Sousetsuka

 Life really does come at you fast. 

Resuming shortly. Will try to make up with double releases whenever possible.

543 Side

The man I hit after undoing Acceleration flew five meter away before rolling on the ground. He didn't get knocked out it seemed.
His body convulsed while groaning incoherently, no sign of standing up.

"Damn youuu!"

The Administrative Office men were dumbfounded at suddenly losing sight of me.
But one of them quickly noticed me and came slashing at. All because I was standing in front of him. I was already in a combat ready stance by then.

It was an ordinary downward swing. There was no swordsmanship or technique behind it.
I can dodge a slash like that even without Acceleration. I twist my body and send a straight punch to the man's wide open side.

He flew in the same direction as the first guy. Same result as well. Writhing in pain on the ground while still retaining consciousness.

(I can control my power well in this state. But not in that state. Hm? How do I make it work anyway? But I guess that's just not possible with something as grandiose as 'power of god'.)

"Oy, let's gang up on him. Match the timing."

The men's angered faces calmed down. Their rage-filled eyes turned cool as they observed me.
The remaining three people slowly and carefully encroached me from different directions.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
But I'm not gonna play by their rule. I entered Acceleration and moved next to the approaching man ahead of me.
I undid Acceleration and let out another straight punch, slightly stronger than before.

The man must have seen me preparing for a stronger punch. He noticed me disappearing and appearing next to him and made an attempt to block my attack.
I hit him with a slightly slanted upward fist. And the man went flying in the air.
Two meter high, and around four meter long.
The man who couldn't fly in the air landed with a thud on his side.

"U, u, u, what? What was that? What the, what happened to me?"

The man was shaking uncontrollably while holding his arm in pain.

"Wh! What the hell's going on dammitall! Oy! Let's do it!"

The remaining two men attack from both sides with that signal. A pincer attack. There was a slight delay between their moves to anticipate my response.
The moment I dodge one attack, the other will immediately follow up with another. A sure fire kill
They'll keep pressing with more attacks if I still manage to dodge even then.
Of course settling it in one hit would be best for them. But that's not gonna happen.
I have absolutely no reason to play along with their little game.
My goal was simply to introduce ground to these guys. Therefore, I enter Acceleration once again.
I'll have them be the main actors of a disgraced story about a gang of armed men attacking a lone bare handed traveler getting a taste of their own hubris.
We've got a peanut gallery at the ready here, conveniently.
I'll have these guys be laughingstocks for the rest of their lives.

(But there's definitely going to be an event of them trying to exact revenge.)

I dodge the incoming slash while being fully aware of that. I undid Acceleration behind the attacking man and let out a middle kick on the yet another wide open side.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Been a While

After leaving the orphanage, I skipped Randorainam city, going straight to commercial city, Vinfitt and went on a shopping spree.
Walking around while chomping on a turkey leg sold by the usual stall old man. The city was bustling as usual.
I ended up buying 15 legs in the heat of the moment. I have no regret. Ah, is it just me or my wallet feels lighter...

I was thinking of dropping by the guild but I had no real acquaintance there since lolimast seemed to be absent.
Apparently, despite the destruction of Demon Citadel and its Demon Chief, demons lurking all over the place haven't stopped their destructive activities on this continent.
...This doesn't fit with what I heard, what's the deal Menu-san. Don't demons retreat once their chief is dead?

<<Previously, demons fall back once a Demon Chief has been defeated and the Citadel is destroyed. However, the present batch of demons have made many inexplicable actions including not retreating.>>

Any idea why?

<<...It is but a conjecture, however it is thought that the current Demon King is unprecedentedly special.>>

Special? In what way?



<<The current generation Demon King may be the reincarnated form of a past Hero. He has been exercising his previous life's knowledge, experience as well as Menu Function as a Hero and an earthling.>>


....

Wait. Wait a minute.

Hero's reincarnated form? Demon King? He can use Menu?


<<Menu Function is only usable to those with the soul of an earthling. As such, the only other being that can use Menu besides Kajikawa Hikaru is a hero.>>

<<Normally, once a Hero that has defeated a Demon King passed away, their soul returns to earth per the system.>>

<<But one among past heroes attempted to reincarnate into this world, and succeeded transferring over his knowledge and memory, or rather his record. However, it is thought that the personality transfer did not finish.>>

<<His personality may eventually resurface had his reincarnated form were not Demon King. But now, his personality is that of a Demon King as a base. He is utilizing his knowledge and power as a reincarnate to eradicate all of humankind.>>


...My head can't catch up with this long and grandiose story beat.
Err, so summed up.


1. One of the past heroes wanted to change character, so he reincarnated again. Man, gotta be courageous.

2. He did it but while he retained his knowledge and such, his personality didn't transfer over. What a blunder~.

3. Moreover, in a strange twist of fate, the being he reincarnated into is Demon King. LOL.

4. Now he's making use of his knowledge to corner humanity in a never seen before play. All of you, die~.


Do I get that right?


<<.....That is the presumed gist of things.>>


That's the worst ever. The heck you doin', past hero.
I get the huge advantage of owning your past memory.
He can keep redoing his life if he succeeds even once, so it's not like I don't get him.

Heck, there's a Skill or apparatus that let you do that easily out there?

<<The means basically do not exist 'in this world'. Reincarnating or reviving the dead is not possible by way of Skills. However, there is a method to obtain the power to make that possible.>>

Eh, for real. There's really one?
Shouldn't the world be full of reincarnates if that exists?

<<However, this method has an extremely low probability of surviving and there is a near zero chance of obtaining the correct power. Hence the success rate is, for all intents and purposes, zero. It is virtually a miracle for this past hero to obtain the power.>>

Why'd he cause a miracle for this stuff. The world's in a huge trouble thanks to you.
Heck, what's the method anyway? Do you gotta get in a contract with some real bad devil? 'Get in contract with me' or something?

<<It is done by obtaining a 'Useful Bug' or an 'Otherworld Artifact' in the place where the world's distortions, bizarre phenomenon, alien objects, anomalies, everything that can be categorized as bugs are all gathered.>>

That place sounds like a dumping ground of bugs. You're saying he trash dived there and found a trash, I mean a tool that let him reincarnate?

<<Your perception fits.>>


...He wanted to enjoy a New Game Plus through bugs huh. It's not my place to comment, but man guy sure was reckless.


To sum it up, the reason why demon invasion this time has been way more intense than ever is because the Demon King was a reincarnated hero.
Apparently it's all circumstantial so nothing conclusive but it's probably correct. Stuff like this is when it's inconvenient.


One last question.
Where is this dumping ground of bugs located anyway. Uh, I'm not going there, just curious.

<<It is a dungeon near Daijel, on floor 21 and below.>>

Ah, wasn't that the dungeon I frequented with Alma together?
The shallow floors there look like an ordinary dungeon though. So it's full of bugs once you breached floor 20?

<<Affirmative. From Floor 10 down the dungeon is considered A-rank. Floor 15 down is proliferated with S-rank magic beasts. It's a highly difficult dungeon, hence even reaching that floor is an ordeal.>>

Oh okay. Not like I'm going there though.
Daijel huh. I haven't seen that material shop granny in quite a while. Guess I'll drop by.
Gotta thank her for those mana recovery pills at least. She must be waiting for my next shopping spree.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


I Fast Travel-ed to Daijel and went in the said material store.
...This place is as eerie as ever. An old woman shopkeeper flashing a wicked smile makes it all the more ominous.


"Hihhihi, welcome. Oya oya, it must be half a year since you last came by. I thought for sure you kicked the bucket already, hihihi."

"...I got lotsa things to deal with. Sorry for not turning up often, granny."

"Kihihi. Oh I know about it, a nobleman hit the girl you were with and you punched him hard as a payback. You left this town to get away from him, am I wrong?"

"Nope."


