Akatsuki Translations

Ur had yet to touch upon the circumstances surrounding the girl named Shizuku. It wasn’t that Ur lacked an interest in others. On the contrary, he was inclined to actively listen to others’ stories. He enjoyed hearing about people’s experiences. 

However, as a wanderer, Ur had a sense that delving into someone else’s circumstances should not be taken lightly. Furthermore, there was the current situation. Ur wasn’t sure if his relationship with Shizuku would last, making it difficult to intrude. The days of delving into dungeons and training were too busy, leaving no opportunity to sit down and have a conversation. 

As a result, despite spending more than two weeks with her, Ur remained unaware of Shizuku’s crucial circumstances. Yet, he was starting to feel that it was about time to ask. 

Although it was important not to meddle rashly, it didn’t mean neglecting communication and mutual understanding. Everyone had their own circumstances. The more reckless a person, the heavier and more significant those circumstances became, binding their actions. Just as it was for Ur, it was likely the same for Shizuku. 

And those weighty and burdensome circumstances sometimes led to unexpected troubles. If mutual understanding was neglected, they would explode at the most unforeseen moments. 

“Thus, I would like to hear about your circumstances if possible.” -Ur 

Removing dangerous landmines beforehand was always the wisest course of action. With this in mind, he posed his question. 

However, 

“No, it’s not possible.” -Shizuku 

“Is that so?” -Ur 

In the “Lodging Tower” within the training facility, Ur’s resolute question ended in futility. 

Shizuku, who immediately refused, shook her head with a grave expression. 

“I have my reasons for deciding to defeat the crystal golem. It is a matter of great urgency. However, it is not something I can speak of lightly. I sincerely apologize for that.” -Shizuku 

“Well, it’s fine. I had a feeling you might answer that way.” -Ur 

Ur accepted her rejection gracefully. 

Though he didn’t know the specifics of her circumstances, he understood that if her reasons were related to Ur or went beyond him, it was understandable that she wouldn’t speak of them lightly. Even Ur had never casually mentioned Akane’s situation as a Spirit-Bound. Shizuku, too, surely had one or two things she wanted to keep confidential. 

“But, Ur-sama, I can assure you of one thing.” -Shizuku 

As she spoke, she gently grasped Ur’s hand, while dressed in her sleepwear. The fragrance of the bathhouse lingered around her, having washed away the dirt. He felt the urge to tell her not to engage in behavior that could be misunderstood. 

“No matter what, I want to defeat the crystal golem. I want to obtain its mana and become stronger. There is no falsehood in that.” -Shizuku 

“…I don’t doubt that. We’ve fought together enough to understand.” -Ur 

Ur believed he understood her earnestness and desperation better than anyone. He could quickly discern the fighting style of someone who resorts to immediate improvisation and pretense. He didn’t sense that in her. 

Ur let go of her hand and scratched his head. 

If she rejected him so directly, then her circumstances must indeed be quite serious. He would have liked to know if possible, but he didn’t want to pry into the heart of someone who didn’t welcome intrusion. It was mostly by chance that he ended up teaming up with her. Such chance encounters wouldn’t happen often. 

There was no other option but to put it on hold. 

He had no choice but to make a passive judgment. With a more significant issue looming, he couldn’t afford to create unnecessary problems. 

With around ten days left, the crystal golem subjugation festival approached. They had to find a way to defeat that gigantic creature by then. 

“…So, Shizuku, have you come up with a way to defeat the crystal golem?” -Ur 

“Do you have any ideas, Ur-sama? Any methods?” -Shizuku 

“If I did, I wouldn’t be asking you…” -Ur 

It was already a troublesome problem from the start. The opponent was something they couldn’t even scratch in a fair fight. Even if they diligently trained and upgraded their weapons, it was uncertain if they could defeat it by the deadline. 

And now, an additional problem arose. The intense competition brought about by the subjugation festival. 

In other words, they had to acquire a means to crush the crystal golem and surpass their rivals, or else Ur and the others wouldn’t be able to defeat it. 

“Seriously… What are we going to do…” -Ur 

The situation had become a series of difficulties. Not only was it difficult to defeat the golem, but now they also had to contend with the presence of rivals. It was a situation where crying over spilt milk would be an understatement for Ur. 

Ur understood their capabilities very well. 

They were nothing more than “novices” after all. No matter how prodigious Shizuku was as a budding magician, they had only been active as adventurers for a mere two weeks. No matter how much talent they possessed or how desperately they trained, two weeks was an insignificant period of time. Among the countless adventurers rampant in the City of Greed, they were undoubtedly at the bottom. 

Even when compared to those floundering adventurers who couldn’t even manage to get rid of their copper rings, there weren’t many areas where Ur and Shizuku could surpass them. Ur understood this. 

On the day of the subjugation festival, such adventurers would be Ur’s rivals. 

Everyone around them was superior adventurers. How could they not feel disheartened in such a situation? 

“However, maybe we can interpret it differently.” -Ur 

“What do you mean?” -Shizuku 

“If others are also aiming for the crystal golem, we might be able to rely on their help.” -Ur 

“Forming a party, perhaps?” -Shizuku 

“Not just that.” -Ur 

Hmmm… Ur pondered Shizuku’s suggestion. 

