Published at 25th of March 2019 11:40 pm

Chapter 27 - Kobold and Landslide and Egg

We submitted the quest document to the reception of guild……maybe because the difference in rank, Riin-san sent me stare saying『Huh?』 - Well I, a rank B adventurer is taking on a rank E quest, it’s only natural - , now an hour later.

I and Elk, were ascending the mountain road of『Ritorasu Mountain』where the hut is located.

The mountain side would come in sometime, so we might be near our destination.

From conclusion, this『Ritorasu Mountain』was more safe compared to the『Labyrinth of Naga』 ……that might sound weird, but in this place there was not much danger from demons.

The demons which appeared, were mostly the ones I had already seen in『Labyrinth』, furthermore, Elk herself took care of most of them.

However only once, a demon appeared which I hadn’t seen in『Labyrinth』 ……it was a『Slime』, seeing it I got into high spirits for no damn reason.

A spindle-shaped face with a smile on it……it wasn’t anything like that, but its body was in liquid state centering around its core. It looked just like amoeba.

Its bodily fluids was acid, but everything would be over on throwing a stone from a distance and destroying its core, I still touched it once, but the acid didn’t had any effect on my skin. It didn’t even feel itchy.

Such being the case, without having faced any serious troubles, we were walking.

「Sigh. The air is so good. It would’ve been better to have brought a boxed-lunch」

「Stop changing a quest into a picnic」

Elk retorted, as always, in a fed-up voice.

So no good, huh. This scarf could change into picnic sheet, so I thought it was a good idea.

Incidentally, for reaching the hut, we left the path, and were no walking through some woodland path,

「Elk, it’s about the time we return, do you happen to remember the way back to the path? Like the direction and all」

「Of course, I’m checking time by time, it’s natural that I remember it. Though there is not much danger, but the fact that here is a mountain, losing focus will lead to being lost here. ……You don’t remember?」

「I did try to, but……not after 5 minutes from entering the mountain」

「……Ah, I see」

Apparently, I seem to have hardcore problem of having no sense of direction. I may have not been born with it from birth. No, I’m serious here.

Looks like I would have to trouble Elk from now on.

Well, I did remember the path to Guild and『Labyrinth』, but the path to sis’『Association』remained to be a mystery.

I made haste into coming here, because there was a possibility of getting lost……but Elk has expertise in that area, so it wouldn’t be a problem.

Incidentally, the path takes a little less than 5 hours on foot, and less than 2 hours on carriage, when coming from guild.

That’s why normally, when going to『Ritorasu Mountains』, in case a horse couldn’t be hired, many people lodge in inns present in villages en route, or camp en route.

So, the reason why, we both completed the whole distance in an hour even while having lunch en route, is very simple.

I carried Elk and ran while having my leg strength enhanced by the wind magic.

Also, for not letting her feel pain from the wind pressure, I once again used『Other Person Enhancement』to increase her basic physical abilities. She was glued to me, so it was even more easy to activate it.

Even so, she suffered from motion sickness……well, take it as a part of training.

「What the hell you mean by a part of training!? I was almost going to return the hot dog」

「Well, well, we were rushing, it can’t be helped, right. And, maybe in future, you, Elk, will also move by running that fast, so this is practice for it, only a practice」

「A future like that won’t come! I’m a normal human!」

「But, you too can use magic, right?」

「No, I do can use it, but that is……」

Ah, that’s right.

I never told it, but in truth, Elk can use somewhat magic. But, it really is somewhat, apparently.

The magic cannot be learnt by training, in the first place, it can’t be used at all by a person without talent.

In fact, half of adventurers, are muscle-man faction, with no relation to magic.

Elk had that talent, and specializes in using『Wind』attribute. But only when compared to other attributes.

However, because of her living environment as a child, she didn’t had any surplus to study under someone good in that line.

Her mother too wasn’t proficient in magic, aside from other techniques, she only learnt basic of basics in magic.

In the end, she couldn’t develop her magical talent, gave up on it, and learnt other abilities.

Thanks to that, currently she rarely ever uses magic. At most, she only uses it to ventilate the room and fan herself.

