“Well, it’s time to take revenge on that fish.”

I forgot because I’m busy making a lot of money by selling empty cans, but my goal is to catch “Nushi” and definitely not to catch more empty cans! Now that I’ve upgraded my energy and skills, I might be able to catch it. I’ll check my status just in case.

Name: Kizuna†Exceed　Race: Spirit
Energy: 6340　Mana: 150　Serin: 148540
Skill: Energy Production VI    Mana Production IV   Fishing Mastery III   Dismantling Mastery II   Element Conversion I

Fishing Mastery I
Adds 10% bonus to all actions using the fishing rod
Consumes 100 energy per hour
Required mana for acquiring: 30
Acquisition conditions: Acquire more than 10 items with a fishing rod
Rank up condition: Acquire more than 100 items with a fishing rod

Energy Production VI
Produce 2000 energy per hour
Required mana for rank up: 2600

Mana Production IV
Produce 50 mana per hour
Consumes 1400 energy per hour
Required mana for rank up: 3200

Fishing Mastery III
Adds 30% bonus to all actions using the fishing rod
Consumes 400 energy per hour
Required mana for acquiring: 400

Dismantling Mastery II
Adds a 20% correction to all actions using dismantling weapons
Consumes 200 energy per hour
Required mana for acquiring: 200

Element conversion I
Converts items into energy

The energy consumption is the same as the production amount, but thanks to Elemental Conversion I, it’s barely become a plus.

Mastery skills have rank-up conditions based on the number of acquired items.

Fishing Mastery is measured by the number of fish caught.

Dismantling Mastery comes out when the number of items obtained by dismantling exceeds 1000.

Although I was a relatively small amount, from II it increased drastically. The Fishing Mastery increased to 100, 500, and 1,000. Dismantling Mastery also increased like that.

According to what I heard from Alto, it seems that Combat-type Mastery skills are unlocked by the number of monsters defeated with the corresponding weapon. And like me, it’s unknown if someone who notices it doesn’t say it publicly or if they actually don’t know it, but rumors spread that dismantling weapons produce special items when the right weapon is used against the enemy.

Since the offensive power is low, it is treated like a “dismantling weapon = dud”.

Well, they’ll find out eventually. The weapons you guys call duds are essential.

I’m currently wearing an indigo-colored suit, the “Blue Bug Clothes”.

Among fishing buddies, there is a jinx that if you are fishing at night, you will catch more fish if you wear dark-colored gear rather than bright-colored ones. It’s like that even in real night fishing. I don’t know if it’s true or false, but I’ve been fishing at night because of the empty can business, so I’m wearing this outfit of my choice.

In any case, I’m going to drop the thread in the sea today as well.

That day, “Nushi” was caught in the middle of the day. It’s a possibility, but I think I can catch it in the daytime.

Today, my sisters and I are supposed to get together for the first time in a week.

In order to show the results of my week, I will definitely catch “Nushi”.

Ten hours passed with that determination.

“Lil’ Lady Kizuna, how is today’s result?”
#Note: He uses “[Name] no jou-chan” for calling girls who look younger than him, just like Shield Hero’s L’Arc.

Right now, the person standing next to me and calling out to me is a player named [L’Arc].

Recently, every time he passes by, he calls out to me, so I started talking about it.

We’re also getting to the point where he’s like a client who buys fish from me on a private transaction. According to him, he plays this game with his girlfriend, and they go around town together.

“I’m working hard to catch a big fish today too. Also, I’m not a little lady.”

“You make an avatar look that cute, and even set your voice like that. How are you saying you’re not a little lady?”

He’s like a reliable big brother and easy to talk to, but he can easily say words I can’t argue with…

“It’s not my fault, my sisters did it.”

“Hahaha! That means your sisters got you, huh? That’s a disaster for you. Well, I guess that’s part of the fun of playing the game, isn’t it?”

“I wanted to be a macho fisherman.”

“Seems like it would be difficult to talk to you if you really went with macho look… I think your current look is good.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re getting in the way of my fishing. If you want fish, come later.”

