Chapter 36: Bare-knuckle arithmetic – Part two

A few days after they found a new inn for Karan.

Hm, that is the Rakshasa correct?

Yes, the boss of The Ice Den of the Rakshasa. Dont let your guard down.

Survivors were exploring The Ice Den of the Rakshasa again.

They moved while hidden, until they were close enough to see the terrible blue skinned goblin.

It was an opponent Survivors had defeated numerous times, but it was not always the same being. When miasma became thick, new monsters were born.

The Rakshasa that stood before them should have no memories of being defeated by Survivors, but bore an intense fighting spirit.

This also served as a test for their new member.

Now observe my blade!

Ah, idiot! We managed to not make a noise until this point by using Telepath to talk!

Grrrr!

Bond ignored Nicks scolding, and jumped at the Rakshasa in front of him.

There was no hesitation in his step.

Shah!

Sharp claws were swung at him, but Bond stopped them with his blade.

He couldnt use his original Sword of Bonds while in human form, so he was using a plain two-handed sword.

But

An attack of pure strength and no skill will not work against me.

Guu?

Bond stopped the attack dead in its tracks with the tip of his sword.

It wasnt strength, it was skill that brought about this state.

These movements that were not unlike an old, skilled swordsmans put fear into the Rakshasas eyes, even if they came from the body of a little girl.

Guaaaa!!!

The Rakshasa jumped back, and started to concentrate magic energy in its hand. It was ice magic, but not the same as Tiannas Icicle Dance. It was Ice Bullet, which shot a big mass of ice.

But still.

Choyah.

Bond swung his sword, and changed its course.

Guah!?

After seeing its secret technique being dealt with so easily, the Rakshasa started to panic, and Bond did not let this opening slip away.

Tou!

In a second, Bond jumped towards the Rakshasa and targeted its neck, but his target was too obvious, and it managed to defend in time.

Steel and claw clashed.

Guh Guoooh?

Parallel.

The moment the fight became close, Bond won.

Suddenly, another Bond appeared behind the Rakshasa, and swung his sword.

Guaaaah!!!???

The Rakshasa screamed as it fell.

Alright What do you think?

That wasnt fair

Nick whispered in a perplexed state.

This was the true power of parallel.

It made it possible to create a human body based on the user of the Sword of Bonds, but it wasnt restricted to only one body.

Nick, with your current skill, it is possible to create five bodies. Not bad.

You say that, but Im still kind of tired.

Well, that is because I borrow your vitality and magic energy Erase.

Mumbled Bond, as the body that delivered the finishing blow to the Rakshasa disappeared.

Wow Its like single meal Fifth.

Ah, Ive heard about the Doppelganger user.

Single Meal Fifth was one of the few rank S adventurers in the Labyrinth City.

He was a warrior skilled with both sword and magic, but he had a special technique that you could say was synonymous with him, Doppelganger.

It was an incredible technique that allowed him to create copies of himself, and become both a vanguard and back-row all by himself.

There is someone that can use Doppelganger? He must be very good.

Hn? Is it stronger than Parallel?

It depends on the situation. Doppelganger is magic that manifests various you from the inner universe into the outer world. Its nature is completely different from a method of attack like my Parallel, and it can be used in a multitude of ways. Above all else, Doppelganger consumes more magic energy and allows its user to maintain its copies for longer. Some can even walk around with their copies for hours.

Eh I wonder how long Fifth can do it. Do you know Karan?

Probably more than half a day. The other day he was in line to buy cheese cake that was restricted to one per person, but he had five copies in line with him.

T-That sounds like a dream crushing sight. That old man is a rank S adventurer right?

Does it? Everyone was laughing.

That Single Meal Fifth sounds surprisingly funny.

Well, even if I am not a Doppelganger user, I am useful, am I not?

Bond laughed with an air of self satisfaction.

Yes, all sarcasm aside, youre pretty good. Not just Parallel, but your swordsmanship is better than intermediate adventurers. Where did you learn that?

They installed basic sword techniques during my development stage.

Instoled?

Nick was confused by a word he wasnt used to hearing.

Tianna and Sem didnt know what it meant either, and shook their heads.

Basically, the sword skills of my previous owner were put inside me.

Thats really not fair.

That again you bad-mouthed boy?

Now now, Im just joking. In any case, its obvious we can count on you. The vanguard will be me, Karan, and Bond, and well watch each others backs to reduce accidents. With a stronger vanguard, the back-row will have to use less magic. Our balance is becoming pretty good.

Does that mean we can challenge higher ranking labyrinths?

Tianna asked full of hope, and Nick happily nodded.

Yes, with ease, I think.

Fufun. And you even have a great special technique do you not?

Bond proudly laughed, but

We cant use Union so easily.

Said Nick with a stern expression.

W-Why!?

If we use it, were down for the count, so we cant use it carelessly. And you know!

W-What?

It has a low success rate! When we fail, I feel sick!

Survivors actually tried to use Union a few times, but even combining with Karan, like Nick did successfully before, wasnt perfect, and it worked about one out of three times.

Tianna and Sem werent successful in using Union even once.

Y-yes but! If you practice a little more, you will be able to do it! I guarantee it!

Its fine, just having a trump card is a plus.

Yes, is it not?

Now, becoming high rank adventurers isnt just a dream. Thanks Bond.

Y-you know, it would be nice if you were always this docile.

Bonds face was red as he turned away.

Karan gave him a tap on the back, and for some reason Sem, Tianna, and Nick followed suit.

Say something! I do not understand the meaning of this if you stay quiet!

It means were counting on you.

And then, they returned to Fishermen once again.

They were cashing in their materials as always, when they were surrounded by colleagues saying things like hou, nice haul again today and Stay here and have a drink once in a while. Before finally slipping away from the crowd, Nick answered oh be quiet and go out adventuring instead of drinking.

See you later.

Said Nick, and Bond was shocked.

Eh, is that it!?

Thats right.

I was sure you were all going to a different place to eat something good

We have a rule to not mess with each others interests.

I-I know but Do you not want to go have fun?

No

Nick didnt want to bend the rules too much.

Having that said, Nick himself realized how hard it was to completely follow the rule to not interfere with each others private lives. He already interfered in Karans private life, but he still felt there was a line that shouldnt be crossed.

I am not telling you to stay together all the time, but I am unfamiliar with this land, and does it not feel a little lonely to go your own ways with nothing more than a good job everyone? You are not part-timers in a convenience store or a factory.

What does part-timer mean? Sometimes you use some strange ancient words.

Regardless! I wont say you should do it every time, but having a feast to celebrate once in a while would not hurt! That sort of thing is part of being an adventurer!

Feast

Look, how about there? That place myself, you, and Karan went to the other day?

Ah, Fromage? But that is a cafe and restaurant, its not the kind of place to get drunk.

We do not have drunks here Correct?

Bond looked at everyone.

I like blabbing to women sitting next to me and serving me drinks more than drinking itself.

Sem is not opposed Tianna?

Ill go if theres sweets or tobacco.

I guess there are sweets, but theres no way they have tobacco Wait, you smoke?

Well, I dont really do it in front of people. So what now?

Hmm Lets try it.

And thus, Survivors decided to go to a restaurant to celebrate.

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