Chapter 19 Narumi Honoka ⑥
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Here’s your reward.”
On the tray sits a single coin.
”A big silver coin, huh…”
”Yeah! If it had been an official request, we would’ve added another fifty silver coins on top. But since Shin-san took it down before the request was even put out.”
”Nah, even this is plenty.”
One big silver coin is enough to live on for a year.
By the way, the coins are world-standard, with seven types total. From the bottom up: copper coin, big copper coin, silver coin, big silver coin, gold coin, big gold coin, platinum coin. Converted to Japanese yen, one copper coin is about 10 yen. And the exchange rates between them are:
100 copper coins → 1 big copper coin (1,000 yen)
10 big copper coins → 1 silver coin (10,000 yen)
100 silver coins → 1 big silver coin (1,000,000 yen)
10 big silver coins → 1 gold coin (10,000,000 yen)
100 gold coins → 1 big gold coin (1,000,000,000 yen)
10 big gold coins → 1 platinum coin (100,000,000,000 yen)
Basically, ordinary citizens only ever see up to big silver coins. You hardly ever see gold coins and above. As for big gold and platinum coins, even I haven’t seen them. Those are basically only used in huge commercial deals or national-level transactions.
Also, technically the coins have names, but nobody uses them.
”If a Minotaur gets one big silver coin, then that wolf… how much for a Barghest?”
Akiyama asked the receptionist girl.
”Barghest? No confirmation, but probably three big silver coins. Ah, as a request, that is. Though we do put it out constantly.”
”For real!? Then let’s level up more and go for a rematch!”
”Yeah! Instead of picking off small fry like Death Mantises bit by bit, maybe aiming for a big one in one shot would be easier!”
”Ehh, I don’t wanna.”
”I… kinda too, but I’m for leveling up, I guess.”
Hearing three big silver coins perks up Akiyama and Koganei right away. In contrast, Oshiro and Narumi are passive about it.
But too bad. That Barghest, I (Natsumi) already ate it, so it’s gone.
Leki’s a Barghest too, but still a kid, so no cash for that. Well, I (Natsumi) wouldn’t let you kill it anyway.
”More than that, though. Obviously, you’re splitting the Minotaur reward with us too, right?”
”…Huh?”
Her eyes go blank—this is what they mean. At Koganei’s words, I just stare in disbelief.
”What’re you saying? Why do I have to split it with you guys? This is mine—or rather, hers, Lil’s.”
”No no, what’re you saying. We’re a team, right? So of course you share with us too? Handing the full amount to some random beautiful big sis you don’t even know? Don’t be stupid.”
”…You who did nothing and ran away, what’re you even saying. Cut the joking already.”
”N-No, I didn’t run! That was a strategic retreat! Retreat! Get it?”
”…Using me as bait? If Lil hadn’t been there, you might’ve died.”
”That’s ’cause Shin’s weak—”
”Koganei!!”
The one who stopped my argument with Koganei was Akiyama. Right, Akiyama’s the leader.
”Wh-What is it, Akiyama. We have a right to that reward too, don’t we?”
”Us who did nothing have no right to it. Or what? Are you some beggar who gets money for doing jack?”
”…Tch. Fine, you jerk!”
Getting called a beggar must’ve stung bad, ’cause Koganei grudgingly backed off.
Pissed that things didn’t go his way, Koganei raises his voice and turns away sulkily.
”Ah, uh, Shin, sorry about that.”
”I’d be lying if I said don’t worry about it. But honestly, that was way out of line.”
”Yeah, even for him… But the Death Mantis one is okay, right? No saying no after all this.”
”That one’s fine.”
”Thanks. Free labor’s a pass for me.”
I hand over the entire Death Mantis reward to Akiyama and the others.
”You sure?”
”For this one, Luck and I didn’t help much. Actually, you guys probably could’ve taken it without us.”
”…Got it. Sorry.”
That’s just the facts. All I did was slice off the scythe. Annoying as it is, Koganei’s the MVP. If he hadn’t pulled aggro, it’d have been way tougher.
”Anyway, let’s head back. Gotta tell Mary about Luck…”
”That’s rough. Telling the girl you like that her little brother died…”
”…Yeah.”
The only one who responded to my words was Narumi. She said she saw Luck like a little brother too. Guess his death hits hard.
…Though she ditched pretty quick for someone feeling it that bad.
＊＊＊
Blue Bird Inn—
This is the inn where me and Akiyama’s crew crash. Mary works here as live-in waitress. Me and Luck stayed ’cause of that connection. Akiyama’s group stays here too.
By the way, Heroes basically get inns free. Wonder why pick a regular joint like this when fancier ones exist. Asked about it, and Akiyama said it feels “unsettling” otherwise.
Not sure if that’s true.
Apparently Koganei and Oshiro griped a ton about it. Mary’s word.
”I’m home~”
”Welcome back. How’d it go today?”
A woman with green hair in braids, wearing a waitress outfit—Mary—greets us with a smile.
”Huh? Where’s Luck?”
”That’s the thing…”
”What? That kid off on his own again? Always detouring. Shin, you gotta scold him proper.”
”Ah, no, it’s not that…”
”Wait, who’s that!? That beauty! And here I thought we had something… Cheating? You’re cheating!?”
Talk about no way to get a word in. Even Akiyama’s crew looks a bit put off.
”Uh, well, she saved me when I was in a pinch. Her name’s…”
”I am called Lil. Pleased to meet you.”
