近くにアルファが立っている。無表情で、視線はただ前に向けられていて、アキラに気付いている様子もない。動かす者のいない人形。アキラはアルファの横顔からそんな雰囲気を感じていた。
そのアルファが何かを話している。
「1回目。失敗。未到達。対象死亡による継続不能。支援方法を要検証」
記録をただ読み上げるような口調で話し続けている。
「2回目。失敗。未到達。対象死亡による継続不能。戦闘支援を要検証」
興味のない報告を続けるように話し続けている。
「15回目。失敗。未到達。依頼破棄による継続不能。対象は生存。負傷による依頼取り下げ。誘導方法を要調整」
「16回目。失敗。エリア1に到達。対象死亡による継続不能。戦闘支援方法を再検討」
「87回目。失敗。エリア7に到達。対象死亡による継続不能。戦闘支援方法を再検討」
「88回目。失敗。エリア4に到達。依頼破棄による継続不能。対象は生存。続行意思喪失による依頼取り下げ。誘導方法を要調整」
「497回目。失敗。エリア9に到達。対象死亡による継続不能。戦闘支援方法を再検討」
「499回目。実行中。未到達。経緯確認中。以上」
アルファが話を終えた。すると世界から白さすら失われ、真っ暗になった。完全な闇の中にアルファの姿だけがくっきりと浮かんでいるが、その姿もすぐに薄れ、ぼやけ、消えていく。
一緒にアキラの意識も薄れていく。やがて全てが完全に消え去り、夢が終わった。
アキラが目を覚ました。妙な夢を見たという感覚は残っていたが、夢の内容は既に忘れていた。続けて自分が見覚えのない部屋のベッドで横になっていることに気付くと、その驚きで夢のことなど意識から完全に押し流された。
以前のアキラならば、見覚えのない場所で目を覚ましたことを自覚した瞬間、すぐに飛び起きて周囲を必死に警戒していた。しかし今は驚いてはいるもののその警戒心は薄く、寝起きで意識を少し鈍らせたままだ。
そのかつてなら致命的でさえある緩みの原因は、危険な路地裏以外の場所で目覚めることに慣れてきた日々の生活であり、普段使用している宿よりも安全で上質な部屋の雰囲気でもある。だが一番の理由は、そろそろ見慣れてきた人物が危険など無いと知らせるように
『お早う。アキラ。よく眠れたみたいね』
アキラが身を起こして状況を把握しようとする。部屋には生活感があり、どこかのホテルなどではない。戦闘で体に付着した血や泥が
『お早う。アルファ。ここはどこだ?』
アルファはその問いに答えるように部屋のドアを指差した。するとそこからサラが入ってくる。そしてアキラを見て少し驚いた様子を見せた。
「アキラ。目を覚ましたのね」
サラは大きめのシャツに下着だけという、いろいろと隙の多い格好だ。その随分と気を抜いた姿は、ここがそれだけ安全な場所であると自然に示し、見知らぬ部屋にいるという警戒をアキラからほぼ完全に取り去った。ただしアキラの中で、別の意味での困惑と戸惑いは大きくなった。
「気分はどう? まだ起きるのが
「えっと、大丈夫です」
いろいろな意味で戸惑いはしているが、体調自体は申し分の無い状態だ。それを示す意味を含めて、アキラはしっかりと答えた。この様子なら大丈夫だろうと、サラも安心して笑って返す。
「そう。良かったわ。ここは私とエレナの部屋よ。アキラの荷物は向こうに置いてあるから安心して。服も洗って一緒に置いてあるわ。着替えるなら持ってくるけど、どうする?」
「あ、自分で取ってきます」
「いいのよ。お客さんなんだからゆっくりしていて。持ってくるわ。ちょっと待っててね」
アキラは状況に流されていた。だがサラが部屋から出ていきドアが閉まると、途端に慌てだした。
『アルファ。どうなってるんだ!?』
えず、ここは安全よ。それを理解したら、まずは落ち着きなさい』
『いや、そう言われても......』
『私から聞いたとは答えられない以上、急に知らない場所で目を覚ました人間が事情を詳しく知っていたら不自然でしょう? まずはサラに聞きなさい。私からの説明は、その後。分かった?』
『あ、ああ』
アキラはそのまま落ち着かない様子でサラの戻りを待つ。安全な場所にいるのに落ち着けないという経験に戸惑いを覚え、それを自覚して更に戸惑い、もっと落ち着けなくなるという状態だった。その
「アキラ。手伝った方が良い?」
「そう? 病み上がりなんだから、無理をしちゃ駄目よ?」
で、アキラは更にもたついてしまった。だがその自分を見て楽しげに笑っているアルファに気付くと、その態度に反応しないように注意しながら手早く着替え終えた。
その後、サラが現在の状況をアキラに話し始める。
「先に言っておくわね。アキラが倒れてから、もう3日
その後、エレナ達は一向に目を覚まさないアキラを自宅に連れ帰ると、目を覚ますまでベッドに寝かせておくことにした。命に別状はないが、恐らく数日は目を覚まさない。原因は回復薬の過剰摂取によるもの。そう判断してのことだ。
東部で広く出回っている回復薬の中身は、基本的に治療用ナノマシンと各種薬剤の混合物であり、要は壁の穴を塞ぐ材料と道具のセットだ。高級品はナノマシンが細胞そのものの代用品となり、負傷箇所を塞ぐこともある。
話を聞き終えたアキラが丁寧に頭を下げる。
「命を助けてもらった上にいろいろ面倒を見ていただいて、本当にありがとう御座いました」
