Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Sodomora's Morning Star Hassan #2
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Luna and I walked about a meter apart. Whenever I tried to step a little closer, she flinched in surprise and widened the gap.
Clearly, Luna was dwelling on what had happened last night, even though she hadn't mentioned it out loud.
I kept stealing glances at her.
Her slender profile, that ridiculous pink hair fluttering in the wind—it made bubbles of fluffiness well up in my chest, or felt like my heart was floating lightly in the air like a feather.
“The weather's really nice today, huh?”
At Luna's words, I quickly scanned our surroundings.
A few clouds dotted the sky, but the sunlight was dazzlingly bright.
A cool breeze blew, and the sunshine was warm. Perfect spring weather. It'd be great to grab a mat and go for a walk in the park. Maybe I could carve out some time with Luna for that.
“These sandals Hassan gave me are super comfy too!”
Oh, right—Luna was wearing the sandals I'd made her. I'd guessed the size roughly from memory, but they fit perfectly. What a relief.
“It feels like Hassan's holding onto my soles the whole time. Kinda ticklish.”
Luna kept giggling as she walked, like she really couldn't hold back the itchiness.
“Glad you like them.”
“H-Hassan.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“What happened last night... that's our little secret, okay? Even the gods don't know....”
“Oh, uh, yeah.”
And with that, our conversation came to another awkward end.
Anyway, as I rolled my eyes around and lost myself in various thoughts, the grand Mars Guild building loomed imposingly before us.
“Oh, Mr. Hassan, Ms. Luna. Come on in. I've been waiting.”
The receptionist Daphne greeted us warmly now, though her eyes and hands were glued to her books and papers, moving busily.
“I heard you put on quite the show during this expedition, Mr. Hassan. As your handler, I'm so proud. Here's your reward: 15 silver.”
15 silver? More than the expected 10. An unexpected windfall made my soles tingle with delight.
The pouch heavy with fifteen silver coins jingled satisfyingly just from shaking it, filling my belly with contentment.
One, two, three... Nice, exactly fifteen.
“But the reward's more than I thought. Wasn't it 10 silver?”
“If you don't like it, give back 5.”
“No, no, I was just wondering why it increased.”
“It's the dead folks' shares divided up. Anyway, settlement's done. As for Ms. Luna, your contributions and all that bump you up to Bronze Tier.”
Luna jolted in shock at the words.
“R-Really?”
“First, let's check your karma. Just in case. Prick your finger here.”
Daphne held out a fountain pen toward Luna. It wasn't just any pen—it was some appraiser's needle relic for status checks.
Dip it in blood, and it inks out a bizarre status sheet.
“Ow, I hate pain.”
“Don't be a baby.”
Luna gingerly pressed the sharp nib to her thumb. Red blood soon beaded up, staining the tip.
Daphne took the pen back and scribbled furiously on one of those wide, small sheets I'd seen before.
『Name: Luna Noxdoty Lv. 8
Strength: 2
Agility: 5
Vitality: 1』
“Wow, Ms. Luna! You've grown so much!! What happened!? Last time, everything was 1s, total around 3. How!?”
Daphne finished the last character and blinked at the sheet in disbelief.
Luna was just as stunned, mouth agape as she slapped my arm.
“H-Hassan, look! I leveled up!”
Luna and Daphne were amazed, but I just thought, “Yeah, figures.” I'd already confirmed her growth by checking her pulse.
What surprised me was the reconfirmation that human growth isn't easy.
If Daphne, who's seen all sorts, reacts like this, leveling up must be seriously tough.
“Hmm—”
Daphne stared at the paper for a long while, humming lowly, then spoke again.
“I'm curious about your growth secret, but that's probably personal, right?”
“Growth secret? I-I don't know. What did I do? Same as always.”
Luna hummed thoughtfully, then let out an “Ah—” like she'd realized something, her face flushing bright red.
“D-Don't know.”
“I see. Well, Ms. Luna, your Bronze tag's coming right up. Looking forward to more from you. And Mr. Hassan—”
“Yeah, yep.”
My name called, I tensed up reflexively.
Maybe because her first impression was so intense, but standing before this woman always made my palms sweat, my face tingle, that sort of thing.
