Chapter 21: Encounter in the West Village

　By the time the wizard player-killer had been finished off, the other player-killers seemed to have roughly fled the scene.

　They were probably outnumbered, but they were the ones who had originally been able to hold their own against six players with just four of them. They must certainly be skilled.

　After collecting the player-killers’ dropped goods that had fallen around the area, I turned my attention back to the girls.

　The blonde female swordsman, who had probably finished her post-war processing, once again raised her voice.

“Thank you very much for saving us in a dangerous situation. We were in a pretty dire situation. ……”

” Yeah, you’re welcome. Well, if I had seen a scene like that on the way to my destination. I’m not sure I should just ignore it.”

“Well, usually people don’t want to get involved with PKs who have them outnumbered. ……”

　She has a slightly drawn expression on her face, and I shrug my shoulders lightly.

　It is true that jumping into a situation where you are outnumbered is a foolish thing to do.

　However, the Kuon Jintsu-ryu is a sword of the battlefield. It has several style that are designed for one-to-many combat.

　If there was not much difference in numbers and the opponents were amateurs, I would not have had much trouble with six opponents on my own.

　The female swordsman, unaware of my inner thoughts, raised her voice once again.

“I am the leader of the party, and my name is Kurage Kirara. As you can see, I am a human. And these are my companions–“

“Uhm, first, it’s me, isn’t it? My name is Reno, and I am the deputy leader. I am a forest elf, and I play the role of healer in the party.”

“I’m Kuu-chan, a half-beast!　I’m a scout!　Thanks for the help!”

“…… Azami. Dark magician.”

　The blonde swordswoman I was talking about earlier is Kurage. It’s a strange name to say in a game.

　Following her is innocent-looking woman with long blue-silver hair, Reno. A petite but sprightly-looking girl with cat ears is Kuu. Finally, there is a dark-haired girl with a hat on her head, Azami.

　All four of the girls are well-dressed, and when lined up like this, they are quite a spectacle.

　Aside from the cautious Azami, who seemed to be more shy than usual, it was not bad to be thanked by the beautiful girls.

“I’m Quon but you already knew that. As you can see, I am a human.”

“Haha, Quon-san is famous, you know.”

　Well, just being Hisana’s master is reason enough to attract attention.

　Not that I don’t think the story has spread too much in a day or two.

　Well, that is also the fear of the Internet.

“So much for self-introductions. So, are you guys on your way to the western village?”

“Yes, we are, but …… apparently there was a PK targeting players who were heading that way. I think the people you just saw were part of it.”

“The less crowded the place is, the easier it is to target and because of that, fewer people were coming this way.”

“That’s how it is, I see. Well, I’m at a bit of a loss for a good boss strategy, and I wanted to find a way to break through, even if I had to take that level of risk. …… That’s why I’m here now.”

Kurage let out a small chuckle at the self-deprecating words of the cloud carrier.

　It is true that she underestimated the danger, which is something she should reflect on as a leader.
　But even so, I do not dislike such a challenger’s spirit.

　I liked the girls a little bit, thanks to their skill in the battle I had just witnessed.

“It was good timing for me to walk by. Since I’m on a walk, why don’t you join me?”

“Are you sure?!”

“I don’t care, we’re all going to the same destination. There is no reason for us to split up when we are going the same way. Well, if you don’t want to go, I’ll go ahead.”

　Hearing my words, Kurage glances toward Reno.

　The answer to her question is a nod of the head —-she seems to be very careful in making sure she gets the right confirmation.

　Perhaps she is acting as the party’s chief of staff.

　Well, there seems to be no one else who could be in that position.

“I understand. I look forward to working with you, Quon-san.”

“Yes, please take care of me. Well then, let’s get on with it.”

　Waving my hand to Kurage, who bowed to me, I started to walk as if leading the way.

　I couldn’t help but smile at the unexpectedly glamorous journey.

[The skill level of “Automatic MP Recovery” has been increased.]

“Well, we’re finally here, …… we can’t stay too long considering how long the gates of Ribrum are closing.”

“I’d say about an hour or so. …… I’ll have to gather some information quickly.”

　After a long walk, I arrived at a quiet village.

