第１１８９堀：一回戦その３ (Part2)
"Wazfi, I believe what Nairua is trying to suggest is that we should consider a different climbing route."
"Exactly, just as Fiora says. A straight, direct path is far too likely to get us spotted by the enemy. We should take a detour."
As Nairua speaks, she traces a route on the map, veering west from the house where we are currently holed up, winding toward the mountain.
"Wait, isn't that area just a sheer cliff? We can't climb that."
"The routes that are easy to climb are guaranteed to be swarming with enemies. That’s precisely why we head for the cliffs—somewhere no one would dream of going."
"I see. Since we’ve already fallen behind, taking a path that everyone else assumes is impassable is, in fact, the safest option."
"Mm-hmm."
Fiora seems to be in agreement with Nairua’s proposal. Now that I think about it, it makes sense; the teams that went ahead have no reason to keep watch over a route that looks impossible to scale. It would certainly be safer. But, if it truly is impossible to climb, then that’s the end of the line for us...
"It’ll be fine. Our energy might take a bit of a hit, but there’s a proper climbing trail just past the cliffside. If we use that, we’ll be set. Fortunately, we have recovery potions, so we should be able to manage."
"Fair enough. In that case, I’m in."
I have no desire to walk headlong into a place where I’ll be picked off like target practice. Taking a route that offers even the slightest chance of victory is only logical.
"It seems we are all in agreement. Then, let us make haste."
At Fiora’s words, Nairua and I nod. We immediately descend the stairs, slip out the back door, and head into the forest, aiming for our detour.
*Pop-pop-pop-pop...*
*Bang.*
*Crack.*
The sound of an intense firefight erupts from somewhere ahead, and then...
*Team 9 has been eliminated.*
Oh? The first team to drop out. If I recall correctly... that was Kagura’s team, wasn't it?
Just as that thought crossed my mind—
*Ta-ta-ta...!*
The sound of gunfire rings out, and a sudden shock ripples through my body.
"Wazfi!?"
"Nairua, no! Don't!"
"Tch. Fiora is right! Forget about me, just run!"
Fortunately, thanks to my shield, I’m still standing despite taking three hits. But I won't be able to block another volley. Besides, there’s no time to recover. If that’s the case, I’ll draw the enemy’s fire as much as I can...
*Crack.*
I barely registered the sound before I saw Nairua let out a dazed cry, collapse, and vanish into thin air.
"Nairua!?"
"A headshot. We’re being surrounded..."
*Ta-ta-ta-ta...*
"Tch!"
Fiora seems to have been hit as well; she dives behind the cover of a tree, but...
*Pop-pop-pop...*
"Even here!? Ah..."
She was still in the enemy’s line of sight. Fiora’s energy hits zero, and her form dissolves. Now, I’m the only one left. But, as luck would have it, I have a clear view of the enemy!
"Kirika-san! This is payback for the martial arts tournament!"
I scream, firing my assault rifle from the hip. The vibration of the gun rattles through my body, but that doesn't matter. If I can at least take out Kirika-san, the one who downed the other two...
"Wazfi-sama. This is a team battle, you know."
A voice whispers from behind me. I try to spin around, but...
*Ta-ta-ta-ta...*
"Heh heh. Nice work, Kirika-chan."
"Yes! That’s one team down!"
Damn it. It’s obvious they’d have backup... I didn't even have the chance to let out a final cry before I was ejected from the battlefield.
"Welcome back."
"It seems things didn't go well."
Before I knew it, I was standing dazed in front of the designated table. Nairua and Fiora, who had already arrived, greeted me with gentle smiles. Right. We lost.
"...Yeah, it didn't go well at all."
"It can't be helped. At least we managed to avoid coming in dead last, so let's count that as a win."
"Indeed. And we simply need to apply what we learned to the next match. For now, it seems we can observe the situation from here, so let's watch closely and formulate a solid strategy for the next round."
"Exactly. No use moping about it."
"...Yeah. You're right. Alright! Let's shake it off and get our heads back in the game!"
As I tried to psych myself up, I looked over and saw Kagura and her team looking utterly devastated. ...I suppose that’s because they came in last.
Wazfi’s team has been eliminated.
The Lilishe team, as it turns out, is surprisingly cunning.