Konjiki no Moji Tsukai

Chapter 19

Konjiki no Wordmaster Chapter 19: Encounter: a Unique Monster

At that time, just as the other two had suspected, Hiiro was on top of a nearby hill. From it, he could view the bridge without being discovered.

In truth, he had been forced to land on top of the bridge. Going at his slow pace, it cost way too much mana to get all the way to the other side.

There were a number of people on the bridge when he landed. Hiiro was forced to cover his entire body in his red robe to conceal his identity, and run for cover. However the Beast People on the bridge just thought that he was a flying demon swooping down hunting for food, so they paid him no mind.

(This bridge is way too long. Just how far does it run)

Unlike in games, if you get too tired your HP will drop. So while running long distances, it will drop quite a bit. However is also recovers slowly if you rest.

The Beastman continent was covered in green.

The main difference between this one and the Human one was the amount of untamed wildlife. Of course, the human continent was also home to quite a bit of vegetation and mountainous environments as well.

However, here in the soil and the forests; in the lakes and rivers, the surrounding wildlife had much more energy.

(So each continent has its own merits)

The main selling point of the human continent was its human-made ecosystem. Manufacturing and trading; import and export. It was a land of business.

(I wonder what the Evila continent has I guess Ill have to see it with my own eyes sooner or later.)

(TL: Evila, written as magical being / demon, read as Evila)

As I think this, a carriage stops in front of me. From it comes a man who seems to be a peddler. Of course, hes a beastman.

(This is bad I cant be found out here.)

Arnold said that unlike the human continent, this was a land where you could be randomly assaulted out of the blue. A war-ridden country. Theres a possibility of being attacked just because of one being from the Human race.

If that happens I dont plan on losing, but I cant cause a commotion here. I dont want to get separated from Arnold when I can still get more information out of him.

( I just thought of something.)

I write a character on my body, while thinking of something a certain person had.

What are you doing here? Do you need a ride?

In response to the mans frank questions, Hiiro takes off his hood.

Oh, you have some splendid ears there!

The man smiles happily.

I apologize. My companions should be here soon. Thanks for the concern, but dont mind me.

Oh? I see. I wish you safe travels.

And the man returns to his carriage.

(I somehow got through it. But that beastman was quite amiable)

I touch the ears that had sprung up on my head. Theyre quite soft to the touch. But the ears werent the only thing that changed. Hiiros hair had changed to a silver color. It was the same color as Muirs.

Using his Word Magic and holding an image of Muirs race in mind, Hiiro had written Copy on his body. However if he had been thinking of Muir herself then his facial structure would have been greatly altered and it would be hard to balance, so he tried to imagine something else. However he had only ever met 2 Beastmen in his life.

Hiiros psych would not be able to handle turning into an Old man like Arnold, so he stuck with thinking of Muirs race.

And here marked the birth of a silver haired, bespectacled boy. The words only changed the basic qualities of its target, so the effects remained over time. Hiiro would have to write Return to turn back.

(Its weird to have a tail. My body feels oddlylight, and my canines have gotten strangely strong.)

After waiting for a while, the other two finally got here. They were able to locate me by my red robe. But then

Whats with that haaaaaaiiiir!

I had expected this to happen. Even Muir lets out a sound.

Now then, lets depart.

Oy, wait, wait, wait! Why the hell are you acting like nothings off!? Theres many things Id like to retort at right now!

As always, youre being quite fussy. Just be quiet for a bit, like that shorty over there.

Muir is in too much shock to speak! Just explain yourself! Why is your hair the same color as my beloved Muirs!?

And so I began explaining against my will. Muir stares at me in excitement. She touches her own hair and stares at my ears.

For you to be able to do something like that. How broken are you?

Koku Koku

Im already bored of dealing with these two. I let out a yawn. I had set out early today so there would be few people to witness me, so I want to sleep.

Well, its not like Im the real thing. Only my form has changed.

Hm? So your physical abilities are still human?

Pretty much.

I see, but still, your magic is quite amazing.

The two seem to have seenWord Magics true usefulness. They let out sighs.

Anyways, where will we be heading from here?

As Hiiro asks, Arnold points his finger.

If we head due west from here, we should find the village of Doggam

What sort of place is that?

Its a town of the Bearnt clan.

(TL: Written as Bear People, read as Bearnt)

(Bearnt. I read about them in an encyclopedia. Apparently theyre quite a peaceful race, unlike bears.)

In the human capital, I tried to gather knowledge by reading the books stored at the guild.

Well, the Bearnt are gentle folk, I dont think youll be attacked even if youre found out.

So the information I attained was correct.

Also the honey they produce is said to be quite a delicacy.

Ho? Ill look forward to it.

Yeah.

What? The shortys never been there?

Muirs reaction is similar to my own, so It can be concluded she has never been to that village.

