Episode 191: Someone Else

The first impression of the girl, as if she had stepped out of an anime world, was—“She doesn’t seem very reliable.”

There wasn’t any particular reason for this impression.

Perhaps a faint trace of memories from before they were lost still remained.

“Earlier, I heard the situation from Suzuki-san. It seems you don’t have the luxury to go into detail. …First, Warrior-san, please activate your skills in order.”

“Skills?”

"Yes... It seems... well..."

Suzuki's eyes began to glow blue.

"Indeed... 'Warrior-san' has seemingly turned off all their power."

"Um... well..."

"First, just say 'I will control magical energy.'"

"Magical energy?"

I made a slightly awkward face.

It feels like we're talking past each other.

I'm here—strictly speaking—just to call for help.

But what she’s trying to teach me is surely "a way to solve things on my own."

"Hurry. It takes time to activate the skill."

"Y-yes... um... well then... please help me with... controlling my magic energy..."

As I muttered, the familiar hallucination echoed in my mind.

――Performing magic energy control for Player “The One Who Ends It.”

――Please note that there may be a slight delay when applying the settings.

OFF

<Final Strike……

"What's this...?"

The skills you've just acquired should be flowing into your mind right now. First, activate《Hunger Resistance (Strong)》, then《Natural Healing (Strong)》,《Skin Reinforcement》, and《Bone Reinforcement》in that order.

"Um, well..."

"By the way, you should activate《Hunger Resistance (Strong)》first to prevent running out of magic power."

"Um... well..."

"After that, if you activate《Sword Skill》,《Attack Power》,《Defense Power》, and《Magic Resistance》，you should be able to fight at a minimum level."

Feeling like I'm being lectured by some random game manual all at once.

"So, in other words, the main character is a Luci chosen by Pulse's Falshi... is that it?"

"We haven't even mentioned the tale of the noble female knight known as 'Light Speed,' who commands gravity at will."

Huh, this girl's got quite the mouth. Looks like she might actually be worth listening to.

"This isn't the time for idle talk. Hurry up and activate your 'Hunger Resistance'..."

"I've already done it. Seems you can manage that magic control just by focusing on it."

"I see. Your adaptability is truly impressive."

"Still, it takes quite a bit of time each time you activate the skill, doesn't it?"

I can't verify it precisely, but if you keep activating that 'skill' at this rate, it'll take a long time before you're able to fight properly, won't it?

Realizing that truth, I felt a sudden chill spreading through a part of my heart.

Ah... this isn't going to work.

You're not going to make it, Aida.

Sorry. Goodbye.

"By the way, why has the 'Warrior' person's skills all gone offline?"

"I don't know anything about that."

"Considering they weren't deliberately turned off before losing their memories, could it be due to the recent start of 'Phase 3'?"

"Earlier, Yoi-san mentioned it too—what exactly is 'Phase 3'?"

"That... I'm not entirely sure myself."

"?"

"It seems the information available to players who've become 'subordinate' is quite limited. That's why I know almost nothing about 'Phase 3'."

Hm.

"Then, one more thing... This is another term I heard from Yozuka-san—what exactly does 'subordination' mean?"

"Subordination is one of the actions a 'player' can perform—a kind of agreement that amounts to near-total obedience..."

With that, Sōri placed a hand between her eyebrows.

"Well, the details can wait. For now, we must deal with the assailant in question."

"What about you?"

"Eh?"

"Are you not going to fight alongside me?"

I ask bluntly.

"You're a player, aren't you?—like that..."

"...Yes."

"Then, shouldn't you be the one fighting?"

After all, isn't that obvious?

She's far more capable than me—fully healthy and full of energy, unlike me, who's starting to feel a little unhinged.

When I asked, the maid-clad girl looked away awkwardly.

"I... I can't fight."

"Why not?"

"I, I want to explain, but... well... I just really can't handle conflicts..."

"I feel the same way."

Honestly, I think resolving things through violence is something only unwise people would do.

"Then, there's nothing we can do about it, I guess."

"Yes. In that case, it's clear that the 'warrior' has to fight..."

"Let's just run away."

"Wha—?"

"His target seems to be me, so if we can't counter him, there's nothing left but to run."

"But then the people in this community could be attacked."

I dismissed her furrowed brow with a casual remark.

"Isn't that fine? Even if it is."

It may sound cold—well, that's just how life is, really.

In any case, if we're dead, there's no point in worrying at all.

If that's the kind of world we've ended up in, then survival of the fittest is just natural, isn't it?

Yet, it seemed as though Naozuki was doubting her eyes and ears upon hearing my words.

"S-such...!"

As if she were thinking, "Is this really the person I know...?"

Well, to cut to the chase, I'd have to say, "Almost a completely different person."

From what I can tell, there's barely any connection between who I am now and who I was before I lost my memories.

Frankly speaking, to begin with...

I don’t really feel any attachment to these people here—almost none at all.