Chapter 7

"Does being strong mean you can do whatever you want?"

"…What! It's not like I can't forge without you. Don't get too cocky."

"Who's the one getting cocky here?"

Hishan frowned in displeasure.

It was definitely Tazumi who was getting cocky.

"Huh? What's the matter? Got a complaint?"

"Listen, Tazumi, do you know what would happen if I intentionally sent you to a place where there are a lot of monsters when we return from hunting? Everyone is trying to cooperate to get through this situation."

Hishan didn't back down, objecting to Tazumi.

"Ah!? What are you trying to do? Trying to threaten me?"

"Being strong doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."

"Ha! No matter what you say, it's meaningless. You can't threaten us!"

Tazumi, holding the sword made by Mochishin, directed his words at Mochishin.

It seemed he wouldn't point the sword at Hishan, who was a girl.

"We have Oono, who can copy abilities."

Indeed, among the combat group, there is a unique and useful ability user.

His name is Oono Keisuke, who has risen in status after the transfer.

Oono is bullied by Tazumi and other delinquents at school, but it's largely his own fault.

He breaks school rules and tells teachers he won't bow to authority, and when he helps someone being bullied, he complains that they weren't helped fast enough and doesn't even say thank you.

He's a pretty dangerous guy.

At first, everyone, including Tazumi, tried to help Oono when he was being bullied by delinquents, but after repeatedly acting this way, no one helped him anymore.

While Oono is at fault, it doesn't justify bullying, but by giving up on being helped, he left himself to be abandoned.

However, after the transfer, he gained the ability to copy, and was accepted as a useful resource for Tazumi, who is deeply knowledgeable about games.

Though he seems to despise Tazumi and is thinking about a coup.

Incidentally, Oono has a certain introverted quality.

I analyzed that he became a loner for a reason.

"We can create weapons and portals with Oono."

"…You know the limitations of his ability, right?"

Mochishin didn't back down, answering in a way that protected his classmates.

According to Oono, the effect of ability copying lasts for three hours.

Once used, it can't be used again until it's copied again.

"Without knowing the range, at worst, I'll risk my life to stop your tyranny, Tazumi. Don't forget that."

In other words, if Mochishin is gone, Oono's ability can't be used.

As a result, the ability to create weapons and armor would be lost.

I recognized again that Mochishin's willingness to risk his life for others is one of his attractive qualities.

I, Hishan, and everyone in the base group don't want to see him do such a thing.

"…Damn! Don't get too cocky!"

Realizing he can't act tyrannically towards Mochishin for now, Tazumi left with a displeased look.

However, it's a fact that factions are forming within the class.

A week ago, we were intelligent Japanese students.

Now, a sinister atmosphere of power dominance fills this place.

"Really… why does Tazumi act so tyrannically…"

"The situation seems to be getting worse…"

Hishan sighed in frustration.

"Are you okay?"

Himeyama applied a base recovery to the choking class representative.

Tazumi and his group's strength, due to their level increases, is remarkable; they can easily lift a person with one hand.

The monsters outside the base are so strong that it's difficult to defeat them with just our abilities.

Even the Horn Rats we defeated on the first day are hard to beat without using abilities.

They are probably considered early-game fodder, but with the lack of information, it's a significant disadvantage to not be combat-ready.

"I wish we had some means to fight."

I have a bad feeling.

If the level gap continues to widen… the combat group, already out of control, will only become more tyrannical.

The current atmosphere is different from when we were in Japan; Tazumi, who is leading everyone, is becoming more assertive.

The base group is smaller, so Tazumi's influence is stronger in this environment where strength rules.

"About that, if supplies start to flow more smoothly… there might be a way to cut in."

"Right… but I have a survival knife. Maybe I can fight with this."

I have the ability to return to Japan.

The sword Tazumi is using is apparently made from monster bones.

I think the knife I bought in Japan is sharper.

I secretly gave it to Mochishin.

"That's one option, but first, isn't it important to have armor to minimize injuries? The common sense here is different from Japan."

Mochishin answered.

Apparently, Tazumi and his group also recognize this, and the requests for armor are more frequent.

It's a significant factor.

"Tazumi always brings supplies just in time, but I think he will soon start overhunting monsters. If that happens, we might be able to make everyone's armor with inferior materials."

We will solidify our defenses with powerful equipment from the front-line group and follow from behind.

…It's quite doubtful that Tazumi will allow such a move.

In a sense, he is building a kingdom where he can have fun.

"Kosei… in the past week, you've been sharing food with everyone, right?"

"I heard that too."

Hishan smiled gently and held my hand.

"I think it's a very noble thing."

"Well…"

There is food, but the distribution is limited.