“Okay! I’m looking forward to the results.” Saying that, L’Arc waved her hand and left.

L’Arc feels like a different source of information than Alto. He helps me by teaching me various things.

“Okay now…”

Today I’ve been dropping the thread since 6:00 in the morning, but unfortunately it’s all herring and there’s no sign of “Nushi” getting caught. I think it was really a coincidence that “Nushi” was hooked at that time. That’s why I fish for “Nushi,” no matter how many days it takes. That’s what I decided.

[Acquired a ‘Herring’]

“Herring again? “There are strangely so many of them today.”

The probability of catching other fish should have increased as my Fishing Mastery rank increased, but for some reason I was only able to catch herring today. The fishing basket I bought as a hobby item is packed with herrings now!

“… maybe the god of herring will appear in disguise.”

Well, I don’t think gods will appear in the game world.

No, maybe because it is in a game, there is such a great existence as God?

“… Hmm?”

An unnaturally large black shadow appears on the surface of the sea.

“So it finally came!” With that, I gripped the rod with anticipation.

─Don’t be impatient. Never rush. But keep your heart blazing!

I’m different from what I was back then. I will definitely catch it and eat it!

“Come Come Come Come…!”

Instead of the shadow, I concentrate on the tip of the rod while muttering.

It’s the basic movement I’ve been doing when catching fish until today.

“It came!”

─Drrk!

I received a powerful pull that pulled me into the sea that day.

I stood up and stepped with strength in both hands and feet. I immediately felt a strong tug on the rod. Compared to normal fish, it is clearly difficult to judge the pull. I don’t miss the hit judgment, and I pull every time the pull gets stronger. It pulls me hard, but I won’t lose either.

“Don’t underestimate Fishing Mastery III!”

Cautiously, swiftly, but surely, continue to attack and defend.

A pull stronger than any prey I’ve ever fought. It is exactly the pull of “Nushi”.

Did such a battle last for 30 minutes? But now the “Nushi” has started to weaken.

I didn’t miss that opportunity and kept cornering it. A creaky sound echoes from the rod, and since my body is also a game avatar, it’s not a problem, but it’s not surprising that my concentration may run out at any time.

“I’ll go all out at once!”

I pulled it out little by little, pulling it out with all my might.

Then, “Nushi” jumps up from the surface of the sea.

†

“Ahahaha! What the heck! That’s huge! That herring is huge!”

Right now, I have a dull expression as I meet Tsumugi and Kanade-nee-san.

On my back, there’s a big fish… Well, let me correct that. I’m carrying the “Nushi”, a giant herring. Unexpectedly, the “Nushi” is a herring!

With me walking with a huge herring on my back, people would point at me. That was so hard. I ran into Nee-san and Tsumugi when I was thinking about putting it in the item column.

Right now, I’m getting screenshotted by Tsumugi… in other words, she’s taking pictures of me.

Screenshots can be recorded on the USB memory used for character creation. Having said that, I also took some pictures of the fish I caught. Of course, the “Nushi” too.

“Tsumugi, you can’t laugh… pfft!”

“You are the same!” I retorted.

No, I never thought that “Nushi” was a herring.

But why herring? It’s not really that delicious of a fish…

Anyway, I was able to join the two. This is the first time I’ve seen their in-game appearances… but let me say something.

“Why am I the shortest?”

“I wanted another little sister~”

Nee-san’s race is human. It’s only natural that she’s beautiful because it’s a game, but I’m sure she did a lot of work making her avatar. She has a glossy, bumpy appearance that is different from the mass-produced models. Her breasts are moderately big in reality, but they are also big here. For some reason, it seems that she is subtly particular about it, her breasts are slightly drooping.

“I wanted a little sister too!”

Tsumugi’s race is Demi-Human. Her fox ears are accented with a pinch, and her facial features are somewhat similar to Nee-san’s. Her breasts are neither big nor small. She’s about the size of the main heroine of a gal game. She’s a little taller than me… like a middle schooler, maybe?

“That’s why you two created a loli character for me as your little sister. OK-AY I UN-DER-STAND.”

