kscans

Chapter 49 - Events and Terror

Ten days had passed since we defeated the Kraken.

When we returned to the guild in Alum, it was chaos. We had defeated a monster that was under a free subjugation notice.

Everyone was stunned. The adventurers were in a full-blown party mood.

After all, a request from the Kingdom itself was a rare event. The fact that adventurers from this very city were the ones to accomplish it was more than enough reason to celebrate.

With the "Beautiful Sword" and "Intense Thought" parties credited for the successful subjugation, we were hailed as the stars of the show.

Honestly, it was a pain.

I’m all for a good party—eating, drinking, and having fun is great. But I hate being the main attraction in the center of it all. I couldn't just eat whatever I wanted. Several people came up to us, and we had to talk about the Kraken subjugation.

Talking is such a bother. I’m not good at just rattling on and on.

Still, I had to do it. If I yelled at them, I’d ruin the fun atmosphere.

It was an endless cycle of talking, drinking, and more talking.

The party finally broke up at eight in the evening.

Seeing how much I’d had to drink, Bardos said to me.

"Stay at my place tonight. It’s dangerous to walk through the forest in your condition."

I gratefully accepted his offer.

And with that, a month passed.

First, there was a big change. Both "Intense Thought" and "Beautiful Sword" disbanded.

But that didn’t mean we quit being adventurers.

The reason for disbanding was to form new parties.

Not a merger, but two new parties.

Tina and me.

And Bardos and Leona.

We each formed a two-person team.

The name for my party with Tina is "Red Lightning."

Bardos and Leona’s is "Wind Guard."

Rumily and Milfy quit being adventurers. Their reason was a simple, "We don’t want to be in the way."

The two of them opened a shop in Alum, selling magic-enchanted tools and potions. They called it "Yuri."

Just as they were about to happily start their business together, Matilda, who had somehow found her way to the city, showed up at their shop. As expected, she challenged them to a duel. The method was a one-on-one magic battle. If Matilda won, Milfy would live as her plaything. If Milfy won, Matilda would work as an employee.

Those were the terms of the match. The result was Milfy’s victory.

Now, the three of them are happily running the business together as colleagues.

As for me, Tina and I are living together in my house. Bardos and Leona bought a new house for themselves.

I continued to do jobs from the Adventurer’s Guild and work as a hunter.

At night, after Tina and I finished dinner, we had a certain routine.

We played a game of "captured female knight."

When Tina found out about my particular fetish, she said she’d play along, so I took her up on her kind offer.

I made Tina an outfit identical to the armor she usually wears. But this one was made of aluminum. It had almost no weight, and to make it obvious, I colored it green. Underneath the armor, I had her wear an inner shirt I bought on Earth.

Every night, with her in this costume, I’d have fun putting her on a crucifix or tying her up with ropes. For the record, we haven't actually slept together. I just don't have the guts for that yet.

Then there was an incident on Earth.

Somehow, that company president found out where I was.

The reason was that the company I used to work for was a subsidiary of his corporation. The president’s secretary, who knew my face, happened to be inspecting the subsidiary and spotted me in a list of past employees. She then reported it to the president.

They showed up while Tina was at my house and I was wearing a brown wig.

The president, his secretary, and my former boss were all standing at my doorstep.

My ex-boss said.

"Koukawa. The president has business with you. Get yourself ready, now."

To his commanding tone, I replied.

"...Why?"

My simple question set him off.

"What?! Y-You! Are you defying the president’s orders?! How dare a mere rank-and-file employee act so high and mighty! You ungrateful bastard!"

To my screaming ex-boss, I retorted.

"I quit that company two years ago. I have no obligation to listen to your orders. Besides, you were the one who relentlessly pushed impossible jobs on me. When I failed, you screamed at me in front of everyone. When I succeeded, you took the credit, and I was given a pay cut for supposedly doing nothing."

"Because of that, I was ridiculed by my colleagues and juniors every single day. What debt of gratitude do I owe a company like that? Tell me!"

I yelled, my voice thick with killing intent.

My ex-boss let out a shriek of "Hiii!" and fell on his butt… and wet himself.

The president and his secretary flinched at the killing intent and took a step back, but they managed to stand their ground through sheer willpower.

It was clear these two had been through their fair share of tough situations.

Having witnessed the exchange, the president said.

"...I understand now what you went through at the company. In that case, I will fire this man, as well as every employee you mentioned. Will you come work for our company then?"

To his offer, I replied.

"I refuse. I like my life as it is now. If you keep coming here every day, I’ll just move somewhere else. That would be… a (p)(r)(o)(b)(l)(e)(m) (f)(o)(r) (y)(o)(u), (w)(o)(u)(l)(d)(n)’(t) (i)(t)? (I)(n) (m)(a)(n)(y) (w)(a)(y)(s)?"

