Chapter 435

435 Bear-san, Heads To The Village

In the morning, the Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear alarm clocks wake me up. If I didnt get woken up by Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear earlier than that, it means that no one came.

When I got up, I thanked Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear, and went to the hot spring since there was still time before breakfast.

Then I ate the breakfast that Konoha had brought me, and when I went to the door, I saw Konoha and s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

[Are you going out?] Konoha

[Ill try to get back by evening. But if not, then I dont need dinner.] Yuna

Ive paid for three days, so Im good until tomorrow.

[Understood.] Konoha

[So, what were you two talking about?] Yuna

[Just a small talk, like how cute a girl dressed as a bear is. That kind of talk.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

In other words, they were talking about me.

[Lets go, then.] Yuna

s.h.i.+n.o.bu and I left the inn.

=====

[So, how do you plan to get to the village, s.h.i.+n.o.bu? Do you have a carriage ready or something?] Yuna

[I wont tell you until we get out of town.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu said with a face like a child coming up with a prank.

What is she hiding?

[Even so, Yunas appearance is cute, but it looks hard to move in. Are you really going to subjugate Kamaitachi in that appearance?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[If youre worried about me, you can leave me behind.] Yuna

[Dont say that. Come with me.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

She hugged me familiarly, so I pushed her away.

[Well then, the next time you ask about my outfit, Ill leave.] Yuna

[I, I understand. I wont ask about it anymore.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

=====

We come to the outskirts of the city.

[Thank you for your help.] Yuna

I thanked her for the time being.

[No, no, Im glad I could help.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

When we left the city, I was seen as suspicious by the gatekeeper and tried to arrest me. But s.h.i.+n.o.bu talked to him, so we were able to get out of the city safely.

In other places, even if I was seen as suspicious, n.o.body tried to arrest me. I wonder if it was because of the bear costume?

[So, now that were out of the city, what now?] Yuna

[Well then.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu put her fingers together and made a gesture as if she were making a seal, magic power gathered in her hands and a horse appeared in front of her.

[Summoning?] Yuna

[Hes Hayatemaru. My partner.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Then, s.h.i.+n.o.bu pats the horses neck.

This is the first time Ive seen a summoning other than Sanya-sans summoning bird.

I just want to say one thing to s.h.i.+n.o.bu.

[Not a frog, a snake, or a slug?] Yuna

[What are you talking about? What are you going to do by summoning such things? You cant ride on those.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Well, thats true, but the most famous ninja summons are frogs, snakes, and slugs.

When talking about what theyre riding, the big frogs, big snakes, big slugs comes first to mind. Just thinking about it makes me sick.

Considering that, Im happy to have Swaying Bear and Hugging Bear.

[Now then, lets get on shall we?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu looked at my outfit and then at the horse.

[Why dont you change your clothes? Looking at it again, I dont think we can ride together in that outfit.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Im not changing. And Im good.] Yuna

Since this is troublesome, I extended my right arm and summoned Swaying Bear.

[Bear! A bear has appeared! Is it a summon?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Its also a summon.] Yuna

s.h.i.+n.o.bu was a little surprised, but not blown by it.

[Its more like a cute bear than a strong one.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Swaying Bears face tightened at s.h.i.+n.o.bus words.

Apparently, Swaying Bear is trying to look tough.

But on the other hand, is it my imagination, or does he look even cuter?

[Whats its name?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Its Swaying Bear.] Yuna

[Swaying Bear? Thats a cute name. Can I touch it?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Before I could give my permission, s.h.i.+n.o.bu already started touching Swaying Bear.

[U wa~a, whats with the softness? Its so fluffy. Can I ride it? I want to ride it.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Hayatemaru is looking sad, are you sure about it?] Yuna

I looked at the horse and saw Hayatemaru lowering its head sadly.

[Uwa a, Hayatemaru, Im sorry. Hayatemaru is the best.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

When s.h.i.+n.o.bu saw how Hayatemaru was doing, she moved away from Swaying Bear and apologized to Hayatemaru.

Its the same everywhere. If its master rides another horse, or rather, bear, Itll sulk.

[Its a shame I cant ride on Swaying Bear, but lets go.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

s.h.i.+n.o.bu jumped on Hayatemaru, and I got on Swaying Bear.

Then we head to the village where the Kamaitachi appeared.

=====

s.h.i.+n.o.bus Hayatemaru and my Swaying Bear ran side by side.

[So, Kamaitachi is a monster that uses wind magic, right?] Yuna

[Yes, thats right. Depending on how powerful it is, it can take your arm off with it, so be careful. However, if you use iron armor, you wont be able to keep up with Kamaitachis movements.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Apparently, it cant cut iron or other hard materials. But if you use heavy metals to defend against them, you cant keep up with the fast-moving Kamaitachi, so they cant be defeated by such a method. On the other hand, if a magician wants to defeat them with magic, he needs to be extremely good at it.

The closer you get, the higher your hit rate, but at the same time, youre more likely to be hit by a kamaitachi.

Magicians equipment is geared for easy movement but also has low defense. So, the Magicians need to be accurate with magic attacks even at a distance.

With that in mind, it may be tough for beginners.

