武器を手に入れた桔音はその足で国の入口へと足を運んだ。門に寄り掛かって待っていたリーシェは桔音が来たことでその背中を門から離し、自身の足だけでしっかと地面を掴んだ。
「じゃあ、行こうか」
「ああ、だが雑魚とはいえ魔獣は魔獣。油断はするなよ?」
「分かってる」
「出発だよ!」
気を引き締めるようにお互いに注意を促し、フィニアの掛け声で門から外へと出た。外は一週間前に命からがら走り抜けた草原、遠くには桔音の命が何度も消えかけた森が広がっているのが見える。
桔音はその森を見て少しだけ瘴気の怪物のことを思い出し、ぞくっと背筋に走る悪寒を感じた。だが、今はその瘴気の怪物はいない、この悪寒は幻覚だ。
しばらく歩くと、門から300mほど離れた所で魔獣を見つけた。桔音が逃げて来た時に遭遇した狼達だ。おそらく目算で10体はいる。
あの時は『不気味体質』のおかげで退けることが出来たが、今回もそうなってくれるかは分からない。桔音は改めて気を引き締めた。
「ハウンドドッグだ、普通は5,6体で行動する雑魚魔獣だが、10体以上いるな......少し厄介だ」
「そうなの?」
「ああ、一体一体はそれほどでもないが、厄介なのはその連携だ。全体が見えていないと多少苦戦する」
「ふーん......」
剣を抜いて、狼達を見据えながらそう言うリーシェ。桔音はその情報に狼達を見た。リーシェはそう言うものの、桔音にはこの狼達がそれほど脅威には思えなかった。とりあえず、小剣を鞘から抜いてリーシェの構えを真似して構えてみるものの、ここからどうしたものかと考えていた。
「とりあえず、私が全て狩る。桔音は出来る範囲で狼の相手をしてくれ、出来るだけ援助しよう」
リーシェの指示に従い、桔音は初のまともな戦闘に少し緊張する。だが、怖くはないのでおそらく初めてやることに対する緊張感だろうと気分を落ち着かせた。
そして、ハウンドドッグ達―――敵を見据えて、集中を高めた。
すると
―――『不気味体質発動』
自動的に『不気味体質』が発動した。
「キャンッキャン!」
ハウンドドッグ達はそれを察知し、桔音に恐怖を抱く。動物的野生の本能に従って、彼らは退却していった。
呆然とするリーシェと、原因を察してやっちまったという表情の桔音、そして現状を言葉にしたフィニア。
桔音は思った、『不気味体質』がある限り自分は雑魚モンスターとは戦えないのではないだろうかと。これは手痛い事実だ、自分よりも圧倒的に強い魔獣や魔族でないとまず戦ってくれないというのだから。レベル上げも出来ないではないか。
少なくとも、森で出会ったあの大蜘蛛は『不気味体質』のプレッシャーで逃げて行った。つまり、あの大蜘蛛以上の魔獣ではない限りは戦ってくれないだろう。
「............きつね、何かしたのか?」
「ううん、なにもしてないよ」
「......そ、そうか、おかしいな......ハウンドドッグは強くはないが集団の数が多ければ多い程逃げることはない筈なんだが」
リーシェが疑問に首を傾げているが、きつねは誤魔化すことにした。今のはけして僕のせいじゃない、と言い張ることにした。
「きっとフィニアちゃんの強さに怯えて去って行ったんだよ! うん、きっとそうに違いない!」
「え? そうかなぁ? えへへへ......」
桔音は全力でフィニアのおかげだということにする。フィニアを褒め、フィニアの強さが分かって去って行ったのだろうと事実無根のでっち上げをした。
すると、リーシェはとりあえず理由は分からないが、ハウンドドッグ達の琴線に触れる何かがあったのだろうと結論を付けた。
「とりあえず、他の場所へ行こう。ハウンドドッグ以外にも下級魔獣は多いからな」
「う、うん......」
桔音はとりあえず『不気味体質』のせいで下級の魔獣が全部逃げて行くことが分かったので、彼女に付いて行くものの、戦う気は既に失せていた。
「......ん」
桔音はふと、リーシェのステータスを見てみることにした。彼女は2年間もこうして訓練をしていたという。ならばレベルもそれなりに高いのではないだろうか? という考えだ。
桔音は前を歩くリーシェを視界に捉えながら、『ステータス鑑定』を発動させた。
名前:トリシェ・ルミエイラ
性別:女 Lv23
筋力:420
体力:560
耐性:90
敏捷:550
魔力:120
称号:『騎士見習い』『魔眼保有者』
おや? と思った。桔音は以前Eランクの冒険者にして、巨乳の受付嬢ミアに言いよっていたジェノ・グレアスのステータスを覗いたことがある。その際、彼は現在のリーシェの倍のレベルであり、ステータスも高かった。
しかし、今のリーシェはジェノのステータスの半分にも満たしていない。『敏捷』の能力値はそれなりに高いが、それ以外のステータスは23というレベルにしてはいささか低いように思える。
ジェノが特別才能に秀でていたのか、それともリーシェに才能がないのか分からないが、ステータスの上昇率にも人それぞれなのかもしれない。桔音はそう思った。
とそこで、桔音は少し気になったことを聞いてみた。
「ねぇリーシェちゃん」
「なんだ?」
「リーシェちゃんは自分の能力値を見たことある?」
「ああ、騎士団の本拠や冒険者ギルドには自分の能力値を確認出来る魔法具があるからな」
魔法具、また知らない単語が出て来たが、桔音はあとでギルドで確認すれば良いと一旦置いておくことにした。
「それならさ、『耐性』の能力値について教えて欲しいんだよね」
そう、桔音が気になっていたのは『耐性』のステータスについてだ。桔音は自分のステータスの中で最も上昇率の大きいものが『耐性』であることを把握している。
なのに、今までで見た中では一番実力のあるジェノや、一般人のミリアにミア、そして目の前のリーシェですら、『耐性』の能力値は著しく低い。これはどういうことだろうか?
