Day Before the Exam I

"Ahh! Finally!"

I shout full of happiness for finally finding more of the damned mountain herbs. This is like the 18th one so Sayaka and I only need two more pieces and we'll finally get out of this hell hole.

Yes, this hell hole.

I can't believe I ever found this place beautiful. This place is full of goddamned monsters that won't stop harassing us every thirty minutes or so. Fuck, even the herbivores called Antekas kept on attacking us. This isn't how I imagined my first mission to happen.

If this is going to happen in every mission then I don't think the two of us would last very long. It's a good thing that we have the Storage or else we might have gone hungry. After all, we've been here for two days. Two fucking days in a mountain full of monsters.

Gods, I don't know if I should feel proud of that or be horrified.

"Hi-chan, how many herbs left do we have to collect desu~." (Sayaka)

"Two more," I say to her before drinking the second to the last of my Hot Drink. So we figured out that these drinks will help us keep warm from the very cold weather. I mean I know the message from the Record Keeper warned us but I didn't expect it to be this COLD.

Sayaka copied me and drunk her own drink before throwing away the container. She doesn't know this but I won't be drinking my last one even if my butt starts freezing since I need her to last longer than me. I have my Quirk to keep me going but she doesn't have that so I'm making sure the last of my Hot Drink is kept for her just in case we don't find the last two herbs we need.

If I knew this would be so troublesome I wouldn't have entered this place too quickly and prepared more.

"Too late to regret things I g-," I mutter under my breath but stopped when I noticed a large pig-like monster walking not too far away from us.

[Bulldrome

Species: Fanged Beast

-None

-Bulldrome is the imposing leader of Bullfango packs, notable for its impressive tusks and large bodies. More aggressive than a Bullfango, it is known to ram into its foes and is extremely proficient at tracking them.

-Threat Level: ★★★]

Huh, a new monster. Well, we've met members of his pack along the way but this is the first time we've seen the leader. It's about time, I guess? We can easily take this one, after all, it has the same rating as a Giadrome and we've killed at least three of that since yesterday.

Since the holographic screen mentioned it's aggressive I won't hold back. Before it noticed us and attacked I took the initiative and used the arrows to attack. All attacks hit my target but what's up with its skin!? It deflected most of my attacks.

And here it comes, charging straight at us.

Sayaka positioned herself between the Bulldrome and me as she raised her greatsword, waiting for it to reach her range.

Once it did Sayaka then shouted, "Eeeeiiiii!" like she has been doing the past two days. It's adorable.

Anyway, I didn't just watch her from behind I also helped her by using my Quirk and giving her greatsword more "push". This caused the impact against the Bulldromes head more damage than it's supposed to instantly killing the pack leader. Though to make sure I send more arrows and shot it into the wounds and eyes of the monster.

"Weak desu~," Sayaka said before running forwards and touching the Bulldrome making it transform into balls of light and fading quietly into the night sky.

[Received: Bulldrome Tusk x2]

[Bulldrome Tusk

Rarity: 4

-Majestic Bulldrome Tusk. The damaged surface tells the tale of many battles.]

[Received: Bulldrome Hide x1]

[Bulldrome Hide

Rarity: 4

-A Bulldrome's bristly hide. It is strangely beautiful.]

Three more items to throw in the Storage.

"Well let's go," I say to Sayaka who nodded in agreement. I push the snow beneath our feet away by using my Quirk. It doesn't affect me but Sayaka is only wearing sneakers so it really annoys her. Next time we really should be ready for stuff like this.

I got too excited and Sayaka is Sayaka so we just entered without thinking of what problems we might face.

Right now we're in area 8 of the Snowy Mountains heading to area 7, the last place we haven't yet checked. Another thing id like to complain about is the map. It isn't really that accurate.

When I first looked at it I thought that the Snowy Mountain area isn't that large damn it, I was proven wrong. It took us two days to comb through all the areas like this and the monsters attacking us on the way didn't help at all. They slowed us down and for safety measures, we also had to make sure we'd be able to go back to Camp before nightfall because Sayaka and I didn't want a repeat of what happened during our first night here.

I shuddered just thinking of all the Giapreys that came running our way, not to mention those larger ones we heard from far away.