But, from my point of view that is really very much wasteful, I had thought of『Developing』her that area too, so I would include somewhat magic in training.

Fortunately, I had been taught about『Magic Arts』from mom until she drove it into my bones, on the contrary, I myself researched it later on.

Along the way, I created many other new magic which I couldn’t use, due to the problem of talent. (*tears*)

And so, if I recall all that, I would be able to teach her about magic, and some of my self-made tricks.

Naturally, they all are limited to the ones that have gotten safety authentication from mom.

That’s why, I thought it would be good if she learnt Taijutsu along with Magic, if there was something suited for her, I would teach that too……that was my plan, so I decided to tell Elk about it,

「Even so, I don’t think I would ever reach a level where I can run fast than a carriage and still be not out of breath, just like you I mean……」

「Is it like that? I think, if Elk trained more you can reach to this level?」

「What is your basis for that?」

「Intuition」

「……Oh great」

Elk gave up, silently. ……Had she thought, that it would only get tiring by talking anymore?

But, I seriously am thinking what I’m saying……

As for why? Let’s leave for next time.

Well like that, after walking for a while, we finally reached our destination.

Walking the woodland path, when it felt like it had opened up somewhat, we came out to a place with levelled ground.

There was, a simple yet big, hut.

And it’s surrounding, demons with head of dog, walking on two legs……Kobolds were roaming in several numbers. In their hands were, club or rusted swords.

For the time, we hide in the brushwood nearby to wait and observe them.

I heard at the reception, the exact numbers of Kobold was yet-unknown.

However Kobolds have more intelligence compared goblins or orcs, and are more coward, so they would run away if they feel danger.

And so, if I brought the proof of some, after killing them, the quest would be cleared.

Incidentally, the evidence which acts as a proof for the completion of subjugation quests, was the raw materials of demons. There are some demons which have their every body part filled with value, and some are with specified valued parts.

「What was it……for a Kobold?」

「The wrist. For stopping fabrication, it is needed to bring many of them together」

……Hand, you going to cut it off? Though, a demon, but it has a human shape, you going to take it off from it?

I get somewhat reluctant……well, it can’t be helped in this world or this occupation.

「 ……From what I can see, there are 4-5……inside the hut there might be more」

「Even so, I don’t think they have enormous numbers. Is there any need to plan?」

「If you be careful to not get surrounded, then it isn’t needed. And, do remember to not hurt the hut」

「Understood. Then, let’s go!」

The strategy meeting (?) was over, so I took action as quick as possible.

I had thought of doing surprise attacks in stealth mode, but their appearance is that of a『Dog』 ……they might find me based on scent.

Though wind is blowing downward for them, so that possibility does get low, but I don’t know the levels of sense of hearing and smelling of Kobold.

If they found me out upon approaching, the surprise attack would end up as failure, so I chose to deal with them.

Besides, for me, even from this distance, a surprise attack is possible.

I have already checked the conditions of equipped gauntlets and shin guards, Elk too took out her dagger.

And I pick up the small stones around my feet (needed for beating to death),

(Then, we will get out on the count of three. I will take on most of them, Elk, you need to sneak attack on them. Can you do it?)

After noticing Elk nod, I take the stones in my hands which were ready to throw.

(Alright, let’s go. O~ne……)

――Plurk! ← The sound of Kobold A’s head getting smashed from the stone throw by me.

「Let’s go!」

「Where did 2 and 3 go!?」

「Omitted!」

「Huuh!?」

It wasn’t like I……got turned into a douchebag, but a single Kobold seemed to have noticed our presence and was about to scream……that’s why it was omitted……I have a perfect reason, see. I will explain it later.

The other Kobolds were fretting looking at the avant-garde art from of the head of the Kobold who got attacked by the stone.

Grasping their unguarded moment, I jumped out of bushes and rammed into them.

With the same momentum, I striked a Kobold with knee and pulverized its bones.

Furthermore, using the Kobold’s shoulder as springboard, I once again jump. I landed in the center of their crowd.

There stood a single Kobold at the place of landing, I do a turning kick in air, and in a single attack smash its head.

