World Strongest Rearguard – Chapter 17

Translator: pinky onee-sama    Editor: anirhapsodist

Note: ‘Increase Attack’ will now be renamed to ‘Support Attack’. I already made revisions from the previous chapters (specifically Chapters 3, 7, 8) with this term. I deeply apologize for this error.

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The Plains of Dawn – Second Floor

Based from the information we got from a party who were hunting watadama at the first floor, the entrance to the second floor was not readily accessible, but we can reach it by traversing the plains and pass between a space where a couple of large trees grew.

Normally, when we talk about labyrinths, their floors change when we ascend or descend a flight of stairs. That norm doesn’t seem to apply here.

We’ve just arrived at our objective — a couple of large trees. Mist envelops the space between them. –This seems to be the gate where we can access the next level.

“What do you say we take a meal before proceeding to the second floor? I also think it’s nice to have a snack in between meals, rather than spending a long time eating until we’re full.”

“That’s right. Let’s have a light snack before proceeding.”

The food shops sold dehydrated food since they hold a longer shelf life. As recommended by the shopkeeper, seekers should buy something like an all-in-one nutrition supplement combining a variety of nuts and dried fruit, baked with wheat or something powdery like flour. –Similar to a cracker or biscuit.

It was rather rigid, so the seekers usually pour soup from a water canteen, dipping it to soften and thus, making it ready to eat. There should be other ways of eating it as well, but for the meantime, unwrapping then; nibbling on it will do. The one we got is not that hard to bite, and the inside is a little moist. There should be no problems with chewing it.

“… Wow, my throat feels parched. I think it is best to be aware of the remaining water that we have rather than the food that we brought in this labyrinth.”

“We can’t drink the spring water just as it is and we still have a long labyrinth ahead of us. Using magic, we can push forward then go back from where we came from. We can escape whenever we want, then return to the same spot. We can do that, but the problem is…”

“People with those kinds of skill will surely be popular and it will really be difficult for us to find one.”

Theresa’s got an amazing appetite and I let her choose her favorite food from the shop. It was jerky. I was also advised to buy her a mix of dried fruits and assorted nuts. Consuming jerky alone might lead to an unbalanced nutrition.

“…Hmm…”

(She doesn’t utter anything at all, even when she’s eating so spectacularly… No, maybe she’s only swallowing her food.)

“…There’s a reason as to why Theresa remains as a mercenary, right? She also doesn’t even speak a single word…”

“Demi-humans cannot communicate in our words, but I don’t want her to always remain this way. I think that if I can get her out of that lizard equipment…”

“So, that’s why you want her to be a regular party member?”

“Well, that’s part of it too. I explored with her yesterday and she’s very reliable.”

I would’ve been annihilated by the Redface if not for Theresa.

There is “Rearguard” if there is a “Vanguard”. My capabilities as a rearguard will become more apparent when I use my support skills and I must maintain a good relationship with my companions at all times.

“We did hunt for about an hour now, aren’t you tired, Igarashi-san?”

“No, not at all. Whenever you’re at the rear, my body feels warm and my fatigue somewhat dissipates. Is this because of your skill, Atobe-kun?”

“Uhm, yes. Well… uhm, aside from getting tired, don’t you feel anything strange?”

I’ll take this moment to investigate their condition and what’s actually happening. I am well aware that ‘Support Attack’ and ‘Support Defense’ can somehow ameliorate their feelings. Also, I would like to identify what kind of emotional state ‘Credibility’ increases whenever I activate those support skills.

Igarashi-san, who took a bite from her mobile ration, didn’t give an immediate reply, she just blushed, then continued on chewing instead.

“Hnn? Sorry? My mouth was full.”

“My bad. Where were my manners? Please take your time eating.”

“Did I even feel strange? …How should I describe it? It’s more like… I’m being ‘Protected’?”

“I see… if that’s how you feel? Then it’s positive.”

There’s no mistake in how you felt because it really ‘protects’ you from the rear. It seems like there is no increase in her affection towards me either. – There is none.

“…These mobile rations are so plain. Next time, should I prepare a bento instead? I was told that the kitchen back at our accommodations can be used. I can whip us something.”

“Oh, that would be splendid. I didn’t know you can cook, Igarashi-san?”

About half of the ladies in our section brought their bento because they can’t buy when everybody just wants to eat. The employees’ cafeteria becomes overcrowded, so it leaves them no other choice but to bring their own bento.

I brought handmade bento myself and I saw lots of female employees eating their lunch at the meeting space many times over.

“…Well, my mother made a lot of things for me.”

“She’s a good mother. But will the flavor of Igarashi-san’s bento live up to her mother’s?”

“Well… if the ingredients are available. Shall we stop by the market after we finish our explorations for today?”

“Okay, let’s do that… Theresa, are you full now?”

Theresa’s throat made an audible gulp. She seems to have consumed her piece of jerky.

She stares at me. However, she would have nodded if she was already at her fill.

