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18. Endemic Skills

It was around noon when I visited the office to collect Shizuku’s unpaid wages. After that, we went to a bathhouse to wash up and went to a clothing store. Night fell by the time we were done.

We were currently in the inn where we are renting a room. Shizuku was showing off the clothes I bought for her as a present to celebrate her new beginning. Shizuku happily spun around in the new clothes after getting dressed with Koe-san’s help.

「It’s cute.」Koe.

「This is the first time I’ve worn clothes made of such nice fabric!」

She looked really different after cleaning up, doing her hair, and dressed in new clothes. It almost seems like a lie that I thought she might be a boy the first time I met her.

Her shorts and cropped shirt looked somewhat boyish, though. It also fits her active personality very well. Her flaxen tail, which was made visible through the tailoring of her pants, also wagged around happily.

「But are you okay with those clothes, Shizuku?」

「Eh, why? Does it look weird?」

「You could have chosen something with more fabric without worrying about cost, you know?」

「Master. This isn’t about cutting costs, it’s about focusing on appearance, and reducing the amount of fabric used to make it more fashionable…」

「I know. It’s just a joke.」

「What?」

Koe-san still doesn’t really understand jokes.

「Joke aside, yeah. It’s cute. I think it suits you well.」

「T-Thank you. I like these kinds of clothes the best. And I’m happy to hear you say that.」

After a while, I changed the topic.

「Shizuku, let me ask you something.」

「What is it?」

「Why did you back down from that man?」

Shizuku, who was not paid her due wages, withdrew without resorting to force. She knew she would have nothing left to eat but hand rotting grass. She should have known that she could win if she had fought.

So why did she step back?

Shizuku answered my question without even the slightest hesitation.

「We, werewolves, don’t use our power for our own benefits. No matter how deviant the other person is…no matter how frustrating it is.」

「Meaning, fighting for your wages would be fighting for yourself?」

「That’s right. We only use the power of wolf for someone we can trust with our lives.」

「…You are strong, Shizuku.」

A demi-human “werewolf” who lives a noble and proud life. It warmed my heart to see someone exactly as I’ve heard about in folklore.

Even if she has to drink muddy water or eat poisonous plants, she never forgets the pride of her race. She’s a really strong kid.

Based on that, I had to make a suggestion to Shizuku.

「Then, if it’s for that someone you can use your power, right?」

「Yeah. Why do you ask?」

「Armed men are heading here right now.」

「…Eh!?」

My sense skills detected men armed with swords and clubs from a while ago. There were 20, 30, 40 of them…they were also wearing armor, so they are probably part of a mercenary group staying at the post town. They were clearly heading to this inn with strong intentions in mind.

That man was walking at the head of the group.

「It’s the fat man who hired you. He probably came to take revenge against me by using mercenaries. Next to him… is also the director.」

「Those guys came here?!」

I could see something burning in Shizuku’s calm eyes.

「Shizuku.」

「Yeah.」

「Could I become that someone for you?」

「You can. Werewolves never forget the gratitude they receive.」

In that case, Shizuku will fight too.

「The [Duration Enhancement] skill that I lent you is enough, right?」

「Yes. This is good enough.」

「But then Shizuku-san’s only skills would be [Leg Strength Enhancement] and [Duration Enhancement]. That would be quite dangerous.」

Koe-san was worried about her, but if my predictions are correct, there is no cause to worry.

「Shizuku’s skill isn’t [Leg Strength Enhancement]. Isn’t that so?」

「…Did you notice?」

「There were too many inconsistencies.」

[Leg Strength Enhancement] is a simple skill as the name suggests.

It’s not something complicated like it only lasts ten seconds or the effect gets stronger the longer you use it. Only people who don’t know skills would be fooled by it.

As I explained, Shizuku scratched her cheek awkwardly.

「…I’m sorry for keeping quiet. It’s true that I can’t use it for too long, but I didn’t want people to know about it and use me for the skill.」

「Will you show me your true skill?」

Nodding, Shizuku stood up and distanced herself from us. A power unlike anything before began to overflow in her small body.

「O’ souls of our ancestors. Give strength to thine descendants.」

The first thing that appeared were claws. A large claw made of golden mana covered Shizuku’s hand, gradually increasing in density.

Then, homogeneous fangs and fur enveloping her body were manifested, changing Shizuku’s appearance closer to that of a golden wolf.

『Clad in the fur of the divine wolf and possessing sharp claws and fangs, they displayed unparalleled strength within the forest.』

Is this skill the truth of that legend?

「Endemic skill [Garou], fully activated. I’ll be back.」

At the same time, Shizuku’s figure disappeared from our sight.

There was an extremely loud bang outside the inn.