By the way, Alma Parents had a 'Little Talk' with that pig noble. He was last seen being carried away while unconscious after which he's been like an invalid ever since.
He apparently recovered recently but all his greed and fat seemed to have withered away. He's spending all his time tending bonsai at home. What are you, an old man.
I don't believe he's gonna come for me again, and frankly, we probably didn't need to run in the first place... Might have made a hasty judgment back then.


"This store is as ominous as ever. Why'd you upgrade all those skull ornaments into full blown skeletons. Literally why. Heck, you're gonna drive away potential customers."

"Hihihi, you're my only guest this month owing to that. Guess it's about time to fold shop."

"Are you even trying. Put some effort into promoting your stuff, just do something will you."

"Told ya before, too many customers is a pain. These old bones can't defend themselves."

"Nobody can touch you even if they tried. Can't believe you saying that with all these tight securities in place."

"Hyahaha! Yer' the only one who saw through 'em. Good eyes as always. You've gotten monstrous since the last time I saw you too. And you look like a gentle man at a glance hiihihi."

"Oh shut it."


...Why do I drop my formal tone whenever I speak with this granny? I usually cannot not use polite speech with older people. What a mystery.
By the way, a barrier will automatically develop around her if anyone tries to attack. It then attacks back the assaulter with incessant high voltage electricity until they pass out. This magic formula covers the entire store.
This whole store itself is like a giant magic tool. Even a swing from my greathammer likely won't hurt this granny. I'm gonna meet an electrifying end instead. Scary.

It's a powerful defensive measure but you apparently need to carve a stupidly complex magic formula with severe restrictions. By yourself at that.
This is probably the only store equipped with such a pain in the arse magic formula. Hiring some bodyguards is enough in most cases.


"Seeing that you're here and all, go on and buy a lotsa stuff. Come and warm my pocket will you."

"Okay okay. Err, this and that, also these claw things... Hold it right there, is this a hand grenade?"

"Ah, that thing was left by a past hero. Some noble somewhere wanted to declutter or whatnot and sold it to me. Thing's apparently a disposable item with a questionable value, so I got it for cheap."

"Do you got other stuff like this here?"

"Sure, only a few though."


Umu this thing that looks exactly like a grenade appears to be an exploding tool that has a different mechanic than Julian-made magic stone mines.
Those mines explode by running the magic formula engraved inside wild and overloading the installed magic stones. This one does by igniting highly explosive powder with a magic formula inside.
Despite the similar end result, they can't be anymore different. Julian might have an eureka if I hand him this over.


"Lemme see, that'll be 1,215,750 en in total... Can you pay?"

"Pricey. Can't you go a bit lower?"

"Nope, no can do. I pretty much sold you that grenade thing at buying price, you see? I'm bleeding dry just for you here~."

"...Got it. This enough?"


I put gold, silver coins on the counter.
Ah, my wallet got lighter once again. Would get it all back by selling some S-rank magic beasts mats though.


"Oho, you can. Ain't you a big earner now. I gotta pat myself on the back for pulling you in my store."

"I'll drop by again soon. Don't fold up till then."

"Hihihi, you too don't even think about dying. Use anything you can use, be it your friends, this store's tools, anything. So make sure you come by again."


It's ominous yeah, but this is a nice store.
It's focused on the finest details, you can find useful items here and there, and chatting with granny is fun.
All the more now that I'm lonely... When can we meet again I wonder.


Now then, guess I'll go to the guild.
I'll bring some booze to guildmast as thanks for all his help.



"F, F, F, Found youuuuuuuu!!"



!?


Someone screamed their lungs out behind me as I was making my way to the guild.
That voice sounds like a young girl's? ...Her tone feels kinda familiar.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

542 My Too Bad a Personality

"Alright then, if you're not gonna spill where your tamed beast is, you gotta cough up. Just a teensy bit enough to cover the loss for us. For all of us, it's gonna be..."

I interjected him.

"You're asking me to pay now huh. This is bribery no matter how you try to slice it. There's no way I'd take part in such an illicit dealing. Ah I see. You guys have been lining up your pockets by using your authority like this. You arrest and threaten those who resist. Guess Administrative Office works more like a petty crime gang."

I couldn't believe this man for so obviously demanding money. Thus I provoked him. Now that it's come to this, might as well go all in.

"You're all so petty. What's even 'just' about this Administrative Office? What makes it 'right'? I can pay up just fine. But what do I get from paying underlings like you lot. Even your superiors must be good for nothing, no? Demanding hush money out in the public like this, you have no shame or honor. Do you even realize how small time of a thug this makes you look? You guys seem to believe you're at the top of the world but what do you even have for yourselves, who see your worth, where do you even stand? You have no dignity whatsoever. I see no reason to bow down. Call your superior here. You're not worth talking to. Get lost, now."

Looks like I had been holding in a lot. I went too far with the provocation. The other members had walked up to us wondering what it was about so they all heard me.
Template as they are. Their reactions were classic.

"Oy, I dare you say that to my face again. You making fun of us?"
"I ain't gonna let anybody look down on us. Ya ready to get it?"
"There's no forgiving you now. It ain't gonna end with just some pain."
"I'mma make a ragdoll outta you, humiliate you in public and off your head!"

Travelers and merchants who were queuing up in front of me all took some distance away from the commotion.
There's sure to be bloodshed. But I still gotta ask one thing.

"Hey? Am I gonna get charged with crime if beat you all up here?"

"Haa? You brat think you got a chance in hell to beat us? Quit getting cocky you little! We're all admitted to Administrative Office! Getting fired woulda be the least of our worry, we're gonna be a laughingstock if we lost to a brat like you!"

Guess strength is everything in a coliseum city.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"I just don't wanna get treated like a criminal from beating up a worthless bunch like you lot."

It seem there's no avoiding violent conflicts no matter what with my personality and 'power'. I could only laugh dryly. But this is the simplest and shortest solution.
Much better than being asked to hand stand, make noise by clapping soles or sing a song in order to enter this city.
Actually, I'd like to meet anyone who put up that kinda term.

"If ya can beat us, yer' as good as a member Administrative Office. Meaning you're free to go in or out. I dare you try!"

They all surrounded me before swinging their weapons at me altogether.

(It won't hit though. Let's get straight... to counter.)

I escaped the encirclement in Accelerated State. I was about to hit them all one by one before stopping short.
I'd like to do it outside Acceleration and leave the sensation of punching them in my hands.

"Not only do you five go at me all at once, you're even super eager to kill me just because I ridiculed you. How immature can you be."

Beginning counterattack. I let out a straight punch on the nearest man's abdomen while making sure to hold back.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Master Chef Fun Cooking Practice

"Master chef, am I doing this right?"

"Yup, sprinkle that nice and slow. It'll help the flour settle in and make it tastier. Same goes for the sugar, okay."

"I'm done mixing milk and eggs!"

"Alright, that's a nice batter you got going. Time to mix in the sugar slowly."


Hello there, it's nine o'clock in the morning.
Crepe sellers start late in the morning. Everybody's done with breakfast even.
By the way, I intruded in Gen's workshop at 6 and they were already like that. Craftsmen sure have it nice in the morning.

Making this alone would be boring so I had other cooking kids join in.
They were done making potato chips for the morning so they had nothing to do.


"I see you have a lot more variety with the chips. Finding flavors I never taught you kids was a surprise."

"Yup. We pooled ideas from everybody and put the tastiest ones for sale. Making all flavors everyday would be rough so we made it into a rotation."


O, ou. Reducing their burden while simultaneously keeping their customers' interest high. They thought well.
These kids have a bright future ahead of them in business world. They're way more savvy than me.


"Master chef, what's next?"

"Ah, you add vegetable oil then melted butter bit by bit."

"Can't we just pour it all?"

"They won't mix well if you do that. It's like how you can't fit bread, meat, vegetable and snacks in your mouth all at once, see? It's the same principle."

"Yup, I got it!"

"Director can probably pull that off."


Don't. I agree though.


