Chapter 15: Summoning the Sketchbook
30 minutes later, we were still sitting on logs, not yet entering the forest.
Come to think of it, I haven't checked the Sketchbook skill.
The Sketchbook skill allows you to draw defeated monsters and give them names, thus enabling their control.
In this other world, paper seems to be a valuable item, so I had given up on drawing. But having this skill is really fortunate.
I want to forget the gory images of the goblins as soon as possible.
I already have a rough idea of how to use it, so let's start verifying it right away.
As I focused, a Sketchbook and a pen appeared.
This pen not only produces any color you imagine but also allows you to freely control the thickness and stroke, like a dream come true.
Needless to say, I won't lose it or run out of ink.
For someone like me with perfect memory, this magical pen is a perfect match.
As for the Sketchbook, it contains 23 pages. Since my current level is 23, I believe the number of pages will increase according to my level.
By the way, you can delete and redraw as many times as you want if you make a mistake or want to erase. However, once you name a picture, you cannot delete it. You need to choose the monsters you name carefully.
Well, unlike photographic memory, since there's a skill level, there may be changes in conditions as the level increases.
Let's try drawing a horned rabbit right away. I'll pass on the goblin; I don't like its appearance.
Hmm. I must say I drew it well...
Chloe leaned over my back and peered into the Sketchbook. The soft sensation and sweet floral fragrance made my head dizzy. She's too close, and various things are touching my back, Chloe-san.
"This is... it looks as if it's alive. Your drawing skills are truly remarkable, my master. But why did you suddenly decide to draw?"
Chloe's breath touched my neck and ears, and although the words didn't quite register in my head, I have absolute memory, so it's safe.
Chloe-san, please observe social distance.
When it comes to explaining Sketchbook skills, as expected of a master - I'll skip the details.
Now then, shall we give a name to the Horned Rabbit?
"Chloe, do you have any good names?"
"...Meat?"
"...Rejected."
"Then how about Sausage?"
"Chloe-san!? Are you hungry? I'm sorry, was the meat not enough?"
"By the way, Master."
"What is it, Chloe?"
"Can the monsters summoned by Master's skills be eaten?"
"...They turn back into drawings if they're killed, so it's impossible."
"..."
"You're so disappointed!? Sorry, it's a completely useless skill. We still have a lot of rabbit meat, so let's eat it later."
In the end, the Horned Rabbit's name became "Rabi." Ah, yeah. Rabi as in Rabbit. Sorry for the straightforwardness.
Now, about Rabi, when you give it a name, its status is displayed. It's quite strong. It's because my level is the same as the monster's level.
If I reach level 100, the Horned Rabbit would be level 100... It seems really strong, doesn't it?
[Rank] D
[Name] Rabi
[Species] Horned Rabbit
[Age] 1
[Condition] Good
[Level] 23
[HP] 199
[MP] 0
[Attack] 187
[Defense] 165
[Agility] 422
[Intelligence] 23
[Skills] Jumping <3>
"Can this drawing really move?"
"Well, watch this."
"O clad in white garments, servant of the forest, pierce your menacing horns and devour everything with endless gluttony. Sketch Summoning, come forth, Rabi!"
A magic circle unfolds around the sketchbook, and the page with Ravi drawn on it emits a dazzling light.
In front of us, a huge Horned Rabbit appears. It's enormous. It might be as big as a cow.
By the way, during the summoning, both the invocation and the magic circle can be omitted. Invocation? I came up with it, you know. It's for dramatic effect! Atmosphere is important. Chloe liked it, so it's fine. I don't feel embarrassed at all.
The summoned monsters have an easily understandable contract necklace wrapped around them.
According to Chloe, it looks similar to the familiar's necklace used by Tamers in this world, so it shouldn't be a problem even in town.
"Rabi, can you understand my words?"
"Kyuu!"
"I have memorized the language of rabbits."
Rabi raises its front legs straight up. Oh! How cute. Chloe... We're comrades, so let's stop looking at it as food.
The three of us venture into the forest.
Rabi, being a rabbit, has excellent hearing, so I let him take the lead and handle the reconnaissance.
The forest is very quiet, and apart from the occasional flying rabbit, not even the chirping of birds can be heard. Rabi swiftly takes care of the flying rabbits.
