Volume 2 Chapter 20 Golden Time Defense and the Unstoppable Rescue Team
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The display Fuyutsuki’s eyes were locked on read: [Status: GOLDEN TIME].
”Stop that laughin’ right now!” the long-haired man called Ryuui snarled.
”Ryuui, sama, that knife—!”
Ryuui plunged the knife at Fuyutsuki’s laughing face. But with a sharp, ringing clang, the blade rebounded, high-pitched, and the force violently jerked his entire arm back.
”Wha—!?” the man bellowed in shock.
”Heeheehee… Ahahaha!” Fuyutsuki Saori’s laughter exploded, delighted and slightly manic. How could she not laugh? This was the effect of the blessing Hirose had cast upon her. It was proof, right there, that no one could injure her right now.
’GOLDEN TIME’
This was the name for the area where Hirose’s skill effect manifested—a powerful magical protective film that automatically enveloped her skin. It was applied when her cells underwent a turnover, from the moment new cell growth started until they fully rooted in her skin. During this critical period, while the skin was reborn with new cells, it was highly vulnerable to external harm. Therefore, this buff effect was automatically granted to shield the skin.
The name also referenced the time between ten at night and two in the morning, the ‘Golden Time’ when growth hormones are said to boost cell turnover. This ‘Golden Time’ buff, however, constantly drew out the maximum potential of that effect—beyond normal limits—all thanks to Hirose’s Gift. The duration of this powerful protective buff was about one week, which was the average time for new cells to settle in the skin, and Fuyutsuki could see this duration clearly displayed.
* * *
“…Girls absolutely adore ‘Beauty.’ I think for us girls, it’s an S-Rank Gift with the strongest buff effect.”
That was what Fuyutsuki had told Hirose the first time he visited the Adventurer’s Guild to have his Gift appraised. Those words had, in turn, given Hirose a measure of comfort.
”It truly is an S-Rank level buff effect… Heheh… To think my own words would come true in a different way,” Fuyutsuki chuckled softly, moved by the sentiment of her words coming back to save her.
It was impossible to predict where or how connections would form. A brief conversation—the strength of the words they spun was not to be underestimated.
However, there were still problems. She couldn’t escape her bonds, and it would all be over if they decided to suffocate her. They couldn’t hurt her, but there were plenty of tortures they could inflict if they wanted. Still, she had been granted courage. Even with all the terrified stares focused on her, Fuyutsuki refused to surrender hope until the very end.
* * *
It was a little after two o’clock the afternoon following Fuyutsuki’s abduction. Kirino and Asami’s suspicious activity had been discovered inside a café, and now the two were sitting at the same table as Hirose and the others.
”I’m not totally stupid, you know? I’ve been feeling all sorts of weird vibes.” Hibiki was sharp; she knew something was up. Hirose, however, hadn’t noticed anything at all. He only saw Asami as a cute little sister, completely unaware of even a fraction of her strength.
”Hirose, just listen quietly. You’ll figure it out quickly enough,” Rindou Hibiki asserted, a slight annoyance in her voice. Even if the girls had been secretly protecting them, the fact remained that they had put themselves in danger.
”A-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba……!” Yaginuma Asami trembled, a waterfall of intense sweat pouring off her body, her whole frame vibrating like an electric massager.
”Um, you see… we need to explain this little by little…” Hidou Kirino was just as panicked, unable to meet Hibiki’s eye. Her lips were quivering.
”I’m not angry, so just take your time explaining, okay? But I need the whole truth. If I have to, I’ll call Umirin and make her use ‘Pledge’ on you.” Hibiki’s voice was firm.
”Th-that won’t be necessary… Asami-chan, please,” Kirino pleaded.
”A-ba… ‘Soundproofing.’”
Suddenly, the chatter of the other customers was cut off entirely. Silence descended. Confused, Hirose looked around, but he could see everyone in the café still chatting as if nothing had happened.
”That was Asami-chan’s Gift. This way, the other customers won’t hear us.” Kirino explained. It was a soundproof barrier, invisible to anyone without a ‘Magic Vision’ Gift like Mizuki’s, enclosing the five of them like a box. Only Asami, who had cast it, could see a faint, translucent membrane.
”Asami-chan, is it okay? I think they’ll understand that you all are trustworthy.” Kirino urged gently.
”A-a-ba… It’s o-okay…” Asami agreed, her voice barely a whisper.
With Asami’s permission, Kirino took over for the tongue-tied girl and began to explain a part of Asami’s ability.