[So, how do you plan to defeat it, Yuna? You said you have a way to defeat it.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Ill just fight it normally.] Yuna

All I have to do is use detection skills to see where they are, and then, unleash a barrage of magic.

I can avoid or prevent the wind magic of Kamaitachi. If I have my bear equipment, I can do it easily.

[And you, s.h.i.+n.o.bu? How would you defeat it?] Yuna

[Its the same as Yuna. Ill just fight normally.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

She answers with a smile. I really dont understand this girl.

=====

We arrived in the village without taking a rest.

[Swaying Bear is fast, isnt he?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Hayatemaru was also fast.] Yuna

An hour or so after leaving the city, we arrived at the village.

At the entrance to the village stood the man who had come to the adventurers guild yesterday.

[Thats Itsuki-san, isnt it? It looks like hes been waiting for us.] Yuna

We went to the man.

[Whats that? Whats with the bear?] Itsuki

The man was surprised to see me riding on Swaying Bear.

[That bear is her bear, so its safe.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Before I could say anything, s.h.i.+n.o.bu explained it to him.

[Oh, is that so?] Itsuki

[If you dont attack it, it wont do anything.] Yuna

[Is that true?] Itsuki

The man stares at Swaying Bear. And Swaying Bear stays still.

The man looked at me and Swaying Bear alternately and seemed to be convinced of something.

[I got it. Anyway, thanks for coming.] Itsuki

The man invites us into the village. s.h.i.+n.o.bu and I dismounted our mounts and went into the village.

Many of the houses in the village are made of wood. Some of the houses have tiled roofs. The clothing in the village looks like something you might have seen in an old j.a.panese movie. Everyone was surprised to see Swaying Bear, but the man a.s.sured the villagers that it was okay.

The other villagers looked at us from a distance but dont approach us. Could it be that they are afraid of Swaying Bear?

[So whats the situation?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[When I came back yesterday, three more cows had been killed. The least we can do is to make sure that none of the villagers are hurt. Are you sure you and your friend here are capable of defeating the monsters? We dont want to cause any more damage.] Itsuki

The man confirms it again.

Even if he asks for a new adventurer now, the more days it takes, the greater the damage they will receive.

Moreover, if we cant defeat them, the damage will be tremendous.

[We can take them down, but the issue is their numbers. Dont you know how many there are?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Im sorry. Whenever the monsters show up, they strike and hide quickly.] Itsuki

It is indeed reckless for someone who is not strong enough to fight those monsters. He will be helplessly hunted down like a cow.

=====

The man lead us to a place that looked like a farm. A vast pasture spread out before us. There were cows eating gra.s.s.

[Well, then, Yuna. What should we do now? Do you want me to keep an eye on things?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Whats your plan, s.h.i.+n.o.bu?] Yuna

[Me? If they show up, Ill take them down.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

Shes probably a musclehead, isnt she?

[Do you know where theyre coming from?] Yuna

[They probably came from that forest, I think.] Itsuki

The man pointed to the forest beyond the pasture.

[Then that cow over there is in danger.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

There is a cow near the forest.

The man seemed to find it difficult to respond to my words.

[That cow is a sacrifice. So that other cows and us can escape.] Itsuki

If theyre all gathered in one place, all cows and other animals will be killed.

Thats why they have them spread out.

Out of the ten, theyre sacrificing one to protect the nine. Its a disgusting way of thinking, but they probably have no choice.

[So if we go into that forest, well find the monsters?] Yuna

Then we should take them down before they attack us.

[Are you going to fight in the forest, by any chance?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Thats like going to your death.] Itsuki

s.h.i.+n.o.bu and the man were surprised by my words.

They say that in the forest, where there are many blind spots, its dangerous because the blades of wind can fly at you from anywhere.

Indeed, that is scary.

But its not in my nature to wait for the monsters to come.

And I have detection skills.

[Dont worry. If theres a monster nearby, hell tell me. Ill kill it quickly and come back.] Yun

I pat the head of Swaying Bear next to me.

[I cant wait to get back to the inn and soak in the hot spring. You can stay here, s.h.i.+n.o.bu. Swaying Bear and I will go into the forest and kill the monsters.] Yuna

[Im coming with you.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[You dont have to.] Yuna

[Im Yunas a.s.sistant, so I can at least help.] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

I dont want to show too much of my abilities. But Im also curious about how s.h.i.+n.o.bu fights.

At that moment, Swaying Bear reacted and looked towards the forest.

I understood immediately by the reaction of the Swaying Bear. When I use my detection skills, I get a reaction from kamaitachi. And its not just one. They are moving at a very fast pace.

[Kamaitachi, incoming!] Yuna

[Really!?] Itsuki

[Where are they?] s.h.i.+n.o.bu

[Swaying Bear, stay here and protect Itsuki-san.] Yuna

I gave instructions to Swaying Bear, and I started running towards the monsters.

The cow Im heading to is rampaging and trying to run away from something. Then the cow collapses.

I was too late.

=====

Authors Note:

s.h.i.+n.o.bu summoned a horse.

It wasnt a frog.

I have an announcement to make.

This time, it has been decided to make k.u.ma k.u.ma k.u.ma Bear comicalized.

I cant tell you the details yet, but Ive put a link to the publishers announcement in the activity report. Please look forward to it.