"I heard meat."

"You just ate a lot earlier, Director! Actually when'd you get in the kitchen!?"


This blue haired boy in charge of quipping is still on top of things I see. Dunno what things, it just is.
I think his name was Lanceslash-kun. That kinda sounds like a finisher move in a game.


"And the batter is done. Normally, we'd want to let it rest, but eh it'll do. Next up, you heat up a frying pan, pour vegetable oil and spread it thinly with a paper."

"Like this?"

"Yep yep. First, I'll show you how it's done."


I failed many times back when I first tried making crepes, but I'm an expert now.
Now that my DEX has gotten pretty high, I'm not worried about breaking the batter too. Hopefully.

We put in lots of milk in the mix so it spread out easily.
I let it cook for a minute, flipped it around from the edge and simmered it for another minute.

I put the fried batter on a plate.
We bought a magic stove for the chip production so the heat level could be controlled nicely.


"Master chef, the cream's turned all fluffy!"

"My arms' killing me from whipping..."

"Ooh, that turned out nicely. We just gotta add 'anko' as a finisher."

"Anko? It's pitch black, what's this stuff?"

"It's a jam-like condiment made from a bean called azuki. You can eat it as is but it tastes way better if you mix it with fresh cream."


By the way, I bought the beans from Keruna Village.
They were used by the villagers there as a fodder and pillow stuffing though.
Turning them into anko was quite an ordeal so I gotta use it to the fullest.

We put the mix of anko and fresh cream on top of the fried batter, folded it nicely and anko cream crepe is done.
Would have been even better if I put in sliced fruit and the likes but I only had efi on me so I refrained. Can't guarantee the taste with carbonic fruit so that one's out of question.


"Alright, it's done. Anyone wanna give it a try?"

"""Me!!"""


Yup, I knew they'd all raise their hands.
I made them decide with a rock paper scissor game as I worked on the next one.


"...Hnn~! It's~so~good~!"

"D-darn! Rina! Don't hog it all for yourself!"

"Lemme have a mouthful, no, just a bite!"


The peach colored girl, Rina stuffed her crepe while flaunting it to the other kids.
...Gotta fry fast or it'll turn into a scuffle.
No wait, I think I can distract them by making them help?


"Aah! It tore off!"

"Ah, all good. Just flip it over. It'll taste just as good once you add the cream, don't worry."

"Got it~."


I was only planning to drop by for a bit and ended up cooking snacks for them. Kinda makes me feel like a kindergarten teacher.
But it's surprisingly fun. Cooking with someone is fun.
...I might ask those girls help out once we're back together.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

"Omnomnom, Kajikawa-san, how about working for us? Omnom, the kids like you, omnom, and you cook tasty food, omnomnom.

"Director, chew before you talk..."

"That's very kind of you, but I'd have to decline. There's a lot I want and have to do as an adventurer."

"Eh, master chef, you were an adventurer all along? I thought for sure you were a traveling chef or something."

"Haven't I told you numerous times!? I'm an adventurer, okay! Cooking is like a part-time hobby of mine, okay!"


Why's none of these kids see me as an adventurer.
...Guess it's cause I only ever showed myself as a cook to them.



I cooked the kids snacks and even potato chips for sale in the end.
After we were done, I went around to share crepes with the kids cleaning the building and saw two familiar faces.
The brown haired boy Farannam and the silver haired girl, Karsheila I think.

Hm, their States show 'Exhausted', guess they just got back from work?


"Ah, Kajikawa-san! Hello!"

"It's nice to see you again."

"Ou, how's it going. You two look tired, back from work?"

"Yes. I have started working as an 'Appraiser' last month and I'm just done with my quota today."

"I was on my way back from Adventurer's Guild when I saw Faram-niisan."

"Eh, Karla you joined Adventurer's Guild?"

"Oh, no. I haven't come of age yet. I'd like to get as strong as Reina-oneechan someday so I've been studying and training there while I can."


Hee, Faram-kun is already working even though he's just come of age.
Karla is doing her best for her future.
...They should be only around middle school and high school ages too. I'd like my school day self to learn from them.


"We're just done making some snacks. Would you like some?"

"Uwaa, that looks so good...!"

"Yes, I would love to."


They're already splendid working adults.
The only thing I could do for them is offer a little refreshment like this.
...Ah crap, it's been so fun I'm overstaying my welcome here.
Any longer and I'd only get in the way. Though the kids probably don't think so, I should set off soon.



I gave the orphanage vanisoi beans and azuki to grow as potential snacks and left after saying goodbye to the kids.
I almost burst out in tears when they said, 'Come by again', but endured through it. Sniffle.

Now then, where to next.
Scarymast probably hasn't gone back to Randorainam. Only Naima-san awaits there, guess I can skip it.
...Come to think of it, I should have sent her back with Fast Travel...

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Finding Happiness at Last - Arrival of Fear

This chapter starts with the orphanage pet's POV



I am a wolf, name's Wanshan.
...It may lack a bit of impact but it's a splendid name granted to me by master. I have no complaint.


My previous master was awful.
He seldom let me out and did not gave me name.

My meals were dying magic beasts I had to finish and eat.
I was fine with meaty beasts but I kept asking him to give me a break with insect and poisonous beasts but he never listened as they gave more exp or something.
He should have understood me thanks to Tame Skill yet he saw me as nothing more than a tool.

The other beast serving my master, 'Thunder Byakko', a lightning-clad tiger beast, received a much better treatment than me.
Killing humans don't really give you much exp yet he was used as a murder machine on the humans opposing master.
Unlike me and my strict diet, he was allowed to eat their flesh.
Although, the me now is against the idea of eating humans.

I kept leveling up and evolved many times, yet my actual practical experience is pretty much nil.
My mind and body rotted day by day as I questioned the purpose of my honed fangs and claws, then one day it all became clear.


I had no clue about the ins and outs but apparently I were to kill a human my master wished death.
It was the director of this orphanage.
The me now can't even imagine doing that but she was a stranger to me back then. I proceeded as I was commanded.

Although I did find it weird how they had me do the deed instead of Thunder Byakko.
I was in despair when I finally found out their reasoning.

Unlike underworld humans, killing law-abiding humans will always gets traced back.
Therefore, by undoing my Tamed State immediately after I killed director, the deed would be treated as an accident caused by a wild magic beast.
My final role is to be ended by the town's guard.
I was only raised to keep my master's hands clean.


I was but a sacrificial pawn to master.


I was beset with anger and hatred inwardly yet I could not oppose Tame Skill.
I did consider killing master and his group after my target but I do not believe I could win against Thunder Byakko. My dulled fangs and claws are no match against him.
I was done for. Hopelessly so.

I made my way into the orphanage, thinking of relishing the taste of my target as my last supper at least.
...But to think it would come down to that. Nobody could have guessed that outcome.


A while after master yelled something at the orphanage, a male human fell down from the sky.
He's a rare black haired male human with an unusual smell to him. I could feel something unhuman-like from him somehow.

They had some sort of dispute and I was told to kill the male human as well.
I got my order to kill him before the director while master took off my collar.
Killing one or two more changes nothing.
I lunged for his neck aiming to bite it off.


But then I suddenly got slammed hard onto the ground.
A tremendous pressure assailed my whole body like I was being pinned down by a huge boulder.

What's going on, I can't breathe! Help me! I frantically plead but nobody listened.
Afterward, my body moved on its own accord following the male's commands, no it was made to...!?
At the end of a show I made for myself, my own tail hit my private part hard.

I had no idea what was done to me. It's as if I'm going crazy.
I lost consciousness while feeling a sense of dread against this terrible being known as human.


I realized I was surrounded by these dreadful beings when I came to and got too scared to move.
They're smaller than that male, yet they're still humans. There is no telling they won't make me go through that again.
They might let me off if I stayed still thus I desperately clung on to that faint hope.


