....Following as yet, I stood tall in front of the forest... Despite its perilous guise, I insisted on entering.
"Rimu, you ready? -Wobble- Let's do this!"
'I didn't train these past 4 days just for nothing. I studied and developed lots of skills and honed my sword play all for this day!'
With conviction, I stepped inside... Upon entry, a monster was already visible. hence, I acted swiftly.
'Synchronize Water... Halt the air molecules' movements. This creates a chemical reaction...'
"Now, freeze to death from absolute zero temperature"
'A few days, ago, I would definitely have had trouble with just one of these guys...'
"At this pace, won't I get it done within 3 days?"
'Plausible. Anyways...'
Venturing deeper into the endless forest, I faced off with various monsters. Felled 3-5-10-20- Until I lost track of my numbers. Exhausted. Nonetheless, I remained true towards my oath to the townspeople.
"These guys. They're just endless... I'd rather face off with a much tougher opponent. This is getting easy."
'I suppose... That's the results of my hard-work. Being productive... Isn't too bad.'
As I recalled my past life's dull and redundant living, I thought
"Back then... Everything was so empty. To escape that, I lived a life of an Ota — Slash!"
'Ahhhhh!'
With my Magical Sword, I struck it back.
"Honestly, these guys... So tactless. And there I was about to miss my relatives..."
Wobble?
"Oh, sorry for showing such a pathetic display, Rimu. Don't worry. I'm enjoying life here. With you. And with the rest of the towns—Villager — Townspeople. Meh, whatever works."
I used perception to make count of the remaining mobs at the area.
"... just 5 more left."
'I mean, wait... Is it, just me or...'
" I think my Perception range is getting wider...? I'd have to figure out how that works later."
Getting rid of the leftovers, I then headed home. Upon arrival, I conceptualized once again. Thinking of various things to completely eradicate the monsters. Leaving no trace of their existence.
"The most crucial skill for this plan, Skill: Perception."
'If I refine it to a degree that envelopes the entirety of that forest, then, I can easily track the ones in hiding.'
Scratching my head violently out of frustration, I asked myself.
"Ahhhhh! But how?"
'Maybe... Perception'
"Well, I can see half of the village"
'Oops, I accidentally saw someone naked — Cancel Skill activation'
"Woman, whoever you are, forgive this man's carelessness. By no means was that intentional."
'Getting back on topic, it just increased naturally right? Maybe the more I use it, the farther it increases?'
"Let's test that out."
'To all the ladies out there, forgive me but a sacrifice must be done for the Village's sake.'
"Shuma, thou art civilized! Measly women shant stop thy path!"
... Using my Skill, I could see all the naked specimens. Both men and women.
'On second thought, this is disturbing as hell. The forest problem and this are two different things... Can't I make it so that I don't see their bathrooms?'
Imaging, and convincing myself that it doesn't exist, I was amused.
"Ah, it's simple as that? Just thinking of its removal rids it? Oh well, thank life"
Relieved that I solved the issue 'Now that we got that problem fixed, good night.' I remarked.
And so, a new day at the forest starts.
"I might be late asking this but... Don't I run out of Magia?"
Wobble
"Ahahah-haha! Riiiight? Whelp, pretty sure I'd know the answer very soon"
'Cancel Perception... Activate Perception... '
... Stunned by how far it has covered, I was at a loss for words...
"....."
'...'
"Could I possibly be a genius? Heh-heheheh..."
'Well, well... Les' see... Damn... The monsters present at Whispering Deadlands — Roughly, 5 Thousand...'
"I estimate 2 days would be enough for these guys."
'But, that's under the pretense that I act in haste and exhaust myself for today up til tomorrow.'
"Rimu, you think you could hold out for 2 days?"
Wobble
"Hah, I see. well then, it's decided! For freedom!"
Fiercely, did I advance. Utilizing all skills at my disposal, all the while fending off any sneak attacks... Sensing their movements using perception... Slashing using my sword... All that I could manage, I put great effort
"Huff-Huff-Huff"
'Man, this is pretty taxing... How many... did I... take down? — just 794... in 3 hours? I'd say it's fairly lots...'
"Huff-Huff"
Running out of breath, I took a few minutes rest and continued... Slashing "Die in Flames! Mwahahaha" Skills, and the likes, I persisted... Until a day had already passed...
