Chapter 50

"Oono and Taniizumi had quite a lot of stuff stored away, didn't they?"

After burying the dead, we decided to search Taniizumi's house to gather items for our journey out of the forest and to equip the base group for battle.

There, we found numerous weapons that Moshin and Oono had made.

Well, we also found a lot of things that the combat group no longer used...

We needed the minimum necessary items to protect ourselves as we made our way through the forest.

Meguru is no longer with us... so we have to move on our own feet.

My teleportation can't carry people.

It would have been great if it could...

Incidentally, the teacher is locked in the house and won't come out.

Apparently, there was some kind of argument.

According to Moshin and Hagizawa, it's best if I keep my distance from him.

"Using the belongings of the dead might be wrong, but we'll use them for everyone's sake."

We all joined hands and took Taniizumi's personal items.

Well... since the equipment we found isn't much different from what we were already using, the main benefit is the increased quantity.

"Taniizumi and the others were apparently hiding these to control us..."

We heard the details from the combat group, who had calmed down.

It seems that the combat group also had some distance from Taniizumi and the top members.

Information was somewhat restricted, and many didn't know about the way out of the forest.

Why?

Basically, we were relying on Taniizumi and Oono to teleport us and fight the surrounding monsters to level up.

Meguru's teleportation ability was highly valued by the combat group.

Thinking about it, it took us two weeks to get out of the forest.

If we had to travel on foot, it would take even longer to return to the base, and we wouldn't be able to rest in safe areas.

Naturally, we had to depend on Taniizumi's leadership.

It was only natural that we were swayed by Taniizumi's persuasive skills...

Now, the former combat group members are apologizing to the base group and talking about protecting everyone in the forest.

It's not just me who is hurt by what happened.

Everyone is enduring their pain.

It seems that the base group can't equip the high-performance armor due to weight issues and their low levels.

Well, we just have to level up...

The party is formed with the combat group leading the base group's levels.

It's the party structure we should have aimed for from the beginning.

We are also sharing the information we kept secret and are proceeding with the goal of getting through the forest as safely as possible.

More points and materials are always better.

"Next is Oono's room..."

After searching Taniizumi's belongings, we decided to check Oono's room.

There were rare minerals and weapons scattered around.

The bed was also quite luxurious.

It was a canopy bed, very soft and comfortable.

It seemed to be of better quality than the bed I used in Japan.

I was impressed by how they managed to make such a bed.

It felt like Oono had an unusual obsession with beds.

"It's so soft. Taniizumi's place didn't have a bed like this, right?"

"Probably made it secretly using his duplication ability."

"Enjoying himself with Otsuka and the others every night, I bet."

Hagizawa grumbled.

I could understand his feelings.

What a bastard... What did he think of his classmates' lives?

"Without the owner, we can't use it... Kosei, can you teleport it somehow?"

"It's not impossible, but are you really going to carry this?"

We will be forced to travel through the forest for about two weeks.

Since we know the direction and won't be doing a large-scale exploration, it should be a bit faster...

But do you really want to carry such a bed?

"You have a point."

We heard a commotion outside the house.

It seemed that monsters had invaded the base.

Damn... with the barrier gone, monsters are naturally coming in.

"I'm going out!"

"Wait, they seem to have taken care of it."

I was about to rush out, but Moshin stopped me.

The combat group had apparently taken care of the monsters.

"..."

"Stay calm, Kosei. Let's get back to the topic. Since we're abandoning the base, this bed will be wasted, right?"

"Then let's sell it to Hagizawa?"

Moshin and Hagizawa nodded at my suggestion.

"Right. For now, let's make this bed our property..."

Hagizawa used his ability to designate the bed for sale.

"It will take some time. I'll try to get it done before we leave, but please wait."

"Got it."

While searching Oono's room, we found some parchment in a bag.

...I don't intend to comment on other people's hobbies, but this is a bit unusual.

"Oono has some unusual items, like this parchment."

"Maybe he made it as a joke?"

"A diary?"

"Oono keeping a diary?"

"More like a grudge book, I imagine."

Indeed.

Moshin nodded in agreement with Hagizawa's opinion.

"Still, if it's a map to get out of the forest, it would be helpful..."

Moshin unfolded the parchment.

It was covered in unfamiliar writing and what looked like Oono's signature.

Moreover, the pattern on the back of the parchment seemed familiar.

"This is...?"

"Can you call Kurohon-san?"

"Sure."

Hagizawa called Kurohon-san, a female student with secretarial abilities who was in a relationship with a combat group member.

Though her ability's purpose was unclear, she might be able to decipher the unknown writing.

Moshin asked Kurohon-san to try to decipher the parchment found in Oono's room, but unfortunately, she couldn't read it.

"What is this?"

"Who knows..."

Our eyes were drawn to a particular part.

The magic circle.

"Habashi, Sakae, do you recognize this? If someone had taken a photo, we could have confirmed it..."

"Kosei, did you check the classroom? Can you bring any evidence?"

"Sorry, there was nothing in the classroom. I would have mentioned it if there was."

If our memory serves, the pattern on the back of the parchment found in Oono's room resembled the one that appeared on the blackboard when we were transported to this world.

It had been a few weeks, so our memory was a bit hazy, but it seemed similar.

"Really... what is this parchment?"

"Without Oono, we won't know."

The item name was simply "Mysterious Parchment."

"Should we take it just in case...?"

"Was Oono researching this magic circle... or is he the culprit?"

"Maybe..."

"Well, Oono could have been the culprit. He had a very convenient ability."

I can't really talk, but... the ability to steal and kill is indeed very convenient.

It's not a game, but it's clearly unbalanced.

It's like being told to steal abilities and kill.

Still, the truth is buried in darkness, and we can't know for sure.

We don't even know if Oono was the root of all evil.

In fact, no further information came from Oono's room.

After collecting the belongings of the deceased and finishing our preparations, we decided to set out.

"Kosei"

Moshin called me just as we were about to leave.

"What is it? My preparations are done."

"That's not it."

Moshin handed me the reinforced Metal Turtle sword... Meguru's sword.

I had entrusted it to Moshin after the incident.

"This..."

It was a powerful weapon that helped us defeat Oono, surprising even the combat group.

There should be better users than me.

Now, there are no barriers between the combat group and the base group.

"Kosei... use it. If I were Meguru, I would want you to use it."

"But..."

Using it would increase the chances of everyone's survival, and there was a combat group member with sword skills.

However, Moshin shook his head and disagreed.

The combat group members all had the same look in their eyes.

"I had enough materials to make a second one. I got points from the combat group members."

Moshin had already given the second sword to the member with sword skills.

The points could be converted to cash, and everyone had already given their points to Moshin.

The combat group had a lot of points to begin with.

"But you are the one who deserves this sword. It's Meguru's legacy. Take good care of it."

I couldn't refuse after hearing that.

The sword that saved everyone from Oono's tyranny... it's Meguru's will.

I have to believe that.

"Got it."

I took the Metal Turtle sword and sheathed it at my waist.

Meguru sacrificed her life for me.

So, I will protect everyone with this sword.

Even if it costs me my life.

"Alright, we're ready. Everyone! Let's go!"

Everyone nodded at Moshin's words.

"If you need water or food, just let us know. Jitsu will get it from the warehouse."

"Got it. We're all set. It will be tough, but let's go, everyone."

We don't have to worry about food and water.

I can gather them if needed.

So, with everyone together, we should be fine... I hope.

I looked at the graves in the base.

Meguru... I'm leaving.

I will bring everyone back to Japan alive, so please wait a little longer.

I might get scolded just for thinking this...

"Let's go."

And so, our journey began.