CH 69

Before we arrive at the school, we need to obtain some supplies for ourselves. We should go to a nearby convenience store or supermarket.



“Speaking of which, Kudou-san. About acquiring food…”



“Yes?”



“Supermarkets are fine and all, but if you want to get them in bulks, isn’t it better to look for wholesale markets or a warehouse of a distributor or an agricultural cooperative? There might be things like stockpiled rice, pre-shipment vegetables, and seeds.” I-indeed, if they’re put in my Item Box, they won’t rot, so that’s also a viable option.



“Yes… but I’m ashamed to say that I’m not aware of where those places are.”



Agricultural cooperatives are near the government offices, but I don’t know where the warehouses and storages are. It will take some time to search for them. The wholesale market is also quite a distance away and is in the opposite side of the city center. This would take a lot of time as well.



“ ‘Map’ ”



When Ichinose-san asks for it, a 3D map appears in front of her eyes. It’s the “Map” skill that she has. She says she received this through Gatcha as well. Some degree of searching can be done; it’s almost like Goo◯ Map. I mean, Ichinose-san calls me a cheat, but I think the same goes for Ichinose-san. Her draws are too good. It’s to the point where people who invest a lot in games will yell “Don’t mess with us”.



“The warehouse is… quite a bit of distance away.”



The numerous blinking points on the map must be where the warehouses of agricultural cooperatives are. They’re all quite far away. Hmm, then we should put this aside. Besides, it’ll be difficult for other people to move things outside the warehouses if they don’t have Item Boxes like me. Even if they do have the skill, their skill levels will be low if they don’t have point bonuses like I do.



“Then let’s just proceed as planned. We can go to those places afterwards.”



“Yes.”



As such, we searched around for nearby convenience stores. While we are moving, I am carrying Ichinose-san on my back. It’s faster this way. I notice while carrying her that Ichinose-san’s chest doesn’t possess much prowess. There’s nothing to worry about.



“…I wonder why. I’m suddenly feeling extremely dissatisfied.”



“It’s just your imagination. Please put down your nails.”



Regarding our appearance, we look exceedingly suspicious as we have a gun and a knife on us with helmets covering our entire face. If this is before, we would have been reported for sure. I would certainly report it. Well, with my skills and Aka’s mimicry, it should be fine. Nevertheless, as expected of the city’s core. There is much more human presence than in the suburbs. There are also many signs of monsters. “Detect Enemy” has been ringing since a while ago.



“A lot of people are outside…”



“Indeed…”



The numbers are surprising even considering the fact that most of them are people looking for evacuation centers. Since they don’t have any skills, we’re unlikely to get detected.



“It’s eerie that we aren’t being noticed to this degree.”



“Well, it’s because we’re specialized in covert actions.”



As we move, “Odorless”, “Silent Operation”, and “Attention Cut-off” are being used. Inside the stores, Ichinose-san’s “Cognitive Impediment” gets activated too. Inside buildings, “Cognitive Impediment” makes it difficult for others to recognize the existence of the user. Apparently, because I am in contact with her, the effect is extended to me as well. This is a powerful skill that was able to deceive even Momo’s nose. It’s very dependable. Unless we’re facing opponents like the high orc and the dark wolf, we wouldn’t have to be worried about being found.



“Ah, Kudou-san, that…”



“Hmm?”



I look at the direction where Ichinose-san is pointing. There is a monster there.



“… it’s a slime.”



There are three slimes present at the garbage dump. As usual, they are absorbing the trash while furu furu-ing. This is something for Aka to take care of.



“Aka.”



“… Furu Furu.”



Approaching the slimes, Aka undoes a part of its mimicry and stretches it out like a tentacle. Then, with a “Churuuun”, it absorbs the three slimes.



“Aka’s just like a vacuum cleaner.”



Yeah, it is as you say. It’s has a significant suction power. After checking that Aka has fully absorbed the slimes, we quickly leave the scene. Thereafter, we went to places like the convenience stores, general stores, and supermarkets to secure supplies. While the interiors were in a mess, there were some supplies remaining. As I predicted, Item Box seems like a precious skill. After that, we went to the high school having replenished the necessary supplies. A few minutes later, we arrived near the perimeter of the school. Since we didn’t encounter any powerful monster, we were able to reach our destination faster than we have predicted. From here, I can already sense the presence of several humans. It seems refugees are gathering here.



