Arifureta Vol 4 Chapter 5 (1/2)
Chapter 5 : The Only Way to Survive
“Well then, I think I’ll give you some combat training”
Hajime and his party who banished from Faea Belgaen were resting in their temporary base near the Great Tree when he suddenly said that. Even though it was called a base, it was only a barrier made of Faea Drain crystals that… Hajime nonchalantly stole. Inside it while sitting on stumps, those rabbit-ears floated dazed expressions.
“Th-that… Hajime-san. Combat training in other words…”
s.h.i.+a asked him on behalf of her perplexed clan.
“Just like the words said. Anyway, we can’t reach the Great Tree before ten days pa.s.sed, right? Then it’s better to effectively use those time, I am thinking to make you whom weak, fragile, and loser nature deeply ingrained in, into someone who excel in combat.”
“Wh-why did you think that…”
The rabbit-ears were trembling from the intimidating feeling that can be felt from Hajime’s eyes and whole body. s.h.i.+a naturally doubt Hajime’s abrupt declaration.
“Why? Did you ask why? Shameless rabbit.”
“Au, you still not called me by name…”
Hajime with skeptical eyes explain to the depressed s.h.i.+a.
“Listen well. The promise that I had with you guys was only to protect you until you done guiding me. Then, what will you do after guiding me, did you already think about it?”
Haulia tribe’s members look at each other then shake their heads. Kam also has a hard expression. Even though they vaguely felt the uneasiness, it seems because they were in upheaval after upheaval that thought was thrown into the corner of their minds. Or it was possible that they didn’t think about it at all.
“Well, it looks like you didn’t think about it at all. No one told me you’ve think about it after all. You’re weak, so you can only run and hide in front of malice and possibility of injury. To that kind of you, the place to retreat called Faea Belgaen was lost. In other words, when my protection is gone, you’ll once more fall into predicament.”
“”””””… …””””””
Because that was right, everyone of Haulia tribe look down with dark expression. Meanwhile, they can Hear Hajime said.
“You didn’t have any way out. There is no protection nor place to hide. However, demonic beasts and humans will aimed at the weak you without mercy. If this going on there will be only path of annihilation… are you okay with that? Are you okay with weakness as the reason of your ruin? Is it okay for the lives that you luckily got back uselessly gone? What do you think?”
No one utter any words and gloomy atmosphere filled their vicinity. Until someone suddenly said.
“There no way I can accept that.”
Haulia tribe began to look up having touched by those words. s.h.i.+a was already look resolute.
“That’s right. That can’t be accepted. Then, what should you do. The answer is easy. Just become strong. Just attack all the trouble that come and destroy it, you only need to acquire your rights with your own hands.”
“… … but, we are RabbitMan tribe. We didn’t have strong body such as Tigerman tribe and Bearman tribe neither special skill like Wingedman tribe and Earthman tribe… … we are totally, that…”
Because it was a common sense that RabbitMan tribe is weak, Hajime’s words only give birth to negative feelings. Because they are weak, they can’t fight. No matter how much they struggle to get strong as Hajime said, that’s what they think.
Seeing this Haulia tribe Hajime laugh from his nose.
“Did you know I was called “incompetent” by my former companions?””
“Eh?”
“”Incompetent” you hear, “incompetent”. My status and skill was as ordinary as average person. The weakest among my companions. Nothing more than a burden in combat. Therefore, I was called “incompetent” by my former companions. Indeed, that was the truth.”
All of Haulia tribe members were surprised by Hajime’s confession. They can’t believe that Hajime who was able to easily defeat Raisen Grand Canyon’s brutal demonic beasts and Elder of Bearman tribe who excel in combat was someone “incompetent” and “weakest”.
“However, I who was fallen into the bottom of the Abyss acted to become strong. I didn’t think if something was possible or impossible to do. If I didn’t do anything then I’d die, that’s why I fought with all my might in that crisis. … … when I noticed I was already became this.”
All of it was talked indifferently, however, all of Haulia tribe members can feel chill running through their whole body because of the sublime content. With status the same as average person means his specs is even lower than RabbitMan tribe. In that situation, he was able to defeat monsters that even stronger than demonic beasts in Raisen Grand Canyon that they can’t even match again. His abilities and the fact that he survived even though he was the weakest after challenging those monsters make the Haulia tribe tremble in fear imagining those bizarre situations. If it was them they’ll be crushed in despair and accept death in resignation. Just like how the accept the decision from the Elders Conference.
