Chapter 187

Chapter 6 Oh, Someone’s Here. Who’s That? I Don’t Know Them… Or Do I? A beam of light descended on the hill above Catharn’s capital. The mysterious nun, Shiraaase, emerged from the transport circle. “I’m heeeeeeere! Hello, fantasy world! …That’s the sort of ridiculous fuss Masato kicked up his first time. Really takes you back.” She surveyed the area as another beam appeared behind her. A boy stepped out. He had neat, even features, light armor, and a big sword on his back. This Swordsman was young—he appeared to be around fifteen years old. His eyes wide, he turned, taking in the world around him. “So this is the game world… I’d heard the stories, but this truly is a genuine achievement. Everything I see, touch, and smell is just like reality.” “Who could have birthed this technology? The world is filled with amazing people. Come to think of it, we breezed past the Transport Palace setup—what did you put your name as?” “My name? Yes…well, it is an RPG, so please call me Hawk. I took it from one of the kanji in my name.” “That kanji means ‘falcon,’ you realize. ‘Hawk’ is a different kanji.” “Er, really?” “However, once registered, the rules dictate you can never change your name, so we’ll be calling you Hawk forever. Welcome to the game, Hawk.” “What an embarrassing mistake… Dammit! Dammit…!” Hawk was already pounding the ground. Shiraaase gave that a bit of side-eye and then smiled. “That’s exactly how a certain someone reacted after setting up his account. Blood is thicker than water.” “What was that?” “Just talking to myself. Heh-heh. Hawk, let us proceed. I can infooorm you that, I, Shiraaase, will be your guide. As that is my name!” “Uh, yeah. Thaaank you.” They headed down the hill. “Let us begin at the starting location, the capital of Catharn. There, you can begin your inspection by learning the basics and the customs involved. I’d love to add ‘to your heart’s content’ but—” “We’ve got a dinner with all interested parties, and we need to be back in time.” “So your stay will be until evening arrives. I shall infooorm you when it is time. Do you have any specific plans for your inspection?” “No, not really. Guide me where you will, Shirase. I’m here representing business concerns, so whatever you think would help make the call on whether to put this plan in action…” “Rather than this spiel, why not honestly infooorm me you wish to meet your wife and child?” “I don’t know about thaaat… I’ve never been able to keep secrets from her, so if we meet, I’m afraid I’d blab everything.” “Perhaps it is best not to infooorm her yet, yes. Though I may be Shiraaase, there are some things I cannot infooorm her of. Despite my name.” “As you say, Shirase. Which is why I’m here in disguise, so that my identity will not be revealed should a chance encounter occur. Even so, I believe a glimpse from a distance would be preferable to an actual interaction.” “And yet?” Shiraaase’s grin had a hint of impishness to it. Hawk looked sheepish. “Okay, you’re right. I’m here for work, but a part of me does miss spending time with them.” “Mixing business and personal, I see. How unbecoming of your position.” Her ruthless comment stabbed Hawk to the quick. “…Um, Shirase? Why the sudden hostile turn?” “Whatever do you mean? It can’t possibly be because you keep calling me Shirase no matter how many times I infooorm you that I am Shiraaase… Oh?” They had just stepped onto the road into Catharn… And at the edge of the city, there was a plume of smoke and the boom of an explosion. Followed by another, and another—explosions going off all over. For a moment, both stood stunned. “Shirase—I mean, Shiraaase! What is the meaning of this? Please infooorm!” “I’m afraid I have no idea. In the interest of safety, we should go no closer—although perhaps you will find those you’re looking for at the center of this commotion.” “In that case, let’s go!” There was a serious glint in Hawk’s eyes, which earned him a nod of approval. Catharn was a war zone. The citizens had fled into the buildings and were peering anxiously out. Armed adventurers were racing about in a frenzy. Every main road, every side street, even the rooftops and sewers, had become battlefields. The enemy came in all shapes and sizes: humanoid, animallike, even shaped like pins or keychains. As thin as shadows, but clearly very real, they flitted this way and that, targeting and attacking any and all people. Including the Hero, Masato. “Dammit! What are these things?!” A humanoid one was flitting about overhead, taunting him. Masato set his sights on it, swinging Firmamento, the Holy Sword of the Heavens. A mighty shock wave rocketed up, struck home, and shattered the shadow, but… It didn’t take it long to put itself back together and lunge at him, shrieking. “Argh, again?!” “Then I’ll blow it to the end of the world! …Spara la magia…!” The Sage Wise rushed in with her powerful chain casting! But the shadow struck first. Releasing a strange vibration. Masato