Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 13

1-13. Mari-nee’s and Nero’s Power

As I proceed west in the city of Eden, I immediately come across the <Plains of Beginning.>

The recommended level is under 10.

In other words, it’s the battlefield that adventurers starting MWO would normally challenge first… well, that’s the information I learned from Estelle-san before.

My own ignorance was regrettable, but more than that, I wonder about Allen-san, who asked a level 1 like me to take on higher-level locations. What’s really going on with him as a staff member of the Adventurer’s Guild?

Estelle-san assured me later that she had a thorough talk with Allen-san about this matter, so everything is fine, she said, with a beaming smile.

I was curious about how thoroughly they talked, but it seemed like I shouldn’t pry into that perfect smile. I decided not to touch on that matter.

Anyway, in the <Plains of Beginning> there seem to be only non-active monsters that won’t attack in the area.

On the other hand, enemies like Boars that attack without provocation are called active monsters.

If they are passive, you can attack at your own leisure, and you won’t suddenly be attacked by multiple enemies, so it’s safe.

It seems like the perfect opportunity to try Nero’s first attack.

In front of us is a Gray Rat, level 1.

“Alright, Nero, attack!”

“!”

He seems unable to make a sound, but he showed his willingness with a small meow, and Nero approached the rat.

His trotting figure is cute, even with a biased eye.

And when he got close enough, Nero’s raised right paw glowed for a moment, and before I knew it, it was swinging down at a blinding speed.

The Gray Rat shatters.

Afterwards, all that was left was the drop from the Gray Rat, [Rat Meat].

“…Huh?”

Huh, one hit?

Or rather, isn’t what just happened like a cat punch you see in cat videos?

Speaking of cat punches, it’s more of a healing gesture for me, but is this a dream or something?

I tried another one just to make sure, but the result was the same.

“…W-well, let’s try with a stronger opponent for now!”

I’m level 10, after all.

And my stats are DEX-focused.

There’s also the possibility that rats are unexpectedly weak.

Next, I aimed for a Level 5 Horn Rabbit.

When it comes to a fight, it jumps back, kicks the ground with its hind legs, and comes at you with the horn on its forehead—a surprisingly fearsome rabbit.

However, it’s still non-active, so just like before, I had Nero approach and strike.

One hit, and it’s over again…

The drop this time was [Rabbit Meat].

It seems like I really need to reassess my perception.

“Nero seems to be a strong one…”

In the end, all I learned from facing enemies in the <Plains of Beginning> is that Nero is strong, but I still don’t know how strong.

Next, I visited the familiar <Trial Forest.>

Since it’s not night, the opponent is a Boar.

Here, they are considered as ‘active’ monsters, so I immobilize them with threads and let Nero attack in the meantime.

For the first time here, the Boar endured Nero’s strike.

“Wow!”

For some reason, in front of me who unintentionally cheered for the Boar, the Boar was easily defeated by the second cat punch delivered at high speed.

“Come to think of it, did I use consecutive cat punches?”

In cat videos, dogs’ heads were momentarily struck repeatedly.

Comparing the time it took to defeat the Boar, wait, isn’t Nero already surpassing me?

While feeling a bit awkward, I stroke Nero around the throat.

“If it’s the two of us, we might be able to go deeper, right?”

“!”

When I asked Nero, instead of answering, he jumped onto my shoulder.

He seems still motivated.

While defeating Boars and advancing deeper into the forest, a new enemy appeared—Forest Deer.

A deer with impressive horns, about the same size as the Boar.

I thought it would charge with its horns, but instead, the wind gathered between the horns, and a mass of air was shot towards us.

“*gasp!”

I managed to avoid it, thanks to Nero delivering a strike just before it was launched, diverting its trajectory.

“Thanks, Nero!”

“!”

While my reliable partner drew attention, I manipulated two threads just to be sure, restricting its movements.

The level of [Thread Manipulation] has increased, and I can now control three threads.

With this, I’m thinking that if Nero finishes it off, then the Forest Deer that appeared further in can be dealt with.

Oh no, Nero is going after the first one, and the enemy’s attention is on me.

What should I do, what should I do, what should I do!

Ah, there it is!

I released one thread from the first Forest Deer and, with the freed thread, shaped it into the form of a rat beside me, then activated the skill.

“<Clown>”

As expected, the second one’s attack was directed at the rat made of threads, just as I hoped.

It’s good that the interpretation of “activation target depends on the equipment” was correct.

After that, Nero defeated the first one, and following the same procedure, we successfully took down the second one.

The drop this time was not deer meat but [Deer Tendon].

“[Deer Tendon]… I wonder what it can be used for.”

For now, I picked it up and praised Nero before continuing further.

Along the way, we encountered Forest Deer several times, but after mastering <Clown>, I was able to safely guide long-range attacks and defeat them methodically.

I managed to use <Capture> a few times too, so it seems like a good outcome.

Thanks to that, both my level and skill level have increased.

Nevertheless, why does Nero shine every time he performs a cat punch?

Could it be that the cat punch itself is a skill, indicating its activation?

While pondering such things and walking, my surroundings relaxed their vigilance, and I failed to notice that I had stepped into a strangely quiet and open area.

“!”

Nero, with his fur standing on end, was on high alert at my feet.

“This is bad!”

I thought, but we were already entering a combat state.

Even if I wanted to create some distance for the time being, I had no idea where the enemy was.

While thinking that, slowly descending from the air, a Giant Spider appeared in front of us in a calm and composed manner.

“Giant Spider…”

I remembered that distinctive sense of intimidation from before.

Once again, I had encountered a named monster.