Rising Life Volume 1, Chapter 10

Episode 10 Counterattack

(I feel good. I'm on a roll right now.)

　Putting on his glasses, Kian looked around to get a bird's eye view of the situation.

　The large space in front of the guild's reception desk was in an uproar.

　Kian and the Funnelwing were glaring at each other with Serena between them, and the other adventurers were watching them with interest.

　On the other side of the reception desk, the receptionists were beginning to peek out to see what was going on.

「OI, get out of the way, you "Garbage Scavenger"!」

　The delinquent monk, Roses-Pitt, reaches out to Kian with veins floating at his temples.

　Kian, who had expected him to push him away, shifted his body slightly and swung Roses-Pitt's arm out of the air.

「Wha! ........Uwahhh!」

「R-Roses-senpai!?」

　Kian glanced at the monk, who had lost his balance and was tripping forward, and called out to Sophie.

「Oi, Sophie.」

「Huh? Wh-What is it?」

　The receptionist snaps back at Kian when he suddenly calls her out.

　Kian pushed his body in front of Funnelwing and with a bang! He put his hand on the window.

「My turn is not over yet.」

「Uwahh, hold on!」

「......! A-Are you trying to scare me?」

「Scare you? Fuh, who would do such a barbaric thing? I just want to check a few things with you. Very peacefully.」

「Hey, you bastard! "Garbage Scavenger"!」

　He looked up at the loud voice and saw the delinquent monk, who had regained his stance, coming at him with anger on his shoulders.

　Kian snorted.

「You're still trying to relieve your pent-up resentment by fighting, aren't you?」

「Haahh?」

　Kian looked up at the tall monk who was looking down at him.

「You were always frustrated because you only had the talent of a rearguard, even though you wanted to rampage in the vanguard, right? When we were in a party, you frequently took it out on me. I can't help it if you can't control your emotions well, but you should just stop bothering others. It doesn't matter how good an adventurer you are, you'll never be taken seriously by anyone.」

「......!」

「That's enough, please get out of my way!」

　With a voice, a killing intent leaked from behind him.

　It's probably because Funnelwing put magic power into his arm to push Kain away again.

　Because it is an unconscious act, there are many rough edges, and it is easy to detect.

「――」

　Kian turned around and simultaneously ducked, avoiding the Funnelwing's arm.

　As a swordsman in the vanguard, he seemed to have noticed that he had been dodged.

　He looked for Kian's missing body, and blood rushed to his calm face when he realized that he was standing right behind him.

「This ...... "Garbage Scavenger"!」

　The magic power rose up from his body and Funnelwing struck him.

　Normally, Kian would have apologized right away instead of trying to fight.

　A cup of magic is not enough to damage an armed vanguard swordsman.

　But not now.

　Kian's eyes widened without fear, and he dared to step forward against Funnelwing, his muscles bulging like a bear as he unleashed his fists.

(......, ......, ......!)

　He quickly kneaded his chi.

　He spared no effort in pouring in three buckets.

　He will just have to refill it later anyway.

　Kian jumped into Funnelwing, slipping his arm through, and pressed the palm of his hand against Funnelwing's belly.

「Hahh!」

「Gahh!? Aghh....., Gahah....!」

　The basic technique, "Impulse", was launched.

　The impact from the palm of his hand struck the Funnelwing's internal organs with thick cloth armor and wedge mail.

「Oh..........!」

(Did it go into the chest too?)

　Not forgetting the residual heart, he let out a thin breath of shhh through his teeth.

　The handsome, cat-haired swordsman temporarily stopped breathing and stood on the spot, holding his chest.

　He fell back with his mouth wide open, unable to catch himself.

「Y......, You bastaaaaaaarrrdddddd!」

　The delinquent monk Roses-Pitt, who was watching from the side, roared in anger.

　He came at Kian the same way, but this one specialized in the rear guard and didn't have the speed or power like Funnelwing.

　Kian swatted away the outstretched fist with his hand and quickly shot and gouged the bottom of Roses-Pitt's nose with his knuckles.

「Burghh...! Fuggh.....!?」

　The delinquent monk stumbles, covering his mouth as quickly as he can, unaware of what Kian has done.

　Kian doesn't even follow him, he just stands there.

　A feeling of fright flashed across Roses-Pitt's delinquent face.

「Close your eyes next time. If you don't like it, at least take your turn.」

　Funnelwing groaned behind him.

