アキラがサラと一緒にエレナ達の帰りを待っていると、アキラの情報端末にキャロルからの通話要求が届いた。サラの方にもエレナから連絡が来たようだ。
アキラが情報端末を操作して通話要求を受け入れると、キャロルの機嫌の良い声が聞こえてくる。
キャロルはどことなく興味の薄そうなアキラの声を聞き、アキラに言い聞かせるように僅かに口調を強めて話す。
「......ちゃんとエレナも満足してもらえる結果になるように、私がしっかり交渉したわ。
別にキャロルを疑っているわけではない。アキラは少し不思議に思いながら礼を言う。
「......? いや、別に疑ってない。助かった。ありがとう」
「どういたしまして。私達はハンターオフィスの出張所の所で待っているから、サラと一緒にこっちに来て」
「分かった。すぐに行く」
アキラが通話を切って車に戻る。サラにも同様のことがエレナから伝えられており、アキラはサラと一緒にエレナ達の所に向かった。
キャロルは少し難しい表情を浮かべながらアキラとの通話が切れた情報端末を見ていた。先ほどのアキラとの会話を
ただ、会話中のアキラの反応がエレナを話題に絡めた前と後で随分異なっていた。より厳密には、アキラは自身の利益よりもエレナの利益に対してより強い関心を示していた。少なくともキャロルはアキラの態度からそう判断した。
(エレナはアキラに随分慕われているようね。シカラベから聞いた話の中には、エレナにそこまでアキラに好かれるような要素はないように思えたけど......。やっぱり本人に、アキラかエレナに聞かないと駄目か。でもアキラに聞いても適当に
(......今後の付き合いを考えてもらえる程度には、役に立っておきますか。これから向かう場所はセランタルビル。賞金首討伐に成功した優秀なハンターを派遣する必要があると判断した場所。外向きの事情があるとはいえ、クガマヤマ都市の対策班がそう判断した場所に一緒に行くのだから、ある程度の縁は紡げるでしょう)
キャロルはそう考えて、セランタルビルで死にかけた時のことを思い出す。
(ま、取りあえずは生きて帰らないとね)
ハンター稼業は自分の命を金に換える稼業だ。それでも死に場所と死に方は選びたい。キャロルは自身がこれから向かう場所を今一度確認して、強く気を引き締めた。
アキラは合流したエレナ達から依頼の詳細の説明を受けた。アキラ達の主な仕事は、編制中の主力部隊がセランタルビルに突入する前にビルの内部の状況を調査することだ。
アキラ達の部隊の編制は今朝と変わっていない。アキラ、キャロル、エレナ、サラ、シカラベ、トガミの6人だ。変更点は隊長がシカラベに変わったことぐらいだ。
ただしこれはドランカム経由の依頼であるという体面を保つための書類上のことだ。タンクランチュラ討伐チームを
部隊の実際の指揮者はエレナのままだ。シカラベがドランカムの幹部であるアラベを通してドランカム側にも納得させている。
これはエレナがアキラ達のセランタルビルの行動において全権を握っていることを意味する。つまり、上の許可がなければセランタルビルから撤退できない、などということはない。アキラ達はセランタルビルの内部を好きなように調査して危険を感じればいつでも撤退できるのだ。
アキラは車の運転をしながら周辺の光景を観察していた。
「......今朝、空振りだった救援依頼の時、モンスターと遭遇しなかった理由はこれか」
セランタルビルに続く大通りの周囲には、外敵に道を塞がれないように強固な防壁が敷かれていた。大型の簡易防壁が幾つも設置されており、戦車や人型兵器がそれを防衛していた。強力な火器を装備した者達の姿も見える。
助手席に座っているキャロルがアキラに同意するように話す。
「セランタルビルに周囲一帯のモンスターが集結している分、他の地域のモンスターが減っていたのね。ビルの周辺は今も大規模な交戦中か。賞金首討伐を成功させた部隊が必要になるわけだわ」
戦車が主砲の照準を大型の機械系モンスターに合わせている。主砲から発射された砲弾がモンスターに直撃する。砲弾が機械系モンスターの内部で爆発し、敵を新たな残骸に変える。
人型兵器が巨大な機関銃を中型の機械系モンスター達に向けて、巨大な弾丸で
「......これ、大丈夫なのか?」
具体的な内容の欠けているアキラの問いに、キャロルが余裕のある表情で答える。
「多分大丈夫よ。この様子なら、私達がセランタルビルの内部を調査している間に戦線が崩壊して、帰り道をモンスター達に塞がれるようなことはないと思うわ。都市の部隊がセランタルビルまでの道を確保するために少々無理をしたかもしれないけど、一度しっかり補給路を構築してしまえば結構持つものよ」
「私達の後に来る本隊をセランタルビルに送り込むためにも、戦線の維持には余裕を持たせているはず。よほどのことがない限り、私達がセランタルビルを調査している間に戦線が崩壊するようなことは無いと思うわ」
