“Oy, Takeru… where are we going exactly?” I asked in-between breathing out.
“Fenrir Mountain range. A place infamous for being a den of powerful monsters which do not appear anywhere else. The majority are animal-based but long-lived ones usually mutated to be more sentient-like and resembling demi-humans in shapes.”
Haa… so that’s it. A short way to describe the whole place. No wonder the ground’s elevated and the place smelled like aged woods with fresh air combined.
“……and why are we going there? Fei is still knocked out cold.”
“That guy doesn’t need to train unlike you. You’re going to attend my special training regimen.”
I… didn’t know what to say. “In five years…?”
“In one year. This is just the warming-up before the basic.”
Ho… I see. So you really DO intend to make me vomit blood and reflect breaths of a White Dragon. This messed up Hermit was really ridiculous I could only sigh. Well... I do want to be strong so I won’t complain out loud. The more important problem is—
“Why am I carrying your luggage as well?! This thing is damn heavy and I have to bring weapons as well!! Are you trying to stall my growth rate!?”
“Well… being small is actually more convenient than being noticeably big.”
“Shut up, you damn lolicon! Stop trying to push your crazy belief to children as if trying to make the ideal woman of your life!!”
“What are you saying!!? Being small is perfect you know!? It’s all about the convenience, compactness and comfortableness when a little girl sits on your lap!! And I’m no Lolicon!!”
No, you literally blurted out the fact you’re a Lolicon, you sexual deviant!! What is this pedophiliac geezer is saying!?
We went ‘gya gya gyaa!’ like idiots until we reached the foot of the mountain. By then, my throat was too parched to voice a comeback but I sensed dissonance in the air.
I could feel the hairs on my skin standing and I could sense the same bloodlust comparable to what the detestable orcs emitted. Quickly dropping the baggage and taking out a simple short sword, I scanned the surrounding and found some creatures leaving the bushes.
“Oh, just some hungry rabid dogs.” Takeru scoffed then settled down, sitting cross-legged and taking out a gourd of sake.
Dogs… huh? I can’t deny that.
Judging from the black fur, dark red eyes without pupils and a violet crystal sticking out their chests, I could bet all my money for them being Corrupted Beasts, also known as your typical RPG Monsters. These creatures were once ordinary animals but living in an environment concentrated with polluted mana caused them to mutate.
The proof of that was the crystal on their body.
That’s a Stigma–an excess of mana stored around the vital organs to the point of growing dense enough to be touched. If I remember correctly, destroying the Stigma would cause instant death but there’s a certain value attached to it. If exchanged in Guilds, money could be gained and it became the norm for Adventurers to hunt monsters without extracting their Stigmas.
“Wait a minute… aren’t you going to fight too?” I asked upon realizing Takeru’s implications.
Unfortunately, the Hermit didn’t budge and he simply waved hand with his left arm supporting his head. He then took out a gourd and began drinking what I smelled as alcohol.
“Not my problem. They have an interest in you so… have fun surviving there.”
As if his last words were a signal, the dogs leaped… wait, I think they’re called Orthrus or something. At any rate, they initiated the battle so time to fight!
“Ha…!” I parried the first claw strike and kicked the Orthrus to the side.
When I welcomed the rest of them with a wide slash, they scampered to a safe distances.
Oh, they retreated. And they’re real quick. Looks like this won’t be so easy…
Four in the front, two in the middle, seven at the back. Even for my first battle after recuperation, I can’t believe I’d fight so many enemies at once. Hm…?
“………” I looked at my hands, finding them slightly trembling.
Yeah… this sensation is like that time…… Ugh, so I haven’t passed that trauma. Honestly, it reminded me of my First Kill and it seriously left a bad aftertaste. Not to mention I felt dizzy and nauseous.
“But…!” I snorted, glaring as I readied a combat stance. With one swing, the shivering stopped and I could move my limbs more freely than before. “As if I will go down like before!!”
With a battle cry, I dashed forward… Eh? Did I just skip several meters with one step?
“No matter! Take this!!” I slashed down at an Orthrus that seemed to be shocked senseless.
“*whine!*”
Uwah? Eh? EH? How in the – I just bisected it?! Uwah, so much blood spraying…!
