CH 107.2

“Good morning… it’s six o’clock in the morning…” (Sou)

Utsuki is already up. I check the time on my pocket watch while rubbing my sleepy eyes.

“Ah, I fell asleep… My head feels empty…” (Shuu)

“You must be pretty tired. I’m getting less and less sleep because of my master.” (Sou)

“How weak, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“Good morning, Tamiko. It hurts to get out of bed–it really hurts.” (Sou)

It was late yesterday evening when we left Sugamo and arrived at Rikugi Village. The first time I went to the Metro, it was almost like a nonstop bullet train tour up to the fifth floor. It was hard to believe that it had been less than 24 hours since we received the order for the quest.

“Oh, good morning. It’s a beautiful morning.” (Satou)

Satou stood up and approached. This old shark makes no sound at all. Does he also have [Muffling]? As usual, even [Sensory Spore] couldn’t catch his outline, and although he isn’t an enemy, he was strange existence.

“Now that… Night has passed, I think it’s time for me to leave.” (Satou)

“Huh? Oh, are you going?” (Shuu)

Utsuki looks like she’s changed into tight-fitting clothes like a wetsuit. Is this underwater swimming mode? I have to say that her feminine power is at the level of a chopping board, but she is packing a lot of junk in the trunk.

“I’m sure they won’t stay long in this Metro now that they’ve lost their ‘Family’ and colony. I too, have no reason to stay here either.” (Satou)

“I see… Thank you for your help.” (Shuu)

It’s a very casual feeling, but well, it’s not like we’ve become particularly close to each other, and from a wanderer’s point of view, it might be something normal. But before that, there is one thing I would like to confirm.

“Um, I haven’t asked you the most important question yet.” (Shuu)

Last night, I was asleep before I could ask him.

“Hmm?” (Satou)

“What is it that you are looking for? What is your purpose?” (Shuu)

Satou kept silent for a moment. As if searching for words, I slowly turned his thick neck and looked around.

“I tried not to talk about it. If you want to ask me about it, that’s fine.” (Satou)

“Eh, is there something wrong?” (Shuu)

“Well, it’s not a good topic for a well-informed person. If you start blabbing on and on, the Metro Church might come after you with their eyes bulging.” (Satou)

“What’s so scary?” (Shuu)

Is it something like New Tokyo’s three major taboos? I was worried and scared when people say things like that. Like I want to know, but I’m afraid to ask.

What should I do? I’m not brave enough to rush out to satisfy my curiosity, but on the other hand, I would like to know if it’s an important matter in this world. I should at least cover Tamiko’s ears.

“……Ghost Shrine.” (Satou)

“What?” (Shuu)

“‘Ghost Shrine’. That’s what I’m looking for.” (Satou)

Oh, I heard I haven’t even answered yet, and I haven’t even covered Tamiko’s ears. If you could at least say no, I would have prepared myself mentally.

“Umm, Ghost Shrine?” (Shuu)

“Yes, ‘Ghost Shrine’. Do you remember hearing about it somewhere?” (Satou)

“I don’t think so.” (Shuu)

From the sound it sounded like something from Japanese history, but I had never heard of it before.

“I wondered if it was the name of a place or some kind of facility. I am not sure what is there, who is waiting for whom, or if it really exists at all. …What I’m looking for is like a mirage shifting from one dream to the next.” (Satou)

I’m not sure I understand what you mean. Tamiko is also scratching her head.

“…Do you know what made the world what it is today?” (Satou)

“What?” (Shuu)

It doesn’t seem like a creationist or religious talk. The present world, that is, what created New Tokyo and surrounding walls.

“Um, are you referring to ‘Metro Flood’ and ‘Super Fungal Contamination’?” (Shuu)

“You’re right. The ‘Tokyo Judgment’ experienced by the ‘People of the Thread’. It is said that the world changed completely after that calamity. The labyrinth Metro filled the bottom of the earth, and strange mycelium grew. The earth was covered. The Metro Labyrinth filled the depths of the earth, and strange mycelial plants covered the ground. Huge walls blocked the outside world, and mighty beasts roamed the land. Those who survived carried mycelium in their bodies and talking beasts also appeared. Well, I have not seen the transition with my own eyes.” (Satou)

But I know. The world before it was transformed into what it is today.

I was born in the Heisei era and has lived there for 23 years. I am one of the few survivors of the ancient civilization in this new world.

“Then… why did those disasters happen? What exactly is the ‘Tokyo Judgement’? Do you know anything about it?” (Satou)

“…No, nothing.” (Shuu)

“Silky Cheeks, I know that too. Or rather, I wonder if there is anyone in this world who knows the answer… That crook founder seemed to know something, but they wouldn’t talk, no matter how much I questioned them.” (Satou)

Even the church founder appeared on the scene. What should I do? The scale of this story is getting unexpectedly large. It shook the country of New Tokyo to its very foundations and seemed to be connected to the core of this new world. –I wish I had given myself a little more time to prepare.

