New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/3 chapters)
Death Struggle with Bear
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The three days of training were brutal. This was especially true for someone like me, who hadn’t done much physical activity before. I felt bad for Lindsay, who kept cheering me on, and for Tristan-san, who went out of his way to help me. During the breaks in training, I didn’t see much of the other members. Alfred-san seemed busy and was hardly ever in the house, and Lizbeth-san didn’t really approach me.
Only Dwayne-san occasionally came by to check on me, staying in the background in a supportive stance. What surprised me was that on the morning of the second day, he joined the training, and, unlike me, who was gasping for air, he completed it with ease. For someone who seemed more like the scholarly type, he sure lived up to his reputation as a member of a famous party. After all, he was an adventurer too.
Tristan-san didn’t teach me any practical combat techniques, just had me do endless stamina and strength training. Feeling anxious, I asked him, “Could you at least teach me some swordsmanship?”, but he shot it down, saying, “You don’t have enough muscle or stamina to move your body properly yet”.
In the end, I spent the whole time until the appointed day on basic training.
Thanks to that, my stats displayed on the Managram increased slightly.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Race: Human
Age: 10 years, 1 month
Health: 48/58
Mana: 0/0
Strength F
Agility E
<Abilities>
Intuition E
Hand-to-Hand G
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Apparently, I’d acquired the ‘Hand-to-Hand’ skill without realizing it. Maybe the Managram acknowledged that I’d gotten to a level where I could handle myself in a basic brawl. After finishing the usual morning training, Tristan-san called out to me.
“Jack, show me your Managram.” (Tristan)
“Yes.” (Jack)
“Hmm… Still just at this level, huh?” (Tristan)
I felt a bit disappointed by Tristan-san’s comment. I’d thought I’d made a lot of progress. I wanted at least a “You’ve worked hard” from him. However, that might be me about being spoiled.
—
Later, while having breakfast in Lindsay’s room, I was called down. I forced my aching body down to the first floor. When I entered the dining room, five other people were sitting around the table.
“Alright, brat… er, Jack, wasn’t it? Today’s the day we made our promise.” (Alfred)
“Yes.” (Jack)
Alfred-san spoke with a bright expression. There was no irritation in his tone, and he seemed different from my initial impression.
“We all know you’ve been working hard these past few days.” (Alfred)
At that, the others began nodding kindly.
“Teaming up with us means becoming comrades who will live and die together.” (Alfred)
“I understand.” (Jack)
“That’s why, today, we want to see your resolve.” (Alfred)
The red-haired leader said this while meeting my gaze directly.
The flat plains between Soltaire and Barwitch are crossed by a road. We were first led to a forest along that road called Diarren Forest. There were trees that had been cut down and left as they were, and many thick trunks that had been neatly carved to expose their rings.
“There are bears here.” (Alfred)
“Bears…?” (Jack)
“According to a request from the guild, the loggers around here have been troubled by bears recently awakened from hibernation.” (Alfred)
Alfred-san explained the request simply. It was, essentially, a bear-hunting quest.
“The request is for 20 bears, but you only need to take down one! Bring it back here!” (Alfred)
He pointed a finger at me and gave me that instruction.
“Alfie, isn’t it still too dangerous for a 10-year-old to hunt a bear?” (Lindsay)
Lindsay protested.
“I was already hunting bears at age 10!” (Alfred)
“Only because you’ve been skilled with fire magic since way back, so you just burned them up, didn’t you?” (Lindsay)
“Shut up! It doesn’t matter if you use magic or fight barehanded, as long as you can hunt! Got it, Jack?” (Alfred)
Considering they recently went on an ogre hunt, this quest must be a breeze for them. I wondered if they had chosen me specifically. Though lightly armed, the other members were all equipped with weapons. Lizbeth-san brought a short bow that was smaller than the one I’d seen her with before. It wasn’t for long-range sniping but rather close-range support, better for accuracy than power.
In the end, Lindsay’s childhood friends are all warm-hearted people. I have to do my best to repay that kindness.
“I’ll do it!” (Jack)
I declared firmly.
“That’s the spirit! The bear’s deeper in the forest! Go!” (Alfred)
“…What?” (Jack)
“What’s wrong? Get going!” (Alfred)
“Um, I don’t have anything with me…” (Jack)
Does he mean for me to take it down barehanded?
“Oh, right. I forgot to give this to you. Take it.” (Alfred)
He tossed me a short iron sword, modified to be suitable for my size. It clattered to the ground, and I picked it up. My upper arm muscles screamed slightly, but I could manage.
