The first day of the event had ended, and things didn't go as well as one would expect.
...all of this has me frustrated.
Despite a noticeable difference with the other hunting teams, I feel that the situation can be equalized if we continue like last time.
At that moment, the team's stone pulsed with clarity, shining faintly.
Holding her, I wanted to know the reasons for her strange behavior.
[Results of the day]
_collaboration: 5/10
Strategic precision: 6/10
_eliminations: 10
_eliminated groups: 2
...advanced rating: 0.3/10
As if it were a shopping list, the magic stone showed me several statistics, but what worries me the most was the "advance rating."
Although there were still several days left until the event ended, having such a low rating... was a concerning aspect.
The setting was enormous, not just the surface of the snow-covered mountain, but also the complex system of caves it had.
So it was difficult to locate other groups.
...Some will take their time to prepare first, while others...
I don't know what I should call them, but there will always be people who take the hard path, and in a way, it's understandable, given the number of points the enemies give in that place.
...
I started watching the rising sun, standing out among the mountains while the moon was setting.
In front of me, behind the campfire, was Daren.
Who was still asleep, using clothes and wolf skins as an improvised bed.
Elia and Liria were together; I don't know if it was because they were sisters, but they were hugging.
Although their age... I suppose they went through inexplicable things.
That would clarify the reason behind their closed-off emotions and attitudes.
But who am I to assume things about them?
...uff~
Letting out a small breath, I started to watch the dense snow.
Since I lived far from the academy, I got used to waking up earlier to avoid being late, so it was normal for me to wake up first.
But why would I have to wake up early now?
Well... we ran out of supplies.
First of all, it was due to the team's disastrous coordination.
Because if we hadn't gotten into a fight without having something in mind, we wouldn't have lost our things in the snow.
So I find myself obliged to get something to eat before starting the day.
The campfire was still burning, so I had to hurry.
I didn't have any skills that directly helped me achieve what I want, so....
Look where Elia and Liria were, still asleep, next to them were their weapons, the bow and their wand.
I approached slowly without making a sound and picked up Elia's bow, but now the only problem is that I didn't have any arrows.
Now that I remember? … Didn't he create arrows with magic?
Although it was practical not to be carrying arrows in bulk, creating a pure mana arrow was a slightly slow process, in addition to the enemies' magical preferences.
... What's the point of thinking about it, I can't create even one.
Giving up with the bow, I put it in its place.
I walked over to where we keep the things we looted and picked up one of the swords from the students we faced last time.
With a slight doubt in my mind, I put it in the sheath of my belt.
Let's try this...
I quietly distanced myself from my companions, committed to finding some animal that could serve as food.
And apparently, luck was on my side.
Good!
At a moderately short distance, one could distinguish a white rabbit blending in with the snow.
I know his speed, so it would be useless to catch up to him if I ran towards him.
So a ranged attack would be more effective, but I didn't have the bow, and I can't use the ice bullet either, as it would explode and the rabbit's body would disappear, so....
Taking the sword out of the sheath, I looked with precision and, in one swift motion, the sword slipped from my hand.
The blade flew in a straight line, slicing through the air, until it found its target with a sharp thud.
The wind rises slowly, taking the leaves from the trees and along with them the snowflakes.
While I pushed my hair back, I felt the coolness of the air followed by a slight chill.
Is this how nature takes over a life?
I carefully grabbed the rabbit and took it back to where my companions were.
The cold seeped into my fingers, but it disappeared when I stoked the campfire, fearing to break the morning silence. Carefully, I prepared the rabbit, its pale skin began to brown over the flames, releasing a faint aroma that contrasted with the cold.
—Where is that smell coming from?
Letting out a few words, Daren got up from his long nap; Then, Elia and Liria did too.
...Have they woken up yet?
The rabbit was already prepared; cutting it into four, I gave a piece to each one.
I didn't have any spices or anything like that, so it wouldn't have much flavor, but it's better than nothing.
—Thank you, Noah, I haven't eaten well since the other day.
Daren, with a cheerful tone, congratulated me on the food.
At least they're grateful...!!!
I took a bite...but it had a taste I couldn't identify.
Ding! At that moment, I heard a sharp sound, but the others seemed not to have heard it.
So I assumed it was my statistics window, and when I opened it, I was surprised by the changes.