And I’m a Spirit. A slightly semi-transparent body. Flat chest. Small physique. I looked somewhat similar to the two of them. yes. Certainly, sisters, I somehow understand.

I can’t help but let out a sigh.

“… It would be a lie if I didn’t have anything to say, but I’m fine now.”

“You can’t stop sighing in admiration at the perfected, beautiful little girl, right!?”

“So how was your week?”

“You ignored my joke!”

If I take Nee-san’s jokes seriously, the sun will go down.

“It was so much fun!” Tsumugi yelled.

“We’re finally stabilized, I guess,” Nee-san commented. 

The two began to talk to each other about the week.

As I somehow understand it, Tsumugi works hard to play like a crazy gamer and has the highest level among us.

I don’t know because I don’t have a level, but since I spend most of the day raising my level, I’m sure I’m stronger than someone who hasn’t even stepped out of the first town.

Tsumugi boasted about the ribbon, which is a boss drop item. It seems that she defeated the boss who stood in his way to open the second town with her comrades.

Kanade-nee-san has a solid play style. She is rather the type who is good at RPGs, unlike Tsumugi who is good at FPS and action games. That’s why she’s definitely acquired the strength to not fail. If Nee-san and Tsumugi were to fight, when Nee-san gave permission for the duel, Tsumugi would have collapsed. Of course, it’s not every day that a sister gives permission to Tsumugi, who is the child of war.

It seems that the reason why Nee-san is serious but not on the front line like Tsumugi is because she spent three days choosing a weapon. She said that she tried all the weapons because she felt she could not fight safely unless the style suited her, so let’s call her a gamer role model.

“How was Kizuna-onii-chan?”

“Oh, it’s moderately interesting. Fishing, I mean.”

“Huh? Kizuna, do you only do fishing?”

“Y- yeah. I have nothing to hide; I haven’t even stepped out of this town!”

A cold gaze like looking at a freak came from the two!

I guess I’m not a masochist because I didn’t awaken to something. I felt very relieved, from the bottom of my heart.

“Hmm… Kizuna-onii-chan, there’s a river in the second town, why don’t you go there? What weapon are you using?”

“A dismantling weapon.”

It seems that the Beginner Kitchen Knife sold at the store is not a weapon, so it has no attack power.

“It has problems with its attack power, doesn’t it?  Though I heard when you defeat a monster with it, drop items increase according to it.”

“Yeah, totally true~”

Apparently, even the two front-line players don’t know what it’s intended to be used for. For the two of them, it might be a joke weapon.

“There are things that can only be obtained with that, so if you can get some of the drops, give it to me!”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! That’s why many people buy it through player-to-player trading, even if it’s expensive. But since dismantling weapons have low attack power, so not many people use it. Monsters drop much anyway.”

“I see. Then maybe I’ll try fighting monsters soon.”

I heard an interesting story. Maybe monsters can also be dismantled.

That said, let’s fight monsters tomorrow. I have to buy a weapon soon.

I didn’t feel the need so much, so I didn’t buy a new one even when I was selling empty cans. It’s also said that we should kill monsters with appropriate weapons. In that case, it may not be possible to dismantle it using a Beginner Dismantling Knife.

“Should I buy good equipment for you, Kizuna-onii-chan?”

“My pride as an older brother would hurt to be treated by a little sister…”

“What are you talking about? In normal online games, you always lend me rare items.”

Oh, right. This game is highly realistic, so it often feels like reality, but it was a game after all.

“Well, I’m not in trouble with money, so if you introduce me, I’ll pay for it myself.”

“Even though you were just fishing?”

“Didn’t you have those cheap iron ingots they were selling until recently?”

“Huh? Yes. I was using it until yesterday.”

“Actually, I was the one who collected the ingredients for that.”

“Is that so? What was the material? A person called Altorese said it was a trade secret, so I didn’t know.”

“Since the iron ore was found, we decided to disclose the information. That’s why I’m not short on money.”

“So where do you get it?”

I laugh at Tsumugi’s fox ears twitching and then say, “The ingredients for that are empty cans, you see.”

Looking at the surprised faces of the two, I got some satisfaction from this past week.

