Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou - Volume 2 Read online

  5 days have passed since they had a taste of battle and loss in the Dungeon. When they exited the Dungeon, they stayed overnight at Horald. The party came back to the capital on a high-speed carriage early in the morning. There was no one in the mood to continue the combat exercises in the Dungeon. Incompetence was the cause of death for a brave man. Both the king and church would need to hear the report. They were not allowed to break in this place. Before something worse happened, they needed to care for the party of heroes.

  Shizuku remembered when they returned to the kingdom. She wanted to wake Kaori up in the morning, so she went to sleep early. When they returned the news of Hajime death was reported. Everyone was astonished, but they breathed a sigh of relief when it was the "useless" Hajime that passed. Even the king and Ishtar was the same. There wasn't any of the strong heroes to die in the Dungeon. If they could not return alive from just exploring the dungeon, how would they fight the Devils? The chosen heroes of God must be unrivaled.

  The king and Ishtar had discretion. There had been among them that had slandered and abused Hajime. It was not spoken to the public, but it was a talked about in secret in the noble society. They thought it was good that the incompetent one died. An apostle of God that was useless; naturally they would die. Now they were speaking ill as one pleased. Shizuku really wanted to go berserk and kill those people many times.

  Kouki and his strong sense of justice did not stand up against such mistreatment; she thought something was weird. Did he think that if he protested against the king and church, it would leave a bad impression. People who cursed Hajime seemed to be penalized...rumors were spread that Kouki was an anxious brave hero who pondered his incompetence. Hajime's reputation was not going to change just because a few people said so.

  At that time, it was undeniable who saved them. Hajime was the one that kept the Behemoth in check to allow them to escape. To think that he died because of a stray shot from a classmate...though that is what he said.

  She did not talk her classmates about her thoughts of the attempted friendly fire at that time. They should have a grasp of their magic, when she tried to approach the suspect it unmentionable because of the countless magic casted at that time. Because it would prove he was a murderer.

  To escape reality, she wondered what Hajime did to cause such a thing. Dead man tell no tales. Rather than look for the culprit recklessly, if she left it alone than it would be done. The classmates opinion was in harmony and they did not communicate it.

  To clarify the details at the time, Meld thought it was necessary to interview the students. Just like the students he choose to escape from reality, even if it was hard to regard as a mistake. Even if it was negligence he carried it out for the benefit of the students. To leave such a thing unsettled would only bring trouble later on. Above all, Meld wanted to make clear. Meld failed his promise to save Hajime and his heart ached at that.

  Meld action did not come true. Ishtar had banned any scrutiny of the students. Meld clung to it, but even the king forbid it.

  "If you knew, you will get angry."

  Kaori had not woken up since that day. There was no abnormalities discovered by the doctor's diagnosis. The body, probably because of mental shock, went into a deep sleep as a defense mechanism. Time will pass normally if they sobered up.

  Shizuku held Kaori's hands. She prayed to not let her best friend hurt anymore.

  Kaori's hand twitched at that.

  "Kaori! Can you hear me!? Kaori!"

  Shizuku desperately called out. Kaori's closed eyelids started to shiver. Further, Shizuku called out for her friend. In response to that call Kaori gripped her friend's hand, then she slowly awoke.

  "Kaori!"

  "...Shizuku-chan?"

  Learning on the bed, Kaori saw Shizuku overlooking her with tears in her eyes. Kaori just blindly looked over her surrounding. Shizuku looked at her and waited until Kaori gathered herself more before calling her.

  "Yeah, its me. Kaori. how is your body? No discomfort?"

  "I'm fine. Just weary because I was sleeping…"

  "Well, you have been sleeping for 5 days…"

  Shizuku forced a smile and tried to assist Kaori in standing up, who was trying to ask Shizuku how much she slept. Kaori reacted at that.

  "5 days? Why...I...I went to the Dungeon...and then…"

  Her eyes gradually came into focus. Shizuku tried to change the topic when she had a bad feeling. However, Kaori recalled her memories too fast.

