I hate being wed in a fantasy world!

Next morning.

“Heya! Ha! Orryaa!” Swinging both swords, Masahiko is pressuring Braxas with a flurry of blows, trying to not give his teacher the time to use his [Metalmancy], however, his sword attacks stop just a few centimeters before they hit the dar's armor. Braxas isn't even subtle about it anymore!

Masahiko throws a kick in, but his boot is also lined with iron, therefore, it's also easily deflected. It's not like Braxas is having something like a shield out there, it's just how natural the manipulation of metal is for him, reinforced by his status as a hero.

While his foot is hanging mid-air, Masahiko does something he wouldn't usually do: He spits into Braxas' face. The dar looks at him with the same determined expression, not even minding the fluid running down his hairy face.

Suddenly, Masahiko's airborne foot is slammed down to the ground, he lifts his swords to guard himself, but both are pushing against his arms, trying to be spread apart, Masahiko clenches them, trying to put not too much of tension into his arms, like his shishou- wait a minute!

He let go of his swords, which fly away, and throws a punch right into Braxas' face, who is genuinely surprised by this act, as he doesn't deflect the metal gauntlets Masahiko wears. Though the damage of the attack leaves a lot to be desired. Especially as Masahiko's feet are both pinned down, and he couldn't put much weight into this punch.

“Well, y'got this hit,” Braxas grins. “Though you'd be dead.”

“Yeah. This [Metalmancy] is mean.”

“Nah, most dar can't go this far. Thought to show you though.”

“But you heroes can, right?”

“S'long we got the [Ability]. Nat'ral talent doesn't cut'it. Break?”

“Yeah,” Masahiko picks up his swords. He's here for his daily training, as the council will meet up in the afternoon. “A question. Why were you summoned?”

“Ah, that... Because of a prophecy.”

“A prophecy?” This sounds so much like the plots of the games and stories Masahiko likes.

“Eyup. Dari here have many enemies, Kraggwas is somewhat safe for now. Still, Arrivinia might strike again.”

“Arrivinia... that other kingdom?” The kingdom to the east of Feuerberg.

“Eyup, that one. Dari used to live in mountains, good with metals and stuff. Metal is wealth, even humans know. Like Kraggwas' riches, so they tried to take'em, long ago though. Ya could say, most dar heroes are summoned because of other folk threatening our kingdoms. Especially humans, they're very ambitious and resilient. Also orcs, they like their weapons. Never got along well with elves, but no one can.”

“About that, what's the problem with elves?” Of course, Masahiko has his own image of elves, as the stories of his world depict them as divine, as graceful, as wise. Sometimes there is some sort of animosity between elves and dwarves, but now that he's in a fantasy world that has both, of course he would like to know how this comes about. “Is it about that attack twenty years ago?”

“Even before that. Y'never know what they think. Also, making fun of everyone.” Ah, the known elven arrogance, so the people around them feels like they're fooled with. “How to say... they like evil pranks.” Most likely a bit of playfulness that goes against the rigidness of the dari. “Also, they always call'us money-grubbing dwarves.” This isn't much of a stretch, as Masahiko remembers the council yesterday's meeting. “Ah, don't like to talk 'bout elves.”

Masahiko decides to let the topic rest. “But what about the prophecy?”

“Ah. Yup, was summoned because of that. Dari will do something great in future, but a hero with [Divination] saw this important step in the future fail because someone will try to foil it. Then Kragg was ready to summon heroes to stop that, now I'm just trying to become strong enough to protect whatever this great event is.”

“How long have you been in this world?”

“Rrr... forty-odd years?”

“Years in your world or in this one?”

“Ah that, started using time measures of this world roughly a year after bein' summoned.”

Masahiko knows that a year in this world is roughly two years in Japan. So Braxas was here for quite a while, and he still hasn’t fulfilled his hero's quest. “Can you tell me details?”

“Neh, can't risk anything. You're fighting demons, many have nasty spells and skills. Mind-readers, shapeshifters, dreamwalkers, dominators, too high of a risk.”

“Don't remind me.” He already got good coverage of what demons can do in Feuerberg, so Masahiko thinks Braxas concerns are on the point. “However, if I can help you, just tell me.”

“Eyup. Next round?”

“Next round!”

―○●○―

Later in the afternoon, Masahiko and his friends return to the temple. This time, Eri's also around, as she finished her training early today. Or more like at the regular time. Daichi has used his time to mend Masahiko's armor, while Teruko and Katsuo trained on their own, as the deepstalkers have left Kraggwas to do more scouting. Both of them prefer to stick around with their friends rather than accompanying Urgrik and his dar into the depths.

In the temple-chamber, they see some of the chiefs already, but someone else greets them first. «Well met, human heroes.» It's Kragg, the god! Being the second god Masahiko ever encountered, and the first one he has ever seen, something sure is different about it. Beside the fact that it's a rock-creature.

