kscans

Chapter 58 - Entrusted with Lives

The end times. No, wait, the weekend.

The gates of hell were opening once more.

"We'll be in your care today."

"Let's do this."

"Leave it to me!!"

"R-Right..."

At a bus stop not far from school, I met up with the three girls.

I already felt like I was going to throw up. Why was I putting myself through this on a Sunday morning?

"You're full of energy this morning."

"Yep! Aren't you, Shī-chan?"

"Nah, I'm shaking with excitement."

"Wow! A samurai!"

"Not a samurai."

Ooyama-san grinned fearlessly and snorted, mufuu.

This person was supposed to have production skills, right...? Did she have some kind of combat skill on top of that?

"But Shī-chan, you specialize in making things, so don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

"Right."

Nope. She was just bloodthirsty.

"Right. Yagawa."

"Ah, yes."

"Give me the materials."

"Oh, right. Here..."

With that, I took a jar out of my backpack.

Inside the jar, which I'd bought at a dollar store, was a lock of hair and the clippings from one session with a nail clipper. Since it was from both my hands and feet, it should be enough. In exchange, my nails were a little short right now. As for my hair, I was glad I hadn't gone to the barber yet.

That aside, I wondered how this came across to a high school girl.

Honestly, I'd think it was gross to be handed something like this from a guy I barely knew...

"Ooh...!"

For some reason, Ooyama-san's sharp eyes widened as she peered into the jar with intense interest.

She didn't go so far as to open the lid, but she was studying the contents intently through the glass.

"...I see. A considerable amount of mana, indeed. And is this a wind attribute?"

"Huh?"

Can she see mana too? And even the attribute, which would affect it as a 'material.'

I was so surprised I let out a yelp, but Ooyama-san paid me no mind, her gaze still fixed on the jar.

It wasn't just me; it was as if Erina-san and Busujima-san weren't even there.

"...Better than I expected. I can make something good with this."

"Really!? Yay! Thanks, Kyō-chan!"

"Oh, um... you're, welcome..."

"I'll have the payment transferred to the account you told me about before!"

"R-Right."

"Aika. Put this in my pack."

"Yes, yes."

Busujima-san took the jar from the single-minded Ooyama-san.

She smiled wryly as she opened the backpack of Ooyama-san, who had turned her back.

"There's a towel in there. Wrap it up before you put it in."

"I know. You told me that countless times on the way here."

"Right. Sorry."

Though her words sounded exasperated, Busujima-san's smile was gentle.

She carefully wrapped the jar containing my hair and nails in the towel, placed it in Ooyama-san's backpack, and zipped it shut.

"There, it's in."

"Thanks. So, where's the golem for us?"

"Huh? Oh, I gave it to Erina-san..."

"That's a surprise for after we get in the dungeon, Shī-chan!!"

"I see..."

Ooyama-san's disappointment was plain to see.

When I first met her, I had the impression that she was more brusque, but now her emotions were as easy to read as a child's.

Maybe she was a craftsman through and through, with a personality just like a dwarf from a story.

I'd heard that a person's race changing could affect their tastes and preferences. Was that the case with her, too?

"I'm sorry, Yagawa-san. Shizuku-san is being rude..."

"N-No. Um, please don't worry about it..."

I gave a small wave to Busujima-san, who was bowing slightly, while taking half a step back.

"Ah, the bus is here!"

"Right."

"Oh..."

So, it has come...

I wanted to end this day and go home as soon as possible, but being in a confined space like a bus was also painful.

My best-case scenario was for the bus to be somewhat crowded, so we couldn't all sit together.

If it was three and one, I would be the one. If it was two and two, I would somehow secure the seat next to Erina-san.

That way, I should be able to avoid hell, at least!

Here I go!!

I tapped my IC card and boarded the bus, immediately scanning the interior and—.

There's only one old lady on board...!!

The demand for buses had been dropping year by year, and many routes were being discontinued. That wave had definitely reached this area as well.

Faced with this reality, I felt my knees buckle internally.

"What's wrong, Kyō-chan? You're just standing there."

"It's nothing..."

"Oh, it's empty, let's all four sit in the back!"

It's over... No, not yet! If you give up, the game is over, as a famous manga once said!

After that, I managed to secure a corner seat with all my might, with Erina-san successfully sitting next to me. I'm sure this is what they call 'hanging on by a thread.'

By the way, as for Aira-san, who would likely sympathize with me in this situation...

'It would be a shame for me to interfere with an opportunity for the young ones to foster their friendship. I will provide support in the dungeon, but I won't speak otherwise, so please think of me as air!!'

She'd said something like that and hadn't even connected to the Telepathy link from the start. Unless I signaled her by phone or email, she had no intention of activating it. What did she mean, 'young ones'? She was a university student too.

I would absolutely crush her later. I would utterly destroy her in the racing game. Hiding in a safe zone all by herself...! You should be surrounded by high school girls too!

It might be misplaced anger, but I couldn't let this grudge go.

*

After surviving the demonic bus ride, we arrived at the F-Rank dungeon.

Despite the recent boom in adventuring, both the parking lot and the store were deserted.

It was like this the 'last time' I came, so I wasn't surprised. It seemed this really was an unpopular dungeon.

Busujima-san and the others looked around the store's interior with curiosity. I had no room to find their expressions endearing; I quickly spoke to Erina-san and escaped into the men's changing room.

