Episode 51
Hassan, the Morning Star of Sodomora
051 ? Sodomora’s Morning Star Hassan #2
Luna and I walked about a meter apart. When I tried to get a little closer, Luna got startled and moved away.
Even though Luna didn’t mention it out loud, it was clear that she was concerned about what happened last night.
I kept glancing at Luna.
Her slender profile and her ridiculous pink hair fluttered in the wind, and it felt like a fluffy bubble was rising inside my chest. My heart felt like it was floating in the air like a feather.
“The weather is really nice. Isn’t it?”
I looked around at Luna’s words.
Although there were a few clouds, the surroundings were brightly lit by sunlight.
A cool breeze is blowing and the sun is warm. It’s typical spring weather. It would be perfect to take a mat and go for a walk at a time like this. Let’s take some time with Luna and go for a walk in the park.
“The shoes Hassan gave me were also super comfortable!”
Oh, by the way, Luna is wearing the sandals I gave her. I made them based on the size I roughly remembered, and I’m glad they fit perfectly.
“For some reason, I feel like Hassan is holding onto the soles of my feet. It also tickles.” Luna continued to laugh as she walked. It was a laugh that seemed like she couldn’t hold back the ticklishness.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Ha, Hassan-.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“What happened last night, that… is a secret between the two of us. Even the gods don’t know… .”
“Oh, uh, yeah.”
With that, Luna and I ended our conversation once again.
Anyway, as I was rolling my eyes here and there and thinking about this and that, the magnificent building of the Mars Guild appeared in front of us.
“Ah, Mr. Hassan. Ms. Luna. Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Now, Daphne, the receptionist, is quite welcoming, but her eyes and hands are busy moving around, absorbed in books and paperwork.
“I heard that Mr. Hassan did a great job on this expedition. As the receptionist in charge, I am very proud of you. Here, your reward is 15 silver.”
15 silver? That’s more than the 10 silver I had planned on getting. So I felt the soles of my feet tingle with excitement at the unexpected windfall.
The bundle containing fifteen silver coins was quite heavy, so just shaking it made me feel full.
One, two, three… Okay, the number 15 is exactly right.
“But the bonus is higher than I thought. Wasn’t it 10 silver?”
“If you don’t like it, give me back my 5 silver.”
“Oh, no. I just wondered why the quantity increased.”
“We split the wages of the dead. Anyway, the settlement has been completed. Luna-ssi has been promoted to Bronze Tier for her contributions and other things.”
Luna was startled by those words.
“Really?”
“Before that, I’d like to do a karma test. To see if there are any problems. Here, put your finger on it.”
Daphne hands Luna a fountain pen. That fountain pen isn’t just any fountain pen, it’s a relic appraisal needle or something.
If you put blood on it, it will use the blood as ink and show you a strange ability chart.
“Oh, I hate being sick.”
“Stop joking.”
So Luna gently placed the sharp tip of the pen on her thumb. Soon, droplets of red blood flowed out and soaked the tip.
Daphne, who had taken up the fountain pen again, began to frantically write something on a small, flat piece of paper that she had seen before.
『Name: Luna Noxdotty Lv. 8
Strength: 2
Agility: 5
Stamina: 1』
“Wow, Luna-san. You’ve grown so much!! What the!? The numbers I wrote down on paper last time were all 1s. So the total number was only around 3. What’s going on!?”
Daphne, who had finally written down every last word, blinked her eyes, unable to believe what she had written on the paper.
What I couldn’t believe was that Luna was the same, with her mouth wide open and she slapped my arm with her palm.
“Ha, Hassan, look at that! I’ve grown up!”
Luna and Daphne were very surprised, but surprisingly, I just thought, “Oh, so that’s how it is.” That’s because I had already confirmed Luna’s growth by feeling her pulse.
Rather, what surprised me was the reconfirmation that human growth is not that easy.
If Daphne reacts like that after seeing all sorts of people as a receptionist, it seems like leveling up is quite difficult.
“Hmm-.”
Daphne stared at the paper for a long time. She kept making a low, humming sound, and then spoke again.
“I’m curious about the secret to growth. But I guess that’s a personal secret, right?”
“The secret to growth? I, I don’t know. What did I do? What did I do? I did the same as usual.”
