The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

Chapter 133: Carelessness Part 2

Chapter 133: Carelessness Part 2

Magic Treasure Map Excavation Society.

There was something like that?

It looks like there are many people possessing map deciphering skills.

“Do you know the location of that excavation society?” (Shuuya)

“It’s right around the corner, next to the adventurer’s guild.”

Next to it, he says? So that’s why Rebecca told me that they are close-by. Although she has mentioned it, I may have ignored her a bit.

Which reminds me, there was a signboard with a map and treasure trails, wasn’t there…?

“Aah, over there, eh?” (Shuuya)

“Shuuya! You’re going to get that map deciphered and challenge the labyrinth, right?” (Rebecca)

Seemingly angry for being ignored, Rebecca raises her voice at me.

Rebecca-san loves her treasures. That’s probably why.

I guess she’s interested. She jumps on the topic with fervor.

“Yeah. It’s a rare map after all, so although it’s not like I will go right away, I plan to do so sooner or later.” (Shuuya)

“If possible, I’d like to be invited to the party when you start, okay?” (Rebecca)

“Nn, Shuuya, I want to go as well.” (Eva)

I had planned to invite the two to begin with.

“That’s only natural. I look forward to our future hunt, you two. Well then, the appraisal is done, so let’s pick up our items and leave.” (Shuuya)

“Nn.” (Eva)

“Yeah.” (Rebecca)

I store the appraised items on the table back inside my item box.

“Well then, shopkeeper, until next time.” (Shuuya)

“See ya.” (Rebecca)

“Bye.” (Eva)

“Yes, thank you very much.”

We leave after looking at the shopkeeper’s refined smile.

We go back to the First Ring Road.

“Everyone, what are you going to do next?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca asks as she puts her hands on her hips while puffing out her chest proudly.

“I’m going to look around the market.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, return to the restaurant.” (Eva)

“I see. I’m heading back home as well.” (Rebecca)

Both of them are returning home, huh?

“Got it. Then are we breaking up the group for now?” (Shuuya)

“Shuuya, before that, there’s something I’d like to speak privately about with you.” (Eva)

Oh? Eva has a serious expression.

“If you are going to speak with Shuuya, feel free to? Afterward, my home is close to the market so I can guide you there on my way home; would you like me to?” (Rebecca)

“Oh, Rebecca, sorry, if you’re willing to wait I’d love if you showed me the way.” (Shuuya)

“Sure.” (Rebecca)

Rebecca nods.

“Then, Viine and Rollo, you stay here. Eva, is the alley over there fine with you?” (Shuuya)

I turn to look in the direction of the alley on the right.

“Nya.”

“As you say!” (Viine)

Viine acknowledges and bows her head.

Rollo gets off my shoulder and moves to Viine’s feet.

“Rebecca, see you.” (Eva)

“Yeah, let’s join up again. Until then, we can stay in touch through the Party Box or the guild’s board.” (Rebecca)

“Nn.” (Eva)

Eva bids farewell to Rebecca with a smile, turns her wheelchair around, and leaves.

I chase after her, leaving Rollo and Rebecca behind.

Entering the alley, Eva waits for me just inside.

I don’t sense any presences behind me, and there’s no one I can see in the vicinity. I can’t find anyone with Grasping Perception either.

As I’m paying attention to the surroundings, Eva makes her wheelchair transform.

She swiftly turns around in the Segway mode and moves further inside the alley.

I follow her in a trot.

Around the middle of the alley, Eva stops, turns her wheelchair around, and looks in my direction.

Since some time ago, she’s had an awfully serious expression on.

I wonder what’s going on.

“Shuuya, you are my lifesaver and an important friend. Therefore I will warn you.” (Eva)

Warn? Her violet pupils are focusing on me intensely.

“Warn? About what?” (Shuuya)

Once I ask, her eyes tremble.

It looks like she’s hesitating a bit.

“… I possess an understanding, a skill to read the outer layer of a person’s mind.” (Eva)

“Whoa? Read? You mean you know what I’m thinking?” (Shuuya)

For real? That’s an incredible ability.

A skill to read the thoughts of others. How amazing.

“Nn, I will only know when I’m touching someone.” (Eva)

“Only when touching…” (Shuuya)

That is… Eva’s actions until now cross my mind.

