Riot Grasper

「–The fangs of the Scorching Agni Tiger?」

I am currently in the Adventurer's Guild of Merveille. Currently in front of me is the receptionist, Siena. With her light brown hair in a ponytail and her neat clothes, she helps to motivate adventurers to take quests (including me).

Now, why did I visit the guild?

It was for nothing more than to prepare the items that Zig asked for.

Even the Flame Serpent's Bag, an item used by blacksmiths, was useless against the phosphorus dragon crystal. (TL: Henceforth just crystal)

He needed more firepower, therefore, he asked me for the Fangs of the Scorching Agni Tiger.

The Agni Tiger is a flaming demon that is said to live in volcanic tunnels and lava tubes. Because of its low encounter rate, it is difficult to obtain fangs, and the price is naturally very high.

In addition, since the Flame Serpent's Bag was sufficient for most blacksmithing work, they often didn't go out of their way to keep them around the workshop. It is only used in certain refineries where they melt large amounts of metal, and is also used to create weapons and other magical items.

「It is true that there is a business association that will buy the fangs of the Agni Tiger if you get them, but… is Seiji-san in need of them?」

「Oh, yes.」

With a slight gesture of thought, Sienna placed her finger on her own soft- cherry-red lips.

「If you're just looking for the fang, then why don't you visit the marketplace? An Agni Tiger is Rank B+, or even A depending on the size. I know that Seiji-san is an excellent adventurer, but considering your current rank of C, it will be exceedingly dangerous.」

Sienna has a good point. If you're going to take requests as an adventurer, you can't take requests about your rank. And, even if she didn't follow the formality of accepting the request, she wouldn't advise me to do something so dangerous, even if she knew that I had single-handedly defeated a rank B Blood Ogre in the past.

「I would've agreed with you but I've already been to the market. They said they were out of stock.」

Merveille is a commercial city with a variety of goods. I thought it would be a good idea to buy them if I could get them without having to force myself to defeat them.

「Well…. um, do you need it in a hurry?」

「If possible.」

It is my personal feeling, though, that I want to see what this sword will be like as soon as possible.

「I'm in trouble…」

Sienna-san is rather angelic, as she gives serious consideration to the matters that are troubling me.

「Damn it! I'm wasting my time. Is there any place around here where that….. something Tiger might be living?」

Numbly interrupting the conversation was Rei, who had been waiting behind me.

She's in a bad mood after being dragged around the market without a break, having previously been put on guard duty by Zig-san.

Who are you? After making a brief introduction to the puzzled Sienna, Rei continued with her words.

「I'm not an adventurer, but there's no way this guy is a rank C, is there? How can the guild's eyes be so blind.」

「Seiji's only been an adventurer for a few months. We feel that the speed you have risen through the ranks has been exceptional enough.」

「You've got to be kidding ,e. There's no way he could take on such a monster in just a few months.」

Isn't that… overstating things… I'm going to cry…

「I'm only talking about the time since he's registered with the guild. I don't know what kind of training Seiji-san was doing before that, and I don't think there's any need to question him.」

Sienna-san remained resolute.

I'm sure she thinks it isn't a good idea to look too much into people's pasts.

Rei looked back at me, her brow wrinkled lightly, as if she was unamused.

「What do you want? You need the fangs, don't you?」

Yes, I want it. Rei is right.

But…

「….. Sienna's words take precedence over anything else.」

–She stepped on my foot as hard as she could with her heel. THe bone in the back of my foot feels like it's going to shatter. It hurt like hell.

「Just relax, okay? I've been given a list of places where Agni Tigers are likely to appear. It would alright to go over there, wouldn't it?」

Interrupting to mediate, Ren held up his index finger and made a suggestion.

「I have been advised that it is dangerous.」

「There are three of us, we can at least run away if we're in danger. It's not like you're planned to run into them in the first place, right? We're just going to check it out.」

To put it bluntly, I think that even if it were a rank A equivalent demon, I could win on my own.

If I were surrounded by more than one, I'd feel a bit threatened, but it's unlikely that there will be more than one of them.

After a moment of contemplation, Sienna took out a map with a slow, reluctant movement.

「…..If you're in this vicinity, there are reports of sightings at the Volvo Volcano.」

A thin, beautiful finger traced the map slowly, then stopped dead in its tracks.

Going down south from Merveille, there seems to be a small active volcano just off the road to the west. It hasn't erupted in decades, but if you go into the fissure at the base, you'll find a series of lava tubes, with liquid lava still swirling in the back.

Judging by the scale of the map, it wouldn't take more than…. half a day to get there with the help of Rook.

But as expected, I'm tired today since I've been on the move since entering town. I'll go tomorrow.

「Thank you very much.」

I thanked Sienna and then tried to turn on my heel.

「Hey, hey. You're really beautiful aren't you? I've never seen such a wonderful woman before.」

Oh my god, that Ren guy is unabashedly spouting such ridiculous lines.

