Chapter 8

It has been two weeks since the class transfer.

"Storage boy! Hurry up and bring the supplies over!"

Right now, I am being spoken to like this by one of the combat group members.

The person speaking is, as you can see, condescending.

It's hard to believe these are the words of someone who was studying in the same classroom just two weeks ago, but people do change.

Especially in an emergency, and even more so if it's a situation where the rule of law doesn't apply.

If there's a clear reason, it might be...

The brainwashing by Taniizumi has started to take effect.

Yes... the perception of the combat group and the base group has changed, and at some point, the names changed to player group and NPC group.

The origin of these names, of course, comes from games.

The players in the combat group, who are the stars, gain experience and grow by fighting, and bring back materials and points.

The NPCs in the base group provide various things to the players, like shops, inns, and blacksmiths.

It seems that this perception has taken hold.

The situation has become incredibly distorted.

I ruminate on this as I think about what I learned yesterday.

There was an experiment conducted overseas in the past.

I saw it on the internet yesterday and thought it was similar to the situation in this class, known as the Stanford Prison Experiment.

"Power corrupts people..."

The Stanford Prison Experiment, named after the university where it was conducted, had the following content.

People gathered through newspaper advertisements were divided into the roles of guards and prisoners in a prison setting and asked to act out these roles.

To put it simply, the guards became more like guards, and the prisoners fell into a state of mind similar to that of actual prisoners.

And then...

The experiment was halted midway, but the guards became more aggressive, torturing the prisoners and even resorting to violence.

Moreover, they seemed to enjoy the role and suggested continuing the experiment.

On the other hand, the burden on the prisoners was immense, and some suffered mental breakdowns and had to withdraw.

To summarize the results of the experiment succinctly:

In a small world where a strong power, in this case, the ability to dominate the weak, and where no help is expected, the rationality of the strong side fails, leading to a state of失控.

Moreover, they feel that this survival situation can be resolved... like a game where they can adventure with their fellow players.

They must be having a lot of fun every day.

The thrill of battle and the fact that pain becomes less noticeable as levels increase, and minor injuries don't matter much, contribute to this.

With healers around, injuries can be treated, making it feel like a game.

The fact that the monsters are not as strong as the players further reinforces this.

If someone dies, people might come to their senses, but it's wrong to wish for deaths.

This situation under Taniizumi's control also fits the Milgram Experiment.

Well, this one is similar too.

In this case, Taniizumi takes all the responsibility.

In short, recently, the attitude towards those with abilities not suited for combat has worsened.

No, they are no longer recognized as human beings.

The term NPC, which is a common name, strips away the awareness that they are human.

Mori Shin has finally reached his limit and warned Taniizumi, but she apparently played ignorant.

Well, she didn't say it to his face, and it seems that everyone started calling him that at some point.

Mori Shin, if they used the term NPC with him, wouldn't make the weapons, so the base group members, who have high utility, treat him as a human.

So, outstanding abilities drive people mad.

In the deep, dangerous forest, this hierarchy has been established for two weeks.

I don't think Taniizumi will change her mind, and it's a fact that some factor is needed to resolve this situation.

Taniizumi is not stupid.

She has some talent for leadership and seems to be concerned about a coup from the base group, so she is monitoring the newly developed square... the settlement.

If someone tries to head into the forest with equipment, the monitors will interfere.

They say things like, "The base group doesn't need to fight," but they also mock and discriminate against us. What's the logic behind that?

The portal is only used by Ono to return home.

According to the story, Ono's duplication ability has a longer effect time.

So, Hiyama was reassigned to the base.

She doesn't mind.

In fact, it seems that being with Taniizumi was quite painful, and she is actually happy about it.

...Moreover, abilities can be enhanced.

It must be related to the levels, right?

If we can use this enhancement to bring things back, that would be great...

However, the fatal issue is that Taniizumi's control is not limited to the combat group.

Mori Shin is stubborn and won't back down, but not everyone can be like him.

In short, if you have essential abilities, you are favored, whether you are in the base group or not.

Mori Shin's blacksmithing, Hiyama's teleportation, cooking, and barrier creation for safe zones.

Taniizumi is favoring these people.

Mori Shin and Hiyama are, of course, favored, but when there are favored and unfavored people in the same group, complaints arise not only upwards but also sideways.

So, the base group is not united.

Currently, the main opposition to Taniizumi is centered around Mori Shin and Hiyama.

Some members of the base group are supporting them.

I would be classified as part of this group.

However, not everyone else is on board.

In other words, a situation where unity cannot be achieved has been created.

Moreover, the level difference between the combat group... the players, is widening.

