HP9999999999 - Chapter 19
HP9 Chapter 19: A Mysterious Old Man
Translated by Xevonin and released 11 hours ago (Read 1648 times)
You bastard, what the Hell are you laughing about?
Oh, I have to apologize. I just couldnt help but notice how conceited people like you have to be if you really think you can just blackmail me.
I try, very deliberately, to get a rise out of them. The veins on the delinquents heads start to bulge and pop in response.
Underestimating us, you little!
Looks like yer in dire need of some good old education!
One of the men with a more decent sheen of muscle stands in front of me, flaunting his strength by cracking his knuckles. If I were still the same person Id been as a human, I would have, with absolutely no method of protecting myself, been beaten to a mushy pulp by these ruffians and then been sent on an impromptu trip to the hospital. But Im not the same person I used to be.
Alright then, come here.
You asked for it!
The mans fist makes contact with my right cheek, resulting in a dull, echoing noise. However, the sound hadnt come from my cheek. It had come from the mans fist.
U Uaaaaaaaaaargh!
The man lets out a shriek of agony, his eyes wide open. The mans hand had been crushed, almost as if he had slammed his fist into a hammer. Large fountains of blood spurted from his hand.
W-What the?!
What the damn Hell just happened?!
The other delinquents break out into a bit of a commotion. The Transformation spell might change my appearance, but it doesnt do much to change the stats I have as a High King. This man had basically just used his bare fist on me, with all my 99,999 points in defense. So yeah, its sort of a given that this would happen.
Whats the matter? Didnt you want to educate me on something?
Y-You little!
Another one of the delinquents comes at me, swinging an iron bat into my head. The damage is, of course, zero. The iron bat had, on the other hand, been snapped in two.
Did that settle your nerves?
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Hieh!!!
Just where had that air of authority theyd had gone off to? The face of the delinquents had warped into twisted, fear-filled visages. Runts of this caliber arent even worth an incantation.
Then why dont I just show you how you really play the preying on the weak game.
Ua Uaaaaaaaaargh!
The hooligans scatter and run away, barely able to keep themselves on their own two feet. You can change the looks as much as you want, but once a monster, always a monster. I like to think that Ive taught them a lesson about not judging people on their looks.
Anyway, with that little spat behind me, I finally arrive in front of the general store, not a hair out of place. Im glad I made it just in time for the interview. From what I can see, the stores already open. It doesnt look like the owner would run for the hills like that florist, either.
I make myself a little more presentable, double-checking to see if theres any blood on my clothes. Im starting to get a little nervous, even though I hadnt been back at the florists. Maybe its because Im in my human form now.
With the spectacle that had gone down with my first part-time job choice, Im set on working well and earning my proper pay. I may have gone completely off track from my initial plan of upping the High Kings image, but never mind that! I just have to concentrate on finishing this quest a part-time job, rather thats right in front of me!
Alrighty then, lets get into the store. Im not entirely sure how acceptable it is for someone looking to be interviewed to enter through the front door, so I make sure to go through the back again.
Excuse me. Im here for the interview.
This time, I make use of a much more decent word choice to call through the door. But no matter how long I wait, it doesnt feel like anyones coming to the door. There isnt even a single response.
Thats weird. The stores still open, so there should definitely be someone. Maybe theyre in the middle of important business they cant get away from.
Pardon me.
Seeing as the door isnt locked, I decided to try and open it. Thats when Im greeted with the sight of a lone man pressing his forehead against the ground.
Ill give you every little thing I own! So please, I beg you, at least spare my little girls life!
Um.
Im at a loss and have no idea what to do. I awkwardly scratch away at my cheek. Something tells me its not been that long ago since I heard a line like that.
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This man has to be the store owner.
What the -?!
Once the man raises his face from the ground, he takes one look at me and falls into a blank stare.
Um I heard the High King was supposed to come here for an interview. Just who might you be?
The man, who appears to be of a more timid sort, directs this question towards me with more than a little confusion. High King or not, its probably for the better if I dont reveal myself to him.
My names Hamou*, actually. Do you think you just got the two names mixed up?
I feel as if this is just short of impossible to pull through, but the man seems satisfied with what I had to say.
Oh, so thats what that was! And here I was sure that the High King himself would come here to crush this store! The more I think about it, the less likely it seems that the High King would go out of his way to crush this little old general store, huh? Im so sorry for catching you off guard like that!
Haha Oh, dont worry about it. Its actually a pretty common mistake, happens all the time.
Im a little curious to see the kind of face hed make if I undid my Transformation spell, but I think thats just a little too much mischief from me. Lets just forget about that.
So about the interview
Huh? Oh, who cares about some old interview?! You look like the hard-working type, so youre hired!
Are you sure youre fine with that?
Really, Id appreciate the help. We dont really have enough workers here, and I was getting worried. Looking forward to working with you from now on, Hamou-kun! Oh, Im the stores owner, by the way!
Sure. I hope we can get along.
Thinking to myself that being short on working hands isnt any wonder if youre going to recruit with an hourly wage of five pieces of copper, I shake hands with the shopkeeper. Since just the slightest of slip-ups could end up with me crushing his hand, I push myself, giving all I have just to maintain that one handshake.
So, Id like to get you started on work right away today. That alright with you?
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Sure, I really dont mind.
Okay then, heres the store uniform. The changing rooms over there, okay?
I accept the uniform he hands over to me and get changed in the locker room. It consists of a pink apron that had the picture of a cat sewn onto it. It looks so adorable, in fact, that Im hesitant to try it on. But since this is the store-issued uniform, theres nothing I can do.
Lets get you started with some accounting work. I know it isnt easy at first, but just do your best until it grows on you.
Got it.
When I turn to face the counter, a man with a muscular build who looks to be somewhere in his thirties enters my field of vision, his arms crossed. Hes wearing the exact same uniform as me, so I can assume that hes another employee. The pink apron strongly clashes with his appearance, making for an incredibly surreal sight.
Oh, thats Khiel-san. If theres anything you need to know, just ask him about it.
I understand.
I move over to the inner side of the counter and bow my head toward Khiel.
Ill be in your care from now on. My names Yuu Hamou. Its nice to meet you.
New blood, are ya?
Khiel-san had spoken with a very intimidating voice.
Listen up, lad. This here, its a battlefield. Lose your head for just a second, and youre done for. Wanna live? Then just watch my back and learn how to survive.
Wait, isnt this a general store? Whys this guy ready to risk his life over a part-time job?
But still, nothing beats good, hard work. Nothing beats the taste of sake bought with the money your own sweat and tears bring you. Makes you remember youre alive.
And now hes talking again, adding even more on top. Also, I dont think this is the kind of job thatd make you sweat that much
Khiel-sans pretty much a celebrated veteran of this store. Been working here for fifteen years, you know.
Fifteen years?!
What the shopkeeper just said throws me for a loop. How much work can you even put in for a measly five coppers an hour?!
*Hamou A pronunciation close to the Japanese term for High King or Supreme Ruler; Haou.