So we return to Camp every night because we've been able to confirm that no monster will ever go to the camp and attack us. I have the Record Keeper to thank for that.

Our travel to the 7th area is relatively peaceful since we've either already killed the monsters or the monster present is a Popo.

[Popo

Species: Herbivore

-None

-Herd-forming herbivores covered in thick fur to endure the cold. Popos are gentle but known to use their massive tusks bravely when defending their young. Popo meat is very nutritious; the tongue is said to be especially palatable.

-Threat Level: ★]

Popos are the only type of monster that didn't actively try to attack us. It only did once when we tried to attack one for its meat. Never trying that again even if the meat is delicious they're too annoying once you try to wipe them all out.

More trouble than its worth, though from time to time I wouldn't mind the trouble.

We reach our target area, we warily eye the surroundings since something might come attacking us but after a few minutes and seeing as the place is deserted without even any Popo or Anteka in sight Sayaka and I search for the remaining mountain herbs we need.

It didn't take long for me to see a bush almost completely hidden by the snow around the cliff of area 7.

[Received: Mountain Herb x3]

[Mountian Herb

Type: Plant

-A herb found in the Snowy Mountains and prized for its nutritiousness.]

"Sayaka I found the last herbs we need!" I shout to her forgetting that we're on top of a snowy mountain that may or may not collapse on top of us.

"Really Hi-chan!?" (Sayaka)

"Yeah, we're finally going to get out of this hell hole."

"It wasn't that bad desu~. Aside from not being able to take a bath and the monsters trying to kill us we were able to spend time together Hi-chan. Like we wanted." (Sayaka)

"Guess you're right. Do you want to spend another night here?" I ask with a teasing smile on my face.

"No desu~. Let's go home Hi-chan!" (Sayaka)

I laughed, "Right. I thought you'd say that."

"That's mean desu~," she says while pouting. What can I do? I wanted to see that pout on your face.

"Alright let's go then?"

"Hmm," she hummed in agreement so I started to follow the map and head to area 2.

===== Sayaka P.O.V.

These past few days have been the happiest day of my life. Except for of course the day when I met Hi-chan and saved me from those bullies.

We got to spend our time together even if there was a constant threat to our lives. However, seeing him worry about me and how he would constantly try to lecture and protect me makes me so happy… And feel loved.

I wish we could build a house and live here just the two of us.

…Sadly I know that it's impossible. Our duties we must complete are waiting for us back home. Genosha will not protect itself.

Still, Hi-chan did promise we'll come back to this place again… Though next time I'll wear something for the cold.

We've arrived at the top of a cliff of the mountain in area 2. Hi-chan is seriously pissed because of the map because of its inaccuracy. I guess we'll walk back to where we came from? Or do we go down using the vines?

"Alright Sayaka, we jump."

Startled by Hi-chan's words my eyes widen from the shock. I look at Hi-chan like he's some idiot because if he is I need to remind him that jumping from this height will kill both of us. I may have [Superstrength] but my body is as weak as a normal human. I could get killed by a bullet or a knife, especially by falling from this height!

"Remember the time we went mountain climbing in China but got caught in trouble Sayaka?" I nod already dreading Hi-chan's next words, "Then you remember when we were about to be caught by those kidnappers?"

I feel like my face visibly paled, how can I forget that!?

"No desu~." I need to lie… Hi-chan won't blame me for lying to him I'm sure, that was a horrifying experience that I don't want to ever repeat. And I'm sure Hi-chan didn't like what we had to do as well so why is he bringing this up?

"I really don't want to walk back there and kill more monsters Sayaka."

Right. There's a valid reason. Because he doesn't want to trouble himself from walking back and making our path through the corpses we will kill.

"I don't want to desu~." (Sayaka)

Though even if I also agree with Hi-chan and hate to experience killing our way back to the camp I still prefer that way rather than this one.

"Hmm, how about this. We do this I'll give you whatever you ask for. Just one. Nothing more and nothing less."

My body trembled. That's so tempting desu~.

"Come on Sayaka, I really don't want to kill any more monster after the amount we've already killed. Do you still want to fight?"

I really don't want to.