All this happened in just 5 seconds. In the blink of an eye, 3 Kobolds had been consigned to oblivion, right now, finally the other 2 Kobolds noticed my presence.

But, they have gotten too late.

1 one of the other two, while swinging the club, came at me while barking *GauGau*, let me be honest, it didn’t much of a threat.

I evaded the club swung downward and attack its medulla oblongata with my elbow filled with my body weight.

It went flying towards the brushwoods. ……Though, it was dead before landing.

As for the last Kobold, the moment it tried to attack me, it had its carotid artery cut by Elk, who jumped from behind.

It was the result of losing the possibility of other enemy other than me invading them. Having the blood spurt from neck, it twitched for some seconds then stopped moving.

Elk, only after taking care of remains of Kobold and seeing no other enemy, relaxed herself.

However, she understood there was no time for resting, she catched her breath and once again took up the stance with dagger.

And one second later,

As expected, the Kobolds making up for 2nd round came out of the hut.

6 in total. What, were the people outside fewer?

And, seeing us in front of hut, they assessed us as enemies and ……

……Before they attacked, one of the Kobolds, had single red flower sprouted on its head.

Reason? the rock I had thrown before was lying near my foot once again, so I picked it up and recycled it and reused it.

For dealing with the Kobolds remaining for round 2, Elk and I kicked the ground.

In the end, killing them didn’t even took a minute.

As expected, or rather, though they had intelligence their attacks were all monotonous, neither they used shrewd techniques, the Kobolds were attacked quickly without getting time to retaliate, and soon enough were extinct.

If we fought fair and square instead of surprise attacks, they would’ve retaliated somehow, but what we did were just tactics for winning. I didn’t had any intention to say it was coward or whatnot, even I had to put my life on line while fighting.

And, Elk too moved quite splendidly compared to before.

It hadn’t reached the level where it can be considered that she changed into a different person, but now, she could fight against several Goblins or Wolves, and finish them in around 10 minutes.

In the fight before too, she took on 2 Kobolds at the same time, and safely fought them. According to her, she was very nervous.

It must be, because she had been sparring with me every morning for the couple of these days before going outside the city or into the『Labyrinth』for hunting.

In that case, it might not be exaggerated to say she has become Rank D. The current Elk, that is.

Even so, she had grown quite a lot in these couple of days.

There must be a reason for this.

First, Elk is in no way weak. Though she had only been taught by her mom, she has techniques and thinking capabilities on that level.

Based on my opinion, at the very least in the techniques, she had already crossed the line of normal people……it must because she has some sort of talent.

But, because she lacks the basics like『Experience』and『Physical strength』, she couldn’t make full use of her techniques.

In this way, the techniques she couldn’t use completely, are many and stored away.

It might be because of her body constitution or hereditary genes.

Furthermore Elk’s a girl. Not like I am discriminating, but basically girls have low stamina.

It might something else if she could use body enhancement magic, but that can’t be done in a day or two.

Even more, Elk’s fighting styles’ are self-taught, she had never been taught by anyone.

So, though she could fight, there were times she didn’t use techniques, basically the fighting style was unrefined.

Or maybe, she had been taught by someone but forgot most of the points she was taught. No that might be the case.

Actually, during my time of training with mom, it wasn’t once or twice that she pointed out my mistakes, furthermore, all those were that I couldn’t find out myself.

In that state, though you have knowledge but using it fully… to use the techniques that’s quite …… not possible.

So I thought, if she grew physically to perform the techniques learnt from her mom, and got experience to choose the best techniques for herself, then she would definitely grow strong rapidly.

The『intuition』I said before wasn’t something random.

And right now, I could finally see that part.

Seeing that, I got it confirmed. That Elk would grow.

That’s why, I would help her, if there comes a chance, then I would also tell her my personally-made magic - Including the ones I can’t use - for her to get strong.

How should say it, but I could understand how a coach, who trains pro athlete, feels while teaching.

It sure feels damn great when something with outstanding talent in your hands, especially if the talent has peerless future.

Of course, I would choose what magic to tell her.

