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Chapter 232 - Chapter 8: Settings + Bonus

Chapter 8: Settings + Bonus

● Characters

'Yagawa Kyouta' LV: 70 Race: Human/Awakened Person

Strength: 124 (Growth Potential: A) Durability: 124 (Growth Potential: A) Agility: 127 (Growth Potential: A) Mana: 127 (Growth Potential: A)

Skills

'[Spirit Eye]'

'[Mana Conversion: Wind]'

'[Concept Interference]'

Unique Skill

'[Sage's Nucleus]'

Notes: The protagonist of this work. In the story, he is more famous for his back view and his cross-dressing than for his real name. In terms of anti-monster combat, he is one of the top 5 most powerful individuals in the world, but mentally, he is an ordinary high school student. For this reason, he has developed an unconscious PTSD regarding life-or-death battles.

He had been staying away from dungeons due to his fear of the 'White Dragon,' but he has rallied after becoming aware of his romantic feelings. However, he is currently in a state of slight self-loathing after realizing that those feelings are directed at multiple people. This desire for a harem might be due to someone's influence, but he had such feelings from the start.

Having lost 'Byakuren,' he is now accompanied by a new golem named 'Blanc.' He has also equipped it with a self-made, detachable Magi Battery using his unique skill. The reason his cross-dressing has become so famous is that adults like 'Professor Arisugawa,' 'Director Akasaka,' and the Self-Defense Force intervened to suppress stories to reduce the chances of a media frenzy, which somehow resulted in this outcome.

'Rinzaki Erina' LV: 68 Race: Human/Awakened Person

Strength: 101 (Growth Potential: C) Durability: 101 (Growth Potential: C) Agility: 124 (Growth Potential: A) Mana: 112 (Growth Potential: B)

Skills

'[Invisibility]'

'[Five Senses Enhancement]'

'[Spatial Magic]'

Notes: The main heroine of this work? After this chapter, it is being considered whether the '?' should be removed. At first glance, she seems to have strong communication skills. However, in reality, she lacks empathy and is the type of girl who 'doesn't understand people's hearts.' In her 'ojou-sama mode,' her statements are often precise, but that is calculated from knowledge. Because of this, she can sometimes unintentionally crush people's hearts with good intentions. She is generally hyper, but a part of her mind is calm. Combined with her ability to arbitrarily turn her pain receptors on and off, she is incredibly reliable during dungeon explorations. During her phone call with Kyouta, her thought process short-circuited for a rare moment, but no one other than herself noticed.

'Arisugawa Aira'

*Status and skills are omitted as there have been no changes.

Notes: Heroine? number 2 of this work, and hopeless college girl number 1. Her appearance is that of a beautiful half-elf with long silver hair and a large bust, giving her a cool beauty vibe. But on the inside, she has a severe communication disorder. It has improved slightly recently. She collects cosplay outfits as a hobby, but not necessarily to wear them. If anything, she's a collector. When celebrating something with her friends, she brings out this collection for entertainment. About half of this is to reward Kyouta, and the other half is to enjoy his reaction. Currently, she is preparing 'something' with the cooperation of Kyouta, Shizuku, and Sana. She's making it for self-defense, but... Her recent worry is that her half-sister's wild behavior is accelerating.

'Miyoshi Mia' LV: 68 Race: Elf/Awakened Person

Strength: 93 (Growth Potential: D) Durability: 93 (Growth Potential: D) Agility: 121 (Growth Potential: A) Mana: 124 (Growth Potential: A)

Skills

'[Civil Engineering Magic]'

'[Water and Ice Magic]'

'[Mana Conservation]'

Notes: Heroine? number 3 of this work, and hopeless college girl number 2. There is no longer any trace of the shadowy beauty she was at the beginning of the story. Her reconciliation with her sister Aira and her interactions with Kyouta have boosted her confidence and restored her mental state. As a result of the backlash, she has become a pervert. She is not a lesbian, but Aira and Erina are apparently exceptions. This is likely due to her long-held 'complex towards geniuses.' On the other hand, she also holds affection and excitement for Kyouta, whom she had previously categorized as a rare curiosity. If she keeps running at this pace, she could be the first to reach the finish line, but outside of combat, she gets timid at crucial moments, so Kyouta still thinks he's 'probably not a target.' In fact, she was the first person to conclude, 'I can't just choose one! I'll have them all!' Person? Probably a person.

