<purga> shaman 38

The Shaman can't become a Hero
Act 4: Two-Headed Hound
Chapter 38: Harem Leveling
=================

"— Me, Asuna, and Natsukawa-san, the three of us are vanguard. Sakura and Class Rep are in the rear. And Takanashi-san is to stay close to the rearguard, so we have her protected"

We decided our positions in our new 6 member party, and restarted the dungeon capture.

There were a few *accidents* here and there, but we're all set. Takanashi-san's refining bore excellent results, and our dirty clothes were done being washed and mended.

In the first place, the reason for this incident's origin, that is, Takanashi-san's maddened runaway, it was because Class Rep had applied Mimesis Worms on everyone's clothes so that they'd get fixed up. She had thought it to be a benefitial action, but Takanashi-san went and carelessly tried picking up her uniform instead of the prepared gym clothes, where, she ended up touching the object of her fear, the insect, the Mimesis Worm.

A sad tale. Nobody was at fault, with everyone being only a victim, an unfortunate conclusion.

"Really sorry, Yuuto-kun, I never imagined it'd turn out like that"

Apologized Class Rep in her gym clothes in such a nonchalant expression that I felt a bit of anger boiling up. That damn Class Rep, it's because she hadn't had her underwear shown, she's so awfully composed.

tomokaku, ima wa kako no urami yori, me no mae no danjon da.

Anyhow, let's forget grudges of the past, and focus on the dungeon before us.

Our originally stable 4-member party now has the powerful swordsman that is Asuna and, though she can't fight, improving and replenishing gear, along with a bunch of other ways of support, Takanashi-san, make us all the more strong.

"This area looks like it's mainly Skeletons"

It's been an hour since we started walking. And the only Monster we've encountered in that time being Skeletons, I can agree with Sakura's opinion.

Despite practically being the representative of weak Monsters, the ones appearing here had weapons of much better quality, and with their swift and powerful movements, they turned out to be quite powerful enemies. Herded into groups, or rather, I should say platoons, of 5 to 10, they even showed signs of organized movement.

And deserving special attention is the captain of the Skeletons leading the platoon. The troops wore thoroughly blackened (they were likely white before), tattered surcoat, and equipped with iron swords and spears with a tinge of rust on them. However, the Captain Skeleton had on an iron helm, and with body armor, gauntlets, and leg pieces, it came fully shielded. With not a rusted, but with a dull gleam of steel, it held a great halberd, clearly of good quality. To add, it also had a round iron shield, making its defence even higher.

"I don't think a <Slash> can go through all of that"

"Really, it really feels tough with all that armor. Souma, you're lucky you got that <Break>"

"Yeah, it's like a game, Skeletons are more affected by blunt force after all"

When the Boss Goma was swinging around its Demon Sword, sometimes, as if releasing a Battle Art, it made a noticibly powerful strike. Even if that didn't hit you, it made a shockwave so strong that just being nearby made you feel like you'd get blown away. That would be its <Break>.

Since it was using that move, I must have acquired it when I beat it.

"But what's being really useful here, is Sakura's Light-attribute right"

This too was like a game, the Skeleton, a Monster of the variety known as undead, being greatly weakened against the Light attribute, is a fact we've known since the time when it was just me and Sakura.

With a simple <Lux Sagitta>, the Skeletons crumble and turn to ash. The aiming doesn't matter, just gliding against an arm or leg, the arrow of Light causes annihilation.

Maybe from all the experience fighting, Sakura attained some new Skills.


=================
|<Lux Shield>(Shield of Light)|| A low class defense magic of the Light attribute. A shield of brilliant white light guards against evil.|

|<Lux Blast>(Light Cannon)||A low class area-attack magic of the Light attribute. A beam of brilliant white light clenses evil.[Note 1]|
=================
=================
*Note 1:  光盾 — Hikari Tate — <Lux Shield> and 光砲 — Hikari Hoo — <Lux Blast>
=================


In short, a shield and beam of Light.

