Otherworld Company Chapter 84: It’s Worth It Once You Take A Step Forward

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Has Girlfriends

Girlfriend(s): Suela Handelberg & Memoria Tris

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

It was a pretty bad ending, but I had no idea what I was going to do once the training was over, so I came back to my room to take a shower to get rid of the sweat for now.

With that flow, Suela also came along, so when I told her that we could go to eat out after I took a shower, she said that she would arrange an elven dish with ingredients from the earth, so I decided to take advantage of it.

“Here you go.” (Suela)

“That looks good.” (Jiro)

In a typical manga scene, she might tell me that she is a great cook and then show that she has no sense of taste, but this was not the case with Suela.

The pasta with mushrooms and the green salad dressing with cherry tomatoes were original in taste.

The menu is not very fantasy, but it is exactly what I would expect a dark elf to eat, and my body honestly appeals to my hunger.

“It’s quite delicious.” (Jiro)

“Good.” (Suela)

My earlier prediction of how good the food would be turned into a realistic impression of how good it actually is.

I glanced at Suela who was delighted to hear that. However, I saw that my portion is larger, is it because of the difference in physique, or because I had just finished training?

So, I just silently eat up my larger portion of pasta.

The time passes quietly for a while, but I don’t mind the calm atmosphere.

We chat with each other reminiscing from time to time, and the meal goes on for more than ten minutes.

Finally, the meal Suela had prepared for us was gone.

“Thank you for the meal.” (Jiro)

“You’re welcome.” (Suela)

“I will clean up the dishes.” (Jiro)

“No, it’s my job to clean up the dishes. Jiro, please have a cup of coffee or something.” (Suela)

After saying that, she had the pot float magically, as I had seen some time ago. Then, I thought the after-dinner coffee she prepared for me was better than the one I made myself.

It’s just instant coffee in my room, but I wondered if magic makes such a difference in taste, and I looked at Suela doing the dishes in the kitchen.

While thinking that such a life is wonderful, time flows quietly.

“Sorry for the trouble.” (Jiro)

“No, when I was over there, it was a normal thing. The fact that the actual food preparation in this world is so convenient that I might turn lazy, it’s more comfortable for me to do it for you.” (Suela)

“Is that how it is?” (Jiro)

“Yes.” (Suela)

It is true that there is no induction cooktop over there, and water comes out of the tap when you turn it on.

At least, I didn’t see any when I went to Ithar.

“Now that we have the whole afternoon free… Suela, can we use that pendant again?” (Jiro)

“That pendant, the one with the magic crystal on it, right?” (Suela)

“Yes, because with that one, we can go out.” (Jiro)

I conclude that the Japanese kitchen is probably superior in terms of functionality, and once we’re done cleaning up, I make my next plans for the afternoon.

I wanted to take Suela outside again anyway, so I asked her if I could use the pendant she used at that summer festival.

“Unfortunately, it would be impossible this time of year because my other colleagues are using it. I was allowed to use it on a trial basis at that time.” (Suela)

“Is that so.” (Jiro)

Unfortunately, it didn’t come to fruition.

I was sorry to hear that, but it was originally company equipment.

I proposed the idea as a “best-case scenario,” but it turned out to be a dead end.

But since that proposal had failed, I wondered what I should do.

“?” (Jiro)

I glanced at Suela, who was pouring coffee into my cup again and preparing one for herself.

She notices my gaze and smiles at me, tilting her head and asking me what I’m up to, to which I reply that it’s nothing.

I notice that he is not wearing a suit today, but something that is sold in Japan.

I was too late to notice because I was dressed in a similar manner.

It is a simple outfit of a white sweater and denim jeans, but if the one wearing it is beautiful, it looks as if a model is wearing it.

The question was what to do about the afternoon plans that had distracted me from my thoughts.

Normally, I would finish my meal at the underground facility and decide where to go according to my mood, but this was the first time I experienced this kind of development, and I was not sure what to do.

I could have chosen not to go outside, but unfortunately, the only thing I have to pass the time in my room is the TV or a video game that is still wrapped in a cardboard box.

