24 – Once again it’s up to me to save the day

"Bwah!" (Sasha)

"This is awful! Shishou… can you really eat this?" (Stella)

"I'll admit it's horrible. But food should not be wasted. Although, seriously, old man, what kind of local dish is this? Tastes like shit."

"Hoho. It's our famous Wake up stew. Many people are sleep deprived in this town. So they need some way or somehow to stay awake and start their day. One sip of this is enough to wake even the most tired sleepyhead."

True enough. My awareness is at full throttle after eating this thing. I guess the food is due to their circumstances.

"Alright, grandpa, you ate, we gave you some money, now it's time for your end of the deal. So let's just start with the most basic question. What the hell was that creature that appeared last night?"

The old man trembled and his eyeballs almost felt like flying out of his sockets.

"You can't possibly mean… you arrived in our town during the night and… you saw the Ripper?"

"Ripper? Are you talking about that shrieking abomination?"

"Young miss, you're very lucky to be alive. That is a creature that has haunted our town for many generations."

Apparently at night, a monster lurks on the streets of Almus. If the people shut their doors and windows the monster does not attack the buildings. But whoever wanders on the streets at night is killed by this beast. And it seems like this thing has been haunting the town for years. Many adventurers and knights tried slaying it but nobody succeeded.

Not much else is known. How this thing appeared, what weakness does it have or any useful information. I still maintain my statement. That thing is not alive.

"We're cursed."

"I don't get it. If the thing only shows itself in this town, why not just move and build a new home somewhere else?"

"We've tried that already, miss. Roughly 30 years ago we all tried moving. And while we were on the road… we felt free. But as soon as we settled and built this place, the nightmare returned."

After a few more minutes of chatting with this old guy I managed to get a grasp of the situation in this place.

"So you see, this creature is invincible, so, I for one, accepted my fate."

"Huh? Invincible? That's rubbish. Shishou could run circles around that thing!" (Sasha)

"That's right! Shishou is a super-duper adventurer and her power knows no limits!" (Stella)

Oi! Don't try pushing this on me, you brats! This monster is none of my business. I have no obligation whatsoever to slay this thing. From my point of view, I just need to get some supplies and stroll out of here before nightfall.

"Miss, are you perhaps someone strong?"

"I am. However, don't think that I will step in to slay that thing. Your problems have nothing to do with me. I ain't someone so generous as to risk my life for some strangers for free."

"Free? Nobody said that it had to be for free. Why do you think other adventurers tried helping us? The town is offering a reward, however nobody managed to claim it."

"Reward? What exactly are we talking about?"

"Well… across the years people just kept adding to the pot so if I were to estimate… I guess roughly 10 million wurna."

“Wha!? 10 million? That’s enough for one person to live for an entire year without having to work!” (Stella)

“I don’t even know if I can count that far.” (Sasha)

At the sound of such a huge amount of money… a pragmatic person like myself can’t just ignore something like that.

“Guess I’ll look into it.”

“Shishou, but you said…” (Stella)

“You’re one weird person, miss. How did your parents even raise you? Is that how you ended up like this?”

“Who cares about that, grumpy old man.”

“Who’s grumpy? Besides, I wouldn’t get my hopes up, miss. You probably were just lucky that you survived last night. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Ridiculous. As if I could possibly be defeated but such a creature. You might as well go and get the money ready.

Girls, we’re leaving. I need to get ready.”

“Understood.” (x2)

The old man was left dumbfounded.

------

Night soon came one more time. People once again barricaded themselves inside. I asked the old man if Sasha and Stella could stay inside with him. He didn’t mind. I don’t like to admit it but the Ripper is strong. That’s a fact. However… I won’t lose to someone like him.

I once again waited in the central plaza. I waited and waited until eventually…

*Shrieking sounds*

“So you finally show yourself, huh, mister Ripper? Was about time already. I almost fell asleep.”

I get the feeling that it’s looking at me with anger. Does it remember me by any chance? Regardless, it seems like it’s eager for a rematch.

“Fine by me. To be honest our last encounter didn’t leave a good taste in my mouth either. But I’m grateful. Against you I can use more of my powers without restrictions. The question is… how much can you make me squeeze?”

The beast started swinging its sword left and right in a menacing way. It's ready to go. Yosh. Let's see what it's made of. Last time it caught me off guard but this is going to be different.

"Ready, Yuki?"

"Whenever you are, Darling!"

After taking a few swings in the air, it started. The mad beast rushed towards me. For now I decided to test its speed. A flurry of strikes was unleashed.

Left, right, up, down. A constant volley of sword swings. It's like his hand disappears and his sword flashes in the next moment. No wonder this guy killed everyone until now. Even those adventurers I beat during my test wouldn't be able to follow its moves. I'm different, though.

Dodge, dodge, dodge, dodge. With nimble movements I am able to avoid each and every one of his blows.

"Darling… it's like you're moving before he is. Can you see the future or something?"

"That's not the case, Yuki. Nakajima style emphasizes on predicting the enemy. Reading his muscle tension, the movements in his shoulder, his footwork… I can predict all his amateur movements. He's not going to land any hits."

This thing is getting angrier by the second.

"You really are… one naive beast."

I swing Yuki with a great amount of strength colliding with his sword and overwhelming it completely. A loud sound followed by waves of cold ice are generated and the Ripper is blown away. He’s sent rolling across the rumbling ground.

"Well? What's wrong? Is that all you got? I bet most people are scared of you, but this time is going to be different. Brace yourself, Ripper. It's time for you to learn what fear means."