43 – Ninin #2
The Kurotsuki clan ninjas retreated in an instant. I don’t know which country’s culture involves throwing smoke bombs in someone else’s business and disappearing.
Anyway, the innkeeper was responsible for cleaning up the mess.
“These insane b*tches… Why the hell did they do this…”
The old lady came with a broom and a mop, and started cleaning the floor.
Fubuki just watched. She seemed shameless, as if it wasn’t her fault.
“Should I call you Fubuki noona?”
“Just call me by a comfortable title.”
There was a slight difference in the way the old lady looked at me and the way she looked at Fubuki. I could sense a liking in her gaze, excluding any possibility of self-consciousness.
Even the most oblivious person would have noticed Fubuki’s obvious affection from her eyes.
“…Sit down for now. Don’t just stand there like that…”
From Noble mtl dot com
I made Fubuki sit down. It was too burdensome to have her standing by my side as if she were my bodyguard.
Fubuki obediently followed my orders. When I told her to sit, she sat, and when I told her to speak, she spoke.
“If I tell you to leave because I don’t need any compensation, you won’t go, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Seeing her confidently speak, it seemed foolish to chase her away.
“Since the mission from the Kurotsuki clan is the top priority, you must complete it at all costs.”
“You want to find out about the compensation from me?”
“Yes.”
“…Then let me talk about the compensation. Please return immediately.”
Through this brief incident, I got a rough idea of the atmosphere within the Kurotsuki family. I already knew that I wasn’t dealing with a ninja who would obediently return just because I demanded compensation.
As expected.
“I can’t do that.”
Fubuki didn’t follow my words. She started stretching her Alpano Mind.
“The honor of the Kurotsuki family is extremely important. I have a duty to find compensation that befits the honor of the family and the young lady’s life.”
“….”
“And if we casually repay our benefactor and move on, other families will mock us. That would be a stain on the family’s honor. I absolutely cannot just step back.”
It was a resolute determination that made my mind hazy.
“Calm down.”
The situation had already unfolded. I had to think about how to utilize this, starting from that.
I glanced at Suu.
“I don’t see any hostility, judging by the way they’re not acting aggressively… Fubuki and the Kurotsuki family don’t seem like bad people.”
I stared intently at Fubuki’s face. Black hair, crimson eyes.
Fubuki met my gaze without avoiding it.
Feeling a sense of embarrassment for no reason, I lowered my eyes. Then, I lifted my head again, trying to escape the suffocating pressure in my chest.
“Is there a watermelon hidden in your clothes? Can you really act like a ninja?”
Once I realized it, my gaze kept wandering. I forcefully shook my head to shake off those impure thoughts.
“…I’m an explorer. You know that, right?”
“I know.”
“…I’m thinking of going down into the labyrinth….”
Soo glanced at Hoo-buki again. Hoo-buki responded with her usual determined attitude.
“I will complete any command without fail.”
“…You don’t need to show such a resolute determination.”
Hoo-buki, who was swallowed up by the Kurotsuki family, handled her as if she were a pawn. There was ultimately only one way to use her.
Taking her to the labyrinth.
“Even if you’re a ninja, all you need is the skill.”
Occupation or class was simply a way to express each role group in an understandable manner. It was closer to a proper noun that referred to a collection of various roles.
If you find the way in the labyrinth, you’re a guide. If you help the party progress and deactivate traps at the front, you’re a scout. If you ambush and kill enemies, you’re an assassin, and so on.
Various missions arise as needed, and those who can handle them appropriately are called thieves.
What if Hoo-buki acquires the “Exploration” skill? She can play the role of a guide, so a thief.
What if she acquires skills like “Detection” or “Trap Disarmament”? She can also play the role of a scout, so that too is a thief.
“Have you registered as an adventurer?”
“No, I haven’t.”
They say Sakura is the only one among the Kurotsuki family’s ninjas who has gone down into the labyrinth. It seemed like she had no choice but to work as an adventurer in order to continue the lineage.
“Well then, let’s go.”
They headed to the city hall with Hoo-buki. I had gained some experience myself, so I became a senior who could also help with adventurer registration.
“It feels somewhat heartwarming.”
It feels like just the other day when I pretended not to be scared and followed the recruitment officer obediently.
The employee from the Personnel Management Department glanced at me. With a friendly smile, they spoke in a gentle voice.
“Explorer registration can also be done at the branches in each district. Please use that option from now on.”
“Oh, really…?”
“Only male explorers are registered directly at the City Hall. If you have the qualifications, you can register through conscription. Female explorers can register at the branches as well.”
