[Reberu] ga Arunara Agerudesho? Mobukyara ni Tensei Shita Ore wa Gēmu Chishiki o Ikashi, Hitasura Reberu o Age Tsudzukeru - CH 104

[You’re a Bona Fide Masochist?]

I’m getting tired of watching, so I think up a new training method.

I thought that I’d be able to train by without colliding with something if I fixed my body to a tree using a thread and tried it, but the experience points gain is hopelessly bad. Is it because my body is in horizontal position, after all?

As I thought, doing it in a roundabout way is the shortest way, and steady leveling may eventually lead to maximum efficiency… etc, etc. As I’m lost in thought while leveling, Akano calls me, so I get off the tree.

“So, how did it go? Is it over? In that case, you guys are probably tired; wanna take a break?” (Sakurai)

“…I know it’s not my place to say this, but why’s the one who got beaten up black and blue until a while ago is the one most energetic now?” (Amanai)

“I downed a potion, that’s why. Besides, unlike you, I practically received no mental damage.” (Sakurai)

“You little.” (Amanai)

“Look, I got preparation to make, so sit down anywhere you like.” (Sakurai)

I say so and decide to take out the camping set that I had prepared in advance and have him take a break.

This was something I originally prepared at the time of my enrollment into the academy in case I couldn’t go home because I was too absorbed in leveling.

However, since I started living in the log house with Iris and Higaki, one of them would always come and grab me by the scruff to take me back whenever I was in the dungeon for too long, so the camping set had become completely fertilized in the storage room.

I never thought it would see the light of day in this way. This must be what they call well prepared means no worries!

What? It’s not…? Well, it doesn’t matter, really.

“As I thought, when you’re not 100% sure whether you can solve something, leaving it to (relying on) others by using or imposing it on them is the best way to get it done. Those who can do it knows the ins and outs, so they’d less likely make mistakes and fail. I’m actually the kind of guy that isn’t good at persuading, that’s why I left it to Akano and it turned out successful… successful, y’know? Well, as long as the person doing it isn’t worse than me at it, they’d bound to succeed! Seriously, my plan is truly perfect, gahahaha!” (Sakurai)

Contrary to the warmth of the bonfire surrounded by everyone, the gazes they look at me with are cold.

However, I’ve been moving for everyone’s sake since the academy festival has started, so they should be able to at least be a little nice and let me be condescending and brag about my good deeds as a reward.

Now that Amanai has calmed down somehow after spilling out his tears and feelings, it should be a good time for snack.

Thinking that my exhausted needs food for the time being, I decide to take out a simple cooking utensil from the camping set and cook a simple light meal.

“So you can cook, Sakurai-kun. That’s really unexpected.” (Reika)

“I can’t make any complicated stuffs, though. If it’s just putting stuffs on top of another and bake them, then anyone can do it.” (Sakurai)

By the way the light meal is my homemade toasted sandwiches.

Put a dried meat, onions and cheese in a couple loaf of breads so that they are pressed firmly, and then just bake them on a frying pan.

The outside is crispy and the inside is all melty with cheese.

With onions giving it more texture and flavor, even if you add whatever you want in it after that, you’d be able to eat it. It is such a mysterious recipe.

By the way, this time I didn’t add in anything other than a dried meat, but if you want to add insects in it, I recommend you not to put them on the cross-section or the sides of the sandwich so that they can’t be seen.

Things like their texture or their feet, when you get to taste them… hm?

I remember something not quite pleasant, so I decide to drink a cup of plain hot water and forget about it.

Let’s just say that I have pulled that kind of prank on the ‘Sword Saint’ Uncle before.

“Phew… now then.” (Sakurai)

Now that we’ve taken some rest, I turn my gaze to Amanai who have been practically silent until now.

Noticing my gaze, Amanai lay his cup of plain hot water next to him and look back at me firmly.

When I actually face him, I realize that something has changed from the atmosphere about him.

How should I put it, it’s like the thing that’s been possessing him has fallen, and he has become free.

Anyway, I can’t judge his inmost heart, so I decide to ask some questions to Amanai.

“So, how is it? You feel good now?” (Sakurai)

“Your question is too vague… well, I feel lighter somewhat.” (Amanai)

“Then can you kill Julia?” (Sakurai)

“Your questions jump all over the place.” (Amanai)

His problem was that he was in low spirit and couldn’t get over it, so if that’s been resolved, it’s natural to ask if he can fight with the intention of killing his opponent, isn’t it?

Ah, was it wrong to use Julia as the example? Well, if you’re asked if you can kill a royalty all of a sudden, of course you’d react that way.

