A Boar Of A Problem

Takao had killed the spike boar, a D rank monster, even though he was still F rank. He should’ve felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride, but he only felt worried.

Sumire was still clutching her chest as he sprinted up to her, but quickly dropped her hands when she saw him.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” He asked, voice full of concern.

“What do you mean? Of course, I’m okay.” She said nonchalantly, but avoided making eye contact.

Takao scowled.

“Then what was that? You nearly got flattened. Why didn’t you defend yourself?” He asked skeptically.

Sumire looked around sheepishly, as if the answer to Takao’s question was somewhere in the grassy field.

“Um— I uh— had full confidence that you could handle it. I thought that— seeing me in danger might draw out your magic, and clearly I was right. You beat the boar!” She exclaimed, and sauntered away from Takao toward the dead boar. Takao followed, determined not to let her evade his questions.

She pulled Takao’s spear from the boar and handed it to him.

“Not bad for our first job. One F rank and one D rank. None of those jerks at the guild will be making fun of you now! Right?” Sumire prodded.

Takao didn’t answer; he just stared at her reproachfully. Sumire looked away nervously.

“By the way, what magic did you use. Enhancement? Wind?” She asked.

“No idea. It just happened. And stop trying to change the subject. What happened? Why did it look like you were in pain?” Takao asked.

“That was— just to help motivate you more and—”

“Sumire!” He interrupted. “If we’re going to be partners, then I need to know the truth. What’s going on?”

Sumire didn’t answer. Instead, she fidgeted with her fingers, looking anywhere except at Takao.

“Ahk! Fine!” She grumbled. “I just— I didn’t think you needed to know, but if you're going to be like that, then I’ll tell you. It has to do with the reason I returned to Sukiya.”

She paused, but Takao could tell she was trying to figure out how to continue, so he waited.

“I know I said last night that my injuries from a hundred years ago had healed, but they haven’t. I only came back to Sukiya to get healed. There is— there was a magical item, a golden amulet, in my temple that could heal me, but since my temple burnt down—” She trailed off, but Takao understood.

“Isn’t there some other way to heal you?” He asked.

“Probably, but I’ve already tried everything I could think of.”

“What about—” He began, but Sumire cut him off.

“Takao. This is why I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you would want to help, but there’s nothing you can do.” She said calmly.

Takao thought he sensed resignation in her voice, and he didn’t like it. Another question was swirling in his mind. He was afraid to ask it, but he had to know the answer.

“What happens if you don’t get healed?”

Sumire shrugged.

“My injuries could still heal on their own, but I guess in the worst case, I die.” She stated simply as if it was no big deal.

“But— but aren’t you immortal?”

“Well, yes. Unlike mortals, I have no lifespan, so I’ll never reach the end of it and die. But just like how mortals can die from injuries, so can I. Put simply, I can’t die, but I can be killed.” She explained.

Takao didn’t know what to say. Sumire was right, there wasn’t anything he could do to help her. He had no idea how to heal the injuries of a dragon god that hadn’t healed for one hundred years.

“You’re hurt!” Sumire said suddenly, taking hold of Takao’s arm.

Both his arms were covered in small cuts with a large painful gash running the length of his forearm. His concern for Sumire had stopped him from noticing the injuries till now.

Sumire activated her magical storage, causing the air to shimmer and ripple as if it had turned to liquid. Her hand disappeared into the shimmering air and returned a moment later holding a gold locket attached to a thin gold chain.

She draped the necklace around Takao’s neck, and immediately he felt a warmth permeate his body. His skin gave off a soft light and shimmered gently. The cuts on his arms sealed completely, and the long gash closed, leaving just a thin line remaining to indicate the injury. Takao had seen healing magic before, but was always stunned by how powerful it was.

“I guess you can’t use this to heal yourself?” He asked, but already knew the answer.

“No. It can only heal some injuries, and can’t restore lost blood. It also takes several days to recharge. It’s something I made a long time ago. It’s the prototype to the amulet that I kept at my temple.”

Takao held the locket gingerly and slipped it open. The inside was engraved masterfully with the scene of a thunderstorm moving across an open field. It was so detailed it gave Takao the impression the storm was actually swirling and billowing within the little metal frame.

“You made this?” He asked, marveling at the tiny work of art.

“Yes. I also made the amulet that was at my temple, and before you ask, I can’t make another one.”

When the light faded from his skin, Takao removed the gold locket and handed it back to Sumire. She held it gently, rubbing her thumb across the fine engraving before closing it, and putting it back in her storage.

The achievement of killing a D rank monster felt inconsequential to Takao compared to helping heal Sumire. He had no idea how to help her, still had a long way to go as an adventurer, and still couldn’t use magic, but he was determined to do something. No matter how lacking he was in ability, he would find a way to help her, to heal her.

“Sumire!” He yelled suddenly, making her jump. “I want you to be honest with me from now on.” He said sternly.

“Where did that come from all of a sudden?” She questioned, looking taken back.

“It’s because we’re partners, which means we help and support each other. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but if we work together, I know we can find a way to heal your injuries.” He said earnestly.

Sumire looked embarrassed and put out, but Takao was determined to help her, even if she didn’t want him to.

“Okay!” She said finally. “I’ll be honest with you from now on, and you can help. Just stop making such a big deal out of it!”

More so than killing the spike boar, Takao felt like he’d just done something great. Surely if he and Sumire worked together, they could figure some way to heal her. He felt good about their chances, at least.

“You know, at one point in time, if a human had talked to me like that, I would’ve killed them.”

Takao’s good feeling faded.

“Eh— I’m sorry, I just—”

“I’m kidding.” She interrupted.

Takao smiled and Sumire returned it. They both laughed, and Takao’s good feeling returned.

“So, what do we do about this?” Sumire asked, prodding the dead boar with her shoe.

“Uh— well, we’re supposed to show proof that we killed it. Did the job flyer specify what to bring back as proof?” He asked, but the look on Sumire’s face told him all he needed to know.

“Um— right, I didn’t read the whole flyer, soo— I guess we’ll just take the whole thing.”

Sumire’s Exposé!
Spike boar are delicious, but are difficult to butcher because of their quills, making them an expensive ingredient. Only one shop in Sukiya serves the boar. A high class restaurant in the north end called Gold Boar. The restaurant has been around for over a hundred years and is currently owned by a retired adventurer named Shishi.