The president’s face grew grim.

If I were to leave this town now, there would be no more deliveries to the auction. The pelts I brought were top quality, the star attractions. If they disappeared and it was discovered that I was gone, they would spare no effort to find out why. It wouldn’t take them long to learn that the president was the reason for my disappearance.

Not only them, but if he drew the attention of other important figures, his career in this industry would be over.

Realizing this, the president said.

"...Understood. I won’t come to your house again. Is that acceptable?"

To that, I replied.

"That’s sufficient. And please, don't fire everyone. I may resent them, but I don’t want to see their families out on the street. In exchange for that favor, if you will, I’d like to give you this."

After saying that, I called out in a loud voice, "Bring me the pelt!"

Tina appeared from the back of the house, carrying a wolf pelt.

"Let me make this clear, this is the last time I’ll do something out of pity. If you ask for something similar again, I won’t do anything."

I declared as I handed it over.

The president accepted it.

"...Understood. I’ll take this pelt and call off the mass firing. I will not come to your house again. …Still, she is a beautiful woman. Is she your wife?"

To his question, I answered.

"She’s my girlfriend."

I said it proudly.

The president simply murmured, "I see," and left.

As for my ex-boss, his pants were wet, so he was refused a ride in the car and had to walk home.

After that commotion on Earth ended, I spent my days going to amusement parks with Tina and attending the underground auctions together.

Back at the guild, a certain request had come in.

A monster never seen before had appeared in the rocky mountains.

Several adventurers went to investigate, but they all returned with severe injuries. According to the reports, it only appeared at night. It was a black silhouette, so its form was unclear, but it was a large creature, about three hundred centimeters tall. Before they could even get close enough to strike, a single swing of its greatsword sent them flying into large boulders, incapacitating them. Two B-rank parties went out, but they were grievously injured without even getting a clear look at it.

The guild was in an uproar over its immense strength. It was decided that this investigation could only be handled by an A-rank party.

My interest was piqued.

That level of strength… I felt it was even stronger than the Kraken. As a hunter, I felt the need to hunt it down.

I didn’t consult Tina. It was too dangerous. I couldn’t put her in harm’s way because of my own curiosity.

Late that night, after confirming Tina was asleep, I prepared my gear. I had reforged the parts of my armor that were damaged in the arena, and I changed the material of my Japanese sword’s scabbard to Weightless Stone. It was a mineral I discovered when I analyzed Claíomh Solais. The conversion was easy. The iron scabbard had been heavy and cumbersome, but thanks to the Weightless Stone, it was as light as a feather.

I quietly opened the door and closed it behind me.

As I set off towards the rocky mountains, I heard the sound of a window opening. I turned back to see Tina leaping out of the window, fully equipped with her combat armor and sword.

She approached me with a sweet smile.

"...Is there something you’d like to say?"

Her words were laced with killing intent. I replied.

"...I’m sorry."

I apologized honestly. Tina said.

"If you do the same thing again, I won’t forgive you."

She said it with her cheeks puffed out.

I thought she looked cute, but I kept it to myself. I had a feeling I’d just make her angrier if I said it out loud. And so, the two of us set off.

The rocky mountains.

It was the same place where I had once single-handedly defeated a Galebird. The mysterious monster was said to be on the summit.

Tina asked.

"A monster that can severely injure a B-rank party with just the wind pressure from its sword… Are you sure we shouldn't call Bardos and Leona?"

She said it with a serious expression.

I replied.

"I know it’s dangerous. But I hear that Leona is pregnant. I can’t bear the thought of taking Bardos away from her in that condition. If something happened to him, I could never take responsibility."

Tina replied, "You’re right," and agreed with me.

It seemed those two had been spending every night together this past month.

Three days ago, when I met Bardos, I was shocked to hear she was pregnant. I couldn't possibly drag him into my personal curiosity at such an important time.

And so, we reached the summit of the rocky mountain.

The area was scattered with large boulders, but otherwise, it was empty. Yet, something was here.

Something incredibly dangerous.

I immediately activated 'Detection'. I saw two blue lights and one red light. The blue lights were Tina and me. The red one was behind a large boulder right in front of me.

I drew my sword. Seeing that, Tina drew hers as well.

Our combined killing intent seemed to provoke it, and a huge black figure emerged from behind the rock. It was about three hundred centimeters tall—as big as an Orc King.

But this opponent’s level was in a completely different league from any monster I’d faced before.

As I stood on guard, the opponent moved. It swung its greatsword in a wide arc.

The wind pressure from the sword was no mere gust; it was a gale.