「良いのよ。気にしないで」
だがサラはあっさりと軽く首を横に振った。
「さっきも言ったけど、私達が勝手にやったことだから気にしないで。私もエレナもアキラに緊急依頼の代金を請求するつもりはないわ」
「良いんですか? ......いや、でも、それは......、うーん......」
有り難いとは思うが、それもどうかとも思い、アキラが渋る。しかし渋ったところで、支払い能力が無い事実に変わりはない。その
「......じゃあ、報酬の代わりに、一つ頼んでも良いかしら。聞きたいことがあるから、正直に話してもらってもいい?」
「そんなことなら、はい。何ですか?」
その程度のことならばと、軽く笑って答えたアキラが僅かにたじろぐ。サラは非常に真剣な表情でアキラをじっと見詰めていた。そして僅かに
サラはアキラが眠っている間に、1人でシズカの店を訪れていた。雑談の中でアキラの話を聞いたシズカが苦笑を浮かべている。
「モンスターの群れと交戦するなんて、アキラも大変だったようね」
もなく助かったんだから、運が良いんだか悪いんだか分からないわね。そういえばエレナは?」
「エレナなら近くでカツラギの護衛と監視をしているわ。私はちょっと抜けてきたの」
「そう。......それで、本題は?」
談笑を続けていたシズカが、気を切り替えるように少し真面目な様子を見せる。シズカはサラの本当の用件を何となく察していた。
「以前にクズスハラ街遺跡で私達が誰かに助けられたって話はしたわよね?」
「ええ。サラが何度も話してくれたから、細かい内容までちゃんと覚えてるわ」
「シズカは、それが誰か知ってるんじゃない?」
サラはシズカをじっと見ている。シズカはその強い視線にも目立った反応を見せずに、サラの様子を見て、少し思案してから聞き返す。
「何でそれを私に聞くの?」
「シズカは勘が良いから」
「そう。そういうことなら私の返事は、知らない、よ」
「シズカ」
しかしシズカは動じない。ハンターを相手に商売をしているのだ。その手の耐性は付いていた。何よりも、目の前の友人を、良い意味でよく知っている。慌てる必要は全くなかった。落ち着いた口調で少し言い聞かせるように答える。
「私が本当に知らないし、心当たりもないのなら、知らない。私が勘でそれが誰なのか何となく気付いていたとしたのなら、それが間違いだった時に相手にもサラにも迷惑が掛かるから、知らない。知っているけれど、当人から黙っていてくれと頼まれていたら、話したらその人からの信頼を踏みにじることになるから、知らない。相手から口止めはされていないけれど、知られたくないと思っているようなら、私が口を出す問題ではないし、客が嫌がる話を
めた。シズカが表情を変えずに続ける。
「それに、本当の本題はそんなことじゃないんでしょう? サラはその人物が誰なのか、明確に予想している。そして、サラの直感はそれが正しいと判断している。でも理性的な経験はそれが誤りだと判断している。だから否定する判断材料を、私に消してほしかった。たとえそれが私の勘でも。そうでしょう?」
図星だった。正確には、そう指摘されて、サラは
紙に書かれていた子供が書いたような汚い字。ペンダントに加工した弾丸を見た時のアキラの反応。そしてアキラが所持していた回復薬。アキラの所持品を整理した時に見付けたものは、遺跡で譲ってもらったものと同じものだった。それらがサラに遺跡で自分達を助けてくれたのはアキラだと判断させた。
しかしいずれも決定的な証拠ではない。そして何よりもサラのハンターとしての経験が、アキラの実力では、あの状況で、あの戦力差を覆して自分達を助けるのは不可能だと判断していた。
判断に迷ったサラはシズカの勘に頼ろうとした。シズカの勘の鋭さは自分もエレナも認めている。そして鋭い勘は時に理性的な判断を覆す納得できる理由になり得る。サラはシズカに自分達を助けた人物はアキラだと、その勘で肯定してほしかったのだ。
それに気付いて僅かに戸惑っているサラに、シズカが更に続ける。
「ところで、サラは何をどこまで知りたいの? 単に命の恩人が誰か知りたいだけ? それともそれに付随するいろいろな疑問を隅々まできっちりはっきり納得するまで知りたいの?」
サラは答えられなかった。聞きたいこと、知りたいことは幾らでもある。しかし聞かなければならないことは、知らなければならないことは、その極一部だ。
「よく考えて聞きなさい。聞きたいことと聞かなくてもいいことを、しっかり伝えてから聞きなさい。誠意を持って聞きなさい。それで
めることにした。それは誰かに尋ねるものではなく、自分で気付くべきものだ。そう思った。サラが吹っ切れたように笑う。
シズカも安心したように笑って返す。そして、笑みの種類を少しだけ別の意味で楽しげなものに変える。
「どう致しまして。それじゃあ、参考までに私の勘をちょっと話しておきますか。サラは旧領域接続者って知ってる?」
「旧領域接続者? 聞いたことがあるような......」
「詳しいことはエレナに聞いてみなさい。彼女ならよく知っているはずだから。簡単に説明すると、旧世界のネットワークによく分からない方法で接続できる人間のことよ。その場の遺跡の構造や、そこにいる人間やモンスターの位置を正確に把握できる人もいるらしいわ。便利な反面、その便利さの