“I'm honored, Kami-sama.” Masahiko bows to it, showing his proper upbringing. He doesn't know why the dar god has greeted them in the first place, but it'd be improper to be less than thoroughly polite. His friends follow this suit, though Eri is staring at the god she has never met before.

«You will join Us in Our chambers today.» Not a request, not an order. It's a matter of fact like there is no doubt about this.

Will Kragg ditch the meeting again? Does that mean, that Masahiko and the rest won't participate either? Still, it looks like there is no way to decline politely. Also, Masahiko is interested in how this will turn out.

“OK.” He agrees to it, though he gives his companions a troubled look. They also seem doubtful, but in the end, there is little they can do with such an invitation at the moment. Kragg melts into the ground, and two priests lead the way to another chamber.

The room before is also guarded by ironsouls, which would have been another class-up option. Warriors of faith, who steel their bodies and minds to become the perfect guardians.

Behind this, a simple cave is there, though different ore veins are visible at the walls. There are two ironsouls here as well, but Masahiko's eyes are caught by Kragg, who lifts his hand and smooths the ground, while a priest is putting some sitting cushions on that surface. «The stone is also more comfortable,» the deity explains, and strangely enough, the stone feels a lot like a tatami mat. «Agyn, the drink.» The priest pours some beverage into metallic cups and put them next to the cushions.

Masahiko and his friends sit down. As Masahiko adjusts his swords, a question arises: “Don't we need to take off our weapons?”

«We can smite you with a mere thought, so this would be just a waste of time.» Strange, Masahiko thought yesterday, that Kragg was a bit alarmed about their presence, but maybe this was his imagination after all? «Our interest is more of a concern. Tell Us about you.»

“Huh?”

“Your life before being summoned. About your summoning, about your quest, about what happened to you. We feel your need to tell, your need to converse. We are the Father, We listen.”

Something soothing is coursing its way through Masahiko's innards, bones, and guts. A pleasant feeling, something which remembers him of his family. Yes, he has his many concerns, the things he did in the past that became today's problems.

Gods are different from mortals--this thought manifests inside him. Maybe the way gods see mortals is different as well; maybe Kragg felt Masahiko's struggle and feels the need to relieve it, even for a bit.

Still, it's not easy to start telling your life's story. Some sort of resistance is put up inside of Masahiko, he looks at his friends, each of their faces shows their hesitation, their struggle.

A minute passes, and Masahiko feels like every second he doesn't talk puts weight on him, similar to guilt, still different in many ways. Deep inside he's asking himself, why he should even tell Kragg anything, but it's smoldered by the desire to get everything out.

Why can't he? Because of the dari here? Because he doesn't want to open himself entirely up in front of his friends? Because Kragg is still a stranger, in the end?

Another five minutes pass, Kragg still looks at them expectantly, doesn't say a thing. The pressure on Masahiko is taxing, though nobody puts pressure on him other than himself. His friends seem to be under similar pressure, as Katsuo starts to breathe heavily, there are sweat drops all over Teruko's face, Daichi narrows his eyes to a slit. Only Eri looks almost fine, though her face is a bit reddened. Masahiko has no idea how he looks at the moment.

Ten minutes. Masahiko's head is blank, he formulated each sentence he wanted to say over and over again, but not even a sound escapes his dry lips. He drinks a bit, trying to make his throat less parched, the drink is definitely alcoholic, but even that doesn't loosen his tongue.

Maybe another ten minutes pass, when Kragg finally breaks this silence: «We understand. Don't force yourself, come to me, when it's easier to talk. We'll always have an open ear for each of you.» His words are like a spell, that suddenly relieve Masahiko and his friends from all the pressure they were feeling up to this moment.

“...Th... *gulp* Thank you, Kami-sama.” Masahiko really has a dry throat, it really hurts to talk.

They're excused and leave the chambers, it may be possible to join the council meeting after their break, but for now, Masahiko likes to clear his head. Even his status shows him, how exhausting this was, his SP are only half full.

“Did this...” Eri starts speaking after taking a careful look around, seeing that there is no dar around to hear her. “Did this thing use something to make us talk? This was unnatural, I couldn't even speak a single word.”

“Not here.” Masahiko decides quickly: “We'll go monster-hunting later, OK?” His shirt is glued to his body, as he sweat like crazy for the last few minutes of this awkwardness. “We'd better go back to our quarters and clean ourselves and take a rest.”

Unanimous nodding. “I feel like collapsing,” Daichi heaves.

Teruko also wobbles. “I feel like I've just run a marathon.”

“... headache,” Katsuo joins in.

“Let's go,” Eri urges.

“Ah,” Masahiko remembers: “There is still something I need to ask here. Go on ahead, I'll be right behind you.”

“...I'll come with you.” Katsuo declares. Is he worried about Masahiko? Well, maybe Masahiko isn't worried enough.

