Leets's Story

Ahhh...

Temperature, check. Humidity, check. Jade rocks to snack on, check!

Now, all I have to do is sit back and crack open a book...

.........

*Groan...*

Argh! I can't stand this anymore!

I can't read with all this noise! This has gone on for far too long!

That's it, I'm going over to give her a piece of my mind!

Hey! Leets!

Huff, Huff... Huh?

Oh, hey Jade. What's up?

What's up?! That's all you have to say?!

With all the noise coming from your roost, I can't even focus on my books, and all you have to say is, "What's up?!"

Gasp! Was I being too noisy? I'm sorry if I was...

I hope you don't expect me to just let this slide with a simple apology...

W-What?

Based on the regulations I read a while ago regarding the limits and criteria for noise between floors...

Sigh... Never mind. It probably doesn't even apply to roosts like ours.

By the way, Leets, didn't you make a big deal about going away for some spiritual training or something? Things were quiet for a while, so what caused you to come back to all this again?

In fact, it actually seems like you're going at it even harder than before.

Hmm, well... A lot of things happened during my spiritual training.

I guess you could say I now have more motivation to step up my physical training, hehe...

Hmm... Really? I don't quite get it.

Weren't you done with the ranking fights already?

If so, why are you being so over-the-top with your training?

I was never done with it...

What?

I never walked away from fighting, I just stopped obsessing over my ranking...!

.........

Isn't that the same thing?

N-Not at all!

Oh, nonsense!

You just don't want to be lumped in with characters like me and Sist, labeled as weak cowards who abandoned the ranking system, right?

It's fine, you don't have to explain yourself! I completely understand how you feel!

Urgh... I told you! That's not it!

I've only put a pin in participating in the ranking competition, but I'm going to continue fighting!

If it's that hard to believe, I have no choice but to demonstrate how I truly feel about fighting...!

W-Wait!

Hehe... Hehehe! A battle! Let's fight!

E-Eeek! Stop swinging your greatsword at me!

Heeeyaaa...!

S-Stop! You'll bring the cave down like this!

What? If you want me to stop, try defeating me! Mwahahaha!

O-Okay, I get it! I can see you're dedicated to fighting!

Mwahaha...! Hmm...? You get it, you say?

Y-Yes! I completely get it now, so just stop!

Y-You don't need me to demonstrate any further?

I still have a bit more to—

No, I'm good! I'm good!

And the bit of noise you make while you train? Go ahead! I'll just bear with it a little!

N-No... I was at fault there... I'll try to find a place to train away from the cave.

O-Oh... Really?

Yep. Sorry for making so much noise while I train.

Oh... Thanks! That'd be great!

Phew... That could have gone sideways.

Once Leets goes crazy, there's no stopping her...

I need to tread carefully when it comes to this subject with her from now on...!

Hah! Hoo...!

Huh? Oh...! Master!

Supreme Ranker of this world, beyond the reach of anyone else...!

Misunderstanding?! You are too humble...!

Your position is higher than Daya, the most powerful of the dragons, right?

S-So that clearly means you are the top-ranker of this world!

B-B-But, w-what made you come to watch me train...?!

Y-Yes! Every single day, without fail!

100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats...

And 1,000 swings with my greatsword! I do this every day...!

S-Sure, there are times when it is.

But it's okay!

I have a reason for pushing myself like this...!

Hehe... Shucks... I still have a long way to go...

It's a vast world out there. If I'm going to fight more opponents, training like this is nothing...!

Sorry? R-Really?

R-Really? Heh... I get serious when it comes to fighting, though.

I go, "Mwahahaha!" and swing my greatsword around.

I even unleash a barrage of attacks that bring down caves and buildings!

Also, in combat, you have to keep fighting until there's only one of us left standing!

99... 100...! Hoo! Time for a break...

Sorry? Sure...! Absolutely! It would be my honor...!

Er, what's wrong, Master?

Oh, already? I don't mind if you'd like to look at it a bit longer...

Hey, you!

You there! The one with the strange armor! I got you!

How dare you try to steal from the Chow Rebel's snack warehouse?!

E-Excuse me?!

Whatever! That punk stepped into my turf!

S-She is clearly dresspressing!

I-I never meant to...! I was only looking for a good place to train...!

Hmph! That's what snack robbers always say!

Hmph, take this!

Give back the snacks you've taken right now!

L-Like I said, I never took any...!

Heeeya! Haaa!

Fine... You want a fight? You got one.

I just happened to find a good match! Hehe...!

Heeya... Huh?

Heh... Mwa... Mwahahahaha!!

Great! Let's go wild!

E-Eeek! What is wrong with this punk all of a sudden?!

Mwahaha! Take this!

U-Urgh...! How is this punk so strong...?!

Why are you only focusing on defense all of a sudden?!

Come at me like you did before with all those powerful strikes...!

A-Arrrrgh...!

You think I won't?!

Haha! Good, GOOD! Now, THIS is combat!

However... You're still too slow! Haaaaa!

What? W-Wait!

Hmm... It's not working...

Are you sure these maintenance products are good, Sist...?

What? Are you doubting me? Me, Sist?

I mean, I bought these because you said they were good... But no matter how you look at it, they're defective.

My sword isn't being sharpened... And my armor isn't being polished properly...

W-Why are you coming to me about that? You should be talking to the supplier who provided me with these goods!

Your supplier...?

