Chapter 75: The Boss

I resumed my search, doing my best to appear like an unthreatening young man.

But even though it was a branch campus, it was still a university—substantially large.

Eventually, I found myself staring at the sinking sunset, utterly clueless about who the "Spirit User" might be.

Grrr.

The inefficiency of my investigation wasn't entirely unrelated to the mechanics of the Skill Inspection ability.

The Skill Inspection I acquired earlier.

It's an excellent tool that can tell whether someone is a "player" just by using it, but while in use, their eyes seem to glow a pale light blue.

Even through the glasses of a coward, you'd notice, "Huh? You're glowing or something?"

I'm really stuck on this.

Since we don't know where the "Spirit User" is hiding, we must conceal ourselves while performing the .

Of course the sun sets, that's the way it is.

"Everyone! Dinner's ready!"

As dusk began to settle, several older women in the cafeteria rang a large bell they'd apparently prepared specially for this purpose, clanging it loudly.

...I'm worried this might attract those zombies outside the fence too, though. Is that really okay?

Guided by the sound of the bell, most of the community members—except for a few sentries—slowly began to gather.

This is our last chance to perform the Skill Assessment today. It wouldn't be wise to wait until it gets too dark—we'd stand out too much.

To our surprise, the dining hall was lit with electricity.

I wondered if this was another manifestation of the skill, but apparently, they've drawn power from a self-powered generator.

Now that I think about it, I haven't heard anyone here talk about those "unusual abilities" since we arrived.

This means the "players" who should be here are hiding their abilities from those around them.

Considering this, it makes sense why one would be drawn to the power of manipulating things that are normally invisible.

I positioned myself in a spot where I could see the entire dining hall, ate my meal sparingly, and took the opportunity to use my Skill Assessment ability.

"…………"

Oda-san, Akiyama-san, Sakaeda-san, the cafeteria ladies.

W-W-Wait, what?! So, you were the culprit all along?!

…To avoid that kind of twist, I carefully investigated the area.

No one showed any suspicious reactions.

So, it's likely that the "boss" here is indeed the "Spirit User."

If that's the case, I need to somehow meet this "boss" face to face.

At least, they're not around here…

That was when I was thinking such thoughts.

"B-Boss!"

The senior staff members, starting with Oda-san, suddenly stood up.

Quickly turning my gaze, I saw a single man standing ahead.

...He looked to be in his mid-thirties.

In this apocalyptic world, his neatly groomed businessman style seemed unusually normal.

His hair, slicked down with hair product, and his refined features stood out.

The kind of appearance you'd only see in a TV commercial—some idealized sales representative.

Hardly the image of a gang boss, a criminal mastermind.

I was expecting something more like a fat little man puffing on a cigar (prejudice).

"Boss... why again..."

Orida's voice was drowned out by the surrounding noise.

Hmm, bad location. We're too far apart.

The boss adjusted his stylish glasses with a little push, seemingly giving orders to his subordinates.

Anyway, this is my chance. I should immediately use ...

But before I could act,

Everyone, starting with Oda-san, suddenly turned their gaze toward me.

It seemed they had just received some instruction from the boss.

...What's going on?

I have a really bad feeling about this.

Oda walked toward me at a brisk pace, his expression solemn.

This is going to turn into a fight, isn't it? I really don't want that.

For now, I quickly finish the meal in front of me, munching away.

"Hey, 'Guriguri Glasses.' The boss wants you."

"Huh? Why me?"

Playing dumb, as usual.

"Don't know. Something about you, he said."

"Again? Why me this time?"

"...You don't remember what you did, do you?"

I look away.

"He cut down the boss's former lover, didn't you?"

As织田 gives me a look of disbelief, I finally understand.

"But shouldn't the punishment have already ended?"

"Relax, it's not like that... Actually, it's the opposite."

There was a faint hint of jealousy in his tone.

Probably, you were just being teased—how about grabbing a drink together?

Alcohol... I'm underage, but...

Kids these days don't even drink alcohol anymore. How refined of them.

Oda gives a bitter smile.

Just keep it to licking. Don't get crushed in front of the boss.

Ah

It seems it's not as bad a story as I thought.

Rather, it's a great opportunity to connect one-on-one.

Understood. I'll go.

Wait a minute

"What is it?"

"Leave that sword here."

"...Huh?"

I look at the sword I've carried with me the entire time I've been here.

"I don't want to."

"This place is safe. You don't need to carry it all the time."

"This is as precious to me as my life. I'll only let it go when I die."

That was the truth. Lately, I can't even sleep properly without holding my sword.

"...I don't care, but it'll be rude to do so."

It's like a talisman. I have no intention of attacking the boss.

Of course, that was a lie.

"Of course. Go ahead and try it....I'll kill you myself."

Sigh... really.

Your admirable loyalty.

▼

Nice to meet you. This is who I am.

The man who called himself "Boss" calmly pulled a business card holder from his pocket and, with an elegant gesture suggesting years of practice, offered me a business card.

――Ikigami Shōji, Sales Department 2

Section Chief Akechi Mitsuya

Oh. A name that sparkles far too much for someone of your age.

"Mr. Akechi... wait, sales? Section chief?"

Then Akechi flashed a bright white tooth at me and smiled.

"An old-world status symbol. Please don't take it too seriously."

He's certainly humble, isn't he?

People like this are unsettling—always hard to read what they're thinking.

...Huh?

Did I just make a self-deprecating joke?

"Then, over here... Hmm, how should I be called?"

"You can call me 'Guriguri Megane,' or 'Megane Guy,' something like that."

Kagami-san smiled politely,

"Then, over here. Megane-kun."

Umm...

I can't quite put it into words, but every single movement feels perfectly composed.

Kagami-san, sandwiched between Oda and me, leads the way out of the cafeteria.

Aoi-san's residence was in a building not far from there.

The classroom, where film-related classes were held, was filled with classic cameras and film projectors, as well as what looked like various movie props.

"Hmm..."

Staring blankly at it,

"Isn't this interesting? I'm actually a graduate of this university."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. I used to aim to become a film director, but I didn't have the talent for it."

That's why I'm now serving as the representative here.

You never know what life has in store.

At this very moment, an opportunity arises.

Taking advantage of the fact that both Odai and Akira are momentarily distracted, I quickly activate my Skill Assessment.

………

……………

"Wait a minute?"

I couldn't help blurting it out.

"What's wrong?"

I hastily cancel the skill.

"Oh, nothing, really."

Akira gave me a slightly puzzled look, but I ignored it and moved on.

As for me, I can't help but grimace.

This person, Akira.

He's not a "Spirit User." In fact, he's not even a "player."

He's just an ordinary person.

...Which means... um...

Wait a minute.

What exactly is going to happen now?