An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"Look, your feelings... never mind. Even if they're true, you should know I've been pregnant for a month, right? And yet, you actually had the nerve to confess so openly in front of her... I've always thought your most terrifying quality isn't your physical condition, but your shamelessness. Your heart is definitely made of Azantium ore."

"Who did you say has the strongest heart in the world? Wow~ My guess was right... Okay, I knew it all along. I knew you'd be hard to deal with."

Shia suddenly let out a strange laugh, causing Hajime to look at her suspiciously.

"I knew this might happen! That's why I tried so hard to recruit allies! Come on, Yue-sensei! Please!"

"Huh? Yue?"

Hajime blinked at her unexpected name. Though Shia's "Done!" expression annoyed him, he turned his gaze to Yue beside him. Yue's expression was bitter, as if she had chewed hundreds of worms, and she spoke to Hajime, seemingly speaking against her will:

“………………………………………… Hajime, let’s take her away.”

"No, no, no, why would you persuade me like that? You clearly look very reluctant... Could it be that your bet is..."

"……remorse."

Seeing Yue's shoulders drooping in frustration, Hajime immediately guessed the whole situation, and the emotion that surged in his heart went beyond dumbfounded or angry, reaching the level of admiration.

Shia didn't think asking Hajime directly would be successful, as he couldn't convey his true feelings on his own. Besides, even if Hajime agreed, he would still prioritize listening to Yue's thoughts.

So, she tried to win Yue over. The word "desperately" wasn't an exaggeration; after all, Yue couldn't be impressed without seriousness. He had barely seen Shia in the past ten days, so she must have been, as the saying goes, "desperately" trying to win Yue over. From this alone, it was clear that Shia's feelings were serious.

Hajime scratched his head. Although Yue was reluctant, she had already agreed, and there was no reason why he couldn't bring Shia along. Ultimately, the decision depended on his mood.

Even though this wasn't Yue's original intention, she had no choice but to shrug. Yue knew better than anyone how much Shia had put in over the past ten days. Furthermore, Shia had overcome the obstacles Yue had set, which convinced her to let her go. After all, excluding her affection for Hajime, Yue didn't really dislike Shia that much.

Meanwhile, Shia's smug expression, the one she'd worn when she'd asked Yue for help, had faded, replaced by an uneasy yet determined look. For Shia, now all she could do was do her best and leave the rest to fate.

Hajime sighed deeply and finally looked Shia in the eye, trying hard to think about each word he was about to say. Shia responded calmly and forcefully.

"Even if you come with me, I can't possibly return your feelings, okay?"

"Don't you know? The future is unpredictable, huh?"

This is what only Shia, who can glimpse the future, is qualified to say. She firmly believes that the future will be different depending on her determination and actions.

"The journey will be fraught with danger."

"I'm so glad I'm a monster, so I can follow you."

This was a derogatory term used by the elders, but now it was a compliment, because she knew very well that some things could not be done without being a monster.

"My wish is to return to my hometown. You might never see your family again in the future, right?"

"I've had a heartfelt talk with my family. 'Even so,' I'll go with you. Father and the others understand my feelings."

They were the family who had always protected Shia, and she had only gratitude for them. As for these family members who were willing to accompany her to the ends of the earth, she would never be able to find the right words to describe the emotion that welled up when she confessed her feelings to them and saw their smiles.

"It's hard for you to adapt to my hometown."

"I've said it many times, 'even so' I still want to be with you."

Shia had already revealed her feelings, and would not be deterred by such "words." It could even be said that they were unstoppable—the feelings she harbored were so powerful.

"..."

"Haha, that's all? Does that mean I win?"

"What does 'win' mean?"

"My feelings have triumphed... Hajime-san."

“…What!?”

Xia Haolia decided to clearly express her wish again:

"Please take me on this journey."

Hajime and Shia stared at each other. He confirmed her sincerity from her sky-like pupils, and then...

"………………Ah~ Whatever you want, slut."

He seemed to have found something in her eyes, and finally sighed and uttered a declaration of defeat.

Suddenly, cheers erupted from the sea of ​​trees, accompanied by snorts of displeasure. This scene made Hajime smile bitterly. From various perspectives, the journey ahead would be even more difficult.

Shia, finally able to join them, was in high spirits. She let out a strange laugh of "Hehehe, wuhehehe, wuhehehe," cupping her cheeks, finally relieved, with both hands, and twisting her body from side to side. The serious expression she had just had when talking to Hajime disappeared like a bubble, returning to an apologetic look.

"……nausea."

Yue, unable to bear it any longer, murmured softly, and these words were clearly heard by Xia’s excellent rabbit ears.

