Level Eater

Opening his map, Tatsuro checked their current location. If the map was accurate, they would be able to see the path to town anytime soon.

"If we walk a bit more, there should be a path on our right that'll lead us to the town. Don't let it escape our sight!" (Tatsuro)

"Right side? Roger that!" (Ai)

The two walked swiftly along the gravel path.

While counting how long it'll take for the path to become visible, Ai spotted something leaning on a tree far ahead. From her point of view, she could only describe it as a gathering of monsters.

"Tatsuro, look at that." (Ai)

"Eh? Where… Ah, that one? I can't see it clearly at this distance. Let's try getting a bit closer." (Tatsuro)

"Alright." (Ai)

Walking closer and closer, the two tried to muffle their footsteps as much as they could. Gradually, they were able to get a glimpse of that thing.

{Wait… Those monsters, are they gathering around a person!?} (Tatsuro)

To avoid garnering the monsters' attention, Tatsuro started talking to Ai telepathically, to which she replied in the same way.

{—!? It's a person?!! This is bad, he's already bleeding a lot!} (Ai)

{If it's that much, then it's already—– no, let's help him.} (Tatsuro)

{Alright, what do we do?} (Ai)

{We do a pre-emptive attack. You throw some kunai and I'll go with the lasers. Is that alright?} (Tatsuro)

{Yeah. But don't forget, we only hit the monsters, okay?} (Ai)

{It's not like I'll aim for the guy on purpose!} (Tatsuro)

Saying those words allowed Ai to ease the tension before the attack. The two then steeled their resolve, linked their hands, and started the rescue operation with a fierce, multi-target attack.

"HAAAAA" (Tatsuro)

"TEEEEEI!" (Ai)

Giving out a war cry, Tatsuro sent out two huge laser beams from both his hands while summoning multiple spheres. The summoned spheres then shot out smaller lasers which automatically target the enemies. Meanwhile, Ai took out a kunai with each hand from the item box and similarly started her own set of attacks.

Upon hearing the pair's war cries, the monster turned their attention towards them albeit a little bit too late. The projectiles that Tatsuro and Ai sent flying their way were already unavoidable, resulting in some broken skulls for the monsters.

The number of enemies was immediately reduced to a meager three. The survivors, who managed to escape the attack, released a low growl as they stared at the two.

"What the hell are these guys?" (Tatsuro)

"Eww, gross…" (Ai)

Getting a clearer view of the monsters, the pair could only describe them as some really strange creatures.

They had ash-coloured fur which almost completely covered their blackish skin. Their faces were, weirdly enough, shaped similar to a ball glued to a harmonica. They had muddy white eyes in their sockets, large noses that pointed upwards, and teeth which are similar to that of a shark's. Their bodies also looked thin, as though they couldn't support their huge limbs.

These creatures are not monsters, but rather, abominations.

"""GHrAarRRr!"""

With a growl that sounded like a broken low-quality car engine, the three monsters started moving towards the two. Dragged back to reality, Ai and Tatsuro let go of each other's hands and prepared to receive the enemy's charge.

Tatsuro was the first to make a move. Spreading a thin layer of fire atop the gravel path, he burnt the soles of the monsters' feet, slowing their advance.

"TEIYAAA!"

Ai followed up by throwing her two kunai knives. One of them hit the shoulder of the panicking creature while the other hit the head of another, after which, it promptly stopped its movements.

"Ah, I missed one." (Ai)

"Don't let it get to you." (Tatsuro)

While literally walking on fire, the last uninjured monster gritted its teeth to endure the pain and continued its approach. However, it died right after a few of Tatsuro's lasers found their mark on it. At the same time, the other wounded monster also took its final breath as Ai threw another kunai at it.

"Let's go." (Tatsuro)

"Yeah." (Ai)

Tatsuro immediately cleared the gravel path of flames and the two started sprinting to the person leaning on the tree.

However, upon taking a closer look at a few meters' distance, the two stopped dead in their tracks.

The first Otherworlder that the two saw had already long since passed away, with some of his body parts already eaten up by the beasts.

"… Even if I put all of my SP into [Life Magic], there isn't much I can do now…" (Tatsuro)

"………"(Ai)

The scent of blood.

The stench of rotting flesh.

Normally, they would have cried out loud because of such things. However, now, the two could only accept the harsh reality spread before them.

Tatsuro's heart sank and grew cold, but along with that came the calmness to make a rational decision. Ai, however, turned her head away and placed herself in his embrace, unable to utter a sound.

"At least, we should bury this person." (Tatsuro)

"……….That's true…" (Ai)

Tatsuro, with Ai in his arms, moved closer to the dead body until he was only about 1 meter away. There, he used Earth Magic to liquefy the ground, allowing the corpse to sink through the ground.

As the corpse slowly descended to the ground, he noticed a dagger stabbed into the tree just above its head. At the tip of the dagger's blade was an envelope-like item fixed to the tree.

