Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

"Phew, quite a haul today."

"As always, collecting materials while hunting ends up being a big deal."

It's been over ten days since we started hunting in Alde Forest. We're on our way back after today's hunt. Since then, my level has increased to 67. The higher it gets, the slower the progress... well, that's to be expected. We've already collected close to 200 magic stones, and with what we had before, we have over 300.

Of course, with all that hunting, the amount of drop items from the monsters is enormous... we've collected nearly 1,000 colorful mushrooms so far.

"Hehe, these mushrooms have a crunchy texture and are delicious. I want to eat one every day!"

"How can mushrooms be crunchy...?"

"They taste good, but the color is... unsettling."

"I'd gladly eat your mushrooms, Onii-san. Right, Onii-san?"

"Uh, what am I supposed to say to that..."

Noru is holding a silver mushroom, grinning with joy. Sisya and Runa respond with complex expressions. Despite its alarming appearance, this mushroom is indeed delicious.

On the night after our first hunt in Alde Forest, Noru cheerfully started cooking the mushrooms, making grilled mushrooms and pasta. Normally, Sisya and I handle the cooking, so it was surprising to see her cook, but even more shocking was how she devoured the silver and bright blue mushrooms one after another. We were all taken aback. However, seeing how deliciously she ate them, I was tempted to try... and they were incredibly tasty.

The silver mushroom had a crispy texture unlike any mushroom I've ever had, with a unique flavor. Since then, Estel and the others also started eating them, and now we're in the midst of a mushroom craze.

***

"Wow, that's a lot of mushrooms again."

"Well, we've been frequenting Alde Forest lately."

After sending Estel and the others home, Noru and I went to the Adventurers' Guild in Queres. We come every few days to have our Matango hunting proof verified to avoid suspicion. If we brought all at once, it might cause a stir, so we only bring about 50 each time. Even then, it's still considered a lot.

"Ookura-san and the others have become quite the topic in this town."

"Oh? What kind of topic?"

"There's a rumor among some mages about adventurers who bring in high-quality Matango and Madango mushrooms in large quantities and supply them to the stores."

We've been selling the mushrooms directly to the stores, but I didn't realize it would become such a big deal. I don't quite get the 'high quality' part. I thought it was just lucky to sell them for 30,000G each, like Stinger's Shell.

"Oh, and changing the topic, there’s a specific request for you, Ookura-san."

"Could it be from Adelbert-san?"

The receptionist mentioned a specific request for us. We haven't taken any requests in this town, and we hardly know anyone. So it must be from Adelbert-san, who asked us to visit the guild on our way back.

"No, it's not from him. It's from Chris-- oh, speak of the devil."

"Huh?"

Apparently, it's not Adelbert-san. The receptionist, who almost said a familiar name, looked behind us and raised her voice. We turned to see a woman with brown hair tied at the back, wearing a white coat and glasses, walking towards us. It's Christian-san.

"So, you came back to Queres right after returning to the Capital."

"Yes, I had some more business here."

"And why did you come to see us?"

"Well, actually..."

After finishing the verification of our hunting proof and receiving 400,000G as a reward, Christian-san said she had something to discuss. We borrowed a table at the guild to talk.

Christian-san wanted to make a request from her research lab, not a personal favor. She'd heard we were hunting a lot of Matango in Alde Forest and wanted us to collect magic stones from the forest. The reward was 300,000G per stone, a very high amount. The forest is rich in magic, and high-quality magic stones are often found there. However, the deeper parts of the forest are dangerous, and recently, with Trents appearing, it's become even more challenging to explore.

"That forest is dangerous, so I don't want to push you. But if you're going to hunt Matango anyway, could you consider it?"

"We'll be going to Alde Forest for a while, so we don't mind."

"Really? Thank you so much!"

We usually hunt easily there, but with Matango and Trents, the forest is indeed dangerous. Christian-san probably approached us because no one else was willing to take the job. Since we're going there anyway, we might as well explore while we're at it.

"By the way... is that entire bag filled with mushrooms?"