めていく。その話が正しければ、アキラ程度の実力でも自分達を助けられる。あの非常に濃い色無しの霧の中で、全員の位置を周辺の地形も含めて正確に把握できれば、全員目隠し状態の中、一人だけ普通に見えているようなものだ。勝率は跳ね上がる。そしてそれを隠そうとする理由も理解できる。どうやって自分達を助けたのか。それを推測すれば、旧領域接続者であると悟られる危険性が高くなる。下手に知られれば、命に関わる。
シズカが少し楽しげに笑う。
「いろいろと決めていない人に話したら大変でしょう? 頑張りなさい」
シズカから旧領域接続者の話を聞いた日の夜、サラが風呂上がりのエレナに少し唐突に質問する。
「エレナ。旧領域接続者って知ってる?」
エレナは体を拭くのもほどほどにして、頭部装着型の情報端末を操作していた。下着も着けずにバスタオルを巻いただけの、いろいろとだらしない格好だ。サラが以前にそれを指摘すると、防水だから、という返事が返ってきたので、以降は何も言わないことにしている。
エレナが少し意外そうな態度を返す。
「旧領域接続者? サラがそんなことを聞くのは珍しいわね」
「ちょっとね。シズカがエレナなら詳しく知ってるって言ってたから」
「具体的には何が知りたいの? わざわざ私に聞くってことは、ちょっとネットで調べれば分かるようなことを知りたい訳じゃないんでしょう?」
サラとしてはその基礎的な知識から知りたかったのだが、正直にそう話すとエレナが怒りそうだったので言い方を変える。
「面白いこと聞くのね。じゃあ、本人の有効性から」
エレナは少し楽しげに話し始めた。
るが、最大の利点は旧領域と呼ばれるネットワーク、旧世界時代に構築された情報網に接続できることだ。旧領域は現在でも膨大な情報を保持し続けており、そこに存在する知識の価値は計り知れない。だが現在の技術では旧領域への接続さえ困難な状況で、通常は遺跡などで発見された特殊な接続端末を介して接続しなければならない。
しかし旧領域接続者はそういった機器を一切使用せずに旧領域に接続できる。接続方法は不明で、企業の研究班の努力にも
「エレナの情報端末とかの通信も? でもあれは色無しの霧が濃いと駄目になるんでしょう?」
「あれは別の通信機能で動いているのよ。都市を中継局にした短距離通信とかでね。だから色無しの霧の影響で使えなくなったりするの。情報端末レベルで色無しの霧を無視した通信が出来れば、一体どれだけ便利になるか。常に高濃度の霧が懸かっている遺跡の調査とか
「脳死って、そんな可能性があるの? 私達も危なかったりする?」
少し慌てだしたサラを見て、エレナが笑って安心させる。
「遺跡に行っただけでそんな目に遭う確率は極めて低いから大丈夫よ。少なくとも、モンスターに襲われて死ぬ確率の方が
アキラは軽く頭を抱えていた。エレナ達を助けた人物が自分だとサラに知られてしまったからだ。ただそれをそこまで深刻な問題とは考えていなかった。エレナ達を助けたのを隠していたのは、その動機や手段などを説明するのが面倒だから。アキラの認識はその程度だ。
アキラは旧領域接続者だ。しかしその自覚はない。旧領域接続者という単語自体知らない。アルファを認識できるのも、
されたアキラは、内心かなり慌てながら表情を固くして黙っている。サラはそこに拒絶を感じた。少し悲しげに、願いを込めるような真剣な表情で続ける。
「どうしても話したくないのなら、私も諦める。二度と聞かない。だから最後にもう一回だけ聞くわ。......クズスハラ街遺跡で、私とエレナを助けてくれたのは、アキラよね?」
サラの言葉はもう懇願に近い。命の恩人がここまで必死になって尋ねている。アキラはそれを感じて観念した。
「はい。そうです。俺です」
「いいのよ。約束した通り深くは聞かないわ。それよりも......」
サラは軽く首を横に振った後、アキラの手を握った。
「エレナを助けてくれて、私を助けてくれて、本当にありがとう。......やっと、ちゃんとお礼が言えたわ。ごめんね。無理
サラは笑顔で礼を言った後、申し訳なさそうにそう続けた。アキラが動揺しながら慌てて答える。
「そう? ......そうね。アキラがそう言うのなら、そういうことにしましょうか。ありがとう。本当に感謝しているわ」
「......いえ、どう致しまして」
しそうに笑っていた。アキラも笑って返した。だがその笑顔には、サラには気付けない程度のほんの僅かな陰りがあった。
サラの感謝の言葉を聞いたアキラの心には、痛みを伴う何かが奥まで
アキラがサラと一緒に食事を取りながら談笑している。先ほどの会話の後、眠っていて数日食事を取っていないアキラの腹が少し大きめに鳴った。それを聞いたサラが軽く笑いながら食事を勧めたのだ。命の恩人の勧めでもあり、アキラには断れなかった。
テーブルの上には最近のアキラの主食である冷凍食品とは格の違う料理が並んでいる。調理時間が随分と短く、聞き覚えのある音も聞いたが、アキラは気にしないことにした。とても
談笑の中で、サラがアキラに助けられた時のことを話題に出す。襲撃者達の所持品の売却金が予想以上に高額になったことも伝える。ホテル暮らしなどで特定の住居を持たないハンターには、ほぼ全財産を常に持ち歩いている者もいる。金を預金口座に預けておくと債務回収などの理由で合法的に引き出されてしまう者に多く、彼らもその類いだった。
