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Skill? Nee yo Sonnamon! Chapter 79

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There is No Escape

 

Sounds of people scurrying around in a hurry, evacuation alarms and panicked voices everywhere.
All those loud noises could be heard outside the window.
...I don't wanna go out. Something bad is definitely happening.


"Please follow instructions as you take shelter! Bring only the absolute necessity and escape to the eastern side of the town at once!"

"Make doubly sure you do not go to the western side! It's dangerous with the magic beast cave nearby!"


Just what's happening?
I think they mentioned something about the cave, don't tell me it's another Stampede.
But we've been going in and out that cave everyday and never noticed any sign of that.


"Hikaru! Wake up!"

"Kajikawa-san!"


I heard Alma's and Reina's voices outside.
I left my room to see other guests running all over behind the two who looked bewildered.


"Good morning. What's with the commotion?"

"We don't know. People were saying something about the seal in the cave coming undone or such."

"Wonder if there was something in that cave?"

"Magic beast cave, seal?"


Eeh, what-even-is-that.
...Yup, it sounds familiar. Must've been about that crazy dangerous presence in the deepest part, no?
A being whose mana and lifeforce were beyond anything I ever encountered, detectable even from so far away. And you're telling me that thing got out?
...Alma Papa and Alma Mama could probably take care of it, but it's absolutely hopeless for us. Its Attribute values probably reach four digits.


"Alrighty, let's scram."

"That's a prompt decision. Do you know something?"

"Well if it's a seal they're talking about, it's probably about that dangerous presence deep inside the cave. There's almost nothing we can do if that thing escaped."

"Deep in that cave?"

"N-not even a match for you Kajikawa-san?"

"Nope. I'm just a rank D beginner to begin with. I think only Rank A or S stand a chance against that."

"Y-you mean that bad news was lurking in that cave all this time!? How come I wasn't told about it!"

"Well it never moved even a bit usually, just didn't think it was worth mentioning."

"It's worth a lot!"

"Save it you two, we have to get away quick."


Urged by Alma, we left the inn.
It's a chaos outside with people running around to take shelter, people urging people to evacuate and people bumping into each other.


"Oy! That's the west side! Didn't they tell you to go east!"

"Can't, no way to leave the eastern exit!"

"Wha!? What are you talking about!"

"There's some kinda invisible wall blocking the exit! That was probs a barrier or something!"

"W-who the hell put up that crap dangit! This ain't no time for pranks!"

"Oy! The western exit's no good either! Rather, the whole town's been blocked off! What the hell's going on!!"


I overheard one ominous conversation.
The whole city getting blockaded can't have been a coincidence.
Are you telling me someone went out of their way to undo the seal in that cave? They then put up a barrier around the entire city, preventing people from leaving.
Someone is planning to have that something sleeping in the cave lay waste on the entire city and its populace. Give me a break.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

"The exits are blocked they said...!"

"But who, would..."

"Probably the same culprit who took off the seal... How about going up?"


I put on the disguise mask and flew up with mana.
I tried to keep going but it was no good, the barrier covered the sky as well.
Our culprit sure is thorough, dangitall... What do now.
I went back to Alma and Reina to report the news.


"So we can't leave from the sky too..."

"According to gnomes, underground is no go either."

<Bumped into a hard thingy down there. It's so thin yet so tough. No breaking or slipping through that thingy.>

<Isn't this, y'know, that? [Bedridden Magic].>

<Making a barrier covering an entire city, how dumb can you be. The spellcaster's probably dead meat by now.>


Bedridden magic? Bedding magic, no wait, did they mean Forbidden Magic? ...What even is that anyway. I don't get it.


<<[Forbidden Magic] ancient magic that can only be learned by those whose INT exceeds a certain value. Its power far surpasses ordinary Offensive Magic Skill and the likes. However due to its heavy drawbacks such as reduced lifespan and such, people avoided the usage of this magic until it eventually became known as Forbidden Magic. It has no relation to bedding.>>


...Was the last part necessary? Feels like my quirky train of thought has been getting to Menu lately. No wait, putting that aside.
How tough is this barrier?


<<[Sacrifice Protect], an ancient barrier magic that nullifies all attacks below 1000 ATK value. It is difficult to break through in present condition.>>


Difficult? So it's hard but not impossible?


