The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

My agility stat is the highest among my attributes.

It's a speed that can leave even the former SS-rank Guild Master in the dust.

What happens when I, with such speed, run through a minefield of monsters at full power... This is the answer.

One, two, three.

"Wahahahaha! Try to stop me, you worms!"

I sprint, kicking up a cloud of sand.

As soon as I pass, Gigant Sand Worms break through the ground.

A minefield? Well, that's dangerous, but if you run through before they explode, it's no big deal.

With that mindset, I run at full speed while laughing loudly.

"If Nagi dies, I'll kill you!"

"Gyah, gueh, uh, pieh!"

I think I hear screams from both shoulders, but if they can make noise, that's proof they're okay, right?

I continue running through the Sand Worm colony.

After running for a while, I put the two down as there are no more monsters nearby.

Behind us, the Sand Worms are writhing around, searching for their lost prey. They probably can't detect us from this far.

"Phew. That was a good sweat."

"...I want to tell Nagi from two days ago that she should have refused the invitation."

Nagi glares at me with a resentful look while standing up with trembling legs.

"We got through the danger zone in the shortest time possible, so you could praise me, you know?"

"The fact that you have no ill intentions makes me even angrier."

"That's what makes Master so great."

Seori, who had been desperately clinging on and was out of breath, praises me while catching her breath.

What a wonderful companion who affirms my spirit of challenge.

"I'm not convinced."

"I'm the type that grows with praise. Seori understands that."

"The only thing growing is your nose."

"Oh, you've got a sharp tongue."

Nagi can be quite sarcastic.

I don't dislike this light banter, but we should start moving soon. Other monsters are gradually gathering.

There really isn't time to rest leisurely in Depth III.

"Alright, let's move on... What's wrong, Seori? You're flapping your skirt."

"Master, it's hot..."

"That dress does look thick. Want to change into my shirt? You won't look like a dark familiar anymore though."

"...Hmph, foolish question."

You hesitated quite a bit for a 'foolish question', didn't you?

I take out a water bottle from my item box and hand it to Seori.

"Make sure to drink water frequently while walking. We have plenty of drinking water stocked, so don't hesitate to ask. And take some salt too."

"As you command."

"Are you okay too, Nagi?"

"It's hot."

"Yeah, I bet. Your skin is mostly exposed."

I hand a water bottle to Nagi as well.

Because of the cursed long sword, Nagi can't wear armor and is only in tattered shirt and hot pants. At this rate, she might get sunburned.

It's almost noon and the sun is quite high, so it's going to get even harsher. I wonder if there's anything we can do.

"Nagi, don't you have any outerwear?"

"As you can see, I have no luggage."

"Then can you wear this?"

What I took out of my item box was the black cloak I used to wear in Stoania.

It's equipment from before I got the unicorn hide.

My master must have been the type to take care of things, as all our old equipment was stored in the item box instead of being thrown away.

The cloak only has simple information enhancement. It's equipment from before I learned "Landmine", so it's not multi-layered barrier. Of course, equipment with activation-type formula bestowal doesn't activate if you have low aptitude for magic or mystical arts.

Still, it's a processed cloak nonetheless.

For now, let's experiment.

"Actually, this long sword is cursed. Nagi can't equip armor."

"What happens if you force equip it?"

"...The armor breaks."

"Here you go."

"Ah!"

I tried putting it on her.

Immediately, the cloak tore with a sound. It was torn so meticulously it could be turned into confetti.

I fell to my knees in despair and picked up a piece of the irreparably damaged cloak.

"Ugh, my cloak full of memories...!"

"Are you an idiot?"

"Guu."

I was speechless. Though I did make a sound.

"...Well, let's try something else. How about this?"

This time I take out a white cloth, use "Synthesis" to create a robe with zero defense and no formula bestowal.

When I hand it to her, Nagi looks at it suspiciously.

"Is this another memento?"

"Nah, it's just ordinary cloth I bought at the market. So give it a try."

"Hah. Understood."