“…” (Jack)
This might be my first real weapon. It wasn’t anything special, but just a cheap iron sword. Even so, holding it gave me a bit of courage.
“…I’m going.” (Jack)
“Yeah!” (Alfred)
“Wait, Jack! I—” (Lindsay)
“You stay here!” (Alfred)
Alfred-san held Lindsay back as she tried to rush over.
“But… if something happens…” (Lindsay)
“Lindsay. It’s great that you’re so caring, but letting a man take the spotlight is part of a woman’s role too, isn’t it?” (Alfred)
“Uh… well…” (Lindsay)
“Jack, go already!” (Alfred)
“Yes!” (Jack)
I ran toward the forest.
—
I quickly spotted my target. Luckily, it wasn’t a group, just a single bear. The bear in front of me was leisurely scratching at the fallen leaves, searching for something under the soil. Its natural behavior struck me as oddly cute.
However, even innocent creatures can become a threat to humans if they are overpopulated. Creatures that are close to bursting their environmental niches are destined to be hunted. By my own hand.
Come on, Jack, summon your courage. You should be a little stronger thanks to the training! You can do it! No, just go for it! Rush over and cut it down.
But I still couldn’t muster the courage. After all, it was huge.
If it stands up, it could probably reach the roof of a house. Maybe I should find a cub instead, just to be safe. But in a situation like this, there’s no guarantee I’d find another. Now is the perfect opportunity while the other person isn’t even aware of you.
What do I have to make use of this chance? No magic, no bow. Just this short sword, but I have no choice.
“…” (Jack)
I steeled myself and took one step forward.
*Snap*
But with that single step, I ruined my chance. Hidden among the leaves was a dead branch, and my foot broke it with an audible crack. The sound reached the bear’s ears, and it noticed me.
—GROOOAAARRR!
The bear charged at me without any hesitation or caution, aiming directly for me. It was fast. It barreled toward me on all fours like a cannonball.
Why is it so aggressive? Couldn’t it hesitate a little?
There was no time to think. I gripped the short sword with both hands, bracing myself for its charge. However, I had no idea how to fight back. My legs froze. The muscle pain combined with this pinned me down to the spot.
*Wham*
“Ugh!” (Jack)
The bear swiped at my shoulder. I couldn’t even process the pain as I collapsed to the ground. I was completely outmatched. The bear’s paw swung down again, as if to scoop me up. I was blown backwards and my back hit the ground hard.
Even in this situation, I wasn’t thinking about dying. What filled my mind was the shame of failing to kill a single bear, and frustration at my own helplessness. I looked down to see blood seeping from a slash across my chest. Oddly, I felt no pain. Perhaps, my body was trying to block out the sensation. When I wiped the blood with my right hand, I felt a surge of strength.
This is a life-or-death battle with the bear. It’s a fight for survival. I couldn’t beat it with half-hearted resolve!
“I… I’ll do it!” (Jack)
Forcing myself up, I found the bear charging at me again. There was no point in running. Even if my swordsmanship was clumsy, I would take it down with a single strike. I swung the short sword vertically to intercept it.
*Clang*
It was blocked with a single swipe of its arm. The bear’s charge hit me, and I was sent flying. The wound in my chest throbbed, and the world shook. My back slammed against a tree behind me. The impact crushed my lungs, and all the air I’d held was forced out.
I couldn’t breathe…
—ROAAAAR!
Then, the raging bear came rushing toward me, not allowing even a breath of rest. Before I knew it, the shortsword I had clutched was no longer in my hand. The blow just now must have sent it flying somewhere. I’d lost my weapon.
No, but… So what? It’s not like this bear has a weapon. It’s trying to take me down with just its body. Whether I have my shortsword or not isn’t that big of a difference. At this point, I’ve lost it all anyway. If I can’t overcome this first trial as an adventurer, I won’t be able to save a single person in the future.
I stood up and caught the charging bear’s face with both hands. I was able to stop it!
The charge felt weaker than I’d expected. My hands, slick with my own blood, clung to the bear’s fur and stuck fast.
―――Guh…oogh…
The bear froze for a moment in that state. This bear, which had been relentlessly attacking, was now still for the first time.
“Guh…I…will…do this…!” (Jack)
I couldn’t run away. I had to do this. If I couldn’t use magic, then I’d use self-suggestion. If I let myself be held up here, I’d just be a burden when we tackled dungeons or went out hunting together.
There’s no way I’ll let that happen!