Luna, who had been quietly sulking as if lost in thought, soon let out a single word, “Ah-,” as if she had realized something, and began to blush deeply.
“No, I don’t know.”
“I see. Then, Luna-san, your bronze dog tag will come out soon. Please take good care of me in the future. And Hassan-san-.”
“Yes, yes.”
When my name was called, I instinctively became nervous.
Maybe it’s because my first impression of Daphne was so strong, but whenever I stand in front of this woman, my palms start to sweat and my face gets cold.
“Mr. Hassan, go over there.”
Swish.
Her neatly trimmed index fingernail pointed to a door that looked like it was fairly large. Could it be a separate room attached to the guild building?
“What do you do when you go there?”
“You can go and see. Okay, next person!”
* * *
After parting ways with Luna, who said she had something to do in the afternoon, I opened the large door connected to the guild building as Daphne had told me. Then, what could be called a fairly large open space appeared before my eyes.
What should I call it, a flat floor covered in sand, with various exercise equipment and scarecrows carrying rags standing here and there? A playground? Or a training ground? Anyway, it was something like that.
And people, both men and women, carrying weapons such as swords, arrows, and spears are attacking the dummies.
Thud, thud, crack!
How could they beat up the innocent scarecrows so viciously? I wanted to turn away from this horrible tragedy. Of course, I’m joking.
“Hassan of Samaria. You came at just the right time. I was waiting for you.”
At that moment, I turned my head at the sound of a voice behind me. Then I saw Hippolyte, a woman with long brown hair and chocolate skin that suited her very well.
A wild woman in armor and a training ground—what could be a more fitting setting?
More damn it, I didn’t even notice you coming this close. If Hippolyta had been an assassin targeting my back, I would have died without even being able to fight back.
“Hey, Lady Hippolyte!”
When I stood before Hippolyte, my legs were strangely trembling and I felt no strength in my body. I am weak to strong women in many ways. I think I am already feeling the effects.
“…You were waiting for me?”
“Yes, Hassan, it has been decided that you will be promoted to Bronze Tier. This is an extremely unusual speed in the history of the Sodomora Guild. It’s not like it’s never happened before. And Hassan, the upper echelons of the guild wish to bestow upon you a title.”
“Chi, is that a title?”
I’ve also heard of titles. I think it’s like a nickname given to fairly famous adventurers or famous guys.
Among the Silver Tier followers who followed Elfriede, there was a guy named Nalvil of the Two Swords.
Anyway, being given a title is something that only applies to those who have great skills or are unique. I thought it had nothing to do with me.
“Do you have a title in mind? Something you’d like me to call you?”
“Then I, I’ll go to Hassan of Samdoryu…”
“But it’s already been decided, so there’s no use talking about it.”
No, shit, then why did you ask? But even if I wanted to argue, when I think of Hippolyta who was slinging the sword, I naturally lower my head.
“Honestly, titles and such are just for show. We’re not like the Minerva Guild, which is like a bunch of girls. Your name, Hassan of Samaria, would be more than enough.”
“So, what’s my title?”
“Hassan of Samaria. A nickname named after your hometown. The department head proposed it and it was passed. Nicknames named after places of origin are often given.”
Hassan of Samaria. It’s the same nicknames I’ve been called until now. Shiva, my hometown isn’t Samaria.
This is why my attempts to reconsider calling myself a Samaritan have all come to nothing.
Anyway, the fact that the nickname was suggested by the bushy-haired department head gave me goosebumps again.
“Can’t you refuse?”
“Do as you wish. However, when referring to your name in the guild, the title will naturally follow. Just as I am called Empress Hippolyta.”
“Ah, your majesty.”
Empress. It suits me well, but it’s still a bit funny. Come to think of it, wasn’t that nickname given to a speed skater who dominated the Olympics?
“It suits you well.”
But this woman is the real power in the guild. She is an adventurer with outstanding skills and a great person who forgave me for touching her chest. I think it wouldn’t hurt to flatter her a little. I’ll reveal a little of the flattery I naturally acquired under Elfriede.
“Empress Hippolyta. She’s beautiful. There’s something about her. She feels like she’s going to kill me with a fucking sword.”
“Hmm, I don’t really like the title, but it’s still effective to have an official nickname. It increases your name recognition and more people will pick on you on the street.”
