Read Adventurer Tale of Pouring 25 Years of Life into a Useless Skill, and Now After All That Time is the Strongest

17 - third

Back

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They arrived at a dimly lit alley.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Leaving Sora looking around anxiously, Thor quickly moves deeper into the alley.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor, who had gone deeper until he could hardly hear the noise of the street, took out a leaf packet filled with monster meat from the bag on his back.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He places it on the ground and clicks his tongue.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Immediately he feels something move at the end of the passage.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　A frightened-looking Thora rushes to grab onto Thor's back.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Sniffing and sniffing, two cats, one with tiger stripes and the other with black fur, appear.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The cats, who had been looking at us, realize that Thor is the visitor, and come running toward him furiously.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Ignoring Sora's gasping, the two cats pounced on Thor's leather shoes and snapped their fangs at him.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Thor, Thor, you're scaring me!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Sorry, I'm late."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Apologizing for leaving them alone for five days, Thor took off his leather gloves and slowly stroked the two ruffled furs.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The cats, who had been expressing their anger for a while, gradually turned to sweet bites when he touched them gently.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　When the cats' excitement subsided, Thor gently pushed a heaping pile of meat to the two cats.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Here, eat. It's good meat!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The two animals, with their tails perked up, poked their noses into the meat and bit into it.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They were so hungry that they unusually began to eat on the spot.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor's cheeks lift slightly as they gobbled down the meat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Beside him, Sora, who had finally grasped the situation, bent down with him and began to observe the cats' meal with interest.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"You mean these cats?" she asked.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yeah, I used to feed them here all the time, but there's been a bit of a lull."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"I see. Here, is it good?　I helped you carry it, too."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Saying this, Sola reached out a hand to the back of the cat that was devouring the meat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hey, don't touch it while it's eating. He won't like it."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yeah?　But he's happy."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Nah."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor lifted his buttocks as he ate, and hissed loudly at the sight of the striped cat, which was gurgling loudly.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The striped cat, which had been fur bristling and growling low when Thor had tried to pet it before, was nowhere to be seen.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Not bad. "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hey, don't be too persistent, Sola."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yeah?　Do you want me to stroke you too?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Nope."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor's voice was sharp again when he saw the black cat grind up to the girl's feet.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The black fur, touched by Thora, starts to purr in a sweetly affectionate manner.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor's expressionless face became blank as he recalled the day when he had finally been welcomed after feeding her for more than half a year.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thora, not caring about Thor's condition, lets out a chuckle as she touches the back of the cat, which is trying hard to eat the meat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Mmmm, hey, they look so delicious, don't they?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The two animals stopped chirping.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor also remains silent and stares at Sora.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thora looks up, perhaps noticing the change in the atmosphere, and finally realizes her gaffe.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　In a panic, she continues her words as if trying to make up for her mistake.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Oh, no, it's just a joke.... ......... It tastes better when it's fatter..."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　To a girl who grew up in the countryside, there seemed to be little difference between a cat and a goat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Gently removing their backs from Thora's hands, the two animals moved to Thor's feet with the meat in their mouths.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　They moved to get a little distance from the girl.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Concealing his inner joy, Thor waved his hand and ordered Thora to move away.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The girl, her lips pursed in dissatisfaction, got up and wandered off to the back of the alley.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hmmm. Eating skinny food doesn't taste so good..."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor, having gotten rid of the interloper (Sora), bends down and gently reaches for the back of the black cat that is devouring the meat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He gets a smack on the back.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　When he reaches out once more, the black cat reluctantly lets him touch it.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor nods broadly, careful not to disturb the meal, and lightly strokes the tips of its fur with his fingertips, just grazing them.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hey, hey, Thor. There's something strange about you.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Not now, please.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Okay."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor, who is absorbed in the black hair, dares to ignore the voice of Sora, who has nothing better to do with his time.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor, who was in a good mood, reached for the tiger stripes.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The striped cat, perhaps pleased with the meat, lets him pet it without a care in the world.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hey, Thor. This is interesting. It's like someone's peeping at me."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Later.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yes."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor, who was enjoying the company of the two cats, looked up involuntarily at the sight out of the corner of his eye.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It was Sora, who was dragging something out of the alley.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Oh, Thor, look at this. I've got something."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"What?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　What Sola had caught with both hands was a blackish mass that was thrashing about.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It was too big to be a cat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　And its arms and legs are too long.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It had what looked like dirty rags wrapped around its body.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It looked like a human child.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"It was cowering in the back. I think it was from around here."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The child is somehow trying to break free from Sola's bondage, but it seems to be playing with her, as if it is not strong enough.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　His shaggy hair shook as he flailed about, and the few lights coming in from the street revealed the purple eyes beneath.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor couldn't help but let out a cry when he saw those familiar large eyes.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Are you the third one?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The last one that never showed itself, no matter how much I called out to it.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It was Thor's small hope to pet the timid cat one day.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor is disappointed to find out that it is a small, dirty child.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Holding onto Thora, the child shouted with a straight face.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Eating moo doesn't taste good!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"I won't eat it. What's your name, Moo?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"You just said it looked delicious!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The child's stomach makes a small noise, perhaps in response to his own words.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Are you hungry?　Moo-chan."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Come on, let him go."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　With a dismissive nudge, Thor pulled an apple from his backpack.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He had left it untouched for Sora, who was easily hungry.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　When he presented the apple, the freed child stuck out his nose to smell it, then suddenly bit into it with a gulp.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Without pausing for breath, he eagerly bit into the apple and quickly devoured it down to the core.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　She was on all fours on the ground, trying to join the cats in eating the raw meat, so Thor grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Have you been eating cat food all your life?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"This is food for Moo and his friends!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

At least bake it before you eat it. Where are your parents?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The child shook his head, buzzing, as if he did not understand the meaning of the question.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The head, which looked like it hadn't been washed in months, was filled with a stale smell.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Frowning, Thor was about to put it back in its original position when he noticed Sola's appealing gaze.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　It's late in the evening and she's in a back alley, sharing food with a cat.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He cannot say his parents' names.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　He is barefoot in tattered clothes, and his body smells like he hasn't bathed in a long time.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　A vagrant for sure. Not an uncommon sight.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　There is no end to the number of people I have to deal with, and I would never take care of them.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　But it will be a while before a girl who is not used to life in the city can understand the situation.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　To Sola, all the residents of the village were acquaintances, and it was only natural that they would help each other when they were in trouble.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor, who had been pondering for a while while holding the child by the neck, sighed heavily as if he had lost his patience.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"...... after you ask the landlord."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Yeah!　Nice to meet you, Moo-chan."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"What are you going to do with Moo?

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Well, don't you want something better to eat?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　The hungry one replies on my behalf.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Okay, it's settled. I'm Sora and this cool guy is Thor."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Sora!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Oh, yeah, call me Sola, sweetie."

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Sola, sweetie!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Well done, well done. Then, this must be Thor.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Looking up at Thor, the child slowly opened his mouth.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"............ Tor-chan?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Why not? Why did you pull Le out?"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"To-chan!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

No, it's Thor. Don't call me that.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Torchan, I'm hungry!

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

"Hey, don't get attached. Get off me!"

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　Thor sighs deeply once more, still in the arms of the dirty child.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

　At his feet, the cats, satisfied with their meal, begin to groom themselves.

Read at https://w w w . m t l r e a d e r.com

Back

Table of Contents

Next

Back

Table of Contents

Next