'The Mismatched Pair'

Notes: Now treated as a set even in the settings, the tall, slender beauty Busujima Aika and the short, sanpaku-eyed, large-busted Ooyama Shizuku. Heroines? numbers 4 and 5 of this work. They hold a feeling for Kyouta that could be either respect or love, seeing him as a 'hero in a pinch.' They occasionally take on the expression of long-time fans cheering from the sidelines. On the other hand, in daily life, they see him as either an ordinary boy or an interesting quiet pervert. It seems they've experienced what it's like to have a 'gap moe' for a guy. Shizuku often asks for Kyouta's semen as a material, but when her work is praised to her face, she turns into a silent tsundere. In a way, she's also a being with a 'gap.' Aika, a fan of shoujo manga, smiles at this. That said, she does her best to stop Shizuku from trying to hand Kyouta a condom. As a friend. As a maiden. Their combat talents are average, but thanks to power-leveling by Kyouta, they are strong for general adventurers. The fact that they diligently continue to level up off-screen is also a big factor. Still, even 'B-Rank' is a distant goal, so they have devoted themselves to providing support with equipment.

'Arisugawa Eva' LV: 62 Race: Elf/Awakened Person

Strength: 107 (Growth Potential: A) Durability: 100 (Growth Potential: B) Agility: 114 (Growth Potential: A) Mana: 117 (Growth Potential: A)

Skills

'[Red Sash of Power]'

'[Magical Pharmacology]'

'[Mana Conservation]'

Unique Skill

'[Witch of Time and Space]' A skill that manipulates time and space. It can be considered a de facto superior version of Spatial Magic. It allows for accelerating or decelerating oneself or inorganic objects, short-distance teleportation to marked locations, an item box, and more. Deceleration can also be applied to other living beings if a golden chain can be shot and hit them. Past and future sight are also possible, but the former is limited to within one hour, and the latter provides only very abstract and chronologically jumbled visions.

Notes: Erina and the others' grandmother. A 71-year-old elf university professor who, for some reason, is ardently wished to become a heroine in the comment section. Usually serious and gentle. However, she is a reliable adult who is firm when necessary. If her children or grandchildren are harmed, she has a family-loving side that will personally take up arms and charge in. As a teacher, she is not tyrannical or unreasonable, but she is quite the spartan. She is a good teacher, so she is popular among her students. For students who mess up, she lectures them with a barrage of sound reasoning. Being an elf, her apparent age is in her mid-to-late twenties, so not a few students have had their preferences completely warped by her. And so, while being an ideal grandmother and professor, she will stop at nothing when it comes to finding a husband for her granddaughter. Her motto is 'All's fair in love and war.' For her, choosing her granddaughter's husband is war. During her private lessons with Kyouta, topics such as 'The Merits and Demerits of a Harem,' 'The State of Concubines Around the World,' and 'Is Polygamy Truly Evil in Modern Society?' came up, but she states that there was no particular hidden meaning.

Her family is from the British nobility, so she is good at negotiations. Erina's 'ojou-sama mode' is close to how she was in her youth.

'Yamashita Hiroshi and His Merry Friends'

*Skills and stats are omitted.

Notes: Yamashita, the leader of the 'Walkers,' which has suddenly become one of the world's leading Awakened organizations, and Kawashima Shougo, former Ambassador Chris, and a mysterious squirrel who accompanied him to the United Nations. He was stunned to find that the world was already leaning towards launching nuclear missiles at Japan, and that the attitude towards the Awakened had become 'we don't need anyone but a few elites.' However, there are a few who look upon the unyielding Yamashita with hope. He's probably an old-man-killer. On his way back to Japan, he encountered a series of unfortunate events, such as 'the bus stalling for some reason,' the plane he was on 'making an emergency landing at a different airport due to poor maintenance,' 'the ship catching fire from a mysterious explosion,' and 'the Cessna crashing due to a bird strike.' However, in all of these accidents, not a single person, including civilians, has died, and they have not even seen their would-be assassins. The mysterious squirrel goes missing before and after each accident, and when it reappears, it is always out of breath and collapsed, but that is surely unrelated. Akasaka Yuune says so, too.

