Chapter 195: Tactics and Tragedy of Octopus<hr>


    Warp to the port town of Blumen. Today is an underwater battle. I want to see how far we can go with our current strength.


    The team consists of Ion, Lian, Puyosuke, Seguro and Yasuri. Before entering the water, we prepare ourselves well. Then Lian asked me,


    "What are you doing? Takuto-senpai"


    "Preparatory movement before entering the sea"


    "It seems that loosening your body will prevent injuries"


    Ion is exining this with a smug look on her face, but it''s something I taught her when she asked me when we swam before. I don''t know if there''s any point in a game, but I''m doing it because I have to.


    "He~. Then, I''ll do it too"


    So we all did our preparatory exercises and I felt like a big brother who hade to the pool to lead the group.


    After the preparatory exercise was over, I went into the water and felt something strange. My body feels light.


    "What''s wrong, Takuto-san?"


    "No, I feel light..."


    Uo! I can talk! And when I breathe, I can do it normally! But what''s the cause? Lian has no suspicious skills. So the culprit is Ion.


    "Could this be the effect of the sea dragon blessing?"


    "Probably so"


    I guess it can give the whole party the effect of underwater action.


    It''s as if Ion''s wish came true with this skill. The longer there is no time limit in the water, the longer you can adventure. The culprit is the Distant Seas Dragon King. He knew Ion very well, didn''t he?


    Anyway, I''m grateful. As we were swimming, a horde of enemies came.


    <b>Shark Lv5</b>


    <b>Common Monster Subjugation Target Active</b>


    They''re low level and they''re small sharks, which is fine. A shark is a shark. They are scary. And there are a lot of them, so they''re twice as scary.


    But Ion and Lian annihted the horde of sharks with overwhelming speed.


    "Mermaids are the fastest swimmers in the world. Basically, mermaids use their speed to gain distance and use powerful magic to defeat their opponents"


    I see. I''m a mage by status, but I fight with weapons, so I feel like I have a friend.


    As forbat, I could have said it in the sky, but I don''t see the value in my existence. I''ll just quietly dismantle them. I wonder if shark fins wille?


    <b>Shark Meat: Rarity 2 Ingredient Item Quality E</b>


    <b>Shark''s ribs. It gives off a strong odor after a while.</b>


    I knew shark fins wouldn''te...it''s a shame. But we got shark meat. It''s not easy to find in the market, but it''s surprisingly delicious. It may be used in many dishes such as surimi or kamaboko fish paste. Of course, it can also be grilled and eaten as usual.


    As I continued swimming, I found a guy who often gets caught by sea fishermen.


    <b>Octopus Lv5</b>


    <b>Summon Monster Subjugation Target Active</b>


    It''s an octopus. I feel like eating octopus balls.


    Ion and Lian are going to kill it. Then the octopus sensed the danger and sprayed Ion and Lian with octopus ink.


    "Na!?"


    "It''s pitch ck!?"


    Ion and Lian stopped moving after being hit by the octopus ink. That was a mistake.


    "Kya!? Wh, What is it!? It''s disgusting!"


    "Ah!? N, Not good! Please don''t stick to me like that~"


    I don''t know what happened in the ink. The ink was gone, and the two I could see had turned ck and I don''t know how long they had been there...their bodies were covered with octopuses.


    Way to go! Octopuses! You''ve sessfully disabled Ion and Lian. Cheers to you octopuses and your hard work!


    "What are you looking at! Takuto-san! Hurry up and get them!"


    "That''s right! Takuto-senpai. Please help me~"


    Yes, yes. However, I couldn''t use magic, so I left it to Seguro and Yasuri.


    "That monster...I hate it"


    "Me too..."


    "That''s what happens when you jump in carelessly...octopus won the battle"


    ""Muu~""


    It''s true, despite your protests.


    "And this stuff is delicious, you know?"


    "This is...?"


    "I, It''s not true~...I don''t think this undting thing is delicious"


    It''s sad that they doubt the octopus''s deliciousness. Let''s dismantle the octopus to prove it.


    <b>Octopus Legs: Rarity 2 Ingredient Item Quality E</b>


    <b>Octopus legs with unique suckers. The official name is Shokuwan.</b>


    If you don''t remove the slime, it will smell fishy, so it needs to be pretreated.


    It''s a shame that I can''t get octopus meat. In real life, squid slices are famous, but I heard that octopus slices are actually more nutritious.


    However, octopus is not as cheap as squid meat. In other words, it''s a luxury food.


    I had hoped to try tako-sumi pasta one day, but it looks like I''ll have to wait.


    And if there is octopus, there is squid.


    <b>Squid Lv5</b>


    <b>Summon Monster Subjugation Target Active</b>


    The difference between it and the octopus is its speed. Squids are very fast. Perhaps that''s why they attack with their bodies.


    Ion stabbed it with her spear and killed it. When I dismantled it, I got something unexpected.