<<It is possible to slightly whittle the barrier down if Kajikawa Hikaru consumes all his MP on his new high powered technique. However, it will accomplish virtually nothing, therefore taking this action is not recommended.>>


That's no good. Heck, using all my MP on that technique is gonna break my body ahead of the barrier.
There's no escape. There's no breaking the barrier. At the rate this is going, whatever the thing lurking in that cave is gonna come our way. Since that thing's Attributes are at four digits or higher, it should get past the barrier no problem. Our survival chance will then plunge.
...What do we do.


"K-Kajikawa-san, what should, we do?"

"...Hikaru..."


The two looked anxious as they turned at me. I wonder myself.
They look like they're expecting something out of me, but the situation is pretty hopeless right now.


"...What to do."

"What indeed, Soarer-kun."


!?


"Finally found you. Would've taken me longer if I missed you flying just now."

"Lo-cough... Guild master!"

"Oy, what were you gonna say again?"


Lolimast of Vinfitt, Ivuranmi-san spoke behind me before I realized she was there.


"Well whatever, there's no time to waste. I'll press for it later. Come with me, I have an important task for you."


I've got a bad feeling about this.
Why do these guildmaster types always shove more work on me.
...Times like this make me wish I never came up with Mana Flight.

 

 

 

 

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Kamisama no Kago wo Kyohishitara?! Chapter 353

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353 Request

 

Our carriages arrived at the palace without issues. An entourage of children wearing nothing but rags got off and were immediately dumbfounded at the huge castle before them.
Quite a surreal sight yet I called out to them while trying not to mind it.

"You all, line up in three columns. Follow me."

'Right this way', the guide man led the way into the castle.
I complied along with the children.
They looked around restlessly inside the castle as well yet none of them got out of lines.

(Just what is this? Maybe I should stop letting this stuff bother me...)

Just as I managed to stop overthinking, we arrived at the council room.

"I have brought our esteemed guests with me."

"Very well, enter."

The guide opened the door for us after that short exchange. The prime minister, Kuroin, awaited in the room.

"Welcome... The children may come in as well. We shall have tea and snacks prepared."

Despite those welcoming words, the PM's face was twitching a bit.

(Can't blame the guy. That's how I'd react if I were in his shoes.)
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
There's no way he could've imagined me bringing this many slum children here.
This PM's got quite a strong mental fortitude for quickly accepting it. Well done.

I instructed the kids to sit on the prepared rows of chairs.
And as I sat down last on the chair opposite to the PM, a group of maids came in and started preparing.
Serving tea and snacks to everybody here.
The council room is spacious enough to host this many people. Only sounds of tea cups and plates echoed.
Before long, a nice fragrance of tea and its vapor filled the room.

And once it was all done, the maids smoothly made their exit followed by a silence.
Nobody put the served tea nor the snacks in their mouth. None of the children even attempted to.
Some looked like they wanted to yet none of them even reached out.
I'm sure it must be because they don't quite get the position they are in right now. Whether it's OK or not.

After tens of seconds of silence, the PM broke it.

"First of all, I must express my gratitude for what you have done for the princess."

I was surprised by this. I don't remember doing anything that warrant thanks.
And there's no point in touching that subject now. It's a thing of the past.

"It's nothing for you to thank me about. More importantly, I have a request. Mind hearing me out?"

I went straight to the point. I just want to get this over and done with and leave this kingdom.

"...A request is it, in such a threatening manner? Did you not stop and think for a moment how will your message be interpreted, deeming you as a dangerous individual instead?"

I did. But I knew he wouldn't listen to me if I sent half-hearted words, hence the implication of 'I'm gonna go on a rampage if you don't'.
Though I didn't think it'd get straight to the PM.
The official who got my message brought it to the highest echelon in this castle. That was for sure a surprise.

"I too have... Nah, a game of cat and mouse is just a waste of our time. Hear me out and agree to everything I ask you. Do that and I'm leaving this kingdom by noon. That fine with you?"

I'm fed up already. A discussion with bigwigs always turns into a long and meandering push and pull competition.
I'm not even on a speaking term with this PM. So I just went straight for the heart of the matter.

"That will depend on the content of this request of yours. To begin with, you lack a sense of preservation coming here alone. Where is that magic beast?"

Soldiers flocked in the council room after he said that.
Twelve people in total. They must have been standing by in a room intended for guards. About two came out of each doors installed all over the room, surrounding me with their spears at the ready.

 

 

 

 

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Skill? Nee yo Sonnamon! Chapter 78

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Happy Birthday

 

We paused our sparring afterward. The mood just wasn't right anymore and we might get hurt with our current mental state.
We made our way back to our inn in an awkward atmosphere without much talks. Dinner tasted kinda bitter. Weird, I made it according to the recipe too.