“No, is it a good thing that more people are picking on me…?”
“Yes, a person’s karma grows even more in battles where life and death are at stake. Samaritan, you are so cruel that you must know this. Even I shuddered at the sight of you scaring a pack of crocodiles.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Anyway, the guild has high expectations for you and the other rising stars. You too, try to struggle hard in the mud so that you don’t fall behind your peers.”
“My classmate? Do you have any classmates?”
“You’ll find out later when you meet me in person. Anyway, I’ll allow you, a Bronze Tier, to use this training ground, so come here often and swing your sword.”
As I was promoted to Bronze Tier, the Guild Training Grounds were opened to me. But even though it was called training, it didn’t really have much of an impact on me.
Will my skills really improve just by sweating in the scorching sun like that? Of course, I’ll get better, but the truth is, I’m a beginner who’s never even learned swordsmanship.
While I was licking my lips in a dazed manner, Hippolyta said:
“No, since we’re on the subject, I’d like to see your skills. Hey, swing your sword at that scarecrow. Be prepared to kill it.”
“Do I really have to do that?”
“hurry-.”
Nine nine nine country-.
A strong sense of pressure emanated from Hippolyte.
Shit, is this the release of an aura? Anyway, I was so scared and shaking that I had no choice but to do as she said, draw my sword, and strike the scarecrow with all my might.
Me, holding a sword in each hand, glaring at the scarecrow.
“Think of the person you hate the most.”
At Hippolyte’s words, Malco’s face appeared and then disappeared, and the face of Elfriede, with her silver hair and red eyes, who was very mean, was superimposed on the scarecrow.
Shit, even now that I’m free, when I think back to what happened to Elfriede, I still get so angry that I sometimes wake up kicking the covers off.
“Hey, you fucking bitch!”
Phew, bang-!
The swords that were swung down from both sides struck the arms of the scarecrow made of overlapping logs and straw, going in quite deeply.
“Hmm-. That’s a passionate feeling. Did it remind you of your parents’ enemy?”
“Well, well, it’s kind of similar.”
Anyway, I gathered all my strength in one go and was out of breath with just one swing of the sword. Hippolyta spoke coldly to me as I waited for the evaluation with my chest pounding.
“But other than the emotions, there’s nothing that really touches me. Rather, I’m at a level worse than a beginner. It’s like looking at a rookie who hasn’t even been holding a sword for a year. Of course, that won’t happen.”
Hippolyte denied it, though she thought to herself that it couldn’t be true. Her assessment was actually quite accurate.
Shit, you’ll figure out I’m a beginner in no time. You’re twice as good as any of those shamans.
“But Samaritan. Why do you call yourself a Samdoryu when you practice dual swordsmanship?”
“That, that… The remaining one feels like a dagger hidden in my bosom.”
“I see. Okay, then you get the general idea. Come at me directly. There’s nothing better than this for an accurate assessment.”
Hippolyte, who had been mumbling for a while, waved her palm at me. Although she didn’t give a detailed explanation, it seemed like she was requesting a duel with me.
“I, I have a sword?”
“I know. Then I will also fight with a weapon. A trained warrior’s fist is no different from a weapon. This is fair.”
Then there’s Hippolyta, who clenches both fists and raises them high above her head like rabbit ears. I’m not sure, but it looks similar to a Muay Thai stance.
Anyway, there’s a person holding a sword and a person with bare hands.
I remember seeing the phrase “three-dan in kendo” in old martial arts movies. I remember it was saying that someone holding a sword was three dan higher than someone with bare hands.
Perhaps it meant that a person holding a sword has an advantage over an unarmed person.
Shit, but I can’t picture myself beating Hippolyta with a clenched fist. It wouldn’t be like just throwing a volley of wind at her, right?
Somehow, I feel like that woman could kill me by stabbing my heart with one finger.
“Are you really doing this?”
“Don’t be afraid. I won’t kill you.”
Hippolyta said that and tied something like a string around her waist.
“If you can take this belt from me, I will grant you one wish. Nothing will inspire a man like this. Don’t you think so?”
Shit, you’ll grant me one wish, whatever it is I want? What man wouldn’t get excited when he hears something like that? And I’m such a man.
