84 – Welcome to Yongjugol (3)
I was slightly taken aback.
It wasn’t just because this guy knew my identity, but also because the statement of wanting to become a runaway ninja was so shocking.
It wasn’t that I was upset or flustered because someone was trying to steal my title. No, it was rather a pleasant surprise.
I should have recognized him from the moment I saw the black figure that seemed to have taken inspiration from my runaway ninja attire.
Look. Isn’t Maximos’ eyes shining like a fangirl meeting an idol?
“I see.”
This guy was definitely my devoted fan. Has he now realized the coolness of the “Runaway Ninja” in the fantasy world?
“How did you find out about this place? And how did you know I am a runaway ninja?”
Nevertheless, I must confirm.
If there are more people who know my true identity, it could lead to a difficult situation.
As long as he came alone and is my fan, it’s fine. But if a group with sufficient power comes this way, it could be a big problem.
Although Orpheus, who wears the full set of ancient warrior armor and wields the Seven Sword Style, might be fine, Diana, the cleaning lady, or occasional visitor, could lose her life if I’m not home.
“Well…”
That’s how Maximos’ long explanation began. I’m already getting sleepy.
“…That’s how it happened.”
Maximos, a middle-aged man who became a fan of the runaway ninja after seeing me kill the demon Monica and defeating the battle members of Marta, was injured in the process.
After his treatment, he immediately came to find me, but it was impossible to find me thoroughly hidden with the help of people like Orpheus and Lilia.
He had no choice but to use a different method.
He went to find someone who had worked with the adventurer Robin and asked about their appearance or recent activities. That was Maximos’ plan.
The person Maximos went to find was Celine. Celine, the Yakuzan Slayer, who had moved together with him in Goldon.
Celine had been active in the mercenary group where Maximos was a member in his childhood, and she had personally taught him combat skills.
Whether it was because of that connection or because she believed in him, Celine revealed Robin’s impression to her master, Maximos.
The paper he is holding contains that impression.
With the paper in hand, he traveled to various regions and finally arrived here. It seemed that he found out about my presence through the testimony of the people living at the foot of the mountain.
Well, to summarize, that’s how it was.
“I have conquered countless battlefields. It wasn’t always a victory, but I always exceeded my role,” Maximos boasts. “If you mention the ‘Black Bull’ Maximos, there are still quite a few people who recognize me.”
Maximos, who tries to score points by appealing to himself just enough.
“Most wars occur because of the greed of those in power. It is always the people who suffer. If I have to fight, I want to fight as a warrior with pride, not as a puppet of those in power. I want to become a deserter and put an end to meaningless wars.”
Maximos, who even revealed his motivation, gave me a sparkling gaze.
The passionate fervor of a man in his forties. It’s a bit overwhelming to think about.
With good posture and passion, but I had already decided what to say.
“You cannot become a deserter.”
Maximos’ mouth opened wide in an instant.
He looks really disappointed.
Maximos, who had been as still as a statue, spoke one minute later.
“…Can I hear the reason?”
The reason. To put it simply, it’s because he is weak.
According to the ‘Deserter Rating Table’, he barely scores around 4 out of 10.
To understand how much combat power 4 points represents, you need to familiarize yourself with the Deserter Rating Table first.
Among the ratings, only two individuals have achieved a perfect score of 10.
The Heavenly Demon Monica Silverin and the Super Deserter Shinobin.
They possess ultimate skills, area-of-effect attacks, and powerful individual combat capabilities. They can be considered to have combat powers close to that of gods.
To exaggerate a little, they are at a level where they can win against the world alone.
Next is 9 points. They can be seen as the strongest individuals in the world after the Heavenly Demon.
Shogun Jade of Despair and Viceroy Hitler belong to this stage.
The Shogun of Despair may have been easily defeated by the Super Escape Ninja, but if it weren’t for Monica or the Super Escape Ninja, no one would have been able to stop him.
Even Hitler, who became a false demon instead of a Heavenly Demon, thanks to Monica’s appearance.
If 10 points are the strongest in the world, and 9 points are the second strongest, then 8 points can be considered top-tier.
Jade of the Transforming Sword and the Escape Ninja Shinobin both have 8 points.
Jade, who held the title of the strongest in the Seven Sword Sect for a long time, was the strongest in the human realm until the appearance of the Escape Ninja Shinobin.
His strength was such that even if three other Seven Sword Sect members of a similar level launched a joint attack, they would still be evenly matched.
The Escape Ninja Shinobin represents my current state.
From Noble mtl dot com
Due to that wench Monica, who completely stole the Observer’s power from me, my combat power has fallen to the level before I fought the Shogun of Despair.
Although I can still use the Orbital Bombardment technique once, my overall abilities and mana have greatly diminished, so I measured it as 8 points.
