Chapter 90

Special Training And so, we come to the second morning since arriving in the Dead’s Lament stratum. It’s dark out, as usual, but after experiencing that night, even this level of brightness is a relief. Captain Kerioyl seems to have moved to another stratum via the transfer circle early this morning. He said something about bringing the group that would be taking on this stratum. Also, he wanted to see if he could find anyone strong enough to carry me. They don’t have to be as powerful as Lammis, but I hope they at least have enough strength to carry me on the cart. “Sir Boxxo… Did you have fun last night?” As I pore over my options for the future, I discover the inn’s proprietress standing right next to me… When did she get here? I didn’t notice her at all. I can clearly see her, but she has zero sense of presence. If someone told me she was a ghost, I’d probably believe them. “Around here…when night falls…monsters appear in the settlement as well… All but those confident in their skills…are not allowed outside…” Last night’s mystery has been solved. I just wish she’d told me earlier. “The monsters here…envy the living… They are harmless to you, Sir Boxxo… I believe you came away unscathed…” So that’s why they didn’t come near me and instead just peered into the buildings. “Sir Boxxo…is closer…to them than we… No… Please excuse me…” I’d really appreciate it if you stopped dropping cryptic lines and then leaving. Given her appearance, whenever she says something like that, I want to believe her unconditionally. What is it she wanted to say, though? That I’m more like a ghost than a human? In that case, she’s not wrong. I’m basically a possessed vending machine. Still, I don’t think I’m anywhere near as ghastly as the proprietress. “Boxxo, sorry about yesterday.” In her place, Lammis appears, seeming in low spirits. She looks at her feet, squats, and leans back against me. Her body doesn’t seem to be trembling, but she’s definitely not back to her old self yet. “Welcome.” “I’ve always hated scary things ever since I was a kid. I thought I got over it a little, but I didn’t. At all. Uuuuggghhhhh…” When she sighs like that it’s like her soul is about to slip out her mouth. I’ve never seen someone faint from fear before, but it seems just as serious for the one doing the fainting. “I said I’d be with you forever, but not at this rate, huh?” “Too bad.” “Yeah, it is too bad…” That didn’t work. She’s taking my words literally now that she’s in pessimist mode. I wonder how I can cheer her up. “Man, this isn’t like you. You’re the one who always acts before thinking, aren’t you? If you don’t like something, just overcome it. Right?” Hulemy is here, too? Finding it difficult to see Lammis like this, she folds her arms and makes a suggestion. She looks like she’s angry, but she’s actually just concerned. She’s right. If she wants to do something about it, then she has to do something. I know it sounds like I’m oversimplifying, but that’s because it really is as simple as that. “Y-you’re right! Yeah, if I’m bad with it, I just have to get used to it!” “That’s what I like to hear. In that case, I’ll give you some special training to overcome your fears.” “Special training… Yeah, I can’t be bad with this stuff forever. Yes, ma’am, Instructor, please train me!” Lammis thrusts a fist into the air to get pumped. Hulemy grins at her in satisfaction. I’d like to believe I’m only imagining the slight amusement on her face. “Then let’s start by taking a stroll through the settlement.” “A… A walk, ma’am?” Lammis gulps, her face immediately turning serious. I don’t think Hulemy suggested anything unreasonable. She takes a deep breath, turns herself around three hundred and sixty degrees, and then her hand flies up to her forehead in a salute. “I don’t think that will work, ma’am!” “It’s too early to give up. Come on—the sky is just cloudy. It’s a little dark out, that’s all. Nothing to be scared of. There are days like this in Clearflow Lake, aren’t there?” “Yeah, but the atmosphere is different! If Clearflow Lake is like a frog fiend, this place is like a king frog fiend!” Her analogy is sort of understandable—then again, it sort of isn’t. But, well, she’s right—it’s not simply dark here. The air is heavy, the humidity stifling. Water droplets stick to my body. “Gonna give up, then? You can run back to Clearflow Lake, and Boxxo will go on the search with us. You can just sit tight.” “I don’t want that!” “Then you’ll have to try harder. There’s a sundries store right down the road from here, so first, I want you to go there and buy a healing herb.” “O-okay. Let’s go, Boxxo,” says Lammis, squatting to pick me up like she always does. Hulemy rests a hand on her back. “Alone. Go by yourself.” “No… No way…” “Yes way. If you can’t even do that, you’ll never survive outside the settlement.” “I… I’ll do it. Leave it to me. I’m not some little kid. This will be easy!” As always, the wavering in Lammis’s voice is obvious. This is the biggest road in the settlement, and there are plenty of people, so even scaredy-cats should be fine. “A-all righty. N-no use fussin’ about it. This’ll be a piece o’ cake.” Is she going to be all right…? Now she’s muttering to herself in her accent with her fist clenched. Having resolved herself, Lammis stands up heroically, sets her eyes dead ahead, then walks bravely—for about ten steps. At that point, she gives us a quick glance over her shoulder. Hulemy smiles and waves. Lammis returns the smile, though hers is forced, waves back, and begins walking again. As I watch her gingerly make her way down the road, I have a thought. This must be what a parent feels like the first time they send their kid on an errand. She makes it a few steps farther, but every time she passes someone, she’s consumed by nervous trembling. Even so, she continues onward. You can do it, Lammis. Oh, the door of the house near her just opened with a loud noise. After jumping six feet into the air, Lammis wheels around and comes running back to us at full sprint. “Boxxooooooooo! I can’t do it!” Ahh, now you’re half crying. It took you several minutes just to get that far, but you came back in five seconds. She jumps to me and holds me, trembling fiercely. There, there. It was scary, wasn’t it? Here, you can have some warm corn soup, so calm down. Or maybe sweet juice would be better. All right, I’ll drop off both of them so you can choose which you want. Wait, if she hydrates, we’ll have to worry about that. Not that I’m insinuating anything, but diaper vending machines do exist, so if it comes down to it, I’ll…! “Lammis… And you too, Boxxo, don’t spoil her…” Hulemy puts a hand to her forehead and sighs. I’m sorry. I realize I’m spoiling her. Still, though, if you’re this scared, you should withdraw and not force yourself. If you want to grow strong as a hunter, you’ll have to overcome this eventually, but for now, you’re just going to have to take things slow and steady.