Eternal Adventurer (WN): Chapter 22

 

Chapter 22: Mock Battle

"Didn't you say we're going to put our feet firmly on the ground?"

"That's why we're doing it in order, right?"

Shiro-san.

That's not doing it in order.

No matter how one looks at it.

You're doing things in random order.

I'd say.

"Umm, I'd appreciate it if you could slow down a bit..."

The lady at the reception desk is in a bind.

I don't think they've ever had a situation like this before.

No rank 1 request for 3 days

"Maybe I overdid it?"

"Even if you didn't, it's too much."

Then why don't I just warn them in advance?

He won't stop because he wants money.

The reward for rank 1 is too low.

The cost of lodging alone puts us in the red every day.

Once you get a taste of that expensive lodging, you can't go back to your old life.

"I'm doing pretty well, but I still can't make rank 2?"

"I'm sorry, I understand your ability, but I and the director cannot make exceptions..."

"Magic stone, hunting..."

"Without a request, that's all we can do."

"I-I'd like to ask you to refrain from that as well..."

"Why?"

"I have a bad feeling about it..."

I know.

Shiro-san seems to be able to exterminate the surrounding monsters.

-----

"Oh, man."

"Yeah."

After all, we've been sitting at a table in the corner of the administration all morning.

“Do you want to change inn with a lower quality?”

"I don't like it. I've heard from other people that cheap inns often have maggots on their futons."

"That's no good."

"Yeah."

I also eavesdropped on other people's conversations.

The walls are so thin that you can hear the voices of your neighbors and even their breathing.

I will not be able to masturbate daily.

"A rank one adventurer! Is there anyone named Shiro?"

Just then, a visitor arrives at the administration.

He's wearing nicely maintained iron armor.

He must be a man of some standing.

"It's me!"

"The lord wants to see you. Come at once."

That's all he said, and he left.

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

The other adventurers, who had become good friends with us, took notice.

I'm curious, so I'll follow him.

------------

"The Director of Administration asked me to take care of you."

Should I have stopped him after all?

"It's not a very good solution, though. I don't want to set a precedent, but... if you can win the mock battle we're about to conduct, I'll make a special exception and bring you up to a rank to commensurate with your abilities."

I was right not to stop him.

But I'll keep that in mind.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

"Mock battle?"

"You will fight the best knight here."

Mock battle!

It's not good!

"Shiro-san, you can't! That weapon will definitely kill him!"

"Then why not fight with a normal sword?"

"Eh..."

"I have prepared a variety of wooden swords in different shapes and sizes for you to use. Use whatever you like."

"I will do so."

------

The mock battle is outside.

Where did you guys hear it from? Various people are peeking from outside.

"I heard you're strong. Should I go easy on you?"

"No need. Let's both do our best."

The knight is not wearing armor.

A wooden sword in the shape of a longsword and a wooden shield.

Shiro-san also has a wooden long sword and a wooden dagger.

"I've never seen that style before."

"I haven't seen yours either."

The Lord raises his hand.

And throws down his hand.

"Begin!"

The mock battle begins.

-------

He came at me with tremendous speed

A straight clean blow

Moreover, it is heavy

A blow not unlike a wooden sword

When I was surprised by the attack, he immediately came at me with a dagger.

I blocked it with my shield, but it was heavy too!

It is as if I am being pushed by a huge monster.

Just when I thought that...

Now he got down on the ground like a cat

He's going for my legs.

It's a bad idea to jump up.

He'll try to hit me when I land.

So I'll fly backward as far as I can.

"Three consecutive attacks in an instant, that's scary."

"Yeah, I guess it doesn't work for professionals, does it? If it's a bandit, one hit and it's over."

"Hahaha! Don't compare me with them. Now, come here!"

I'll go on the offensive.

It's not a good idea to let him attack.

He'll eventually lose his power.

First, I'll aim for his torso.

It was blocked by a wooden sword

His dagger comes from the side.

I block it with my shield.

Then...

The dagger pierces the wooden shield.

Incredible power.

But now the knife is gone

With the smallest gap, I thrust at his torso.

He twists his body to avoid it.

At that moment...

I felt myself floating in the air.

I knew that he had grabbed my arm just at the moment of his evasion.

"Gofu!"

A hard blow to the back.

All at once, the air in my lungs left my body, and breathing became my top priority.

For a brief moment, my eyes went black.

When my vision returned.

He had his arm around my neck

----------

"B-both of you stop!"

The lord, bewildered, announces the end of the mock battle

The mock battle was won by Shiro-san, no matter how one looks at it

"I never thought you'd throw away your sword..."

"Bare hands are weapons too."

"Kuh... that's certainly true."

The knight's legs are still shaking.

They shake hands firmly and part ways.

"Shiro-san!"

I can't help but jump up and down.

"Now we can start earning money tomorrow!"

"Yeah..."

Starting tomorrow, right? I hope so.

"Ah, excuse me, lord."

"Hmm? Ah, that was brilliant. I'll make sure you get rank 5 tomorrow. I've already sent a report to the Administration."

"Thank you, but it's not that."

"Anything else?"

"I've decided on a reward."

"Ooh! What is it?"

"Please introduce me to a skilled blacksmith."