アキラが大通りを防衛している非常に強力そうな部隊を見て何となく思ったことを口にする。
「別にハンターを集めて部隊を編制しなくても、この部隊をセランタルビルに派遣すれば手っ取り早いんじゃないか?」
少し不思議そうにしているアキラを見て、キャロルが苦笑しながら答える。
「まあ、戦車や人型兵器ではサイズの問題でビルの内部の制圧なんかできないって理由もあるのでしょうけど、一番の理由は費用の効率の問題なんでしょうね」
「費用?」
「そう。費用の問題。私達ハンターを雇った方が安上がりってこと。多分あの部隊は都市の防衛隊の一部よ。その部隊員には防壁の内側の人間もいるはずだわ。生まれた時から防壁内にいて、そこで高度な教育を受けて、防壁の外で戦えるほどの訓練まで受けた人材よ。生まれてからずっと相当な大金が費やされ続けているわ。そんな人間を現在のセランタルビルに送り込んで、万一死なせてしまったら一体どれだけの損失になるか。家族がいれば遺族年金とかの支払いもあるし、保険に入っていればその支払いもある。損失の総額は幾らになるのか。見当も付かないわね」
軽く笑いながら話すキャロルを見て、アキラが軽い
「......まあ、確かに、命を賭ける価値があるから遺跡に遺物を収集しに行っているわけだしな」
理解はできる。納得もある程度はできる。統企連がその危険性を理由に旧世界の遺跡を更地にしてしまえば、その遺跡から糧を得ている者達からの非常に大規模な反発が起こるだろう。だがそれでも、すっきりしないものがあるのは事実だ。それがアキラの表情に表れていた。
キャロルが笑って話す。
「一山幾らの命として扱われるのが不服なら、自分の命に高値が付くように頑張りなさい」
「具体的にはどうすればいいんだ?」
「稼げばいいのよ。ここは東部で、私達はハンターだからね。たっぷり稼げば、それだけの利益を生む命だとして、失うのは惜しい存在として、その稼ぎを生み出すほどの力の持ち主だとして、良くも悪くも相応に扱われるわ」
「世の中そんなものよ。特にハンターはね。基本的に命賭けの稼業だから、命を賭けた程度じゃ評価の対象にはならないわ。その上で賭けに勝って、賭けた命に見合う金を手に入れないとね。手に入れた金の額が上がるほど、それに見合う命の価値も上がっていくわ。自然にね」
『大丈夫よ。私のサポートもあるし、アキラが私の依頼を達成した頃には、アキラが一山幾らなんて扱いを受けることはなくなっているわ。その辺の不満はアキラが強くなれば全部解決するわ。私に任せなさい』
アキラはアルファの返答にずれを感じながらも、落ち着いてそう答えた。
アキラ達が車両に乗ったまま都市の部隊に近付くと、警備の人間が手振りで
先頭車両はシカラベの車だ。シカラベは以前の装甲兵員輸送車ではなく、アキラ達と同系統の荒野仕様の四輪駆動車に乗り換えている。車両にはドランカムのマークが目立つように記されていた。
シカラベが警備の男に話す。
「セランタルビル攻略の先発隊だ。通してくれ」
「連絡は受けている。悪いがここから先は徒歩で頼む。移動や開閉に時間が掛かるタイプの簡易防壁を設置しているんだ。車両はあの辺に
シカラベが男の説明を聞いて少し表情を険しくさせる。アキラ達が今朝通過した別の封鎖箇所で使用されていた簡易防壁は、開閉が容易な種類のものだった。最低でもそれより高性能な簡易防壁を、車両が通る隙間もないほどにしっかり展開していることになる。
「......そんなタイプの簡易防壁を設置しないと
「さあな。ここを警備している俺達としては、セランタルビルの制圧が終わった後に、そのままビルをミハゾノ街遺跡の第二の拠点にする、その拠点の防衛用だと思いたいところだな」
「この規模の部隊がいるのなら、ビルの1階を制圧して確保した方が早いんじゃないか?」
警備の男が嫌そうな表情で答える。
「勘弁してくれ。制圧部隊として賞金首討伐部隊を送り込むような場所に突入するのは、上からの命令でも御免だ。それはそっちの仕事だろ? 横着すんなよ」
彼らはクガマヤマ都市の民間軍事会社から派遣されてきた部隊だ。都市の防衛隊の人員ではない。アキラ達のような遺物収集をする種類のハンターでもない。純粋な専用要員で、普段は施設の警備などをしている者達だ。
アキラ達を見る彼らの目には、得体の知れない者を見る畏怖とも
ハンターとはある意味でそういう狂人の集まりなのだ。彼らの感覚では賞金首討伐に参加するハンター達などその狂人の中でも飛び抜けた死にたがりか戦闘狂なのだろう。彼らの認識ではアキラもシカラベもエレナ達も大して違いはない。そしてそれは、正しい感覚では、正しいのだ。
シカラベからの説明を聞いたアキラ達は、徒歩でセランタルビルに向かうことになった。