The expressions on Hibiki and the others gradually shifted. Koharu had known something was up but hadn’t been given a full explanation, so she too was stunned by the revelations.
”—So you possess many different Gifts through the ‘Inheritance’ Gift… Asami-chan… that’s amazing.”
Hirose gently stroked the head of the girl who looked like she might die from stress, and her expression softened a little.
”I get it now. I’m sorry we scared you. And thank you… You know, at that time, Asami—and you too, Kirino and Koharu—you all protected us.” Hibiki was genuinely grateful.
”I thank you too. You all always save us,” Hirose added.
They now finally realized that it was Asami who had rescued Hirose and Hibiki when they fell into the dungeon’s depths while they were unconscious during the tourism trip. They also learned for the first time that Kirino and Koharu had struggled to hold on until Asami arrived.
”Yes. We felt that if anything happened to you, we had to at least save the people we cared about. That’s why we planned to search for Fuyutsuki-san this time too, thinking—” Kirino paused, still nervous.
”—You meant to rely on Asami-chan’s skill, didn’t you?” Hibiki finished, understanding everything.
”Yes…” Kirino breathed a sigh of relief.
Hibiki then embraced both Kirino and Asami.
”You are such good girls!”
”Mm…” Kirino hummed softly.
”A-baa…” Asami sighed, enveloped in the hug, both of them relaxing.
Then it was time for the main issue: finding Fuyutsuki.
”Asami-chan said we might be able to pinpoint Fuyutsuki-san’s current location if we go to her house.” Kirino explained the plan.
”Alright, let’s go. Right now—” Hibiki declared, immediately standing up upon hearing Kirino’s words. They moved toward the apartment building where Hirose knew Fuyutsuki lived.
However, there were obstacles. The apartment had an auto-lock, so they couldn’t get inside. They certainly didn’t have a key. They decided to try the intercom first to check if she was home.
”…No response. Asami, can you help us?” Hirose asked.
There was no reply after ringing the intercom. The four of them gathered close to Asami as Hirose spoke.
”—’Teleportation.’”
In that instant, the five vanished, reappearing the next moment right in front of Fuyutsuki’s apartment door.
”Whoa… amazing… That’s a strange sensation.” Hirose gasped.
”That’s how she carried us out of the lowest level of the dungeon, too.” Kirino reminded him. Everyone was astonished by Asami’s Gift effect. They pressed the intercom for Fuyutsuki’s room, but again, there was no reaction.
This time, however, something felt wrong. They decided, rather boldly, to enter Fuyutsuki’s room.
”—’Unlock.’”
As Asami activated her Gift skill, the lock on Fuyutsuki’s door snapped open. Hibiki led the way inside.
”Doesn’t look like anyone’s here?” Hibiki observed.
They stepped inside, taking off their shoes. As they looked around, the room was as neatly organized as it had been the last time Hirose visited. There were no signs that anyone had broken in.
”Asami-chan, what do you think?” Kirino prompted.
”U-nnn… Maybe if there’s something important to her…” Asami muttered. They realized they needed to find something that Fuyutsuki cherished, though they weren’t entirely sure what Asami needed.
”Hirose, wasn’t there anything Fuyutsuki-san seemed to treasure?” Hibiki questioned.
”Hmm. From what I saw, she didn’t seem like the type to be attached to things…” Hirose mused, stumped. Even coming to the room hadn’t seemed to help Asami’s Gift work.
Then—
”Aba!” Asami cried out, suddenly.
”What’s wrong, Asami-chan?” Kirino asked, concerned.
”If… if we follow… her commuting route… something might… become clear…”
Trusting Asami’s sudden insight, the group relocated again. They began to walk along the route Fuyutsuki would take from her apartment to the Adventurer’s Guild Association.
It was a short distance, just about five minutes from the apartment building.
”H-here…!” Asami stopped, pointing to a spot, having sensed something. It was just an ordinary, narrow, one-way alley, but it seemed to have little foot traffic.
”Just… wait a minute…” Asami closed her eyes in concentration, thinking deeply.
”—’Recall.’”
As she whispered the word, Asami stood motionless for about ten minutes. When she finally opened her eyes, having finished using her Gift’s power—
”I-I know now… But, it’s dangerous… She was kidnapped… since last night… So, Takanashi-senpai shouldn’t go…” Asami warned, her voice tight with fear.
”Kidnapped…!? Why would anyone take Fuyutsuki-san!?” Hirose exploded with anger at Asami’s news.
”Contact the police?” Kushima Koharu asked practically.
