20demayo Chapter 59 Shiina's Problem
Chapter 59 Shiina's Problem
"...It can't be used." Xia Sheng shook his head.
His hand, resting on the table, remained unchanged; not a trace of its shimmering white light appeared.
"I think it's probably related to energy, like magic in novels." Yukino Yukinoshita withdrew her gaze from Natsuo's hand and looked at him.
"Magic...?"
"Your special ability is probably a form of energy, and the ability to conceal your presence might require that energy to function," Yukino Yukinoshita guessed.
"Is that so?" Xia Sheng was a little uncertain.
His writing and drawing skills were also classified as abilities, but these two did not need to be maintained by attributes.
Not to mention that he hadn't awakened any special abilities before acquiring these two skills, if they consumed special attributes, he would have exhausted them long ago while writing and drawing illustrations.
Surely these two abilities don't have such low consumption that they can be ignored?
Moreover, upon closer examination, writing and illustration are fundamentally different from the ability to conceal one's presence.
Both writing and drawing can be learned and practiced, and can be integrated and thoroughly made your own.
But concealing one's presence is more like a special ability or superpower; if he doesn't have that, he can't use it.
It's an ability similar to superpowers, so it needs energy to maintain it?
"It's ultimately just my guess, but it's highly probable. Otherwise, why can't you use that special ability?"
"I think Yukinoshita's guess is correct. Your special ability should only be able to be used twice," Shiina Mahiru agreed.
"That's all we can guess for now." Xia Sheng felt that what the two of them said was correct.
After all, he only has 2 points of special attribute, which corresponds to the two times he can use his ability.
It's a pity he can't see his own attribute panel right now, otherwise he could confirm it.
"Then... how should Natsuo restore that special ability?" Yui Yuigahama asked the crucial question.
"Based on the novel's setting, there are only a few possibilities."
Yukino Yukinoshita stroked her chin, pondering, and said, "I either need to rest and recover, or eat to replenish my energy and recover, or... go to that place to recover automatically."
"Let's eat something first and see!" Yui Yuigahama suggested.
"I'm not really hungry right now... so I shouldn't need any more energy, right?"
"How will we know if we don't try? Let's give it a try first," Yukino Yukinoshita said.
"Alright."
Xia Sheng ordered a hamburger, fries, and a soft drink.
Although he wasn't hungry, his stomach was quite empty by now, and he finished his food in a few bites.
The three of them were a little incredulous as they watched him finish his food so quickly.
"Is this how fast men eat?" Yui Yuigahama exclaimed.
Shiina Mahiru smiled without saying a word; she had seen far more outrageous things before.
"Didn't you say you weren't hungry?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked.
"Not being hungry doesn't mean I'm full. This isn't much food anyway," Xia Sheng replied, sipping his soda.
"..." Yukino Yukinoshita had nothing to say.
"Natsuo, how are you feeling? Can I use that special one?" Yui Yuigahama asked impatiently.
"It can't be that fast..."
As Xia Sheng spoke, he tried it out but couldn't sense any special attributes.
"Let's wait a bit longer; it might take some time to process." He shook his head.
"So we're just going to wait here like this?"
"I have a question I'd like to ask," Yukino Yukinoshita said, looking at Natsuo.
"Ask me? Go ahead and ask."
"Why did you only tell us about this now?" Yukino Yukinoshita was referring to the Black Mist Man.
"I wasn't sure if it was related to slimes before, and there was no news about it, but this time it's a blue slime that ran away, and I'm afraid it might be in danger," Xia Sheng answered truthfully.
"Danger?"
"I don't know why that black mist figure attacked the bald man, but there must be a reason. I can only suspect it's related to hatred, such as the person it possessed having a grudge against the bald man."
"Hatred...you mean, the blue slime might seek revenge on us?" Yukino Yukinoshita understood what he meant.
"Yes, it's better to be safe than sorry. It also has intelligence. I want you to be more vigilant, and also to let you know that I can deal with it. If you encounter it, be sure to notify me immediately." Xia Sheng looked at the three of them and solemnly instructed them.
"I see..." Yukino Yukinoshita nodded, understanding his intention.
