Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Duel?!

Translator: Mana

After arriving at the seventh floor of the Dungeon of Puriff, we immediately located the teleport crystal and started on our way back to the party house.

Images of the battle just now kept coming to mind. The battle between Force and the Skull King Gigand. The boss monster of the sixth floor was on a completely different scale compared to the previous floors. The threat level from Enemy Search was a given, but its size and abilities too.

However, it was no match for Force.

Force was strong. Exceptionally so, even. Many times more than I could imagine.

Roslia Minkgot. She used swords as a weapon just like him, and there was no doubt that she was the strongest paladin. But if they were ever to fight each other seriously, Force would probably come out on top.

His sword technique completely exceeded that of Roslias. The fact she held the Holy Sword didnt matter, and nor did the capability of the sword itselfthe battle would be decided by the difference in sword technique. It wasnt as if Roslias sword technique. In terms of strength, her abilities were top class amongst the dungeon-challenging powerhouses in the town of Puriff. Forces sword technique was just that much of an outlier.

I glanced at Force. The figure that had swung the sword with such refinement was nowhere to be seen, having returned to his usual unreliable self.

I wondered which was the real Force

Although I was inclined to believe that the answer to that was both, as I was looking at him a voice suddenly called out from beside me.

Note, Im sorry Could we cancel todays evasion practice? Jin said with his head lowered in apology. I was surprised by the remorse he was showing.

Since I was the one receiving his guidance here, I reached out to stop him.

Please dont lower your head. Im the one asking you to teach me as a favour I dont mind if you cancel on me if theres something you need to do.

Thanks. Since weve been dungeon diving every day these days, I need to buy more supplies for dungeon exploring

Jin averted his eyes while scratching his cheek.

No no, I should be thanking you. For preparing things like that.

Jin was the only one in the party who took the initiative to do these simple yet crucial things. Force and Neme were no use with such things, and the most Erin would buy was the groceries. Such a role should have been left to me, the Arrivers member with the least battle capability, but since I hadnt been in Puriff for very long and was still unfamiliar with the state of the town, I left everything to Jin.

Since that was the case what was I to do about evasion practice

As I was thinking about my plans for the day, an unexpected voice called out to me. It was Force.

Then shall I help you today? With Notes evasion practice?

Eh?If this is not Binbogami WordPress then it is stolen!

The suggestion was so out of the blue, I unintentionally raised my voice in surprise. Force looked rather unhappy at my reaction.

What Is it so out of character for me to say such a thing?

Well, yes

Have a little more tact! Your reactions are too honest!

No, I just cant help but feel like youre plotting something

Im not plotting anything! This is 100% out of my own good faith!

How come I can only feel malice when Force uses the words 100% good faith?

I dunno! You

r heart is just warped like that! If you say such things Ill retract my offer to train with you.

Everything I said until now was a lie. Please look after me. I said as I earnestly lowered my head towards Force.

I havent felt any respect from Note lately

Well, that was true. After everything that happened

I snuck a glance diagonally behind myself. Roslia stood there with her head tilted to one side.

It was exactly as Force said. Ever since he was tricked by Roslia into leaving the party, I have been acting a little too indifferent towards him. He was still an experienced adventurer with superior abilities.

Perhaps I should reflect a little and change my attitude perhaps.

You fell for it, Note! Ive been waiting for a chance to get you alone like this! I challenge you! Lets have a one on one match over Roslia!

Force smugly brandished his sheathed silver blade, Kouhaku, this way. Meanwhile, I held my head in my hands after seeing his figure.

I was a fool for taking Forces words at face value

How could I fall for such an obvious trap? Was I stupid?! There was no way Force had any good faith within himself, so there was no way he would have offered such a sincere act without expecting something!

Hey, are you thinking something extremely rude right now?

Force looked this way coldly.

Why was he only perceptive at times like this?

You want to fight over Roslia but Roslia isnt mine to begin with

Guh playing the fool

Force bit his lip and glared. I took one step back from the pressure of his gaze.

Its vexing, but I admit it Roslia has fallen for you However! Im not some pushover who would give up the woman he loves so easily! Ill defeat you and win Roslia over fair and square!

Force faced me and raised his sword to the sky. His figure looked impressive if nothing else.

What do you even like about Roslia, Force? I can only think of her as a landmine of trouble

It was true that Roslias face and style were good. Top class. However, once you take into consideration her man-eating personality and terrible reputation, any man should know not to fall in love with her

I sighed as I questioned Force. In response to my half-exasperated question, Force only had one thing to say

Her face and chest.

What the hell? He was the worst!

But the fact I could sympathise with what he was saying was also a little frustrating!

Banishing the sensation of Roslias chest from my thoughts, I cleared my mind.

Whatever Ill give her up to Force. You can have Roslia. In the first place, Im not even dating her, and as long as Force stays a member of the Arrivers I dont mind if you and Roslia become lovers So lets not fight

It was a complete lie. If Force and Roslia became lovers, Id probably be pissed off. Even if it was an act, if a girl who liked me went and dated another man, Id be unhappy about itlike any man would. Perhaps it would be the same for women too.

