Kays Translations

Chapter 38

The time is 3:30 PM.

First, I confirm my current location.

I move a bit away from the rhinoceros and use 《Leap》 to jump into the sky.

Zoom―――――――

I can only stay in the air for a moment, looking around anxiously—

There it is!

On the left side, I could see something resembling the outer wall of a town, about the size of the tip of my little finger.

"I thought it was in front, but it's on the left. Straight through the forest I came out from—and the town is small. I've come deeper than I thought."

I realize I'm quite far from where I was practicing magic.

"Now... what to do with this guy..."

The situation looks like a car crashed into a tree, as if it were an accident—what they call a "rhinoceros aftermath."

If possible, I'd like to take it with me. But how do I handle such a giant creature?

It's not light enough to carry like this. It's not a place where I can call for help. There are no convenient tools like in manga.

In an instant, my gaming brain kicks in.

"Hmm... convenient tools... are there really none?"

Come to think of it, I haven't tried any storage-type magic words. 

I should check the magic books for storage-type spells, even if the "Basic Magic Reader" doesn't have it, it might be in the "Advanced Magic Reader" or something.

Or maybe it exists even if it hasn't been discovered.

Hoping for the possibility, I try chanting as many storage-related words as I can think of.

"Magic Bag! Inventory! Item Box! Shulker Chest! Fourth Dimension..."

―― It was no use.

Of course, it's not definitively ruled out, but since I can't discover it right now, there's no other choice.

Next time, I'll try asking the creator.

And in that case, there's only one option.

"Disassemble it myself."

But there's a big problem.

Obviously, I've never disassembled an animal before. And there's no time.

The sun will set in a few hours. There's no way I can finish in time.

Thinking about it, the correct choice is to "return home" for now.

I can get back while there's still daylight. However, doing that will create another problem.

The uncertainty of whether I can come back here is a problem.

I place my hands on my hips and ponder for a moment.

"Th-th-that's right, before that..."

I cast "Preservation Magic" on the defeated rhinoceros.

《Leave the current state as it is》

I press my forehead against the rhinoceros and activate the spell.

I felt like I was enveloped in something soft, but I couldn't quite understand it.

"This type of magic is hard to see when activated on the forehead."

I probably think it's working.

"I'll ask Tinameril about it next time."

Suddenly, her face comes to mind, and I feel a bit sentimental.

I check on the dog, but it's still not awake. Curious about the treated mother dog, I use "Detection Magic" again.

"Huh? Aren't the two little ones not moving?"

The puppy that was whining next to its mother doesn't seem to be moving at all. So I go over to check again.

As I approach slowly, I realize the puppy is asleep.

"What the heck, fell asleep?"

The mother still hasn't woken up either.

Leaving them like this wouldn't be good. I gently pick up the two sleeping puppies and carry them over to the father on the grassy plain.

Next, I pick up the mother.

"Th-this is heavy! This one's big too!"

It's surprisingly larger than my height. Plus, it's covered in blood and mud, making it quite messy.

"Oh no, more blood... aah, geez..."

I carry it by dragging it while holding it over my back.

"...Ah!"

At this moment, I remembered the magic of "Strength."

"That one had the power to draw a bow, but could it also be used to lift things?"

I immediately activate it.

《Strength》

Gently, I pick up the mother dog as if carrying a princess. And to my surprise, I effortlessly lift her.

"Wow!"

It feels like holding a giant stuffed animal of a dog.

“What the heck, it's just a super strength skill!"

Carefully moving to avoid jostling the squishy bodies, I slowly carry them and place them next to the father dog.

Now, they should be safe.

Now, after bringing the dog family to where the rhinoceros is visible, I come to a conclusion.

"I’ll return home."

Honestly, I only have a small knife borrowed from an adventurer to disassemble it.

Figuring out how to move the upside-down rhinoceros would take time, and doing that might make the sun set.

If I hurry back, I might be able to consult with the chief and borrow the necessary tools. I think coming back with proper equipment is the right choice.

If I can't come back here again, I'll just have to accept that it wasn't meant to be.

