As planned, I take Alo for a walk in the forest.
The current goal is to head to where the Manticore ran, while avoiding the Lithuvar Tribe’s village.
It would help if I stock up some food and level up Alo along the way.

I let Lesser Treant look after the baby spiders since they might get out of hand if they go outside.
When I told him through gesture, Treant expressionlessly nodded and accepted my request.
He did so while getting played at by the baby spiders, but I’m sure he’ll be just fine.
I believe in him.

Thanks to〖Fake Life〗giving Alo and Treant a cursed status, they won’t be affected by my〖Dragon Moth Scales〗…… I think.
I don’t have proof, but… do bones even cough?
I’m still not sure, but when something wrong does happen, I’ll have to take precautions, but so far, everything seems to be fine…… for now.

The baby spiders are different, however.
Since they were stuck on Partner’s head when they were still eggs until they hatched, maybe they received some kind of resistance for it, but I don’t want to get my hopes.
I feel bad for Partner, but… we’re going to have to remain a safe distance from the baby spiders.

I need to make sure first if the baby spiders will receive more resistances when they evolve.
That’s also another reason why I didn’t take them with me.

I traverse the woods while keeping〖Presence Sense〗on at all times and being wary for any sign of humans nearby.
I can’t let anyone see Alo in her state after all.
And, if someone sees their Dragon God alongside a walking skeleton, a panic might ensue, and that’ll lead to more troublesome situations.

Well, I am keeping my distance from the village, so there shouldn’t be any problems…… but heck, a human just got detected by my〖Presence Sense〗.
…… D-Don’t get nervous now, me.

The Lithuvar Tribe are a hunting tribe after all, so I shouldn’t be surprised to see a few of them out in the forest.
I did end up getting in between two of them fighting a rank C Abyss before though.
But, unlike before, I don’t sense any tension, and there doesn’t seem to any fights happening in that direction.
Best if I just avoid them.

Judging from the shrine maiden’s tone before, the direction where the Manticore is heading seems to be avoided by the Lithuvar Tribe, so I won’t have to worry about them spotting me there.
I don’t have to hide myself when I get there either, but I feel like I’m doing a bad thing.
Like I’m tossing aside their trust in me or something.

I stopped walking when I finally went around the village.
If I fly to the sky, maybe I can confirm my actual distance to the village, but……
Opening my wings will scatter my〖Dragon Moth Scales〗.
Now that its level is high, I don’t know what aftereffects that skill will do to my surroundings.

While looking around, I heard a “gutchi ~” sound.
Don’t tell me… is it the Manticore?
I was under the assumption it was the Manticore and rushed straight towards the sound, leaving Alo behind.

“Fugoo, fugo?”

I saw…… a pig-like monster under the shade of a tree.
Its skin was drooping, its eyes were closed, and its neck is so short, its head is sunk in.
It resembles the mythical black pig from my world.

When it saw me, it raised its neck. Your neck is that long?!
Blood is dripping from its mouth. Under its head, a deer-like monster is seen with its internal organs ripped off on the ground.
I don’t know if its confident of its strength, or it doesn’t have any sense of danger, but anyhow, it isn’t showing signs of fear, nor does it look like it would run away.
I should probably check its status just to be on the safe side.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Species: Oinkswine
Status: Normal
Lv: 9/30
HP: 57/68
MP: 33/33
Attack: 32
Defense: 41
Magic: 19
Speed: 22
Rank: D

Special Skills:
〖Food Reproduction: Lv1〗〖Skinface: Lv2〗

Resistances:
〖Poison Resistance: Lv3〗〖Paralysis Resistance: Lv1〗

Regular Skills:
〖Rush: Lv2〗〖Bite: Lv3〗〖Clay: Lv1〗
〖Roll: Lv1〗

Titles:
〖Big Eater: Lv2〗〖Bad Appetite: Lv3〗
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

…… It’s just a pig, then.
No, don’t get fooled. This thing has〖Roll〗after all.
What a pig. It must be a well-known pig in these parts.

Okay, jokes aside…… it’s low leveled, and it’s rank D.
Plus, its speed and attack are quite low for a rank D.
I bet even Alo can withstand any attack this big guy throws.
And, more importantly…

“Fugo~o! Fugo~o!”

…… I’m grateful that you aren’t running away from me.
This is a perfect chance to level Alo up.
Quite a generous heart you have there.

“Fugo~ooo!”

Looks like this pig thought we were gonna steal its food and got angry.
Even though I’m very sure you’re more delicious than that blue deer.
You should give yourself a taste once in a while.

I took a step back and glance at Alo.
Alo nods and runs towards the pig.
She waited before my whole body stepped back so I wouldn’t aggravate the pig any more before running at it.

Besides, if I intervene, it might affect how much exp points Alo will receive.
I should leave Alo to do the most work.

Alo had a tough time against the rank D- Forest Crab, so against this rank D Oinkswine, this might be a bit harder.
But this time, I’m here.
If it gets dangerous, I’ll guide Alo out of the battle to recover her, then let her fight again.
This pig isn’t a speed type, so our attacks should be able to reach.
If we could just give it a〖Bleeding〗status, the damage from Alo’s attacks will increase tenfold.

The more damage inflicted, the more experience points gained.
If this is done right, Alo might reach max level before we know it.
And, Alo can evolve again.

While confronting the pig, Alo looked this way and nodded again.

Break a leg out there, Alo.
If you keep hitting the same spot, you’re bound to give it a〖Bleeding〗status, and if it runs away, we’ll just tire it out. Win-win.

‐‐‐‐«Dragon God’s Shrine»‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
【〖Ouroboros〗: A】Lv: 61/125
【〖Skull Low Mage〗: E】Lv: 4/13
【〖Lesser Treant〗: D】Lv: 2/25
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
【〖Baby Arachne〗: E】Lv: 1/12
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