「『耐性』か......確かに『耐性』は他の能力値と比較して一線を画す。その特徴として、全能力値の中で最も上昇値が少ないんだ。適性のある者は上昇値も多少多くなるが、適性のある者もそういない。例えSランクやAランクの冒険者だとしても、良いとこ500前後が関の山だ」
「そうなんだ......」
桔音はそれを聞いて、それならば自分には『耐性』の適性がかなり優れているのではないだろうかと思った。
実際の所、『耐性』というステータスは人間や一部を除いた獣人達にあまり適性が無い。肉体の構造上、人間達はあまり防御力に長けていないからだ。時折、『耐性』に適性を持つ人間もいるが、その適性も他より多少良いくらいであまり大差はないのだ。
代わりに、魔獣や魔族といった生物は『耐性』に大きな適性を持っている。人間とは違って、鱗や厚い毛皮、鎧の様な装甲を持っているからだ。だからこそ、一般人では太刀打ち出来ない、その防御力故に、攻撃が全く通らないのだ。
「まぁあまり能力値に関わって来なかったのなら気になって当然か、大方きつねも他の能力値に対して『耐性』が低いのが気になったんだろう?」
思いがけず、自分の武器が予想以上に大きなものだと分かって少し余裕が出て来た桔音。ここからレベルが上がれば何処まで行けるのか試してみたくもなった。
だがしかし、リーシェはここで更に新たな事実を口にする。
「だが『耐性』以外の能力値も、適性があっても永遠上がるわけではないんだ」
「え?」
となると、桔音の考えた防御力という武器も限界値次第では武器足りえない可能性が出て来た。先程生まれた余裕が一瞬で消し飛んだ。
「大丈夫だよきつねさん! 例えきつねさんが弱いままでも私が護ってあげるから!」
「今の僕にはかなりグサッとくる言葉をありがとう、フィニアちゃん」
「! おしゃべりは此処までだ......いたぞ」
ステータスについての簡単な講義を受けながら歩いていると、リーシェが目の前に一体の魔獣を捉えた。群れではないが、その身体は随分と大きい。見た目は熊のようだが、その口からは隠れきれていない長い牙、地面を掴む手には鋭く長い爪が見える。
すかさず、桔音はステータスを覗きに掛かる。
山岳熊
筋力:1500
体力:350
耐性:240
敏捷:350
魔力:0
どうやらスキルは持っていないようだが、そのパワーは見た目通りの様だ。あの牙や爪がステータス通りのパワーで振るわれれば、桁違いの威力となるだろう。
「あれは......ヒルクライムベアー......なんでこんな所に」
「強いね、アレ」
「ああ、冒険者の基準で言うのなら......Eランクの魔獣だ」
「どうする?」
「私達では太刀打ち出来るような相手ではない......が、どうやら逃がしてはくれないらしい」
構えるリーシェ。見れば、熊は此方を見て威嚇していた。敵として認識されたらしい。桔音はフィニアもいるのでとりあえず敵として見ないように必死に精神を落ち付かせていた。『不気味体質』が発動して逃げられたら次はもう誤魔化せない気がする。
「来るぞ! 構え―――」
響く爆音
身体を吹き飛ばさんとばかりの爆風
真っ白に染まった視界、
遅れて肌を焼く熱
何が何だか分からないが、一気に何かが起こったことだけは理解出来た。
「な、なにが......!?」
そして、リーシェが視界を取り戻した時、
「!? こ、これは......!?」
目の前に熊はいなかった。代わりに、半径5m程にまでに及ぶ焼け焦げた地面がそこにあった。
そして、桔音の隣を浮遊するフィニアが両手を前に突き出している所を見ると、彼女が魔法で先程の熊を消し飛ばしたのだろうということが分かった。視線に気が付いたフィニアがなにやらドヤ顔を浮かべている。少しだけイラッとした。
「......きつね」
「何かなリーシェちゃん」
「............うん、ごめん」
桔音が敵と認識すれば逃げられるわ、ちょっと強そうな魔獣が出てくればフィニアが消し飛ばすわ、リーシェからすれば散々だ。抜いた剣の行き先をどうしてくれるのだ。まだ空気しか斬っていない。
「次はあれ、僕達何もしないから」
「何もしないなら帰った方が良いんじゃないかと思うんだが!?」
御尤もである。どうやら桔音達とリーシェとでは凄まじく相性が悪いらしい。両者ともそれをしっかと理解した。
「それじゃまぁ......二手に分かれようか」
「そうだな......そうしてくれると助かる」
桔音が弱いということは分かっているが、フィニアの実力を目の当たりにした今では自分のフォローは必要ないと思ったリーシェは、桔音の言葉を素直に受け入れた。その方が正直訓練になるだろう。
「それじゃ、私達はあっちにいくよ!」
「じゃあ私はあっちだな」
フィニアが先程やってきた方向を指差し、リーシェはその反対を指差した。そして桔音達はお互いの方針に従って二手に分かれる。
この時点で2戦2勝、だがレベルが上がった者はいないのだった。
Kitsune who obtained a weapon visited the entrance in the country on foot. Rishe who was leaning on the gate while waiting for Kitsune who just came a moment ago and she separated from the gate, while putting her own feet to the ground firmly. 
[Then, let's go] 
[Ah, even if they're called small fry but monsters are still monsters. Don't let you guard down?] 
[I understand] 
