The World Is Overflowing with Monster, I’m Taking a Liking to This Life Chapter 97: The Intriguing Tree and the Difference in Power

We are exploring the streets after leaving the school. Although the number of people in our group has increased, what we have to do didnt change. Leveling up and acquiring supplies. Not only am I talking about food, Im also talking about heavy machinery and scrap cars that could be used against monsters.

(Because I used up a lot of them in the fight against the dark wolf yesterday)

If it was against normal monsters, I could reuse them after picking them up, but I cant do that when the dark wolf swallows them with its darkness. Thanks to that, the massive number of bullets has hit rock bottom. It can be said that the wolf is the nesis of the Item Box. It can also see through stealth with its sensitive nose. The wolf is becoming trickier to fight against.

While Ichinose was resting, I had already collected so boulders and heavy looking objects from the surrounding, but I dont feel at ease. Power in quantity. I want to be well prepared in case we et against a large army of monsters. That being the case, while were walking, I pick up scrap cars, vending machines, and fallen telephone poles when Rikka-chan isnt watching.

Oh?

While moving in such a manner, sothing in front of catches my eyes. Its a giant tree which has grown through houses. Ever since the world has beco crazy, they have been growing everywhere.

Doesnt it feel like this tree has beco even larger?

Now that you ntion it, yes.

Ichinose-san nods at my words. To begin with, it was a huge tree that was dozens of ters long, but its trunk has beco thicker.

(Ive been paying a lot of attention to the monsters, but these trees are a mystery)

The day monsters began appearing, these trees appeared as well. Theyre growing everywhere around the city, and theyre getting bigger. What are these trees?

but its strange

What is?

Ichinose-san traces the tree trunk.

Its such a big and unusual plant, so our attention should be easily attracted to it but if we dont stop by deliberately to observe, we dont pay much mind to it Ah, youre right.

Rikka-chan agrees to Ichinose-sans statent. I agree as well. I didnt even care about them. They did block my path and get in my way, but I didnt both thinking in depth about their existence. However, now that I think about it, its really strange. Monsters are abnormal, but its the sa with these trees. I wonder about monster a lot of the tis, but why isnt this the case with these trees? Its as if theyre purposely making think this way.

(Maybe)

Do these trees also possess so type of skill? A skill which moves other peoples attention away from themselves, just like Ichinose-sans Cognitive Impedint Theres certainly a possibility. Since animals and insects also have levels and skills, theres no reason for plants to not have them too. Not to ntion the fact that these trees appeared along with the monsters. We cant expect them to be normal.

Wait a minute. Then if we cut down these trees, do we get experience?

For a mont, I feel the urge to try it out. However, to cut down a tree of this size is quite the hassle. By spending ti with a chainsaw, its possible to do so, but the sound might attract the attention of unwanted monsters. Its more efficient to simply hunt monsters by detecting them. Furthermore, the mont I thought about cutting down the trees, I felt sothing unpleasant. And that feeling was at a dangerous level.

Perhaps they have skills that are used to counterattack. If theyre sothing that would beco aggressive only when theyre attacked, it will be wise of us to not lay a finger to them.

What should we do? Should we try cutting it as an experint?

Thinking so far, I return to reality. Rikka-chan is approaching the tree with a hatchet on her hand. I stop her in a hurry.

Lets not. I dont think anything would co out of cutting it a bit. Rather than that, Enemy Detection has reacted. We should head over there. A monster?

Yes, probably goblins. There are four of them, one of which appears to be a hobgoblin. Hearing this, the two show faces of alert. We head towards the direction which Enemy Detection has indicated. The mont our consciousness moves from the tree to the monsterHmm?

Whats wrong?

No, I just felt sothing strange

Strange?

What is this? I think I was thinking about sothing, but I wonder what it was? I cant seem to rember. What was it that I was wondering about?

No, its nothing

Since I forgot about it, it shouldnt be anything important. The tree rustles behind us. While listening to the sound, we leave the area.

We discover three goblins and one hobgoblin. Theyre leaning on the wall and stretching.

Ill snipe.

Yes.

Ill do my best.

Ichinose-san holds her gun while Rikka-chan holds her hatchet.

