Akatsuki Translations

The time just before reaching the satellite city of Aruto:

“A method to become stronger?” -Diz                

Lying down on the bed inside the carriage, Diz sleepily repeated Ur’s question.

“What should I do?” -Ur

“Practice.” -Diz

“Can you be a bit more specific?” -Ur

While making a face as if in thought, Diz played with Akane, who was acting as her pillow.

“It depends on how you want to become stronger. But in your case, you probably want to become able to defeat powerful bounty targets, right?” -Diz

“What should I do to be able to do that?” -Ur

“Dunno.” -Diz

“That’s disappointingly blunt.” -Ur

Well, from Diz’s perspective, there’s probably no obligation to teach. But it was discouraging to get such an indifferent response. However, Diz waved her hands saying “that’s not what I meant.”

“If you want to become stronger, naturally, you should acquire magical power, meaning you should defeat monsters. Defeating more formidable monsters will make you stronger. That’s the law of this world.” -Diz

However, how one becomes stronger as a result of acquiring magical power varies from person to person.

“Some become physically stronger. Others acquire stronger magical power. Or perhaps both. Even in terms of the body, it might be arms, legs, the entire body, or one of the senses. In terms of magic, it might be magical capacity, discharge rate, control ability; it varies. The acquired magic power evolves a person in various ways. It’s rare for two individuals to evolve in the exact same manner.” -Diz

Therefore, teaching how to become stronger and how to utilize acquired power is not easy. For instance, someone with four arms can’t effectively teach someone with three eyes their fighting style.

“You have your own power and ways to use it. Even if I teach you…” -Diz

“Hmm.” -Ur

It was a convincing argument.

However, Ur understood that he was an ordinary person and also realized he didn’t have much time. He didn’t think he could achieve his best growth by groping in the dark without guidance. If there was a more powerful person, he wanted to gain as much as he could from them. Even if that person held the fate of him and his sister.

Perhaps sensing Ur’s feelings, Diz chuckled.

“Though, I can at least provide some tips on techniques and advice on strategies to become stronger that anyone can learn.” -Diz

Shizuku, who was listening with interest, chimed in.

“Like what, for instance?” -Shizuku

“How to sleep re~ally comfortably.” -Diz

《Ahh…》-Akane

Lying down using Akane as a pillow, Diz mentioned something that seemed more like a health and cosmetic secret than a method to become stronger. Ur questioned what the method to becoming strong itself meant. Shizuku seemed to have similar thoughts and looked puzzled.

Ignoring their doubts, Diz continued.

“Well, advice on strategy then… Do you two choose how you fight?” -Diz

“Choose?” -Ur

“Do you have a preferred fighting style? Or think certain methods are underhanded?” -Diz

Understanding what Diz meant, both nodded in agreement.

“As long as it’s not immoral…” -Ur

“As long as it doesn’t thoughtlessly take lives…” -Shizuku

“Great. Then, I’ll tell you the surefire strategy to defeat powerful monsters.” -Diz

At the words “surefire strategy,” Ur’s heart raced for a moment. Calmly thinking about it, if such a method existed, it wouldn’t be hard. But he couldn’t help but be interested in a strategy from someone much more powerful.

“The surefire strategy is…” -Diz

“”Is?”” -Ur and Shizuku

After a brief pause, she confidently declared:

“…Continuously attacking from a distance where the opponent can’t reach you.” -Diz

“”…”” -Ur and Shizuku

Well, that’s obvious… both of them thought.

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Back to the present

The location is the training grounds of the Adventurer’s Guild in the satellite city of Aruto. Although it’s significantly smaller than Greed’s, it’s spacious enough to swing swords and spears. It’s quite fortunate to secure such a large space within a city where land is limited.

“Ok…” -Ur

Ur took out the armor he had purchased earlier from Luckbird, named “Hawk’s Talons.” He removed only the right arm of the full-body armor ” Armor of Fire-consuming ” and put it on in its place. The fit felt the same as when he tried it in the store, allowing for fine finger movements.

