Riot Grasper

Translated by mranon

2nd Volume, 11th Chapter 【The Good Ol' Balloon】 2nd Part

The moment I turned up at the Guild, I was informed that tomorrow had been decided to be the day of the exam.

It might be my imagination, but Sheena-san's face suggested she was a little worried, yet she cheered me up saying 「If it's Seiji-san, it will be alright.」

Have I drawn some strict examiner…?

By the way, per my life cycle [routine] these days, today was supposed to be a day off. However, I had no intention of spending the day before the exam leisurely.

I went to the South Forest, where I usually walk to, with Rook. To prepare for the exam tomorrow, I hunted Smagobs and Caterpillars.

「Alright… This should do.」

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Name: Seiji・Agatsuma

Race: Human

Age: 18

Job: Adventurer (Rank D+)

Unique: Scholar's Knowledge

Skill(s)

・Thief's Godly Skill (Riot Grasper) Lv3 (14/150)

・Physical Abilities Enhancement Lv3 (6/150)

・Sword Arts Lv3 (28/150)

・Abnormal Status Resistance Lv2 (42/50)

・Vitality Enhancement Lv2 (33/50)

・Light Magic Lv2 (36/50)

・Origin Magic Lv2 (12/150)

That very same night, Dario-san wished me success in the exam by treating me to the best of his cuisines.

'Fry the Salt Cow's, a cattle that grows up grazing in the coastal pastures, meat in the fragrant spices and vegetables (the meat contains moderate salt). For further depth, add the Alma Chicken bouillon.'

'When the soup base is ready, toss a variety of vegetables in. Then, *kotokoto* simmer it. Don't forget to add the accent of wine.'

Lim's and Dario-san's conversation felt as if she was learning the recipe from him.

The soup, which I was gobbling up in a trance, seemed to be made so.

Surely, quite an effort was put in the main dish, fish meuniere, too.

Not a single slice of the fresh fish, which was transported from Pascam, had lost its flavor. A technique was used to preserve the insides, certainly.

It was so good――I was about to cry. Really.

――7th Month, 1st Week, the Day of Water.

I went to the Guild early in the morning and waited till seven bells rang.

The flow of this area was the same as last time.

However… Strangely…

The examiner had yet to appear… Even though it had been a while since seven bells rang…

Did I possibly make a mistake in respect of time?

Since I was getting anxious, I tried to ask the staff. Right then――

「――Fucker… Ain't you that sissy from back then? 」

What was that…? Although it was nostalgic, it was a hoarse voice which I would never want to hear again.

Who is he…? No, how could I forget him…

When I was a fledgling in this world, who knew neither right nor left, a man served me unforgettable humiliation and an exceedingly convenient Skill――

Slowly, I lifted my gaze from his feet to his face.

――Bal・Goliath

No, he can't possibly be the examiner, can he…?

「Fucker, you sitting for the Rank C Promotion Exam?! Whatever… I've been chosen to be the examiner this time. Don't waste my time. Let's start right away…」

Serious…ly? I don't want such an examiner.

In the criteria for an examiner quest, the Guild needed to include character, too, not just rank.

Aah… Is that why Sheena-san had a worried expression?

Or rather, with which mouth are you telling me 'don't waste my time' after coming late?

「Don't stand here like a fool! Quick, move!」

「…Okay…」

I, who was in an absentminded state, was made to walk to the training area inside the Guild.

Just like last time, my ability would be assessed here.

Bal's, who picked a practice axe up and was vigorously brandishing it, figure reflected in my eyes.

「This time, I'll be the one to decide the method of the exam. What I believe is… An Adventurer who is not strong should start from the scratch…」

"Zugonn!" He slammed the axe into the ground.

「Aah… Fuck! Ever since that day, my body has been in bad shape. Whenever I see your fucking face, I get irritated. I have only been receiving petty volunteer quests. The Guild isn't pleased… Fuck! What a joke…」

He completely vented his anger out. I was the cause of it all, though.

However, returning his skill to him was simply not an option.

Fumu… Is his demotion imminent? Or is an examiner quest petty?

「Prove your strength to me. If you do, you will pass.」

「Er…m, would it be okay if I won?」

「Hah! Try it if you think you can. You piece of shit, who gets along with the beasts, lemme see how pathetic your abilities are.」

Eh, b, east…?

For a moment, I couldn't get as to what he referred to. Then, Doorey-san's words replayed slowly inside my head.

In Souven Empire, humans who bore hatred for beastkin were many… Indeed――

「A beast will always be a beast. Aah, those are called beastkin, too, right? I seriously doubt the intellect of a guy who receives a joint quest with those.」

Is he perhaps talking about Lim and Arnold-san…?

I had indeed received joint quests on a number of occasions. He must have gotten wind of it.

「Wait a minute! You don't possibly have a cat fetish, do you? Well, if the partner were a beast, even a pussy could have a go―― 「Err, Balloon? San, was it… May I?」

「An?」

I interrupted his words and continued mine.

「Albeit for the time being, you're my senior Adventurer. I thought I would give you due minimum respect, but…」

I set the practice sword up to midsection. While staring at the opponent, I spat the following words out.

「This much will do for the introduction. Get ready right now, you fucking piece of shit. Is your brain smaller than even a Green Caterpillar's? You want me to beat you till you cry? Are your inflated muscles full of air, you muscle balloon?」

「You got some nerve, eh…」

「You――――have made me angry.」

「――Umm, Seiji-san… That was quick. What was the result of the exam…?」

I opened the door to the training area, came out and reported the end of the exam.

The following were the opponent's words, so there wouldn't be any issue.

「I seem to have passed. The examiner is still lying in the training area; you can confirm with him.」

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――Hence, I achieved promotion to Rank C.

The exam was over unexpectedly early, so I thought I would take a day off, but…

「Alright, from now on, Seiji-san will be a Rank C- Adventurer. By the way, we have been entrusted with a message under the name of Marita・Duo・Ballad…」

Together with handing over the updated Guild Card, Sheena-san conveyed a name. I had too much of an idea as to whose name it was.

Finally~… I mean, why had there been no word till now…?

「Seiji-san and Lim-san are to turn up at the lord's mansion. I conveyed them that you were in the midst of an exam. I was told that after the exam would do.」

Why Lim, too? Because we were together at that time?

The tone didn't suggest that an immediate appearance was required, so it was alright.

「Erm, have Lim [and Arnold-san] turned up at the Guild?」

「They have yet to appear today.」

They were still at the inn, probably.

「Then, if you see Lim, convey it to her on my behalf.」

「Very well. If you see her, please convey it to her on the Guild's behalf.」

Author's note: As for what happened…

Bal was beaten till he cried.