However, this is just a small detour. After Katsuo and Masahiko separate from the rest, they head to the government part of the building, to the Bureau of Trade. There Masahiko asks merely a question to a female dar, who sits at her desk: “Hey there, I'm looking for a trader.”

“Trader? Which one?”

“Nikaws. She was here yesterday, asking about setting up a stand.”

“Yesterday? I was here the whole time, there were no requests for trading space.”

“Huh?” This is strange.

―○●○―

“I know, it's strange to mobilize so soon, still no use. Take care, lad.” Braxas says his goodbyes to Masahiko and heads out with a small army to overrun the demon forces. The council decided surprisingly quickly to just unleash many more soldiers than necessary to overwhelm the demon forces before they even know what hit them.

The defensive walls protecting Kraggwas are strong, the remaining soldiers are mostly concentrated there, so the demons would need at least the same amount of soldiers as the dari who are about to set out to even hope to make a dent in them. Alternative routes aren't there as well; the dari are capable of sensing stone, so they know that there are no new tunnels even close to the city except the one the demons are in.

The army is already about to leave. Masahiko and his friends were offered a place, but Masahiko declined, though Daichi only stays behind because he trusts Masahiko's judgment. Said judgment, however, is based on that particular feeling that he needs to be in Kraggwas.

“Take care, Braxas! Sorry I won't come with you, even though I said I would.”

“Nah, don't worry. Rather happy y'stay behind, y'know. Strange things happen. Take care of Kraggwas while I'm not around, bud.”

“I promise.” Masahiko respectfully bows to him. After his dar friend moved out, he turns to his human friends: “Sorry guys, we couldn't talk about the Kragg-thing.” Of course they abandoned their monster-hunting--Masahiko's feeling is clear. “Maybe we should visit a pub.” Masahiko learned from movies that public spaces are among the best places to speak privately. Despite the source, there is a certain logic to it.

After each of them has ordered drinks and digestible food, Eri brings up the topic: “What happened back there?” Nobody needed a reminder, that 'back there' means when they were in Kragg's chambers. “It felt... unpleasant. Like someone invading me.”

“Now that you say it...” Daichi replies, “I felt the same. Like everything inside me wanted to break free, but before that, there was a moment when I felt like something sank into me.”

Masahiko and the other two nod. While Masahiko would put it into other words, what they said still fits what he has experienced. “It was a bit like when talking to my father...”

“Ah, me too!”

“...kch!”

“You're right, Masa.” Eri looks surprised: “Like my father was questioning me because of some misconduct. Gentle, but forceful.”

“Good wording,” Teruko agrees. “This really felt like when Otou-san asked me about school when I came back late and roughed up.”

“He's called 'Father' by everyone... Is that related?”

“Maybe he-”

“Shh! The waiter,” Masahiko interrupts Eri. Their drinks are brought, water with a carafe full of liquor. Masahiko pours a bit of it into his cup of water, while their rocktopus-balls are brought. Almost taste like dirty, warmed-up takoyaki, just worse. Still edible, just not that pleasant, but among the only foods in Kraggwas that doesn't give Masahiko a stomachache. He likes to taste the local food in places he visits, but Kraggwas has just too many culinary dangers.

“Urgs...” Eri is grimacing after eating one: “I think we still have bread and cheese left, right?”

“I don't.”

“Me neither.”

“Mine got moldy.”

“...sorry.”

“...take a deep breath and eat it...” Eri encourages herself, “uh... we really need a [Cook],” just to step on a landmine.

[Cook], their former [Cook] was Momokawa Kyou, their friend. Still, her words are true, Kyou isn't here, and while they could manage in Feuerberg, here in Kraggwas, it shows what benefits it has to have a [Cook] in the party. “...it's time, yes.” Masahiko agrees. His sadness about Kyou's situation can't cloud his judgment as the party leader here. “Teruko, have you unlocked the class? I haven't.” Daichi, Katsuo, and Eri have already filled all of their class-slots.

Eri is [Student], [Wizard], [Trader], and [Exorcist]. She takes care of the healer's role, another role Kyou had filled before. This combination gives her a wide array of spells for combat and makes it much easier to get the best deals, every Newgold that's saved is a Newgold they can invest in other things.

Katsuo is [Student], [Sharpshooter], [Leatherworker], and [Fletcher]. He's even closer specialized than Eri, as his only combat class is [Sharpshooter], the class-up he chose for his [Archer]. To become a sharpshooter, someone must be able to be accurate even when shooting distances longer than a kilometer. Masahiko didn't know how far a bow can shoot before, but right now, when Katsuo can see his target, he can usually hit it, though great distances give it more time to evade the arrow.

Daichi chose [Student], [Knight], [Grappler], and [Blacksmith] as his classes, so he's the archetypal front-liner, having him at his side makes Masahiko glad. As a [Grappler], Daichi can pin the monsters down, while he can take them out as a [Knight].  While both classes are for combat, each has its own style.