Nagi reluctantly put on the white robe.

...Well, she could wear it normally.

"Looks like that curse doesn't affect items with no defense."

"It seems so... This is a bit better."

Nagi readjusted her long sword over the robe and immediately started walking ahead.

That's supposed to be my position at the front though. She seems to be in a slightly better mood. I'm grinning.

"...Master, aren't you hot?"

Seori tugs at my clothes and tilts her head.

It's natural for her to think that. I'm not even sweating while worrying about others in this scorching heat.

"My cloak is set to reflect heat rays from the outside with 'Reflection', so it's actually cool inside."

"Master, that's cheating."

"I can't let that slide."

Seori closes in, and Nagi turns back deliberately.

"You should offer it to me as well."

"Yes, to Nagi too."

"No, no, it only works for mystical art users. So it's meaningless if you wear it... Hey, don't put your hands in, Seori! Don't open the front, Nagi! Wait, stop, the heat is getting in! It's hot, I'm starting to sweat! Ah, stop it~"

We end up stopping while making a commotion.

Needless to say, monsters take this opportunity to attack us.

The scorching heat of the day gives way to the bitter cold of the desert night.

Before sunset, we found a rocky area and set up our tent on top of a rock.

Monsters might still actively attack at night, so I carefully apply perception interference around us. Even so, there's no guarantee we won't be noticed, so elemental spirits and night watch are essential.

I'm wrapped in a blanket, looking around with my back to the campfire. The temperature feels below zero and my breath is white, but this time I'm blocking the cold air with my cloak, so it's not freezing.

"The stars are so beautiful..."

Seori and Nagi are sleeping in the tent. I'm alone, looking up at the starry sky and taking a sip of warmed tea.

This desert is free from air pollution, and when there's no wind, the air is clear. With no moon tonight, the starry sky is surprisingly beautiful.

Unfortunately, I don't have much knowledge about celestial bodies, so I can't say much beyond "it's beautiful".

It really is beautiful though.

This is definitely a sight I could never have seen if I were still living on Earth. The constellations are surely different, but I never imagined I'd be looking up at such countless stars in my previous life.

...I wonder if my reincarnation was fortunate.

Sometimes, I ponder such things.

Dying was certainly unfortunate, but I'm grateful for receiving a second life in this world with my previous life's memories intact, and I feel I should cherish it.

I shouldn't keep this good fortune to myself.

It's partly because I received Ruruk's body, and partly because Roze saved my life. But more than that, I learned that I could help someone by being here.

I wanted to do something for someone else.

That someone was Elenora, Saaya, Punisuke, and Seori.

For the sake of my companions who care for me despite my childishness, I can't just live aimlessly.

Because it's a life I was wished to live freely, because that's what I want too, I need to make an effort to live freely.

"...For that, we need to deal with Saturn first."

"Yes. We will kill Saturn."

Nagi came out of the tent, uttering these violent words.

"Is it time for the shift change already?"

"No... it's a bit early, but I wanted to talk to Ruruk."

"Oh? Is Nagi-chan already in her dere phase?"

"Which is unnecessary, your ears or your head?"

"I'm sorry."

I tried to joke but was met with killing intent.

I apologize.

Nagi sits next to me.

I pour some warmed tea into a cup and hand it to her.

"...So, what did you want to talk about?"

I ask in an intentionally light tone to Nagi, whose shoulders are slightly tense.

Nagi hesitates a bit before speaking.

"Ruruk, do you intend to kill Saturn?"

"...To be honest, I hadn't thought that far."

My goal is primarily the safety of my people.

Saturn probably has his justification for wanting to eliminate the destruction factor as a demon, but we have no intention of destroying the demons. Saaya probably feels the same.

So if we could resolve this through negotiation, I'd be fine with that.

However, Nagi's desire to kill Saturn is pure vengeance. It's not something I can comment on, and I had no intention of stopping Nagi if Saturn were to die in an act of revenge. After all, it would result in Saaya being protected.

