“Therefore, I want you
to tell me if you have
the capability to
protect it. If you can't
protect it, I suggest
that you destroy it
now.”
"............"
Shin was thinking. With
this letter of
introduction, there
would be advantages
and disadvantages.
As for the advantages,
it would become easier
for him to cross the
countries. And he could
obtain trust from the
country easily.
However, the
disadvantage would be
the danger from
getting targeted of
certain individuals or
organizations.
At least, the
advantages were
indispensable for Shin.
At the time of
explanation of the guild
by Cilica, he heard that
entry to every country
would become relatively
easy if he had a guild
card.
However, he considered
that there was a
difference in a moment
of peril, and that there
should be one that
could strongly
guarantee his identity
in the case of an
emergency.
There was also a
demerit, as he was
already known to the
guards when he came
to the town, and also to
the people who were
lining up at the
southern gate. Besides,
he was already known
to the guild. He didn't
know the extent of
protection of
confidential information
here, even if it was
already exposed.
Rather, it would be
better if he acted just
like normal.
(I will put it in the
『Important Things』
zone in my 'Item Box'
just in case, and avoid
taking it out
generously.)
From Tiera's story, only
a few people have an
'Item Box'. In the
『Important Things』,
even members of
'Rokuten' could not
remove items he
placed inside.
Although he didn't have
any way to confirm it.
“I can protect it.”
He concluded after
thinking about it for a
while.
“Is that your decision?”
"Sí."
“You won't regret this,
will you?”
“Of course I won't.
Though I know that if I
make mistakes, it will
be bad for me and the
store. If I was
entrusted with this
important thing, then,
I'll make sure to fulfill
that trust.”
Shin said confidently.
After all, he had decided
on the answer before
he thought about the
issue of advantages or
disadvantages.
Some might think that
what Shin was doing
was reckless and
dangerous, but
unfortunately, Shin's
life was targeted a lot.
Shin obtained
experiences that could
deal with assassination
and surprise attacks
from surviving one
year in THE NEW GATE,
which had turned into a
death game.
Even though his true
intention was that he
didn't want to destroy
the letter.
“Whew, well said. As
expected from
someone who holds the
letter of introduction.”
“Though it was a bit
exaggerated.”
“Too much modesty is
not good. Once you
hesitate, you will lose in
life.”
"Qué significa eso?"
That was the guild
master's view, it
seemed. That person
be made light of.
“Hmm, how high is your
level? I had to
overcome numerous
battles myself, until I
almost reached the
limit, yet I still can't
declare what you just
did. I can understand
that you are
considerably strong.”
Indeed, he was a
former S rank. He
seemed to possess the
ability to see through
other's capability, even
if he didn't have the
skills.
“…must I answer it?”
“I'm sorry, but the guild
needs to have a grasp
on the level of an
adventurer. Just the
range of your level is
sufficient. I cannot
allow low-level
adventurers to do
dangerous requests.”
It appeared that Barlux
said that not just out
of curiosity.
He might need to
confirm it, not only as a
person, but also for the
guild, as the
expectation of ability
correlates to some
degree if the level was
known.
"Entiendo. My level is
more than 150.”
"Hmm. Shin-kun, as I
said just now, modesty
is prohibited.”
Barlux raised one
eyebrow after hearing
Shin's level. As expected
from the guild master,
he seemed to know if
the level was too low.
“Is it not good
enough?”
“It is not good, the level
you said just now is far
lower than your original
level.”
Even though he didn't
want to say it smoothly
because he heard the
No. 2 was level 158, he
was unable to deceive
him.
“So you can tell it
without using【Analysis
《Analyze》】”
“I've seen many
adventurers as a guild
master.”
“There's no helping it,
huh. My level is more
than 200.”
Still, Shin didn't want to
admit his true level. He
just added 50 levels to
what he declared
earlier.
"¡Ah!"
"Increíble ..."
Barlux visibly showed an
impressed smile as Shin
told him his level again.
Celica, who stood near
the wall, unintentionally
voiced her amazement.
“Is it something to be
surprised about?”
Shin knew that Barlux
was also above level
200, so that should not
have surprised him.
“Although it was
written in the
document, you are 21
years old, correct?”
"Sí."