The time when I saved her during our first meeting, when I was treated to a meal, or when she distributed pieces of her French bread…

“Shuuya, did that frighten you?” (Eva)

Eva looks sad and averts her gaze, staring off to the side.

“No, it doesn’t. Rather, I admire it as amazing… Here, touch me and try to read* my thoughts.” (Shuuya) (T/N: Written as English “Reading”)

Eva moves closer and extends her hand as if requesting a handshake.

“Reading?” (Eva)

“Correct, try reading my mind. Here, take my hand.” (Shuuya)

“Nn!” (Eva)

Eva grasps my palm with a strong determination.

It’s the first time in this different world, a handshake.

Although she has a slender hand, it seems as if there’s a hard bean in her palm.

How cute, a bean-chan.

Eva laughs with her cheeks reddening.

Ah, shit!

I didn’t think that she’s amazing or anything, only that she’s cute.

“Ah, sorry. Did you read hard or beans are cute or such?” (Shuuya)

“Nn!” (Eva)

Eva nods with an unconcerned smile.

“But, with this you understand, right? That I’m not scared.” (Shuuya)

“Certainly, it’s easy to grasp.” (Eva)

Eva stops holding my hand at that point.

“But, well, is it really alright to tell me about such important, hidden ability?” (Shuuya)

“Fine. Rather than that, about the warning, you want to hear?” (Eva)

“Uh, I want to hear it.” (Shuuya)

“Got it. It’s about your slave. That dark elf’s heart is still not fully obeying you, Shuuya. However, I could sense a large amount respect and confusion. Rebecca and I have respect, but there is vigilance and complaints in her mind.” (Eva)

Whoa, certainly, there are occasions I can think of.

“That’s a definite fact?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, it seems so on the outer layer, the deep level is impossible.” (Eva)

She can’t read the deep psyche?

“I understand with regards to Viine. But I just bought her a little while ago. It might be inevitable for her to harbor hostility towards me.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, but, I wonder what she’s going to do to…” (Eva)

“As for that, it will be fine. You don’t have to worry. Even without the slavery magic, I just have to surpass Viine in everything. After all, she’s nothing more than a single, excellent woman.” (Shuuya)

“…” (Eva)

Apart from staying silent, Eva stares at me.

How about confirming it by touching me, if you want? Thinking that, I extend my hand.

Eva shakes her head. It looks like she agrees, even without checking.

“As expected of you, Shuuya. I won’t mention it anymore.” (Eva)

“But, thank you, okay? Your ability is a secret, right?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, secret. The ones knowing about are only you, Lily and Dill.” (Eva)

So few people! Is she trusting me that much?

“I feel honored then. I won’t tell anyone else.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, I know.” (Eva)

Eva shows an angelic smile.

Its healing power is wonderful.

Besides, she disclosed her precious ability for my sake.

“… I will return to the restaurant.” (Eva)

“Okay, that’s right. See you.” (Shuuya)

“Nn, if I have free time, I will send you a message via the Party Box or the guild’s board.” (Eva)

“Roger.” (Shuuya)

Eva nods while speaking and leaves the alley.

Her back is leaning against the wheelchair, but it looks big.

“Well then, I guess I will go back as well.” (Shuuya)

I return to the place on the ring road where everyone is waiting.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. Let’s go?” (Shuuya)

“Ha!” (Viine)

“Nn, nya.”

Viine immediately runs up next to me.

Rollo returns on my shoulder without changing into her Horse Lion size.

“— So, what did you talk about with Eva?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca asks with a flustered expression as we begin walking.

Although it was just a glance, I look at Viine for a second.

Since I don’t have any intention of telling her the truth, I fabricate a suitable lie albeit feeling sorry for Rebecca.

“… Ah, it was something private. I told Eva about the location of the inn I’m staying at. Also, we’re planning on exchanging messages through the Party Box.” (Shuuya)

“Something like that…” (Rebecca)

Rebecca proceeds through the ring road while showing a doubtful expression.

“We will head south like this.” (Rebecca)

“Roger, if it’s south, that’s the location of the arena, is it close to that?” (Shuuya)

“Exactly, the arena is relatively close to the market.” (Rebecca)

“I see, over there, huh?” (Shuuya)

“Yeah, my home is in the same direction as well.” (Rebecca)

Rebecca’s home appears to be in the southern part of the city.

Leaving the ring road that’s very crowded with people, we enter an alley and continue to head south.

For a while, we advance in a straight line through the alley.

