アキラへの注意を終えたエレナが交渉人としての顔を出しながら話す。
「アキラが未調査の遺跡という貴重な情報を私達に教えてくれるのは
「提案ですか?」
「そう。私達と一緒にその遺跡を探索しない? 収集した遺物は全部売却して、その代金から弾薬費を引いた上で山分けにする。欲しい遺物があった場合は自分で買い取って、分配する代金に加える。どう?」
アキラが少し考えてから答える。
「大丈夫だって。クズスハラ街遺跡の地下街で私達がアキラと一緒に行動した時も問題はなかったしね。アキラが気にするようなことはないと思うわ」
エレナも笑って話す。
いになったとしても、私達の迷惑になることはないわ。大丈夫よ」
アキラが思案する。エレナ達はクズスハラ街遺跡の地下街にいた時のアキラの実力からそう判断しているだけだ。しかしその実力の大部分はアルファのサポートに
その場合、当然だが対外的なアキラの実力は明確に劇的に低下する。その所為でサラとエレナに大きな迷惑を掛けてしまわないか。アキラはそれが不安だった。
『アルファ。大丈夫だと思うか?』
『私としては、アキラが私のサポートを受けられない状態になった時に、信頼できる人間のサポートが受けられる可能性があるのは助かるわ。だから私は止めないわよ? 良い訓練にもなるしね』
アルファにはアキラを止める気はないようだ。アキラがエレナ達の足手
アキラがエレナ達に頭を下げて答える。
「分かりました。俺からもお願いします」
「決まりね。久しぶりの遺跡探索、しかもほぼ未調査の遺跡。楽しみだわ」
しそうにアキラに尋ねる。
「いつ行くかはアキラの予定に合わせるわ。アキラの予定は?」
「そう? それなら明日にしましょう。私達は少し準備が必要だからね。その準備は夜の内に済ませるとして、この後はアキラからその遺跡の情報を聞いたり、遺物売却の基礎知識を話したりしましょうか」
その後、アキラはエレナ達と遺跡の情報や明日の予定、遺物売却の方法などについて話した。
アキラがサラの挑発的とも言える格好に慣れ始めた頃、アキラは
サラは白いシャツを着ている。エレナは黒を基調とした服を着ている。同じソファーに並んで座っているエレナとサラの格好はいろいろと対照的だ。
エレナは知的さを感じさせる上品で落ち着いた色合いの服を着ていた。どことなくお嬢様風でもある。エレナのスカートは足首近くまで届いており、そもそもスカートを
アキラはエレナとサラの格好を無意識に見比べている。そのことにサラもエレナも気が付いた。それ自体はサラもエレナも別に不快ではない。二人ともアキラに見られて不愉快になる格好はしていないからだ。
しかし見比べられると自分の格好に対するアキラの評価が少々気になる。だが二人ともその評価を直接アキラに聞くのは少々気恥ずかしい。サラとエレナは比較対象である相手の格好を今一度見た上で、自分の格好を再確認する。
エレナの格好を基準にすると、サラの格好は開放的すぎる。食い入るように見られているわけではないが、時折アキラの視線がサラの魅力的な胸元などに
サラの格好を基準にすると、エレナの格好は硬すぎる。異性の客が家にいることを踏まえて、エレナが布地の多い服を選んだことは確かだ。客がいないのならば、エレナはサラ以上にだらしない格好のことも多い。エレナは風呂上がりにバスタオルを巻いただけの、あるいは両肩に掛けただけの格好で情報端末を操作していることもある。そのような自分の感覚も考慮に入れて、多少相手との意識にずれが有ったとしても見苦しい格好にならないように、エレナはしっかり肌を隠す服を選んでいた。
しかしサラの格好と比較すると、エレナは自分の格好が意識過剰なもののようにも思えてくる。そしてアキラの視線がサラの方ばかりに向かうのも、エレナは何となく面白くない。分かり
しかしアキラの視線誘導のために、適当な理由を付けて胸元を開け、脚を出すわけにもいかない。特にサラは後でエレナに確実にいろいろ言ってくるだろう。
明日の格好はもう少し考えて決めよう。エレナとサラは、その方向性は逆だが同じ結論を出した。そして二人ともその内心をアキラに気付かれないように注意しながらアキラと話し続けた。
翌朝、アキラはエレナ達との合流地点を目指して車を走らせていた。合流地点は目的の旧世界の遺跡とクガマヤマ都市の中間辺りの荒野だ。