“Between the piece of jerky and the one that Igarashi-san is eating, which do you prefer?”

“……….”

Theresa points at the meat, then shifts her fingers on the solid bar of food. I felt her emotion run across that gesture and that really made me very happy.

“You prefer meat, don’t you?”

She nods in return. Why did you hold back? Was it because I was chewing on a bar of this mobile ration? Were you thinking of saving the meat for later?

Upon receiving the jerky, Theresa nibbled a little mouthful of it. Silently chewing, while staring at me.

“Are you happy, Theresa?”

“……….”

“W…well I guess you love to eat jerky.”

There are no other problems with these mobile rations since they gather in the stomach, and gives the necessary nutrition. The overall disadvantage with them is that that they are somewhat tough to chew. –That’s why it would be lovely to have some bento,  just like what Igarashi-san has previously suggested.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Upon entering the second floor, there was a noticeable increase in the number trees. The plains evolved to something like a savanna? –Sorry, I am not that familiar with the definition of a savanna.

“Which way should we go? I wonder which way we should go to reach the third level, too.”

“There seems to be another gate like this in the northwest direction.”

We’re lucky to get some bits of information from Rival. We should’ve been exhausted trying to figure out our directions the entire day. Add another day to that if we really ran out of luck.

(I, myself, don’t have the means to cure my fatigue, but both of you in front me, seem to be always at full stamina… Anyway, there are no signs indicating that their health is being reduced due to fatigue.)

“By the way, Atobe-kun, I’m still at level 1, but I have two skills. Should I tell you something about those?”

“I saw it yesterday. ‘Blink Step’ and ‘Thunderbolt’, right?”

“Yes, those skills. You can tell if I’m using them, Atobe-kun?”

“There’s a page in the license containing ‘Activity Log’, it gets displayed there.”

I turn the license page. Slid my fingers several times to look at the screen that I want.

◆ Activity Log ◆

Arihito is talking to Kyouka
Theresa invokes ‘Enemy Detection Expansion 1’

(It displays the casual behavior as well? Is it possible for Theresa’s skill to remain active, even without consuming magical power?)

“Oh, I guess you’re right. It says here… Atobe-kun’s ‘Aid Recovery 1’ has been activated. It’s thanks to this that my body feels nice and warm.”

“Sorry, it’s a skill that continuously activates. You might not be able to maintain your calm, so I’ll find some ways to deactivate it.”

“I was attacked by that red demon yesterday, and it was very painful. I felt relieved afterwards…”

“Y…Yes, I used this exact skill. It’s our strength and magical power –A skill that can recover your health and stamina.”

I remembered using this skill while in a specific posture –like embracing her from behind. Anyway, it was just necessary to fix my position to her rear, so it can’t be helped.

Even at a five-meter radius, ‘Aid Recovery’ remains active. There should be an effective range. But by how much? It needs to be gauged so we can maintain a workable distance, especially when fighting an enemy.

–At that moment, just from a little distance away, I heard the voices of a party in battle.

Theresa reacts, just barely picking up enemies from her detection range. Clearly in the distance was Elysha and Suzuna.

(Misaki is not with them…? God, what are they up against…?  What type of being is that…? A pig… a wild boar?)

“ROOOOAR!!”

“Kyaaah!!”

“Suzuna, stay down! Don’t you ever move from your spot!”

◆ Demon Encounter ◆

Fanged Orc: Level 2 : <In Battle> : Drop:???
Dokuyaribachi: Level 1 : <Caution> : Drop: ???
Dokuyaribachi: Level 1 : <Caution> : Drop:???

(An orc. A level 2 demon. But hearing those rumors about Elysha, this is just an opponent that is clearly outclassed.)

Her golden hair drifted along the wind. This lady swordsman, donned in silver armor, was a little bit shorter than me, but she stood up against the orc and raised her voice while beating it up without remorse.

“–Die!!!”

That’s quite a radical expression. She’s probably gone through a lot of battles and it manifests just on how careful she is.

◆ Activity Log ◆

Elysha’s  ‘Slash Ripper’ activated → ‘Fanged Orc’ : <Hit>
1 ‘Fanged Orc’ defeated

Elysha looks at the sword on her hand, and moments after that, the orc was already lying, spewing blood on the ground. A moment to scream was not even spared for the orc from the moment of contact.

(The stronger enemy has been defeated… but still…!)

“Igarashi-san, Theresa, let’s divert the attention of the bees towards us!”

“Understood!”

“……….”

◆ Activity Log ◆

Theresa invokes “Accel Dash”

With her skill, Theresa accelerated and enters the range of one bee. The other bee, however, secured a dangerous attacking position.

No matter how good a swordsman is, if the bee becomes aggressive and positions itself randomly in the battlefield, Suzuna, her rearguard, will be placed in a vulnerable position.

“Arihito-san!”

Suzuna, who laid low and motionless, noticed our arrival. She then raised her voice. Before the whirling bee in the air attempted to aim at her, I released a blazing bullet from my sling.