I didn't want to keep them waiting, so I changed quickly, used the restroom, and then sat down on a bench outside the changing room.

'Well hello, Kyō-chan-kun. I got an email from Erina-kun. It seems you've arrived at the store.'

"I'll remember this, you hear me?"

'Hahaha! I have no idea what you're talking about. I merely acted with the consideration expected of an elder, did I not?'

"You're saying that knowing full well what you did, aren't you?"

'Indeed!'

Just you wait, you heartless, disappointing college student.

'Don't be so sulky, Kyō-chan-kun. Did you miss your ear's girlfriend that much? Good grief, you're a handful. Very well. I shall do a little ASMR impression for you—'

"Sorry for the wait, Kyō-chan!"

'Ack-pyeh!?'

Erina-san burst out of the women's changing room, followed by the other two.

I stood up as well and gave a small shake of my head.

"No, I haven't been, waiting... long."

"Why the formal language? Come to think of it, you've been like that all day, haven't you?"

"Don't mind it..."

"Okay!"

Please don't try to break down my emotional barriers. My tear ducts will burst.

I glanced over and confirmed that Busujima-san and the others were also dressed for mobility in the Dungeon Agency-specified coveralls and boots. I turned my gaze toward the gate room.

"Well then, let's go... let's, head out."

"Let's!"

"We're in your care."

"Right."

Listening to their varied replies, we headed to the gate room. I presented my adventurer license at the reception desk and went inside.

Standing before the white gate, I deployed my `Arcane Gear` and checked my equipment.

Then, I turned my eyes toward Busujima-san's group.

"...?"

Huh? I couldn't help but tilt my head.

Ooyama-san was fine. She wore a horned Norman helm and studded leather armor on her torso, forearms, and shins. She also had thick clothing underneath, so I could expect a decent level of defense.

Her weapon was a long-handled warhammer, giving her the very impression of a dwarven warrior.

However, Busujima-san's attire was unchanged.

Coveralls and boots. And a helmet and stab-proof vest. She had taken a small crossbow out of her backpack and was stringing it, but I felt no mana from it except for the arrowhead.

Even the arrow itself seemed to be just a processed coin from a drop item; I didn't think it was part of her `Arcane Gear`.

`Arcane Gear` was exceptionally good equipment.

Its strength and sharpness increased in proportion to the user's skill, and most importantly, even if it broke, it could be reconstructed with mana.

The armor I was wearing now was so sturdy I felt it could probably withstand a handgun bullet.

And while the Dungeon Law had been revised to be slightly more lenient on weapons for adventurers, carrying a crossbow still required various permits and was a hassle. Why was sheわざわざ using something like that?

It was awkward to talk to her, but we were about to enter a dungeon. Switching to work mode, I somehow managed to ask Busujima-san.

"Um, your `Arcane Gear`...?"

"About that, my `Arcane Gear` is actually the type that lacks defensive power. This outfit is superior in terms of defense, so I will be entering as I am."

Busujima-san replied with her usual gentle smile. She had her long hair tied back, but her graceful, traditional beauty was unchanged.

Feeling somewhat intimidated, I nodded without a word.

"Ā-chan's `Arcane Gear` is a little risqué, so it can't be helped!!"

"Erina-san!?"

Erina-san nodded with her own usual smile. Busujima-san's face turned beet red as she grabbed her shoulder.

A little risqué... Is it that revealing? If so, I could understand her concern about its defensive capabilities.

"I understand about the clothes. What about your weapon?"

"Y-Yes. I have partially deployed my 'knife' and have it attached to the back of my waist."

She said, showing her back and shifting her backpack up. When she did, I could see an ornate, ceremonial-looking knife attached to her waist.

I could feel mana from it, so if it was part of her `Arcane Gear`, it shouldn't be useless.

"I see. Then, as we discussed beforehand, please try to stay out of the front lines. Unless I or Erina-san give permission, please do not get within attack range of the monsters here."

"Yes. Understood."

"Ooyama-san, you too, please don't move to the front without permission."

"Right."

"Kyō-chan, you've gotten good at speaking clearly!"

"It's work."

Right, this is work. It's a job. So get it together, me!

I tried to convince myself of that internally, but my back was already soaked with sweat.

This was a different kind of tension than usual.

There was the fact that I was working with girls I didn't know well, but more than that, I was now responsible for their lives.

Erina-san, Aira-san, and I decided on this dungeon, but it might be a little tough for beginners.

Of course, I have no intention of letting them fight properly, but it would be dangerous if we made a mistake and let a monster get close to them.

Especially Busujima-san, whose defense was low. I had to be extremely careful.

This was bad for my heart in its own way. But for the sake of `Byakuren`'s equipment, I had to do my best.

Taking a small, deep breath, I spoke into my earring.

"We are now entering the dungeon. Aira-san, I'll be counting on your support."

'R-Right. B-Be ca-careful.'

...You know, when there's someone panicking more than you are, it's kind of calming.

Feeling the tension in my shoulders ease ever so slightly, I glanced at the others and then turned my feet toward the gate.

"Okay, everyone please hold on firmly to a part of my body. I will take the lead as we go through the gate."

"O-kay."

"Yes!"

"...Right."

Erina-san and Busujima-san placed their hands on my shoulders, and Ooyama-san took Erina-san's other hand.

After confirming this, I stepped into the gate.