As we do, I once again sense presences, several magic sources, tailing us while maintaining a fixed distance.

Rebecca hasn’t noticed it.

For most of our trip she’s been happily walking while messing with Rollo who’s on my right shoulder.

Viine stays silent and watches us.

It looks like she hasn’t noticed our tails either.

It appears that her search skills aren’t as excellent.

And so, we continue to advance while I’m paying attention to our rear.

“The free market, a part of the flavor street, is right around the corner.” (Rebecca)

As Rebecca says, a plaza can be seen at the end of the alley.

It seems to be quite spacious.

At that moment, people enter the alley we are using from the plaza.

Passersby?

Thereupon, I feel the magic source responses closing in all of a sudden from the rear.

At the same time, the guys at the front, who I believed to be passersby, draw their respective weapons and run towards us.

Four from the front, three from behind. A pincer attack, huh?

Spreading my overcoat, I extend my hands to each side while exposing the violet dragon scale armor.

I summon the Magic Halberd into my right hand.

?Your Excellency, am I up as well?? (Helme)

?No, I think it will be alright.? (Shuuya)

?Yes.? (Helme)

I still won’t reveal Helme.

“Rebecca, stay on standby and stay safe. Viine and Rollo, you attack the enemies coming from behind.” (Shuuya)

“Ha!” (Viine)

“Nya.”

Viine and Rollo answer immediately.

Rollo transforms into a black panther with a puff of smoke.

Viine draws her new weapon, the Black Snake, from its scabbard and adopts a combat stance that shows the eerie green light of its blade.

“These guys, what are they up to?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca prepares her silver wand while looking frightened.

“Who knows? They are probably thugs.” (Shuuya)

When I say that, the four thugs that ran up from the front silently stop moving and keep out of my striking range while holding their swords in a seigan stance.

“…”

Since the four of them are covered by dark brown robes with hoods, I can’t tell their faces.

“What business do you have with me?” (Shuuya)

“You are the Lancer, correct?”

“That’s right, so what about it?” (Shuuya)

“We will have you die—”

The four attackers assault me with their swords all at once.

They are small fry that don’t even use a shred of Magic Combat Style.

I will crush them head on.

I advance in order to get into my spear’s combat distance faster.

I strike forward with the Magic Halberd and lightly repel a longsword; I keep up the flow of motion and stab the red spear into one of the robe wearer’s chest now that his sword was out of position.

First one down.

As the first man goes down easily, the second and third man release diagonal sword slashes towards my neck as if trying to cut an x into it.

While pulling back the Magic Halberd stuck in the enemy’s chest, I dodge the sword blows with a paper-thin difference by making a small rotation using the sole of my footStepwork.

Immediately after dodging, I focus on my muscles, pull back my right arm, position the red ax blade horizontally, and release the tension all at once—

I unleash the side-swing skill

.

The weapon traces the shape of a red folding fan like a raging fire— tearing through their flesh.

Their torsos are split apart in an instant.

The four body parts dance in the sky and create bloody street art on the walls.

The other enemy, who was outside the spear’s range, prepares his longsword, but seeing that terrible scene just now, he freezes for an instant.

That gap is fatal.

I use towards the stopped enemy as if I was in a javelin throwing contest—

The Magic Halberd thrown by both the power of my physical strength and the skill plunges through the air like an arrow while creating a spiral wind.

It easily pierces the dark brown robe and penetrates his body as well.

The bloodstained Magic Halberd stabs into the wall behind him.

With this, all the guys who were in front are down, huh?

I extend a towards the Magic Halberd stuck in the wall, entangle its violet metallic staff part with the chain, and have it contract.

I recover the Magic Halberd at an abnormal speed and grasp it with my left hand.

If this was done by a normal person, they would get stabbed to death without even a chance to catch hold of it instead.

I imagine a warrior fleeing the battlefield.

While feeling a slight chill down my spine, I turn over and head back to where everyone else is.

It looks like the rear’s fine as well.

The three people wearing dark brown robes have been defeated.

“Are you alright?” (Shuuya)

“I’m okay. Viine and Rollo-chan finished them off in a flash.” (Rebecca)

“But, wh—” (Shuuya)

At the instant, I heard the sound of “Pheew”, and the visibility on my right vanishes.

Gah!! It huuuurts, a sharp pain travels through my face, my eye socket.

After a long while my blood dances in the air.

