Due to the absence of any proper path, we relied on Muriel’s map and compass to traverse through the grasslands.

According to her map, we were due west of the desert country of Athos, located somewhere in the eastern part of the Riastize Kingdom, the Ferias Territory whose center is the City of Warren. In the eastern part of the territory lies the Easteria forest where we live, and if one proceeded further back, they would reach the mountain range that we attempted to travel to several days ago.

On the map, several parts of the forest were color-coded, and a skull mark was drawn…right on the path that we previously headed to. It seems we unknowingly ventured into the heart of the dangerous area marked with the skull called the “Balberra Forest” the other day.

It was close to our community, so I used gestures to confirm with Muriel just in case.

(There’s a skull mark, huh…)

Muriel, where is this?

“Ah, this is “Balberra Forest”, where we first met. It’s a random spawn point, but compared to the surrounding areas, that’s where most of the high-level monsters spawn from.”

Like that rock monitor lizard from before?

“Yes, but the deeper you go into the forest, the higher the threat level of monsters appearing often. An adventurer even saw a Threat Level A Tyrant Lizard once.”

As I recall, there is a standardized general classification of monsters thanks to the efforts of the Adventurer’s Guild present in most countries, and it is represented by 6 levels, ranging from E to S. Furthermore, every level is divided subdivided into three parts, like E- → E → E+, coming to a total of 18 threat levels.

According to the guild’s recommendation, the combination of monster threat levels and the corresponding adventurer ranks that could deal with it is as follows:

“Iron” → Threat Level E

“Black Iron” → Threat Level D

“Silver” → Threat Level C

“Gold” → Threat Level B

“Platinum” → Threat Level A

“Crimson Gold” → Threat Level S

However, Threat Level S is the highest level, and dealing with it is not necessarily limited to “Crimson Gold” adventurers. In the first place, the few who have reached the highest rank are subject to restrictions by the state, so they are no longer considered as adventurers who sell their services, but dedicate themselves to court service.

Still, the Tyrant Lizard that Muriel mentioned earlier is a threat-level A, so it would require the strength of around a  “platinum” adventurer… Maybe I should check it out one of these days. 

Hey, which level do you think we’re at?

“Hmmm, you guys are too unique…An ordinary Kobold would be classified as threat level D, while evolved Kobold Fighters are a threat level D- minus, but…”

She took a fleeting glance at us. And then, she pointed at me and Buster.

“The ones I can probably accurately identify are you two.”

“Wau?”

“Archer has silver fur and can use magic, so he’s a threat level D+ High Kobold, while Buster who has well-developed arms and tail is a threat level D Kobold.”

Hm, I’m a High Kobold? And Buster’s a Kobold Warrior, huh…

In the guild classification, we both belong to threat level D, so I guess Buster and I are at par with the “black iron” adventurers…which are the most numerous, so that’s why we can deal with most of them.

Although, I felt that we would still be able to somehow deal with a “silver” adventurer if push comes to shove…

“Ah, but you guys took down a threat level C+ Rock Lizard, and your size is a far cry from the ordinary Kobold, so… it would be different to measure you guys against a standard classification.”

Well, even the Kobolds in the settlement have a difference in their capabilities.

In the end, it’s just one of the many criteria used to measure strength. 

“But I don’t know Dagger, Ax, and Blazer’s classifications and skills. It’s frustrating as a great future biologist though…”

I see. That’s too bad.

Anyway, I should warn everyone in the pack not to venture too close to the skull-marked “Balberra Forest”.

“Guruah, gaouaanh” (Leader, stay there!)

“……Garuuah!” (They’re coming!)

Buster, who acted as the vanguard, took a swinging stance unsheathing the Great Sword on his shoulders, while Blazer pulled out his Long Sword and made his presence as faint as possible.

Ahead of the two was a swarm of beetle-type monsters who approached them by crawling on the grass from a slope in the distance, but as daunting as they looked, they weren’t that much of a threat.

“KISHAAA!!”

“Guuruaaah!” (Off with your head!) 

The beetles approached at a high speed, and from a distance of 2 meters away, opened their jaws to aim at their target’s throat or face. They then jumped at him, but Buster domineeringly swung his Great Sword down on them.

“Gii!?”

The blow cleanly cleaved the beetle, but immediately after, another beetle aimed and jumped towards Buster’s throat without missing a beat.

“Garuou voruaau, voaruaah” (You’re as large as usual, but you’re full of openings!)

”Gi…h, gi…”

The beetle, which was expected to take him by surprise, was cut down by Blazer from the side and fell on the ground.

“Fu.” (Hmph.)

The tall, lean Kobold mercilessly crushed the beetle as it fell to the ground. On the other hand, I too aimed at the beetles that tried to pounce on us, thrusting my Short Sword and skewering them.

“Gigii…h……”

“Gauh!” (Sei!)

Blazer swiftly pulled out his blade to finish off the beetles he stabbed and stepped on them as soon as they fell to the ground as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Lancer thrust her spear into the beetles just before they jumped at her and pinned them to the ground. Several of the remaining beetles also approached Ax but fell prey to the Battle Axe that he swung haphazardly.

“Haah~ you guys are amazing… You finished those Red Insects in an instant. It’s impossible to gauge you guys against the Guilds’ threat level values after all.”

While listening to Muriel’s excited rambling, we resumed our advance to Viel Village. Now, since the area was an unobstructed grassland, our destination came into sight in no time.