“I can't select [Cook],” Teruko answers Masahiko's question.

“Hm... Then I'll take it.”

“No!” Teruko vehemently objects. “Let me take care of the cooking.”

“But you-”

“With [Knight] and [Deepstalker] I have already two combat-focused classes, so-”

“But I also have-”

“Masahiko-kun, let me do this.”

...is it because it used to be Kyou's task? Masahiko knows how close Kyou and Teruko are, so maybe she wants to inherit her friend's role.

“...OK.” He just needs to admit defeat here.

“Thanks!” Teruko really looks happy, showing Masahiko, that this is the right decision. “I'll learn it as fast as possible.”

“Concentrate on [Deepstalker] first, though.”

“I will!” She really looks eager.

“Now to the other topic...” Masahiko redirects the conversation: “I don't know if he has done something or not. Maybe not deliberately, just as an unconscious effect. He is the Father, so maybe every time he talks to someone, he has the same effect.” Kragg is supposed to be a god. If he's indeed a god, he's an entity unknown to Masahiko. What the boy from Japan knows of different religions only gives him more doubt whether he can even hope to grasp the concept of a god now that he saw one in the flesh... or rock, in this case.

“Ugh, it'd be easier if this was intentional...” Daichi is right, if this pressure they felt is just a side-effect, it's much harder to deal with than an intentional assault of their minds.

“Let's assume that it was intentional,” Eri starts spinning her theory: “Why would he need to know that much about us?”

“Maybe he's interested?”

“Maybe... but what if the gods here aren't omniscient and it wants to know more about our quest? Or even... maybe Kr- he doesn't even know who summoned us?” One of the biggest mysteries is which of the four guardian deities of Feuerberg--which aren't known by name, just by title: The Fire, the Freedom Fighter, the Foundation, and the Fleeting--summoned the heroes.

“In the church,” Eri explains softly: “They said that only the most inner circle knows their names. Though the upper echelon denies that.”

“Why though?”

“Some say, it's for their protection. Others because they don't care. Maybe, it's because they sound more important that way? I mean, Susanoo-kamisama sounds less impressive than Lord of the Sea and Storms.” She has a point.

“Maybe he just wants to learn how much of a threat we are. If heroes are summoned by kingdoms with the help of gods, we're clearly intruders on their turf.”

In the end, it's only slightly better than conspiracy theories. Masahiko and his friends are just plucking ideas out of thin air.

Basically, they know nothing and therefore can't form a proper opinion. “Let's just be careful around him.” Masahiko closes the conversation. “Also, I’d like to look at the marketplace.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to ask about Nikaws.”

Daichi furrows his brows: “That trader-girl?”

“What trader-girl?” Eri asks.

“Just someone I met a few times yesterday. She told me that she wants to open a stand, but she hasn't been at the Bureau of Trade, apparently.”

“So what?”

“So I want to look for her. I don't know why she didn't turn up at the bureau, but I want to meet her again.”

“To meet her again...”

“What's up, Eri?”

“Nothing. Nothing.”

“Hey, you can talk to me.”

“I'm just thinking, that you're wasting your time, but if it's that important to you...”

“Ah. How should I explain it... it's not like it's super important to me, it's more like I want to look into it. It bothers me.”

Eri sure doesn't seem happy with this explanation. Still, this is what Masahiko feels, and he likes to get to the bottom of this.

“I'll help,” it's Teruko who volunteers.

“Me too!” Eri quickly agrees.

Daichi and Katsuo exchange looks and whisper some words to each other. “Katsuo and I will go to the forge. Time to sharpen some weapons and make arrows.”

“Ah, take these please.” Masahiko give his swords to Daichi, while getting his spare pair from his backpack.  These are excellent weapons, though a bit lighter than what he uses at the moment. These spares are from when he was still a [Student]. When he got the [Fighter]-class, he got a stronger pair, as his arms were able to handle more weight.

With the two girls in tow, Masahiko heads to the central marketplace. “OK, we'll split into two groups. Eri and Teruko, you will form a group, I will look on my own.”

“Wha-” Eri is aghast: “Why me and Teru-chan?”

“Because you haven't seen Nikaws before, so looking on your own would be problematic. Also... I know that you're both strong, but I can't help but feel uncomfortable having you girls look around without anyone else. It's just my stupid man's pride.” He smiles, embarrassed, as he knows that the woman of today doesn't need a man to protect her all the time. Still, his parents raised him to be kind to girls; it's hard to ignore.

“*Sigh*” “Fine...” The girls agree quietly.

“OK. We meet here again in about half an hour.” Rendezvous times are hard to meet in the fantasy world, as they couldn't keep any time-keeping devices. It took a while for Masahiko to stop looking at his arm to discern the time, as he used to wear a watch.