    <b>Squid Ink Sac: Rarity 2 Material Item Quality E</b>


    <b>A bag filled with squid ink. It contains arge amount of squid ink.</b>


    Oh? It''s a material item. Is it because it''s a bag of ink? Anyway, let''s get it.


    Finally, I went a little further out to sea and encountered a great one.


    <b>Tiger Shark Lv15</b>


    <b>Common Monster Subjugation Target Active</b>


    No, that''s why...you can''t have one shark eating three adults...and there are three of them. If this were real, I''d probably be dead.


    But they were all strong. Ion and Lian speared and killed a Tiger Shark with overwhelming speed.


    Seguro and Yasuri also tightened their grip on a Tiger Shark, but it didn''t care and came at me. I also set up my spear and give the Tiger Shark a blow, but the Tiger Shark''s tail attack was guarded by Puyosuke, who was attached to me and he attached himself to the Tiger Shark.


    This is the way it should be...since summoners are supposed to let their summoned beasts do the fighting, but I can''t help but want to fight with them. Oh, let''s try throwing the spear.


    Then, unnaturally, it hits the Tiger Shark in a fast, straight line. I feel like I''ve found hope.


    "Takuto-san!? How dare you to Takuto-san...I''ll never forgive you!"


    The Tiger Shark ends up being skewered repeatedly with a spear by Ion, who is angry that Puyosuke guarded but it still attacked me. In conclusion, there''s no change to my baggage in the underwater battle. It''s sad, but that''s the reality. At any rate, I''ll try to dismantle it.


    <b>Tiger Shark Tooth: Rarity 4 Material Item Quality E+</b>


    <b>A tooth so hard it can bite through flesh. When used in a weapon, it may have a water attribute.</b>


    <b>Tiger Shark Meat: Rarity 3 Material Item Quality E+</b>


    <b>The rose meat of a tiger shark. A food item that emits a strong smell as the day goes on.</b>


    It has more fat than normal shark.


    Umm. It seems to be a better material than Desnia. I''ll have Hephaestus take a look at itter. It was time to go back, but Lian sensed an enemy approaching from behind.


    "Hii!?"


    "What''s wrong with you?"


    When we looked behind us, there was something strange. It''sing at us with great speed. We identify it.


    <b>Human-faced Fish Lv8</b>


    <b>Normal Monster Subjugation Target Active</b>


    It''s a monster with an old man''s face on the front and a fish on the back.


    And this old man...he only targets Lian...


    "Noooo! Pl, Please don''te here~!"


    He looks like an old manpletely stalking an idol. I wonder what kind of reaction the fishermen would have if they caught a fish like this?


    "Ion-oneechan! Please help me!"


    "Eh!? I, Impossible! I''m sure Lian can defeat it"


    "I don''t want to attack!"


    "Neither do I!"


    ""Takuto-san (senpai)!""


    Yes, yes. I paralyzed it with shock bolts and left the rest to Puyosuke, Seguro and Yasuri.


    I dismantle it, but there was nothing. I''d be in trouble even if there was. I wouldn''t buy such an item even if it was sold to me. Then the infoes. What is it?


    Your swimming skill has reached level 10. It has evolved into the underwater action skill


    Ah~. It doesn''t make sense...no, it would make sense if we were fighting in the ocean without Ion, but that''s currently unthinkable.


    There was a trauma at the end, but this is where the hunt ends. It''s been a long time since I cooked on the beach. I''ll ask Ion to keep an eye for Shifukudo.


    Today''s ingredient is octopus legs! Let''s try to convince Ion and the others.


    The first thing I need to do is prepare the octopus legs. Rub them well with salt until they are no longer slippery.


    The next step is to boil them. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces.


    Put the chopped octopus legs in a pot with fish sauce and sugar and cover it with a lid. And here is the result.


    <b>Boiled Octopus: Rarity 3 Cooking Quality E</b>


    <b>Effect: 20% fullness recovery, 1 hour agility increase (medium)</b>


    <b>A dish of octopus legs boiled in fish sauce and sugar. It has no odor because it is prepared with salt.</b>


    The rarity is low, but the problem is the taste. We ate it as everyone watched.


    "Yes! It''s perfect"


    I wish I could have used sake or mirin, but I didn''t have any, so I had no choice.


    So I handed it to the others and while Seguro and Yasuri took a bite, Ion and Lian ate it with trepidation. Then they were astonished.


    "N...No way! I can''t believe how delicious that stuff is!"


    "So this is Takuto-senpais cooking magic that you guys have been talking about!"


    I''m not a mage...this is a victory for Octopus-san. I heard a voice from the sea when I dress myself.


    "Kyu!"


    I turned around and saw a dolphin.


    <b>Dolphin Lv1</b>


    <b>Summon Monster Subjugation Target Non-Active</b>


    "It''s cute. What''s wrong with it?"


    "Takuto-san...this is..."


    Ah...I guess. It''s because it decided to notice me. It''s pping its pectoral fins. Bring me the octopus! I feel like I''m being told that.


