KANNA 76
100% accuracy and grammatically correct not guaranteed. revisions, corrections and edits are periodically done. only on my site tho. corrections are welcome
First, a punch
When I woke up at the guild’s infirmary, I got hugged by a teary-eyed Chloe, again.
I was in danger of suffocating, againーthough not by breast.
I wanted liberation but my mouth was blocked, so I tapped her with my [left hand], same as I did before.
But then I noticed, my left hand is there.
「It’s not……a dream.」
Some numbness remains but my left arm is working normally from my upper arm all the way to my fingertips. Only, someone took off my clothes while I was unconscious, leaving my upper body bare.
White bandage is wrapped around the area where I should’ve been sliced by Answerer. If anything, it’s an indication that what happened at the end of the promotion exam was reality.
「Evidently, it was a very serious injury that required hospitalization. ……How long was I out?」
「About 2 hours de gozaru na. Kannshi’s arm is due to Cindy-dono’s healing magic de gozaru yo. According to the infirmary’s doctor, the numbness should persist for about half a day and it should disappear after a rest overnight de gozaru yo.」
Magic sure is incredible. Medical technology back on earth would require weeks of hospitalization in addition to a long period of rehabilitation.
It’s less painful that I’d thought it would be but my body is lethargic. I woke up after only 2 hours but I’m famished as if I haven’t eaten for the whole day.
「No matter how superior the healing, it can’t recover any lost blood de gozaru kara na. Afterwards, eating something nutritious to recuperate should do de gozaru. oh, alsoーー」
Chloe told the that I pa.s.sed the [C-rank proficiency exam].
「First things first, Imma sock that guy.」
Yep. Gonna do that.
When Chloe heard that, she turn to me as seeing something truly unexpected.
「………I-Is that it de gozaru ka? Kannshi’s arm was cut off de gozaru yo?」
「That’s why I said it. Imma sock him to high heavens.」
「Nonono, even so, that………」
「Is it too light for a retaliation?」
Chloe is being silent but that would mean affirmative in this case. Well, it’s not like I didn’t consider that. As one would expect, that was the first time for me to experience a serious injury of getting my arm cut off and I don’t want to go through that a second time.
Obviously, I’m angry at Answerer but on the flip side, I did gain something from the fight.
「kakaka Ain’t that fine. Rather, that’s the result of being enticing.」
I burst into laughter while holding my left arm with my right.
ーーーAmong those who are linked to the [strange presence], there is a terrible warrior called [Heavenly Sword]. I’m not an optimist enough to claim that she’s the top of that bunch. It’s more natural to think that there are others with similar capabilities. I should know it thoroughly from experience even without going that far.
《tried my best, last sentence 十全に、とまでは行かずとも体験できたはずだ。》
The meaning of fighting of an [inhuman] existence, the rank adventurers. And the price that comes with it.
This incompetent me can’t hope for a safe growth provided to a [protagonist]. My earthly experience speaks for itself. For me whose growth rate is much lower than that of others, the normal method isn’t feasible to obtain the [growth] of an average person. The only way available for me is to literally [engrave] it on my mind and body.
Fundamentally, my style is not to fight in the opponent’s ring. I forcefully drag them into mine.
Even in the recent battle, I thoroughly shun melee combat and tried to face him (Answerer) in a long distance battle that’s difficult for him to deal with.
But it failed.
The fact that I wasn’t good in melee combat was also taken into account by Answerer. Otherwise, there’s no way he could’ve easily avoided my initial [a weapon is to be thrown!] and close the gap without hesitation.
I was able to survive the various situations so far thanks to my [experience] back on earth on top of the [Spirit Art]. Nevertheless, I was completely shut down by Answerer and even got my arm cut off. In other words, if I were to encounter another absolute powerhouse of his level, the recent situation is proof that a similar outcome awaits.
However, there is a distinct [difference] between a [future outcome] that might occur and the [present outcome] at hand.
At this moment, my arm is connected. My left arm, which was supposed to be lost, is properly present. That which should not be able to grip anymore, I can grasp tightly to the best I can exert.
Yes. I did not [lose] anything.
If my limbs are safe, the only thing left before I can stand up once again is a matter of the mind. If so, then the rest is a cakewalk. I’m used to a [defeat] of this level. There’s no way that it can break my spirit. The only thing I can be proud of is my [willpower]
……I’ll still sock him the next time we meet.
But, looking back closely, Answerer’s action as an [examiner] was quite excessive, wasn’t it? Regardless of my personal feelings.
「Chopping off an arm is clearly an overkill for a proficiency exam……」
It’s unreasonable to suddenly go serious in a practice match without a prior notice. Moreover, the other party was a higher rank with no brakes applied.
An examiner’s job is to provide maximum consideration for the examinee so as not to cause injuries, right? If I had a fragile mind, I might’ve been traumatized and become a hikikomori, y’know. He can’t possibly be doing the same thing to the other exam candidate, did he? If that’s the case then, what a dangerous special exam!
「This one have no intention to defend him de gozaru ga but Answerer-dono has his own thoughts to considerー」
「Thoughts……is it?」(baba)
As we were talking about that, basan and Cindy-san enter the infirmary. As soon as basan pulls out a chair in the room and sit down, she bows deeply. Cindy-san followed suit behind her, going further by bending at her waist.
