kscans

Chapter 32 - Empathy and Invitation

I had run into a classmate from middle school.

We went to an izakaya that stayed open late and properly reunited for the first time in years.

"It's been a while, Takeo," I said. "After we graduated middle school, we both moved to the city, and that was it, wasn't it?"

As I drank my sake, Takeo replied, "Yeah, we used to play in the mountains a lot back then. I was never good at sports, but it was so much fun, we'd play until it got dark. Those were good times. By the way, you were carrying two briefcases. What are you up to these days?"

To his question, I said, "Ah, I'm unemployed right now. These cases? I won big at the horse races today, so this is the money. I'm a complete hermit now. Reintegration into society is impossible for me. I never want to experience corporate power harassment again. I'm thinking of going back to my parents' place and doing some farming."

I couldn't tell him about the other world, so I lied.

Takeo said, "I see, so you're unemployed too. I'm also unemployed right now. I worked my ass off at the company I joined, trying to boost performance, but I got fired for one tiny mistake. I came back home and have been wondering what to do. I'm jealous of your good fortune."

He chugged his drink.

Listening to Takeo's story, I thought, 'He's in a similar situation.' In my case, a series of coincidences led me to where I am now.

So, an idea came to me. "Takeo, are you free tomorrow evening? If so, come to my house at five. I have something good to tell you."

Takeo looked at me. "? Sure, but what's this 'good thing'?"

To his question, I replied, "I'll tell you at my house. It's best to save the fun for later, right?"

I forced an end to the conversation.

Takeo agreed. When we were leaving the izakaya, he said he'd forgotten his wallet, so I paid for him. Fortunately, I was loaded with cash, so I treated him, and we parted ways.

At that moment, I had decided to tell Takeo about the other world.

We were in the same boat, both unemployed. Our wavelengths would surely match, and we could live in the other world together.

I had to introduce him to Bardos, too. With that thought, I went home.

I took five million of the thirty-seven million and fifty thousand I'd gotten from the auction and put it in my desk drawer. I made a new iron box for the rest, put the money inside, and buried it in the ground.

Cash is useful anywhere. I decided to keep some on hand.

The next day, I went to the other world early in the morning. I met up with Bardos, and while we were hunting, I said, "Bardos, I have someone I want to introduce you to. I don't know when it'll be, though."

Bardos just said, "Yeah, got it," and agreed.

I was grateful that he didn't press for details. I told him I had business to take care of in the afternoon and parted ways with him, returning to Earth and heading to the children's park.

It was a weekday afternoon.

There were few children, and the park was mostly filled with office workers eating their lunch. Among them, a man in a black suit sat on a bench, holding a teddy bear.

He looked suspicious to any onlooker, but I had to go. I sat down next to him and placed my backpack on my right side.

The man in the black suit then placed the teddy bear on his left side and picked up my backpack instead. After checking the contents, he left.

I picked up the teddy bear and opened the zipper on its back. Inside was a palm-sized piece of metal. I activated Analysis, confirmed the material, and verified that it was a fire-starting alloy.

Why did I want a fire-starting alloy? The Japanese sword I used was made of only Ferrocerium and Tamahagane. It was fine for just starting fires, but I had doubts about its durability.

I'd looked it up, but I couldn't find any articles saying that Ferrocerium was strong, and I was worried that if I kept using it, it would break.

I figured a fire-starting alloy would provide a stable fire and last longer, so I wanted to get my hands on it.

I never thought I'd acquire it in this way.

I went home and returned to the other world.

With my Japanese sword in hand, I immediately used Matter Conversion to change its composition.

Fifty percent fire-starting alloy and fifty percent Tamahagane. I tested it by striking it. Sparks flew, and I stabilized them with fire magic.

The experiment was a success. All that was left was to test it in a real fight.

I went to the guild to look for Bardos, but it seemed he was sparring with Leona-san. So much for work. The days those two fought were always days off.

In a way, this was convenient for me. I went straight back to Earth.

That evening, Takeo arrived.

He was wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

"Welcome, Takeo," I said. "There's something I want to show you. Will you come with me?"

Takeo nodded.

