Book 1: Chapter 2
Chapter 2 I Made An Acquaintance With A Wealthy Merchant
I used to admire firefighters.
More specifically, they looked like heroes when I saw firefighters rescuing people from buildings that were on fire, and I wanted to be one.
Although I have given up on that dream, I want to be the kind of person who can reach out to someone in need, and if there is someone I can help, I want to help them.
The Armored Bear roared loudly and was about to jump at the merchant.
Watch out!
I immediately ran out and activated my [Dexterity] skill.
At that moment, I was transformed into a skilled axe user. As I ran, I swung the hikino wooden axe and threw it sideways!
The wooden axe flew like a boomerang, spinning at high speed, and chopped off the head of the Armored Bear that was baring its fangs at the merchant from the side.
The Armored Bears head falls to the ground.
Its body stood there, spurting blood like a fountain from the cut surface, and then it collapsed with a thud.
Immediately after, I hear a voice in my head.
By acquiring this experience, you are now level 8. Your HP and MP have been increased, and your physical abilities have improved.
I was originally level 1, but this was a sudden increase.
Could it be that the Armored Bear was actually a boss-class monster in the RPG sense?
My HP had risen from 50 to 120, and my MP from 1000 to 1700.
The amount of increase in MP is outrageous, so Id like to learn some magic at some point.
Now, the Armored Bear was completely dead, its neck and body were cleanly separated.
The merchant was puzzled by the sudden turn of events, but when he eventually noticed my presence, he bowed his head and sat down, slumped over. He must have lost his nerve after being freed from his fear.
I rushed over to the merchant and extended my hand to him.
Are you okay?
Y-yes Thank you for saving me from that dangerous situation. You saved my life.
The merchant staggered to his feet and thanked me.
Im embarrassed to be called a lifesaver, but its not bad to be thanked.
* * *
After a few words of gratitude, the merchant introduced himself.
I would like to thank you for your help. My name is Chrome, and as you can see, I am a merchant.
My name is Kou. Um
U-um, how should I introduce myself?
Would it be okay if I honestly said that I came from another world? If possible, I would like him to lead me to a human village, so I dont want to be misunderstood as a crazy person.
When I turned my gaze away in trouble, I saw a wooden axe lying on the ground. The blade was wet with blood from chopping off the head of the Armored Bear.
I picked up the bloodstained wooden axe, held up Armored Bears head, and introduced myself as follows.
As you can see, Im a woodworker.
No Good grief, you dont look like a craftsman at all
Unfortunately, this was a natural reaction.
I want to ask myself, What kind of freaky murderer would use a bloodstained wooden axe?
Well, does that mean that the wooden axe was made by Kou-sama himself?
Oh, yes. Thats right. That is exactly right.
I nodded hurriedly and went along with Chromes words as best I could. If he thinks Im suspicious, Im screwed.
Its made of wood, but its incredibly powerful, isnt it? I didnt think it was possible to defeat an Armored Bear with a single blow
Is an Armored Bear a powerful monster?
Oh my! Dont you know that, Kou-sama?
That being said, Im new to this world. I lack all kinds of common sense.
The Armored Bear is an A-ranked monster. Once it starts rampaging, it can destroy a small village in just a matter of a night. Even if you try to kill it, its body is as hard as armor and cannot be damaged by ordinary attacks.
However, I managed to decapitate the Armored Bear with ease.
The reason why I was able to do this was probably because of theThrowing Critical A+that was granted to the hikino wooden axe. Its truly a one-hit kill, a critical hit.
It seems like Ive accomplished something pretty amazing?
Yes. I think you could say that Anyway, the sun is going to set if we keep talking here. I have a mansion in the city of Aunen just up the road, and Id like to invite you there now if youd like. I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my life.
So I was taken to the city by Chrome-san.
The best way to get around the city is to use wagons, but it seems that when the Armored Bear attacked, not only the guards but also the coachman and horses escaped.
It cant be helped in this situation. Lets walk.
Are you sure you dont want to bring the wagon?
Leaving the goods behind is regrettable, but there is no way to carry them. Lets just say its a good thing I survived the Armored Bear attack.
Chrome-san left the wagon taking only the minimum amount of luggage. However, he seems to be reluctant to leave the goods behind, and his expression is somehow gloomy.
Id love to help him, but Ah, yes!
Chrome-san, if you want, I could carry them in my [Item Box]?
In order to cover up the abandonment of the quest, they are probably making a false report.
But did they just pretend that Chrome-san is dead?
If its Chrome-san, hes here now.
Oh, Chrome-san?
The guard who had been listening to the three of them said,
What do you mean, Chrome-san was supposed to be killed by the Armored Bear
No, no, Im alive.
His tone was calm, but his eyes were not smiling at all.
Thanks to Kou-sama here who saved me, I survived.
Eh, are you going to turn the conversation to me here?
Not only the guards but also the onlookers looked at me, making me feel uncomfortable.
H-hi, Im Kou. Im a woodworker. I killed the Armored Bear.
I took out the Armored Bears lifeless head from my [Item Box]. They might not believe me if I just say it, so its better to actually show them the proof.
I-it looks like youre not lying
The guards voice was a little trembling.
Thats probably right.
Anyone would be surprised if they were suddenly shown the head of the bear. I may have gone a little overboard.
But you say you are a woodworker?
Oh, so thats where they got confused.
The onlookers in the surroundings were also wondering, How can a mere woodworker defeat an Armored Bear? Who is that guy? Isnt he a skilled adventurer or mercenary? they whispered to each other.
Well, its a big world, you know. There may be such woodworkers in the world.
The guard cleared his throat. He then turned to the three young men and said,
By the way, according to you, Chrome-san is dead; what does that mean?
T-thats
U-um
Ugh
The three of them stammered, unable to find an excuse.
There was an awkward silence, and then Chrome-san spoke up.
They did not fight the Armored Bear. They abandoned me and ran away.
I see. So they were lying to hide their abandonment of the quest
The guard glared at the three young men with a grim expression.
Abandoning a life-threatening quest without consent is a very serious crime in this country. Im sorry, but were going to have to detain you.
The guards called out to his other colleagues and were about to rope the three young men in.
But then
Whoaaaaaaaaa!
The most muscular young man of the three suddenly started to act up. He pushed the guard away and pulled out his sword, and slashed at Chrome-san.
Damn it! Its because I took the job from you! Die and pay for it!
Wouldnt that be too selfish?
He not only abandoned the request but also lined up a lie to protect himself, and when it was discovered, he resorted to violence.
There was no room for sympathy
I took out the Hikinos Chair from my [Item Box].
While activating the [Dexterity] skill, I lifted the chair to flip it over and caught the young mans slash with the back of it.
Wha!? Dont get in my way! Let me kill that Chrome!
No, I refuse.
I flicked his sword away with a twisting motion and struck him on the head with the leg of the chair.
Ugh!
With just that, the young man fainted and fell to the ground powerlessly.
Phew. The chair hasStrengthening A+and Stun Enhancement S, but I didnt expect them to be useful here.
Hmm?
I looked around calmly and saw that everyone was staring at me.
What the hell was going on?
Then someone shouted out loud.
Not bad, bro! That guy is the B-rank mercenary Dox, right?
That Dox alright. Just because he has the [Swordsmanship] skill, hes always bragging about it. Its nice to see him like that now!
That scum Dox, it serves him right!
From that point on, all hell broke loose. It seemed that the people of this world were very friendly, and they even started to hoist me up in the air.