Then how about Baldasare… Yang Lan… and who’s next? The lot from the Black Sword? In particular, I’d like him to dirty his hands and deal with Nanashino Katsumi by all means.

“Sakurai-kun, let’s slowly get our way there, okay?” (Reika)

“That’s just a waste of time…” (Sakurai)

“I want to organize my feelings and put them into words properly, so give me some time. Please.” (Amanai)

When he says that much, I feel like I’m doing something wrong for some reason.

However, I can agree that he needs to solidify his thought and put it into words.

If I shout, “Today, I’ll earn more experience points than yesterday—!”, in the morning, it will be the same as if I want to continue leveling anything until I get that much.

In my case, if I don’t do that, it’s like I’m making my own break from continuing leveling without restriction, so it’s the opposite of the one that solidifies the intention to move forward.

“Let’s see… I know it’s already late, but I won’t try to stick to the original storyline anymore; I’ll stop acting like the protagonist. I want to do what I want to do.” (Amanai)

“Hmm.” (Sakurai)

“Also… honestly, I haven’t completely gotten rid of my feeling of reluctance of fighting. That’s why, I’m thinking of changing my fighting style.” (Amanai)

“Hmm.” (Sakurai)

“Assuming that I’m going to fight the Black Sword in the future, my current fighting style just won’t cut it. I had thought that if I hurt someone, I had to understand their pain, that’s why I chose bare-handed. I’m thinking of using weapons and magic from now on and… are you listening?” (Amanai)

You, are you a bona fide masochist? Is what I think, but I am listening.

I can’t understand why you gotta hurt yourself if you hurt someone else. It sounds kinda close to the level of oath you have to make for entering some shady religion.

It is the total opposite of me. I think that if you hurt someone, the best course of action would be to laugh and provoke your opponent one-sidedly from outside their attack range so as to avoid their counter-attack and stay as uninjured as possible.

Eh? Then why is my combat style a close range-type, you ask?

Because leveling is basically a battle of attrition. It is more convenient to be able to kill the opponent by repeatedly smashing the ‘fight’ command.

I don’t have talent for magic, so when it comes to long-range attacks, my only option is a bow and arrow, which would mean I would have to waste time, luggage space, and thinking power into resource management of arrows; it’s extremely troublesome.

“Is it really good to change your style because a change in your mental state? As for me, I think it would be a great waste if you give up your bare-handed skills.” (Sakurai)

“Really?” (Amanai)

“I knew when we exchanged fists, but no doubt that in a pure bare-handed fist fight, you’re stronger than Iris. You might be on the same level of Anubis, I think?” (Sakurai)

In learning ‘Soul Attack’, I was directly taught its basics by Anubis in the Netherworld.

Of course, free sparring was included in the training. Even after returning to this world, although I prioritize swordsmanship, I always spar against Iris once a day.

Although this battle, which I gladly took part in based on the premise of me holding on while nurturing ‘hit resistance’ and sparring for refining ‘Soul Attack’, had a considerable differences in terms of circumstances, it is certain that Amanai’s way of fighting, in which he strikes a blow after seeing through enemy’s movements or feints, is a high-leveled one.

Although I’m not sure as to which is superior, it’s like Anubis is of the hard-fist and Amanai is of the soft-fist, I guess?

“Well, I don’t care a whit about that. That’s not something you can change overnight, and frankly speaking, the most important thing right now is Julia.” (Sakurai)

“Certainly. If we don’t prevent Julia from winning the individual award on tomorrow’s round robin, Hayato will end up be leaving the academy for a while, and we won’t be able to fulfill the promise with Sakurai.” (Reika)

Akano says in agreement with my words.

Although I’ve taken quite a long detour, the original promise was that I would make Amanai stronger so that he could overcome Julia event that he himself triggered.

However, there wasn’t enough time to simply raise his level, so I decided to act as a hindrance in the competition, which was the beginning of the detour.

Afterward, the problem of Amanai himself cropped up, so I ended up having to resort to drastic treatment like this.

“Anyway, if you’ve completely changed your preparedness, there is one thing you must definitely do.” (Sakurai)

“Something I must do?” (Amanai)

“Yeah, completely changing your preparedness and aiming for getting a fresh start is like sort of like mentally returning to zero for the current you.” (Sakurai)

And if you want to start over (rebuild) in any form, there is something you need to do to firmly solidify that feeling.

Considering not only the battle with Julia but also the future battles, this is definitely necessary for Amanai.

I stand up and brush off the soil stuck on my pants, then stretch my back and rotate my shoulders to loosen up my body.

