Chapter 52: The Nepo-Baby Swordsman
I wasn't sure if it was because of my "Cheap Master" Kazami or my Senior Brother Uzen, but for the past two months, almost all the demon-hunting missions I'd received were concentrated around Yokohama.
The furthest one was only a two or three-day round trip on foot.
Every time I finished a kill, I could return to the Igarashi estate in record time and dive right back into training.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized this wasn't a coincidence. Even a Hashira like Uzen had to go on long-distance missions every other week. Yet I was always operating in the local vicinity.
Because of my master's senior status and my senior brother's high-ranking position, am I being assigned convenient, appropriately leveled missions?
I guess I'm officially experiencing the perks of being a "Relationship Hire."
Guided by Shiro the Crow, Natsuya soon arrived at the designated rendezvous point.
"THIS IS IT! CAW! NATSUYA! MEET THE OTHER SLAYERS! RESCUE YOUR COMRADES AND THE INNOCENTS! CAW!"
They were just outside Yokohama, near the border of Kanagawa Prefecture. In front of him stood an abandoned textile factory. Even before entering, Natsuya could smell the mixture of stale decay and metallic blood.
Thanks to his [Cooking] and [Luxury Appraisal] skills, his sense of smell was significantly more sensitive than an average person's.
However, instead of rushing in, Natsuya's gaze shifted to two figures hidden nearby, scanning the factory. Although they had put some effort into concealment, their floating system nameplates were like neon signs in Natsuya's eyes.
The most prominent one was a muscular, stern-looking male swordsman.
[Dojima Kazuma (Power Level: 83)] — Flame Breathing LV.3
Not bad, Natsuya noted. Probably a Hinoto (Rank 4) or Hinoe (Rank 3) level.
He then shifted his gaze to the female swordsman with dark red tips on her hair.
[Yukibashiri Seiko (Power Level: 56)] — Water Breathing LV.3
Ah, generic Water Breathing again. Her stats are just average...
Wait!
Hold on! It's my BBQ creditor!
At that moment, hearing the crow's cawing, the two turned their heads.
Dojima Kazuma's expression was cold and sharp. After confirming that the newcomer was backup, he gave a curt nod. His gaze lingered on Natsuya's strange attire and weaponry for a second longer than necessary.
Three swords, plus a weapon I don't recognize... what a weirdo.
"Name. Rank," Dojima demanded without any pleasantries.
The former was to avoid inefficient communication during the operation; the latter was to gauge how to structure the tactical plan.
Natsuya opened his mouth to speak, but the girl beside Dojima cut in softly.
"This is Senior Kokonoe Natsuya."
"He was the strongest member of our selection class."
Seiko still had that mix of quiet and energetic charm. Her eyes crinkled into crescents as she looked at Natsuya, her face lit with a faint glow of happiness. Her voice was gentle as always, but Natsuya felt like there was a hidden "debuff" in her tone.
A tiny bit of... resentment?
"It's been a long time, Natsuya-kun."
Natsuya gave an awkward nod. "Yo... Seiko. Long time no see. You've... uh, gotten stronger since the last mission."
He felt the "resentment" in her voice fade slightly.
"Really?" the girl asked, looking a bit shy. "I've been training as hard as I can to keep up with your pace, Natsuya-kun."
Hard work? Natsuya thought. You mean grinding Water Breathing from Level 2 to barely Level 3?
He suppressed the urge to roast her and looked at Dojima. The male swordsman was currently staring at him with a deadpan, "Are you serious?" expression.
Dojima: ≖_≖
(She just used your given name without an honorific. Are you two that close?)
Finally, Dojima swallowed his complaints and spoke briefly. "Dojima Kazuma. Rank: Hinoto. The situation is urgent, let's talk while we move."
As the three moved quickly toward the factory, Dojima briefed them on the mission parameters in a low voice.
A few days ago, reports came in from the Kamakura and Shonan areas. Civilians claimed they were attacked by a monster and sought help from the local police. But the police found nothing at the scene and even detained the "suspicious" witnesses for causing a disturbance.
A local Wisteria House noticed the anomaly and relayed the info to the Kakushi. The Corps sent a Mizunoe (Rank 9) Slayer to investigate.
Predictably, the investigation went south. The Slayer vanished.
A second squad was sent—the highest rank among them being a Kanoe (Rank 7). This time, they found clues. The demon wasn't based in Kamakura; it was a roaming threat centered in southern Yokohama.
The squad engaged the demon, repelled it, and tracked it back to this textile factory. They discovered innocent captives inside and decided to launch a rescue mission.
But then, all communication ceased. The squad didn't rescue the hostages; they were swallowed by the factory themselves.
The Kasugai Crow's reports were sparse.
[Suspected Cloning Ability] [Large Number of Survivors Identified].
"I cannot guarantee a victory once we engage," Dojima said grimly. "Please be extremely cautious."
Behind him, however...
"Lord Igarashi must be very strict, right? That's why Natsuya-kun hasn't had a single second to spare..."
"He's not that strict, though Mr. Igarashi does have high expectations."
"Or does Natsuya-kun mean that Lord Igarashi specifically forbid you from replying to letters...?"
Dojima Kazuma: "..."
"HEY! YOU TWO!"
He whipped his head around, his voice a strained, desperate whisper. "Can we maybe save the catch-up for after the raid?!"
Do they have to flirt right now?!
Dojima felt like he was a glowing gas lamp stuck between two people...
I'm getting second-hand irritation here.
Natsuya immediately went silent. Not because of Dojima's complaining, but because several directions ahead, numerous system panels were appearing through the factory windows.
Aside from a few red ones, most of the stats didn't exceed 12. Deeper in, the panels vanished as they exceeded his detection range.
So many civilian NPCs...
"I think we found the missing people."
Dojima's eyes turned sharp. He focused his senses, listening to the sounds within the factory. Seiko also shifted into a serious combat state, her hand resting on the hilt of her Nichirin Sword.
"Left, right... no, ahead as well." Dojima's keen senses picked up the locations Natsuya indicated. "There are many of them. Likely the missing Slayers and civilians."
Dojima looked troubled. Do we split up?
Natsuya spoke up matter-of-factly. "You two low-rankers go over there. The mob density is lower."
The high-density, high-XP area should obviously be cleared by me.
Dojima froze.
Low-rankers?
Me?
He instinctively looked at Seiko. He'd worked with her before; her strength was just average. Mizunoe at best, maybe Kanoto.
If this guy was her classmate, even if he was number one, how strong could he be?
Wait!
Dojima remembered certain rumors he'd heard in the Corps. Most Hashira rose through the ranks at a blistering speed that defied standard recruitment timelines. This man wasn't one of the current Nine Hashira... but Seiko just mentioned the Storm Hashira...
There was only one logical conclusion!
Dojima bowed his head toward Natsuya, his voice filled with newfound respect.
"I will follow your orders—Tsuguko-sama!"
☆☆☆
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