Kays Translations

Chapter 08: Factory Tour: Part 1

The location was near the "Kamirazuki" family's house, and they said they could take me there immediately if I wanted to work.

I didn't want my resolve to waver after I had finally made up my mind, so I decided to take the job that same day.

"Itsuki-sama, are you nervous?"

"…Yeah. I'm nervous."

The one driving the car was the older brother who had taught me about "Attribute Change."

It had been about a year since I last saw him, but he hadn't changed at all, which was reassuring.

And apparently, this older brother would support me when the time came.

"Do you often take exorcists to the field like this?"

"Yes, it's one of our jobs to assist those who don't have a license."

While saying "however," the older brother turns the steering wheel.

"Yes, it's mostly those who are third-rank or higher.” 

“Oh…”

“Without that level, they can't go to various places. First and second-rank exorcists usually stay in their local areas to exorcise monsters, and that keeps them quite busy."

"I see…"

I nodded, but then the car stopped at a red light, and I thought, "That might be true."

Indeed, just like exorcists, most monsters are also first and second-ranks.

With those ranks, exorcists at the level of my father won't be dispatched. There's no need because the exorcists at the scene can handle it.

Conversely, first and second-rank exorcists may not be able to go to various places. They have to deal with monsters that suddenly appear on roads, in shops, and even in regular houses across the country.

"Then, are high school students and middle school students often the ones you pick up in your car?"

"Yes, that's right. They are already working but don't have a driver's license, so that's the case. However, high school students may get their motorcycle licenses, so there might be more middle school students."

High school students with motorcycle licenses? They are quite rebellious.

“I can use simple healing magic and provide support. If anything happens, please contact me immediately."

"Okay, I'll let you know."

"...Yes, please do."

Some monsters don't even allow the exorcists to call for help. So, I said that, but the older brother let out a slightly apologetic voice.

I didn't mean to be sarcastic. I just wanted him to be aware that I might not be able to ask for help at any time.

I touched the relic of Raikou-Douji hanging from my chest. Its golden color was my trump card for worst-case scenarios.

But the trump card wasn't just this. In my breast pocket, I also had Banishing Talismans at hand.

However, even with all this, I still couldn't shake off the nervousness and anxiety.

To hide my nervousness, I tightly gripped the seatbelt in the passenger seat. The car came to a stop.

"We're here."

"…Mm."

The place where the older brother stopped the car was an unremarkable factory in a downtown area.

As I opened the car door, the quiet town welcomed me. It seemed that all the factories were silent today, probably because it was a day off.

"Well then, I'll wait in the car."

"Yeah, I'll go and exorcise them."

I was informed earlier that the older brother wouldn't accompany me.

With that, I walked to the abandoned factory on foot, though it was only a minute away from the car.

As I headed towards the factory, I couldn't help but wonder if this is what running an errand for the first time feels like. Going to a nearby supermarket or convenience store without my parents.

Although I'm going to exorcise monsters, I felt something familiar in this situation.

…Enough with these pointless thoughts.

I switched my focus and stopped in front of the building.

There were rusty window frames and cracked concrete here and there. Some windows were shattered.

It truly was an abandoned factory.

I confirmed that it was the exact place I had seen in the photos and clapped my hands together at the entrance.

Not "Kashiwade" (a form of applause). I was preparing for "Fairy Magic."

When I opened my hands, three small fairies about 5cm tall appeared.

All of them were wearing big hats and black boots.

That's their distinguishing feature. Their clothing looked like suits, but not quite.

I don't know much about them, but I suppose "fairy-like clothing" would be appropriate.

These small fairies are called "Leprechauns."

"Go inside and have a look."

I asked them, and they nodded and two of them entered the factory.

The remaining one climbed up my clothes and whispered in my ear.

"They're there. There's one inside. It's a big one."

"Where is it, where can I easily see it?"

"Right inside, as soon as you enter. Even an idiot could see it."

"Thanks. Anything else?"

"Nothing else. There's no one else nearby."

…Hmm?

As far as I remember, the story was that there was a monster making the powder and another one distributing it…

"Are there no other monsters?"

"None. There are no others nearby."

Does that mean it's distributing the powder somewhere right now?

"Alright, go ahead and exorcise it."

"No way. We don't want to die."

"…I understand."

I sighed and told the fairy on my shoulder to calm down.

There's no use getting angry at the fairy. I walked around the abandoned factory.

He said it was in a place that even idiots could see. If I stand in the factory and look around, I'll probably find it from the broken windows. So, I lifted my face from the broken glass to see… Yup, there it was.

A monster.

The factory was messier inside than I had imagined, and right in the middle sat a huge figure like a sumo wrestler. Around it were red buds hanging from the ceiling.

The buds were about the size of a child. Quite large.

…What is that?

As I tilted my head in confusion about the buds, the giant monster squeezed one of the bright red buds hanging from the ceiling with his right hand.

At that moment, a bright red liquid spurted down into a dirty bucket that had been prepared below.

The moment I saw the liquid, strangely enough, I thought it was human blood. I was absolutely convinced of it.

Really strange, why did I think that?

Unaware that I was watching, the giant monster dipped his left hand into the liquid. Then, the red liquid quickly solidified.

Then, when he pulled his hand out of the bucket, the red clump shattered into fine powder.

When I was wondering what to do from there, he put the powder into his mouth and spit it out. And there, silver-wrapped medicine packages scattered on the ground.

…Oh, is that how it works?

What he's doing is a "trait transformation" using magic power.

Since he doesn't have enough magic power to create the powder, he must be doing the packaging manually while using magic power.

I thought he was doing it with a machine, so I'm a bit surprised.

The giant monster finished the process and reached for the red bud again.

But this time, it wasn't going to be a repeat.

"Wind Blade."

As I chanted, wind blades sliced the giant monster’s body in half.

The red bud was included, and the monster’s body was split in two.

Silver medicine packages were also caught up in it, and the giant's body floated in the air.

The giant quickly turned into black mist.

For now, I cut off the source of the mysterious medicine packages.

Now, I just need to exorcise the monster that's distributing them.

If it's hanging around the factory, will it eventually come back?

As I thought about it, the black mist of the giant swirled around.

From within the whirlpool, a voice echoed.

"Are you working hard today too? Oh, wait?"

From within the black mist emerged a headless human-shaped figure in a suit.

The figure moved its body to look around the factory and tilted its upper body.

"Are you slacking off at work?"

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