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Beast Tamer Who Got Kicked Out From the Hero’s Party Chapter 193

CHAPTER 193: A NEW BODY

「Hello.」

「Ohh, if it isn’t my boy Rein.」

When I walked into the store, Gantz-san, who was reading a book behind the counter, looked at me and gave me a friendly smile.

It’s been a long time since I’ve asked for Gantz-san’s help, but……
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A whole lot of things have changed compared to the last time that I have been here.

First of all, the selection of Gantz-san’s wares around the store has changed.

Whereas before there were weapons that only looked good enough for use, now the shelves were heavy with items that could be recognized of superior quality at a mere glance.

Besides, the atmosphere around Gantz-san himself has softened considerably.

He seemed to be way more approachable than before.

The previous incident with the mithril mine must have changed him in a whole lot of ways.

「What’s the purpose of your visit today? Is there anything I can help you with?」

「No, it’s nothing like that. I just want to ask you to perform some much needed maintenance on both Narkuami and Kamui. Come to think of it, I have never had them serviced and they’re pretty well used up at this point. And while you do that, I want to browse through your wares some more.」

「Alright, I understand. So, can I have a look at them?」

I then handed both Narukami and Kamui to Gantz-san.

「Hmm, ho, ho, ho, this is……」

Gantz-san made a rather bitter face.

「Umm…… Is there some sort of a problem?」

「Yes, and it’s a rather big one. You seem, I made those things in such fashion so that they wouldn’t break so easily and that they would be quite durable…… But they are both badly worn out. How in the world were you using them up until now?」

「W-Well, this is……」

I don’t really remember being so rough with it…… or was I?

I just kept on fighting that Demon, then fighting Suzu-san, and then confronting Iris with those tools in my hand……

…… Oh my. So I WAS actually handling those things rather poorly.

「It will take about a week for me to get them back into a proper shape. Is that alright with you?」

「Yes, it’s fine. Please do what needs to be done with them.」

「I’m on it. I will make sure that they are as good as new and well maintained. By the way……」

Gantz-san’s gaze was then turned to my side.

To be precise, it was directed at the kettle I was holding in my hand.

「What’s with that kettle?」

「Oh, yeah, that’s right. This is……」

I was about to explain the situation when a puff of smoke blew out of the kettle and Tina appeared from it at the same time.

「This is my portable home.」

「Wha…… Are you a Ghost or what?」

「How do you do, old man?　I’m Tina Holly. I’m a member of Master Rein’s party and family. It’s nice to meet you.」

「You…… You are not limiting yourself to Ultimate Species alone, but now you even get Ghosts to follow you around?」

「Well, it’s actually a long story……」

I could only respond to Gantz-san’s stunned gaze with a wry smile.

I then lightly explained how we met Tina and how I came to sign a contract with her……

And then I went right down to business.

「The thing is, I’m just wondering if there’s anything I can do for Tina to make it feel as if she had a real body once more.」

「…… Say what now? You want a Ghost girl to have a physical body?」

「You see, because Tina is a Ghost, so she can’t really go outside during the day. To get out, she has to be possessing things like this. So I’ve been having her possess the kettle, but…… Surely you realize that carrying a kettle around with you tends to get tiring pretty fast?」

「I see. …… Well, you do have a point there.」

「So, do you have anything in here that would fill the bill?」

「However, I am but a weaponsmith. I only know how to make weapons……」

「I was actually hoping that someone of your skill, Gantz-san, would be able to figure something out.」

「Goodness gracious…… Now that you have said that to me, I am not exactly in a position where I can refuse, can’t I?」

Gantz-san took a moment, stroking the beard on his chin, and made an expression as if he was lost deep in his own thoughts.

After a moment of thinking, he finally opened his mouth.

「Fumuh, that’s right…… How about you come back to me in a week’s time? I am going to figure something out until then.」

「Thank you. That’s very helpful.」

「Oh, don’t worry about it. I’d do anything for the Hero of Horizon.」

「Not this whole Hero business again……」

I made a bitter face at Gantz-san, who must have been saying that to me entirely on purpose.

Tina looked at us as if she was enjoying herself quite a lot.

***

…… And just like that, a week later.

