The Crisis World XX

Chap. 36: New Weapon of Iraya

Ishikawa-san was here, but she just left. There is still so much I want to talk to him about. It seemed like his kind of strength, or how he could awaken his power, those kinds of things.

And if he has any business with Oita-san, it means it has something to do with the mission or something like that.

Oho! What does it mean that Ishikawa-san will join us?! That's news I'm really looking forward to. He looks like a relaxed and fun person to talk to. Unlike the people who are here, strange all.

"Why do you think that person would join us?" ask Cecilia.

"Yeah ..The one we're talking about here is Oita-san. There was no way an important and powerful person like himself would waste his time on unnecessary things."

At least that's what I think about him, or maybe I'm wrong. Who knew he was talking about something like selling forbidden items or something else. I can imagine that Oita-san and Ishikawa-san were meeting at night in a quiet place and transacting with each other in suspicious clothes like black jackets and the others.

Or maybe, they have a soft side and talk about their childhood or the type of woman they like. Imagine them drinking tea or coffee while chatting and laughing, it feels quite peaceful even though it is a bit unsuitable.

But then I could hear the sigh of disappointment inside my head. "Sometimes I regret inadvertently reading your thoughts, the contents don't matter to all" Cecilia said.

"Hoo! Does that mean you're gonna stop peeking at my mind?"

"Yes, I'll cut down ..., for my mental health."

Somehow, I managed to solve a troublesome thing by accident. But for now that we put that aside, it seems like Herlin wants to tell me something right now.

We sat at one of the tables while ordering a drink that Yuuki-san had brought.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Before that, were you on your summer vacation?"

"I think so, at most just playing with Kudou and Hira. The rest is not important."

"I shouldn't ask a sure thing" murmured little Herlin.

"What do you mean, huh?! Do you think I'm an unemployed person with few friends?!"

"Don't read my mind, you look a lot more pathetic."

His words made an imaginary arrow again stab me. He really took me for granted in the business of having friends.

But after that, he went back to being serious. After drinking out of his drink and taking off his hair and glasses, Herlin resumed the conversation.

"On summer break, I'll include you ... in a tournament."

"Tu-tournaments? What kind of tournament?"

"Heh~ Will Iraya-kun be in that tournament? I don't know why it feels nostalgic." Suddenly Oita-san came into our conversation.

"really. The tournament I'm referring to is The One Tournament."

"Tournament ... The One?"

From the explanation given by Oita-san, The One Tournament was a tournament to determine who was the most powerful for the Exception organized by Kuni no Hashira. Oh right, I just found out that there is an organization bigger than Black Rain that houses Exception.

Going back to the explanation of the tournament, it seems like the tournament has entered its eighth year in the summer. There are many exceptions from small and large organizations that participate in this tournament.

"... That's how it is, " explains Oita-san.

There is something like that here too. But I think this is normal, because they want to test the power they have in an official tournament. Moreover, this world is already peaceful enough if it wants to fight in the standard of living dead.

"Somehow that sounds troublesome."

"But, are you sure you want to enroll Iraya-kun to this tournament? Is he ready for that?"

"That's what I want to know. I want to see him fight with my own eyes seriously. All this time, all he did was practice with me. Then when he met the Assassin, all he could do was run."

I can't protest that one. Herlin told me to run away at that time because he was sure that I would only burden him, and the result was that Herlin was battered against the two Assassins, lucky that there was Oita-san who came in time.

Then when in Shibata Village, I only fought the zombie wolves while I heard Herlin was fighting the leader. So you could say, I have never gained equal opponents.

I who was immersed in my thoughts seemed to be known by Herlin. "Oi don't you hear me, you idiot?"

"Huh?! Who do you call stupid?!" He covered his ears because of my screams. Tch. He pisses me off.

"In that case, I hope you're lucky, Iraya-kun. And it's possible to avenge Herlin-chan."

"Eh? He's been to that tournament?"

"Tsk." And it seemed like she had bad memories there visible from her uneasy expression now.

"Well, if not wrong .. about two years ago. And he was in the top five of the thirty-two participants."

