The Reincarnated Extra - Chapter 22: A Glimpse of Emi's Talent
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Chapter 22: A Glimpse of Emi's Talent

A Glimpse of Emis Talent

* * *

Three days have passed since I arrived at the mysterious old mans house. Now, my physical, mental, and magical energies are more replenished than ever, and Im brimming with vitality, thanks to him! The old man has been providing me with a bed and two meals a day, despite not knowing who I am from anywhere. Hes really kind. For the time being, since he hasnt told me to leave or anything, Im shamelessly taking advantage of his kindness.

At first, the old man was spreading his Intimidation around, but I think that was just because he was nervous about dealing with someone unfamiliar. It wouldnt be right to just receive his kindness without giving anything back, so now Ive taken it upon myself to clean the house. Ive been thoroughly sweeping and wiping, and although the house was already tidy, it probably looks a decade younger now! Ehehe, Im quite satisfied with how shiny Ive made it.

However, there are places like the cupboard in the back room where the old man exerts a strong Intimidation if I just approach, so I havent touched those areas. Yeah, I understand that even if its a child, there are things men dont want women to see! Makes sense. So, Ive left those areas untouched.

Since I cant just clean the house all the time and have some spare time, Ive also explored outside a bit. It seems this house is located somewhere deep in the mountains where I got lost. Theres no sign of people around. The old man lives here, hidden away His true identity remains a mystery. Even when I tried to introduce myself before

Im Emi.

(The old man, after a while, slightly nods.)

(Following his lead, I nod too.)

Yes, that concludes our conversation.

Well, its like that. Hes naturally quiet and never tries to talk about himself. He wont even tell me his name. Why is that?

<Given hes living a secluded life deep in the mountains Maybe he has a dark past or something.>

Ehhh!? Really? But hes so kind Could such a kind old man be a wanted criminal or something? That seems unlikely! Maybe hes just disillusioned with society because of persecution due to his black hair and eyes, living in seclusion. Well, anyway, the old mans past doesnt really matter. Hes a kind person who helped me. Thats all thats important to me.

Grandpa wakes up every day before sunrise, practices some form of martial arts I wonder if thats what it is? After going through a series of forms, he eats breakfast and then goes hunting. And then, by midday, he returns carrying big deer or boars, processes them or does some sort of handiwork before eating dinner and going to bed early. Thats the kind of life he leads. Surprisingly, when Grandpa goes hunting, he always leaves the house empty-handed. Indeed, when we first met, he decapitated a wolf with a hand chop. With that kind of skill, he probably doesnt need a weapon.

Could I ask him to teach me that technique?

Since Grandpa is so kind, I, getting a bit carried away, am now thinking about such things. I lack the strength needed to survive in this life. This fact was clearly hammered into me when the thieves took our base, when I witnessed the destruction of the village with my own eyes, and when I was being chased by the Grim Reaper wolf. I must become stronger. I, who paid little heed to my previous life that ended without me realizing, am incredibly attached to this life. I dont want to die. I think its because Extra-sama is with me and because Ive been confronted with the reality of death.

Well then! So, for that reason! Today, Id like to join Grandpa on his hunt!

I will burn Grandpas techniques into my eyes and make them a part of me!

Grandpa stops me from following him to the mountain and gestures with his hands for me to stay at home.

I shake my head and stare straight at Grandpa.

Grandpa also shakes his head and looks straight back at me.

A period of silence continues.

Then Grandpa sighs and starts walking towards the mountain.

Yes! Permission to accompany him granted!

<Eh!? Was that permission!? Just now!?>

Yes, no doubt about it.

Though its only been three days, my heart and Grandpas are already in tune! Thats how I know!

<Please have a proper conversation using words!>

* * *

Grandpa moves through the steep slopes and rough terrains with ease, advancing quickly along the mountain path. He checks back occasionally to see if Im following and gradually increases his speed. I think were already moving at a considerable speed, but I guess this is him being considerate, moving slower than usual for my sake.

Hmm? Whats that?

Grandpa stops again and stares at me intently. Whats going on? I dont think its for a rest?

I also stare back at Grandpa.

Suddenly, I notice the usual killing intent and oppressive aura from Grandpa have disappeared.

Ah, this! Magic Perception activate!

<Hes using Presence Concealment. The magic leakage is being suppressed beautifully.>

Right, were in the middle of hunting!

I quickly perform Presence Concealment as well. Seeing this, Grandpa nods and starts walking again.

Moving at a considerable pace, using Body Strengthening in conjunction with <Presence Concealment> is quite challenging!

<Up until now, you havent done much combining Body Strengthening and Presence Concealment.>

But, since the magic leakage I had can be redirected to Body Strengthening, its tiring but this method is highly efficient in terms of magic usage. Ive been practicing living with Body Strengthening applied at all times, but from now on, it might be good to add Presence Concealment to that routine as well.

* * *

After advancing through the mountains for about another hour, Grandpa, while facing forward, gestured in front of my face to stop. Grandpa crouched down, so I followed suit and looked in the direction of his gaze.

About 50 meters ahead, on the rugged rocky surface, stood a yellow deer with magnificent antlers in a majestic stance.

<Thats an Electricia! Its a dangerous monster that shoots lightning magic from the tips of its antlers!>

What!? That deer uses magic!?