A shield made with magic, I've already seen this type of defence magic with the Class Rep's <Ice Shield>. Though called aa shield, it isn't one that you take in hand, but basically, it's a wall of around the caster's own size that springs out.

But this size can be adjusted utising mana with expertise, same goes for the strength. Also, it's possible to create it seperated from yourself, thus being able to provide support for the vanguard.

Class Rep and Sakura, our reliable mages can now not only make support fire, but in thougher times, with hard to reach enemies, they can also provide precise defense magic, making fights all the more safe plus smooth.

The other one, <Light Blast>, simply ups our firepower as a party. Class Rep also has this type of area-attack magic, her <Ice Blast>, which she can use to take on enemies within a certain scope all together, so we knew Light Blast's effect right away.

Where Class Rep's brings forth cold air like a blizzard, Sakura unleashes a scorching flash.

The troop of Skeletons finding us and coming with a frontal attack are exterminated all at once with just one of Sakura's <Light Blast's>.

And in the unlikely case that they make it through the preemptive barrage and close in, there's all of us in the vanguard with <Holy Enchant> applied on all out weapons. Faced with our sacred blades, even if slightly strengthened, or coming in groups, Skeletons don't stand a chance.

"—Ah, I just learned a new Skill"

"<Ooooh!> You go Sakura-chan!"

"She's been at it a lot, so the levelups are faster too huh"

Taking a side-glance at the rearguard team happy for Sakura's steady progress, us in the vanguard are looking through the defeated Skeletons.

"<Oh>, lucky me, found a core even though it's a Skeleton"

"We don't have to cut into any bodies, but only break some bones, Skeletons make life soo easy"

I guess it's because they're stronger, even Skeletons are dropping cores. They're located mostly inside the skull, so looking as the red glows leaking from the eyesockets or from between its teeth makes it much easier to know if it has one. The Skeleton Captain is guaranteed to have one, and the troopers also possess one sometimes.

Core collection has been progressing well too. At this rate, we'll have enough to use as energy for the <Divine Gate> to escape from here, plus, a certain amount can be used with Takanashi-san's refining to strengthen ourselves as well.

"Hmm, This guy's halberd seems to be better quality... Let's switch up then"

To add, getting some proper weaponry is great. I don't know how long I can last with just that one sword from that knight. Of course, I need a sub weapon like a knife or short sword, but having another main is never a bad thing.

It's not as well as the sword, but jii-san(grandpa) did teach me how to handle weapons like a spear or naginata. We pretty much had a jack-of-all kind of motto for martial arts.

Of course, I've never used a Western weapon like the halberd that's like an axe tipped spear, but well, as I'm using it now, looks like there's no big problems. It can cut as well as stab, so it'll be convenient in the long run.

"— Yay! Kotori got new Skills too! Thankyou God~!"

Come the third time since entering the Skeleton area that Takanashi-san was using the Fairy Square's fountain to use her weapon repair, she raised joyful cheers.

From all this battling, with Sakura on top, everyone has been smoothly levelling up, but the non combat oriented Takanashi-san being left out and feeling envious is also a fact. Asuna was also saying how Takanashi-san not getting new Skills was making the person herself more and more anxious, and felt worried.

"You did? That's great Kotori. So what are they?"

"*Ehehe*, listen to this—"


=================
|<Standard Refining>|| Carry out standard refinement. In decoding all of creation, it is the first step.|

|<Ancient Language Deciphering: proficient>||Can read the ancient language. Limited to second-class.|
=================


"With this, Kotori can make even more amazing weapons!"

Seems like the newly acquired Skills are the superious version of <Simple Refining> and <Ancient Language Deciphering: basic> respectively. All our weapon refinements and strengthening has been done so far using these two Skills so it's appropriate to say she has improved.

Looking as how excited she is, I think we can expect refining to produce weapons of even higher performance with the same materials as before. One more good news, would be that the failure rate for the refining would be dropping significantly. "It'll be indestructible!" Takanashi-san is boasting.

