Extra: Crossing the River

The next day, wed come to the river to make our way to South Donsama.

According to what Wataru told me, the river was around a hundred meters across if you went straight. There were stairs that descended to a harbor around two meters above the water, along with a ferry docked there.

There was a slope for wheeled vehicles to descend as well, of course.

That said, we werent at the area to get onto the ferry.

and so well be crossing the water today.

Oi, hold up.

Whats wrong, Kehma-san?

I mean yeah, crossing the river is fine. But howd it come to [Running Across the River] being a thing?

Because its something special in this town, water running!

Yeah. Following Wataru here, it turned out that this was some sort of self challenge spot.

It seemed he was a bit of a celebrity here too, since people whod come here to challenge themselves were calling out to Wataru and seeming overall giddy at seeing him.

Wataru-san! Please teach me!

Over here! Watch me run, Wataru-sensei!

Are those people with him his pupils?

that kind of stuff.

Incidentally, it seemed that the number of people that were able to successfully cross the river was somewhere in the double digits, including Wataru.

Alright then, how about you give it a go, Kehma-san?

Heck no. I dont feel like running over a river. Do I look like a sports junkie to you?

Oh yeah, Ortega-san, the person who made the inn we were at yesterday, managed to do it, too. In this town, people whore able to cross the river are called heroes.

Heeeh, thanks for the info.

Which is why, Kehma-san, I think you should at least give it a go.

Which is why my butt. I aint doin it!

I want to see if you can do it, Kehma.

Rokuko supported Wataru from off to the side. Nope! Definitely not!

Itd be bad if I fell into the river. I could drown.

Oh, dont worry man. This place is famous, theres a rescue team always swimming around.

Famous? How much free time do these people have to even have a rescue team? Monsters wont appear? Its safe? Oh, so its only safe during a certain time range huh. Heeeh~.

Changing clothes after I get wet sounds troublesome.

You have [Dry] and [Cleanup]. Thatd be enough.

Kuh, life magic is too convenient!

It looks like Watarus wanting me to do it, no matter what.

Cmon dude, give it a shot. Maybe youll like it?

I cant do the impossible.

When theres a will, theres a way!

I dont have any merits like that.

Could you show me that you do?

Rokuko interrupted us with a self-satisfied look. But like I dont. Its more like Id just get another demerit after I fall inwhich I definitely would.

Goshujin-sama.

Meat looked like she really wanted to try it. Her tail was wagging back and forth. She was definitely looking forward to it.

Kuro. You dont have to hold yourself back for me, go for it.

Okay!

Oh, so Kuro-chans participating! Alright, let me show you how to do it.

Saying that, Wataru crouched in preparation to dash.

Momentum is important! Kehma-san, make sure you take a good look too.

Im not doing it though?

Im off! Hoh!

Lot listening to me in the least, Wataru took off running. Noit was more like he got shot from a cannon.

Each time his feet hit the water, they sent out waves of force.

Just before his left foot would sink, his right foot hit, followed by his left foot doing the same.

After a moment, Wataru reached the other side and came back.

And thats how you do it. So how about it, think you go it?

Thats inhuman. As expected of a hero.

Hah, dont flatter me~

You took that as praise?

Umm, Kuro, you dont have to push yourself.

No, Ill do it.

Kehma-san, see how hyped she is? You should follow her example!

You can stop looking at me like thatIm not going to do it. You know that, right?

With that, Meat crouched to prepare herself to dash.

She was concentrating and then started running. She then began to kick at and soar across the water.

Maybe she can do it? But soon as I thought that, she sank around halfway across the river.

Collected by the rescue team, Meat was brought back to where we were standing.

Ah, too bad. You almost made it acrossyou get brought to the other side if you make it more than halfway.

Muu

I used [Cleanup] and [Dry] on Meat, whose tail was sagging down in disappointment.

Gozoh stepped up.

Alright, Im gonna give it a go! Roppu, see if you can figure out the trick.

Ooh, good luck, Gozoh. Ill get you something good to drink if you make it.

Its impossible for me! How bout ye get me some to comfort me after I fail?

Gozoh was up to bat this time. Again, with a crouch.

He broke into a run, but sank on the first step. The rescue team nearby collected him and quickly brought him back.

Kuh, guess it was useless

You made it two meters at least. Its okay.

Seeming like he knew it was going to happen, Gozoh didnt look too down about it. He used [Dry] on himself.

Alright, next ups Kehma!

Nope, not gonna. Whats with you wanting me to cross the river?

Because Im pretty sure youll make it.

I think so too. Kehma can do it.

I agree.

Thats a bit much I cant do what I cant do.

Haaah, oh well. If theyre going to be like that, why dont I just try it?

Alright, I get it. Ill just go until I hit the other side.

Oh! So Kehma-sans finally getting serious

Everyone took that crouching start so far, so I didnt.

I just prepared to run off normally.

Hoh. So youre going classic style, eh?

Wataru said that, but I had no clue what he was talking about.

I didnt pay him any mind and took a step into the water. And sank.

I then continued to just swum to the other side.

Wh at!?

It was a bit hard to swim with my clothes on, but even while being pulled downstream, I managed to keep going thanks to the golem assist.

With that, I made it to the other side.

Phew, that was tiring. Hey guys, cmon and hurry up!

Youre not supposed to just swim though!?

Rokuko raised a complaint from the other shore, but I ignored it. I mean, I never said that I would run across.

*

In the end, Rokuko and the others just came along with the coach on the ferry. The heck, doesnt that just make me look stupid?

That was an amazing defeat, Kehma-san.

Wataru spoke with such a big smile that he was practically radiating light. I tilted my head.

Eh? I never said Id run across though?

Thats not what I meant! Wed overlooked the essence of river crossing to start with. Essentially, river crossing is for the sake of making it to the other shore. There was never actually a rule for running across! In other words, Kehma-san, the moment you decided to go classic style for your start, you won!

What an abrupt, weirdly reasoned explanation. Very.

I just took it as Watarus usual, annoying goal of wanting to lose to me. Given that he loves getting played around with by Nerune, hes definitely an M.