New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Stun Arm, Heat Blade (For Personal Use)

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Several tens of minutes had passed since Rosso and the others had departed when Verde arrived.

“Ah? Where are Rosso and the others?” (Verde)

“Something outrageous has occurred.” (Gentoku)

I explained the circumstances, and Verde looked at me in utter astonishment, saying, “Huh?” (Verde)

She pressed her hands to her head, contemplated, and shook it.

“Haa… I thought it had been less noticeable recently, but you are conscious of it after all.” (Verde)

“Hey, I do not quite understand, but is it not dangerous, a magic beast deemed ‘impossible to subjugate’?” (Gentoku)

“Indeed. Even the four of us would barely manage to win… or perhaps not. But if those six were together, perhaps…” (Verde)

“And you?” (Gentoku)

“It irritates me to feel left out like this!!” (Verde)

Verde was squeaking angrily.

By the way, her reason for being late was that the evaluation of the subjugation magic beast had taken longer than expected, and she had lost a single-player rock-paper-scissors match. I was slightly surprised that rock-paper-scissors existed even in this other world.

Verde sat on the sofa.

“Three versus three. Even if I said I would join, they would probably refuse, so it is fine this time. Though it does annoy me somewhat…” (Verde)

“Then, you will sit this one out.” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Since it is a rare opportunity, I will take Schwan and Miles with me and do some shopping. Also, taking Yuki and the others to play around town would be nice.” (Verde)

“Hahaha. Well, enjoy yourselves.” (Gentoku)

“And Gentoku?” (Verde)

“I have work. Also, a hobby.” (Gentoku)

“…A hobby?” (Verde)

There was no way I could say, ‘I am making my own automatic detachable armor.’ Somehow, I felt rejuvenated since coming to this world.

 

—

 

The following day, I was in my workshop developing a personal weapon to attach to the armor.

“I said I would not make weapons, acting all high and mighty… but a weapon for self-defense, which only I would use, seems acceptable.” (Gentoku)

Even in this other world, laws exist. However, there is no law forbidding the possession of weapons. It is permissible to carry weapons, but it is prohibited to use them to cause harm. Carrying a weapon for self-defense is actually encouraged.

Richter, for instance, hides several throwing knives inside his coat and carries a survival knife at his waist with a blade that seems exceptionally sharp. Incidentally, Richter is said to be a master of knife combat, a skill even Rosso acknowledges.

“In my case… it should be a weapon for close to mid-range combat.” (Gentoku)

For the time being, I decided to make a weapon utilizing the power of lightning.

First, through repeated experiments, I confirmed that the skin of the rubber cobra did not conduct electricity. It was rubbery after all. I then made gloves, engraved the ten-star magic stone with the characters [Discharge], and covered them with a provisional armored version.

I donned the gloves, planted a branch in an open field, and held my hand over it.

“Now, let us see what happens… Fire.” (Gentoku)

The electricity dispersed from the magic stone embedded in my palm.

“Uwooo!?” (Gentoku)

It dispersed like coral. I was completely shocked. The branch received the direct strike, and it burned up instantly with a sizzle. This was far too dangerous.

“[Discharge] alone is too dangerous. That is correct. Let me combine it with [Concentration].” (Gentoku)

From my experience, a magic stone can only be engraved with four way of magic characters. Exceeding this number renders it ineffective. I engraved [Concentrated Discharge] on the magic stone and directed my palm toward the branch in the open field once more.

I infused mana, took aim…

“Uo!!” (Gentoku)

A concentrated beam was fired, piercing the branch. The range was approximately 10 meters. The charge time was minimal, and it was not bad. It was finished for now. Fine-tuning remained. If Rosso and the others brought the outer shell of the Wurtzite Metal Dragon, I might attach it.

I set the ten-star [Concentrated Discharge] magic stones in both palms… this was dangerous. I had just completed an armament that truly felt like an ironclad man’s weapon.

“…I absolutely could not point this at a person. Seriously.” (Gentoku)

Now, to regain composure…

“When it comes to close-range weapons, the blade is preferable. I prefer a sword that extends sharply from a gauntlet rather than one held in hand. A mechanism extending a meter from the back of the hand, or with a spring, about the length of the upper arm, could be feasible.” (Gentoku)

To avoid accidental discharge, I incorporated a mechanism where the mana functions as a switch to project the blade. The material of the blade, I decided, would depend on Rosso and the others.

“Furthermore… embedding [Wind Jet] magic stones in the soles of both feet for flight… hmm, would simple wind propulsion suffice… supporting with the lightning discharge in both hands… that worked in the movies. And freeze prevention… well, magic stones can be used even if frozen.” (Gentoku)

As I murmured to myself, Sandrone entered the workshop.

“Gentoku, are you working?” (Sandrone)

“Ah? Oh, Sandrone. What brings you here?” (Gentoku)

“…What are you making this time?” (Sandrone)

Sandrone tilted her head at the gauntlet that fused the unfinished Stun Arm and Heat Blade. I responded without hesitation.

