Chapter 210

—Crackle, crackle, crackle!

From somewhere, we saw him walk out of the warehouse. Hard work, Negira, and enthusiastic applause.

Even Uranus, who had shown no signs of wavering during the battle, groaned at this:

"Hey, stop it, this kind of thing...

Is it a matter of course for you to do such things here?"

Humble once again. Uranus, who should have been a solo player, managed to keep us safe while running around without wasting any effort; this was nothing but the height of his own skills. Hmm, I guess this is an action, since I have cleared the Phantom Thief Incident many times.

A sullen yet somewhat happy Uranus handed us a Binder. Inside the opened pages were two cards.

"638: Phantom Thief Card"

C-Rank Card, limit 50

The mysterious phantom thief who plagued Antokiba.

"1414: Eclipse Magic Sword"

C-Rank Card, limit 31

A pitch-black Dagger known as the Black Blade.

The Black Blade increases its sharpness by stealing the power of its owner and its enemies.

Whew... maybe this is an interesting item. Ah, the phantom thief is fine. I don't care.

"What is the identity of the Phantom Thief?"

Seem asked innocently, making me shudder.

"Now?"

Poor Uranus. Yeah... if I asked people in town about the "Phantom Thief," I might find something, but honestly, I don't like it.

"Are you going to sell this?"

Meleoron pointed at the Magic Sword card and asked. Are you interested in confirming it?

"Hmm... actually, I'm lost."

Uranus said so. But this is a strangely designed knife... at least it doesn't look like it was made for self-defense. Specialized for killing—hmm?

As I pondered, Uranus turned his gaze toward me.

"Aisha, do you remember the shape of this kind of knife?"

When you ask me like that, is it really that?

"—A Bennydoron knife, hmm?"

"I think so too.

Well, there are countless imitated designs, but it's clearly not like this one."

"What is that Bennydoron knife?"

An interested Meleoron. I am curious, but it is not a very pleasant story...

"A knife made by an old blacksmith.

... It is a masterpiece, but it has a bit of a history."

"How so?"

Uranus looked at my expression with a troubled look. It was hard to talk about.

"It's not a very pleasant story."

"Ugh, you say things like that, and it's troublesome. So what is it?"

I sighed. I told Uranus with my eyes, "I love you." After he moistened his lips with his delicate face,

"Well, you'll understand when you see it, but...

This knife, no matter how you look at it, isn't for cutting things; it's for killing people, isn't it? The Bennydoron who hit the knife that became the model was a mass murderer. Apparently, when he killed people, he repeatedly made a knife to commemorate it.

—That is 288."

Meleoron and Seem looked repulsed. Look, don't tell me.

"Isn't that amazing?

That is why the performance of the knife is certified. I mean, isn't it interesting?"

"... What happened to that guy?"

Meleoron listened anxiously.

"I ended up getting caught. That was over 100 years ago.

It's an old story, so it's treated as a legend. It seems all 288 were numbered."

Uranus shrugged in surprise. I agree. Whether it's a legend or not, I live in the same era...

"It's fine as a Collection, but it seems like every now and then someone uses it to commit a crime.

I'm surprised a 100-year-old sword can still be put to practical use."

As I spoke while recalling the contents of the newspaper articles about the cases, Uranus nodded.

"Yes...

Bennydoron himself might have been a Nen user. Otherwise, I don't think I could have killed over 288 people without being caught.

So, the shape of this knife. The blade bounces everywhere, right? This is clearly to apply Poison in advance, so that the blade can scratch the opponent just a little bit.

This is the type that Assassins who use Poison prefer to use, not just a Bennydoron knife.

By the way, the middle-model Bennydoron knife seems to be a work from Bennydoron's prime, and depending on the item, it can sell for 10 million."

There you go. That's not the price of a knife, that's just it.

"By the way, what is the price of this card?"

Meleoron asked a stupid question. Uranus made a slightly difficult expression.

"300,000 Jenny."

"... So I am confused. To sell or to use."