Nowadays, he looks at the sky, but this isn't possible in Kraggwas either, so he just has to bet on everyone’s sense of time. He sure hopes to get a skill which tells him how late it is.

Masahiko strides through the marketplace looking at the different stands. He still hasn't found a present for the girls either, so he wants to kill two birds with one stone. Nonetheless, it would help if he had an idea of what he should give the girls.

In Japan, he would go for some sweets, girls seem to like them and they're not that expensive. In Kraggwas however, he's careful about every kind of food. It'd be bad if the dar candy caused nausea and stomachache.

While he thinks that an accessory would be viable, he has no idea what the girls would like. Eri in grade school would be happy about every kind of kitschy trinket, but she has grown to a young woman, so a heart-shaped pendant or something like that might be too childish.

Maybe some clothes... still, the ones that he can think of are super-expensive. While thinking about it, he sees some clothes hanging from a stand. He looks at the price tags, they're not that much... still, all of them are dari-sized.

An apron for Teruko might be useful, as she wants to choose the [Cook]-class. Still, while Teruko was on the smaller side for Japanese, the dar women are even shorter and broader. There is no classical apron here either, just cooking coats that would be way too baggy.

Still, something for a [Cook]. While his eyes look for Nikaws, he also glances through the signs and wares. There! A hardware shop.

A knife set, Kyou also got one when she started learning [Cook]. Actually, Daichi might make her one as well, he's a blacksmith after all, but buying them now seems to be the better choice, given how time-consuming Daichi's training and the maintenance of their weapons and armor are.

Anything for Eri here? Maybe a new all-purpose knife? No, hers is still good. She also has a fingernail-set... There are several needles here, even some sort of clay. Masahiko takes it, as it definitely looks metallic. It's soft to the touch. “What is this?” He asks the clerk.

The same looks at him in disbelief. “Grashnak, obv'sly.”

“Huh? Is this a dar-thing?”

“Eyup, it's grashnak.”

Masahiko puts some force into his fingers and is able to shape the grashnak a small bit. “Is this a metal?”

“'course. Y'can use it to fix stuff. Like ripped pipes, brok'n cutl'ry, quick fix for metal. Just for dari though.”

Most likely its true traits can only be used by using [Metalmancy], shaping it with your hands is hard and if it's supposed to be used for said applications, it should also become magnetic after giving it shape, something which might be entirely impossible without the dar magic.

Still, the clerk doesn't say something like that and Masahiko remembers how Braxas explained to him how the dari of this world keep their [Metalmancy] secret. While he doesn't like the reason Braxas suspects, he also doesn't want to spill the beans out of respect. At least as long the dari are on their side.

Though it's hard to believe that their allies in Feuerberg don't know, or anyone who's interested in their war potential. A secret known to an entire race just doesn't seem very safe.

In the end, he bought a clump of grashnak for Eri. She may find it helpful in grasping the basics of [Metalmancy], that's also the reason why he bought some for himself. Also, both of them loved playing with modeling clay when they were children.

Who would have thought that the first fantasy metal he finds wouldn't be adamantine, mithril, or orichalcum, but the dwarves' version of duct tape?

After paying for the stuff, his eyes catch something: It's Nikaws! The young dar girl walks through the crowd with a wide grin on her face. Masahiko is about to call out for her, but she's not alone, the guy she was fighting with before is walking right next to her.

Is this a new business partner after all? Masahiko decides to follow them. In times like these, he can't help but envy Teruko's set of [Abilities], as she has [Stealth] and [Perception], the perfect combination to stalk people.

Well, no choice but to make up for it by being careful. Oh, there is another dar who greets them. Masahiko is sure that he saw that one before, but he cant put his finger on it, as his memory for faces is pretty good, but he's too unfamiliar with dari.

The new dar is female, so this limits the possibilities, as Masahiko mostly interacted with male dar. Still, he knows her, though something seems to be off... ah, he saw her during the council, she's a chief! She just isn't dressed as formally, but her well-made clothes are still noticeable.

Seeing chiefs on the streets isn't that unusual in Kraggwas as the chiefs do most of their businesses themselves. Also, they like to check up their clankin now and then. So is Nikaws part of her clan? No, the way the chief holds herself is too polite for that.

Which clan did that chief belong to and what was her name... Ah, the Kugar-Clan, Chief Lurdowf. Masahiko may be unable to pronounce her name correctly, especially the end, but he still remembers it.

What are they talking about? Sadly, Masahiko can't read lips, though learning it stands on his personal list of skills he wants to attain. Same goes for playing the piano, learning German, and similar things.

He could try to get closer, but the tunnels here are straight, and they will surely notice him quickly if he steps out of the corner he's hiding behind.

Suddenly, someone touches Masahiko's back from behind, his right hand is about to draw his sword, as he turns around, but it's Eri. “What are you doing here?” He speaks softly.