'President Fudge Valentine'

Notes: The concept is the most radical American president in history. A considerably dangerous individual. He used to call the other world a 'frontier,' but in reality, he despised both the other world and the Awakened who had awakened to special powers due to its influence. He is currently funding certain research with the aim of annihilating the Awakened.

● The White Dragon and the Red Dragon

They have the appearance of classic Western dragons, but in reality, they are 'dungeons in the shape of a dragon.' Their connection to the leylines is voluntary, and they have the power to transform the surrounding environment into their own labyrinth. They were created by the Atlantis Empire to establish a bridgehead in enemy territory. A high-performance dragon with a wide variety of abilities to counter enemy nations that stole the Empire's technology, or nobles who rebelled against the Emperor. However, as a result of packing in too many abilities, they are not one-of-a-kind but two-of-a-kind. There are no other units of the same model in existence. One reason for this is that the Empire was destroyed by a failed experiment shortly after creating these two. The purpose of these two is one thing only: the return of the Atlantis Empire. The dragons have completely mistaken Japan for the Atlantis Empire. Their weakness is 'mass destruction weapons that are not imbued with mana.' Such weapons did not exist in the other world at the time, so they have nothing that could be called radar. Even so, they would intercept a frontal attack, but a bombing or missile from a high altitude would be a guaranteed direct hit on the 'first time.'

● Appearing Monsters

'D-Rank Monsters'

'Giant Mantis': A giant mantis, as the name suggests. It can change its body color to match its surroundings over a few seconds, concealing itself with camouflage. It ambushes enemies that pass by. It is about two meters in size and has the power and toughness of a brown bear.

'Giant Bee': Likewise, a giant bee as the name suggests. It flies at about 50 km/h. Its size is about one meter, not including wings and legs. The poisonous stinger on its abdomen, about the size of a child's arm, contains a potent venom that can kill even an African elephant in an instant.

'C-Rank Monsters'

'Killing Doll': A wooden doll so intricately made that it looks human from a distance. Up close, ball joints can be seen where it is not covered by clothing. There are two types: one that is active only during the day, and one that is active only at night. This depends on the 'theme park' where these monsters worked. During the Atlantis Empire era, they operated in entertainment facilities for nobles and wealthy merchants. The fee was mana, but for an Awakened Person of level '10,' it was a trivial amount. They were also security staff and rescue personnel in case of an accident, so their performance is high. It seems that soldiers on the front lines voiced their opinion that it was a waste of money and that the dolls should be sent to the front.

'A-Rank'

'Orthrus': A monster resembling the two-headed dog from Greek mythology. It breathes fire that can melt even iron from its mouths, and the snake head that serves as its tail has venomous fangs. A watchdog with the sturdiness to not die even if one head is crushed, and scouting ability from its keen sense of smell. Its physical abilities are also high, befitting its rank, making it an all-rounder. If you want to run away from this monster, you need a minimum speed of 150 km/h.

'Geryon': Also from Greek mythology, a monster resembling a giant with three fused heavy infantrymen. Each is a highly skilled warrior, and they unleash coordinated attacks in perfect unison. They are extremely strong in close combat, but their best technique is a triple javelin throw. A single hit has the destructive power equivalent to an old-style tank cannon, and even a high-ranking Awakened Person would not escape unscathed from a direct hit. They constantly move their shields to protect each other, making it difficult to find an opening. Their only weakness is that it is difficult to attack between their legs. However, even if you get in there, there is a possibility of being crushed. Its armored giant body weighs over three tons.

'Boss Monsters'

'Evil Dragonfly'

Strength: 35 Durability: 25 Agility: 50 Mana: 10

Skills

'[Clairvoyance]'

'[Poison Resistance]'

Notes: A giant insect-type monster that was nesting in the mountains. It has a form that is a combination of a dragonfly, a mantis, and a bee. Its size is about four meters, a giant for an insect. It specializes in high-speed combat, attacking enemies with hit-and-run tactics. Due to the difference in rank, it was easily burned in the main story, but if it were to appear in a city, it is a vicious monster guaranteed to cause immense damage.

'Magician Doll'

Strength: 50 Durability: 40 Agility: 50 Mana: 60

Skills

'[Mana Collection]': Slowly collects mana from living beings on the magic circle. It can also supply it to monsters under its control. It is a very complex spell, so it is impossible for modern humans to decipher.