†

The next morning, I was dismantling a giant herring in my room at the inn.

There is a problem with the size of the Beginner Dismantling Knife for beginners, and it is difficult to dismantle, but I dismantle it slowly. A tuna knife would be nice, but unfortunately, I don’t have one.

First, I peeled off the scales one by one with the peak, and when I finished peeling off all the scales, I inserted the tip of the blade under the stomach and tore it open all the way to the tail.

The material finally obtained was: Low-ranking Ruler’s Scales, Low-ranking Ruler’s Mustaches, Low-Ranking Ruler’s Fangs, Low-ranking Ruler’s Hearts, Low-ranking Ruler’s Eyes, Low-ranking Ruler’s Thick Bones, High-ranking Herring Meat, and High-ranking Herring Eggs.

That’s all. So this herring was female? Well, I wouldn’t say such a stupid thing out loud.

Since the Dismantling Mastery is also at rank II, there are also some corrections, and fortunately I was able to handle all of them. By the way, after this, I made a promise to have an acquaintance of Tsumugi make weapons and armor for me.

Since there are materials from the Nushi, they may be able to make a good weapon for me.

†

“I can make a Brave Fish Tachi.” It was a blacksmith who was an acquaintance of Tsumugi who said so.
#Note: Tachi is a type of traditionally made Japanese sword worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Tachi and katana generally differ in length, degree of curvature, and how they are worn when sheathed, the latter depending on the location of the mei, or signature, on the tang.

Her prowess is so high that it is rumored that she makes half of the weapons used on the front lines, and her popularity is on the rise.

Her race is Jewel. The red jewel on her chest sparkles and looks cool. She is a woman, by the way.

“Even so, where did you get this kind of material? I’ve seen many different materials in my line of work, but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this.”

“Well, I caught it in the sea.”

“Ah! So it was you who everyone was talking about at the harbor yesterday!”

I wonder how they talked about me.

Anyway, I can get a strong-looking dismantling weapon from Nushi’s materials.

As I stared at her with sparkling eyes, the blacksmith woman seemed embarrassed and held a metal hammer.

“Weapon creation!” When she shouts, the hammer shines divinely. The light is also transmitted to portable blast furnaces that seem to be of high rank and put materials into the blast furnace. Then the shiny liquid that had melted into a sludge spread out on the anvil, and she clanged her hammer and worked on it.

I don’t know what the actual blacksmithing process is, but it’s interesting to watch.

A blacksmith would be interesting too. Well, for now, I’m doing my best with just fishing and dismantling.

After a while, the Brave Fish Tachi was completed.

“… it’s pretty big.”

Since it’s a tachi, it is quite large. It seems to appear in a certain hunting game because of how big it is. This is the second surprise because it is a dismantling type weapon.

“Oh? It’s got a + in stats. You’re lucky.”

What was handed to me was the Brave Fish Tachi +1, lighter than I thought. I’m sure it’s because of the Dismantling Mastery correction.

“Come to think of it, I remembered. Brave Fish should have been a whale.”

“Heh…”

I don’t know if it’s a weapon for whales, but is this really a weapon for cutting such a big creature? I guess I’ll keep it as a trump card.
#Note: [勇魚 Isana] Brave Fish is whale in old Japanese, but it can also refer to any large fish nowadays.

I also had three other items made: Iron Butcher Knife, Iron Garasuki, and the Iron Petty Knife. They are for beasts, birds, and plants.
#Note: Garasuki is a Japanese-style boning knives primarily used for butchery tasks, especially poultry preparation.

“Thank you!”

“No, it was fun to make a rare weapon, too. If you don’t mind, I would like you to come to my place when you find interesting materials.”

“Are you sure? I’m not in the front line group.”

“Of course. It’s not like I made weapons for everyone.”

“I see.”

It’s a person who entered the role play in a different direction than Alto.

Maybe I should role-play a little too. Kind of like a retired fisherman.

“My name is Romina. It’s in romaji lowercase, [romina].”

“I’m Kizuna. Like my little sister, I’m [Kizuna†Exceed], so please contact me anytime. I haven’t earned a lot of materials yet, but I’ll prioritize selling them first.”