The bear’s face contorted in pain, and it tried to swipe me away with its right arm.
I hastily let go and dodged. I managed to follow its movement with my eyes. The bear was also surprised that it had missed the target, and it was unable to stop the momentum of its arm, and that created a small opening.
…There!
I drove my fist into its face.
It was my first time actually punching a living creature. However, either because my senses were numb, I didn’t feel any recoil or pain.
It felt nothing…? It’s strange, but is this that burst of strength people get in life-or-death moments?
My right fist seemed to have delivered a critical hit to the bear. Its jaw was dislocated, and after it let out a cry, drool began dripping pathetically down its face.
Could it be…I might actually win this?
――Guh…uh…Guooaaa…
The bear, with its jaw hanging, let out a roar and tried to slap me again. But perhaps due to the damage it had taken, its movements felt far slower than before.
This is my chance. I’ll give you another hit!
I swung a punch at the bear’s open palm. Rock against paper.
*Smack*
Under normal circumstances, that move would mean defeat, but my full-strength punch deflected its open palm. The bear seemed stunned by the deflection, and its body wavered slightly.
There’s no time to think. An opening creates a new opening. That is true of this bear’s initial attacks, too. There’s no such thing as resting in the wild hunt. Here’s your payback!
I drove my fist into its exposed belly.
――Ooaaah!
I seemed to have struck a vital spot.
The bear fell. But it wasn’t dead yet. It was breathing heavily. I looked around for my shortsword. It had fallen at the base of a nearby tree, and I found it rather quickly. I picked it up. When I’d borrowed it from Alfred, it felt heavy due to muscle pain, but now it was astonishingly light. My senses had been numbed by the life-or-death struggle with the bear.
That’s convenient.
Without hesitation, I raised the blade toward the bear, which was lying helpless, and aimed it at its neck. However, it wasn’t over yet. Perhaps sensing its impending end, the bear deflected my killing blow with its left paw. The impact sent my right hand flying backward, and I felt my shoulder come out of its socket. My right arm was split open, blood dripping from it.
Is it hopeless…? Am I really not even a match for a bear?
My right arm wouldn’t move. The iron shortsword slipped from my hand. The bear seemed to sense my weakened state, and it stood up, slowly getting into position again. However, its breathing was rough, and it didn’t look as strong as it had.
I could no longer use my right arm. The bear also favored its right paw, standing in an awkward posture. I watched with a strange detachment as blood continued to flow from my right arm with every beat of my heart. Despite the blood pouring out, I felt strength welling up inside me with each pulse.
The bear seemed to have found an opening and made a second charge, but it was slow. I still had my left arm. It wasn’t my dominant hand, but a fist was still a fist.
Just die already!
I supposed that was how the bear and I feel.
I took a step forward and struck its weakened jaw with an uppercut. I felt no shock even through my left hand. Finally, the bear fell on its back. It was no longer necessary to finish it off, as the bear was practically dead. With the shortsword I’d taken in my left hand, I drove it into its throat.
—
I fought a death match over a simple bear hunt. I was so relieved that I collapsed on the spot and seemed to lose consciousness for a little while. Though this was my first hunt, it wasn’t exactly a glorious victory I could brag about.
When I woke up, a beautiful girl with chestnut hair was peering at me with a worried look. It was Lindsay.
“You’re, you’re awake!” (Lindsay)
“Lindsay…where is this?” (Jack)
Looking around, I realized we were still in the logging zone. Nearby lay the bear I had just fought to the death. There were several bears collapsed beyond it, but it seemed the one I had taken down was the largest.
“Oh, so…I did it!” (Jack)
I felt a lump in my throat, but the excitement of victory had me almost shouting in exhilaration.
As my mind cleared, I noticed that besides Lindsay, Alfred-san and Tristan-san were standing nearby. Then, I noticed that my chest and right arm, which had been covered in wounds, were now perfectly healed, and I felt a strange sense of unease.
“Jack, well done!” (Alfred)
Alfred, who had been watching nearby, called out.
“I’d like to say that, but just what in the world is going on here!” (Alfred)
“Huh?” (Jack)
“I told you to kill a bear! This one’s a grizzly!” (Alfred)
“A…grizzly?” (Jack)
A grizzly was a larger species than ordinary bears. It was a violent grizzly classified as a magical creature. A grizzly’s temperament was ferocious. It would attack mercilessly on sight. Its incredible power and vitality were its trademarks. It was said that even a sword honed to perfection wouldn’t bring it down easily.
