Battle Start

"GYAARRR!!"

The 3 『Undead』 who approach started to attack us. I immediately went on the front and starts to engage one of the 『Undead』.

The 『Undead』 range of attack is only about a meter. Knowing their pattern, I distance myself through the enemy in front of me trying to assess if it was the same in the game. I change my posture and strongly swung my 『Katana』 horizontally through the Undead's neck.

"Yaap!" I shouted to maximize my strength to my swing.

"GYAAR!!"

The blade went straight to its neck but didn't completely decapitate it. My swing is weak either because it's my first time using a weapon, or the 『Katana』 just have a small damage just like in the game.

I removed the 『Katana』 on the Undead's neck and tried to swing it again. This time, I swung it on the opposite side of its neck. The sword that hit the Undead neck successfully decapitate it and its gruesome flesh and blood explode on the surroundings.

"Ugh! disgusting!" I cried in revulsion and retreat through the unpleasant sight in front of us.

"Master...- Urgh...!" Luna who's behind me also had the same reaction and feels like she was about to vomit.

"Hime don't look!" Marie-san who was holding the 『Flamelash』 shouted and went through the front of his daughter to prevent her from seeing the gruesome sight.

"Mama...!" Hime, who saw a glimpse of what happened called her mother as to show that she is scared.

"Don't worry, Hime, I will protect everyone here. Luna, you do the same of what I did just now, just keep your distance and attack the 『Undead』 neck. Careful with the timing and don't worry, I will be there beside you and support you. Marie-san, just keep controlling the 『Flamelash』 projectile to light the area, you're good at it." I said, to reassure Luna.

"Ugh... Y-yes Master, here I go!"

Luna pauses as if making a huge decision, but immediately made one and starts to engage the 『Undead". Luna, just like I did before, keeps herself on a safe distance, with right timing, Luna change her posture and swung her sword, the 『Scimitar』, an Egyptian shamshir straight to the 『Undead』 neck.

As expected, it didn't completely decapitate the Undead's neck. Though, just like I promised her, I went beside the 『Undead』 and swung my sword opposite of where Luna cut its neck and completely decapitate it.

I can see it, even without me, Luna can win one herself. As expected, she is strong, both physically and mentally.

"Good girl" I patted Luna's head.

"Y-yes!" Luna said and blushed at my sudden complement.

"Well then, next!"

We did the same to the last 『Undead』 and ended the fight no problem. I let a sigh of relief and called the girls.

"Great work, how's everyone?"

"Yes Master... I'm okay, but I feel like I want to rest."

"I'm also okay master, though just like what Luna-san said, I feel exhausted even though I didn't do anything."

"..."

"It means, you're all mentally exhausted. I guess that's to be expected, we've been feeling pressured since the day we left. I'm sorry girls but, we'll need to get out of here sooner. If we rest here, we're only going to get attacked by the 『Undead』 continuously."

"""...""" The three kept being silent, showing their fatigue.

It can't be helped, it's their first time experiencing such traumatic event. I'm the same as them though, even me, who plays the game can still feel the real terror doing it IRL.

* * *

We then started to leave and went deeper through the forest. After a while of venturing the forest, I can see some flower with an appearance of a blue orb shaped bulb scattering through the forest. I was surprised how many 『Mana flowers』 there are while we're walking that it started to lighten the place as the flower create a dim blue light in its surrounding, It's very beautiful.

"Wow It's so beautiful." Luna said.

"Right? It gives a weird feeling that I don't know how to describe..." I gave Luna a genuine answer. I don't know if everyone can see my face but, out of all of everyone present here, I'm probably the most excited of them all. Ever since I came here, all I saw was a depressing event happening, but right now, seeing this beautiful scenery made me forget all the bad things that happened. The fact that it came from my favourite game doubles the excitement I am feeling right now.

"Mama, what is that? it's so beautiful." Hime said and pointed with her finger.

"I know right, it made me relaxed a bit."

I smiled at the mother and her daughter who feels like they're here to go sightseeing. It's Good to see those two were having fun including Luna.

"Everyone, just like we planned, we're harvesting the flowers." I declared.

"""Ehhh???"'" The three let out a shout in surprise to my words.

"Eh? is something the matter?"

"B-but Master, the flowers..." Luna said and frowned.

"Hm...? Oh! don't worry everyone, we're only taking the flower's essence; meaning, it won't destroy the plant."

They have must have thought that we're taking the whole flower in which will cease this beautiful scenery's existence. The 3 of them made a sigh of relief when I told them that it won't harm the flowers.

And with that, I gave Luna and Hime the 『Magic Pouch』, a violet pouch with a yellow strap and can store 55 different types of items. The plan was for Luna and Hime to collect the essence of the 『Mana Flower』 and get the 『Mana essence』 while I was to defend them from the incoming enemies. Marie-san will still be using the 『Flamelash』 projectile as a light, as the dim light of the flowers scattered around are not enough for us to completely see throughout the surroundings. I might miss some enemies and have the 3 girls be in danger, so it's better to be careful.