「You lowly adventurer, you cheeky bastard!」

「Houh, I hit you with three buckets of "impulse", but the swordsman was indeed hard.」

(Would I have been able to kill him with a blade?)

『Fumu.I don't think the same technique will work anymore. This handsome fellow may not be the best looking, but he has talent.」

　Funnelwing staggered to his feet and took up a fistfighting stance.

　It seems that he's still trying to get into a bar brawl.

　But Kian doesn't want to go along with it any longer.

　This is why he put a bucketful of "impulse" into Roses-Pitt earlier as well.

　.......It's secret that I've already run out of magic power thanks to this.

「I'll knock your teeth out so you can't eat anything!」

「I'm sorry to say that you've got a lot of fights in you, but don't you need to take care of your friends?」

「What did you say?」

　The handsome cat-haired man looked back at the delinquent monk.

　Behind him, Roses, who had been shot in the nose by Kian, was lying on his back, his red mouth open and breathing hyuu-hyuu weakly.

　The "impulse" had destroyed the cells in his mouth and nose and partially paralyzed the function of the surrounding muscles.

　With his own blood flowing into his body, he was probably unable to breathe, let alone recite healing chants.

　For now, he should just lie on his face, but he was a fool.

　Maybe it's because he's in deep shock over losing to Kian.

「Fuaa, Farufaru. Roses-senpai is ......」

「Kuhh, Roses!? Are you okay!?」

「『Crush the Healers of the Western Church's throats. Do not let the sorcerers speak. They use language as a weapon』. The sooner you find someone who can use the healing arts among the onlookers on your side, the better.」

　That's all Kian said and turned his back on the "Falcon Clan".

　In the background, Funnelwing's well-rounded face became angry as he yelled, "Wait!" But the taunting voices of the surrounding adventurers interrupted him.

「Oi, the "Falcon Clan" lost a two-man team to a "Garbage Scavenger".」

「Kuhaha, I thought they were a Hope. Is that still a party of 6th-class adventurers?」

「I heard that their personal ranks are all lower than the 7th class. They must be 6th class in overall strength. But still, losing to the lowest level is a thing.」

　Several low, vulgar laughs rose from the onlookers.

　Francisca, who was the only one who could not read the atmosphere, lowered her eyebrows and looked around at the onlookers.

「Oh, ummm, is there anyone who can heal Roses-senpai? P-Please, senpai, he looks like he's in a lot of pain. ......」

「............! Damn ......!」

　Funnelwing's face turns red and he brings his fist down to the side of his hip.

　He stared at Kian's back, and perk up his shoulders.

「Damn you. I will definitely destroy you. ......! I'll make sure to crush you...!」

　Kian faced Sophie, the receptionist, once again, ignoring the murderous intent from behind.

　The chestnut-haired receptionist held her mouth and was stunned.

「Excuse me. I didn't want to cause any trouble in the guild, but I had to protect myself as well. I'm sure everyone here saw that the other side was trying to attack me.」

「Oh, ......, O-okay ......」

「So, let's continue the story. I'm supposed to have my adventuring license revoked at the end of this month. Is that correct?」

「............」

　Sophie nodded like a ticking, broken doll.

「That's because I broke the guild's customary law. The punishment for breaking the ban is a fine of ten silver coins for lower class adventurers and revocation of adventurer status for the lowest class adventurers, right?」

「T-that's right!」

　Sophie shook her head and regained her strong attitude.

　When Kian gave her a cold stare from behind his glasses, she backed away as if frightened, but managed to hold back and speak.

「Can you continue to be an adventurer without gathering herbs? The lowest level adventurers were deemed incapable of doing so, so the guild is revoking your adventurer status to save the lives of Kian -san and the others!」

「In other words, to be able to protect your own life, live as an adventurer, and continue to be useful to the guild - If I can fulfill these requirements, the guild can keep me on board. If we look at the true intention of the guild, without thinking in terms of a fixed set of rules and regulations, that is what it means, isn't it?」

「You want the guild to acknowledge your ability because you beat an adventurer with a personal rank of 7th class?」

「No, I'll show it to you in a more obvious way. The guild's upper echelons, as well as you, Sophie, will definitely have to acknowledge it in a definite way.」

　Sophie looked up at Kian as if challenging him.

「What are you going to do?」

「I'll go up to the 8th class adventurer.」

「Huh ......?」

　Kian repeated.