"My level has increased."
Oh, so I get the experience points for the monsters Rabi controlled and defeated... Rabi's level hasn't gone up, though.
I dismiss Rabi once and summon him again.
[Rank] D
[Name] Rabi
[Species] Flying Rabbit
[Age] 1
[Status] Contracted to Kakeru
[Level] 24
[HP] 215
[MP] 0
[Attack] 201
[Defense] 195
[Speed] 453
[Intelligence] 26
[Skills] Leap <3>
I see... So the level of the monster depends on my level at the time of summoning. Rabi is truly reliable. I'll let him play later.
"Master, something seems off. The forest is too quiet. What will you do?"
"No, let's continue the investigation deeper. If there's something abnormal, we can't ignore it."
Five minutes further into the forest, Rabi suddenly stops moving.
"What's wrong, Rabi?"
"There's something ahead, a rabbit-like creature."
I should clarify that he really said "rabbit." It's not a mental conversion!
"Master, it appears to be an orc."
Chloe has a keen sense of smell. When you say orc, is it referring to a sexually driven monster?
"Chloe, can orcs be eaten?"
"Yes! They taste like strongly flavored pork. They're delicious."
Oh, that's something to look forward to. A delicious monster is twice as welcome when combined with experience points.
"Master, individually, orcs are ranked as D, but they become dangerous when they gather like goblins. It would be good if they were stray orcs, but the possibility seems low."
"...In that case, it seems the abnormality in the forest is likely due to the formation of an orc settlement. For now, let's try asking the orcs there."
Since there don't seem to be any other orcs nearby, I'll have Rabi lure them in.
A massive figure approaches from deep within the forest. It stands at two meters tall, muscular and robust. It has skin-colored skin with what appears to be tough, translucent hair. Its face resembles a boar more than a pig.
"#$%ゞ,――It looks like a delicious rabbit, oink."
"I have learned the Orc language."
The Orc is completely absorbed in the rabbit and doesn't notice us.
Let's appraise it now.
[Rank] D
[Species] Orc
[Age] 1
[Condition] Hungry
[Level] 2
[Stamina] 276
[Magic Power] 0
[Attack Power] 288
[Durability] 285
[Agility] 98
[Intelligence] 93
[Skills] Insatiable, Breeding
What a typical enemy of women. It shouldn't be difficult to defeat it alone... It doesn't have any troublesome skills or magic. Just a brute with high stamina. However, it's already an adult at one year old. The growth rate of monsters is incredible.
I slash the Orc's neck from behind with Death Size. As blood sprays out, its torso falls to the ground.
"Level up!"
Oh, the experience points are good. It might not be a bad catch after all.
This time, I won't absorb the Orc's soul. I need the soul when I draw in my sketchbook. If a soul is required, it means that the depicted monster becomes the real thing. That's why...
"Summon Sketch, come forth, Schwein."
[Rank] C
[Name] Schwein
[Species] Orc
[Age] 1
[Condition] Contracted
[Level] 25
[Stamina] 576
[Magic Power] 0
[Attack Power] 588
[Durability] 585
[Agility] 198
[Intelligence] 103
[Skills] Insatiable, Breeding
I summon the second summoned beast.
"Schwein, guide me to the Orc village."
"Understood, master. I will guide you."
If the souls are the same, they might also share memories. It seems I hit the jackpot. Might as well confirm the number of Orcs and their objective.
***
Status at the end of Episode 14
[Name] Kakeru Watanohara (Male)
[Species] Human
[Age] 17
[Status] Freeman
[Occupation] Adventurer (F-rank)
[Condition] Good
[Level] 25
[Stamina] 512
[Magic Power] 3250
[Attack Power] 512
[Durability] 512
[Agility] 512
[Intelligence] 3250
[Luck] 90
[Skills] Instant Memory, Sketchbook <1>, Deathscythe <1>, Fire Magic <1>, Water Magic <1>, Wind Magic <1>, Swordsmanship <1>, Staff Techniques <1>, Archery <1>, Axe Techniques <1>, Body Enhancement <1>, Appraisal <10>, Jumping <1>, Fascination, Cleansing, Cooking, Human Language, Goblin Language, Wolf Language, Orc Language, Rabbit Language
[Divine Blessing] Blessing of the Reaper