"Hmm. I don't know what it is... No, first of all."

"Would you be willing to use Uranus yourself?"

"Not at all. You don't have Aisha, do you?"

"No."

"I think everyone is like that, but of course, I am too."

I have knowledge of the Anti-Weapon Art, but I have no reason to use it. Aisha and I might be more powerful bare-handed.

So if I have to use it, is it Meleoron or Seam?"

Hearing Uranus's words, both of them showed sour expressions. Is this a natural reaction after what I said before?

"The blade itself seems powerful..."

"Have you tried Uranus?"

When I asked, Uranus answered with a troubled look on his face.

"... Let's see. I'm interested in how it works."

"The attack power is indeed high, but the effect is not good."

"There is no need to flinch when dealing with monsters, but if the opponent is a Nen user, the aura in the part that touches the blade will be taken away, and the sharpness will increase, so it may cause fatal damage."

"Before that, if you accidentally stab yourself while holding the blade, you won't be able to laugh. If you are holding it for self-defense, it is still easier to use an ordinary knife."

"I pass."

"If someone told me it might grow moss and get stuck, I wouldn't want to use it."

"Me too."

"I agree."

"If there is no one who can teach you how to wield the blade, it is a living martial art, so I don't recommend it at all."

"Yeah... are you going to sell it?"

Looking a bit disappointed, Uranus closed the Binder. Yeah... it can't be helped.

Return to the client, hand over the "Black-Ghost Thief" card, and receive a 30,000 Jenny reward. Next, sell the "eclipsemagicsword" card at the Trade Shop.

Cash in hand, 357,000 Jenny.

After watching the "10,000J" card stuffed into Uranus's free pocket, he was overjoyed.

"Shinmo"

"Yes, yes, I understand."

Meleoron protested to Uranus again, and since the budget was ready, he decided to find an Inn where they could store their luggage.

We arrived at the recommended Inn that Uranus had used before.

Due to various (controversial) consultations while checking in at the Inn—

A slightly deserted back street a little far from the city entrance. From the second floor of the Inn, one can see the quiet street scene, and I am looking at the scenery through the closed window.

"... Are you okay, Aisha?"

"In the same room as me."

After putting down the luggage, Uranus looked relieved. He sat on one of the two beds, staring at me.

I sat on a chair that creaked,

"When it comes to safety, you have no other choice."

"... I really wanted a quad room, but there wasn't one."

"That's fine."

"The Inn is not big, but usually there are at most two rooms."

Meleoron and they are in a double room next door. I am resting because I will have a strategy meeting in a while, and I will rest first. I earned enough money.

"Are you going to talk to me tonight about the time I was unconscious?"

When I said this with a smile, Uranus showed a timid expression from the bottom of his heart.... I won't tell you that you should stop, because you will want to bully me with that kind of face.

"I know, but..."

"It's not like that."

"You know I'm a man."

"Do you know?"

"Sometimes you say you want to be a woman."

"Ugu."

"No, it's not like that..."

"Yes, yes."

"Body and mind are both men, so what about a man and a woman sleeping in the same room? You say."

"No..."

"Everyone says the same thing, but I don't care."

"That's why it's good."

Uranus looked suspicious.

"What? You seem to have said something."

"Hmm..."

"No, well, you know. Yes..."

My teeth are bad. But think about it.

"Then let me ask, do you prefer double rooms separated by gender?

Me and Meleoron, Uranus and Seam."

"I don't think so."

"I also think that's not good."

Uranus's neck drooped. He seemed to have successfully persuaded him. This is a dignified overnight stay, hyaho.

Honestly, there are many things I want to talk to him about. I cannot reduce my sleep time, but I want to carve out a little time to talk.

"At least...

Aisha and Seam, me and Meleoron—"

I waved my hand to reject Uranus's foolish proposal.

"In that case, wouldn't the balance of power be lopsided? If Seam and I were attacked, we would be in trouble."

First of all, do you want to sleep with that Meleoron?"

"..."