Exactly! They're the ones who sold me the defective goods, so going directly to them would be the fastest option.

R-Really?

Of course!

I'm sure if you go and tell them, they'll give you well-made, high-quality replacements.

Here you go. This is the name of the elven company that sold me the goods! It's located in Monatium!

Hmm... O-Okay, got it. I'll pay them a visit.

Hehe, have a safe trip!

W-Where is it? Over here...?

Hmm?

Hey, you! Can I help you?

E-Excuse me?

New to Monatium? What brings you here?

Ah...! Well, I was looking for this company...

Hmm...?

That's strange. I've never heard of this company.

Wait, it says "Chump Corporation" here...

You sure someone hasn't just pulled a fast one on you?

E-Excuse me?

Then, the weapon and armor maintenance products I bought...

I'm not sure who it was, but it looks like someone played a bad prank on you. Regardless, no such company exists here in Monatium.

Uh... Ummm...

I was deceived...?

Tch. Poor thing.

I wish I could help, but I can't go around making up companies that don't exist, either...

N-No, it's fine. It's my fault for being so naive...

Spending a month's worth of living expenses on these maintenance products I'd been eagerly looking forward to...

Not to mention, I made it all the way to Monatium without even noticing how suspicious the company name sounded... It's all my own doing.

No, it's not your fault...

Hmm... She looks so down. Is there anything I can do to help her?

Oh, that's right. I just happen to be off duty today, so, perfect!

Listen, do you like the arcade?

Sorry? Ar...cade? What's that?

Hmm... Never heard of it?

Great! Let me show you!

You'll forget all your sorrows as you play at the arcade! Come! Follow me!

Er? W-Wait...!

This is Monatium's pride and joy—Monatium Arcade! It has all the latest machines!

Along with racing and shooting games, it even offers rhythm and sports games!

I know you've been through a rough patch, but let's forget all about it and have some fun!

W-Whoa... There are so many flashy things...!

I-I can really try these things out...?

Absolutely! If you have any questions, I'd be happy to explain it to you.

The moment I saw you... I could tell you had quite the well-trained body hidden beneath that armor!

You'll totally dominate these games!

I-I-I will?

One hundred percent! Do any of them catch your eye?

Uh... They're all quite interesting... Oh, what's that one?!

Hmm...! That's a boxing machine. You definitely have a good eye!

I can really pick out talent, can't I?

Watch closely! This is how you do it... Heeya!

880 points... Hmm, my body must be warming up still.

Anyway, did you see that? Throw a punch like that, and it will score you based on your power.

And I'm going to let you in on a little secret... this punching machine? It's actually a part of my secret training routine!

S-Secret training routine?!

Does that boxing machine really help you train?

Yep! Without a doubt! If you get over 900 points, it will definitely—

980 points! Yay...!

Is that a good score?!

Of c—Er, ahem!

I-I knew you'd be amazing...! I could tell from the start!

Still... that is not enough. Your ultimate goal is to reach 999 points, the highest you can get in this game!

You can't claim to be the greatest Arcade Empress otherwise!

Oh, wow...

Alright! Time to battle it out and crown the true Arcade Empress!

B-Battle it out...?!

That's right!

Okay... This might be one of the true battles where I go up against the world's strongest...

... Sorry? What did you just say?

A real fight that stirs the blood...!

U-Uh, hold on! Why are you suddenly drawing your greatsword...?!

There is no room for hesitation in a true fight...!

W-Wait! Stop!

Mwahahahaha! Here you go... My true power!

.........

Oh no.

I was on patrol and I heard a loud explosion... What is going on here?

How did this boxing machine go from being perfectly fine to getting sliced in half?

I-I'm sorry...

Fix it right now!

Yes, ma'am...!

Ummm...

Maybe she was just sick of seeing you sitting around doing nothing and thought she'd give you something to keep you busy, Master.

This is just basic spy work, of course!

Surely, someone as illustrious as you would not go through the trouble of traveling all the way to Monatium just to deliver a simple message to Miss Elena, would you, Master?

Sorry? Y-You can't get me with such an obvious old trick!

Hmm? That leads to the arcade that Canna frequents.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have broken the machine...

Gasp! M-Master?

That's exactly what happened...

Yes... I just couldn't stop myself...

Exactly. Amelia found out while she was on patrol.

I've also been trying my best to help...

Oh...! It's okay! I can't possibly burden you with something like this, Supreme Ranker—I mean—Master...!

With your help, we will definitely be able to fix this faster.

The "four" of us...? Are you including me...?

Huh? Do you even have to ask? Hurry up and help.

Oh, er...!

Yes, with everyone working together, it was very efficient.

Huff, huff...

Erm...

W-Well... I'm just so thankful for everyone's help, and I feel horrible for putting you all through this because I couldn't reign myself in...

Exactly. You surprised me a bit at first, but I enjoyed our time at the arcade together!

Uh, umm, er...

Oh, come to think of it, didn't you say you came to Monatium because of some weapon and armor maintenance products?

Oh, yes, that's right...

Well, we just happen to have someone perfect for that here. Monatium's armor expert, Rohne.

O-Oh! If you're looking to take care of your weapons and armor, we have a great store here!

I'll show you to the store if you're not busy.

O-Oh... T-Thank you...

Seems like things have worked themselves out, right...?

E-Er, Master, would you like to come with us...? I-If you're not busy, I mean...