Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Shadow Theater - 2
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Clang! The sound of metal clashing against metal rang out.
It was the clash between Ophelia's sword and the giant crocodile's blade. The noise dragged on for quite some time before...
"Urk!"
...finally pausing with Ophelia's pained grunt.
Melissa, who had been trying to create openings with her magic, muttered to herself.
"Assistant, why is he taking so damn long?"
It had already been nearly thirty minutes since he vanished.
In other words, they had been holding out in this grueling fight for half an hour straight.
Hearing Melissa's murmur, the Director let out a mocking laugh.
"Maybe he's dead? That guy didn't look ready for a place like this."
"Not impossible."
"...Guess I should go check..."
"Don't even think about it. That crocodile isn't gonna let us go wandering off."
Ophelia and Melissa assumed their stances.
Watching the girls, the Director spoke up again.
"But seriously, how can you trust that guy?"
"Hm?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if he just ran off?"
It wasn't an unreasonable point.
But the girls could answer with absolute certainty.
"He's not that much of a coward, our Assistant."
"Senior isn't the type."
Their responses were rock-solid.
This only made the Director more puzzled.
"What the hell happened to make you trust him like that?"
Melissa answered the Director's question first.
"Because he's the one who might change my fate."
Or more precisely...
"He's this weird guy who's genuinely trying to help me out."
Melissa recalled the events from two days before they entered this dungeon.
The place where she met him was a dark corner of the library. At night, the library kept only minimal lighting, turning it into a truly eerie space.
But that same darkness provided an ideal environment for deep thinkers.
Melissa headed to the library to brainstorm some experiments. There, she spotted him.
"Oh? Isn't that the Assistant?"
Ethan, slumped over a desk, dozing off lightly.
Curiosity piqued.
What on earth had he been researching to still be here, catching a nap in the dead of night?
Knowing it was rude, Melissa still peeked at Ethan's books and notes.
And honestly, she couldn't help but be shocked.
They were filled with research on sleep, fatigue, and stress relief.
More precisely, ways to alleviate fatigue and stress, and induce deep sleep.
'He went this far?'
She was impressed.
His notebook was crammed full of notes—clearly the result of flipping through countless books.
'Why go to such lengths?'
She couldn't figure it out.
Was his ambition for the Black Magic Club that intense?
'No, this is beyond that.'
She'd seen plenty of people chasing wealth or riches before.
They were mostly driven by money... and burned out on their own after a while.
Melissa had no idea what motivated this Ethan guy. What drove him to such fervor? She just couldn't grasp it.
But one thing was clear.
"Thanks, though."
She felt grateful.
No matter his reasons, having someone put in this much effort for her wasn't something to take lightly.
"Sleep well."
Melissa draped her robe over him, checked out a few books, and left the library.
"You're a weird one."
Thinking he was one strange guy.
Ending her reminiscence, it was now Ophelia's turn to recall her time with him.
This happened exactly a week after they first met.
That day, Ophelia was bleeding.
It was probably one of the rare times she'd been hurt this badly.
'...It hurts.'
Even as a Disciplinary Enforcer, she couldn't toughen her skin completely. The stinging pain from the slash she took while subduing a gang of delinquents was overwhelming.
She needed to head to the infirmary for treatment.
As Ophelia trudged toward the infirmary...
She suddenly thought her situation was pathetic.
Bleeding and injured like this.
No one who saw her even bothered to ask if she was okay.
This is the fate of a Disciplinary Committee member... she told herself, but the bitterness lingered.
How many such heavy steps had she taken?
"Ophelia?"
Hearing her name, she looked around to find him there.
Ethan—the one Ophelia called Senior.
The moment he spotted her wound, he rushed over.
"You're hurt!"
"...I'm fine. Part of the job."
"No way that's fine. Blood's pouring out."
"...Ahaha."
"Come on."
He grabbed her hand and dragged her along. Even though she was clearly stronger.
They arrived at his place, where Ophelia finally got treatment.
Ethan's hands moved quickly and skillfully.
Applying ointment to the wound, padding it with gauze, then wrapping it neatly with bandages.
"Senior, you're good at this too?"
"Well, I had two years to learn."
Two years?
Hard to understand, but she figured there was a story there.
"There. Done."
"Thank you, Senior."
