Kazue POV 

  

  

I find myself seeing familiar faces. 

These are the faces of my friends that I have not seen for over a month. 

The cute and childish, Muto Eiko. 

She's an honest and straightforward person, which is why she is so easy to predict. 

She always wants to act tough; I've always enjoyed her presence. 

I love teasing her all the time it's such a fun thing to do. 

  

  

There is also Haga Mizuko 

She was the ace of the kendo club in our school. 

She is also representing our school in national competitions. 

Even though I think that she is cool since we are members of the same club, we often hang out after school. 

My only problem with her is that she is sometimes too serious that she even forces me to practice with her. 

Of course, she would often beat me up. 

After all the time I was together with her, I came to understand her more and more, and thus we became good friends. 

  

  

And last but not least. 

Sakata Chiho. 

The person whom I see as my best friend. 

She is a sweet and gentle girl. 

Chiho takes care of me most of the time and is very clingy at times. 

She is sociable and is nice to most people, in addition, she’s a beauty. 

She's popular with both girls and boys in the class. 

To put it simply, Chiho was like a "mother" to me. 

At the same time, she just gives off that kind of vibe around her. 

Most of all she is the person who understands me the best. 

 

 

  

  

Seeing me being lost in thoughts as Chiho mumbles random stuff at me. 

"Enough of these little talks, I am glad to see you again Kazue" <Chiho> 

"..." <Kazue> 

Chiho pouts at me. 

She's dissatisfied with my short reply. 

"REPLY" <Chiho> 

"Ah... yeah... Me too, I guess?" <Kazue> 

"fufufu." <Chiho> 

She giggle at me when I replied as she wanted. 

  

  

"Huh? what?" <Kazue> 

"Nothing, it's just that I missed this kind of conversation with you." <Chiho> 

"ahuh... You're weird as always..." <Kazue> 

Chiho was looking at me with longing. 

[Stop~ don't look at me like that! Mama] 

  

  

Eiko suddenly spoke and she even had a smug look on her face 

"Hahaha~ When I heard that you were here injured, I was really shocked! Then I discovered that you became like this because you fought a ghoul?" <Eiko> 

I could tell what she was thinking. 

It’s probably this... 

[You got bodied by a ghoul? That weak-ass monster did that to you? LOL!". or something like that.] 

"You got bodied by a ghoul? That weak-ass monster did that to you? LOL!" <Eiko> 

[oh, I got it right! down to every word hahaha~] 

  

  

"Oh, I am surprised hearing that as well... Kazue~ I am surprised that you managed to survive on your own up until now! If a ghoul was enough to do that to you, I think you should not be traveling alone." <Mizuko> 

[Well... in my defense, the ghoul was not normal though...] 

"Oh~ how about joining us from now on? I will definitely protect you!" <Eiko> 

"eeeee??? You? Protecting ME?... I don't know what to think about that." <Kazue> 

"What do you mean about that??! hmpf... I don’t mean to brag but I could kill a ghoul with one shot with my fireball!" <Eiko> 

Eiko was sulking a little bit and I find it to be cute. 

  

  

"Oh ~ that's amazing." <Kazue> 

"RIGHT?! I am Amazing after all." <Eiko> 

"But still I don’t want to be protected by you." <Kazue> 

"Ehhh~~?? WHY?!" <Eiko> 

Eiko looks very shocked, it was as if she could not believe that I am refusing her right now. 

"Even if you ask me Why?... I don't know. I just feel that way... I wonder why." <Kazue> 

"Why?!" <Eiko> 

  

  

"Fufufu." <Kazue> 

I grinned and laughed at Eiko. 

"WHAT?!" <Eiko> 

"No, it's nothing" <Kazue> 

  

  

"But you indeed became like this because of a ghoul, right? Is it really Ok for you to be traveling alone? I think it’s not a bad idea if you come with us." <Chiho> 

[Chiho, I hope you realize that your party was in a more dangerous place compared to where I was. I would be in more danger if I come with you…] 

  

  

"Haha~ Chiho you're worrying too much." <Kazue> 

"Am I?! My god... You..." <Chiho> 

Chiho bit her lips. 

I could tell that she was thinking about me. 

[Aa~ this worrywart] 

-sigh- 

"Chiho, I'm alright" <Kazue> 

"Really?" <Chiho> 

"Yeah" <Kazue> 

"But what if something like this happens again?" <Chiho> 

"I promise, I won’t be injured by a ghoul ever again" <Kazue> 

"..." <Chiho> 

"Chiho?" <Kazue> 

Chiho is staring me in the eyes. 

