ch21-ch40 · 038-ch38

Chapter 38: The Receptionist's Showdown with the High Schooler

Watanabe-san, walking ahead of me, is holding a long pole.

That's the kind they use in naginata matches, I've seen it before.

I thought this during our mock battle too, but Watanabe-san's movements just scream "naginata user."

Is she experienced?

"Here."

The moment we enter the dungeon, she hands me that pole.

Oh? Is this for me?

I see, so they have the same thing in the dungeon side too.

Watanabe-san says something back to the newbie receptionist who stands up and calls out, then heads to the back office.

When she comes back, what she's holding in her hand is...

Yep. It's a mop.

"You were having quite a difficult time fighting last time. With this, you should be able to strike without hesitation, right? As you've surmised, I'm a Double-Rank. With that competition naginata, you won't get injured even if I use my weapon enhancement skill.... Should we perhaps change the location?"

Well, it's true that last time was difficult to fight since I was using a spear backward.

Whether or not I can actually enhance this thing, it should at least be easier to handle.

Her last words were directed at the newbie receptionist for just a moment.

"The two champions clash. Their figures, truly like a dragon and a tiger.... Wait, can you use 'two champions' for women too? I mean, heeeey? You're gonna do it here? I wanna watch. Boo, nooo."

The newbie receptionist, who had been scribbling in a new memo pad, started complaining when she heard we were changing locations.

But she didn't leave her post and followed us. Good girl.

"This should be fine. This storage room here isn't in use. Even if there's noise, people won't come immediately."

In a warehouse behind the street where the shop leading to the 'Second Floor Gate' is located, and even further behind that.

There, Watanabe-san takes her stance.

Her expression is different from just a moment ago.

Come at me, is what it means.

I don't think I can win.

First, let me see what a Double-Rank is really capable of.

"Here I come."

Since a surprise attack would be meaningless, I call out before striking.

Prioritizing speed. At maximum speed.

But, as expected, she blocks it.

The competition naginata bends.

I was going at full speed, but I didn't put that much force into it.

If I put any more than this, the naginata might break.

The moment I think that, Watanabe-san launches her own attack this time.

Jaw strike, horizontal sweep, here it comes.

I can dodge. Sway back with my upper body. Then step back...

"Ie."

Ow.

My leg, my shin was hit with the mop handle.

I'm level 20 too, so my endurance should be pretty high.

But it hurts.

This is definitely an attack with her weapon enhancement skill activated.

It's like being hit with an iron pipe.

I hold back from crouching down.

"Just one strike from the front? And you fell for such a simple feint. Even a elementary school student who just started learning naginata would have better movement than that."

For some reason, the one who attacked is the one getting angry.

It feels like she's saying "Is that all you've got?"

I need to give her a bit more of a workout to make her feel good about her job.

"One more, please."

"...Very well."

We both take our stances.

I'll take her last words as advice, I suppose.

Don't attack from the front. Not a single strike but a combo. See through the feint. Is that what she meant?

I'll go with my specialty.

The one where I circle around at full speed while sweeping their legs.

First, move to the side.

Come to think of it, Watanabe-san is wearing a uniform.

The bottom part is a skirt.

Is it okay to aim for her legs?

I've already launched the attack though.

Whoops, she avoided it by lifting one leg....

I, I can see....

Here it comes. The head.

I'm also wearing a school uniform. Not wearing a helmet.

From the dodge, she jumps and brings it down from above.

If it hits, it'll be bad.

Bachin. I managed to block it with the naginata handle.

Not a superhuman reaction. Just luck.

The moment I think that, a strike lands on my jaw.

"Ie."

Ow... doesn't hurt.

She spun the mop, and the cleaning head part—not the handle—came flying at me.

This one doesn't seem to be enhanced, so it didn't hurt.

But, I think that's enough for one round.

Yes. Please, your thoughts.

"If you keep looking at where you're aiming, your next move becomes completely obvious. Your opponent's attacks won't end after just one strike either. Once you've blocked, you need to be on guard for what comes next.... Shall we go another round?"

Yes. I was looking at your legs. Sorry.

"No, I'll think a bit about how you can win. That's all for today. Let's continue again tomorrow."

"Tomorrow again? You think you can win if you think about it?"

If only I'd had a helmet, I wouldn't have needed to dodge. What a shame.

I understand the importance of armor now.

When I finish cashing in, I'll buy a full set of armor....

"I don't think you can win immediately, but there are various things I'd like to try."

Like lowering my center of gravity more, for instance.

"...Then, you promise me you won't proceed any further?"

"Yes. I won't go any further. Please take care of the cashing in secretly as well."

"Magic stones aren't just those ones, right? I'll take care of all of them. It won't be immediate for the cashing, though...."

"I'll leave it to you."

Because she got in two good hits, she has a bright, cheerful expression.

She'll probably do her job in a good mood.

The operation is going according to plan.

The two of us return to the reception counter.

I hand over the bag filled with magic stones and receive the rental spear.

"What is this?"

Yes. For the second time today, "What is this?" I received.

Well, the bag is filled with magic stones, so it might be a bit much?

"It's a secret."

"...Please wait a moment."

Watanabe-san takes the bag and disappears into the back.

She comes back with the rental spear.

"Please don't forget your promise."

"Yes. I won't push myself. Well then, see you tomorrow."

"See you... tomorrow."

"Secret??? A promise? What's this? See you tomorrow?"

I leave the Association facility, glancing back at the confused newbie receptionist.

But, aside from persuading the branch manager, keeping it secret from the staff members might be difficult.

There's nothing I can do about that, so I just have to trust Watanabe-san.

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And so, here I am. Floor 19.

I promised not to proceed any further than this, but as of yesterday, I had already reached the 'Gate to Floor 20' which is on the 19th floor, so this far isn't 'beyond' the limit.

In other words, on the 19th floor, I can fight as much as I want.

I'm not breaking my promise.

...Will she get mad?

What I felt from actually fighting Watanabe-san was the difference in skill.

Her opponent has higher stats, and her skill is also superior.

There's no element for me to win.

While I could say there's no need to force a win, it's probably better to have a goal.

Defeat Watanabe-san by Soushi's birthday at the end of July.

The problem is how to win.

As my trump card, I have the super mode of [Charge・Spear].

With that, I can make up for the difference in stats.

But I'll keep it a secret until I'm sure I can win with it.

Its time to shine will come after I've tried everything I can think of and made her show all her cards.

Until then, I'll make up for the difference in skill.

Against the orcs here, I'll practice feints with my attacks.

For defense, I'll practice receiving attacks with the handle.

Once the cashing is done, it's a spear, and then armor.