"That's great, Takanashi-san, I'll be expecting a bit"

"Yep! For Souma-kun, Kotori'll make the best weapon ever, and give it to you!"

"Thanks"

She must be really happy being useful to everyone, her brilliant smile going from ear to ear is a pleasant scene.

"... Nii-san, may I ask what you are doing with that hand?"

"<Ha!> This is, you know"

I somehow ended up stroking her head. I mean, her heads at the perfect spot too. Plus, Takanashi-san doesn't seem to hate it, in fact, she looks so happy like the the pet dog we kept way back when.

"*You know*, what exactly?"

"I'm sorry"

I can't say I wasn't getting full of myself. It's really too bad. As I lift away my hand, Takanashi-san also making a somewhat sullen face must be my imagination.

"— So, Kotori can make stronger weapons with her refining now, so with that in mind, should we try re-working them?"

"Right, let's make base here, and walk around the premises, see if we can find more cores and materials"

*Hmm, hmmm*, concentrates Takanashi-san in an afflicted voice facing the fountain as she focuses on her refining, while the rest of us discuss the plan.

"I agree with Class Rep. Kotori's refining will take a while. It'll be more constructive to get some better materials than simply waiting for her to finish"

"Yep, me too, I have a few things I wanna try out in real fights, practice makes perfect right!"

"Still, we just can't leave Kotori here alone just became we know the Square is safe... So someone should stay. Other than nii-san of course."

"Eh, why just me?"

"I concur"

"Same here"

"No other way about it"

"Heyy! Kotori doesn't agreee!!"

"It's decided. Agreed, nii-san?"

I can't fight the majority. I haven't a clue why only I was forbidden to stay with Takanashi-san, but if they're this adamant, I'll have to yield.

Well, I'd be worried for the others if I stayed back. Maybe Sakura already foresaw that. As expected of this sister of mine, or rather, my thought patterns must be just too simplistic.

"Right, if you're all set, let's head out—"

With that, we spent the next two days with the current Fairy Square as a base, and gave it our all for the so called levelling. The results of which are stated below:


Souma Yuuto・<Hero>

=================
|~Learned Skills~|

|<Hi Step>||Boosts mobility. A single kick birthing afterimages, trampling space itself.|

|<Storm Kick>||A foundation of the Souma-Style Unarmed Combat Arts. A leg that is fast, heavy|

|<Body Buster>||A foundation of the Souma-Style Unarmed Combat Arts. Grab, break, throw.|

|<Impact>||Area damage attack. A devastating blow that spreads around further shock.|
=================


=================
|~Acquired Skills~|

|<Fortify Bones>||Full-body Strengthening. A sturdy skeleton improves power overall.[Note 2]|
=================

=================
*Note 2:  <Hi Step> and <Impact> are as is.
 嵐蹴り — Arashi Keri — Storm Kick
 体崩し — Tai Kuzushi — Body Buster
 活性骨身 — Kassei Honemi — Fortify Bones
=================

That's how it turned out for me. As I was leaping and jumping around with <Hi Walk>, at some point, I realized I could kick into the air too, that is, perform a so-called double jump, and ended up learning <Hi Step>.

Other than that, as I used some of the already ingrained Souma-Style martial arts techniques depending on the situation, following <Righteous Fist>, the two foundations of kicking and throwing were also mixed in with the learned skills.

That and there's <Fortify Bones>. This has to be from fighting Skeletons. Full-body Strengthening may not sound like much, but a boost in physical strenght really comes in handy.

On the other hand, Sakura didn't get any more new Skills. She must've gotten the maximum growth she could with Skeletons. Well, fighting the same enemies over and over makes for great practice with magic, she's had a good deal of practice with the skills she has already learned.


Kisaragi Ryouko・<Class Re>— I mean, <Ice Mage>, yup.

