Chapter 2

“Psst.. did you hear? The Hero is visiting this town, he says he’s gonna fight in the arena, looking for new party members since.. Since Brogoshka The Brawler died in the subjugation of the demon lord..”

Gossip.. People gossip.. But I wonder if this is true? If so.. I might get to fight the hero tomorrow. I wonder if he’s as strong as they say?

His finger taps the counter constantly until he gets rude looks from the bar tender.

“Heh.” Kabuso stands, and places some coins on the counter, walking out of the building. He wanders through the market for awhile, picking up a few things, fresh vegetables and such.

He arrives home and knocks on the door. “Mother, I’m home.” He says. The door suddenly opens, but its not his mom.

“Oh, Hi again little Kabuso, I look forward to seeing you up against the worlds greatest swordsman tomorrow hahah-!” The same familiar nobleman walks out of the house, calmly walking away, bathing in joy from seeing the horror on Kabuso’s face.

He does it to get under my skin.. I swear I want to kill him so much.. But.. I wanna have a good heart.

He punches the wall and there’s a loud thump. After that, he proceed into the building, shutting the door behind himself. Kabuso looks around the house and makes it to his mothers room and see’s a familiar horrible sight. Bruises, red marks on her skin, white liquid spilled across the bed, and a sleeping women with tears rolling down her face. Her clothes are torn..

“I.. want to kill him..” He bites his lip and tries breathing to calm himself. “Mom.. Hey mom.. Are you okay?” He sits at her bedside and taps her shoulder. “I’m gonna make dinner.. Okay? And I’ll get the bath ready.. I’m sure you’d like to clean up..”

This sight was horrible the first time I saw it, I almost threw up, he’s been being rougher and rougher recently, probably annoyed that I’ve been winning. I still almost throw up..

“I’m sorry mom.. I’m so sorry.. I can’t stop fighting in the arena or else-..” His lip quivers but he quickly stops speaking. He tries to maintain his tears but as he feels himself break, they start drizzling down, glittering in the lamp light. “Damn.. damn.. Damn..” His voice squeaks.

He puts his arms around her, sobbing on her shoulder. “Hang in there.. The hero fights tomorrow in the arena.. Please.. I hope the reward is good, I hope anything changes.. Anything..” After he spends his share of time sobbing, his half awake mother strokes his hair. He places a blanket over her and walks to the kitchen.

The only thing occupying his mind is ways to beat the hero. He doesn't know his fighting style, nor much else about him, all he knows is that he wields the holy sword and is the only living man with the title of sword god.

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One day passes.. And as the dawn of the next comes, Kobuso waves to his mother.

“Today.. Today is the day.”..

…

I refuse to lose this fight.. I don’t care if he’s a sword god.

Kobuso’s gaze directs up to the gate.

I will knock him down, and show him I’m worthy..

“Ladies and gentlemen! First we have, the previous arena champion, Kobuso the sword master!! And second.. We have the one you all came here to see.. The greatest swordsman to ever walk the earth, wielder of the holy blade, savior of the continent of Surback, and the one! True!!!! Hero!!!!!!” The announcer hypes everyone up and they all start to scream excitedly as Kobuso and the Hero calmly walk out into the arena.

Huh? He.. he’s wearing such heavy looking armor, he’s like a paladin. Silver and gold.. So flashy, I suppose he’s strong, but slow with all of that weighing him do-

Kobuso stops in his tracks, startled as the Hero glares at him.

“Hello, I’ve heard about you from the event organizers, its nice to meet you Kobuso!” He shouts from around thirty feet away.

They both stop and stand in their positions.

“I-I.. Hello Hero! I uhm..”

Be strong.. Sound brave!

“I will be beating you in this fight, and you’re gonna let me join your party!” He yells.

The Hero smirks and chuckles. “Wow, what an.. Impressive announcement. Are you sure you have what it takes kid?” The sheer aura of intensity around the Hero is impressive and Kobuso can’t bring himself to take his eyes away.

“Don’t call me kid, I’m only six years younger, you yourself aren’t that old Hero. Yes, I’m absolutely certain I’ll be taking this win, so prepare yourself!” He yells.

The crowd watches with anticipation and the announcer speaks once again. “What a bold claim by Kobuso the swordmaster! Alright everyone, the match is going to start, so get ready, prepare yourselves to witness this showcase of incredible strength!”

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The Hero draws a high quality and high durability blade, but keeps the holy sword sheathed. His stance isnt one of battle, its casual. “Hm.. Alright, I’ll respect your confidence.” He says in a calm voice.

The announcer signals that they may start when they’re ready.

The Hero stands tall and takes a deep long breath inwards. “Pwhhhh-... Honor!” He belts loudly, startling everyone in the stands with his powerful voice, and even catching Kobuso off-guard, making his stance weaken.

The Hero smiles, waiting for Kobuso to say it back to make any moves. “You think I’m scared..?” He mumbles. “Fine… Honor!” He screams.

The Hero’s eyes widen and reactively his foot slides back, holding a proper fighting stance Kobuso keenly watches his movements as he dashes forwards, drawing his blade a lasting movement.

“Interesting..” The Hero grins.