“We've been following you,” Eri whispers back.

“We?” Masahiko's eyes wander back to Nikaws and her company, but this time he looks around. There! On that cave wall is Teruko, using [Camouflage]. She's really hard to see, especially without any forewarning.

So Teruko will listen in on their conversation? Masahiko is glad that he has friends who can cover his shortcomings.

Ah, the dari are moving again, this time Chief Lurdowf comes with them. “Let's move.” Masahiko and Eri follow them as careful as possible, but it's not like the dari are in a rush or sneaky.

Teruko waits for her friends and reports: “They've been talking about the 'next step.' Something about another chief... Aruwas? Arfuwas?”

“Ah, you mean Chief Afwas.” Masahiko sure hopes that he got it right. “Did you catch what this phase includes?”

“A meeting. The woman has arranged a meeting between the girl and that Arwas.”

“Afwas. Hm... a meeting... Why would Nikaws need a chief to meet another chief?”

“Who is this Afwas-guy anyway?” Eri asks.

“Chief of the Borhro-Clan. I don't remember all the details, but that clan specializes in clothes.” Masahiko recalls what Braxas told him about dar clans. The foremost goal of any clan is to be self-sustaining, so every clan covers the most basic needs for themselves. After that, it's about profit, so most of them specialize in specific luxury articles to sell to other clans and non-dari. The reason why different clans live together in the same caverns is to maximize their profits and safety, that's why kings are elected by the chiefs to govern that alliance of clans.

“Clothes? Doesn't sound like it'd be hard to arrange a meeting in the first place.”

“Yeah. Especially as each chief is trying to gain bargains themselves.” While most clans specialize in luxuries, some specialize in cheap wares, taking advantage of the dari's greed to make them not buy their clan's internal wares.

“Stop!” Teruko interrupts the conversation. “Look.” Nikaws and her posse enter the caves of the Borhro-Clan, passing the gates and guards. While the humans could enter after stating their business, they can't say that they're stalking someone.

“We can lie about why we want to enter,” Eri suggests.

“We could, but whatever we say, they will give us a 'guide', clans keep their secrets close. They may suspect us of industrial espionage or something like that if we lose the guide.”

“I could sneak past the guards,” Teruko offers.

“I don't think so.” Dari have their [Metalmancy], so as long as Teruko has metal objects with her, she might be detected and answering the questions that arise might be hard. He looks at her from head to toe, the buckles of her belts and boots, parts of her armor and gloves, the knife at her waist...

“Erm... Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Ah, sorry.” Masahiko thinks it'd be better to tell the girls, but with Eri here, who's still trying to figure out the existence of [Metalmancy]... it's uncertain if the prompting will hamper her growth. “Eri, can I talk to Teruko in private for a moment?”

Eri's eyes are widening, she looks like she's surprised. “Ye-yeah. For sure.”

“Something wrong?”

She calms down immediately. “No. Everything is fine. I'll be around the corner then.”

“Thanks.” Maybe she had a misunderstanding for a second.

For some reason, Teruko is shifting her weight from one foot to another, her face shows a mix of anticipation, doubt, and disappointment at the same time: “What's wrong?”

“Ah, something Eri shouldn't learn for now,” Masahiko speaks softly so that there is no chance of Eri hearing a word. “If she knows too early, it may cause problems for her class-up training. Dar can detect and influence metal. So to sneak past them you would need to take off every item that has metal on it, including your backpack. While I won't stop you, I wouldn't suggest doing it.” Without her backpack and metal items, Teruko would need to sneak barefooted, unarmed, and alone. Her [Stealth]-ability might help, but it's not omnipotent. “I'm just worried about you.”

Teruko looks at him absent-minded, then after a few moments what he said seems to sink in: “Understood. Should we hang around here?”

“...” A good question. In a matter of fact, there is no good reason to stalk Nikaws. She's just an acquaintance, someone he met yesterday for the first time, he just wanted to check on her and make true to his word to visit her stand, but her businesses seem to go well. Still, something in him doesn't want to give it a rest.

“Wait a minute,” Masahiko asks. He fetches Eri, who is looking behind the corner, maybe to see whether she can return. “Sorry to make you wait.”

“Anything important?”

“Erm, something you can't hear yet.”

Suddenly, Eri is in a good mood. “I see.” Thinking of it, her birthday is around the corner, so maybe she thinks he was asking Teruko about a gift. He has to make sure to get her something nice there, too.

Eri rejoins the conversation, Masahiko explains: “Sneaking in will be too hard, especially counting in any magical wards. Maybe some runes, hard to tell at this point.” Dari have runescribes, runes can give items and places magical properties, so while Masahiko doesn't know much about actual magic runes, in games they often have trap aspects, adding another layer to the difficulty of sneaking in.

“So should we leave someone as a guard?” Teruko asks again. “I can do it.” She sure doesn't want to, Masahiko can see it from her face. He can only imagine how boring it is to just stay in [Camouflage] for hours on end, who in their right mind would even do that?

