Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Hypnosis of Courage (1)
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Mabel listened more intently to the voices she heard.
The gist of the news was this.
A monster flood had broken out in a dungeon primarily filled with C-rank monsters.
Most of the adventurers and hero parties in the surrounding areas rushed to the site to confront the flood.
But far more monsters than anticipated began multiplying in the dungeon.
When they realized the gathered forces weren't enough...
The Fastest Hero Mabel Party showed up right on cue.
They reportedly cut down the massive waves of oncoming monsters with swift prowess befitting their fame.
The hero parties and adventurers who heard the report chatted animatedly about the Mabel Party.
"As expected of the Fastest Hero Mabel Party. Flood or not, no amount of C-rank monsters could stand up to them."
"They're even recruiting new members lately. Wonder if anyone's worthy of joining such an elite group."
"But why were they near that area? Weren't they tackling more dangerous spots before?"
"They must've rushed over when they heard about the flood."
"Heroes really are heroes, huh. Even if it's way below their level, they can't ignore people in danger."
"No wonder they're the most talked-about heroes."
Every time she overheard such talk, Nellis puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
'No way that party who chased out Mr. Kalt is as kind-hearted as they make them sound!'
But she kept her complaints to herself.
No point saying it out loud—the people here wouldn't believe her anyway.
And more importantly, she didn't want to cause trouble for Kalt.
At the same time, Nellis indirectly realized just how vast the gap was between her and Mabel.
'Swiftly taking down hordes of C-rank monsters...'
C-rank.
A level that made Nellis uneasy to face alone.
Yet the Fastest Hero Mabel could effortlessly handle dozens—no, over a hundred of them.
Sure, with her Acceleration Blessing, she could hunt large numbers quickly, but that wasn't the point.
The point was that monsters Mabel dispatched with ease still terrified Nellis to even take on one.
And these monsters had been kind to them.
It stung that she was still so much weaker than the hero who'd banished Kalt—the man who vowed to make her a true hero.
'I'll definitely get stronger. So much that Mr. Kalt won't regret choosing me!'
Nellis's resolve blazed hotter than ever.
The next day.
The Nellis Party headed to the blacksmith shop.
"There you go, all done."
The elderly owner brought out Kalt and Nellis's swords from yesterday and handed them over.
"Thank you, sir."
"Whoa, this is my new... Alexcalibur!"
"Nellis, draw it and give it a swing."
"Huh?"
Perplexed but obedient, Nellis drew the sword and swung it lightly—whoosh!
"Oh, ooh! M-Mr. Kalt! This is amazing! It feels... way easier to swing than yesterday! It's lighter, but somehow packs more power—such a weird, wonderful feeling!"
"That's because the old man tuned it perfectly for you."
"So that's why you took our swords yesterday! Wow...!"
'This is a true craftsman's skill! No wonder it's the blacksmith Mr. Kalt uses!'
Nellis gazed at her shiny new sword, eyes sparkling.
Kalt followed suit, drawing his own sword and giving it a light swing.
Whoosh!
"The old man's craftsmanship never disappoints."
"Hmph, it'll be another twenty years before I rust over."
"I'd say thirty, easy."
"Still got that silver tongue. Now pay up."
"Right away, sir."
Kalt promptly handed over the payment.
The old man, eyeing Nellis as she admired her sword with sparkling eyes, remarked:
"Honestly. What an un-hero-like kid."
"Eek!"
Nellis flinched at the words.
"I-I'll do better from now on...!"
"If you're gonna try harder, say it with some conviction!"
"Eep! Yes, sir!"
Kalt smiled warmly at the exchange.
"Looks like Nellis has won you over, sir."
"Huh?"
"Hmph, won me over? I just said she's un-hero-like in how she wields a sword!"
The old man's apprentice, who'd been watching, sighed.
"Master, people might misunderstand if you put it that way."
"Misunderstand what? Why should I care if they jump to conclusions?"
"Master, really..."
"U-Um, Mr. Kalt... what do you mean, he likes me...?"