“……”
I acted all cool pretending to be a senior explorer, but ended up being embarrassed. How frustrating.
“Raise your hand, please.”
With the help of the employee from the City Hall’s Personnel Management Department, I completed Hubuki’s explorer registration. Hubuki also received the mark of the “Divine Protection of the Incarnate God”.
Hubuki adapted quickly. There was a natural difference between confirming the information they already knew and accepting and understanding new information.
I returned to the inn with Hubuki. And I received a report on the skills they possessed.
“…Wow. Is it really that much?”
Hubuki had all the skills necessary for a thief. Now that I think about it, they were the basic qualities that a ninja should have.
“Sensing and tracking enemies. Analyzing and destroying traps. Assassination is a must for a ninja….”
Their level was also high. They had just registered as an explorer, but they were already level 3.
That means they have the ability to easily kill an orc.
“I feel secure!”
I had been wracking my brain because of the rampant discrimination against demi-humans in the Labyrinth City. When I parted ways with Lauren, I was worried about where I could find a thief explorer. But now, after doing a good deed, I gained an incredibly skilled thief companion. From tomorrow, I would have time to search for the rare species of non-discriminatory thief explorers.
I could save time and rest.
“Suddenly wanting to hug me?”
It’s not because I want to feel the generous embrace of a ninja sister.
It’s because we’ve truly become comrades. I just thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to embrace each other in a ceremonial way as a gesture of goodwill.
“We’ll do well from now on.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The innkeeper, who had been staring at us from behind the counter, spoke.
“Is the ninja lady staying here too?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh, really? Then you’ll have to pay.”
The innkeeper jingled and shook a room key, demanding money. If anyone saw her, they would think she was a backstreet thug, not an innkeeper.
Me, Sudo, and the innkeeper. We’re all waiting for Hufuki to pay the bill. Like a woman on a blind date waiting for the man to reach for his wallet.
I glanced at Hufuki.
Hufuki, who was cautiously watching the situation. And then, hesitantly, she spoke.
“…I don’t have any money.”
“……”
We’re done for!
* * *
“There’s no need to get another room.”
Should I pay instead? As I was contemplating, Sudo stepped forward.
“After all, there are two beds in the room.”
“Since there are two, I should borrow one more.”
“No, it’s okay. I can sleep with Rei.”
Suu gave up his bed to Hifumi, as if he was being considerate.
“You can use the empty bed, Ninja.”
“Is it really okay?”
Hifumi asked for my permission. The final decision was up to me.
“It’s better to save.”
After all, we had worked hard to earn money in the labyrinth. There was no need to spend double the amount by renting another room.
That would be wasting money.
“Yes, that’s not a bad idea.”
“Yay.”
Suu celebrated with joy, while the innkeeper looked upset. With a single word, the atmosphere changed.
“Hmph.”
We went up to the room as planned. Today was a time to rest and wash up after returning from the labyrinth.
Suu’s footsteps up the stairs were light. He seemed very happy.
I lay down on the bed. Whether it was because I had made up my mind to sleep or not, my eyelids felt incredibly heavy.
I looked up at Hifumi, who was standing still, and said,
“Hifumi, you can sleep too.”
“I’m fine. I will stand guard to ensure Master can have a safe sleep.”
“…But you’re going to keep calling me Master? It’s a bit strange. Just call me by my name.”
“How can I possibly express my gratitude for your presence?”
“No matter what, it’s a bit awkward, isn’t it?”
“Now that I am in your service, my lord…”
“It’s better to call me ‘Master’.”
“Then, young master… may I address you as Lord Ray?”
“……”
That feels a bit strange, but it’s better than ‘Master’.
I nodded my head, granting permission.
“Understood. Lord Ray.”
“……”
Now I must sleep. With that thought in mind, I lay down.
“Young master Ray, I have a question.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you choose to sleep in the same bed when there is an empty one next to it?”
“……”
I turned my head to look at Suwoo lying next to me. He confidently occupied the space, and I thought it was only natural for Suwoo to be there.
“Now, this is my place.”
Suwoo, who said that, hugged me tightly. It seemed like he had no intention of moving to the empty bed.
I could feel the determination in his tightly locked arms.
Some might ask if I’m uncomfortable with this, but I liked it.
Is it necessary to have someone by your side in order to fall into a deep sleep? It feels like being protected and embraced.
“I’m fine.”
In response to Houbuki’s question, I answered that it didn’t matter and gently closed my eyes.