  "And then...Nagumo-kun…"

  "...That is."

  Shizuku's face morphed into a painful expression when wondering what she should tell her. Kaori realized the tragedy in her memories when she saw the state Shizuku was in. However, it wasn't easy for her to accept such a reality.

  "...Lies. Isn't it? Shizuku-chan. When I fainted, you guys saved Nagumo-kun, right? Right? Isn't it? This is the castle room. Everyone came back, right? I wonder if Nagumo-kun is training. In the training center. I'll head over for a moment. I have to thank Nagumo-kun. Say something, Shizuku-chan…"

  Kaori who wanted to escape from the harsh reality spun her words over and over again; while she mention about searching for Hajime. Shizuku caught her arm and didn't let go. She had a sorrowful expression, but still she stared at Kaori.

  "...Kaori, you understand, right?...He's not here."

  "Stop…"

  "Kaori, remember."

  "Please, stop…"

  "He, Nagumo-kun…"

  "No, stop...please, stop!"

  "Kaori! He's dead!"

  "Wrong! He can't die! He absolutely can't have! How can you say such a horrible thing? Even if it's Shizuku-chan, I will not forgive!"

  Kaori shaked her and started to escape from Shizuku's grasp. Shizuku did not let her go and embraced her. She was trying to nurse Kaori through her hug.

  "Let me go! Let me go! If I don't search for Nagumo-kun! I beg you...he is absolutely alive..let me go~"

  Kaori dropped her face into Shizuku's chest while shouting "Let me go!" and sobbed. Clinging to each other, she started to shout louder. Shizuku just continued to hug her. Hoping it would soften just a little of her pain.

  How long did they stay like that? The sky was dyed red by the setting sun. Kaori was motionless in Shizuku's arms while she sniffed. Shizuku asked in worry.

  "Kaori…"

  "...Shizuku-chan...Nagumo-kun...He fell...He isn't here…"

  Kaori whispered in a voice so quiet it sounded like it would disappear. Shizuku did not want to sugar coat it, it would only be a temporary comfort. The lie could come back and hurt more than it was softened. She did not want to see her friend in pain.

  "That's right.

  "That time, whose magic hit Nagumo-kun? Who?

  "I don't know. No one wants to mention that moment. Its scary. What if it was me…."

  "That so."

  "Do you have a grudge?"

  "...I'm not sure. If someone knew...I will surely blame them. But...no one knows...I think this is better. For sure, I wouldn't be able to stand it…"

  "I see…"

  Kaori looked downcast as she talks. She wiped her face and eyes and faced Shizuku, and declared resolutely.

  "Shizuku-chan. I, I don't believe it. Nagumo-kun is alive. I don't believe he is dead."

  "Kaori, that is…"

  Shizuku had another sorrowful expression trying to persuade Kaori. Kaori clasped Shizuku's cheeks with both hands, and said with a smile.

  "I now. I know its weird to think that someone could survive that. ...But its not like we checked. The possibility is less than 1%. If we did not check, its not 0%. I'm going to believe."

  "Kaori…"

  "I'll become stronger. I'll become strong enough to prevent an event like that from happening. I will make sure with my own eyes. Nagumo-kun's fate….Shizuku-chan."

  "What?"

  "Please help me."

  "..."

  They both stared at each other. Kaori's eyes did not show any
signs of insanity. She will not give up until she genuinely find out. This kind of Kaori will not be moved. Kaori is known for being stubborn when she gets going.

  Usually, you wouldn't take what Kaori said seriously and let it go. Believing that someone could a fall into that abyss was just crazy. Everyone would try to correct her. That's why…

  "Of course, I'll agree. Until you are satisfied I'll tag along."

  "Shizuku-chan!"

  Kaori hugged and thanked her. Shizuku said "No need more thanks. What are friends for?" The title of Samurai Girl wasn't just for show.

  At that time the door opened.

  "Shizuku! Kaori woke up…"

  "Oh, How are you, Kaori?"