　The village was surrounded only by a wooden fence, and it was probably not very large.

　However, there was no sign of battle, and the atmosphere was very calm and serene.

　The only thing that stands out is the large cathedral near the center of the village.

　As Reno said, we don’t have much time, but there are few buildings that stand out. It won’t take much time to investigate.

“The village is as small as ever. Do you really think there are any tricks up their sleeve?”

“…… I don’t think there is much chance. That cathedral is the only place that stands out to me, and I’ve already checked it out. ……”

　I inwardly agree with the two little girls.

　From what I have seen, the only thing that stands out in this village is that cathedral.

　However, if there is such a prominent building, it should have been the first to be investigated.

　If nothing has been found, then, as Azami said, there is not much hope.

　Just then, two children ran past us as we were having this conversation.

“Hahaha, wait!”

“Wait, wait!”

　They were probably about five years old.

　Two children with tree branches are running around without paying attention to their surroundings.

　I looked at them and narrowed my eyes slightly.

“Fufu, children are so energetic, aren’t they?”

“It’s kind of comforting to see a scene like that……Quon-san?”

　With the confused voices of the clouded mothers at their backs, I take the shortest possible approach to the kids running around.

　Then I grabbed the arms of those children swinging up a tree branch, stopping them both in their tracks.

　I tell the two children, who look up at me with a startled expression on their faces, being careful to keep my voice as even as possible.

“Do you guys have any idea what you’re doing?”

“W-What the hell, old man!”

“Let me go!”

　I was slightly annoyed at being called an old man, but did not let it show on my face.

　The two kids were flailing about, but unfortunately, there was no way they could remove my arms.

　I let out a small sigh and tried to raise my voice, but just then, four panicked-looking people approached me.

“What are you doing all of a sudden, Quon-san?”

“What did those kids do?　To me it just looks like they were playing chase ……”

“I’m sorry I didn’t explain myself. You are right, it must be a just chasing each other. ……”

　After looking over my shoulder and nodding my head in agreement with Reno’s words, I turn my gaze forward.

　I stare at the planting in front of me, at the place in the planting where the leaves are unnaturally swaying.

“It looked like they were chasing that little thingy over there. I had to stop them because it looked dangerous.”

“The little thingy ?　Eh, what are you talking about?”

“O-old man?! You can see it?!”

　At my words, the rampaging children shout in astonishment.

　They were still calling me “old man,” but I shook my head and let it go.

“No, I can’t see it. Kurage, can you see it?”

“N-no…… are you sure there’s something there?”

“Yeah, there’s a sign. It’s probably no bigger than ……20 centimeters. It’s a small, colorless, transparent creature.”

　Only a sign is recognizable, a mysterious creature.

　Completely colorless and transparent, it is impossible to catch a glimpse of it with the naked eye.

　However, it generates vibrations of air and objects, as well as a slight sound itself.

　The size of the mysterious creature is probably less than 20 centimeters, and it floats and moves in the air.

　The child was shouting excitedly at my words.

“It’s a fairy!　There’s a fairy over there!”

“Fairy … I see, I’m convinced if you say that. It’s small and it’s flying.”

“No one believed me, so I tried to catch it. …… old man, you know what I’m talking about!”

“Oh, come on, stop saying old man. That’s not a good thing to say, anyway–“

　Sighing, I snatched up the tree branch they were holding in a heap.

　The children look down at their palms with stunned expressions, probably because they were taken from them so quickly.

　Looking down at them, I narrowed my gaze and raised my voice.

“What would you think if a giant as big as that tree over there attacked you with a club?”

“Haa?　Of course we’re going to run away!”

“Y-yes”

“Right?　That’s how the fairy sees you.”

“Ah.”

　Hearing my point, the children’s eyes widen to their fullest.

　Well, it’s not something you think about so much as how you look to creatures smaller than you.

　And the ones who were chasing them were still small children. I don’t expect them to make that kind of judgment.

“I-I didn’t mean to scare it. ……”

“Even if you don’t intend to, it is scared. Just stop doing that …… okay?”

“…… yeah.”

“I’m sorry. ……”

“Good boy. See, now that you’re sorry, go play somewhere else.”

