167 163. The presentation of the conditions shall be made with caution. (1/2)

As I lazily greet the being in front of me with all my strength in my eyes, the Lord who sits atop a long white snake greets me with a half-impressed expression of wonderment.

It's amazing that a human really broke through. Well, it was a complete push.

The woman who sits on the snake with her cheekbones and an expression that doesn't match the atmosphere of her languid words speaks to me.

The strange woman, who looks like she could be anywhere, does not have any hostile intentions towards me, but she still has an air of determination about me.

I look at such a woman head-on.

She is characterized by her lack of characteristics, as if you could meet her at the supermarket.

If I had to pick a characteristic, I would say that she is slightly plump from the plump outline of her face.

She is sitting on top of a snake, looking down at you.

How shall I put it?

A unique black and white speckled traditional costume?

The skin is minimized to the extreme except for the face, and the clothes are loose at best and dowdy at worst.

And contrary to such superficial appearances, their presence can be said to be overwhelming.

You can only understand it because it's relative.

The pressure you feel on your skin.

The hint of such a strong man convinced me that he is the spirit of time and space, Varrus, whom I was going to meet and gave me a test.

”You put me through a gauntlet that I cannot perform?

”Hmmm, it's not possible. Even a child could do it if he wanted to.　My ordeal is a simple ordeal that anyone with perseverance can perform. If you complete all three thousand three hundred and thirty-eight steps correctly, you'll be out of that space in three days or so. Yes, if you have the patience.

And if you question the words of the spirit of time and space, you can easily pass off my sting as if there is no sting in it, and then the spirit says that this ordeal is not impossible, as if the people who have challenged the ordeal are not worthy of it.

And then he laughed cheerfully and briefly told you how to attack the ordeal.

You'll need time to listen to what Vals says, but I'm aware of how difficult conditions these simple words must be put under.

”With no hint?

This test is not like a game where you are given preliminary information and can be solved with a little thought.

You are asked to look at a blank sheet of paper and try to find the answer to the question.

It doesn't matter how smart you are, you can't succeed in this ordeal without any information.

The only people who could do it right would be those who have the luck to bring good fortune with every step they take or those who have the bad luck to cause something crazy to happen.

As I said, I'm not sure if I'm going to help you, but I'm in a rage when I hear what you have to say.

Yes, you have to start by figuring out the position of the slightest deviation from your starting position with no hint. But that's the whole ordeal, isn't it?　If you want to borrow paranormal powers, you have to pay for it, rather than the gentle one in my case, right?　Some spirits reap life in a single trial.

He didn't care about my voice, which was getting rougher.

Rather, as if to validate the price of the power gained in this ordeal, no?　I couldn't help but let out a bitter smile at such a spirit.

I can only let out a bitter smile at such a genie.

I can't help but let out a wry smile at such a reckless and reckless tone.

”My sense is that the word 'impossible' applies to this, don't you think?

Without paying any attention to my feelings, Valus explains that this is how the ordeal of the higher-ups should be.

”I wonder if this is you who accomplished it without regard to the whole process. It's my fault that I didn't think that the one who could cut through that space would be able to challenge my ordeal.

And to add, it is pointed out to me that I, who literally cut down the ordeal of recklessness and recklessness, should not say such things.

I think ”reciprocity” is the most accurate word for this place and time.

......

”......

”There's no point in talking about it. Do you want a cup of tea?

Let's have it.

I avoided mentioning this subject any further because we both understand that.

If we continue this conversation, it will definitely get bogged down and we won't be able to talk about the contract.

”Well, you're past the ordeal and you have the right to make a contract with me, what do you do?　I'm pretty quirky, you know?

I could kind of guess from the ordeal and the conversation afterwards. It's sweet.

Isn't it delicious?

Yes.

A yellow liquid in a wooden cup made of bamboo that was carried by a small white snake.

The sight of him sipping it is like a neighbor lady giving a drink to a child, and his mouth relaxes a little.

It's a warm drink that you understand from the steam, and since the spirit in front of you sipped it without any hesitation, it's not harmful, so you try drinking it, but you're a little surprised by the drink that leaves an impression with a faint sweetness like honey rather than astringency or bitterness, but you honestly think it's delicious and drink it as is.

”So, for those of you who seem to be quick to understand, let's get right to the contract.

The genie came to the main subject without interrupting the chatter, and I urged him to go ahead with my gaze.

Now that we've passed the gauntlet, I've earned the right to make a contract.

But it's just a matter of getting the right, how far I can help you from here is up to the negotiation.

To put it bluntly, I don't want to fight, so let's make a deal based on that, okay?

To be frank . For those of you who came to sign up for the spirit's strength, you might go crazy if you hear that after the ordeal is over.

Maybe in a normal world, but I'm not a normal genie.

I think about the words of the genie who doesn't seem bothered by the change in tone of voice from the first formal honorific to a broken tone of voice, declaring that it's okay to sign a contract but not to fight.

I myself had expected it to the extent that I would say no if you ask me if I hadn't relied on the power of spirits, but if you ask me if it's essential, I'd say no as well.

What I wanted from the spirits this time is not eternity, but I wanted time to live with them.

Even if they can't be used to fight, as long as their power doesn't diminish, I think we're good to go.

”By the way, I have to ask you, is it stronger when you fight?

”You know what?　A long time ago, a fire class and an earth class came to fight with each other,

Was?

I remember smashing it to pieces with a piece of candy.

”You're usually strong.

Not to that extent. But just because I'm strong doesn't mean I like to fight. Fighting badly to earn a grudge is no joke. I'd rather listen to an old woman talking about her love life with young girls than do that. And even better if they talk about good food.

I thought you wanted me to give up fighting because you don't have the power to fight, but even though you look like an auntie who could be anywhere, you are a special class spirit .

Her fighting ability seems to be quite high.

Such a genie is simply a self-defense spirit that does not like to fight.

That's when I understood the meaning of the spirit's gaze that was still assessing me.

”You'll extend my life, right?