Chapter 89

As I listened to Rapha's story, it grew close to evening, and we had missed the timing to go out.

If we go out now, it will turn into a night hunt on another island.

I should think it's a waste of time, but I don't really want to fight at night. It's dangerous, too...

We could go shopping at the market... but I already checked it out yesterday.

Usually, I would make potions or accessories, or study magic, but I don't have the materials for the former, and the latter is something I'm supposed to learn from the queen's arranged instructor when I get back.

Naturally, we were left with nothing to do.

So, we decided to play at the beach until dusk.

"Yah-hoo!"

Phi was playing in the sea.

She was splashing around on the surface like a water bird, and thrashing about underwater as if she were struggling.

It's like she's practicing swimming.

At first glance, it looks like she's drowning.

Actually, she doesn't sink... she floats with only her feet sticking out of the water. It's a very funny sight.

It reminds me of a pose from some mystery show where someone was killed. What was it?

I think it was a village with a dog. I can't remember the details.

I've been away from otaku culture for four months, and I don't usually watch much mystery stuff, just anime.

"I can't level up at all. Sorry, Rapha."

"No... there's nothing we can do. It's about to turn into night if we move, and it's a hassle to come back in the morning."

"It's the downside of rotating personnel."

"Yes... if that person had acted more efficiently, we could have enjoyed this time."

"True..."

The inn had swimsuits available, so we each borrowed one and played on the beach.

I don't know if it's because it's a tropical island, but the sea is beautiful.

Really, it feels like I'm in Hawaii or Guam.

"Looking around, there are a lot of people playing on the beach like us."

"Yes, indeed..."

"Rapha, do you have a ball?"

"I left it in the room..."

"I see... it would be nice if we could rent a ball somewhere."

I looked around, but there didn't seem to be any stores selling leisure items.

There were some beach huts, but no stores for beach equipment.

There were stores selling cold drinks because it was hot, but no stores specifically for beach activities.

...There were no surfboards either.

Genkou, who said surfing was his hobby, couldn't say that here.

While I was looking around, I spotted Genkou.

He had recovered from his strange expression and was flirting with some girls.

He never learns. It would be noisy if he talked to the girls, and I'm not in the mood for that.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to get the ball."

"Hmm. Ball games?"

"Something like that."

"Phi was bored. Let's play a lot."

"Sure. Do your best."

"Okay!"

With the idea of beach volleyball in mind, I drew the court lines... but Rapha came back with the ball.

The ball was a modified balloon that Rapha had been cherishing, a common children's toy.

Training to strengthen the legs and waist on the beach, huh...

"Rapha, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yes? What is it?"

I looked at Rapha's upper arms closely.

Despite always doing strength training and her stats recently becoming monstrous, she doesn't look muscular.

"What is it?"

"Rapha, you're not using magic to disguise your appearance, are you?"

Rapha is a raccoon-type, with a talent for illusion magic that manipulates light and darkness.

In other words, she can potentially disguise her appearance.

"What would be the point of such a waste?"

"...Just be yourself, Rapha."

"Huh? I understand."

Rapha is just the right amount of efficient and ambitious.

So, I explained the simple rules of beach volleyball.

It's not that serious; the key is to keep the ball from hitting the ground and to pass it in a way that makes it hard for the other person to catch.

"Let's start! Tee!"

"Sure!"

The intense beach volleyball between Rapha and Phi on the beach began.

From the start, they were doing rushes and spikes, and it escalated into a fierce battle that was hard to recognize as a sport.

Both of them moved quickly, like wire action.

Before I knew it, a crowd had gathered, and everyone was imitating the fun game.

Well, there weren't many people with balls, so they were using rolled-up cloth as a substitute...

The imitators looked more like they were playing beach volleyball than Rapha and Phi.

"Mr. Naofumi, aren't you going to play?"

Rapha, who was doing a rush, asked me while looking in my direction.

"No... I can't really join in."

"?"

Is there something wrong with me? Rapha and Phi were playing with the ball casually.

Their level was high.

I wouldn't last long if I joined in.

"It's fine to just watch."

"Really? It would be more fun if you joined us, Mr. Naofumi."

"Wait until you lower the level from combat to play, you two."

The influence of class upgrades, I guess. They've become superhuman. I think I could handle them if I got serious, but it would be tiring. I'm still in recovery.

"Right. You two, go play beach flags with the others."

When I said that, Phi's eyes lit up, and she interrupted the beach volleyball to come over.

"What what! What kind of game!?"

Ugh...

"Just stick a stick in the ground."

"Okay!"

I stuck a stick in the ground with a fallen branch.

"Then, let's see..."

I walked about 20 meters away from the stick and turned around.

"Rapha and Phi, come here."

"Okay."

"Okay!"

They came over obediently.

"Then, face the opposite direction of the stick and lie down on your stomach."

"Like this?"

"Like this?"

They both lay down on their stomachs as I instructed.

"When I say 'Ready, go!' get up immediately and run to the stick I stuck in the ground. The one who gets the stick wins. But no interfering with the other person, okay?"

"That sounds fun."

"Okay!"

"Let's try it."

A crowd had gathered around us. The adventurers seemed excited.

Is it because it's a different world? It seems there are no such games here.

"Ready..."

Both of them were waiting for me to start.

"Go! Fwahhhhh!"

Immediately, sand was kicked up at me, burying me in a pile of sand.

The culprits were Rapha and Phi. They kicked the sand to get up faster and win.

Incidentally, Phi won.

I was buried in the sand and couldn't do anything.

"Phi wins!"

"I won't lose next time!"

"What kind of strength did you use to kick the sand! Know your limits."

After that, the game we played... apparently became so popular that a tournament was held.

Well, it had transformed so much that it was unrecognizable, but it had taken root in this world.

Until the sun set, Rapha and Phi played on the beach.

Adventurers joined in, and the beach volleyball and beach flags were a great success.

It was a good way to pass the time.

Rapha, at least, seemed satisfied with the idea of training her body.