Later on, I found out that only that black haired human possesses that unknown power. I am far more powerful than your average humans.
Well, looking back, I never saw other human with that kind of power indeed. I would have realized if only I stayed calm.

When I saw that black haired human running up this way, I reflexively showed my belly in a sign of obedience.
I'm sorry, I won't go against you, I will obey you so please don't kill me, no, I'm scared scared scared!!

As I was shaking in fear, a yellow furred small female human spread her arms wide and told the black haired male.


"No bullying!"


Is this female, covering me? Why?
The male flinched back, therefore this female must be stronger than him.
No, that's not it. This female is far smaller, far weaker than that male.

Yet she would fearlessly stand tall.
In order to protect me, from that monster.


"There there, it's okay now."


The small female gently encouraged me while patting my head.
Why would she brave such a danger going against that male just to protect me.
No, that doesn't matter. I was protected by this female, no, this ladyship.

As such, I shall repay that favor.
I now recognize you as my master.



Thus was the dream I saw.
...That was several months ago. I remember it like it was yesterday, to think it would even appear so vividly in my dream


"Wanshan, morning~! It's mealtime, let's all eat together!"

『Woof.』


Master's energetic voice roused my sleepy head.
At first, I had to hunt wild magic beasts to sustain myself but ever since the orphanage's money situation drastically improved, I've always been eating together with everyone.
There will be no more days of eating insects or poisonous meat.


I shall stand against any and all foe in order to protect this blissful days and master.
Just like how master protected me against that black haired male.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

"Excuse me."


All of my fur stood up.
My body leaped on its own when I heard that familiar voice at the front door.
I'm trembling. Water drops trickle down my face that should not sweat.
It's him. That male is here again...!

I, I shall, stand, t-tall, aga, against any, and, a, a, aa, aaaaa...!!


"Wanshan, it's okay! I'm gonna protect you if he bullies you again!"