“That’s helpful, since there aren’t many people who mainly use dismantling weapons.”

“It’s that few?”

“Yeah, I can assure you. It’s fine if it always drops after killing a monster using a specific weapon, but I heard that the drop rate isn’t very high. Its Mastery Level increase rate is also the lowest. Furthermore, it hasn’t really got the strong attack power.”

“I see…”

“That’s why I’ll buy whatever dismantling skill drops I can get. Luckily, I’m not financially in trouble. I’m waiting for your contact.”

“I understand.”

“Let’s meet again.”

Then she flew away with the transportation item, the ‘Return Transcript’.

It’s something that costs 1000 Serin per piece. The blacksmiths on the front lines seem to be profitable.

Well, I’m on a different path, but let’s take a step forward.

The moment I thought about leaving the town and going out to the field to hunt monsters, my gaze turned to one of the stalls. It seems that the main merchants and people with manufacturing skills have already started moving to the second town, but there are still many people who are still doing business in the first town.

One of the street vendors’ products among them made my heart flutter.

─Boat.

It’s a boat the size of a small rowing boat that can only hold two people. The one selling it is a Jewel girl with a blue jewel shining on her chest. She stared blankly at the sky. There is no ambition compared to Alto.

Her equipment is cheap clothing commonly worn by local manufacturers here. I wonder if it’s to her liking that she wears overalls. Only a few people wear it because it has a country feel to it. Well, I don’t like it or hate it.

I focused my gaze on the boat instead of such things. With this, wouldn’t I be able to fish more in the sea?

In short: I want this!

“… what is it?”

The girl, who was dazed, whispered one word. Somehow, she seems to be bad at business.

“How much Serine is this?”

“… 40000.”

“40000! Good, I was wondering what I should do if I was told it is something like 100,000.”

I’ve never seen a boat for sale before. I was worried that it would cost that much. However, 40000 Serin is a little more expensive, but it’s not an amount I can’t afford.

“Then I’ll give you 40000 Serin, okay?”

I enter 40000 Serin in the exchange window. Then the item that was placed disappeared, and the item that appears in her interface was displayed as [Wooden Boat +3].

“A +3? Isn’t that a pretty good thing?”

“… I chose the ingredients carefully.”

“Ah, are you aware of the quality?”

“Some people with manufacturing skills have noticed.”

I guess so.

Even I, who just catch fish, notice it, so it’s only natural that she notices it.

“But are you rich? Since you easily give me 40000.”

“Not really. It is just from a small business I made.”

It’s the result of the empty can business. I earned enough money, so I will use it when I need to.

“… Rich people all say that. Poor people complain. Promise.”

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing. I was told that the boat was expensive.”

“Is it expensive?”

“That’s about it for the materials and costs I used.”

“Then there’s no reason for them to complain. It’s no use worrying about it.”

“Hnn… I put oars on it, so it’s good to use it.”

“Oh, thank you. I’ll come to buy again when you build a new boat!”

“Hnn…”

She was a boat craftsman about whom I had no clue about. Anyway, I got the boat.

I was planning to leave town to hunt monsters, but I turned around and headed to the sea again.

†

I displayed the item column in front of the usual bridge, floated the Wooden Boat +3, and rode slowly so as not to overturn it.

Oh, I’ve been on a boat in real life, but I don’t feel uncomfortable. I started rowing with oars.

“… it’s not going well.”

Perhaps there is skill for this as well. Boarding Skill, or Oars Skill?

Anyway, I’m heading out into the ocean!

†

An hour passed.

Due to my lack of skill, I can still see the land.

No, it’s dangerous to be too far away. Let’s start fishing soon.

“Hmm? What is that?”

A black shadow is coming from the opposite sky toward the land.

If you look closely, it’s a bird. A hawk-like bird with a sharp beak. Slightly larger than a hawk.

… Isn’t it a monster?

I take out the Brave Fish Tachi, but the boat shakes, and I almost fall.

“Damn! Is it too heavy!?”

Perhaps it must be a weight judgment on the boat.