“Eri,” Masahiko begins, “what do you think? You're smarter than me.”

“Hm... I would like to call Daichi-kun and Katsu-kun. Something is odd.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why would the chiefs meet with a mere trader, especially after they sent an army out there. Wouldn't be there more important things to do right now? Like taking care of the city's defense?”

“Sure, for that task, Nikaws doesn't seem necessary. However, guarding the city is the king's duty, right? So maybe the clans are just doing business as always? …let's ask the king.”

“The king?”

“Sure, we weren't there at the meeting because of Kragg, so we can ask him about that. He may at least give us clearance to look at the minutes.”

Teruko jumps in. “Should I stay behind to keep watch?”

“No ne- wait... please do so. I'm sorry.” It's strange. Strange how things that don't seem to be related can occupy that much of Masahiko's mind.

“You don't need to be.”

“Eri, would you also stay close? When something is going on, Teruko should have someone watching her back. Also, if something is odd, one of you can fetch me.”

“Alright.”

Time to look into the whole defending Kraggwas while attacking the demons business.

―○●○―

Daichi sharpens his axe, the repeating movement of his hands gives him some peace of mind. He's still disappointed by Masa's decision to stay behind, but Masa usually makes the right choices. Of course, he makes mistakes like everyone else, but they tend to be somewhat negligible.

On the other hand, Daichi's mistakes are often big. Whenever he can't let his body take charge, things don't go his way. He's bad at studying, he allows his temperament get the better of him, he looks for more trouble than he can handle.

Masa is a good guy, the best. Still, he needs someone to watch his back. Maybe because he's too good at times. He's optimistic, likes to see the best in everyone, that's why he befriended Daichi in the first place.

Even him... looking at Katsuo-kun sharpening his arrowheads reminds Daichi of how Katsuo-kun was before. Someone who comes from a middle school which is far away, not trying to make any friends, frustrating Kyou-san when she tried to unite the class.

Katsuo-kun always ate lunch on his own, disappearing from the classroom. Now he sits with Daichi to maintain their gear. “Everything alright?” Daichi isn't as close to Katsuo-kun as the rest of the party, but he doesn't have problems striking up a conversation like he used to have. Still, Teruko-san is much better at conversing with that fellow. At least she used to be.

“No.”

“What's wrong?”

“Girls.”

“Ah.” Daichi didn't want to get in the way of the girls concerning Masa, so he pulled himself out of this. “So you also want to get closer to Masa?”

Katsuo-kun snorts: “Yeah, right. My love letter is still in the works, and my heart aches every time I see him with the girls. Why isn't he looking at me?”

“Maybe because you're not pretty enough.”

“Well, not everyone can have a face like you, Daichi.”

“Yeah, even my eyes have a biceps, you see!” Daichi moves his brows.

“Maybe he just likes fat boys.”

“Oh, then we don't have a chance, right?”

Both of them laugh at their joking exchange. “Well, it's about Teru-san. Since the thing with Katsuragi, she's different.”

Ouch, a complicated topic. “Different how?”

“Like, she used to speak upfront and be all familiar. Now she doesn't.”

“Is she in love with you? Jerk.”

“...could it be? Nah, she's all heart-eyed for Masa.”

“Well, which girl isn't?”

“...well, Kyou-san.”

“Ah right. You like Kyou-san?”

“...off-topic.”

“Sorry. So you want to have Teruko-san treat you the same as before?”

“Yes. She was tough, I liked that.”

“Me too. …just treat her like always? I mean, maybe all we did was just unnecessary tip-toeing. No, let's go another step, just treat her like a guy.”

“Like a guy?”

“Now that you said this, she might poke us with her spear for that. We have set goals: Beat Katsuragi up, rescue Kyou-san, beat Katsuragi up again, and break the mind-control, which might include beating up Katsuragi.”

“...you know what makes me happy. Wanna go out with me?”

“Sorry, my heart is set on Masa. He may never notice my feelings, but I'm still faithful.”

Another laugh. Yeah, being a boy is awesome!

Daichi thinks that he has underestimated his closeness to Katsuo-kun, it's just that somehow they seldom hang out with just the two of them.

“Well, about Teruko-san, don't worry too much. She'll come around, it's just that she's a bit lonely. I mean, she and Kyou-san go way back. Trying to be cheery all the time while feeling otherwise is tiring.” Daichi knows from experience. Whenever he lost in a judo-competition, he felt so vexed, but he still tried to be cheerful around others. Usually, he would then visit Masa, both would enjoy themselves by playing video games, going to karaoke, or just choose a subway-line and travel to the last stop to look around.

What might Teruko-san do in times like that? Reading books? Looking at girl magazines? Chatting with her friends? Well, most likely something she can't do in this world. How can she vent that frustration?

