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I Got a New Skill Every Time I Was Exiled, and After 100 Different Worlds, I Was Unmatched (Web Novel) - Chapter 365: The Shadow Silently Creeps Closer.
Chapter 365: The Shadow Silently Creeps Closer.
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
“Okay, let’s toast to Hyde officially becoming a member of the party. Cheers!”“Cheers!”
About a month after their first meeting, on a day when their work had ended smoothly, Doma and his party returned confidently under the red sky. They celebrated Hyde, who had become a party member after the trial period proposed by Kain, with wooden mugs they obtained at the usual guild-attached tavern. Since work was going smoothly, they treated themselves to a slightly expensive wine for the occasion.
“Haha! Good drinks are always delicious!”
“That’s right. We can enjoy this thanks to Hyde-kun, right?”
“Haha, cut it out. It’s the result of all of us working together, isn’t it?”
“Yeah! We can handle this much with ease!”
To the modest Hyde’s statement, Doma said with an arm around his shoulder. He wasn’t just tipsy from a sip; he was simply in a good mood.
“Man, isn’t he easy to work with? Like, he comes to the right places when you want him to.”
“Totally! I always think Hyde is really something, you know.”
“Hey hey, even you are saying that, Kain? Haha, you’re making me blush.”
With praise from the two, Hyde smiled and took a sip of the wine. One reason for building such a good relationship in a short period was that Hyde had just the right strength… If Hyde were as strong as Ed, Doma and the others might have felt intimidated, and they wouldn’t have formed a party. On the other hand, if Hyde were hopelessly weak, they wouldn’t have worked together. However, Hyde, as a senior adventurer with a year of experience, had solid abilities but wasn’t strong enough to make all decisions alone. It was the synergy of Doma taking hits, Kain restraining, and Hyde making decisive moves in critical situations, which made them accept Hyde and be satisfied with their contributions.
“At this rate, by the time Jinku returns, we might become first-class adventurers.”
“Yeah, if that happens, I wonder how Jinku-kun will react? Fufu, usually, I’m the one surprised, so I’m looking forward to it a bit.”
“Jinku, huh… You two really like that guy.”
“What?! No, it’s not like we like him! It’s just that he’s a childhood friend, so we care a bit…”
“You’re still not straightforward, Doma-kun. Everyone knows you’ve always seen Jinku-kun as a rival since the time you were in the village.”
“What the hell! That’s not true at all!”
“Haha, you guys really get along well… But, does that guy Jinku really plan to come back?”
“What do you mean?”
To Hyde’s question, the friendly atmosphere suddenly chilled rapidly. However, despite Doma’s glare, Hyde shrugged nonchalantly and answered without hesitation.
“I didn’t mean it in a weird way. I just thought, Jinku got recognized by some incredible sword master and set out on a journey around the world, right? If he becomes successful there, he might not come back to such a rural place. Establishing a mansion in the royal capital and turning it into a base, serving as a noble’s bodyguard, or even rising to the rank of a general in a certain country – these are ambitions that successful adventurers might entertain, isn’t that so?”
The obvious point made the cold air return to normal. Picking up a meatball and putting it in his mouth, Doma thought of his best friend beyond the ceiling and spoke.
“Oh, that’s definitely true. Setting up a base to handle big requests may happen, but that’s a story after Jinku returns. Besides, the idea of him not coming back at all is absolutely not happening.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, because Jinku will definitely come to brag about how he got stronger than us! He’ll definitely show off some killer moves with a smug face, you know!?”
“Yeah, that’s absolutely true. I think he’ll probably show it to us about three times a day.”
“I-Is that so… But even if he does, wouldn’t that mean something different from coming back to the party? If a significant gap in skill develops, I think it would be difficult for us to continue working together…”
“Hmm? In that case, Jinku might try to train us, right? Well, he’s the leader, so if it comes to that, we could increase the number of members or split into two parties.”
“Haha, if Jinku-kun says, ‘I’ll be waiting up there,’ Doma-kun would probably get all worked up and start doing push-ups or something. Actually, even at this stage, when Jinku-kun comes back, having three in the vanguard and just me in the rear isn’t balanced. If possible, I’d like one more person in the rear.”
“Rear guard huh… then, someone who can use healing magic would be good. Just having one person makes a huge difference in stability, I hear.”
“I think so too, but healers are in high demand, and there are few of them. Realistically, I’d prefer someone who can use a bow. A hunter would probably be skilled in trap handling as well… Shall we try recruiting Donel-kun?”
“Donel!? That guy… What’s the deal? If he can prove he can earn, he might become an adventurer, but what does his father say?”
“…Haha. You two really have no doubts about forming a party again when Jinku returns.”
“Well, of course. After all, he’s Jinku!”
“That’s right! Because it’s Jinku-kun!”
“I-Is that so…”
Even though it’s two years away, there is no doubt in Doma and the others’ conversation that “Jinku will definitely return and reform the party” is as natural as the sun rising in the morning.
Observing this perspective, Hyde involuntarily forced a strained smile.
“…Looks like this is going to take a while.”
Despite becoming well-acquainted over the past month, he still feels a certain lack of trust or bonds with Doma and the others concerning Jinku.
(However, there are still two years. I should take my time and prepare thoroughly.)
Simply killing Jinku was easy. Attacking him from behind during an ordinary mission, especially targeting inexperienced adventurers, was inconsequential. However, compared to the initial plan of “abandoning comrades under attack and surviving alone,” just stating “the comrades died when he returned” made him seem weak. Deep sadness would inevitably engulf him, yet it was a part of an adventurer’s daily life, and he wouldn’t plunge into despair.
However, that was not satisfactory. For Hyde, who had consistently indulged in the world’s darkness and despair, a hero’s despair was the finest delicacy and the ultimate move to elevate his existence. Spoiling that with a little effort was out of the question.
“Indeed, vexing is my true form. How did he manage to intervene in that situation? Moreover, he still seems to be trying to nurture the hero who is still our common enemy… Hmmm?”
In an affordable inn befitting novice adventurers, a black shadow slipped through the gap of the poorly designed window. When Hyde reached out from the bed, the shadow was sucked into Hyde’s fingertips, conveying its memories.
“I see, the main body has entered the demon realm. It seems to be going well… Kukuku, in that case, let’s keep that female fox… no, female tanuki occupied.”
Hyde will never stand in the spotlight. Behind the back of the 3 Demon Kings, He occasionally threatens or flatters behind the scenes, manipulating the conflicts between nations. By doing so, the world continues to produce despair, providing Hyde with power and pleasure.
By the way, the biggest secret of that queen is that “she is a tanuki disguised as a fox, where the fox spirit tribe holds the pinnacle of power.” If the truth were revealed, she wouldn’t just be dethroned but would be stoned to death by the entire country. Therefore, the queen cannot defy Hyde. Even simple orders like bothering passing travelers — especially humans — would be promptly accepted as a way to get on his good side.
“Now, now, how will you move? Regardless, everything is under my shadow. Dance wildly to entertain me as much as you can, pitiful Clown Doll of the God, Kukukukuku…”
Hyde’s face melted away, leaving behind a featureless black void. In its center, a pure white light, captured by the darkness, flickered. The god’s despair, awkwardly caught and unable to fulfill its mission, was also a supreme delicacy.
The laughter of the shadowy Demon King, an entity nothing and yet everything, disappeared into the darkness of the night without being heard by anyone.