アキラ達は準備を整えてから防壁の隙間を通って包囲網の中に入っていく。そのアキラ達の姿を見ていた警備の男が同僚と話をしている。
「......子供が2人も混ざっていたけど、賞金首討伐に成功した連中なんだよな?」
「ドランカムの連中だろ? ほら、何かやけに強い子供がいて、そいつが賞金首討伐に成功したって話だ。多分そいつだろう」
「ああ、そんなやつがいるんだっけ。あの高そうな装備のやつか。確かに強そうだな。もう一人は?」
「知らん。どうでもいい。そんなことより俺は早く都市に帰りたい。何で俺達までこんな場所に派遣されなきゃならないんだ?」
「何でも都市のお偉いさんがセランタルビルに視察だったか交渉だったかで来る予定があるらしい。その安全を確保するために、ビルの状態を早めに何とかして、可能ならビルを占拠したいって話だ」
「こんな状況なのにだ。その訪問予定を狂わせないために、お偉いさんを死なせないために、過剰気味な戦力を派遣したらしい。俺らもその一部ってわけだ」
「どれだけ偉いのか知らないが迷惑なやつだな。遺跡がこんな状況なんだ。中止しろよ」
「たしか長期戦略部の主任で、ヤナギサワってやつだったはずだ。ま、その程度の我が
包囲の内側に侵入したアキラ達が慎重にセランタルビルに近付いていく。機械系モンスターの残骸やハンターの死体などが散らばったままの領域を進んでいく。ビルの入り口に近付いた途端新手のモンスターが湧き出るようなこともなく、アキラ達はそのままビルの中に入った。
セランタルビルの1階にある受付を兼ねた広間に到着した。アキラが広間の光景を見て
アキラ達が広間の様子を探っている中で、アルファが唐突にアキラに告げる。
『大丈夫よ。すぐに戻ってくるわ。周囲に敵はいないから安心して』
アルファはそれだけ言うとアキラの視界から姿を消してしまった。
『アルファ?』
アキラの呼びかけにも反応はない。強化服の動きがほんの僅かだが鈍っている。情報収集機器の反応が劇的に低下している。アルファのサポートが失われている証拠だ。
(......落ち着け。敵はいないって言っていた。すぐに戻ってくるとも言っていた。大丈夫だ。落ち着くんだ)
アキラがゆっくり深呼吸して過度な緊張を和らげようと試みる。緊張を自覚して意図的に必要な分だけそれを和らげる。今のアキラにはそれが可能だ。
い目に遭ったセランタルビルに再び来たことによる緊張だとして片付けられた。
エレナが皆に指示を出す。
「アキラとキャロルの話だと、セランタルビルの内部で情報収集機器の性能が著しく低下したそうよ。全員自分の情報収集機器の調子を確認して。私の情報収集機器との連携も切れていないか確認して。短距離通信にも異常が出る可能性があるらしいから、回線の状態が悪いと連携が切れる可能性があるわ。セランタルビルの簡易マップと、自分を含めた全員の位置が表示されていることをしっかり確認して」
アキラが身に着けているゴーグル型の表示装置には、周囲の索敵状況とセランタルビルの簡易マップが表示されている。その表示データはエレナから送られているものだ。出発する前に各種データの連係ができるように事前に情報収集機器等の設定を済ませていたのだ。
アキラが何となくキャロルを見る。キャロルはそれらしい表示装置を着用していない。それを不思議に思い、自分のゴーグルを指差しながらキャロルに尋ねる。
キャロルが得意げに笑って答える。
「私は身体能力強化の一環で両目を改造してあるの。だからその手の表示装置は不要なのよ」
アキラがキャロルの目を注意深く
「......普通の目にしか見えないな」
「生体機能を模したナノマテリアル製だからね。でも、どう? なかなかのものでしょう」
「いや、だから普通の目にしか見えないんだ」
「瞳の輝きが違うと思わない?」
「アキラ。確認は済んだ?」
「あ、はい。すみません。まだです」
アキラが少し慌てながらそう答えて、サラがキャロルと同じ身体強化拡張者であることを思いだした。そしてサラもゴーグルのようなものは身に着けていないことに気付いた。
「サラさんもこういうゴーグルとか不要なんですか? キャロルは両目を改造しているそうです」
「えっ? ......ああ、そういうこと。私とエレナはこれを使っているわ」
サラはアキラの問いを理解すると、頭部に着いている髪飾りのようにも見える装飾品を指差した。それを見たアキラの表情が困惑気味なものに変わる。サラが苦笑しながら説明を続ける。
「これは小型の立体映像表示装置なの。私の両目の前、数ミリ先の辺りに映像を表示しているのよ」
「その、そういうものを髪のような揺れる場所に着けても大丈夫なんですか? 何だか映像が物
「どんな技術があればそんなものが作れるんですか?」
「さあ? 技術的なことは私もさっぱりだわ。ただ、商品の説明には旧世界の技術を流用しているとも記載されていたから、アキラが言ったことを解決するためにいろいろやっているんでしょうね」