'[Granting of Pseudo-Life]': The power to temporarily give life to and control beings that are originally lifeless. In the main story, it used this on the horses of a merry-go-round and the cars of a roller coaster, controlling them.

Notes: A witch with an evil appearance, as if made of a combination of several dolls. In reality, it was the manager and villain of a theme park. During the Atlantis Empire era, a show featuring a battle between werewolf-type dolls led by this monster and swordsmen in capes was popular. In addition to that, it also had a busy role, such as accepting mana as payment and performing plays with toys given life. This monster finally came out to the surface when the audience stopped coming and even the parade props were broken. Making the abandoned amusement park its stronghold, it uses nearby animals and humans as an audience, repeatedly performing the popular acts of the time.

'Cerberus'

Strength: 80 Durability: 75 Agility: 100 Mana: 70

Skills

'[Hell's Watchdog]': As long as it is in its own territory, all stats receive a significant boost. In the space where Kyouta and his party fought it, all its stats had a '+50' enhancement.

'[Bearer of Hellfire]': Controls a blue flame that burns all living things. It is powerful even when simply released, but it can also be used to enhance close combat ability by shrouding itself in it. However, during that time, it is also slowly burned by its own flame.

'[Mana Conservation]': As this skill has already appeared, it is omitted.

Notes: The boss of this chapter. The three-headed watchdog that needs no introduction. Its strong style is to simply crush opponents with self-enhancement. It is simply strong, fast, and tough. It can continue to fight as long as at least one of its three heads remains, and it can also fight at mid-range by swinging its great snake tail. Its appearance location in the dungeon is fixed. When it is time for the next one to be born, it leaves its post and starts to wander around the dungeon. In that case, the effect of its first skill is halved. If it goes outside the dungeon, the effect is completely lost. Also, while monsters in a dungeon do not need to eat, drink, or sleep, outside, their attention can be easily diverted with sweet wheat snacks or beautiful music. A rather disappointing monster. However, in the space behind this watchdog, which cannot be entered due to a collapse, there are no treasures. There is only the grave of a certain nobleman who died without being able to return to his country. It was probably the first watchdog that sealed off the room that was connected to nowhere but the room where Cerberus is.

● Q&A

Q. Can that dragon be defeated with a nuclear missile? A. Yes. The Atlantis Empire, or rather, the other world at that time, did not have such weapons. The first time, it will definitely hit and the power is sufficient, so it can be defeated. However, if you miss once, it will no longer be effective.

Q. Isn't the treatment of A-Rank adventurers a bit lacking? A. The Japan in the story is really short on money... Also, considering the gap between non-Awakened and Awakened, even in Japan where coexistence is relatively successful, careless preferential treatment could trigger a conflict.

Q. What is the identity of that squirrel? A. Akasaka Yuune says 'It's just a cute little squirrel!', so it must be just a squirrel.

Q. The president dented the desk with his bare hands. A. It must be the result of his training.

Q. Who was former Ambassador Chris contacting in the desert? A. His superior from where he worked before becoming an ambassador.

Q. Why did the British Prime Minister go out of his way to warn Yamashita-san? Despite the 'Turohorse' incident and all. A. The country in the story basically maintains a position where 'no matter which way things go, we can get the good stuff'... so they would probably just say they 'don't know' anything about the 'Turohorse' incident. I think the warning was half out of genuine goodwill. Or maybe pity? However, the opponent he thought was a kitten turned out to be a young lion, so the Prime Minister got super excited and went all tapioca. Yamashita-san is an old-man-killer.

● Bonus

'What if, at that time, they had let the Alchemy Enthusiasts Club read all the pages?'

The 'Day of Awakening.'

The day the world was filled with magic and monsters, things that were thought to exist only in fairy tales.

Fifty years have passed since that day.

"Alright..."

I put my fishing rod in its case and started walking with the cooler box slung over my shoulder.

I'm over sixty now, but my body is still that of a teenager. It seems to be the effect of my unique skill, and at times like this, I'm grateful for it.

Walking leisurely like this in the early morning when there are few people around has become a recent hobby of mine. I could be home in an instant if I ran, and I could use a car, but sometimes, I just feel like moving my legs like this.

On my way home, my gaze was suddenly drawn to a television on display in a storefront.

'Next week will mark twenty years since war vanished from the world! On this unprecedented miracle in history---'

A beautiful female announcer, looking vibrant and full of energy, read from the script.