アキラは遺跡や都市の近くで合流しても良いのではないかと考えたが、エレナの指示に従うことにした。エレナの説明では目的地がほぼ未調査の遺跡であることを考慮して、他のハンターに見つからないように少々慎重に進むらしい。
アキラは合流予定時刻の少し前に合流地点に到着した。エレナ達はまだ到着していない。
アルファは車の助手席で相変わらず荒野には似つかわしくない格好をしている。そのアルファが少し真剣な表情でアキラに話す。
『アキラ。今のうちにもう一度確認しておくけれど、大丈夫よね?』
『ああ。今日はアルファのサポート無しでやってみるんだろ? 大丈夫だ』
最近のアキラはアルファのサポートをあって当然のようなものに感じてしまっているところがある。そのアキラが急にアルファのサポートを失った場合、平静さを保って行動することができるのか。アルファはその点に疑問を抱き、アキラがアルファのサポート無しでも冷静に行動できるように、訓練することにした。
『自分の実力を見直す良い機会だ。やってくれ』
『分かったわ。始めましょう。頑張ってね』
んだ。次の瞬間、アキラの視界からアルファの姿が消えた。同時にアキラが着用している強化服の動きが僅かに鈍くなる。アルファのサポートがなくなったのだ。
アキラは額に掛けていたゴーグルをしっかりと着用する。ゴーグルはアキラが装備しているERPS総合情報収集機器統合型強化服パワードサイレンスの付属品で、取得情報表示用の表示装置でもある。簡単な望遠機能も付いており、任意の場所を注視するとその場所を拡大した上で周辺の情報収集精度を向上させることもできる。更に情報端末とも連携可能で、視線入力装置を使用することである程度の操作が可能になっている。
いろいろと便利なゴーグルだが、アルファの視界拡張によるサポートに比べれば格段に劣る。アキラは早速アルファのサポートの恩恵を再確認していた。
アキラが視線入力で情報端末を操作していると、こちらに近付いてくる移動体の反応がゴーグルに表示される。アキラがその方角を見て対象を注視すると、拡大された映像にこちらへ近付いてくる車の姿が映った。エレナ達だ。
アキラがエレナ達に手を振ると、助手席に座っているサラが手を振って応えてくれた。
『時間ぴったりだ。モンスターとの遭遇とかあれば相当遅れても不思議はないのに、よく予定時刻ちょうどに到着できるな。ああいうのもハンターの実力のうちか。アルファはどう思う?』
「......そうだった。あー、もー」
不意に湧いた寂しさを、アキラは適当に
エレナ達と合流したアキラは先導するエレナ達の後ろに続いて目的地の遺跡へ進んでいく。
アキラ達は単純に目的地を目指すのではなく、少々遠回りのルートで目的の遺跡に向かっている。一度遺跡とは別方向の荒野を進み、途中で反転して進行方向に都市が存在するルートで遺跡を目指す。移動ルートから遺跡の場所を推察されにくいようにするためだ。以前ほぼ直線のルートで遺跡に向かってそのまま都市に戻ってきたアキラは少々
助手席に座っているサラが、運転席のエレナの格好を見て話す。
「ねえ、エレナ」
「その防護服、エレナは嫌ってなかった?」
エレナが着ている防護服は身体に密着する種類のものだ。そのためエレナのスレンダーな体の線が、以前の服よりも強く表れている。そして男性の視線を集めやすい身体の部位が、装備品の固定用のベルトで少々強調されている。サラほど豊満ではないが、平均程度にはあるエレナも胸も大きめに見えている。
エレナが平静を装って応える。
「......別に嫌ってはいないわ。防護服の素材の柔軟性や伸縮性の問題で動きにくく疲労も大きかったから、余り着ていなかっただけよ。その問題は下に強化服を着用すれば身体能力強化で解決できるから、また着始めただけよ。防御力はこっちの方が高いしね。ほぼ未調査の旧世界の遺跡を探索するんだから、ちょっと用心しているだけよ」
エレナがサラの格好を見て尋ねる。
「サラが下に着ているシャツ、防護服との相性が悪いんじゃなかったの?」
「......相性が悪くて駄目になるなら、残しておいても無駄だと考え直しただけよ。遺跡探索を再開したから、女性向けの頑丈なインナーの遺物が見つかる可能性もあるしね」
昨日より肌の露出を下げた格好のサラと、昨日より体の線が強く出る格好のエレナは、そのまま黙って目的の遺跡を目指した。
エレナが昨日アキラから聞いた遺跡の説明を思い出しながら思案する。
(アキラはどうやってこの遺跡を見つけたのかしら? 本当にただの偶然?)
