CH 24

There are swords and axes. An old shop with various weapons such as shields, bows, and clubs. Since it was that kind of store, the thought of shopping there was exciting.

“Well, I’m also thrilled it’s a modern store. It’s sanitary and secured.” (Kei)

We are now in the Weapon Experts area inside the guild.

New explorers choose the weapons and skills that suit them here. Weapons can be changed, but skills cannot be changed. Those who choose a sword skill cannot use any other weapons except blades.

You can still use other weapons, but the way it grows your stats is too inefficient because stat growth is affected by skills. Well, we’re actually doing that.

According to some kind of dungeon manual that I read at the guild, the status of a magic-related class has their Magic Amount increase twice per level, and Strength increases once per level only.

In addition to that, it seems that status will change slightly depending on experience. With weapon combat class, it is the reverse, Strength increases twice per level, and the magic amount increases only once per level.

In addition, the [Trap] and [Hunting] classes that do not focus on either can only increase both once per level, but it seems that you can get special skills based on the chosen class depending on the level even if you do not get a skill card.

And the skill seems to help the selected class perform a fixed action. If it’s [Sword], it’s Slash, if it’s [Club], it’s Bash. That’s why it’s important to choose a proper weapon here.

However, we are already active in the dungeon and have our own weapons. As a matter of course, it is hard to use other weapons because we made some ourselves.

That’s why we came here to try out the weapons. Each of the places to try out the weapon is a private room with enough space for us to rent. As a matter of course, there was a good amount of money involved, and we couldn’t help but smile.

“So, please use room 205. Weapons can be unlocked and used by holding this tag over the panel next to the weapons on display. Please note that removing the scabbard and protective gear outside the room will result in being restrained.” (Receptionist)

“Thank you.” (Kei)

Haru stays behind while I’m talking with the receptionist. It’s easy to forget because I’m usually the only one, but Haru is still shy. Basically, she gets over it with her tough spirit, but it seems she still can’t talk to strangers.

“So, Haru this is your tag. You can choose your weapon.” (Kei)

“Yeah. I’ll choose one carefully.” (Haru)

I handed her the tag I’d gotten at the Reception and quickly headed toward the weapons. I put the tag in my pocket and started walking slowly towards the weapons.

Even so, there are a lot of weapons. There are so many weapons here. Each weapon has a description of what class it is effective with. The halberd, for example, has two classes: [Sword] and [Spear]. In other words, it can both slash and stab. That’s what it means. And I’ve already decided which weapon I’m going to use.

“A katana might be good.” (Kei)

Japan has a characteristic weapon. The katana. Should it be about 80 centimeters long? I’m not sure, but I think I need the reach, so I put the tag over the panel next to me, unlocked it, and took the 80cm katana. [T/N: A katana is a single-blade Japanese sword iconic to samurais. There’s hardly any action/adventure anime/manga that doesn’t show one.]

When I went straight to Room 205, Haru was leaning against the door of the room. I sigh at the sight. There are two men who are trying to strike a conversation with Haru and she’s blatantly ignoring them. Why are people trying to pick up in such a place?

Haru is shy but she’s by no means weak. Rather, she’s quite tough. That’s why I can only sigh heavily at the pick-up duo. The men seem to be getting frustrated, but they don’t try to touch her because they are all going to try out weapons. Well, is it time to interfere?

“Excuse me.” (Kei)

With a casual manner, I slipped between the two men in a very natural way, opened the door with the key I received from the receptionist, and lightly pushed Haru.

“Oi, oi. Oi!” (Pickup Artist)

The men noticed that I was already next to Haru and made a surprised voice, but I ignored them and closed the door and gave a light bow. After looking at the other person’s foot for a moment, I put my foot slightly toward the door and swiftly flicked it.

The other person probably tried to stick his foot in the door. His foot that was about to stop between the doors hit my foot and was twisted away, causing his foot to slip a few centimeters sideways and hit the wall next to the door instead. I heard him click his tongue, but I just removed my foot back and locked the door.

This is a place to test your weapons. There are no windows and the doors are made of sturdy iron. They probably won’t get involved with us anymore.

“Brother, how cool.” (Haru)

I heard the sound of applause, so when I looked behind, Haru was clapping her hands.

“Don’t make me sigh, resist a little. I mean, why pickup in a place like this. It’s a place where it’s okay for the other person to carry a knife.” (Kei)

“I don’t think either of those two, think with the head on their shoulders.” (Haru)

“Fine, yes. Then let’s tryout the weapons. What did you get, Haru?” (Kei)

“Tada! Here.” (Haru)

What Haru pulled out. To be exact, what came out of the case that Haru is carrying.

“What is that?” (Kei)

Haru had a metal rod that was longer than her arm, with a handle-like rod protruding from the side of the rod.