サラ達の金銭問題はその大金のおかげでほぼ解決した。装備を調え直した後はハンター稼業も順調で、稼ぎも増え、更に装備を調えて遺跡探索の成果も上がった。その好循環が続いたおかげで、落ち目のハンターからは完全に抜け出して、以前よりも稼げるようになっていた。サラはそれを感謝の言葉と一緒に伝えた後で、アキラにその分の金を渡すと言ったのだが、断られた。意外そうな表情で一応確認を取る。
「あいつらを倒したのはアキラなのに、本当に要らないの? 結構な額よ?」
「はい。俺は拾わずに帰った訳ですから、今更どうこう言うつもりはありません」
「うーん。そう言われてもね。命を助けられて、私達の資金難も解決してもらって、それで何にも返せないってのも心苦しいのよね」
「そういうことなら、今回助けてもらった緊急依頼の代金をそれで先払いしたってことにしてください。代金の相場とか知らないんで、それで足りるのかどうかはよく分かりませんけど。俺も世話になったのに何も出せないのは心苦しいので、それで相殺ってことでお願いします」
「そう言われたら仕方無いわね。分かったわ」
その後の話題で、サラ達が資金難を解消した後、エレナが真っ先にサラのナノマシン補給を強行した話が出てきた。その流れでサラの体、ナノマシンによる身体拡張者の話に話題が移る。
「それでね? ナノマシン系の身体拡張者は、予備のナノマシンを体の一部に確保していることがあるの。私の場合は胸よ。外付けのカートリッジにする人もいるけれど、カートリッジをなくしたりしたら大変だから私は
サラが自身の胸を指差す。予備のナノマシンの保管庫にもなっている胸は、ナノマシンの保有量としても、女性的な魅力としても、十分な豊満さを取り戻していた。
「その手の身体拡張者はナノマシンの消費量の具合で体型が変わることが多いの。服のサイズが大幅に変わるのよ。その都合でちょっと見苦しい格好なのは勘弁してね?」
アルファが不満げな態度を隠さずに文句を言う。
『何か私と態度が随分違うわね。体型とかなら私が勝っているはずよ? 何なの? 着エロなの? それがアキラの趣味なの?』
い防護服を着ているわ。その上でいろいろ羽織ったり、追加装甲を着けたりしているの。アキラの服は......、それ、一応は防護服、で、良いのかしら」
アキラはシズカからその服を
「......本当にそんなやつがいるんですか? ポリタンクに脚が生えた機械なんて......、いや、そもそもそれはモンスターなんですか?」
「本当よ。ポリタンクの中に可燃性の液体燃料が入っていて、人や車を見付けると近付いて爆発するの。だからモンスターとして扱われているわ。
サラはその当時を思い出してしみじみと話していた。それがアキラに対象の実在を実感させ驚かせていた。
「何でそんなやつがいるんでしょうね」
帰宅の準備を終えたアキラが玄関でサラに頭を下げている。
帰ろうとするアキラに、サラが少し迷ってから尋ねる。
「アキラ、その、今日のことをエレナにも話して良い?
「下手に広めたりしなければ構いません。シズカさんも知っていますしね」
「......やっぱりシズカは知ってたか」
苦笑を浮かべたサラに、アキラも苦笑を返した。
く勘が良いのよ。だからアキラが装備品とかで迷ったら、シズカのお勧めにしておくと良いわ。勧める品にも勘が利いているみたいだからね」
「分かりました。サラさん。お世話になりました。エレナさんにも
アキラにはエレナ達を助けたつもりなどない。エレナ達を襲った連中を殺す口実にしただけだ。そのエレナ達に命を救われた。自分などを助けてくれたことを深く感謝している。
その命の恩人から身に覚えのない礼を、相手を利用さえしていたことに対して感謝を告げられたことが、アキラに心を
『それは良かったわ。それならアキラはその次の機会にエレナ達をちゃんと助けられるぐらいに強くなっておかないといけないわね。それぐらい分かって言ったのよね?』
『良い意気込みだわ。大丈夫よ。これからも訓練はどんどん厳しくなっていくから、アキラもすぐにそれぐらい強くなれるわ。これからも頑張ってね』
意気を取り戻したアキラが、ふと何かを忘れていることに気付く。
「アルファ。俺は何かを忘れてないか?」
『日々アキラをサポートする私への感謝とか?』
「いつもありがとう御座います。で、何か知らないか?」
アキラはシェリルに拠点に来てほしいと頼まれて、一応顔を出すと約束していた。いろいろと不可抗力があって行けなかったが、随分と必死に頼んでいたので、一応行くつもりではあったのだ。
大分遅れてしまったが、いろいろあったのだ。仕方無いだろう。アキラはそう言い訳して、今更ながらシェリルの拠点に向かった。
He saw Alpha standing not too far from him. She was emotionlessly staring forward. It did not look like she noticed him. As he looked at her, it felt like she was just a frozen humanoid doll standing there.