“My late friend used to say before his death that the ‘Tokyo Judgment’ was not a natural disaster, but a man-made disaster caused by someone’s hand.” (Satou)

“…a man-made disaster, you mean?” (Shuu)

Such a ridiculous event, which remade the underground of all of Tokyo and spread a supernatural poison that decomposed everything in Tokyo… was man-made?

Of course, even if it were a natural disaster, it would still be too crazy to believe, but even if it were a man-made disaster, it would still be hard to believe. As a former ordinary person who has lived an ordinary life in the Heisei era, I find both equally unrealistic. In fact, still happened in real life.

“He was searching for the answer all his life. After he lost his life in that war, I lived only to fulfill his wish. After swimming around this country for fifty years… I have only three clues that I have been able to grasp through my swimming: the answer to everything lies in the ‘Ghost Shrine’. That there is a door leading to it in some metro area of the country… And that the key to the entrance is in the hands of a demon and a [Master Threadweaver].” (Satou)

“…a demon and a [Master Threadweaver]…” (Shuu)

Unconsciously, I clutched my chest.

“Well, that’s what I’m talking about. You know why I told you… Well, you’re the thirteenth [Master Threadweaver].” (Satou)

I gasped. Satou just grinned the corners of his huge mouth lifting.

“…you noticed you knew.” (Shuu)

“Silky Cheeks. A berth of knowledge is one of the rare virtues of a creature called an old man.” (Satou)

Is it when they see me fight with Boss Met? Or when they saw the [Immortality] blue mycelium? Or perhaps he already had an idea earlier, from the very beginning. If so, this unfathomable old shark would not be surprised.

“Eh, hey, what? [Master Threadweaver], Mr. Abe? Are you serious…?” (Sou)

The loli disciple’s face was a little pale, looks like she hadn’t noticed.

“Abe, you are a little too young to know the world yet. If you are a [Master Threadweaver] your journey will surely lead you to the heart of this world. Connecting the living, weaving layers of connections, and guiding the destiny to be traced. …… That grand name was given with such a meaning in mind. The name means that it weaves together the many connections and carries out the destiny to be traced.” (Satou)

“No, erm…” (Shuu)

I was not expecting such a thing to be said out of the blue. I feel like I’m getting caught up in this unexpectedly large-scale scenario, but as someone who still don’t know why I was given this power, I don’t really feel like I’m in the right place.

Of course, I have a desire to know about the many mysteries surrounding this world. I would like to meet the other [Master Threadweavers] who are the survivors of the Heisei era, and if it is possible, I would like to go outside the walls. That’s what I think so—-a modern era kid who shrinks a little when people have such high expectations of him. I’d like to think that Satou isn’t actually serious.

“Hmm, whether it is a mystery or a nut, I will crack it open, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“You’re really reliable.” (Shuu)

“Silky Cheeks”, Satou laughed happily his back bending.

“A new [Master Threadweaver] with a girl from the Carbuncle tribe, huh… when you take another step into the center of the world, I’d like to hear your story this time. Have a good life… and I’ll see you again.” (Satou)

With a flutter of his hand webbing, Satou turned on his heel and began to walk. The destination was the large pond.

“Ah, master, wait a minute.” (Sou)

When Utsuki tries to chase after him in a hurry, Satou half-turns around and sticks out his hand to stop her.

“Utsuke, no Utsuki. I won’t be taking you.” (Satou)

“What?” (Sou)

“This matter is not over yet, is it? Your mission continues. You will follow Abe and the others, get mixed up in the world, and see how things go. You are not to return until you have obtained information that satisfies me.” (Satou)

“What?” (Sou)

“Eh?” (Shuu)

“Squeak?” (Tamiko)

“It’s not a bad idea to get out in the sun once in a while and clean up the Metro area. Next time I see you, you’d better be a little cleaner in body and soul. Bye.” (Satou)

“Eh, hey, ma–” (Sou)

Ignoring Utsuki’s last attempt to stop him, Satou dived, his huge body just leaving a small splash, into the pond. When the slight ripples subsided, the three of us peeked out from the shore and saw no sign of the old shark.

A dozen or so seconds pass, and no one says anything.

“… uh…” (Sou)

Utsuki, who had been mumbling to regain her composure, took a deep breath, as if to puff out her flat chest.

“Damned shark! Next time I see you, you’ll be fishcake!” (Sou)

The fake loli’s scream echoes in a waning echo and disappears, leaving the fake loli behind.

It’s not that I wanted it to happen—but this is how Utsuki was forced on us.

T/N: Well, Utsuki is the perfect punching bag for Tamiko. Acorn Eater, beat that loli hag. Nyahahaha!