“Ugh…!” I dropped to one knee as a lump was rising from the pit which was my stomach. Th-this is… bad…!
“Chibikko!” I heard a yell and reflexively responded by jumping to the side, catching sight of another Ortrhus swiping claws against empty air.
Th-that’s dangerous! Had I not moved from there, I would have my neck rolling! And when I looked at where the voice came from – Takeru was staring dagger at me. Ouch! Does that mean I get my score deducted…?
“ROAR!” The enemy from before leaped towards me again while bringing along the rest of the frontline members. Tch, fine! I’ll deal with all of you at once!!
“Yaah…!” I cut down the second Orthrus, dodged the third’s onslaught and fended off the fourth’s charge. Almost with ease and no effort at all!
Two more left before the next batch arrives, huh? But I never thought I was this strong before… Even though Orthrus were a rank below Dire Wolves, looks like I underestimated my own strength.
“If so – let’s do this!!”
*BOOM!* A massive explosion from distances away shook the earth right then and there. It caused me to trip and I stumbled, falling face first to the ground.
Ugh… my nose… it hurts… I got up slowly but…
“What…? They fled?” I widened my eyes upon seeing the Orthrus returning into the bushes as if they just saw their worst enemy. How? Why?
“Seems like an uninvited guest huh…” Takeru said as if annoyed.
I looked at the place where Takeru was peering at and we were greeted by a green giant towering over five meters exiting the shades of tall trees. Even the glare caused me to cringe on the spot!!
But, in contrary to my panicking mind…
“Nah, guess it’s not it either. So you truly survived huh?” Takeru chuckled.
“Eh…?” I tilted my head and suddenly, the humongous monster swayed to the sides.
Then… that huge body bent and fell like a chopped tree. It produced a terrible sound and I was literally thrown to the sky for a few moments. Again, the fall seriously hurt like hell! Hey! I never signed for bungee without ropes!!
“Is this it? This guy’s not so much of a challenge.”
H-huh…? A voice… Who is speaking?
“Hah! You took your time fairly well that I thought you died. Had some troubles?” Takeru asked with a very irritating sarcastic tone.
He was likely mocking the person emerging from the dusts and stood atop the Giant’s lifeless body. Then the unknown person descended.
“Eh? A kid…?” My honest mumbling was interrupted with a hateful glare from the boy in ragged clothing. Uh, scary!
“…who’s this?” The boy with blazing red hair gave a question to Takeru.
“My disciple.” With two words, the glare turned to me again then to the Hermit.
“……I thought you didn’t take anyone under your wings.” The boy said, almost snarling at the end of his sentence.
“Humans change often. And this girl is… She’s just an exceptional sample to use for.” Takeru answered.
A sample!? What kind of sample am I going to be!? Don’t tell me I signed a contract with the Devil unknowingly?! Ah, wait, I already did the moment I followed Takeru…
“…And yet you refused to take me as a disciple. What does this mean?” The boy remarked with venom dripping off his words.
But Takeru pointed at the boy with a finger, smugly grinning as if looking down on him. “Because unlike you, this one is more than gullible enough for me to toy around with!”
Eh? What kind of reasoning is that? Ignoring my shocked state, the red-haired boy in ragged clothing snorted after glancing at me. He crossed his arms and looking away like a child throwing tantrums.
“Chibikko, if you still got the time to live, then use your damn legs to move. You disappointed me with that amazing performance.”
Guh! You don’t need to mention that, damn sadist! Do you think it’s easy to fight with the intention to kill!? After I was able to help myself, I dusted the dirt from my skirts and ran after Takeru. The redhead also tagged along yet the two never tried to converse or argue about it. Eh, is this really fine…? A Stranger has joined the party.
Hm… I don’t know what’s going on between them but this boy must be strong. He was not wounded fatally except a few scratches and slight cuts.
He had long spiked red hair, several inches shorter than me and he seemed to hold nearly the same posture as Fei. Well-trained, but not enough to the point of being ridiculously strong. Well, Fei obviously has some cheats under his sleeves but somehow, this guy looked feral in the way he fight. He probably doesn’t need to trick his opponent for complete demolition.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
The one thing I did notice was that the light in his eyes seemed to burn like a fire. One that was dissimilar yet resembling a certain cheeky Adventurer’s.