Tazumi seems to be aware of this, as his group eats most of it and leaves the rest for the base group.

The monsters they bring back… some are plant-type, some are meat-type, and they are the current food source.

Since there's nothing else to eat, we have to eat it.

Me? I eat all my meals at home. My lunch is a bento from my mom.

…In any case, most of the base group are hungry, except for the cooks, Mochishin, and the barrier ability users.

Mochishin and Hishan share part of the food with everyone, so they must be quite exhausted.

According to Tazumi's logic, those who don't work shouldn't eat, but it seems he is leading them to a state where they can't work.

That's why I feel guilty consuming the limited food, so I distribute it to others.

What's the point of solidifying the combat group?

I think the base group should at least be brought along as porters, and Mochishin suggests this, but it's not being considered.

Probably, Tazumi is afraid that if the base group's levels rise, they will become uncontrollable.

So he is starving them to keep them in check.

"I feel sorry… you can hate me for not being able to stop Tazumi's tyranny."

"What are you talking about? I don't need to eat, so I'm just passing it on to others."

I quietly gave Mochishin and Hishan a box of chocolate bars with English writing on them.

I borrowed a few from the ones my mom bought and kept at home.

This amount wouldn't seem unusual to have.

It's a valuable item that would make my classmates cry with joy.

It shows how much everyone wants to return to Japan.

"I still had some in my bag. Give it to someone who's hungry in secret."

I've been distributing sweets for a week.

I've been giving them to hungry classmates for various reasons.

Maybe someone saw me, or someone who I told to keep it secret spread the word.

Well, I don't mind the fact that I'm distributing sweets being known.

The problem is that there's a limit to how much I can distribute.

I've already distributed a considerable amount… it might not be noticeable now, but if you think about it, the amount I have is suspicious.

It's like, how many sweets do you bring to school?

…It was a mistake.

I should have said I can summon items from Japan using my ability early on.

Now, if I say I can bring items from Japan by spending points, it will seem like I've been hiding it.

I was too cautious about not drawing attention from Tazumi and Oono.

I realized later… should I at least provide food?

…However, there are limits to what I can bring.

I don't have enough money to cover the food expenses for all my classmates.

To bring items from Japan, I need Japanese money.

I'm already using my allowance, and as a student, I have limited funds.

I even considered shoplifting, but I can't do that.

"But…"

"Don't worry. I don't like sweets anyway."

"Kosei…"

"Habashi-kun…"

Mochishin was tearing up.

Hishan also had a touched look, which I wish she wouldn't.

I feel really guilty.

I can't tell them I eat my fill every day…

But I can't reveal my secret to everyone here.

I trust Mochishin and Hishan, but I don't know where the secret might leak from.

Like how the fact that I distribute sweets leaked out.

Tazumi wants to rule his kingdom.

Ootsuka wants to go home.

The others probably have their own thoughts.

If they find out I can go home, how will they react?

If they just envy me, it would be one thing.

But it won't end there.

To Tazumi, I would be a dangerous presence who can provide a way home.

To Ootsuka, I would be a cheater monopolizing the way home.

Oono might also target me. I can't trust him.

It's questionable whether he can really copy abilities.

I once subtly contacted Oono and had him use my ability.

Oono seemed reluctant and bothered.

In any case, I managed to guide his consciousness to the point where he could use the transfer.

However, Oono couldn't return to Japan.

I thought maybe my recognition of him was lost when he returned, but that wasn't the case.

Oono himself treated my ability as trash and reported it to Tazumi.

He even complained about wasting time.

He also said his transfer range was much worse than mine, but from my experience, that's not true.

What does this mean?

Does Oono's ability copying have some kind of limit?

I remember that Tazumi, despite having the ability to copy forging, always tries to make Mochishin use his ability.

Maybe it costs more points or the quality of the items is lower.

For the same reason, Oono might face some restrictions when using my ability.

…In any case, I need to find a way to change this situation.

But I can't fight.

I can return to Japan, but I can't save everyone.

I could ask a trustworthy combat group member to help me level up, but Tazumi's rule makes any independent action dangerous.

Moreover, the combat group probably doesn't want to become like the base group, so cooperation is unlikely.

The teacher, who was severely injured, still shows fear even after recovering, when someone approaches him. Well, anyone would be like that after such an experience.

"…"

Surprisingly, survival situations reveal people's true nature.

"Please wait. We'll do something about it."

"Okay. Since Habashi-kun is doing what he can for everyone, we have to try our best too."

"Don't worry about me. The three of us… including Himeyama, should work hard for the plan."

"Of course."

"Yes."

We waited for a week for Mochishin to have the opportunity to steal supplies and points.