Chapter 182: Taking Another Step Toward the Truth of the World

Nothing particularly noteworthy happened afterward.

We regrouped with the others, excitedly boarding our first tank, and efficiently dealt with the "zombies" blocking our path.

During the journey, we used our idle time to practice flying by using "Demon Transformation."

Still, it seems we've got quite a bit more practice ahead of us.

We arrived at Sakagahara High School without any incidents... around evening time, I suppose.

As soon as we got back, we were warmly welcomed by everyone.

Yes, really—so warmly that it made us feel a little embarrassed.

It felt just like a hometown greeting for Olympic athletes.

Though it wasn't anything quite that grand, of course.

After wandering around the school grounds for about three hours, dinner began.

The meal that day—apparently, the aunties from the refugee camp had gone all out, serving up something far more lavish than usual.

Seafood doria, a huge pot of penne arrabbiata.

Fluffy egg omelets, a fresh salad made from recently harvested vegetables, and spring rolls filled with sausages.

Plus, a mountain of beef steak, meticulously sliced with the "Predator's Meat Cleaver."

Perhaps what surprised me the most was the arrival of the egg dishes.

"What kind of eggs are these...? And the expiration date...?"

I cautiously asked, and Mr. Suzuki laughed heartily,

"Relax, they're freshly laid. Hens were sent directly from Ichigai—the abbreviated name for Ichihon Gei University. I still keep about thirteen of them in the backyard."

"Wait, can I see them?"

"Haha. I'll show you tomorrow."

It seems that, while I wasn’t around, life here has been steadily improving.

Apparently, the same goes for Nerima, the Aviation Park, and even Ichihon Gei University Community.

And then... if only the threat of the "monsters" were gone, I imagine this community would continue to thrive for a long time to come.

Well then... in that case, indeed.

Perhaps it's time for me to move to a place where there are even more unfortunate people—those who truly need my strength, a community in need.

…That’s probably just the fate of those who hold power… I mean, really.

Indulging in a poetic mood from time to time.

▼

The classroom I had been using as a bedroom remained just as it was.

Lying on the nostalgic "desk bed,"

Then... shall we go for the achievement?

It's been ages since I last chose an item from the achievements.

I wish I'd gotten around to it sooner, but inside the "Master Dungeon," achievement items couldn't be obtained. I missed the timing, more or less.

Um, um.

Achievements with unclaimed rewards... let me see... (pulling out a notepad).

"Zombie's Nightmare" — the achievement earned when helping Rinne's community.

"Salvation" — same as above.

"Antidote and Rescue" — earned when saving Rinne's father.

"Defeat of the Rat King" — obtained from a dungeon.

"Defeat of the Monkey King" — obtained from a dungeon.

"Defeat of the Moving Armor" — obtained from a dungeon.

"Revolution" — earned when defeating Nakamichi Ginga.

Just to clarify, the reason there are gaps in the achievements obtained from dungeons is that only the player who dealt the most effective blow to a particular boss enemy is granted the right to unlock the achievement.

In other words, some of the boss-slaying achievements end up being claimed by Hane Kusa Hana-chan...

――Wooohoo! That makes six!

――I win this one!

— Hehe~.

Suddenly, her voice from back then echoed in my mind.

…………Hmm. Feeling down.

Almost on the verge of tears.

… I’ll take a bath later.

"Then, from 'The Nightmare of the Zombies'—"

— Please select your reward for the achievement "The Nightmare of the Zombies."

— 1. Prototype Zombie-Combat Robot

— 2. Prototype Human-Combat Robot

— 3. Prototype Beast-Combat Robot

―The prototype zombie-combat robot is an autonomous machine equipped with the ability to automatically fire upon any "zombie" approaching within a five-meter radius.

―The prototype human-combat robot is an autonomous machine equipped with the ability to automatically fire upon any human approaching within a five-meter radius.

The prototype anti-beast robot is an autonomous machine equipped with the ability to automatically fire upon any non-humanoid animal approaching within a five-meter radius.

Um...

I think there was once some advice from Hakka-san regarding the rewards for achievements around this area...

Well, I don't really need to worry too much about that, though.

"The one for zombies"

What appeared with a clatter was a toy-like machine that looked nothing more than a miniature version of the pitching machine found at a batting center.

...Yeah. I'll tell Ama-san tomorrow to set it up somewhere appropriate.

"Next"

——Please select your reward for the achievement "Savior."

——1. Eye of the Wise One

——2. Feather of the Migratory Bird

——3. Soul Essence of the Fierce Warrior

――The "Eye of the Wise One" influences the brain when inserted into one's eye socket, opening a new door to knowledge.

――The "Feather of the Migratory Bird" allows instantaneous movement within a five-kilometer radius. It is consumed after one use.

――The "Soul Essence of the Fierce Warrior" summons a level 50-equivalent "player" spirit capable of attacking indiscriminately around the user. It is consumed after one use.

This is ridiculous.

Isn't this basically just about feathers?

...I thought, but I'll hold off on that for now.

It might actually turn out to be useful, somehow.

Either way, I can always get it when I need it. No need to rush.

"Next."

――Please select your reward from the achievement "Antidote and Rescue."

――1. Magical Key

――2. Flying Boots

――3. Hourglass Sand

――The "Magical Key" can unlock doors that are locked, but it cannot be used on doors without keyholes.

――The "Flying Boots" allow you to fly for about ten meters when worn. Once used, they disappear.

――The "Hourglass Sand" can rewind time by approximately ten seconds when sprinkled. Once used, it disappears.

Ah...

This is tough too—can't decide.

Hana-san recommended the "Magic Key," but it might be safer to hold off on that too.

The "Hourglass Sand" could come in handy depending on the situation...

Yeah. I don't want to regret it later, so I'll hold off on this one as well.