I remembered that from the Aldridge library.
“You’re crazy, going one-on-one with a grizzly with just a shortsword.” (Alfred)
I thought it had looked unusually big, but I never imagined it was a grizzly.
“What kind of magic did you use?” (Alfred)
“Alfie, Jack can’t use magic!” (Lindsay)
“That can’t be true!” (Alfred)
“When we checked with the Managram, his magic power was zero!” (Lindsay)
“Maybe the Managram’s broken? There’s no way he fought like that without magic…” (Alfred)
Were they watching the fight this whole time?
“Alfred! I–…” (Jack)
“Fred, whatever the case, he did defeat a bear. Will you recognize him as a member?” (Tristan)
No one spoke, and silence fell for a moment. The spring breeze drifted through, making the forest rustle.
“All right, from today on, you’re a member of Chevalier de Liberta!” (Alfred)
“…” (Jack)
“You’d better respond when I say something!” (Alfred)
“Y-yes!” (Jack)
“All right, Jack.” (Alfred)
Then, the red-haired leader walked over to me, squatted down like Lindsay, and peered directly into my face. When I thought he was holding my gaze with a look of displeasure, he immediately switched to a full, warm smile and beamed at me.
“From today, we’re comrades. Shall we head home and get some rest?” (Alfred)
“Y-Yes…!” (Jack)
Touched by his kindness, I felt so moved I almost cried. And with that, I became a member of Liberta. I, now, had my first comrades and, for the first time, a place I could call ‘home’, though I carried with me some mysterious battle experience.
—
We met up with Lizbeth-san and Dwayne-san, who had been hunting down the remaining bears, and the six members of Liberta began the journey home. On the way there…
“Hey, Jack.” (Alfred)
“Yes! Wh-what is it, Alfred-san?” (Jack)
“Well, uh… starting today, you can call me Leader or Fred. But more importantly…” (Alfred)
L-Leader or Fred?! Suddenly calling him by name like that is way too difficult.
“It’s a joining gift. Punch me once.” (Alfred)
“Huh…?!” (Jack)
I don’t understand. Does this party have some weird ritual where new members punch the leader? Or is this guy just a masochist?
“Come on, give it all you’ve got.” (Alfred)
“A… Fred! I-I can’t do that!” (Jack)
“Fred is fine! Just hit me.” (Alfred)
I looked over to Lindsay, hoping for a lifeline. She just shrugged.
“Are…are you sure?” (Jack)
“Yeah, come on!” (Alfred)
I clenched my fist, gathering my strength.
To be honest, I am exhausted from the fight, but hey, it is a ritual, so why not?
“Alright, then…” (Jack)
I charged forward with a burst of energy.
“Bring it!” (Alfred)
I aimed a right hook, and just as my punch was about to connect, Fred formed a fist with his right hand and, in a swift move, punched back against my fist. The impact wasn’t just intense. It was downright brutal. I thought my knuckles might be shattered.
“Ouch!” (Jack)
“Hmph!” (Alfred)
He followed up with a spinning kick, sending me flying. I crashed down unceremoniously on my back.
“Owwwww!” (Jack)
“Alfie! That was too much!” (Lindsay)
Lindsay came to my defense.
“Oh, sorry. I just got carried away.” (Alfred)
“Honestly, treating a joining gift like some kind of abuse. What a mean leader.” (Lindsay)
“No, I…” (Alfred)
Fred-san looked flustered. Tristan-san just watched the scene in silence without saying a word.
“It’s happening. Looks like Fred’s the type to bully the newbies.” (Lizbeth)
“That’s not it!” (Alfred)
Lizbeth joined in, teasing the leader.
“Jack, my bad. You’re going to be seriously strong! I’ve got high hopes for you from now on!” (Alfred)
With that, the red-haired leader brushed it off and, as if nothing had happened, turned around and headed toward the base.
—
We finally made it near Liberta’s base. Up till now, I’d been a guest here, but from now on, this would be my home. In a way, it was the first real home I’d ever had. I stopped and let the happiness soak in. Just then, I noticed Tristan-san had stopped beside me.
“Jack, you did well.” (Tristan)
“Yes…!” (Jack)
Tristian looked at me with kind eyes before he started walking again.
“Um, would you mind training me again starting tomorrow?” (Jack)
“Hah, this promising rookie. Of course.” (Tristian)
“Thank you!” (Jack)
I took off running, heading toward the Liberta base alongside my comrades. It was a day when I realized how happy it was to be recognized by others.
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