いことは確かだ。しかしこの程度なら遺跡を探して荒野を探索するハンターが先に発見しそうである。
では最近階段の奥からモンスターが
(アキラは恐らく旧領域接続者。その技術で旧世界のネットワークから遺跡の情報を取得できるとしたら?)
その仮定が正しければ、アキラは貴重
エレナが横目でアキラを見る。アキラはサラの隣で階段の奥を見ていた。
エレナの中の感情的な部分が、今すぐにその思考を中断し中止しろと叫んでいる。しかし理性的で冷徹な部分が構わず思考を続けて深めていく。
仮にエレナ達がアキラを誘惑し、籠絡し、旧領域接続者の力を得ることができれば、どれだけの富を得られるだろうか。東部に点在する未発見の遺跡の位置情報だけでも、企業相手に売り払えば大金になるだろう。旧世界の遺物が山ほど眠っている巨大な倉庫の遺跡。その遺物を作成可能にする旧世界の工場や研究施設。それらを手に入れて売却すれば、都市の一つ二つ軽く買えるほどの
「エレナ。どうかしたの?」
思考を深めていたエレナがサラの声で我に返った。アキラとサラが少し心配そうにエレナを見ている。
「何でもないわ。ちょっといろいろ考えていただけ。久しぶりの遺跡探索で、しかもほぼ未調査の遺跡だからね。少し緊張していたのかも。大丈夫よ」
(命の恩人であり貴重な情報を教えてくれる人物。その人物からの信頼を、私から裏切ってどうするのよ。それ以前に私がアキラをそんなふうに扱えば、サラにぶっ飛ばされるか)
エレナは軽く自嘲し、脳裏に過ぎった下らない考えを捨て去った。
エレナ達は照明で通路をしっかりと照らしている。闇の中の強い光はモンスター達にエレナ達の居場所を教えてしまう。しかし地下の闇を住み
、ある程度はハンターの好みの問題だ。誰が敵かも分からない旧世界の遺跡の中で、他のハンターに見つかりたくない者もいる。見つかって襲われる危険性と、敵と誤解される危険性のどちらをとるかというだけの話だ。
アキラ達はかなり速い足並みで遺跡を進んでいる。通路は比較的見通しが良く、モンスターの気配もないからだ。
エレナは数多くの情報収集機器を固定用のベルトで身体を締め付けるようにして装備している。装備している情報収集機器の配置の都合や、着用している防護服の素材の性質などにより、エレナの身体の魅力的な部位の形が強調されており非常に魅力的だ。
的ですらあるエレナの後ろ姿を堪能する暇も余裕もない。アルファのサポートがない状態なので、周辺の警戒を続けるのに手一杯だからだ。
アキラはゴーグルに表示されている周辺の索敵結果を常に確認し、何度も振り返っては目視で背後を確認している。銃を構えて照準器越しの映像を確認もしている。
その少々余裕のないアキラの様子を見て、エレナが優しくアキラに話す。
「アキラ。そんなに緊張しているといろいろ持たないわよ? 少し落ち着きなさい。周囲の確認は私もちゃんとやっているから、もう少し気を抜きなさい」
「は、はい。すみません」
アキラは気を落ち着かせるために深呼吸をしてエレナの後に続いた。
やハンター歴から考えれば当然か。あの時はシカラベもいたし、急いで帰れば他のハンター達とも合流できる状況だったわ。あの時より緊張していても不思議はないか。私達でフォローすれば良いだけね)
エレナはそう思い直し、それ以上は気にせずに遺跡の探索を続けた。
アキラ達は何事もなく前回アキラが引き返した広間までたどり着いた。サラが広間の商店の跡を見て目を輝かせる。
「いろいろありそうな良い商店跡ね。これで遺物もたっぷりなら申し分ないわ」
しかしサラは別段表情を変えることなく話す。
「そうなの? まあ良いわ。エレナ、見張り
サラが商店跡の中に入っていく。エレナは商店の入り口に立ち周囲の警戒を続ける。アキラはサラの後に続いた。
サラはアキラと一緒に店内を見て回る。既にアキラが捜索済みなので、店内にある商品棚には
な物が残っていない。少なくともアキラにはそう見えた。
んでそう答えた。アキラが不思議そうな顔をする。
「何を持ち帰るんですか?」
サラが持ち帰る品を指差す。アキラがその方向を見ると、陳列棚の上に腐敗を通り越して乾燥して
台車の車輪の音が通路に響いていく。
アキラが台車を押しながら、運んでいる棚を見る。
「......確かにこの棚も旧世界の遺物か」
きを聞いたサラが話す。
サラの言葉を疑っているわけではないが、その根拠については納得が足りていない。そういう表情のアキラを見て、エレナがサラの説明を補足する。
「旧世界の店舗の商品棚、特に食料品用の棚には高度な品質保持機能が付いている場合があるの。その場合はかなりの高値で売れることがあるのよ」
「単純に動力源がないだけで、装置としては故障していないかもしれないし、簡単な修理できる程度の故障かもしれないわ。完璧に壊れていたとしても、研究材料として売れることもあるのよ」