“Go that way, Mr. Hassan.”
She pointed neatly with her manicured index finger. A fairly large door loomed there. Some attached side room in the guild building?
“What do I do there?”
“You'll see. Next!”
* * *
After parting with Luna, who had afternoon errands, I opened the large door connected to the guild building as Daphne instructed. A wide open space unfolded before me.
Flat ground covered in sand, exercise equipment scattered around, straw-stuffed scarecrows here and there. What to call it? A drill yard? Training ground? Something like that.
Men and women alike wielded swords, arrows, spears at the scarecrows.
Thwack-, thud-. Crunch-!
Beating defenseless dummies so viciously. The gruesome sight made me want to look away. Of course, kidding.
“Hassan of Samaria. Right on time. I've been waiting.”
A voice from behind made me turn. There stood Hippolyte, her long brown hair and chocolate skin a perfect match.
Armored wild mare of a woman in a training ground—could there be a better backdrop?
Shit, how'd she sneak up so close without me noticing? If she'd been an assassin targeting my back, I'd be dead without a fight.
“H-Hippolyte!”
Standing before her, my legs shook oddly, strength draining from my body. I was weak to strong-willed women, already feeling the effect.
“...You were waiting for me?”
“Yes. Hassan, your Bronze Tier promotion is approved. Unprecedented speed in Sodomora Guild history, but not entirely unheard of. And Hassan, the guild brass wants to bestow a title on you.”
“T-Title?”
I'd heard of titles. Nicknames for famous adventurers or notable figures.
One of Elfriede's Silver Tier followers was “Blade Bill of the Twin Swords” or something.
Titles were for those with exceptional skill or uniqueness. Nothing to do with me, I'd thought.
“Got any in mind? What you'd like to be called.”
“W-Well, then Hassan of the Triple Swords...”
“But it's already decided, so no point asking.”
Fuck, why ask then? But arguing with the sword-aura-flinging Hippolyte? My head naturally bowed.
“Honestly, titles are just window dressing. We're not some girly Minerva Guild. Hassan of Samaria is plenty.”
“S-So what's mine?”
“Hassan of Samaria. Pulled from your homeland. Proposed by the furry department head and passed. Origin-based nicknames happen often.”
Hassan of Samaria. Same as before. Shit, my hometown isn't even Samaria.
There goes rethinking the Samaritan label.
And that the hairy department head suggested it? Goosebumps again.
“Can't refuse?”
“Do what you want. But officially, the guild will use the title naturally. Like how I'm Empress Hippolyte.”
“Oh, Empress.”
Empress fit her, but it was kinda funny too. Wasn't there a speed skater with that nickname in the Olympics?
“Suits you perfectly.”
She was guild heavyweight, top-tier adventurer, and magnanimous enough to forgive groping her chest. A little flattery couldn't hurt. Time to unleash some Elfriede-learned bootlicking.
“Empress Hippolyte. Cool as hell. Gives off that 'gonna slice everyone up' vibe.”
“Hmm, not my favorite title, but official ones boost fame. More street challengers too.”
“Wait, more challengers is good...?”
“Yes. Karma grows in life-or-death battles. You Samaritans know that, cruel as you are? Even I shivered at you intimidating those crocs.”
“I-Is that so.”
“Anyway, high hopes for you rising stars. Don't lag behind your peers in the mud.”
“My peers? I have classmates?”
“You'll meet them in time. As Bronze Tier, training ground access granted. Swing your sword here often.”
So, my Bronze promotion unlocked the guild training ground. But training? Didn't really click for me.
Does sweating under the sun really boost skill? Sure, a bit, but I'm a total sword newbie.
As I smacked my lips in bewilderment, Hippolyte spoke.
“Speaking of, let's see your skill. Swing at that scarecrow. With killing intent.”
“G-Gotta?”
“Now—.”
Grrrrr.
Intense pressure poured from Hippolyte.
Fuck, aura release? Terrified, shaking, I drew my sword and slashed the scarecrow with all my might, as ordered.
Dual swords gripped, one per hand, glaring at the dummy.
“Picture your most hated foe.”
Her words brought up Malco's face, which floated away, replaced by annoying silver-haired, red-eyed Elfriede overlaying the scarecrow.