Suddenly, this Alpha spoke.
"First try, failed. Didn't reach the target. Unable to continue due to the subject's death. Searching for methods to provide support."
She then continued as if she was reading a record from her memories.
"Second try, failed. Didn't reach the target. Unable to continue due to the subject's death. Searching for methods to provide support in battle."
She continued giving the same report without any emotional fluctuations.
"15th try, failed. Didn't reach the target. Unable to continue due to the subject's withdrawal from the request. The subject is alive. The subject withdrew from the request due to fatal injuries. Adjusting the guidance method."
"16th try, failed. Reached area 1. Unable to continue due to the subject's death. Revaluating methods to provide support in battle."
"87th try, failed. Reached area 7. Unable to continue due to the subject's death. Revaluating methods to provide support in battle."
"88th try, failed. Reached area 4. Unable to continue due to the subject's withdrawal from the request. The subject is alive. The subject withdrew from the request due to the loss of motivation. Adjusting the guidance method."
"497th try, failed. Reached area 9. Unable to continue due to the subject's death. Revaluating methods to provide support in battle."
"499th try, in progress. Haven't reached the target area. Confirming the current condition. Finish."
Once Alpha was done reporting, the white world suddenly turned pitch black. Akira could see Alpha floating alone in the middle of the darkness before slowly blurring and vanishing into nothingness.
Akira's consciousness faded away together with it. Eventually, everything vanished into nothingness and the dream ended.
Akira opened his eyes. He was still dazed after that strange dream, but he had forgotten most of the details of the dream. He then realized that he was lying on a bed inside a room that he did not recognize. He was so surprised that he completely forgot about the dream that he just had.
If it was Akira from the past, he would have definitely jumped off and confirmed his surroundings the moment he found himself in an unfamiliar place. But now, although he was surprised, he did not put up his guard. He was only dazed after waking up.
The reason why he lost his sharpness was because he was now used to waking up in a safe place compared to the dangerous back alley. He now woke up in a room that felt safer and looked more expensive than his usual room. But the main reason he didn't put up his guard was because he saw Alpha smiling at him.
"Morning, Akira. Where you able to take a good rest?"
Akira looked around and confirmed his surroundings. It seemed like he was staying in someone's place since it did not look like a hotel room. The blood and mud that stuck on his body were already cleaned. He was also changed into a white t-shirt and a long pant. He had fully recovered from the tiredness, having woke up feeling refreshed he did not feel pain anymore. He was completely recovered physically. After he noticed this fact, he completely shook off the haziness from when he woke up. But it was visible from his expression that he was confused.
"Morning, Alpha. Where am I?"
Alpha then pointed her finger to the door to answer Akira's question. Sara then entered through that door. She looked a bit surprised as she saw Akira.
"Akira, you've woken up, huh?"
Sara was only wearing a baggy T-shirt and undies, it was a set of clothes that showed a lot of openings. Her wearing such dress also showed that it was a safe place, thus Akira was able to relax too. But on the other hand, he was also more confused than before.
"How do you feel? If it's still hard for you to wake up, you can lay back, you know?"
"Uhh, I'm fine."
Although he was still confused about what was going on, he was physically fine. And in order to show that, he answered back confidently. Sara smiled back knowing that Akira was really fine.
"I see. Thank goodness! This is our place, Elena's and mine. Therefore, you don't have to worry, we have kept your stuff in another room. We've also washed your clothes and left them there. I'll bring it to you if you want to change."
"Ah, I'll take them myself."
"Don't worry, you're our guest, after all. I'll bring them to you, just wait here for a bit."
Akira was swept away by the flow. But once Sara went outside the room and closed the door, Akira immediately went into panic mode.
"Alpha, what's going on here?"
"For now, you just need to know that this is a safe place. If you can understand, then calm down."
"Even if you ask me so..."
"Wouldn't Sara feel weird if you suddenly understood what's going on although you have just woke up in an unfamiliar place? So just ask Sara first, I'll give you my explanation after that, okay?"
"Ah, right."
Akira then nervously waited for Sara to come back. He was feeling strange to not be able to relax although he knew that he was in a safe room. He understood that he should calm down to think clearly but he was unable to do so and as he continued to wait for Sara, it became harder for him to calm down. As such, he looked nervous when Sara came back and handed him his clothes.
"Akira, should I help you?"
"Is that so? You just recovered, so don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
Since Akira was not used to getting such a gentle treatment, he could not help but feel more nervous. But he realized that Alpha looked amused as she was looking at him who was fl.u.s.tered. So he quickly finished changing his clothes before Alpha could comment on him getting fl.u.s.tered.
After that, Sara started explaining to Akira of what was going on.
"I'll tell you this first. It has been 3 days since you fainted."
After that, Elena and Sara brought Akira who was still unconscious to their home and laid him on a bed. Although he was in no danger, Akira did not wake up for a few days. Elena and Sara thought that it was because of the overdose from medicine.