「ああ、なるほど」
「問題はその類いの機能がある遺物かどうやって判別するかだけど、こればっかりはハンターとしての経験と勘になるわ。普通の箱にしか見えなくても、
エレナの説明を聞いてアキラも納得した。それがアキラの表情にも表れる。エレナはそれを見て少し得意げに笑った。
その後アキラ達は何の問題もなく遺跡探索を終える。アキラ達は車と商店の跡を往復し、商店の備品を運び出す。エレナ達の車に折り畳んで詰め込んでいた荷台を降ろす。組立式の荷台で、車両で
アキラ達は都市への帰り道の途中で、行きと同じように二手に分かれて都市に戻ることになった。
「本当に遺物の売却方法は私に一任しても良いの? 場合によっては換金まで1ヶ月ぐらいかかるのよ?」
「構いません。すぐに金が必要な状況でもないですし、待った分だけエレナさん達が高値で売ってくれそうですしね」
「ふふっ。分かったわ。遺物売却の手段についてアキラに教授した面目もあるし、期待して待ってなさい」
エレナの不敵な笑い声が情報端末越しに聞こえる。続けてサラの声がする。
「高値になりそうな遺物も手に入ったし、モンスターもいなかったし、良い遺跡だったわ。良かったらまた一緒に探索しない?」
「良いですよ。次はいつにしますか?」
「そうね。私達にも予定があるし、早くても来週以降ってことで。後で連絡するわ。じゃあね」
サラ達との通話が切れた。アキラは軽く息を吐いてから、助手席を見ながら話す。
「アルファ」
アルファの返事と同時に、助手席に座っているアルファの姿が現れる。アルファの姿を見たアキラの表情が若干
アキラはアルファに何かを言おうとして、口を閉じた。
アキラの微妙な心理状態に気付いたアルファが、意味ありげにニヤニヤしながらアキラに話す。
『寂しかった?』
「......そうだよ!」
都市に戻るため荒野を駆けているアキラの姿を、遠距離から観察している者達がいた。
「行ったか?」
「良し。あいつらの車輪の跡を見つけて逆走するぞ」
男はアキラを観察するのに使用していた望遠鏡を担ぐ。かなり大きな望遠鏡だ。
「そんなデカいやつを使わないといけないほど、あいつらと距離をとる必要はなかったんじゃないか?」
「おかげであいつらの車輪の跡を見つけるのも大変なぐらい離れる羽目になったけどな。第一、あいつらは本当に未調査の遺跡を見つけたのか? 根拠はお前の勘なんだろ?」
「理由は教えただろうが。あの時すれ違った方向の先に名の知れた遺跡はない。だから新しく発見された遺跡から戻る途中の可能性があるって」
彼らはハンターである。そしてアキラが前回の遺跡探索ですれ違った者達だ。彼らはアキラの移動方向や、すれ違った時の相手の距離の取り方、そこから判断した相手の慎重さなどから、アキラが未調査の遺跡から都市に戻る途中だと感づいたのだ。
、その判断材料の根拠は薄い。ただの勘と呼ばれてもおかしくはない。その時の男の勘が幸運なほどに鋭く、そしてその程度の痕跡から遺跡のことを知られてしまったアキラが不運だったというだけだ。
「今回はあの時とルートが違うじゃねえか」
「なら前回も変えてたんじゃないか?」
「一々ごちゃごちゃうるせえやつだな! ああそうだよ! 俺の勘だよ! 気に入らねえなら帰れや!」
だ。当分遊んで暮らせるどころか、防壁の内側に家だって買える。可能性をあげる類いの話題が欲しかっただけだよ。怒るなって」
「......ふん。行くぞ」
その後彼らは、他の場所を見張っていた仲間と合流した。彼らは持ち寄った情報収集機器を活用してアキラ達の車輪の跡を発見し、車輪の跡を逆走したり旧世界の遺跡が存在しそうな場所を予想したりして、アキラが見つけた遺跡のある
After Elena finished giving Akira her warnings, she then changed to her serious negotiation face and said to him.
"I'm honestly delighted to hear that you would share with us such valuable information about the location of that unexplored ruin. But we're still Hunters too, and it doesn't feel right to just accept that information for free. Not to mention that Shizuka would definitely scold us later if we do so. That's why I have a suggestion here."
