“A…a slayer?” (Yuuya)

I’ve been brought back to the cabin, my first house in this world, although it’s kind of like a loan. The repeated scene of death wore out my mind a lot, and I feel fatigued, as if I just ran a marathon while swinging a stone sword. But Miras san—I mean Master did not give me time to rest, as she immediately barged in and gave me a truly bewildering question.

“Yuuya. Do you want to become a Slayer?” (Miras)

I have no idea what a slayer is, but if it is what its literal meaning declares, it’s something about killing stuff I guess. I don’t have much questions about it, except one.

“Will it make me stronger?” (Yuuya)

“Ufufufu…....... Nope.” (Miras)

Eh.

She took me by surprise. It won’t? According to the storyline, it should—no wait. That was my mistake. I mistook this world as a game. I thought it was nothing but fantasy, a make believe world. But I learnt my lesson. I was wrong. This is reality. A world where I can die. A world full of unfairness. A world which follows the basic principle. “Survival of the fittest”. The strong stamp out the weak. They have the right to do so, because they’re strong. And if I feel that it’s unfair that I was stepped on, I can only blame myself for being weak.

“Well…. Don’t be so lost in thought. Becoming a slayer…. Is a wild card. It depends on you. If you can become a slayer, you might be strong. If you’re not meant to be one, you’ll be weak. A slayer is truly a wild card.” (Miras)

I see. It’s a go big or go home type of situation. If I can do it, I will do it.

“ I understand. But… what is a slayer?” (Yuuya)

“Oh that’s right. You don’t know what a slayer is huh? I thought you were kidding. Well then, I’ll tell you.”

Saying so, she sat down on the bed, near my legs, and brought out a book from somewhere. The miko outfit like dress she was wearing spread out onto the bed. Was that magic? Ah.. I can’t wait to learn some cool magic. She cleared her throat, and read out the contents of the book. Eh… what is with this night time bed story like setting?

“Long ago, in the age of the gods, there lived a child. His name was unknown, since the times have already erased it. He was the son of a farmer, a commoner. He spent his life living it like any other youth, and enjoyed helping his father out on the fields. As a child, he was regarded as untalented and useless, with an average body and almost no aptitude for magic.”

Eh. Sorta like me. I was untalented when I came here too. Well I still am, but that doesn’t matter. I can sort of sense how this story goes.

“But the child never gave up, and kept helping his father, and with all the strenuous effort forged his body into that of a splendid youth. All the ladies in his village eyed him, and the males envied him.”

A popular guy? Well that was unexpected. But since he became something like a Slayer, I’m sure there’s something like a death fla—

“Everything became perfect for the youth, until disaster struck the village” (Miras)

There it is.

“A dragon god attacked the village. With his army of dragons, the Dragon god Miliater attacked the village, merely on a whim. The village was devastated, and every one were annihilated.”

But one lucky survivor….

“But luckily, the youth survived. Losing a limb, he cried out in despair upon seeing the figures of his dead family, and swore revenge against the Dragon god. He rushed out and slew every monster in his path, driven mad by his rage. The sword he carried, a sword handmade by him, was a different type of sword, with a curved single edged blade and a long grip for two hands. His sword was bathed in the blood of his foes, and was drenched with his rage and madness. That was how the cursed sword ‘Rebellion’ was born”

Ending the story, Miras sa-Master closed the book. Eh. What an unsatisfactory end. Is that it? He made a sword? That’s the story of the slayers?

“But that’s not where the story ends.” (Miras)

Ah. Good. I was about to end up criticizing the author at this rate.

“That was the extent to which the humans know the tale. But the youth, Diores, with Rebellion in his hand, symbolizing the rebellion against a god, exterminated all the monsters that came in his way and kept on killing. He suffered wounds and near death situations, but kept slaying monsters, for that was what his purpose was. In the end, he reached the Dragon god, after slaying all of the dragons that accompanied him, and confronted the Dragon god. And thus began a great battle. They battled for days and nights, months and years, with neither gaining the upper hand. In the end, after a couple hundred years, Diores struck the final blow, ending the life of the Dragon God. After slaying the god, he drank his blood and bathed in it. And that’s how the very first slayer was born.” (Miras)

Woah. What a barbaric story. The guy didn’t have to drink and bathe in a dragon’s blood. Maybe he stank a lot. That might explain it. But still…

“Master, does that mean….?”(Yuuya)

“Ufufu.. That is not so my little disciple. “ (Miras)

I felt relieved. At least I didn’t have to hunt a Dragon god or something and bath in it. That’s just gross. And impossible. Did I mention impossible?

