Episode 8: Linking Pinkies
I nodded in response to Pulmy-san’s question. Of course, it was obvious. The person who benefited from this “achievement substitution” could only be Ryuguin.
“But how…?”
“I don’t know. The possibilities are either a Skill, an item, or perhaps some extraordinary ally’s involvement…”
Skills—
Ryuguin’s Skills were certainly four in total:
Growth Rate x5, Advanced Light Magic: Extreme, Limit Break, Hero’s Sword.
Despite having fought alongside him, I realized I knew nothing about Ryuguin’s abilities.
I recalled the appraisal at the Royal Castle. His Skills, Growth Rate x5 and Advanced Light Magic: Extreme, were complete upgrades over my own Skills, Growth Rate x3 and Advanced Light Magic: Great.
Back then, I felt frustrated by his smug expression, but now my Light Magic Skill had grown to Advanced Light Magic: Extreme++, which somewhat eased my irritation.
The real problem lay with the two Skills: Limit Break and Hero’s Sword. During the explanation of Skills at the Royal Castle, I was informed that details about these two Skills were unknown. Similarly, my Skills, Log and Skill Defender, were also shrouded in mystery.
However, I could speculate based on their names. My Log was a completely nonsensical Skill, but Skill Defender might indeed be a Skill that protects me from enemy Skills. Yes, that makes sense.
As for Ryuguin’s Limit Break, it could be a release of latent potential or a Skill that removes the unconscious limiter he usually has in place. Such abilities often appear in fantasy novels featuring heroes and demon lords.
It’s a classic trope where the protagonist, the Hero, uses this (Limit Break) when cornered, turning the tide of battle as if the previous disadvantage was a lie.
Disadvantage—at that moment—Ryuguin had been at a disadvantage, having been beheaded, even if he recovered immediately.
So, could it be that Limit Break is suspicious? Or is it the Hero’s Sword, which I can’t even begin to imagine?
I asked Pulmy-san for her thoughts on my analysis of Skills.
She lowered her gaze and crossed her arms before finally speaking.
“I don’t know.”
You don’t know?! I almost interjected, but she continued speaking, so I held back.
“We know too little about Skills. The same goes for items. There are items like the Wish Orb, which exhibit ridiculous powers. And then there’s the Absolute Freeze you showed me earlier. Unfortunately, there are indeed things we don’t know.”
“Therefore,” she continued, “it is necessary to consider our options. However, for you, for me, and for Lady Omi, this is an entirely new situation. So, the most important thing is to organize and share what we do know, and to think about how we should proceed from here.”
I see. As expected of someone with more life experience. I wholeheartedly agreed with her opinion.
My conversation with her was meaningful. Although it was provisional, we concluded that some force had been exerted by Ryuguin (or his ally), and the method remained unknown. The impact caused our positions to switch; my achievements became Ryuguin’s, while his foolishness became mine. The power was immense, rewriting not only the memories of those who knew me but also all records concerning me and Ryuguin, aligning everything as if it were meant to be.
How can we deal with this?
What are the activation conditions?
There are countless unknowns.
Once I start thinking, it feels endless.
Unfortunately, we have very little information.
There’s just too little to go on.
But—
“I have someone in my family who knows everything.”
Everything?
“Yes, everything. But she’s a recluse with a wandering habit, so I don’t know if she’s still in the village…”
A recluse with a wandering habit?
As I tilted my head at the contradictory personality, Pulmy-san sensed my confusion and explained.
“When she decides to stay in, she can do so for years or even decades. But once something triggers her, she bolts outside and doesn’t return home for years or decades. She’s a peculiar person who has repeated this cycle over and over.”
Wow, there are really such unusual people out there.
The scale of an elf’s life is truly astounding!
As I marveled, she continued,
“If we can resolve the issue with the Sealed Domain and confirm that she has returned to the village… If it’s alright, Ichiro-kun, would you like to come with me to my village?”
I couldn’t contain my excitement at the sudden mention of the “Elf Village,” a fantasy term, and nodded eagerly.
My conversation with her was enjoyable.
However, scattered throughout our memories were shadows of Ange.
Every time her name came up, my heart ached.
And similarly, Pulmy-san’s elegant face twisted with discomfort each time.
Seeing her expression made me regret it.
I should have scolded Ange, calling her a “fool.”
I should have pressed her on why she wouldn’t return, forcing her back to Pulmy-san.
No matter how much I regretted it, I couldn’t change the past.
As night deepened, our conversation was drawing to a close.
I recalled the nightmare I had about Pulmy-san. After much deliberation on how to inform her, I finally said, “I have a bad feeling that something might happen to you.”
“Haha, don’t worry, Ichiro-kun. I will absolutely not lose! I have to overcome this crisis and meet you again!”
A blush spread across her previously pale cheeks.
“Ichiro-kun—you’re the one at the center of this battle. I sincerely wish for your safety.”
In response, I showed her my pinky.
“Please show me your pinky too, Pulmy-san.”
She hesitated for a moment before extending her pinky toward me.
“In my country, when making a promise, we link pinkies. Though we’re apart, it doesn’t mean we truly connect…”
“Oh, I like this.”
“It’s a promise.”
“Yes, a promise.”
Transcending distance and everything else, at that moment, we truly linked our pinkies.
And so, we wished for each other’s safety and concluded our conversation.
With still some time before our meeting, I lay on my bed, reflecting on my conversation with Pulmy-san.
That night, the third dream came to me.
Pulmy-san’s appearance was clearly different from the previous dreams.
First, her equipment had changed dramatically.
This time, she wore segmented armor that covered her shoulders, neck, elbows, knees, and wrists, designed not to hinder her movements as she fought with her fists.
Each piece was unmistakably of Legendary quality or higher.
There was also a significant change in her weaponry.
Attached to a special belt were four identical Demon Swords and a magic staff, along with a long sword radiating a menacing aura.
I felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation from each weapon. They were not just rare weapons—they were undoubtedly of Legendary quality or better.
With her weapons and armor, she was fully equipped, resembling a full-armor Pulmy-san.
However, the change in equipment was trivial compared to her overall demeanor.
The fighting spirit she exuded, her expression, her presence—everything about her was on a completely different level compared to the last dream.
“I made a promise to Ichiro-kun…”
She murmured something and took off running.