Chapter 43

Tonight, during the hunt, Moshin and Hagizawa's levels reached 15, and they each obtained an expansion ability.

Moshin, as expected, got a granting ability.

According to the story, Hagizawa can use the tools and materials he creates to add enchantment effects to weapons.

It's a convenient ability.

As for Hagizawa, he got an improvement in gathering.

It's a very convenient ability that increases the quality of the items gathered.

When making tools with high-quality materials, the effect significantly improves.

Moreover, it was discovered that there's a synergistic effect when using the minerals from the rock formations Moshin destroyed with excavation.

When I saw the high-purity iron ore (almost pure iron), I was genuinely impressed.

"Well, let's call it a day with the hunting for today."

"It's a good idea to think about the future and enhance our weapons. I've been wanting to upgrade the Metal Turtle sword for a while now."

We've gathered a lot of materials, and Moshin analyzed them.

The armor is sufficient for fighting monsters.

The challenge is now in the offensive aspect.

So, I upgraded the Metal Turtle sword.

"The Metal Turtle sword can even cut through monster magic, you know."

"It seems so."

When a monster launched a water orb at me at a time when I couldn't dodge, Meguru stepped forward to protect me and cut it with her sword, discovering this ability.

"It's a pretty convenient sword."

"Are you not going to make a second one?"

"Not for now. The upgrade is enough and it's cheaper. The same goes for the knife and pickaxe. Besides, Kosei has the gloves, right?"

Currently, the knife has been upgraded so that Mr. Utsunomiya doesn't need to replenish his magic power to maintain its sharpness.

According to Moshin, the knife is in the same weapon category as a sword made from iron ore.

"Ah... well, it's fine, I guess."

"So, when we get back, everyone, please leave your weapons in the workshop. I'll upgrade them later."

"Sure thing."

The day's hunt ended without any issues.

"See you, Kosei-kun."

Meguru waved and left the workshop.

"Yeah, see you, Meguru-san."

Moshin chimed in as I waved.

"Seems like you and Meguru-san are getting along well, huh?"

"Well... yeah."

Maybe it's because we share a secret?

I felt a bit lighter somehow.

"Will you tell me what you told Meguru-san someday?"

"Yeah, eventually. Meguru-san has a similar ability, so she noticed."

"Hmm... that's not bad. Meguru-san has been watching you for a while."

Come to think of it, she did say something like that.

"Meguru-san is quite unique, isn't she? She likes your rather devious side."

"There's a way to say things, you know."

Sure, I have a hidden side and get along well with Moshin.

We're friends, knowing each other's secrets.

Actually, what I was hiding was pretty obvious.

We've known each other long enough to see through lies.

"Apparently, Meguru-san told Mr. Utsunomiya that you like the way I handle things, even if you complain."

Wow, I didn't know that.

Speaking of which, Moshin, are you trying to set me up with Meguru-san?

"I know a lot about you and your personality. To be honest, I want to see the real you, just like you do."

"The real me...?"

Meguru-san said the same thing.

Was I that different?

"No matter how much you complain and hold grudges, you always end up forgiving the other person, Kosei. You're the type who forgives the combat group's reckless actions without complaint."

"What kind of character is that? Terrible!"

"Haha, listening to your complaints helps me understand you better and discover your good points. So, vent all you want; it'll help you find a way forward."

"..."

Moshin, you see me that way?

Maybe it's better to keep some distance for the future.

But our relationship isn't that shallow anymore.

"Exactly, that's what's Kosei-like about you, trying to gauge the distance while being cautious."

I feel like I'm being played.

Oh well...

"Alright, let's take a break and then get back to work... the service work."

"Sure. We're almost done. The service work."

And we both smiled evilly.

Such a routine day... the next day, which seemed predictable... I never imagined it would all fall apart.

"Huh? What's going on?"

In the evening, as I was about to return to the other world after organizing my belongings, I saw Moshin and the others rushing out of the workshop in a panic through visual transfer.

Something must have happened.

I decided to transfer early.

The five-minute incantation is still a pain.

And the visual transfer is only set up in the forest, making it difficult to use.

I transferred and naturally walked out of the workshop.

"Don't you dare underestimate me, you bastard!"

I heard a furious shout from Taniizumi.

Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw a crowd gathered in the center of the village.

As I approached, it seemed that Taniizumi and Oono were in a one-on-one battle.

"Oh, Kosei."

Moshin noticed me and called out.

"What's going on? Why are Taniizumi and Oono fighting?"

"As soon as the combat group returned, Taniizumi and Oono suddenly started fighting. When I asked the combat group, they said Oono brought a few girls and challenged Taniizumi's leadership."

...So, in Taniizumi's style, if you have a complaint, you have to beat him first.

We were planning to do this, but Oono beat us to it.

"If Oono wins, things might go in a good direction..."

"Unlikely."

Oono seems to only be interested in cute girls, so it's more likely to go in a bad direction.

This is bad... As I thought this, Meguru, Mr. Utsunomiya, and Hagizawa gathered around us.

Just as I finished hearing the situation from Moshin, the battle between Taniizumi and Oono ended.

"Ah!? The fire isn't working!?"

"Raaaaah!"

The flames surrounding Taniizumi suddenly disappeared, and Oono took advantage of the opening to strike Taniizumi with the hilt of his sword, knocking him down.

"I win."

...He's surprisingly skilled.

Is Oono this strong?

I might not have known because I hadn't seen him in action before.

"From now on, the leader of this class is me."

"Kyaa, Keisuke-sama, you're amazing!"

"Of course, Keisuke-sama!"

"You're everyone's hope!"

Three girls were cheering for Oono.

Leader?

Just hearing that word, I knew nothing had changed.

And those girls Oono brought... their actions seem pretty dim-witted.

Calling him everyone's hope is an exaggeration.

By the way... Otsuka is among them.

Huh? ...With a honorific? Keisuke is Oono's name, but with a honorific?

"Alright, what should I do first? What should I say?"

"You! What did you do to my fire!?"

Despite losing, Taniizumi looked anxious and pressed Oono with a desperate expression.

What happened to his fire?

...From his earlier actions, it seems it didn't ignite.

"What are you talking about? It's obviously my fire!"

A flame began to surround Oono.

Since it's a duplication ability, it should be normal, but something seems different.

Everyone knows this.

"Everyone! Listen! Taniizumi's group has already found the exit from this forest!"

What?

Oono's words made everyone in the class turn their attention to Taniizumi's group.

"Hey! You're not going to expose this, are you!?"

Oono looked down at Taniizumi's group, casually shouldering his sword.

"Since I've proven I'm the best, of course I can talk. Taniizumi... you found the exit to control everyone and maintain a situation where the NPC group serves you. You were worried that if we left the forest, we wouldn't be able to enjoy a luxurious strategy."

...At this point, we all looked at each other and realized when Taniizumi found the exit.

It was probably when he changed the direction of our exploration to the west.

Moshin told me it was under the pretext of a powerful monster appearing.

So, he had already found a way out of the forest by then?