Sorry, I will withdraw completely..."

Uranus covered his face with both hands and shook.... I think I'm in trouble this minute. Just thinking about it makes me tired. Let's raise Meleoron's alert level by one grade. How high is that Harassment skill? As expected, I don't want to sleep in the same room as that pervert.

"Rather than this, you should rest for a while.

You've gone pale again."

"Yes..."

Uranus responded softly and collapsed onto the bed.

"... Are you okay?"

"Yes..."

I feel very bad. I don't know if the battle just now was louder than I imagined. Or

"Uranus.

Do you usually wear 'matte'?"

"..."

Mostly when I'm on a business trip. Now it's 'Extreme'."

The two people next to me are also doing 'Zetsu'. This is also to prevent other players from knowing we are staying here. When I go to participate in the Monthly Tournament, I leave my luggage behind, so I must minimize the risk of it being stolen.

"Are you satisfied with the amount of Aura?"

"That...

No problem. I am recovering little by little."

I stood up, took the chair, and walked toward Uranus. I placed a chair beside him and sat down.

"I'll ask you directly.

──Is it that hard to walk while carrying luggage with 'mata'?"

Uranus just covered his expression and did not answer.

Haha... this looks bad...

"I will carry the luggage today."

"No... you should stop doing that.

I know you can fight well even if you are absolute, but I'm not sure if you can handle sudden situations while carrying luggage, right?

I can see with my own eyes that you have no physical problems...

But from a risk control perspective, I cannot accept this idea."

"..."

Sorry, but you are right... Right now, if someone attacks me, I try to fight back in a weak way, and if I am still carrying luggage, my movements will be greatly hindered. I usually don't do anything, and if the opponent is an amateur, that's fine, but if the opponent is skilled—

"At least, why don't you Exchange luggage with Meleoron?"

My luggage is carried by Meleoron. Since most of it is clothes, it should be lighter than Uranus's luggage.

"Hmm...

However, she doesn't seem to be good at using Aura to strengthen her body.

Even carrying Aisha's luggage, she seemed a bit tired, and I don't want to add any more burden to her."

Ah. Should I reduce the burden? Sorry.... I don't think I can reduce much.

Only after avoiding risks to a certain extent can there be comprehensive training. If I didn't at least secure transportation with a Spell Card, it would be too dangerous. His burden alone is much greater than I assumed beforehand. I have to disperse it a bit more...

There are signs that the two are moving in the next room.

Leave the room and come to this door. Knocking on the door.

"You two.

Shouldn't we hold a strategy meeting soon?"

Meleoron's voice. Look at the wall clock in your room.

It's past 11:00. There are less than two hours left until the Monthly Tournament. Considering the one-hour strategy and meal time, it's time to start moving.

I stood up from the chair and opened the door. I urged the incoming Meleorons to sit on my bed. The two sat side by side.

"..."

Uranus is lying on the bed and won't wake up. I am not sleeping because my eyes are open.

Meleoron smiled gently,

"You are cute when you do that, so just leave it as it is."

Tianwangxing woke up. When sitting on the bed, his complexion was somewhat unsightly.

I shouldn't have said it... I thought so too, so I didn't.

"Alright...

Now let me explain. Unless we win at Rock Paper Scissors, it won't start, so let's practice."

"Tianwangxing, have you participated in a Rock Paper Scissors tournament before?"

When I asked, Tianwangxing shook his head in denial.

"No, I know what it looks like from afar.

The NPCs in the city gathered together and started playing Rock Paper Scissors with over 1,000 people, but if you know how to win, you shouldn't lose to game characters. Because the actual performance is aimed at players.

Even so, I don't want to stand out, so I avoid participating in a certain level of ability; unless I'm unlucky, I think I can reach the finals without any problems."

"Are you going to have four people participate?"

When asked again, Tianwangxing also denied this.

"It depends on the results of Cultivation, but my guess is that two people will participate.

