2. 'My Gift "Additional Bonus," Treated as the Weakest, Was Actually the Strongest Skill That Could Obtain Allies, Weapons, and Rewards' - Chapter 3

Recap of the previous chapter

Asura, a boy who was used as a decoy and abandoned by his companions.
However, after escaping desperately, the true value of his unexpected power—"Additional Bonus"—revealed itself.
A contract with the angel Milia, and a recovery magic stone obtained from a medicinal herb gathering quest.
The first steps of the one mocked as the weakest were certainly treading a new path.

The next challenge is his "first subjugation."
Standing before him is a low-level monster, a goblin.
Run or stand and fight—Asura had only one answer.

Interlude: The Wolf Pup and the Black Silver Dagger

Having finished gathering medicinal herbs, Asura was about to leave the forest at dusk.
At that moment, a faint cry reached his ears.

"...?"

Pushing through the bushes, he found a wolf pup.
Shaking its silver fur, protecting its injured leg, it looked up at Asura with frightened eyes.
Those eyes were clear amber, harboring a certain strong will.

"...It's okay. I'm not your enemy."

The moment Asura lowered his dagger, a pale light danced up, and a card floated before his eyes.
Depicted on it was a black silver dagger and—the figure of the wolf pup.

"Additional Bonus"

As he read the words aloud, the dagger in Asura's hand shone with a black silver light,
and at the same time, the wolf pup's wounds healed, and it ran toward him as if it had regained its strength.

"...So this is my power..."

The wolf pup wagged its tail and happily nestled against Asura's feet.
Asura stroked its head and said quietly,

"From today on, you are my ally—Luca."

Milia whispered from behind.
"My lord... gaining allies is also a power of your 'Additional Bonus'."

Asura gripped the black silver dagger tightly.
He, who had been called the weakest, had been granted a weapon and an ally.

The next challenge is his first subjugation.
The moment to take it on with his ally is now approaching.

Chapter 3: The First Battle

The forest was filled with damp air.
Sunlight filtering through the dense trees cast a mottled pattern on the ground.
Underfoot, the fallen leaves were damp, making a small sound with every step.

"...The quest is goblin subjugation, huh."

Asura muttered softly and touched the dagger at his waist.
The black silver blade he obtained from gathering medicinal herbs—it was granted by the "Additional Bonus."
The blade shone dully, and the feel of it in his hand was strangely familiar.

Beside him, silver hair fluttered softly.
Milia folded her wings and offered a gentle smile.

"My lord, there is no need to fear. You are no longer a 'baggage carrier'."
"...I know."

At his feet, the wolf pup Luca let out a low growl, staring into the depths of the forest.
Its ears were pricked up, and its whole body was stiff with tension.

Before long, a presence seeped out from the shadows of the trees.
Cloudy green skin. A rusted blade disproportionate to its small body.
A goblin was glaring at Asura with bloodshot eyes.

"Gigi!"

It lunged suddenly.
The rusted dagger swung down, and a metallic sound rang out.

"Ugh...!"

Asura instinctively blocked it with his black silver dagger.
The impact resonated through his arms, and his knees buckled.
But the option of running away did not cross his mind.

(I am... no longer a decoy!)

He stepped in, twisting his body to deflect the blade.
Luca leaped from the side and bit into the goblin's arm.
"Gya!"
Taking advantage of the opening, Asura stabbed its throat with all his might.

The rusted weapon fell, and the goblin's body collapsed.
The smell of blood stung his nose.
While breathing heavily, Asura stood still, his dagger still held ready.

"...Did I do it?"

At that moment, the air trembled.

Light danced, and a card floated in mid-air.
Depicted on it was a bow and a small flame-like emblem.

"...Again."
"My lord, say it out loud," Milia urged.

Asura took the card and read the inscribed words.

A dazzling flash of light streaked by, and the next moment, a light bow was in his hand.
Furthermore, the bushes shook, and a small ball of fire floated up softly.

"...A fire spirit?"

A voice was heard from within the flames.
"I'm Phil. The contract is with you, right?"

The small spirit danced around in the air and perched lightly on Asura's shoulder.
Asura's eyes widened at the sight.

It wasn't just weapons. It even summoned allies.
"Additional Bonus"—that power was beyond imagination.



When he returned to the guild with the proof of subjugation, the hall buzzed with noise.
The dagger at his waist, the bow on his back, the fire spirit on his shoulder, and the wolf pup at his feet.
It was not the appearance of the man who had been laughed at as the weakest.

Rina gasped in surprise.
"Asura-san... you actually did the subjugation?"
"...Quest complete."

His voice did not tremble.

The surrounding adventurers murmured.
"No way, that weakest guy...?"
"Weapons, a beast... and even a spirit..."

Everyone had a look of disbelief.
But the fact was right there.

Asura clenched his fist.
Something burned deep in his chest.

(I am... just getting started. I will definitely overturn the name of the weakest.)

The light of that determination was no longer something anyone could laugh off.

Afterword (Chapter 3)

Thank you for reading this far!

In Chapter 3, Asura experienced his first "battle."
He, who used to be a decoy and had no choice but to run—this time he stood his ground without running,
and successfully defeated the goblin.

Furthermore, the "Additional Bonus" unfolded to grant not just weapons, but an unexpected ally = the fire spirit Phil.
The true form of the power called "the weakest" has started to become visible, hasn't it?

Rumors have also started to spread in the guild.
Those who were laughing have started to be surprised, and the way they look at Asura is changing...
From the next chapter on, that change will become even greater.

Next time is Chapter 4: "Spreading Rumors."
When the name of the adventurer called the weakest spreads throughout the town—will what awaits him be praise, or new jealousy?

Please look forward to it!