Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 24: The Sword’s First Battle
The request received together with Helene was for an E-rank dungeon, “The Nest of the Slime.”
It was the first time tackling an E-rank, but it seems there is not much difference between E and F ranks.
However, the slimes that appear here are reportedly more troublesome to defeat compared to F-rank monsters, which is why the rank has been raised.
“…It’s here.”
A few minutes into the dungeon, as they advanced through a cave-like area, Helene suddenly spoke.
Hyde, too, was aware of its presence through the [All-seeing god’s eye].
With a distinctive “petari petari” sound, the creature appeared, slithering. It was a slime, its jelly-like body wriggling as it moved.
Its movements were sluggish, and its attack power wasn’t particularly high, so unless one was a child, it wouldn’t be dangerous. However, its body absorbed all forms of slashing and impact, making it difficult to defeat.
Because of this, it was considered a nuisance among adventurers, and a rather unpopular monster.
“The sword’s not compatible with it. Maybe I should have used something else…?”
“No, I actually wanted to test the sword’s sharpness. Could you leave this to me?”
“Understood… But if you need support, just let me know. I’ll have my arrows ready.”
“Yes.”
Hyde swiftly drew his sword.
Sensing his killing intent, the slime began to squirm its gelatinous body.
Its spherical form began to stretch thinly along the ground, as if it were crawling.
“You’re trying to increase your surface area to deflect the slashes.”
The slime has a core that functions like a heart.
It seems that crushing this core will defeat the slime, but the problem is that the core is transparent.
The standard method would be to either burn the jelly-like body or continue attacking until it’s sliced into pieces.
“But well, I can probably handle it…”
Through the [All-seeing god’s eye], Hyde could see the countless fragments of mana stones embedded in the sword.
He then used the [Guidance of the Martial god] to trace the movement of mana within his body—leading to the optimal path for its flow.
“…Wow.”
Helene let out a sound from behind.
The sword in Hyde’s hand began to shine brightly.
It was the glow of mana. With the [Guidance of the Martial god], the mana flowed efficiently into the sword along the optimized route.
No matter how much mana he poured in, thanks to the [Fountain of Divine Blessings], there was no sign of his mana running out.
Finally, the brilliance of the mana became a pillar of light, completely enveloping the sword itself.
Within the narrow cave, Hyde’s mana raged, and the overwhelming pressure emanating from his sword caused him to slowly raise it.
Then, he swung the sword down with all his might toward the slime’s body, which had thinned and spread across the ground—
“—Huh?”
The moment he attempted to swing it down, the weight of the sword in his hand disappeared.
Curiously, he glanced at the blade, and it began to crumble and fall apart, as if it had decayed.
“……Shou?”
“……”
Hyde stared blankly at what was left of the sword—the hilt.
All the mana that had been there dissipated—being absorbed into Helene.
Hyde quietly tucked the hilt into his pocket and glared at the slime, which was beginning to return to its spherical shape.
“This is your fault!!”
With a loud thudding sound, a barrage of punches were unleashed in quick succession, as if venting his uncontrollable anger.
With each blow, the slime’s body was torn apart, ripped to pieces, evaporated—and leaving behind a mana stone before vanishing completely.
“Shou, I’m… sorry.”
“Hah, hah… No, it’s not your fault, Helene.”
“But it was the shop I recommended…”
“It’s my fault for pouring in too much mana. It’s not the weapon’s fault, nor the shop that sold it, and definitely not your fault, Helene.”
Despite his words, it was undeniably sad that the weapon he had finally bought had broken without even being used.
(Next time, I’ll save up more and buy something of a higher grade.)
Swearing this to himself, Hyde continued to fight the slime alongside Helene.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Thank you for your hard work. As expected of you today as well.”
While reporting the completion of the request, the receptionist said those words to me.
It seems that I have gained trust through consecutive reports, and she is genuinely giving me praise.
(What should I say… I’m genuinely happy. …Wait, what am I so happy about?)
Noticing the feelings that had naturally settled in my chest, I chastised myself not to misunderstand.
If anyone deserves that praise, it should not be me, but the god who granted me this power.
It was at that moment.
The receptionist said something that caught my attention.
“By the way, are you two not forming a fixed party?”
Ad
“Huh?”
“Eh!”
Beside me, where I had reacted with interest, Helene flinched and trembled slightly.
“Unlike temporary parties, fixed parties are given a rank, and requests are assigned according to that rank. If you’re considering more long-term activities, I highly recommend registering as a fixed party.”
While saying this, the receptionist pulled out several papers and began explaining.
In addition to being able to accept party-specific requests, there are also benefits outside the guild, such as when purchasing property, where party members effectively become co-signers, making the approval process easier.
(So there’s a system like that even in this world… Wait, it’s precisely because it’s this world that such a system exists.)
In a world where proving one’s identity is difficult, it makes sense that a guarantor for one’s identity would be necessary.
“If that’s the case, Helene, would you like to register for a fixed party?”
“…Is that okay?”
“Of course. Well, only if you’re okay with it, Helene.”
Helene briefly smiled, but quickly lowered her head.
“But, with a fixed party, you can’t be in another one… If you team up with me, no one else will want to join the party. It’s definitely better to be in a large party than a two-person one.”
“Even so, the only person willing to team up with me right now is you, Helene. Besides, I already told you before.”
“…?”
Ad
“We’re a good match.”
“~~! …Shou, you idiot.”
“Huh?”
“You broke the sword you just bought.”
“Ugh.”
The words, sharp as knives, left Hyde in silent agony, unable to deny them.
“Heh heh.”
As he clutched his chest and groaned, a faint laugh escaped. When he looked up, Helene was smiling happily.
Then, she hesitantly extended her hand and broke into a bright smile.
“Looking forward to working with you, Shou.”
“Looking forward to working with you.”
And so, a two-person party was formed.