Unlike before, when my clothes fit me perfectly, now they hug a bit. Since I was the same height as Anna, she decided to lend me some of her clothes. She wore them in a much larger size so that they were baggy and airy since she always worked in such a hot setting and so they fit me.
A white t-shirt and brown jacket with fur at the collar working alongside baggy cargo pants and a brown apron to cover the pants. It was as if she was dressing me up as one of her workers.
" You can keep the jacket—I barely wear it as is. "
" Cool then. I'll take it off your hands. "
And right on my waist, towards the back I placed Utanna's sheath. It was still dagger-sized since carrying it in that form would be the most effective method.
" Now back to our other business— "
Right, Anna had wanted me to come back but we never got into why, what with the creeper and the core getting in the way.
" I'm sure you must've noticed that there's no one else here working in this shop, right? "
" I was curious about that. Are there any other employees? "
She shook her head.
" Not even one. No one has had the same eye for weapons that I do. It's so bad I can't even find an apprentice. "
" And...where are you going with this? "
" Come in every day and learn a few things from me. If it's you, I'm sure you'll understand my sensibilities. "
Putting my hand to my chin I began to think about it. On the one hand, I like weapons...but on the other, I wanted to fight more monster-beasts...
" If you help me, I'll help you with whatever you want as a thank you. "
Once she put it like that, I felt much more inclined.
" Help me get clearance to kill more monster-beasts. Whatever that takes. "
Smiling, she held out her hand toward me, clearly attempting to shake mine.
I accepted. This was now a continued partnership between Anna and me. I felt something new form when I took her hand. Though, I didn't focus on the feeling. Eventually, Anna and I had both decided that since so much already happened today, we could postpone working together for tomorrow.
" I'll be heading home now, Anna. "
" Alright! Be sure to be back early tomorrow! "
Turning around and sheathing Utanna, I lifted my hand waving behind me, heading back to the Tavern. Today was eventful but not so much that I was completely drained. And since I had gotten much bigger and had a much wider frame, I decided to walk around and check out Takoragami just a bit more.
The city was advanced in some parts and impoverished in others. It was like looking at a steampunk fantasy filled with grime in the lurking shadows. Honestly, it all looked...
" This place is so drab. It's like being surrounded by grease and grime. "
" What do you expect? Takoragami is advanced but at the cost of everyone. "
" Deja vu. "
Civilizations always thrived off the little guy it seemed. Takoragami may have been in a fantasy world where Demons walked the street...but it's core nature seemed to be no different from my old home. That sort of thing agitated me.
Sorting my hands into my pockets, I decided to walk down an alley that seemed to be some sort of shortcut that could cut down the time I took to get back home after all my wandering.
It wasn't too spacious but it was wide enough to fit me and maybe even another person standing next to me. Stepping through it felt like I risked stepping on a needle. Except I wasn't sure if this world had needles like that.
" Hey, kid. "
" I know. "
I stopped and turned to look over my shoulder. Someone was standing there. Then I looked forward to more people.
" What do you want? "
No response came to my question. And as they approached closer—
* KICK—CRASH *
As fast as I could I pulled my leg back and kicked one of the boxes that had been sorted off to the side toward the men in front of me. Then running forward I jumped as high as I could, having enough strength in my legs to jump right over 3 different people and end up on the other side of them, heading out the alley.
In a full sprint, I attempted to turn and dart off. However, I was intercepted by a blade aimed straight at my face. Coming to a sharp stop, I reached back and grabbed Utanna, placing the dagger in front of me and parrying the sharp point.
Once I could fully see my attacker I noticed it wasn't just one person. There were 4 people, excluding the 5 or so that were still inside the alley.
" Damn...I'm surrounded... "
" Fight through and make a break for it. "
Preparing myself to fight multiple people, I subconsciously wished deep in my mind that Utanna would turn into a longer sword to help out. And that it did.
" This is what you want right? "
" How'd you tell? "
" I could feel it. Now focus—here he comes! "
Upon seeing my dagger shift and change shapes into a black longsword, he once again thrust forward at me, trying to blow past my guard and strike true. However, I had experience with a fast swordsman and this guy was nothing. I stepped in and shifted my grip on Utanna so that it was in my left hand, using my full strength to push against the side of the attacking sword and blow it away.
Using my right hand, I grab onto the head of the Demon, pulling him closer as I raise my knee and jam it into his midsection. Once my blow landed true, to prevent myself from being dogpiled, I stepped back, shooting my leg forward and kicking him with as much strength as I could muster without Vitality backward toward his allies.
Maybe I was always this strong or that core gave me stronger physical abilities...but whichever had been the case, I managed to lift him completely up off his feet and send him flying at his allies, crashing into them and knocking them down like pins.
" Behind you! "
Utanna shouted and I reacted immediately, spinning around and catching a descending sword in a bind. The metal of both weapons grip each other, biting.
" This guy... "
" What now... "
I growled under my breath as I pressed Utanna closer to the enemy, wanting to rip through him.
