173 銃の選択
アキラはシズカが戻ってくると、微妙な気恥ずかしさを流す理由も兼ねて、気を切り替えて本題に入った。
「シズカさん。新しい銃を買う相談をお願いしたいんですが、構いませんか?」
CWH対物突撃銃のように強力な特殊弾を使用したい。DVTSミニガンのような連射性能が欲しい。A4WM自動擲弾銃のように擲弾も使用したい。狙撃銃のような長距離精密射撃性能も欲しい。その上でなるべく小型の銃にしたい。現在の強化服で使用できれば問題ないが、できれば重量も抑えたい。それがアキラの要望だった。
「やっぱりそんな都合の良い銃はありませんか......」
「有るか無いかという話なら、あるわ」
「ええ。その手の万能銃を欲しがる人は結構いるのよ。その需要に応えるってことなんでしょうけど、それなりの企業がその類いの多機能銃を開発販売しているわ。でもね、個人的には余りお勧めできないのよね」
「そうなんですか? でもいろいろできれば便利だと思うんですけど」
不思議そうにしているアキラに、シズカは珍しく少し顔を曇らせると、まるで意図的に悪い印象を付け加えるように説明する。
「その類いの銃は多くの機能を持たせた結果、大抵高額になるの。その上、性能も万能というより器用貧乏と表現した方が適切になってしまうわ。
「そんなに価格が違うんですか?」
「さっきのアキラの性能要求を個別の銃で満たす場合、CWH対物突撃銃とDVTSミニガンとA4WM自動擲弾銃とDSS狙撃銃を
シズカはまず費用面での不評をアキラに植え付けようとした。悩ましい表情を浮かべるアキラを見て手応えを感じながら続ける。
「それにそれぞれの機能を使いこなす為に必要な技量も個別の銃より高くなるわ。十分に使いこなせるようになるまでに掛かる期間も延びてしまうから大変なの」
「仮に短期間で完全に使いこなせるようになったとしても、個別の機能の銃を全部活用した場合より火力も自由度も下がるわ。さっき言った4種類の銃を4人で1挺ずつ持った方が火力も自由度も間違いなく上よ」
「ねえアキラ。長距離狙撃がしたいのなら、追加で狙撃銃を買えば済む話だと思うんだけど、それじゃあ駄目なの?」
「いえ、俺はもうCWH対物突撃銃とDVTSミニガンとA4WM自動擲弾銃を持ち歩いているんで、更に比較的大型の銃をもう1
「それはそうだけど、普通あれはどれも用途が異なるからって複数持ち歩くような銃器じゃないと思うけどね。それだけの火力や機能が必要な遺跡に行くのなら、私達に声を掛けてくれれば付き合うわよ? ミハゾノ街遺跡では私に付き合ってもらったからね。私達にも予定があるからいつでもすぐにって訳にはいかないけど、先に言ってくれれば調整するから。......エレナが。エレナ。大丈夫よね?」
安請け合いかつ事後承諾。サラはエレナがその辺りの調整に気を使っており、急な予定の割り込みが発生すると結構不機嫌になることを思い出して軽く慌てていた。
エレナが機嫌を損ねずに笑って答える。
「大丈夫よ。アキラにはミハゾノ街遺跡でセランタルビルへの突入なんかに付き合わせてしまったし、予定の調整にも多少の無理は利かせるわ」
「そういう訳だから、人手が必要なら遠慮無く言ってちょうだい」
「ありがとう御座います。その時はお願いします」
アキラが軽く笑ってエレナ達に頭を下げた。シズカがそれを見て笑ってアキラに提案する。
「それでアキラはどうするの? エレナ達と一緒に遺跡に行くのなら、やっぱり多機能銃はお勧めしないわ。エレナ達の武装に合わせて持っていく銃を選べば済むからね。新しい銃の見積りは狙撃銃の選定に変更する?」
