kscans

Chapter 82 - The Resolve to Live

A considerable amount of time had passed since we left the Republic.

As we were crossing a bridge, I saw a group approaching from the right.

They were still at a distance, so I could only make out their shadows, but from their small stature, I could tell they were Goblins.

"...Looks like a group of Goblins is coming," I said. "...Shall we take them on?"

As I was about to get off the cart, Tina said, "Wait. ...I can handle this alone."

With that, she drew her Orichalcum sword.

The result was a complete victory.

With a single swing of Tina's water-infused sword, the Goblins were sent flying.

After that, the Goblins fled for their lives.

...Honestly, it was anticlimactic.

We continued on our way without giving it another thought.

We continued along the well-maintained path through the forest, and since it was evening, we decided to camp here. For dinner, I hunted a rabbit and we ate the meat along with some canned food. I made an iron hut, and we decided to spend the night there.

Late at night, I suddenly woke up.

There was no particular reason, but I just couldn't get back to sleep. Just then, I heard a sound from the forest. It sounded like grass being stepped on. Thinking it might be a monster, I made a peephole in a part of the hut.

...It was pitch black outside and I couldn't see anything. ...Well, of course, there were no streetlights here.

I composed myself and activated `Detection`.

...Ten red dots. Not in a single clump, but scattered, moving to surround us.

For monsters, their formation was too good. Which meant... they were bandits. I grabbed my sword and was about to go outside. Just then, from below.

"...Shinsuke, what's wrong? ...Where are you going with a weapon?"

Tina, her eyes still a little sleepy, asked.

"...We're surrounded," I said.

With that one phrase, Tina was wide awake.

"...How many?"

To this question, I replied, "...Ten. From their movements, it's highly likely they're bandits."

I explained briefly.

Tina, grasping the situation, said, "...We don't have a cage to put them in even if we capture them, ...and we're far from the Republic. ...We're not close enough to call for soldiers. ...Do you have the resolve?"

Tina's eyes allowed for no hesitation. I replied, "...I can't afford to die."

I answered with resolve.

Tina nodded at my reply, made a hole in the hut, and we went out together.

As if confirming that we had come out, five men emerged from the forest. Five more were hiding, but I could tell they were in the back from their presence.

The bandits in front of me were holding knives and swords. They were lightly equipped, with no iron armor.

One of them said, "Heheheheh. ...We're glad you came out on your own. ...We were having trouble finding the entrance."

He had a faint smile on his face. The others were laughing as well.

Looking at them, I said, "...I can tell you're bandits. ...But let me say one thing. ...If you don't want to die, get lost."

I gave them a warning.

The bandits laughed at my words.

"Hahahahahah! What's that!? ...Are you trying to act cool in front of a woman? ...Look at our numbers. You're the one at a disadvantage. ...Hey, you guys. Beat this man until he can't move. ...And then, make him watch as we rape this pretty woman in front of him."

He shouted with enthusiasm.

...I gave them a warning.

"...I see," I said. "...Prepare yourselves."

I drew my sword and ran toward one of the bandits.

He seemed surprised and didn't take a defensive stance.

Without hesitation, I cut his neck.

The bandit's head flew off, and his body collapsed in a spray of blood. The other bandits were stunned, but they quickly came to their senses and charged at me. However, Tina rushed in from the side and cut down one of the bandits with a single swing. ...The remaining three seemed to realize they had been too naive, but it was already too late. We cut down the three of them at once.

...The five of them became silent corpses. I said, "...You bandits hiding in the back. ...I know you're there. ...Come out."

At my words, the remaining five came out.

They were also lightly equipped and held spears and swords.

One of them, a man with a spear, said, "...It's been a while. ...Man in the oni armor."

At his words, I exclaimed, "! It's you! ............Who?"

I raised my voice in surprise for a moment, but I couldn't remember, so I asked.

The man replied, "...I'm the spear wielder who fought and lost to you on the bridge."

He answered in a desperate tone.

"...Ah, I remember now," I said. "...The nuisance from back then. ...So you were a bandit."

I said it with an exasperated tone.

So that's why he was blocking the bridge and demanding money from passersby. ...Wait? But if I remember correctly.

I asked, "? ...Weren't you trying to join the 'Men Loved by God' group?"

To this question, the man replied, "...Yeah, that's right. ...But when I lost to you, I heard that the group was wiped out. ...With nothing to do, I was at a loss when I met the survivors. ...And I'm helping them reform."

He boasted with a laugh.

I see, so he wants to team up with them and live in luxury. ...With that group, it wouldn't be surprising if they collected some donations from their followers.