”Y-Yeah, likewise.”
Lil bows politely. With that, Mary has no choice but to calm down.
”So, Shin. What do you mean she—Lil-san—saved you?”
”It’s about that…”
I tell her what happened in the forest, how Luck lost his life to a Minotaur’s surprise attack. But I skip Akiyama’s crew bailing like cowards and that I’m already dead.
Hearing the whole story, Mary’s face drains of color like she’s seen a ghost, and she drops to her knees.
”I-It… can’t be?”
Mary barely squeezes out words, but I shake my head like denying it.
”No way… Luck…… Why… Shin and the Hero folks were there, why couldn’t you save him!?”
Mary clings to me, pounding fists and sobbing. Makes sense. Her one and only little brother, family. We couldn’t say a word seeing her like that. Except one guy.
”More importantly, food ready yet?”
Koganei dropped a line that wrecked the mood in the worst way. Even Akiyama’s crew looked stunned.
”Koganei, what the hell are you saying?”
”What d’you mean, I’m hungry, so ‘food ready yet~’.”,
”…Koganei-kun, even for you, isn’t that too heartless?”
”Huh, but hunters can die anytime, right? Just happened to be today, that’s all.”
Koganei’s not wrong. Luck chose to be a hunter, and Mary was prepared. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let his words slide.
”Susumu, you bas—”
”Koganei!”
Before I can step up, Akiyama slugged Koganei hard. Dull crack echoed.
”Oww~ what the hell!”
”Koganei! There’s stuff you say and stuff you don’t! Apologize!”
”Huh? Why!?”
”Just apologize to Mary-san!”
”Hah? Whatever… Sorry. That good enough?”
Koganei pressed his smacked cheek, half-assed an apology with a sulky attitude. Probably didn’t even get why he should apologize.
”Koganei, you!”
”It’s fine!”
Akiyama grabbed Koganei’s collar to hit him again, but Mary stopped it.
”…Lord Susumu’s right. I was braced for a day like this someday…”
”See? Everyone heard. I didn’t say anything weird.”
”But that’s separate from this. Sorry, Mary-san, our Koganei (idiot) said something heartless.”
”No, it’s fine. But today… I can’t work. Leave me alone…”
Mary wiped tears, told the innkeeper she was taking a break, and headed to her room.
Store went dead silent. Awkward air hung heavy.
”Tch, whatever, dude. I’m heading to my room.”
”Ah, Koganei-kun, wait!”
Unable to take it, Koganei bolted to his assigned room like fleeing, Narumi chasing after.
”…About Luck dying.”
”It’s not like it’s Ryunya and the others’ fault. If anything, all of us got cocky and let our guard down—that’s on everyone.”
No lie in those words. What came after ain’t forgivable, and I don’t plan to, but Luck’s death is a separate issue.
Still, Koganei’s way of saying it was trash. Makes me reaffirm it: Akiyama aside, Koganei’s straight garbage.
—
Summary:
The group receives their reward after defeating a Minotaur, but tensions rise as Koganei demands a share. Shin reveals Luck’s death, leading to emotional fallout, especially for Mary. Koganei’s callous remarks spark conflict, but Akiyama steps in to restore order.
—
Character Insight:
Koganei’s selfishness and lack of empathy are highlighted, while Shin’s internal conflict and Mary’s grief deepen their characterization. Akiyama’s leadership is tested, and Narumi’s emotional distance is revealed.
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Behind the Scenes:
The chapter emphasizes group dynamics, the harsh realities of a fantasy world, and the emotional toll of loss. The coin system adds world-building depth, and the character interactions drive the plot forward.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Shin – A level 18 greatsword user and Hunter from Rubia. Jade rank.
• Barghest – A massive wolf the size of a warhorse with bluish-gray fur. It is the King of the Forest of the Greedy Fool.
• Koganei – Height 166 cm, weight 56 kg. A mood-maker in the baseball club. He was only after Honoka’s body and worked with Oshiro to steal her from Akiyama.
• Narumi – Narumi Honoka. A member of the relief team with healing magic. Despite her cute, short, ‘transistor glamour’ appearance, she is cold-hearted and mocks Sasaki. Black hair, black eyes.
• Natsumi – The protagonist. Height 168 to 171 cm, weight 57 to 59 kg. He has a baby face, but he hides his eyes with his bangs. He was bullied by the Sugita gang just because his name sounded like a girl’s name.
• Leki – Lil’s daughter. Height: 140 cm, B-W-H: 70, 54, 69. She looks more like a Siberian Husky puppy than a wolf. Honestly, she just looks like a stuffed toy.
• Lil – One of the heroines. Height 166 cm, B-W-H: 90-56-90. She is a top-tier beauty with long indigo hair down to her waist, a large scar on her abdomen and sharp golden eyes. She has wolf ears and a tail.
• Luck – Shin’s partner and a wind magic user. Hunter from Rubia. Deceased.
• Ren – Height 169 cm, weight 50 kg. A cool-headed guy with glasses who aimed to be a lawyer. He viewed bullying as a minor issue and stood by while Natsumi was tormented.
• Susumu – Koganei Susumu. Height 166 cm, weight 56 kg. A mood-maker in the baseball club. He was only after Honoka’s body and worked with Oshiro to steal her from Akiyama.
• Ryunya – Height 177 cm, weight 70 kg. Oshiro Yuuko’s boyfriend. A hot-blooded, handsome guy with a buzz cut. Member of the baseball club.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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