=================
|<Ice Kris Sagitta>(Frost Spear)||Ice-attribute magic of the intermediate level. A large spear of ice pierces the enemy.|

|<Summon Ice Elemental>|| Summons an <Ice Elemental> of beginner level.[Note 3]|
=================

=================
*Note 3:  <Ice Kris Sagitta> is as is. 氷精霊召喚 — Kouri Seirei Shoukan — <Summon Ice Elemental>... Speaking of Ice, I wanted to mention that whenever author writes Ice, he puts アイズ — Aizu — Ice (?), No well, it's definitely Ice, but is it in another language? Please leave a comment if you know!
=================

Class Rep was also mastering her new learned skills at the same speed as Sakura. <Ice Kris Sagitta> can be said to be a superior version of the attack magic she has been using so much all this time; learning it now could be said to be a matter of course.

<Summon Ice Elemental> is a new type of magic for Class Rep too. This summonned Ice Elemental is a blue, glowing, mist-like sphere of around 30 cm in diameter; like a fairy, it has wing-like parts, and whether it's a living creature or a clump of mana, it's certainly a mysterious exiastance. It doesn't speak, and nor does it make any sounds, but moves according to Class Rep's will.

The elemental itself can't attack, or specifically, it can't utilize the Ice mana to freeze anything, but it can go and burst near an enemy's head or near the legs, causing it to stop moving or become confused; it makes for a new kind of support we haven't had before. Though, it's not like we need much help with just Skeletons.


Kenzaki Asuna・<Dualweilder>

=================
|<Bone Cutter>|| Kenzaki-Style Sword Art. Even bones are severed with ease, a capable blade.|

|<Quaking Drill>|| Kenzaki-Style Sword Art. A spin added to the thrust unleashes a shockwave.|

|<Edge Shaver>||Kenzaki-Style Sword Art. When locking blades, cut through and surpass the enemy.|
=================


As Asuna was getting used to fighting Skeletons, *It'd be great if I could just cut the bones too*, she gained a skill matching the thought, and another move that makes a good impact in a bone body. <Bone Cutter> enters from the crown and has the force to cleanly split the spinal cord. Further, <Quaking Drill> grants a tremendous kick to the swung down blade, making bones scatter to bits when hit.

When attempting to take on enemy attacks, she learned the defensive <Edge Shaver>. Normally, Asuna would use her <Sky Hop>, a speed enhancing Battle Art that is like a sister skill to <Hi Step> and <Hi Walk>, and carried out the strategy to always avoid enemy attacks. But  she spent the days training in relative safety to acquire <Edge Shaver>, as thinking of situations where guarding would be essential and preparing for them in advance isn't a demerit at all.[Note 4]
=================
*Note 4:  骨断ち — Hone Tachi — Bone Cutter
 震い穿ち — Furui Ugachi — Quaking Drill
 鎬削り — Kou Kuzuri — Edge Shaver
 空跳ね — Kuu Hane — Sky Hop, this last one, may get proper name by author later, but it's like this for now.
=================

Incidentally, the <Kenzaki-Style Sword Art> tacked on to all the skill descriptions aren't from Asuna's family's style at all. It's unknown whether the God of Dualwielders did it randomly, or that actually the Art of the <Kenzaki-Style> also emerged in this otherworld. Asuna seems to be wishing for the latter case.


Kenzaki Asuna・<Dualweilder>

=================
|<Hi Step>||Boosts mobility. A single kick birthing afterimages, trampling space itself.|

|<Repel>||Repel enemy attacks using weapons or armor.|

|<Dual Slash>|| Two back-to-back Slashes|

|<Shadow Pull>|| Tricks the enemy into seeing a clone for an instant. A form of Illusion Art(genjutsu)|

|<Shadow Cross>||When moving in shadows, sneaking ability rises.|

|<Hide Attack>|| Aiming from right behind, the enemy is struck precisely in the vitals[Note 5]|
=================

=================
*Note 5:  <Hi Step>, <Dual Slash>, <Hide Attack> are as is.
 弾き — Hajiki — Repel, is same as what Futaba-sama had.
 影残し — Kage Nokoshi — Shadow Pull (lit. Shadow Leaving)
 影渡り — Kage Watari — Shadow Cross
=================

Seems like the one who got the most new skills ended up being Natsukawa-san. <Hi Step> is the same as mine, and <Repel> is similar to Asuna's <Edge Shaver>.