The medicine distributed in the Eastern district were mostly a mix of nanomachines and all kinds of different chemical compounds. It was basically like a DIY set to close a hole in the wall. The advanced nanomachines in the medicine could act as substitutes to the cells and close the wound.
After Akira heard everything from Sara, he bowed politely.
"Thank you very much for saving and nursing me."
"It's fine, don't mention it."
But Sara just casually shook her head.
"As I said, it's something that we did because we wanted to. You don't need to worry about it. I and Elena have no wish to ask for any compensation."
"Are you sure...? Ah, I mean, that is... Uhh..."
That would be really helpful to Akira, but he could not just accept it. Akira hesitated. But even if he hesitated, it was not like he had the money to pay them back. As such, he looked really thankful. Then Sara's face turned serious.
"...Well then, in exchange for the reward. I have something to ask you. So can you answer it honestly?"
"If that's all, then of course. What is it?"
Sara was a bit surprised as Akira answered back casually with a smile. Sara then stared at Akira with a serious face. She then let out a sigh and asked him a question.
When Akira was still unconscious, Sara went to Shizuka's shop by herself. And when she started talking about Akira, Shizuka smiled bitterly.
"Fighting against those many monsters, that must have been really hard for Akira."
"But even so, they were able to survive without any grave injuries. So I don't know if they actually have good luck or bad luck. By the way, where's Elena?"
"Elena is working as Katsuragi's escort not too far from here. I came here alone today."
"Is that so... So then, why are you here today?"
Shizuka who was listening to Sara changed the mood as she made a serious face. She more or less understood why Sara came to her today.
"I did tell you before that we were saved by someone in the Kuzusuhara ruin, right?"
"Yep. You told me that story so many times. I even remember all the details, you know?"
"By any chance, do you know who it was?"
Sara stared closely at Shizuka. But Shizuka did not make any noticeable reaction to her strong gaze. Shizuka looked at Sara and thought for a bit before answering her question.
"Why do you ask me?"
"You have a good intuition, after all."
"Is that so? Well, in that case, my answer is no."
"Shizuka!"
But Shizuka did not budge at all. After all, she was working as a merchant who faced Hunters on a regular basis. Moreover, she knew well about the friend in front of her right now. There was no need for her to panic, she knew that well as she calmly answered back.
"I really don't know and I have no one that I'm suspicious of being that person either. And even if I have a guess, if my guess is wrong, it'll definitely cause trouble for you and that person. I may have some inklings, but the person asked me not to say anything to anyone. So if I tell you, then I'll be betraying that person's trust, thus I won't say anything. That person didn't threaten me, but since that person told me to keep a secret, I don't think it's a good idea for me to say anything. After all, it would be big trouble for the shop if I do something that might annoy my customers. So I can't say, no matter what, my answer is I don't know."
Sara did not say anything, she just locked her gaze on Shizuka. But Shizuka's expression did not change as she continued.
"Moreover, it's not the main problem here, right? You already have a guess as to who that person is and you're almost certain of your guess. But since it was logically impossible, you're trying to clear your doubt by relying on my intuition, right?"
After being told so, Sara finally realized that her guess was correct.
The words written on that paper were illegible as if they were written by a small kid. Akira's reaction when she showed him her bullet pendant. And finally, the medicines that Akira was carrying on him. When she found the same medicine that she had received inside Akira's belongings while she was organizing his stuff, it confirmed her suspicion that Akira was the one who saved her.
But even then, she had no definitive proof. Moreover, according to her experience as a Hunter, she made a conjecture that even someone with as much fighting power as Akira, would not be able to save her in that situation.
Sara who was not sure of her own guess then went to Shizuka to rely on her intuition. Even Elena admitted the sharpness of Shizuka's intuition, which was so good that even irrational possibility turned into reality. She believed in Shizuka's intuition to give the final verdict that Akira was the person who had saved her.
Sara was taken aback as she realized this, but then Shizuka continued.
"By the way, how much do you want to know, Sara? Do you just want to know who saved you? Or do you still have a lot of questions that you want answers for?"
Sara could not answer. There were indeed a lot of questions that she wanted to ask and a lot of things that she wanted to know. But the thing that she really wanted to ask, the thing that she really wanted to know, it was just a small part of it.
"Think carefully before you ask. Decide between what you want to know and what you don't need to know and then ask your question. Ask your question with utmost sincerity, if that person lies to you after that, then that's what it is."
But Sara decided not to ask Shizuka any further. It was not something that should be asked to ny others. It was something that she should find herself. That was her thought as she smiled to change her mood.
Shizuka replied back with a relieved smile. But it then changed into a teasing smile.
"You're welcome. So then, just a piece of additional information, I'll tell you my guess. Sara, do you know about the people who are connected to the old domain?"
"People who are connected to the old domain? I've heard about them before, but..."
"Go ask Elena for more detail. She should know more than you. But if I have to give you a simple explanation, they are people who are connected to the old network for some unknown reason. I heard that there are even people among them who can pinpoint the locations of individual people, monsters, ruins and buildings. It might sound very convenient, but I heard they also face a lot of problems because of their ability. I'm talking about those people."
