That 38: Assault
In the end, the day was spent completely overwhelmed by organizing the recovered supplies and creating an inventory list.
"I'm sorry, I made you help too, big sister."
"That's perfectly natural... And please stop calling me 'big sister.'"
"Ugh, you're making me blush. So cute!"
With a playful poke using her index finger, Rika-chan.
Since our conversation as "Captain," has our personal space suddenly gotten a lot smaller, hasn't it, this girl?
▼
That night.
A small celebration was arranged to mark the successful completion of a project.
In a soundproof viewing room with the blackout curtains fully closed, a candle flickers.
"Perhaps this is the quietest toast in history."
as Mr. Sasaki led the way, calling out, and so on.
Everyone held their preferred drink, and the dinner began.
As for me, after sneaking out of the audiovisual room,
Then, let's level up.
I'll go ahead and complete the level-up and achievement processing all at once.
Incidentally, by the time I finished my work at "Captain" in the afternoon, my level had already increased by one.
Including the early morning portion, that makes two level-ups in total.
— Now, please select your skill to acquire.
— 1.
— 2.
――3. Martial Arts (Basic)
――4. Hunger Resistance (Medium)
――5. Choose Magic Skill
――6. Natural Healing (Strong)
――7. Skin Reinforcement
Oh right, did we check the effect of Hunger Resistance (Medium)?
Obtaining Hunger Resistance (Medium) allows you to remain active for over a month without eating or drinking. It also increases your energy absorption efficiency and reduces exhaustion caused by using magic or skills.
Well, well.
So the magic system actually explains this effect in detail here.
And as expected.
Using skills, just like magic, can also lead to a state of extreme fatigue.
"Then that means..."
I acquire the "Hunger Resistance (Medium)."
Since this morning's sermon, I've been aware of the importance of this "Hunger Resistance."
I can't possibly cause any more trouble for everyone.
Next, I confirm the effect of "Hunger Resistance (Strong)."
――Upon acquiring "Hunger Resistance (Strong)," you will no longer need to eat meals, aside from the exhaustion caused by magic or skills.
Hmm.
So I don't need to eat meals as long as I'm not using magic or skills, right?
...Wait, does that kind of sound a bit scary?
If I don't have to eat, what about going to the bathroom?
I've heard idols never go to the toilet—this would be taking that to the extreme, wouldn't it?
Come to think of it, that's actually kind of a concern...
What if my destined partner were a scat lover? Then I might not be able to handle that kind of play...
...Hmm?
Come to think of it, someone with that kind of fetish would be someone I'd actively avoid, wouldn't I?
Then again, that's fine.
"【Hunger Resistance (Strong)】—Got it."
—Now, applying the skill effect.
Hmm.
I feel like my stomach's a bit better. Maybe it's just in my head, though.
—Please choose your reward from the achievement “Armed Group.”
—1. Warrior's Armor
—2. Ninja Outfit
—3. Dancer's Attire
Ah, I see.
They've got a variety of gear-like items prepared, at least.
—“Warrior's Armor” is a sturdy, iron-made suit of armor.
—“Ninja Outfit” is a flexible black outfit designed for mobility.
—“Dancer's Attire” is a revealing piece of clothing.
Here it comes.
All of these are kinda weird...
No matter which one I pick, it'll just end up being cosplay, right?
Unless there's some special effect, but it doesn't look like it.
Well, I'm not up for fighting in heavy armor or half-naked, so...
"ninja"
——Then, I'll issue the item.
A black outfit instantly appeared in my hand.
...What am I supposed to do with this?
——Please choose your reward from the achievement "Something More Valuable Than Life."
――1. Seed of Power
――2. Seed of Magic
――3. Seed of Charisma
A seed type?
In 'Dragon Quest,' they should boost your stats when eaten, right?
――"Seed of Power" slightly enhances your strength when consumed.
――"Seed of Magic" slightly enhances your magic when consumed.
――"Seed of Charisma" slightly improves the impression you make on others when consumed.
Yeah, this one's easy to understand.
After a brief hesitation,
"I'll go with 'Seed of Strength'."
It seems the most straightforward to handle.
――Then, here's your item.
I catch the floating thing with my mouth in a quick bite.
"…………(crunchy)"
It's more substantial than an almond.
Slightly sweet, kind of like it would go well with green tea.
Swallow.
After finishing it, I swear… I feel a bit stronger?
Not really noticeable, though.
Well, let's just take Hyouchou's words at face value.
Holding my black outfit under one arm, I head toward Class 3-A, Third Year.
Then, I unexpectedly run into Kousuke, who looks a bit pale.
"...Ah."
"Ah, senior."
Kousuke politely bows his head.
"Are you not attending the party, senior?"
"I am attending! I just need to drop something off in my room first."
"Is that so..."
Kousuke looked utterly distressed, his eyebrows drawn into a frown.
"Senpai... um... can I ask you something...?"
"What is it?"
In my mind, Rika-chan's face appeared.
Come to think of it, this guy's planning to ruin Rika-chan's purity, isn't he?
Acting all innocent. Unforgivable.
So he's just another ravenous wolf, too.
"Yūo, um... I'm kind of overwhelmed..."
"Yūo from Takana?"
The conversation took an unexpected turn.
I recalled his frail figure.
"He's been acting kind of... uh..."
That's when it happened.
"Everyone!"
The subject of the conversation, Takana Yūo, came rushing down the stairs, out of breath.
"Yūo... You should be resting, not running around like this."
But before Kōsuke could scold him, Takana shouted out.
「出た、出たんだ！」
「出たって？」
「紀夫さん……コースケの親父さんが言ってたやつ。……豚の“怪獣”だよ！」
「なんだと？」
「今度は幻覚じゃない！ 一緒に朝香先生も見たんだ！ 早く！ みんなに知らせてくれ！ もうすぐそこに……」
勇雄くんが悲痛に叫んだのと、
ぎ、ぎぎ、ぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎごぉーッ！
The fence surrounding Sakagahara High School was torn apart almost simultaneously with a roar as if the world had turned upside down.