I showed him the magic circle in front of the warehouse. This wasn't the one I used, but a new one I'd drawn.

Takeo looked at it. "A magic circle? It looks authentic, but what's this all about? We're too old for this kind of game. It's just embarrassing."

He scoffed.

'His reaction is understandable,' I thought, as I showed him the stone in my hand. The stone turned to gold, changed shape, and became a sword.

Takeo's eyes widened. "...What kind of trick is that?"

To his astonished voice, I said, "It's not a trick. It's a skill. One I got in another world."

I told Takeo about everything that had happened in the past two years.

When I finished, Takeo was skeptical. He couldn't believe another world existed, but he had also seen the skill with his own eyes.

I said to him, "...It's understandable. I was pretty shocked myself when I found out that something I did for fun was real. Takeo, the reason I told you this is because your situation is similar to mine. So, I thought I'd let you enjoy a new life too. Of course, you can refuse. You can tell someone else, but no one will believe you. That's the world we live in. What will you do?"

Takeo looked at my serious face.

"...I'll go. If another world really exists, I want to go. If I can get a power like yours there, maybe I can change too."

His phrasing was a little strange, but I didn't mind.

Because I had found someone on this Earth with whom I could share my secret. I was happy and explained the precautions for going to the other world to Takeo.

And at the time for a first-timer to go, 5:55:55 PM...

Takeo vanished from the center of the magic circle. After realizing how surprisingly ordinary it was, I immediately transferred myself.

I left the usual hut and ran into the forest.

I knew where he would appear. The same place I first arrived. Takeo was there.

I greeted him. "Welcome to the other world. How does it feel?"

Takeo replied, "...Amazing. I got the exact power I wished for in a skill. Shinsuke, thank you for telling me about this world."

Takeo beamed.

I felt something strange about his smile, but just then, three wolves appeared.

Before I could get ready, Takeo stepped forward. "Shinsuke, stay out of this. I want to test my skill on these wolves."

His attitude was confident.

I nodded and watched to see what would happen.

Takeo took a stance.

"Muscle Manipulation!"

At his shout, Takeo's overweight body instantly transformed into a rippling mass of muscle, like a bodybuilder.

I was shocked. It was too practical for combat. What kind of skill did he wish for? While I was wondering, Takeo charged at the wolves.

The wolves were surprised by this, but they quickly took a defensive stance. But before the wolves could even open their mouths, Takeo punched one of them in the face with his right fist. The wolf's face caved in, and it crumpled in agony.

The remaining two bit down on Takeo's legs. Before I could move to help, Takeo grabbed the heads of the two wolves with his hands and crushed them.

The fight was over in an instant.

I approached him. "Takeo, are you okay? You were bitten by the wolves."

Takeo replied, "I'm fine. With the skill 'Pain Perception Block,' I can't feel any pain at all. Plus, 'Muscle Manipulation' seems to provide not just strength but also durability. There's not a scratch on me."

He showed me his leg.

Sure enough, there were no bite marks; he was unharmed.

I was relieved. "Alright then, let's head to town next. There's a weapon shop there. You can easily get real weapons you'd never see in Japan. I'll pay."

To my offer, Takeo said, "Nah, not today. I'm tired. Let's do it tomorrow and head back now."

He gave me a strangely dark smile.

I felt something off about his expression, but I brushed it aside.

I agreed to his suggestion, and we returned to Earth.

Then Takeo said, "Thanks for today, Shinsuke. Thanks to you, I've gained some confidence. See you tomorrow."

He waved and left.

I watched him go and went inside my house. After eating dinner, I lay down on my futon and thought about a certain unease.

Takeo's words, 'get a power,' and his dark smile. Come to think of it, why was Takeo in that place so late at night yesterday?

His clothes were dirty too. It was like a scene from a drama or anime where someone gets beaten up by delinquents. The thought spurred me to action, and I immediately left my house.

I headed for Takeo's home.

As I got close, I activated Detection.

There were two dots inside the house. I was sure Takeo had a family of three, and his parents were farmers who wouldn't be working late into the night. Two dots meant Takeo wasn't back yet? An hour had passed since we parted. He should have been home long ago.

I had a bad feeling and headed for the place where I had reunited with Takeo.