"It was an accident, right?"

"...Yea."

"Wasn't on purpose?"

"Yea."

"Were they soft?"

"Yea....!?"

"..."


Reina you little! You set me up!
As we were resting after meal and having a chat, Reina did this little game of hers.
Hearing our exchange, Alma seemingly recalled what happened this noon and turned downcast while blushing again. Oh no, I gotta follow up.


"...Sorry for what happened this noon."

"...It's fine..."


Despite saying that she put her hands on her chest and kept looking downcast... She must be super angry inwardly.
...I'm going to bed tonight. Anything I say is just gonna worsen the situation.
Reina's punishment can wait for tomorrow.


"I-I'm kinda feeling the chill... Wonder if I caught a cold..."


The next morning, we now could hold a conversation despite some slight clumsiness remaining. Gotta be careful about this in the future.
The mood softened further during breakfast, thankfully.


"K-Kajikawa-san! My soup looks like it's boiling!? But, but it's in a bowl!"

"Have at it piping hot."

"No way, no how!!"


I've just left my mana converted into thermal energy inside the bowl, it looks kinda ominous.
By the way, my mana by itself will quickly disperse when it's separated from me, but for the sake of this spanking, I've come to a realization that I could hugely reduce the rate of dispersion by leaving the mana alongside energy and lifeforce.
Who could've thought I'd discover a new possibility from this trivial stuff. Life is really all about trying out stuff.


"I can't drink it like this!"

"Fine fine, hang on... Ah, went too far."

"And now it's frozen solid! How're you doing that!?"


I can do energy conversion remotely, but it's pretty hard to pull off when you're still not used to it.
However, I'm sure this tech will be a big boon if I can master it. Gotta practice on it from now on.


A week has passed since then.
Reina is still not quite good with mana control but her energy control has reached a practical level.
She should be able to easily handle goblins on her own now.

And at last, Reina is turning 15 with the date changing tonight.


"I-it's finally time..."

"Are you anxious?"

"Kinda more like excited actually."

"...Giddy?"

"Yep that's probably the right word."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

Guessing she's got a huge expectation.
Being optimistic is nice and all but I wonder if she even gets what that Job is about. Though, my image of it is from manga and games as well though.

Whoops, one more minute.
But dang, didn't expect this world to have a clock too. It's even 24 hours a day.


"Reina, make sure you don't pick the wrong Job by mistake."

"It's gonna be OK! ...I think."

"You think?"

"I mean, I can't even picture what it's like to choose something floating in your mind. I don't wanna imagine slipping up and picking Thief by mistake."

"Alma, can you slip up when you're choosing a Job?"

"From the two times I did, I don't believe you can."

"O-oh really. Thank goodness."

"...ten more seconds. Do you have any last word?"

"Why're you making it sound like I'm gonna die!? No, none at all!"


The clock hit 0 o'clock at midnight, the date changed.


"...."

"How's it looking, Reina?"

"Did you pick it?"

"...There really was a choice! I really become one..."


She looked deeply moved as she muttered with jubilation and a smile on her face.
Looks like it went well.



Reinamiure

Level 1

Age: 15

Race: Human

Job: Apprentice Ninja

State: Normal

[Attributes]

HP (Health Points): 60/60
MP (Magic Points): 50/50
SP (Stamina): 25/40

STR (Strength): 53
ATK (Attack): 53
DEF (Defense): 50
AGI (Agility): 78
INT (Intelligence): 52
DEX (Dexterity): 79
PER (Perception): 80
RES (Resistance): 45
LUK (Luck): 45

[Skills]
Dagger Arts Level 1
Martial Arts Level 1
Stealth Level 2
Ninjutsu Level 1



Her new Job choice is Apprentice Ninja. Fujiyama~ Geisha~.
It's a rare Job only minors that have Dagger Arts, Stealth, and Offensive Magic Skills can choose. Who would even notice that combination. Well maybe some dagger puppy who yearns for the life of a mage or something.
Huh? Her Offensive Magic Skill is gone? She's got Ninjutsu Skill instead now.


<<[Apprentice Ninja]: A Job that accomplishes its objectives unnoticed by all through the way of stealth and integrating itself with the power of nature. By raising its level, user can obtain Passive Skills unique to Ninjas. Offensive Magic was merely a prerequisite to deploy the power of nature, and is lost once user has chosen Apprentice Ninja Job.>>


...Aren't you pushing it with that reason? I mean, that's fine I guess.
Her Attributes are pretty high for a Level 1. Perception, Dexterity and Agility are especially stupid high.