　With a small laugh, I pat the children on the back.

　They stumbled a bit, looked at me once, and then ran straight to the back of the village.

　Well, they must have been somewhat satisfied to have me believe in the existence of fairies.

　When I looked once again toward the planted path, I saw that the fairy had not moved from that spot.

　Apparently, it was observing the current exchange.

“Fairies. …… I didn’t know such creatures existed.”

“I’d like to see it. …… Do you have to be a child to see it?　Kuu-chan, can’t you see it?”

“Are you implying that I’m a child?!”

　Kuu-chan, who seems to be a junior high school student at least, protests indignantly at Reno’s words.

　Well, from the looks of things, it seems that no one but me is able to detect the presence of fairies.

　I don’t know what in the world that means, but as long as I can’t capture it, there’s no point in thinking too much about it.

　Cowering my shoulders, I raise my voice to the invisible creature.

“See you later, little one. Don’t hang around in front of the kids too much, okay?”

“… You’re calling out to an empty space.”

“You can’t blame me for looking that way. …… Come on, let’s –oh?”

　I was about to turn on my heel and head for the cathedral, when I heard Azami….

　An invisible fairy, which had been hiding behind a vegetation area, moved softly and approached me.

　Whether or not it had heard what I had just said, the fairy came close to my face without hesitation, circled around my head for a couple of turns, and touched my forehead.

　A moment later–

[The title “Blessing of the Fairy” has been acquired.]

“Wha!?”

　Information echoes in my ears, and at that moment, a dazzling light glows in front of my eyes.

　I quickly backed up and took a stance – my eyes widening involuntarily as I saw it reflected in my vision.

　Floating there was a small, doll-like creature less than 20 centimeters long.

　It had a green dress-like outfit, fluffy golden hair, and two pairs of translucent wings.

　Its appearance was–

“Waa!　A fairy!?　I can suddenly see it now!”

“How adorable!　But why all of a sudden?”

“…… Give me a minute.”

　The situation is not clear, but ……from the information I just received, I feel that I can see fairies now that I have acquired a title or something like that.

　I was checking the title I had just obtained while looking at the fairy flying happily in the air.

■[Blessing of the Fairy.]

　A sign that a person has been favored by fairies and has established friendship with them.

　The owner of the title will be able to see fairies in the vicinity of the title holder, and the owner will be able to “Tame” fairies.

　When this title skill is set, the success rate of “taming” fairies increases.

　[Tame] is a skill that allows the owner to make a contract with a creature and make it one of his or her own, as I recall …….

　The success rate is quite low, but once you succeed, you can use them as permanent companions.

　In addition, it was said that there is a definite time when “Tame” will be successful in an event.

“…… So in other words, ……, I saved the fairy and it liked me.”

“Is that so?　But helping something you can’t see, that’s a pretty impossible task.”

“Well, isn’t there a certain timing when you can see them? Fumu, but ……”

　The fairy is circling me in a very good mood.

　With the title and all, it’s safe to say that she likes me, no matter how understated it may seem.

　So, I should give it a try.

■[Tame]: auxiliary, passive/active skill

　You can make creatures your friends.

　Success rate depends on skill level.

　Also, to add a tamed monster to your party, you must have this skill set.

“Skills acquired. …… Oi fairy. You, you want to join me?”

“Quon-san?!　Are you serious?”

　The SP for acquiring the skill is 4. I haven’t used it in a while, and it’s well within my ability to pay for it.

　Well, I’m a little concerned about the skill slots, but I guess I’ll just have to operate while replacing them here.

　Aside from my inner thoughts, the fairy who heard my words was expressing joy and affirmation with her whole body without paying any attention to the astonished Kurage.

　Apparently, she liked me a lot.

If so, come with me—[Tame]

“—-♪”

[Successfully tamed a “Fairy”. Please give a name to the tamed monster.]

　Not rejecting the effects of the skill, the fairy spins around to express her joy.

　A glowing little fairy. With that figure by my side, I operate the system window.

“… Okay. Nice to meet you, [Lumina]”

“—-!”

　At my words, the fairy – Lumina – raised her hand in the air as if to say, “Leave it to me.”