”Koharu-chan, the police won’t act on information with such low credibility. Besides, today is a holiday, and the Adventurer’s Guild is only open in the morning.” Kirino explained the reality. Ultimately, they were the only ones who could act. The correct choice would be for only Asami and Kirino to go, but…
”I want to save Fuyutsuki-san with my own hands.” Hirose stated his desire.
”Me too. It sounds weird to say this, but… Asami-chan will protect us, won’t you?” Hibiki asked, seeking reassurance.
”O-of course I will…! I absolutely won’t let them hurt you!” Asami vowed, her loyalty overriding her fear.
”Then let’s do this. Koharu-chan and I will protect Hirose-kun and Hibiki-chan. We don’t know who the enemy is yet, but if it comes to a fight, we’ll leave it to Asami-chan.” Kirino proposed the compromise.
Hirose and Hibiki exchanged glances. They weren’t combat-type Gift users; they were just little fledglings. But if the girls promised to protect them, they would listen.
”Is everyone in agreement? Hirose-kun and Hibiki-chan, you absolutely must not leave our side.” Kirino made her final confirmation.
”Yup.” Hibiki nodded.
”Understood.” Hirose affirmed.
Kirino then sent a look to Asami. The four of them clustered near Asami, and the Gift activated—
”—’Teleportation.’”
In that moment, the five figures vanished from the alleyway.
—
Summary:
The desperate rescue mission for Fuyutsuki begins! Her terrifying confrontation with the kidnappers reveals an incredible defensive S-Rank buff—the ‘Golden Time’ Gift—a seemingly frivolous power that proves to be an unstoppable magic shield. Meanwhile, Hirose’s group uncovers the secret capabilities of their nervous but intensely loyal friends, Kirino and Asami.
After a tense explanation in a café, the group uses Asami’s ‘Inheritance’ Gift for teleportation and ‘Recall’ to pinpoint Fuyutsuki’s location in a dangerous, unknown place. The urban fantasy heroes are determined to launch an all-out rescue operation, even if it means confronting unknown, powerful foes and risking their lives for their friend.
—
Character Insight:
This scene truly highlights the deep, almost fierce loyalty of Asami and Kirino. Though they are nervous and hesitant to reveal their secrets, their devotion to protecting Hirose and their friends, forged in past dungeon dangers, drives them to put aside their fear. Asami’s powerful Inheritance Gift is an unexpected twist; the quiet, anxious girl is actually the most potent magical force in the group, ready to teleport them into danger to save the captive Fuyutsuki. Fuyutsuki’s joyous laughter under duress is the perfect manifestation of the ‘Golden Time’ Gift’s true value—not just as a beauty buff, but as a source of powerful, unexpected hope and courage.
—
Behind the Scene:
The confrontation between the two groups—the protective girls and the slightly clueless heroes—was necessary to elevate the stakes and legitimize the girls’ abilities. The smooth transition from the high-stakes confrontation with the kidnapper to the planning session in the café helps maintain the story’s fast pace. The introduction of the ‘Recall’ Gift and the subsequent teleportation is the payoff, setting up an immediate, action-packed transition to the next scene. The author is ensuring that the S-Rank Gift has a real-world, life-saving impact.
Notes:
• Ryuui – Long-haired tattoed-man, who kidnapped Fuyutsuki Saori.
• Fuyutsuki Saori – A guild staff member who possesses the ‘Appraisal’ Gift. She is called in to assess Asumi’s critical condition, identifies the injury as a magical curse, and reveals that Hirose might be the only one who can cure it, despite the professional risk to herself.
• Kirino – Strikingly beautiful with blue long hair (F, 168cm), Kirino is gifted with ice magic and feels isolated because of her appearance. Hirose’s Beauty skill helps her improve her self-image and social comfort, directly affecting Kirino’s relationship with her family and classmates.
• Rindou Hibiki – Hirose’s cheerful, bold classmate who is the first to request his Beauty skill. Hibiki (F, pink bob hair, 158cm, F-cup) is outgoing, expressive about her interests, and quickly becomes Hirose’s girlfriend after an explicitly intimate scene. Her reactions help set the adult tone of the story.
• Yaginuma Asami – 16-year-old 1st-year, many inherited/stacking gifts, stores items, reflects attacks, teleports, resists conditions, mixed Japanese-English.
• Kushima Koharu – A reserved, literature-loving girl (F, 156cm, G-cup, black braid) who struggles with family problems, including bruises and emotional stress. She experiences dramatic physical and emotional improvements after Hirose’s skill use, revealing a hidden wild side during explicit nighttime encounters.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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