As I tensed up, Grandpa, signaling me to stay still, slowly started walking towards the deer. The distance between the deer and Grandpa was about 30 meters now. Lightning crackled from the deers antlers, ready to attack at any moment. It was fully prepared. It seemed the deer had no intention of running away.

<It plans to hunt Grandpa in turn and eat him. Thats a carnivorous and ferocious deer!>

A carnivorous and ferocious deer!? That creature is carnivorous despite being a deer!? This otherworld is scary after all!!!

Just as the deer aimed its increasingly crackling antlers at Grandpa, ready to unleash its magic, Grandpa vanished.

Undoubtedly, thats how it must have appeared to the deer.

Surprised by the sudden turn of events, the deer froze. From a distance, my eyes clearly captured what happened. Grandpa had leaped high, sky-high, in an instant, disappearing from the deers field of vision! And then he plunged down from the sky towards the deer, executing a swift hand chop!

The deer, its neck effortlessly severed, fell with a thud, spraying blood. The antlers, which had been glowing and crackling for a while, gradually lost their brilliance and fell silent.

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! Grandpa is amazinggggggggggggg!!!

<Once again, its confirmed. This person is undoubtedly a master of some martial art, comparable even to the heroes who have appeared in the isekai broadcasts Ive seen. I never expected him to be of such caliber!>

I rush towards Grandpa with shining eyes (at least, thats what I intend, though my expression probably hasnt changed).

Amazing

Grandpa scratches his cheek with his index finger, seemingly embarrassed.

What was that just now?

Grasshopper, and then Mantis

Wow! He even told me the names of the techniques! I guess the jumping technique was the Grasshopper, and the hand chop was the Mantis? So, do grasshoppers and mantises exist in this world too?

<Yes. The grasshopper is a voracious magical beast that devours everything, and the mantis is a fierce phantom beast said to cut through anything with its arms. Both are considered legendary beings.>

Legendary beings!? The difference from my previous life is extreme!!!

But, more importantly, those techniques, Grasshopper and Mantis, were amazing, Extra-sama!

<Eh, yes. A well-trained body, movement, and magic manipulation made those techniques possible. It was splendid.>

It was so cool! I wonder if I can imitate them!?

<Imitating them might be possible to some extent. But it wont be practical for immediate use.>

Actually, during the battle, I was so engrossed that I unconsciously activated Magic Perception. Thats why I noticed something interesting happening. First, Grandpas high jump. Its certain that he used Body Strengthening to enhance his physical abilities to jump, but to replicate Grandpas Grasshopper, that alone might not be enough. Right before Grandpa jumped, I didnt miss how magic flowed from his feet towards the ground. That flow was similar to how I use Water Collection to create drinking water from the air.

<Indeed, Emi. Youre sharp. I saw it the same way. Water Collection is a magic that gathers, binds, and solidifies water from the air. If there was a similar movement of magic>

Did Grandpa use magic to gather, bind, and solidify the ground just before he jumped?

<Gather might not be the right term, but he definitely did bind and solidify. Shall we call it Solidification? Its like he used a type of earth magic to create a sturdy footing in an instant.>

Flowing magic into the ground and solidifying it

Trying it out, this is considerably more difficult than Water Collection. Its like I can feel resistance from the ground.

Mmm While Im grumbling and experimenting, slowly solidifying the ground, Grandpa watches with interest as he processes the deer. After a while, when I hit the ground where I was standing with a small stone, a hard, clinking sound came from what should have been just soil.

And then, theres another point I think is crucial for replicating Grasshopper!

<Eh?>

Haha! Extra-sama, didnt you notice? Its about the very, very instant Grandpa jumped.

Different from Solidification rather, it was the opposite movement of magic flow that occurred at Grandpas feet!

<The opposite movement?>

Yes, the opposite of binding!

The magic of pulling apart definitely occurred at that time!

Ah, I see. Attraction and Repulsion. I feel like I learned such terms in school in my previous life.

<Emi you saw that, did?>

Yes! But how do I do it?

The opposite movement of Water Collection or Solidification?

The ground, pushing out my feet, catapulting them?

With such an image

Generating repulsion

And timing it with the jump powered by Body Strengthening

At that moment, I didnt notice Grandpas expression becoming even more stern than usual as he watched me.

Without realizing, I activated my self-taught imitation of Grasshopper.

Whoosh!!

My body jumps higher and at a speed beyond my expectations. Grandpa, surprised and panicked at my feet, becomes smaller and smaller. Changing my view, I see distant mountains, a large lake, lush forests, and grasslands a beautiful landscape stretching endlessly below. Amazing! This is incredible! Although it took some time, can I say that this is a successful replication of Grasshopper?

<Ah but, Emi>

? Whats wrong, Extra-sama?

My ascent stops, and I begin to fall gradually.

<This how are you going to land? If you fall from this height, even using Body Strengthening, wont you suffer considerable damage?>

Ah.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Embarrassingly, I passed out while falling and lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was inside Grandpas house, in a futon. Apparently, Grandpa somehow managed to catch me. The eyes of Grandpa staring at me as I woke up were filled with considerable anger.

Im s-s-s-sorryyyyyy!!