When a man and a woman in such a space are spending time alone, it is easy to imagine what the future will be like in a few tens of minutes.

Out of my control, my thoughts began to move in a strange direction.

“Are you concerned about the Mineral Tree?” (Jiro)

“Yes, even among us dark elves it is rare to use this as a weapon. Besides, it is rare to find a mineral tree that has grown to this level.” (Suela)

“Oh.” (Jiro)

Suela looked at the Mineral Tree I had brought back from my room for maintenance.

I got up from my seat and approached the special stand and looked at the blade of the sword carefully, but after a little while, that too would be over.

“Jiro.” (Suela)

“Hmm?” (Jiro)

There was no way I could make a plan in such a short amount of time, so while I was leisurely drinking coffee, I replied back with a kiss.

“It’s been a while, but would you like to have mind sparring?” (Suela)

My lover, who is usually quiet but surprisingly forward, suggested that we make plans for the afternoon.

“I’m sorry, it is supposed to be your day off.” (Suela)

“No, I don’t mind, but are you okay with this, Suela?” (Jiro)

I didn’t even think it would be a good idea to sweat again after I’d worked up a sweat.

I had a free schedule, so I accepted Suela’s request we and moved from my room to the training area.

“Yes, it’s just the perfect opportunity because I’ve just been doing paperwork lately and haven’t had a chance to move my body.” (Suela)

“Are sparring matches a good replacement for exercise?” (Jiro)

I thought it was a proposal of her worrying about me, but it seems that Suela simply wanted to her body and use magic.

I can’t help but smile wryly at the very fantasy thing to solve the lack of exercise.

Both of us were armed with a wooden staff and a wooden sword for training.

We have changed from plain clothes to training clothes with protective gear and are ready to go.

We are in the process of stretching and loosening each other’s bodies.

“When was the last time you fought Suela? We haven’t fought for a long time.” (Jiro)

“It’s been a few months, hasn’t it? The last time we fought was before the two instructors took over Jiro’s training.” (Suela)

“Oh, has it been that long already?” (Jiro)

I remember the time when I was a new recruit in the training program.

At that time, I was blown away easily as if she was twisting the hand of a baby, knocking me down many times.

In a way, this might be just the right opportunity.

If Suela was the first person I fought in this fantasy world, this would be an opportunity to see just how strong I grew.

Fortunately or unfortunately, my weapon was the same wooden sword with an iron core.

“If I don’t go all out, it’s going to be over soon.” (Jiro)

“Fufu, I wonder…” (Suela)

Perhaps the difference in ability may be the reason for the handicap as she readies her staff.

When she is ready, she tells me not with her mouth but with presence.

Responding to that, I also slowly raised my wooden sword, and slowly lowered it with my gaze, timing a deep exhale.

“Ready!” (Jiro)

“!” (Suela)

We had no need for a signal.

The two of us read each other’s breathing and immediately our feet moved to strike.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!” (Jiro)

In the training room, I do not need to hesitate to make use of Intimidating Monkey Scream with all my might, and my sharp sword strike strikes Suela, who handles it calmly.

My fierce sword and Suela’s calm staff enter a state of temporary equilibrium.

As I unleash a side cleave, a thrust, a swing down, and an overhead slash, Suela runs away from me like water flowing, shifting the trajectory of my attack with the minimum force and then using her staff to weave through the gap created by her parrying.

This is a model of self-defense for a mage, a counterattack after a defensive action.

Although mages do not need to fight as vanguards, it is not true that they do not need to fight in melee.

Instructor Fusio said that if they are useless once their magic power runs out, they are second-rate.

Therefore, a certain level of melee combat is necessary for mages.

While there are cases such as Kaido and Hizumi who use both swordsmanship and magic, most mages and other rear-guards, like Suela, develop skills focusing on defense.

Her staff technique, which twists and turns like a snake, attacks when the mage anticipates an attack and tries to take advantage of the opening, as the mage acts in a defensive stance.

It is as if she cannot be cut down.

But we still fight each other.

