TNZKMA 139

１３９

 

Since the Guards Guild had collapsed, we all sat down on the ground. I took my eyes off for just a moment, and the monster was gone. Where could it have gone? Maybe it’s hiding in the town again? But the Dauntless didn’t think so.

[That’s a pretty powerful monster.]

[Yeah, I think it vanished.]

Was it teleportation? I’d seen something like that on TV a long time ago. When I said that, Saine tilted his head, not understanding. It’s when you move from one place to another instantly. When I demonstrated with hand gestures, the Dauntless burst out laughing.

[As if that’s possible.]

[Yeah, what kind of leg strength would you need?]

[You don’t move with leg power. I don’t know how it works, but you can travel across town in an instant.]

[No way. You either run with your legs or fly with wings, that’s it.]

Apparently, even monsters couldn’t teleport. Then how did the monster disappear in an instant?

[It vanished.]

[Vanished?]

I tilted my head at his words.

[It’s still there, just invisible. That’s the kind of power it has.]

[So, it’s like an invisible man…]

This time, Saine didn’t seem to understand what “invisible man” meant, but that’s essentially what he was describing.

[So, if it’s just invisible, then that monster is still in the town?]

[No, it must’ve left town. It said it had finished its business, after all.]

[Yeah, there’s no trace of it.]

[Trace?]

[The monster’s presence. If a monster is around, its presence mixes with the atmosphere. A monster that powerful would emit a strong presence that you can’t hide in a town this size. But that monster… it was a bit unusual, wasn’t it? Even when it was hiding, I couldn’t sense its presence.]

[Same here. I felt its presence when it was visible, but now there’s nothing. I’ve never seen anything like it. Could it be a monster of darkness?]

[Hard to say. But it’s true that when it vanished, its presence had already become faint, spreading thinly into the air. There’s a possibility it’s hiding again, but I still think it left.]

[I think so too. A monster that strong should be pretty smart. Its business here is done, right? It probably vanished and left. Its movement speed is probably abnormal, too. I don’t think it’s still in the town.]

[Yeah, you’re probably right. If it really was a monster of darkness, it’d make this town its lair. But since it said its business here was done, it’s probably not from around here. It must’ve left.]

The monster had finished its business, turned invisible, and whoosh—vanished from the town. I wonder what that’s like for a monster. Does it take a lot of power to become invisible? And does moving around require just as much power? I mean, I use more energy when I run than when I walk, so I guess it could be the same for a monster. Doing two things that use a lot of energy at once—like the guards were saying—might be proof of how strong this monster was.

As we talked, Olphynn and the priests joined us. Olphynn nodded as we discussed the vanished monster.

[Unusual… yes, it may be. Normally, when a monster touches the barrier, you can clearly feel it. The stronger the monster, the stronger the sensation. But with that monster, it was barely there. You wouldn’t even notice unless you were paying close attention… It was like a very small, weak monster.]

[Did you feel it when that monster left? Could you sense the barrier being broken?]

[Usually, a monster gets caught by the barrier at least once. It’s like getting bounced back by a net, and they try to break through. If the barrier is stronger, they can’t break it. Even if they do break it, it takes time, giving the priest time to intervene. The stronger the monster, the stronger the barrier becomes—that’s how a priest’s barrier works. That’s why small, weak monsters can come and go easily. Even if they get in, the most they can do is steal a bit of food… But this time, it was different. Even though that monster was strong, it barely triggered the barrier. If I hadn’t been on high alert, I wouldn’t have sensed it at all…]

While searching for the hidden monster, they deactivated the barrier in certain areas once they had finished, which made Olphynn’s barrier smaller than before. Apparently, the smaller the barrier, the stronger it becomes. It was now strong enough to catch even small monsters like Kyui.

Olphynn furrowed his brows in frustration.

[You couldn’t help it, Olphynn. You’ve been on the move ever since the monster appeared, and you’ve been maintaining the barrier the whole time… You were just exhausted.]

I don’t understand the power of priests or how hard Olphynn’s job is. Honestly, I’m the one here who’s done the least. The guards fought the monster and got injured. Even those who didn’t were exhausted, like they were at their limit. Only Saine, who joined midway, looked like he had some energy left.

For someone like me who did nothing, saying, You couldn’t help it, was too easy. I knew it wasn’t the right thing to say, but I couldn’t think of anything else, so I awkwardly offered my lame attempt at comfort.

[…You’re right. I’ve spent too much time only training to master my powers as a priest. But I’ve realized that’s not enough. What I need most is stamina. I’ll work on building my strength so my powers don’t weaken from fatigue.]

[Oh, I’ll train you anytime. How about starting with some running?] 

One of the guards offered in response to Olphynn’s determination. Everyone laughed, getting into the playful mood.

[He’s so slow, though. It won’t do him any good even if he runs.]

[What are you saying? A slug could outrun you.]

The usual bright atmosphere returned, lightening the mood. Even Olphynn finally eased his stern expression. I laughed along with everyone else, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I could do to help.

I’m not strong, I don’t have stamina, and I don’t have any special powers. It’s frustrating, but there’s got to be something I can do. I want to be useful to Saine, to everyone. If I can’t contribute, eventually… I’ll be abandoned by everyone.

 

TN: This poor child is still so pessimistic about himself. Trauma’s such a ditch, also duck his parents.