Quest for Hikari - Episode 5

( A/n: I think I'm okay now. Just letting you know this would be the only chapter I publish until next week.)

[ ~ Chapter • Start ~ ]

I began heading southwest, and arrived in front of a store that read "Beach Shop Baltic".

When I entered it, I was pretty surprised that the inner part of the shop looked like something out of a beach side clubhouse, along with a simulated pool, some beach balls, and stands that have summer outfits for girls and women.

[ Cue BGM: Patty (Rance 03) ]

"Welcome to the Beach!" A girl with an underdeveloped body shouted, bringing my attention to her. "I am the owner of this shop, Patty the Summer!" She introduced herself afterwards, but I feel indifferent.... until I remembered that the girl in front of me was older than how she looked.

She's probably a year younger than me or as old as me because she was capable of running a shop.

Patty had short blonde hair, red eyes, and was wearing clothing suited for beaches.

I shook my head.

This wasn't the time to think about that, so I looked at the girl in front of me and just took out the picture of the girl I was investigating for.

"'First of all, you know this girl? Her name's Hikari." I asked, before she observed the girl closely.

".... Hikari.... Hmm.... Nope, never seen that girl here." She replied as she shook her head, before looking at me, "Maybe my friend, Millie knows? Although, she might be still asleep considering she always wakes up late... Anyway, who are you?"

"Me? I'm Rance, and I'm a World Travelling Adventurer. Sadly, I couldn't visit the westmost part of the continent because it's very dangerous there...." I replied, making her nod with a smile.

"Ah, I see! Have you been on a beach before?"

".... No. But I was planning to someday." I said, just before I sat down on a nearby chair and sighed out.

What do I do, hm....?

Should I visit Khien Mansion? Mess around with Kento- ahem, "That Mysterious Ninja"? Go to the coliseum? Spend some time with Pulptenks? Or maybe try to meet a certain Demon King, even for a short time of time?

There's a lot to do here, you know....

"Hey, Rance-san? You seem to be in a lot of thought, is something wrong?" Patty asked as I rubbed my cheek.

"Did you hear any rumors around this town?" I asked, as Patty went silent for a few seconds.

"Hmmm..... Rumors, huh.... I heard that the Endless Tomorrow Gang had disbanded due to having their leader killed. Other than that, I didn't find anything else interesting."

Once Patty said that, I raised my hand.

"One Lemon Milkshake, please."

[ BGM End ]

[ A few moments later... ]

I left the Castle City of Leazas to hunt some monsters and contemplate on what should I do.

Along the way, I met Nami who was crouching on the ground as she carefully picked up ingredients for her food.

"Oh, Rance-dono. What brings you here?" She said, still keeping that gentle smile.

"Well, I was wandering around the outskirts of Leazas to spend some time fighting monsters for EXP when I came across you." I replied as she made a low chuckle.

"Is that so? Be careful past this area, Rance-dono, stronger monsters are more frequently seen beyond these plains."

"Heh. Don't worry about me, only more powerful monsters from the Monster Realm can give me a tough time. If only I regained several tens of levels when I return soon...." I said, just before Nami left wishing me good luck.

To be honest, I kinda miss being on higher levels as I could literally fight against a Dark Lord on a one-on-one fight for an entire day while I was Level 75 and it was due to a misunderstanding, though I don't exactly remember much about him due to certain events, I practically remember that he was some sort of gluttonous Dark Lord with a massive hole on his chest that had several bugs on it.

I also remember us ceasing our fight when I asked him on an eating duel before I could potentially lose my life.

I actually lost and couldn't eat for a day or two, after that, I escaped and got lost around Helmanian Territory, where eventually I would gain my Rance Sword MkIV after my previous Rance Sword was destroyed.

Hmm....

Spending a few hours killing two dozens of monsters was enough, so returning to the castle town would be my decision before dusk settles.

[ Rance has gained 2,193 EXP ]

[ ~ Chapter • End ~ ]

Character Images:

Patty the Summer -

Current Bond Level: 1/10

Extra Commentary: Rance is skilled enough to use weapons other than his sword without even having a skill related to said weapons. He just has to think that they're swords.

For example: A Baseball Bat can be swung like a sword.

~~~~~~∆~∆~∆~~~~~~

[ Omake Time! ]

{ The Mysterious Ninja's Thoughts }

Kentou Kanami was Princess Lia Parapara Leazas' personal Kunoichi.

She has been doing Princess Lia's dirty work a long time ago since she got lost from a trip and could no longer return. Lucky for her, Lia was there.

Currently, two people were investigating the recent disappearance of a girl named Hikari mi Blanc, and she is in charge of eliminating the boy who was searching for clues while the pink haired girl would be slowly but surely captured by a close colleague.

While he was walking around, she began stalking him by disguising herself as an ordinary city folk.

What she didn't expect to happen was that, when she passed by him, he stopped.

Although he sent curious glances towards her, the moment she looked at him was the moment she felt that the brown haired guy aka. one of the targets was really dangerous.

"You look familiar...." The moment he said that was when Kentou Kanami gulped and immediately ran away faster than an ordinary person could blink.

"..... Is there something I said wrong?" Rance asked as he was pretty confused, while Kentou hid in a dark alley whilst being very embarrassed, not because of Rance's face, but because she almost blew her cover away.

She calmed herself down, before becoming in deep thought.

".... Change of plans, I need to try seducing him."