Ch.25Shota, Awakening? (1)

Anyway, we hunted the nearby monsters as originally planned.

First, we needed to reduce the number of monsters to decrease human casualties.

During a short break, Sasix set the mood and said:

“So… have you all seen the news?”

Shake, shake!

Everyone shook their heads. Well… very few high school students diligently keep up with the news.

“You must know about the casualties caused by monsters recently,” Sasix said.

Ah… that human who died instead of me.

“Oh… that unemployed guy? A NEET, I think,” Umi said.

“That’s right. 39 years old. No friends at that age… and a virgin. Quite pitiful,” Tai added.

His name was already forgotten by people. What people cared about was the story behind the perpetrator or victim. What kind of background they had was what became the topic.

All that was known was that the deceased was a 39-year-old NEET and a notorious internet troll.

The impact of the neatly written characters for “unemployed” was too great.

It made me resolve to never die as an unemployed person.

“He was attacked by a monster and suffered the characteristic heart attack that monster victims experience. However… it seems not all monsters drive people to death. Some specimens only manipulate the mind,” Sasix said.

“Ooh… that’s scary.”

I immediately voiced my reaction. The others were being too unresponsive.

“Heh…..”

Sasix showed a slightly pleased expression at my reaction. He’s really easy to read.

“But Sasix… you barely talk at school, yet you’re so fluent here. I’m impressed.”

Soon after, Umi expressed her genuine observation as a social butterfly.

That comment was practically lethal to a loner.

“Urgh…!”

Suddenly, Sasix collapsed as if taking mental damage.

Stop right there!! That’s a forbidden word!!! I looked at Umi reproachfully.

“Ah, no… I just thought it was interesting. Sorry.”

Umi said, lowering her gaze slightly.

No. It’s too late to apologize now. Besides, the apology only doubled the humiliation.

“Come on, Sasix. Take a deep breath.”

I patted Sasix’s back.

“Don’t speak so freely… hoo… haaa…”

Despite his words, he was trying to compose himself and somehow restore his mental state. This guy… had surprisingly little talent for his cool concept. His mental fortitude was too weak.

“Are you aware of the two recent traffic accidents? The police seem to have processed them as drunk driving cases, but they haven’t withdrawn the investigation team. I did some research there,” Sasix said.

“All of them fell into a dazed state right before driving. Then the accidents happened. There are many similar cases around. Incidents where people suddenly become vegetables. The two traffic accidents are extensions of this phenomenon.”

Sasix explained what he had investigated.

Of course, as a third-time veteran, I already knew all this. But I still poured out reactions every time.

“You even found that out!! Amazing!!”

“You’re the best!! Sasix!!”

Reaction machine—that’s what I was.

“Shut up.”

Sasix tried to speak in a cool tone but couldn’t hold back his smile. He was really different from his original character setting.

“…Strictly speaking, that special monster extracted human souls. The reason is unknown. But I’ve discovered where those souls are gathering.”

Then, Sasix pointed to a massive castle that stood out with sufficient incongruity in the ordinary cityscape.

“There,” Sasix said.

Yes, this was the first dungeon to be conquered in March within the game.

“Ugh… that castle… wasn’t just decoration after all. I don’t want to go in.”

Umi made a disgusted expression.

“So we’re entering a place crawling with enemies. Sounds fun.”

Tai, on the contrary, smiled aggressively.

“If we eliminate the monster there, the vegetables in this town will return to normal. It’ll be a dangerous mission, but… we have no choice. Will you do it?”

Sasix asked.

Then, both Umi and Tai looked at me. No, in this situation, they should be looking at Sasix, the leader! The development Sasix wanted was everyone looking at the leader with trust!!! That’s the standard rule!!! This is why ordinary people just don’t get it.

Glisten…

Tears welled up in Sasix’s eyes. Hey!! He’s crying again!!!

“I’ll follow the leader’s decision.”

I said that to boost Sasix’s morale. Only then did Sasix slightly stop crying. Phew… crisis averted.

“Yeah. Let’s do it then.”

“Yes. Let’s.”

Tai and Umi answered plainly. It wasn’t the passionate development I wanted, but at least we had the right composition.

“Let’s go!!!”

Sasix immediately shouted gallantly and was about to charge toward the castle.

“Wait.”

I stopped Sasix.

“That place looks like a dungeon. Let’s gather equipment and healing potions before going in.”

I said.

“Ah… certainly.”

“I don’t even have a weapon, and Sasix is just carrying a wooden club.”

Tai and Umi agreed.

Sasix, who had lost the initiative again, immediately looked dejected. This guy… is surprisingly troublesome.

——–

Anyway, I had brought money in preparation for this moment.

It was originally a wad of New Year’s money that would have gone toward kendo club fees. However, since Gonzaemon had exempted me from a month’s worth of fees and equipment costs, I had money left over.

This would be enough to equip ourselves.

I headed straight to the tool shop. It was a tool shop during the day, but at night it sold weapons for eliminating monsters.

“Ah… you’re here. The kid who bought the iron pipe last time? You’ve quickly gathered companions.”

