“So where are we going first?”
“Yeah let us first walk around and gather supplies from supermarkets and convenient stores. Also, I remember that there is a high school nearby. We can gather information there.” While hiding, of course. With the occupations and skills that Ichinose-san and I posses, we can take action even within buildings. Rather, for Ichinose-san, she can only display her true prowess inside buildings.
“High school ”
“Yeah, it’s where I attended. How about Ichinose-s . Ah.”
I realize that I misspoke only after I have said it. She was a Hiki Komori. And she’s said that she dropped out in the middle of high school. I’m sure that it isn’t something that she wants to remember.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I also attended that school before. Despite only having unpleasant memories ” Suddenly, Ichinose-san’s face is covered by a shadow.
“High school huh I’m sure that the school is in tatters after being sabotaged by monsters. Rather, that will make me relieved. That kind of place deserves to be destroyed. Destroy, destroy, be destroyed. I hate schools. I loathe them. I also despise my classmates who didn’t extend a helping hand. They should be killed along with the school! Fufufufufu, ahahahahahahaha!” “C, calm down Ichinose-san!”
Ichinose-san returns to normal when I shake her shoulders.
“Huh ? Sorry. Something strange within me was switched on again ”
“Ah, no. It’s fine.”
Well, to be honest, it totally isn’t fine. As I thought, this girl, she’s sick somewhere. Her thoughts are so dark.
“Uh, if it’s inconvenient on your part, do you want to look for another place?”
We don’t have to purposely stimulate her traumatic memories by heading there. To begin with, the only reason I decided on that place is because of its proximity.
“It’s fine.”
Unexpectedly, Ichinose-san turns down by suggestion.
“Even so -”
“Ah, okay.”
I was completely cut off.
“And there was one.”
“There was one person I was close friends with. I hope that person isn’t dead yet ”
“Is that so ”
A close friend huh. I didn’t have one though. In that regards, I’m slightly jealous.
“It would be great if that person is also alive, wouldn’t it.”
She replies sincerely while smiling and turning her head away. In this manner, we decided to move towards school while gathering supplies.
CH 69
Before we arrive at the school, we need to obtain some supplies for ourselves. We should go to a nearby convenience store or supermarket.
“Speaking of which, Kudou-san. About acquiring food ”
“Yes?”
“Supermarkets are fine and all, but if you want to get them in bulks, isn’t it better to look for wholesale markets or a warehouse of a distributor or an agricultural cooperative? There might be things like stockpiled rice, pre-shipment vegetables, and seeds.” I-indeed, if they’re put in my Item Box, they won’t rot, so that’s also a viable option.
“Yes but I’m ashamed to say that I’m not aware of where those places are.”
Agricultural cooperatives are near the government offices, but I don’t know where the warehouses and storages are. It will take some time to search for them. The wholesale market is also quite a distance away and is in the opposite side of the city center. This would take a lot of time as well.
“ ‘Map’ ”
When Ichinose-san asks for it, a 3D map appears in front of her eyes. It’s the “Map” skill that she has. She says she received this through Gatcha as well. Some degree of searching can be done; it’s almost like Goo◯ Map. I mean, Ichinose-san calls me a cheat, but I think the same goes for Ichinose-san. Her draws are too good. It’s to the point where people who invest a lot in games will yell “Don’t mess with us”.
“The warehouse is quite a bit of distance away.”
The numerous blinking points on the map must be where the warehouses of agricultural cooperatives are. They’re all quite far away. Hmm, then we should put this aside. Besides, it’ll be difficult for other people to move things outside the warehouses if they don’t have Item Boxes like me. Even if they do have the skill, their skill levels will be low if they don’t have point bonuses like I do.
“Then let’s just proceed as planned. We can go to those places afterwards.”
As such, we searched around for nearby convenience stores. While we are moving, I am carrying Ichinose-san on my back. It’s faster this way. I notice while carrying her that Ichinose-san’s chest doesn’t possess much prowess. There’s nothing to worry about.
“ I wonder why. I’m suddenly feeling extremely dissatisfied.”
“It’s just your imagination. Please put down your nails.”
Regarding our appearance, we look exceedingly suspicious as we have a gun and a knife on us with helmets covering our entire face. If this is before, we would have been reported for sure. I would certainly report it. Well, with my skills and Aka’s mimicry, it should be fine. Nevertheless, as expected of the city’s core. There is much more human presence than in the suburbs. There are also many signs of monsters. “Detect Enemy” has been ringing since a while ago.
“A lot of people are outside ”
“Indeed ”
The numbers are surprising even considering the fact that most of them are people looking for evacuation centers. Since they don’t have any skills, we’re unlikely to get detected.
“It’s eerie that we aren’t being noticed to this degree.”
“Well, it’s because we’re specialized in covert actions.”
As we move, “Odorless”, “Silent Operation”, and “Attention Cut-off” are being used. Inside the stores, Ichinose-san’s “Cognitive Impediment” gets activated too. Inside buildings, “Cognitive Impediment” makes it difficult for others to recognize the existence of the user. Apparently, because I am in contact with her, the effect is extended to me as well. This is a powerful skill that was able to deceive even Momo’s nose. It’s very dependable. Unless we’re facing opponents like the high orc and the dark wolf, we wouldn’t have to be worried about being found.
“Ah, Kudou-san, that ”
“Hmm?”
I look at the direction where Ichinose-san is pointing. There is a monster there.
“ it’s a slime.”
There are three slimes present at the garbage dump. As usual, they are absorbing the trash while furu furu-ing. This is something for Aka to take care of.
“Aka.”
Approaching the slimes, Aka undoes a part of its mimicry and stretches it out like a tentacle. Then, with a “Churuun”, it absorbs the three slimes.
“Aka’s just like a vacuum cleaner.”
Yeah, it is as you say. It’s has a significant suction power. After checking that Aka has fully absorbed the slimes, we quickly leave the scene. Thereafter, we went to places like the convenience stores, general stores, and supermarkets to secure supplies. While the interiors were in a mess, there were some supplies remaining. As I predicted, Item Box seems like a precious skill. After that, we went to the high school having replenished the necessary supplies. A few minutes later, we arrived near the perimeter of the school. Since we didn’t encounter any powerful monster, we were able to reach our destination faster than we have predicted. From here, I can already sense the presence of several humans. It seems refugees are gathering here.
“Chi, it’s not destroyed.”
Ichinose-san is saying something, but let’s ignore it. Rather than that, I am feeling a relatively strong presence within the school. And it’s numerous. Most probably, there are people with skills inside. While their levels aren’t known, the quality of information that I could get from them should be decent.
“Hm ? That is ”
I use “Telephoto” while hiding in the shadow and witness a familiar face near the school gate. It’s Nishino-kun. And a fancy high school girl Rikka-chan, was it? In addition, there is also Ishizawa-san, the newlywed, and the sports girl. Seems like they are all well. Thank goodness. Nishino-kun is currently communicating with the person standing watch near the gate. What are they talking about? Even with “Listening Ears”, I can’t hear anything from this distance. Nishino-kun enters the school, having finished his talk.