I immediately put away my Brave Fish Tachi and hold the Iron Garasuki, a dismantling weapon that goes well against bird-type monsters.

All right! It won’t sink this time!

“Eat this!”

I swung the Iron Garasuki at the big bird, Killer Wing, but it didn’t hit, and I lost my balance.

Being on a boat is a reason too, but I’m not used to fighting in the first place.

Taking advantage of that gap, Killer Wing poked with its characteristic beak.

“Kuh!”

I took 50 damage. Looking at the status screen, my energy is reduced by 50.

I heard that all stats are energy calculated, but is this the case?

I’m convinced by the system now, but the Killer Wing is about to launch further attacks.

Damn, I swing Iron Garasuki again.

Zrash! I Hit the killer wing with such a sound effect. Its HP decreased by a third.

Even though this is an expensive weapon made of iron that is used by the front-line group… or is the killer wing strong? Either way is fine. For now, let’s just think about defeating this guy.

“Take this!”

I once again swung the weapon in my hand with all my might.

I received 550 damage as a result of the fight. The amount of energy acquired was 300.

It’s spectacularly negative. If I can make an excuse, it’s a hindrance to fighting on the boat.

I think I could have done better on the ground.

Anyway, after confirming that there are no birds around, I take out the fishing rod.

I bought the bait in advance. This time, it’s a small shrimp.

It’s a higher-ranking bait than earthworms, and the unit price is quite expensive. I bought it as well to commemorate the boat purchase.

While immersed in a sense of superiority, I drop the thread into the sea.

I concentrate my nerves on the tip of the rod as usual and wait earnestly.

[Acquired A ‘Sea Bream’]

Oh! Finally, a sea bream! I was also impressed when I caught a sea bass for the first time, but the pull was quite heavy that time.

This is all thanks to Fishing Mastery III.

I put out new bait immediately and resumed fishing. A strong pull is coming.

Compared to a giant herring, it’s inferior in many ways, but now I’m not used to this battlefield. On the contrary, I don’t have any strength.

However, I can’t afford to lose, so I’ve been faithful to the basics until now.

[Acquired an ‘Albacore Tuna’]

“Okay! Finally, a tuna!”

This was worth the purchase of the boat.

I’m pretty sure albacore tuna is also called longfin tuna.

With throbbing tension in my chest, I approached the tuna to put it in the item column.

Wow! For a moment, the boat seemed to sink. I immediately put it over the item column and forced it in.

With that kind of feeling, I felt a sense of fulfillment, and I dropped the thread once more.

†

A week has passed since then. I completely forgot my original purpose and devoted myself to fishing.

No… Sea fishing is more fun than I thought.

At times, I progress until I can’t see the land, and I will be surrounded by monsters and barely able to escape, or I will be killed by a killer whale-like monster called Aqua Killer Whale, my boat will almost be destroyed by a monster called Blue Shark, or I will be chased by a large bird called Brave Bird. I kept fishing.

In the end, it turned out that the safest place was where I caught the first albacore tuna. In any case, Rudder skill and Shipboard Combat skill have been added to the list.

Both are skills that become important when acting on a ship or boat.

The Rudder skill has the effect of controlling the ship, and it is also effective with oars.

Not to mention, Shipboard Combat skills eliminate negative corrections that occur on the ship. As far as the effect is concerned, it seems that if you repeat the rank up, you will get additional corrections on the ship.

“But I want to go further…”

According to Alto, there are rumors that the road to the third town will soon be found and the boss battle will begin. Hearing that story makes me want to ask myself what I’m doing… but I look at the sea and think.

I want to see what lies beyond this sea.

There is absolutely something. Otherwise, there is no way there are so many monsters in the sea. However, it is still impossible in terms of my ability.

Losing energy by overdoing it is the worst, and the killer whales and sharks are stronger than me. Right now, the first priority should be to steadily earn energy and mana to become stronger.

I wanted to spend more time fishing, but I decided to fight on land in order to step up. By the way, the tuna and sea bream items sold at pretty good prices.

I handed some of it to L’Arc, and he was pleased.