LGHTNOVELBOOK Volume 1 Chapter 118
In the afternoon, we dedicated ourselves to hunting monsters. While the three had said they would let me do most of it, hunting alone was too tiring, so we alternated, though my share was still the largest.
As usual, Yoshino-san and Lin-san were strong, effortlessly defeating monsters. Nanapon, with the three of us capable of close combat around her, confidently used her magic to defeat monsters.
As for me…
“Take that!”
I had just sliced a High Wolf. It wasn’t much of a struggle.
“See? He’s definitely smiling, isn’t he?”
“Well, Lin smiles too, you know.”
“I think it’s fine. He has talent.”
I was being lightly teased by the three women…
“I’m not smiling…”
I tried to keep a straight face.
“You are smiling. I can feel an air of joy from your back.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
“Honestly, I get it. I’ve been practicing swordsmanship since I was a kid, but I hardly ever got to use a real sword.”
“I get it too. It was always wooden swords for us.”
Well, yeah…
If we used real swords, we’d be behind bars by now. So, using a real sword is indeed a joy. Using a skill you’re confident in since childhood is fun.
“Were you two in the kendo club?”
Nanapon asked Yoshino-san and Lin-san.
“I didn’t join the kendo club. I was in the literature club.”
Yoshino-san was apparently a literary girl.
“I was in the basketball club.”
Lin-san seemed to be a sports girl.
“If you were into swordsmanship, why not join the kendo club?”
“It’s hot, tiring, and smelly…”
“I did swordsmanship at home, so I didn’t feel like doing kendo at school too.”
I get it, I get it.
“Huh. Wait, weren’t you in the kendo club, Hajime-san?”
As I nodded, Nanapon asked me too.
“I joined for my academic record. My grades weren’t that great.”
There was no other club I wanted to join, and I thought if I did well in kendo, it would help me get into university through recommendations.
“Huh… No offense, but that makes sense.”
I wish I had your clairvoyance or Yoshino-san’s perfect memory.
“How about we call it a day? Hajime-kun, you’re going out with Kaede, right?”
Lin-san, playing with her ponytail, suggested. I checked the time, and it was just past 4 PM.
“It’s already this late…”
Time had flown by since the morning. It was a stark contrast to when I went to the Kuna Ruins alone.
“If you guys still want to continue, I can accompany you,” Yoshino-san offered.
“What do you think, Nanapon? I’m going to Ginza with Kaede-chan and will leave with Lin-san.”
I wanted to take a shower too.
“If Hajime-san is leaving, I’ll leave too. It’ll be just an hour more, so let’s call it a day and all go back together.”
It gets dangerous after dark, so that’s a good idea.
“Let’s head back then. Good job today.”
Yoshino-san acknowledged mine and Nanapon’s efforts.
“Thanks for today. I’m glad I acquired a long-awaited skill.”
“I also learned different magic. Thank you very much.”
Nanapon and I thanked Yoshino-san and Lin-san.
“That’s fine. It’s an apology for last time. Anyway, unrelated to that, I’ll teach you again, so let’s go together.”
“I don’t mind either. I like the natural Mireiyu Highway.”
Good people, indeed.
“Then, I’ll ask you again. I’ll contact you.”
Maybe that’s enough for this week?
I want to take a day off tomorrow, and I need to visit the Shibuya Guild.
“Understood.”
“Thank you.”
“Please do.”
We decided to end today’s adventure and return via the highway.
◆◇◆
On the way back, I was lost in thought, watching the backs of the three women talking and walking ahead. Then, Nanapon slowed her pace and came up beside me.
“What’s wrong?”
Nanapon looked up at me with a concerned expression.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re walking behind alone, so I thought something might be up.”
“Nothing’s up. I was just looking at your backs.”
“That’s awful.”
Nanapon gave me a stern look.
“Just kidding.”
Well, it wasn’t entirely a lie since my eyes naturally go to the back when walking behind.
“That’s not funny. What’s on your mind? It’s unnatural.”
Probably.
Yoshino-san and Lin-san must have noticed, but perhaps out of consideration, they didn’t interfere. They had now moved far enough away that they couldn’t
hear Nanapon and me.
