I Don’t Want to Die as a Mob in My Second Life! ～A Story Where I Kept Training from Inside the Womb and Ended Up Being Mistaken for a Monster～ - Chapter 34: Let’s Make Friends!

Chapter 34: Let’s Make Friends!

“Mock battles, huh? Let’s hope no one dies this year.”

After lunch, I sat at the edge of the field, forming a sword seal with my fingers as I focused on gathering spiritual energy.

The mock battles in the second half of the exam are as close to real combat as it gets.

First, you can bring any weapon you want. Swords, guns—it’s all fair game. Even bombs or poison gas are allowed.

Some Reisoushis require specialized weapons as mediums for Object Imbuing, so it’s a necessary concession.

“And then…”

There’s no such thing as a “give-up” in the mock battles.

After all, in real combat, begging for mercy doesn’t work.

The fight only ends when the proctor steps in, and by then, it’s usually a bloody mess.

Serious injuries are expected, and fatalities? They’re not uncommon.

If you were to dig up the dirt on this field, you’d probably find plenty of human nails and teeth.

“What should I do…? I plan to use my techniques seriously to gauge my strength, but if I do that, my opponent…”

It’s obvious. I’d end up killing them.

That’s not arrogance—it’s just the logical conclusion of analyzing the situation.

My opponents are just kids, amateurs in combat… Even Michio and Hinami wouldn’t stand a chance. I’m confident I could annihilate them.

“Sighh. I hope I can pull off proper restraint…”

As I mulled over this dilemma, my annoyingly sharp ears picked up a sound near the water fountain at the edge of the field.

“—Listen up, if you end up facing me, make sure to go easy on me, alright?”

…Not exactly the most noble words.

Curious, I decided to quietly sneak closer.

“You understand, don’t you? Your Yamada and Tanaka families only prospered because my Hebizuka family provided you with women who had spiritual energy. In other words, you’re branch families—vassals. Naturally, you’ll obey the main family, won’t you?”

““Yes…””

Peeking around the corner, I saw three boys in their mid-teens.

One of them was a smug, entitled rich kid. The other two were Yamada and Tanaka—the duo who, thanks to a misunderstanding, had offered me their lunchboxes earlier.

“Got it? Make me look good. Struggle a bit, then fall dramatically. Do that, and I’ll make sure you’re rewarded with women of high spiritual energy in the future.”

Yep, there he was, the smug brat spouting garbage. No doubt about it—he’s a full-blown swamp creature.

“I see… (Yeah, situations like this are pretty common)”

The world of Reisoushi is a power game.

Prominent families with vast wealth, numerous contracted Conceptual Spirits, and high-quality genetic material dominate the field, using these assets as bargaining chips to control and subjugate up-and-coming families.

Defying them rarely leads to anything good.

Not only would they withhold their resources, but they might also use the Spirit Conductor Agency’s special oversight division, the Elders’ Council, to assign you grueling missions as punishment.

The Elders’ Council is essentially where powerful retired Reisoushis end up, meaning it’s mostly populated by members of these elite families. For any upstart families daring to step out of line, it’s a legal way to crush them into submission.

Ever since Commander Ouma took the reins, blatant oppression has toned down, but subtle harassment? That’s still very much in play.

Basically, it’s like a Swamp Monster Champions League.

“Got it, Yamada, Tanaka? When you face me, make sure to lose convincingly.”

““Yes…””

“Not loud enough! Do you want the Hebizuka family to abandon you?!”

““Y-Yes, sir…!””

It couldn’t be helped.

It couldn’t, but—

“—I don’t like this.”

Before I knew it, I had stepped forward.

“K-Kanata Soranaki?! What are you doing here?!”

“Shut it, scum.”

“W-What?!”

Why am I even here? Honestly, I’m asking myself the same thing. Why did I step forward?

Hmm… it’s probably because [Doll] messed with me again. My overly independent body must have moved on its own.

No way a mob-character like me would willingly stick my neck into unnecessary trouble.

Yeah, that must be it.

“S-Surely, you’re not a fool enough to object to the relationship between my Hebizuka family and these two, right!?”

“Not really. I’m just an outsider. You can rig your matches all you want. However…”

However…

“I just thought it might feel pretty satisfying… to torment someone like you.”