“Fufufu, it is the second stage of a man’s romance.” (Gentoku)

“Huh?” (Sandrone)

Her expression was as if to ask, ‘What is this fool saying?’

Sandrone continued.

“You have not made any groundbreaking magical apparatus lately, so I wondered if you were in a slump.” (Sandrone)

“Not at all. Besides, there is no magical apparatus that is urgently needed at this moment.” (Gentoku)

“That is true. With the bicycle sales starting and the restaurants about to open, we honestly do not have personnel to devote to developing new products.” (Sandrone)

“That is fine. My on-site and brought-in repairs have finally taken root. I will focus on those for a while and prioritize my hobby.” (Gentoku)

“Then… what exactly are you making?” (Sandrone)

Sandrone examined the gauntlet.

“My personal weapon… or rather, armor.” (Gentoku)

“Huh? Are you becoming an adventurer?” (Sandrone)

“No, no. I merely wish to possess a weapon for my own protection.” (Gentoku)

“…Then, why not hire a guard? Although not public knowledge, people are gradually learning that you are the exclusive magical apparatus technician of the Alexandrite Company. Someone might try to take advantage of your skill.” (Sandrone)

“Eh.” (Gentoku)

“Well, everyone knows that Scarlet Camellia, comes and goes, so I doubt anyone will target you. Still, a self-defense weapon is reassuring. What is the concept?” (Sandrone)

“…An automatic detachable full-body armor with built-in weapons.” (Gentoku)

“Huh?” (Sandrone)

There is no way she could understand! This is a man’s romance, fool!

 

—

 

After Sandrone left, only Daifuku and I remained in the workshop.

“…” (Gentoku)

Someone might try to target my skill. That thought lingered in my mind.

Could they really be aiming at me? Hand-to-hand combat. One amateur? I would not lose. Two? I might manage. Three? Uncertain. Four? I would lose… or so I thought.

“Somehow, I am conscious of it… Perhaps I should finish work early today and have a drink with Yeran.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa” (Daifuku)

I stroked Daifuku. Such reassurance.

“Um, excuse me~” (??)

“Uwooooooo!!” (Gentoku)

“Eek!?” (??)

I was startled to the point of nearly dying by a sudden voice from behind. I instinctively assumed a stance and turned. A man holding a mist sprayer was standing there.

“Ah, um… it belongs to my daughter, but I would like it repaired.” (??)

“Ah, yes. I-I’m sorry for startling you.” (Gentoku)

I placed the mist sprayer on the workbench and removed its exterior. As expected, the magic stone was broken. Perhaps it had been dropped. The nozzle also had a crack.

I removed the magic stone and intended to replace the nozzle with a new one.

“Fshaa!!” (Daifuku)

“Eh?” (Gentoku)

Daifuku suddenly bristled.

I noticed that the man held something like a handkerchief. I released my tools, catching them smoothly. Thanks to training with the wooden dummy camellia, my body moved fluidly.

“Tch!!” (??)

“Y-you…” (Gentoku)

“Come with me, shall we?” (??)

The man drew a knife and assumed a stance.

He was no amateur. Sandrone’s words, ‘someone might try to take advantage,’ repeated in my mind.

This is serious. I am being targeted… I have no choice but to act.

“Ho, you are not just a skilled magical apparatus technician.” (??)

“Indeed. I have participated in national karate tournaments. Ended in the best sixteen, though.” (Gentoku)

He steadily closed the distance. This man seemed professional. I had unconsciously retreated to the workbench. Then, the unfinished Stun Arm came into view.

“Do not worry, I will not kill you… Sleep!!” (Gentoku)

“!! You first!!” (??)

The man charged. I fitted the Stun Arm to my right hand and discharged the [Concentrated Discharge] toward him. The discharge struck his abdomen directly. He convulsed from the electric shock and was thrown about five meters without bouncing. He could not even utter a sound, foaming at the mouth and twitching.

“H-H-he is not… dead… Haa, haa, I-I am shaken.” (Gentoku)

“Gentoku, there… Who is this!?” (Yeran)

“Y-Yeran… Sorry, call the guards.” (Gentoku)

Thus, I repelled the assailant. The man was taken by the guards Yeran had summoned. I was questioned about the incident. I explained that he had targeted me and attempted to drag me along. Afterwards, I was released.

Yeran and I went to an izakaya and drank before returning home.

“Ah… that was genuinely frightening.” (Gentoku)

“I was surprised as well. By the way… it seems that magical apparatus technicians have been kidnapped recently.” (Yeran)

“…Really?” (Gentoku)

“Yes. Perhaps by a dangerous organization.” (Yeran)

No, no, no, no. I sincerely hope such a thing does not happen. However… it seems that it might. Truly.

 

—

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