*

Meanwhile, Takeo was in the same alley where he had met Shinsuke.

Four thugs were beating up a timid-looking man. The man couldn't take the violence any longer and pulled a few bills from his wallet.

The thugs took the money, kicked the man, and gestured for him to get lost.

As the man fled, the thugs saw Takeo approaching.

"Yo, fatty from yesterday. Came to give us more money? We appreciate it!"

Takeo looked at the laughing thugs.

"...Shut up, you societal garbage. This place gets filthier just by you breathing."

To Takeo's provocative words, one of the thugs retorted, "The hell did you say?! You've got a lot of nerve. Want another beating? Huh?!"

The thug threw a right hook at Takeo's face.

But Takeo didn't even flinch. In fact, he smirked.

"...What? Is that all you've got? That didn't even tickle. Now it's my turn. Muscle Manipulation!"

As he said that, Takeo's body transformed into that of a bodybuilder, and the thugs were terrified.

*

I reached the place where I had reunited with Takeo.

I smelled blood coming from the alley. I went inside and saw four men lying in pools of blood, with Takeo, transformed by Muscle Manipulation, standing in the center.

I approached him. "...What are you doing, Takeo?"

Takeo turned at my words, smiling. "What do you think? Taking out the trash. What else could it be?"

As Takeo looked around, I said in a detached voice, "...This is where I met you, and these four look like thugs. Were you getting mugged? Yesterday?"

To my question, Takeo replied, "Yeah. Yesterday, when I was passing through here, they hassled me, punched me in the gut a few times. They took all my money, too! These guys!"

He kicked one of the thugs in the head.

The thug didn't react. He was dead.

So that's why he said he'd forgotten his wallet when we left the izakaya yesterday.

So I wouldn't know he'd been robbed.

Takeo continued, "But this is just the beginning. It starts now. I'm going to crush the company that fired me for such a stupid reason!"

Listening to his hate-filled words, I said, "A stupid reason? I heard it was a small mistake."

Takeo laughed. "Hah! A mistake? I didn't make any damn mistake! I was just muttering to myself during a break, 'I wish my salary would go up,' and my boss, who just happened to be passing by, said, 'Oh, so you don't like it here? Then get out. You're fired.' Just like that!"

"At first, I thought he was joking, but when I went back to my department, I was really fired! I couldn't forgive them. Fired just for talking to myself? That's wrong. So I'm going to set things right! With this power, I'll kill my boss and all the sycophants who suck up to him, and if the police or the Self-Defense Forces come, I'll beat them back!"

"With this power, I'm going to kill all the rotten bastards! As long as I have this hatred, I can't start anything new!"

Takeo roared.

Normally, someone would come running at the noise, but this area was a shuttered shopping street. There was no one around, so he could do as he pleased. It was convenient for me too.

Takeo said, "Shinsuke, let's do this together. With your power, we'll be invincible. No one can stand against us. Let's kill all the rotten bastards."

He held out his hand.

In my head, I understood where he was coming from.

I'd been treated unfairly at my company too. I'd wanted to kill those people. And I hated a society that accepted such things as normal.

But I said, "...Takeo, if this were two years ago, I might have taken you up on your offer. But things are different now. In the other world, I met a good master who trained me. I met a good-natured partner. And I met a woman who told me she loved me."

"...I don't want to do anything that would make them disappointed in me. Takeo, this is my final warning. Give up on revenge and come to the other world with me. It's not too late. Let's forget about this world and have fun over there, okay?"

At my words, Takeo's expression twisted. "What the hell is that? Why do you get to live such a happy life? Why do I have to be the one who's miserable?!"

Takeo screamed, his fists clenched and trembling.

I said, "That's not it, Takeo. I also—"

Before I could finish, Takeo stomped his foot on the ground.

The concrete cracked, and Takeo, his face a mask of hatred, yelled, "Shut up! To be betrayed by someone I thought was the same as me! I don't want to hear another word from you! I'll kill you right here!"

Takeo charged.

I dodged to the side and watched him pass.

"So that's your answer. Then I won't hold back."

I focused lightning magic into my hands.

The death match on Earth had begun.