<Dual Slash> is a Battle Art borne out of her not succeeding in defeating a Skeleton in one hit, and making do with another. <Shadow Pull> can be used to mislead the enemy and attack in that extra interval, and otherwise it can be useful for evading too. There's this tough restriction of only a moment's cloning, but since Natsukawa-san is so adept in her speed, I'm sure she can pull through.

<Shadow Cross> and <Hide Attack> came about after cases where we noticed the Skeletons while they didn't us, performing a surprise attack as the natural result. Using these two together, Natsukawa-san can take on and one-sidedly annihilate a group of around 5 or so. Her vocation is supposed to be <Thief> but she's practically and <Assassin> at this point.

That Natsukawa-san who never had any martial arts training like me or Asuna is doing so well in our frontlines, I'm reminded of the concept known as talent. Asuna was even edging to recruit her as a student in the Kenzaki-Style once we get back to Japan.

Like that, we were leveling up swimmingly. At this point, I think any one of us could take on a whole platoon of Skeletons no problem.

And then, after sacrificing more than a hundred Skeletons, their cores and equipment underwent our Sage, that is Takanashi-san's processing, and came to be newly made gear for ourselves.

"*Whaff,* I'm finally done with e~veryones things"

*Great work*, we all thank Takanashi-san's efforts, while our upgraded weapons are passed around.

I'll say mine to start off:


=================
|<Paladin's Sword>|| A sword used by a certain paladin. It has an emblem of a red lion engraved on it.|

|<Steel Halberd>|| A halberd forged from superiour steel.|

|<Iron Dagger>|| A general quality dagger.|
=================


Takanashi-san says the weapons' names and descriptions pop into her head right after she's done refining. Is the naming done by the Sage's power or is it a function of the fountain, well, it's fine either way.

Anyway, that knight's sword I had gotten back then was born anew as a <Paladin's Sword> with a much sharper edge; and after feeding in multiple halberds from the Skeleton Captains, we got back one made of steel. We used up a decent amount of cores, so looking at the before-after, there's a wide difference in quality.

I had asked for a throwing knife anticipating cases like with the Boss Dog, which is where the <Iron Dagger> comes in. It says general quality, but in a place where we can only get rusted blades from skeletons, this is a good upgrade in its own right.


=================
|<Oriental Bow of the Saintess>|| A bow used by the Saintess Sakura. It possesses a glint of Light.[Note 6]|
=================

=================
*Note 6:  Changing Saint -> Saintess. It's sexier. Also, oriental bow as in (http://sinwakai.up.n.seesaa.net/sinwakai/07furenhatu/P9020066.JPG)[traditional japanese bows].
=================

"... Saintess Sakura *pfft*"

"W-what is with this embarassing description, hey, Kotori!!"

"*Eeh~!* Not her fault, Kotori's not the one thinking these up kay~!"

Somehow, the description is making out Sakura to be a genuine saintess. Before any vocations, she's supposed to be a normal highschooler, but the text makes it appear that she's been a holy woman since long ago.

That being said, though Takanashi-san's refining didn't change it's outer appearance of a normal archery club bow, there is a clear difference in it's durability. And even if the string breaks, she can quickly fix it with a bit of refining.

"Sorry about your wand Ryouko-chan, looks like Kotori can't really handle magic weapons yet"

The long wand being used by our Ice Mage, Class Rep, is one we plundered from a Skeleton Captain of the Mage class. This class seems to be somewhat rare as we've only encountered 3 during the recent levelling session. Luckily, the 2nd time, it was shooting out clumps of ice magic everywhere, and after defeating it, we got a weapon for Class Rep.