"If I could be a champion easily now. But I don't want to go to that tournament anymore, just remembering it makes me sick."

I was surprised. Two years ago that meant he was still second grade Junior High! Junior High, you know! And he can get the top five?! I don't know if the opponent is weak or if this monster is too strong, but it's still crazy.

"Huh ... Your mind must be weird again, right?" ask Herlin.

"Nope-no ...." God fucking. I had to reduce daydreaming nearby. He looks like he can read my mind and I don't need two people to read it.

"You must think I'm the only kid who can be fifth, that means his opponent is weak or something, right?"

In-he can actually guess it! What the fuck?! Does that also include the abilities of his Mind Power? Everyone here shady what how, anyway?

"You're too predictable. Such thoughts that make you lose the fight, your negligence will lead you to death. Remember it's fine."

"Tch."

The omelette was really annoying, but at the same time it was also true. That's why I'm upset to hear it. She sounded like a grandmother scolding her granddaughter.

"Oi, do you understand?!"

"Yes, yes! I understand!"

I looked towards my palm. Although troublesome, but I was a little looking forward to it. Eh? Suddenly I thought of something. My main weapon is a sword made from the aura of Cecilia, what if I make it a secret weapon.

Hehe. A grin was created on my face when I thought about it.

"Nee, Herlin, can I ask you something?"

"Hn? Ask what?"

"I want to do a little prank to my enemies later."

**

We are now heading somewhere to buy something at my request. I can't believe that Herlin would follow my request, it seems that he seriously wants to see me with the best performance in the tournament.

Herlin said she used to come here with Oita-san, so maybe this is her subscription. That's why I don't protest much. But still, the journey we went through was quite strange.

We turned into an alley between two tall buildings. This alley is dirtier and rotten than the usual alley, how not, a lot of garbage is overflowing from its place. Moreover, the puddles from these buildings also make this place more humid and stinging stench.

"Hey, Herlin, are you sure we're not in the wrong place." I closed my nose because of this stinging smell of garbage.

"Be quiet. Just follow me."

After walking even deeper, Herlin then stopped in front of a door made of wood. There is no plaque or anything that proves the identity of this door is a store or anything, so it could be the home of people.

But Herlin went straight in without a doubt— inevitably wanted me too, and inside it turned out to be a bar. But his condition is quite apprehensive. This bar was very quiet and there were only a few people here.

And I justified that. Especially with the journey that must be taken to get to this place, I guess most people will not even know if there is a bar around here.

When we just entered, we were both immediately greeted by a young man who seemed to be a servant here.

"Well, whoa. Welcome to Herlin-chan. It's rare to see you come here without Murasaki-san." Then he glanced at me. "Do you want to show off and plan on dating here?"

"I thought you already had a boyfriend after rejecting me earlier."

"Hn?"

They looked at me strangely. Choking despite not drinking anything. Did I not mishear that she was rejected by Herlin?! Then he had time to declare his love, dong?!

This man, if not for his extremely messy appearance. I think his face is pretty. With pale blonde hair that was no less messy. How high does this girl taste? Not that it affects me, anyway.

"I understand, then let's follow me."

Then the guy was— Nezumi, walking to the inside of the bar followed by the two of us. We passed through a door that hung a small board that read "Only People Interested".

And after entering, I then witnessed an amazing sight. The room was filled with all kinds of weapons. Starting from the sword, shield, arrow, and others. I did not expect that there are still things like anime and manga in modern times like now.

"This is all the weapons we have. The quality is not inferior to the one at the center, you know." said Nezumi.

Herlin and I started walking around. What I need is something that can be used during the tournament, in other words a sword. Hmm... There are a lot of them here.

"Huh ... are the weapons from my artificial aura not enough?" cecilia asked in disbelief.

"I told you, right? We prepared it as a surprise. After all, maintaining its form for a long time was not easy."

"Reason."

Then I went back around and found a barrel with many types of swords. There was a sword with two blades on its side. But it doesn't fit, because it's too long than I used to wear.

I took another sword. This time his sword was wider than before. Not this one either.

Herlin had also stopped going around and did not seem to find anything suitable for me. "Nothing fits" I said limply.

