Chapter 57

"Let's take a rest here for now. The river water... Hagizawa, I'll leave the appraisal to you. If it's not possible, I'll have Kosei fetch some water, set up a simple tent, and take turns resting."

"Understood."

Everyone started preparing the camp efficiently.

Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Perhaps we've become accustomed to this.

I was startled when we got separated from everyone.

I... don't want to lose anyone anymore.

I'll do whatever it takes to prevent that.

I clenched my fist tightly.

"The water seems to be fine. Jitsu, can you get the rice? We'll prepare a meal for everyone here."

It had only been a few hours, but a lot had happened.

To be honest, I was exhausted from all the movement.

Even with Jitsu and others with recovery abilities, fatigue isn't something that can be easily alleviated.

It would be best to sit down or lie down.

However, I couldn't just slack off while everyone else was working.

"Growl."

The Punching Bear kept licking me.

I guess it's some kind of treatment, but it feels like I'm being tasted.

If it keeps licking me, maybe it's constantly recovering my fatigue?

"Um... Hanahashi-kun."

One of the girls who had been captured at the base called out to me.

Apparently, the poison had been treated with Jitsu's base recovery.

Thanks to the quick actions of Shun and the others, we managed to rescue them before the Parasite could do anything.

Still, they plan to focus on recovery for a while just in case.

"What?"

"Um... thanks to Hanahashi-kun, no one has to worry about hunger, so... it's okay."

"Don't worry, just take a rest."

"No, I..."

I need to be a shield for everyone and keep watch.

As I was thinking this, Shun came over.

"Kosei, you must be quite tired. You were sent ahead alone earlier."

"...Yeah."

"I'm sorry. I should have prepared a note or something..."

I shook my head at Shun's apology.

"While I'm in Japan, I'm not recognized as being present. It's understandable that there wasn't time to prepare."

Just a moment's distraction caused all this commotion.

Even if I had asked for a note, it wouldn't have made a difference if no one recognized it.

On the contrary, I'm glad they thought I would return.

Ugh... if I let my guard down, I feel a bit...

"Kosei?"

Shun placed his hand on my forehead.

"Do you have a fever? Hagizawa, Jitsu!"

"I'm fine. I'm just tired. I'll recover with a bit of rest."

"You're pushing yourself too hard. For now... let's have Hagizawa make some medicine and have Jitsu's base recovery done again."

"Kosei-kun, you've been working too hard. You haven't slept properly recently."

"Here, take the medicine, but you should rest properly in Japan."

"That's not possible."

Because of my return to Japan, problems have occurred today, and in the past, everyone has suffered unnecessarily because of me.

So I... I need to go to Japan only to gather necessary supplies.

Shun grabbed my shoulders.

"Just... Kosei, take a night off. I'll have Hagizawa make plenty of magic recovery medicine, and you can use visual transfer to watch us... at least rest your body."

"But..."

"Isn't it visual transfer? Can't you share someone's vision?"

Hagizawa tilted his head.

Is that possible?

"Indeed, considering the ability's name, it seems possible. Kosei, try it."

"Alright."

I specified a location for the visual transfer.

Since Shun pointed to himself, I chose him.

Then, my vision showed my own face.

Right at Shun's eye level.

When Shun moved his gaze, my vision moved with it.

"It seems I can share Shun's vision through visual transfer."

"In that case, maybe I can register objects too. It's a different type from Meguru's千里眼 (千里眼 means 'far-seeing eye')."

Hagizawa crossed his arms and explained, then covered his mouth as if he had said something he shouldn't.

"Anyway, Kosei, take a full night's rest to be in top condition. This is the final stretch, you know."

"..."

"Relax, Kosei. If you can follow my vision, you won't be left behind. It's okay to rest. Please."

"Alright."

I nodded reluctantly, and Shun and the others were relieved.

"Growl?"

"What should we do with this one?"

"If it can be included in the transfer as a glove, we can bring it."

"Wow, a bear is going to Kosei-kun's house."

Silence fell at Jitsu's words.

Yeah, it's fine in another world, but in Japan, even if it's docile, the Punching Bear is still dangerous.

If a bear appears in a residential area, it will cause a commotion.

"Can you guard everyone for a night?"

"Growl!"

The Punching Bear placed its hand on its face, indicating understanding.

"Even if you revert to a normal monster when I'm gone, just come back quickly if that happens."

"Understood. Then... I'll leave it to you. I might return soon."

After saying that, I began the incantation to transfer back to Japan.

I took the medicine given by Hagizawa regularly and, while checking that everyone was safe, I rested in Japan.

The Punching Bear seemed to remain calm even after I transferred...

I returned early in the morning after a good night's rest, just as Shun was rowing a boat while on watch.

"Growl growl!"

The Punching Bear, noticing my return, ran over happily.

Yeah, it's big, but its reactions are cute.

It's quite adorable.

It feels like a dog that has become attached to someone.

"Hmm... Ah, Kosei. Welcome back. How are you?"

"I rested well and feel much better."

"That's great... by the way..."

Shun crossed his arms, thinking about the Punching Bear.

"What is it?"

"About that bear. I realized it might remember Kosei, even though everyone else doesn't remember you when you're in Japan."

"Growl!"

"What do you mean?"

"After you left, everyone understood that the bear was a companion, but they were unsure who its owner was. They thought it might be Jitsu or Hagizawa, but the bear shook its head."

I looked at the Punching Bear.

So it understands who its owner is?

"When asked who the owner was, it picked up stones and threw them, tried to shake hands with me, and made various gestures. At the time, I didn't understand, but I think it was clearly indicating you."

I see, I looked at the Punching Bear.

Could it be...

"Is it set up to recognize me as its owner, so it's connected to me in some way and doesn't forget?"

"Maybe."

"Growl."

The Punching Bear came over and lay down next to me.

...I don't know why, but I feel a bit more at ease.

"Well... since it seems to have a resistance to Kosei's issues, take good care of it."

"Alright."

Even though I only treated its wounds, it has become attached to me.

I can't ignore it since it's doing so much for me.

"Should I prepare some food for it? Or maybe brush its fur with a comb?"

"Growl."

I used visual transfer to fetch a comb from the room and brushed the Punching Bear's fur.

The Punching Bear lay down happily.

"I'll keep watch, so Shun, take a good rest."

"Alright... I'll get some sleep then."

"Growl."

The Punching Bear waved at Shun as he entered the tent.

"Ah, that bear. It sensed danger and alerted everyone, which was quite helpful."

"Good job."

"Growl growl."

It made a happy sound when I petted it.

The combat group, who were on watch, watched this scene with a smile.