Chapter 2: Ch 2 - Adventure log with a demon lord
- Day 1 of traveling with the demon lord -
Since I claimed to have amnesia, Rimuru and Veldora took me along with them on their travels. They taught me heaps of stuff.
"Kuhahaha! Check out my carriage driving skills!" Veldora was at the reins; we swiped the horses and a cart from some bandits. I wanted to tell him, "It's not a carriage, it's a wagon..." But some other things caught my attention.
"Magic Perception?" I asked Rimuru as we rode in a cart.
"Yeah, that's why we can talk even though we speak different languages," Rimuru explained.
Ah, now it makes sense. They're probably from some magical other world. So she's like an Archmage or something?
Rimuru studied my thoughtful expression for a moment, then suddenly asked, "So... do you want to learn it?"
"Huh...?"
Learn it... Was she just asking, or offering to teach me? I felt a bit unsure. Shouldn't I be learning stuff like... inner energy (Qi) or something in this world?
"Oh, I'm offering to teach you so don't worry," Rimuru said, like she could read my mind. Magic in Murim world... Well, I can't understand what she is thinking under that smile but I guess learning it won't kill me, right?
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- Day 2 of traveling with the demon lord -
I've acquired it—the "Magic perception." It's a bit fuzzy now, but after Rimuru touched my shoulder, I began sensing it: Magicules, as they call this unique energy.
Suddenly, my vision expanded to a 360-degree panorama, as if I had eyes in the back of my head. Time seemed to slow down, altering my perception of the world. Yet, each time I employ it, my head reels with dizziness.
"Hmm, that's likely because you're just a human," Veldora remarked on my constitution.
"Ah... just a human? And what does that make you guys, monsters?" I quipped, expecting a laugh, but they surprisingly agreed.
"We are though?/Hoo~ Your perception is sharp! KUHAHAHAHA!" chimed Rimuru and Veldora.
Their words struck a chord of conviction within me. Only after today I found out they weren't humans and they're pretty open about it. Well, I suppose otherworlders are different. Do you think there's like the hero and the demon lord in their world? they told me many things about magic so it should actually exist, like the demon race or such, maybe a dragon...
"By the way, I was a Demon lord back in my world."
HUH-???
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- Day 3 of traveling with the demon lord -
I asked Rimuru-san about... huh? -san? Why did I say "Rimuru-san"? Seems I've been using Japanese suffixes too much. Well, I talk normally to everyone else in this world but them. Anyway...
I finally asked Rimuru why they came to this world. Now I know Rimuru's a demon lord, and Veldora's a dragon or something, but I never asked why they're here. And I doubt it's for conquest, 'cause all they've been doing is eating and having fun.
And... Their answer was as flat as a cutting board: "We're on vacation"
Dude... that makes way too much sense...
"Hmm! These sweets are amazing, Rimuru!" Veldora just wolfed down a super sugary tanghulu he bought with the money Rimuru gave him. Our funds come from the pockets of bandits we met three days ago and a few we've bumped into since.
I don't know much about dragons, but if a regular human like me ate that tanghulu, I'd probably end up with an intrinsic skill called "Diabetes." Even the vendor was surprised when Veldora asked for each to be dipped 20 times.
Oh, speaking of skills, Veldora was the one who taught me about that. I know, surprising, right? I got way better at magic perception after that, and my head stayed clear after using the skill for at least a day now.
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- Day 7 of traveling with the demon lord -
"Everything with magicules inside them evolves, do you understand?" These words are from Rimuru.
Sincerely, I have evolved.
Rimuru-san told me that I was such a rare case, she said she helped me to be able to obtain an affinity with magic because humans in general, are in fact, prone to magicules poisoning.
But that was it, she wasn't expecting me to actually evolve. I am now a "Sage", just a step higher on the human evolution tree. Apparently, it goes like this: Human -> Sage -> Saint
There is a higher level over "Saint", but Rimuru-san told me to not worry about it. well, she also didn't want to tell me about how one becomes a demon lord.
"Being a demon lord is... well, I don't think it will give you anything useful knowing it, so why don't you just leave it?" With a forced smile, she said that, but for some reason, I felt like she was remembering some bad things.
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- Day 14 of traveling with the demon lord -
Under the bright sun, I stood in front of the inn's yard, holding the sword tightly, sensing its weight and significance.
Upon arriving in the city, I stumbled upon some third-rate martial arts manuals being sold publicly. Though unfamiliar with their contents, I realized I couldn't always rely on Veldora-san and Rimuru-san.
These manuals might be mediocre, but with determination, anything is possible. Rimuru-san and Veldora-san noticed my interest...
"Would you like to try wielding a Katana instead?" Rimuru-san offered.