With『Elemental Blood』at first, the magic which were too powerful, or shouldn’t be told to others, I have no intention of telling them to her.

At any rate, the first mission with Elk has been safely completed, so we cut the proof of subjugation of Kobold, in other words it’s wrists and put them in jute bag,

during the process, I suddenly noticed that the bare stones on the other side of hut were of strange shapes.

What can it be? Underneath the cliff, there were many pebbles collected……huh, was there a landslide recently?

I asked Elk,

「Who knows……Ah, but recently there earthquakes, right?」

「Yeah, you mean the one which triggered the waking up of『Naga』?」

I was still at my home, so I don’t know.

「It must be that. Or this place, was originally brittle」

「……In that case, isn’t it dangerous to keep the hut standing here?」

If, at the time someone lodged in the hut, the ground crumbles, and the earth below the hut crumbles, then……

「……Indeed, you have a point there. We should tell at the reception after we return to guild」

「Hahaha, we found out an unexpected problem here……Hm?」

I was looking down the cliff calmly……but, I think I saw something shine among those pebbles.

The collection of evidence was over, so I gave the bag to Elk, and tried to go there only to find something white buried among the sand and pebbles.

That ain’t a rock. What is it?

I got curious, so I brushed away the surrounding sand and pebbles and take it out……

「……Egg?」

That’s right, it was an egg. At least the appearance was.

However, it was big. It was about the size of a person’s head. ……Is this really an egg?

Judging from the size, if it was an egg, it must be of a demon, right?

Or rather, why was this egg? buried in place like that?

Thought it was buried among quite big pebbles, but let alone a crack there ain’t a single scratch on it. Did the demon (parent) who bore this egg, buried it there for some sort of camouflage?

Otherwise, did it fall down at the time of landslide?

The former aside, but it would certainly break if it was latter, right? Yeah definitely , it would.

No, even the former will break it. What if this got deserted at a place like this?

I got curious, and tapped it with my fist. It was pretty hard.

Though that was hard, but I couldn’t possibly try to see how much hard that thing was, for the time being, I would put taking out conclusion on hold.

At that time,

SFX:Pitter,

「「Eh? 」」

☆☆☆

1 minute later,

I and Elk were resting in the hut we recovered after defeating the Kobolds.

The reason was simple. Outside rain was falling down as though someone toppled over a bucket.

That rain which started with『Pitter』then went onto『Pitter Patter』,『Piiiitttteeerrr Patttteeerrr』and finally changed into『Zwoooosh~~!!』was enough to make us understand that we couldn’t descend the mountain.

[Note: Zwoooosh~~!! is like the sound that comes when standing near (below?) the waterfall]

I had known that weather at mountains changes easily, but does it change this rapidly to make unexpectedly strong rain precipitate?

Anyhow, right now we could only wait for rain to stop.

It could be dangerous to walk the mountain road in this rain. Visibility too has gotten worse.

Furthermore, the road to reach the mountain road was an woodland road, so there were chances that we could slip.

And, if the place we slipped to was a cliff, the it would disastrous. This works even more for Elk. In my case I would probably get lost.

Though Elk remembers the way back, but it would be bad to go in this rain, so we had decided to wait till the rain stops.

☆☆☆

However,

The rain never stopped, many hours passed, it finally changed into night,

We judged it would be impossible to descend today, so we decided to rest in the hut.

Fortunately, this place was a lodging house before, so there were sleeping bags.

Similarly, we ate jerky we prepared for emergency uses at dinner time because the preserved food for emergency which was in hut had already been eaten by those damn Kobolds.

Night had always been for sleeping,

But vigilance was needed in night for demons, and it would be scary if a landslide occurred.

And so, we decided that one person would watch for the time other person would sleep.

The first half of night Elk kept watch while I slept, the latter I kept watch while Elk slept.

Then, at dawn,

When the east side of sky was getting somewhat bright,

We were taking breakfast of jerky and some cheese found in the hut, of course, maybe because we had been up all time that food didn’t satisfy our hunger……

……At that moment,

SFX: Crack!

「Hm?」

The egg I brought back without thinking anything yesterday, kept in the corner of my view……made a sound like that.

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