"A suggestion?"
"Yep. How about we accompany you in exploring that ruin? We'll also help you gather relics, sell them, and then we can share the money after subtracting the ammo expense. If there's any relics that we want, we can buy them from each other and add the price to that person's share. So, what do you think?"
Akira thought about it for a bit before replying.
"Don't worry, we didn't have any trouble when we were together during the Kuzusuhara city underground ruin exploration. So I don't think there's any need for you to worry about it."
Elena also smiled and added.
"I'm sure you'll help us out rather than slowing us down, and even if you do slow us down. I'm sure we would be able to handle it just fine. So don't worry."
Akira knew that Elena and Sara would say that by judging his performance during the Kuzusuhara city underground exploration. But in reality, he was only able to do that well thanks to Alpha's support, while the ruin they were going to explore was a place where he might lose that support.
If that happened, of course, Akira's fighting capability would drop significantly. So he was worried if that might cause a significant inconvenience to Sara and Elena.
"Alpha, do you think it'll be okay?"
"From my point of view, it's a good thing that you get someone who can help you out when you lose my support. So I won't stop you, this can be a good training for you too."
It seemed that Alpha had no plans to stop him. So basically the possibility of Akira holding Sara and Elena back was not enough of a reason for her to stop him. She also judged that it would serve as proper training for the worst-case scenario, which was losing her support during an exploration.
Akira bowed to Sara and Elena.
"I understand, I'll be in your care then."
"We have a deal then. It has been quite a while since our last ruin exploration, and not to mention that it's an unexplored ruin too. I can't wait to start."
Elena also sounded happy as she asked Akira.
"We'll follow your schedule as to when we can go. So, when would be a good time for you?"
"Is that so? In that case, let's go tomorrow. After all, We need to prepare ourselves too. We'll finish our preparation tonight. Other than that, let's talk more about that ruin, not to mention that I still have to tell you about the basics of selling relics too."
After that, Akira talked with Sara and Elena to share the information about that ruin as well as to reconfirm their plan for tomorrow, and Elena taught Akira about the common knowledge of selling relics.
When he got used to Sara's provocative appearance, Akira's focus shifted to Elena.
Sara was wearing a white T-shirt while Elena was wearing a black T-shirt. When they sat together next to each other on the sofa, it boosted the contrast between them.
Elena donned calm-but-sleek and clean clothing that made her look like a smart girl. It even made her look like some kind of high-class princess. Her skirt extended all the way to her ankles. Since she was sitting next to Sara, who was not even wearing a pant nor a skirt, Elena's skirt looked unnecessarily long. And unlike Sara's T-shirt that did not hide the valley of her chest, Elena's T-shirt fit snugly up to her neck.
Akira inadvertently compared Sara's appearance with Elena's. They too noticed that. But for both of them, it was not something that bothered them since they were not wearing clothing that would embarrass them when seen by Akira.
But with that being said, both of them were still interested in what Akira had to say after comparing their clothing, while at the same time, it was a rather embarrassing thing to ask him directly about it. Both of them then glanced at each other before looking back at their own clothing.
If they used Elena's appearance as the bottom line, then Sara's clothing was rather provocative. Although it was not like Akira stared intently at her, it was also a fact that Akira's gaze was sometimes sucked into the valley between Sara's chest. Sara knew well that it was because of the clothing that she was wearing.
But if Sara's appearance was used as the bottom line, then Elena's clothing would be too straight-laced. It was true that Elena picked that clothing since they were having a guest. When they were not having a guest, she usually wore even worse clothing than Sara right now. There were many occasions where she was not wearing anything other than her bath towel while operating the information terminal perching on her shoulders. Elena herself was fully conscious about that fact, that was why she consciously picked a very reserved clothing to hide her usual unsightly appearance even though it might give a wrong impression about her.
But compared to Sara's appearance, it could be said that Elena was overly conscious about her own appearance there. It was true that Elena did not find it amusing at all that Akira kept sending his gaze to Sara. Although she understood that it was because Sara's voluptuous body was further pronounced by her clothing, Elena, as someone who had confidence in her own body, found that rather vexing.
But it was not like she could just come up with a random excuse to show her legs and lower her T-shirt. After all, there was no way Sara would let that slide later.
Both Elena and Sara decided to pick their clothing more carefully tomorrow. Although they were in a completely opposite situation, they reached the same conclusion. They then carefully chose their words to make sure that Akira would not notice their real feelings.
On the next day, Akira took his vehicle to the meeting place he had agreed upon with Sara and Elena. Their meeting place was an area between Kugamayama city and the wasteland.