Indeed, until now, there had been very few who willingly tried to defeat those troublesome and bothersome crystal golems (since Ur started investigating it, the only other challengers he’s encountered were the Red Oni). However, in the future, others would also set their sights on the crystal golem. They may be rivals, but they would still face the same troublesome enemy. Some adventurers might suffer from a shortage of manpower and seek alliances, or perhaps there would be individuals who approached them with “business” proposals, selling means and tactics to defeat the monster to adventurers who persistently sought it. 

“…The festival might not necessarily work against us.” -Ur 

From the start, it was nearly impossible for the two to defeat the crystal golem head-on within the short time frame. Therefore, they had to view the changing circumstances as a positive development. No, they had to view it that way. Such a shift in thinking was necessary for Ur and Shizuku. 

The problem was,  

“From who, what would we pay, and what would we gain?” -Ur 

Connections, compensation, rewards. 

Using the increasing number of people involved with the crystal golem was a good idea, but the pair had not yet established trustworthy connections. Furthermore, they did not possess any valuable currency or its equivalent to offer in return. As such, they were also unable to acquire effective means to defeat it. 

If the number of people involved with the golem increased, Ur and Shizuku would have no means to exploit them. 

“Let’s go through it step by step. First and foremost, what do we want?” -Ur 

“We want a way to defeat the crystal golem.” -Shizuku 

“That’s right. And what would that be?” -Ur 

“We aim to obtain the rings and mana by defeating the crystal golem ourselves. We don’t desire additional party members or ‘helpers.’” -Shizuku 

“Indeed.” -Ur 

Considering the pair’s current goal, defeating the crystal golem would be meaningless if they didn’t do it themselves. Merely defeating it was not enough. 

Therefore, what they desired were things that could enhance their own strength, such as funds to update their equipment or strong advice on how to defeat the monster. 

“Next is what we would pay, correct?” -Shizuku 

 “Honestly, this depends on the person. Values can differ greatly among individuals.” -Ur 

It was a common occurrence for something that one person deemed extremely important to be seen as worthless by another. Ur had even witnessed a situation during his travels where people from neighboring city-states, with entirely different values, were on the verge of going to war. Hence, this aspect was put on hold. 

“I see,” Shizuku nodded. Then she asked, “Finally, connections?” 

“…This is the most difficult part.” -Ur 

Connections, links, the tie between people, bonds. 

It seemed incredibly challenging for Ur. After all, he had never managed to establish deep relationships with anyone before. Before he could establish them, Ur had already drifted away to another place. He was a Nameless, and therefore, building connections was a struggle. 

“Ur-sama, do you have any connections in mind?” -Shizuku 

“For a wandering Nameless like me… don’t count on it. What about you?” -Ur 

“Perhaps it would be limited to the patrons of the tavern in this town. Not much different from Ur-sama.” -Shizuku 

“True… our actions are almost identical.” -Ur 

He had considered it since Shizuku went on dates with the men from the tavern, but it seemed those connections wouldn’t change much. 

In the “Covetous Hideout,” there were competent adventurers, but fundamentally, they were good neighbors rather than comrades. Ur and Shizuku were treated well, but they wouldn’t be shown favoritism. There was a clear line drawn there. It had to be a legitimate transaction. 

But then again, they were adventurers. They probably had more knowledge and experience than the pair, but their capital was primarily their well-trained bodies. It was questionable whether they could provide assistance in the way Ur and Shizuku desired. 

“Were there any adventurers who were conveniently knowledgeable about crystal golems?” -Ur 

“If there were such individuals, wouldn’t they have become magitech engineers instead of adventurers?” -Shizuku 

“Ah, I guess so.” -Ur 

Hmm, Ur and Shizuku pondered together. The reality of having just arrived in this city was hindering them more than they had anticipated. On the other hand, many of their rivals had been clinging to greed for a long time. This was the largest Dungeon of Sin in the world. There were many adventurers who settled in this place, where even Nameless could easily earn profits exceeding their accommodation expenses. 

And they would have at least one or two connections. Unlike Ur and the others. 

Special connections? Ur and Shizuku had no ―― 

“…No, there is one.” -Ur 

Lying on the narrow bed, Ur clapped his hands as if he had come up with an idea. 

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Day 17 

“Therefore, please tell me about someone who can help us.” -Ur 

“I don’t dislike your audacity to come and ask me without hesitation,” Glen responded, somewhat amazed, lowering his head directly. 

“But hey, I’m an instructor affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild. After all, I’m supposed to assess you guys, right?” -Glen 

“Isn’t it the instructor’s job to guide their students?” -Ur 

“The students aren’t just you guys, you know.” -Glen 

“It’s just us. This morning, the one newcomer who joined yesterday ran away.” -Ur 

“Fuckin’ coward…,” muttered Glen, the one who had expelled the aforementioned student, as he clicked his tongue. 

“But there’s no way of knowing if they would be useful for conquering a crystal golem…” -Glen

“There isn’t?” -Ur

“…Well, there might be.” 

Somehow, Glen was a capable man. 

“Prepare yourself. On top of it being uncertain whether they’ll help you, they’re a bum.” -Glen 

For Glen say that, they must be quite something, Ur thought to himself without voicing it out loud.