Episode 106: Progress Report

After successfully transporting Rinnon and the others to "Masakaoka High School," we receive some pleasantly surprising news from Mr. Sasaki.

"Regarding our earlier discussion about communication with other communities... it seems things might actually work out."

"What do you mean?"

"We received a message from the university. Apparently, from now on, personnel skilled in firearms and their handling will be dispatched to each community. In return, we'll be providing the other side with technicians, personnel, and supplies they're lacking."

"Hmm. Just to be clear, this is a fair agreement, right?...You weren't threatened or anything, were you?"

"Guhaha. You sound just like a mother."

Well, well.

Do you understand how it feels to be called "mom" by a man in his fifties?

"Nothing's wrong. The negotiations are proceeding within reasonable bounds."

That's good, I suppose.

In reality, having proper weapons was a big help.

There are quite a few people who might struggle to smash a zombie's head open, but can still pull a gun's trigger.

Well, there are cases where firing a gun might attract zombies, so it's a mixed bag.

"Actually, some rowdy types are known to be reliable in situations like this. I call this the 'Giant Movie Version Rule.'"

"Huh..."

Just take that as Professor Sasaki's way of making a joke.

Anyway, whatever the case...

If this trend continues, the day when we wipe out the "zombies" around here might not be... far off?

...Just then.

A swishing sound of flapping wings echoed above us.

Looking up, we saw Hakka riding on a dragon's back, waving at us.

Hakka leapt from the dragon's back and gently landed on the sports field.

"Hey. I'm back."

"Welcome back."

Then Hakka smiled warmly,

"It's nice... having a place to return to."

Saying it with a line straight out of the final episode of 'Gundam.'

"I'd love to explain the progress right away... but I'd like to organize my thoughts a bit first. Can you come up to the rooftop later?"

▼

As instructed, after a brief moment of dazed hesitation, I head up to the rooftop, where I spot Hana-chan just finishing a shower.

"...Wait, what?"

I squint, thinking I might be hallucinating.

But there's no mistake.

Hana-chan was just taking a scalding hot shower under the sun.

"What in the world...?"

Looking up, I see a round, cloud-like thing about a meter in diameter hovering above her head, and it seems warm water is falling from it.

An utterly surreal scene, yet...

"Is that a Water-element spell?"

"Yeah. More precisely, Water-element Spell V. My level just went up a bit. It's not much use in combat, but isn't it nice to have something like this once in a while?"

I see. A magic that lets me take a shower anytime.

...That sounds great. Swallow.

"Should we start over?"

"No, it's fine. We're both girls, aren't we?"

No, no. Even if we're the same gender, you don't usually chat while showering with someone else.

And why does this girl go out of her way to show off her figure like that...?

Is this some kind of shonen love comedy that forces you to cram erotic scenes into limited pages?

But Haku, unfazed, continues talking while still showering.

"This past week, I've been all over Tokyo, but—unfortunately, no 'player' has come forward wanting to submit to 'you, sir'."

"Well, that's to be expected..."

Few would entrust their fate to someone whose origins are completely unknown.

Three individuals promised to join us under certain conditions. Four others agreed to take hostile action if they encounter either the "Hero" or the "Demon Lord," though they won't become allies. One of them is the leader of a "Guild" that commands over ten "players."

Are there really people like that?

"Yeah. As you know, the existence of 'Players' is quite rare. It's unlikely they'd naturally gather together. They must have some special skill."

"Oh? Even you don't know, Hakuha-san?"

"Well, you see. Just because I'm a 'Reincarnated One' doesn't mean I'm proficient in every skill or job....But at least for now, there doesn't seem to be any 'Player' with a higher level than me."

A slightly boastful Hakuha.

"And then, there's one 'Player' who, if we happen to encounter a 'Hero' or a 'Demon King,' won't side with either—instead, they've promised to relay information to us through the 'Spirit' they command."

So, a different 'Spirit User' than the one we fought before, huh.

"Lastly, there's one 'Player' who wishes that this current situation would continue indefinitely."

"This current situation... that is to say"

"Of course, they want to live forever with 'zombies,' 'monsters,' and all that sort of thing."

"Wow. Some people really are unusual."

"Yeah... but be careful. That guy seems to see us as enemies."

"What a hassle."

"Sorry... If I'd negotiated a little better, this wouldn't have happened."

"Where exactly is this place?"

I'm fine—I made sure to shake them off properly. I also scattered my comrades, the "Dragons," all over the place....But just to be safe, I should probably avoid coming here for a while. It's a shame, though.

Hmm.

Um, incidentally, what's that grumpy "player" guy's job?

"The Dark Knight. With 'evil' added on top."

"Aa... akoku..."

What's that, cool. It's like it's about to consume HP to attack all enemies at once.

A middle school second-year student stirring awake inside their heart speaks up.

"The problem is that 'Dark Knight' is a special high-tier job that can't be obtained unless you're level 80 or higher. I don't think the current 'teacher' could even handle that."

"Yeah, that's a real problem."

"That's why I'm going to make the 'teacher' push themselves and start leveling up through the dungeon right away... Are you prepared for that?"

Hmph, hmph.

Enjoying a lazy life will have to wait a little longer.

"...But Hakuwa, even if I say 'I don't want to!' you're still planning to drag me along, aren't you?"

"Of course."

The elven girl halted her《Water Magic V》and, baring her impossibly well-proportioned body to the sunlight, replied.

"Because I need you, 'Teacher,' to save the world."