アキラの表情が納得したものに変わった。正確には、それ以上の理解を諦めたのだ。旧世界の技術。その言葉には問答無用の説得力が存在していた。
東部ではアキラのような考えの者は珍しくない。それも仕方のないことだ。類い
アキラは立体映像という言葉を聞いて前にここにいた立体映像の女性を思いだした。広間を改めて見渡したが該当の人物はいなかった。
「......いないな」
サラが不思議そうにアキラに尋ねる。
「どうかしたの?」
キャロルも気付いて辺りを見渡し始める。
「確かにいないわね」
「セランタル。ビルの管理人格か。こんな状況だからいろいろな話を聞けるかもしれないって思っていたけど、無理そうね。アキラ。いつまでも探していないで、情報収集機器の調整を済ませて。終わったの?」
「も、もう少しです」
アキラが慌てて情報収集機器の調整を続ける。アルファがいないので自力で調整をしなければならない。いろいろ試した結果、設定を下手に変更すると精度が悪化することだけは分かったので、アキラは設定を元に戻した。
シカラベが情報収集機器の設定の調整をしながらエレナに尋ねる。
「そういえば、このセランタルビルのマップデータはどうやって手に入れたんだ? これ、ドランカムが提供したデータじゃないだろう。エレナの自前のやつか?」
「ああ、そのマップデータは私のよ」
「......良いのか? お前のマップデータってことは、秘匿契約電子署名付きの売り物だろう。......おい、報酬からその分の代金を全員分差し引く気じゃないだろうな」
キャロルが心外だと言いたげな表情で答える。
「あら、私が皆の安全の
「えっ? ああ、そうだな。マップデータがあると便利だ。助かるよ」
シカラベがキャロルに疑惑の視線を送りながら尋ねる。
ならそれぐらいはするわ。まあ、シカラベが納得しやすい理由を話すなら、所詮は異変前のマップデータにすぎないってこともあるわ。旧世界の遺跡の中には、ある日突然内部構造をがらりと変える場所だってある。そうでなくても、セランタルビルの中で大量のモンスターと大量のハンターが交戦した結果、フロアの崩落程度起こっていても不思議はないわ。だから異変前のマップの価値は大分下がる。更に私達の後に続く本隊がセランタルビルの制圧をある程度済ませてしまえば、最新版のマップデータを横流しする人も出るでしょう。そうなれば、異変前のデータの値段なんか更に下がるわ。そういうことを総合して判断した結果よ。納得した?」
キャロルはシカラベを納得させるために話したわけではない。シカラベもそれぐらいは気付いた。同時にキャロルが何か
みなどに興味はない。シカラベは納得して、もうそのことには触れないと暗にキャロルに告げる。
シカラベとキャロルはどこか意味深な笑顔を浮かべてその話を終わらせた。
キャロルがマップデータを無料で提供したのは自分の安全の
通りアキラの表情からキャロルへの疑念の色は消えていた。
エレナが皆に、特にシカラベに向けて話す。
「準備が済んだのならそろそろ出発したいのだけど良いかしら? あと、余計な
『ただいま。寂しかった?』
アキラの意気込みは即座に無駄になった。アルファが再びアキラの視界に現れて、少し
アキラがアルファの問いに素直に答えると、はい、と答えなければならない。それを回避するために不満げな様子で逆に質問する。
『こんな時に何をやってたんだ?』
『ちょっとね。大したことではないから気にしないで』
『大したことじゃないなら止めてくれ。いまどこにいると思ってるんだ?』
予想通りの答えを聞いたアルファが楽しげに笑った。
As Akira was waiting for Elena and Carol together with Sara, he suddenly received a call from Carol . The same also happened to Sara, except that it was from Elena .
Akira opened his information terminal and accepted the call . When he did that, Carol's happy voice could be heard coming out from his terminal .
Since Akira only reacted rather flatly, Carol once again gave her report again, but this time she put more pressure to make sure that Akira was listening to her .
