Chapter 14 - The Caterpillars and Slaves
"Oh, now there's a caterpillar! Over there!"
There was a huge caterpillar in the meadow, about two meters long, but it didn't seem to frighten Keiji-kun at all as he approached and slashed at it. I don't want to get too close to it.
"Hey, Keiji-kun! You have to use [Appraisal] on the enemy first!"
Erwin warned in an unusually loud voice, but even the horned rabbit earlier could have caused serious injury. I feel that Keiji-kun way of attacking even unknown enemies is a bit dangerous.
"I'll cover for you. Erwin, use the [Appraisal]."
"I understand. Really ......"
A disgruntled-looking Erwin stilled, his wand at the ready. I saw a black window open near his face.
While using the appraisal skill, you can't take any other action to see the data like that. I need to be alert and cover myself to avoid being attacked by the enemy.
"Kkuh, It's HP is high! It's got 50. It's pretty strong, so you two better watch out."
"Then, leave it to me! [Starlight Attack!]"
I quickly used my special move before I got into a pinch.
"Oh! That was awesome!"
Rainbow-colored stardust spills out from the sword. The caterpillar turned black, just like the horned rabbit, and turned to smoke in a matter of seconds. This special move, even if the opponent's HP is high, is really a single blow. ......
"We already defeated it! Nice work, Serina-neechan!"
"That was amazing. ...... Keiji-kun, you pick up that drop."
"Oh. Hmm? What's this red ball?"
"Let's try to use [Appraisal] it. I've heard that it's a [Treasure Ball] that permanently increases the [Basic Ability Value of Speed]. However, it seems to disappear after you use it."
"Hooray! A rare item that boosts your abilities! That's it then!"
"Ah!"
If it's a one-time rare item, I thought we should have a rock-paper-scissors game to decide who to use it on, but before I could, Keiji-kun had already used it.
"Yo, ho! Huh? I'm not getting that fast, am I?"
Says Keiji-kun, who tried swinging his sword.
"Keiji-kun, look at your status."
"All right! Status! Open!"
Keiji-kun crosses his fists as if he's in a transformation scene. What will be the result ......?
"Aaah, the base ability value went up by 1 to 2?"
"That's right, just one. But that number doesn't seem to increase with level up, so I guess this ability increase will come into play later."
"I hope so."
"Keiji-kun, the next time you get another jewel, let me or Erwin use it. Fair enough. I think the order is good."
I'll tell him what.
"Yeah! You're right! I get it!"
Keiji-kun, you're not that self-centered, you just didn't see what was going on around you.
"Then let's keep hunting."
"Yes, I agree!"
We decided to hunt a giant caterpillar.
The next day, I met with Kojima-sensei because Keiji-kun wanted to go to the castle again, but he looked weak and said that he hadn't found any way to return to Earth yet, but he was in no hurry to do anything about it, so I told him not to lose heart.
That day, me, Keiji-kun and Erwin hunted rabbits and caterpillars, but the red jewel did not appear. It seems to be something that comes out only occasionally. Well, it's not like Keiji-kun speed has changed drastically, so I guess it's nothing to worry about. We gathered a lot of experience, and our overall level is now 10.
"Let's go eat dinner! I'm starving already~!"
"Fufu, I guess so."
"Let's do that."
I've got the money from killing the caterpillars in the guild, so I can afford a fancy meal.
When I went to the tavern, I saw a cart parked near the entrance. A man who looked like a vendor was unloading the goods, and I could see the cartoon meat wrapped in a leaf on the crate.
"Whoa! That's the meat!"
Keiji-kun was very excited. That's all well and good, but he's peeking into the crate and getting in the way of the vendor.
"Keiji-kun, let's not look at that much, because it'll become a problem for the people carrying the meat."
I say, trying not to offend the muscular vendor. We'll just order it anyway.
"You, out of the way."
"Oh, I'm sorry, old man."
I was relieved that I was only lightly pushed and not punched, but then a sharp voice came from behind me.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
That's not good.
"Um, I'm sorry. Keiji-kun didn't mean to interfere with your work――"
"If a customer wants to see the meat, show it to them! What if they think our meat is bad and that's why we're sneaking around?"
"Ugh!"
"Ehh?"
The vendor guy got kicked, but I don't think he would have kicked him for any reason.
"Really, slaves are so dumb. Excuse me, sir."
The owner of the tavern changed his attitude and smiled amiably at us, as if we had done a good thing.
"No problem."
"Listen, the next time you don't listen to a customer, I'm going to hurt you so badly with the slave crest on your left arm!"
The master scolded the slave and went to the other side. The slave vendor seemed to be completely frightened, shrinking back and rubbing his left arm. I could see some kind of tattoo-like pattern, which seemed to be a sign of slavery.
"Hey, Serina-neechan, slavery is a bad thing, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so. But we don't have electricity at this time, and it's like the Middle Ages, so maybe that's why the system is still in place."
"Hmm."
"It's no use thinking about it. That's the way of the world here. Come on, let's have dinner."
Erwin said disinterestedly, but that didn't seem like him.
"Whoa, that's right!"
It seems that Keiji-kun has already completely switched his mind to eating. ...... However, when we say that slavery should be stopped, no one will listen to us. We are so weak in this world. If we go to the castle, we probably won't be able to meet the king.
――That's the way of the world, huh?
The next day, we went to the castle again and met with Kojima-sensei.
"Hey, did you come to invite me again?"
He still had dark circles under his eyes and looked tired, but he didn't seem overwhelmed, so I guess he was okay.
"It's time for you to go on an adventure, Doctor!"
"Haha, no, I'm not good at rough stuff. How can you guys fight monster?"
"They're not that scary, though there were times when they were a little dangerous."
Keiji-kun said it plainly, but there is always the danger of death. That's what scares me a little. I try not to be aware of it as much as possible, but .......
"Oh, yeah, do you guys know anything about a herb or medicine that helps with coughs?"
Kojima-sensei asked as if he had an idea, but we who were not doctors knew nothing about it.
"I see. Alec-san wants some medicine for a cough. He came here this morning."
"I see."
I wonder if he caught a cold, that guy.
"Doctor! I have some herbs for wounds. Will this not work?"
"I wonder? Well, I'll take it gratefully."
"I'll be back."
"Okay."
Then we'll leave the castle and do some hunting.
"Hey, it's time to go kill some dragons and other strong enemies! I'm getting tired of caterpillars."
"No, Keiji-kun, we're better off with enemies we can take down safely. Dragons are dangerous and breathe fire, aren't they?"
"I'm sure we can beat them."
"No, we can't. That's no good."
Keiji-kun and Erwin had a dispute over policy. I say as if to mediate.
"The sun's about to set. Let's go back to the city."
"Yeah! That's right."
As usual, I go to the adventurer's guild to redeem the parts I killed.
"Ah, there's the uncle."
That's where I found Alec.
Previous Chapter --- TOC --- Next Chapter
Join Our Discord Server
Comments
Post a Comment