exoskeleton]
Entry 1 [Red Bear Beast King's Prestige] registered
Entry 2 [ ] empty
Entry 3 [ ] empty
Entry 4 [ ] empty
Entry 5 [ ] empty
[4 more form entries remaining. Which entry number would you like to equip?]
-- this was displayed inside it and I realized that it didn't completely disappear. I was thankful for that.
Using this ability, I can use different forms depending on the scenario of the battle. It's a pretty useful ability.
I was able to grow wings that enabled me to fly using [Elytron Generation] too, but the flight controls were more difficult than I imagined. I'll practice when I get home.
Extremely pleased with today's hunt, we caught some souvenirs, returned home and ate.
Stamp boar meat is great.
Ability [Reckless Charge] learned
Ability [Tail Attack] learned
After that, I did some flight practice, worked in my workshop for some time, then went to sleep.
Mhm, this was an excellent day.