Bastard Swordsman

Chapter 60 : Raina's Return Home and Desired Skills

Raina's Return Home and Desired Skills

「Raina's POV」

「What!? You slept together!?」

「Yeah...」

「And you didn't do anything!?」

「... Yeah... we just slept normally. It's the obvious thing to do, Ulrika-senpai.」

「Well, it's not that obvious... in that situation...」

After finishing the hunt with Mongrel-senpai, I returned to Regor.

The results were meat and feathers. We managed to catch a few more on the way back the next day, so as far as results go, it was a decent haul.

Though, in the end, Mongrel-senpai couldn't catch even one. He still needed practice.

「Mongrel-senpai and I aren't like that.」

「... Men usually are, though.」

「But it's not like that with you, Ulrika-senpai.」

「Well, I'm... a bit different. But Raina, you mustn't think that all men are like Mongrel-san, okay? Going hunting alone with other men is a bad idea.」

「Well, I have no such plans, but...」

When I returned to the Artemis Clan House, Jona-san was preparing the meat for cooking. We didn't have enough to sell to any shop, so we decided everyone should just eat together.

Mongrel-senpai seemed to have brought back a lot of the Crater Toads he'd caught. We went hunting together, but we each brought back what we caught. It felt kind of strange.

「Nastasha prepared a bath for you, so you should go in first.」

「Okay. Ulrika-senpai, do you want the Puff Bird feathers? You're collecting these, right?」

「Oh, really? I'd love them! Thank you, Raina! I'm making cushions for the carriage, and this should almost finish them. I'll pay you later!」

「Hehe.」

The Clan House was clean, smelled nice, and everyone was kind... it felt so comfortable.

But I didn't want to be just a tagalong guild member in this place.

I wanted to improve my skills as an archer so that I could support everyone more. It might be a bit presumptuous to think like that.

But it felt like Mongrel-senpai would cheer me on, someone like me.

Someday, I wanted to become a respectable member of the guild.

I wanted to hone my archery, become stronger... grow a bit taller, and perhaps have a figure like Mylene...

「That washboard thing is really great. Simple, but easy to use. It really gets rid of soil stains.」

「Jona-san thinks so too? It was a good purchase... Ulrika-senpai seemed to have bought it from somewhere.」

「Oh, that jagged one? Lately, I've been seeing inns using them outside.」

「Yeah, I saw it at the market and decided to buy it. The grocery stores are starting to imitate it, so it might get cheaper, but I'm glad I bought it early.」

「I don't mind paying a bit more for a convenient tool. Thank you, Ulrika.」

「Haha, I'm being praised.」

Dinner was a communal affair.

The porridge contained some of the Puff Bird meat I caught, and it was delicious.

A meal of all meat is luxurious, but it doesn't feel like a meal without porridge.

「Raina. How was the night watch? No monsters?」

「It was safe, Nastasha-senpai. We burned incense, and Mongrel-senpai securely fortified the campsite.」

There were stakes driven into the ground with long branches around the tent, and the campfire? It burned much longer than I expected, constantly illuminating the surroundings a little.

Or rather, I think Mongrel-senpai occasionally woke up during the night to add more firewood...

「It's scary if something happens when it's just us two...」

「Indeed. Whether it's people or monsters, you need at least four people to respond to a nighttime attack. You need manpower to prepare the base.」

「It's tough for just two, isn't it? I did it a few times when I was younger, but the nights were too scary to sleep!」

It seemed like that was still the case... but perhaps I was able to sleep because Mongrel was there.

I don't think I would have felt so secure with someone else...

「Raina can manage night camps with small groups now... she's growing up... I'm so happy.」

「I am an adult.」

「I know, I know... hey, I was thinking you should try for Silver Rank, Raina. What do you think, leader Sheena?」

「... Raina's promotion, huh.」

「Huh, already?」

「Raina already has the skills. Her thinking and knowledge surpass most Silver 1s, so there's no reason to delay.」

Silver 1... a rank higher than Mongrel-senpai...

... Though, that was mostly because of how unusual he was.

It's unfair... I wish Mongrel-senpai could be promoted alongside me...

But being Silver Rank means higher rewards, more job opportunities, and the chance to hunt more kinds of beasts!

There's no reason to refuse this promotion as a guild member!

「I'll do my best!」

「No, you're not taking it yet.」

「Why not!?」

「Yeah, leader, Raina's aim is better than mine!」

「Another skill is required. It's a strict condition. Even if your aim is good, just 'Target Lock On' as an archer is challenging. You need more trajectory-based or strong shot skills for cooperation.」

「Mmm... Sheena has a point there.」

It was true that with my current skills, I couldn't take down big prey. It was only thanks to everyone that I could hit the target properly previously.

「... Next time, I want a skill like Ulrika's Weakness Detection or Strong Arrow Shot.」

「Ulrika-senpai's skills are pretty useful. I wish I had those two.」

「Haha. They're handy but... the arrow consumption is a bit much.」

Ulrika could visualize creature weaknesses and boost arrow power. Thanks to that, she never hesitated where to aim, even if monsters got close, she could push them back.

Mine were too plain...

「But Raina's the careful shooter... I have a feeling you won't get the same skills as me.」

「Oh no...」

「Skills are usually acquired based on personality and accumulated experience. Maybe Raina will get a trajectory-based skill.」

「... I'd like to acquire a skill soon and be promoted to Silver Rank, but a practical one would be nice...」

Trajectory skills... they stabilize the path or lengthen the distance of an arrow.

Not bad, but... I want to take down big game, too...

It seems that by the time I get my second skill, it should be around summer or autumn...

I feel both excited and a bit nervous...