Sara then imagined Akira to be one of those people. If that was true, then someone like Akira would have the ability to save them. If Akira could pinpoint locations of each people inside that thick colourless mist, then he would be the only person who could see clearly whereas everyone else were helpless. It would give him a boost to his winning rate. It would also explain why he wanted to hide his identity. If the people that he saved wondered as to why he could save them, there was a good chance that those people would notice he was a person who is connected to the old domain. And if it were to spread, it might even danger his life.
Shizuka smiled as if she was teasing Sara.
"It won't be right if I tell that to someone who hadn't resolved herself, right? So do your best out there."
On the same day Sara heard about the people who were connected to the old domain, she asked Elena about it just after Elena finished her night bath.
"Elena, do you know about the people who are connected to the old domain?"
Elena then just wiped her body enough to not make any mess before operating the information terminal that was attached to her hand. She wrapped herself in a bath towel without bothering to wear her undies. She was looking so unladylike. Sara had repeatedly reminded her about this But Elena would never listen and answer back that it was only necessary to keep everything around her dry. So Sara started ignoring her when she looked like that.
Elena then replied back in such a way that was unexpected to Sara.
"People who are connected to the old domain? It's rare for you to ask something like that."
"Well, Shizuka told me that you should know better than her, you see."
"To be more precise, what do you want to know? Since you have come to ask me, it means that you want to know something that you won't be able to know from a simple search on the net, right?"
As for Sara, she actually wanted to know everything right from the most basic knowledge, but she could not say that as it would annoy Elena. So she changed the way she asked Elena.
"That's an interesting question, well then, let's start from the benefits that they can get themselves."
Elena then started explaining happily.
The benefits coming from being a person who is connected to the old domain extends on a very wide range. The biggest benefit is being able to connect to the network that was built during the time of the old world called the old domain network. Even at the moment, the old domain network was still filled with a lot of invaluable knowledge. But the current technology could not connect to that network. Normally, one would need a terminal that could only be found in the ruins to connect to the old domain network.
But the people who are connected to the old domain did not need such a device to access the old domain network. Their method of connecting to the old domain network was unknown even after rigorous research was conducted by the government. Moreover, it was thought that such a connection was not affected by the colourless mist at all.
"But isn't that true for your information terminal too? And it's useless in thick colourless mist, right?"
"That works through a different network. It's using the same network used by the relay station in the city, basically, it's a short-range connection. That's why they stop working in the colourless mist. If a normal terminal can keep its connection even inside the colourless mist, it would be really convenient. That would be really helpful for exploring ruins that are always blanketed in thick colourless mist."
"Braindead? Is that even possible? Are we in danger too?"
Looking at Sara who got suddenly got fl.u.s.tered, Elena smiled to calm her down.
"Not just because it only happens inside the ruins, also because the possibility of such a thing happening is simply very small, we'll be fine anyways. Compared to this, there's a higher chance that we'll get killed by monsters. Not to mention that if such a thing happens frequently, then no one would dare to explore the ruins, right?"
Akira was having a headache now. It was because Sara realized that it was he who saved her and Elena. But to be honest, he did not think that it was that big of a problem. The reason why he was hiding that fact was simply because it was too much of a trouble if he had to explain his motivation and methods. He had only thought about it thus far.
Akira was one of the people who could connect to the old domain, but he did not realize it himself. He did not even know the meaning of those words. The only thing that he knew was that there were some other people who also could see Alpha and he was just one among them.
Akira who was pressured by Sara was actually panicking inside his heart, but he stiffened his face and stayed silent. Sara could feel rejection from him, so her serious face started to turn sad.
"If you won't answer me no matter what, then I'll just give up. I won't ask this again, so please let me ask you once again for the last time... In the Kuzusuhara ruin, you were the one who saved me and Elena, right?"
Sara sounded like she was begging. She was desperately wanting to know the person who saved them. Akira was able to get her intention.
"Yes, that's correct, it was me."
"It's really fine. As I promised, I won't ask further. But that aside..."
Sara then shook her head and held Akira hands.
"Thank you for saving me and Elena... Finally, I can say my thanks. I'm sorry for pressuring you. It was hard for me to be unable to say thanks to the one who saved me. I know that was selfish of me and it's not something that I should do to someone who saved me."
After Sara said her gratitude with a smile, her expression changed to an apologetic one. As for Akira, he was a bit surprised as he answered back in panic.
"Is that so...? Well, you're right. If you say so, then let's settle on that. Thank you, we're really thankful to you."
"...Ah well, you're welcome."
Sara felt very relieved. She smiled brightly. Akira then returned with his smile. But in his smile, there was a little bit of gloom that Sara did not notice.
Akira who heard those words of gratitude from Sara felt like something just gouged deep inside his heart, something other than pain. But Akira did all he could to not show that on his face.
Akira then had a long talk with Sara over a meal. After all, Akira's stomach grumbled loudly after they had that talk, it was because Akira was sleeping for a few days without eating anything. Hearing that, Sara just smiled and prepared some meals. It was something offered by the one who saved him, so it was not like he could refuse her.
The foods that were lined up on the table were on a different level compared to the frozen food that Akira usually ate. Sara took some time preparing those foods and Akira remembered hearing her prepare them. But he simply ignored it. His concentration was focused on the foods that looked so appetizing lined up in front of his eyes. And of course, those meals were indeed delicious.