Recently, I have been discussing this with Mori Shin, and after being treated with disdain, Hiyama, who was demoted to the second team, is cooperating on a certain plan.

According to Hiyama, who is stationed at the base, it is possible to ignore the monitors and use the teleportation ability.

Therefore, a meeting was held to plan a monster hunt led by the base group to level up.

I will also participate in this monster hunt.

Apparently, the equipment procurement is almost ready, and the next challenge is how to hide the equipment without Taniizumi and the others noticing.

I volunteered to secure a hiding place.

A place where Taniizumi will never find it... my room in Japan.

As long as I am not suspected by Taniizumi, there should be no problem.

Well, Taniizumi rarely pays attention to me.

"...I understand."

I nod and follow the order, and the student from the player group smirks and looks down on me.

In the past, I would have snapped at being called a storage boy!

But the fact that "I can return alone" gives me a sense of ease.

To be honest, no matter how condescending they are, I don't feel that angry.

Well... it's not a good feeling.

Most importantly, I want to avoid problems for the sake of Mori Shin and the others' plan.

"So? What's the price for transportation?"

The base group members use points for their abilities.

Following this, the base group members who use magic for their abilities are also required to be rewarded... secretly by having Mori Shin make weapons for them.

"Huh? What are you talking about? In a game, the storage boy provides free service, right? That's your job... so it's free labor, got it? You scum."

Ugh... I could just give up everything and live a peaceful life in Japan!

But I can't abandon Mori Shin, Hiyama, Hime no, and the other classmates.

I hate that I have a condescending attitude because I can return, but I want to do something to help.

"Fine, fine. I'll do it, I'll do it."

What kind of logic is it to demand free labor and call me scum?

Why are they keeping us from leaving the base because we are not suited for combat?

They are treating us like mere characters in a game, from the perspective of the players.

I'm not here by choice.

Two weeks ago, he was just a normal guy.

It seems that the combat group is under Taniizumi's brainwashing.

"That's fine. See you, storage boy."

He left, seemingly satisfied.

Phew... finally, the noisy one is gone.

"Are you okay?"

Hime no immediately came over to me, placed her hand on my cut cheek, and started to heal it.

Hiyama also came over, looking exasperated.

"Being called a storage boy is just like a game..."

"Well, it's best not to take it to heart."

"But... it's too much, isn't it?"

Even Hime no seems to be at her wits' end, showing her discomfort.

According to Hiyama and Hime no, there is a hierarchy among the girls... and some of the girls in the base group are secretly trying to form relationships with the combat group to gain advantages.

Naturally, this is looked down upon by those with a sound mind.

This seems to be a common psychological state in extreme situations, as I read on the internet.

I have encountered such a scene by chance before, but it wasn't pure love...

When I approached, thinking they were being forced, I was shouted at, "We love each other, so don't interfere! You're just a lower version!"

By the girls.

So, I thought they were in a relationship by choice.

Of course, I considered the possibility... but I wanted to believe that it was love awakened in the survival situation.

The toughness of women, I guess... but I'm starting to find women a bit scary.

Food and living conditions are no longer the issue; they are trying to curry favor with the rulers.

I read about this psychology in a book.

To be fair, I was sharing food with that girl.

I don't remember how many times I gave her snacks.

There's no reason for her to curse me like that.

Anyway, including such people, there are very few people I can truly trust.

"In this situation, it's like a game! I can't believe it!"

"Come on, Hime no, calm down."

"I can't calm down!"

"...Just two weeks ago, we were classmates. It's like they think of us as slaves!"

Hime no and Hiyama are really upset.

Well... I understand.

It's a situation where anyone would snap.

"Maybe so."

That combat group member definitely thinks that way.

What I thought earlier is undoubtedly the truth.

Few people treat game NPCs with respect, right?

The item shop just needs to sell items when spoken to, and the inn just needs to heal.

If it were a real game, it would be a problem if they abandoned their duties.

So, they are mistaken.

Moreover... I'm only speaking from our perspective, but they have been risking their lives in battle, earning points, and surviving for two weeks.

It's not unreasonable for them to feel that we, who can't fight monsters, are cheating.

In other words, they might feel that since they are taking care of us, we should follow their orders.

...But, I think it's also a fact that they are going too far.

The blatant expression of this is the base group members, who are not useful, like the storage boy, who is not even used.

Taniizumi and the top members will never entrust their used weapons to anyone.

They reuse them within the combat group, and if they are no longer needed, they store them in their own homes or throw them away.

Well... that sounds like something Taniizumi would do.

They might be stolen or not returned.

That's how little my ability is valued by them.

"...Hashibashi-kun, you seem so mature."

Hime no, who had finished healing, tilted her head and said.