novelraw Chapter 12 : Meat Delivery (2)
Chapter 12 : Meat Delivery (2)
Chapter 12 - Meat Delivery (2)
— To handle mana, you first have to know what mana is.
Jeros's 1-shilling, high-priced tutoring session began with a theory lesson,
And a series of non-intuitive concepts were listed.
The kind that, as Jeros said, would seem difficult for medieval soldiers to understand.
But hadn't I graduated from a 4-year university in the Republic of Korea?
Moreover, having conquered all sorts of fantasy games and webtoons, it wasn't that difficult.
— So to summarize, it's this, right? The energy based on life force stored in the body's mana hall is called mana, the power to feel and move that mana is mind-force, and the power to convert mana back into energy is manifestation force. Is that right?
After hearing my summary, Jeros blinked his eyes and then spoke.
— What the fuck?
— Why? Am I wrong?”
— No. Everything you said is right, fuck.
— Then why are you swearing?
— Because I was going to kill time with theory, but it ended so quickly.
— Come on, there's still time left, so let's quickly move on to the next lesson.
After the one-hour lesson ended, the entire way back to the shop, Jeros grumbled.
Saying he had taught a 10-shilling portion for a mere 1 shilling.
—You've got talent.
These were the words I heard upon arriving at the shop.
I was happy to hear it, but not greatly surprised.
— Thank you.
Since I was able to raise my eye power even before learning mana, I had already vaguely gauged my own talent.
— Is that it? My praise is a rare thing.
— Then shall I dance for you or something?
— Heh heh. You impudent bastard. Piss off now.
Of course, I was also curious about the source of my talent.
Whether all outsiders unconditionally have a talent for mana, or if it was the 'special privilege' from the 100% achievement rate I received when crossing over to this world.
This curiosity arose, but I decided to fold it away neatly.
Even if I were curious, it's not like I could find the answer right now.
And a much more important problem lay before me.
'First, I have to get stronger.'
Strong enough not to be beaten by Flaco.
Strong enough that I could fight back no matter when he might strike me.
Getting as strong as possible, as quickly as possible, was the top priority.
That was what happened exactly one week ago, and now returning to the present—
“It... really works.”
I was assessing the situation in a slightly dazed state.
Flaco, who had thrown a surprise punch.
And me, who had momentarily caught that attack with my palm.
'It's a good thing I ate it beforehand, just in case.'
As soon as I heard the knocking on the door, I had inhaled a Fondue Bread.
If it weren't for the concentration and vigor buffs from the sugar, I would have been done for.
'What a relie—'
Smack!
Just then, Flaco roughly shook off my hand.
“A mere outsider dares to use mana......!”
I thought about retorting, 'Is there a law that says outsiders can't use mana?', but,
A sharp pain shot up from my hand, and I lost my composure.
'Damn it.'
No matter how much I became able to use mana through a crash course, my opponent is a hunter from a frontier town.
There's bound to be a difference in our mana utilization.
'Jeros said Flaco was Hierarchy 2.'
Therefore, my plan was to avoid a direct confrontation if a situation like this arose.
I first prioritized creating distance and leaped back, low and fast.
'In game terms, a backdash!'
When I first played Belkazium, I wondered why the basic evasion skill consumed MP, but now I understand.
Because all physical ability enhancements consume mana.
And so, in the midst of that strange mix of excitement and fear, a voice colder than the flurrying snow outside calmed me down.
“Outsider.”
Before I knew it, a bow was in Flaco's hands.
Krrreeeak—
The bowstring was pulled taut, and,
“Stop acting cocky and just answer my questions from now on.”
An arrowhead, faintly glowing even in the black of night, was aimed at me.
Thump, thump.
I created distance to avoid a direct confrontation, but was that a bad move?
Because I ended up giving the hunter his preferred distance.
To think he'd bring a bow just to deal with a mere outsider.
'I feel like prey. And that bastard is an excellent hunter who doesn't let his guard down.’
One wrong move and I could suffer a fatal wound from that arrow or just die on the spot.
I raised my eye power to capture even Flaco's slightest movements and opened my mouth.
Because if force won't work, I have to use diplomacy.
“What is it that you're so curious about?”
Pretending to be as calm as possible.
“I'll answer with all my heart, so please lower your bo—”
“I told you to stop acting cocky.”
FWOOSH. Thunk.
It flew. An arrow.
Still, thankfully, I was able to dodge it by slightly turning my head, thanks to having raised my eye power beforehand.
“Hmph. I was trying to pierce your ear, but you managed to dodge it.”
It seems he was aiming for my left ear.
But I must not have dodged it completely, because the side of my ear is stinging.
It's probably slightly torn.
'Damn it.'
While adrenaline was pumping and my heart was beating even more fiercely,
Krrreeeak.
I heard the sound of the bow being drawn once again.
“You barely dodged your ear, but what would happen if I aimed for the space between your eyebrows? Think you can dodge again? Huh?”
Words that showed his confidence that he could kill me at any time.
And it looks like he really could.
“Quietly answer my questions, outsider. Is it true that Bert left?”
So, should I just answer that bastard's question?
