Defense specialization and shearing.
Several days after Crom took his first step beyond humanity.
A brief maintenance update introduced the new skill [Shearing].
[Shearing] is a skill designed solely for cutting hair.
Consequently, sheep began appearing in certain areas.
According to Iz, they were excellent materials—take them if you have time.
Maple and Kasumi, both idle, were exploring a meadow layer.
“Just came here because I was idle… but are we alright with only [Shearing]?”
“Not us. Only Kasumi has it…”
Maple, who had poured all her focus into defense, could not possibly have obtained [Shearing].
Maple was designated as the immobilizer via [Paralyze Shout].
Sheep have low HP, so she must keep them immobilized without reducing their HP.
Maple was well suited for this role.
There are no sheep with wool here.
That’s right… other players probably came for the shearing.
Sheep already shorn were visible, but no ordinary sheep could be found.
After searching for thirty minutes.
Found it!
Kasumi pointed to three sheep.
—Paralyze Shout!
Maple immediately attempted to paralyze them, but the range missed, leaving only one immobilized.
As the two approached the paralyzed sheep, the other two fled.
Let’s take this one first. Shearing.
Kasumi activated the skill. The sheep’s wool vanished completely. One wool added to inventory.
We’ll never have enough…
Yeah… probably.
Even if we bring back a single wool, it won’t be enough to make anything.
Hmm... If it were just me, I could catch the fleeing sheep. A skill to stop movement... isn't entirely nonexistent. I'll be back shortly.
Yeah! Understood.
Kasumi ran in the direction the sheep had fled.
Left behind were the sheep with numb, hairless fleece and Maple.
……………
Maple glanced at the sheep.
It looked soft.
Kasumi chased after a single sheep.
[Hyper Acceleration]!
The speed granted by [Hyper Acceleration] allows her to catch up.
Without stopping unnoticed, [Shear] would be difficult.
Just in case... [Shear]!
Kasumi tried [Shear] while still running, as a last resort.
As Kasumi ran alongside the sheep, the skill activated. The fleece was cleanly shorn.
Kasumi came to a stop.
Movement need not cease. So long as the skill activates within range. A game-specific mechanic.
Inventory confirmed. Wool had increased precisely.
The other sheep had fled in another direction. Disappeared without trace.
Maple would rarely fall to monsters. Safe to return.
Kasumi returned to Maple’s side. A mystery white sphere sat there.
Huh?
Kasumi drew her blade. Advanced with caution toward the sphere.
This… wool?
Kasumi examined and touched it. Undeniably wool.
—Shearing!
Kasumi activated the skill upon the sphere.
The skill took effect precisely. The wool sphere split into ten wool units. Entered Kasumi’s inventory.
At the same moment, Maple fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Maple?... Was she inside it?"
"Inside, not exactly... more like the thing itself..."
"W-what are you talking about?"
"...A bit on impulse, that's all."
Maple said no more.
"Uh... I don't really understand... but I think I'd better not ask."
Kasumi read the silence and said nothing further.
"Since I can now produce wool every twenty-four hours, I'd like you to use [Shearing]."
"A-ah, right. Got it."
The two rode back to the guild home atop Shiroppu.
On the way, Maple checked her skill again.
[Sheep Eater]
Back at the guild home, Kasumi sat across from Crom at the table, speaking.
The topic was Maple and the wool.
"I picked up a skill while I was away for a moment."
“Taking a phrase from someone I know… you look away for a moment, and suddenly that’s what happens.”
Crom adds, “I’m used to it by now.”
“…Used to it?”
“I’ve sunk my feet deep into that side too, haven’t I…”
Crom speaks while looking at his own gear.
He has drifted far from the common path.
“Then what would surprise you?”
Kasumi’s question makes Crom pause.
After a moment, he begins to speak.
“Hmm… maybe if I just floated up into the sky, turned into clouds, and started hurling lightning… that’d surprise me.”
Crom says it with a hint of jest.
“Hah! That’s definitely not going to happen.”
“Yeah, I agree. Oh right—there was a message from the administrators. Did you see it?”
Kasumi shakes her head, indicating she did not.
Crom starts summarizing the message.
“Third event. Two weeks from now.”
"Coming so close together... And? What’s the content?"
"Third event. Two weeks from now. A time-limited monster appears. Collect the items it drops. Individual rewards and guild rewards based on quantity collected."
Crom said the guild reward threshold varied by guild size.
Maple’s guild, being small, required fewer items.
Individuals had rankings. Higher rankings brought additional rewards.
Transferring items was not allowed.
Only the count mattered. Items did not enter inventories.
"...This one will be tough, then."
"...Yes."
They spoke of Maple.
She had always achieved results in past events. Not through time spent, but through strength.
Achieving a top ranking this time was impossible.
"I’ve spent considerable time too... but there’s always someone above."
Maple’s inner wood entered the period of preparation for the third event.
A sudden, unexpected grooming session.
Yet, quite important.