  It was Kouki and Ryutaro. They had come to check on her. Training had just finished and they choose to come here afterwards. From "that" day, they concentrated even more in training. Wonder what they thought of Hajime's death. They reluctantly withdrew and wanted revenge. Hajime was the one that saved them from a crisis. Never will they be that useless again.

  Two more people entered that caused them to stiffen. Shizuku was doubtful.

  "You guys, how did…"

  "S-Sorry."

  "W-We got in the way."

  They quickly left the room and didn't answer her question. She finally became aware of what they saw. Kaor was staring at them blankly. Shizuku noticed the cause.

  Currently, Kaori sat on Shizuku's knee, while she had both hands on her cheeks. It looked like they were about to kiss. Shizuku was supporting Kaori but it looked like she was embracing her.

  This scene looked like a Yuri scene and it was splendidly done. If this was the manga world there would be flowers blooming in the background.

  Shizuku sighed deeply. She couldn't bare the situation so she yelled.

  "Hurry up and get back here! You freaking fools!

  Chapter 13: Path of Escape

  [6 Tatami sized = 2.73 m x 3.64 m]

  [Sizes of rooms in Japan are often measured in the number of tatami (Straw mats) it can hold. So when you mention a 6 tatami sized room, the room could fit that many on the floor. Tatami sizes vary between different regions of Japan, but Nagoya's standard is about 1.653 square feet.]

  [Itadakimasu = Thanks for the meal (At start of meal).]

  [Gochisousama = Thanks for the meal (After meal).]

  * * *

  "Damn it, there is nothing…"

  Three days after killing the bear. Hajime has been searching for an escape to the upper levels. He had already searched about 80% of the level. After eating the bear, his status had risen. There were no longer any wonders here, he had vastly explored the area with a quick pace. However, nothing was found even though he searched so much.

  No, saying he didn't find anything was misleading. Hajime had found stairs two day ago; that led downwards into the higher number floor. A floor should always have a stair that led up towards the surface but this one did not have one it seemed.

  Why not make a road to the upper level? This method was ignored after already trying it. Within a certain range, his transmutation did not work on the walls. While on the floor he could freely transmute, the very top and bottom of the floor had some kind of protection. This "Orcus Dungeon" was created during ancient times and it was full of mysteries. When he encountered anything new, it wasn't that unexpected.

  That is why he was looking for a way up, but he had to make a decision if he did not find it. To venture further down this Dungeon or not.

  "...Dead end? At this point I searched all the branchings. I wonder what happened."

  Hajime decided to stop looking for a way up and breathed out a deep sigh at that decision. He proceeded to advance towards the room that contained the stairs leading deeper into the Dungeon.

  The stairs looked like it was sloppily made. It would have been more correct to call it an uneven slope, rather than stairs. He looked ahead to the stairs and noticed that it exudes a creepy atmosphere; with its complete darkness where no Green Light Stone was present. Like a mouth of a huge monster swallowing him up. Hajime felt that once he went in, there was no coming out.

  "Ha! Bring it on! Anything getting in my way, I'll kill and devour."

  While thinking about such an idea, Hajime laughed through his nose and smiled. He stepped towards the darkness with no hesitation.

  The level was very dark. Although that was expected for an underground dungeon, but all the previous levels he visited had Green Light Stones in them. It wasn't like he was devoid of all vision. This level really did not have any light source. Hajime choose to rest for a bit to allow his eyes to get used to the darkness. He was expecting to see a little more, but there was no difference. He decided to take out his Green Stone lamp from his improvised back, that was connected to a wire made of out of the bears fur.

  It was suicidal to have a light in this darkness if a monster was attracted to it. However, he couldn't continue if he couldn't see. Hajime did not want to occupy his only hand to hold this lamp, so he fastened it to his left elbow.

  He had a feeling that something was shining in the depths of the passage when he walked for a while. That got him to raise his caution to the max. Advancing while hiding as much as possible, he left an unpleasant sign on his left side. He pointed the lamp at that direction. A gray liard approximately 2m in length was sticking on the wall, glaring at Hajime with golden eyes.