"Hm ... Is there nothing else?" ask Herlin.

"I'll try to ask my father first." Nezumi then went out and pulled the phone out of her pants pocket to call her father.

As he exited the room and closed the door, suddenly a sword fell from the shock of the door that Nezumi had closed. I took the sword and measured it. A sword with a knife. The weight is also right. Here goes! This is what I'm looking for!

"Have met! I'll pick this one!"

Herlin then approached. He was silent for a moment when he saw her. Ohoho! Is he amazed by my sword of choice?! Hehe .. of course, of course. My choice was never wrong.

I even showed some moves with this new sword.

"I know I'm cool. So don't be so goofy, dong."

"You ... sure you want to pick that trash?"

"Sa-Junk?! You're mocking me, huh?!"

Before Herlin could retaliate again, Nezumi then entered and also told us that there were no other weapons other than the ones in this room. But it doesn't matter, because I've found what I'm going to buy.

"You ... chose that one?"

"certain."

But he doesn't really care. Because I think what he's thinking about is that his gun has now been sold. "All right then. It costs 15,000 yen for that."

"Ma-Mahal also ...."

For now I didn't bring that much money, but then I looked towards Herlin. Give her a code about my current predicament. And he seems to realize it.

"Basic poor."

"Please! I'm not bringing that kind of money right now."

"Tch. Nezumi, give me the bon. Oita-san will pay for it."

"Yes!"

And by carrying the name Oita-san, we finally managed to buy a new weapon for me. After that Nezumi would wrap it up and drive it to the Haiiro Cafe.

Why don't I take it with me, if you ask? Of course because I don't want to get in trouble, I could have been arrested by the police for carrying a sharp weapon without permission.

After successfully obtaining a new sword, we continued our journey towards the back hill for practice as usual. Until my brain remembers something very important halfway through.

So shocked, I shouted and pulled Herlin's hand towards the opposite path from the back hill.

"Why suddenly? You're surprising me."

"Let's come with me."

"Wait a minute." But Herlin forcibly let go of my hand. "What's with your head? Why are you suddenly acting so strange?"

"I forgot something very important! Why can you forget too, anyway?! It's something no less important than that tournament!"

"What were you talking about, anyway?"

"The end of semester! If you fail that exam then you'll have extra lessons on summer vacation. As long as I watch you in class, you're not serious about studying at all!"

Is correct. Herlin originally went to school to help with my troubles, but since he didn't come out after helping, it meant that Herlin also had to pass this final exam.

"Anyways, you should study for the exam later! Let's just postpone the exercise, now there's something more important."

"Eat him, wait seben—"

But I did not listen to Herlin and directly pulled her hand again.

After that, we studied until the afternoon at the Haiiro Cafe. Although slow and quite lazy, but Herlin managed to pass the basic so that he did not repeat. And I don't think there's anything I need to worry about anymore.

"Huh .. finally." I felt my body tired.

"I can't believe you're good at learning, I think your head is just a decoration" Herlin said.

"God! I almost never remedial. Don't underestimate the speed learning system I created last night!"

"Although that's the case, there's one thing you haven't taught me, right?"

Herlin suddenly opened a maths package book.

"Guk!"

"Now, can you teach me this one, clever sir?" Herlin gave me math problems that I didn't understand. "What's wrong? Where's your confidence from?" He pushed the package book to my cheek when I tried to avoid it.

The pressure he exerted was immense, I couldn't win from him if he had cornered me like this.

"A-aku—"

"Oh, there it is! Irava!"

Like an oasis in the middle of an arid desert. Two guys came at the right time giving me freshness. He is Kudou and Hira.

"Heard you needed help with your studies?" Hira smirked because the intelligence he had right now could help us all. "Please help, Master!" There is no more self-esteem as a smart person for me if it is in front of Hira.

"G ... Ririsaka-san, hello." Kudou who saw Herlin did not forget to greet him.

"Also."

Learning together begins. No I don't think it turned out that the results were going quite well, especially Herlin who was starting to get a little serious. In the end, the study with us lasted until night.

A few days later, the final exam began.

Seriate