I don't have any killing intent towards Saturn, but since we're in opposition and have suffered damage, I have no intention of stopping Nagi either.

That's my stance.

"...I see. Then, can I assume that Ruruk's goal is just to meet with Saturn?"

"That's right, but why are you asking this?"

"Because if Ruruk's interests align with Saturn's, Ruruk could become Nagi's enemy."

Nagi said matter-of-factly.

"If Ruruk's goal isn't Saturn's life but protecting your companions, then a deal with Saturn could also resolve the situation. If the condition for that deal was to kill Nagi..."

"Wait, wait. I wouldn't accept such an absurd condition. If I was told something like that, I'd become Saturn's enemy without hesitation."

"...But what if you couldn't defeat Saturn?"

Nagi's eyes, as she raised her head, were so dark they seemed to pull me in.

I'm at a loss for words.

"Once, long ago, Nagi met Saturn with her brother. At that time, Nagi thought that unless we could catch him off guard, we could never win. He's too strong. Even Ruruk might not be able to win..."

"In that case, I'd escape using teleportation."

"What if teleportation was sealed? If you couldn't escape?"

The skill "Usurpation" that steals one of the opponent's abilities, was it?

If Maeve's advice is true, it wouldn't be strange if my teleportation skill was stolen. Though I'm doubtful if he can pinpoint it so accurately.

I shrugged.

"Well, even without teleportation, I intend to brute force it with my stats. Even if Saturn's level is maxed out, I don't think the difference would be that big."

"...What if Seori was taken hostage?"

"I'd kill Saturn."

I stated firmly.

"If he directly harms any of my companions, I'll protect Seori and kill Saturn by any means necessary. Even if something happens to me."

"Even if Nagi dies as a result?"

"Of course, I intend not to let Nagi die either. Well, I'll just say I can't guarantee it."

"...I see."

Even though I have some power to protect others, Nagi herself is trying to kill Saturn. She should understand the meaning and risks of that.

However, I'm not too worried about the hostage situation. Even if Seori is put to sleep or restrained, I can send her to a safe zone instantly with the combo of "Familiar Summoning" and "Spatial Transfer".

If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't have brought her in the first place.

"Are you anxious?"

I ask Nagi, who has lowered her gaze.

Nagi shakes her head in denial.

"No. Either way, Nagi has decided on a path of certain death. I just want to increase the possibility of taking Saturn down with me, even if just a little. If Ruruk becomes an enemy, that becomes much more difficult..."

"That's what we call anxiety."

I stand up and drape a blanket over Nagi's shoulders.

"I understand. I won't lay a hand on Nagi no matter what happens. I promise."

"I'm not particularly anxious... But, I've taken your word for it. Please remain Nagi's ally, Ruruk. I won't forgive you if you lie."

"Yes, yes."

...I understand.

Nagi is consumed by revenge. She's come this far thinking to use anything she can. I'm part of that too, so she probably wanted some assurance that she wouldn't be betrayed in the end.

I made that promise understanding this.

Because I'm using Nagi too. I'm using Nagi's desire for revenge to get close to Saturn and hopefully defeat him.

Although we never put it into words, we're traveling together while mutually recognizing this. We may develop some affection to some extent, but it's ultimately a business-like relationship.

Nagi is a clever girl. That's why she's laid the groundwork to prevent the relationship of mutual interest from crumbling. She probably wanted something beyond mere benefit.

Am I too soft for falling right into her scheme?

...Maybe I am soft.

If Seori really was taken hostage and we were in a hopeless situation, I can't say for certain that I wouldn't break my promise. If that happens, I would be truly betraying Nagi.

Even though I knew it was a promise I shouldn't make, I made it just to reassure Nagi.

That's not kindness.

It's just being soft.

And Nagi probably sees through this too.

"...Well, it's about time for the shift change. Good night, Nagi."

"Good night, Ruruk."

As I enter the tent, avoiding eye contact, I feel Nagi's cold gaze piercing my back.