  The golden eyes were charged with light. In that moment,

  "Tsu!?"

  Hajime left arm started to give of a strange sound and noticed it was getting petrified. Instantly the lamp that was fastened to his arm was soon petrified completely, and shattered into a million pieces. With the light source lost, darkness ruled the area again. The petrification on his left side was already reaching his shoulder.

  Hajime clicked his tongue while he took out some sacred water from his chest holster; which was made from demon fur and wire. As expected, the petrification halted and eventually his left arm returned to normal.

  It sure had done it! He cursed inwardly, and took out a flash grenade from his waist pouch. Hajime threw it towards the gold eyed lizard. At the same time, gold eyes started to simmer again in the darkness. Hajime left the area by using "Flicker", and did not see the gaze. The rock that was behind where Hajime used to be, changed color. Soon the rock crumbled as it weathered. Wicked Eyes of Petrification, was what Hajime linked with the golden eyes. This lizard was like a basilisk often seen in a RPG.

  Hajime closed his eyes while he took out Donner and brandished it.

  Bang! The surrounding was bathed in intense light as the flash grenade went off.

  "Ku-ua!"

  For an entity that matured in the darkness, this was the first time it had experienced that much light, and it confused it. The figure of that confused basilisk emerged from the darkness. Hajime fired without a thought. He aimed well and soon the bullet found its target in the basilisk's skull. Brain matter splashed against the wall as the head was blown to pieces. The bullet continued through the head into the wall, and burning rocks could be heard. Since electromagnetic force was used to accelerate the bullet, the places it hit emit a high temperature. It was so intense a heat that, right now, only the Tauru ore could handle it.

  Hajime approached the basilisk while he stayed vigilant to his surroundings. Promptly he cleaved the meat off of the corpse and left the area. He did not feel safe eating in an area with so little visibility. Hajime decided to push forward and continue his search for the time being.

  He had searched for many hours but he could not find the stairs. A lot of ores were collected and demons killed during this time. Since it was so inconvenient to carry all this, he made a base for himself.

  When he found a suitable place, he used his transmutation to create the space. He was able to make his base without any problems. Hajime continued transmuting until he had a 6 tatami sized room. Without forgetting, he placed a pale basketball sized ore in the hollow recess of the wall. This ore was God's Crysta
l. Underneath the ore was placed a contained to catch the dripping water.

  Hajime had started to call the crystal "Potion Stone" and the sacred water as "Potion." It really was like the games equivalent, but its effects were much stronger.

  "Well, let's have a meal."

  Hajime retrieved the meat out of his backpack. He used his lightning powers to cook them. Today's menu was the basilisk meat, an owl that could fire its feathers like a shotgun, and a six legged cat. No seasoning.

  "Itadakimasu."

  After a moment of eating, pain started to well in his body. The body was being strengthened. It seemed that these monsters were stronger than the bear. It was certainly true that the environment and darkness made it troublesome. Hajime did not really feel that since Donner could blow any of them away.

  Drinking the "Potion", he continued to eat while ignoring the pain. His phantom limb pain had returned and it was getting stronger.

  "Chomp, Fuu--. Gochisousama. Now then, Status…"

  He took out his Status Plate as he said that. Hajime's current state was…

  Name

  Nagumo Hajime

  Age

  17 Years Old

  Gender

  Male

  Level

  23

  Class

  Transmutation Artist (Synergist)

  Strength

  450

  Vitality

  550

  Resistance

  350

  Agility

  550

  Magic

  500

  Magic Resistance

  500

  Skills

  Transmutation

  Mineral Appraisal

  Precision Transmutation

  Mineral Enquiry

  Mineral Separation

  Mineral Fusion

  Magic Manipulation

  Iron Stomach

  Lightning Clad

  Divine Step

  Air Walk

  Flicker

  Air Claws

  Night Vision

  Perception

  Petrification Resistance