Then the practice began. In the tournament, there is only a one-on-one format—"

--Practicing Rock Paper Scissors--

Uranus and Shim, as well as me and Meleoron, split into two groups to play Rock Paper Scissors. Rock Paper Scissors cannot be underestimated; it is quite interesting. It is because of the premise of having to read the opponent's hand. Personally, I feel like I am doing Kumite with Gon and 'Departure'.

"Is it okay to start?"

"If Seam wants to do it, I can do it, but if the opponent is a player, it might be rejected."

"If it's a game character, will you Jajanken first?"

"It looks like it. If I say so myself.

I haven't verified it either, I just saw it from afar, so I'm not sure."

Jajanken at the start, huh? Maybe when Tianwangxing saw it, it was when Gon was participating. Well, this doesn't mean other players don't do it.

Even so, starting from a while ago.

"... Meleoron"

"What?"

"You are too weak"

"I know!"

Meleoron has three Fingers, so the shape of Rock Paper Scissors is unique. At first, I was confused and couldn't read it, but now that I'm used to it, I can easily read the movements.

--Rock Paper Scissors Practice Two--

We switched pairs; this time it was Meleoron and Uranus, Seam and I were Rock Paper Scissors.

"Ah, not good.

After all, this doesn't suit me."

"My eyes are good, I can hide my hands until just now, but I wonder if I will slowly consider switching to a winning move.

I don't think I'm familiar with it, but honestly, it stinks."

"No way, my Fingers are like this!

If you can't even win once, be careful!"

"No, no, I'm not doing it for fun."

"Ah, I'm angry! I won't play Rock Paper Scissors with Tianwangxing again.

Seam, I'm the opponent."

"Hmm.

It's already the final battle...

I haven't been able to beat Aisha even once..."

"You were beaten too? Damn, these two."

"Even if you say so..."

As expected, Seam's mind is young, and there is no problem looking at his hands. Sorry, I have nothing to lose.

"Hey hey, don't play eight, it's not good to be weak, right?"

"Muki!"

--Rock Paper Scissors Practice Three--

Over time, the moment I switched hands, I lost. It's difficult after all...

"Hmm. If you can't see the Qi, your chances of winning will drop...

If it's pure hand-reading, I can still do something."

"It's just that I can't see the aura, how can I win so much...

Even though I am using the power of my eyes.

Intuition isn't that good, is your raw sensory ability too high?"

Uh... did I really overdo it?

"Well, wouldn't it be better for Tianwangxing to use Absolute?

Even if I say I can't see the Qi, it's not that I can't see it at all."

"No... if you use 'Ren' in the competition, you will be warned.

Assuming production, I am proceeding normally.... Aisha can only use 'Absolute'."

"Excellent..."

────After practicing Rock Paper Scissors.

"Yes.

It has been decided that Aisha and I will participate in the Monthly Tournament."

"What is the point of practicing things like Rock-Paper-Scissors...?

Anyway, I can't participate because I am like this..."

Meleoron muttered discontentedly. I am really weak...

"For this kind of thing, simulating in advance is important."

"I have already practiced properly."

"Big sister is the lowest level, right? Hachi and Nai."

"Honor!"

Because Meleoron is exposed, the hand you extend is one-sided. Losing to Seam is too terrifying. I think I lost too much, lost my cool. I must also train my mental aspect in this regard.

"Alright, let me explain the strategy.

... Don't ask me anything later, come closer."

Uranus beckoned to us, so we moved closer, face to face.

"During the Monthly Tournament, everyone will be separated, so please be careful.

Inevitably, this will be a high-risk strategy.

If you are sure that you are in danger, stop the operation immediately and escape. I will keep an eye on the movements of the surrounding players.

First—"

Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament Results

Uranus vs Cime: Uranus won 59-1 in 60 battles. Aisha vs Meleoron: In 60 battles, Uranus vs Aisha:

Aisha won 58-2. Won 47-33 in 80 matches. Seam vs Meleoron: Won 56-24 in 80 matches. Uranus: Win rate 83% 13%