"Good work today, everyone."
As expected, more Tunnel Ants had emerged from the depths of the final nest. There had been fifteen in total, including the sentries. Since I had taken out five beforehand, Beck’s group had handled the remaining ten.
I had left them with nearly double the number I thought they could handle safely, but they had managed to defeat them all. Though they had tripped or been bitten a few times, no one had sustained any major injuries.
"Do you need water or Healing Magic?"
"No... actually, just some water to wash our wounds. We have enough for drinking."
A wise choice. I used magic to fill a stone vessel with water.
"Wait, you don't all have to use the same water. I’ll prepare enough for everyone."
"Eh? But it’s still clean, it feels like a waste..."
"No, no. If you keep doing that, the water will only get dirtier. Even with a simple scratch, it can turn into a serious problem if bacteria get inside."
"Bacteria? Like... recently?"
"Ah, just think of it as a type of malady."
"...Wist. He’s saying it’s fine, so don't grumble and just use it."
"Y-yeah... okay then..."
Following Beck, who had washed his wounds and gone to collect the carcasses, Wist washed up and joined the collection effort. Once the remaining four had taken turns washing their scrapes, I gathered my slimes and Rimur Birds and stored them back in my Dimension Home.
However, on the way back to the city...
"Hey, Ryoma-kun. Why are you so strong?" Ruth asked suddenly.
"Where did that come from?"
"It was the same with the goblins, but today you were taking down Tunnel Ants like it was nothing."
"They weren't even a match for you... desu."
"It definitely would’ve been faster if you’d just gone around by yourself."
Since they had faced the same monsters themselves, they must have felt the gap in our abilities quite acutely.
From my perspective, it was only natural because I had an entire previous lifetime’s worth of training; I would actually be a bit depressed if they were already at my level. Since we appeared to be the same age, I wondered if they felt frustrated by the difference.
In that case...
"Well... I suppose it’s because I had a master." I gave them a safe answer, explaining that I had been able to dedicate time to training under a skilled instructor while having my basic needs provided for.
"Did he teach you those techniques with the thin twin swords?"
"These aren't swords; they’re katanas. Also, the reason I was using two was to train myself to use one with a single hand."
"Can I get strong if I do that?"
Beck showed interest, but there was no point in just swinging them around with one hand.
While this training served to strengthen one's grip and muscles, the primary reason was to prepare for "cases where one arm becomes unusable."
Danger is a constant companion in combat. You cannot always guarantee you will be in perfect condition when you face an enemy. If you suffer a wound during battle and lose the use of an arm, you will die if you cannot swing your weapon. Even if you can swing it partially, it wouldn't be very effective against an opponent who managed to maim you while you were at full strength. You would be at an overwhelming disadvantage.
That was why we trained to handle a single weapon with one hand. Earlier, I had used two weapons so that I could practice performing Single Sword Techniques with either my left or right hand. It was more accurate to describe it that way rather than as true dual wielding.
Naturally, one needed a solid foundation before attempting this. If you forced yourself to handle a weapon with one hand when you couldn't even use it accurately with two, your form would fall apart. I told them it would be best to receive training at the guild or a proper school first.
Wait, did Beck and the others not have a master?
When I asked, they told me they had learned the basics from seniors in the slums, but since those people were always busy, they mostly relied on self-study. They mentioned they could ask for instruction at the guild, but they were worried about the commission fees.
"We have to save up some money first..."
"C-can I ask something too?" Wist spoke up.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Ry-Ryoma-kun, what do you... think about when you’re fighting? Um... aren't you scared...?"
I see. Wist had certainly seemed hesitant during the fight, unable to attack aggressively.
From what I had seen of their tactics, Beck used his agility to harass the enemy with a dagger and hand-to-hand combat. While receiving support from Marta’s Wood Magic, Ruth and Rumir held the enemies back with a sword and spear, and Phinia and Wist—the ones with the most physical strength—delivered the finishing blows with hammers.
They had clearly devised a plan for the Tunnel Ants, and I had no complaints about their strategy, but Wist was failing to play his part.
It wasn't just that he was scared; he was too kind. He hesitated to put his full strength into his swings, needing two or three hits to finish a monster that he likely could have killed in one.
Since he was asking about my mindset, he was probably aware of the issue himself.
"I told you not to get all timid like that. I’m always telling you to just swing with conviction, aren't I?" Beck said.
"Yeah... but when the enemy is right in front of me, I just..."
This clearly wasn't a new problem. But how was I supposed to answer?
"I... don't really think about anything in particular."
"Eh?"
"When I fight, I just fight. I concentrate on the enemy’s actions and my own movements."
Training leads to skill, and skill leads to confidence. If I told him that, he might just blame himself more, but the truth was that I didn't feel fear when facing a Tunnel Ant.
"In the end, you just have to build up steady training and experience."
It was a perfectly innocuous opinion. I wished I could have said something more helpful, but I lacked that kind of social grace. I felt bad, especially since he had worked up the courage to ask.
"Ryoma-kun isn't wrong! The adults say the same thing to me..."
"Hmm? There’s more?"
"No, it’s nothing—"
"They tell him he’s not suited to be an adventurer," Beck interrupted. Wist fell silent, looking like he’d been struck.
"Who says that?" I asked.
"The other guys. We aren't the only kids from the slums working as adventurers."
"Anyone can become an adventurer, and having the title of 'former adventurer' on your record looks better when you're looking for a real job later."
"Being from the slums... makes people suspicious, desu. A former adventurer is more trustworthy, desu."
"Only if you have a record of working diligently, though."
Following Beck’s bitter tone, the girls added their explanations. Beside them, Wist’s shoulders slumped even further. Ruth tried to comfort him, but the mood was heavy.
