Chapter 20: The Unfinished and Endless Great Talent

The headless zombies fell backward due to the momentum.

With Anmon drastically reduced, this was my first time using the [Frostbite] combo in a real fight from such close range. I wasn’t worried, but it was still a relief when it worked.

“Shall we go?”

When I turned around, Kirishima-san was crossing her arms with a difficult expression.

“No staff… no chanting… both hands at the same time…”
“Kirishima-san?”

“What a monster you are.”
“That’s harsh!”

I couldn’t understand why she was throwing insults at me.

“Honestly, what do you think common sense is?”
“Uh, common sense?”

“…Forget it. As long as you’re strong, there’s no problem.”

Letting out a big sigh, Kirishima-san started walking. Did I do something to exasperate her?

Maybe people don’t usually cast spells with both hands simultaneously?

Oh well, I managed to do it, and Kirishima-san seemed to accept it.

“Still, we’re in luck today. The return gate is nearby.”
“Can you really tell?”

“How much do you think I come here? I’m more familiar than the veterans.”

Unlike the [Labyrinth of Beginnings], there are no markers left by others here. From the surrounding terrain, Kirishima-san can approximate the location. Knowing I wouldn’t get lost while with her was incredibly reassuring.

In the direction Kirishima-san was heading, monsters were gathering—a group of skeletons wearing tattered gear.

“For earning, aim for those first. Skeletons—sell the core in their chest for 1,000 yen.”
“So, those are worth 7,000 yen altogether.”

“I’ll step forward, so try supporting me.”
“Understood.”

Kirishima-san advanced with her spear ready.

Supporting… means helping from behind, right? Coordination… It’s my first time, so I’m unsure what to do.

However, Kirishima-san didn’t wait. She started preparing spells as if telling me to keep up.

“Lead is the battle, wrapped in flames—[Enchanted Weapon: Kagutsuchi]”

The spearhead flared up dramatically.
The fierce, red flame traced a trajectory through the air as Kirishima-san’s figure blurred.

She’s fast.
By the time I realized it, she was in the middle of the enemy formation. Taking out the first one with a single thrust, she used the momentum to slip into their ranks.

Kirishima-san shifted her weight onto her pivot foot and twisted her body. I sensed a big move coming—

“[Mystic Fire Ring]”
“[Freeze]!”

As the flames on her spear intensified, my spell encased the skeletons in ice. There was no escape. In the next moment, every skeleton was cleaved cleanly in two.

…Can a spear even cut like that?

“Not bad.”

Having put away her weapon, Kirishima-san smiled contentedly.

“You even had a coordination-friendly spell prepared; you’re well-prepared.”
“Ah…”

“What?”
“Nothing…”

I averted my eyes slightly.

I couldn’t admit it—I hadn’t prepared anything; I just froze them on a whim. I’d never been in a party before, so teamwork wasn’t even on my mind.

All I thought of was charging smash through them. But if I kept quiet, maybe Kirishima-san would consider me very prepared.

“Tell me the truth.”
“I didn’t really think about it, so I just froze them randomly…”

Kirishima-san covered her face with both hands and looked skyward.
After muttering something, she looked at me with a resigned expression.

“…I get it. I get it now. I’m not a fool.”

Looking dissatisfied, Kirishima-san nodded with a grimace.

“Nice… support.”
“It doesn’t feel like a compliment!”

“Zip it. Blame your talent, if anything.”
“That’s unreasonable!”

“Try and understand what it feels like to receive perfect support by chance. The enemy stopped moving at just the right time, making things incredibly simple. It’s terrifying in a way.”
“…….”

Her words were harsh, but they’re probably a compliment. I think so.

“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome!”

Communication established. I discretely raised a fist in triumph behind her back. She’s intense, but a genuinely nice person.

“Come on, let’s collect just the cores and move on. You want to earn money, right?”
“Yes!”

“Set a target for how much to earn.”
“100,000 yen!”

“That’s 100 skeletons. Fine by me; there’s plenty of them.”
“We won’t trigger some special boss by hunting too much, right?”

“No such trigger exists. Hunt to your heart’s content. Unlike the Angry Monkeys, these emerge from the ground.”
“If we froze where they appeared, it might make for an interesting sight.”

“It could become some kind of art, perhaps?”

Would my art be worth more than 1,000 yen? Even if it were, I have no way to document it so that idea’s off the table.

