"Reasoning Through Fists"

"Excuse me, I apologize for interrupting, but the person you've captured is my friend, not the so-called half-beastman you mentioned.

We come from a remote countryside and were originally heading to a big city to seek our fortunes, but we got lost in this forest along the way. Since you're preparing to return to town, could you possibly take us along?

If so, I'm willing to overlook what you've done to my friend just now."

Just as these adventurers had bound Shimada Yousuke—his face bruised and swollen but still frantically explaining himself—and were preparing to haul him back to the city, Yoru Machi, who had been watching from the sidelines for some time, finally stepped out.

In truth, from the scattered bills and wallet that had fallen beside Shimada Yousuke, along with the words of his earlier explanations, Yoru Machi had already realized that this man was also a visitor from another world.

The reason he had been hiding and not coming out was that he wanted to see what abilities otherworldly transferers besides himself possessed.

But to his disappointment, after crouching in the bushes for a while, the man named Shimada Yousuke, though a transmigrator like him, seemed in terms of strength to be a complete weakling...

"Huh? You say he's your friend, so he's your friend? What proof do you have?

I think you saw us catch a rare talking half-beastman and want to pull some tricks to snatch him away."

"That's right, even if what you say is true and he really is someone you know, so what? Now that we've found and caught him, he's our prize.

You're just a country bumpkin. If you're unhappy, try your luck against us brothers."

With Yoru Machi's looks and charm, even in this other world, he was absolutely at the level of a handsome guy, so naturally he wouldn't be mistaken for a so-called half-beastman like Shimada Yousuke.

However, the adventurers before him didn't seem inclined to heed his words, or rather, even if they believed him, they had no intention of backing down now.

The logic was obvious: there were three of them, and only one of Yoru Machi, a country bumpkin from the sticks with no connections.

A rare talking half-beastman could fetch a high price at the merchant guild. They didn't know Yoru Machi, so why should they give him face?

"It seems sometimes force really is more convincing than words. Since you're making that request, I'll oblige you."

Yoru Machi thrust the crude bone knife at his waist into the ground before him, then charged at the three men empty-handed.

Having roamed the Soul Society for years, Yoru Machi could judge an opponent's basic strength level.

The three adventurers before him, though tall and well-equipped, had an aura of strength that was merely so-so, not even worth drawing his blade. Just relying on Hakuda would be enough to make them cry.

"What an arrogant brat! You've got a weapon but won't use it, trying to show off in front of me, huh?"

"Sure enough, a country kid who doesn't know his place. You think we're on the same level as those third-rate adventurers from your village?"

A few minutes later...

"This lord, we truly didn't realize that this half-beastman... this gentleman is your friend.

We apologize for our actions just now, and here is all the wealth on us, as compensation for the mental distress of you two."

"Since you two lords are heading to town, we're willing to guide you. We only beg this lord to show mercy and let us off."

Shimada Yousuke watched the rather theatrical scene before him, his expression dazed, and gained some insight from it, understanding that sometimes relying solely on words to reason with people wasn't necessarily effective.

The three adventurers, who had been acting arrogantly just moments ago, were now kneeling in a neat row before Yoru Machi in a dogeza, begging for mercy, after his "reasoning with fists."

Earlier, they had called Yoru Machi a country bumpkin and Shimada Yousuke a half-beastman, but now their titles had shifted to "lord" and "gentleman."

"Yousuke, based on what you've said, after arriving in this other world, you should have also received power granted by the Otherworld God.

And the power you were given is likely the ability to communicate with otherworldly creatures.

Didn't you notice yourself? At first, those adventurers couldn't understand what you were saying, but later they could. It was only because of your appearance that they mistook you for a half-beastman."

As fellow visitors from another world, Yoru Machi and Shimada Yousuke, though not from the same hometown, were still kindred spirits, so they quickly began exchanging information.

"You're only 17 years old?!"

During their conversation, Yoru Machi was startled to discover that the unremarkable-looking Shimada Yousuke was merely a 17-year-old youth!

"He looks like a 30-year-old uncle..."

"What about you, Yoru Machi? How old are you? Judging by your looks, you're probably around my age... no, maybe even younger than me."

"Heh... I'm also about 17, that's right."

Hearing Shimada Yousuke's question, Yoru Machi answered with an awkward smile.

And it was awkward for good reason. How old was Yoru Machi? Well, just from the time he'd spent in the Soul Society, it was definitely decades, and if you added his previous life's age, it might have reached triple digits.

In other words, the two were in opposite situations: Shimada Yousuke looked old but was actually a pure-hearted youth, while Yoru Machi appeared young but was already an experienced veteran with years under his belt.

"Yoru Machi, how long have you been in this other world? Seeing how easily you beat those adventurers earlier, did you pick a powerful cheat at the start?"

As a game otaku, Shimada Yousuke was genuinely excited about transmigrating to another world—this was something that only happened in novels and games.

But comparison was the thief of joy. Compared to Yoru Machi's jackpot start, his own choice of a cheat called "Omni-Sayer" was a terrible beginning.

Though communication was the foundation of building trust, what had happened earlier taught Yousuke a lesson: sometimes, even sharing a language didn't guarantee mutual understanding.

"Well, there's no such thing as a useless ability in this world; it's all about how you use it.

I didn't get any powerful combat strength from the Otherworld God either. The power I received is probably the kind that lets me protect myself.

As for the strength I used to beat those adventurers, that was something I trained myself.

Since you're also a modern transmigrator, you should understand, right? Even in a game, you can't just start with cheats and Divine Gear.

If it were that easy, and you could stomp the Demon King like a mob, what fun would the game be?"