Ichinose-san is responsible for covering us. Aisaka-san is to follow behind .

Understood.

Ooookay.

Next, I look at Momo and Aka.

Wan!

Furu furu.

Both seem to be in high spirits.

Go!

The mont Aka turns into a weapon and Momo dives into my shadow, I start dashing. I hear Ichinose-san pulling the trigger at the sa ti. With the sound of gunshot, one of the goblins head explodes.

Gyiiii!?

Giyiiiii!

Giyaaaaa! Giaagaa!!

The goblins are panicking due to one of their companions sudden demise. In that opening, Momo and I cast our shadows at the goblin, binding them in the process. The enhanced skill of the Shadow Master is clearly stronger than before, so by putting in just a bit more strengthGigiGichaat!?

The goblins which could not withstand the pressure of the shadow are crushed to death.

You have gained experience.

Good. Whats left is only the hobgoblin. It seems to be trying its best not to be squeezed to death, but thats all it could do. I step forward and approach it instantly. With Aka who has beco a weapon, I cut of its neck. I could have finished it faster by using heavy machinery, but as Rikka-chan is here, I just killed it the conventional way. I also wish to raise the proficiency of Swordsmanship and Critical Aim even by a bit.

You have gained experience.

The magic stones fall, and the Heavenly Voice announces the end of the battle. The battle ends in a matter of seconds.

Okay, were done. Good job, Momo.

Wan!

She has approached , wanting to be praised, so I praise her. Uri-uri, does it feel good here? Hmm? Here, here.

Wafu. Wafuuu.

Momo narrows her eyes and allows herself to beco comfortable. So cute. Im healed.

Kudou-san! too! I want to do it too!

Ichinose-san expresses her desire to mofu-mofu Momo. Momo is cute, so it cant be helped. I guess Ill give way. This is the selflessness of a working mber of society.

Fluffy, fluffy

Wafu

Ichinose-san is satisfied stroking Momo. Momo is satisfied with being stroked. Everyone is satisfied. Yeah, its a good thing.

Hm? Whats up, Aisaka-san?

Looking behind , I witness Rikka-chan staring blankly with a stunned expression. What happened? Does she want to stroke Momo as well? That doesnt seem the case though.

Aisaka-san?

Huh? Oh, no, its nothing!

Is that so?

Its fine if thats the case. I glance at Ichinose-san besides , and she is also tilting her head in confusion. However, her hand continues to mofu-mofu Momo.

Well, we should carry on.

.Agreed.

Unwillingly, really unwilling, Ichinose-san lets go of Momo. Momo is cute, so it cant be helped. Momo also voices out a Kuuuu in sadness, but please bear with . Leveling up is the priority right now. Now, lets look for the next target. We start walking again.

Staring at the back of the person in front of her, Rikka was thinking.

(This onii-san is overpowered)

The event that just transpired was burned into her mories. It was obvious why. The mont she readied her weapon and took a step forward, the battle had ended.

(I couldnt see onii-sans movents at all)

It wasnt at the level of just being fast. When she noticed, the goblins had been squeezed to death by the shadows and the hobgoblins head was flying in the air. She knew that he was strong based on the skills he that told her, but she didnt think it was to this level.

(Didnt this onii-san say he was level 18? Why is there such a huge gap despite being only 6 levels higher than ?) Rikka thought she was decently strong. Even among her friends, she had the highest level, and her status had improved considerably as well. Her strength and agility had gone over 40. Not only were zombies and goblins no longer her opponent, she could also fight against orcs and shadow wolves without Nishinos assistance. Or so she thought.

But as the saying goes, there is always soone above you.

(I think Ive beco companions with an incredible person.)

She couldnt help thinking so. At the sa ti, she felt like she was petty knowing that she was hiding the truth from such an amazing person as well as her best friend who she was able to finally et up with.

(Maybe I should tell them about it but what good will co out of telling them?)

What was the best course of action? Rikka pondered. However, she didnt co to an answer. She was never good at thinking to begin with. Soon, her brain overheated and steam ca out. The Heavenly Voice resounded in her worried brain.

You received a mail.

Fue?

Q: What are the trees?

A: Theyre the trees that the protagonist observed outside in chapter 2. They grow everywhere in the city.