[Slashing Through Worlds: Starting from the Soul Society] Chapter 30 (Patreon)

Gin's current plan was to increase his adventurer rank and gather some funds before embarking on an exploration of this world.

However, Yosuke planned to continue his journey around the world, so the two quickly parted ways again.

It's worth mentioning that before they separated, a small incident occurred. On the road, they encountered a pair of siblings being attacked by half-beasts.

Seeing that the siblings were about to be cornered, Gin intended to step in, but Yosuke acted faster, rushing ahead to save them.

The previous encounter in the village hadn't discouraged Yosuke. He believed that the villagers' reaction was an anomaly due to their religious beliefs.

This time, saving these siblings from vicious half-beasts would surely make them grateful, right?

Yosuke, despite having the ability to use magic from a distance, decided to use his light magic to form a sword and stylishly engaged the half-beasts in close combat.

Watching Yosuke fight for the first time, Gin began to observe carefully.

According to Yosuke, his magic came from communicating with the tiny spirits in the air and borrowing their power.

The "Light Sword" in his hand was the power of the light spirits. However, Gin also noticed that while Yosuke could summon an impressive-looking sword, his swordsmanship was atrocious…

This wasn't surprising. The spirits could grant power and magic, but they couldn't impart technique. Before coming to this world, Yosuke was just a regular 17-year-old otaku.

Still, with the sharpness of the Light Sword and the speed boost from the wind spirits, Yosuke could easily handle a few low-level half-beasts despite his lack of skill.

A streak of light flashed through the air, splitting the large wooden club that was about to strike the siblings in two.

The same light also bisected the half-beast wielding it. Seeing their comrade fall, another half-beast roared and raised its club, intending to sweep Yosuke and the siblings off the cliff.

However, before the half-beast could strike, a calm male voice came from a distance, followed by a white lightning bolt as thick as a baby's arm.

"Byakurai!"

The white lightning shot through the air at incredible speed, piercing the half-beast's head and dissipating into the sky. The half-beast maintained its raised club position for a moment before collapsing, revealing a charred hole in its forehead.

"Miss, little brother, are you both alright?" Yosuke asked gently, now standing close to the siblings.

The siblings, a girl around fourteen or fifteen and a boy about seven or eight, were about to express their gratitude. But when the girl looked up and saw Yosuke's beast-like face, her expression changed from gratitude to terror.

"Thank you for saving us, but... Ah, half-beast! Don't come near me!" she screamed.

Yosuke's appearance, already below average, had deteriorated further after a week of starvation.

Despite his heroic act, the girl's fear was triggered by his beast-like face and the forced, gentle smile he gave. The girl instinctively pushed Yosuke away in fear, sending him tumbling off the cliff edge they were standing on.

Realizing what she had done, the girl began to rationalize her actions. "That person, even if he wasn't a half-beast's ally, couldn't have been a good person…"

Gin, having watched the entire scene, walked up calmly and addressed the still-panicked girl and her brother. "That man is my companion. Though his appearance is peculiar, he did just save you. Don't you think your reaction was a bit excessive?"

The girl, hearing Gin's words, started to cry, overwhelmed by guilt and fear. Her home had been destroyed by half-beasts, and she had witnessed her parents being torn apart while trying to protect them.

She had barely escaped with her brother. Traumatized by the half-beasts' brutality, she had developed a deep-seated fear and hatred for them. She hadn't meant to push Yosuke off the cliff; it was a reflexive action driven by her terror.

Gin understood this. He saw that the girl's action was a defensive reaction caused by her trauma.

Still, he couldn't help but think about Yosuke's misguided attempt at a reassuring smile. If only Yosuke were more self-aware about his appearance...

"Well, that guy has no sense of his own looks. Trying to reassure a scared girl with a smile when he looks like that? What was he thinking?" Gin muttered to himself as he led the siblings to safety.

(End of Chapter)