"I can kinda tell I've lost Offensive Magic but I feel I've gotten a new Skill in its place."

"Yeah, it's 'Ninjutsu'. Apparently it's a rare Skill only Ninjas can use. It allows you to integrate yourself with nature or something."

"I wanna give it a try now!"

"It's way late now, uh, way early, go to bed."

"Mwu, shame."

"Ah, right... Happy birthday, Reina."

"Happy birthday, Reina."

"T-thank you... You two not only saved my life, you also bought me pretty clothes, fed me delicious food and even helped me picked a new Job, I'm so so grateful for all you've done...! Uu... Fueee...!"

"...It's nice when your hardships are rewarded, isn't it. I understand that feeling."


Alma did get called failed Job when she was an Apprentice Paladin after all.
She kept patting the weeping Reina's head with an affectionate expression. Utterly precious...
I'm gonna make the most luxurious meal to celebrate her birthday for tomorrow, no today's breakfast.
I'm expecting great things from you, Reina.





Morning.
The blaring sound of an emergency evacuation warning of some sort woke me up. What's going on.

 

 

 

 

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Kamisama no Kago wo Kyohishitara?! Chapter 352

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352 Instinct

 

I waited for about an hour. The time now is quite a bit past noon.
There is no tool to tell precise time in this world. Hence most people live by what they feel.
This comes as a natural thing after living all their lives like that.
Permeating into the 'humans' in this world as if it's been carved in their survival instinct, affording them to tell time in a precise manner. Probably the reason why they don't need clocks.

Yet, despite being a denizen of this world, I'm also someone who's familiar with the goodness of clocks. From previous life.
As such, even though I've been living here for 15 whole years, I'm still unable to acquire this precise 'sense of time'.
Not having anything to do while waiting, I've opted to take a nap.
And so do the children, they must feel relaxed after being liberated.

We're in a lodging house intended for gatekeepers. The children have all gathered in the lobby including me.
Can't hide my surprise at how big this lodging house is.
But it's clear it hasn't been maintained for quite some time with how worn down looking it is.
Thinking how bustling this route to the federation must have been in the olden days really drives home the impermanence of all things.

"Pardon me! I am here to escort our esteemed guest! The prime minister himself has ordained me to escort you to the palace! Which one of you would that be?"

An official came in and declared that. I replied to him. Still feeling really sleepy.

"Fa~. Yes... I'm here. So, did the PM get the message? What do I do now?"

"Sir! Here is the official summon! I have been tasked to personally escort you to the palace's council room! Please feel free to ask me anything. We shall prepare anything you wish!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
(Whao... They're treating me like a super VIP... Didn't think it'd get this far...)

I got a bit bewildered by how effective my threat worked, but I took the first step nonetheless, for the sake of my 'shoving strategy'.

"I'm taking all 45 children here with me. Is that okay?"

"...Sir! I shall prepare your carriages at once! Please if you could find it in your heart to wait a moment!"

The man straightened his back before running out of the lodging house right after.
In a short while, eight extremely luxurious carriages came back.

"Please go ahead! You may get on these. Please keep each carriage to six people if you would!"

The scene looks surreal. All these luxurious carriages in a gate near the slum.
Watching this, one of the gatekeepers muttered 'Who the heck is this guy...'
The man coming for me didn't miss that as he approached this gatekeeper and showed him something.
The gatekeeper looked like he had the shock of his life as he quickly prostrated before me.
A high speed sliding prostration. I was taken aback by that.

"My humblest apologies sir! Please! Please! Spare me my life!"

The gatekeeper apologized as loud as he could. I could tell he wasn't acting from his trembling body.

(Oy, what did you tell this guy anyway... Damn...)

"I got it, apologies accepted. Now go on and resume your duty."

I pretended to keep it cool despite my shook. Looking obviously flustered here would spell jeopardy to my 'shoving strategy', can't let that happen. Hence, I took on a bigwig attitude here.
The gatekeeper hurriedly got up and yelled, 'Thank you so much!' before going back to his post.
Not to forget saluting first of course.

(Ah, 'Numbers' must have mimicked these guys... Yep, don't need it.)

My tension lowered a bit at this useless reveal. I tried to put on a positive outlook and spoke to the children.

"Your future will hinge on the discussion that's about to take place. All of you get on. You must fight for your survival. So you can live as humans."