"...I properly did my job during the negotiation and got a deal that Elena is also satisfied with . If you think that I'm lying, you should ask Elena once we group up . "
To be honest, Akira was actually not doubting Carol . He was a bit weirded out by the reaction from Carol as he thanked Carol .
"...? It's not like I'm doubting you though . Thank you, you're a big help . "
"You're welcome . We'll be waiting in the parking lot near the Hunter Office, can you pick us up together with Sara?"
"Alright, we'll head there soon . "
Akira closed the call and returned back to his vehicle . Sara also got more or less the same report from Elena . Both of them then headed to the Hunter Office to pick up Elena and Carol .
Carol made a conflicted expression as she closed her call with Akira and stared at her information terminal . Judging from that short exchange, she was able to confirm that she scored some points to get closer to Akira . That in itself was well under her expectation and she was happy that she was finally able to make some progress .
But, during that conversation, Akira's reaction was completely different when Carol brought up Elena too . To be more precise, Akira showed more interest in Elena's situation rather than his own situation . Or at least, that was what Carol could catch from that short exchange .
[It seems that Akira really cares for Elena . From what I can gather from Shikarabe, it doesn't sound like Akira has any reason to like Elena that much though... As I thought, I won't be able to know the reason unless I directly ask either Akira or Elena, huh . But I feel like Akira would just try to play innocent if I ask him, either that, or I feel like Akira himself actually has no idea why he's that invested either . Which means...]
[...I guess I need to be more useful so that he would invite me again next time, huh . We're going to head to the Seranthal building after this, it's a dangerous building that the City Management even decided to gather Hunters who successfully hunted the bounty monster to send to that building . Although this is not out of our own volition, we're going to head to such a dangerous place together . I'm sure that it would at least get us close even if it's only for a bit . ]
As Carol thought so, she remembered that she almost got killed the last time she was in that building .
[Well, let's focus on returning back alive for now . ]
Being a Hunter meant risking one's life for money . But even so, it was not like those Hunters expected themselves to get killed . If it was possible, they wanted to at least have the right to decide when and where to die . Carol reminded herself of the dangerous place that she was going to head to from now on and pulled herself together .
Elena already gave a detailed explanation about the current request right after they grouped up . Their main job this time was to scout the Seranthal building and check the inside of the building before the main squad that still had not fully established yet was dispatched there .
The composition of the team was the same as this morning . Akira, Carol, Elena, Sara, Shikarabe, and Togami . The only difference was that the leader of the team changed from Elena to Shikarabe .
But that was only for formality since it was a request that came from Drankam . On the paper, Shikarabe could not bring Varga and Yamanobe who were also present when they defeated the Tank Tarantula, thus, he was given other personnel to replace Varga and Yamanobe .
So in reality, the leader of that team was still Elena . Shikarabe used his connection with Arabe, an officer in Drankam, to convince Drankam's side so that he was allowed to do that .
With this, Elena had the highest say on what the team would do inside Seranthal building . But that did not mean they could not just leave Seranthal building without her consent . As in matter of fact, the other Hunters could freely explore the building and decide to retreat anytime they felt that they were in danger .
Akira looked around his surroundings while driving his vehicle .
"...So, this is why we didn't encounter any monsters this morning when we went to that empty building, huh?"
The main road heading to Seranthal building was protected by walls so that monsters would not block the road . Those walls were tall and looked pretty durable, there were also some tanks and humanoid soldiers stationed around those walls as well as armed soldiers .
Carol who was sitting next to Akira expressed his agreement with what he just said .
"It seems that since most of the monsters in Mihazono ruin gathered around the Seranthal building, there are not that many monsters roaming in the other locations, huh . And it seems that a fierce battle is also still in progress around that building even now, I can understand why the City Management decided to dispatch Hunters who had the experience of hunting bounty monster . "
Most of the tanks present were shooting at monsters . The warheads released by those tanks accurately hit the monsters, exploded, and turned those monsters into a new pile of wreckage .
While the humanoid weapons were pushing the medium-sized monsters back using their huge weapons that they were carrying, countless bullets rained down on those monsters and shredded them to pieces .
"...Are we really going to be okay?"
Akira skipped most of the details in his question there, but Carol immediately answered that question while looking relaxed .
"I think that it'll be alright . Looking at the current situation, I'm sure that the defence line will still hold while we're scouting the inside of Seranthal building and I'm sure that this road won't be filled with monsters on our way back from that building . Although the squad dispatched by the City Management was hard-pressed to secure the road to the Seranthal building, once the supply route is also secured, they should be able to hold out just fine for the time being . "
"Not to mention, they're also planning to send the main squad later, so I'm sure they'll keep this road secured . So as long as nothing really bad happens, I'm sure they'll be able to secure this road while we scout the Seranthal building . "
As Akira looked at the squad guarding the main road, he thought that they indeed looked exceptionally powerful . He then mumbled .
