Episode 115:
—Even though you're burning with revenge, isn't that a bit extreme?
"What?"
—Now that I think about it, I never told you that using the power of the "Hero" to kill people is a no-go... I mean.
"Is that so?"
—Yeah. I mean, we're not exactly the good guys, right? No matter how much of a scumbag someone is, killing them crosses a line—it'd count as accumulating karma for evil.
"Hmm..."
I fell silent for a few seconds.
Before me stood the man who had just moments ago tried to cut me to pieces—well, he probably still intends to do so if the chance arises.
...Even so, is it really hatred?
Kouine's question somehow felt like it was testing me.
"It's not quite hatred. More like I just don't ever want to have anything to do with him again."
...That's right. Hearing that, I felt relieved.
"We'll just go our own way and have fun—no need to get involved with these people here."
Jumping down from the table, he turns to Kōichi.
"Kōichi. Just to be sure—... you're coming with us?"
"Of course I am!"
"Good answer."
Then, he checks to make sure the homeless old man is still alive.
"And we're taking this guy with us too."
"You're right, we can't just abandon him... but moving him like this is dangerous. At worst, he could die from shock."
He murmurs to Hikone for a moment.
"Hey, don't you have any healing magic or something?"
——Healing magic does exist... but you can't use it right now.
"Any other options?"
——There is one.
"What should we do?"
——Let's go with the quickest method to keep him alive.
Suddenly, various pieces of information unfolded on the monitor before me. Data streamed in at an incredible pace, and from within it, the item labeled "yakusou" was selected.
At the same time, a single leaf gently floated down in front of my eyes.
——I just pulled out the "yakusou."
"……What kind of trick is this?"
——It's called the "Item Inventory" skill. With this ability, I can summon any item I acquired in the past.
Hmph.
A function like Doraemon's fourth-dimensional pocket?
Suddenly, I recall the incident when the sword that Koyane had held until her final moments mysteriously vanished.
Was that due to the power of the "Item Inventory" skill?
——Drink this, and though your limbs won't grow back, it should grant you the vitality needed to survive.
"Ah, I see."
After asking Kōichi to boil some water,
"Hey, I found some alcohol!"
One of the two who had stepped away returned.
"……Wait, what the hell! Who the hell is this silver-sparkle cosplay guy?!"
"I don't know! But we've gotta subdue him!"
Apparently, seeing they were at a disadvantage with just two against one, they'd been waiting for backup.
"W-w-wait, I'm fighting too!"
With clumsy arms thrust out, Koichi shouted.
"Ah, no, that's fine. I'm counting on you to handle the old man."
"B-but...?"
Ignoring his friend's words,
"Kouon. Check the enemy's status."
――Alright.
Name: Human A
Job: Citizen
Weapon: Knife
Head: None
Body: Ordinary
Arms: None
Legs: Sports Shoes
Food: None
Status
Level: 1
HP: 5
MP: 0
Attack: 9
Defense: 3
Magic: 0
Speed: 8
Agility: 8
Name: Human B
Job: Citizen
Weapon: None
Head: None
Body: Sports
Arms: None
Legs: Sports Shoes
Food: Watch
Status
Level: 1
HP: 5
MP: 0
Attack: 4
Defense: 3
Magic: 0
Speed: 7
Agility: 9
Hmm.
It's going to be hard to hold back and not kill them now.
Then again, humans are actually weaker than zombies in terms of stats.
These guys should be stronger than me in their base state, shouldn't they?
—But both of them have higher "cough" values than you, huh (laughing).
Don't laugh at someone else's misfortune.
Sighing, I turn my feet toward the pair.
"Come on... Fine, just finish them like this."
I instantly close in on the "human B" speaking those words.
I slapped her cheek with just enough force to brush it.
"Guh... heh...?"
Just that simple task was enough to knock out a full-grown adult.
While the remaining "human A" was still stunned, I delivered a single chop to her forehead.
That was all it took to achieve astonishing elimination.
Easy peasy.
"Far wwww! Dog-bite guy's strong wwww!"
Don't go growing grass everywhere.
"Better hurry and get the old man to take his medicine. I'll go find a wheelchair."
"Hey, wait!"
Fortunately, I had a good idea where the thing we needed was.
I'd seen it near the electrical control room when I came here.
Probably meant for transporting captured individuals—though, for some reason, those two guys hadn't used it, maybe because it was too troublesome.
When I returned with the wheelchair, Kyōichi was giving medicine to the old man.
"Alright, you'll be fine now... Yes, slowly, little by little. Stay calm."
"Uu... gugug... "
The old man seemed to be drinking the medicine slowly but steadily.
There was no point in panicking now.
I took off my helmet, disinfected my injured body while restrained, quietly washed the pants I had soiled, then changed into a fresh pair.
Having freshened up, I put on the helmet once again.
"…Well, I never expected to see someone transform into a superhero in just a short while. By the way, could I use that power too?"
"What, you haven't tried it yet?"
Given how much of a tokusatsu fan this guy is, I'd assumed he'd definitely tried it already.
"Yeah, no. If someone who isn't the chosen one uses something like this, they end up in terrible trouble, right?"
"Is that so?"
"Hmm. Take the Kaiser Gia from '555'—if the wrong person uses it, they can actually die."
"Wow."
I don't know much about Kamen Riders, so I'm not sure what that means.
"By the way, how about you—what's your take on this?"
--There aren't any cursed items or anything like that, though.
Ah, I see.
I got a little excited, thinking I might be the chosen one. Kind of sad, really.
--But if someone else becomes the "hero," their level resets to one. So, it'd be best if the same person kept using it. That'd make things easier for me.
Afterward, we waited patiently for the old man to recover, then set out before the two restrained individuals awoke.
"Before we go, may I make one request to Dog Bite-san?"
"What is it?"
"If it's no trouble, I'd like to take those three children with us."
"Children?"
"Yes. They have no family left, and they've grown fond of me. Besides, I don't think it's ideal for them to stay here from an educational standpoint."
"Fine by me."
Then Koichi smiled warmly.
"Dufufu! I'll be sure to repay your kindness!"
Alright.
Now that it's settled.
Let's quickly say goodbye to this ominous place.