"I should be fine, right? That slime has never seen me before," Yui Yuigahama asked.
"It's never wrong to be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you," Xia Sheng said earnestly, looking at her.
"Huh? Ah, oh..."
Yui Yuigahama felt flustered by his gaze and his words; her heart raced and her mind raced with wild thoughts.
What did Xia Sheng mean by those words?
She had misunderstood several times already, so this time she dared not ask aloud and could only let her imagination run wild.
"Aren't you afraid we'll expose you later?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked quietly, looking at Natsuo.
She showed no emotion whatsoever.
"Of course I'm not afraid. Aren't we companions? I trust you." Xia Sheng smiled slightly, his tone sincere.
He would never reveal anything to a stranger, but it's different with Yukino Yukinoshita and the others.
He understands them, knows their character, and has fought alongside them. He trusts them completely.
"We've only known each other for a short time; blindly trusting people isn't a good thing," Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head, offering a reminder.
"Will you expose me?" Xia Sheng asked rhetorically.
"I definitely won't!" Yui Yuigahama replied immediately.
"I think if the Black Mist People don't appear more frequently in the future so that the public knows about them, no one will believe it if we tell others," Shiina Mahiru replied with a smile.
Her subtext was already quite clear, and she wouldn't say it aloud.
"There's no point in talking about this now, and we can't tell you the truth to your face... Can you use your ability now?" Yukino Yukinoshita didn't answer Natsuo's question directly, but changed the subject.
"Let me see... it still doesn't work."
It has no special properties at all.
"Then we can only rest or go to that place to take a look... That's about enough for today, this place is not suitable for discussing business, let's go back." Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at the guests who came up and announced the end of the meeting.
"OK."
The four left the family restaurant, said goodbye, and went their separate ways.
Natsumi and Shiina Mahiru went back together.
The two did not exchange words on the way, and Xia Sheng enjoyed the stares of passersby.
"Speaking of which, what exactly did you do to Yukinoshita?" Shiina Mahiru suddenly asked.
"Huh?" Xia Sheng was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening.
Why...why would you ask that?
"Is it wrong to be curious? Or is it something that can't be said?" Shiina Mahiru faced him, tilted her head, and smiled slightly, with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"...Of course it's not something I can't say, it's just... I poked her face..." Xia Sheng hesitated before replying.
"So you poked Yukinoshita's face, no wonder... But why did you think of poking her face?" Shiina Mahiru continued to ask, her smile unchanged.
"Well... I just wanted to tease her because of her serious expression," Xia Sheng replied dryly, feeling inexplicably guilty.
"So you wanted to tease her, huh? I understand." Shiina Mahiru nodded, turned around, and walked forward.
"Shiina?" Natsuo called out to her, looking at her profile which had regained its calm expression, but she did not respond.
He struggled with how to start the conversation, but even after returning to his apartment, he still didn't know what to say.
He didn't get to enjoy Shiina Mahiru's cooking for lunch.
Dinner was the same.
Xia Sheng could only buy bento boxes at convenience stores.
After dinner, he typed for a while, and when it was time to sleep, he put on his sportswear and went to bed.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in that place, with Yui Yuigahama appearing beside him.
Xia Sheng nodded to her, then looked at his own panel.
Xia Sheng: Sixteen years old.
Strength: 6 (can be upgraded).
Intelligence: 8 (can be upgraded).
Spirit: 9 (can be upgraded).
Speed: 8 (can be increased).
Charm: 8 (can be upgraded).
Special: 2.
Abilities: Writing, drawing, concealing one's presence, and danger perception.
Xia Sheng first increased his speed, and then used his special attribute.
His right hand was enveloped in a shimmering white light.
"It's ready to use!" Yui Yuigahama exclaimed excitedly upon seeing it.
"Mm." Xia Sheng nodded.
It seems that abilities do indeed rely on special attributes to maintain, and he can now sense that he can use the ability to conceal his aura.
How can he improve his special attributes?
It only takes two points, but it won't last long.
He didn't understand the upgrade from 1 to 2 either. Did it mean he had to eliminate more slimes?
"Natsuki, a slime has appeared! It's blue!"