"Isn't it faster if they just send in these people rather than waiting for a squad of Hunters?"
Carol smiled bitterly as she looked at Akira who found such a thing to be weird .
"Well, I'm sure that one of the reasons is because they can't bring along their tanks and humanoid weapons inside that building . But more than that, I'm sure that it's a matter of cost . "
"Cost?"
"Yep . The real problem would be the cost, it's basically cheaper to just hire us, Hunters . It's only my guess but I think that squad is a part of the city defence squad . So I'm sure some of them are from the inner wall . Those people from the inner wall should have gone through a certain level of education before they went through extra training and were sent to the outside of the inner wall . Basically, they already spent a lot of money from the day they were born . So if the City Management sends them to somewhere as dangerous as Seranthal building and gets them killed, it would inflict a huge economic loss for the city . Not to mention, if they have families, then the City Management needs to pay for the annuity . And if they have insurance, the city should pay for that too . I can't even imagine how much money the city would lose if the city opts to send those people . "
Seeing how Carol said that while lightly smiling, Akira sighed and said .
"... Well, it's true that Hunters only risk their lives going to wasteland if only they know that it's worth it . "
Akira understood that reasoning and even agreed with a part of it . If the Corporate Government decided to destroy that building, there would be opposition coming from the people who were getting profits from that place . But even so, there was also a part of it that Akira could not help but to feel bothered with, and that showed in his face .
Carol giggled and said .
"If you don't like how they treat you as if your life is worthless, you should work hard to increase the value of your life . "
"To be more precise, what do you think I should do?"
"You can just keep on making more money . This is the eastern district, and we are Hunters . If you are alive, you can make so much money, to the point that the Corporate Government would not want to lose someone like you, and if you become strong enough to be able to make that much money, the Corporate Government would be more careful dealing with you, both for the better or for the worse . "
"That's just how it goes, especially for us, Hunters . Since we work by risking our life, so risking our lives alone is not enough to make others respect us . We need to keep showing results and obtain enough money worth risking our lives . And of course, the more money that we gather, the higher the value of our lives . "
"Don't worry, it'll be fine . You have my support and around the time you complete my request, you'll be strong enough that the Corporate Government won't be able to treat your life as worthless . Basically, you just need to get strong enough and everything will be solved . So just leave it to me . "
Although Akira felt that what Alpha said there was not exactly about the same subject that he was talking about, he still calmly replied with that .
As Elena and her team approached one of those squads, a soldier waved at them and signalled them to stop . And when they did, that soldier approached the front-most vehicle .
The front-most vehicle was Shikarabe's . This time Shikarabe did not come with his APC, instead, he was driving another wasteland vehicle just like Akira and Sara . A huge Drankam mark was painted on the side of Shikarabe's vehicle .
Shikarabe then said to that soldier .
"We're the reconnaissance team sent to Seranthal building, let us pass . "
"They already told us about your team . I'm sorry but can you proceed by legs? This defensive wall takes a lot of time to set up, close, and open . You can park your vehicles over there . "
After listening to that soldier's explanation, Shikarabe made a stern face . The defensive wall installed in that place was not the same as the defensive wall that his team went through this morning . It was a stronger defensive wall that did not even have an opening for a vehicle to go through .
"Is this area that dangerous that you guys have no other choice but to use this defensive wall?"
"No idea . But after the Seranthal building is secured, we were told to use that building as the second base in this ruin . So you guys can think of this defensive wall as the defensive wall for that second base . "
"With so many of you guys around, isn't it faster if you guys go ahead and at least secure the first floor of that building?"
That soldier obviously looked slightly annoyed as he said .
"Give us a break, will you? Even if it's an order from the people from above, I have no plans to go to a place where the City Management even opted to dispatch Hunters who successfully killed a bounty monster in the past, you know . That's your job in the first place, isn't it? So don't just throw that on us . "
Those soldiers were actually dispatched by private military contractors in Kugamayama city, they were not a part of the city's defence squad, and they were not Hunters like Akira and Shikarabe, who regularly hunted for relics in the wasteland . They were basically people who specialize only in guarding bases and similar facilities .
And those people looked at Hunters with fear and awe .
From another point of view, it was not wrong to say that the Hunters were the gathering of those people with a broken sense of danger . Moreover, from those soldiers' point of view, the Hunters who went to hunt the bounty monsters out of their own volitions were the craziest among the crazy . So, from their point of view, Akira, Shikarabe, Elena, Sara, and the rest of the Hunters there were basically the craziest among the crazy Hunters . And strictly speaking, they were not wrong to think that way .