“…Hey, what are you talking about?! You actually called me disgusting… I’m just happy, I can’t help it! After all, that was the first time Hajime-san was shy. Did you see that? His last expression made my heart flutter uncontrollably~ Looks like the day Hajime-san will fall for me isn’t far off~”

Not only was Shia getting carried away, but she was also pushing things too far, which annoyed both Hajime and Yue. They whispered in unison:

“…An annoying rabbit.”

"Why are you like that?! Why are you calling me an annoying rabbit?! It's about time you guys started calling me by my name. We're traveling together. Are you planning on not calling me by my name in the future? Are you?"

“…”

"W-Why aren't you talking... Wait, please don't look away~ Come on, come on, my name is Shia, Shi-ya, say it with me, Shi-ya!"

Shia struggled to get Hajime and Yue to call out her name, but they ignored her and began discussing their future plans. Shia could only tearfully cling to them, crying, "Please don't ignore me! I don't want to be excluded!" It seemed that even if she successfully joined their traveling companions, her treatment would remain unchanged.

After a commotion (only Shia was present), several members of the Hauriya tribe emerged from the fog. They appeared to have just completed a task assigned to them, each carrying a collection of monster parts they had obtained from defeating monsters. A closer look revealed that Kamu was among them.

Shia's smile lit up at the sight of her long-lost family. She hadn't seen them since a long, heart-to-heart talk before officially starting her training. Though it had only been ten days, she had been training like crazy, her daily training intensity reaching an all-out level. It felt like months had passed since she'd last seen her family.

Shia wanted to go up to her father, Cam, and talk to him immediately. She had so many things to report. But as she was about to speak, she swallowed her words back. She noticed something strange about the atmosphere that Cam and the others were giving off.

Cam, who was walking over, caught sight of Shia and smiled faintly before immediately turning his gaze back to Hajime...

"Boss, we've hunted the monster you specified, right?"

"Boss? Father? Why do you speak in that tone... and your demeanor...?"

Shia was puzzled by her father's words and actions, but Cam and others ignored her questions and took out the monster's teeth, claws and other body parts, which were all higher-level types of forest monsters.

"I remember I only asked you to hunt one..."

The final training assignment Hajime had assigned them was for each team to hunt down a high-level monster. But judging by the ripped monster parts, there must be at least ten. Kamu answered Hajime's question with a wicked smile:

"Yes, that's true, but while we were taking down this monster, its companions kept appearing... and they even dared to attack us recklessly, so of course we had to deal with them properly. Right? Everyone?"

"That's what I'm saying, Boss. These guys are just monsters, yet they dare to be so arrogant."

"We've carefully cleaned them up, leaving no one behind, right?"

"Though these guys are annoying... their cries are quite pleasant to the ear, hehe."

"We should hang the body up as a warning to others..."

"But they've already been chopped into pieces. Shouldn't that be enough?"

It was a parade of fierce speeches. Shia saw no trace of the gentle, peace-loving nature of the Bunnymen in these people. Their eyes gleamed, sneers etched on their faces, and they reported the battle situation to Hajime one after another.

Shia was stunned and couldn't help but say:

“…Who are you?”

The family members' words, actions, and temperament were like completely different people, leaving Shia stunned. After coming to her senses, she immediately rushed towards Hajime, who was most likely the culprit, and shouted:

“W-What’s going on!? Hajime-san! What did you do to father and the others?”

"Calm down... I didn't do anything... This is just the result of training."

“No, no, no, no, what on earth did you do? How did you do it to become like this?! You’re a completely different person! Hey, don’t look away! Look at me!”

"...They haven't changed much, have they?"

"Are you blind!? Look carefully, he's been staring at the knife with a look of fascination on his face since just now, right!? Ah, he just called the knife 'Julia'! He actually gave the knife a name and then looked so infatuated! Anyone would be scared~"

The sea of ​​trees was filled with Shia's frantic, angry cries. Kam and the others stared at Shia and Hajime with bewildered eyes, as if to ask, "What the hell is going on?" As Shia questioned them, the other Hauriyas gradually returned. However, each of them... how should I put it... had become wild. This change wasn't limited to the men, but also included the girls and the elderly.

Under Shia's questioning, Hajime showed a hint of embarrassment and looked away, trying to evade Shia's question. Shia, perhaps feeling that this would not solve the problem, turned her attention to Cam and the others:

"Father! Everyone! What on earth is going on? You're all acting like yourselves! You've been saying terrible things since a while ago... Please return to normal!"

Cam looked at the persistent Xia, and then softened his sharp expression, returning to his original honest expression. This made Xia feel a little relieved, but...

"What are you talking about, Shia? We're normal. We've just awakened to the truth of this world. It's all thanks to the boss."

"T-Truth? What is that?"

Shia's cheeks twitched with a sense of foreboding. Cam smiled, puffed out his chest, and said confidently, "Ninety percent of the world's problems can be solved with violence."