I don't know if the children get what I'm saying.
Hence, I'm speaking slowly with a serious tone.
I have no idea whether it reached them or not. However, they all quietly got on their carriages without a fuss.

(I knew it. All slum kids must have 'survival instinct' drilled on them...)

Same with 'Numbers', these children keep moving straight ahead without showing any hesitation.
I got on the last.

'Well then', with that signal, our carriages departed.

"Hope it all goes well..."

My words were drowned by the sounds of moving carriage wheels, heard by none.

 

 

 

 

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Skill? Nee yo Sonnamon! Chapter 77

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Ï€ Touch!

 

Bambambambam!
Clink! Clank! Bam! Bang!


Sounds of swords clashing and sparks flying kept going incessantly inside this cave.
...What is this. No really, what.
Alma-san is swinging her sword at super high speed, my eyes can barely keep up. Ordinary people would've turned into a minced meat against this. This is supposed to be a friendly spar though. Not a deathmatch. I think you want to go a teeny bit easy there.
And then there's Kajikawa-san who's blocking her slashes like it's the most normal thing. Barehanded at that. How is he unharmed, I mean there's this metal clashing sound whenever he blocks them, is Kajikawa-san a golem or something?
I think neither of them is human though.


"Oy oy! Magic swords right off the bat? Give me a break! You're getting way too much into this!"

"Yet you easily deflected them! I'll pick up the pace seeing as you can still keep up!"

"Hold it, hold it, hold it! I'm hanging on by a thread here!"


...After she said that, Alma-san's body dimly glowed and she got even faster.
Forget catching up, I can't see what's what anymore. I can't even tell when she swings her sword.
...And despite saying that, Kajikawa-san is still managing to cope with this speed, really what is he. He said he can't use Skills, but I find that hard to believe. Or more like, I don't think there's many people out there who can deal with this speed even if they can use Skills.
Can I really become as strong as these two? Honestly, I'm not sure...


~~~~~~Alma's POV~~~~~~~


I'd like to believe I'm fully aware how out of ordinary Hikaru is.
Flying, blowing up a High Cave Bear's head without the assistance of Skills, or buffing his finger with enough energy to crush rocks.
It all sounds incomprehensible put into words. It's just as incomprehensible when you see them happening before your eyes...
Nevertheless, I was sure I could at least land a hit if I got serious, and yet he blocked a combination of powered up Storm Sword and Ki Clad.
I'm clearly behind Hikaru in close quarter combat. I lose to someone who has only started fighting two months ago despite practicing since childhood.
Hikaru's Attributes are slightly higher than mine, but the gap should not be big enough for my Skills to fail overtaking it. And yet with my Skills active, I'm getting slightly driven back after around five minutes.
That settles it, Hikaru's Attributes shown on his Status must be added to his original base one. He's probably about 100 points higher than me in reality.
I'm more terrified of Hikaru leaving me behind than feeling frustrated at this.
I can't let this go on. I don't want to drag Hikaru down. I have to swing my sword stronger, even stronger.


"Alma, what gets you so desperate?"

"...!"


Hikaru spoke nonchalantly, seemingly used to my speed now.


"You look like Reina earlier, trying so hard to awkwardly keep up with you. You can get faster and raise your power all you want but it's nothing I can't handle if I buff myself."


He spoke as if he could read my mind.


"Are Magic Swords and Martial Arts your only arsenal, Alma? I'm sure you've got plenty of other tricks up your sleeve, go on and have at 'em... Ah, I'm not saying this just because I'm tired okay? No really.... Man, I wanna lie down..."


...Looking closer again, his breathing seems rougher than usual, or maybe I'm just imagining it.
That aside, Hikaru is right.
High attributes or Skill Levels alone don't make one strong. They're just parts of the whole.
True strength is probably when you make full use of all those parts.
...I won't compare my Status with Hikaru anymore. There must be something only I can do.
To Hikaru who helped me realize that, I will respond with my very own 'Strength' along with my gratitude.
Here I go, Hikaru.

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

~~~~~Hikaru's POV~~~~~~


Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!!
Why's this girl going so hard at this!? I'm gonna die! You're killing me!
I spouted some random BS in hope of making Alma stop swinging his sword my way at crazy speed, and now the barrage's gotten even crazier. How did this happen!
But she'd probably tire herself out first had she kept doing that, that interference was necessary. This girl is seriously way strong.
And the result is her terraforming with Spirit Magic whenever I make a move, obstructing me in the process.
I stepped back and there was a wall. I tried moving sideways and the ground turned muddy, sinking my feet.
When I waited for her to attack with her sword, a rock javelin thrust out of the ground, then a barrage of machine gun fireballs came flying when I dodged it. No mercy at all!
Ah hey, now she's coming at me with her sword while I'm busy dealing with the fireballs using my mana clad arms! This combo is way too brutal! She's gonna get a hit on me... No choice, time to deploy my new technique!