was unaffected. Wise’s magic was sealed! “…Are you serious with this shit…?” Slump. “Wise, I get it, but girls really shouldn’t talk like that.” “Her words are as unattractive as her figure. Step aside, I’ll handle this. Spara la magia per mirare… Purificare!” Pushing Wise out of the way with an elegant hip attack was the Cleric, Medhi. Her staff let out a holy light, purifying all evil. The light blotted out the shadow…but it was back a short while later. “I can’t believe it…even my magic doesn’t work?” “Ha-ha! At least you’re useless, too. But these things suck! Masato! What the hell are they?” “Don’t ask me! Only one option left… Mom!” “I hear you. I’m not sure I can do it, but I’ll try!” The kids stepped back, making way for Mamako. In her right hand, the Holy Sword of Earth, Terra di Madre. In her left hand, the Holy Sword of the Ocean, Altura. She swung both blades with all her might. Innumerable rock spikes thrust out of the ground. Countless water bullets were born from thin air. All enemies in sight were pummeled…and yet the shadows soon returned. “Oh dear. I was afraid of that.” “Argh, even a mom attack doesn’t work? What the hell?!” “Super obnoxious! Argh!” Wise griped. “But, um…this seems real bad?!” The mom attack had just annoyed the shadows, and they were all charging at her together! “Step back, please. Hurry! …Spara la magia per mirare… Alto Barriera!” Medhi’s magical defenses created a safe zone, and the party quickly dove in. Just in the nick of time. Shadow after shadow slammed against the barrier. As if they were aiming for record rainfall. Medhi managed to keep the barrier up, but sootlike bits of shadows were steadily obscuring their line of sight. “Yo, this is terrifying! What kinda disaster-force crap is this?!” “How should I know?! …Hang on—where’s Porta?” “Porta’s safe behind me, don’t worry.” “Urgh…I’m fine with monsters, but ghosts are so scaryyy!” The Traveling Merchant, Porta, was clinging to Medhi, her face buried in her back, doing her best not to see anything. Porta wasn’t the only one who felt like covering their eyes. There were sinister shadows in every direction. Every adventurer in the capital was out fighting them, but clearly losing. The enemy themselves weren’t very strong, but they could possess people and make them fight each other. Right next to them, a male Mage was attacking his own party with fire spells. A Warrior male and Thief girl were covered in flames, rolling on the ground, shrieking. Porta slapped her hands over her ears, shaking. Mamako patted her on the back. “Ohhhh…wh-what’s going on? Why would anything like this happen? I’m so confused…” “I don’t know. We had breakfast like always and got ready to head out on a quest…and then we heard the screams… Oh, hold on!” “What’s up, Mom? Figure something out?” Mamako nodded gravely. “I heard today was the twice-yearly junk collection day. We were in such a rush, I forgot to put ours out!” “Ha-ha-ha. Mom, this is hardly the time for that.” Twitch, twitch. “R-right. So many veins on your face, Ma-kun! I’m sorry. That was important to Mommy, so I was a little worried, but… Oh?” It was suddenly quiet. The shadow assault had died down. They squinted through the soot-stained barrier wall…and saw no shadows nearby. “What now…?” “I dunno…but maybe we can step out? Masato, you try.” “I’m not the party guinea pig!” “Then Mommy will be brave for you.” “Huh? No, wait! I’m the Hero, being brave is my… Argh…” Too late. While Masato was dithering, Mamako stepped right out through the barrier wall. Dusting the shadow soot off herself, she moved this way and that, investigating. There were countless black marks on the ground and walls, but nothing moving. Nothing anywhere nearby. Mamako turned back, making a big circle with her arms. Indicating it was okay. “Wai—Mom! Behind you!” “Huh?” Mamako blinked—and a much larger humanoid shadow came hurtling out of the sky. Masato jumped forward, raising his sword, but too late for the shock wave to reach… Then. “You’ll not touch her!” A boy Swordsman leaped from a rooftop, hurtling through the air and slicing the shadow in twain. It shattered, then vanished. Caught off guard, Masato stood stunned, forgetting to blink. The landing was definitely rough on the boy’s legs. He curled up, groaning for a moment, then jumped back on his feet and ran to Mamako’s side. “A-are you okay?! You aren’t hurt, are you?!” “No, I’m fine. Thanks for your help… Oh?” Smiling, Mamako had started to thank him, but then she gave his neat-featured face a long stare and cocked her head. “Oh my… Are you perhaps…?” “Huh?” “No perhaps about it. You are, aren’t you?” “Er, you can tell? No, wait. Nope! We have nothing to say here…!” The boy Swordsman backed away, but Mamako kept pace, eyes never leaving him. She nodded, thoroughly convinced. She opened her mouth… But then: “Hawk’s identity shall not be revealed! Psha!” A mysterious nun leaped from a rooftop and turned into a coffin upon her landing.