[Reberu] ga Arunara Agerudesho? Mobukyara ni Tensei Shita Ore wa Gēmu Chishiki o Ikashi, Hitasura Reberu o Age Tsudzukeru - CH 91

[Mob Bastard and Cheater Bastard]

Cheat.

In my previous life, it was a word that appeared frequently in the fields of manga, anime, light novels, etc., and was often used with meanings such as ‘too strong’ and ‘too versatile’.

However, its original meaning is ‘to trick’ or ‘to deceive’, and it has a strong negative nuance as an unfair and illegal act that should be avoided among us gamers.

Among those who have touched games to some extent, many should know that in online games, cheaters play cat-and-mouse games with the management side daily.

Cheats in a game world are not prepared intentionally by the creators. Most of them are caused by the use of bugs or hacking, basically destroying the game balance and impairing fairness, which will end up causing many damages.

For example: becoming invincible and not receiving any damage, warping just before the goal at the moment the race starts, and multiplying items that can only be obtained once infinitely.

As for me, I would make a use of a bug that pierce through the hole in the game’s program as long as it certainly wouldn’t bother anyone else.

Like the multiplying item bug that I used when I resurrected from the Netherworld.

Naturally, whatever happens to the game after the use of a cheat falls under the category of one’s own responsibility.

So, even if the game cannot proceed or worse the software is broken, the one who’s at fault is oneself.

Well, that happened to me once, so I ended up having to buy the same software twice. After then, I vowed that I would never try out a bug that could possibly lead to that again.

On top of that, I made sure not to touch anything related to cheats, which modify the game’s data using external tools, and online games, which involve contact with other people. My experience from the previous life left no good impression of cheats in me.

I don’t mean to say that you can cheat however you want in offline game since it’s meant to be played and enjoyed alone, but in online games’ case, cheaters were rampant during the short period I was playing them, so I’ve always avoided them since.

I couldn’t muster my motivation to continue playing a game in which shitty bastards who steal the prey of other people with a space jumping one-hit kill attack were all over the place.

Anyways, that’s what my stance on cheating is, regardless of its right or wrong from ethical point of view.

Therefore, I can’t help but make a slight frown at the person who brazenly declared that cheat is ‘the highest privilege that only we, players, are allowed to use!’ in front of another player.

But still, perhaps Nanashino is engrossed in his boasting, as he doesn’t notice my complexion and keeps on talking about his so-called trump card.

“I’m still not completely sure about the principles behind the magic of ‘System Command’, but I’ve been conducting tests with the focus of myself as the target.” (Nanashino)

“Focusing yourself as the target?” (Sakurai)

“Yeah, I found out that any magic would activate as long as the target is oneself. Say, you wish ‘lit a fire’, a fire will ignite on yourself then. That’s why, frankly speaking, the only magic usable with ‘System Command’ is ones that have the effect of enhancing oneself. This is where cheat code shines.” (Nanashino_

“Hmm.” (Sakurai)

“Cheat code can exert various effects in a game, right? Turning invincible, becoming faster, warping, multiplying, etc.… but in the end, it’s just adding such information to the character in the game. In short, cheat code is kinda like a buff, so I thought. Then I tried it out with System Command, and it worked.” (Nanashino)

“I see.” (Sakurai)

“It expends magic power like crazy, though! But during the duration I’m using it, I’m simply invincible, and there’s no one who can beat me… well, no one but the Sword Saint.” (Nanashino)

The way he put it just emphasized Uncle’s dangerousness, though. Is that a good thing, I wonder?

Or rather, despite the long and lengthy explanation, the important parts are vague… Well, I’m able to get new information and find out that the man before me is just a cheater bastard. I’ve profited out of it, I guess.

“So~, that’s it from me. Now, time to keep your end of the deal.” (Nanashino)

“Aight. I’ll only say it once, so listen well, ‘kay?” (Sakurai)

Therefore, I decide to pass the information about Amanai to Nanashino in return for his story, which is a load of boastful shit.

Even though I may not look like it, I’m the type who upheld my part of the deal.

That’s why I provided him a special blend of 70% truth and 30% lies; I told him that Amanai was the solver of the opera house incident, and that he already has the strength to trigger Julia’s event.