STATISTICS
strength: 100
maná: 40
Resistance: 130
Skills: (basic fencing) (intermediate analytical knowledge) (pulse level 1)
NEW!
Passive: (culinary effect) Naturally, the prepared dishes are infused with mana, giving them flavor and texture, while also providing temporary stat boosts to those who consume them.
...
What happened? Not only the rise in statistics, but also the passive that followed, just preparing a rabbit.
Lost in these thoughts, I can barely hear Liria's words.
—Noah, you look thoughtful.
...Do I?
Putting a question in my own words, I hoped it would divert the topic.
—Well, if you suddenly start looking at your statistics window, it means something happened.
—I also think so, it's very unnecessary to do that without any purpose.
Daren also joined the conversation, reinforcing Liria's doubt.
But what I didn't believe was that I could also see my statistics window.
...it's nothing, I was just curious about something.
Although I gave a reasonable answer, I felt that they weren't entirely satisfied.
In the end, they stopped asking.
First of all, I don't know much about this world, so it was normal that I didn't know that others could also see the statistics windows of others.
But remembering well, Javier's statistics window, the protagonist, was somewhat transparent and wouldn't interfere with the place, almost like a hologram.
In contrast, mine was robust and hard, as if it were made of stone.
There are things that I feel are not right with me.
Could it be because this isn't my body or because I'm not from this world?
My biggest question was not knowing how to get to this place.
But I feel that if the story is completed, you know the answers.
I know that from the very first moment I was in this world, my character (Noah) was not in line with the little I knew about the story.
So, since I couldn't keep up with the story, I'll help in any way I can to finish this otherworldly journey.
My first mission that I will undertake will be to help Javier. Since this is an important event, something big will happen, I'm sure.
And become as strong as possible to be helpful in the future!
With a determined face, I stood up, raising my hand and clenching my fist.
—What are you doing?
...eh...
Cutting off my thoughts, Daren spoke while Liria and Elia stared at me intently; Honestly, I felt like a weirdo.
Somebody bury me...
Breakfast is over; We are getting ready to continue on our way.
Although it's strange, I offered to carry the looted items in a backpack; it was heavy, but I could handle it.
Since I didn't have a predetermined position, Elia was agile and could react quickly; Daren would protect against any frontal attack, and Liria needed to be constantly active for some kind of support.
Besides, I think this will be good training; Professor Selene mentioned it to me by chance.
Being under physical pressure strengthens bones and increases strength.
Those were his words, so they ended up carrying the things we got.
— Are you sure about that Noah?
...Yes, I'm perfectly fine.
Daren was in a good mood. It's incredible that yesterday, at the beginning of the event, he looked at me with disdain and now treats me like a good friend.
—If you agree...well, back to the point.
As we continued walking across the plain, Daren started telling us about the meters of caves the mountain had.
I know it's risky, but it will be easy to find more people. Yesterday we barely found one team in two hours, which means many are in those caves.
A concerning proposal, but backed by solid arguments, made us seriously consider it.
-This time I agree.
...
Liria accepted Daren's proposal; only one more opinion was needed to decide it by majority.
—What if we prepare first?
Elia made a proposal somewhat similar to Daren's, but taking some time before entering any cave.
—Today is the last day we'll be on the surface.
Then we'll go into the first cave.
Considering your proposal, we decided it was the best option.
Sixteen hours was the time we would stay on the surface, and during that time, we would make some eliminations.
As the day went by, the hours flew by, trying out new strategies, we managed to defeat 3 more groups.
surprising them with an avalanche of snow, while being attacked by monsters or repeating the same tactic of the ice bullet.
They were our ways of winning without taking so much damage.
Thus ending the day with an advanced score of 1.1 out of 10, really a high score, considering that it's one point per day.
And finally, we found ourselves in front of a cave, the entrance was enormous and rocky, with a depth that seemed endless.
—Ready, guys? Let's go
The cold that I eventually got used to kept diminishing the deeper I went into the cave.
This will be a new environment to fight in....
...¡¡¡
No... forget it, this will be worse.
While I felt warmth in my body, I was suddenly hit by a gust of wind that, if I measured it correctly, was twice as cold as the surface.
Although we adapt quickly in the outskirts, this would be a new level, a level I would regret having played.
What will await me in this place?