Volume 1 Chapter 23 It's An Investigation, But...
In her right hand, as she approaches here, she's holding a drawn "sword". It has a unique shape with a single edge, long and slightly curved. According to Gram, it's called a 'katana.'
It must have been the 'katana' in her hand that cut the kobold in half. Despite its unreliable appearance, the sharpness seems to be certain.
She swings the katana, wiping off the blood, and she sheathes it in the scabbard.
Even just that movement makes her look impressive, maybe because some of her actions are refined. I can't help but be captivated by it.
"...Do you have something to say?"
"No, thank you for helping me."
It's a bit embarrassing to say that I was mesmerized by the movement of sheathing the sword, and even if I give her honest praise, she would just give me weird looks.
Or rather, Silver Flash seems to have the same unfriendly look towards me as before.
"Did you stop being the Rat Killer and switch to being a Dog Killer?"
"...I never called myself the Rat Killer or a Dog Killer."
"Yeah. You're still picking on the weak, as usual."
It's the same as last time, being called terrible. When she said it to my face, my cheeks twitched, as expected.
'Don't get all worked up. I told you, even if you pick a fight, you can't win against her even if you stand on your head.'
After Gram's advice, I put the spear in the sheath on my back and drank away my frustration.
"I'm not picking on the weak, I'm here on an official request from the guild. Also, I'm not 'Rat Killer', I have a name given by my parents, Yukina."
"Yukina, huh. I don't care about the names of weak people."
Why is this girl so harsh from the first meeting? If I have an average patience, we'd be fighting by now.
"Were you really the 2nd rank mercenary 'Silver Flash'?"
"You can call me whatever you like. Lately, I've been called 'Silver Flash' more often."
Suppressing the urge to tsukkomi, I didn't want to say anything unnecessary that might upset her. It feels like I'm already starting off on the decline since the beginning.
"What brings you to a place like this? There's nothing rare or valuable here that would attract a skilled person like you."
Located near the royal capital, this forest is of moderate size, but it's more of a hunting ground for amateur mercenaries. Even if something comes out, it's only monsters that even 5th rank mercenaries can easily defeat. It felt somewhat out of place for a 2nd rank adventurer to visit.
"...It's a request."
Silver Flash responded sullenly to my question. It seems she reluctantly took on a job that wasn't to her liking. Skilled mercenaries often receive requests directly from guilds or individuals, so her presence here is likely due to such a request.
"...Seriously, why bother with investigating this lame forest? They should just leave it to weak mercenaries like this guy."
Silver Flash starts muttering while looking down. Hey, I can hear you, you know.
'Investigating... huh'
(Gram?)
I got curious about the muttering and looked at the spear on my back.
"By the way, I've been wondering for a while now."
Silver Flash, who was supposed to be complaining, suddenly looked up.
"...Huh, are you asking me?"
"There shouldn't be anyone else here besides you and me, right?"
She looked at me as if to say, "What a stupid thing to say." Actually, there's one more person, or rather one more thing, but if I mention it, I'll just be seen as a "weirdo," so I'll keep quiet.
"Why are you using a minor weapon like a spear?"
'Partner! This girl is picking a fight with me! Let's get it at a bargain!!'
Calm down. What's the use of you getting all worked up? Besides, in the end, I'm the one who's going to die even if we get it at a bargain.
While receiving Gram's angry shout literally on my back, I scratched my head and replied.
"I use it because I think it suits me."
"I've heard that all the men in this country prefer to use swords."
"Nobody around me, except for me, uses a spear at all."
"...You know? You have a bad reputation in the guild. Always hunting weak enemies, they call you a 'cowardly spear user.'"
"Ah, I've been told something similar back in my hometown. Are they saying the same thing here too?"
The reach of a sword and a spear is vastly different. If two amateurs fight with a sword and a spear, the spear will usually win. This is because a spear can attack from outside the reach of a sword, but a sword cannot reach the spear's distance unless it closes in.
In the legends of Brave, it's often depicted as facing any enemy bravely with a sword. In contrast, using a spear has been called cowardly by the villagers, as it's seen as fighting from a safe distance.
"Are you... not frustrated by what I just said?"
Silver Flash's mood seemed to sour for some reason.
I hesitated for a moment on how to respond, but I decided to be honest.
"It's too much of a hassle to bother thinking about being frustrated."
Besides, it's not a joke to change the partner I trust with my life based on popularity or reputation.
"...Yeah. I guess I was stupid for asking."
With those words, Silver Flash turned her back on me.
"I'm leaving now. If I waste any more time here, the day will be over."
After saying that, Silver Flash disappeared into the depths of the forest, swaying her tail.
...But you're the one who brought up the topic.
After a while, when Silver Flash's figure completely disappeared from sight, I shrugged my shoulders.
"What was that all about, anyway?"
"Well, fundamentally, she's not mercenaries but 'martial artists'."
"What's that?"
When I hang out with Gram, I always learn new words and knowledge.
"Unlike mercenaries who use their skills to make money, these guys find meaning in honing their own skills. They hate being belittled more than anything else."
"...Isn't that the opposite of me?" "It's like oil and water with you who completely ignore insults, partner. That fox girl was probably bothered by that aspect of yours."
"Ah, so that's why she approached me."
Maybe she was frustrated because I was ignoring being ridiculed rather than using my spear. And also because I've been hunting only Big Rats.
"...She doesn't seem like a bad guy deep down though."
"Hey, what makes you say that?"
"Well, you see. When that Kobold attacked me from behind earlier, she helped me out."
"I think that's a bit of wishful thinking, though."
Anyway, aside from that, maybe I should get back to my real job soon. I still haven't hunted a single Big Rat since entering the forest today.
"Even though it's not necessary to finish it today, I at least want to catch one or two."
"But here's the thing, partner. Let's finish up after exploring the forest a little more today."
"What's wrong, Gram? You seem sudden."
"If it's just my unnecessary worry, then it's fine. Anyway, if nothing comes up in about an hour, please retreat. I'm begging you."
"...Got it."
Without questioning Gram's serious expression, I nodded without hesitation. I could sense the weight in his words, which meant there must be a good reason.
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