「あ、いえ、やっぱり多機能銃で検討をお願いします。エレナさん達の予定に割り込むと迷惑になりますし、俺はなんというか、その日の気分どころか、その時の気分で動くことが多いし、結構予想外の事態に巻き込まれたこともあるんで、それがあればどんな状況でもそれなりに何とかなる銃があれば便利だとも思っていたんです。だからまずは多機能銃で見積りをお願いします。いえ、頼んでおいて何ですけど、結構高そうだし、俺に買えるかどうかは別の話ですけど」
「それでアキラ、予算はどれぐらいになるの?」
アキラは余りよく考えずにそう答えた。そして少し驚いているシズカを見て、慌てて首を横に振る。
「いえ、そんな金はないです。ただ、まだ具体的な予算は決まっていませんけど、金を
「それなら、その10億オーラムって数字を出した理由を聞いても良い?」
「前にエレナさん達と一緒にミハゾノ街遺跡のハンター稼業で稼いだ額が5億オーラムだったので、取りあえずその倍にしてみました」
アキラが前回5億オーラムを稼いできたことを考えれば、10億オーラムもそこまで非現実的な数字ではない。そして10億オーラムは性能等を把握する
「ああ、そういうことなのね。ちょっと驚いたわ」
「驚かしてすみませんでした。でもまあ、多分10億オーラムあったら強化服の再調達も含めて装備も整え直すでしょうから、銃の予算として出すのは変でしたね。......買った装備に後悔はないですけど、バイクを買ったりして5億オーラムはもう全部使ってしまいました。車も買わないといけないのに。5億オーラムなんて大金を持っていたのに、それでも足りないと思う日がくるなんて、改めて考えると自分でもちょっと驚いています」
アキラが少し複雑な表情で苦笑すると、シズカ達も笑って返した。そしてその後ハンターとしての金の使い方などを話の種にして
雑談の内容が移り変わり、ハンターの装備品の話題になる。アキラはそこで自分のリュックサックの破損状態を思い出して新しいリュックサックを購入した。
選んだリュックサックは防護服並みの防護性能を持つ非常に丈夫な製品で、容量の可変幅も大きく、中身が空の時はかなり小さく折り畳める品だ。シズカの店で即購入可能な製品では最高品質の品で、値段は300万オーラム。アキラはそれを複数購入した。
シズカが一応確認を取る。
「はい。前に中身の遺物を駄目にしたことがあって、最近もかなり焦ったことがあったので、これを機にしっかりしたものに買い換えます」
用事を済ませたアキラが帰り、店の中はまたシズカ達だけになった。
サラはアキラに軽く手を振りながら笑って見送っていたが、その姿が見えなくなると表情を少し真面目なものに変える。そして雑談の話題をアキラが居てはできなかったものに変えた。
「それにしても、アキラはあの遺物をどこで手に入れたのかしらね」
軽く聞けば済んだ話かもしれない。だがサラはそう思いながらも意図的に尋ねなかった。高価な遺物の入手先はハンター稼業の重要な要素だ。それを尋ねるのだ。相手と相応に親しい必要がある。
サラもそれを尋ねただけで相手の機嫌を大幅に損ねるほどアキラと不仲なつもりはない。だが先日の件もあって少々慎重に考えていた。
サラは先日の件をアキラに謝りたかったのだが、それはシズカに止められていた。謝罪自体が先日の件を蒸し返す行為になり兼ねない。謝るにしても
アキラは以前にヨノズカ駅遺跡の存在をエレナ達にあっさり教えたが、また未調査の遺跡を見付けたとしても以前のように自分達には教えたりはしないだろう。先日の件で恐らく信頼は落ちている。それを抜きにしても、ヨノズカ駅遺跡を自分達に教えた途端、すぐに他のハンター達に遺跡の位置が知れ渡ったのだ。警戒されても不思議はない。エレナはそう判断していた。
(下手をすると、軽く聞いただけで入手元を探っていると判断されかねないわね。アキラの方から言い出さない限り、不用意に触れない方が良いか。稼げそうな遺跡探索にでも誘って、一緒にハンター稼業にでも精を出して信頼の回復に努めたいところだけど......)
