Chapter 4 - I Can Only Say Our Skills Are Even

Red-hair person spoke.

"I've acquired the skill. Even among [Swordsmen], I'm on a different level from those two."

Hmm, reaching in just one year as a [Swordsman]…

"…Is that impressive?"

"Wha—? Are you mocking me!? Normally it takes at least two or three years!"

"I see. I didn't know."

Red-hair glared sharply at me.

"This [Unemployed] bastard…"

Since I'm [Unemployed], it's only natural I wouldn't know much about [Swordsmen], isn't it?

More importantly, why is this guy showing so much hostility toward me?

We're meeting for the first time.

Well, it's a small town—maybe we've crossed paths somewhere before.

Or perhaps he just can't stand seeing an [Unemployed] holding a sword.

"Yeah, that's right… He's the vigilante captain's…"

"Whoa, seriously…?"

Curly and Chubby were whispering to each other.

The vigilante captain is that burly red-haired old man, right?

Does this guy have some connection to him?

Now that I think about it, their hair color matches…

Sensing my question, Red-hair revealed his identity.

"Evans, the vigilante captain, is my father."

I see—so they're father and son.

Aside from the hair color, they don't look alike at all.

"Your mother has been a great help to my father."

"I see."

Then why is he angry?

I understand it even less now.

"…But let me make one thing perfectly clear."

"?"

"The strongest sword fighter in this town is my father. Not your mother."

Red-hair gritted his teeth in frustration.

"And yet, why doesn't anyone understand!? My father is the strongest! That woman doesn't even come close to— I mean, she can't hold a candle to my father!"

Hmm.

I think I get the picture now.

"So basically, you're a father-con."

"N-No!? That's not what I mean! I purely respect my— my father as a swordsman!"

He's denying it, but there's no doubt about it.

He can't stand that everyone calls my mom the town's number-one swordsman instead of the father he believes is the strongest.

And that resentment has extended all the way to me, his son.

What a case of getting caught in the crossfire.

But thanks to it, I get to spar—so maybe I should be grateful.

Red-hair made a suggestion.

"Let's fight until either side's Divine Protection drops below half. How about that? I usually spar under those conditions. It's safe, yet lets us go all out."

"Sounds good."

When we tried one-hit rules earlier, it felt a bit unsatisfying.

"Of course, against an [Unemployed] like you, it'll probably end quickly!"

We both readied our swords.

"Here I come!"

"Mm."

*Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!*

Hm, as expected from .

His speed and power are on a completely different level from Curly or Chubby.

*Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!*

Red-hair leaped back to create distance.

"W-What the hell!?"

"…?"

"I'm asking why I, with , am trading blows evenly with an [Unemployed] like you!"

Even if you ask me why…

"I can only say our skills are even."

"That's what's impossible! Are you really [Unemployed]!?"

"Yeah."

"No way that's true!"

Even if you say that, it's the truth—so what can I do?

"Kh… messing with me…"

"I'm not messing with you."

"Shut up. I absolutely refuse to lose to you of all people!"

Red-hair charged in, openly furious.

What a short fuse.

"Take this! !"

"!?"

Even I was caught off guard.

His sword attacked from both left and right at exactly the same time.

Is this… an illusion?

*Clang—Slash!*

I could only block one side in time.

And it wasn't that one was fake.

The one I parried carried real weight, and at the same time, a powerful blow slammed into my left side.

My Divine Protection took a huge hit.

"That was my attack skill, ."

Having landed the first clean hit, Red-hair looked smug as he explained the technique.

I see—an attack skill.

Skills are broadly divided into two types, they say.

One is the always-active type.

falls into this category—it keeps your swordsmanship enhanced at all times.

The other is the on-demand type.

These only activate when the user consciously triggers them. Attack skills belong here.

If they were always on, everyday life would be impossible.

"As you saw, delivers two slashes with a single swing. An [Unemployed] like you could never replicate it."

Convinced of victory, Red-hair smiled and closed the distance again.

"Can you even defend against this?"

He seemed absolutely confident in the skill and began spamming .

"!"

*Clang—Slash!*

"!"

*Clang—Slash!*

"!"

*Clang—Slash!*

"Haha! Your Divine Protection is about to drop below half!"

Hmm.

Right now, I can't seem to block it.

But this technique…

I really want to learn how to use it myself.