"Right, magic wands may need special attention compared to normal weapons. Perhaps we'll have to wait for the Refining skill to get stronger, or even something like a <Magic Refining> could be needed"

"*Hmm*, Kotori wonders, any clue how she's gonna learn it?"

"For now, just don't tinker around with my want alright? It's my only weapon after all"

"Hey~! Even Kotori knows tha~t!"

Takanashi-san seems to be making a show of fuming in anger, but all of us have already seen how she tried to use the other 2 fire and wind attribute wands and tried to combine them with her refinement, and we saw how it was a great big failure.

Leaving the wand upgrade as an assignment for the future, Asuna and Natsukawa-san's equipment were also processed in due order.


=================
|<Blade of Cleansing>||A blade exorcised of its curse. Now it is not evil, but a holy light that grants it power.|

|<Knight Saber>|| A single-edged blade used by Knights. Thrusting, Slashing, it serves its purpose.|

|<Iron Sword>||A general quality sword.|

|<Iron Shortsword>|||A general quality shortsword.
=================



=================
|<Bandit Knife>||A shiny knife suitable for threats as well as killing. A must-have for robbery and murder alike.|

|<Kill Carver>||A kitchen knife not for cuisine, but thirsting blood, it was reborn to kill.|

|<Iron Shortsword>||A general quality shortsword.|

|<Iron Dagger>||A general quality dagger.[Note 7]|
=================

=================
*Note 7:  清めの太刀 — Kiyome no Tachi — Blade of Cleansing... or purification/exorcism.
 人斬り包丁 — Hitogiri Houchou — Kill Carver (lit. Murder Kitchen-knife)
 バンデッドナイフ — Bandeddo naifu — Bandit Knife, I tried to match it with the description, but should it be Banded Knife?
=================

Those were respectively Asuna and Natsukawa-san's weapons. With the upgrades this time, we've completely gotten rid of any rust in our things, with the description saying <General Quality>. Of course, Asuna's two-sword style and Natsukawa-san's dual-knife mains were made much stronger as well.

"Look at that, this swords glowing even without <Holy Enchant> on it"

"The description did say something to the likes of Sakura's Light fully purifying it"

"Yeah, whatever it is, it's a good sword if nothing else. This <Knight Saber> has a good feel too. With these I think I can really bring out my dualwielding potential"

Appreciating her great quality swords with a satisfied smile, Asuna strokes Takanashi-san's head. Naturally, with not a peep from Sakura. The hell, so it's A-OK when it's a girl?

"Right, so everyone's got their things, you guys want to head out?"

"I'm satisfied with the results, so why not"

"Just come to Kotori once you get new materials, she'll fix you right up!"

"Hey, hey you guys, why do my knives have these ominous descriptions, hey?"

Her eyes slightly damp, Natsukawa-san was questioning the large, bulky, survivalist fashion <Bandit Knife>, and the, though it was once a normal sized kitchen knife, it was now bigger, and more like a sword, the <Kill Carver> held in her hands.

"Hey, Souma-kun! Why do only mine gotta be like this!"

Uwah, you're asking me!? I didn't wanna be involved, and just when I was planning to ignore it and head out... Shit, think think.

"Eh, well it's..."

I peep to my right, Sakura just looks away. Trying left this time, Class Rep, she's supposed to be Natsukawa-san's best friend but, she also averts her eyes. Asuna's looking at me as if expecting me to give a great answer, not a hint of support from there. Finally, the perpetrator who originally caused this mess with her nasty names and descriptions, Takanashi-san wasn't even facing this way.

Guys, give me a break here. So this is that so-called womanly-pact thing huh. Scaaary... Yup, alright then, I'll just have to try something and hope Natsukawa-san doesn't get depressed.

"Well it's cause, uh... you're a Thief, right?"

"I, I'm not a bad Thief alright!! *Fueeen!*"

We spent the next 30 minutes before heading out consoling Natsukawa-san as she'd started crying.