Chapter 21

"Tomorrow, I'll also become Lv5. I'm looking forward to what kind of expansion abilities I'll get."

"Yeah. Since Moshin has pretty good abilities, it's hard to tell what kind of abilities you'll get, but it'll be interesting to see how you expand."

"Since I'm in the production category, won't it be the same as mine?"

Hagizawa answered like that.

"But Kousuke and Meguru got different expansions, so we can't be sure."

That's true.

Meguru and I got different expansion abilities.

To be honest, in terms of the ability to transport people, Meguru is clearly superior to me.

Does transfer cover phase transfer as well?

I would have been fine with something like千里眼 (clairvoyance).

It seems that point phase transfer is essentially a conversion ability, though it only applies to money and points.

"Should we pool our money here and convert it to points? Or should we get Kousuke to buy something?"

"Hmm..."

"To be honest, I think it has high versatility. If we can order weapons from Japan, it wouldn't be a loss."

"But the limit would be knives, right?"

"Are iron hammers, crowbars, and such on the list? If we can order something like that, it should be better than our current equipment. At worst, we can forge iron."

Ah, right, most of the weapons Taniizumi and the others use are made from monster parts.

Metal weapons are either from monsters they've defeated or repurposed items, and the quality is apparently poor.

If we suddenly get knives, hammers, and crowbars, they might be useful.

"Another concern is the magical issues with Japanese weapons, but I think Shii's magic can mitigate that."

"Is that a problem?"

"Yeah... Didn't I give you a Japanese knife? I used it for an experiment, but it was strangely dull. If Shii's magic can solve that problem, even temporarily, it might be usable."

"I see, that's why you weren't using the knife I gave you."

"Good job."

Hmm... So Japanese weapons can be used.

If they're sold, it would be at a home center, right?

Let's go to a home center and buy them right away.

"Is it okay to test if we can purchase things at a home center? What about food?"

"MD Burger."

"I heard that earlier. I'll try it, so wait for me."

"Wouldn't it be better to get something we can make here? We don't know what might happen if everyone finds out."

It's a selfish desire to want to help everyone while keeping it hidden.

If I don't handle it well, I'll be the one who suffers.

Of course, it's good leverage to bring in someone who's indecisive, but we need to get Taniizumi and the others to a point where we can fight and have a say.

"Ordering cosmetics might be too obvious... Hmm..."

It's a very girly response, I think.

Hagizawa has a 'really, in this situation?' look on his face, but let it slide.

By the way, we can create basic bath products like soap with our abilities, so Taniizumi and the others are supplied.

Being unclean can lead to illness.

I think Hime no can heal to some extent, though.

"Frustrating. For now, the only thing we can do is gather our own food."

"Well... That's how it is. We can buy snacks, though."

We all discussed what to buy.

As I thought before, perishable items will be excluded first.

Furthermore, items that would seem out of place for us to have will also be excluded.

"In the end, it seems we'll settle on food."

That's the issue.

The problem is doing it while keeping it hidden.

It's a big step that we can consult everyone, but we can't be too bold while keeping it hidden.

"But I think the ability to convert money to points is a good strategy. This way, we can get weapons we couldn't make due to a lack of points."

"Then, should we leave it to Moshin?"

Moshin nodded.

"If we need equipment, we'll ask Kousuke."

"Understood."

"Still, even if we use a lot of points, for Metal Turtle material weapons... a Japanese crowbar might be better."

"Is it that necessary?"

Moshin nodded silently.

"If we need to equip everyone, a crowbar should be manageable with our money."

"Shouldn't we give the best weapons to Meguru and use cheaper Japanese weapons? Shii's magic will be needed too."

"Yeah, that makes sense. I agree with Hagizawa's plan."

The discussion ended without any objections.

"I'll test if cards can be used. It would help if you could give me the PINs."

We dispersed, and after dismantling materials, I returned to Japan with a straight face to buy the requested items.

Back in Japan, I first put the 500-yen coins converted from points into a vending machine.

It recognized them and worked.

I was worried about counterfeit coins causing problems when I returned to Japan.

When I tested it, even the bills worked.

This should be... okay, right?

Next, I went to a convenience store with Hagizawa's card.

If it works, great, but if it fails, it could be dangerous, right?

Well, I can at least make an excuse for the first attempt, regardless of success or failure.

Thinking that, I stood in front of the ATM, pressed the balance inquiry button, and inserted the card.

...Oh? It asked for a PIN.

Is this part really so casual?

The recognition alteration is still quite sloppy.

Or did the card just return to Japan and become real?

Following what Hagizawa told me, I entered a dangerous number based on his birthdate.

The balance was displayed.

...Yeah. I have his permission, so I'll withdraw the full amount.

I put the money in my wallet as if it were normal and withdrew Moshin's savings from another convenience store.

It's a bit of a hassle, but I also withdrew Shii's and Meguru's savings.

I might as well withdraw mine too.

It feels like I'm doing something wrong.

"..."

Damn, my wallet is now filled with a huge amount of cash.

I can tell the wallet is bulging with just the bills...

"Next..."

I'll go to a home center and buy knives, crowbars, and hammers as Moshin requested.

It's a bit scary because of the nature of the items.

So, I browsed the knives at the home center.

The knives on display seemed to emit a suspicious glow.

Which one has the best edge?

Or would survival knives be better?

I should check the gardening and camping sections too.

"Can we fight a bit with these?"

Well, they're better than stone weapons or bone swords, right?

Using knives and survival knives to fight monsters in another world... It's like a game. One where you fight demons with a mop.

"Let's stop thinking about pointless things and go."

I took the knives, crowbar, and hammer to the register.

I've never bought knives before.

I'm scared of being suspected.

The clerk seems to be looking at me suspiciously.

Next... Well, bulletproof vests and protectors probably won't be useful in another world.

They seem to be better there.

I can't even buy a bulletproof vest in Japan, probably.

It would be nice if I could buy a crossbow, but I doubt a home center would sell one.

Where do you buy those things, anyway?

It feels a bit dangerous.

I'll check if I can order them online.

If it works, I might be able to order them.

The problem is how to deceive my parents.

"Well then."

I put the items in a bag and left the home center.

A set of knives, crowbars, and hammers... It looks like I'm planning a murder.

The sun had set, and I walked through the city with these dangerous items.

The noise of cars seemed somewhat comforting, probably because of the advantage we have over Taniizumi and the others living in the forest.

...If the one who granted us abilities is here, I want to ask why they gave me this ability.

Of course, I think it's a good ability.

But why did they send us to another world? What are they planning?

Streetlights lit up, and I passed through a quiet shopping district.

Should I buy some snacks at the supermarket?

From now on, bringing in unusual items won't make Moshin and the others suspicious.

I think I explained it well.

As for the hygiene products mentioned in the comments, I'll consider them for the next opportunity.