Natsuyu’s right hand swung in a powerful arc from behind him.
The gray Stone Axe left a blurred afterimage as it launched forward into the air, spinning at high speed!
Yukino’s eyes widened in shock at this terrifying display of physical strength, her gaze fixed intently on the flying Stone Axe.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
The rushing wind startled the Round-Headed Spider resting on its web.
“HISSS—!!!”
The Round-Headed Spider let out an ear-piercing screech, spreading its eight jointed legs.
Covered in thick black bristles, its massive round head, chitinous thorax, and bloated abdomen swelled into a terrifying giant spider that filled Natsuyu and Yukino’s sight.
The very next second:
BANG—SPLAT!
Unable to dodge in time, the Round-Headed Spider’s bloated abdomen was struck dead-on by the sharp edge of the flying Stone Axe.
Its body exploded in two from the center, spraying green hemolymph everywhere!
It screeched as the brutal impact sent it crashing onto the dirt, completely lifeless.
[Congratulations on unlocking the achievement “Time to Attack!”!]
The Round-Headed Spider exploded, green blood raining down.
A long, thick strand of white Spider Silk and a large chunk of purplish-green Monster Meat fell around the carcass.
Facing this graphic, gory sight, Yukino pursed her lips, a wave of nausea washing over her.
Natsuyu also felt grossed out, but his attention was quickly grabbed by the system notification:
[Congratulations on unlocking the achievement “Time to Attack!”!
Recite the incantation “I am already invincible under the heavens~!” aloud to claim your rewards: Weapon Crafting, Armor Crafting, Exp Boost, Exp +10.]
[Basic Achievement Tree unlocked new node:]
[…Time to Attack!
➔ Low-Level Monster Hunter (Kill 3 Low-Level Monsters) ➔ ?]
“HISSS—!!!”
The blood-stained web violently trembled as the remaining two Round-Headed Spiders crawled out, their legs trampling the silk.
They screeched shrilly, their numerous crimson eyes glaring at the two humans as they skittered forward at lightning speed!
“I am already invincible under the heavens~!”
At this critical moment, Natsuyu didn’t hesitate for a single second, shouting the incantation at the top of his lungs!
[Reward claimed: Weapon Crafting, Armor Crafting, Exp Boost, Exp +10!]
[Natsuyu Rurikawa — Level 4]
‘Dump the attribute point into Physique!’
A warm current coursed through his body, and the euphoric sensation of physical enhancement returned.
[Natsuyu Rurikawa — Level 4 (Exp: 5/30)]
[Soul: 1.3 (High mental fortitude)]
[Charisma: 1.3 (Hostile towards all living creatures)]
[(Note: The average attribute score for an adult human in peak condition is 1.0)]
[Ability: Resource Gathering, Item Creation, Shelter Construction, Weapon Crafting, Armor Crafting, Exp Boost (Click for details)]
His body grew even stronger!
With a thought, a second Stone Axe materialized in Natsuyu’s hand.
Seeing the giant spider charging toward them on eight legs, he didn’t hesitate and hurled it with full force!
WHOOSH-WHOOSH-WHOOSH—!
This time, even without charging up, the raw momentum of the thrown Stone Axe was no weaker than the first throw!
“HISS—!”
The targeted Round-Headed Spider was faster than the first one; it actually rolled sideways on its web to dodge!
However, its body was too large.
Though it avoided a head-on fatal hit, four of its legs on one side were sliced clean off by the flying axe!
The heavy Stone Axe sliced through the spider legs like a hot knife through butter, its remaining momentum slamming into the massive oak tree behind it.
The axe split the trunk, burying two-thirds of the axehead deep into the timber!
The terrifying destruction left Natsuyu pleasantly shocked, while Yukino beside him widened her eyes in sheer disbelief.
Throwing an axe from over ten meters away and embedding it deep into a 40-centimeter-thick tree trunk…
‘Is this really humanly possible?!’
“HISSS—!
HISS—!”
Crippled on one side, the spider screeched and writhed on the dirt.
The third Round-Headed Spider panicked, digging its claws into the soil to brake.
Its red eyes glared at Natsuyu, then it raised its abdomen, opened its mandibles, and spat out a massive glob of sticky white web!
A ranged attack!
Natsuyu was slightly surprised, but he didn’t panic watching the flying web.
‘Too slow.’
The web was light, slowed down by air resistance, flying in a predictable parabola at the speed of a beanbag tossed by an elderly lady.
With his previous stats, Natsuyu could dodge it with ease.
Now, with his 1.3 Physique—reaching top-tier human limits—dodge-rolling out of the way was effortless.
After all, it was just a ranged attack from a creature with 0.7 Physique.
“BE CAREFUL!”
Suddenly, Natsuyu felt a slender pair of arms wrap around his waist!
The familiar scent of body wash wafted into his nose as Yukino’s body pressed tightly against his.
He felt the firm press of her backpack against his back.
WHOOSH!
“Phew…
we dodged it.”
Yukino exhaled a warm, slightly humid breath against Natsuyu’s ear, making it itch slightly.
Natsuyu looked down at the pair of delicate hands gripping his waist, then turned his head in shock.
How could Yukino—with a 0.8 Physique—jump several meters carrying a 130-pound teenage guy just by grabbing his waist?!
The next second, Natsuyu understood how she did it.
Sprouting from among Yukino’s long black hair were two pointed, furry black cat ears!
In the center of her large eyes, her pupils had narrowed into sharp, jewel-like vertical cat slits!
“Stop staring at me like that and focus on the danger!”
Yukino’s vertical cat pupils glared at Natsuyu, the tips of her cat ears turning rosy pink as she snorted like an annoyed black cat.
A cat…
a CAT GIRL!
Yukinoshita Yukino had literally turned into Nyanoshita Yukino!
Staring at Yukino’s cat-girl form in shock, Natsuyu instinctively activated Appraisal.
[Yukinoshita Yukino — Level 0 (Exp: 0/10)]
[Physique: 1.2 (0.8) (Temporarily possesses the strength and agility of a cat)]
[Soul: 0.9 (Relatively low mental resilience)]
[Charisma: 1.2 (Hostile towards all living creatures)]
[Ability: Cat Transformation]
Her Physique jumped by 1.5x, boosting her from 0.8 all the way to 1.2!
Natsuyu suppressed his urge to inspect his teammate’s “specs” further.
She was right—they had to finish off the monsters first!
He hadn’t even checked his new crafting rewards yet.
Yukino stared at the two thrashing Round-Headed Spiders, her cat eyes narrowing seriously:
“You have immense power.
From now on, you focus on attacking, and I will protect your flanks!”
(Honestly, I don’t really need protection…
but…)
Natsuyu flashed a bright, handsome smile:
“Alright, Yukinoshita-san!
I’m leaving my back in your hands—don’t let me down!”
Natsuyu loved teammates like Yukino who took initiative.
Since she was eager to fight, he certainly wouldn’t dampen her enthusiasm.
He was counting on these reliable teammates to carry the workload in the future so he could sit back and coast smoothly!