Just being alive is a stroke of luck.

With the decision made, I quickly prepare to return. I glance at the dogs as I gather my belongings.

"Well, if they wake up and the rhinoceros is eaten, then it's their time..."

Taking note of my sore ankle, I use 《Leap》 and 《Swift Feet》 to head back to town.

　◆ ◆ ◆

The Elf's body enhancement techniques were quite amazing.

I arrived at the East Gate in less than 30 minutes. Well, I just went straight towards the town.

I raised suspicion from the guards when passing through the East Gate, but I played it off by saying I tripped and got dirty. A little white lie, heh.

The time is a little past 5:00 PM.

I head home first, wipe myself down, and change clothes.

The knees of my pants are stained a deep red from the battle with the scoundrel, and my clothes are covered in blood from carrying the mother dog.

I tried rinsing my clothes with water before coming home, but that's not going to remove the blood.

I've ruined my clothes again.

After cleaning up reasonably well and pretending as if nothing happened, I head to the guild.

Entering from the back, I call out to the chief.

"Chief, can I talk to you for a moment?"

The chief is surprised when he sees me from the back.

"Mizuki-san... What's going on?"

Others notice the chief's reaction and turn to look.

"Uh, well... I have a little something to discuss..."

I put on an awkward smile, beckon the chief, and call him to the back of the guild.

"What is it?"

"Well, you see..."

I explain that I encountered an animal while searching for herbs in the forest. 

I managed to defeat it, but it was too big to disassemble, so I left it there. 

I express my intention to go back tomorrow and disassemble it.

"What!? What are you talking about!?"

The expression in that story is not so much wide-eyed astonishment as it is a sense of anger.

Warning someone about the foolishness of venturing alone into a forest reputed to be dangerous would be expected of a superior.

But right now, there's no time.

I placate by taking a calming pose with both hands somewhat restrained.

"What... is this creature?"

I glance around, emphasizing the need to keep it quiet, and show a photo on my smartphone.

"Whoa!"

"Shh!"

The displayed image is a photo of a dead rhino that collided with a tree.

"W-What is this!?"

I explain the incident with gestures, conveying that it was a chance encounter, a stroke of luck, and a fortuitous opportunity to defeat it.

Seeming like he wants to say something, I once again placate with both hands and divert the conversation with a friendly smile.

If I were to mention that I was almost killed, he would surely get furious, so for now, I keep silent.

After a brief moment of contemplation, the chief mentioned the name of the known creature.

"...Is it called Elasmos?"

"Is that so?"

It seems it's not a rhino. Well, I had the same impression...

"So?"

"Well, I'm thinking of going there again tomorrow and trying to dismantle it myself. I'm asking for a day off and also seeking advice on the tools needed for dismantling and transporting it."

The chief’s gaze towards me is intimidating.

I wonder if my request seems quite audacious...

He's probably astonished that I went to the dangerous forest.

Especially considering the recent attack, where my life was in danger.

However, the fact that he might be angry also implies that he's concerned.

I do reflect on my actions in that regard.

But right now, there's no time.

Regardless of what he might say, I want to say, "Let's discuss scolding later," and get advice on how to handle the situation.

Wearing a troubled puppy expression, I look at him, and he sighs, directing his gaze toward the warehouse.

"Well, tools for dismantling are in the warehouse, but... have you ever done it before?"

"Never!"

He frowns at my firm answer, and though visibly exasperated, he doesn't oppose my decision.

He agrees to grant me a day off tomorrow and even introduces me to a staff member at Tiara who specializes in dismantling small animals.

In moments like these, I appreciate the caring and kind nature of the people around here.

I asked him to keep the details from the chief, so I received advice on how to dismantle a wild boar, claiming I would do it myself.

After the guidance, before heading home, I go to thank the chief with a few words.

"Mizuki-san."

"Yes?"

"The forest is dangerous, so please don't do anything reckless!"

I respond to his advice with a wry smile.

"I'm sorry, chief... I've already done it."

He looks at me with a knowing gaze and replies with a nod, "I figured."

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