“Do you see an acquaintance?”
“Ah, no. He’s not really an acquaintance.”
“Is that so. As someone who doesn’t have the skill, I can’t see from so far away.”
No, to begin with, if you can see with your naked eyes the same thing I’m seeing with “Telephoto”, that’ll truly be a cheat. Putting that aside, we should enter the school from somewhere where the guard isn’t tight. As long as we enter the building, Ichinose-san’s skill should also come into effect. It’ll be great if I can get some useful intelligence. While expecting such, we look for places where we can use to infiltrate.
While this is happening -
The dark wolf was running around in the city center. The wound hurt. It had been negligent. It was unbelievable that the human possessed so much strength. It far exceeded its expectations. Thanks to that, the pack was half-destroyed, and it was also inflicted with some wounds. The damages were devastating. However, there were some gains as well. The individual that it had been seeking ever since the world collapsed. At long last, it was found.
“It’s that dog.”
The dog that stood besides the human. From that dog, it was able to feel the aura of its mate.
“That dog is the one-”
There is no doubt. It was able to meet at last.
“Wait just there.”
It was determined to bring it back. But it shouldn’t be impatient. For now, it was necessary for it to heal its wounds and accumulate more power.
“First, it is necessary to regroup ”
In order to prevent being chased, they fled in different directions. For them, it wasn’t a major problem as they had a superior sense of smell. They would be able find each other very soon. While sniffing for the smell of the herd, several goblins appeared.
“Unable to even comprehend the difference?”
Despite its warnings, the goblins readied their weapons with their empty eyes. How ignorant. But it was perfect. As of now, it needed to heal, even if it was a little. Its opponents also looked as if they wanted a fight, so there shouldn’t be any complaints.
“Die.”
The dark wolf deployed its “darkness” and massacred the goblins in seconds. Near its feet, the magic stones of the goblins rolled about.
“I’ll be having them then.”
It stretched its neck to eat the magic stones. Precisely at that moment, chains emerged from the magic stone and wrapped around its neck.
What? Unpleasant chains that jingled and caused metallic sounds. It panicked due to the sudden occurrence.
“What is this chain?!”
Although it tried to break it, it couldn’t be broken. Although it tried to shake it off, it couldn’t be shaken off.
“Ahyahyahya! Iyaa, lucky. To think I’ll catch something so big. Ahm super lucky.”
An annoying voice was suddenly heard from behind. Who was this human? Where did he come from? No, more than anything, were these chains the work of this man?
“Guraa!”
“Oops. It’s futile to try and shake it off. All the conditions have been met. From now on, I’m your lord, you dog.”
Conditions? Lord? What were those? What was this human talking about? Unwillingly, it lost its strength, and something uncomfortable started moving about in its body. A majority of its consciousness was sapped, and it was replaced with something entirely different.
“As I thought, it’s perfect, this occupation of Monster Tamer . It was the right choice, hyahyahyahya-”
The annoying voice started to fade. It gradually lost its consciousness. No, there was still something that it had to accomplish. There was someone that it had to pick up. However, its struggle to maintain its consciousness was for naught. The dark wolf completely lost its consciousness.
“Great, the slavery is complete. It’s time to return to school. If I don’t hurry, they might start to grow suspicious.” Satisfied, the man left the scene.
CH 70
Looking around here and there for places where we can easily infiltrate, we sneak into the school. While there are people on guard duty, no one notices us.
As I predicted, without a detecting ability at the level of the high orc’s or the dark wolf’s, it isn’t possible to detect us. It’s a relief. Recently, I’ve been against enemies who can negate the effects of the skills, so I was worried, but it seems like they’re working without a problem. In addition, by entering the building, Ichinose-san’s “Cognitive Impediment” activates.
Along with the effects from my own skills, there definitely shouldn’t be a case where we are found out. In fact, no one seems to care even as we walk down the hallway. Now, we can search secretively and openly. But since it’s been many years since I’ve visited my mother school, it feels nostalgic.
We enter with our shoes on and without the slippers. While it seems like a trivial matter at this point, I feel like we’re doing something bad. (TN: When entering the school, students in Japan are expected to wear slippers.)
Successful students suddenly get teased; there are implicit rules between underclassmen and upperclassmen; getting obsessed over things that you won’t care about when you become an adult; having a caste system that is more clearly portrayed compared to the rest of society. School is truly an interesting place. To be blunt, I don’t have any good memories either. It’s not something that I can laugh at Ichinose-san for.
“ Kudou-san, do you have gasoline and a lighter in the Item Box?”
I have them. But I won’t lend them. I look around the school while Ichinose-san blurts out something dangerous. It isn’t much different from what I remember. How convenient. I hold hands with Ichinose-san as we wander about inside the school. Unless we do this, the effects of our skills will not extend to the other person I should be careful and not have sweaty hands. Also, Ichinose-san’s hands are very soft. Thank you very much. A person who seems much fluttered runs pass us.
“Hello, family members of Tanaka-san-”
“Injured people can come here! Those that want supplies can go over there!”
“You’re alright. It’s all good, so please calm yourself.”
“Nee-chan. I’m hungry.”
“Be patient. Here, I’ll give you a candy.”
“Yay, as expected of nee-chan.”
“The search team has returned!”
“Have you heard? I heard that Nishino and his group has survived.”
“Legit?”
“He’s having a meeting with the president right now.”
“Men who are willing to lend a hand in the search, please come over here-”
I eavesdrop on the conversation of people near us with “Listening Ears” There are much more people than I initially believed to be. There are people everywhere. Not only are they near the school gate, they are also at the schoolyard, near the walls, and in places adjacent to the roads. Most of them are refugees or students, but their numbers near 100.
“They don’t seem as confused as I believed ”
Children are running in the hallways and voices can be heard everywhere, but I don’t hear any screams or cries. In the hallways, there are sketches of the school located here and there. At the entrance, there’s even a message board. It is like a proper organization and maintained well. It’s just like Nishino-san who was in control of the home center. But to lead these many people in such chaotic times, who is it that’s actually leading them?