「Hello.」

「Sorry for intruding!」

Tina and I decided to pay a visit to Gantz-san’s store once more.

However, there was no sign of Gantz-san anywhere in the store.

But he seemed to notice us right away and showed himself from the back of the shop.

「Oh, Rein and the Ghost girl, huh? You are just in time.」

When Gantz-san recognized us, he took out both Narukami and Kamui.

「First of all, let me return these to you. I have maintained them, and they are as good as new.」

「Thank you. That’s very helpful.」

「Think nothing of it. You can always bring them to me if you need anything else. As a craftsman, it makes me happy to know that you use my dear creations to such an extent.」

Gantz-san smiled a pleasant smile at me.

I guess that this maintenance job must have stimulated his craftsman soul.

「And this one is for the Ghost girl.」

Continuing, Gantz-san took out a certain thing from under the counter.

「A doll……?」

It was something that looked like a small doll.

The size was probably bigger than the palm of your hand?

It was very elaborately made, not like something a child would use for fun.

Also, that doll…… Why do I get a feeling that I have seen it somewhere before?

「Hm?　Could this be me?」

「Yeah, that’s right.」

Tina said when I happened to notice that fact.

As Tina said, this doll looked kind of like her.

She was wearing a maid’s outfit, and her face looks just like Tina…… Yes, it was basically a portable Tina.

「I was thinking of making this thing as your new body, young lady, but…….. What do you think?」

「Oh, is this my new body?」

「I have used all of my skills to create a state-of-the-art fighting doll. Not only does it look good, but it’s also got all sorts of gimmicks to itself, and it can even hold its own ground in a fight.」
.
「Ohh……」

Tina had a twinkle in her eyes upon hearing that.

She seemed to like that thing very much……

「I’m really sorry for asking you to do this for us so suddenly. It must have been a real pain in the neck to make, right?」

「Nah, think nothing of it. Making something like this isn’t so bad, once in a while. It’s a good way to test my own craftsmanship.」

「Hahaha.」

That was a very Gantz-san-like thing to say.

「Say, can I get onto this body right now?」

「Yes, you can. I made it for you, lass. Please take a look at it all you want.」

「Great. Don’t mind if I do.」

Tina’s form started to waver, and then……

Like a fog, she was sucked into the doll.

And then…..

「…… Oh?　Hmm?　Ooohhhh!」

The doll on the table stood up quickly and swiftly.

It moved its arms and legs as if to check the sensations of its new body……

She then jumped a few times on the spot, tried to make some punches as well as making some noise…… It was nice to see Tina frolicking about like that.

「This is so much better! It feels the same as I usually feel, and I can move my arms and legs as I want them to…… Oh, that’s great! It’s really good!」

Tina was then saying a bunch of praises towards Gantz-san in rapid succession.

She must have liked the doll a lot.

Seeing Tina like that, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Even though there was nothing else for her to do, I have had her possess the kettle for so long until now……

Couldn’t we have found something a little more decent for her?

I was feeling more and more regrets swarming in by the moment.

「Old man, thank you so much!」

「Don’t mention it. It’s okay. After all, Rein is one of my best customers.」

「But does that mean that the price is also……?」

「Tell you what: how about this?」

「…… Can’t you just make it a little bit cheaper?」

「Hey, hey now. I thought it was something that you wanted to have done for the little lass here? Don’t tell me that you are NOW going to become stingy?」

「Haah…… I can’t really argue with that one. Okay, that’s fine.」

The amount of money Gantz-san offered for his services certainly wasn’t cheap, but……

Since it was all for Tina’s sake, I wasn’t going to argue with him.

Well, I guess that this is also what makes Gantz-san Gantz-san.

He’s not trying to rip me off here. In fact, he’s probably giving me a discount here for his services.

Besides, he’s made such a nice body for Tina.

I have nothing but gratitude to him for that.

「Ohh, ooh. This is nice. This is really nice, this body! Master Rein! What do you think of me?」

「What do I…… Even if you ask me that……」

「Oh, come on! You have to say that I’m cute!」

As much as I’d like to say that, isn’t this kind of a bad idea to call Tina, who looked like a doll, cute……?

「Say, Master Rein?」
.
「Yes?」

「Thank you for all you’ve done for me.」

Tina’s smile was just so soothing right now.