In the middle of the conversation, Sara brought up the topic about when Akira saved her and Elena. She also told Akira that the loot that they got from those people who attacked them earned them quite a sum of money. Hunters who could not stay in a hotel or other permanent sleeping place would have to travel around while bringing all of their money with them. There were Hunters who got their money legally seized by the bank for paying off their debt. Without any money to equip themselves, some would turn into bandits. The people who attacked Sara and Elena were those kinds of people.
The money problem that Sara and Elena were facing was easily resolved by the compensation that they got from selling those loots. They then used the leftover money to get equipment, thus they had an easier time exploring the ruins which increased their income. From then on, they used the extra money that they got to get better equipment and further increased their income from exploring the ruins. Thanks to the positive cycle, they were able to completely bounce back from being fallen Hunters. They even had a better income than ever before. After telling Akira all of these things and saying her thanks, she said that she wanted to give back the money that she got from selling the loot to Akira, but Akira unexpectedly refused it. Sara who was surprised by that asked him again for confirmation.
"But you're the one who killed them, are you really sure? It's quite a lot of money, you know?"
"Yes, After all, I decided to leave without looting them, so I have no plans to ask them back now."
"Hmmm, but even if you say so, not only did you save us, it was also thanks to you that we were able to solve our money problems. So it's kind of frustrating that we could not repay you with anything."
"In that case then, please take that money as your reward for responding to our SOS request. I don't know how much a normal reward is, so I don't know whether that would be enough but... It's also frustrating for me not being able to give you anything after saving me. So please accept it and think that we're even now."
"Well, if you said so, alright then."
Their next topic after that was how they spent their loot money, how she immediately suggested strengthening her nanomachines likewise. Following the momentum, their conversation shifted to about Sara's body, a body strengthened with nanomachine.
"So then, you know? People who use nanomachine to strengthen their bodies will always stock their nanomachine in one part of their body. In my case, that would be my chest. There are also people who save their stock on external cartridges, but it would be a disaster if they lose those cartridges. There's also a choice to stock a small amount of nanomachine throughout all of my body, but there's a limit on that too."
Sara then pointed on her own chest. It was quite a wonderful asset even for a beautiful girl like her and she had quite a stock of nanomachines in there.
"Those people will have their body shape change according to the quantity of nanomachines stocked inside their body. Because of that, the size of their clothes would also change. So I'm sorry if I do not look presentable."
Alpha did not even try to hide her displease as she immediately complained.
"For some reason, your reaction is different compared to when I do that. I think I have a better body, you know? So what's wrong with you? Are you more interested in e.r.o.t.i.c clothes? Is that what makes you aroused?"
"In my case, I always prefer armour that is elastic and stretchable. Then I'll put on more armour on top of it after that. Akira... that thing... is your armour, right?"
Akira then changed the subject of their conversation by talking about when he got his armour from Shizuka. Their conversation then shifted to the reason why they would use their armour, then a discussion about the monsters.
"...Do those monsters really exist...? Polytanks with legs... Is that even a monster?"
"It is, they're filled with flammable liquid fuel and they'll come near tanks and people before blowing themselves up. That's why they're categorized as monsters. But if you can neutralize them before they blow up, the liquid fuel inside them can get you quite a lot of money, you know. We used to hunt for them before."
Sara was reminiscing about her past while telling her story to Akira. It made Akira realize the truth which surprised him.
"I wonder why they even made that kind of monsters."
After he finished packing up his things, Akira stood at the entrance and bowed his head to Sara.
But then Sara hesitated for a bit before she asked Akira who was about to leave.
"Akira, uhh, may I tell Elena about what we talked about today? Of course, I'll tell her to keep it a secret too."
"I don't mind as long as it doesn't spread. After all, Shizuka-san already knows about it too."
"...As I thought, Shizuka knew it, huh?"
As Sara smiled bitterly, Akira returned it with another bitter smile.
"That's right, let me tell you something, Shizuka has really good intuition. That's why, if you ever get lost about which equipment you want to get, you should go ask her. After all, it seems that her good intuition also works on objects too."
"I understand. Sara-san, thank you very much. Please tell Elena-san that I said hello."
Akira did not mean to save Elena and Sara. His main motivation was to only kill the people who attacked them. But that was what saved Elena and Sara and they were really thankful to him for saving them.
Akira was thanked for a good deed that he did not even remember, or to be more precise, he felt guilty for being thanked by the people whom he used in accomplishing his own objective.
"That's good then. Now, to make sure that you can help them the next time you meet them, you'll need to get stronger. You at least understand that, right?"
"Good, you look eager now. Don't worry, I'll increase the difficulty of your training progressively. You'll get stronger in no time, you know. So you give your best too, okay?"
Akira who regained his mood suddenly remembered something.
"Alpha, am I not forgetting something here?"
"Something like a few words of thanks to me who gives you support every day?"
"Thank you for all the help. So then, do you have any other guess?"
Akira was asked by Sheryl to visit her base and he promised that he would at least pay her a visit. Although he could not go because of the things that were outside his control, he also remembered that Sheryl desperately asked for him to come and he did plan to visit her.
Although he could not keep his promise, a lot of things happened to him, so it really could not be helped. That's what Akira prepared as his reason as he went to Sheryl's base.
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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