Chapter 11

Claiming that he had hidden the sweets he had bought, the days passed as he distributed them to the oppressed members of the base group.

Finally, the equipment that Mo Shin had embezzled and procured was ready.

Aiming for the time when the combat group would sortie and the security would thin out, we, the rebel faction of the base group, gathered for a meeting.

Well... the fact that there are factions even within the base group is the problem.

First, the combat group... those with abilities that are vital to the player group's survival, such as equipment capabilities.

Mo Shin, Hime-no, Hiyama, and those responsible for barriers, cooking, and carpentry fall into this category.

These six are, in a sense, the lifelines of the player group.

Hiyama's priority has been declining a bit, though.

We understand that if we neglect even one of them, we will suffer the consequences.

Therefore, food supply is prioritized.

Their treatment is also good.

Mo Shin, Hime-no, and Hiyama share the privileges they receive with others who are neglected.

The barrier, cooking, and carpentry teams have accepted the privileged environment and have poor relations with the base group.

In other words, they are the privileged class within the base group.

Next are the girls who did not receive favorable abilities.

They try to ingratiate themselves with the combat group... to put it bluntly, they engage in prostitution to improve their status.

I don't know much about it as a guy, but according to Hime-no, there are a few of them.

A female student who obtained the mysterious ability of "secretary" ingratiated herself with a male member of the combat group by becoming his lover.

Well... everyone has their own way.

It can't be helped.

That's why the base group lacks unity.

Finally, the male members of the base group who were evaluated as not having favorable abilities... that's me.

There seems to be a lower class in the combat group as well, but I'll exclude them this time.

At least they can fight, so it's better.

Some of them, unable to use their abilities properly, provoke the lower class of the base group to relieve stress.

... Perhaps, in total, fewer people are neglected.

Still, it's a fact that a third of the class is in a difficult situation.

"How's it going? Is the equipment ready?"

A group for leveling up within the base group is formed.

... The plan was proposed by Mo Shin and Hiyama, and Hime-no, who agreed, gathered trustworthy personnel because it would be dangerous if the information leaked.

However, given the situation, there aren't that many people.

We are acting secretly to create a combat-ready situation, so for now, we are keeping the number small, consisting of people the planners trust.

Fortunately, I was welcomed by Mo Shin and Hiyama.

Mo Shin and I have always been good friends, but Hiyama still feels guilty about treating me as a lower-class member.

Additionally, Hagizawa, who has the ability to make tools and is treated as a bottom-tier member, will join us.

Apparently, the necessary materials are troublesome, and he is treated as a bottom-tier member because he uses points.

It's not a bad ability, but when Tani-izumi needs it, he has Oono copy it to minimize reliance.

Moreover, the frequency is low.

Is it a stance of not relying on tools? Or are the materials too troublesome?

There are thoughts about the same creation ability as Mo Shin, but thanks to my contributions and Mo Shin's care, we are acting together.

Of course, there are thoughts about Tani-izumi and the others, and they probably can't betray us because they don't trust anyone else.

Hagizawa's ability isn't bad, and when I said it would be cool if he could do alchemy, he smiled wryly.

After all, he can make medicine with herbs, and the more materials he has, the more he can make, and the more dreams he can pursue.

In a normal RPG, this ability would become increasingly important as the story progresses.

"Yeah, take a look."

Mo Shin then presented armor and other protective gear made from the skin and bones of plant-based monsters, and light armor made from fur, enough for the number of people.

"It was difficult to gather enough for everyone. It was a battle with both materials and points."

"... Since Hiyama is being trained a bit by the combat group, wouldn't it be better to give her the best equipment first with the points she earns?"

She's a girl, but thanks to her level, she's stronger than us.

It's a rather depressing thought.

Earning points and getting new equipment... it would be more efficient and safer to gather enough for everyone.

"Maybe one person is a bit too much. I'm not just scared, but I'm not sure if I can meet the expectations..."

Hiyama answered with a troubled look.

I understand her caution, but we have no intention of making anyone fight alone.

I mean, in terms of offensive power.

"Considering that, I plan to equip Hiyama with the best weapons. I think we should prioritize leveling up everyone first."

"Well, we could also give the more agile ones the weapons."

"Understood."

The plan is set.

According to Mo Shin and Hiyama's proposal, we will use Hiyama's portal to jump to a place a bit away from the base and then go around and defeat nearby monsters.

What we need to be careful about is encountering the combat group... which is scarier than looking for monsters.

"Hime-no can't be away for long because she has to maintain the barrier. There's also the problem of returning before the combat group returns."

"That's a complex set of conditions."

"Well, from what I heard, the combat group is heading west from the base. So if we go in the opposite direction, the risk of encountering them should decrease."

"We'll also check the direction when we leave, so there shouldn't be a problem."

"Um..."

The proposers' words make sense, and there's no need to object.

It's just a matter of how well it goes.

"Then, I'll distribute the equipment. When we return, we'll hand it over to Hanabashi. No one here doesn't trust each other, right?"

Everyone in the room nodded at Mo Shin's words.

Yeah. This is a comfortable environment, unlike the previous discussion.

Just the absence of Tani-izumi and Ootake makes it the best environment for me.

"By the way, how does this equipment compare to the combat group's?"

"... It's about the same as the third army of the combat group. If we can gather points from hunting, we should be able to reduce the gap with materials."

"How about compared to initial equipment?"

"In game terms, it's about the best equipment in the second town."

Well, that's not bad, right?

Mo Shin gave me a bone chest plate that prioritizes lightness and mobility.

And a Bone Sword.

A Onion Shield? Ah, there was a plant-based monster that looked like an onion.

Bone Chest Plate: Effect - Lightweight

Bone Sword: Effects - Lightweight, Poor Edge

Onion Shield: Effect - Mucous Membrane Irritation

Does this bone... use leftovers?

I can faintly smell the aroma of meat.

Ah, but when I check the status, the defense has increased.

"What's this shield's mucous membrane irritation?"

"When you cut an onion, tears come out, right? It can affect the opponent... apparently."

Hiyama said, looking away.

... It's kind of silly.

However, in actual combat, if that unique onion irritation spreads in the eyes, it could be quite troublesome.

Well, it's better to have decent initial equipment.

After all, the main equipment is being given to Hiyama.

"Then let's go. The party is... already formed, right?"

There's a party icon in the status menu where you can set your companions.

Apparently, this allows you to share the experience points and points you earn.

"Hime-no, what's the time?"

"We should be fine for another two hours."

"Then let's try a two-hour stay and see if we can fight."

While being careful of the base's lookout, Hiyama created a pillar of light inside the building.

We, equipped with our gear, passed through the pillar of light.

The view changed instantly.

This... is what a door that can take you anywhere feels like.

I can see that it's a bit different from my own transfer ability.

I was worried that if my ability and Hiyama's transfer ability conflicted, I wouldn't be able to use hers.

Looking around, it's a complete forest.

Since the back is blocked, we'll wait for everyone to catch up by walking.

"Everyone's here."

Hiyama stood at the front.

"Then I'll lead the way and fight the monsters. Everyone, do your best and fight to the best of your abilities."

So, we set out into the forest to level up.

... By the way, my transfer ability seems to work for places I've been to, so from now on, I can go outside on my own.

That's why I couldn't go outside before.

Well, I'm not sure if I can fight alone, but starting tomorrow, it's the combat part.