    I think I can ride a dolphin. I''m going to have to try the feeding challenge!


    When I bring the octopus to it, it eats it like it''s delicious. Then it jumps on me and appeals for more. Oh no...is that enough?


    I give it some more octopus. That''s when it happened.


    "Takuto-san!"


    Ion shouted and Shifukudo was there.


    He''s after the octopus! This one''s his!


    I pulled the octopus to dodge the Shifukudo and the dolphin chased the octopus. As a result, Shifukudo and the dolphin hit each other and the dolphin ran away.


    This is...is this my fault?


    When I looked at Shifukudo, I thought it gave me a look like not good, as I held up my staff.


    "Blizzard!"


    A blizzard hits Shifukudo and the icy Shifukudo crashes down. Don''t think that''s all that''s going to happen.


    "Explosion!"


    There was a huge explosion on the surface of the sea and the Shifukudo exploded. I don''t even want to dismantle it!


    "Let''s go home"


    ""Y, Yes""


    I decided to return to Freetia while eating the octopus I was supposed to give to Dolphin.<hr>


    <b><i>Name Takuto Intermediate Summoner Lv15</i></b>


    Vitality 48


    Magic Power 97


    Strength 35


    Defense 24


    Agility 35


    Dexterity 71


    <b><i>Skills</i></b>


    Fighting Lv9


    Kicking Lv16


    Staff Lv21


    One-handed Sword Lv18


    Spear Lv1Lv3


    Throwing Lv4Lv5


    High-Speed Chanting Lv14Lv15


    Summoning Magic Lv27


    Seal Magic Lv3


    Horsemanship Lv6


    Alchemy Lv14


    Mining Lv18


    Logging Lv17


    Dismantling Lv30


    Appraisal Lv1718


    Identification Lv23Lv24


    Wind Magic Lv20


    Fire Magic Lv21


    Earth Magic Lv22


    Water Magic Lv21


    Dark Magic Lv20


    Sacred Magic Lv4


    Lightning Magic Lv21


    Explosion Magic Lv21Lv22


    Wood Magic Lv22


    Ice Magic Lv20Lv21


    Space-time Magic Lv23


    Swimming Lv10  Underwater Action Lv1


    Reading Lv8


    Cooking Lv32Lv33


    Feeding Lv6Lv7


    Fishing Lv14


    Synchro Lv9<hr>


    <b><i>Name Ion Dragonewt Envelope Lv4</i></b>


    Vitality 62


    Magic Power 88


    Strength 56


    Defense 32


    Agility 111


    Dexterity 91


    <b><i>Skills</i></b>


    Dual Wield Lv27


    Spear Lv1Lv3


    Throwing Maneuver Lv8


    Flight Lv7


    Swimming Action Lv11Lv12


    Ice de Lv13


    Rengeki Lv3


    Water Magic Lv2


    Blue Wave Motion Lv2


    Dragon Technique Lv5


    Dragonification Lv6


    Sea Dragon Blessing Lv2Lv3


    Cooking Lv6<hr>


    <b><i>Name Lian Little Mermaid Lv10Lv12</i></b>


    Vitality 1415


    Magic Power 2933


    Strength 1213


    Defense 12


    Agility 2933


    Dexterity 2731


    <b><i>Skills</i></b>


    Spear Lv1Lv3


    Staff Lv1


    Singing Lv2


    Swimming Lv1Lv3


    Water Bullet Lv2


    Water Magic Lv1


    Diving Lv1Lv3


    Sound Detection Lv1Lv3


    Humanification Lv3Lv5<hr>


    <b><i>Name Puyosuke Blue Slime Lv4Lv6</i></b>


    Vitality 3337


    Magic Power 0


    Strength 0


    Defense 4347


    Agility 2122


    Dexterity 2122


    <b><i>Skills</i></b>


    Predator Lv12Lv14


    Defense Lv4Lv5


    Physical Disable Lv5Lv6


    Transformation Lv11


    Impact Absorption Lv5Lv6


    Splitting Lv3


    Regeneration Lv5


    Underwater Action Lv6Lv8


    Extreme Cold Body Lv10Lv12<hr>


    <b><i>Name Seguro Sea Snake Lv3Lv4</i></b>


    Vitality 3738


    Magic Power 1314


    Strength 25


    Defense 13


    Agility 1920


    Dexterity 1920


    <b><i>Skills</i></b>


    Bite Lv9Lv10


    Coiling Lv8


    Poison Lv6Lv7


    Heat Detection Lv4Lv5


    Underwater Action Lv5Lv7<hr>


    <b><i>Name Yasuri Sea Snake Lv1Lv3</i></b>


    Vitality 3537


    Magic Power 1213


    Strength 2325


    Defense 1213


    Agility 1819


    Dexterity 1819


    <b><i>Skills</i></b>


    Bite Lv3Lv5


    Coiling Lv3


    Poison Lv3Lv5


    Heat Detection Lv3Lv4


    Underwater Action Lv1Lv4