W-w-worry not, master!
I shan't back down even against him!
M-master, hide behind me and gaze upon my valorous figure!





~~~~~~~~~Black Haired Male's POV~~~~~~~



"Ah! It's master chef!"

"Master chef, hello!"

"Ou, good to see you all again... Will you please quit calling me master chef."


Everybody looks pretty lively when I turn up just because I felt like it.
Thanks to improved eating habits, none of them looks emancipated, even the worn down building has been reformed it looks brand new now.
Business is doing well I see. Thank goodness.


"Wa, Wansha, get up!"

『..W...woof...』


No. There's one animal that doesn't look well.
Wanshan the Killing Wolf, a tamed beast of the blond little girl, Mia, passed out the instant it saw me.
...Wonder if it's still traumatized from back then.


As Mia started lightly whacking me, 'Don't bully Wansha!', director came out of her room.
Um, I'm not bullying him. It knocked itself out on its own.


"Hello, director. It's been a while."

"Oh, Kajikawa-san. It really is, hasn't it. I'm glad to see you looking well."

"I wanted to bring Reina with me. But our schedules don't match up today."


...Normally it's weird how Reina can't come while I can though.


"Master chef! Teach us more recipes!"

"Snacks! Make more snacks!"

"Hey, don't be unreasonable now. Actually, don't badger a guest to cook for you."

"Oh no, I'm free today. I'd be glad to cook them some simple meal if you don't mind."

"Hooray! Let's get to the kitchen, quickly!"


Maybe I could cook them red bean crepe like from victory feast the other day. It's simple and tasty.
It's been so long since I cooked here... Speaking of which, how long is Mia gonna keep whacking me I wonder.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

541 Too Late By Then

I turned around and waved at griffon. It spread its wings and lifted its hindlegs while crying out 'Kue~!' as if responding to me.

I ran to the coliseum with that cry behind me.
Yes, I haven't given up on watching the matches there. If griffon can't go with me, I'll just go by myself.
I'm gonna enjoy it as much as I want before resuming my journey to look for the right place.
Though finding one seems super unlikely.
Even if there were one, it can't possibly a peaceful plot of land.

(My 'Factor of Unrest' is merciless. It's gonna sow seeds of trouble even somewhere absolutely devoid of people.)

I kept running in Accelerated State and arrived in a different gate than the one yesterday. I have no doubt as I made sure of it during my flight with griffon here.
I don't think there's gonna be anyone messing with me again. It's only humans to wanting to get away from unpleasant things. It's natural.
But there are times when you just can't get away.
Some of the people that were in the group that messed with me yesterday are guarding the gate I choose. Apparently they just arrested someone that was making a ruckus.
Five Administrative Office people. The man who talked to me yesterday is in the center even.

(They're gonna notice me... No! Please attend elsewhere!)

I've lined up on a queue to enter the town after undoing my Acceleration and I have my hood off.
So I put it on in a hurry. I hid my face deep and made my back lurched out to give the impression an old man.

But it was too late. Sound of footstep are coming my way.
Before stopping besides me.

"Oh oh, we were just missing you after you ran off yesterday you know? Not with griffon today?"

It's obvious I'm busted. I took off my hood.
And completely ignored him.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Speak up, you. What's your deal coming and going whenever you wanna huh? You said you're not gonna enter this city. Why are you lining up here then?"

I still chose not to speak.

"Silent treatment huh? You wanna get arrested under suspicion then? What's wrong? Can't you answer me?"

I wanted nothing more than to punch his face hard but I relented.

"I'm here to tour this city's most famous attraction, the coliseum. I didn't need to get in yesterday. Today I do. Is there a problem with that?"

"I see, you do huh. Here I was thinking of testing your strength if you got griffon. Guess it's a no go huh. So, where's that thing now?"

The man was grinning all while messing with me.

"I have no obligation to tell you. I see no point in further questions."

"No no, who can say you won't call that thing inside and make it run amok? We gotta know to avoid that scenario, don't we."

Even I didn't think he'd resort to making a false accusation with zero factual basis.

"You can't say if I'm telling the truth or not regardless. Why should I tell you? Besides, do you have any proof for that accusation?"

I tried to tell him off to no avail.

"I'm sure you saw us arresting a man earlier. We've got a good nose on suspicious fellows, see. We deem you a risk considering you got a magic beast."

"So you're saying I can't enter? Just tell me outright. From the start. Quit being misleading."

This is his way to harass me. He hasn't given up on hunting griffon it seems.
It's clear now that tamed beast tag was worth nothing to this man from the beginning.
It was an official document for sure. But to him it was nothing more than a scrap of paper.
The only reason he's talking to me is to put on an appearance.
He's definitely going to gather a bunch of similar thugs to hunt griffon down for his own profit.
Thus his persistence on me.

"So how can I get in? Mind telling me?"

I decided to follow their rule for once.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Aimless Solo Trip

『Hi, hi, hii, higyaaaaaaaaa!!!』

『Shaaaaaaaa!!?』

『Gebua!? Ka...a...!!』


I mercilessly shot a magic bullet through a fleeing high tier orc's back.
Then, I sliced a snake-type magic beast in half from its head down.
As for the beetle magic beast that looked like a mix of stag and Hercules beetle, I smashed its horns before driving a pile bunker down its mouth.
...Upper level 70s magic beasts are a cinch to me now even without Energy Control.


<<Level has reached a certain threshold. Updating Menu Function.>>


I've been leveling up nicely too. Finally amassed enough exp to reach Lv60.
By nicely, I mean barely getting one level even after defeating multiple magic beast 10 level higher.
You really need a stupid amount of exp to level up once you've reached this point huh.


<<New Menu Function added, [Synthesize Screen]. Similar to [Restore Screen], this function allows the creation of a new item by combining two or more items found in [Item Screen].>>


Fumu. This looks similar to [Restore Screen], the new function I got upon leveling up to 50 which lets me repair damaged gear or tools by consuming a certain amount of MP, but not quite the same.
I think it's like that, you know? A low grade potion heal 100 HP, while medium grade heals 500.
So I can probably synthesize a medium grade potion by consuming 5 low grade ones?

<<At least 10 low grade potions are required in order to synthesize 1 medium grade potion. Each synthesize performed consumes around 30-40 MP.>>

Eh? So I need twice the cost? And the MP requirement is relatively high too.
...Well I guess this function would have made production type people meaningless otherwise. I suppose this is not bad in an emergency.
It seems I can make a lot of stuff that aren't simply a higher tier version of an item too. Sounds fun.

...My Menu's gotten a new function and yet I can't even muster up the enthusiasm.
Being here by myself is lonely. I begged the two to let us have meals together at least, but they shot me down. Merciless.

Wonder if the girls are eating properly. They should be fine with Alma Mama around though.
...Heck, Alma Mama cooks better meals than me, my concern is unwarranted. That's kinda lonesome in a way tho'.
Yup, eating Alma Mama's homemade food should make for a good change of pace to them. I eat alone though. Fakkin.


I resumed the slaughter of a leveling session for a while and called it a day after netting another level up.
Ten-odd of magic beasts fell this day. All of which were Lv 70s, but none were Lv 80 or higher.


...
....
.....


I had no idea being alone feels this desolate.
I was always by myself after getting to adulthood in Japan, yet I don't remember ever feeling this lonesome...

Oh no. My mental state isn't gonna last at this rate.
What kind of tofu mental I have anyway. Didn't think I was this much of a pain in the arse.
The girls would look cute saying, 'I'm sho lonely...', but a man in his mid twenties doing that is just gross.

Looking back, I don't really associate much with other adventurers besides my party members, do I.

Baredo and Rasfin never really know 'Kajikawa Hikaru' personally. I only talked to them once as a 'Soarer' during that Stampede.

Radia-kun had just gone through hell and back leveling yesterday, I'd feel bad intruding on him.

Hyula-san and Gazanginando-san are just gonna drag me into an all night drinking bout.

Aizawa-kun is out of question. I can just imagine him saying 'The hell are you'.

I get along surprisingly well with Hero-kun, but Leviara and Olivie prolly won't find it amusing if I orbit around him.

I caught sight of hot uncle party during the tournament but I missed the opportunity to greet them.

Huh? Do I really not have a single friend here?


...Yup, this is a good chance as any. I might as well go around and meet up with all of my acquaintances.
Tomorrow is a rest day, but I've absolutely nothing to do alone.
Getting in touch with people outside my party every once in a while doesn't sound bad... Far easier than having to participate in drinking parties with our subcontractors or suppliers in Japan at least.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >



"Fufufu... This hardness's out of this world... Dragon mats got this perfect balance of toughness and rigidity to 'em... Kekeke..."

"O, oy, geezer. You can't have been up all night grinding that, can ya? Who been telling me to quit pullin' all nighters again huh."

"Ou... Barely got it sharpened after all the grinding... This thing's gonna turn into a masterpiece... Hihihi..."

"...Your eyes are looking seriously bad there, Gedagan-dono. Take it from me, get some rest."


...At Gen's Workshop of the industrial town, I was greeted with the sight of Gen-san grinding the 'Black Dragon Tailtip', I had handed him around a week ago to be turned into a dagger, with a whetstone while staring at it with bloodshot eyes.
The two workshop members were dumbstruck as they warned him. Higuro-san is one thing, but if even Julian said that, things must be bad.
He look like a dangerous individual from the sidelines. Really (Etc).


"I cannot believe you really went up against that Black Dragon. Although you failed to settle the matter huh."

"I'mma beat that darned lizard to a pulp one day. I won't forgive him till he says sorry. This hammer will stay nameless until that time comes."

"That tail steak was simply superb. I never had anything that good even during my times at the Duchy house."

"You got that right. I ain't gonna have another meal like that in my life. It's a damn good thing you're our customer."


We chatted as I fetched the greathammer that has been seeing signs of wear and tear lately.
It's partly why I'm here. I abused the thing so much during my fight against those two the other day.

They only had to clean the formula of the explosive engine a bit and re-tightened the joint between adamantite handle and the hammerhead.
Or to be more accurately, that was the only thing they could do.


"I see cracks forming on the hammerhead. We coulda melted and remade the thing had it been metal, but that's outta question with a magic beast shell..."

"To think you managed to wear this absurdly hard hammerhead in such a short period of time. I was sure it would stay unscratched for at least ten years. I was too naive."

"Applying the person that can lift and swing this thing around complete with the combustive explosions to common sense was our mistake."

"Why does that make me sound like a monster."

"You are, undoubtedly, a monster. I ain't gonna forget that time you terraformed Monster Mountain Range."


I didn't blow up that mountain on purpose okay. That was the result of the test drive. A force majeure. Oni-sensei can even do that bare handed.
...Let's change the topic.


"Oh yeah, those Magic Stone Mines were super effective against demons. We blew up a majority of their forces thanks to those mines."

