Chapter 41: (2)

Chapter 41: (2)

Around at the same time. Team Tanaka had been continuously proceeding eastward and was close to reaching the center of the Kingdom.

It was a hilly area with forests dotted around. Compared to the wastelands, it was more inhabited, and there were vast plots of lands that had been developed into farmlands.

The military patrolled the area on a regular basis, so the safety was also good. Moreover, said military had also driven the monsters into the scattered forests. In one of such forests, Team Tanaka continued to hunt and move eastward at a steady pace. However, the leader, Tanaka, was no longer the cheerful and lively person he used to be.

He seems as listless as ever-degozaru.

I guess its because we made that Victory Pose under the rain without him. that guy, hes surprisingly easy to get lonely, huh.

That fateful day. Ever since they welcomed him in the victory pose they newly developed, Tanaka had been listless. The two of them were worried about him, but they had done nothing in particular about it. That was because they believed in Tanaka. The bond of comradery they had cultivated up to this point wasnt one that was easy to shake.

I believe in him. That before long, he will definitely show us a pose that will blow us out of our minds.

Youre right-degozaru. Its a moment of obscurity before the advent of transcendental idea-degozaru.

Suke-san and Kaku-san continued to wait. The day Tanaka would rise up again. There was not even a shred of doubt about it in their minds. As they were preoccupied with the expectation of the mark of growth hed show them in the near future. Men were creatures who always strove for even greater heights.

And speaking of the person in question, Tanaka was certainly shocked by their Victory Pose under the rain. However, he had already received an even more shocking problem prior to that.

That was, of course, the problem of having his power being stolen by the hero. Even now, half a month after that, he had yet to find a countermeasure to overcome this problem. Nevertheless, the reason why he continued to head eastward and did not neglect his daily training was because he was afraid of the danger that was lurking beyond this problem. If he neglected his training and the absorption of the hero were to occur when he only had little vitality left, when push came to shove, he might end up dying. There was no guarantee if that was indeed that case, but it was too dangerous of a problem to be ascertained first hand. Thus, for the time being, he had no choice but to continue struggling. Believing that there was a light beyond this darkness.

Hey! What are you doing?!

The one who rushed over while letting out such a voice was a beautiful girl. The horn on her forehead told them that she was of the same tribe as the man. It was the first time in a long while that Tanaka had seen a beautiful girl, so it cheered him up a little. However, the unshakable little man spirit in him didnt forget to stay alert.

And then, the situation took an unexpected turn. Surprisingly, the beautiful girl smacked the seized man on the head.

Murgai! Is your brain made of muscle? Didnt we all agree to reconcile with humans? So why are you attacking these people?

The beautiful girl kept hitting the head of the man called Murgai. As Tanaka watched her, he fell into thought. He immediately looked through the database in his brain for energetic heroine capture strategies and began to analyze them. As you would expect of a man who once aspired to become a first-class flag raiser, his judgment was impeccable.

Ah, young lady. How about you spare him with only that much?

Tanaka initiated the first contact in a gentlemanly attitude. His posture was so calm that it was incongruous with the energetic girl. This was an offensive move that put his outstanding wisdom on full display, calculating the tendency of energetic-type beauties to seek after something they lacked. What a terrifying strategy.

Ah, Im sorry! For the rudeness of this muscle head!

The girl apologized while vigorously bowing her head. Unexpectedly, this encounter started with Tanaka in an advantageous position. As far as Tanaka was concerned, he couldnt afford to cut the conversation short in order not to let this chance go.

No, no, no, he seems to have reflected on his actions, so you dont have to worry about it, young lady. My name is Echigoya. I run a clothing wholesale store in the Haru Empire. Im currently on my way to return to the Empire after finishing a job, but Oh right, if you dont mind, I was wondering if you could kindly tell me your name, young lady?

He casually used Echigoyas name. Concealing his real name to protect his own safety, you couldnt expect less of this man. Moreover, the way he shallowly came up with such an idea without considering the off chance the person in question, Echigoya, learned about it, all you could say was, as expected of Tanaka.