Chapter 51

The journey went more smoothly than expected.

When we encountered monsters, the combat team, including myself and Momotaro, stepped forward to fight and repel them.

We divided into groups and shared the experience points with the base team, making the journey somewhat more strenuous, but there were no serious injuries.

The difference from before is that we take turns keeping watch at night to prepare for attacks.

Without a barrier, it's inevitable, but this is the most mentally draining part. However, everyone has gotten used to it.

In this way, the base team's levels have risen more smoothly than imagined, and they have become capable of fighting.

Naturally, they have surpassed level 5 and gained expansion abilities.

Some abilities that were previously considered unsuitable for combat, meaning they were part of the base team, have been re-evaluated.

For example, sewing and cultivation.

Sewing allows you to make and repair clothes. It was thought to be limited to that, but it has been discovered that needles and scissors of any size are effective.

So, you can fight with large needles and scissors. In game terms, it's a type that requires specialized weapons.

Cultivation is the class representative's ability, but it was thought to be limited to growing plants.

This was discovered when Ono made thorns appear. I taught the class representative this.

The fact that this was revealed only recently is probably because the person was not the type to play games.

In this way, it has become a common understanding that if the combat team and the base team cooperate, the situation is not as severe as before.

"It's going surprisingly smoothly..."

"The monsters we struggled with before are being defeated so easily..."

The combat team is also winning against opponents they previously struggled with, thanks to the enhancements and attachments to their weapons by Momotaro.

I am also leading from the front, so I can feel how well-suited the combat team is for battle.

We have advanced for about five days in this manner.

"Kousuke! Calm down!"

Just as I was about to run after a monster that I realized was retreating, Momotaro grabbed my shoulder and stopped me.

"Why are you stopping me! If we let the monster escape, it might call for reinforcements and launch a counterattack!"

"I understand your concern, but calm down! You've been acting strange lately."

"Yeah, you've been acting recklessly."

Hagizawa agreed with Momotaro, and the combat team nodded.

That can't be...

"You chase after a retreating monster and try to protect someone who is using a shield to block attacks... No matter how good your equipment is, that's not an excuse to take unnecessary risks."

"But! If we let them escape, they might launch a counterattack. If that happens, someone in this group might die! I won't let that happen!"

"Then calm down! If you don't, you might recklessly pursue them into a trap and end up dead!"

That... I'm not afraid.

I have committed an unforgivable sin.

If I receive my punishment, then...

At this point, Momotaro and Hagizawa exchanged glances and shrugged.

"Anyway... calm down. Pay more attention to your surroundings, like you used to."

"Taking a look around is good for Hashihara."

"Still, I..."

Hagizawa, Momotaro, and the combat team all sighed.

Perhaps trying to change the mood, one of our classmates put a hand on their stomach and looked at me.

"Hey, isn't everyone hungry?"

"Yeah, it's about time for a meal."

"Want someone to cook? If you need a fire, just wait."

When Jitsu tried to ask the cook, everyone shook their heads.

What's going on?

The cook is also waving their hand.

"I want to eat something fancy from Japan."

"Yeah! I want to eat the convenience store bento you brought last time."

The classmates traveling with us all nodded.

The convenience store food I brought from Japan...

Everyone greedily devoured it.

"So, Kousuke, for everyone's sake, go back to Japan and buy some food."

"We'll give you points for the food for everyone."

"While you're at it, get some ice cream to calm down."

Hagizawa and one of the combat team members each gave me points.

About 20,000 points.

With this, I should be able to bring back enough food for everyone.

"Got it. What do you want?"

"Hamburger!"

"Beef bowl!"

"Tempura bowl!"

"Fried chicken!"

As I took notes of what everyone wanted, Momotaro started summarizing the requests like a survey.

I took the notes and transferred to Japan.

I left my weapons in the room and hid them.

...I hope they don't start moving as soon as I'm gone.

I checked with visual transfer before rushing to the town.

There are no major changes in Japan.

...At night, Momotaro suggests resting in the Japanese room.

Recently, I've been trying to avoid going back to Japan, but according to Momotaro, Hagizawa, and Jitsu, it's better to rest in a safe place.

However, I insist on sleeping there.

There might be an enemy attack at night.

I moved through the bustling town at a speed that wouldn't attract attention and entered MD Burger.

I had to order a lot for the group.

I placed the takeout order and looked outside the store.

People were walking hurriedly.

I don't need to rush... I'll stop. I'm just lashing out.

...A little while ago, I felt guilty about being the only one who could return to Japan, but now I feel a sense of aversion.

Even if it's for everyone... I can't help but feel uneasy about being away from a place where an attack could happen at any time.

The store clerk was surprised by the large order for the number of survivors in our class, and I can understand their situation as they worked diligently, but I felt irritated.

I don't want to make a mistake in the order.

"Here you go, number... "

The counter was piled high with bags, and I stepped forward to collect them.

They even prepared a large bag for the large amount.

I decided to carry them forcefully and leave the store.

Some people passing by were looking at me, but I didn't care.

I repeated the process of ordering and collecting takeout from other stores.

However, the last order, the pizza, took a long time.

Momotaro and the others had ordered pizza last.

They even specified the type and asked for all the takeout items to be brought together.

I had to wait 15 minutes for the pizza to be ready.

During that time... I realized that my anxiety about the escaped monster was starting to calm down.

...Yeah.

Probably, Momotaro and the others were trying to calm me down.

I can't not notice that much.

I moved to a less crowded back alley and checked on Momotaro and the others before transferring.

I confirmed that they were still waiting, but if I checked for too long, I would consume a lot of mana and wouldn't be able to transfer to the other world.

It was easier when I was alternating with Meguru...

Sleeping would restore my mana, but that's not good.

I know it's not good to keep looking to reduce Jitsu's burden, but I was feeling frustrated and enduring it.

That was a mistake.

"What!?"

When I checked at the pizza place, Momotaro and the others were still waiting, but now no one was there.

"What happened!?"

I squinted and saw several large footprints that looked like monsters.

They were attacked by large monsters and fled...?

I remember hearing about a powerful monster that the combat team couldn't handle and had to retreat.

It was said to only be in the north, but it might be here too.

Damn... I had forgotten that we usually did the shopping when everyone was camping.

The last time I checked was 10 minutes ago...

Damn!

I hit the wall in frustration and started the incantation to transfer back to the other world.

...I'll pretend I didn't see the crack in the wall from the impact.

I also transferred the items I left in the room.

"Momotaro! Everyone!"

I ran in the direction of the footprints and cut down the monsters with the Metal Turtle's sword.

It seems... Momotaro and the others had already taken care of most of them, so there were few left.

In any case, I need to catch up with Momotaro and the others and set up camp to deliver the food.

It's difficult to move through the forest with food, but I can retrieve the items I left in the room.

I need to catch up as soon as possible!

"Why at a time like this..."

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

First, I lost the trail of the footprints.

The ground changed from soil to rock.

Moreover, there was a river, mixed with mud, cutting through the forest, making it difficult to use for drinking water.

I knew there was a river along the way, but I didn't expect to lose the trail of Momotaro and the others here.

I remember that the river changed direction a few days after crossing it.

So, the combat team predicted that we could exit the forest after the river.

"Crossing the river as it is... might be dangerous."

It's not the Amazon.

However, I don't know what kind of monsters might be in the river.

Still, the fact that the river is murky suggests a reason for it.

It's likely that Momotaro and the others crossed it.

I feel like I'm close to catching up.

...I designated myself and a spot on the other side of the river and transferred.