If I answer meekly, can I survive with my body intact from that bastard?
'No.'
That seems unlikely.
Whether I answer sincerely or play tricks with lies, to that bastard, I'm just prey.
'The arrow will fly no matter what.'
After deliberating, I slowly drew the kitchen knife I had hidden in my waistband.
To show my will not to go down easily.
However,
“Kahat? Ke ke, kahahahaha!”
Flaco's mocking guffaw echoed through the shop.
And yet, the tip of the bastard's arrowhead doesn't waver. Dammit.
“What are you going to do with just one kitchen knife?!”
“……”
I didn't answer.
Instead, I concentrated.
I concentrated and concentrated on the things Jeros had taught me: mana and energy, mind-force, manifestation force.
Because that seemed to have the highest probability of survival.
“I'll ask again. Is it true that Bert left?”
Flaco's smile was now completely gone.
“……”
Haa, you outsider bastard. It looks like you're trying to do something to me, but how do you plan to beat me, a Hierarchy 2, when you've only just learned mana?”
“……”
“In a direct confrontation, someone of a lower Hierarchy can't win even if they die and come back to life. Didn't Jeros teach you that?”
Hearing the name Jeros from Flaco's mouth, it felt as if his teachings were ringing in my ears.
— Fundamentally, a lower Hierarchy can't beat a higher one. But Hierarchy 1 and Hierarchy 2 are different. You're Hierarchy 1 if you can equip mana, and Hierarchy 2 if you can handle mana proficiently, so it's the only interval that doesn't require an enlightenment to ascend the Hierarchy, and the difference between the Hierarchies is also the smallest.
So what that Flaco was saying was wrong.
“Where is Bert? Did he really leave, or did Jeros kill him?”
“……”
“Are you not going to say anything until the end? Don't tell me…… it wasn't Jeros, but you who killed him?”
“……”
Just concentrating on where to strengthen my physical abilities.
Concentrating on my eyes to grasp the opponent's movements.
Concentrate, and concentrate again.
“I'll ask one last time. Where is Bert?”
“……”
The silence that was maintained for a moment,
Stillness.
And,
“That's enough. Just die.”
TWANG.
The sound of the bowstring being released.
I heard.
.
.
.
“!”
.
.
In the silence, the sound of the approaching arrow stretches out, and I can see the arrow flying towards me.
An arrow, flapping like a live fish.
Yes. This is the kind of sensation I've felt before.
'When I killed Bert!'
That slow motion from back then.
It was unfolding before my eyes again, but this time, I could clearly understand what it was.
'It was eye power.'
When I killed Bert before, I was in such a state of shock that I didn't realize it.
But now, I can feel it.
That my eyes are so hot they feel like they're melting.
'So back then, too, I had unconsciously used mana to raise my eye power!'
However, the joy of this realization was brief.
Because even in the same slow motion, the speed of Bert's steps and Flaco's arrow as they came towards me were different.
In this slowed-down world, can I move faster than that arrow?
'No. I have to move.'
I don't need doubt, I need conviction.
Because he said that conviction is the basis of mind-force and manifestation force.
Therefore—
'Even if just a little.'
Move.
The mana in my body,
'Even a little faster!'
And then,
A bulging energy spread from my heart throughout my entire body,
And though not as fast as the arrow, my body also began to move.
Thunk.
I heard the sound of the arrow that grazed my temple embedding itself somewhere, and I felt warm blood flowing down the side of my face.
'I dodged it!'
I don't know how I did it, but I somehow dodged the arrow that was flying towards the space between my eyebrows.
“He... dodged?”
A look of bewilderment was written on Flaco's face.
And with good reason.
The quiver slung on his back was out of arrows.
'So he did let his guard down a little.'
He must have thought that even if something unfortunate happened, just two shots would be enough.
He must have been that confident in his own skills.
However, me equipping mana must have been outside his calculations.
'Thanks for underestimating me.'
I immediately ran towards Flaco.
Tat-tat-tat-tat.
Ranged dealers are fundamentally weak to close-quarters combat,
'Charging in is the answer!'
And so, as I rushed in to close the distance,
Shwing.
A dagger, incomparably sharper than my kitchen knife, appeared in his hand.
“Foolish bastard. You think you can win if you get up clos—??”
CLANG!
The bastard's dagger and my kitchen knife clashed, sending sparks flying, and once again Flaco's eyes widened as if they would pop out.
'Don't rest, press the attack!'
I continued my attack without rest and recalled Jeros's teachings.
Clang, clang!
— In Hierarchy 1, you don't need any other swordsmanship. Only the Supreme Sword is the answer.
The Supreme Sword, which was a basic attack in the game, was, in reality, a simple vertical slash and horizontal slash.
— You have to focus only on swinging. Only on the distance and timing of your strikes. If you focus on these and repeat them, you will see the pinnacle of the Supreme Sword. Heh heh.
CLANG!
I raise my eye power to the limit.
I use mana to raise my physical abilities too.
In that state–
'I swing at the point I want, at the timing I want.'
Clang, cl-clang!
Doing so, I was exchanging blows with Flaco on even footing.