It was hard to just look at her eye to eye if she was looking at me this intently. 

I let out an awkward smile. 

  

  

-Sigh- 

I hear Chiho sigh a loud. 

"Okay... but if this happens again, I will drag you with me even if you don’t want it Okay?" <Chiho> 

"haha~" <Kazue> 

  

  

I want to say “No” 

But... 

"OKAY?!" <Chiho> 

"..." <Kazue> 

"O.K.A.Y.?" <Chiho> 

I could not bear her sharp gaze and so I gave up and nodded 

"good girl." <Chiho> 

I knew that Chiho would not accept NO as my answer. 

  

  

-knock- -knock- -knock- 

I heard a knock at the open door. 

I saw another familiar face and he was looking over in our direction. 

He wears black clothes with a similar-looking design to what Mizuko wears. 

He was with a beautiful blonde girl who carries a large bow on her back. 

After recognizing the person, I returned my gaze to my friends. 

  

  

"Hahaha~ I got ignored once again." <Hano> 

"Hano-sama, this girl is?" <Blondie> 

"Her name is Mizusawa Kazue." <Hano> 

"Mizusawa Kazue? Ah... that rumored girl?" <Blondie> 

  

  

"Rumored?" <Kazue> 

I ignored Hano but my interest was piqued by the fact that there was a rumor about me. 

"You're that right? the one who left the castle on the third day?" <Blondie> 

"Ah... Well..." <Kazue> 

[Yep that is me~] 

  

  

"I heard from Orga-sama that those kids are making his head hurt because of how stupid they are. You are one of them, right?" <Blondie> 

[Sure, I think those otaku guys are kinda stupid looking...] 

"???" <Kazue> 

[Wait? is she talking about me too? I don’t like that.] 

  

  

I looked at the blonde girl's face, she has that look that was looking down on me. 

[This girl...] 

I did not like how she looked at me. 

"Orga? Ahh... That suspicious old man huh..." <Kazue> 

  

  

"Suspicious?! How dare you doubt Orga-sama he is the nicest person in the castle!" <Blondie> 

The blonde beauty did not like the fact that I had a suspicion about the old man. 

Honestly, I do think that the old man was NOT suspicious. 

I just said those words because I did not like how the blonde girl talked to me. 

I wanted to annoy her. 

Thus, I ended up with words I did not mean. 

[Well... since I manage to piss her off, I guess it was worth saying?] 

"Ehhh? that's a lie" <Kazue> 

"Hmpf, no wonder they called you stupid. They were right after all." <Blondie> 

  

  

"Levethy... I think that's enough." <Hano> 

"Y-Y-yes, Hano-sama" <Blondie> 

When Hano talked to the girl, she became like a puppy who is looking at her master. 

Those eyes looked familiar. 

Then I realized. 

I looked at Chiho, Mizuko, and Eiko one by one. 

"..." <Chiho> 

"..." <Mizuko> 

"..." <Eiko> 

The three noticed my gaze and averted their eyes away from me. 

  

  

"Ahuh... Another one huh..." <Kazue> 

This time the three looked down at the floor as if giving up on something. 

"Uwah~" <Kazue> 

I could not help but look at Hano with disappointment. 

"W-why are you looking at me like that?" <Hano> 

"No... I was just thinking..." <Kazue> 

"I-I-is that so?" <Hano> 

Hano looked away from me and started scratching his chin lightly. 

"Hano-sama?" <Blondie/Levethy> 

  

  

The next moment, I saw that the blonde girl, Levethy was looking at me with hateful glares. 

"What?" <Kazue> 

"You... I heard you got defeated by a ghoul. I am surprised that you wanted to leave the castle without training considering how weak you are." <Levethy> 

"Huuuh?" <Kazue> 

I'm starting to get annoyed with this girl.  

I still have some pride. 

I don't consider myself weak. 

  

  

"Levethy, Stop it." <Chiho> 

"Chiho-san, you should keep an eye on your friend. She might die somewhere if this continues." <Levethy> 

"LEVETHY" <Mizuko> 

"What? I am just telling the truth." <Levethy> 

"That's..." <Mizuko> 

[Wow even my friends think I'm weak... well maybe compare to them I am but still, I believe I am not weak! MIZUKO!] 

"If a weakling like her goes around she will die sooner or later, if you care about her you should tell her to just stay away from monsters." <Levethy> 

  

  

I had an urge to scratch my head for some reason, so I did. 

"Weak, Weak, Weak! You keep calling me weak I am not weak." <Kazue> 

"Hoho~ is that so? Why don't you prove it." <Levethy> 

Seeing how she reacted. 