As Ophelia bowed her head, Ethan snapped his fingers like he'd just remembered something and started boiling water.
Wondering what he was up to, Ophelia watched quietly until she realized.
"Ginger tea..."
"Here. You like this, right?"
"You remembered?"
"I'm not so dumb I'd forget something from a week ago."
Thud.
Staring at the tea placed before her, Ophelia hesitated for a long moment before...
"...Please take this. As my thanks."
She offered money.
A token of gratitude for all the free help so far.
"No need."
"I insist. It bothers me if you don't. Please."
Ophelia kept pushing the money forward; Ethan kept waving it off. After a prolonged refusal, he finally found a compromise.
"Fine, then. Do me one favor later. Deal?"
"...If that's enough for you."
"Okay, contract established."
And later, when she learned that "favor" was a date request, her heart nearly burst with excitement.
Even if it wasn't, the gratitude and special feeling from that day would stay with her for a long time.
"Senior's a weird guy. Suspiciously nice, always trying to help. Doesn't that seem off? We've only known each other a short time."
Ophelia rested her hand on her sword hilt.
And then...
"But this much I can say for sure."
A blood-red aura began to flicker around her.
"Senior isn't the type to run off alone."
"Yeah. He doesn't seem that sly."
Melissa stepped forward in support.
Mana began gathering in her staff.
"Alright, let's get back to it."
"Yes."
Ophelia and Melissa prepared to resume the fight.
The battle horn sounded once more.
...But before it could fully blaze...
"Hold up!!"
It was Ethan's voice that snuffed it out.
The girls whipped their heads toward the sound.
"Phew... Thought I was a goner."
A battered Ethan was limping in.
Blood dripping here and there, his club smeared with flesh and hide.
No need to ask what happened. With his injured leg, he hobbled over and held out two lumps to them.
"Here. Made these in a rush, but they'll help."
They looked like mashed-up plants.
Pills, maybe?
"Eat up. That crocodile's waiting."
"...Still? How long do we have to hold out?"
"..."
"..."
Nod.
The two nodded and swallowed the pills without hesitation.
Immediately, they felt the change in their bodies. Vitality returned to their weary forms.
Their eyes sharpened, strength flowed back into their weapon hands. They even felt stronger than before.
"Senior, what is this?"
"Better finish him quick."
"Why?"
"It's not just recovery. It pulls power from reserves. Once that's spent..."
They wouldn't even be able to move.
The girls nodded at Ethan's words.
In short, end it before the limit.
"You rest, Senior."
"Leave this to us now."
"...I'll jump in when it fits."
Jump in appropriately, huh.
He must have some plan.
With that thought, they reengaged the giant crocodile.
Ophelia charging in, Melissa providing support.
The flow of battle shifted dramatically.
No longer just enduring.
"Opening!"
"Got it!"
They began syncing with the crocodile's rhythm.
Not just blocking, but countering after.
Not finding gaps, but creating them with magic.
The crocodile's flustered expression was plain to see.
"Hup!"
She slashed her sword vertically downward.
As the crocodile barely dodged and landed...
"Dodging well for such a big body."
A black lightning bolt struck.
"Grargh!!"
The crocodile groaned from the direct thunder hit.
And that wasn't all.
"Slash."
Ophelia lunged with light steps, swinging wildly.
One strike wouldn't pierce that hide deeply.
So...
Once, twice, three times...
Ophelia kept hammering down. More dismembering than slashing by the end, forcing the crocodile back with a pained look.
"Not bad."
But the damage wasn't one-sided.
"Haa... haa..."
"Tenacious bastard..."
Ophelia and Melissa had taken their share too. So they prepared a final blow.
Time to end it.
Hoping this would deal enough damage to make it retreat.
"I'll disarm it as best I can."
"Disarming won't cut it. Drive your weapon into that crocodile. I'll use it as a lightning rod."
"Tough spell."
"Wanna die here instead?"
"No."
Plan set.
All that remained was...
"Disciplinary Enforcer Ophelia! Going in!"
Execution.
She leaped—god knows how many times now.
This time, it was a thrust. Pray the crocodile didn't read it and assumed its usual guard—
Clang!
"I see it. You were going for a stab."
The recoil left her body exposed.
And from above came the crocodile's hammer-like fist.
"...Ah."