'No. I'm taking the lead.'
Flaco's flustered face registered in my eyes, but without getting excited or letting my guard down, I continued my movements without rest.
I wonder how long I pressed the attack against Flaco like that.
Just as a bloody mark appeared on Flaco's forearm,
“?”
I had to use a backdash again to create distance from Flaco.
Tremble, tremble.
My hands were trembling like an aspen tree, as if my body had run out of mana.
My vision was gradually turning red, as if blood had pooled in my eyes.
'Or did the sugar buff end?'
Flaco looked at me, who had backed away, with a dazed expression, but then, as if he had quickly realized my condition, the corner of his mouth crept up.
“Looks like you overdid it, outsider.”
Damn it.
I just needed a little more.
I guess just one week of practice wasn't enough after all.
'No, even this was a much better result compared to my practice.'
When I trained alone, I couldn't show this level of performance.
It was only in a real fight that I suddenly became like someone possessed.
'Dammit.'
Is this the end?
Do I have to die by that bastard's hand like this?
Flaco said as he slowly walked towards me.
“For a mere outsider, I fucking hate the look in your eyes.”
I really can't stand that bastard's 'for a mere outsider'.
'Even if I have to go, let's resist until the very end.'
I took a deep breath and readjusted my grip on the kitchen knife.
Of course, it was trembling violently.
And the blade of the kitchen knife was mostly chipped.
Dammit. If only my weapon had been a little better, couldn't I have ended this long ago?
Just then,
Thump.
With the sound, Flaco's body, which had been walking towards me, slowly collapsed.
At the same time, the figure of a man who was behind Flaco came into view.
The silver-haired man whom I couldn't help but be grateful to, even as I hated him.
“……Jeros.”
Jeros glanced once at Flaco sprawled on the floor, then shifted his gaze to me and murmured as if he found it amazing.
“Wow, you really have a long lifeline. Heh heh. How are you still alive?”
Son of a bitch.
This situation right now, is it fun for you?
Thump.
My consciousness... is fading away.
“Hmm. Still, well. You did a good job. Heh heh.”
Good job, my ass.
I barely surviv……ed.
……
Slap.
I came to my senses at the feeling of someone slapping my cheek.
“Ian. Get up. How long are you going to fucking sleep.”
Is that Jeros's voice?
Slap, slap.
I hurriedly opened my eyes.
A palm was stopped right in front of my nose.
“Oh. You're up?”
“……How many times did you hit me?”
“I wonder. Not that many times. Heh heh.”
To say that, my right cheek feels all swollen and is stinging hotly.
“You don't have to say thank you. You have to live for me to make money. Heh heh.”
Since the spot Jeros hit hurt more than what Flaco did to me, irritation welled up rather than gratitude.
“Thank you for coming to rescue me so very quickly.”
“You think I was late because I was playing around? Heh heh.”
What's the point in talking.
First, I have to see what happened to that hunter bastard.
“What about Flaco?”
At my question, Jeros grinned and pointed behind him with his thumb.
Over there was Flaco, tied up tightly in rope, still unconscious.
“He's a mana user, is it okay to just tie him up like that?”
“Don't worry. That's not just any rope.”
“Well, if you say so.”
I got up with trembling arms and walked towards Flaco, asking.
“What do we do now? With this bastard?”
“I wonder. Hmm.”
Jeros stroked his chin and rolled his eyes.
He looked like he was thinking about how he could connect this situation to a profit.
“He persistently asked about Bert's whereabouts. It seems like he's figured it out, so how about just killing him.”
“Hmm. He would be a pain, but unfortunately, we can't kill him.”
What's that supposed to mean?
“Why?”
“Because if this bastard dies, there's no one to get meat for the town.”
“Huh? Does that make sense?”
“This town is a bit like that. The surrounding area is such rough terrain and there are so many monsters that hunting is impossible with ordinary skills. Heh heh.”
I guess it can't be helped since it's a northern frontier town.
No wonder he was a Hierarchy 2 despite being just a hunter, and the town's only hunter at that. There was a reason.
Hah, still, it feels unsettling to let him live without killing him.
“Can't you just convert one of the town's soldiers into a hunter?”
“It's not as easy as you think. Hunting and combat are completely different domains. Though that's also part of the reason you survived against Flaco. Heh heh.”
How ironic.
Anyway,
“So you're saying we can't kill this bastard because the whole town would have to become vegetarian.”
“Yeah. The Battalion Commander, especially, would raise hell. Heh heh.”
Ah, so that's why Jeros.
I understood.
“Hmm. Then it can't be helped.”
An enemy who can't be killed, but who has noticed my weakness.
In other words,
Since I'm in a situation where I can't use force—
“I'll have to use diplomacy.”
“? Diplomacy? What diplomacy?”
At my words, Jeros squinted his eyes with interest, and I checked my body's condition as I walked over to Flaco.
Unfortunately, it seems my mana is completely drained, hmm.
It can't be helped.
Let's just do it.
WHAAAM!!
I slammed my tightly clenched fist into Flaco's face and said.
“Wake up, you bastard.”
Let's begin the diplomacy now.