That 48: Reacting Quickly

Still, I couldn't immediately take action.

After thinking it over, I figured the "evil slave master" must be the "title" that Hyouchou had mentioned earlier.

I even tried confirming it with Hyouchou:

"Hey Hyouchou, Hyouchou. What's my title?"

—Your current title is "Wandering Warrior."

That's what she said.

After reconsidering the information once more, I realized that this "title"

Karma + Occupation

I realized it might be determined by the combination.

In that case, the person I'll have to deal with from now on is

Karma... evil

Job... slave driver

Wouldn't that be the case?

Regardless of the conditions under which Karma becomes "evil," the issue is that by the time the "Phase 1 Complete" announcement sounded, the opponent had already obtained the "Slave Driver" job.

After calculating, it seems the "required level" for job changes is around level 15.

In other words, the "Evil Slave Driver" must be an opponent with at least level 15 capability.

Whether negotiating or fighting, it's best to have power equal to or greater than the opponent.

Of course, leaving things as they are and risking a "quest failure" is dangerous too.

We should raise our level as quickly as possible.

After that, head west.

That seems to be our immediate goal.

Right now, the most efficient way to level up is by helping others.

But it seems pointless to push kindness onto others.

The criteria here are a bit unclear, and I can't quite figure it out.

Still, I do recall that when I brought a firearm here before, my level increased.

That suggests that handing over something I possess to someone else might also contribute to leveling up.

I glance briefly at the "tezutsurugi" propped up like trash in the corner of the classroom.

And then there's the "gantlet" I just acquired.

Also, nothing but a nuisance—“the grilling set.”

Incidentally, “the ninja outfit.”

……Who should I give this to?

▼

As I'm wandering around, wondering if anyone's around, a loud voice echoes down the hallway.

“Are you kidding me…!?”

Hmm?

Not exactly calm.

“What’s wrong? Why’re you mad, Kōsuke?”

I recognize those voices.

Kōsuke and Hayatarō.

A group of around a dozen students from Gakakou High School has gathered, surrounding them.

"There's no way around it...! He's the one who killed Yūo!"

My heart skips a beat slightly at the word "killed Yūo," reacting with a sudden jolt of paranoia.

But it seems the conversation isn't heading in that direction at all.

"Whatever, it's fine. No one forced anyone, after all."

Rintarō looks utterly stunned.

"That's not the point! That pig bastard is going to be roasted! I'm gonna feed him to those 'zombies'!"

"Zombies don't eat pork, you know. Did you forget something so obvious?"

"Shut up!"

I quickly grab Konosuke's raised hand.

"Um, what's this all about?"

"S-senpai..."

Konosuke's eyebrows knitted into a frown.

Rintarō, meanwhile, remained expressionless as he spoke.

"No way. That pig monster's still around, right? I was thinking of eating it."

"...Hmm."

"I don't know why it got so big, but it's still pork, isn't it? It's gotta be edible."

"There's some logic to that."

To be honest, when I first got the "Hunter's Meat Roasting Set," I had the same thought myself.

It's pretty big, after all.

Don't you think it'd be worth eating?

"It's scary because we don't know what kind of illness it might have."

"That's why only me and a few others will do the tasting. But it looks like butchering it will take a lot of effort. Maybe I should ask a few more people to help out..."

"I'll help. And I'll eat too."

When I said that, Kousuke looked at me as if I'd lost my mind.

"S-senpai... that's...?"

"Isn't that fine? At least I'm not worse off than someone who ate octopus or squid first."

"S-so is that the issue...?"

As for me, I'm pretty pleased—perfectly timed to make use of the "meat-grilling set," it seems.

Plus, this is definitely going to count as helping someone in need. It'll even replenish my magic energy.

Well, I must be having good luck.

"Let's cook!"

So, then—this so-called "evil slave master."

Just a little longer, please.