Chapter 5: Are Slimes Something You Fish For?

On the third morning, Falco cheerfully went out hunting after enjoying the breakfast Shou had made.

His light brown eyes and well-defined features gave him a slightly exotic look, but with his black hair and perpetually good mood, he reminded Shou of a friendly Japanese older brother from back home. It didn’t feel like another world at all.

"You’ll see when you go to town, but since Deep Forest is in the northern region, most people have lighter-colored hair and eyes, like Leon."

"Do you and I stand out?"

"People with our coloring are more common in the Plains. My mother was a hunter who loved traveling, and I was born when she visited the Plains. So yeah, I stand out, but it’s not unheard of."

"Oh, and your father…?"

"He’s in the Plains. There aren’t many monsters there, so my mother got bored and came back home pretty quickly. We live for 200 years, after all. You meet a lot of people along the way."

"200?! You live for 200 years?!"

"Huh? Of course. We become adults at 20, and we can have children until we’re about 150. Maybe even a bit longer."

"Whoa."

"That’s why both men and women need to learn a solid trade so they can work for a long time."

"Yes!"

"Alright, time to start sword training."

"Wait, Falco—"

Hadn’t she said she wasn’t going to use a sword?

Just as she was about to protest, Falco smirked.

"You can’t even take down one slime, can you?"

What was that supposed to mean?!

"I-I can take one down!"

"You said it! I’m looking forward to it."

Oh no.

Shou instantly regretted it.

If she had just admitted she couldn’t defeat a slime, wouldn’t that mean she wouldn’t have to do sword training?

But she didn’t want to waste the past two days of effort either.

After finishing the cabin chores, Shou grabbed a bucket of water, tucked a pair of chopsticks into Falco’s coat, and took a long stick with her.

She secured the short sword by tying a sash around Falco’s shirt and tucking the sword into it like a belt.

"This looks like I’m going fishing."

Muttering to herself, she trudged outside in search of slimes.

Though she quickly realized she didn’t need to look—they were everywhere.

Poke.

The slime squirmed.

Whoosh!

It spat acid.

Poke.

Whoosh!

After using the long stick to make the slime spit acid twice, she bravely stepped forward and smoothly sliced it with the short sword.

The slime silently lost its form, leaving behind a small, sky-blue magic stone.

She picked it up with her chopsticks and held it up to the light.

"Pretty."

Then she dropped it into the bucket.

She replaced the water every ten stones.

By lunchtime, she had collected thirty magic stones.

She was so bored.

There were still plenty of slimes around, but she had had enough.

That afternoon, she checked the food supplies, made soup, and sliced dried meat and bread into thin pieces.

At ten years old, she wasn’t that small, but she didn’t have the dexterity of an adult yet. Peeling and chopping vegetables took time.

But she had time.

And after living such a hectic life before, she found immense joy in being able to take things slowly.

"I’m home! Shou!"

"Welcome back, Falco!"

Falco always picked Shou up when he greeted her.

Despite looking like he was in his twenties, he was a hunter—strong and sturdy.

He claimed that children should be picked up, and since Shou didn’t know enough about this world to argue, she let it happen.

"Did you manage to take down a slime today?"

"Yep!"

"Oh! Really? You didn’t get hurt, right? You carried the potion with you?"

…Oh.

She forgot.

"If you use a potion right away, injuries heal completely. Carrying one at all times is basic hunter etiquette."

She wasn’t aiming to be a hunter, but she’d make sure not to forget next time. She didn’t want scars, after all.

More importantly—look!

"You… this…"

"I stopped at thirty."

"I-I see… you actually managed to defeat them…"

Falco sounded almost disappointed.

"On the day Leon comes, you can take a break. I want to see how you hunt slimes."

Heh? Shou wrinkled her nose.

It was embarrassing to be watched.

"As your guardian, I have the right—no, the duty—to observe."

He said right! He was totally just doing this for fun.

Oh well.

"Besides, there were too many slimes around anyway. Your daily quota is thirty."

"Ehh?! That’s boring."

"Too bad. Do it anyway."

"Fiiine."

Thus, four more days of slime-hunting passed before her day off finally arrived.

"Alright! Time to hunt some slimes!"

Falco was way too excited.

With a sigh, Shou headed to the bedroom.

"Wait, why are you going to the bedroom?" Falco asked, confused.

She returned with a sash.

Right in front of Falco, Shou tied it around her waist, secured her short sword, filled a bucket with water, and placed two thin sticks into her sash.

Then she stared at him.

Shou wasn’t particularly talkative, but her eyes did the talking for her.

She was saying: I’m ready. Let’s go.

Got it.

Falco followed her outside—only to watch her grab a long stick from the wall and turn to face him.

…Wait.

That setup…

Oh no.

"You… you look like a fisherman—pffft—Hahaha!"

He couldn’t hold it in.

As he doubled over in laughter, something whacked him on the shin.

"Shou—ouch—don’t hit me with a stick—ow! Haha—ow! That’s a good strike—you’ve got real talent—ow!"

Yeah. She had sharp reflexes.

She had the makings of a swordsman.

But calming down an offended Shou was harder than expected.

He may have teased her a little too much.

Not good.

Still, Falco couldn’t hide his surprise.

Of course, he could take down dozens of slimes without issue.

But as a kid?

Not a chance.

Back then, his friends competed to see who could take the most acid hits. They got a thrill out of recklessly charging in.

Shou’s method, though—

It was safe.

Efficient.

And completely magic-free.

She just used those weird sticks to pluck out magic stones and drop them into the bucket.

That was it.

There weren’t many slimes near town, but if there were, someone could literally live off hunting them using her method.

…Was he even needed?

No, no, humans can’t survive on slimes alone.

Oh—Leon was here.

"Falco, there’s someone else with Leon."

Shou had regained her eyesight, so she could see into the distance.

Falco, being a hunter, saw even more clearly.

"You’re right. Wait… ugh, why is the High Priest here?"

"The who? Falco, why are you fidgeting?"

"I haven’t done anything wrong, have I? Yeah, I’m fine."

"Falco?"

"W-what, Shou?"

"What’s a High Priest?"

"The highest-ranking member of the church. They must be here to see you."

"Me?"

"Because you can use healing magic."

"Ohh!"

Finally!