It hit me. 

[This blondie... She wanted this to happen did she?] 

  

  

As my pride would not allow me to back down now I decided to bite on to her ploy. 

"Sure. Then how about it? Would you like to have a duel to prove your point?" <Kazue> 

I decided to fight her in a duel. 

"""KAZUE!""" <Eiko, Chiho and Hano> 

In exempt of Mizuko who seemed to have expected my reply. 

Chiho, Eiko, and Hano were surprised at my taking on her provocation. 

  

  

"Kazue, I think it's better if you stop!" <Chiho> 

"Hmpf, Then I will show you just how weak you are. As I see, you are a swordsman. Since I am a spirit Archer, fighting in close quarters is not my specialty but to prove how weak you are, I will not use my bow or my spirit magic to defeat you as a handicap." <Levethy> 

She was looking down on me. 

[That's good.] 

  

  

Judging from what she said, I assume that she is an archer of some kind. 

That much is obvious after all there was a large bow hanging on her back. 

"You guys, you should stop it right there. Levethy! Kazue!" <Hano> 

I looked at Levethy, she suddenly became passive after hearing the orders from Hano. 

[So... that's why...] 

I got up from the bed and took my Katana sitting near my bed. 

"You don't have any right to order me. I will do what I want. I will have a duel with this blondie." <Kazue> 

I glared at Hano. 

With this, he was unable to say any word. 

  

  

**************************** 

"What's happening?" <Adventurer A> 

"It's a duel" <Adventurer B> 

"Oho, who's dueling." <Adventurer A> 

"A member of the heroes' party versus an E-rank adventurer." <Adventurer B> 

  

  

"This..." <Kazue> 

We are standing in the middle of the plaza. 

I was wearing all of my gear. 

I just realized that after my fight with the ghoul my clothes are all tattered from all over. 

It looked awful. 

  

  

"Kazue, I think you should stop this." <Chiho> 

"No." <Kazue> 

Chiho could not help but to shake her head. 

It was a familiar sight to me. 

"Geez, you always become stubborn at times like this." <Chiho> 

Chiho looked very concerned and was looking at me with concern. 

  

  

"Haha..." <Kazue> 

[Come on... Even Chiho thinks I am weak...] 

Honestly speaking, compared to them maybe I am. 

But... This is perfect, the blondie is looking down at me. 

I can use that to my advantage. 

"Mizuko! Eiko! Hano! don't just stand there, stop them!" <Chiho> 

"No, if this is what Kazue wanted, I won't stop her." <Mizuko> 

"I tried, but she never listens to me" <Eiko> 

"She always ignores me so that’s impossible" <Chiho> 

  

  

"If you want to save your face you should back down now." <Levethy> 

"No need" <Kazue> 

"hmpf. I see, don’t tell me that I did not give you a chance to back out." <Levethy> 

  

  

Around us were spectators. 

Adventurers, soldiers, and even the townspeople will be watching our duel. 

They naturally made a circle around us as well. 

From this circle of people, I saw several familiar faces. 

They were cheering for me from the sideline. 

  

  

"Kazue!" <Charlotte> 

There was Charlotte who was waving at me. 

I saw all of the members of the Water Oath party near her. 

"Ane-san! do your best!" <Shunsho> 

Shunsho… so He’s ok now? 

He was almost killed by that ghoul. 

I have to be honest, I am relieved that he's OK. 

Beside him were his party members. 

Yep, the boys from the So-Mi-Am-Mi party. 

  

  

"Kazue! Princess Levethy do your best!" <Yanase> 

Even Yanase was there. 

[Princess? oh, so she's a princess.] 

[Perfect! The more I want to see her kiss the ground.] 

Apparently, all of the members of the unit we formed a few days ago are all here watching. 

  

  

"KAKAKAKA! Now now! we should start! I Victor Meister will be the judge of this duel." <Victor> 

The one standing between us was a middle-aged man wearing cool-looking full-plate armor. 

His name is Victor Meister, the one Chiho was talking about. 

He seemed to be the mentor of the heroes' party. 

I also heard that he was as strong as an A-rank Adventurer. 

  

  

"Kakaka~ Alright you two get into position." <Victor> 

I took 3 steps back and Levethy also did the same 

We are now 5 meters apart. 

Levethy was standing in a relaxed manner. 

She was playing with her dagger with her fingers and seemed to be bored. 

She was not taking me seriously. 

[I'll make you regret acting like that after this.] 

That is what I wanted to say. 

But...  

I must agree, I am weaker than her. 

