Baggage Carrier ③
When I woke up, it was past noon.
I washed my face, ate a simple breakfast, and wiped myself down since I was sweaty.
While I was at it, I did laundry, changed clothes, and hung the laundry out to dry.
I hang it on top of the Tower.
It’s a bit of a hassle, but that’s the best place.
I returned to my room and sat on the bed.
“…I’m still tired…”
No wonder.
A life-or-death struggle like that. It was the first time in my life.
A life-or-death struggle… I’ve only lived in this world for 13 years.
Compared to my previous life, this world’s level of civilization is low, barbaric, and lawless.
Even so, I thought I could get by reasonably well.
That’s because I have memories from my past life and my Relics.
However, this recent event—made me realize I had grown complacent.
I keenly felt that I had underestimated the world.
…………I didn’t think I needed to become that strong, but…
I have to get stronger.
I want to acquire strength that doesn’t rely on the Fourth Relic.
“…Alright!”
I gripped my fishing rod.
Times like these call for fishing.
I went fishing at the usual riverbank.
Fishing is good. You don’t really do anything, just wait.
And it’s quiet here.
It calms my mind.
It’s fine even if I don’t catch anything.
For me right now, fishing isn’t the goal, it’s the means.
Well, of course, it’d be nice if I did catch something, though.
The bait is dried meat, same as before.
However, this time it’s my own dried meat.
“Hk!?”
Just then, the rod twitched.
A big reaction—It’s here! It’s here! It’s heavy!
I don’t just yank it up immediately.
I wave the rod against the fish’s movements, tiring it out first.
Slowly, intensely, slowly, intensely.
Tan. Tatan. Tan. Tatan. Tan. Tatan.
It’s just like steps.
Eventually, the fish’s momentum starts to fade. Not yet.
Still… the fish’s movements slow down.
Now!
Timing it perfectly, I pulled with all my might.
A black, slimy thing flew through the air. Is this… It fell onto the ground.
“…………Not again.”
A black creature that looked like a slimy catfish with arms and legs.
It’s a Japanese Giant Salamander. And is it just my imagination?
“Are you the one I caught before? Hm?”
Looking closely, the Japanese Giant Salamander was bleeding.
Its abdomen was injured.
“……………”
Is that why? It looks like it’s suffering.
“………..Sigh.”
To see the Japanese Giant Salamander hurting and suffering and do nothing.
That’s impossible for me.
I took an egg-shaped container out of my pouch.
I sprinkled just a tiny bit of its contents. Yes, it’s Elixir.
The Japanese Giant Salamander’s wound healed.
Once the wound was gone, the Japanese Giant Salamander slowly started to move.
It stood up on two legs and looked up at me.
What’s this? Those are strange eyes. As if it possesses intelligence.
“Mighty kind of ya, big bro.”
It said. Wha-.
“…Eh?”
“Nowadays, helpin’ a Land Catfish like this…”
“It talked!?”
“Hahahaha, well, there’s a Relic for that, ya see.”
“I see.”
The single word ‘Relic’ made me strangely convinced.
I actually know there are Relics that can do that.
Like [ Translation ] or [ Communication ].
“As ya can plainly see, I’m a Land Catfish. The name’s Alexander, if ya please.”
As it introduced itself, it took out a kiseru from somewhere and started smoking.
Alexander… huh. That’s quite a grand name. More importantly…
“Where did that kiseru come from?”
“A Relic, ya see.”
“You have multiple?”
A monster with multiple Relics.
That’s Silver Rank, isn’t it?
“…Big bro. It shames me, but in my current state, I can’t fully repay this kindness, ya see.”
“No, I didn’t really help you with that intention.”
“Even so, since I feel indebted, a man’s gotta repay his debts or lose face, ya know.”
“Well, that’s true.”
I agreed only on that point.
“Oh, ya understand, eh? That’s why I’ll definitely repay this debt. Big bro. I’d really like to know your name, if ya please.”
“Wof.”
“That’s a fine name. I’ve memorized it.”
“R-Really?”
Having my name remembered by a monster doesn’t feel particularly good.
Alexander put away his kiseru and started walking.
“Well then, let’s meet again.”
“Uh, yeah.”
With a plop, he disappeared into the river.
Watching him go, I looked up at the sky.
It’s nice weather.
Clouds drifted slowly, and birds flew by.
“…Guess I’ll head back.”
My fishing results were zero.