BAAANG!! CLAANK!!


"!?"


Alma swung her sword diagonally from above, but a sound of metal clashing resounded a moment before it touched me.
Alma's eyes popped wide to see her sword getting repelled. She seemingly couldn't process how I blocked that surefire slash.
The trick is quite simple. Using the same principle as Mana Pile Bunker, I just shove a mass of hardened mana at the attack just before it hit me, like some kinda counter.
I've been using pile bunker, mana blade, mana drill and co. through my hand so far because it's easier to image, but upon a closer inspection, I realized it doesn't have to be done through my palm.
As a result, I can now repel any attack from all directions as long as I know it's coming.
It's kinda like blocking in fighting games. Or more like a defense mechanism of a certain weeping red demon... Guess that's hard to imagine for those who don't get the reference.
Alma's repelled sword got flung and pierced into the wall. Swords sure slip off often these days.
Ah watch out, she's about to fall down onto that rock javelin!
I reached out to her to support her body, but then


Muni


"?!!!?!"

"Ah, Kajikawa-san, pai touched!"


...Yes, I did. My mind ghost is filing a case. An open and shut one. Detain him at once.
No wait a minute here, there was no room to think about that, I just moved my body without thinking, there was absolutely no ulterior motives nor did I intentionally try to touch her chest.
Alright, let's beg for forgiveness. And then I'll let her hit me twice or thrice.


"S-sorry! That wasn't on purpose! I just wanted to stop you from falling and!"

"U-un... It's fine, I don't, mind."


She was blushing as she replied to me making excuses, but she sounded kinda stiff. It's absolutely bugging her.
Behind us, Reina was shaking her shoulders like she was holding her laughter... We're having bear meat for dinner today.
Things have gotten super awkward. This is no time for sparring. How did this happen. How!

 

 

 

 

 

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Kamisama no Kago wo Kyohishitara?! Chapter 351

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351 Threat Should be a Last Resort Okay? No Throwing it Around Willy-Nilly

 

"Urgent report! A trouble has arisen at the federation old road forest! Requesting permission to report directly!"

The voice sounded panicked yet retained a manner of calmness.
Prime minister, Kuroin, gave his approval.

"Enter. What happened? No wait, first of all, calm down and catch your breath."

The official reporting in took several deep breathes as urged by the PM.
He must have been in a great hurry. He finally gave his report after taking his fifth breath.

"...Those damnable federation foxes and their little ploy. We must count our luck that it was foiled preemptively. God is on our side. But to think they would resort to forbidden magic drug... Truly a detestable lot..."

"I have also been entrusted with an additional message. May I, Sir?"

Ordinarily there's no way some random person of unknown background could have sent a direct message to the prime minister himself.
However, this was during a state of emergency, manpower shortage and the aftermath of the king dying.
Thus the fact that this message carried by a gatekeeper managed to reach the PM without additional screenings must have been 'luck' speaking.

"What? A message? Who's... well fine. What does it say?"

The prime minister was out of luck the moment he chose this. He regretted hearing it as all it did was adding more things weighing on his mind.

"Sir! Um, er, the content is terribly crass... I am wondering if it is appropriate to read this message out loud..."

The official hesitated. However, the PM urged him to continue.

"'Is Arcane Blade doing well? I'll stop playing around in the kingdom if you hear my demand out.' Or so it goes. What could this be about?"

The PM's face clouded for a moment before immediately turned thunderstruck in shock.

"...Where is that person? I shall hear him out."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Despite his anxiety to see the PM looking so flustered, the official detailed how the man in question is waiting at one of the gates.

(We have issued a gag order. Nobody should have known what took place back then... Except for one person. The one who disappeared without a trace... who has got that magic beast... under his control.)

The PM was assaulted by a sense of rejection at the threatening message. However, offending the man here would be the height of folly considering the matter with that magic beast.

"Bring him to the palace's council room. Also, answer to everything the man demands on the spot. No matter how unreasonable. Regard him as a First Class, no, a Royal Guest... A member of the royalty as you guide him here."