Kobuso swings his blade from the side, clashing with The Hero’s. “Khh-! You’re strong.. I was right.. You’re all strength huh?” Kobuso swings his blade several quick times, nearly slashing the hero’s armor but it all misses by only centimeters. Finally he paints an aggressive emotion across his eyes and swings the blade at The Hero’s throat. The Hero somehow manages to block the bullet speed blade and shoves it back, swinging the flat side of his sword at Kobuso’s head, as it's an inch from Kobuso’s head, everything feels still.

I’m.. not losing..

His eyes widen and he looks at the Hero dead in the eyes with a burning intensity that even The Hero's powerful aura can’t match. Suddenly Kobuso’s blade comes between The Hero’s sword and Kobuso’s head, dragging across it and knocking it away with a burst of bright sparks and a horrid metallic sound.

“What the..” The Hero stumbles back, astonished that he was able to block such a situation. “Kobuso was it? I’m surprised you’re ranked as sword master.. Dare I say.. You could be a sword god, however.. I may have a pure heart, but I’m quite competitive.” He says.

Kobuso see’s The Hero take a new and confident fighting stance, He quickly tries swinging another blow but The Hero throws his greatsword straight into the air with a slight motion and ducks below Kubuso’s attack, swinging a powerful punch at his face that launches him nearly twenty feet.

“Gahk-!” Kubuso feels his face crack as he flies backwards, letting go of his sword, as he lands he quickly tries grabbing the ground to stop his sliding but his eyes open and he looks up to a blade blocking the sun and swinging straight down, like the motion of chopping firewood. The blade stops, centimeters from Kubuso’s face.

A powerful air pressure brushes the rubble away from his head.

“Holy shit..” Kubuso stares up in amazement.

The Hero smiles down at him. “You are truly incredible..” He says in a calm and confident tone.

I.. lost..

“I.. give me anoth.. I..” He stumbles on his words before ashamedly looking down. “Honor..” he mumbles, standing and bowing to The Hero.

“Honor. Thank you for that fight. Hmm.. I’d like you to join our party, and call me Rugerd.”

Kubuso’s eyes light up. “Huh!?”

“Under one condition.”

This sounds bad..

“Kill him.” The Hero says, pointing at the nobleman who approaches the two of them, prepared to bestow the cash prize.

“K-kill?” He fearfully asks.

Kill? I can’t.. I want to.. I hate him so much but.. I can’t kill him? That isn't the act of a real hero.. Is it?

“I heard you two hate each other, and you have plenty of reasons to want to, that should be more than enough reason, shouldn’t it?” He asks.

“W-what do you mean! You’re wrong! I can’t go around killing.. He isn't innocent but.. Death is no atonement!” He yells.

Rugerd smiles happily. “Good. You're in the party then.” The nobleman arrives close and The Hero turns around, slicing his head clean off his shoulders.

“W-what!? Why’d you ki-”

“Listen everyone!” The Hero announces in a shockingly loud voice. “This man was a criminal! He had back alley dealings, and intended to murder several nobles soon, as well as- has already murdered several! He is also a slave trader! Death is no atonement, its the easy way out, however, this man did not have enough life left to atone for the things he’s done, and this town does not have jails, so, he’s gotten the easy way out today!” Rugerd looks back to Kubuso calmly. “Killing is bad, of course it is.. I hate doing it, but sometimes.. It saves the lives of a hundred other men, and sometimes.. There’s simply no other options.”

I see.. He had his reasons.. Am I allowed to feel happy about that noble's death? No.. somehow I only feel sick..

“I see.. It's like how you had to kill the demon lord, he couldn’t possibly atone for-”

“That is not why we killed him.” Rugerd claims. “He had nothing to atone for… hhh.. Anyways, meet us at the town bar tomorrow at noon, that is, if you accept my invite. If not, we’ll simply move to the next town to look for new party members, understood?” He asks.

“Y-yes! Understood! Thank you so much.”

The Hero glances back. “You’re.. A strange one, it's almost suspicious..” He mutters.

He walks away and a catgirl approaches. “Hello! Hahah.. You took a real beating there?” Her voice is calm and soothing, with a hint of cuteness. “Let me heal you, I’m the party’s mage.” She grabs his face, holding it still as she casts a spell.

Healing magic? I heard in the past few months, a powerful nekomimi mage had joined the hero er- Rugerd.. But she’s really cute. Her magic seems.. Strange somehow.

“Are you blessed?” He asks.

“O-oh? You.. can tell?”

“Well.. sorta? I just feel this unique magic flowing from you, I can feel the flow of mana but.. I can’t exactly use it.” He claims.

I guess I was right.

“I am, I’d rather you not talk much about it though, it’s our secret k? Not a lot of people can tell, so its quite impressive you can. Its not any ordinary kind of blessing.. Its a powerful one that people can’t sense.. And it seems to be permanent, it increases my magic power beyond any normal capabilities.” She leans forward to whisper in his ear. “I can cast up to level six spells.. That puts me on par with Rugerd himself.. Hmhmh-” She giggles and after her healing finishes she steps away, waving as she runs off.

I need to tell mom right away! She’ll be overjoyed to hear about this, although.. How am I gonna take care of her?..

…