Free Web NovelChapter 14: The Place Where I Am
Back in his hideout, Mamadou placed his loot on the table and immediately began experimenting with his skill.
"What should I evaluate first?"
He stepped outside.
In front of him stood a large tree.
Mamadou placed his hand on it and decided that it would be his first target.
[Austral Fat Eucalyptus]
So far, so good. It’s still like before.
The Evaluation skill had leveled up. Normally, I should get more information.
Hmm.
Wait.
[Austral Fat Eucalyptus: A variety of eucalyptus that grows in the Austral Forest.]
"Wait, wait, wait."
Mamadou saw something he simply could not ignore.
He was happy that his Evaluation skill had evolved this much, but he was also shocked that such a crucial piece of information had been revealed so casually.
The Austral Forest?
[Austral Forest: The largest forest on the continent of Amoniz. It serves as the border separating Amoniz from the Cursed Domain.]
"What?"
Mamadou felt a large portion of his mental strength drain away.
He should have been happy, but instead he felt empty.
He had never expected to learn where he was simply by evaluating a tree.
"I didn’t expect to learn the name of this forest just by evaluating a tree, much less the continent I’m on."
"But at least it’s reassuring. This place isn’t just an endless forest. There really is something beyond it. Though seriously, what are these terrible names? The Cursed Domain doesn’t sound appealing at all. I hope I don’t end up there by mistake."
To begin with, Mamadou had no idea where the Cursed Domain was located, even if he now knew it existed.
He also wondered just how massive this forest was to be called the largest forest on the continent.
He even wondered whether he could leave this place at all.
What he didn’t know at that moment was that his current location was not even near the center of the forest.
Relative to its true size, his position was somewhere near the outer regions.
Of course, that did not mean he was literally at the forest’s entrance.
He was still extremely far from it.
"This forest serves as the border leading into the Cursed Domain. If I could figure out where that domain is and head in the opposite direction, would I eventually leave this place?"
"In any case, my objective is clear. Become stronger, then leave the Austral Forest. If I wander across the continent of Amoniz, I’ll eventually run into intelligent creatures, and with some luck, a way to return home."
"For now, let’s continue testing this skill."
He tested Evaluation on everything he could find and gathered various pieces of information about the plants and trees surrounding his hideout.
The more he used it, the more curious he became.
What would happen if he used it on another creature?
Normally, it should provide more information now.
Mamadou was eager to find out.
He began patrolling.
Unlike previous days, it didn’t take him long to find something.
[Nocyris Snake Level 2]
Mamadou remained hidden when he spotted the snake.
He disliked snakes.
This one reminded him of unpleasant memories.
Since it works, let’s see if I can get more information.
[Nocyris Snake: A serpent-type monster commonly found in the Austral Forest.]
Oh.
A monster?
So it wasn’t an ordinary snake after all.
Mamadou immediately adjusted his perspective.
Some of the creatures he had encountered and considered strange animals might simply have been monsters.
That would explain their bizarre proportions.
Without making a sound, he left.
He had no desire to disturb the snake.
Even though he was confident he could kill it in a single strike, it wasn’t worth the trouble.
During his patrol, he identified several small monsters.
Most of them were tiny creatures he had ignored until now.
Their levels ranged from 1 to 2.
He quickly concluded that the average level in this part of the forest was around three.
"I feel like I’ve been fighting weaklings this entire time. What happens when I encounter high-level monsters? I’d rather not think about it. Let’s just prepare diligently."
As he was returning to his hideout, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.
His hideout was still far away, but trusting his instincts, he decided to inspect the surrounding area.
What he found displeased him.
Footprints.
The only creatures he could associate those tracks with were goblins.
And there were several sets of them.
"I knew this would happen sooner or later, but this is too soon. They’re getting dangerously close to my hideout. That’s a problem. If I knew how to set traps, I would do it, but unfortunately I don’t. The only solution is to kill them all."
"If I gained a huge level boost by wiping out the entire colony, wouldn’t I basically be ready? I could start planning how to return and take control of that mountain."
Mamadou therefore resolved himself to fight.
First, however, he wanted to assess the goblins’ progress.
How far had they advanced into his territory?
He climbed a tree and observed the direction of the footprints.
What he didn’t know was that these goblins were merely a scouting team.
Several groups were sweeping through the area in search of his lair.
All they wanted was to locate the monster that would become their prey.
Mamadou leaped from tree to tree as he followed the branching tracks.
Eventually, he came across a team of five goblins.
His face immediately paled.
If he had still possessed his human body, he would have been drenched in sweat.
He gripped the tree branch beneath him tightly.
Since when?
Since when did I fail to notice that goblins could wear armor made from animal hides? free𝑤ebnovel.com
Damn it!
And they have sharpened spears too.
Provoking them would be suicide.
Just by looking at them, he could tell they were different from the cannon fodder he had fought before.
What shocked him even more was the result of his Evaluation skill.
[Goblin Level 10]
It wasn’t a difference of one or two levels. It was something similar for the others 8 or 7.
They were in an entirely different league.
One of the goblins suddenly turned its head.
Mamadou held his breath.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Perched on his tree branch, he shifted to the opposite side of the trunk.
He intended to wait without being seen.
Once the goblins left, he would immediately retreat as well.