“It's not very often you
meet a person who
surpasses level 200 in
the youth like you. I
wonder if you and this
country's no. 1 can
fight evenly.”
Although level 150
seemed to be too low,
200 in contrast,
seemed too high.
“What is the current
no. 1 person's level?”
“It's 230. She is the
second princess of this
country.”
“Are you serious?”
A strong princess!!! Shin
wanted to retort.
(The princess is
stronger than the
captain of the elite
forces…)
Because Barlux said the
No. 1 of the country, he
thought it might be the
king or prince, or even
a royal guard, but
never a second
princess.
“Isn't there too much
of a level difference
with the knights? I
heard from Tiera that
the captain of the elite
forces is level 158.”
“Captain of elite
forces? Ah, you mean
the leader of the
knights? His level rose
to 188 now. Maybe Tiera
hasn't heard about it
since she is in the store
all the time.”
“Still, the princess is
No. 1…”
“It is because the
second princess is in
the fighter faction.
Besides, she is quite
popular and often
makes an appearance
in the town.”
“Is it safe for a royal
family member to
come into town?”
“The levels of the
hooligans around there
can't even be
compared to her level.”
It seemed that the
strongest in the
kingdom wasn't just
for show. The Horn
Dragon that went out
with Tiera's story would
had been killed if she
fought it.
“Well then, Shin-kun.
Actually, there is one
more thing I want to
confirm, if it is okay
with you?”
“…It will depend on the
subject”
Shin had an unpleasant
foreboding about this.
“It's simple. I want you
to have a match with
me.”
“I'm sorry, may I return
now?”
“Unfortunately, you
can't.”
“I can't?”
“It's regrettable, but
you don't have the right
to deny my request.”
Barlux told him plain and
simple. He probably
wanted to see Shin's
capability . He knew
that it wasn't
necessary to be
capable, even if Shin
was a high level person.
“Somehow, my
foreboding feeling
came true.”
"Lo siento mucho. I
want to confirm it for
the guild personally. No,
I have to see it for
myself.”
Shin frowned as his
premonition came true.
Because of the glances
he received at
receptionist desk, he
only felt a combative
intention from Barlux's
eyes.
But somehow, he
ignored Barlux's
intention. Though Shin
also wanted to see the
capability of a former S
rank adventurer.
“…Yes, sir. I can
understand that you
won't have a peace of
mind if you don't
confirm my capability.”
When it was made
public that Shin
possessed a letter of
introduction, Shin had
to show that he had
the capabilities to
protect it.
“Where will we fight?”
“There is a training
room that only guild
members can use.
That's where we're
gonna fight. Do you
need time to get
ready?”
“No, I'm ready
anytime.”
“Well then, let's go
there immediately.”
He arrived at a room
about the same size as
the one earlier after
following Barlux. There
was no furniture in the
room, only a crystal
about the size of a
soccer ball, floating in
the center of the room.
It resembled the
transition point Shin
often saw during the
game.
“There is a training
area in the basement.
We can go there from
this transition point.”
Apparently, the
transition point seemed
intact. It could be used
by touching the crystal
and saying the location.
Subsequently, they
arrived in a place that
had a considerable area
like a Colosseum. It had
a resting place, a
training area inside the
plaza, and an audience
seating, except there
were currently no
adventurers around.
“There is no one here,
is it always like this?”
“No, this is the second
training area that is
used for a special case
like this. Common
adventurers are
training in first training
area. Outsider can't
enter here without
permission.”
“Is that so…”
It appeared that Shin
didn't have to worry
about his surroundings.
It was a great help,
since Shin didn't want
to stand out.
“Then, shall we begin?”
As he said that, Barlux's
whole body was
wrapped with blue light.
The light disappeared
after one second, and
Barlux was equipped
with light blue armor
and gauntlets. The light
blue armor appeared to
be much thinner the a
common light armor, it
seemed to emphasize
the easiness of
movement. On the
contrary, the gauntlets
were heavy blue armor,
that covered the
fingers to the elbows.
It seemed that the
equipment items for
the arm showed a glove
of Japanese style, the
displayed gauntlet was
of Western style. It
might not be a
significant difference,
but there were slight
additional bonuses for
glove to AGI and
gauntlet to VIT. The
purpose of Barlux in
wearing gauntlets
might be to
compensate for the
thin armor.
