Chapter 31

"Considering the expansion ability, there are differences, you know."

Well, from the direction of my ability, I assumed the purpose was to have me procure supplies from Japan. I can't judge it as anything other than a point transition for that purpose. That's why, fundamentally, the purpose of my ability is different from Meguru's.

Now that I have a general idea, I plan to talk about the possibility of returning to Japan when we find a safe place, like a village or a town, where there are people. By then, everyone should have calmed down.

"But if you can send things, it will completely take over Kousuke's job..."

"I won't, I won't."

"That's right. The current Habashiro can fetch things from modern Japan, so I won't let anyone call me a lower version of Meguru."

Hagi泽 protects me.

You've really changed.

I feel like we've become closer than before the transfer.

...I feel a bit heavy thinking about what kind of face they'll make if I tell them I can return alone.

"When you reach Level 10, Kousuke might get a similar expansion ability to send people. I think it's too early to apologize."

Shigemitsu also answers to comfort Meguru.

Yeah. If that happens, I can...

send everyone back to Japan.

Then it will be clear.

"So, Meguru, you don't have to worry about me."

"Got it... then let's get back to the topic of night combat, right?"

I nod at Meguru's words.

"Yeah, we can go quite far from the base now, and there's a high chance we won't be noticed even with lights, so let's try hard."

"That might be good. Recently, we've had to retreat because of flying monsters."

"We can manage if we time our attacks, but those flying feathers are a real pain..."

That's right, the monster we fought yesterday at noon was quite troublesome.

It was a small bird-type monster called a Duck Blue Eight Bird.

It moved at high speed, shot feathers, and released wind blades, making it a tough battle.

We had to retreat if we couldn't knock it down from a distance.

We had no choice but to retreat.

At that time, I wore the glove and attracted the Eight Bird's attention to retreat successfully.

The glove is handy for evasion.

We can't use magic attacks, so we have to rely on physical attacks, which is painful.

"Sakaguchi, don't you have any good weapons?"

"Hmm... there are some good ones among the weapons I was asked to make by Taniizumi and the others..."

"What kind?"

"I made a disposable weapon that shoots magic when swung. It's not very efficient, though."

"Wouldn't that be quite convenient? If Jitsu can supply magic power, we can use it freely, right?"

"That's the thing... the materials are rare, and we're not sure if we can obtain them. Plus, the required points are quite high, and we can barely make it."

"That's the problem. Whether we encounter them at night. The question is whether bird-type monsters are around at night."

"It would be better if they weren't. If they fly in, it would be great if we could turn off the lanterns to avoid detection."

Jitsu suggests.

At this point, Meguru raises her hand.

"From what I saw with千里眼 (千里眼, a clairvoyance ability), it seems there are monsters that appear at night. I saw a monster I hadn't seen before. But I don't think I saw the Eight Bird."

"Then we should try to avoid them."

"The immediate challenge is dealing with opponents who escape into the sky and attack from a distance, right?"

"Yeah. Either way, let's wait for Shigemitsu's expansion. There might be a way to approach it."

"It feels a bit hesitant, but if we can do it, we should."

"As a last resort, we can make bows and arrows and try to shoot them. I'll make them."

With the plan decided, we decided to wait for night.

So, we walked around the settlement during the day.

We had finished the tasks assigned by Taniizumi and the others, so we had nothing to do.

During this time, we checked if anyone in the base group was feeling unwell.

Also, if we always stayed in Shigemitsu's workshop, we might be suspected, so it's good to show ourselves occasionally.

While walking, I bumped into something invisible.

"What the...?"

On closer inspection, there was a transparent wall... a barrier.

I tilted my head in confusion, and I heard a chuckle.

Looking in the direction of the sound, I saw a classmate with barrier ability standing in front of a prepared house, pointing at me and laughing boldly.

"...What are you doing?"

When I tried to approach, I was blocked by the barrier again.

...Is this a prank?

You've developed a nasty hobby...

The cooking team member passed by... effortlessly passing through the barrier that blocked me, and even laughing as they passed.

What's with that attitude?

I have the transfer ability, you know?

Can't you see that I can pass through such a minor obstacle?

It's like... maybe bullying has started among the base group.

I tried to suppress my irritation and consider returning to Shigemitsu's workshop... when I saw Meguru and Ono talking in the middle of the settlement.

Ono is on watch duty today.

Personally, I'm a bit uncomfortable with Ono, but I'm curious about Meguru being with him.

"That's not interesting..."

"Are you rejecting my invitation!? I'm doing you a favor!"

"You have Otsuka, don't you? And you're friendly with other girls in the class."

Ono grabs Meguru's hand to stop her, but Meguru refuses, looking uncomfortable.

...Is there some conflict?

"If you really want to, invite Hagi泽, Kurohon, Minagawa, and Habashiro as well."

"Why do I have to invite those useless guys!?"

"...With those words, I no longer want to go with you. Don't think you can seduce me just because you can fight."

Meguru shakes off Ono's hand and... spots me and runs over.

"Y-Yu... Habashiro-kun, what's wrong?"

She was about to call me by my first name, so I make an X with my index finger.

"What's wrong..."

I touch the barrier that blocked me without a word.

Meguru's eyebrows rise in displeasure, sensing my intention, and she looks at the classmate with barrier ability.

"I'll tell Jitsu."

The classmate with barrier ability changes the settings, and the barrier disappears.

Apparently, he likes Jitsu and feels most blissful when he receives the most healing from her, as he is necessary for everyone.

It's a creepy story.

It seems he was stressed because Jitsu was sent to support the combat team and lashed out... that's not good.

...Is it like this?

Is he escaping reality by thinking about Jitsu in this cramped life?

I feel like I've seen this kind of mental state in an anime or something about the military.

The reason soldiers put up posters of women is something like this.

After parting with Meguru, Ono started chatting with the classmate with barrier ability nearby.

This combination seems a bit unusual.

Before and after the transfer.

Maybe they were friends and I just didn't know?

But the classmate with barrier ability looks displeased.

What are they talking about?

"Did something happen?"

"Hmm... he was inviting some of the base group to level up, but he said no to the boys."

"It doesn't sound like a bad deal... but the second half is concerning."

I answer, and Meguru nods.

"So I rejected it."

"Is that okay? If you can become stronger openly, it's not a bad deal."

If you can earn even a little more levels and points, it's not a bad deal.

Ono is unpleasant, but he should have high combat skills.

"I can level up with everyone, and most importantly, I don't like Ono's obvious ulterior motives."

"Yeah... I see."

It's not exactly harassment, but it sounds like he's talking in a self-absorbed way.

Maybe Ono is also acting strangely because he's part of the player group.

"When he invited me, he said, 'I'll take care of everyone because I'm strong, so Meguru, come with me!'... and he called me by my first name without permission."

"Well, I don't really like Ono either... but can you call Higashiyama by her first name?"

We're using last names because people are nearby.

Meguru whispers in a low voice, as if sharing a secret.

"You can call me by my first name, Meguru, if it's you, Habashiro-kun."

I can see Ono glaring at me intensely.

It's a clear look of jealousy.

I'd rather avoid conflict.

"I can't do that! It would worsen my position here!"

Meguru chuckles at my response.

"Sorry, sorry. You're right."