"Alright… desu~." (Sayaka)

I'm going to regret this, won't I?

===== Hirokazu P.O.V.

"Then let's jump?"

I ask Sayaka who is still pale from fear. Huh, am I forcing her too much? Yes, she is uncomfortable with heights but I don't believe that it's up to the point she's too afraid to even jump down.

Sighing, I unequip my armor and hid the quiver with all of the arrows back to the Storage. This is the part I hate the most about this plan.

Sayaka also sighs and picked me up in a bridal carry position. This is so awkward. I know this is needed since I can't control the next part of this if I'm clinging to her back. When our position is like this, however, I'll be relaxed and can focus on the next part of the plan.

She then breaths deeply before finally jumping off the cliff using her superstrength.

We leaped off the ground and flew to the sky… For a few moments before gravity acted and started to pull us down once more. I'm not worried since there's already a plan for this, however, when I saw where the two of us are falling I frowned.

It seems Sayaka used too much of her strength making the distance farther than planned. If the plan before is to land on… Land, then now we're quickly losing ground and heading to the other cliff of area 2. Not really a problem though.

Using my [Telekenisis] Quirk I imagined a wall in front of us and then used my other Quirk by transforming the energy inside my body into kinetic energy that I used to push against the wall I made. The result of that is as I expected. I managed to maneuver our position and push us back to land.

Once that's over with the next part is to slow down our descent. This will be easier since I can use either of my Quirks but… Just to be sure I'll do the same thing I did earlier. I imagined a "floor" below us and pushed it by using kinetic energy effectively slowing us down. I did that a few more times before we're only a few meters away from the ground and now that I'm sure we won't die from the height, I let go.

*thud*

We fall on the ground making my body feel pain but considering what we've been through I think I prefer this than having to kill more monsters just so I could move around.

I look at Sayaka and noticed that she still has her eyes closed. Ahh, damn it. Because of the usage of my [Energy Blast] Quirk I've lost a lot of my own energy. I feel like I can't even walk on my own.

"Sayaka, you alright?"

No answer. I guess we should have just walked back? Raising my voice I ask again to attract her attention.

"Hey, Hirokazu to Sayaka. Are you alright?"

She finally reacted by slowly opening her eyes, seeing as we're on the ground she smiles at me and says, "Let's not do that again Hi-chan."

I grin and reply to her, "No way. That's one of our tramp cards. We can't seal it away because we're afraid of it." Yeah, I am most definitely afraid of using it as well but until I manage to figure out how I could levitate myself and others just like how Grandfather does, this is the best I can do for now.

"You're mean desu~." (Sayaka)

"Maybe. Well, let's go and end this damned mission."

"Alright desu~." (Sayaka)

Sayaka stood up, then looked at me waiting for me to stand up on my own.

"Yeah, I can't stand on my own. My whole body is too tired. I managed to shoot at least six kinetic energy blasts before I can't no more."

This time it's Sayaka's turn to grin as she walks towards me and picks me up the same way she did earlier. By bridal carry.

"Let's go home desu~." (Sayaka)

===== Record Keeper P.O.V.

"A shame they completed it faster than I thought they would. Here I was still thinking which monster to send next," I mumble as I watch My Champion and his Companion deliver the herbs they need to complete their mission.

"Truly a pity," I say once more this time looking at a large, quadrupedal wyvern characterized by its massive head and jaws, powerful limbs and striking yellow/blue striped coloration. The top of its head is tipped with a pair of horn-like ears, and its segmented tail ends with a spiny protrusion.

"It might have been very amusing watching the two of them run. Next time then."

===== Hirokazu P.O.V.

After getting out of the portal and returning to our apartment Sayaka and I quickly returned to our room and did nothing else but to sleep. We've been too sleep-deprived the past two days that thinking about doing anything else takes too much energy.

We haven't even checked out our rewards by completing that damned mission before heading out of Elysium and returning to the apartment and falling asleep fast in my bed.

---------

Hours later as I wake up groggily I could feel Sayaka beside me still sleeping. "God damn monsters and herbs," I mumble under my breath as I hug Sayaka. She's so warm… Ahh. Speaking of warm that place was too damn cold, next time I'll choose a location with moderate temperature.