The PM chose his words carefully as he gave his orders. He couldn't afford mistreating this unknown individual by making vague orders.
The kingdom could end the same day that man got offended.
There is no blaming him. The impression left by that magic beast was so dreadful, had it gone on a rampage, this official's life couldn't make up for it.
If such cheap punishments as execution could appease the man, he would gladly offer as many.

Hence, he emphasized on the important points.

"Listen well. Do everything within your power to avoid displeasing that guest. Do not slight him. Take this with you. Use the authority granted by this to keep away anyone who would act discourteously toward that guest. You get that? Have I made myself clear? You are responsible to bring our guest here."

The PM handed over a dagger from his bosom pocket.
The official who didn't have the clearance to report to the PM directly in normal times trembled as he received it.

"Hold it, one more thing, ah, must be careful... Alright there's the seal. Take this too! That should do it..."

A directive written by the PM himself. Such directives rarely ever get handed out.
The official trembled even harder as he took it. Nevertheless, the PM still gave it to this petty official.

This is done for the sake of avoiding mistakes that could be caused by telephone game, which might result in angering that guest.
The PM gave the royal seal dagger, a superlative directive, and a direct order, all so the official himself would lead the man to the castle.

"Now, go. Make doubly sure you do not upset our guest."

The PM put his hands on his aching head as he saw the trembling back of the official off.

"What is his goal? Kuh! And just when we're finally at the last stage of dealing with our biggest issue at hands..."

The princess stopped the PM when he tried to investigate the man's identity after the event at the royal chamber.
Thus he abandoned the idea and focused on his duty, and just as he was about done making plans to tackle the manpower shortage issue, this happened.
Of course that brought in more headaches. It's too late to regret heeding the princess and stopping the investigation now.

"The princess testified he's not dangerous, but then, how do you explain this..."

He grabbed a stomachache pill from his drawer as he held his now aching belly and took it.

(Should I have him erased behind the princess's back...?)

He saw this mysterious individual with his own eyes. Conversed with him. And yet he couldn't make out the silhouette well, weirdly enough.
And now after all this time, the man himself initiated a contact in such a threatening way. Alongside the matter with the federation.

(What's his endgame? Is he a covert operative affiliated somewhere? But why now of all time? ...I have too little information to draw a conclusion...)

The PM steeled himself and continued the work he was doing to a point before leaving his office toward the council room.

 

 

 

 

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Skill? Nee yo Sonnamon! Chapter 76

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Welcome, to This World...

 

We sparred for a few hours today.
We took several short breaks to have meals in between sessions, yet Reina still quickly used up all her stamina due to her low SP pool.


"Uuu... My belly's bulging even though I'm so hungry, it feels gross... Hah, is this the infamous stopmach!?"

"Quit that unfunny joke. Fumu, I see so that's what happens when your stamina goes poof on a full stomach. Apparently the food inside will get digested over time and gradually restore your SP, bear with it."


...Huh? Then what's going on with my stomach?
I cleaned up more than 30 plates the other day yet my belly never swelled, and my SP got restored instantly every time the food went down. It's as if they get digested the moment they get in... It's like that blue haired protagonist of a certain gourmet manga. Wasn't planning to turn into such a monstrosity.
...Subspace Stomach might not be too far off. Now I'm scared of my own belly...


The day after.
Each three of us experimented on energy control individually.

Due to her low SP pool, Reina practiced how to instantaneously buff herself only at the crucial moments to preserve her stamina.
Yup, I gotta learn that too. Our eating expense gonna explode if I'm not careful with SP consumption.

Alma seems to have learned the basics, so now he's trying out energy control on Skills. I can't use Skills, so hers doesn't make for a good reference.
She's trying to rearrange Martial Arts Skill, a Skill that consumes SP to use.

Lv1 'High Jump', exactly what it says. An ability that allows you to jump higher than normal, and prevent injury on landing by toughening your legs until impact. She can jump higher by powering it up. Extremely simple.
Lv2 'Fair Wind Ear' an ability to strengthen your hearing. Pretty much the same as the one I used previously. Gotta be careful with this as too much buff make all sounds louder and deafen you instead... Are your ears alright? Ah, they're hurting huh. I know that feeling.
Lv3 'Quick Step' a high speed movement over a short distance, useful for dodging. Normally it can't move as fast nor cover as much distance as Ground Shrink, but those weaknesses are covered by powering it up with energy control. However, doing so consumes a lot of SP so you gotta take care.
Lv4 'Ki Clad' an ability that raises all Attributes besides Luck. Rasfin used this ability against the Werewolf during Stampede, kinda takes me back. This also buffs Resistance Attribute unlike raw Energy Control buff, not sure what's the difference. Alma doesn't seem to understand which part of the body that needs to be buffed to get the effect. Too bad.
Lv5 'Air Step' an ability that creates a foothold mid air after jumping, aka a double jump. The limit is one foothold per usage. She tried to make more but constantly failed. Guess the higher level an ability the harder it is to arrange them.