  

  

In most of my fights, I am usually faster than my opponent. 

This time, I assume that will not be the case. 

I doubt that her STR is that high, which means that that are the only stats that I may have an advantage over her. 

Well, I will just be ready for whatever happens when we start the duel. 

That being said... I think "that" is the best way to fight this duel. 

  

  

“Well then, I think both of you are ready?” <Victor> 

I nodded while Levethy half-heartedly waved her hands as if telling "just go over it" while playing with her dagger. 

She was not in a stance of any kind. 

"..." <Kazue> 

"All right then! I will toss this coin and once it touches the ground means the start of your battle. Any questions?" <Victor> 

"None~" <Levethy> 

"Same here." <Kazue> 

  

  

-ting- 

Victor tossed the coin. 

"Uwah." <Kazue> 

"Ops~ it might have tossed it too high." <Victor> 

The coin flew up in the sky. 

  

  

  

***************************** 

Chiho POV 

  

  

Victor walked over to us after tossing the coin. 

I expect that it will not land right away after tossing it so high up in the sky. 

He turned around and watched the match as we did. 

I think he purposely tossed the coin that high. 

It was for him to find a place to stay so he could watch the match. 

  

  

"Hmmm~" <Victor> 

Victor let out an impressed groan. 

"What is it, Sir Victor?" <Chiho> 

"That girl..." <Victor> 

  

  

He pointed out Kazue by cocking his chin in her direction. 

"She may be weaker than the princess in terms of raw stats but this might turn out to be an interesting match." <Victor> 

"Interesting? what do you mean?" <Chiho> 

"Kakaka, Well I think you should watch rather than me explaining things." <Victor> 

  

  

-TING- 

After some time, the coin made contact with the ground. 

This signifies the start of the duel. 

But... 

Neither of the two combatants moved. 

  

  

Levethy was just standing still. 

She was expecting Kazue to rush to her, but Kazue did not move. 

Rather she was the one waiting for Levethy to attack. 

  

  

Kazue did not move even a little bit. 

She was in a stance that I often see in samurai movies. 

In a way, It kinda reminds me of an anime I watched a long time ago. 

The one with an X-mark on his cheeks. 

  

  

"Iai." <Mizuko> 

"Iai?" <Chiho> 

"Yeah, it's the martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of performing a quickly drawing slash with a sword." <Mizuko> 

"Ahuh? Why is Kazue doing that? Isn't she supposed to attack Levethy?" <Chiho> 

"Well... I thought that would be the case, but after thinking it over I think that what Kazue is doing is the best way to fight Levethy." <Mizuko> 

"What why?" <Chiho> 

"It's not as if Levethy is using her bow, this means that she could not attack from far away." <Mizuko> 

"So... Kazue is baiting her to attack instead?" <Chiho> 

"Yeah... She must have expected her to be faster than herself so she completely dropped the option of chasing Levethy around. Also, the best way to fight a faster opponent is to wait for them to attack you and counter once they are in range.” <Mizuko> 

"I see... but if Kazue is defeated by a ghoul, I don’t think Levethy would have problems though. I've seen her defeat ghouls with her daggers without problems before." <Chiho> 

  

  

"oh, ~ did you not know?" <Victor> 

Victor suddenly interrupted our conversation. 

"Know what?" <Chiho> 

"That Female Adventurer did not fight an ordinary ghoul. I heard from the reports that the monster she fought was capable of killing several D-ranked adventurers.” <Victor> 

"What?!" <Chiho> 

"I even heard that it was the one who summoned the undead here in the city." <Victor> 

  

  

After hearing this. 

I recalled some of the words Kazue said. 

"She did say that the ghoul was after an orb." <Chiho> 

"Oh~ That was not in the reports." <Victor> 

"Yeah, she just woke up not too long ago and she said that the ghoul was after this thing." <Chiho> 

  

  

I took out the orb that Kazue handed to me a while ago and showed it to Sir Victor. 

"That's..." <Victor> 

"Do you know what this is?" <Chiho> 

"Yes. If I am not mistaken, that is a Dungeon core... I see so that's why the monster was marching toward the city." <Victor> 

I handed the orb over to Sir Victor. 

  

  

Meanwhile. 

As Kazue refused to attack Levethy the two remained in place. 

Seeing this, the spectator urged the two to make some action. 

After all, they all came here to see a fight. 

Not to watch two people stand still. 

Even so... 

Kazue remains in place and waits for Levethy to attack. 

As I could see she have no plans of doing otherwise. 

  

  

"Sir Victor, who do you think will win?" <Hano> 

Out of nowhere, Hano asked. 