According to 【Analysis
《Analyze》】, Barlux's
job was, not
surprisingly, a
fistfighting warrior.
Shin was more
surprised by the
sudden equip of the
armor and gauntlets,
like a transformation
hero.
In THE NEW GATE, the
armor and gauntlets
were equipped in the
same way, too. The
light formed and
materialized after that.
The reason was so it
could perfectly fit into
the avatar's physique.
Hence, this is why Shin
had been avoiding
wearing armor like
Barlux, because it was
flashy.
“…(There was such an
item, huh?)”
“What the matter?”
“No, nothing.”
He had nothing to say
about Barlux's
equipment scene, as it
was a common scene
anyway.
Shin didn't have
anything particularly to
be equipped. To some
extent, he wouldn't use
weapons since he
understood the power
of his opponent to
some degree.
“Then, here I go!!”
In an instant, Barlux's
figure became blurry.
Though the distances
between the two of
them was about 10
mels, he closed up to 5
mels in a blink and
charged towards Shin.
“Those equipments are
good and fast.”
If Shin had been without
the bonus speed he
obtained from Human
transmigration, he
would lose against the
equipments' speed.
“Whew!!”
“Whew!”
The sound of wind
cutting could be heard
as they unleashed their
fists towards each
other. Barlux's
equipment was
confirmed.
Light armor 【Light Blue
Crystal Armor】 and
gauntlet【Blue Fang
Gauntlet】, Shin
thought. It was
definitely not a
mistake, as Shin had
sold both of them in
the store before.
“Those are good
equipments.”
“I had a hard time…
obtaining…and put it on
as it is…!”
Barlux said, while
frowning, as he
unleashed his fists to
Shin, but Shin eluded
them.
【Light Blue Crystal
Armor】 was a rare
armor with high AGI.
And the 【Blue Fang
Gauntlet】 was a special
unique weapon with high
offensive power. It was
made from the raw
material of a unique
monster of Lv. 600
named Blue Mitt Hound.
【Blue Fang Gauntlet】
was often equipped by
high level players that
used bare hands
martial arts.
“As expected, to be
able to fend off my
attacks easily.”
Barlux momentarily
stopped his vigorous
attack and distanced
himself from Shin. He
was talking while smiling
wryly, but his eyes
remained sharp to
ascertain Shin's next
move.
Whereas, Shin didn't
actively attack the
distanced Barlux,
because he was wary
about the ability of the
gauntlet.
Besides high offensive
power, its other ability
was【When defending
an attack using the
gauntlet, the attacker
receives 1/10 of his
attack damage】. But
there was a limitation in
the gauntlet, it would
only execute this ability
if the wearer's STR was
higher than 100 or
more than the
opponent's.
Shin was watching the
【Blue Fang Gauntlet】
and noticed the effect
wasn't activated.
(I might know his
equipment better than
he does. As both of our
levels are more than
200, added with some
bonuses, the STR didn't
reach the 100
difference. Besides,
prying about it is
troublesome. I want to
end it in one shot.)
Shin was not in the
mood to respond to the
guild master's talks.
“What are you thinking
about?”
“I'm thinking how to
attack, since you are
strong.”
“Fuh, just from the
fighting just now, you
seem to know my
equipment already. Only
a few people who know
about it still remain.”
“Well, what to do.”
While they were
exchanging banter, Shin
was thinking what to do
next.
What he understood
from the earlier fight,
was that Barlux was a
bare handed type.
Although his range of
attack was short,
Barlux's bare handed
style excelled in attack
speed, and the attack
speed would rise with
the effect from 【Light
Blue Crystal Armor】.
Therefore making it
more difficult to defeat
him.
(That gauntlet is
troublesome…should I
give it a try?)
He checked his skills
and took a stance.
Barlux reacted to his
movement, but Shin
stepped forward
quicker.
Shin left an afterimage
after dashing towards
Barlux. His steps
shattered the soil as
Shin jumped onto the
air.
“Shuss!!”
In one breath, the
distance of his right
hand reached the
target. Because it was
an attack without a
feint, Barlux reflexively
defended with his
gauntlet.
(He's taking it!)
Shin began with
conviction.