"Yes, it is."

"Today was another great harvest!"

Christian-san looked curiously at the large bag of mushrooms behind my chair. Noru proudly opened the bag to show the colorful mushrooms inside.

"So many Matango mushrooms... They're useful for research and delicious to eat."

"Do you like these mushrooms, Christian-san?"

"I love them! But recently, they sell out so quickly... Especially the ones you've been supplying; they're very high quality and popular. The last time I rushed to the store, only gray mushrooms were left..."

So even researchers like these mushrooms... Given how delicious they are, I understand why. But why is there a quality difference? I was just glad they sold for a good price. Also, why were my mushrooms the ones left over? That's frustrating!

"Is there really a difference in quality?"

"Absolutely! The mushrooms change depending on the magic of the person who defeats the Matango!"

"Oh, so that's how it is."

The mushrooms change based on the magic of the person who defeats them... So my magic is gray? That sounds depressing. But since Sisya's mushrooms were pure white, I guess it’s not about that. Estel's mushrooms take on the color of her magic, so if she defeated one with her bare hands, it might turn into a rainbow-colored mushroom. I might ask her to try that next time.

"Especially that silver one! I've never seen it before!"

"Hehe, it feels nice to be complimented like that. Would you like one?"

"Really!? Thank you!"

Christian-san looked a bit excited as she gazed at the silver mushroom. Noru, seemingly flattered by the compliment, took out one of her mushrooms and handed it to Christian-san. Noru seems to get happy when her possessions are praised, whether it’s a weapon or otherwise. I’ll try complimenting her more often.

***

The day after we accepted Christian-san's request.

"So, we're exploring the forest today?"

"Yeah, we'll be looking for the magic stones in Alde Forest while hunting."

The five of us headed to Alde Forest as usual, hunting Matango while exploring deeper into the forest. We've already found multiple Matango spawning spots, so we've been hunting there until now without venturing further.

Compared to before...

"Ookura-dono, it feels like there are more Trents now."

"It's not just your imagination; we've encountered nearly 20 so far."

"The deeper we go, the more they appear."

Noru returned after cutting down another moving tree. As we ventured deeper, the frequency of Trent encounters increased drastically. We hadn’t seen any until now, but today alone, we’ve encountered nearly 20.

I didn't expect so many Trents in the deeper parts of the forest. The number of Matango is decreasing compared to the entrance area. Is there some sort of anomaly causing this?

"Hmm? Is this one of Alde Forest's magic stones?"

"It's a mushroom."

"What a strange shape."

As we moved further in, we found a yellowish glowing object growing next to a tree. It was mushroom-shaped, with a rough, stone-like surface about 30 cm tall. This must be a magic stone... They vary in shape and color depending on the location. Carrying something like this would be tough for regular adventurers.

After finding one, we continued deeper and collected four more. We were about to search further when...

"What the... This is huge."

"This is a big tree."

We came across a clearing with a massive tree over 20 meters tall, surrounded by Trent-sized trees forming a circle around it.

"If this were a monster, it would be a big problem."

"Haha, no way... huh?"

As I replied to Estel, who mused while looking up at the giant tree, the ground suddenly shook. No way...

"It looks like it might be a monster."

"This seems dangerous; we should deal with it now."

"The surrounding trees are also moving..."

The ground around the giant tree rose significantly, sending dirt flying everywhere. The surrounding trees shook and uprooted, forming leg-like structures.

No way... Are all these Trents? There are over 20 of them... And that big one is definitely dangerous. We need to take it down... better check its stats.

――――――

●Grandis Species: Trent

Level: 70

HP: 80,000

MP: 2,000

Attack: 1,800

Defense: 1,600

Agility: 10

Magic Resistance: 120

Unique Ability: Mimicry

Skills: Magic Absorption, Earthquake

――――――

It's not as strong as it looks, but it shouldn't be here... This one has magic resistance over 100, even 120. Regular Trents still took damage from Estel's magic, but for this one, she'll need to use skills.