[Let's depart!] 
They braced their spirit as they both incited their caution, as they went out from the gate while Finia is cheering. Outside was the meadows where he ran for his life for about a single week last time, and the forest where Kitsune's life vanished for how many times can be seen spread ot from far away. 
Kitsune recalled the monster wrapped with miasma a little because of the sight of the forest, and a chill crawled across his back with a *Zo kutto* sound. However, the monster of miasma wasn't here right now, and this chill was only an illusion. (TLN: Translator-san's love is that Miasma thing though......The only reason why I'm even translating this novel xD)
When walking for a while, monster can be found 300m from the gate. It was the wolves who Kitsune encountered while he was running away. There were perhaps 10 in his estimation. 
They were able to repel those wolves thanks to the assistance of  {Eerie Constitution}  last time, but he wasn't sure if it would become like that this time. Kitsune braced his spirit once again. 
[It's a Hound dog, usually they would act in groups of 5 or 6, but for there to be 10......this will become troublesome for a moment] 
[Is that right?] 
[Yeah, although it's not that much of a trouble, the troublesome part is their coordination. It would turn into a difficult battle if we can't see the whole pack] 
[ffuuu......] 
She took out her sword and said those words while watching the wolves. Kitsune also looked at them with that information. Though Rishe says those words, Kitsune couldn't think of these wolves as a threat so much. For the time being, he mimicked the stance of Rishe who took out a small word from its sheath and he started to think on what he would do next. 
[For now, I'll hunt all of them. Kitsune should take on the wolves within the range of what you can take and help as much as possible] 
In accordance with the instruction of Rishe, Kitsune is a little bit strained for his first straight forward combat. However, he felt settled down eve if there should be tension for one's frist combat perhaps because he wasn't scared of them. 
And thus, to the hound dogs------he stared at the enemy and boosted his concentration. 
Thereupon
------{Eerie Constitution Invoked} 
{Eerie Constitution}  automatically invoked. 
[kyankkyan!] 
The Hound Dogs perceived it and held fear towards Kitsune. With the instinct of wild animals, they started to retreat. 