* * *

(2 Hours later / 3:00AM)

The work took us for a while. The 『Mana Flower』 is too many that it took us 2 hours of working and fighting. perhaps because of the dangers at night, many people didn't think of considering harvesting the plant at night. Also, the reason of that is this land is part of the Crimsonheart's ownership.

Also, even me was completely exhausted due to hours of fending the monsters. In my case, 『Undead』 are not the only one I'm fighting against. A group of 『Slimes』, a 『Giant Fungi Bulb』 scattered around the surrounding and other unusual monster came and tried to attack us. It was thanks to Marie-san who sometimes help me fight Monters with her wand. The fight ended without much of a problem. though as expected, even Marie-san will also get exhausted. She's been using magic for a long time after all. In the game, the magic only drains the player's mana by releasing magic, the controlling of a magic projectile won't drain the player's mana whatsoever.

In those exhausting harvesting and fighting monsters, the list of what we got is:

Mana Fragment *97x

Slime gel *114x

Mana flower's seed *20x

Bone Sword *1x

Undead Arm *1x

Arm band *2x

We got a lot of materials during these 2 hours of Hard work. Our only objective was only getting some Mana fragment, but we got a lot of materials including 『Slime gels』 and 『Mana flower's seed』. We even get some weapon and equipment drop which is the 『Bone Sword』, 『Undead Arm』, and the 『Arm band』, I guess it was worth it.

"Master, looks like we got a lot huh?" Luna said.

"Right, I guess it's time to continue to get out of this forest. We're still quite a bit far from the main road towards the city but before that."

I walked from a different direction of what we're supposed to be walking toward to.

"Uhm... Master Sai, where are we going?" Marie-san asked me when we walked opposite of what we're supposed to walked through. Instead of a circular way from the entrance of the forest roundabout to the main road, I instead walked deeper in the forest.

"Don't worry, it's not very far; Actually, there's unusually many Slimes in that place where we're harvesting flowers." I said.

"Master, is it related to where we are heading to?"

"Correct."

In the game, if there's an unusual number of Slimes means there's a dense pool of mana in that place. Slimes are attracted to a high or dense pool of mana. It's also no wonder, why there's many 『Mana Flowers』 scattering around the place we've harvested before.

As we're getting closer through the direction we're heading to, I started to feel a dense feeling. The same feeling when you're doing an impromptu on a public event, the pressure you get from the stares of every person into you is the same I'm currently feeling right now.

"We're probably close, I can feel pressure in this direction." I said and sped up my pace.

When we reached our destination, the place in front of us is a large pool of water that is emitting a slightly strong light. The pool of water was surrounded by Slimes, this time many of them, probably around 15 Slimes.

"Everyone, get ready." I said and readied my 『Katana』.

"""Yes"""

We fought the slimes and finish without a problem. This time, there are 4 of us fighting, Me and Luna who's the vanguard and Marie-san and Hime are the rear. I gave Hime the 『Willow's Branch』 we took this morning since Luna said that Hime also know about magic.

"With this..."

I took all the 『Mana fragments』 we collected from harvesting 『Mana Flowers』 in my 『Magic Pouch』. I then dropped all of 『Mana fragment』 into the dense pool of water.

"M-Master?!" Luna shouted in surprise.

"Don't worry, trust me."

After a while a different object floats upwards the water.

"What is that? it became different from before..."

"It's called 『Mana Essence". When consumed, it will permanently increase the person's mana by 20. you can only consume 9 of it as 200 it is the only maximum it can get."

""!!"" Both of them made a dumbfounded face when I explained them the Item. perhaps I did something taboo?

"...Is something wrong, guys?"

"Master" Luna changed her tone into a serious one which made me nervous. maybe what I did is really taboo?!

"W-what is it...?" I said nervously.

"A person's mana is fixed by only 20 the day a person was born. Whether it was high or low, even if the person itself starts to work his magic of, her mana control and release is the only thing that will improve"

"...Meaning?"

"A person's mana can never be increased no matter how hard you practice magic. It is already fixed by 20 when you we're born."

Silence fell upon us. Even Marie-san was looking at me with disbelief.

"Then, out of nowhere, Master, who let us harvest materials from a flower and dropped it into the pool. suddenly, an item which can permanently increase a person's mana gauge. An item which no person has ever been discovered" Luna added.

"..."

"Master, just who are you?"

"..."

I was speechless, no, more like careless. I never thought that current people wouldn't know about this thing.

"W-well... don't mind the small details. Anyways, I've decided, Marie-san and Hime will use this item" I declared.

"Ehh?"

"Master, are you sure about this? if people knew about this, some higher-ups won't be silent about this and might cause an uproar"

"Well, everyone, please keep it a secret" I said, sarcastically.