I should ask her to rub my shoulders. And I should ask her to rub other people’s shoulders. I like giving massages to other people, but I also like receiving them.
“Let’s give it a try. Keep your promise.”
“Very well. I swear on the River Styx.”
With such an intriguing answer, something that could be considered a duel or a duel began.
However, I couldn’t quite figure out how I should make the first move, so we ended up standing around for a while. Soon, people started gathering around us and making a fuss.
“What? What’s going on?”
“It’s Hippolyte. I wonder who Hippolyte will fight.”
“Then what kind of coffin do we have to make? Let me see your face.”
“Black hair, huh? Samaritan? Isn’t that the guy from the Sodomora Mars Guild, Samaritan?”
“That seems right. He’s famous these days.”
Thus the arena of the crowd surrounding us was completed. Shiva, now we really have no choice but to fight Hippolyta, without being able to escape.
“Okay, then I’ll go first.”
Ta-dat-.
There was a brief sound of the ground being kicked, and the woman’s figure disappeared. She literally disappeared.
What the heck? Is this magic?
When I was momentarily flustered and felt a cold sensation on my chin, I lowered my head slightly.
Hippolyta, who had come up to me without my knowledge and was bending her knees, raised her fist high and struck me in the stomach.
“Ouch, oooooooooo!”
A clean hit from the body blow. At the same time, groans of pain such as “Ugh-.” and “This is going to hurt.” are also heard from the crowd watching this scene.
Of course, I was just so out of it that I didn’t think about anything. That combination of punches hitting my chest and stomach in succession.
Boom, bang, bang!
It hurt like a boulder was hitting me, and my body shook back and forth until I fell to the floor with a thud.
Elfriede’s punches were also quite powerful, and I thought I had some confidence in my stamina as I was often hit by them. But the witch’s fists and the warrior’s fists were on a different level.
All the air in my chest is gone, and I can’t even breathe, so I just croak in pain. Sand enters my mouth, but I don’t even have the strength to spit it out.
Shit, I thought I was walking through heaven until last night. This world is hell after all.
“Hey, aren’t you going to die? Someone stop me!”
“Fuck, how can I stop Hippolyte from fighting? You should have stopped him.”
“Wow, I guess even Samaritan can’t beat Hippolyte.”
“Hippolyte is refusing to be promoted to Gold Tier. She’s a woman who has reached the same realm as Achilles. Of course-.”
The voices of the crowd chattering away echo for a long time. The warmth of the hot sunlight and a slight dizziness shake my head.
Huh, phew… .
The only thing I could hear was my own breathing. Soon even that would be inaudible and the world would become quiet.
Beep beep.
Fingers beckoning toward me in the dead silence. Their whites and teeth sparkle in the sunlight. Occasionally, smiles pierce my vision.
Those kids, are you making fun of me…?
As a crowd that has no responsibility whatsoever, you just watch from a distance, and you laugh at me?
That is absolutely unacceptable.
“Uh, ugh-.”
“I hit you with the intention of knocking you out. And you got back up after getting hit. You’re really tough. Did you reflexively turn your body to avoid the vital spot?”
“after-.”
“This isn’t the kind of skill you’ve only had once or twice. As expected of a person from the wilderness, it seems like you’ve been through a lot. Still, it looks like you’re going to lose. Are you going to keep trying?”
The warrior clenches her fists and regains her stance.
“Do you really want to take this belt away from me?”
Perhaps Hippolyta was hating me because she forgave me. Well, it’s stranger not to hate the man who touched your breasts.
Anyway, it was at that moment when I was about to open my mouth, which was not opening properly, and say something.
“You’re fighting a tough battle. Should I help you out a little?”
An unfamiliar voice whispered in my ear.
[Work Review]
Hello… It’s Michuri… I have an announcement today… It’s nothing else… Episodes 52 and 53 that are supposed to be uploaded tomorrow… will not be uploaded at 00:00 sharp, but at 00:07…
Saturday… another area… a friend… got married… so I had no choice but to leave for Ttukbukcho Michuri on Friday night… If you don’t show up at 00… please let me know that it’s not a break or a holiday…
From the next day onwards, it will resume its regular serialization at 00 minutes….Thank you…If you enjoyed reading it…please click the…recommendation button at the top…ㅠㅠ…chijijik..
