Feel No Pain
Upon arriving at the plains, Lugh began placing charms around the area.
Current location, Site 41. Predicted disaster type, monster invasion.
Probability of occurrence... 78%. ...At that rate, we can consider it almost certain.
The abnormal weather has agitated the monsters, making them swarm this way.
The nearby residents have been evacuated, but...
If we don't stop them here, other areas will be at risk.
Still, I'm relieved.
With no available units in the Orbital Search Team, it would have been troublesome...
Being able to substitute this for field training is fortunate.
Is the Orbital Search Team short on people?
Yes. Always.
When you're responding to disasters across all of NOA, you can never have too many skilled personnel.
In other words, every Polaris Observer is trained to handle such threats.
Myself included.
In the distance, the sound of monsters howling grew closer, accompanied by a cloud of dust.
Now that I think about it, I haven't shown you my skills yet.
Whether I can pass the Journey or not.
I'd appreciate it if you judged for yourself.
Whew...
It's over.
...Amazing.
Setting up multiple charm traps in advance for preparation, and...
The way Lugh fought—efficient, precise, with no wasted motion—made it clear she had extensive combat experience.
Thank you for the praise. But I'd prefer to hear a cold, honest critique.
If you were appointed as Journey Captain by Lady Alicia...
Then I'm sure you've already identified flaws in me I'm not even aware of.
Lugh's skills in subduing the monsters with charms in an instant was remarkable. However...
...It felt like you weren't protecting yourself.
You could say it was pure luck that the battle ended without you being injured.
Her fighting style seemed to lack the natural self-preservation instincts most people display.
...Is that so?
So that's how it appeared to you as well, Captain. My mentor said the same thing.
To discern that after a single battle...
You truly live up to your title, Captain.
However...
As Lugh pondered, one of the fallen monsters suddenly leapt up and charged.
Kraaawr!
Damn...!
I hurried to draw my sword, when...
Lugh thrust her arm straight into the monster's jaws first.
Krrgh?!
Playing dead, were you? But your end has come.
*Whimper*
My apologies. I thought I'd neutralized them all...
...Just as I thought.
At my current level, passing the Journey will be difficult.
Is your arm okay?!
Blood was streaming from her arm where the monster had bitten her.
As I've said before, Captain, I can't feel pain.
I'm fine.
Can't feel pain...
So you mean you don't feel hurt?
Correct. It's not that I lack sensation entirely, but I cannot feel pain.
Is that some sort of ability? Or...
It's simply how my entire family is.
The story goes that a distant ancestor slew a Mystic from the Eastern Continent and was cursed, passing this trait down through the generations.
It's such an old tale, I can't say if it's true.
Earlier, you said I don't protect myself.
You're correct.
Pain is a primal warning of danger.
Even though I can't feel it, I try to remain mindful of it at all times...
But in urgent situations, my body just moves on its own.
Though her expression and tone remained calm, there was a faint sadness in her voice.
More importantly, Captain, are you injured anywhere...?
You might not feel pain...
But you can still get hurt, right?
...Yes. That's correct.
Then you're not fine.
So don't get hurt again.
...
Okay?
It's creepy.
Did I... make you uncomfortable?
Hmm?
No, it's nothing.
Understood. I'll make a greater effort from now on.
After gathering the fallen monsters in one place, I returned to NOA alongside Lugh.
On the way back, her profile looked somehow darker than usual.