“I see~. He must be a reincarnated person, too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to trigger the princess’s event in May. Considering the opera house incident, is he over level 70…? Iya~, seems like he’s a tough one; can I win, I wonder? Well, victory or defeat is secondary, though.” (Nanashino)

Nanashino mutters to himself as if he’s enjoying it even while being worried, for some reason.

And when he raises his face as though he just realizes something in the middle of his thinking, Nanashino grins and calls out to me.

“Hey, you… eh, have I asked your name? Well, whatever; why don’t you join the ‘Black Sword (us)’? I’ll give you the position of an executive.” (Nanashino)

I unconsciously say, “Hah?”, to Nanashino, who shows me a bright smile like he has come up with a good idea.

“When dealing with the protagonist, who is also a reincarnated person, it will definitely be easier with two people, rather than I alone, won’t it? Like they say, there is power in number.” (Nanashino)

“There’s nothing in it for me.” (Sakurai)

“We just have to discuss the terms. At the very least, you’ll be able to use the power of an organization, that is the ‘Black Sword’, y’know? If you want an item or something, you can just tell your subordinates to get them, and you’ll be able to get your hand on highly accurate information quicker and easier than collecting it by yourself. I’m sure it’ll serve you well in achieving your purpose.” (Nanashino)

“No, my purpose is leveling.” (Sakurai)

“Then, isn’t that all the more reason you need the power of an organization? To be strong, you need to collect good quality weapons, and you need to monopolize items and hunting grounds, too. For that, you need a lot of manpower, no? And earlier, you were curious about the experience points of the knights I had killed. If you can ‘earn experience points when killing’, you can power leveling by having your subordinates weaken monsters and deliver the killing blow by yourself!” (Nanashino)

No, I won’t be able to enjoy leveling, then.

Why’s this guy mistaking ‘leveling’ for ‘wanting to become stronger’?

I love leveling and striving for it every day because accumulated experience points promise growth and results.

But don’t get me wrong, becoming stronger is a supplementary prize of leveling for me… it’s kinda like a bonus.

For example, let’s assume that someone’s value of physical strength is increased by +1 as a result of leveling over a long period of time.

If he then says, “Why do I improved only this much even though I’ve did my best?”, then that person is definitely the typical guy who only sees leveling as a means to get stronger.

On the other hand, if he says, “Hyaa! The level has risen and my status has improved, hyahoo! Uhe, uhehehe! Ohohoho, thiiis iiis the beeestt!”, then that person must have leveling as a purpose, like me.

Of course, if you become stronger, you will be able to defeat new monsters and you will be able to step deeper into dungeons.

It leads to an increase in experience points gain efficiency, so becoming stronger is a good thing.

But still, for me, whose purpose is leveling, the most important thing is the fact that I have ‘grown’; I don’t pay much attention to ‘how much I’ve grown’.

Naturally, I know that this thinking is a minority.

That’s why I firmly stated that my purpose is leveling, it is not a means.

Why does he mistake it for ‘becoming stronger’? Is he okay in the head?

“If you join me, I will not hold back teaching you ‘System Command’. It’d probably take time because you’re a mob character, but since you’re also a player, you should be able to learn it somehow. Once you’ve learnt it, I’m sure you’d be able to easily level up with ‘Cheat Code’.” (Nanashino)

And then, Nanashino purposefully looks to the left and right as if to confirm that there’s no one around – even though this is an empty corridor – approaches me while grinning, and draws his face closer to mine. He then covers the side of his mouth with his hand and whispers to my ear,

“Leveling is not easy, right? When you reach the counter stop with ‘Cheat Code’, you’ll be released from the stupid leveling… don’t you think?” (Nanashino)

He probably meant it as a sweet temptation.

However, it became the decisive factor in deciding my response, and while trying to keep calm, I give my answer to the grinning Nanashino.

“I told you that my purpose was leveling. Eat shit, fucker.” (Sakurai)

With a cold gaze, I raised my middle finger and said, without hiding my disgust.

To be honest, I have no problem with ‘Cheat Code’.

Rather, I’d like to use it if it can allow me to increase my experience points gain efficiency, open my level upper limit infinitely, move to a dungeon by jumping through space, and etc.

After all, unlike in the game, this is a real world where you clearly face your enemies with your life on the line. In this world, failure leads to death, and you can’t just choose to continue or retry like in the game.

That’s why the ridiculousness of not using something usable greatly exceed the sense of repulsion inside me.