Huff
"The sun's... Already up. Let's... take a little... break, Rimu..."
Then starts... Day 2. Total Monsters Slain: 2893
From my right, I reclined on the withered tree.
Boing-Splutch
Rimu leaped back down 'Wobble' and following that, I dozed off.
"Ah, crap! I fell asleep! Rimu? Ahhh, thank goodness! She's fast asleep..."
I picked up my adorable partner, stood up then placed her atop my head. I then pondered.
'How many hours has passed, I wonder?'
"Probably around 8 A.M? yeah, somewhere spanning from there I'd say"
'Well, I should keep moving.'
With ardor, I kept going. Batting no eye in rending all I perceive... 200 more Monsters, slain... 500... 800... 1100... And just a few thousand, remain.
Huff-Huff
"Just a few... More, and I'll be, in, that Legion's ranks... In, no time... Haaaah... My breath..."
Wobble
"Rimu? Finally up?"
After she woke up, I sensed something.
"A sudden surge of monsters are approaching...?"
'And they were running from me just a while ago. Those dumb-assess...'
"Come on! Saves me the trouble!"
Zealously, I attacked.
Slash!-Whoosh!-Slash!
Evading and striking, all the while keeping my immense concentration intact — As to not lose control of my Magic Skills...
Later, did I notice...
"How many... are... left?"
'30... Haahh.. Yes!'
Relieved, I screamed from atop my lungs.
"Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I then took a breather. Consequently, I decided on finishing the rest,
Slash!
"That's... the last one of em..."
I fell on my knees...
"Huh?"
'Ahah-hahah... Huff Hahahah...'
"The fact that I dropped the moment I was reassured... Must mean I'm that exhausted..."
I lay flat on my back and placed Rimu besides me
"Just a... quick... nap... Rimu... You can, play, around... Whisper...ing Dead...lands is, no... more..."
I slowly lost consciousness...
Boing-Boing
Groan
"Rimu... Hahah... The usual Alice/Rimu Wakeup move... Cute"
'Guess I should get going... Report what I accomplished to the Villagers'
Subsequently, after trudging my way back, I saw the village-made-town that I came to help...
'Ah, they're looking at me... Must be anxious? Worried? Well, I do look like a total mess... Hahaha...'
"Shuma!"
"Tsuki-san..."
Trailing behind his back was his grandfather.
"Shuma-kun... What happened to you?!"
"Ahah-hah... I kept my promise, Tsugio-san, Tsuki-san... Everyone..."
"Shuma, say no more... Why are you this reckless. I've been wondering where you went off these past 2 days. I thought you were training so I paid no heed... But..."
"— Tsuki-san"
Smack! — Owwie
"Why'd you suddenly hit me? Tsugio-san?"
"That's for being rash... But, Shuma-kun, I'm grateful... We're grateful"
"But gramps"
"Tsuki, let's respect Shuma's act of good-will"
'— Actually, I treated it as training but... That works...'
"Ummm, can I go back to my room?"
"Before that, let our doctor see to your wounds..."
'It's really nothing serious though...'
"Al-right...?"
"Tsuki, lead Shuma-kun to the place"
The doctor checked the minor wounds I had and did some few patching up... "Your wounds are nothing serious but Mr. Shuma, you should take it easy. After all, you did all this for our village." said the Doctor
"Alright, thanks."
"Shuma, how did you survive that horrid forest?"
"Actually, I just did a Speed-run"
"Speed-run?"
"Nah, it's nothing... I just slashed and dashed em. I also used a bit of magic. I did a bit of training as I told you days ago"
"Shuma... You've gotten strong."
"Heheh... Damn right I did! Hahahahahah!"
'Now I've become Tsuki-san...'
"Listen, Tsuki-san. This is sudden but... Tomorrow, I'll be heading off. I can't play the role the lore had foretold, but I promise to return some day..."
"That really is sudden... Then, that just means... We have to hold a party for you! After all, you went through that for us! Bwahahahaha!"
'Uh-oh, he's back with his normal self...'
"But the doctor said... Rest?"
"If you can argue, you can drink! Bwahahahah!"
'This is real bad... But... I suppose... This isn't bad, every once and a while.'
Hence, Tsuki-san orchestrated the whole thing and gathered everyone from the Village. Meanwhile, I went on with how things unfold... It was very troublesome, yet, fun.
And so, the festivity, continues...
-End of Chapter-