"You've really changed~! My gentle father is dead~ Uwaa ...

The overwhelming impact brought Shia to tears. She turned and tried to run into the forest, but just as she was about to disappear into the mist, she bumped into a petite figure. With a disgraceful "Ha-woo," she fell to the ground. The petite figure quickly regained its balance and reached out to the fallen Shia.

"Ah, thank you."

"No, don't worry about it, Big Sister Shia. This is what a man should do."

"Big sister?"

Emerging from the depths of the fog was a young Hauriya boy, still young enough to be called a child. He carried a large crossbow on his shoulder, two knives and a slingshot-like weapon hung from his waist, and a faint smile graced his face. Shia had never been called "Big Sister," and the boy before her had always addressed her as "Sister Shia," which made her look suspicious.

The young man ignored Shia and strode towards Hajime, giving a dazzlingly precise salute.

"Boss! I'm sorry I came back empty-handed! I have something to report to you! Please allow me to speak!"

"Oh, oh? What's wrong?"

The boy exuded an aura like a soldier who had fought in battle. At this point, Hajime began to feel that he had gone a bit too far, just as Shia had said. The boy continued to report:

"Yes! While tracking the monster assigned to my assignment, I discovered a group of fully armed bearmen. They're located on the path leading to the tree. I'm afraid they're planning an ambush!"

"Oh, they're here! I thought they'd attack right away... I see. They're probably planning to crush us just as we're about to reach our destination. They're even more malicious than I thought... Now what?"

"Yes! If the boss agrees, you can hand those guys over to me and the other members of the Hauriya tribe for disposal!"

"Hmm~ What do you think, Cam? This guy already said that?"

When Hajime brought the topic to Cam, Cam immediately pulled up the corners of his mouth to reveal a fearless smile, and nodded as if he was eager to get it.

"If you're willing, please leave it to us. I want to see... just how far we can go against those guys with our strength. What? We won't embarrass ourselves in front of you, Boss."

After hearing the chief's words, the surrounding Hauriya tribe members all showed belligerent expressions, and more people seemed to be taking pleasure in naming their weapons. This made Shia's expression tinged with despair.

"...Can you guys do this?"

"certainly!"

The young man answered Hajime's final confirmation with a bright look. Hajime closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then suddenly opened them and spoke:

"Listen up! Gentlemen of the Hauliya tribe! Brave and courageous warriors! Today you will graduate from the dung maggots! You are no longer a worthless race waiting to be eliminated! You must crush all injustice with strength and suppress hostility with wisdom! You are the best warriors! Let those beep bears, driven by personal grudges and unable to make rational judgment, taste your power! They are just stepping stones! Just a mere beep! Brute force their blood and make the best proof! This is the proof of your rebirth! Prove to the entire forest that the Hauliya tribe has been reborn!"

""""""""Sir, yes, sir!!"""""""

"Answer me! Gentlemen! The strongest and greatest warriors! What is your wish?!"

““““““““““Kill!! Kill!! Kill!!”””””””””””

"What are your specialties?!"

““““““““““Kill!! Kill!! Kill!!”””””””””””

"How are you going to treat your enemies?!"

““““““““““Kill!! Kill!! Kill!!”””””””””””

"That's right! Kill! You can do it! Use your own hands to seize the right to live!"

""""""""Aye, aye, Sir!!"""""""

"Great momentum! Gentlemen of the Hauriya tribe! I have only one order! To find the enemy and destroy them! Go!!"

"""""""YAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"""""""

"Wow~ My family is all dead~"

At Hajime's command, the Hauriyas responded with astonishing force, then vanished swiftly into the mist. Gentle and peace-loving, unprepossessing of conflict...is that what they are? Glancing once more at her family, now transformed into warriors, Shia's knees gave way, her sobs echoing through the forest. Yue, perhaps unable to bear the sight, stepped forward to touch her head and comfort her.

When the boy was about to run past the sobbing Shia, Shia immediately called out to him:

"Palu! Wait a minute! Look, there's the beautiful Hana-san here. You don't have to go to the battlefield too... Why don't you wait here with me? Okay? How about this?"

Apparently, she was trying to draw the young boy back to his original path, pointing to the beautiful flowers blooming nearby and trying to persuade him. As for why she was using flowers to attract him? Because he was the boy who loved flowers the most and would constantly call out "Flower-san!"

At Shia's call, the flower-loving boy, no, the Paloo boy, stood up straight, exhaled a breath, and then, as if to say, "That's enough," he spread his hands and shrugged, using exaggerated body language like Europeans and Americans.

"Big sister, please stop picking at my wounds. I've let go of the past and no longer have a heart as soft as the one that loves flowers."

By the way, the young Palu is ten years old this year.