"Fuhaha, but of course! After all, even creating just one of them requires two rank B magic stones. The action of purposely overloading those magic stones by way of a magic formula may even unleash enough destructive power to slaughter rank A magic beasts!"

"Can you make an even more destructive mine with higher tier magic stones?"

"...Wasteful that may be, yes it is possible."


Fumu, then they should work on rank S magic beasts too.
But why doesn't anybody create such a handy magic tool.
Yes elemental magic stones may be expensive, but these sort of effectiveness and firepower should see a use in military.

<<The military in this world do employ magic weapons, but there is virtually zero magic tools that use magic stones as disposable. Colorless magic stones are commonly used as a fuel instead.>>

Heck, Julian might be the first inventor of this thing in the entire world.
His creations were all originally pretty crazy and my intervention resulted in even more craziness...


"Speaking of demons, I don't see those Anti-Demon Amry people anywhere. Good thing though, don't have to sneak around anymore."

"Ah, they found the Demon Citadel around a month and a half ago. All of them left to launch an offensive."

"They're currently hunting down the remains which should be done soon, or so I heard."


I wasn't sure what to do when that old captain tried to forcefully enlist us, but I guess there's no need to worry about that anymore.
Heck, apparently that old man's kicked the bucket. That long haired blond man got promoted as the captain in his place. Sounds about right. Guy was the strongest among them.


"Oh, I'm done with several of your commissions. Please test them out and let me hear your thought so I can make adjustments."

"Oh, thanks. So here's another idea--"


Afterward, we kept talking about weapons of romance ignoring stuff like efficiency or whatnot and two hours passed before I knew it.
Alma and the girls would have stopped us midway through if they were here, so I got carried away with no brake around. Having a chance to talk about men's romance freely might be a good thing... Not, I'm still lonely.
Once we're done test driving and making adjustments, I plan to give them to the people I have in mind.

Now then, where to next.
Maybe I should drop by the orphanage, wonder if Director is doing well... I bet she's much better off than me right now.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

540 The Want to Look Away

"I would love nothing more than staying with you forever, but only a life of constant harassment awaits if you're with me. You felt it too, right? The disgusting looks in their eyes."

I reminded griffon about those Administrative Office folk.
Nothing good will come out of associating with those thugs.
Returning to its old life here is the best course of action for griffon.

"We don't need that tamer tag anymore, let me get it off you. You're free now."

Griffon cried sadly and refused me. It dodged my arms as I reached out to the tag.

"Hm? You're okay with returning to your old life here?"

Griffon quietly nodded. Looks like I got that across at least.
The turf war yesterday must have played a part. It'd be a pain if griffon had to keep fighting intruders whenever it returned here after an extended leave.
Or perhaps griffon is partial to this territory. It must be a wonderful place to live in.
But griffon kept refusing to let me get the tag off, even stepping away when I tried to reach out again.

"Why don't you let me get that sign of my ownership off you? Hm? You're not controlled by anyone anyway, so there's no harm in keeping it? Ah, that's right, I don't have mana binding you or anything."

Griffons don't speak. So I had to make a close observation. Griffon stood up and puffed its chest.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Ah, err? You're saying you approve of being my tamed beast? Well, I'm happy to know that. I see, so you recognize me. Is that it?"

Griffon stared at me while happily crying out, 'Kue!'
Apparently it's proud to be my tamed beast. Kinda makes me ticklish.

"Got it. I will honor your stance. I'll let that tag stay there on your neck... Heck, just how far can you communicate with me anyway?"

I know griffon is smart but not to the point of establishing a mutual understanding like this.

(No... I shouldn't overthink. Let's just chalk it up as fantasy like usual.)

Thus my discussion(?) with griffon ended.
I had breakfast and cleaned everything up. Once I was done preparing I called griffon and set off.

"Send me back to this forest's entrance, please. Don't worry, I'll turn up again once I'm done touring the coliseum. Wipe that sad look off your face."

Griffon has gotten completely attached to me. I too now regard this magic beast as a pet and means of transpiration.
The trip went by fast on the back of griffon. Flying high in the air, ignoring the forest below.
I shivered a bit by the cold morning air seeping in the gaps on my mantle as we got out of the forest.

(Oh right, griffons are regarded as forest guardian gods aren't they? They're revered by some local people or something. What does that make me then?)

The one above god would be another god. My power is apparently divine by nature according to Binota.

(I wanna scream at just how chuuni it all sounds.)

But that explanation does fit. And there's no way humans can comprehend too great of a power like that.
I could only accept it as the truth.

"Nothing good comes from averting my eyes from the issue~. No one can tell what kind of effects it's gonna have in the future after all. Aah, this privilege is too much to bear."

My sarcasm fell on a deaf ear. Not like anybody here to listen to me.
I jumped off griffon's back once it landed and started making my way to the coliseum to forget my overthinking.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

What Becomes Clear After Separation

This chapter is from Alma's POV

Mom teleported us to our villa on the first continent.
They bought this residence several years ago to be one of their bases of operation, but why are we here?


"W-where are we...?"

"It's my parents' villa. Mom must have sent us here with Space Magic."

『Pi?』

"She teleported us soon after they started sparring with Kajikawa-san, wonder why...?"

"...I don't know either...?"


A white paper got teleported before my eyes while we were wondering.
There's something written on it...


『Hikaru-san will be under our custody for a little while. You likely won't see him during that period, think of what you can do in the meantime. If there are things you can only learn by being together, there too are some things made clear only when you're apart. So please try to endure this. Ah, you can meet him once he's strong enough to take on both Duke and me, look forward to our progress report, okay.』


I reflexively crumpled the paper once I read it.
...Please stop doing things behind our back. You two are too heavy handed.


"...Those two really march to their own beat..."

"...I have to let them have a piece of my mind when they return here..."

『Pipii...』


There's so many things I want to say to them but above all, the condition for us to meet again is just too harsh.
Even fighting one of them is such a tall order, I don't think you can find anybody in this world capable of taking them both together.
It's so unreasonable I'm even suspecting this is a ploy to separate us from Hikaru forever.
...Though Hikaru can probably win after several years.





About three hours after we were teleported here, two figures showed up in a blue magic circle that appeared in the same room we came in.
They're finally done. I was going to press on them before I realized something amiss with them.

Dad's body is full of bruises and cuts and he's never looked this tired before.
Mom is unscathed, but her mana is running low. Looks like she can barely heal dad.


"Fu, fufufu. W-we're home, Alma..."

"U, ufufufu... Who could have thought there was such a wolf under all that sheep clothing..."


The two said that while smiling wryly, looking exhausted. What happened to them...?
No, more importantly--


"...What's this all about? First you teleported us away without warning and then gave us this letter. I'm really angry right now."

"Ah, I understand your wrath. There's no way you wouldn't be mad over this treatment."

"Then...!"

"But the result is crystal clear. You can tell from my state, can't you... Although his true color was a huge surprise even to us."

"What do you mean? Actually, why are you two so raggedy anyway."

"Hikaru-kun gave me all these wounds. And this is despite Lunati's buffing magic on me... He's probably stronger than me already in base states. Though he took several bottles of potions during the fight."

"!?"


That's not right.
Hikaru couldn't even hit these two just the other day, how did he get that strong all of a sudden.
He's not just rapidly growing. There must be something else going on here.


"His sheer Attributes tower over me if he uses that Energy Control thing. His techniques may be rough around the edges, but the fighting style he has come up with is definitely not inferior to mine. And yet, it was simply strange how he couldn't even land a hit on me."

"We knew the thing he lacked was a sense of crisis or perhaps the drive to get stronger hence we made a bet and imposed him with this condition... And the result was astonishing."

"...I'm scared to ask but how was he like?"

"He was neither flustered nor raging. He calmly and effectively kept choosing the nastiest methods to gain victory."

"He would accurately hinder our moves while chaining lethal blows one after another like a fierce deity. It was real tough~."


The two smiled wryly as they spoke about Hikaru's fighting style. I can tell how much they struggled from their reactions.
Perhaps Hikaru had been subconsciously holding back all this time.

Magic beasts are one thing but he must be unwilling to cross the line against human being. Maybe a screw got loose inside him when he was told he couldn't see us again.
He was still perfecting that combat style during our practice together and it seemed he's gotten closer to perfection now.
...I'm still not fully convinced, but this method has proven effective.


"Always together all the time doesn't make you companions. You can learn a lot by going your separate ways every once in a while."

"Afterwards, you use that experience to be better together as a party. You're free to hate us... Guh...! B-but, please understand that this is something that needs to be done for you and your friends' sake, Alma..."


Please stop coughing blood while saying I'm free to hate you. Why would you incur damage from the word you said yourself.
...I don't fully agree with them, but considering the rapid progress Hikaru made, they may have a point.

Besides, they're right about me being over reliant to Hikaru.
Looking at it from another perspective, this may be a good opportunity to improve myself.


"Okay. We will be acting separately from Hikaru for a while."

"Are you really fine with that, Alma-san?"

『Pi.』

"No, I really am not but Hikaru did get stronger and I believe it is necessary for us as well... I don't like how they did it without our consent though."

"I hope you can forgive us, Alma-chan."


Mom murmured a heartfelt apology.
I won't forgive them right away, but I'm not going to pursue the matter any further.


"But man, the alarm in my head rang non-stop throughout the entire fight. Frankly, it was unreal."

"I think the last time I saw you that panicked was at Daijel Dungeon, wasn't it dear."

"Well that was a different experience but I suppose they're both just as life threatening."


Dajiel, Dungeon?


"I've been there several times with Hikaru already. Was it that dangerous?"

"Err, it's an ordinary dungeon up to Floor 20 with normally harder and harder monsters and traps as you go down. But it's a whole different dimension from Floor 21 onward."

"Strength alone will get you nowhere there. Almost lost our life several times clearing even a single floor. Most parties won't get beyond Floor 10 however. So most people will never tread that place."


We only got down to floor 4.
Wonder what's lying deeper inside if the place is dangerous enough to threaten these two.




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