“It’s called a Tonfa. It’s a tough weapon for fighting monsters…” (Haru)

“Hmm. There is such a weapon here. Alright, next is mine.” (Kei)

I didn’t really understand Haru’s weapon, so I quickly cut off the conversation and pulled my katana out of the scabbard.

“As you can see, my weapon is a Japanese sword. I haven’t used a decent cutting weapon until now, so I want to use a good one…” (Kei)

“Hmm. Let’s practice for the time being.” (Haru)

Haru didn’t seem to be interested in my weapon either, so we were done talking. Haru holds her Tonfa in her hand. Grasping the handles sticking out from the main rod of the weapon, which is shaped like a katakana’s handle, and she holds it as she was holding a thin shield.

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She turns it around and slides her hands to easily turn the weapon. She changes the place she’s holding and swung it down with all her strength.

“Yeah. I think this is fine. My reach has decreased, but the variation of attacks has increased.” (Haru)

“Then, next is me.” (Kei)

Pulling the sword out of the scabbard. Somehow I felt a sense of discomfort in my posture, so if I try to focus on my balance, the sense of discomfort decreases.

“Sei!”

If I swing it down as it is, I hear the sound of air being cut. But something is different.

“Brother, the tip of the sword was off like it is shaking.” (Haru)

Haru, who was watching from the front, pointed it out to me and I swung again with that in mind. Each time I asked Haru to correct me, she went away in the middle of my swings, but after about half an hour, I felt like I was in good shape.

“Then, Brother. Let’s do some light sparring.” (Haru)

She borrowed non-lethal weapons at the reception. Haru’s face is a little tight. Well, a shy person like her talked to a receptionist properly, so I’ll have to praise her. I’m sure she did her best.

“So, ready to go?” (Kei)

I receive a wooden sword with a sponge-covered blade from Haru and I hold it with one hand.

Basically, I should hold it with both hands, but our original purpose is not interpersonal combat. I felt that it was better to be able to fight with one hand in order to fight more flexibly.

Haru also holds a tonfa, which is covered with a sponge, she’s holding it in the same way as before.

“I’m going.” (Haru)

Haru suddenly thrusts her Tonfa into a stabbing motion. While the distance is wide, I hit the wooden rod and parry it.

“Take this!” (Kei)

I ducked and dove to the side before performing a feint. In the current situation where I cannot use the sword efficiently, Haru, however, is fighting with a shorter weapon, neither of us has the advantage.

Haru approached me immediately, my sword is blocked, and I cannot parry her next attack, so I decided to avoid it. I can’t see a winning move. I was completely unable to see a path to victory. It’s not my usual shorter-reach weapon, and it doesn’t have a long handle for easy parrying.

I have to change the way I fight. That’s not something I can do right away. But still.

I have to try countering.

If I say it out loud, Haru will hear me, so I don’t say it out loud, but I think about it.

It’s a position like I’ve seen on the Internet. I lower my hips, hold the sword in both hands, and pull back in a thrusting position.

Haru was the first to make another move. It was so sudden, so natural that I almost missed it. Haru approached him as if she was sliding across the floor.

This is the gait I use. A technique I use to delay my reaction to movement. The fact that I was able to notice it must have been because I usually do it all the time. Even though my reaction was a little delayed. I slammed my front foot. As if I am about to launch myself, also to threaten my opponent.

If Haru withdraws even for a moment, I will strike my sword into her. After all, Haru will not stop. She knows the risk-reward calculation well and knows that my stomping my foot is just a bluff. However, traps are meant to be doubled or tripled.

Haru doesn’t stop, and I thrust my sword out there with only my left hand. As a matter of course, she stops and pulls back.

Now.

I relax my left hand, which had been tight until it caught the sword, and watch as the sword is flicked to the right.

I bend down to avoid being hit by Hal’s attack and raise my left hand. Haru easily swept my hand away and thrust her tonfa at me. Just before she does, she stops her movement.

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The tip of the wooden sword extended from the right side of Hal’s neck. Of course, my unused right hand held it. It has always been the way I fought. That’s by using several feints. You can call it an unsavory way of fighting, but that’s the way I fight.

“My win.” (Kei)

“Mu, I was able to use my weapon better.” (Haru)

We finished our sparring, relaxed, and started talking as usual.

“You only have five minutes left.” (Speaker)

The speaker above us spoke.

“Hey, let’s go to the weapon shop next. I like Tonfa. What about your brother?” (Haru)

“I want a sword too. I’ll practice a little more.” (Kei)

“Yeah. It might be nice to see a professional’s skills.” (Haru)

“Okay, then shall we go to the weapon shop?” (Kei)

“Yep.” (Haru)

We return the key and go to the weapon shop. We didn’t expect that we would be so depressed about the performance of the weapons in the weapon shop.