MTLNOVEL Volume 1 Chapter 76 - Why! ? My eyes don't move! ?
In the afternoon, I ended up adventuring with Yoshino-san, who’s popular among guys nationwide.
“Shall we go then?”
“Hey, can we drop the honorifics? We’re the same age, right?”
That’s true.
“Fair point. Must be a habit from being a working adult.”
“Right, that’s normal. Also, call me by my first name. Why am I the only ‘San’? You call Kaede and even Satsuki-san by their first names.”
I haven’t even asked Rin-san’s last name. Wait, is she someone famous? Someone you’re supposed to know? I should look it up later…
“Alright, follow me, Yoshino!”
“Whoa, we got familiar real quick. Feels like you’re looking down on me.”
Shut up. Anyone with Swordsmanship Level 4 should keep quiet.
“Let’s go. I need to be home by 4.”
I was supposed to be back by 5, but I have to consult with Satsuki-san.
“Fine. So, did you find any Fluffy Grass?”
“Yeah, found it. It was really fluffy.”
That stuff is addictive.
“I found some too, after you left. It was amazing.”
“So you went looking after all?”
“Some newbies got interested.”
Makes sense. It’s intriguing.
“Maybe I should bring some back for Kaede-chan?”
“As a gift? Why not a flower?”
Giving a flower would be a bit embarrassing. Especially at the guild’s reception desk…
“Never mind, let’s go.”
“Mm.”
Yoshino-san and I set off in search of skeletons.
After a short walk, we spot a skeleton up ahead.
“Yoshino-san, want to take it?”
“Nah, it’s your kill. You need a hundred, right?”
“Alright, then.”
I draw my sword and approach. The skeleton notices me when I get within about 10 meters and starts to run slowly toward me, making rattling noises.
I stop, get into position, and wait for the skeleton to enter my range. As it does, I step forward and slash it down from the shoulder. The skeleton splits in two and disappears in a puff of smoke.
“Well done!”
Yoshino-san calls out as I pick up the skeleton’s dropped sword.
“You can do this much too, right?”
Swordsmanship Level 4 should be able to handle this, regardless of rank or level. Especially since skeletons move so slowly.
“Yeah. By the way, that really is an Item Bag, isn’t it?”
Yoshino-san points at my bag. Well, it’s obvious once you see me put away the skeleton’s sword.
“Yeah.”
“How’d you get it? Dropped from a slime?”
Funny joke. That was Elenora-san’s line.
“Bought a 10-kilo one from Elenora-san.”
Let’s just leave it at that.
“Through Kaede? How much?”
“One million yen.”
That’s a fair price. If I were to sell a 10-kilo bag, that’s how much I’d ask for.
“You’re quite loaded, huh?”
“Borrowed from Kaede-chan.”
“…Are you, by any chance, a deadbeat?”
I shouldn’t have lied; now I’m treated like a freeloader.
“I’ll pay her back. Fifty thousand for every hundred skeletons!”
“Make sure to save some.”
“I know.”
I’ve already got around 2 billion yen, actually… man, even I’m impressed by myself.
We continue hunting skeletons, and I defeat 10 more. But now there’s a problem. I can’t drink my fatigue recovery potion in front of Yoshino-san.
“Aren’t you going to fight, Yoshino-san?”
I turn around after defeating the eleventh skeleton and ask her.
“Hm? Are you tired? Want me to take over?”
Somehow, she’s annoying me.
“No, I want to see what Level 4 Swordsmanship looks like.”
“Level 4? …Wait, how do you know my Swordsmanship Level?”
Got her!
“Satsuki-san is Level 5, right? So you must be Level 4.”
“Hmm, Satsuki-san told you a lot. Usually, people don’t talk about it after retiring.”
I smirk.
“…What’s your Swordsmanship Level?”
“6.”
“Wait, why were you even a working adult?”
“None of your business.”
I should have started this earlier; I know that.
“Level 6… that complicates things. Fine, I’ll take the next one.”
While Yoshino-san says that and steps forward, I quickly chug a recovery potion from my bag and put the empty flask back.
I should prepare some in regular bottles next time. Flasks draw too much attention.
Another skeleton appears as we continue walking.
“Go for it, Yoshino!”
Show me the power of Level 4!
“Now I see why you’re calling me by my first name…”
Annoyed, Yoshino-san draws her double-edged short sword and takes her stance.
She closes the gap and slices off the arm holding the skeleton’s sword, then swings her sword horizontally. The skeleton collapses and vanishes in smoke.
Her movements are fluid; it’s beautiful to watch.
“Amazing. Are you sure you’re Level 4? Not lying?”
I call out to Yoshino-san’s retreating figure as she picks up the dropped sword.
“It’s true… but our levels are different, and so is the quality of our swords. Mine costs over a billion yen.”
A billion!? Are you insane!?