Rishe was dumbfounded, Kitsune is making an expression of guessing what is the cause of the happening, and Finia wasn't say anything. 
As Kitsune thought, {Eerie constitution}  is limited to making small fry monsters to not want to fight with him. That was the severe truth, since he himself wouldn't fight overwhelmingly powerful monsters and demons. He also can't do level ups. 
A the very least, the large spider he met also ran away from the pressure it got from {Eerie Constitution} . In short, it is unlikely that he would fight any monster beyond the level of that large spider. 
[............Kitsune, did you do anything?] 
[Nope, I didn't do anything at all] 
[......I-, is that so, that's weird......though Hound dogs aren't strong but it wouldn't run if there were more in a pack] 
With Rishe who is doubting while inclining her neck, Kitsune decided to deceive her. The happening a while ago wasn't because of me, is what he decided to insist on. 
[I'm sure that they retreated because of Finia-chan's strength! Yep, that must be so!] 
[Eh? Is that so? Ehehehe......] 
Kitsune insists that it was all thanks to Finia with all his best. He praised Finia, and covered up his groundless story with the understanding truth of Finia's strength. 
Thereupon, even though Rishe didn't understand the reason for the time being, she concluded that there might have been something that touched the heartstrings of the Hound dogs. 
[For the time being, let's go to another place. Since there are a lot of lower class monsters other than the Hound dogs] 
[O-, okay......] 
For the time being, Kitsune understood that  because of {Eerie Constitution} all low class monsters would run away, though he took sides with her, his will to fight has already disappeared. 
[......N] 
Kitsune unexpectedly looked at Rishe's status. It can be said that she's been practicing like this for 2 years now. Then wouldn't her level be also high? is what Kitsune thought. 
While Kitsune catches the sight of Rishe who was walking ahead,  he invoked {Status judgement} . 
Name: Torishe*Rumieira
Gender : Female Lv23
Strength: 420 (TLN: BLAZE IT)
Stamina: 560
Resilience: 90
Dexterity: 550
Magic: 120
Title :{Apprentice Knight}  {Demon Eye Holder} 
Oh? is what he thought. Compared to the E rank adventurer who Kitsune knew, He also peeped at the status of Jeno*Gureas who was courting the receptionist big boobed girl Mia. In that case, his level is twice higher than the present Rishe and his status was higher too. 
However, Rishe today can't even fill in half of the status of Jeno. Though {Dexterity}  ability level is high, the other statuses was a bit low for the level of 23 is what he thought. 
Did Jeno have an outstanding special talent or does Rishe have no talent is what he didn't know, but maybe the increase rate of the status is different for each person. That is what Kitsune thought of. 
At that point, there was something Kitsune was a little bit anxious about and asked. 
[Hey Rishe-chan] 
[What ?] 
[Have you ever seen your own Ability level?] 
[Yeah I have, since there is a magic tool in the base of the Knight's mass and the adventurer's guild that can show a person's ability level] 
Magic tool, but though another word that he knows not about has appeared, he decided to put it on hold later by just confirming it when going to the guild. 
[In that case, I want you to teach me about {Resilience}  in the ability level] 
Yes, Kitsune was anxious about the {Resilience}  in his status. Kitsune understood that the largest increase rate in his status is {Resilience} . 
Nevertheless, the most strongest ability level from all that he has seen Jeno, Mia and Millia who were normal citizens, and Rshe who was in his presence, all had a remarkably low {Resilience} . What does this all mean?
[{Resilience}  huh......Certainly {Resilience}  has a clear distinction with the others. With that trait, it is the least to greatly rise in all of the ability level. Though it would rise if one had an aptitude for it, there are no people who are like that either. For example Even for an S Rank and A rank adventurer, around 500 would be good as hard as possible] 
[Is that so......] 
Kitsune heard so, and he didn't think that he had a considerably excellent aptitude towards {Resilience} . 
In the place actually, he didn't see much people with aptitude towards {Resilience}  from humans or beast men. With the structure of the body, the reason is that humans didn't excel much in defense power. Sometimes, though there would be people with an aptitude of {Resilience}  too, it wasn't much different from the good amount too. 
Alternatively, the living things called monsters and demons have a great aptitude for  {Resilience} . Different from humans, they had scales and thick fur armor like protection with them. For that reason, a normal citizen can't oppose against them, and with that defense power, normal attacks wouldn't pass through. 