“But.” (Miras)

Master’s voice turned grave. Seems becoming a Slayer is not a walk in the park. But I expected that much.

“A Slayer is someone who has the abilities of the ones he slays. He grows from killing and relishes in it. His purpose is to eliminate the ones designated as his enemies. Do you understand, Yuuya?” (Miras)

*Gokuri*

I swallowed.

That means, only a killer can become a Slayer. Only the feelings to kill motiva—No. It’s not so. Master is also a Slayer, I can guess that much. She slew a god in order to take revenge. But if she had to slay a god in order to protect her comrades, then I think even then, she would have done it. Because, in the end, it is not the power, but the person who wields it that matters.

“Master, you cannot make me turn back. I want to protect the people important to me, and I want to live safely in this world. If a slayer exists to kill, then I’ll become a slayer who kills in order to protect.” (Yuuya)

That’s obvious. For me, right now I need strength. And if I need to undergo a lot of pain to get that, so be it. I’ll take it on, all of it.

“Good. I was worried that you might be a spineless coward. “ (Miras)

Urk! Her words sting a bit. I never thought of running away at first. Nope. Never.

“But, I’ll tell you another fact. A job, in fact. If you become a slayer, then you’ll have to do it. Even if you decide not to become one I’ll definitely train you to the best of my abilities.” (Miras)

Eh. A job? What’s it about? And I couldn’t help but notice something about what she said. “If” you become a slayer. Master, you’re subtly hinting that it’s not a sure fact.

“What’s it about Master?” (Yuuya)

“The Slayer’s curse.” (Miras)

She answered gravely. Her wrinkled face turned dark, and she looked a lot more older.

“Promise me Yuuya, never tell anyone what I tell you now. But if you become a slayer, it is your secret. You can do as you wish with it” (Miras)

Again with subtle hint of failure. Geez, master, you aren’t any good at motivating me!

“Of course.” (Yuuya)

She takes a deep breath, and starts talking.

“Remember how I told you about how I slew a god?” (Miras)

I nodded. Of course. Miras san killed a god. How could I not remember that?

“Well, it was apparently a god with a lot of followers. In those times, the Slayers were the ones with power, and were needed everywhere since their strength was needed to survive in this world. But with my act, a large number of followers lost their powers. Their blessings from god vanished, and the countries withered. They pinned all the blame on the slayers, forgetting that they were the ones who killed a lot of people in the name of God. Even though it’s my fault, all those poor kids—“(Miras)

Master broke down, and started crying. Geez, she’s really fragile. I don’t know how to comfort her, so I silently listened.

“They banished us to this place. And we were sealed here. All the Slayers were cursed to never be able to leave this forest. The monsters here get stronger with each passing day, and our deaths are nearing. We cannot survive in this place for long. We need to get out. That is why I request you, no beg you, Yuuya Nakajima, please dispel the curse. I don’t want to let those children suffer. I want to let them see the world. Please.” (Miras)

Huh. The Slayer’s curse huh. It’s a deep story. Banished? Sealed? This curse, this story, there’s something fishy about it. In the first place, how did all the Slayers get rounded up here? How did they out a seal powerful enough to trap them, and strengthen monsters? I don’t know about this world’s standards, but this seems too high leveled for some Church guys. But for now, I subdue my suspicions.

“Of course Master.” (Yuuya)

Of course I’ll do it. Master is my benefactor. My savior. If I can’t even do this for her, then what kind of disciple am I ? I’m gonna become a slayer anyways, hopefully. It’s my business too.

“Master. I’ve decided. I want to become a slayer.” (Yuuya)

Ah… Master looks relieved as well as worried. But I know. In a world where unfairness is prevalent, I need strength. Even if it’s a wild card, I’ll draw it if it gets me closer to my goal.