"Do you get along poorly? With those other kids, I mean."
"It’s not so much that we're on bad terms, it’s just that those guys are better at fighting. They earn more than us, so they’ve started making fun of us for only doing Medicinal Herb Gathering lately. Especially Wist—he’s strong and big, right? But since he’s got this personality, they pick on him even more... Wist, stop moping! They are them, and you are you! Besides, if we’re talking about strength, even those guys couldn't beat Ryoma here."
I was suddenly used as a yardstick. Being referred to as "this guy" or "Ryoma here" felt a bit overly familiar, but kids will be kids. They certainly had their own complicated social hierarchy.
"But... they said if I stay an adventurer, there will come a time when I have to kill people."
"That’s a long way off for those guys too!"
"But, even you said it, Beck."
"Said what?!"
"That things would be better if I could just attack properly."
"Idiot! I didn't mean it the same way those guys did!"
Beck was starting to get a bit too heated.
"Wait a second. There’s no point in you two arguing here."
I stepped in before the blood rushed to their heads any further. Wanting them to calm down, I listened to the rest of the story as we walked.
Essentially, Wist was agonizing over the "killer instinct" comments from the other slum kids. While Beck was right that such things were a long way off for them, Wist was taking it seriously because he wanted to be useful to his friends as soon as possible. Beck, meanwhile, was happy to take the long view and stick with Wist, but he didn't understand why Wist was so stuck on the issue.
It was a difficult situation.
"If you'll let me give my personal opinion, I think Wist-kun is overthinking things a bit, but..."
"See?"
"Aw..."
"No, listen to the end. It’s true that you don't need to worry about it right now, but thinking about the future is important. And having an aversion to hurting others or living things is a valuable human trait."
"Which one is it, then?"
"It's not an 'either-or.' For example... let's say you’re hungry in the city. What do you do?"
"That’s obvious, I’d eat food," Beck answered instantly.
"Then, what if you have no food on hand?"
"I’d go buy some at a shop."
"W-we can even eat at a restaurant now..."
"Eating out is expensive. It’s cheaper to leave the city and gather wild plants."
"Or I’d trade something with a neighbor to get some, desu."
Suggestions came one after another.
"Exactly. There are many ways to achieve one goal. You could even grow a field, or if we’re talking about bad methods, you could steal. But stealing is bad, right?"
"Stealing is bad!" The six children said in unison.
"...Weren't you trying to take my kills without permission just yesterday?"
"Ugh."
"Th-that was..."
Their expressions shifted to pure awkwardness. Perhaps I was being a bit petty.
"I’m not trying to blame you. You've reflected on it, and I don't hold it against you. My point is that there are many different ways to achieve a goal. There are answers other than just Beck’s or Wist-kun’s opinions. You're both being too extreme."
"Th-then, what do you do, Ryoma-kun? When you fight monsters..."
"Regarding the taking of life, I do it 'because it is necessary.'"
To provide food. To provide clothing. Or simply for work. I take the life of my prey because it is necessary. If they attack me, whether they are monsters or humans, I take their lives to protect myself because it is necessary. That’s all there is to it.
"This might sound harsh, but hesitation in your hands will only get in the way during a fight."
A single midge or a single human—both are lives.
In times of peace, treat even a midge like a man. In times of war, cut down a man as if swatting a midge.
In a situation where a moment's hesitation can be fatal, your survival rate increases if you can either discard your worries or come to a cold understanding of them. That was a family motto of mine from my previous life, and I didn't believe it was wrong.
While I didn't actually view humans and midges as identical, I didn't feel enough resistance to make my hands shake during combat. I’d come to terms with it.
However...
"That’s exactly why I think having an aversion to hurting living things is a perfectly normal and important sensitivity. I can say for sure that your stance, Wist-kun, is not wrong. I won't tell you to change your heart immediately, but you should try to find a compromise you can live with."
"...Yeah."
The reaction was a bit dull. Perhaps my logic was too extreme for them. I hadn't given them a clear answer, but in the end, this was something Wist had to figure out for himself.
"So, to that end... Beck!"
"Me?!"
"And the rest of you too. Why don't you all try to have a calm discussion once in a while? Without getting angry. You could ask for advice from sensible adults. Wist-kun, you're not planning to quit being an adventurer tomorrow, right?"
"Y-yeah! Fighting is scary, but... I want to keep doing it with everyone..."
"Then take your time. From what I saw today, as long as you don't do anything reckless, you aren't going to get seriously hurt."
Whatever decision he reached, I wasn't going to judge him. If he ended up quitting the adventurer life, I might even invite him to work at the shop. I kept that to myself for now, though.
We eventually reached the city gates. I showed my Guild Card and we passed through.
"Are you guys heading to the Adventurer Guild from here?"
"Yeah. We have to report the hunt."
"Then I’m heading to the Tamer Guild, so this is where we part ways."
"Got it. Thanks for today."
"Th-thank you for everything."
"You were a huge help, desu."
I parted with the six children and headed toward the Tamer Guild alone.
I really had done something out of character. Thinking back on it, why had I given them such a lecture? I wanted to support them, but maybe I was just being a busybody. I was a rookie myself, yet I was acting so high and mighty. I felt like I was becoming a preachy old man.
"Manager!"
"Oh! Fina-san, Li Ling-san. What are you two doing here?"
"We are out shopping, you know."
"The daily trial cooking used up all our seasonings. We also needed to restock on paper and other supplies. What about you, Manager?"
"Just finished work. I was just heading back."
"Did something happen? You had the face of someone thinking very hard, you know."
"Did I?"
"You looked troubled. Is something wrong?"
"Not exactly... I was just wondering if I’ve finally started getting old."
" "Eh?" "
Both of them gave me looks of utter confusion.