“You’ve become stronger, you know?” (Suela)

“Yeah!” (Jiro)

There is no sound like that of wood clanking against each other.

Instead, our fight has the sound of a storm blowing down.

Our feet are moving busily, and our positions are constantly changing.

To keep up with Suela’s movements, which showcase the agility of a dark elf, I do not run after her but instead, rotate on my axis to minimize my movements.

In the meantime, I continue to swing the wooden sword.

The wooden sword, which weighs about as much as a toy compared to the Mineral Tree, crushes the wind and wields it fiercely.

Suela swung her staff matching me, and it flows creating a path between sword strikes.

When I move my feet and pull back the wooden sword, Suela swings her body and delivers a sharp gust, like a jet passing by.

No clean hits land against each other.

We defend or duck with our weapons on each other’s weapons, and the attack and defense repeat back and forth.

The first prerequisite is that Suela, a rearguard, and I, a vanguard, are evenly matched, but I am losing.

In fact, Suela doesn’t use her spirits as a handicap.

In such a situation, I was able to close in on Suela and experienced a growth that could not be measured in numbers.

“I’m raising my attack!” (Suela)

“Yes!” (Jiro)

My physical enhancement through the circulation of magic, which can be seen as poor compared to Suela’s, has become much more efficient and effective compared to our first-time sparring.

I erased thoughts of pacing myself from my head and shifted to a gear I left as reserve power.

At that moment, the speed of my thoughts leaped, and my movements seemed slower than before.

Instead, my body creaks with a speed that takes me one step closer to the limit.

In order to break past Suela, who carefully returns each of my attacks, I clench my teeth, take care not to put in any unnecessary force, and attack again and again.

And then,

“Finally, we’ve come this far, huh?” (Suela)

“From my point of view, it’s enough.” (Jiro)

The battle moves to a halt.

My breathing is ragged and I can see Suela’s face below me.

It’s the same scene I saw that day.

I swing down with all my might, and my attack reaches Suela and sews her on the spot.

Then I was immediately struck back and blown away.

“Damn, I was blown to pieces by a single counterattack.” (Jiro)

“That blow is fatal to rear guards.” (Suela)

This time, Suela’s moves were truly blocked by the attack.

Something translucent is manifesting as a barrier covering Suela’s skin.

“It’s my loss the time I used defensive spirit arts.” (Suela)

“No.” (Jiro)

The fact that I had her remove the handicap is certainly an achievement.

But, I gently moved the wooden sword away from the top of Suela’s head.

Then, just as I moved it, I heard the sound of wood splintering in, the surface of the wooden sword was shattered, revealing the iron core through the cracks.

The wooden sword could no longer keep up with the battle.

“It’s my loss once the weapon was broken.” (Jiro)

“How about a draw?” (Suela)

“I made the mistake of not considering the strength of the weapon.” (Jiro)

“Fufu, if you use the same magic control as you do with the Mineral Tree, you’ll soon reach your limit with a wooden sword. There is still plenty of room for growth.” (Suela)

“Yeah. We haven’t had this teacher-student exchange in a long time.” (Jiro)

“You’re right.” (Suela)

I laugh along with Suela, who was giggling.

In the midst of all this, I look back on the battle we just had.

The result of the sparring match, in my opinion, was another complete defeat.

I fought with all my might, while Suela fought with her spirit magic sealed.

It doesn’t matter if I made her use her sealed spirit magic, if my weapon breaks due to me not knowing the durability of my weapon, I am disqualified as a warrior.

Suela says it’s a draw, but it’s actually my loss, both in some parts and overall.

As Suela said, there are still things to reflect on.

“Thank you, Suela.” (Jiro)

“You’re welcome.” (Suela)

I clenched my fists.

But at this moment, I think I have a clear idea of the direction I should be heading.

I had been vaguely thinking about conquering the dungeon, but now I knew the path I should be taking.

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Has Girlfriends

Girlfriend(s): Suela Handelberg (Dark Elf) & Memoria Tris (Vampire)

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

Job Title: Warrior

Note for the Day

Sometimes it is necessary to stop, but it is also necessary to take a step forward.

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