If that hit, bones would shatter spectacularly—
"Said I'd jump in at the right time."
Whoosh—
"Desperate Strike."
Splat!
The crocodile had a slight opening.
From the club smacking its jaw.
"Thrust it in, Ophelia!"
"...Yes!"
Squelch. The sword embedded.
It served perfectly as a lightning rod.
"Strike!"
Lightning ravaged the crocodile's body.
"Electric roast."
"Senior, how?"
"Eh, just some stuff happened."
The crocodile staggered, yanked out the sword, and tossed it.
What endurance.
"Impressive."
"...Wanna go more?"
"...Hoo, not really. Blunt truth: I can't lift a finger."
The crocodile clutched its wounds and stood.
"That was fun, strong ones."
"I nearly died."
"Isn't that life?"
"Pisses me off 'cause you guys started it."
The crocodile chuckled good-naturedly.
"Hahaha! Fair enough. Shame. If the script hadn't set us up like this."
"Script this, script that. What even is it?"
"You'll learn when the time comes, boy. Whether you want to or not."
With that, the crocodile vanished through the portal.
The Director waved a few times and followed.
"...We lived."
"That was close."
"...Really thought we were done."
As things settled, Melissa's curiosity flared.
"So, Assistant. What was that you fed us earlier?"
Time rewinds a bit, to when I was scouring the jungle.
I was hunting three plants.
[Staggering One's Leaves 2/2]
[Drunkard's Grass 0/2]
[Warrior's Root 2/2]
All ingredients for enhancement pills. Only effective when combined.
In game terms, attack boost and stamina recovery—but this is reality, so who knows.
Better than nothing.
'Got the leaves and roots already.'
Just the grass left.
Wandering in search, I finally found it.
Crossed a shallow river, plucked the grass.
'Done.'
Now mash 'em together and head back.
Quick, before too late—
"Huh?"
Figures things went too smooth.
Life doesn't let you coast.
The instant I picked the grass, agony exploded in my leg. A massive snake monster hidden in the water had latched on.
Bone-crushing pain.
It started climbing me.
Aiming for...
'The neck.'
Game over then.
"Think I'd let you?"
Raised my club, smashed its head.
The more I hit, the more it thrashed.
Obviously.
What creature stays still when its skull's getting bashed?
-Hiss!!!
Baring fangs, it bit wildly.
"Uwaaaah!!!"
"Kieee!!!"
Crack!
Crunch!
Crack!
Crunch!
Club smacks and fangs piercing flesh blended in a gruesome symphony for ages.
Crack!!
Crack!!
Crack!!
"..."
Eventually, only club strikes remained.
Lucky it was non-venomous.
Reward for the kill?
You have acquired a skill from your recent actions.
Skill: Desperate Strike
Once, consume nearly all your stamina to empower the next attack.
Great to get a skill, but not the priority.
Had to reach the girls ASAP.
'No time to grind properly.'
I shoved the plants into my mouth by type and chewed—
"Wait."
"Huh?"
"What did you just say...?"
"Stuffed 'em in my mouth and chewed. How else in a rush?"
Silence fell.
Melissa had giant question marks over her head; Ophelia was blushing furiously.
"...Had no choice."
"...Sigh, I get it."
"I-I'm fine with it too."
Good they understood.
"“...”"
We exchanged glances, then said in unison,
Time to head back.
In the end, it was a pretty profitable trip.
The biggest haul: those honey fruits.
Their honey would be a huge help to Melissa.
One issue, though.
'Not enough quantity.'
Not sufficient amount.
That could be solved by growing more.
Using Melissa's earth magic to cultivate, then harvest again.
But another issue.
'Tolerance.'
Found out magically force-grown plants build tolerance.
Seemed like a new system in 2.
1 didn't have it.
Of course, slow-growing ones were fine—no issue there. And they fetched good prices.
'Problem is, I need fruit now.'
"Ugh, headache."
I pressed my temples to soothe the ache.
'Made gains, but can't use 'em yet. So, time for another approach.'
"Hm... mm..."
Ding!
"Hm?"
You have acquired a new skill from repeated actions.
Out of nowhere?
'Let's see what skill.'
Free gift, might as well take it.
Reading the text, I thought,
"...This could...!"
I might just catch both rabbits.
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