――Please select your reward for the achievement "Defeat of the Rat King."

――1. A short comic centered on friendship

――2. A short comic centered on effort

――3. A short comic centered on victory

――A short comic centered on friendship influences the mind through reading, suppressing punitive thoughts.

――A short comic centered on effort influences the mind through reading, suppressing消极ive thoughts.

――A short comic centered on victory influences the mind through reading, suppressing defeatist ideologies.

Wow, what is this?

Please, let me off the hook.

Stuff that influences the mind… it’s kind of scary, you know? Feels like you’re not even yourself anymore.

“Nah, I don’t need it… but just in case, the friendship one.”

*Thud.* A thin book with a crude, copycat-style illustration lands on the robot’s head.

I’ve got a bad feeling about it, so I’m avoiding looking inside, but just glancing at the cover, it’s clearly a poorly drawn knockoff. Who even drew this crap?

“Alright, next. The monkey king.”

――Choose your reward for the achievement "Defeat of the Monkey King."

――1. Chikuwa with cheese inside, five pieces

――2. Chikuwa with cucumber inside, five pieces

――3. Homemade aurora sauce, one pack

"…………hmm?"

Frowning slightly.

"……What about the 'Living Armor'?"

――Choose your reward for the achievement "Defeat of the Living Armor."

――1. Complete set of long-running Doraemon manga

――2. Rare fan-made manga featuring Goku x Bulma

――3. Cheese Pocky, five bags

"Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait."

I sit up from the bed and stand up.

For some reason...

I have a hunch about who would prepare rewards like this.

Without hesitation, I hurry downstairs and knock on the door marked "Broadcast Room."

"Oh, a rare visitor indeed."

The one inside was Mr. Asada Gōzō.

It seemed he had been in contact with another community.

"Sorry to bother you during your busy time, but can I get in touch with Nakamichi Enzan?"

"Uh, no problem. I just finished here."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"Um... The frequency for the Akihabara community is... Yeah, this one....Alright."

As Asada manipulated the cluttered buttons on the messy equipment...,

"Ah, hello?"

'Ah, ah, ah— (sound of something falling over) Yes, yes.'

The voice of that bulky guy came through the radio.

"This is Kagakyo."

"Uh, that voice... uh, uh, is that you, 'Warrior' guy! Good work!"

"I'd like to ask you something, is that alright?"

"Of course, of course!"

"Um... I'm checking the reward for the 'Achievement' I obtained in the 'Dungeon' right now..."

"Achievement...? Oh! Oh right! I get it, I get it. What about it?"

"Something's wrong—none of the rewards feel worth much."

"Seriously... pathetic. That's all we could manage."

Ah,...yeah, I figured.

That's what it means.

"Wait, did you personally prepare these?"

"Of course I did? We decide the reward items ourselves."

"Even that manga?"

"Oh, you got that? It's a manga I drew back when I was in college's manga club. Honestly, whichever one you pick, they're all just copies of the same manga. That one, though, I put a lot of effort into the action scenes personally..."

"…But but, they said something scary like 'it could affect your mind'..."

"Mangas, in one way or another, do influence their readers, don't they?"

"………………………Yeah, I guess so."

Alright. I'll use that for the campfire.

"What about the other 'achievements'?"

"Huh?...Um... I don't really know?"

I could almost see Enji blinking in confusion.

"To be honest, the 'King' doesn't really have 'achievement' elements. I can't explain it well, but it's like playing a completely different game from everyone else... kind of like you're the only one being strategized against."

"So, it's not like Enya-san decides everything, then?"

"That's right. The 'Achievement' that grants the 'King' the right to decide is limited solely to events that occur within their own 'territory'."

"Ah... I see."

This was something I should have asked in person, not over the radio.

I missed it these past few days, caught up in the chaos on both sides.

"Father... Under Nakamichi Galaxy's strategy, most of the magical resources are being poured into the 'Dungeon' and 'Master Dungeon' systems. That's why the achievements in my 'territory' feel half-hearted, and... basically, they're all pretty underwhelming. Sorry about that..."

"I see. By the way, are there any limitations on the items the 'King' can create?"

"Though it's not quite 'anything goes,' the freedom is still pretty wide-ranging. It's probably safe to say that it's based on the abilities of what you'd call 'skills,' and then shaping and manipulating those to create items... that kind of image?"

"Hmm."

— All skills are essentially blueprints for manifesting "mana," this formless energy, into some tangible form in this world.

That's what Ayukawa Haruna said, wasn't it?

That means the "achievement" reward items are basically what get created based on that "blueprint"... is that right?

This information was probably something even Hana no Hana, as a "reincarnated one," hadn't anticipated.

I pursed my lips and scratched my head vigorously.

『But what's the big deal?』

「No... I just wanted to double-check something.」

『Is that so?... Anything else?』

「I'm fine.」

『Then, good night, and thanks for staying up so late.』

Yes. You've worked hard.

And the connection is lost.

Asada was looking at the current cryptic exchange with a curious expression.

Are you sure you're done now?

Yes... Good night.

Ah... good night.

▼

Return to the room.

I cross my arms and ponder thoughtfully.

Well...

In other words.

Our "achievements" rewards probably come from some other "player" who created them and is distributing them to us, right?

Thus, the "player" is likely a rather unusual job, much like the "king."

In that case, that "job" would be...

Maybe it's that thing, then.

"Devil King."

Of course, this is nothing more than speculation.

Perhaps there are other jobs similar to "King."

Regardless, just what purpose could this "someone" possibly have in mimicking such a role?

Lost in thought, yet no answer emerges.

Still, I feel as though I've taken another step closer to the truth of the world.

As the night deepens in Sakagō, I crunch down on the cheese crackers awarded for my achievements.