Volume 5 Chapter 30 I'm Sorry, But...
It's unclear whether it was Jingin or Kahlua who sparked the fight, or perhaps it happened simultaneously as if they were in sync. Before I knew it, a heated argument erupted between them, with both sides shouting angrily at each other.
'At least they're just small-time delinquents. Go easy on them, partner.'
Gram advised, but I couldn't help but punch the delinquent from Kahlua who appeared before me. I was starting to realize that my strength was far beyond the norm. If I went all out, I could end up causing serious damage if I hit the wrong spot.
"I'd rather be dealing with bandits or monsters than this."
Fighting amateurs while trying not to hurt them too badly turned out to be surprisingly difficult. It was much easier to go all out without holding back, like I usually did in my mercenary work.
On that note, Mikage was remarkably skilled even without weapons.
"Hmph."
In a split second, Mikage's fists struck, hitting the vital points of the delinquents. The people drawn to her beauty and feminine charm fell one after another. It was like moths drawn to a flame, meeting their demise.
Unlike me, who mainly used a spear, Mikage was skilled in various martial arts, including the katana. She's also an expert in hand-to-hand combat. It's a little embarrassing to admit, but when we spar, I can only win about once out of ten times. It's a big improvement compared to when I first started, when I couldn't win even once out of fifty attempts, but I'm still nowhere near Mikage's level. She’s achieved the 2nd rank, which is a far cry from where I am.
'But in anything-goes situations or "giant-killing" matches, you're already better than her, partner. You should be proud of that.'
"Thanks── I guess!"
With Gram's seal of approval, I soothe my wounded pride a bit and slam a headbutt into the face of the delinquent coming at me, sending him sinking down. Ignoring the guy collapsing with a nosebleed, I shift my gaze elsewhere.
"You punks better back off!"
Nikyou, the boss of the Jingin Family, shouts confidently as he takes down Kahlua's henchmen one by one. Unlike Mikage's graceful style, he unleashes punches and kicks with rough momentum, mowing down the delinquents.
'He's like the epitome of old-school brawling.'
I can't help but think, though part of me wants to tsukkomi with a retort about "old-school brawling" being a load of crap. But watching him, I can't deny the truth. Sometimes punching, sometimes kicking, grabbing the opponent's face and slamming it into the ground—it's a chaotic fighting style lacking unity, yet it exudes a certain intensity. Even to my eyes, accustomed to some rough-and-tumble as a mercenary, there are moments where I can't help but think, "That's kinda cool."
The underlings of the Jingin Family are quite something. Despite being at a significant numerical disadvantage, they fight as if they don't feel it at all. Inspired by their boss, Nikyou, who fights at the forefront, they continue to rampage with high morale.
They have maintained the hidden order of Eubarest, a mafia organization, in one way or another. Even if they are outnumbered and dealing with low-level thugs, they don't easily fall behind.
However, that's only if they are up against ordinary thugs.
'Watch your back, partner!'
"Wha──!?"
In response to the warning from behind, I reflexively bend down and something swiftly passes over my head. As I dive forward, the sound of something hitting the ground echoes from behind.
Taking a defensive stance, I turn around to see a man swinging a wooden sword. Looking further back, I see members of the Jingin Family, whom I recognize from the tavern, lying on the ground.
The man clicks his tongue in annoyance and immediately readies his wooden sword again.
"Wow, sneaking up from behind, that's low."
'You probably shouldn't say that, partner.'
Ignoring the muttered response that Gram would definitely shoot daggers at if looks could kill, I focused on the guy in front of me. He held his wooden sword with a stance that clearly showed he wasn't an amateur. It was the confidence of someone well-versed in their environment.
'He's not your average small fry. Be careful.'
While internally acknowledging Gram's advice, the guy stepped forward and swung his wooden sword. It wasn't as sharp as Mikage's attacks, but I still backed off, opting to dodge rather than confront head-on.
Honestly, I could easily handle this opponent with Gram, but in a situation where friend and foe were so intertwined, wielding a long weapon like a spear was tricky. I had a big hatchet at my waist, but Nikyou had warned me against causing any death.
With my current skills, I couldn't pull off a counterattack by sneaking past his wooden sword. I had to either risk taking a hit or forcefully close the distance.
──Thud.
I was retreating without paying attention to my surroundings, and ended up bumping into someone else.
When I reflexively looked up, it was a face that seemed familiar from somewhere.
It was a guy that led me to this situation where we were entering the territory of the Jingin Family. It was the man who was called 'big bro' by others at that time.
"You, you're—wha!?"
I instinctively hid behind 'big bro'. He tried to say something to me, but before he could fully open his mouth, he was struck by the wooden sword of the man who was chasing me. I felt a little sorry for using him as a shield.
"Take th—Haaaaahh!!"
Swiftly, I reached under 'big bro's' legs, lifted him up in one breath, and then, feeling sorry once again, I hurled him at the man with the wooden sword. He seemed completely unprepared for someone to come flying at him, and his reaction was fatally delayed, resulting in him being caught up in the throw. It was impressive that he didn't let go of the wooden sword due to the impact, but he still fell helplessly.
"Hmph!"
Swiftly rushing in, I deliver a solid punch to the guy's face before he even has a chance to get up. His grip on the wooden sword loosens, and he goes limp. ──But he's still breathing.
'Poor guy's really unlucky. Bet he never expected to get thrown twice by you in one night, partner.'
I didn't expect to run into him again so soon either.
Anyway, the problem with this brawl──or rather, this conflict──is that there are skilled fighters mixed in with Kahlua's group. From the get-go, they had a different vibe about them.
In terms of fighting sensation, me, Mikage, and Nikyou are holding our own, but Jingin's henchmen are struggling. Upon closer inspection, there are even some of Jingin Family's henchmen lying defeated. They probably got taken down by the guy with the wooden sword I knocked out.
"Gram, seriously, who's got the upper hand here?"
'If partner and Mikage weren't around, it'd be pretty evenly matched. But with both of you, Jingin's got a slight edge. Unlucky for partner, but lucky break for Jingin Family."
Gram's voice echoes surprisingly clearly in my mind, oddly uplifting.
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