Gratefully declined, I didn't want to continually be on the receiving end of their generosity. Rimuru-san had already bestowed upon me the gift of magic perception, which proved invaluable in overcoming even seasoned third-rate martial artists.
As for Veldora... "You've got a keen eye, Haruto-kun! Allow me to impart to you my martial prowess: Veldora's Killing Arts!!"
Ah... This one, "No thanks."
"Huh???" (Veldora)
I blatantly rejected it, I couldn't quite consider Veldora's raw power as true martial arts. Despite his disappointment, I resolved to carve my own path when it came to martial arts.
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- Day 21 of traveling with the demon lord -
The central plains stretched out beneath the quiet night sky, vast and peaceful.
"Whoa!?" I sparred with Veldora. Yeah, Veldora... I'm serious. I felt like I was on death's doorstep. He's holding back, but now that I can use my magic perception, I realize Veldora's way stronger than any martial artist in the Jianghu combined.
(A/N: Jianghu is a realm outside of the formal societal structure, inhabited by martial artists, vigilantes, outlaws, and other characters living by their own rules and codes of honor. Simply put, it's the term for underworld which the government authority doesn't reach)
And it's not because of martial arts. There's no martial art that shouts out the move's name when you use it, so seriously, "Are you a dragon or a super Saiyan?! Stop blasting Kamehamehas!"
"KUHAHAHAHA! TATSUMAKI SENPUKYAKU!" (Veldora)
A thought crosses my mind: Maybe raw power is the most potent form of martial arts after all.
"GAAAAH! Go play video games instead, you damned lizard!"
- Please standby -
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"Ugh... I'm toast." Magic perception shows me Veldora's magic power, yet I still agreed to spar.
"Not bad for a human, Haruto!" The guy who almost wiped me out grinned like mad man.
"So, learn anything from this spar?" he asked. All I learned is that death might be easier...
"Huh? No response? Did you learn anything? Well, I suppose it was to be expected when the one you're sparring with is just a mere damned Lizard."
Oh my, perhaps... is he angry?
"... Damned lizard."
"DID YOU REALLY JUST CALL ME THAT AGAIN?!"
That day I hid behind Rimuru's back from Veldora's angry face, of course... with my tongue out, mocking him. Afterwards, we patched things up, and Veldora handed me a healing potion to mend my injuries, following a scolding from Rimuru for going too far.
Even though I felt weird about that potion since it was different from Rimuru-san's potion. A few hours then I asked about it and... "Ah... I accidentally put my dragon factors inside it." Veldora made an "Oh right I did that" gesture with his hands as if it wasn't something big.
"Veeel- do- raaaa~?" Suddenly, there surged a burst of cold and resolute magicules. It was Rimuru. She smiled charmingly, even though it was obvious that her eyes weren't smiling. It's time for round 2 baby! Go Rimuru! kick that bastard's ass!
"WHATTHEHELLAREYOUTHINKING,HE'SBARELY15YEARSOLDANDAHUMANATTHAT!YOUUNDERSTANDHOWDRANGEROUSTHATWOULD'VEBEEN,DOYOU?!HUH?DOYOU-"
Blood drips from my eyes, my heart races faster and faster, and strength drains from my body. Yet, a huge smirk remains on my face. Is it because I got to witness Veldora being scolded. Anyway, I passed out and crashed loudly to the ground, so I had no idea how it all wrapped up.
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- Day 23 of traveling with the demon lord -
I got stronger.
Martial arts moves are basically about using little strength smartly, so compared to overwhelmingly huge raw power, they're not much. And really, how should you even hold and swing a sword? Every martial artist has their own way.
But the real point of learning martial arts is just to beat enemies.
So why bother copying moves from books?
If they only show you how they want you to move, then it shouldn't matter how you do it. There's no one right way. I know my body best, so I should be the one making my own moves.
Martial arts manuals are just something people write when they come up with a move and don't want to forget it, then they jot it down on paper.
What...? Do you think martial arts are like summoning a colossal middle finger from the sky that pushes your enemies while you shout "BrEak~~!"??? how can you even do that with a straight and serious face????? Well, I can't!!!
(A/N: Reference to cultivation manhuas in general, don't get me wrong though—Chinese animations can be fantastic. However, it can be a bit cringey when it's just static images without animation.)
"GAAAH?!?"
Today, I made my first kill. The guy belonged to some unorthodox Faction. Or was it the demon faction? Honestly, I've lost track of all the different factions, sects, and clans we've encountered on our journey.
After nearly a month, I finally did it... This feeling... truth be told, I don't like it.
Then, Rimuru put a cold hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me. "I won't say it had to be done or they deserved it... The fact still remains: you took a life with your own hands. Just know, if you didn't, others might have been hurt."
Those words hit me, and my eyes widened. I looked at the cart the guys were using beside us. Rimuru was right, others might have been hurt. The cart had a cover that was shaking, with young kids tied up inside. Some were unconscious, others wide awake. Their mouths were gagged tightly with ropes, so they couldn't scream.