Although Akira did not mind meeting up in the city or near the ruin, he decided to follow Elena's decision. According to Elena, since there was a good chance that it was an unexplored ruin, she wanted to do the search carefully to make sure that this information would not leak to other Hunters.
Akira arrived earlier than their meeting time, so Elena and Sara were not there yet.
Alpha was sitting in the driver's assistant seat, and just like always, she was wearing a dress that did not fit the wasteland at all. She then said to Akira with a serious expression.
"Akira, I'll reconfirm about it again beforehand, you're really okay with it, right?"
"Yeah, it's about me going in supportless this time, right? I'm okay with it."
Lately, Akira realized that he was being fully reliant on Alpha's support. It made Alpha worry whether he would act calmly and rationally if he suddenly lost her support, thus she decided that it might be a good idea to train Akira so that he would still be able to stay calm even if he lost her support.
"This is a good chance to figure out my current ability. Just let me do it."
"Alright then. Let's start, good luck."
Alpha smiled gently at Akira. Then, at the next moment, her image disappeared from Akira's view. At the same time, his augmented suit suddenly felt heavier and sluggish. It was because he had completely lost Alpha's support.
Akira shifted the goggles on his forehead down and properly put it on his face. Those goggles were the same set that came together with his ERPS information-gathering devices integrated augmented suit, PWD Silence. Thus, those goggles were showing the data gathered by his information-gathering devices. It was also equipped with a simple far-sight function. If Akira focused his gaze on a certain point, he could use that function to enhance his vision and zoom into that particular point to get more accurate information.
Although it was an exceptional pair of goggles, it was nowhere near Alpha's support. It did not take that long for him to appreciate Alpha's support.
As Akira was adjusting his vision through a terminal, he suddenly found a signal coming his way. When he focused his information-gathering device to that angle, he was able to see that it was coming from a vehicle that was heading in his direction. It was Elena and Sara.
Akira waved at Elena and Sara. Sara, who was sitting on the assistant driver seat, waved back at him.
"They're right on time. It would not be strange to get a little late if they had encountered some monsters on their way here, so it's rather impressive that they're right on time. I guess that's because they're skilled Hunters, huh. What do you think, Alpha?"
"...Ahhh, that's right... Dammit."
Akira snapped back to hide the loneliness that he suddenly felt creeping.
After meeting up with Elena and Sara, Akira guided both of them to the ruin that he visited not too long ago.
But it was not like Akira was heading straight there. He took a big detour by heading to a completely different location on the wasteland and then turned towards the direction of Kugamayama city while heading to the ruin. It was so that other Hunters would not be able to easily trace his footprint. It could be said it was a big mistake when he directly returned to Kugamayama city from that ruin the other day.
Sara glanced at Elena who was sitting on the driver seat.
"Say, Elena."
"If I'm not mistaken, you don't like that armour, right?"
The armour that Elena was using was a body-tight armour that pronounced her body lines way more than her usual armour. Moreover, the part of her body that would draw the attention of the opposite gender was even more pronounced by a belt. Although hers was not as big as Sara's, it was at least bigger than the average size.
Elena answered back calmly.
"...It's not like I hate it. It's just that because of its material flexibility, it's hard to move in it. So it quickly tires me when moving in this armour. Since that problem is solved by using an augmented suit under it, I decided to start using it again. After all, this armour is much stronger and more durable than my usual armour. And since we're going to explore an unexplored ruin, I just thought that it's better to use this armour."
This time, it was Elena's turn to glance at Sara.
"That shirt under your armour, I thought you don't use it since it has bad compatibility with the armour that you're using right now?"
"...I just thought that it would be such a waste to let them collect dust just because they have bad compatibility with this armour. Not to mention, we have started hunting for relics again, so I might be able to find some durable underclothing."
Sara who was wearing more reserved clothing than yesterday, and Elena who was wearing more pronounced clothing than yesterday, both of them were just silently following Akira to their destination.
Elena remembered Akira's story from yesterday and thought.
[How exactly did Akira find this place? Was it really because of pure coincidence?]
Although it was true that the entrance was hidden in a rather concealed place, if it was only that much, the other Hunters would have been able to discover this place way sooner than Akira.
Moreover, if it was because monsters just opened the entrance and started coming out from this stair lately, then there should be more monsters loitering around near the entrance.
[Akira is probably someone who can connect to the old-world domain. It might be an information that he got from the old-world domain.]
If that assumption was correct, then Akira might have a lot of valuable information with him at the moment. That was exactly the reason why big companies always try to get a hold of people who could connect to the old-world domain, some time to the point that they ignored the will of those people. The facts surrounding this ruin somehow confirmed Elena's guess even further.
