Episode 234: The Portal to Another World

"Hey, Ogora! Tooru! You're not getting away with slacking off!"

Despite his timid appearance, the boy with glasses shouts out forcefully.

"Just a little delay, okay? I ran into an acquaintance, that's all."

"Cut the crap, you idiot! We're not just strolling around the neighborhood shopping!"

Yet Tooru pays no mind, waving his hand carelessly in the air.

I figured I couldn't just leave her here, so I quickly explained the situation.

"Uh, never mind the details for now—right now, I'm going to help you."

"Woohoo! Thanks a lot!"

"I'll be covering your back, so be careful not to shoot each other."

"Got it."

"By the way, are we planning to take down all the 'zombies' here?"

"Yep. We're 'overwhelming them'—that's how it works."

"Overwhelming them"?

Before I could even ask what that meant, Mr. Tōru suddenly leapt high into the air, diving down like a stage-diving band member straight into the swarm of "zombies."

"Wait—what!?"

I gasped in shock. For a moment, I could almost picture her covered in zombie blood and drool.

But of course, that didn't happen.

At around 180 centimeters tall, before the "zombies" could touch her,

"Tenchi-mann! Borrow the power! ――Holy Light!"

a powerful light erupted from her entire body.

At first, I thought it was some kind of trickery—but no. The "zombies" that were touched by the sacred light instantly turned into fine, dry ash.

"Amazing..."

I couldn't help but mutter aloud. Even a Level 5 Fire Magic couldn't achieve this.

Then again, if she were around, eradicating zombies from the city center wouldn't be difficult at all.

"Idiot! You were supposed to conserve your strength for later!"

"Tehehe. Just feeling a bit enthusiastic right now."

I'll take this moment to perform her Skill Assessment.

Job: Paladin

Level: Level 79

Skills: Japanese (Beginner), Martial Arts (Advanced), Self-Repair (Intermediate), Skin Reinforcement, Bone Reinforcement, Infinite Organs, Skill Assessment, Karma Assessment, Fire Magic I–V, Water Magic I–V, Lightning Magic I–V, Healing Magic I–V, Light Magic I–X, Attack Power V, Durandal, Defense Power VIII, Mithril Silver Equipment, Riding III, Celestial Horse Summoning, Spatial Step V

...Hmm, level 79.

Given that I should barely be able to reach level 85 with my current efficient experience farming, this person might actually be quite strong?

While I'm staring in disbelief, the four of them mercilessly eliminate the zombies with incredible speed.

Hey, over here! That level 85 one... wait, 85?! Seriously, this is bad... never mind! If you're going to help, could you please focus on eliminating the "Zombie" located around the middle of the road? Thank you so much!?

"Oh no"

I moved along the roof as instructed, aiming for the middle of the crowded mass of "zombies."

"——Flame Column!"

I recite the familiar Level 5 Fire Magic.

As usual, flames surge upward, instantly reducing the nearby "zombies" to charred corpses.

Good. Keep this pace...,

Just as I think that, another Level 5 Fire Magic is cast, supporting my attack.

Looking over, I see Tachibana Tsumori waving her hand.

"Good work."

Tsumori greets me with a somewhat professional tone.

"How's the convenience store doing?"

"The supplies had already been taken."

"Wait, so…?"

"In exchange, people from nowhere—'Guardians'—appeared and promised us support. That's why we've come rushing here."

"'Guardians'?"

"Yes. They're wearing the same uniforms as the four people fighting right over there. Though, the ones we met don't seem to be 'players,' if you know what I mean."

"Really?"

"Yes. I just found out myself, but the term 'Guardian' refers to all government personnel dispatched to the city center."

Hmm.

"For now, let's prioritize dealing with the 'zombies.' It seems the goal is to bring the 'Paladin' personnel here and have them use 'Light Magic X.'"

Hmm.

I nodded, and only then did I realize something.

Right in the middle of the swarm of 'zombies.'

There was a door-like object directly on the ground, wide open.

"That's... "

"The people known as 'Guardians' called it the 'Portal to the Other World.' It seems the 'zombies' are emerging from there."

"Hmm."

I thought 'infinite spawning' would be some complicated process, but it's actually like this.

...and I was about to accept that, when

"Wait a second—other world?...Is that door connected to another world?"

"It seems so."

Seriously, is it really okay to just casually mention something like that?

"So that means... there's another something, existing in a parallel world, separate from ours?"

"We don't know if it's a parallel world or not. Anyway, we're told we'll get the full details once this 'Spawning Suppression' operation is complete."

"...I see."

Indeed, right now, there doesn't seem to be time for relaxed chatter.

Even as we speak, we can see swarms of "zombies" emerging from the portal connected to the "other world."

"Just, those who guard it described the other side like this... That place is already a 'discarded world.'"