“Your situation now is similar to mine. Now promised to yourself, let’s break the despair into pieces. I don’t care even if you think it was impossible for you. You’ll only be annihilated next time. After all, I won’t help you after the promise is accomplished. It’s okay to spend the little time remained in your life to lick each other wound just like losers.”
Then, what will you do? is what Hajime asked with his eyes. There is no immediate answer from Haulia tribe members. Well, it can be said there is no other answers. They understood there is no other road to survive except to become strong. It’s not like Hajime protect their family out of justice. Therefore, he will surely abandon them after their promise is fulfilled. However, even if they understand that, their nature is peaceful and gentle, the RabbitMan tribe’s gentleness is stronger than anyone else, that’s why for them Hajime’s proposal is the same as stepping into an unknown territory. It was difficult for them to change their way of life unless they fall into the exact situation just like Hajime.
Haulia tribe fall into silent and look at each other. However, s.h.i.+a who since a while ago floated a resolute expression look at them with a skeptical gaze then she stand up.
“I’ll do it. Please teach me how to fight! I don’t want to stay weak anymore!”
Her shout echoes all over the Sea of Trees. A declaration to say there is no need to think more than this. s.h.i.+a hates fighting. It was scary and painful, above all it was sad to hurt and to be hurt. However, it was the truth that she was the cause in driving her tribe into current predicament, so she absolutely won’t let her tribe perish. For that certain purpose, s.h.i.+a wanted to become stronger even if it was against the nature of RabbitMan tribe.
s.h.i.+a with unyielding determination in her eyes look straight at Hajime. Kam and his tribe who are dumbfounded by that, gradually change their expression into resolute one, one by one they stand up. In the end, not just the male, female and children of Haulia tribe all stood up and Kam who represent them move a step forward.
“Hajime-dono… … please teach us.”
His words was few. However, there is a will inside of it. The will to fight against injustice that’ll come to attack them.
“Okay. Are you prepared? How much stronger you become will be up to your determination. I am only here to give a hand to it. Also, I won’t be gentle to those who decided to drop out on the way. We only have ten days in addition… … be accustomed to dying. What await you were only life or death after all.”
Having heard Hajime’s word, all of Haulia tribe members nodded with determination.
Before he start to train Haulia tribe, Hajime took out equipments that will be used to train from
“treasure box” and hand it to them. It was the single-edged knife that similar to a type of j.a.panese sword called kodachi that he pa.s.sed to them before. Hajime made those blade with precision that even the sharpness is excellent because he practiced the method to manufacture the ultra thin blade. It was strong against impact because it made of Taur ore. It takes pride in its durability despite its thinness.
After he gave them those weapons, he taught them basic movements. Of course Hajime didn’t have any knowledge in martial arts. But it was not something he got from manga or game. The things he taught was only “logical movements” that he gain and polish by fighting the demonic beasts in the Abyss. While doing so, he pile up real combat experience against types of demonic beasts. Haulia tribe strong points was their search ability and stealth ability. In conclusion, he think it’s better for their group strategies that specialize in co-operation and surprise attacks.
By the way, s.h.i.+a is exclusively trained by Yue about magic. That was because she can use magic even though she is a demi-human, s.h.i.+a also able to use direct magic manipulation so she should be able to use magic without chant or magic circle as long as she has the knowledge for it. Occasionally, s.h.i.+a’s scream can be heard from the other side of fog but it seems the training is going well.
However, something happen on the second day of training. Hajime looks irritated with veins appear on his head while supervising Haulia tribe’s training. Certainly, Haulia tribe members who go against their nature were taking the training seriously. Even they somewhat manage to defeat demonic beasts without receiving much wounds.
However…
Gusagh(Thunk)!
One of the demonic beasts were dead pierced by Hajime’s specialized kodachi.
“Aah, please forgive the sinful me~”
The one that said that while clinging to the demonic beast was a man of Haulia tribe. It’s as if he is killing his best friend who he know for a long time.
Bushu(Foosh)!
Another demonic beast was defeated with a slash.
“I am sorry! I am sorry! Even so I must do it~”
A kodachi which gripped by both hand cut off the neck, while the woman who did it tremble. It’s like the result of a mad love, a woman who killed her loved one.
Bakikh!
To the dying demonic beast, it used the last of its power to attack. Kam who who blown off by the body blow was muttering in self-ridicule while falling.