"Tatsuro?" (Ai)

"Huh, what's that over there?" (Tatsuro)

Curious as to why Tatsuro would suddenly stop moving, Ai asked him a question to which he replied by pointing at the envelope.

"Is it his stuff?" (Ai)

"I have no idea. Let's check it out before we finish the burial. I'll grab it quickly so wait for me, okay?" (Tatsuro)

"O-Okay…" (Ai)

Though Ai did not want to let go of Tatsuro, she also did not want to approach the corpse. Hence, Ai could only reluctantly release him while she turned around, unwilling to look at the person. After making sure Ai was alright, Tatsuro went to the corpse and carefully took the dagger and the envelope before heading back.

"I'm back." (Tatsuro)

"That knife looks expensive, doesn't it?" (Ai)

"Yeah." (Tatsuro)

The dagger's handle was designed with such minute details that definitely could not be found on a cheap product. From that stemmed a blade with exquisite patterns, enough to even make a layman understand the value of this dagger.

Finishing their description of the dagger, the two proceeded for the envelope-like item.

Examining it up close, it was in fact not an envelope but rather a large sheet of paper folded multiple times in various ways. Unfolding the paper, they found two more sheets of paper inside and a strange transparent coin that glowed in a light blue hue.

"What, is this?" (Tatsuro)

"It's a weird coin, isn't it?" (Ai)

While talking to Ai, Tatsuro reached out towards the coin with his hands. Just as his fingers touched the coin, a notification popped out in his field of vision even though he was not using the system.

|119,324 Shis confirmed in the user's possession. Deposit into the system?|

Yes/No

"This… is a currency?" (Tatsuro)

"What do you mean?" (Ai)

"Uhh… When I touched the coin, the system opened up and asked me if I'd like to deposit 119,324 Shis." (Tatsuro)

"Shis?" (Ai)

"Probably a currency. Let's set it aside for now." (Tatsuro)

"Alright." (Ai)

Lacking information on this world's currency, Tatsuro decided to skip it for now and placed the coin back into the folded paper. Up next were the two smaller folded sheets of paper. Taking the one closest to him, Tatsuro slowly opened it.

"Something's written, but I can't read it…" (Tatsuro)

"Hmm… I haven't seen these characters before…" (Ai)

Seeing the indecipherable letter before them, they could only crease their brows.

"This is… We really have to learn it, huh?" (Tatsuro)

"Yeah. It won't be good for us to go to the town if we can't even understand their words." (Ai)

"Alright, I'll learn it now. How about you?" (Tatsuro)

"Yeah. Not understanding a word of what the people around me are speaking… It's a bit scary just thinking about it." (Ai)

Folding the paper up, the two opened their system and looked for the skill they needed in the [Life Skills] section before acquiring it.

"[Universal Language Comprehension], huh? Sounds great." (Tatsuro)

"5 SP. It's at a lower price compared to system skills." (Ai)

"This means that we won't have any problems conversing anymore, right?" (Tatsuro)

[Universal Language Comprehension] allowed them to comprehend a whole language just by seeing five letters. It also works if they were to read or hear at least four words of the given language, even if they do not understand what the words mean at the moment.

From the moment they decided to travel to the village, they searched for and found this particular skill. Ever since then, they always had their eye out for it.

"We should be able to read it now. Uhh… Let's see…" (Tatsuro)

With the newly acquired skill, Tatsuro instantly completed the five-letter threshold and could now understand the content of the letter.

Translated, it read as:

——————————–

To the person who found this letter and the knife,

First of all, I apologize for showing you such an unsightly display of my corpse.

The reason I came to this forest was to observe it as an inspector of some kind. While I was doing so, I suddenly had an encounter with a Togul and got stabbed in the leg.

I wanted to go back to the village but my legs were already on the verge of collapsing. Hence, with my still movable hands, I chose to write this message with the time I had left.

I know this is too sudden, but I have a favor to ask.

Inside the package, I placed all of my remaining money worth 119,324 Shis which I will be giving to you. However, for the knife and the other letter, I ask you to return them to my family.

This knife is an heirloom passed from generation to generation within my family, and it is of utmost importance to us. If possible, I would like you to hand it to my son.

If you state my name to the Obsul Adventurers Guild, they should be able to lead you to the right person.

May you grant the final wish of this dying soul.

Elren Deicard

——————————–

From the handwriting, Tatsuro could see that it was written in a hurry and that it contained the desperate will of a person who knew that they would never make it back home.

He tried prying on the other letter, but from the first few words, it looked like a private message to this person's family so he chose to stop.

"We'll be reaching Obsul in a few hours, what will you do?" (Tatsuro)

"… Yeah, this person's soul deserves a peaceful departure. Besides, when the first otherworlder you met asked for such a favor, your heart tells you to just do it, doesn't it?" (Ai)

Hearing her words, Tatsuro felt warmth in his heart. They've decided on what they should do.

"That's how it should be, right? Let's go and help our first otherworlder." (Tatsuro)

"Un." (Ai)

Now, the two had a newfound goal waiting in the town of Obsul.

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