~~~~~~~~~~~







<I checked just in case after receiving a warning from Menu. How did this happen..!>


<Yo, what's up? You don't call me often. Did the folks I send your way make a mess or something? Sorry 'bout that. Who could've imagined they'd go on and make such a fun, cough cough, I mean, absurd show. They weren't that passionate or talented on earth. Their true potentials must've bloomed in your world.>

<...You knew, didn't you?>

<Hm, what are you talking about?>


<The fact that there was one Hero soul that never went back to your world.>


<Hmm? Ah, right guy never showed up. Well you know how much struggle I have managing more than seven billion people, my bad, my bad, hahaha.>

<I shan't buy that! You spend every single day observing and reliving the life of all seven billion people without missing a beat! There is no possibility of you overlooking the few souls you had sent here!>

<Aah, yup, I was aware. How he carried out his role as a 'Carrier' of resources, overcame all trials and tribulations as a hero, defeated Demon King, lived a TUEEE life and underwent his second reincarnation. All of it without missing a beat.>

<Second, reincarnation...!?>

<Yup. The advantage of redoing your life with your past memory intact is immeasurable after all. It's easy to imagine if you've read light novels about reincarnations and so on. He even experienced it once already, and thus he must have arrived to a conclusion the feat is feasible in a world of Magic and Skills like yours. He was trying to reincarnate once again in that world instead of going back to earth.>

<How did that... But Skills and Magic Tools that allow reincarnation should not exist anymore in this world. Then, how...>

<Normally that is. But not everything stays 'normal' in these worlds of ours.>

<...What does that mean.>

<Abnormalities occur here and there even in a world without Skills like Earth. Bizarre phenomenon known as anomalies, the so called bugs that defy laws of nature. We've got S... What was it again, 'S'-something recently too. No wait, I guess that one's a work of fiction?>

<You mean to say one of these anomalies allowed for his second reincarnation? But there is no such a bug in my world...>

<No, there's one ain't it. A spot where all kinds of bugs get jam packed inside. So much so the space there distorts badly, it even connects to my world.>

<...! Did he find a way to reincarnate there?>

<Yup. Well, it was an imperfect reincarnation that carried over his memory and knowledge but not his personality. Even got himself reincarnated into the worst possible pick too. All thanks to you slacking off with ID-ing Demon King's soul, otherwise we wouldn't have such a comical situation in our hands. What a riot ahahahaha.>

<This is no laughing matter! Why didn't you notify me if you noticed!>

<Ahahahaha, you know the answer. Why would I go out of my way and squash such an interesting turn of event?>

<How could you speak like it's not your problem too...!>

<Besides, I want to honor the choice my children make. Can't be a god that keeps restricting your people, can we?>

<The end result of that stance is your world. That world had nearly unlimited resources yet you let the populace to proliferate unchecked resulting in its near depletion.>

<I've no issue with that if that's the endgame my children choose for themselves.>

<Their history could have continued on for many thousands years more if only you lent them your guidance...>

<Nothing will change whether it's a hundred or tens thousands years extra time. Every world's gonna meet their end in some hundreds billion years anyway, and that'll be the end of us too. You and other worlds' gods are all fully aware of that already, no? What awaits for all of us at the end is 'Void'.>

<...!>

<The end result matters little, it's the process that counts. You'd be better off loosening up your iron grips. It'll be fine. My children have limitless potentials, see? They're gonna do something about it, I'm sure. If not, then it simply means the end of the world gets moved ahead for a tad. What's so bad about that?>

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

539 Seeking Peace

I camped out in the open. After setting up the tent, I looked around for edible wild plants.
And got a whole lot of them. It's a verdant forest for sure. The thought of living here crossed my mind.
But I quickly discarded it.
I want to live in a house like a normal human. Yes there's enough food in this forest to sustain me.
But where do I sleep? I don't want to live forever in a tent.
My past life experience gets in the way of living like a wild man.
I might have taken it better if only I was born in the wild in this world.
But I grew up in a village and raised like a human. So will I live my the rest of life.
I don't want to become a feral man.

"That'll be my very last resort. I still have attachments. Gotta find a way to lead a secluded life somehow... Man, it'll be hard no matter what..."

I tucked away that despair in the corner of my mind.
I can just imagine everything falling apart instantly no matter how meticulous my planning is.
I frantically averted my sight from that realization as I put bear meat into the pot. Once the juice meat started flowing out, I put in the wild plants.
I stirred the pot and the meat let out a nice aroma, stirring up my appetite.

"Haa, it smells so good. Think I need to eat more than just meat though. Ah, I crave white rice..."

My mental state is that of a Japanese person still.
I may have gotten used to this world's food but I can't help craving for white rice every now and then.

I got too absorbed gathering the wild plants, it was already evening by the time I realized.
I was gonna look for more but stopped myself to secure enough time for cooking.
It's getting darker by the minute. I fetched the table, portable toilet and all the usual camping set.
Gotta finish my meal before it's completely dark out.
I put the cooked bear meat and wild plants on my plate and muttered 'bon appetite' before working my way on them.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

I rubbed my belly while saying, 'I'm stuffed'. The surroundings are still barely visible. I only need to wash a plate and a pair of chopsticks.
It was completely dark by the time I was done with the clean up. I looked up into the sky before I went inside my tent.

"Uooo~. You don't see a scenery like this often even in that world."

The stars and moon feel so close. It's panorama of the great mother nature. Planetarium.
I breathed in the night air before crawling into my bed.
Before that, I asked griffon lying next to my tent.

"Wake me up if anything dangerous comes. Actually, feel free to if you sense anything amiss."

The sleepy looking griffon replied with a 'Kuwa'.
I deciphered that as 'Got it' and went to sleep in peace.



The following morning, I got woken up by the harmonious chirping of songbirds amid the stillness.

"Haaa~ ha! That was some quality sleep. There was no incident it seems. That's good."

Everybody wishes for a good night sleep. Nobody wants a rude awakening.
I know I get 'Unrest' within me, so I always sleep while hoping to get a break during this time at least.
I got roused wide awake by the sunlight outside the tent. Griffon is still sleeping peacefully nearby.

I finished my morning business meanwhile. Toilet, tooth brushing. I didn't take a bath last night so I took a cloth, wet it in a water bucket and wiped my body using it.
Enduring the slightly cold touch as I scrubbed my entire body. No human treads this place. Early morning at that.
I'm laying it all out bare. The sense of liberation is second to none.

"Ah, I feel good~ But I sure miss a real bath. Would be nice to get in one."

I started making breakfast feeling refreshed. Griffon seemingly got woken up by the noise.
I told the plan for today and the future.

"Can you bring me back to the entrance of this forest? Afterward, you go back and resume your life here."

Hearing that, griffon who was still half-awake tilted its head while crying, 'Kue?'

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

That Lacking Something

"Hikaru-kun, get ready."

"Don't hold back for your own safety, alright. Come at us with all you've got, Hikaru-san."


...Why are you two getting ready.
This should be my sparring time against Alma Papa. They're making it look like I gotta fight them both.


"...Wasn't this supposed to be one-on-one...?"

"Ah. You'll have to face both me and Lunati from today on."

"No err, you did tell me it was coming, but this is just too soon...!! I haven't even landed a hit on either of you, taking you both on is just asking too much!"

"No, this is fine. I'm confident in my assessment after watching you."


Where'd that confidence come from!? This is only our third time sparring! There's only been a slight improvement over the previous one!
...Ah, well, I mean I did finally get an idea of my own fighting style during the past few days thanks to leveling and sparring with Alma and the rest.


"A past hero left this saying, 'Take a good look on a man you haven't seen in three days'. It apparently signifies how an individual can undergo great changes over a short period of training, which describes you exactly."

"Ufufu. Show us what you've learned since our last match."


I think that's proverb from Three Kingdoms or something. I'm not really familiar though.
I mean if there's anything that's changed. One is my level going up from 57 to 59.
Then my Base Attributes increasing by 117, can't say that's a big difference, can I...?
Yep, that's like a margin of error against these two. Better than nothing though.


"Now then, let us begin."

"Here we go. 【Cthuga】."