Like other Trents, it extends its branches like tentacles. With 20 more Trents around

 it... I don't think I can join this fight. Last time, I got caught even when fighting just one...

"I can't handle this..."

"Leave it to me! Ookura-dono, protect Estel and the others!"

"Sisya, you stay here. This is for Noru and me."

"But..."

"Understood?"

"Yes."

So Noru and Runa will take on the Trents. I’ll stay with Estel and Sisya, ready to fend off any other monsters. Sisya clenched her fists, wanting to fight, but calmed down when Runa told her to wait. It’s good she listens to Runa during times like these.

Noru and Runa, with support magic from Estel and Sisya, charged at the Trents. Runa leapt and threw her spear, smashing one Trent and causing three others to fall as well... Runa's amazing.

Noru dashed in and began cutting down Trents, dodging their tentacles with ease. She even avoided ones attacking from behind... I can't mimic that.

The battle quickly turned in their favor, with half the Trents down. Grandis, now heavily damaged, struggled to continue. Soon it would be over, or so I thought...

Grandis, previously on the defensive, gathered its tentacles and plunged them into the ground. The ground shook violently, and waves of earth surged towards us.

"Ah!"

"Whoa, Estel, hold on!"

"What’s happening!"

A massive wave of dirt approached, ready to swallow us. I grabbed Estel and jumped over the wave just in time.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you, Onii-san."

After putting Estel down, I saw the ground turned brown, all greenery uprooted. That was the Earthquake skill... frightening. But now, where are Noru and Runa?

"Phew, that was close--ah! Runa-san!"

"Runa!"

Looking where Sisya pointed, Runa was bound by tentacles and lifted off the ground. Noru, having dodged the attack, looked up helplessly. At that height, even Noru couldn’t help.

"I’ll go save--"

"Wait, leave it to me! Go, Centibar!"

"I'll help too, take this!"

I stopped Sisya and launched Centibar, aiming at the tentacles holding Runa. Estel did the same with wind magic. Though the tentacles weren't cut, they were weakened enough for Runa to break free, cutting the remaining tentacles with her spear.

"Thank goodness Runa's safe."

"Indeed. I’m glad I practiced."

"I'm relieved... If something happened to Runa-san, I would've obliterated that tree."

"Let’s finish this."

"Okay, but don't overdo it."

Noru and Runa resumed their attack, and Grandis soon fell. It tried another Earthquake, but Noru blocked its tentacles with her shield, and Runa pierced through, stopping the skill. The other Trents were buried under the first Earthquake. What a terrifying monster.

"Thank you, Estel. I’m grateful."

"No, I should thank you for taking care of the Trents."

"It was inevitable. Better we handled it."

Noru and Runa returned after finishing the battle. There’s no way I could've helped... I'm glad I stayed out. I would've been stripped and helpless immediately.

"Oh no! Runa-san has a wound!"

"...It’s fine."

"No, it's not! Let me heal you!"

Sisya, seeing a scratch on Runa’s hand, rushed to heal it. She cast a healing spell on the scratch left by the tentacles.

"How dare they hurt Runa-san! Estel, let's burn this forest and leave nothing behind!"

"Sure, leave it to me."

"Stop!"

"...That’s an exaggeration."

"Haha, Estel, don’t encourage her."

Sisya, after healing, angrily suggested burning the forest, and Estel prepared to cast fire magic. Runa seemed exasperated, and Noru chuckled.

"But seriously, what was that? I didn't expect such a monster in the forest."

"It looked like it was leading the other Trents, like a boss."

A huge Trent like that in Alde Forest... The recent Trent incidents might be its doing. But since my phone didn't notify me, it’s not a boss from a labyrinth or a major hunt. Maybe a rare Trent? I hope not; a Trent with an Earthquake skill is no joke. I’ll report this to the Adventurers' Guild.

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Author Notes: 

   Thank you for reading as always. The book release is tomorrow... I'm so excited I can barely stand it. I've added more content, so even those who have read the web version can enjoy it. 

   Thank you for your continued support.

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