“Chi, it’s not destroyed.”



Ichinose-san is saying something, but let’s ignore it. Rather than that, I am feeling a relatively strong presence within the school. And it’s numerous. Most probably, there are people with skills inside. While their levels aren’t known, the quality of information that I could get from them should be decent.



“Hm…? That is…”



I use “Telephoto” while hiding in the shadow and witness a familiar face near the school gate. It’s Nishino-kun. And a fancy high school girl…Rikka-chan, was it? In addition, there is also Ishizawa-san, the newlywed, and the sports girl. Seems like they are all well. Thank goodness. Nishino-kun is currently communicating with the person standing watch near the gate. What are they talking about? Even with “Listening Ears”, I can’t hear anything from this distance. Nishino-kun enters the school, having finished his talk.



“Do you see an acquaintance?”



“Ah, no. He’s not really an acquaintance.”



“Is that so. As someone who doesn’t have the skill, I can’t see from so far away.”



No, to begin with, if you can see with your naked eyes the same thing I’m seeing with “Telephoto”, that’ll truly be a cheat. Putting that aside, we should enter the school from somewhere where the guard isn’t tight. As long as we enter the building, Ichinose-san’s skill should also come into effect. It’ll be great if I can get some useful intelligence. While expecting such, we look for places where we can use to infiltrate.



While this is happening —



The dark wolf was running around in the city center. The wound hurt. It had been negligent. It was unbelievable that the human possessed so much strength. It far exceeded its expectations. Thanks to that, the pack was half-destroyed, and it was also inflicted with some wounds. The damages were devastating. However, there were some gains as well. The individual that it had been seeking ever since the world collapsed. At long last, it was found.



“It’s that dog.”



The dog that stood besides the human. From that dog, it was able to feel the aura of its mate.



“That dog is the one-”



There is no doubt. It was able to meet at last.



“Wait just there.”



It was determined to bring it back. But it shouldn’t be impatient. For now, it was necessary for it to heal its wounds and accumulate more power.



“First, it is necessary to regroup…”



In order to prevent being chased, they fled in different directions. For them, it wasn’t a major problem as they had a superior sense of smell. They would be able find each other very soon. While sniffing for the smell of the herd, several goblins appeared.



“Unable to even comprehend the difference?”



Despite its warnings, the goblins readied their weapons with their empty eyes. How ignorant. But it was perfect. As of now, it needed to heal, even if it was a little. Its opponents also looked as if they wanted a fight, so there shouldn’t be any complaints.



“Die.”



The dark wolf deployed its “darkness” and massacred the goblins in seconds. Near its feet, the magic stones of the goblins rolled about.



“I’ll be having them then.”



It stretched its neck to eat the magic stones. Precisely at that moment, chains emerged from the magic stone and wrapped around its neck.



“!?”



What? Unpleasant chains that jingled and caused metallic sounds. It panicked due to the sudden occurrence.



“What is this chain?!”



Although it tried to break it, it couldn’t be broken. Although it tried to shake it off, it couldn’t be shaken off.



“Ahyahyahya! Iyaa, lucky. To think I’ll catch something so big. Ahm super lucky.”



An annoying voice was suddenly heard from behind. Who was this human? Where did he come from? No, more than anything, were these chains the work of this man?



“Guraaaaaaaa!”



“Oops. It’s futile to try and shake it off. All the conditions have been met. From now on, I’m your lord, you dog.”



Conditions? Lord? What were those? What was this human talking about? Unwillingly, it lost its strength, and something uncomfortable started moving about in its body. A majority of its consciousness was sapped, and it was replaced with something entirely different.



“As I thought, it’s perfect, this occupation of { Monster Tamer }. It was the right choice, hyahyahyahya—”



The annoying voice started to fade. It gradually lost its consciousness. No, there was still something that it had to accomplish. There was someone that it had to pick up. However, its struggle to maintain its consciousness was for naught. The dark wolf completely lost its consciousness.



“Great, the slavery is complete. It’s time to return to school. If I don’t hurry, they might start to grow suspicious.” Satisfied, the man left the scene.