Elena glanced at Akira as he was watching the tunnel beside Sara.
The inner voice inside Elena screamed at her to stop that line of thinking there. But the calm and logical part inside her encouraged her to continue.
Hypothetically speaking, if she could seduce Akira, then she would be able to get the power of someone who could connect to the old-world domain and all the benefits that came with it. Even the information of the exact locations of all the undiscovered ruins in the eastern district alone would earn her a huge amount of money if she sold it to big companies. That is excluding the old-world warehouses filled with relics, or even labs and old-world factories that could produce those very relics. If she was able to seize them and sell them, she would get enough money to easily buy one or two cities in the eastern district.
"Elena, what's wrong?"
Elena quickly snapped back from her deep thoughts when Sara called her. Akira and Sara looked at her worriedly.
"It's nothing. I was just lost in my thought for a bit. It's been a while since the last time we went hunting for relics, and not to mention, we're in an unexplored ruin. I might be just a little bit too nervous, but I'm okay."
[Akira not only saved my life, but he even shared valuable information with me. There's no way I can betray his trust. Not to mention that if I look at Akira like that, Sara would beat the crap out of me.]
Elena reflected on what she was thinking and erased that foolish thought that she had just a moment ago.
Elena and Sara used flashlights to illuminate the way in front of them. Although using a strong light inside a dark ruin like this would allow monsters to quickly discover their location, Elena and Sara still decided to use a powerful flashlight because the monsters which lived in such a dark place would have relied more on their sense other than their vision in the first place.
But in the end, it was a very subjective matter. Some Hunters just did not want to get discovered by other Hunters inside the lawless and dangerous wasteland. So basically it was a matter of guessing whether they did not turn on their flashlight because they did not want other Hunters to attack them or because they were thinking of ambushing other Hunters.
Akira, Elena, and Sara explored the ruin at a pretty high pace. It was because there were not that many places to check in the hallway and they did not encounter any monsters around.
Elena was equipped with multiple information-gathering devices. She was using a belt to strap those information-gathering devices around her body. Depending on where she strapped her information-gathering devices, and because of the material of her armour, they somehow boosted her already charming bodyline.
But of course, Akira had no time to spend admiring her charming figure from behind. Since he did not have Alpha's support this time, he had to keep his eyes peeled for even the slightest change around him.
In the middle of the exploration, Akira checked the enemy-scan information displayed through his goggles multiple times. He turned and checked his back frequently, and also did not forget to check the information analyzed from the aiming device installed on his rifle.
Seeing how Akira was so high-strung, Elena smiled gently at him and said.
"Akira, you won't be able to stay for long if you're that nervous, you know? Calm down. I'm also keeping my eyes on our surroundings, so you don't have to be that tense."
"O-okay, I'm sorry."
Akira took a deep breath to calm himself down before following Elena from behind.
[...Well, given his age and his experience as a Hunter, I guess it's to be expected, huh. Back then, we also had Shikarabe with us, not to mention, we were sure that we could meet up with the other Hunters if we went back. So I guess it's nothing strange if he's more nervous compared to back then. But it should be fine, Sara and I just need to cover for him.]
As Elena thought so, she then stopped worrying about it and continued their exploration.
Akira, Elena, and Sara were able to reach the big open-hall where Akira stopped last time without encountering any trouble. When Sara peeked inside the shops in that big hall, her eyes sparkled.
"Ohhh, it seems that this shop is filled with stuff. It will be perfect if we can find a lot of relics here too."
But Sara did not change her expression as she said.
"Is that so? Well, it's fine. Elena, I'll leave the lookout to you. Akira, help me."
Sara then went inside that shop. Elena just stood at the entrance of that shop while scanning the area around for any suspicious signals. Akira followed Sara and entered that shop.
Sara and Akira checked the stuff inside the shop. Since Akira had cleaned that place once before, there was nothing that looked valuable on the racks. At least, that was what Akira thought.
"It doesn't seem there's anything valuable left here. So let's go back."
Sara smiled when she said that while Akira tilted his head.
"What exactly are we going to take back home?"
Sara pointed her finger, Akira turned his head toward the pointed direction. Sara was pointing at a display shelf which contained food-like things that were already past their expiration date to the point that they more or less turned into a block of dirt. Akira seemed more confused than before.
The rattling sound of the cart's wheel echoed through the hallway.
Akira looked at the shelf on the cart while pushing it from behind.
"...Well, I guess it's true that this shelf is an old-world relic too."
Sara heard that mumble.