「All I have to do is accumulate contribution points, take the promotion test, and pass it by the time of cancellation at the end of the month. Then my usefulness would be confirmed, right? As long as I pay the fine of ten silver coins, I'll be allowed to stay in the guild.」

「That ...... is impossible, it's impossible! Kian-san is still three thousand contribution points short!　How many 9th class requests do you think you have to accept? The promotion exam is on the 26th?!」

「Are you stupid? I only need to complete six or so of the highest-ranked requests I can receive - the average requests of the 7th class. It's more efficient than taking less than fifty 9th class requests.」

「You're the idiot! You'll die, you know?!」

「According to the rules! You can take requests up to the second class higher. Isn't that right?」

「......!」

　Kian suddenly twisted his mouth.

「There's nothing wrong with it. I'm sure I'll be able to clear it solo without any trouble. I don't have anyone to party with, so I'll have to give up the special points I get for partying. ......」

「........................」

　Sophie flopped down in the chair behind her without a word.

　She looked dazed, and Kian held out a few sheets of paper with a request.

「After careful examination, these five seem to be the most suitable for me. If I get the best results in all of them, I won't have to accept the sixth request in terms of contribution points. I'll take that one for now.」

「...... No way, I won't allow it. ......」

「That's an unbecoming word for a staff member, isn't it? Just take out my Adventurer's Handbook and register these requests..」

「I can't.」

「Why not?」

　Sophie had tears welling up in her eyes.

「I threw it away! Kian-san's new Adventurer's Notebook! I figured I wouldn't need it since you'll probably change jobs anyway!」

　Come to think of it, yesterday she threw away the document before the next person could come in.

　It may have been unavoidable for a rookie receptionist in her teens, but it was unthinkable.

　She may be a good student, but she's not smart enough.

「I have to go apologize to my boss (Irina-san) right now!」

　Kian smiled at the crying receptionist.

「I don't care, it's none of my business.」

　That's all he said and left the counter.

　He doesn't want to stay here any longer after he's done with his business.

　He has to prepare for the 7th class quest as soon as possible.

(Each quest takes three days plus one day off. Use my days off to get rid of fatigue, and also get rid of my sexual desire to recover my magic power while completing the request.)

　All the requests were for places close to the East End, and he chose as few as possible that were not quests to kill people.

(If you complete the five requests perfectly, you won't have to do the sixth, and you'll have plenty of time to prepare before the promotion exam.)

『Hoho, It's no trouble for you.」

「Yeah, I can do it.」

　He raises the corner of his mouth.

　A mountain of difficulties loomed in front of him.

　But since they are all there to show how capable he is, he can only feel joy.

　Kian let out a low roar of laughter as he passed through the guild entrance.

　There, he heard the sound of shoes chasing him from behind.

　This strong magic power belongs to Serena, the daughter of the Silver Wolf Tribe.

　The footsteps stop right behind him.

「Wait.」

「What do you want from me?」

　He turns around slowly.

　He pushes up the bridge of his glasses with his fingers and looks at the beautiful silver-haired girl.

　Serena raises her eyebrows and comes at him.

「You've been hiding your abilities?」

「What are you talking about?」

「Don't play dumb. That move you just made, it was that of a warrior trained in combat somewhere.」

「Is that right?」

「Yes. The moment you were attacked, you were quickly kneading your magic and launching it. ...... That was the "Deadly Sword of Azrair".」

「―――」

　Kian took a step closer to Serena, shoving his hands in his pockets and sticking out his crotch.

「It's none of your business if I'm using Azrair's sword, is it?」

「There is. My brother was killed by the Deadly Swordsman of Azrair.」

「I'm just a 9th-class adventurer. I don't know anything about your brother, and I don't know anything about the Apostle of Azrair.」

「Bullshit.」

　She flicked her ears and turned her fiery light blue eyes on him.

「You just told me a lie.」

「............」

『Kufufu. She saw right through you.』

(Why? Is it a hunch?)

　Whatever the case, he can't be bothered with unnecessary conversation.

　Kian shrugged his shoulders and turned his back on her and started walking.

「Wait! Who are you!?」

「Kian. I don't have a family name. I'm just Kian.」

　That's all he said and walked out of the adventurer's guild.

「Kian ....... I remembered your name and face.」

　He felt a searing light blue gaze on his back.

---

Tips: If you fail a quest, your contribution points will be gobbled up, so it's hard to move up in rank if you're not skilled enough.

TLN: Sorry if this chapter was confusing to read.

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