Shikarabe explained the situation to the other Hunters, they then decided to walk toward Seranthal building .
After they finished their preparation and walked past through a small opening on the encirclement net, one of the soldiers who saw them off said to another soldier .
"...They're bringing two boys with them though, but all of them are the Hunters who successfully killed a bounty monster, right?"
"I bet they're from Drankam . I'm sure you heard about it too right that there's a young boy who is exceptionally skilled in that gang, I heard that boy had successfully hunted a bounty monster . So one of them might be that boy . "
"Ahh, now that you mention it, I did hear about that too . I guess that must be the one with that expensive-looking equipment, but then who is the other boy?"
"No idea . It doesn't really matter anyway . That aside, I really want to go back to the city . Why in the world did we get dispatched to this place?"
"I heard that some big-shot from the City Management is scheduled to visit the Seranthal building for negotiation or something . So we're here basically to make sure that it's safe, and that's why they're doing anything that they can to secure that building and to even make that building a second base if it's possible . "
"Yep, they're thinking of doing something like that even in this situation . So in order to make sure that their plan would go smoothly and that big-shot won't get killed, they send more soldiers than they normally would, and we're basically a part of that operation . "
"I don't know how great that Mr big-shot is, but he's a real pain in the neck . The ruin is more dangerous than usual at the moment, that guy should have postponed his plan or something . "
"If I'm not mistaken, he's the head of the long-term strategic department, Yanagisawa, was it again? Well, judging from our situation, he's basically that great of a guy so the Corporate Government can't say no to him . "
After passing through the encirclement net, Elena's team carefully approached the Seranthal building . There were wreckages of dead monsters and corpses of the dead Hunters scattered around the area that they had walked through . Once they reached the building's entrance and confirmed that no monsters were spawning out from the entrance, they finally stepped their feet inside of the Seranthal building .
The first floor of the Seranthal building was basically a big atrium hall with some receptionist desks . Akira looked around the hall and tilted his head . The inside of the hall was unnaturally clean . Although there were some bullet holes in the ceilings and walls as well as some rubbles scattered inside the hall, there were neither dead monsters nor dead Hunters .
While they were exploring the inside of the building, Alpha suddenly said to Akira .
"Don't worry, I'll be back right away . I don't detect any monsters around either, so there's nothing to worry about . "
After she said that, Alpha's image immediately vanished from Akira's views .
"Alpha?"
There was no response when Akira called for her . Akira could also feel that his augmented suit suddenly felt heavier and the reading coming from his information-gathering device also slightly worsened . Those two proved that he had lost Alpha's support .
[...Calm down . She said that there are no monsters around and she'll be back soon . It'll be alright, just calm down . ]
Akira tried to slowly take a deep breath to calm himself down . The current Akira had the ability to analyze his current situation in order to calm down his nerves .
The other Hunters noticed that slight change, but since they already heard that Akira almost got killed the last time he went to Seranthal building, they thought that he got nervous since he had to visit Seranthal building again .
Elena then gave an order to her team .
"According to what I heard from Akira and Carol, the sensitivity of our information-gathering device might decrease down as we go deeper into the building . So make sure to keep your eyes on your information-gathering device, check if the reading starts getting worse, make sure that it's still connected to my information-gathering device . Since I also heard that even the local connection might also get affected, you might lose connection with the other information-gathering device if the signal gets pretty bad . And lastly, check that you can still see the map of Seranthal building and the location of the other Hunters in your information-gathering device . "
Akira could see the map of the Seranthal building displayed on his goggles as well as the scan result of his surroundings . It was the data that he received from Elena . They already set their information-gathering device to be able to exchange information with each other before they left the Hunter Office branch .
Akira then glanced at Carol, Carol was not using any equipment to display extra information . Akira found that weird, he then threw a question to Carol while pointing at his own goggle .
Carol smiled full of confidence and replied .
"My body is actually an enhanced body, so basically both of my eyes are also modified eyes . That's why I don't need to use such a thing . "
Akira stared deeply into one of Carol's eyes . Carol smiled proudly while staring back at Akira .
"...It looks like normal eye though?"
"Well, that's because it's made of a certain nanomaterial that imitates biological tissue . So, what do you think? It's pretty amazing, isn't it?"
"Like I said, it looks like just normal eye . "
"Don't you think that it has a different glisten or something?"
"Akira, are you done with the checks?"
"Ah, right, sorry . I'm not done yet . "
Akira flusteredly answered back, he then remembered that Sara also had an enhanced body just like Carol . And he noticed that she was also not using goggles, just like Carol .
"Sara-san, do you also don't need to use goggles? It seems that Carol has both of her eyes modified . "
"Eh...? Ah, about that, huh? Elena and I are actually using this . "
As Sara finally understood Akira's question, she then pointed at a hair ornament-like object that she was using . Akira who saw that tilted his head in confusion . Sara then smiled and explained .