Yeah... I don't have to "like" killing. This is still the Jianghu, and hanging out with carefree Rimuru and Veldora was rubbing off on me.
Though, what about Rimuru then? Well, after that incident:
"The key to becoming a demon lord is sacrificing 10,000 souls. People usually think it's human souls, but any creature that can recognize itself in a mirror works. And the 10,000 number is just an average; it's the amount of soul energy that matters, not the number of souls. I shared this with you, but you promised not to tell Rimuru that I used my own skill-made money to buy this tanghulus, okay?" —That's what Veldora told me when I asked.
But, of course, I lied. I told Rimuru about Veldora's "evil plan" to mess with the country's economy, and he ended up getting a few whacks from Rimuru's giant paper fans that she conjured out of thin air.
Now I understand why Rimuru acts the way she does towards me. Maybe she wasn't so forthcoming about her past, like how she'd killed over 10,000 souls before. But then again, I've heard Veldora's stories about "accidentally" destroying a city.
But even if those stories were true, it's not like I can bring myself to hate them.
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- Day 27 of traveling with the demon lord -
Hmm... how am I going to go with this...?
Sincerely, we eradicated the demon faction.
There was a commission announced by the imperial palace you see? The emperor decides to interfere with the Jianghu. And was about to get obliterated when they tried to raid the major sect of a demon faction. I suppose they worshipped the "Heavenly demon" or something?
I dunno, it wasn't exactly that important. The only reason we accepted the commission was because we've been using Rimuru's skills to "make" money and use them. At least with this, we can get back the amount we spent and not be guilty about suddenly causing inflation.
But anyway, we wore masks, and killed everyone in the demon faction.
Well... maybe not everyone. The crazy sect has a whole labyrinth underground, most prisoners are held there either as slaves or as human experiments. And...
"Y-young master...? Is that you?!!!"
"Eh?"
White beard, and bald head... I recognized his clothes, despite being thorn and ragged, the clothes that the old man in front of me was wearing had the same designs as the ones I was wearing before I met Rimuru-san and Veldora-san. Perhaps... is he someone who knows about me- no, someone who was acquainted with this body?
"Do you... know who I am, mister?" The happy face he had just now turned into a frown surprise when I spoke those words.
"Y-yes! of course I know who you are, How could I ever forget... Young master!!"
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- Day 28 of traveling with the demon lord -
With Rimuru and Veldora's assistance, we clarified matters to the old man we rescued. He now believes I've lost my memories (though that's not the case). He claims to belong to a group called the Namgoong clan and insists that I'm one of their descendants.
Like, seriously? In this Murim world, it's not shocking to hear the name "Namgoong". They're on every Murim work out there.
And get this, he's saying my name is "Namgoong Hajin." Can you believe it? It's gonna take some time getting used to, especially since everyone's been calling me Haruto until now for no reason...
Even "Haruto" was not my name, and that was already hard to deal with too...
"Then what about you, mister? your name is...?" When I asked this his frown got deeper.
"This old man is Man Joon-Ho, I..." He paused for a second...
Now, this is where Magic perception comes in very handy. By observing the fluctuation of light and sound waves through interaction with magicules, I can be processed and converted into perceptible data, allowing the user to see and hear their surroundings.
But... Magic perception also allows the user to understand the intent of spoken words by deciphering sound waves that have willful meaning stored inside them, even if the language of their conversation partner is unknown to them.
Simply put: I can detect lies.
However...
"I am one of your supporters, Third young master," he gave me a salute of a Fist-and-palm gesture. I didn't detect any lies from those words.
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- Day 30 of traveling with the demon lord -
"I guess it's time for us to go different ways, Haruto-kun—oops, is it Namgoong Hajin now?" Rimuru said.
"You can just call me whatever you want," I replied, smiling. It's time to say goodbye, huh? Honestly, I was thinking about asking them a favor to stay longer with them. I wanted to go with them. But I guess they stayed here for a month just to make sure I got back to my family safely...
Though...
"Well, that settles it... but, I believe you're aware that I'm not from around here either... Correct?" It was a question I'd been holding onto for quite some time. For someone like them, there shouldn't be any doubt; they already knew I was also from another world.
Even though that's what I asked, the actual question that actually lingered in my heart was: why won't they take me with them?
Rimuru had wide eyes for a second before she showed me a smile, "I don't know~ Maybe I did, maybe I don't... and who knows, maybe we'd meet again someday?"
I could sense it; she manipulated the magicules around her. But I couldn't discern exactly what she did. There was also a voice echoing in my mind, so unfamiliar that I dismissed it as a hallucination.
«Report: Unique skill 『Jester』 has been has been created»
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To be continued
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