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“You stink.” Suddenly blurting that out was me with a very displeased expression.
Of course, the subject of my insult was walking ahead of me. He immediately turned around and gave me a deathly glare. Still I preserved my courage and said it again.
“You smell like garbage. Like a rotted vegetable. When was the last time you took a bath?” I asked in details.
“That’s not your business, human.” The boy growled.
Oh, shut up! I immediately grabbed the collar from behind and dragged him. Look at how stained this clothes are! And even the pants smelled funny! Also, when inspected closely, the boy’s face was smeared with dust and filth and his hair was definitely in dire need of washing!!
I can’t let this happen! How could I, who always took care of children younger than me, ignore this!? It would tarnish my title as the Protector of Children!
“Takeru! Where is the closest river!?” I immediately asked the Hermit.
“Left of here.” He answered shortly. Great!
My grips tightened and the fiery red-haired brat struggled! But of course, I already locked him with a lock at the neck so he couldn’t escape! Hah! There’s no way anyone could escape from this divine head lock!!
“Why… you…! Get off me!! I’ll kill you, you bitch!! Hands off me!” The red tarzan roared but I don’t give a damn about it!!
I dropped the huge baggage and brought out only mine plus a few additional dry cloths. Then I left with the boy in tow. I’ll show him what proper bath is!!
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“Eii!!”
*SPLASH!!* The water made a huge ripple and splashes as the red-haired boy was thrown into the river. Of course the depth was quite low so I doubt he would drown.
“Gboh! Hgbglbghl…. *gurgle!*…bhah!!? Wha-what the fuck—!?”
Oh, shut up! I undressed till only underwear remained and I brought a clean cloth with me. The kid gasped in surprise and he immediately backed away. He wanted to run huh!?
I immediately went into the water and grabbed the boy’s shoulder. A menacing grin revealed under my nose and I emanated a deadly aura.
“Now allow big bro to clean you up!! You have no chance to refuse!”
“Gah!!? Sto—wait—gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!?”
……
“Geez, you’re a boy you know? Stop trying to act cool and hardheaded at the wrong time.”
*scrub scrub scrub*
“……………”
“I don’t know what you did or whatever you’ve done around this place. But neglecting yourself is plain stupidity. What if bacteria infected your wounds when you were so dirty like before? You’ll receive a hard time and it may cost your life.”
*splash* *rub rub* *scrub scrub scrub*
“…none of your business.”
“But I’m worried! And stop it with that hateful gaze! I don’t intend to stab you in the back you know?”
“……liar.”
Haa. This one’s a handful one. How could I convince him even though he was sitting near the shore of the river while being cleaned like an infant? Well, he’s just a kid so as if he would have any interest in I right?
Not that I would mind having a sibling… but I don’t want to have an Arika-like copy who would devastate ALL of my efforts in one sweep. At any rate, I was done washing his front and his limbs. About the critical part… well, let’s just say I have nothing to do with it.
Then, as I cleaned his back, I noticed the boy had a scar. Not just one, but many scars carved on it. These… are… the wounds of whipping? Torture…?
Staring dubiously at the red-haired boy, I carefully washed his back. Silence was there all along but I wanted to break the ice and so—I asked.
“Hey. What’s your name?” I leaned my head to the side of his head, peering at the boy who showed a confused gaze and looking away to the other side opposite from me.
“…why do you want to know?” He curtly responded.
“Well, it’d be rude to call you with ‘you’ all the time. Not that I would mind but I just don’t feel like it right now. Anyway, what’s your name?”
“…shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?”
“And giving you the upper hand in turn? I don’t think I can be fooled so easily like that, brat.”
Hearing my words, the boy clicked his tongue in annoyance. I also added if he didn’t answer I would call him anything I liked. For example, dung beetle, pervert, snotty brat, useless idiot, Trash, etc……
I think a name was put in my list but oh well. As if there would be people named as ‘Trash’ right? It’s just my feeling right? Besides, only a certain Shield-bearing Hero named a person with that.
After a long while, I heard a sound. To be more precise, it was “…Leonhardt.”
“Hm…? Come again? What was it again?”