Clueless, Nellis turned to Kalt.
"Exactly what I said. Yesterday, he took one look at your sword and said no hero would use something like that."
"Right."
"That's a compliment."
"Huh?! That was a compliment?"
Nellis had thought he meant it was a sword unfit for a skilled hero.
But the opposite? Even Scarlet and Aria, who'd been listening quietly, tilted their heads.
"Right, sir?"
"Who said it's a compliment? I just called it like I saw it."
The old man snorted loudly and crossed his arms.
"Heroes are all so sloppy with their weapons! They rely on their blessings or whatever and never bother honing their actual swordsmanship. They don't aim for weak points or lethal strikes—they just hack away wildly and call it a day! But this one..."
He glanced at Nellis.
"Her swings are clumsy, and she's got a long way to go skill-wise, but you could see she was trying to use the weapon like a proper weapon should be used. That's all. It was a sword unlike any I've seen from other heroes—not very hero-like at all."
"Uh..."
"In other words, Nellis knows how to properly wield a weapon."
"Th-That was what you meant!?"
Nellis had never dreamed that's what "un-hero-like" implied.
'How was I supposed to know? But...'
"Heh, hehehe~."
Hearing it as praise now filled her with joy.
'Score! Even the blacksmith Mr. Kalt trusts has acknowledged me! Heh heh heh~.'
"What're you grinning about? If you're done, get out!"
"Alright, let's go. He'll really get mad if we linger."
"Yes!"
"That grandpa's got a real twisted personality, doesn't he?"
"He might not show it well, but he seems like a good-hearted guy."
"Quit yapping!"
The Nellis Party hurried out of the blacksmith shop.
They stopped by the guild to accept a D-rank monster subjugation quest for the Tentacle Boars, then headed out of the city.
The Tentacle Boars lived relatively close to the commercial city of Tridia, so they went on foot without a cart.
Along the way, Nellis drew her sword and grinned happily.
"Heh heh heh."
"That happy about it, Nellis?"
"Of course! I've got a new sword that fits my hand perfectly! From now on, you're Alexcalibur... no, Alexcalibur Neo!"
'She really sticks with the naming.'
Since Nellis loved it, Kalt didn't nitpick her naming sense.
"Oh, right! Money! Mr. Kalt, how much were the swords? I'll pay for mine!"
"...Come to think of it, you covered this brooch and the magic tome yesterday too. How much?"
"G-Good point—even the donation should've been on me! Tell us!"
Kalt inwardly praised the three as they asked about shared expenses.
The Nellis Party, who insisted on paying their fair share instead of assuming he'd cover it all.
Unlike the Mabel Party, who took his personal purchases for granted without offering a dime.
"No need. This time... yeah. Consider it a gift for your growth. Buy your own from now on, got it?"
"A gift from Mr. Kalt..."
"...Well, if you say so, we'll gratefully accept."
"Thank you, Kalt. I promise to grow strong enough not to embarrass this gift from you."
"Yeah, I'll be looking forward to it."
They pressed on, eventually reaching the Tentacle Boars' habitat.
-Squeeeal!
They didn't have to wait long before encountering one.
A boar-like monster with wriggling tentacles sprouting from its back.
The Tentacle Boar.
Seeing it for the first time, Nellis shuddered.
"Eek, g-gross!"
"Looks nasty."
"It looks so sinister."
"Nellis, Tentacle Boars control those back tentacles to bind foes, so watch out."
"Those wrap around your body!?"
"Yeah. They coil around and charge with their tusks—that's their main attack."
"Ughhh."
Nellis's mind flashed with an image of the tentacles wrapping her arm.
A wave of visceral disgust hit her—she absolutely did not want to get coiled.
"Aria! Bless us with agility!"
"Got it, Nellis! O God, grant this one nimble feet!"
"Mr. Kalt! Should I go first!?"
"Yeah, give it a shot. I've got your back—no need to hold back."
"Right! Raaah!"
A month since the kobolds—Nellis kicked off the ground against a new foe.