It was not like Akira did not believe Sara, but he was still not convinced and it was clearly visible on his face. Elena could guess what Akira was thinking when she saw his expression. So she added on to Sara's explanation.
"Old-world shelves, especially the food shelves, sometimes have some kind of preservation functions. And when you find one that does have it, it can fetch us a lot of money."
"It's simply just because it doesn't have any energy source. The machine itself doesn't seem to be damaged. And even if it is damaged, it could still be fixed with a simple TLC. And even if it's completely broken, the researchers would still happily buy it."
"Ohhh, I see."
"The real problem is to spot the shelf that has such a function. In this case, we have no other choice but to rely on our intuition as Hunters. There were cases in the past where a Hunter found a plain-looking box that actually had a high-tech preserving function. So basically if you find relics inside a box, it might be a good idea to bring the box too with you."
Akira was convinced by that explanation given by Elena. It was also reflected on his face. Elena who saw that smiled in satisfaction.
After that, the trio finished their exploration without any trouble. They went back and forth between where they parked their vehicle and the ruin to carry the relics out. They took out a portable cart from inside Elena and Sara's vehicle, it was a portable cart that could be attached behind their vehicle. After they piled all the relics that they carried out into that cart, they attached that cart behind Elena and Sara's vehicle and left the ruin to head back to the city.
And just like when they met up, in the middle of their way back to Kugamayama city, they separated and took different routes back.
"Are you really sure that it's okay to leave selling the relics to us? It might even take a whole month, you know?"
"Yes. It's not like I'm hard-pressed for money right now anyway, and if it takes that long, then it means that it might sell for a really high price too."
"Fufufu, alright then. I need to keep my pride as the person who taught you how to sell relics. So you can look forward to it."
Akira could hear Elena's laughter from the other side of the information terminal. Sara then interjected.
"We got a good relic and we didn't encounter any monsters, it's a really good ruin site. If it's okay with you, do you want to go to that ruin together again next time?"
"Sure, when will be the next time then?"
"Let's see. Well, we have a lot of things to take care of too, it would be at least next week or maybe even later. I'll call you again when we come up with a date. Later then."
Sara and Elena then closed the call. Akira let out a sigh and turned to the assistant driver seat.
"Alpha."
The moment Alpha replied, her image suddenly appeared sitting next to him. Akira's face twitched and stiffened the moment he saw her image. This was because although he knew that she would definitely appear, he tried to put more effort to make sure that his expression did not change.
It seemed that he was about to say something to Alpha but decided not to.
Alpha, who noticed that slight disturbance in Akira's feeling, smiled teasingly and asked.
"Were you lonely?"
"...Yeah, I was!!"
As Akira traversed through the wasteland on his way back to the city, there were some people who were watching him from afar.
"Is he gone?"
"Alright then, let's trace back their footprint."
The guy who was watching Akira from afar picked up his telescope. It was a pretty huge telescope.
"Is there any need to keep our distance from them to the point that you have to use such a big telescope?"
"Well, because of that, we're having a tough time looking for his footprints for the last few days though. But before that, did he really find an unexplored ruin? It's nothing more but your intuition, right?"
"I did tell you the reason, remember? When we passed each other on our way to the wasteland the other day, he was returning back to the city. But there's no nearby ruin from the direction where he was coming, so there's a good chance that he was on his way back from a newly discovered ruin."
They were the Hunters who were driving in the opposite direction when Akira was on his way back to Kugamayama city the other day. Judging from where Akira was coming, how he was taking more distance from them than usual, and from how he was being careful, they guessed that Akira was on his way back from a newly discovered ruin.
Of course, they had no definite proof for their guess, so it was not an exaggeration to say that it was purely out of intuition. Luckily enough, that guy's intuition was really sharp, while on the other hand, Akira was really unlucky that he was found out with such scarce proof.
"His route this time is completely different from his previous route, you know?"
"Doesn't that also mean that he simply went to a different ruin from before?"
"Good grief, just shut up!! Yeah yeah, I know it's just from my intuition!! If you have more complaints!! You can just leave!!"
"After all, if it's really an unexplored ruin, we might strike it rich in one go. Not only we'll be able to live the way we want to, we might even be able to buy a house inside the wall. I just want to make sure if I can really put my hopes up this time, you know. Cheer up, there's no need to be that angry."
"...Humph, let's go."
After that, they joined with their other friends who were posted in a different location. Then, they used their information-gathering device to find the footprint that Akira had left and traced it back while keeping their eyes open for any locations that looked like an old-world ruin. They eventually arrived at the wreckages where the ruin that Akira found was located.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
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