"Too bad Shion isn't my jailer."
"Shut up."
After the selection, we boarded for the island supposedly harboring the elixir of immortality.
Contrary to what I imagined, my jailer was neither Shion nor his student Tenza, but another member of the swordsmen clan.
(Image)
"Sorry, but can I at least remove this?" I asked, pointing to the ropes around my arms.
The man named Yamada Asaemon Genji slowly nodded at my request.
Once the ropes were removed, I stretched a bit.
"You done? It's about time you actually started looking for the elixir."
I nodded at his request, but only to appease his impatience.
I'm not here to search for this universe's elixir of immortality.
Even if immortality is an irresistible temptation, I'd rather obtain it in Konosuba.
There are several ways to achieve it in that wacky universe governed by the goddess Eris, like becoming a demon... or a vampire.
One can be bought at Wiz's shop, and the other simply requires being... virgin.
Unfortunately 'or fortunately', I can use both options to achieve immortality or enormous longevity.
There's also the option of becoming a lich like Wiz.
Besides these three options within reach, there remains the wish granted to the individual capable of defeating the demon king.
"A little advice, avoid those creatures around here... they're venomous."
Genji was confused by my words, but he understood quickly when the time came.
The moment we penetrated deeper into the forest, several crawling creatures with human faces stirred around us.
There were even a number of strange butterflies, which rushed toward us silently.
If I hadn't been attentive and vigilant, I would never have noticed their discreet approach.
"Create Water!!"
"Freeze!!"
Cold and insects don't mix well. So I first wet my targets before brutally dropping the temperature.
All the insects were immediately frozen, unable to resist the cold due to their weak physical constitution.
Without wasting time, I grabbed a tree branch that I broke, then wrapped a torn sleeve from my shirt around it.
"Tinder."
A makeshift torch, which would serve as my temporary weapon.
Prisoners weren't allowed to bring weapons, which made this kind of improvisation essential for some... like me.
My jailer is simply too rigid.
Bam.
I started eliminating the insects frozen by the cold one by one.
"Surprisingly... you're also a ninja?"
I just smiled at Genji, without confirming or denying his assumption.
But time is working against us.
A grotesque monster just suddenly came to life, after my extermination of the venomous creatures.
No, not one.
There are several.
Cold sweats started running down my back, but I didn't waste time.
I tightened my grip around my torch, and I started chanting my intermediate magic in a low voice.
"You're in trouble~"
A familiar but unpleasant voice surprised me.
One of the people I try to avoid presented herself in front of me, at the worst or best moment?
Yuzuhira.
I didn't stop my chanting, but I nodded.
She simply smiled at my response.
However, I wasn't comfortable.
If this woman intervened now, it means she's been observing me for a while.
So, she judged me useful and not a threat.
Humiliating.
But necessary at this time.
I just have to get through this day, because I've already lost enough time at sea.
After that, my skill will be able to send me back to Konosuba.
Boom
With a kick, she knocked down the first grotesque creature measuring 2.40 meters.
Unlike me, she possessed a good part of her confiscated equipment.
Her jailer joined with Genji to take care of another monster.
I only have one creature left resembling a Buddha statue.
"Lightning!"
After dodging its blow, I grabbed its arm without letting go and launched my electric magic like an eel.
Fall
The creature fell to the ground, emitting unpleasant smoke from its flesh.
"Not bad, your ninjutsu. Your prayers are some kind of mental aid? You're still a beginner? What village are you from?"
After the battle, Yuzuhira immediately rushed against me.
Her face at a much too close distance.
Anyone would see this as an opportunity, but it's not the time now.
I'm on a fucking island that literally wants my death.
"Stop trying to get information about me!" I said honestly, my thoughts about her.
"Oh, you figured it out~ you've got some serious potential for your age."
Despite my complaints, Yuzuhira clung to me.
There wasn't the slightest shadow of frustration due to her failure in gathering information.
"So? You want to make an alliance with me? Given your strength, I don't give you an hour alone on this island."
I stopped my steps after hearing Yuzuhira's words.
The kunoichi fox had touched a sensitive but real point.
Currently, I might have gained a level thanks to the non-stop battles on the island since entering after landing.
But I won't last long with just intermediate magic, without great experience against monsters.
My martial arts are created to fight humans, not these creatures straight out of Orochimaru's laboratory.
Yuzuhira has the advantage on this terrain.
She's clearly physically stronger than me, and she's trained to kill.
She's an assassin, nothing more, nothing less.
She's here in her element.
While I realize this...
Two soft things settled on the back of my head.
"You realized? I'm technically taking a loss here. *Wink*" she said, keeping her smile.
"You didn't lie... except at the end."
Yes, I'm not an asset alone.
However, Genji is a non-negligible element.
If she can use me with Genji, then her chances of survival would certainly increase.
The bitch mixes lies and truth.
"*Oops*, I got caught"
Again, she showed no sign of guilt after the discovery of her ruse.
"I'm in, but we need to convince others... this place isn't 'natural'"
I gave my impression to Yuzuhira, who seems to have a similar opinion to mine judging by her facial expression.
"It's weird that I haven't heard any rumors of such a talented young shinobi."
I preferred not to converse long on this subject with Yuzuhira.
She's an intelligent woman.
The more I talk with her, the more I risk making errors in the consistency of my words and actions.
After about ten minutes of walking, we witnessed Gabimaru's fight against a group of monsters.
"Incredible..."
My words were authentic.
Every movement of Gabimaru was lethal and efficient.
There was no superfluous gesture.
As a martial arts user, I can't help but feel admiration.
During the fight, I remembered an important element of the canon between Gabimaru and Sagiri.
I didn't know if this would still be relevant because of my presence on the island and in this world.
But I didn't want to take any risks.
Good thing I was careful.
Normally, Gabimaru saves his jailer during this precise moment in the story.
But this time, he's just too far to intervene.
Before the monster could cut down Sagiri's life...
I intervened.
Wound.
The monster's attack mercilessly lacerated my back, since I clearly lack speed.
Even if my act might seem stupid or just guided by my crotch, it's not the case.
I can't let Sagiri die now.
(Image)
Today, there are still too many strong adversaries, and I'm cruelly lacking in skill compared to her.