Choosing a Target

Judging by the Boarfolk's Keen Scent, bat-like monsters might well have an inherited gift for hearing from living so long in the Winding Caverns.

If Rain could obtain Keen Hearing, then at the very least, his targets would be less likely to get the first move in future fights.

He might even be the one to strike first.

Rain had also reflected on his fight with the Boarfolk Warrior. Freezing Ray was useful, but its ability to control an enemy was too weak, especially against powerful monsters.

Ideally, he needed an ability that would give him more control over the battlefield. After carefully leafing through Mill Town's Beginner Monster Compendium, Rain settled on another target: the Deepmoss Spider.

If he could kill one of these spider monsters, which had a Challenge Rating of one, Rain believed he might gain a restraining ability like its Web Spit.

So when Leia asked him what sort of job he wanted, Rain nearly said, "Preferably one involving bats or spiders."

But he immediately realized there was no guarantee that a job to clear out either kind of monster would happen to be available.

At least, he hadn't seen one recently.

Rain could accept taking another job instead. He could still use a real fight to improve his mastery of Shield Bash and Armor-Breaking Strike.

So he answered Leia, "Why don't we check the Adventurers' Association tomorrow?"

"All right. Let's call it a night, everyone. Cheers!" Leia nodded and raised her glass again with a smile.

Early the next morning.

As usual, Rain first went to a small grove outside Mill Town. After practicing Freezing Ray and Savage Charge, he headed to the Adventurers' Association.

Leia and the others had already arrived. When they saw him, they waved and called out a greeting.

"Quite a few new jobs went up today. Take a look and see if there's one that suits our team, then we'll discuss it." With everyone present, Leia pointed to the noticeboards on either side of the hall, both crowded with adventurers.

"Oh? New jobs?" Rain raised an eyebrow, a flicker of anticipation stirring in him.

The group gathered around the noticeboards.

Rain's gaze quickly settled on several freshly posted sheets of thin parchment:

[Job number]: Mill Town 0277

[Type]: Gathering

[Payment]: 1 silver coin per plant

[Description]: An alchemist needs Nightshade Grass to make potions. (Illustration attached: Nightshade Grass)

[Proof of completion]: Any quantity of Nightshade Grass.

[Time limit]: Ongoing.

[Job number]: Mill Town 0281

[Type]: Extermination

[Payment]: 40 silver coins

[Description]: Villagers have spotted a medium-sized group of Goblins near Windchime Village, northwest of Mill Town on the road to Brad Manor. Eliminate the entire group.

[Proof of completion]: Goblin remains or other evidence must be submitted.

[Time limit]: 5 days.

[Job number]: Mill Town 0282

[Type]: Extermination

[Payment]: 4 silver coins per Giant Vampire Bat

[Description]: Several livestock have recently died during the night in Fernsprout Village, east of the road to Snowfield and directly north of Mill Town. An investigation identified Giant Vampire Bats as the cause. Locate their cave and eliminate them.

[Proof of completion]: Giant Vampire Bat remains or other evidence must be submitted.

[Time limit]: 5 days.

(Note: Bat caves can be cramped. Particularly tall adventurers should take care.)

Hm?

Rain's eyes widened slightly.

The third job specifically named Giant Vampire Bats.

Finally, one had come up!

About time.

"I've had a look. How about we take the Goblin job? A medium-sized group should be around thirty or forty of them. Our team shouldn't have much trouble," Chris said.

"Anything's fine with me." Fabian was still flipping a dagger between his fingers. He had no particular opinion on which job they took.

"I have a suggestion. I'd like to take job 282," Rain said, clearing his throat.

"Hm?"

At his words, everyone turned to look at job 282 on the noticeboard.

"Giant Vampire Bats?"

"Rain, what made you pick this one? A bat cave is nothing like a Goblin cave," Chris said in surprise.

Individual Giant Vampire Bats were stronger than Goblins, but that wasn't the main concern for their adventuring team.

Both creatures lived in caves, but Goblins couldn't fly. Their caves tended to have fairly level ground, and if any of the Goblins were large, the passages would be reasonably spacious too.

Bat caves were another matter.

Bats could fly. The ground in their caves rose and fell, and some passages narrowed without warning. Once inside, a person might barely have room to move.

That was especially troublesome for their team. Leia's archery was one of their greatest strengths, but inside a bat cave, she might struggle to use it effectively.

After Chris spoke, the others looked at Rain with curiosity too.

"There are always chances to fight Goblins, but jobs to clear out Giant Vampire Bats are relatively rare. As an adventurer, I want to gain experience facing different monsters."

Rain gave the explanation he had prepared.

"True, Giant Vampire Bat jobs are rare. Let's go with Rain's choice." Leia glanced at him and, after a moment's thought, was the first to agree.

Their captain and archer would be the most affected by the cramped space, yet she had agreed. Chris and Fabian exchanged a look, then shrugged. "All right, Rain. Your call."

"I haven't seen a Giant Vampire Bat either. This will be a good chance to learn," Grand said with an earnest nod.

"Thanks!" Rain said with a smile.

He could tell they were probably accommodating him because of how well he had performed in the fight against the Boarfolk.

"But trust me, Rain, you won't enjoy being squeezed into that cave," Fabian said with a grin.

At Hearthfire Bar the night before, Fabian had told Rain that their team had taken a job involving bat-like monsters before.

"Actually... maybe we could try a different tactic this time," Chris suggested.

"We could buy some reinforced nets and try smoking them out with poison. If the cave isn't too deep and has no other vents, it might work."

"Good idea."

Rain's aim was to kill Giant Vampire Bats and see whether he could acquire their bloodline and gain Keen Hearing.

If there was a better way to kill them without venturing deep into a cramped cave, he was all for it.

"Right. I'll go accept the job." Leia's eyes lit up, and she nodded.