Even without asking, I knew the outcome would be obvious. 

I've seen Kazue's abilities before. 

I am sorry to say but I think she had no chance of winning against Levethy. 

There’s no way Kazue could defeat Levethy 

That is what I thought. 

But to my surprise, Sir Victor did not think that way. 

Or at least he thinks that it would not be that simple. 

  

  

"Kakaka~ Well if Princess were using her bow that Kazue girl will not have a chance. But they are both fighting at close range. Sure, the Princess had some lessons on fighting close-ranged battles. She will not lose to any D-ranked adventurer not to mention E-rank such as that girl. But..." <Victor> 

"But?" <Hano> 

"Sure, I can tell that she is inferior to the 5 of you in terms of Stats, but that girl is way above you in one area." <Victor> 

"One area? And that is?" <Hano> 

Victor just smiled. 

His eye was serious. 

It seems that Victor had something in mind. 

I heard Levethy talking to Kazue. 

  

  

Levethy was become impatient and taunted Kazue. 

"Hey! are you not attacking? the onlookers are getting bored~" <Levethy> 

Kazue did not move an inch she did not even try to reply. 

"You will not defeat me if you keep on waiting there. Well... if you want me to go after you then fine." <Levethy> 

Finally, Levethy decided to attack instead. 

She swung her dagger once to prepare herself. 

  

  

All of a sudden. 

Levethy moved at such a speed that I almost lost her in my sight. 

In just a few moments she was already in front of Kazue. 

"This is the end!" <Levethy> 

-clang- 

  

  

I saw something flung into the air. 

At the same time, I heard Mizuko's voice 

"This is bad!" <Mizuko> 

I looked at her and found that she had a difficult expression on her face. 

Even Hano had the same expression on his face. 

Their expressions were not that of concern or even surprise. 

It was fear. 

In that same instant, a gust of wind blew followed by the sound of the clashing of blades. 

  

  

I looked back to where Kazue and Levethy were fighting. 

Sir. Victor was there in between Kazue and Levethy. 

He seemed to have stopped Kazue's sword that almost reached Levethy’s neck. 

  

  

"Oi oi oi~ miss, this is just a duel you don't have to do that." <Victor> 

"Ah! What did I..." <Kazue> 

Even Kazue was surprised for some reason. 

"You almost cut her head off." <Victor> 

"Sorry! Sorry! It was just a force of habit. I have been dealing with zombies lately and my body moved on its own! Umm, uhh! SORRY!" <Kazue> 

In the next moment, Kazue was bowing her head toward Victor. 

  

  

"What just happened?" <Chiho> 

"What? She's apologizing?" <Eiko> 

We were in shock for quite some time. 

Even Hano and Mizuko looked impressed by what just happened. 

Since the two seemed to have known what happened I asked. 

"Mizuko... Explain to me what happened" <Chiho> 

  

  

"Hmnn... Kazue, she deflected Levethy's dagger and in that instant, she followed up with an attack." <Mizuko> 

Mizuko place a hand over her mouth and was thinking deeply. 

She looked very impressed. 

I hear her muttering "I want to duel her too." or something like that. 

  

  

"I see... so... did Kazue win?" <Eiko> 

"Well... She did... I guess?" <Mizuko> 

"Hmnn? Is there a problem? Ah, come to think of it if you said "This is bad!". What is that about?" <Chiho> 

"Ah... that... It's nothing." <Mizuko> 

"It can't be nothing so speak it out!" <Chiho> 

"Well, it's just that in that instant Kazue let out intense... What do you call it... umm... bloodlust? Yes, that! her bloodlust is what made me react. Thankfully Sir Victor reacted right away." <Mizuko> 

"Ah, so that is why he's there." <Chiho> 

Hano and Mizuko are looking at each other. 

They seemed to have felt the same bloodlust from Kazue. 

[They sensed bloodlust?] 

I have no idea what they meant. 

-sigh- 

[Whatever] 

  

  

I run toward where Levethy and Kazue were. 

I hugged Kazue from behind. 

"Chiho?" <Kazue> 

"Kazue! you were amazing!" <Chiho> 

"Really?" <Kazue> 

"Yes! Now then Levethy! You should apologize to Kazue!" <Chiho> 

  

  

Kazue and Levethy looked at each other and smiled. 

"I already did." <Levethy> 

"Huh?" <Chiho> 

I let go of Kazue and looked at her. 

"Yeah, she already did just now." <Kazue> 

The two looks at each other once again and smiled and then started laughing. 

"I think I am missing something here??" <Chiho>