We collected the cores from the skeleton remains. They had a faint reddish hue, so they were easy to spot. About the size of a marble—this way, we can gather plenty.

But I never expected things to proceed so smoothly.
Is Area 3 always like this?

Kirishima-san is incredibly reliable, but—
It’s a bit eerie, how simple it’s been.

“We’re done here. How about you, Kirishima-san—”

A breeze from somewhere grazed my cheek.
It carried a faintly sweet scent of death.

“…..!”

At some point, it had appeared behind Kirishima-san. The monster, raising its scythe aiming for the neck. Translucent, ethereal appearance. It didn’t seem strong. No, it’s weak. I could tell clearly. Its strength seemed like that of the goblin’s, from my previous experiences.

—But—
—That scythe is no good.

“Kirishima-san!”
“I know.”

With a swipe of her spear, she raked the space behind her. Without even trying to dodge, the monster dissipated with that single hit.

With a calm expression, Kirishima-san walked over to me.

“Let’s continue.”
“What was that? That monster just now…”

Kirishima-san looked at me, opened her mouth, then closed it promptly. She exhaled and shook her head.

“I’ll explain when we return to camp. Don’t worry. It won’t ‘appear’ behind you.”

She doesn’t intend to discuss it here. I nodded and followed Kirishima-san. As I watched her place the weapon back on her back, a question resolved itself.

That’s not a spear—it’s a naginata.

◇

Together with Kirishima-san, we efficiently toured the hunting grounds.

We started practicing coordination at first, but it quickly turned into a competition, a race to be the quickest. That was all thanks to the [Frostbite] magic, which allowed for instant kills.

“Why do you even have magic that instantly kills skeletons?”
“The forest was brutal on me, that’s why.”

“I pity the Angry Monkeys…”

For some reason, the sympathy was directed at the monsters. Kirishima-san wasn’t particularly gentle with me. Well, it can’t be helped. Not everyone can be like Shiraishi-san. A goddess maintains her goddess status because she is special.

Having collected 103 cores, we decided to head back.

The scythe-wielding monster appeared three times in total, always right behind Kirishima-san. Each time, she dispatched it like swatting away garbage, so she must really be used to it.

When we reached camp, we paid the fee (it hurt), deposited our belongings, and secured a place to sleep. The gender-separated shared room came equipped with rows of bunk beds. Although it wasn’t late yet, several adventurers were already snoring away. The shower rooms seemed to follow a first-come, first-served system.

Wow.
This environment is amazing.

Satisfied with the coziness of my bed, I made my way to the dining hall.

…I want a bed like that at home too.

No, no, I can’t keep wanting more things. My priority should always be club activities and high school funding. That’s non-negotiable.

Deep in thought as I walked, I reunited with Kirishima-san.

“How is it? Not exactly comfortable, but better than camping outside, right?”
“Uh…”

I was completely satisfied with it, only to face hopelessness.

To Kirishima-san, this place wasn’t even considered comfortable.

“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing. Let’s go eat!”

I tucked away my heartache and stepped into the dining hall. Inside, a large crowd of adventurers gathered, and there was a small cluster of people towards the back wall. It looked like they were helping themselves to food…

“Don’t tell me—”
“It’s buffet style.”

“A buffet?”
“What kind of tension is that?”

“Is it OK?”
“Your English is terrible. Just follow me.”

Gripping my left elbow tightly, she dragged me along. As if my mind wasn’t already blank, Kirishima-san handed me a tray, providing dishes and chopsticks, too.

“Eat your vegetables. Go easy on the fried stuff, but be generous with the meat for protein. Carbohydrates are also important. You’re still growing, so you need to gain weight. Don’t forget fruits for vitamins. Grab whatever drink you like from over there.”

“A-a-a-all done!”

All I’d managed on my own was grabbing milk from the drink corner. While I’d been anxious and darting around, Kirishima-san had gone ahead and selected everything for me.

Kirishima-san… She might actually be a mother.

As expected from a friend of the goddess, the kindness she harbors is beyond ordinary. I’m regretful that I didn’t realize sooner how perceptive she is.

After filling my stomach with a balanced meal, I sipped my post-meal tea.

At last, I felt ready to broach a question that had been on my mind.

“Can I ask now? About that thing that suddenly appears?”
“It’s no monster.”

Putting her decaf tea on the table, Kirishima-san rested her cheek on her hand.

She looked straight into my eyes. Deep within her black pupils, a profound sadness was evident.

“That’s a curse.”