Trouble Magnet

Haru: (I was right... this is the life where I'll become a hero and Lea is the girl of my dreams.) 

Lea: Alright Haru, take care of yourself. I have to go now. 

Haru: (Huh?) W-wait, I still don't know anything about this place yet. 

Lea: I know it's tough at first, but you'll get used to it... I have tasks to do now, Haru. I'm sure we'll meet again. 

Haru: It's okay, take care. 

Lea leaves: (I shouldn't take him with me.) 

Haru: (Damn, what do I do now... the girl has left, and I don't know when I'll see her again. More importantly, she saved my life. What will I do if I face another danger?) 

Haru looks at Shun's corpse: (Come to think of it... I never saw a corpse in my previous life. It's both terrifying and disgusting.) 

Haru takes the dagger from Shun's neck: This dagger must be very sharp. I'll take it just in case. 

Haru goes to Shun's sword: Thinking about it, I should repay this girl. 

Haru holds Shun's sword: I'll become a strong knight and save her... Why won't this sword budge? 

Haru holds the sword with both hands: D-damn, it's so heavy, I can barely move it. 

Haru rests for a while and continues to drag the sword. 

Haru: I can finally see the cave exit... I don't know how long I've been in this cave, but it's been a long time. Come to think of it, the sword doesn't seem as heavy anymore. 

Haru lifts and lowers the sword with both hands: I'll need some time to be able to wield it with one hand. 

Haru exits the cave and finds a barren desert: Well, I expected to find a forest or a populated city. 

A large rock golem appears. 

Haru struggles to run while carrying the sword: (What's happening to me... Luckily, this golem is very slow.) 

Haru bumps into a large rock. 

Haru leans on the rock and tries to get up: (This rock isn't stable. Is there an earthquake or something?) 

The rock rises, and a large shadow appears. 

Haru moves away a bit: Damn, it's another golem. 

The golem's foot stomps the ground, scattering sand. 

Haru: This is my chance. 

Haru strikes the golem's foot with the sword but gets knocked back: It doesn't seem to have done much damage, but that was my first strike. 

Another golem approaches from Haru's right. 

Haru: Damn, they don't end. 

Haru charges with the sword and stabs the golem's knee. 

Haru jumps on the sword: (Wait, since when did I jump this high?) 

The other golems try to attack Haru, who jumps high and lands on the golem's head: (Come to think of it, I carried this heavy sword for a long time... Once I let go, I became much lighter... No, I've become more agile.) 

Haru takes out the dagger from his pocket and stabs the golem's eye. 

The golem places both hands on its eye, and Haru jumps to the other golem. 

The golem tries to attack Haru, who slides and stabs the dagger into the golem's neck: That wasn't effective... The other golem just collapsed. It seems their eyes are their only weak point. 

The golem shakes, causing Haru to lose balance. Haru stabs his left hand into the golem's neck: My grip strength has become much stronger... I'm starting to understand how this world works... Anything I do increases my ability to do it. 

Haru removes the dagger and places it in the golem's mouth, climbing up until he reaches the eye and stabs it. 

Haru: Only you are left. 

A boy appears above the golem and kicks its head down with a burst of lightning, shattering it. 

Haru: (What? Why did he make it look so easy?) 

---: Impressive performance, newbie... I think. 

Haru: T-thanks. 

---: My name is Ryo... What about you? 

Haru: My name is Haru. 

Ryo: Are you going to continue talking up there? 

Haru: Oh, right. 

Haru gently descends from the golem. 

Ryo: (Is he really scared of stepping on the sand?) 

Ryo: Is assassination your specialty? 

Haru: Assassination? What? 

Ryo moves behind him. 

Ryo: Moving swiftly and silently to kill enemies. 

Haru trips and falls. 

Ryo: Why are you scared... Didn't you already kill Shun? 

Haru: (How did he know about that?) 

Ryo grabs Shun's sword: He was obsessed... How miserable was his previous life... All he thought about here was torturing those weaker than him... What about you? What's your story? Did he go easy on you? Are you hiding your strength? Or are you one of the chosen ones? 

Haru: I was just lucky. 

Ryo: Interesting. Go on. 

Haru: (Damn, he's a weirdo, and he's very strong. But... I don't want to cause Lea any trouble.) 

Ryo: Do you want me to jog your memory? 

Some electric sparks appear in his hand. 

Haru: (It seems lying isn't an option.) A girl helped me. 

Ryo: What's her name? 

Haru: I didn't ask. I was more interested in learning about the world. 

Ryo: Hmm... Did she use magic? 

Haru: Yes, she healed me. 

Ryo: Boring... Only weaklings learn healing magic... How did you really kill that fool? 

Haru: Maybe it was a lucky strike. 

Ryo: Maybe... Alright, you can go. By the way, you took the wrong exit. You should return to the cave and head to the city exit. 

Haru: Th-thank you, Mr. Ryo. 

Ryo: No thanks necessary. 

Haru moves towards the cave. 

Ryo: Wait. 

Haru turns around nervously: What is it? 

Ryo throws Shun's sword to Haru: Take this sword. It'll help you a bit on your way. 

Haru: Th-thank you. I almost forgot it. 

Ryo: Stop. 

Haru: Wh-what now? 

Ryo: How did you defeat the golem... You weren't holding the sword when I came here. 

Haru: I punched it in the eye with force. 

Ryo: Interesting, interesting... I'll make you an offer, boy. 

Haru: What is it? 

Ryo: In fact, no one dies in the tribe every day, so I want to test you... If you succeed, you'll join us and receive all possible help. If you fail, you'll just continue on your way. 

Haru: (I don't trust that he'll let me go like that... And if he's honest, I definitely need the help.) 

Haru: Alright, what's the test? 

Ryo: All you have to do is punch me in the eye like you did with the golem... I'll give you three attempts. If you succeed in one, you'll join us. 

Haru: Okay. 

Haru readies himself and prepares to punch Ryo. 

Ryo smiles and dodges the punch, hitting Haru in the stomach with his knee. 

Haru holds his stomach: Why did you do that? 

Ryo: What... I told you to attack me like you did with the golem... except I'm not a golem. 

Haru gets angry: I'm not continuing. 

Haru turns towards the cave. 

Ryo moves in front of Haru: No, there's no withdrawal from the test... You have two punches left. 

Haru: (I no longer care about joining, I just want to get out with minimal damage.) 

Haru throws a punch and quickly returns to a defensive position. 

Ryo moves behind him and kicks him in the back: What is this, boy? Did you really defeat two golems like this? 

Haru: (Damn, his strikes are very strong even though he's going easy on me and not even using his magic.) 

Ryo: Come on, it's your last attempt. 

Haru: (I just want this to end quickly.) 

Haru charges and throws the same first punch. 

Ryo: (Has he already lost hope?) 

Ryo dodges the punch. 

Haru: (I can see his movements clearly now.) 

Haru turns around and throws a back kick, hitting Ryo. 

Ryo: You're good, boy... The girl wasn't wrong to save you, you do deserve to live.