Ah, he's really not good in these matters. The only thing he can think of is sports, but she always trains her body in this world.

“I should let it rest?”

“Erm... don't know. Just think what you would find pleasant if you're on edge.”

“...” A skeptic look. “Aha.”

“Well, I never said that I have good advice.”

“...at least you have some. Also, talking makes me feel better. Thanks.”

“Don't mind it. Also, give me your dagger, I need to sharpen it as well.”

“I don't use it that much.”

“Just hand it over already.” Daichi takes a look at the weapon Katsuo-kun handed him. “Did you use it to carve wood?”

“How can you tell?”

“I'm a [Blacksmith], mind you. I can use [Appraise] for this, and there are tiny splinters at the point.”

“Just numbering arrows.”

“Why!?”

“Training. When I shoot, I don't remember which arrows hit and which not, always the next one on my mind. Don't mind the arrow that already left the bow.”

“Ah, I can see it.” If Daichi minded every move he used in a judo-competition, he would be too distracted to fight to his fullest. He can ponder it afterward, but often he needs to see the videos made in the competition to remember everything. “Neat trick.” Daichi is already finished with the dagger. “Here, sharp and edgy.”

“Worst pun ever.”

“Why didn't you chose a melee-class anyway? I mean, you only have [Sharpshooter] for combat, isn't it a bad idea?”

“...the same way you only have melee classes?”

“At least I have two and can decide which will be more useful. You're always stuck with a bow.”

“Maybe. Still, it's me.”

“Why so sad?”

“Don't like to talk about it.”

“Sorry.”

“Nah.”

“What exactly makes a [Sharpshooter] anyway? I mean, a [Knight] in this world is an elite warrior dedicated to a kingdom, capable of using a wide array of weapons and strategies to overcome any kind of trouble. Pretty much what knights and samurai in our world were. But a [Sharpshooter] here doesn't have a rifle or something like that.”

“Sharpshooters are known for two things: Excellent senses and accuracy. I was told that humans are among the few people who can even see over long distances. That's why sharpshooters appeared, using this advantage, powerful ranged weapons that can not only shoot but also hit targets at these great distances. Wait a minute.” Katsuo-kun pulls his bow out of his backpack, a bow Daichi never saw before. “Try drawing it.”

Daichi casually pulls the string, but it didn't budge. He puts some strength into it, no difference. “What the...” Time to use everything. He tries, and it's a success. Still, the string cuts into his hand, and he has the feeling, that he will let it go any minute. “What's the bow made of?”

“You already know, it's rubdrum bone. Let me show you.” With a smooth movement, Katsuo-kun draws the bowstring to his ear.

“How is that even possible!?”

“Training, the right muscles, and [Drawing]. [Bow]-skill that let me draw bows easier. The more tensile force, the more SP I spend. The more tensile force, the stronger the shot.”

“This is your new bow?”

“Yes and no. This is my bow for shots for above one kilometer. I still use my old one for shots closer than that. Well, the one I got as a replacement for the other one. *grumble*”

Shots above one kilometer!? This... this seems crazy at first, but thinking back, when Daichi was at the border, he has got some support from the archers of Feuerberg even from greater distances. In cases like these, Daichi realizes how crazy the people of this world are, and how they expect him to be even more of a monster.

Still, a kilometer away... is that even a distance a sharpshooter from Japan could kill? Daichi doesn't know, as he was never interested much in actual military equipment back home. Now it belongs to his curriculum, how time changes things.

“Why two bows though?”

“This one is much harder to draw, its power in close distances is insane, but if I can't stay still, it's too hard to draw and aim at the same time. At least for now.” To give his words a presentation, he draws his bow once more and turns at the same time, Daichi can see, how Katsuo-kun's arms can't cleanly follow his body. “To realign the aim is time-consuming if there would be an arrow on it, trying to do so might cause an accidental shot.”

As someone who has tried to draw this bow, Daichi can imagine how hard it might be to keep holding the string if you try to move it too much. “Man, I've never thought about it. But if you can pull it off, you get that crazy-strong shot?”

“Theoretically. Never tried.”

“...oh god, I can't believe it! This might kill something like that giant monkey-spider-thingy in one shot!”

“...but what if I hit one of you?”

“Ah...” This is right, a battle is a mess. Usually, Katsuo-kun is able to seize any opportunity to get a clean shot, like when Daichi pushes the monster away from him. However, considering the time lag between seeing an opportunity, putting up a proper stance, and drawing that bow, it may really cause Katsuo-kun to hit something else but a monster. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For thinking about stuff like that!”

“Ah. You're welcome.”

“Just promise me, that you find a way to use that power without risk, like a [Skill] or something. I mean, that sounds too awesome!”

“...I promise.” Katsuo-kun grins at Daichi.

Daichi holds his fist out and after a moment of hesitation, Katsuo-kun fist-bumps his.