It was strong enough to blow away not just a person, but a small hut.

I managed to hold my ground by stabbing my sword into the earth, but Tina was blown away and crashed into a large boulder. I immediately turned back.

"Tina! Are you okay?!"

She replied.

"I’m alright… but I hit it so hard, my body won’t move properly."

Tina’s voice was filled with pain.

I was relieved, but at the same time, I felt just how incredibly dangerous this opponent was.

I decided to go all out.

"Thunderclap Incarnation!"

I cloaked my body in electricity and poured every last bit of my magic into my Mithril sword.

I ran. My speed was immense; I reached my opponent in just two seconds.

I brought my sword down with a powerful two-handed strike, a blow that could easily cleave a massive boulder in two.

But my opponent blocked it with its greatsword—and with just one hand.

I felt a surge of terror.

I had never even heard of an opponent this powerful, let alone seen one. Honestly, I was filled with the desire to flee this place immediately. But Tina was here. I couldn't expose her to any more danger.

With that thought, I put some distance between us. My opponent didn’t move. It wasn’t out of confidence, but for some reason, that’s how I felt. I cloaked my sword in lightning. It looked like a blade forged from lightning itself. I approached my opponent again.

"Thunder Blade Strike!"

I unleashed a horizontal slash.

My opponent blocked it with one hand, but I put all my strength into both of mine. In the middle of our struggle, I managed to push its sword back slightly.

And then, my sword struck its right bicep. It was just a graze, but my blade had hit an opponent far superior to me.

Just then.

"...Impressive."

The opponent spoke.

At that moment, the black shadow vanished, revealing a creature with the head of a bull, a bare torso, and iron-plated shorts, standing on two legs. It was a Minotaur.

I distanced myself again.

A Minotaur—a monster that prided itself on its strength. Even on Earth, they were troublesome monsters that often appeared as mid-bosses in games.

However, the monster before me was no mid-boss. Its strength was that of a final boss. And that sword… I used 'Analysis' on it.

Its material was Dark Matter. An unknown substance, one that remains a mystery even now.

I figured it was probably a type of ore, but I couldn't create it myself.

I knew too little to even attempt it.

There was no doubt this was a top-tier final boss.

I was curious as to why such a creature was here, but that didn't matter now.

The only thing on my mind was how to get Tina to safety. She couldn't run yet, but she could walk. As I was thinking about how to buy time…

"...Are you worried about the woman behind you?"

I panicked inwardly.

The Minotaur continued.

"Do not worry. I have no hobby of killing defenseless opponents. However, if you continue to fight while holding back your power, I cannot say what my irritated self might do."

It was a blatant provocation, but he was serious.

My escape route was cut off. Realizing this, I sheathed my sword.

"If I die, will you promise not to lay a hand on her?"

To my words, the Minotaur replied.

"That depends on you."

He said it with a grave expression.

To honor his words, I declared.

"I understand. I will give you everything I have. Activating ‘Turmoil’!"

I activated the skill. And then.

"Thunderclap Incarnation!"

I activated it again. A reinforcement that pushed me beyond my absolute limits.

The strain on my body. The aftereffects that would come later. I had no time to think about such things.

Seeing this, the Minotaur said.

"...Impressive. That spirit, that resolve. I have witnessed it well. Human, state your name."

To his words, I replied.

"Shinsuke Koukawa."

I announced my name with pride.

The Minotaur said.

"I will remember it. O, one who lives in this age. As thanks for answering my wish, I shall bring this to a close with one of my three secret techniques."

As he spoke, the Minotaur readied his greatsword.

I could feel the magic flowing from the blade. I didn’t know what was coming, but that didn’t matter.

Right now, I would bet everything on this one strike. That was all.

With that thought, I assumed a stance for a quick draw. The distance was about five meters. The fight would be over in an instant. A mutual silence fell between us. I steadied my breath and moved. My speed was imperceptible to the human eye—god-like speed. But my opponent could see me. That was within my expectations.

I drew my sword with great force. A fierce shower of sparks erupted, which I manipulated and condensed with my fire magic.

The technique name I used in the arena was something I came up with on the spot.

It was a bit too simple, so I searched for a good technique name on Earth. And I found one.

During the Heian period, there was a warrior, one of Raiko’s Four Heavenly Kings, who slayed demons with the famed sword ‘Higekiri’: Watanabe no Tsuna.

In a certain game, he used a fire technique. But I wouldn’t use the exact same name. I had my pride, after all.

I researched history and shouted the name of the technique I took from it.

"One-Strike Demon Killer!"

I yelled as I unleashed my attack.

The Minotaur declared.

"Absolute Bastard!"

He brought down his greatsword.

Our techniques crossed.