Wait a minute, please give me some time to prepare my mental, ah you're just gonna ignore me huh, okay, hahahahaha....---



~~~~~~~~~Peeking Hero's POV~~~~~~~~~



Oy.

Oy.


What the hell's going on? Is Kajikawa-san doing that?
The flaming giant that was a menace to Reina's group is being swung around by its ankle like a giant swing.

<<...Err, Kajikawa-san grabbed [Cthuga] summoned by Lunatiara-san with a giant hand made of mana and swung it at the two like a club... I said all that yet it all sounds gibberish to me...>>

Yup. That explanation is gibberish to me as well.
...Is he even human? I'd believe you if you told me he was actually the demon king.


"...Kajikawa-san's absurdness knows no bound."

"Nobody's gonna believe that's the same man who waited the table during that victory feast..."


Hyumlassa and Gazanginando could only smile wryly at the crazy spectacle.
These two didn't go back with that damned brat? Or maybe they're usually leveling separately from him.

Although the two instructors effortlessly dodging the high speed swinging of that giant is just as absurd.
They must be used to fighting magic beasts that size...

Ah, the giant vanished. Well, it was clearly nothing but an impediment. What were you even here for.
It's a close quarter combat time now. The same routine as our group.

...Huh, didn't Instructor Lunatiara just cast some sort of magic to Instructor Duke?

<<That's an Advanced Support Magic [Everything Reinforce]. The highest level Support Magic that buffs all Attributes temporarily... They're going a bit too far I think~.>>

No no no, this is just a bullying now! His principal Attributes like STR have gone up to around 5000s!
Frankly, Kajikawa-san's position isn't favorable cause he needs to consume stamina to be on par with those two.
Only a one sided battle awaits once the gap in Attribute opens up again. This is hopeless no matter how you look at it.

In fact, his HP has been gradually decreasing since a while ago. He failed to dodge Dukeris-san's wooden sword and ate direct hits a few times.
Though it's amazing how he could endure those attacks.

...? Dukeris-san is moving faster than the time he fought Alma yet he's been making some unnatural moves every once in a while?
He'd bob his head like a boxer, suddenly take some distance away, and swing his sword in an unnatural trajectory.
It's like he's dodging and deflecting something invisible attacking him.

<<Yes, Kajikawa-san has been striking at him with a chain of mana stakes from every part of his body while swinging that greathammer around. He's constantly altering the timing, size and direction of those stakes to make it harder to intercept... Yet 'Sword King' saw through it all.>>

Not only are those stakes invisible, there's even feint attacks mixed in. So nasty.
Dukeris-san who's casually handling them all is even nastier.
Not to forget Lunatiara-san who's been bombarding Kajikawa-san from afar without any reservation. I just can't with these superhumans.

...This is a training right? Not a mobbing right? I'd be dead in two seconds flat if I were in Kajikawa-san's shoes.
This doesn't work at all as a reference. Heck, it's making me lose confidence instead.
Guess I should head back. I gotta do some leveling again tomorrow and prepare myself to obtain those Titles.

...!?


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


~~~~~~~~Kajikawa's POV~~~~~~~~



Oh crap, oh crap oh crap!
Alma Papa's Attributes shot up to stratosphere, nullifying my sole advantage. I also have my hands full dealing with Alma Mama's constant barrage of magic.
I'm gonna turn into a dirty rag yet again at this rate. I refuse to become that a second time!


"What's wrong, don't tell me you haven't made a single progress? If so, my bad, I overestimated you."


You are. Both of you even buffed yourselves with Support Magic, you're acting way childish, you know.
But don't you think you're too harsh with that criticism? I'd like to think I've been trying my hardest...


"Fumu, I was sure you're the type that gets stronger the bigger the obstacle, but is this your limit? Or perhaps we haven't stoked the fire enough."

"Hmm, then let's go with that."


Alma Mama changed where she pointed her staff after Alma Papa said that.
Toward... Alma's group? Eh?


"Okay, say goodbye for now~"

"...Eh?"


Alma's group looked dumbfounded as Alma Mama cast a spell their way.
It's not an offensive spell. That's, Space Magic...?

Her magic hit and made two girls + one chicken disappear.
Looks like she sent them someplace away with Space Magic.


"W-what did you...!?"

"Hikaru-san, you are strong. In fact, you hold the biggest potential among everybody we're coaching this time. But you see, you lack a sense of crisis in part due to your half-baked strength."

"Everybody else is feeling that crisis to a greater or lesser extent. Some are taking it too far, which helps them grow leaps and bounds."


Ah, yeah, you're right.
Radia-kun in particular, he even got to Lv40 in just a week.
But what's that got to do with you two teleporting the girls away.


"We're adding a condition to make you feel that sort of crisis."

"Condition, that is to say?"


The two resumed talking while frowning a bit.



"You are barred from seeing Alma and the rest until you defeated us."



...Say what?


Mind going by me again?


"The thing you're lacking lies in the mindset. Either in the form of the impatience of a cornered creature, or the craving one has towards a goal."

"I sent them to a different continent Hikaru-san has never set foot on so you can't Fast Travel there. Ah, just so you know, you're free to quit this training anytime. You can then go see them right away. But that also means losing the right to ever train under us again."

"...We're fully aware how unreasonable we're being. But we can't have you stay in a stalemate forever."


Err, does that mean I can't have meals together with Alma, tease Reina or fluff Hiyoko until I snatch a victory over these two?
Hmm, okay, so that's how you wanna play huh. Hee.


A sense of despair along with coldness ran through my whole body starting from my head down my spine.
My reason for living has been lost. I'm gonna die from loneliness, you know. No, really.


"Now then, if you wish to see Alma and the rest, first try to land a hit on us."



"I understand."


Likely thanks to the strange coldness in my head, all sorts of nasty moves popped up one after another in my mind.
No more pulling punches. Anything goes now.



I boosted my Attributes with energy control to 8000s temporarily.

And swung down the explosive great hammer at Alma Papa.


"Hoo, you can get even higher huh! But simply more firepower changes nothing!"


I struck him with Mana Pile from my feet at the same time.
It's got more than enough power and accuracy cause I've mixed it with energy and life force.


"The same move again, I've seen through---!?"


I activated another pile branching from the pile he dodged.
He reflexively caught it with his bare hands, just as planned.


I converted the pile in his hand into electricity!


"Guwooooooo!? T-this is...!"

"Raaaaaaaa!!"


I struck ten more piles from every parts of my body.
He narrowly managed to dodge them all despite the electricity slowing him down.

I shot the dodged pile stakes like bullets and kept pressuring Alma Papa!


"Kuh! ...W-what the hell is this."


He struck all the piles down with his sword and a mana sword, but that's a bad move.
I made the piles' mana to have a soft gluing property just before they landed, making them stick to his sword.
He may be able to deflect them if they were hard, but that doesn't work when they're soft and sticky like this.

I converted the sticking mana into electricity once again!
Then while he stopped moving from it, I bashed him hard with the greathammer!


"U, oooooooo!!"


He managed to block it with his mana sword just barely, but so what.
He can't get away while being electrocuted.
It's a contest of pure strength now. And my weapon has the weight advantage. Then!


"Gwaaaaaa!!"


I blew Alma Papa away with the greathammer.
He did defend against but I felt some feedback.
In fact, that blow just now reduced his HP by 5%.
Can't say if that counts as 'landing a hit' though.



I had been pondering just what my fighting style is during my sparring time with Alma.

Alma has her sword and magic. Reina has her ninjutsu, stealth and dagger, Hiyoko claw and fang as well as mana control they all mold into their own fighting styles.
Contrasting them, I have no foundation to work on. The foundation known as Skills.

That's exactly why I have so many choices, numbing me instead.
But that also means being freer than anybody. I'm not limited by Skills.


I can change physical attacks into magic.
Attacks that are initially hard like steel can turn soft and sticky. Mana with no definite form can be converted into lightning or heat.

A lethal tactic that allows me to freely mold my mana to fit any circumstances.
It's extremely lackadaisical which makes it slippery and hard to deal with.


If I had to give it a name, it'd be 'Infinite Alters (Bunker)'... Yeah, I know I have no naming sense, please give it up.
It's probably not enough to defeat these two still but I'm not gonna use that as an excuse anymore.


In order to get my fun back, in order to have meals together with the girls once again, I'm gonna beat up these two, no holds barred!







Author's Q&A
>Does he use explosive greathammer against Oni-sensei?--

As it's a training to learn kempo and martial arts, the greathammer is off limits.
If he did use it, sensei would likely destroy the hammer. Sensei's got short temper.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter