Chapter 223: Progress
———Kenni———
<1: 18 pm>
Hmm… The repair to this place is coming along nicely, I see. It’s been two weeks and the repairs are much faster than anyone could expect.
Of course, that’s partially due to Wiina feeling like doing a bit of philanthropy and providing them with some resources for free. There was surprisingly very little coverage on that, but no matter.
They all seem to be too focused on rebuilding to notice me. Even the passersby don’t really bat an eye at the moment, which is a choice, considering what happened last time when someone goes unchecked for too long.
I’m not gonna stir stuff up after all of that. I actually don’t feel like doing anything crazy right now. Even I have standards when it comes to that.
They got a food stall or anything around here? I haven’t eaten in a while. Any diner or anything open right now? I would imagine those things coming online quickly. It’s mainly the larger buildings that were in disarray, not the smaller and more modest ones.
…That one has a pretty shitty exterior. Is that one open right now? Let me see here… Alright, let’s get in and check the menu.
…Bunch of typical items. They don’t look particularly appetizing, but you can never be sure until you try it, maybe it’s just because the pictures on the menu look rather dated. The menu here looks like it hasn't been updated or replaced in a long time.
“You…” Before I could decide on what to eat, suddenly someone called out to me. That’s odd, I didn’t think there was anyone that I know around here.
I turn to look at the noise to see a frightened man who seems ready to leave the moment I take my eyes off him.
Who is this guy? I don’t recognize him anywhere. Is it that big guy? Unlikely, he would probably be apprehensive, but not scared like this. That guy looks like someone with more dignity.
He scrambled out of the place quickly. No idea what that was even about. Guess I'm just gonna ignore that and go back to ordering something.
“Hey, waiter. What do you recommend?” I asked out loud, since this place is quite empty at the moment.
“I would recommend one of the lunch sets, whichever you prefer, customer.” He said, sounding slightly on edge. Was it because of what that guy did earlier? No matter.
“Then I’ll get this set then.” I said while pointing at one of the menu items. “Beverage is ice tea.”
He noted the order down and walked over to the counter to relay the order.
…Yeah this place is very quiet. The rough exterior probably doesn’t help, and people are probably still busy at this time. Looks like they are all super focusing on repairing. Bet this place still has quite a smelly reputation with how bloody things were before it got liberated. Unlike the other takeovers so far this one was just uncompromising and basically a dictatorship.
“Hey. Give me the usual today.” A dull yet deep voice rang out as a new customer entered this quaint place. “Huh?”
Oh, another guy taking an interest in me. Am I that attractive?
“What are you doing here?” He said as he sat across from me. Quite confrontational.
“Is this what catcalling is like nowadays? Maybe sexual harassment is a better word here.” I jokingly said.
“Don’t say such nonsense.” He replied, clearly not finding that joke funny.
“Sure man. Anyway, five-spike head, what’s up?” It’s pretty easy to tell who this is, so let’s cut to the chase.
“I’m surprised to see you here. It’s that simple.” He answered. Why is he so confrontational then? Could stand to be a little bit more friendly.
“What? Why can’t one of this town’s saviors be here?” Obviously I barely did anything, but I’d say I would’ve liberated this place one way or another by myself if Wiina didn’t call dibs first.
“I would not call you that.” He bluntly stated. A man who doesn’t mince his words. I guess he knows I’m not that unreasonable. If I were going to make a jab at others, I should take some on the chin, or at least play it off.
“Oh come on now. At least I help out more than I hurt, right? I took out two important guys, that’s gotta count for something.” I said with a smirk. Wiina can deal with them in less than a second if she wanted to, but she graciously let me deal with them even if she could just subdue them nonlethally instead of leaving it to someone with a high kill count.
“You seem more like a hindrance.” Okay, now he’s pushing it a bit. Usually most people don’t go for such harsh words so early in a conversation.
“Come on. Be nicer, will ya? Why are you even chatting with a little ol’ me anyway?” I said while waving at him with a light chuckle.
“Just wondering why you’re here now. Back then, it seems like you were only interested in this place because of the conflict.” He said, his tone remained cautious. So that’s it? He thinks I’m gonna stir something up for the fun of it? I’m not gonna do that here, there isn’t even anyone remotely interesting aside from him anyway. What do I get to gain from that?
“Hah. As if I’m gonna try anything. This place has nothing but weaklings, for one. Secondly, there ain’t any easy target to play around with for fun. The more wicked a person is, the more likely that their reaction will be hilarious when I break them.” I haven’t tried to break someone more virtuous, but I would’ve imagined that they’re nowhere near as satisfying to play with. It’s just a hunch. I think fighting arrogant bad guys is more fun than just fighting someone very strong, but maybe I just haven’t been doing the latter as much.
Emmie sure loves fighting strong guys no matter how much she is outclassed. She should have a bit more self-preservation.
This dude’s face doesn’t seem to relax at all after such a reassuring statement. What a downer.
“...So how have things been on your end? Looks like the town is getting better, but you still seem to be on edge.” I asked since he kept quiet and wouldn’t say anything.
“I have been doing fine. Simply keeping things clean and simple.” He said, not divulging any specific details, be it about his livelihood or people he knows.
“Well ain’t that swell.” I said, unable to give much of a remark to such a shallow response. “Just gotta love such a vague response, are you still scared? You shouldn’t be. I have no reason to do anything here, just like I said earlier.”
“Can’t say that is the most reassuring.” He replied cautiously.
“Sure, and just live with that paranoia of yours. You’re too much of a weakling for me to care.” That line makes me sound more like Emmie, but it is a pretty good line to rile someone up. He doesn’t vocally react to that, but he’s clearly not pleased with my insulting tone. Now are you actually going to risk everything just from that slight?
…He’s not responding. Looks like he’s not stupid. He better not be if he’s supposedly someone who goes against a group of no-gooders who wants to rule with an iron fist and very draconian tactics.
“...Hey. Have a bit of fun, will ya?” I said with the period of silence prolonged.
“Are you serious just here for that? Just looking around?” He asked one more time. He only met me once and he already thinks I’m someone with an ulterior motive. Am I that much of a sussy gal? I know I was never the most straightforward person, but this kind of accusation is a bit ridiculous ain’t it?
“How many times do I need to say that you old fart? Just let me live my life, will ya?” I provoke him some more for that. I don’t actually know his age, but he looks middle-aged, in his thirties or so.
That seems to make him a little embarrassed. I’m gonna be real here, I don’t even know where to take the conversation. He’s clearly not the type to get worked up, and I don’t have a lot to talk about since I wasn’t even expecting to find a conversation partner here. It’s getting kinda awkward, not exactly a fun situation.
———Messi———
<1: 38 pm>
*Swing* *Slash*
“Haaa… Haaa…” Floor nineteen done… I’m tired. Maybe I’m just not in the best condition today. Just how in the world does she manage to go down past floor eighty while only looking a bit winded is absurd.
Right now it feels like I can barely stand without using the spear in my hand as support. I can’t even go to the next floor at this rate. Alright. Let’s get back up, just after I collect a few things and get my chump changes for today.
Having to do so much chores after killing these things and getting back up to the surface is a massive drain. Even if I have enough energy to go for floor twentieth I would’ve collapsed unless I got lucky with the potion drop.
Right… That’s enough. It’s still gross that these monsters even bleed. From what Karra said, it seems like these things don’t even follow the law of nature. They should only be sustaining themselves with mana, and yet they mimic how normal living creatures look and act.
…Anyway. Let’s go back up to the surface. I really don’t want to stay here longer than I needed to. All this luggage is draining my stamina quickly with how heavy and cumbersome it is to move them, and I need to be careful to make sure the potions bottles don’t break.
Just… getting up and away. Going up the stairs or slopes to the upper floor is definitely a silent killer in many aspects. More because it drains the very little stamina someone has after a dungeon run.
Kara got it easy with all the teleport circles embedded into the dungeon near her. She’s extremely lucky with all of that. I don’t think Lrem got something like that and yet she always seems to never be frustrated about it. Those two seem to get things locked down.
Then there’s Idea. I have no idea what is up with them. Still as mysterious as ever.
Other people in the group chat seem to be having the same problem I am, if they even dabble in the dungeon antics in the first place, or even anything magic related.
It’s kinda odd that there could be someone who doesn’t go into a dungeon who could be a strong fighter and magic user. You’d think those two parts would be more closely related.
…Speaking of things from the Eclipse, do people even talk about those monster habitats nowadays? Feels like that just come and go.
———Lerim———
<1: 50 pm>
*Swing* *SLASH* *CRASH*
I really hope there isn't a single soul near the place I aimed. This place is usually void of any individual, but I can never be completely sure.
As for the result, that giant monster with a long trunk got cut clean in half like it got hit with one of those water laser tech, whatever they’re called.
That big slash also caused a massive gash in the ground that went through trees and hills. It definitely looks like a giant guillotine blade falling out of the sky and cutting through everything.
…How much power did I put into that in total? It’s not at max. Maybe sixty to seventy percent? That attack barely takes any time to charge up and I don’t feel fatigued at the moment.
Could be some room for improvement, but that’s why I even came here to practice in the first place, to find where I could improve my limited amount of techniques. Just simple stuff like shockwave slashes, healing, flying.
Probably enough practice for today. I shouldn’t be out of town for too long in case something bad happened nearby again. Time to take my leave.