Then, after taking a light deep breath, I hold out my hand to Amanai who is frowning to urge him to stand up.

“Come on, get up. If you go back to zero and start over, you’ll need to level up first to get used to your new self.” (Sakurai)

It’s not leveling status, but the heart, so to speak.

It’s like a test drive to check your growth and changes.

After being a little stunned, Amanai laughs lightly, takes my hand and gets up, and then this time, he holds out his hand to Akano.

Taking his hand and standing up, Akano smiles happily and laughs “Fufu” for some reason, and lured by her, Amanai deepens his smile, too.

Seeing that, I feel that he’s going to have no problem with the way he is now, so I nod with satisfaction and voice out my plan after this.

“‘Aight, we only have about 13 hours before the start of the competition tomorrow, so we’re gonna go leveling without sleep nor rest!” (Sakurai)

When I proudly tell them my rough calculation that includes the time it would take us to return above-ground, the two look at me with stunned expressions; their smiles until just now gone somewhere. At that, I tilt my head to the side slightly, wondering if I said something strange.

Then, after securing Amanai, who immediately tried to escape while pulling Akano by the hand with him, with ‘Shishū’, I start going down the stairs leading to the 31st floor while dragging him as is.

“Wait! Sakurai, please wait! Please, at least leave Akano out of this!” (Amanai)

“That! How can I go and leave Hayato alone!” (Reika)

It’s just leveling, what is there to be so afraid about?

Anyway, just as it is reassuring to have companions when traveling, there’s no need of mercy when leveling.

Therefore, relax. Only traveling companions are left alone, whereas you two are dragged forcibly.

“It’s strange that we’re gonna have no sleep or rest, isn’t it! Moreover, why do we need to do it in 13 hours straight!” (Amanai)

“But without that much time, you can’t test drive properly, right?” (Sakurai)

“If it’s just to check my condition, an hour is enough, isn’t it!?” (Amanai)

What the fuck are you saying, you bastard… it usually takes me 5-6 hours to get used to a new skill…!

Are you bragging about your talent, to rub the fact that you’re superior than me on my face!? Huuh!?

“Why do you get angry!?” (Amanai)

“Ah. Though I said that before, I’ll follow Sakurai-kun. Now is probably the only time we get to be this reckless, after all.” (Reika)

“No, what are you saying!?” (Amanai)

“Didn’t you say it when we enrolled. You said, quote, “Making mistakes as a student is also experience.” In fact, it’s necessary to understand what your current limits are in order to get used to yourself, right?” (Reika)

I also wanted to say that.

“I want to become stronger. I want to become stronger and catch up with Hayato and Ethel and overtake you guys. Come on, stand up already, Hayato! Otherwise, I’ll end up leaving you in a double sense, you know!” (Reika)

“So she says, Amanai.” (Sakurai)

“Kh… ahh geez! I get it! I’m going! I’m going, so untie these threads!” (Amanai)

Umu, very well. Having such resolution is the first step in leveling.

Well, no need to worry. Leveling is essentially about keep winning against opponents you can beat, and since I will be strictly supervising, if you do it seriously, you should not get injured that much.

“I get it, but why is the premise getting hurt…” (Amanai)

“Because it’s best if you get ambushed from behind so as to get rid of your drowsiness.” (Sakurai)

“That means you’re coming with, right? Then you must be joking about 13 hours without sleep or rest, right? If we take a break, we don’t have to do that, right!?” (Amanai)

“Shaddap, you made me waste lots of time and effort, so Imma watch you suffer to relieve my stress.” (Sakurai)

“Don’t tell me, that’s your true intention!? Wai-, uoh!? Forest Kong!?” (Amanai)

“Get your mind straight, we’re already in the 31st floor! If you see it in your sight, watch for its the initial action and knock it down with a counter!” (Sakurai)

“I’m bare-handed, though!” (Amanai)

“Do it with a hand-blade!” (Sakurai)

“Hey, you two, a lot more are coming from the front! There are more than 10!” (Reika)

“I just used ‘Monster-Luring Perfume’ that had 6 times the concentration, so of course they’d crowd here.” (Sakurai)

“That’s the cause of this shitty sweet smell, huuuh—!!” (Amanai)

While continuing our back and forth, Amanai and I eliminate the oncoming monsters, and with Akano’s magic supporting between times, we go down the dungeon.

The target floor is the 39th floor, and the time limit is a little 13 hours.

It seems that the leveling over a long period of time is enough to throw away the hesitation from Amanai and turn the mistakes he had made until now into memories.

Amanai Hayato’s fists have become much faster, sharper, and heavier than before