"This is basically a mini display device . It's projecting stereoscopic hologram images just a few millimetres in front of my eyes . "
"Is it really okay to put that in Sara-san's hair? It looks really unstable though? Won't it cause the image to move a lot and hard to see?"
"What kind of technology do they use to make such a thing?"
"No idea . To be honest, I don't know anything at all about the technology . But the manual says that it's based on some kind of old-world technology . So I'm sure the researchers are doing their best to answer that exact same question . "
Akira's expression changed from confusion to confirmation . To be more precise, he actually gave up pursuing that question any further . The old-world technology, that one sentence had the power to solve such a question in one go .
There were also other people who asked the same question as Akira and that was totally understandable . Even after the exceptionally talented people of the eastern district were brought up to spend their time studying such a thing, they still did not have enough knowledge to fully understand the mechanism behind it . That was what it meant to be an old-world technology .
The moment Akira heard the word hologram, it reminded him about the holographic girl that he saw the last time he came there . He once again scanned the whole hall, but he still did not spot that hologram .
"...She's not here . "
Sara tilted her head and asked Akira .
"What's wrong?"
Carol immediately realized what Akira was talking about and scanned the area too .
"You're right, she's not here . "
"Seranthal, the A . I managing this building, huh? I was actually thinking that we might be able to gather some information from her about the current situation of the ruin . But it seems that we can't do that, huh . Akira, don't just stand there looking for that A . I, are you done with your checks yet?"
"J-Just a little bit more . "
Akira flusteredly returned his gaze back to this information terminal . Since Alpha was no longer around, he had no other choice but to do the adjustment manually . After testing a few settings, he understood well that it only worsened the reading, so he gave up and returned the setting back .
Shikarabe was still adjusting his information-gathering device when he suddenly asked Elena a question .
"By the way, how did you get this map of the interior of Seranthal building? This isn't the data from Drankam, right? Did you get it yourself before coming here?"
"That map is actually from me . "
"...Are you sure you're okay with that? If it's originally from you, it means that it's from one of that information protected with a named license, so that you can't share it freely, right? Don't tell me that you're planning to take everyone's share of reward for yourself using this . "
Carol replied with an expression saying that she was offended by that remark .
"Oh my, that's so rude of you to say that although I gave that data for free for the sake of everyone's safety . Don't you think so too, Akira?"
"Eh? Ahh, well, it's true that it's great to have this map . Thanks . "
Shikarabe was still looking at Carol with a distrusting gaze as he said .
"Geez, that's so rude of you . I'll do at least that much to help someone who helped me to get out from a deadly situation in the past as well as his trusted friends too, you know . Well, if I really need to say something to convince you, it's basically a map from when the ruin was still in a normal state . Not to mention, the old-world ruin often changes so suddenly in such a short time span . And even if the interior of the Seranthal building has not changed that much, it would not be strange that the interior of the building is changed after all the battles between the Hunters and the monsters that happened inside this building, you know . That's why the price of that map from before the state in the ruin changed should have significantly lowered by now . Moreover, once the main squad that will come after us secures this building, I'm sure that they'll release the latest version of the map . And when that happens, the value of this map will be lowered even more . That's why I decided to just share it for free, do you understand it now?"
Carol was not speaking to Shikarabe in order to convince him, even Shikarabe knew that much . While on the other hand, Shikarabe also understood from there that no matter what she was scheming, Carol would not cause any trouble during that request .
Shikarabe basically had no interest as long as it would not cause any trouble for him . Thus, he signalled to Carol that he had no plans to pursue that question any further .
Shikarabe and Carol then smiled at each other as if they were talking through telepathy with each other and ended their conversation there .
The reason why Carol shared the map data was not only to make sure of her own safety, it was also for selling a favour to Elena and Sara as well as to win Akira's trust . Thus, she could not afford to have Shikarabe messing up her scheme . That was why she said that to Shikarabe .
Carol then glanced at Akira, and as she planned, Akira did not seem to be suspicious of her any longer .
Elena then said to everyone, especially to Shikarabe .
"If you guys are done with the preparation, should we go now? And also, hold yourself from causing any unnecessary fight . "
"I'm back, were you missing me?"
Akira's resolve was immediately wasted . Alpha appeared back in his view as she smiled mischievously at him .
If Akira had to be honest, he would have to answer Alpha's question with a yes . So in order to avoid that, he instead asked Alpha a question .
"Where were you gone?"
"It's nothing big, just a small thing that I needed to do . It's nothing to worry about . "
"If it's really not that important, don't do that again . Where do you think I'm right now?"
Alpha smiled amusedly after getting the reaction that she already predicted from Akira .
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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