So even if it bears the stigma of unfair and illegal, as long as I can do leveling more efficiently and enjoy it longer with it, I’d happily use ‘Cheat Code’.

Therefore, the means presented by Nanashino is not the problem.

The only thing that doesn’t sit well with me is this guy said that leveling (making efforts) is ‘stupid’.

Nanashino – who probably never thought that he’d be rejected by me, who didn’t bother to keep up appearances after getting my reverse scale touched – opens his eyes wide and stands stock-still for a few seconds.

Then he drops his shoulders slightly and mutters, “I see,” like it’s unfortunate, before making a cheerful smile as if to blow that away.

“Then die.” (Nanashino)

Nanashino then swings the two-handed sword he’s been carrying silently behind him with one hand.

When it come into contact with my sword that I’ve promptly hold up in defensive position, the blades rub against each other, scattering sparks, before veering away.

I managed to block it because I had originally expected him to attack, plus the length of the two-handed sword didn’t fit in this narrow corridor, so the tip of his sword scraped against the wall surface and it got slowed down, but the speed of his sword was as fast as that of Uncle, who is the Sword Saint.

I dodge the second slash that follows by bending down, and vigorously shoulder tackle Nanashino who have swung up his sword and is trying to bisect me, who is bent down, as I had predicted.

“Nuoo, to!” (Sakurai)

A distance is opened up between me and Nanashino, who is pushed back from impact.

It is a distance that each of us can close in an instant, but it is enough to give me room to response to his move.

“I hadn’t thought you could defend against that… even if you’re worthless, you’re still a player, huh.” (Nanashino)

“Everyone knows that if someone silently hold their sword behind their body as they approach, they’ll definitely attack the moment they get rejected.” (Sakurai)

“Very well said.” (Nanashino)

“You’re intending to kill me regardless of whether I refuse or not to begin with anyway, ain’t you?” (Sakurai)

“Geez~ you knew from the start, huh. Well, I’m still part of an evil organization, so I gotta kill the witness, right? Ah, but I’m honestly happy to meet another reincarnated person (player), see. That’s why I told you various things. To give you a pleasant memory to take to the afterlife, so to speak!” (Nanashino)

Nanashino, who says lines that I’ve heard so many times somewhere, sounds like a villain.

No, he is a villain (boss character).

So, there’s no problem even if I turn him into the rust of my sword, and no one will get angry if I try to use him as a source of experience points.

Well, it’s difficult to capture a boss character solo without any advance preparation, so escape is always an option, right?

Even if my heart is burning with anger, I have to keep my head cool because I have little chance of winning, objectively speaking, but… alright! If there’s an opening, Imma kill him!

“Ah, right. Come to think of it, I haven’t asked you your purpose.” (Sakurai)

“What? Do you think I’m gonna tell you now that it has come to this?” (Nanashino)

Right~ — while thinking so, I breathe out lightly and take a stance with my sword.

The place is inside the inn, on the 4th floor. A long straight corridor with doors leading to private rooms.

It’s not that wide, so it’d be easier for me, who have a one-handed sword with a relatively shorter blade, than the opponent, who have a two-handed sword when swinging the sword.

The stairs leading to the entrance are across Nanashino. Fortunately, our current standing positions are close to the stairs, so I have plenty of space to move back.

(The wall of the inn seems to be thick. Will the commotion here even reach outside, I wonder?)

While making sure not to divert my attention away from Nanashino, I collect the information of the surroundings such as the scratches made on the wall when he launched the surprise attack earlier.

A few seconds of glaring at each other pass.

In the meantime, I have mostly finished drawing up a strategy, and relax my shoulders.

“Imma go easy on you, Cheater Bastard.” (Sakurai)

“That’s my line, Mob Bastard.” (Nanashino)

After trash talking to each other, we step into each other’s sword range. The two-handed sword swinged by Nanashino digs through the wall as it draw closer.

His attack is superior both in terms of speed and power than mine to an incomparable degree; that’s exactly why, the anti-personnel experience I’ve cultivated comes to life.

I receive his sword and divert it, letting it flow to the side.

Without making a simple counterattack, I carefully take a solid stance and continue observing him.

Whether my defense broken, or I get pushed to the end of the corridor and slashed. I wonder if I can find an opening to counterattack before then.

The curtain of my battle with Nanashino Katsumi opens with me being on the defensive right from the start.