I have so many complaints about the Dungeon function but I guess it could have been worse. Like seriously the worst. After all, the Record Keeper could have sent a stronger monster with the threat level of four stars or more to kill us. But he didn't so we're alive and breathing.

"Hiro-chan!" (Nemuri)

I hear the shout of nee-chan from the living room making me groan. There goes the rest of my sleep flying away with a rocket ship. Damn it, what am I even thinking? This is the reason why I need more rest.

*knock* *knock*

Nee-chan knocks on the bedroom's door. Guess she still remembers which one is my bedroom since it was just yesterday that she helped us move in.

I sighed, no better time than now I guess. I remember that Sato and the rest of my bodyguards are supposed to go back to Genosha early today. Hopefully, they still haven't since I have a few instructions for them regarding Sayaka's exam next week.

===== Nemuri P.O.V.

"Hiro-chan you still sleeping?" (Nemuri)

Yu and I have been too focused on the pictures we didn't realize that we spent nearly three hours looking through all of them. We only noticed the time when Satou-san, one of Hiro-chan's bodyguards knocked on the door and asked if I could check on Hiro-chan.

I wondered why he doesn't want to do it himself so I asked him only to learn that Hiro-chan seemed to have traumatized the man before by sending him flying with one of his energy blasts.

"Yeah nee-chan, just fixing myself. Sayaka's here with me so you don't have to check her room."

"Sayaka-chan slept with you in the same room Hiro-chan?" (Nemuri)

Somehow that information is making my heart panic. I thought they weren't in that kind of relationship? With how distant the two of them were yesterday I didn't doubt what they said.

"Nope," he says as he pops the letter 'p'. "She came around midnight saying she can't sleep on her own so I let her stay here."

"I see," I say before muttering under my breath, "That's good." What's good with that? He's my brother I shouldn't worry about his relationships… No, exactly because I'm his sister that I should worry about his relationships. Yes, that's right.

Convincing myself of that thought I say to Hiro-chan, "It isn't good to sleep with the opposite sex in the same bed when you're not in a relationship with her."

"It's fine nee-chan. It's Sayaka, we've been sleeping in the same bed for years. I don't really see any problem with it."

Kuu, this is frustrating. It should have been me who sleeps with Hiro-chan every night. Why did I do what I did!?

"Still Hiro-chan you shouldn't be too careless when it comes to this stuff. Responsibility is a hard thing." (Nemuri)

"Ugh, alright sis. Of course, we'll be careful. Besides, it's not like we're going to do that stuff you're thinking about. Not yet anyway."

So he does like Sayaka-chan then. It's normal to develop feelings for someone you've been with for years. I guess I'll let that slide.

===== Hirokazu P.O.V.

"Anyway nee-chan. Are Sato and the rest still here? I have something for them to do."

I need to talk to them about how I'll help Sayaka with her exam. I don't want her to fail because of the written exam so I need someone I can rely on that will support Sayaka.

"Yeah, Satou-san is the one to ask for me to check up on you since they're about to leave. Though they don't seem to be worried about their flight schedule, are you going to let them use your plane?" (Nemuri)

Let Sato and those idiots use my plane without me? I might as well order them to sink it into the sea on purpose. Those idiots will party too much inside the plane without Sayaka there to control them.

"No nee-chan. That's actually why I need to talk to them. Can you call them for me and ask them to wait in the living room?"

"Sure Hiro-chan. Just don't forget my advice alright." (Nemuri)

I shook my head. Can't she be any more obvious? Anyway, I have no time for that I look at Sayaka who's smiling at me stupidly. "Go fix yourself, take a bath and stuff cause we both seriously smell." Her smile disappeared as she stands up and runs away from me heading to her own bathroom in her room.

"I still haven't forgotten that you need some spanking Sayaka," I mutter before heading to the bathroom myself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N:

So they finally completed the mission of collecting some herbs while the Record Keeper is still not satisfied playing with Hirokazu and Sayaka that he almost sent a Tigrex after them.

That could have been bad.

I almost forgot that today's Wednesday though... lol. Well, anyway exam is coming up next week so I might or might not update for a week. It'll depend if I find enough motivation to study for it.