“When I checked the status card earlier, my level had gone up. I’m at 10, same as you.”
“That’s great. I thought you’d level up after defeating so many.”
Nanapon reaching level 10, and me following suit, was as expected.
“Of course, a new recipe came up.”
“What was it?”
“The Water of Life. It can revive the dead.”
“…………………………”
Nanapon fell silent.
I understood her feelings.
That’s why I had been walking quietly.
“Want to hear the rest?”
“…………Let’s hear it. I am your disciple and companion, after all.”
Good response.
“Do you remember what Clare said before? About how people disappear like monsters in the Frontier when they die?”
“I remember. It was when I was kidnapped. I heard it when Clare-san… or rather, Harry-san was disposing of the kidnappers they killed.”
I also learned then that in the Frontier, humans disappear into smoke when they die, just like monsters. It was a bit frightening.
“Both humans and monsters turn into smoke, but humans take a little longer to disappear, right? The Water of Life is a potion that can revive someone if given during that time. However, it doesn’t work on Earth.”
“It feels both fortunate and unfortunate that it doesn’t work on Earth, but either way, it’s an incredible item…”
It would be convenient to have, and there’s definitely demand for it, far more than for healing potions. But the effect is too dangerous. Reviving people…
“Selling this would definitely brand me a witch.”
It’s a blasphemy of life.
Religious groups would make a fuss.
“Don’t worry. Eleanor is already confirmed as a witch.”
“Yeah…………”
The name “Golden Witch” has already become widespread worldwide.
“What will you do?”
“I need to think about it. And I don’t have the ingredients.”
“What are they?”
“The Crystal of Life and a level 3 healing potion.”
I have the level 3 healing potion.
But I don’t know about the Crystal of Life.
“The Crystal of Life… I’ve never heard of it, but the name is quite obvious.”
“Yeah.”
“Aren’t you going to ask Yoshino-san and Lin-san?”
Yoshino-san and Lin-san, huh…
The issue was whether to tell Yoshino-san.
“It’s something I want to think about. A potion that can revive people is too dangerous. I’m thinking of making it just as a precaution for you and me.”
“You mean to keep it a secret from Yoshino-san? Because she’s greedy? Because she’s the branch manager’s subordinate?”
“No, not that. I think Yoshino-san and Lin-san would keep it a secret. But imagine giving them a potion that can revive people, saying it’s just in case. They’re strong adventurers who don’t take risks. If they use it, it would be on their party members. That’s the problem.”
If that happens, the Water of Life, and by extension, alchemy, could leak out. But Yoshino-san would use it without hesitation on her important companions. However, those companions of Yoshino-san are strangers to me.
Why should I risk danger for people I don’t even know?
It’s cold, but I’m not a good person.
I care about myself and important people like Kaede-chan and Nanapon.
I can’t take that risk.
“Indeed… So, what will you do?”
“First, I’ll try to make it. I’ll ask Kaede-chan about the Crystal of Life or have her look into it.”
Asking Yoshino-san and Lin-san would be suspicious. They know I can use alchemy, and the name “Crystal of Life” is too conspicuous.
“Is there no other way?”
“I’ll make it, but I don’t think I’ll use it. It’s just for precaution. First, let’s make it. We’ll talk after that.”
I don’t know how rare the Crystal of Life is. So far, the ingredients have been mediocre, but the Crystal of Life sounds like a rare material.
“Understood. Of course, I won’t tell anyone about this. What about Satsuki-san?”
“I’ll talk to her when the time is right. She seems busy right now.”
She was out yesterday too. Probably busy with the survey company and the auction for the level 3 healing potion.
“Indeed. I’ll look into it too. It’ll be online, though.”
“Me too.”
We, as ordinary people, had no other choice.
Our hope lies in Kaede-chan, the guild employee.
“Everyone’s unique skills are exceptional, but your alchemy feels especially unparalleled.”
It’s a non-combat production skill, but the things it can produce are too dangerous.
It definitely stands out among other unique skills.
“Nanapon, what if I quit being an adventurer?”
I hadn’t confirmed this yet and decided to ask.