Facial features that could be called the golden ratio. A slender physique. And, characteristically, ears like 'sharp-angled headphones.'

Those have been attached since this announcer was born... no. Manufactured.

What's on the other side of this screen is a golem.

Distinguishing these, which are so elaborately made as to be indistinguishable from humans, is impossible without something like this, except for the flow of mana.

There are no people around at this time of day, not because it's a holiday.

Not people, but golems are occasionally walking around. Every single one was smiling and working energetically.

---When I discussed it with Professor Arisugawa and decided to show the 'Book of Arcane Gear' to the club.

I felt that Japan, no, the world, was in more danger than I thought, and I disclosed all the knowledge I had.

And so, after that white dragon appeared, dungeons were never again opened to the public.

The new model of golem developed by the 'Alchemy Enthusiasts Club.' The Self-Defense Force, assisted by it, was incomparably powerful, and although there were many casualties, they succeeded in subjugating the red and white dragons.

With that momentum, they reached the other world, and with adjustments to the leylines, the number of dungeons in Japan ceased to increase.

And that was a happy ending... or so it should have been, but human society is not so simple.

The wall between the Awakened and the non-Awakened. The scramble for otherworldly interests. Fears of the military application of golem technology. And so on.

In the midst of a chaotic world, that club made a certain announcement.

A golem called 'Mother Golem'... commonly known as 'Mom.'

The golem, equipped with a pseudo-homunculus that looked to be in its early teens, spoke, laughed, and cried like a human.

The world rebelled against what could be called the complete manufacturing of humans, but they continued to respond peacefully.

Surprisingly, the confusion quickly subsided.

Everyone was tired. Of fighting, of doubting, of holding onto hatred.

The new golems created by Mom seeped into that space. As a result, within ten years, most of the world had incorporated golems into their politics.

America resisted until the end, but a golem was elected. Twenty years after Mom's creation, the world's politics were entrusted to the hands of golems.

Against terrorist attacks and anti-golem movements that broke out in various places, human soldiers and police were not dispatched; golems handled everything.

Furthermore, working in society increasingly became the role of golems, and before long, humans no longer worked. Only a few craftsmen and artists designated as living national treasures remained. And even those fields are being replaced by golems.

Humans were dominated by golems... one might say.

But the golems were kind to humans. In fact, they spoiled them rotten.

Mom... or rather, the 'Homunculus Wife,' was born for humans and operates for humans.

That principle never wavers; they respect humans and continue to manage and protect them. It is an age where enough money to live a life of leisure is constantly deposited into your bank account.

The golems earn, create, and offer it to humans.

If you apply at the city office, you get one golem per person, and you can freely choose its appearance. I was surprised when I saw a golem that looked like Broly and one that was almost a beast at the station before.

And... it has become normal to marry a golem.

About a year after graduating from high school, I ended up taking five wives. It seems a net had been laid for me without my knowledge.

Honestly, I was happy, but it was tough. Mainly the public's perception. If the law permitting polygamy hadn't come out at just the right time, I would have faced even colder stares.

The children born from those unions, and their children. The ones who are my grandchildren, half of them married golems.

And some of them are saying they're going to live on Mars, which has recently finished terraforming. Honestly, I'm worried.

In this day and age, a level of '10' for an Awakened Person is considered high. I'm also accumulating experience points through fishing, which is both a hobby and a practical pursuit, but it's a minuscule amount. My level, which used to be over '60,' is now '12.' It will probably be even lower this time next year.

The world has become peaceful. The population is recovering. Semen collected from humans by golems and eggs taken at hospitals are randomly combined.

In some cases, the resulting children are sent to the original owners of the sperm or eggs, but most are educated in schools opened by golems.

And they marry golems, and the golems have children.

If you look up at the sky at night, you can see the moon, developed by golems. With a telescope, you might even be able to see the colonies under construction in space.

The dream technology that fused science and magic. With it, humanity no longer needs to suffer from resource shortages.

And... there is no need to grow. The golems will do that for them.

"Is something the matter?"

"...No."

A long, black-haired golem spoke to me, perhaps worried because I had stopped walking.

Her black hair was tied up in a ponytail, her figure captivating, and her ears mechanical.

I smiled back at the individual, who was smiling as if she were a close neighbor.

I started walking again, heading home.

I wonder, who is truly the protagonist in this world run by golems?