「Here we go…. You're the one who's always telling me to cut the crap.」

Rei sighed as she chided her brother.

「If you'd like, we can have dinner together when I'm done working as a receptionist.」

–What the hell was Ren's brother teaching him? It's a shame.

I spread my legs and anchored my body firmly to the ground, creating optimal conditions for the rotational force of my hips to be transmitted to my upper body, and twisted my fist into his side.

「Sei… Sei…. what….?」

He fell down, muttering the nickname he had given me, his body shaking with fear.

I sat back down and whispered softly in his ear so that only he could hear.

「….. If I hadn't done this, you would've been killed by the other adventurers (including me), okay?」

「Huh, that includes…. were you just trying to kill me….」

In the face of such a scene, Sienna-san never lost her smile.

「I pray for your safety.」

She gave me a polite greeting.

–We spent the night at Feeder Pops. It was the 2nd of August.

After enjoying the superb cuisine prepared by the nostalgic innkeeper Dario-san, we were satisfied in body and soul.

The food prepared by the bald-headed, sternly bearded gentleman is full of refined handiwork.

It has been a while since I checked Dario's skills, and he grown. He now has Cooking Lv3 (149/150). I can't wait to see what it's like when he reaches Lv. 4.

I think I'll extend my stay…

— So we left the inn and went to the cavalry shop to get some cavalry for the twins to ride before we left Merveille.

This time, since I'm asking you to go along with my selfishness, it's okay to spend this much.

As Sienna had taught me, I rode my cavalry beast, and in less than half a day we arrived at the Volvo Volcano.

Even though it's a small volcano, it's powerful up close.

「Well, you said there's a rift at the foot of…. that serves as an entrance to…」

「Isn't that the one?」

I looked in the direction Rei had pointed and saw a crack in the mountainside that seemed to be leading to the interior.

Even though I'm taking my cavalry beast – Rook the Scaled Dragon – inside with me, I've decided to keep the borrowed cavalry beast that the twins rode in on outside. There was no guarantee that we wouldn't run into any danger.

「My stomach is starting to hurt. Shall I stay here and keep an eye on the cavalry?」

Ignoring Ren's words, the three of us and one animal went side.

The interior of the wide lava tube is dimly lit, and I lit a torch I purchased in town to illuminate the blackened cave in red.

Or rather…. it's hot.

Even though there is no sign of an eruption, I heard that there is still exposed lava in the depths, so it is natural for the temperature to be very high.

It's probably still fine for Rei, who's dressed lightly, but my forehead is starting to sweat a bit, and so is Ren.

After walking along the path for a while, following a few branch roads with markers, the rocks and other objects around us started to turn red.

The high-heat holding rock replaces the lighting, so even with the torch light off, visibility is not a problem at all.

But the lava cave, where the earth's heartbeat could start to be heard, was strangely worrying.

「Do you guys…. hear something?」

Ren put his hand to his ears and muttered.

Something seems to be squeaking towards us.

「Watch out!」

Appearing from the back of the room with it's wings flapping was a small…. bat with it's body covered in flames?

The flickering flames proved rather elusive as they floated through the air.

I checked it with the Thief's God Eyes, and it said Ravat.

This is a kind of monster that uses a lava cave as its stronghold. It's a little too far away to attack with a sword.

「You're getting in my way! It's too hot!」

Perhaps frustrated by the heat, Rei, who was standing next to me, grabbed the bladed whip from her waist and flashed it at me.

「Gah!」

「Pi!」

「Geh!」

In an instant, the three Ravats burst into flames. The outstretched whip returned to its shape with a metallic sound of cacan.

…. Oh wow. She's good.

Let's just say I'm late to the party because of the heat.

I mean, she's really strong, That's what happens when you're trained to death from childhood.

Once again, let's examine the twins abilties.

Name: Rei Xiao

Race: Human

Age: 18

Occupation: Traveler

Special: Dual Resonance

Skills:

She is good with a whip and can also use water magic. She has also purchased a knife for throwing, she she can make full use of her skills.

It is worth noting, however, that the Dual Resonance in the special is–

Name: Ren Xiao

Race: Human

Age: 18

Occupation: Traveler

Special: Dual Resonance

Skills:

As you can see, Ren also possesses the same special.

Dual Resonance — Depending on the degree of intimacy between the twins, their skills will be shared.

This means that if Ren and Rei were close to each other, they can share the skills that they possess.

Despite being human, each of them has three skills, and when shared, as many as six.

Isn't that some really high potential?

However, whether or not the twins have a high level of intimacy is still open to debate.

「–Is there really some tiger here?」

Rei's question pulled me out of my thoughts and I turned back around.