This is an arrow? — Guwaah!

My head is hit by yet another strong arrow impact.

I fall to the ground from the blow.

“Eeh?” (Rebecca)

“Master!” (Viine)

“Nyago!”

Everyone comes running up to me in shock.

While they’re distracted, a black, wave-like cloth engulfs Rebecca.

“Kya!” (Rebecca)

Rebecca is wrapped up by the dark cloth and ends up enveloped by it.

The black cloth wriggles like a creeping shadow and swiftly moves towards a back alley with Rebecca in tow.

It disappears in the opposite direction of the market.

I quickly pull out the one and then two arrows that stabbed into my right eye socket and neck.

I don’t care about the blood surging out.

My vision recovers immediately, but it’s bright red as it’s covered in blood.

Next, I take out a potion from my chest strap and splash it over my face and neck as if taking a shower.

In reality, I don’t need something like a potion though.

“Rollo, I’m fine. There’s not a moment to lose! Chase after that darkness cloth, and, as soon as you find it, come back here at full throttle!” (Shuuya)

“Nyaa.”

Rollo immediately transforms into her Horse Lion size and vigorously dashes through the back alley.

“Master, your wounds on your face and neck are…” (Viine)

“Ah, it’s fine, it’s fine. This is a high-level potion after all.” (Shuuya)

Saying that, I throw the empty jar on the ground.

At any rate, the previous arrows; they were outside the range of my Grasping Perception. It took me completely by surprise.

Though I wouldn’t have been hit if they didn’t take my eye first…

Well, I guess that is just an excuse…

By no means did I expect them to use a two-staged strategy.

The initial small fries were nothing more than disposable pawns.

Putting me off my guard, they damaged their target by performing a precise archery attack outside my Grasping Perception range.

Or they might have aimed at obliterating me.

In that gap, they abducted Rebecca who has the lowest combat ability, huh?

They thoroughly made use of a two-staged and then three-staged pattern.

That darkness cloth, which kidnapped Rebecca, is a special item.

I feel like I have seen that somewhere before.

Oh well, it means that the enemy is cunning.

At that moment, I look at the corpse of a small fry who charged at us first.

This dark brown robe, a brooch has fallen out of the pocket.

Looks like they are members of the dark guild ?Owl’s Fang?.

A move by the remnants or even some other organization.

Were some of the leaders still alive?

I thought they had died in their own ways in the disputes with other dark guilds, but…

My thinking was too shallow. Even though I had so many intentions to move in order to not inconvenience my friends. I might have felt slightly relieved after crushing Eribol and the headquarters.

I suppose I should have gone at it with the mentality of if you cut off the branches, the tree should wither and fall apart.

As I’m indulging in such foolish thoughts, Rollo returns.

It seems that she already discerned their location.

“Nyao.”

She extends a tentacle to my face.

?Found??Going to hunt??Smell??Save??Simple??Found??Hunt??Chase??Simple?

She transmits various emotions to me.

Haha, simple, eh?

“Now then, I guess we are going to rescue Rebecca.” (Shuuya)

I’ll have to apologize later.

She uses a different tentacle to twine around my waist and carries me to her back with its bushy, black fur.

“Give Viine a ride as well.” (Shuuya)

“Nya.”

She twines a tentacle around Viine’s waist and forcefully places her in front of me.

“Ah, kya!” (Viine)

“Viine, don’t faint again, okay? If you are scared, then close your eyes and hold tightly onto me.” (Shuuya)

“Y-Yes…” (Viine)

Just as told, Viine embraces my chest.

Ooh, ekiben style.1 Although it’s through our armor, I can clearly feel the sensation of her boobs wobbling.

This is nice, really nice.

With that, it looks like my nether region is going to turn into a Mount Everest, but since we have to rescue Rebecca, I’m capable of lowering my ero power to almost zero.

“Rollo, go ahead.” (Shuuya)

RollodeenHorse Lion silently grows two tentacles from her nape and stretches out upwards to where the walls are.

She moves her body by contracting them all of a sudden. We start moving as if running through the air.

Her limbs, which have an obsidian hue, move lively while she’s growling.

Kicking the side wall— kicking the ground— we run through the air.

— How amazingly fast.

Even as her body trembles, Viine strongly hugs my torso as if forcing it down.

RollodeenHorse Lion dashes through ?Labyrinth City Pelneet? at a speed surpassing a roller coaster.