" He's using Vitality. Go ahead, Raksha. Use yours! "
It sounded as though Utanna was genuinely excited, true joy at the idea of me using my full power.
" Fine then! "
I stepped forward, my Vitality shooting out from my body. Enveloped in a red aura. It made it so much easier to maneuver Utanna once I began using Vitality. However, as I used it, I noticed something new, something of a white color swirling around my hands and feeding into Utanna.
" What the— "
" Dammit, focus kid!! "
I lost focus for just a small moment but that was all it took for more to come and surround me further. One sword at both sides and two people behind me.
* GRIT—GRIND *
Sparks flew from the blades as I pressed forward again, this time using full strength in one structured burst, managing to push back the sword out of the bind and step in, slashing diagonally downwards and cutting deep into not only the clothing of the man but also his flesh, blood coming from his wounds in a streaming pool.
Both men from the sides and one from behind came dashing forward to attack me, however, I too went forward. Using the body I had just cut through as cover, I managed to have the two leading to stab into their ally. And in the confusion, I took advantage, stabbing the one on the right in the chest before using all my physical strength and Vitality to swing the impaled body on Utanna into the other swordsmen, forcing them to collide with each other at full force, their skulls meeting and surely concussing the both of them.
" HMPH!! "
Grunting, I snatched Utanna back from out of the enemy, now turning to focus on the two that had managed to get up and continue fighting that was previously behind me.
" What's all this for? You've already seen—I can handle all of you on my own. "
" You should learn when and when not to punch your way through problems, foolish Oni! "
Coming from behind the two brandishing their weapons was a heavy and grotesque voice. And one I remember.
" Damn slimeball. I thought I said never to show your face ever again? "
" Here's the thing, you stupid kid... "
I stepped forward, seeing the man come from behind them. It was the same creepy asshole from before, this time with bandages around his nose and a bit more of a classy suit outfit. What a tool.
" Wait. Did you get taller? "
He did see me beat his ass earlier when I was shorter. So it stands that he's surprised.
" Yeah. Had a little growth spurt from beating your pathetic face in. "
" Tch...Talk while you still can shitty Oni. I'll have your head! "
Yeah right. The muscle he got was nothing but a total waste. They didn't even have the skills to jump a singular person.
" Hey...Raksha...Be careful. "
" Huh? Why? "
Looking from Utanna and back toward the man, I was confused. Though, I noticed something behind him. And once I had—
* CLANG *
A spear's head collided with Utanna, pushing against it and then shoving into me, causing me to skid across the ground and back away.
" What the— "
I had no time. Already upon me, another thrust. This one I was able to read, slipping to the side and dodging it. However, I had more to worry about with the other end of the spear suddenly twirling and coming from below toward my chin. I had to throw my head back just to get out of the way.
" This guy's Vitality is on par with yours—no...stronger! "
Appearing up above me, my tilted back head gave me a full view of him. He had somehow managed to move fast enough to catch me off guard. Just like the Clad Knight, he tricked me with his initial speed. However, I was much more confident in my fighting ability.
I had Utanna turn back into dagger form, giving me more freedom with its weight being diminished. I pulled Utanna up, blocking the spear tip that had been pointed down, and thrust at my face.
With the spear meeting the flat side of Utanna, I used my free hand and grabbed at the speared assailant, attempting to grip his clothes and throw him down to the ground for a mount.
However, in one go he drew a knife from his hip and shoved it into my hand, stabbing through it. I wasn't prepared for that—
" Ugh... "
" Kid!! "
I stifled the sounds of pain as I gritted my teeth, and pushed back against him. However, as I did, he used his grip on the knife in my hand, and his seemingly acrobatic body to swivel around in the air and kick against my face, knocking me off to the side.
Dazed, I struggled to immediately recover, giving him a small window of time to grab the back of my head and shove me down to the ground, my face colliding with the concrete of Takoragami's street.
* SLAM—STAB *
Right as I had been taken down, the spear was stabbed into the ground by my face. He lowered down on top of me, his knee in my back and his mouth by my ear.
" I won't let him hurt you. Stop fighting and go along with it. "
I was...bested. Utanna was silent. I had no choice.
" ...Fine... "
He lifted me, holding my arm in his left and his spear in the right.
" Hahaha!! See what happens when you swing wildly, stupid Oni?! "
I gritted my teeth, wanting to rip the slimeball's face off. However, I was being held and even if I wasn't, this guy would certainly stop me.
" Whatever, slimeball. "
He growled before looking at the man who had me bound.
" Keep him in check, Shardnall. Don't you dare let him go! I'm going to teach him a lesson. Let's go!! "
" Sure. "
The guy, Shardnall, answered curtly and just walked while holding me. He leaned in again and whispered:
" Don't worry...You'll get to beat him to a pulp soon enough...and take a shot at me—that is...if you survive what's to come. "
What the hell did that mean?
" Kid...This Shardnall guy...You should get him to teach you. "
I couldn't reveal that I could talk to Utanna, especially since Shardnall was so close. But whatever made Utanna say that must've been big.
What the hell was I getting into now?
What exactly...is in store for me...
CHAPTER 10 END