The man with a green beard smiled meaningfully.

“What are these weapons…?”

“Is it legal to sell these?”

Tai and Umi seemed to question this point.

Well… it is illegal. It falls under annoying laws like the sword possession law.

“Though suspicious, it’s the only shop that sells weapons for fighting monsters. Let’s strengthen our forces here.”

I said.

“I’ll even pay for it all!!”

I declared proudly.

“Ooh… Shota! You’re surprisingly generous?”

Umi said in an admiring tone.

“He has to play the financier here or he’ll get kicked out. The kid can’t handle a Psychorobo.”

Tai said in a sarcastic tone.

“W-What are you saying!!!”

I objected to Tai’s words.

Then, I looked at Sasix.

“Sasix… you won’t kick me out, right?”

Honestly, I was a bit scared.

“Well… you’re a comrade. I won’t discard you carelessly.”

Sasix said in a cool tone.

“Sasix!!! I love you!!! Marry me!!”

I immediately hugged Sasix. Oh Captain!! My Captain!!!!

“G-Get off!! What are you doing, being so disgusting between men?!!”

Sasix desperately tried to push me away.

“………..”

“………”

Tai and Umi watched the scene with complicated expressions.

“Well… I wasn’t really serious about kicking you out either.”

Tai said as if making an excuse.

“Right? I knew it. Tai is kind.”

I immediately separated from Sasix and said.

“I also… said I wouldn’t kick you out, so why aren’t you hugging me?”

Tai complained with a flushed face. I wasn’t deaf, so I heard it. However, I gritted my teeth and pretended not to hear. If I mindlessly accepted Tai’s goodwill now, I felt like something really bad would happen.

——–

Anyway, we bought equipment right away. In RPGs, gear accounts for half your strength. Once you have the right equipment and levels, you can clear things smoothly.

Sasix equipped a medieval one-handed shortsword.

Tai also bought a carbon steel baseball bat. The bat he was currently using was basic equipment with poor performance.

I had Umi buy a staff, her exclusive equipment. Though awkward as a weapon, it had the effect of amplifying spell power. As a healer who also served as a magic dealer, she didn’t need much close combat ability.

I also splurged on a weapon. It was a Japanese sword that had been modified to be light and short. Depending on the situation, it could be used as a one-handed sword or a two-handed sword. Moreover, it was light.

“Phew… I found it. This is the Yoto Hitogiri…”

I muttered while holding the sword. Some kind of evil magical power seemed to flow from the sword.

“No. That’s just a mass-produced item.”

The shop owner corrected me, but I gritted my teeth and ignored it. Isn’t it standard to coincidentally end up using a demonic blade in places like this?

Anyway, equipping everyone and buying recovery items quickly melted away 50,000 yen. Honestly… it was an expenditure that made my hands and feet tremble, but I endured it.

For an adult, 500,000 won might just be a somewhat painful expense, but right now I was a school kid. 500,000 won was a fucking huge amount.

‘Well… it’s to save the world.’

I swallowed my tears and paid the lump sum in cash.

“Um… since I’m paying cash, can I get a discount? You’re not paying taxes anyway.”

But unable to give up until the end, I started my final negotiation.

Swoosh!

The shop owner immediately sprinkled salt in my face. It was completely ineffective.

“Hahahahaha!!! Look at this guy covered in salt!!!”

“Shota… let me dust you off… hehehehe!!”

Tai and Umi burst into laughter.

Mr. Shop Owner… you’re a bad person. You made me a laughingstock. For a moment, I almost became the Joker.

———

Anyway, after completing our preparations, we stood at the dungeon entrance.

“A structure that doesn’t exist in reality. Does it disappear when daylight comes?”

Sasix said while standing at the entrance.

“Let’s go in. Let’s clear it quickly.”

I said with a smile. Dungeons—actually, there’s no better place for leveling up. The enemy density is quite high.

‘I need to level up a lot with this opportunity.’

If my growth stagnated here, I would genuinely face the expulsion ending, no joke.

Anyway, we entered the castle.

Then, Sasix opened his eyes wide.

In a corner of the castle, there was a suspicious door glowing green.

Yes, it was the Psychoroom, a space visible only to players. Players could strengthen, combine, or summon Psychorobos there, among various other activities.

‘But… why can I see it?’

That was the question.

Tai and Umi didn’t seem to notice the existence of the door at all and were just chatting. Despite their poor relationship, the two seemed to communicate well.

Sasix also reflexively seemed to realize that this door was visible only to some.

Realizing that I was looking at the same place, Sasix asked me:

“You can see it too?”

“Yes…”

Wait. At that moment, a lightning-like idea flashed through my mind.

Players could summon Psychorobos from there.

‘What if I throw a tantrum there… and get a Psychorobo?’

Such an idea occurred to me. Then I would also awaken to Psychorobos.

“Let’s go together.”

I said to Sasix.

“Huh? Yeah. Sure.”

Sasix tilted his head, then headed toward the door. I followed Sasix inside.