READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 176
Chapter 176. The Bumpy Family And Quest Clear
Even though the enemy came at me with the intent to kill, I didn’t find it frightening at all. I simply didn’t feel like I was going to be hit. The first strike startled me, but after that, avoiding it was no different than dodging a small stone on the road.
While smoothly dodging the spear and sword thrusts, I jabbed the makeshift spear into them as if testing. The sensation of the wave energy coiling around the thin wooden shaft and passing through the tip was something else.
The spiral wave energy wrapped around the shaft, entangling the enemy’s sword. The moment the iron sword struck the wooden stick, it wrapped around the enemy’s arm, spinning it once, knocking the sword away, and pinning the arm to the stick. It must have been a nightmare for them.
With just a stick, I could strike, thrust, sweep, slash, and even lock their joints. I could see the soldiers’ morale quickly plummeting.
If I were in their position, I’d lose the will to fight instantly. It would be even worse if I were just a hired soldier.
It was also fortunate that the weapon handed to me wasn’t a real spear, but a stick. With this, I could disable my opponent without killing them. Although, at this point, I think I could do it even without a weapon. It’s frustrating, but it seems like Faf’s plan worked on me.
Before I knew it, about 15 soldiers were groaning on the ground, creating a hellish scene. The remaining ones were… yeah. They had completely lost the will to fight.
I spun the stick around and slammed it into the ground. The wave energy, now infused in the stick, made the earth tremble with a loud thud.
“Ugh… damn…”
Seeing the pitiful sight of the soldiers, Sandel groaned.
“Sandel-sama, what should we do here…?”
One of his aides whispered quickly, and Sandel nodded with a look of annoyance, then gathered the soldiers accordingly.
“I won’t forget today’s disrespect!”
“Think carefully about who’s being disrespectful, and speak after that. If you want, I can take all of you on at once…”
“…Tch! Fine! I’ll retreat for today! But you better think carefully about Lalaila’s happiness!”
With that, they ran off…
“How can they act tough in a situation like that…”
“I suppose that’s how nobles are.”
Hagg, the dwarf, came over with a yawn. Apparently, he’s not a noble.
“Come on, eat something already. We have training to do.”
“…Wasn’t that training just now?”
“It’s good to gain real combat experience, right?”
“Yeah, yeah…”
Hagg’s way of talking just makes me sigh.
“Uh… Akira-san…”
“That was tough, Lalaila. You should rest for now.”
“Yes.”
I headed toward the camper, but Faf looked back at Lalaila, his smirk widening. If he has something to say, he should just say it clearly.
After that, we had spear training, which was a mock battle using sticks. Hagg, please go easy on me…
◆
The next morning, there were no major problems. That was the usual, but considering the recent string of issues, I felt a little relieved. I had asked Hagg to continue his training at the blacksmith guild today.
I decided to keep Yaralai around. It would be fine with just Faf, but if that bastard Dezion showed up again, it would be troublesome.
I purchased a field kitchen set (24,867 yen) and tobacco (4,600 yen). Also, last night I topped up the mirror fee, and 642,000 yen was deducted from the quest wallet.
Remaining balance: 1,586,055 yen.
Quest balance: 4,389,010 yen.
The mirror carriers, who had already made two trips, were resting and having their meals, so I waited for them to finish and then headed to the Adele Trading Company with them. I would also hand over their wages.
Remaining balance: 1,586,055 yen.
Quest balance: 4,379,010 yen.
“Ah, Akira-san. We’ve been waiting for you.”
At the Adele Trading Company, waiting for me was Lotton Magua, known for his monocle.
“Good morning, Lotton-san.”
“Please come inside for now, I’ll prepare some tea.”
“Thank you. …Alright, everyone, please continue.”
The bald porters replied and turned to head back. It seemed like Gilo and Clary were doing just fine, which was a relief.
“Here’s today’s payment.”
I took the large golden coin Lotton offered, pretending to store it and then stuffing it into the container.
Remaining balance: 1,586,055 yen.
Quest balance: 7,379,010 yen.
At the same time, the familiar voice echoed in my mind.
-Your divinity level has increased to 12-
-Container capacity has increased to 65-
-Quest cleared. SHOP’s items have increased-
-Financial container has been merged-
Remaining balance: 8,965,065 yen.
Wow, that was quick. I can check out the new items later. I thought the money earned from the quest might disappear, but it seems to have become regular income, which is a relief.
“With so many mirrors now, it’s quite impressive. By the way, I’ve made a frame for nobles, would you like to see it?”
“Already? I thought such craftsmanship would take some time.”
“I made a deal with a skilled woodworking shop. Oh, of course, I didn’t show them the actual mirrors. I had them create them using copper plates of the same size and thickness.”
“Impressive.”
“The matter we discussed… is also progressing in the background, so please don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry for leaving everything to you.”
“Not at all. Considering the profit it brings to our shop, this is no trouble at all.”
Lotton smiled gently.
“Then, is it ready to be implemented soon?”
“If you wish, it can be done at any time.”
“That’s reassuring.”
The clothing guild and the slums improvement—what about the secret deal with the Adele Trading Company?
It was a plan to send Dodol Messara, the one who had tormented Gilo, Clary, and their families, straight to hell.
◆
After hearing about the progress of the plan, I had lunch and then left the Adele Trading Company.
I then headed to the tavern on the main street. It was the Beautiful Water Jug Inn I had visited before. I took a seat at the counter and ordered some alcohol. Why alcohol? Because it was cheaper than fruit wine. With some peanuts to go with it, the total was 700 yen.
At one point, a waitress with large breasts came over, but I waved her off. I wanted to relax.
Remaining balance: 8,964,365 yen.
I sat alone, sipping my drink, and closed my eyes to check the new items.
Rock Crystal (1kg) = 43,000 yen
Rose Quartz (200g) = 86,400 yen
Amethyst (1kg) = 88,700 yen
Tangerine Quartz (1kg) = 28,500 yen
…What is this?
Crystal, quartz… oh, it’s referring to quartz. But why quartz??
I don’t get it. Quartz is a mineral you can find in abundance, right? Now that I think about it, there was a store selling quartz bracelets and clusters at the station on the way to the company. I never believed in good luck charms, so I never had any intention of buying them.
I don’t understand why this was approved now.
If I had known, there was no need to confirm it alone. If firearms had been approved, I’d planned to try them out secretly by myself, but this was a letdown.
After downing the mediocre drink, I decided to head back to the slum base.
“…So, quartz got approved.”
That night, after dinner and training, I explained everything to the group.
“Quartz… you say?”
“Yeah, I don’t get it either.”
“So, what exactly is quartz?”
“Huh? You don’t know? What about the others?”
“Cluck cluck… I’ve never heard of it.”
“I’ve never heard of it either.”
“Never heard of it.”
I see, so quartz isn’t circulating in this world. That means it might have value as a gemstone.
“Hmm. In that case, I’ll show you the real thing. If it seems like it can sell, we can market it to collectors.”
Though, for now, there’s too much else to do to deal with this right away.
“Cluck cluck… you have some budget left, right? Buy it and show it to us.”
“I guess that’s the only option.”
I figured Rock Crystal would be the most common, so I bought it. Rock Crystal (1kg) = 43,000 yen.
Remaining balance: 8,921,365 yen.
What came out was a transparent quartz cluster, basically a mass of crystals. When I placed it in front of the campfire, everyone fell silent and stared at it in shock.
Even Faf was speechless.
Huh? Was there something wrong with it?