Fuck, recalling Elfriede's torments still made me kick off blankets in rage, even now free.
“You fucking bitch!”
Whoosh, thud-!
My downward slashes bit deep into the log-and-straw arms.
“Hmm. Passionate. Parental grudge?”
“Uh, kinda like that.”
One full-power swing, and I was winded. Panting, awaiting judgment, Hippolyte said coolly,
“But beyond emotion, nothing stands out. Worse than a beginner. Like a greenhorn with under a year. Though unlikely.”
She dismissed the impossibility, but her assessment nailed it.
Shit, spotted my newbie status instantly. Better than twice the shamans.
“Yet, Samaritan. Why claim triple swords with your dual wielding?”
“W-Well... the third's like a hidden dagger in my bosom.”
“I see. Good, I get the basics. Now attack me. It's best for an accurate evaluation.”
Humming thoughtfully, she beckoned with her palm. Sparring request, no details.
“B-But I have my sword out?”
“I know. I'll use weapons too. A honed warrior's fist is a weapon enough. It's fair now.”
She clenched her fists, raising them up rabbit-ear high. Muay Thai stance?
Sword vs. bare hands.
Old martial arts flick: “Kendo third dan.” Sword guy three dans above bare hands.
Swords have the advantage.
But picturing me beating fist-clenching Hippolyte? Impossible. She's got no energy blasts, right?
She could probably pierce my heart with a finger.
“Are we really doing this?”
“Don't be afraid, I won't kill you.”
She tied a belt at her waist.
“If you snag this belt, I will grant any wish. Nothing motivates a man like that. Right?”
Fuck, any wish? No man could resists. And I'm all man.
Shoulder rub first. Then everywhere. Giving massages is nice, but receiving's great too.
“Fuck it, let's go. Better keep your promise.”
“Agreed. This is a Styx oath.”
With bold words spoken she launched the spar—duel?—whatever.
But my mind blank on starting, we stared down awhile. Soon, crowds gathered, murmuring.
“What's up?”
“It's Hippolyte. Sparring with someone.”
“Time to build another coffin. Let's see the face.”
“Black hair. A samaritan? The famous one in Sodomora Mars Guild?”
“Yeah, that guy.”
Crowd encircled us into an arena. Fuck, no escape now—fight Hippolyte or bust my ass.
“Alright, I'll go first.”
Thud-.
She stamped off, vanishing. Literally gone.
What? Fuck, magic?
Startled, I felt a cold sensation on my jaw which made me duck my chin-down.
Hippolyte, knee-bent under my nose, rocketed a fist into my gut.
“Guh, guaaack-!”
Clean body blow. Crowd groaned, “Oof—.” “That hurts.”
My mind blanked. No thought amid chest-gut punch combos.
Bang, smack, smack!
Rock-like pain shook me tumbling to the sand.
Elfriede's punches toughened me somewhat, but witch vs. warrior fists? Worlds apart.
With air gone from my lungs, I can't breathe, just retching. Sand is in my mouth, but I have no strength to spit.
Fuck, heaven was last night, it's hell now.
“H-He's dying? Stop her!”
“Fuck, stop Hippolyte yourself.”
“Even Samaritan no match for Hippolyte.”
“She rejected Gold Tier. Achilles level. Expected—.”
Crowd buzzed. Sun warmth, dizziness swirling my head.
Hah, huff....
Only my breaths audible. Then silence.
Weeeee.
Piercing the quiet, were the fingers gesturing at me. Whites of eyes, teeth glinting. Their invasive smiles.
Those bastards, are they mocking me?
The irresponsible crowd, watching from afar, mocking me?
Unforgivable.
“G-Grahk-.”
“I meant to KO you immediately, yet you rise. Quite tough. Did you dodge by reflex?”
“Hoo—.”
“Not your first rodeo. Wilderness brawler, huh. Still, you're losing. Should we continue?”
Warrior reset stance, fists ready.
“That desperate for my belt?”
Maybe she hated me all along, “forgiving” or not. It's normal to hate a chest-groper.
As I pried open my stiff jaw to speak—
『Tough fight. Shall I lend a hand?』
An unfamiliar whisper in my ear.