On the verge of his fist
hitting the gauntlet,
Shin changed the
direction of his
momentum and
executed a sweep kick*
with his left leg. (TL
note: Google sweep
kick)
“Guh!”
Though Barlux tried to
reduce the damage by
moving to the left, his
reaction was delayed
by Shin's fist.
As a result, Barlux flew
into the air.
【Blue Fang Gauntlet】
effects didn't activate,
because Shin didn't hit
it directly, so he didn't
have to worry about his
damage being
reflected.
Shin gripped Barlux's
gauntlet, which was
defenseless now, and
used the martial art
skill 【Willow Throw】.
【Willow Throw】 was a
technique of super low
damage for capturing
monster. So Shin didn't
have to worry about
Barlux receiving fatal
wounds. He used the
skill without any
hesitation.
The body of Barlux was
thrown in the air and
slammed onto the
ground almost
instantly. And then, Shin
locked Barlux's joint so
he could not move.
“Phew. For now let us
stop this, shall we?”
After confirming that
Barlux couldn't move,
Shin asked. The match
would not end quickly if
they had the same
stats.
“No way, to be easily
suppressed like this.
Though, I wonder about
the last technique you
used?”
“That's a secret. It's
not a good idea to
reveal too much of
one's ability.”
“Hahaha, that is
certainly right. It's my
defeat. You have shown
me your abilities. And I
don't need to be
worried anymore.”
Barlux stood up and
extended his right hand
to Shin.
"?"
“The handshake earlier
was as a guild master.
And this handshake is
for the people who are
recognized by 'Tsuki no
Hokora'.”
“I see.”
Shin nodded and
returned his
handshake. Although it
should be the same
hand, Shin felt
somewhat different.
“If there is anything
you want, let me know,
and the guild will try to
cooperate to a certain
extent.”
“Is this okay? To favor
an individual?”
"No hay problema. It is a
cooperation, so even a
rank G adventurer is
still a member of the
guild.”
Be it one individual or a
guild, Barlux didn't seem
to have any trouble
lending power
personally.
Returning into the room
with the transition
point, Celica who
waited, welcomed the
two of them by giving
them potions.
Shin tried to refuse at
first because he was
unhurt, but decided to
get it as Barlux insisted
he take it.
“I hope for your
success as an
adventurer. Well then,
see you again.”
After separating from
Barlux, Shin walked to
the passage to return
to the guild hall with
Celica.
“How was the match
with Barlux-sama?”
“It was tough. I pray
that there will be no
second match.”
Because they were
walking silently, Celica
brought up the match
with Barlux as the topic.
He was a little anxious
because the match
ended quicker than the
desired time.
“Because it's not that
often that one is able
to fight with a guild
master, it should be
okay.”
“I have a feeling that I
will be invited the next
time as a practice
partner…”
Shin sighed, as he
promised not to repeat
the situation where he
would fight with a guild
master in the future.
While walking with
Celica, a warrior with a
level about 200 passed
by them.
High level adventurers
often wore an
intimidating
atmosphere, different
from a commoner's.
Even for Celica, who,
because of her job, had
met a lot of them, she
still unconsciously
would get tense.
However, no such
presence could be felt
from Shin. Rather,
Celica felt something
like a sense of security.
(A mysterious
person…)
Celica was thinking
about such things as
the two of them
arrived at the hall.
“Thank you for your
hard work. Please take
your time, since you
can get the guild card
anytime after
tomorrow.”
“I will do that. Ah, could
you recommend me to
a good inn? I just
arrived today, so I don't
know the area well.”
Shin asked while
lowering his head a
little. He felt ashamed
because he couldn't
differentiate between
the good or bad inns in
the area. But he didn't
want to stay in the
poor quality inns from
day one.
“There is a good inn in
the residence district
named Bear Point
Pavilion. I think you will
like it, because the
meals are delicious.
With the guild on your
right hand side, go
straight down the
street, until you see a
signboard with a bear's
paw painted on it.”
"Entiendo. Bear Point
Pavilion it is.. Thank you
very much.”
Though Shin had a slight
uneasiness about the
word 'Bear', he believed
that it would be all
right, because Celica
recommended it to him.
After expressing his
gratitude to Celica, he
exited the guild's
building.
Then, Shin began to
walk leisurely towards
the inn.