I might have accepted it if the other person had been Jin instead, but not Force. I wouldnt be able to forgive seeing such a careless man get a girlfriend Id rather date Roslia myself than see her go out with Force.

But even so, there was a reason why I was lying about my feelings. It was simply because I didnt have a chance of winning against Force. In terms of fighting.

No no, it wasnt happening! I could never win against Force!

After being shown such a fight, there was no way I wasnt going to be depressed. I couldnt even dodge a single hit from Jin. There was no hope of me ever winning against Force.

Are you sure youre not just running away cause you think youll lose?

He really was only perceptive at times like this! How did he know?!

Could it be showing on my face?

T-Thats right! I wouldnt be able to win against Force! Its a strategic retreat!

How can you say something so cowardly with such confidence Whatever then lets fight as evasion practice Ill hold back enough so that I wont hurt you

If thats the case, then please do!

You sure changed your mind quick! Well, whatever. Lets fight

Force wound a string around the scabbard so that he wouldnt hurt me with the blade of the sword. I took out my dagger from its case at my waist as well.

Lowering my centre of gravity, I braced myself to take an attack at any moment. In response, Force took the scabbard in his left hand and took a stance as if to draw his sword.

We glared at each other

The young man with the sword ready moved first.

Flash Draw.

The impact reverberated through the air.

The source was from my solar plexus. I belatedly noticed his scabbard stabbing me in the abdomen.

I couldnt evade it. I couldnt follow it with my eyes.

With this reality in mind and pain in my stomach, I sank to my knees.

You Really are weak, Note Force said as he looked down at me, collapsed facing up.

Be quiet

I responded as if I was throwing out my sulking feelings.

It was a battle that emphasised just how helpless I was. You couldnt even call it a battle without sounding absurd. Since I was wiped away in a single blow.

What do I have to do to evade an attack Jin and Forces attacks are just Theres been no sign of me even coming close to evading them

Surprisingly, I voiced my complaints out loud. I was enduring it without realising it myself. I couldnt lay a finger on Jins Absolute Shadow, and I couldnt even follow Forces swordwork with my eyes. In these past few days, Ive been made more than aware of my lack of progress.

It wasnt that I was slacking off. I was working desperately. But I couldnt grasp anything. I was sick of this situation where I couldnt move forward no matter how much I tried.

Instead of his usual scornful laughter, Force responded differently to my depression today for some reason.

I dont think its possible to evade me and Jins attacks without using an art, Note

I knew that already.

That was probably why I responded a little more harshly.

You dont have to tell me something like that Im facing you guys in order to learn the arts, but because I cant evade even a single attack, I cant grasp the feeling of evading, so I dont feel like I can do the art, and Im stuck

I see so thats how it is

Force closed his eyes in thought. He tilted his head and opened his eyes after a moment.

Note, did you know that there are two ways to learn arts?

Two ways?

Thats right. The first is the method Note is trying now. By honing your techniques in a certain direction, youll naturally acquire the associated arts after a while.

He added a finger to the index finger he was holding up.

The second is the same method as what Notes using for Stealth. Its the method to learn arts directly. Even if you dont know what it feels like, you can just imitate someone else. That way, youll suddenly obtain the art. After watching you until now, I think this is the method thats more suited to you. Thats why if you observe Jins techniques closely, you might just find yourself easily learning the evasion arts

I was surprised that the advice coming from Force out of the blue was so precise.

Whats wrong? Suddenly saying something so decent did you hit your head?

How rude! Im trying to teach you seriously here!

Force lowered his gaze before continuing.

I am thankful, after all To Note You were the one working really hard while everyone was panicking when I said Id leave the party, right? Thats why. This is just me returning the favour. Im not plotting anything

I almost burst at the sight of him.

What are you embarrassed for, Force? Well, its true you caused a lot of trouble, but I dont really care about that. If anything, Im the one that owed you a favour for inviting me to this party.

What? Thats aah, geez! Theres no end to how embarrassing this is! Im done, no more! No more of this stuffy atmosphere! Ive said what I needed to say, for now!

Force pointed his finger towards me. He had a somewhat satisfied expression on his face.

Also, what I said about handing Roslia over doesnt count either. That was basically a joke. Theres no need for you to back down just because you lost miserably. Because Ill win Roslias feelings over with my own hands.

Uh I didnt want to interrupt you when youre trying to act cool, but Im not actually in love with Roslia. I could back off as much as youd like.

Is that so

It was too bothersome to correct his words.

I grabbed the hand Force offered and pulled my horizontal body up.

It was the moment when I felt like I understood a little of what Jin meant when he said Force was the leader of the Arrivers. For some unfathomable reason, he looked kind of cool.

And Ill fulfil my dreams of groping Roslias voluptuous chest!

I take it back. He wasnt cool at all.