Y-yes. T-the truth is, well

It seems to be difficult to say, but I can sense that she believes that it is something she has to mention. But Hiiro waves his hands.

Ah, if you dont want to say it, you dont have to.

Eh?

Muir stares blankly at Hiiro. Arnold follows in suit.

I have no interest in you peoples past, so theres no reason to force yourselves to tell me anything.

T-thats not it, but

Arnold looks towards the sad Muir, and tries to say something to lighten the atmosphere.

As long as Hiiros fine with it, I guess we can leave it at that, Muir!

Uncle

Lets just go already.

Hiiro begins walking off. Arnold begins patting Muirs head, and then whispers into her ear.

I know that youre anxious, but Hiiro being Hiiro, if you tell him, hell probably just respond with something like, and so what?

Y-yeah thats true.

Upon hearing Arnolds words, it seems that a burden has been lifted from Muirs chest.

I hope that you will be able to tell him one day.

Yeah!

Now then, lets get going so we dont lose him!

Yeah!

As he watched Muir running after Hiiro, he thought something like, how cute. If Hiiro had seen Arnolds expression, he would have draggedhim off to court already.

After walking for a bit, they come across the first monsters they have seen in a while.

I think this was a BukBuk?

BukBuks are monsters that exist in the shape of books. Its size is quite large. Moreover, this monsters power comes from

Snap Snap!

Uoh! Quite a powerful bolt of lightning there.

Arnold shouts out as he avoids it.

Right, BukBuks are monsters with the ability to use magic. Whatsmore, different species of the monster could learn different varieties of magic .However it is difficult to tell apart BukBuk subspecies.

Its been a while since Ive met a monster worth fighting. Old Man, Ill leave that one to you.

Perfect! Watch Arnold-samas brilliant swordplay! Muir, back off!

F-fine!

We each take them on one at a time.

(The old mans one uses thunder. Mine is)

Bang!

Suddenly a large hand emerges out of the ground, trying to grab Hiiro.

I see, so your specialty is earth!

Hiiro takes out Piercer and tears apart the earthen hand. But the BukBuks magic causes several small fissures to open up. The fissures advance towards him, halting his movement.

Dont be so conceited

Hiiro concentrates magic into his finger and writes Quiet in the air. He throws it at the ground and it activates.

The ground calms down, and the fissures stop in their tracks. The BukBuk seems to be quite confused, and it hesitates in casting its next spell.

Perish!

In that space of time, Hiiro quickly closes the gap between them. Quickly erects a wall of dirt infront of itself.

That isnt nearly enough to stop my advance!

Without stopping, Hiiro thrusts his sword into the wall. And the blade passes through it quite easily. The BukBuk behind the wall is also impaled. And after letting out a sound like the sound of stacks of paper falling to the ground, the monster stops moving.

And now, the Old Man is

He seems to have already finished up. After dodging the thunder and closing the distance, it only took a single swing of his massive sword to end the BukBuks existence.

Did you see that!? Thats my power! Nahahahahah!

He seems to be in ecstasy. It may have been a troublesome monster, but it was definitely at a level we could have handled. Is it really that great to have beaten one of those? I let out a sigh.

After that battle, we met more monsters as we headed down the path. After overcoming numerous battlefields, we end up in a forest.

If we get through this forest, well arrive at Doggam!

Dont you find it odd?

What?

Muir looks a little embarrassed as she stares at Arnold. Its as if shes a kid observing her father on Parents day. (TL: event where a parent observes how their children do at school)

Arnold, who is strutting triumphantly suddenly halts his march. Hiiro becomes worried, and calls out to him. He is giving off a nervous expression.

Oy, whats wrong?

Hiiro asks that as he looks ahead, and in front, he sees a single boar. Hiiro thought it was just another monster, but strangely, it was a monster that wasnt in any of Hiiros books. The boar had yet to notice the partys approach, and it peacefully eats grass.

He had read about a similar monster, so he asks.

Is that a Big Boar?

N-no, its

Arnold is acting strange. He seems to be afraid. The Big Boar Hiiro knew of had short brown hair, however the monster in front of them was red.

Hiiro Were running away.

Wha? What are you saying?

Dont worry, just try to move without making a sound.

Hiiro frowns upon seeing Arnold attempt to evade the quietly boar.

What exactly are you doing, you pervert?

I keep telling you Im not a pervert! ah.

Arnold lets out a large voice, and turns pale. Hiiro looks back at the boar and finds it staring angrily at them.

D-damn This is your fault, Hiiro!

And so what? Is that monster something special?

T-thats a Unique monster!

Unique?

I believe that the books said that Unique monsters were exceedingly rare. And that they were exceedingly ferocious. Arnolds frantic expression seems to confirm this.

T-thats a Red Boar. A Rank S Monster!

Hmm.

The Unique fights the Unique.