「 It's an Agni Tiger, which means it lives in hot places. This is what Sienna told us, so let's go a little deeper. 」

「It's too hot. I can't do it anymore. I'm taking it off, I'm taking it off.」

「Take it off. If you can fight with zero defense. I'll be the first to attack, by the way.」

「Don't be ridiculous, you guys. Let's go.」

Rei, who had raised her voice to rebuke us, suddenly choked on her words.

I wondered what was going on, and when I followed her gaze, I saw it.

As I strained my eyes, I saw a quadrupedal creature enveloped in flames looking at me. It was moving slowly towards us.

Live the Ravat, the outer edges of its body were covered in flames, making it hard to tell, but flickering flames formed it's tail and ears, and symmetrical whiskers formed a beautiful curve under his long, blue eyes.

–Fire Cat

The monster, with its adorable cat appearance, strangely didn't try to attack us.

He glanced at me, and then licked the liquid lava dripped from the red-hot rocks.

Where id the word "catnip" go?

I'll check the status, though I have some unimportant thoughts.

The skill he possesses is Fire Magic Lv1 (8/10)

Rook and Kuroko…. Well, there I do or don't, it could be useful in strengthening Ren at least.

…. Let's take it away.

But before I could even walk up to the Flame Cat, there was someone running towards me – Rei.

「So…」

It's a monster, so we'll kill it. I don't blame you for that.

But I said to give me a minute.

But then, to my surprised, she slid to the Flame Cat's side without even picking up her weapon.

「….. eh?」

「Cu…. cute!」

….. what, huh?

「What's this, it's so cute~!」

Rei let out a squeal at the sight of the cat licking the lava with no hostility towards us.

Her usual expression is full of anger and rage, but when she loves something, you can't help but be a little bit fascinated by her face like this.

「It's rather dangerous. No matter that it isn't attacking us right now, it's still a monster.」

「Hey, I want to pet it. Can I pet you?」

When you ask me with a superior look, I have trouble answering.

The Flame Cat's body was engulfed in flames.

「No, it's just normal burns and scalds–」

「It's hot!」

「What are you doing?」

Listen to me! You'll get burned no matter what you think!

「Ugh… a little more, just a little more.」

Rei, who cured her hot hand with water magic, was about to touch the Flame Cat again.

….. Oh, there she is. Is she an idiot by chance?

I gave up, and Ren, who patted me on the shoulder, murmured to me with a faraway look in his eyes.

「You'll have to forgive her. Rei nee-chan…. is a cat person.」

So what!

Just because you like cats doesn't mean it's normal to stick your hand in a flame!

Then be nice to the cat beastie!

And well, it looks like Rei enjoyed it while I was making a bunch of remarks!

While she healed her burnt hand, the Flame Cat continued to lick the lava as if nothing had happened.

….. I guess it's my turn next.

Damn. That looks hot, but let's do it, shall we?

I reached for the Flaming Cat's body.

「Wait, what are you doing, Se-chan?」

Ignoring Ren's restraint, I grabbed the Flame Cat's body before focusing my attention on it.

Slightly alarmed, I felt the flames on my body gaining momentum.

Does this mean we haven't see it use the fire magic skill…?

Apart from the pain in my hand, a sense of satisfaction was felt in my body.

「Achi….」

When I immediately took my hand away and looked at it, the surface of my skin was red and swollen.

I succeeded in taking the skill…. though I was lightly burned

「Huh….?」

After losing it's fire magic skills, the Flame Cat's body became smaller and smaller.

Finally shrinking to the size of his palm, the fire cat disappeared into the depths of the cave.

「What did you… do?」

「No, I just stroked her normally, okay?」

I didn't think it would shrink if I took away the skill. I guess there are cases like this.

「Hmm… Well, okay.」

I don't know why, but for some reason, Rei looked at me with a smirk on her face.

「Why are you smiling?」

「Nothing? I just figured… you were a cat person too.」

「Nah–no!」

I want to say this out loud.

Don't group us together.

No matter how cute the cat is, you don't normally pet a burning body, right?

….. but well, I don't feel like I can explain my actions well for any other reason.

If I excuse myself saying that I held back because I had something to gain, that's like poking a snake in a bush.

Enough. I'll give up.

「Let me see those burns so I can treat them.」

「It's okay. It's only this much.」

It's unusual for her to make such a kind suggestion. I wonder if it's because she feels a new kinship with me as a cat person.

However, a wound like this can be left alone and will soon be completely healed by my Life Force Enhancement. There is no need to bother using magic.

「Oh, yeah. Do what you want.」

She turned to her cold expression, pretending not to be particularly interested, which made me wonder if she was really the same person who had been loving on that Flame Cat earlier.

「–….. But it's still hot.」

Fed up with the heat, we paused there to tilt our leather walt bottles, and Rook bumped his nose against my back with a thump.

「…. Kuo!」

「Really? Rook.」

Only a few people would visit a lava tube this hot.

It is a little too exciting to visit as a tourist. Therefore, you can't be too careful with…

— Someone's coming…?