Luna and Marie-san made a perplexed expression as a response to what I've said. Well, it is what it is.

* * *

We have collected a total of 『97 Mana Fragments』 meaning, we can have a total of 『19 Mana Essence』. In the game, 5 Mana Fragments = 1 Mana Essence.

"With this, we can permanently maximize Marie-san and Hime to 200 mana."

To maximize the Mana gauge into 200, they will need to consume 『9 Mana Essence』 individually. We have a total of 『19 Mana essence here so they can get to maximum mana gauge right now, with a 『1 Mana Essence』 left over. I then gave Marie-san and Hime 『9 Mana Essence』 Each.

"Are you sure about this Master Sai? this item is very precious. It will guaranteed be considered a national treasure. are you still sure you will give us this item?" Marie-san said.

"Yes please, you also need it since you two will be alone for a while. Having a large pool of mana will be essential through your journey. plus, this item is actually common. The people just still don't know about this, so don't mind it and consume it, you two."

Marie-san and Hime then consumed the 『9 Mana Essence』 by squeezing it in their hands, the crushed 『Mana Essence』 release a blue spirit-like appearance and went inside their body.

"T-thank you very much Master Sai, I don't know how I should repay you. Hime, thank Master Sai too."

"T-thank you very much..." Hime said after Marie-san.

"Haha, don't mind it. Ah- here Luna, there's still some extra Mana Essence, here for you."

"Eh?! Are you sure about this? Isn't this yours Master?"

"I still don't know how to release mana, so it'll be more efficient if I give it to you."

Giving Luna the last will make exploring tomorrow easier.

"I-I see, thank you very much master."

Seeing them making a happy expression made me feel happy as well. I hope this moment continues for a while.

"Everyone, it's time to leave. We still need to get you two through the next town."

"""Yes!!"""

* * *

We then leave the forest and made a roundabout way through the direction of the main path through the next town. It took only took us 2 hours to reach the town where Marie-san and Hime will be departing. We drop Marie-san and Hime at the gate of the town called 『Town of Genesis』.

"I guess, it's time for us to part ways now, Master Sai, I really can't thank you enough of what you've done to us"

"Don't mind it, as long as you're both safe"

"*sobs* Big Sister Marie please take care." the crying Luna run towards Marie-san and Hime and hugs them tightly.

"Of course, you too Luna, please take care of Master Sai for me"

"Of course, big sister Marie, you too, Hime-chan, please take care of yourself"

"Yes! Big sister Luna"

"Oh, I forgot, Marie-san! Hime! here" I approach Marie-san and Hime and gave each of them the 『Arm Band』 the monster dropped before. This Grey 『Arm Band』 gives the player 5 defense when equipped. I also gave them a hundred gold coins.

"Marie-san after this I recommend you buy yourself an Armor and for Hime too. It will be a long journey, so a protection is needed"

"Yes, Master Sai, I can't thank you enough"

Yes, don't mind it. Please be safe"

"Goodbye, Luna, Master Sai, please be safe!"

"Yes, you too"

Me and the crying Luna wave at them and said our goodbyes. When I turned around Marie-san suddenly called me.

"Um, Master Sai!" Marie-san called me in which I turned around to Marie-san, wondering what it could be.

"Yes Marie-san?"

"Why did you save us? and to give us so much?" Marie-san asked.

"Hm... probably because I want too; plus, Luna will be sad."

Luna blushed at me when he heard my answers to Marie-san's question.

"Well then Master Sai, what do you plan from now on?"

What do I plan to do from now on...

Ever since I came from here, I've experienced many things in this world, sadness, excitement, pressure, and many more. If you think about it, ever since I came here, I've been so excited to everything I see because it's my first time experiencing something like this.

In the story, Sai Crimsonheart is the clown of the story. A scumbag who deserves to get his fate on the story. To live an embarrassing and pathetic life. On the internet, we call those unfortunate guys who is used as a steppingstone of the Main Characters an 『Underdog』.

In the story, "Sai Crimsonheart", the "Me" right now will die an unfortunate death. In order to prevent that I-

"I will become the strongest!" I declared.

Luna and Marie-san widened their eyes in surprise. and then they both suddenly laugh.

"Hey! I'm serious here." I said embarrassingly.

"Haha, No, Master, it's just that. this time, what you said is actually believable."

"I-is that so?"

I forgot; Sai likes to brag about himself. and then he will pathetically lose to what he is doing.

"That's that."

"Well then Master Sai, when you become strong and gain a recognition, can we come with you again?"

"No problem." I said and gave Marie-san a smile and a thumbs-up.

"Fufu, well then, Master Sai, Luna, we'll leave now."

"Yeah, take care!"

"Bye bye!"

Marie-san and Hime bowed to us and starts to leave. Me and Luna then send the two off with a farewell waving our hands and walked back through the Mansion.