“Thanks for your worries By the way, are you also part of the investigation?”
Nishino changed the subject of the conversation forcefully.
“Yes. While my levels are low, the situation calls for my assistance. Also, I want to contribute in some ways. I apologize for what just happened. It must have been uncomfortable Miyamoto-kun isn’t actually a bad person, but he loathes delinquents for one reason or another.” “It’s fine. I don’t really care.”
Hearing Nishino’s response, Katsuragi made a relived expression.
“Oh, Katsuragi-chi’s also in the team. Please treat me well.”
In response to Rikka who established skinship while rotating her arms around her shoulder, Katsuragi made a tense face for a moment before smiling.
“Y-yes. Please be nice to me as well.”
Having said that, they shook hands. Witnessing this, Nishino smiled.
(That’s right. I should concentrate on locating the monster tamer for the time being.)
Nishino pushed aside his previous thoughts.
“Let’s start moving as well.”
“I guess so. If we chat for too long, that glass boy could cause trouble for us again.” They laughed in agreement when Rikka imitated the action of raising one’s glasses. Just then“ Huh?”
Rikka suddenly tilted her head.
“What is it, Rikka?”
“No, I thought I heard something just now. It says ‘You’ve received a mail’.”
“A mail?”
While wondering what it was, Rikka clicked on her status plate. The voice sounded like the one she heard when she leveled up, so she thought it was something to do with the status. When she did, the screen changed.
“Eh, what is this? Mail menu? One unread?”
It was her first time seeing this. The part that was marked unread was blinking. The screen changed again once she touched it.
“From Ichinose Natsu. Eh, Natsu? Eh, eh?
The moment she saw the name of the sender, Rikka became more confused.
“Hey, what’s wrong, Rikka?”
Nishino’s voice which sounded concerned failed to reach Rikka. She was already immersed in the mail’s content. The subject of the mail caught her eyes.
“Subject Run away?”
And finally the text. There was but a single sentence.
- Move away from that person immediately.
“ Eh?”
Immediately following that, Katsuragi, who was standing next to her, was blown away.
CH 78
A sudden sound of something being fired. A female student who was blown away. The people that were present froze in their tracks. It was as if time had stopped. They were unable to understand what had just transpired. After a few moments, however, someone screamed upon seeing the girl who had collapsed.
“K-KYAA!”
“What is it? What’s happening?”
“Katsuragi-san?”
“Hey, is everything alright?”
“I just heard something!”
And time started to flow again. Chaos ensued. Among the ruckus, Rikka, who had been standing next to the collapsed girl, was still immobile due to the shock.
(What just occurred?)
It was incomprehensible. The mail that arrived out of nowhere. The voice that she heard within her head. The name of the sender, the content of the mail, and the event that just happened. From the beginning, she didn’t excel at thinking. By this point in time, her brain was experiencing an overheat as she failed to organize all the information.
(R-right, Katsuragi-chi is )
She glanced at her classmate who had been blown away.
( .Eh? What does this mean ?)
Witnessing the sight, Rikka’s made a surprised expression.
—We are watching all of this from the shadows.
“Ichinose-san”
“Y,yeah. I know.”
Ichinose-san readies her gun without lowering her guard. Momo and I are also in combat mode. Why are we in this situation? If I am to explain, we would have to go back in time.
-Several minutes ago
We are undergoing our second infiltration.
“Okay, Momo, it’s all on you from now on.”
“Wafu.”
Momo replies with vigor. Momo is being carried around on Ichinose-san’s arms. By doing so, Momo also receives the effects of Ichinose-san’s “Cognitive Impediment”. Momo has to be outside of her shadows in order to sniff out the smells. This is the most efficient way of getting things done. Just for security, I have my skills activated too. We have to be ready to escape at any time if things go awry.
In particular, I have “Detect Enemy” deployed at all times. Although the monster tamer is our primary concern, I don’t want to encounter the Student Council President either. It would be terrible if we are placed under the effects of “Brainwash” or “Bewitchment”. Since I know her presence, it should be fine as long as we keep our distance. While being carried around, Momo sniffs here and there “That way ”
Momo shapes our shadows into arrows to indicate the directions we have to proceed in. While following her instructions, we lurk around the school No one noticed us, right? When I look around, the students and the evacuees are walking pass us as if we didn’t exist. Despite knowing that we are safe, my heart pounds heavily.
“ There’s quite the commotion ”
Unlike when we first entered, we could feel the heavy atmosphere around us. The attack from the dark wolf must have been the cause. Students are moving about in a hurry, and we see multiple evacuees crying or shouting hysterically.
Nishino, I can remember the home center where you originally stayed at. The evacuees there were also creating a scene like this. It’s a wonder how these types of people never forget to assert themselves despite being virtually useless. To begin with, they are not in the position to complain while being protected by others. Mob mentality is truly troublesome. As long as there are enough people standing behind you, everything you say would sound justified. While thinking about this, two kids energetically pass us. They look alike. Are they twins?
“Hey, nee-chan, it’s real loud here. I won’t be able to take a nap.”
“Hahaha, lil’ brother. These guys are what we call ‘headless chickens’ You shouldn’t mind them.” “Oooh, nee-cham, you’re amazing to know such a difficult word! but what does that mean?”
“I have no idea!”
“As expected of nee-chan!”
Even in such an environment, the children are cheerful Rather, I feel something powerful from these kids. Do they, perhaps, possess skills? From Momo’s reactions, they don’t seem like the monster tamer It doesn’t matter. As “Detect Danger” and “Detect Enemy” isn’t setting off any alarms, leaving them aside is fine. We continue our search inside the building while listening to the kids’ voice fade into the distance .
“-Huh?”
“What’s wrong, lil brother?”
“ It’s nothing. I think I sensed something peculiar just now?”
-
A few minutes after entering the school.
Arriving at a certain point, Momo lets out a soft bark.
We have arrived at the cafeteria. So the monster tamer is here There are around a dozen or so noticeable presences. As of this point, “Detect Danger” isn’t showing any form of reaction. We enter the cafeteria. The interiors are simple and open, with everywhere aside from the kitchen being visible from the entrance. There is a group of students gathered together. Within the group, I see several acquaintances. Nishino-kun, Rikka-chan, Smart Glasses-kun, and the sports girl from the shopping mall.
“Riccha !”
Ichinose-san also notices her.
“Ichinose-san, I understand what you are feeling, but please hold yourself back.”
“I-I know.”
I wonder if she truly understands Regardless, I am curious about what the students are discussing. Using “Listening Ears”, I listen to the content of the discussion. They are trying to track down the monster tamer as well. They have arrived at the same conclusion as us, and it seems like the President was the one that took note of the abnormality.