[Well it's natural to be anxious since it won't affect the rest of the ability level, so did Kitsune become anxious because {Resilience}  wasn't that much high like the other ones?] 
Unexpectedly, Kitsune understood that his weapon was greater than from his expectation and a small scope has appeared.  He now wanted to test how far he can go when he levels up.
But however, Rishe said another new truth right there. 
[However other ability level than {Tolerance}  also, won't go up forever even if there is an aptitude with it] 
[Eh?] 
If it becomes so, the possibility of the the defense power which is the weapon of Kitsune would be insufficient depending on its limit. The small scope that was born awhile ago vanished at that moment. 
[It's alright Kitsune-san! Even if Kitsune-san stays as weak as like right now but I'll still protect you!] 
[Thanks for the words to someone like me who'd *Thunk* like right now, Finia-chan]  (TLN: Thunk = sound of someone falling to the ground)
[! Cease your chatting for now......there it is] 
While walking while attending an easy lecture of the status, Rishe caught the sight of a monster in their presence. Though it wasn't with a group, it's body was fairly big. Though it's appearance was that of a bear, it had long fangs which it couldn't hide from its mouth, and a sharp long finger nails could be seen from its paws which was gripping the ground. 
Promptly, Kitsune peeped at its status. 
Name: Mountain bear
Strength: 1500
Stamina: 350
Resilience: 240 (TLN: Blaze it)
Dexterity: 350
Magic: 0
Though it seems like it doesn't have any skill apparently, its power was the same as it's appearance. If those fangs and fingernails were swung with the power in its status, it would deal an incomparable might. 
[That is a......Mountain Bear......why is it in such a place like this] 
[Its strong huh, that thing] 
[Yeah, If it says by an adventurer's standards then......it's an E rank monster] 
[What should we do?] 
[Were not people who can cross swords with that......however, it doesn't look like it would let us flee] 
Rishe prepared herself. When one sees it, the bear looked at Kitsune and it was threatened. It seems to have recognized them as enemies. Since Kitsune has Finia, first of all he desperately calmed his spirit down for the enemy to not see him as an enemy. If by chance he used {Eerie Constitution}  and the monster flees then the next time would be harder to deceive Rishe. 
[It's coming! Stance------] 
A resounding explosion.
A blast the blew off it's body
The field of vision is dyed of pure white, 
A delayed burning of the skin temperature.
Though it was impossible to understand what is happening somehow, the only thing that could be understood is that something happened at a dash. 
[W-, what hap......!?] 
And, when Rishe regains her view, 
[!? Thi-, This is......!?] 
There was no bear in the presence. Instead, the ground was scorched with a 5 meter radius from there. 
And, when she saw Finia who was floating near Kitsune while both her hands were stretched out, she understood that it was her magic that erased the bear a while ago. Finia noticed her glance and scratched her face while making an expression like she's asking what's the matter. Rishe got a little bit annoyed
[......Kitsune] 
[What may it be Rishe-chan] 
[............Yes, I'm sorry] 
It escapes when it recognizes that Kitsune is an enemy, and if a monster that seems to be strong for a moment shows up then Finia just makes it vanish , and if it was for Rishe then she would fight it. Where would be the destination of the unsheathed sword be. Only the air is slashed. 
[The following is, we won't be doing anything] 
[I thought that we won't do anything and just return home though!?] 
That is the right answer de aru. It seems that the compatibility of Kitsune and his friends with Rishe is bad. The pair tightly understood that. 
[Then well......Let's divide into two groups] 
[That's right......I'll be saved if that is so] 
Though Kitsune understood that he himself is weak, with Rishe who thinks that her follow up isn't needed with Finia's ability, they accepted Kitsune's words. It will become a true training with that. 
[In that case, we will be going that way!] 
[Then I'll be going over there] 
Finia pointed at the direction where she turned up a little while ago and Rishe pointed at the opposite direction. And Kitsune and his followers divided into 2 groups according to their mutual policy a while ago. 
At this point there were 2 battles and 2 victories, yet there were no one who raised a single level.
I Kinda Came to Another World, but Where’s the Way Home?
【書籍化】異世界来ちゃったけど帰り道何処？
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-kinda-came-to-another-world-but-wheres-the-way-home/
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Harem Shounen Slice of Life
Apathetic Protagonist Bullying Calm Protagonist Demi-Humans Demon Lord Demons Dense Protagonist Fairies Game Elements Ghosts Heterochromia Knights Level System Male Protagonist Murders Naive Protagonist R-15 Royalty R*pe S*aves Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist Yandere
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