Well, even in this world where the 9 and 10 points have disappeared, I can still be considered one of the strongest.
7 points are for the Sword of Justice Agatha, the Sword of Absolution James, the Queen Bee, and the Sword of Ruin.
They can be considered top-tier fighters who can represent a country.
It’s a level where two Seven Sword Sect (Battle Power Measuring Device) class experts need to team up to win.
I haven’t fought against the Sword of Ruin, but considering that I faced the Phantom Sword, Orpheus, and the useless scrap metal robot Trivo all at once, I think 7 points is a fair assessment.
6 points are for the Full Gear Mode Orpheus, the Sword of Joy, the Sword of Strength, the Sword of Ruin, the Mercenary King Beatrice, and Veldegard.
As there are many Seven Sword Sect members here, you can consider them as top-tier fighters of the Seven Sword Sect class.
Among them, the strongest is Orpheus, who wears the equipment of the ancient hero in a full set.
If Orpheus, who is still growing, becomes even stronger, he may aim for 7 points.
I haven’t fought against Veldegard and Beatrice directly, but based on Orpheus’ words and my own judgment, I placed them in this level.
From now on, I’ll make it simple for you assholes and explain it briefly.
The 5 points go to Delvanas and Delamion. They are slightly below the Seven Swordmasters. Think of them as belonging to an ordinary knight order.
The 4 points go to Kakashi and the bald instructor, Sagal’s Tailed Ninja Master, and Irene. You can consider them to be at the level of a knight commander.
The 3 points go to average knights, 2 points go to skilled warriors, and 1 point is for regular soldiers.
Anyway, Maximus was roughly a 4, which is the same as or lower than Kakashi.
Being a 4 is not objectively weak. However, the fact that he is in his 40s bothered me.
In his 40s, it’s the age where all the potential and abilities as a warrior shine, assuming he has consistently focused on improving his combat abilities.
It’s the time when one becomes the most experienced and complete. But Maximus could only achieve a 4 at this stage.
It’s not the level of a potential runaway ninja candidate. This is a disqualification.
The problem is that I have to explain this runaway ninja ranking chart to Maximus in a simple way…
“Robin?”
Maximus sends a puzzled look. He has been lost in thought.
Orpheus, who released the illusion and approached, taps my shoulder with her fingertips.
Seems like she has judged that it’s not dangerous to listen to the conversation.
Maximus, who was startled by her sudden appearance, also relaxes his guard as if he knows her.
“I understand. You’re thinking about the runaway ninja ranking chart that I wrote down in your notebook, right?”
I stiffen like Maximus at the bombshell statement that comes out of Orpheus’ mouth.
“No, what are you talking about? No way.”
Why did this guy become so quick-witted?
“But why is it a ranking chart, but the ranking is indicated by points?”
“I don’t know, man.”
Was it true that when you become a couple, you can read each other’s minds?
“Well, because your combat power is only a measly 4 points.”
Anyway, since Orpheus had already revealed his true feelings, I had to give a reason other than that.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I spoke.
“-Because there can only be one runaway ninja in each era.”
Well, what I just said wasn’t entirely wrong.
A runaway ninja is a candidate given to the man who has reached the pinnacle of ninja skills, the best man on Earth.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a man, but on Earth, men were physically stronger, so they were called that.
Whether he defeats me or the one I acknowledge, only that person can become the runaway ninja of the next era.
“…It was like a one-on-one martial arts battle. Well, I am too old for that…”
Maximus muttered in disappointment.
“If it were a ninja, it would be different, but not for a runaway ninja.”
Just when I was about to offer some comfort and send him away.
“A…ninja? Did you say I can become a ninja?”
“Hmm?”
A ninja. Not a runaway ninja, just a ninja.
The ninja soul in my heart, which had been asleep, stirred at that word.
How many ninjas are there in this world now? Is there a ninja village?
No. Since the only ninja village, Sagal, was a corrupt ninja organization, I killed them all.
That means I, as the strongest ninja who directly destroyed the ninja village, have the obligation to rebuild the ninja village.
“Ninja Village.”
Yes. Let’s make the Ninja Village great again.
Nothing is impossible.
“Maximus, you can become a ninja.”
This friend’s race is black, and not only is he politically correct in terms of skin color, but he also has an advantage in hiding and ambushing.
“R-really? But what’s the difference between a ninja and a runaway ninja?”
“I’ll explain that later, but for now, if you want to become a ninja, you have to pass a test.”
“A test?”
Yes. It’s a test that all ninja candidates have to take. If you pass that test, you can become a ninja too.”
“A test… I see.”
In order to gather talented individuals from around the world, we need to create a promotional pamphlet.
“For now, stay at a nearby inn. I’ll announce it again.”
“Understood!”
Should I copy and use the recruitment advertisement for the White Dolphin?
If possible, I would like to create it myself.