However, I had a question.

"...Then why did you just watch these five get killed? ...It would be difficult to reform if your numbers decrease, wouldn't it?"

To this question, the man replied, "Hah! ...Gauging the opponent's strength is a basic part of battle, isn't it? ...Especially you, you cut down my spear while screaming. ...It was like you won because I was careless. ...That's why I needed to know, right? ...For that, it doesn't matter if five of them die. ...Right, you guys?"

He had a faint smile on his face.

...The other four were laughing as well.

In other words, they had no sense of camaraderie. ...As long as they were fine, that's all that mattered.

...I said, "...I see. ...Then I won't hold back."

With that, I took a stance with my sword.

The man, holding his spear, said, "Hmph! ...I won't be careless this time."

He declared with a mocking face.

However, I said, "...There's no need to scream. ...I'll kill you quietly."

As I said that, I ran.

I had enhanced my legs with lightning magic. I was faster than before, and the man's face showed a momentary surprise, but I paid him no mind and aimed for his neck. However, he managed to block it at the last second.

The man parried my sword with his spear and then thrust at me. However, his speed was slow, and I dodged it with ease. Then, I cut off his defenseless right hand.

"!! Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! My right haaaaaaand!! Daaaaaaaamn iiiiiiiit!!!" the man screamed as he knelt on the ground.

I took an overhead stance and said, "...You were the only one screaming, after all."

With that, I cut off his head.

After confirming the man's death, I said, "Tina, what about your side? ...Looks like you're fine."

I turned back, worried about Tina who was fighting the remaining four, but there was no need.

The four of them were dead.

Since Tina was standing at a distance, she must have killed them with wind magic. I used `Detection` to check our surroundings.

...I confirmed that there were no others left.

"...If we leave the bodies here, monsters might come," I said. "...I'm going to burn them all, so can you help me?"

Tina nodded at my proposal.

We gathered the bodies in one place and burned them to ashes with fire magic, leaving no flesh behind. ...As I watched the flames, I remembered. ...The day I killed my best friend.

Since then, I hadn't killed anyone. I had handed over all the bandits I defeated to the authorities. ...This was my first time killing in a month. After the flames died down and we finished burying the bones, Tina said, "...Shinsuke, ...let's sleep together tonight. ...I won't let go of this hand until your heart is calm."

With that, she grabbed my right hand.

...She sees right through me. She's a really good partner. With that thought, I slept next to Tina. ...Without letting go of each other.

The next morning.

After waking up and having a light breakfast, we set off.

The time was peaceful. We were attacked by monsters, but not frequently. The journey was smooth.

Five days later.

We arrived at our destination, the forest.

I drew a teleportation magic circle there.

"...Alright, now I can travel to and from those ruins. ...Well then, shall we give it a try?"

With that, I activated the teleportation.

The magic circle shone brightly, and in the next moment, the scenery before my eyes changed.

I looked around and saw that I was in front of the cave of the ruins. ...The teleportation was a success.

I immediately returned and reported to Tina. Then, this time, I teleported with both her and our luggage. ...It was a success without any problems.

Seeing this, Tina muttered, "...To think such magic existed... ...Honestly, I couldn't believe it. ...It's not even mentioned in fairy tales."

She muttered with a face of disbelief and surprise.

...To be honest, I hadn't believed it either. Even though I came from a world without magic, teleportation magic is called legendary even in manga. ...It's not something you can get easily.

But here it was, a success. I had no choice but to accept it.

That I had obtained it so easily.

"...Well, it's fine, isn't it?" I said. "...Whatever we get, we just have to use it well."

To this conclusion, Tina said, "...You're right. ...From now on, more impossible things might happen. ...I'll lose my mind if I get surprised every time."

Her face looked like she had resigned herself to it.

We decided to go to the Republic.

Five days had passed since then, so I thought the port's lockdown would be over. I drove the cart.

After a while, we arrived at the bridge. ...I hadn't paid it any mind on the way here, but now it reminded me of the man with the spear.

...This is no time for sentimentality.

I am a hunter who takes lives.

Hadn't I been prepared for this since I came to this world?

Get a grip, me!

As I was scolding myself, a group approached from the left.

A group of Goblins. What's more, I immediately knew they were the same Goblins we had encountered when we left the Republic. Why? Because their equipment was exactly the same. ...Just as I was thinking what a persistent bunch they were, I saw an unfamiliar Goblin behind them. ...It was wearing knight's armor, had an iron shield in its left hand, and a rapier in its right.

Seeing this, Tina muttered, "...That's a Goblin Knight. ...That's rare."