Chapter 1 of 10
Chapter 1
5 min read1,147 words
"Captain, this is really heavy, it's the iron turtle's shell."
One of the team members complained. Just carry it in silence.
"No, no, it's really heavy. You're just walking around with your hands free, aren't you, Captain?"
The team member who wouldn't shut up even when told to, started making snide remarks. It's noisy. I'm conserving my strength for when it's really needed.
"…Huh. When it's really needed, won't I be the one to make the special attack?"
Of course. You are my copy, created by me.
"Well, that's true. But if I had to be created anyway…."
What do you mean?
"I wish I had been born more handsome."
Do you want to die? I readied my only weapon, a thick knife.
"Let's stop this pointless talk. Since I'm a being created with just 1 magic point, killing me would just be a waste of magic to create the next me."
...
"Huh? Are you feeling down? No, no, I'm just saying that the value of my copy is like that. It doesn't mean that the value of the original you, the head of the three worst jobs, the Infinite Mage, is only 1 magic point. Don't be so down."
Shut up! I'm not feeling down! And don't call the Infinite Mage a 'shit job'!
"Right, right, that's the spirit. Getting depressed by your copy, what a pathetic guy. The copy is embarrassed by the original."
You're really noisy. And why are you so vulgar, you copy of mine!
"Well, I can only say it's because I'm your copy. Besides, aren't you just acting like the captain now?"
No! I'm not that vulgar!
"Well, I'm also acting as a low-ranking team member to some extent. But, including that, I am your copy… got it?"
Got it? No way! Just shut up and carry it!
"Okay, okay."
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"..."
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"..."
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"Hey, Captain!"
What? I told you to carry it in silence.
"No, no, it's not that! It's the enemy! Goblins! Over there!"
What!
"Besides, why do I, the one carrying the heavy shell, notice it first? Just because we finally got back to the beginner area from the instant death area, you're too relaxed. The adventure isn't over until you get back to the city."
Shut up!
"Oh, but it's just one goblin. Good job. It's the only enemy we weaklings can beat."
So, shut up! Don't call us weaklings! Get ready. We'll attack quickly. The plan is 'You charge.'
"...You really use people harshly, don't you?"
You're not a person. You're my copy.
...Ah! Idiot! Don't throw the shell! It'll lose value if it breaks!
"No, it won't break. Well, I'm going. Stop me if you need to. Urrrrah!"
The team member ran towards the goblin, unarmed. The goblin also ran towards the team member, holding a crude club.
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The goblin was better equipped!
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The goblin's powerful horizontal slash hit the team member, who had extended his hands upwards. The goblin had a longer reach with the club compared to the unarmed team member. There was a crack as the rib broke.
"Kya-kyah!"
The goblin cheered. But,
"Sorry, I'm a copy, so I can ignore pain."
The team member, with a broken bone, hugged the goblin and tackled him to the ground, entangling his legs.
"Kyaa! Kyaa!"
As the goblin tried to escape and the team member tried to hold on, the captain arrived.
Die.
He muttered and brought down his dagger on the goblin's head. He sent his copy to charge and restrain the goblin, then finished it off. This is how the Infinite Mage fights, not in a cool way at all.
"Ah, lucky. It turned into a magic stone."
The team member said, still lying down. When a monster dies, it sometimes turns into a magic stone. Some monsters, like the iron turtle they had been carrying, are more valuable as they are, but goblins have no value other than as magic stones.
Indeed, lucky. So, how about you? Can you stand?
"No way. Captain, leave me behind."
I see.
"Since it's the last, I'll say it. Being a subordinate to the captain was somewhat fun. Captain, you'll eventually reach the heavenly rank…"
Reset. The team member disappeared. Start. The captain used 1 magic point to summon an unharmed team member.
"Hey… at least let me finish my last words."
Shut up. Pick up the shell.
"Okay, okay. …Ah, it's heaviest when lifting it."
Alright, let's go.
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"By the way, Captain."
What?
"Didn't you level up when you defeated the goblin just now? It's about time, right?"
Yeah...
Status, open.
Hibiki = Rumatol
Infinite Mage Lv 1
Fighting Spirit 0
Magic 78/100
Skill: Copy Summon (Max 1)
No good. Nothing has changed.
"Is that so... I really want a junior. It's no fun being called Team Member 1 when there's no 2. It's kind of sad to call ourselves a warrior guild with just the two of us, isn't it, Captain?"
Shut up! They'll increase eventually!
"Sure. But if they increased now, we could share the burden of carrying this shell and I'd be more comfortable."
Give up and carry it in silence!
"Okay, okay..."
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"Captain, it's the enemy!"
Yeah, I noticed. We're almost at the gate...
"This time, there are four goblins. We have no chance of winning."
Yeah, that's right.
"What do we do?"
It's obvious. Give me the shell. Then you be the decoy.
"Ugh. Even though it's a regular thing, this is a terrible plan. No one would follow a captain like that."
I didn't say to follow. I said to be the decoy.
"Alright, you bastard. Here you go."
Tsk! This is really heavy.
"Right? Now you understand my suffering. Phew, it's lighter. Since it's lighter, Captain, leave it to me and go ahead!"
Of course. You, on the other hand, must hold them off as long as possible, even if you die.
"Shouldn't you say, 'Don't die here' or 'Come back alive' or something like that?"
I won't. Go now!
"Got it. …Damn, that's why you don't have any party members and are a lonely solo player… Well, no choice. Urrrrah!"
Alright, while he's doing that,
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Ah, he's dead.
Tsk. Start.
The captain used 1 magic point to summon an unharmed team member.
"Terrible! They're terrible! They're beating me with clubs from all sides while I'm unarmed! It's a despicable act!"
I see, you had a tough time. Now, go again.
"This is terrible too!"
Despite his complaints, the team member charged at the goblins again.
Thus, the team member repeated the cycle of charging, being killed, and reviving five times, and I finally made it through the gate that connected to the city, completing the mission of bringing back the iron turtle's shell from the area, an alternate world.