Martial Arts Skill should be a boon to both Alma and Reina. I can't use it though. I can't use it though. Said it twice cause it's important.

As for me, I'm trying to focus hyper buffing parts of my body.
Starting with the image of powering up my entire body, then focusing in my right arm, then narrowing it down to my palm, before ultimately putting all the energy into the middle finger.
I dunno what I'm even buffing by now but I can tell there's a tremendous amount of power concentrating in my right hand's middle finger.
I tried tracing the cave's wall with it and it sunk down the wall like it was whipped cream on a shortcake.
I resisted the urge to draw on the wall. Seems like this is gonna be useful for destroying enemy's weapons or the likes.
I tried picking up a fist-sized rock, threw it midair and flicked it with the middle finger.


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

...The rock got utterly pulverized.
Turned into fine particles when I thought it would just flew off or got smashed. What the heck, scary. Feels like I've been repeating that lately.
Seeing that, Reina's face turned pale while Alma was twitching with her usual expressionless face.


"I'm sorry I'm sorry, I won't go for your vital anymore so please don't use that on my head, I'm gonna die, seriously gonna die, sorry sorry sorry."

"...Hikaru you absolutely cannot use that on people. Everything above their neck will be vaporized."

"I don't plan to... Hopefully."

""Hopefully!?""


I might if the other party gets on my nerves... No of course not, just joking.
I don't want to watch splatters up close myself. Eh? What about the bear boss's head? I can't hear you.
I urged the two to give it a try as well but they put on this really pensive look instead... But why.


"Nothing less to expect from Kajikawa-san. He just casually went above and beyond my expectations..."

"Hikaru ignoring common senses is an everyday thing. You get used to it before long."

"Yeah yeah, say what you like. Just know that you two are already uncommon enough from other people's perspective."

"T-that's..."

"...I'm scared of myself for being unable to deny that."

"Welcome, to this side."

"What do you mean by this side!? Don't just drag us into your oddball path on your own!"


I flicked at the air with my powered up middle finger! BANG! Or so the loud sound went.
Never heard a flick that sounded like a gunshot before.


"Who's an oddball again?"

"I'm sorry, was just a figure of speech."


Very well.
Now that we're done for now, time to have lunch.


After meal, Reina and Alma are sparring today.
Alma has a wooden sword, while Reina gets a wooden dagger. Due to the gaps in Status, they can't use their usual weapons. It's fine for me thanks to my mana defense.
Reina was desperate to get in range to negate the difference in their blades' reach, resulting in her losing any advantage of her weapon.
Meanwhile, Alma kept repelling Reina's dagger and maintained the distance between them.


"Mugaa! I can't get close at all!"

"Don't be hasty. Simply trying to close the gap will push you back. One way to go about this is to drive your opponent to the wall, or pull back and look for a chance."

"Or you could also try luring them in to attack and then focusing everything on dodging before countering straight away."

"Easy for you to say, that's super hard to pull off!"

"Err, like say, well seeing as Reina is so tiny, her lunch tomorrow gonna be kid sized."

"W-H-O asked for a lecture in provocation game!! That's just rude!"

"Uwaa, don't throw your dagger! That's dangerous! Wait, isn't this the bear one!?"


Thus our pleasant training took place today. Eh, it was unpleasant for Reina? Oh yeah.
Then just as I was about to call it a day with Reina downed, Alma walked up to me.


"I've still got energy left. I want to try sparring with you Hikaru."

"...Fine by me. You can use your usual sword."

"Won't you get injured? You're not fighting not yet of age Reina, it's risky."

"I'll give it my all at defending. But I'm gonna stop the match if my life force goes out of the window. Honestly, unsure if I can guard everything."


....Come to think of it, I've never had a serious match with Alma.
She's not an opponent I can hold back on. Heck, she might very well be the most formidable foe I'm facing so far.
Time to go all out so she and I don't get hurt.

 

 

 

 

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