Then, Ur took some differently shaped stones he had collected beforehand, checking their feel in his grasp. He made sure no one was around, took aim at a human-shaped dummy placed more than ten meters away, intended for sword practice, and then:

“Throw.” -Ur

With all the strength he had honed as an adventurer, he grounded his feet, rotated his shoulders, utilized centrifugal force, and released. A stone bullet was shot from his fingertips.

“…” -Ur

The moment he thought he had thrown it, the sound of impact reached Ur’s ears. The point of impact was far from the targeted dummy, on the ground. There was a large indent where it had landed, and shattered remnants of the stone were scattered.

“It’s not even just the power, this is…” -Ur

However, as he had hoped, the “Hawk’s Talons” was exceptionally good at grasping objects. The object would stick to the fingertips, and all the force would consolidate the moment it was released.

He wasn’t sure if this was the correct way to use it, but well, that didn’t matter. What mattered was, if he could master it, he could acquire a “throwing” tactic.

“Once more.” -Ur

He picked up another stone, wound up, and threw it. This time, it missed the dummy by a large margin. If he reduced his strength a bit, he might hit it. But that wouldn’t be enough. It wasn’t just about hitting; he needed to inflict damage.

Ur kept throwing with all his might. Along the way, he adjusted his throwing posture several times. Gradually, the distance between his throws and the dummy decreased, until:

“Hmph!” -Ur

He released, and simultaneously, there was a loud shattering sound. The thrown stone hit the dummy’s body. The dummy, designed for adventurers to practice on, wasn’t destroyed due to its robust construction, but a significant dent was visible.

“…Not bad, huh?” -Ur

He hadn’t tested it against real monsters yet, but if he could deliver this much power from a distance, it might be an effective tactic.

“You won’t get anywhere being satisfied with hitting a stationary target, you know?” -Diz

“Hmm…” -Ur

The one pouring cold water on his satisfaction was Diz, the very person who had given Ur advice. Ignoring the question of why she was here, Ur grunted at her words.

“Is it really that difficult to hit a moving target?” -Ur

“Well, if the target isn’t aware of you, you might hit. But against an opponent who’s on guard, it’s extremely difficult. It would be easier to be armed with a weapon from the start.” -Diz

It’s futile to prepare a throw, miss, and then have to reload while your opponent gets the drop on you. “Somewhat accurate” against a stationary target wouldn’t be nearly enough in real combat.

“…So, the whole idea of throwing is flawed?” -Ur

“No? I think it’s good. Throwing is primitive and one of the simplest forms of ranged attack. It’s also a big advantage that ammunition is everywhere, and you don’t need incantations like magic. You can also use it repeatedly.” -Diz

And as an adventurer, its power is guaranteed. Diz picked up one of the stones Ur had collected and threw it. There was a pop, like the air splitting, and at the same instant, the dummy was knocked back.

“If you can hit consistently, that is.” -Diz

“…Impressive.” -Ur

She was truly a flawless woman.

“Of course, it requires practice. Tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times. But you don’t have much time. So, to make the most of this technique quickly, you need another twist.” -Diz

“Like what?” -Ur

“Think for yourself. Trial and error are also part of practice.” -Diz

Diz continued to throw. Her movements seemed casual. She appeared to be merely tossing the stones randomly, but they always hit. Even when the dummy jumped and rolled away, her stones struck it with incredible speed.

Why could she hit so accurately with such a casual throw? He wondered, but soon realized. Her “casual” form had been “refined in its casualness.” In other words, she could throw with all her might from any position. She had become able to do so.

What supported that accuracy was probably a vast amount of training, Ur understood. He ignored the question of why a moneylender was doing this. Observing and learning from her technique was far more beneficial.

With a clang, the dummy, which had been moved quite a distance from its original position, was brilliantly hit with a final shot. The dummy’s armor was battered, and, seemingly satisfied, Diz stretched.

“We don’t have much time. Come back to the inn when you’re satisfied. We’ll have a strategy meeting.” -Diz

“Did you find out where the bandits are?” -Ur

“Yeah, and let me share some good news.” -Diz

“What kind of good news?” -Ur

“The Adventurers’ Guild has put a bounty on them. 20 gold coins.” -Diz

“…Yaaay, jackpot…” -Ur

That’s twice the original bounty for the crystal golem.

While he was pleased, Ur hung his in response to a premonition of impending hardship.