“Eek!?”

“If we’re matched, make sure you lose convincingly, alright?”

I leaned in and whispered, and the guy let out a panicked “Waaaaaahhhhhh!” before bolting.

Sigh. My body really went overboard there.

Like I’d ever actually be that aggressive.

“H-Hieee…!”

“Kanata, Soranaki…!”

Hm?

“Oh, you’re still here?”

Yamada and Tanaka were trembling, practically glued to the spot.

Honestly, I can’t even tell which one’s Yamada and which one’s Tanaka, but they’re always together, so I’ll just remember them as a set.

Still, I sure seem to keep crossing paths with these two.

“You two—”

“”!?””

Oh, come on. No need to be so scared.

“Have you managed to eat since then?”

“Eh?”

“Have you recovered your spiritual energy and strength? It’s dangerous to enter the mock battles unless you’re in peak condition.”

“Ah, y-yes…! We’re… okay, I think…?”

“Good to hear.”

Ah, wait—I just realized I’ve been speaking casually this whole time.

They’re probably around middle school age, and I’m technically a zero-year-old. Not using polite language might be rude.

Just as I was about to apologize—

“Um… why did you help us?”

“Hm?”

Helped them? Oh, I guess it might’ve looked that way from their perspective.

“I didn’t help you. I just felt like scaring that brat. Though, if we face off, I’ll definitely mess him up for real.”

““Hieee!””

I’ll stop before it goes too far, of course, but I’m not planning to hold back.

Inside, I’m just a mob character.

I’m a coward.

And I’m scared of dying.

So I’ll fight seriously to make sure I don’t end up saying, ‘I let my guard down and got killed!’

“You two, do whatever you like.”

““Huh?””

I studied the two of them closely.

“Hm… (Come to think of it…)”

In the earlier physical ability test, these two didn’t stand out. Their scores were average at best—maybe even slightly below.

And yet, they seem oddly in sync, like a perfectly coordinated duo?

That’s not normal.

“You were holding back earlier because of that guy, weren’t you?”

At my question, both of them flinched and fell silent.

“…I thought so. Anyone would’ve noticed after seeing how he threatened you.”

That Hebizuka kid isn’t competent.

Truly skilled Reisoushis naturally gain fame.

If he doesn’t exist in my future memories, it’s because he never amounted to anything.

“Besides, if he were truly capable, he wouldn’t need to resort to threats. The fact that he does is proof that you’re the more talented ones.”

“T-That’s…”

“You’ll need to be ready to sever ties. If you don’t, you’ll just be used until you’re all used up.”

—Just like my father.

In my first life, my father, Michitaka, was forced to act as rearguard against powerful Conceptual Spirits. He was pushed to his limit and died.

Even though he obeyed without complaint, that was his reward.

Being an obedient pawn won’t ever get you treated like a person. Livestock remains livestock. You don’t earn respect or rights just by submitting.

“The Elders’ Council will likely assign you and that Hebizuka brat to joint missions. And when it comes down to life-and-death situations, you’ll be forced to hold back while he doesn’t.”

“That’s…”

“You’ll die.”

“!?”

I don’t know their names in the future.

Which likely means… that’s exactly what happened to them.

“The attacks of Conceptual Spirits are often one-hit kills. Imagine—because of that brat, you’re forced to drag your feet, and the moment an attack lands, you’re dead. Would you really be satisfied with that kind of life?”

“Ugh…”

“And if you don’t keep pushing your talents to the limit, they’ll dull. When the time comes and you suddenly need them, it’ll be too late. Is that what you want?”

“N-No…”

“Houses that let weaklings rule the roost eventually fall apart. If you keep following him, you have no future.”

“B-But… still…”

Both of them murmured hesitantly, their voices trembling.

“That’s… something in the future, right? At least for now, his family has power… If we oppose them, what will happen to us…?”

“Exactly. As long as Hebizuka has ties to the Elders’ Council, if we don’t obey, who knows what they’ll do to us…!”

True, they’re not wrong about that.

In that case…

“I, Kanata Soranaki, will protect you.”

““What?!””

They both looked up at me with wide, astonished eyes.