「For the matter in question, I am really sorry. It was my mistake designating that rascal Answerer to be in charge. I deeply apologize.」
Basan explains to me the culprit’s true motive she heard from the person himself. Specifically, the thought process he came up with that resulted in him deviating as an examiner.
「……In short, it was to put a conceited rookie in his place?」
「Quite the rough interpretation there……but something along that line nee. That is a really rough interpretation though.」
After talking, basan exhales a deep sigh as she holds the area between her eyebrows to endure a headache. Even for her, Answerer’s conduct must’ve been unexpected.
「It might cause you discomfort but I do understand Answerer’s standpoint on the matter.」
「It can’t be! Lydeal-dono intends to provide cover for Answerer-dono de gozaru ka!?」
Basan shook her head towards the angry Chloe.
「Of course, I will punish him accordingly. It’s just that, those who succeed continuously in their youth can be crushed easily by a failure later on. Due to my position (guild master), I’ve seen a lot of promising adventurers vanish without making a name for themselves. What he saw was not as extensive as mine but it’s similar.」
I guess what basan wanted to convey was, though Answerer’s conduct was inexcusable, she understood the reasoning behind it.
「To experience failure when you have the leeway for it is an important experience in itself.」(baba)
Actually, in my case, I got a lot more of those compared to others but it seems like I’ll break the mood if I let it out, so I won’t.
「Well, in his case, I reckon curiosity might have a higher weight than concern. Wondering if you will breakdown or not.」
「「That spoiled it (de gozaru)!」」
The chat that was ending on a good note got ruined by the last minute supplement by basan.
I want a refund on my sympathy.
「I told you I’m not covering for him. That guy observes people for a hobby ne. Forgetting that hobby of his was the biggest mistake I made when I tasked him to take charge of the exam.」
According to basan, there are many among those who reached rank having a deviated common sense, in one way or another. From among those numbers, Answerer is in a relatively [decent] category, having both conscience and capability. Under no circ.u.mstances that basan and Cindy-san, who had taken the role of witness, would have thought that I stimulated his interest.
From basan‘s perspective, even if I’m not sure what I’m capable of, her carefully selected personnel -Answerer- should be more than enough to cope but this time, it backfired instead.
Though there was the rank adventurer (former) who had driven many adventurers incapable of making a comeback. Compared to that, Answerer who had prepared insurance for injuries in advance would certainly be in the decent category.
「Either way, I was a little worried whether or not you would quit being an adventurer from this matter but it seems that it was a needless worry.」
「Well, my arm is sticking at the right place after all.」
「Isn’t it only Kannshi who would settle with only a few words de gozaru kara na? Usually it would result in a big ruckus involving the guild’s human resource management de gozaru kara na, right?」
That matter is under the jurisdiction of basan. She handles the guild’s internal affair. I don’t intend to complain or anything. Cause in my mind, I’m all set with socking that guy to high heavens. After that, well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
I’m also curious about Answerer’s punishment.
A 50% reward reduction for 2 month’s request and within the same period, to secure a certain number of rare material from rank requests that are extremely difficult to procure. If the quota could not be secured within the time limit, his adventurer’s license will be suspended for 3 years. If he commits a similar offense within a year, his will be sentenced to permanent suspension. While I’m at it, he’s also prohibited from taking supervisor request for C-rank promotion exam for one year.
「That is the limit to the punishment we can impose as the guild. Unfortunately, there are not enough rank adventurers. He’s not a person we can easily replace even if, for argument’s sake, he is expelled.」
「I don’t particularly mind though? I sustained no damage, if we count out the pain and in the end, I pa.s.sed the proficiency exam, right?」
「……You’re surprisingly indifferent for one not from the black wolves ne. This is the first time I’ve seen a guy so nonchalant after getting his arm sliced off. You should have reacted a bit more. A sliced arm or two as revenge for example.」
「As I said, my arm is properly sticking.」
Thanks to Cindy-san, I can wield my left arm.
Certainly this is the first time I got severely injured to the point of dismemberment but conversely, I got quite the experience with injuries not at that level. Worst one I had was when I broke both legs and left arm. For a while, I lived a life confined to a bed.
In comparison, my current situation is by far, better.
Besides, I obtained a lot this time.
Grat.i.tudeーーis exaggerating it but I don’t wanna punish him more than necessary. I’ll still sock him though.
「ah Cindy-san, Thanks for healing my arm.」
「No, it was my duty to be present there so you do not need to thank me. More importantly, could you do something about the magical residue remaining in the venue? Left as it is, the venue is unusable until it is removed.」
「hn……oh, that’s right. Sorry.」
I snap my fingers. With this, all the ice left at the venue used for the special exam should have disappeared. I had completely forgotten about it until I was told.
ーーーLemme see, feels like I’ve forgotten something……but it’s probably just my imagination.
Incidentally, in addition to 10 gold coins for reparation, I also received a free complimentary ticket for a restaurant recommended by basan.
It’s not like I intended to extort the guild but I’ll gratefully accept what I can get.
《[willpower] is actually kokoro no arikata 心の在り方. might change it later if i find the right term》