I, the “Clock User”, Was Kicked Out of the Craftsmen’s Guild for Being Incompetent, but at the Dungeon’s Depths, I Awakened My True Power – Even Though I Was Told to Return Because They Couldn’t Handle the Work, It’s Too Late Now, and I Will Live Freely as an SSS-class Adventurer V10C10

 Translated by Hamster

---

### Volume 10: Reunion
**10: A Long-Awaited Discovery**

As the thugs moved, Cyclo activated 'Clock Creation.'

"Mistilteinn!!"

Instantly, he created Mistilteinn in both hands and took a stance.

Immediately after—Bang! Bang! Bang! Several gunshots overlapped as magic bullets struck the thugs' knees with powerful impact.

"Argh!!"

The thugs, with their knees shot, immediately lost their balance and fell. Although the bullets didn't penetrate due to reduced power, the damage was enough to twist some joints unnaturally.

This made it impossible for the thugs to stand up right away.

"Wh-what is that?!"

"You can see for yourself."

Cyclo then aimed and shot at Kou, who was panicking and at Row, who was trying to escape, targeting their legs.

"Gyaaah!!"

"My leg!!"

Like the thugs, they collapsed from severe knee damage.

Having subdued them, Cyclo exhaled and canceled 'Clock Creation,' making Mistilteinn disappear.

"Hey, you onlookers!"

He then called out to the slum dwellers who were watching the commotion from a distance.

"Anyone will do. I'll give you a silver coin to fetch guards from the main street!"

A boy, looking younger than Cyclo, timidly approached from among the onlookers.

"Will you really give me a silver coin...?"

"Yeah. I'll even give it to you upfront. Just tell them that a high-ranking adventurer caught some illegal slave traders in the slums."

"Yes, sir!!"

Cyclo handed the boy a silver coin, and he quickly left the scene.

"Damn, damn! Damn it!! Why, why only me!!"

Even while crouched on the ground, Row continued to vent his spite.

"You directed malice at others. It's only natural it comes back to you."

"Shut up! I was doing justice!!"

"Don't sugarcoat it. Even justice is malice when directed at others. Since there's always someone on the receiving end, even if they're villains, that malice returns. That's why you failed."

"Then—die too, Cyclo Owen!!"

As he spoke, Row reached into his pocket and pulled out a hidden magic tool.

Though Cyclo couldn't judge its exact performance, it was clearly meant for attack.

—Bang! Another gunshot rang out.

With Mistilteinn instantly generated in his right hand, Cyclo shot Row's wrist with a full-power magic bullet.

A normal person like Row couldn't withstand this force, and his hand from the wrist down was torn off and blown away, preventing him from activating the magic tool.

"Gaaaah!!"

"Sorry. I'm not like you."

Saying this, Cyclo let Mistilteinn vanish again and walked over to where the magic tool had been blown. Upon picking it up, he confirmed it was an explosive device, the kind adventurers might use in emergencies against monsters, capable of causing significant collateral damage.

"I wouldn't use something like this. I won't be taken down by something like this."

While saying this, Cyclo used his 'Clock Manipulation' skill to tamper with its internal structure, instantly disassembling the magic tool.

Later, the boy returned with guards.

The guards were skeptical at first, but Cyclo showed his adventurer's guild card, convincing them. They then arrested the thugs, Kou, and Row, whose hand had been blown off, and led them away.

"Thanks for bringing them. Here's an additional reward."

Cyclo thanked the boy and handed him another silver coin.

"Thank you."

While expressing gratitude, the boy cast nervous glances around. Seeing this, Cyclo understood the situation.

"...I see. Where do you live?"

"Huh?"

"I'll escort you."

"...At the old church in the slums."

"I see. Then, lead the way."

Thus, Cyclo escorted the boy to the old church.

During the journey, Cyclo casually asked about the situation at the church.

"So, this was originally a church of the Skill Selection Cult, right?"

"Yeah. It was a church that helped orphans like us, but it went broke and shut down."

"And since you had nowhere else to go, you've been living there."

"But there's one sister left who's been working hard for us. Recently, there've been more adult women, so it's gotten a bit easier, but I still want to help the sister."

"I see. So that's why you went to get the guards."

Cyclo felt a slight sympathy for the boy's situation. However, there was nothing he could do right there to save him or the people at the church.

He cautioned himself not to be swept away by misguided justice as they headed to the church.

"—We're here, mister!"

They arrived at the church without encountering anyone aiming for the boy's two silver coins.

"For a slum, this is a pretty nice building."

Despite being called an old church, it was somewhat dilapidated but still relatively clean compared to other buildings around. In what appeared to be the church's courtyard, a small garden had been made, and an adult woman was working there.

"I'm back! Sarina!"

"...Huh?"

Hearing the boy call out the woman's name, Cyclo reacted in surprise and turned his gaze towards the woman working in the garden.

"Oh. Where did you go—"

The woman stood up, turned around, and froze upon seeing Cyclo.

"...Cyclo?"

There was no mistaking it—this was Cyclo's mother, Sarina Owen.

Author's Notes:

Today marks the end of the consecutive posts.

And thank you for purchasing the second volume of 'The Clock User,' which went on sale yesterday! With permission, I'd like to give you a sneak peek of one illustration from the text.

Illustration (By Mitemin)

Can you guess which scene this is, dear readers?

The answer is in the book!

So, please enjoy 'The Clock User' Volume 2.

Previous

Next