“……tch! Leonhardt. My name is Leonhardt Ashensky, you dimwitted human!”
I chopped the brat’s head from behind, causing him to grunt by the sudden pain. That’s definitely not a manner you’d display to other people. Who was it that teaches him manner? If there are more children acting like this boy, I’d headhunt the culprits.
“Still… Leonhardt, huh…? Hm… Too long!”
“What—“
“I’ll just shorten it and call you ‘Leon’ from now on!!”
As if I would remember such hard to say name! Even if I mastered the foreign language for a while, I didn’t want to bother with the complicated stuffs! Let me do something in my pace and everything will be solved for sure!
However, the startled redhead stood up and turned to me, his face was boiling red like a kettle.
“Wh-what the hell!? Don’t just shorten my name, you insolent bastard!!” He shouted with clenched fists.
“A nickname is better and doesn’t it sound cuter? For you, that is.” I replied with a wave of hand.
But in the next second, Leon transformed into an avatar of wrath right there and then. Uwah, scary…
“Cute!? I am not! Stop rambling nonsense, you stupid girl!!”
“What did you say!? You wanna have a go!?”
It was simple to predict what would happen in the next few moments.
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“So… what should I do now?” I asked the Hermit.
“Do whatever you want.” He bluntly answered.
“And how am I supposed to grow stronger explosively as you wanted me to?” I asked further.
Takeru stopped eating and pondering for a while. Because Leon was knocked out cold and I already dressed myself again, I waited for Takeru’s order until he slowly nodded. After he finished eating some kind of manga meat which I knew nothing where and how he cooked, he clasped his hands and muttered something under his breath. Looks like he had a Japanese custom as well …
“Eh?” And I muttered blankly upon seeing a cloud of dust.
Huh? What? What the heck? Did he just vanish? Did I just see a person vanishing in the speed of light right in front of my eyes? Am I dreaming……!? I couldn’t even catch his afterimage!!
Before the fact ‘Takeru’s disappearance’ registered in my head fully, I heard a series of clicking sound. What was that…?! I think I just heard disturbing noise around me…
“Gyah!?” everything distorted and my vision became parallel with the ground. What the hell!? I-I can’t… move……!!? And it’s too hard to even breath around normally!!
“Since you seemed to have the knack of dealing with irregular obstacles, let’s see you training in the most simplistic way while facing irregular obstacles regularly.”
For Gaia’s sake, speak in English! No… speak in Valbian language as it’s the native one used here!! I don’t get what you meant! I rolled around but soon Takeru moved to the unconscious Leon. He picked him up as if picking a cat!
“That’s right. This one will do as well.”
*CLACK!* Again, that unpleasant sound echoed and I found Leon wearing a handcuff, double in number and sizes than mine.
“Next is you, Chibikko.” Takeru looked at me once he dropped Leon as if dropping a freaking dumbbell. The sound he produced was amazing.
“W-wait a second, Takeru…! What’s with that extraordinarily heavy pair of handcuffs…? A-are you not trying to equip both at Leon…?”
I began to struggle, but I quickly understood my efforts were futile. Oh no no…! This is bad!!
“But it’s no fun if you’re just trying to raise one aspect right?” Takeru said with a predatory grin.
No nonono! There’s something wrong with that logic! I’m not so greedy that I could become superman with rippling muscles in one week!! That’s plain impossible even for a Hero Vessel like Fei!! Or rather, that’d be scary as hell! Hey, stop approaching me!!
“Wait…! I would definitely have my arm dislocated just by wearing it on right…?! That’s not going to help me for any moment right!?” I pointed out in my defense.
“Hm? Yeah… I guess that’s true.” The Hermit stopped at his track.
Just a few steps away from reaching me and I have saved myself!! Thank Midgard for his vast wisdom! It seemed that I could escape from being nearly killed!
“Does it even matter? I’ll just add a few more Atlas Bracers to accelerate your growth.”
“The burden increased!?”
“Shut your trap, Chibikko. You’ll be reborn into a powerful human weapon next time you meet your boyfriend. Well, if you can survive long enough, then maybe you can shoot out beam from your eyes.”
That doesn’t reassure me at all, you sadist—“Niyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggghhh!?”