Part 31: Planned Theft

After acquiring the light truck, things progressed remarkably smoothly.

The horde of "zombies" we encountered numbered no more than three.

Each time a "zombie" appeared, I would jump down from the cargo bed and swing my sword. Then, the defeated "zombies" were dragged to a spot where Amaeda-san and Norio wouldn't be in the way.

Before we realized it, this division of labor had naturally formed.

"Damn it. This is like our roles have been completely reversed."

Norio makes a bitter face.

"I even wrote a farewell letter to my family, just for today."

"Coincidence, huh. Me too."

The middle-aged men glance at each other, exchanging an awkward smile.

Suddenly, thoughts drift toward otaku culture and the bonds of gay camaraderie.

When the light truck reached the back gate, we saw the four of them, starting with Ko Suke, waving at us.

The "zombies" in front of the convenience store had apparently already been dealt with entirely by their own decision.

Moreover, they'd cleverly left the entrance of the convenience store open for easy access.

"Unbelievable... What reckless kids they are."

Ki o muttered.

But this time, his tone wasn't quite as annoyed as before.

Something like... the feeling of a father happily watching his son grow up.

Well, well, now.

With Matsuda driving, the light truck pulls up alongside the convenience store entrance.

No shadows of "zombies" around.

It seems we can proceed with the work without any issues.

"Ten years or less in prison, or a fine of up to five hundred thousand yen... was it?"

As Kio added half a tatami mat,

"When a police officer gets involved in a scandal, it's instantly posted online. This incident needs to stay confidential."

Mr. Asada responds in kind.

"Then... shall we begin our new endeavor?"

With those words, the plunder commenced.

▼

"First, let's focus on lunch boxes. Even items that seem past their prime might still be edible if cooked thoroughly."

"Haha! Look, Kousuke! The ice cream section's a total mess! Everyone's all drippy!"

"Leave that alone, Rintarou."

"Yay! I love this snack! It's a limited edition!"

"…What about the magazines? Might be good for kindling."

"Let's each take one book for now. Also need alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes. Entertainment's important too."

"Expiration dates don't matter. Let's just grab anything that might be useful, no matter how small."

"Hahaha! This is so awesome! We can take as many game software as we want!"

"What are we going to do with them? We don't even have a game console."

"This bread is incredibly delicious. Oh, but is the cream okay?"

"...Yeah. Now I can finally change my socks."

"Should I bring back a couple of dolls for those kids... whatever character they are, I don't even know."

"Frozen food... that's probably too much to handle. But I'll take some back. Might be edible if I heat it up."

"Look! A 'One Piece' T-shirt! I've wanted this one forever!"

"Those figures here could fetch a decent amount if I put them up for auction..."

"Ahh! I've been dying to try this juice! Lucky me!"

"Ayaka, don't forget daily necessities just because you're focused on food."

"Thank goodness. I was running out of underwear and shaving cream."

The cargo bed of the pickup truck quickly filled up in a rush.

As for me, I stayed outside the convenience store, keeping watch just in case.

Though everyone worked efficiently, I didn't get a chance to pitch in.

"Look here, Senpai! It's a 'One●ce' T-shirt! This one's pretty pricey, you know!"

Rintaro-kun appears, holding the shirt proudly as if he's won.

Before I realized it, the small truck was packed full of miscellaneous supplies.

"Even though this is only about half of it... I've managed to load everything that's due soon. It's about time we head back....Amano-san? What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just handling something Suzuki Asaka-sensei asked me to do."

Saying that, Amano took out a considerable amount of hundred-yen bills from his pocket and quietly placed them beside the register.

"Goodness me... Such a thoroughly serious teacher."

"Things like this matter sometimes. Otherwise, we'd surely become no different from beasts."

"...Hmph."

Norio snorted.

"Kōsuke! It's about time we head out!"

Kōsuke, who had stayed until the very end after being yelled at by his father, burst out from the convenience store.

I didn’t miss the fact that he had secretly tucked a condom into his pocket.

Ah, I see.

He’s also reached the age where he knows about such things, is he?

Does Rika-chan’s dad know about this?

"Everyone, let’s call it a day for now! You can keep what fits in your pockets, but the rest will have to wait for another time."

...You probably don't know about it, huh.

Yeah.

Let's just pretend we never saw it.

▼

Afterward, once the pickup truck was brought into the school building,

"Congratulations! Your level has increased!"

a voice announced.

Ah, so this whole thing was judged as a rescue mission.

"Congratulations! Achievement 'Rescue Supplies' unlocked!"

Hmm.

And as a bonus, the achievement was unlocked too.

I'll make some vague excuse like needing to use the restroom and quickly finish up the level-up process.

Just to be thorough, I check the magic-related skills I hadn't looked at last time.

— Please select the magic skill you wish to acquire.

— 1. [Fire Magic III]

— 2. [Water Magic I]

— 3. [Lightning Magic I]

Oh?

I don't remember what the condition was, but somehow Lightning Magic has already been unlocked.

For confirmation, let me verify the effects.

——《Fire Magic III》becomes usable by reciting any spell.

——《Water Magic I》becomes usable by reciting any spell.

——《Lightning Magic I》becomes usable by reciting any spell.

Ah...

So that's how it is—everyone's the same way.

Magic systems can't be truly understood without practical testing, after all.

"Let's start with 'Fire Magic III'."

For now, let's stick to mastering fire magic.

But let's save the spell practice for another time. It might be too risky.

-- Choose your reward from the achievement "Emergency Supplies."

-- 1. Iron Sword

-- 2. Iron Spear

-- 3. Chestnut Staff

Oh, now that you mention it, I just remembered— I haven’t actually checked the effect of the “Coward’s Glasses” I picked up two achievements ago.

Well, I suppose it’s fine since I don’t have anyone right now I’m eager to poke around inside.

――“Iron Sword” is a sword made of steel.

――“Iron Spear” is a spear made of steel.

――"Kashinoyō" is a walking stick carved from oak wood. When using magic skills while holding this staff, the skill's power receives a +10% bonus.

Huh. That's not bad.

That's exactly the kind of thing we want.

Exactly this kind.

After a string of recent rewards resembling items from 'Dora●mon,' it's refreshing to see something straightforward this time.

Or is there some underlying pattern to what we receive?

The rewards might change depending on which achievement you unlock, something like that?

Well, I'm not really sure about that.

I was torn between the "Iron Sword" and the "Hickory Staff," but for now, I'll take the sword as a backup.

"Please give me the 'Iron Sword.'"

As I say this, a single sword quietly appears right in front of me.

"Huh..."

It was the most basic, straightforward design of a sword—exactly the kind you'd see in RPGs.

The blade has intricate detailing, with gold-plated decorations on the hilt.

...But there's no sheath, is there.

Should I make one myself? Hmm, that'd be inconvenient.

Maybe I should have turned it into a "tezutsurugi" and handed it off to someone with good coordination, like Ritsuko.

Well, whatever.

I lean the newly acquired "tezutsurugi" into a corner of the classroom.

For now, I'll just treat it as a piece of interior decoration.