Did I say something that strange?

“I’m not going to irresponsibly provoke you into rebellion. If it helps, I’ll even form a vow with you. I’ll make sure no harm comes to you.”

“!?”

“If you’re assigned a dangerous mission, I’ll just happen to be there. And I’ll swear to this—I will make sure you come back alive.”

—That’s pretty much it.

The current world of spiritual conductors belongs to Ouma Shiranui, the guardian deity of Japan.

If anyone dares to resort to illegal means and causes direct harm, that’s the end of them.

Ouma Shiranui doesn’t tolerate unlawful actions. He won’t even bother with a trial—he’ll just eliminate the offender outright.

“The unseen hands reaching for you will be stopped by Ouma Shiranui. So,”

I put my arms around the boys’ shoulders, pulling them close.

“I, Kanata Soranaki, will protect you from the invisible malice that tries to harm you.”

“…!”

“It’s alright now. Everything’s fine. You don’t have to worry anymore, okay?”

I spoke gently, softly reassuring them.

Hearing this, their throats tightened, and soon they started sobbing.

““Aaaah… ahhhhhh…!””

—It was hard… it was so painful…

With tears streaming down their faces, they finally let out the emotions they’d kept buried.

“My… my dad’s a Reisoushi, but he’s physically weak…! And my mom, who was assigned to him by the Hebizuka family, gave birth to me and ran off… But even so, my dad raised me all by himself!”

“My family… my ancestors left a huge debt to the Hebizuka family…! It’s so massive, we could never repay it just by working normally…!”

Their stories were heavy.

Despite their youth, they’d been burdened with such crushing weights.

But it’s alright now.

“If we disobeyed, they’d assign my dad harsh missions… He might end up dead…!”

“I see, I see. Then I’ll help your father too.”

“And if the Hebizuka family raises the interest on our debt, my family could end up as slaves…!”

“Is that so? Then I, Kanata Soranaki, will pay off your debt.”

In this second life, I have more than enough power to make that happen.

Thanks to acquiring the rights to the legendary metal [Hihiirokane], I’ve gained significant wealth as well.

If there’s ever a time to use it, it’s now.

“There, there. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

I absorbed all their tears, letting them release their burdens.

These two have potential, and I’ll ensure they grow into it for the sake of future crises.

“You are free now.”

““!!!””

“The chains that bound you are gone. I, Kanata Soranaki, have broken them.”

I lifted my gaze and met their eyes.

“From now on, live according to your emotions and your soul. I’ll allow it all.”

““…!””

The sadness in their eyes was gone.

What remained was determination, gratitude toward me, and something else.

“Do you want to let loose and unleash your potential?”

““Yes…!””

“Do you want to humiliate that Hebizuka brat?”

““Yes!!!””

“Good answer.”

They’d awakened a burning hatred for the Hebizuka family.

Perfect. Reisoushis are warriors, after all. The desire to obliterate your enemy is the most powerful weapon you can wield.

Pleased with their newfound resolve, I pulled them into another gentle hug.

“You two are really good kids. I believe in you, Yamada and Tanaka.”

Phew, I did a good thing here.

Even my rogue body didn’t act out this time.

“Heh… (See? I can totally do normal, friend-making moves like this.)”

I bet they’re already feeling a sense of camaraderie with me.

It’d be awesome if they started calling me “Kanata!” in a friendly way.

““Um!””

Oh? Are they about to? Are they about to call me just “Kanata”?

““Thank you so much, Lord Kanata!””

…They added “Lord.”

Why?!

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[Tips]

Yamada: 

A vassal of the Hebizuka family. Was subjected to unbearable treatment for a teenage boy until Kanata Soranaki saved him and unlocked his potential. Now a loyal fan of “Lord Kanata.”
“Hebizuka, I’ll kill you~~!”

Tanaka: 

Also a vassal of the Hebizuka family. His heart, frozen by days of humiliation, was melted by Kanata Soranaki’s sweet kindness. Now awakened and loyal to “Lord Kanata.”

“Hebizuka, I’ll kill you~~!”

Kanata Soranaki: 

(I just wanted friends…)

Also, Kanata still doesn’t know which one is Yamada and which is Tanaka.

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