以前、比較的楽に稼げるハンター稼業だと思ってアキラをミハゾノ街遺跡に誘ったが、予定外の事態だったとはいえセランタルビルへの突入依頼に付き合わせる結果になってしまった。アキラがそれを有益なハンター稼業だったと判断しているかどうか。今となってはかなり微妙だ。信頼の欠ける者からの誘いなど普通は警戒して断る。命賭けのハンター稼業なら
エレナは交渉役としてアキラの自分達への評価を客観視しようとする。だが邪推と願望が入り交じり思うように定まらず、少し顔を険しくさせた。
「エレナ。サラ。アキラが持ち込んだ遺物だけど、良かったら作業を手伝ってもらえないかしら。私の方でも業者を探すけど、エレナ達も伝は持っているでしょう? 十分な額になれば、私もアキラに高性能な装備を勧めやすいわ」
「分かってるわ。大丈夫よ。相場より高値で買うわ。それでも他の業者を通して買うよりは安いしね」
エレナが笑って口を挟む。
「それなら私はその相場を引き上げるために、高値で買ってくれそうな業者をしっかり探しましょうか」
「ちょっとエレナ。相棒でしょう? 少しぐらい手心を期待してもいいのよね?」
「大丈夫よ。他の業者から買うよりは安いんでしょう? サラの買取額は、業者との交渉時に買取額引上げのカードにしてあげるわ」
エレナとサラが冗談交じりに笑い合った。
他者は敵か、敵ではない誰かのどちらかであって、味方ではない。自分を助ける者ではない。アキラにはその意識が染みついている。シズカはそれを見抜いていた。
恐らくアキラは誰かを助けても、そこに見返りは求めない。ただしそれは美談や無欲、優しさからではない。互いに助け合うという意識が欠けた結果にすぎない。だから相手への見切りも早い。初めから一方的なものでしかなく、所詮は独り善がりな思考にすぎないからだ。シズカはそう予想していた。
いつかアキラにも助け合う誰かが出てほしい。それが自分でも、自分ではなかったとしても。シズカはそう願っていた。
『確かに多いわ。アキラから少し距離を取って遺物収集作業をしているわね』
アキラは訓練の一環でモンスターや他のハンターの位置を情報収集機器で探り、それらと遭遇しないように、自分の位置を探られないように移動し続けていた。それは先日もしていたことだが、今日は近付かれる頻度が多く、その所為で遺物収集も
『アルファ。今日はもう帰る。ちょっと確認したいこともできたしな』
アキラはそのままその場から立ち去った。するとかなり距離を取ってアキラの位置を大まかに確認していたハンター達が現れる。そしてアキラが遺物収集作業をしていた場所を入念に調べ始めた。
「アキラか。ああ、注文していた回復薬なら届いてるぞ。今日も買取か? ......一応聞くが、まさか、またあんな代物を持ってきたのか?」
「取りあえず回復薬は受け取る。それとは別に、ちょっと聞きたいことがある」
「何だ?」
アキラはカツラギにヒガラカ住宅街遺跡での出来事を話した。寂れていたはずの遺跡にハンターが急に増えたこと。彼らが明らかに自分を尾行や監視するように行動していたこと。それらを暗に疑っているように説明した。
しかしカツラギは動揺もなくあっさりと答える。
カツラギの容疑をあっさり認めたような態度にアキラが逆に意外そうな様子を見せていると、カツラギは軽い
「お前、実力の方はそこらの連中を軽く超えているくせに、ハンターとしてのそっち側の知識や経験は駆け出し並みだな」
「悪かったな」
「良いだろう。上客に疑われるのも面倒だし、この際だ。じっくり説明してやる」
カツラギはアキラをトレーラーの従業員控えの部分に入れると、前のように飲物を用意してテーブルに向かい合って座った。そして詳細な説明を始めた。
アキラが持ち込んだ旧世界製の情報端末は品質も良く、クガマヤマ都市の周辺にある遺跡ではそう簡単には見付からない代物だった。それをアキラのような低ランクのハンターが2回も買取に持ち込んだ意味は大きい。
1回だけなら幸運を使い切って偶然見付けたのだと片付けることもできる。しかし2回目が存在すると推測の幅が広がるのだ。遺物価値を知らない者が偶然適当に持ち帰り、
に見ている。半信半疑でも動くやつは動く。あの遺物にはそれだけの価値はある。だがその程度では過剰な反応だとも言える。これは俺の勘だが、お前、別の遺物を他所に持ち込んだんじゃないか?」
「甘いな。衣類系の遺物でも高い物は高い。旧世界製の情報端末ぐらい高価ではなかったとしても、3日連続で高価な遺物を持ち込んだ事実があれば十分だ」
「......その時に跡をつけられていたとは思えない。遺物を持ち込んだ店や、売った遺物の内容なんて知られていないはずだ」
「甘い。お前が遺物をどこの店に持ち込んだのかは知らんが、ハンターオフィスの提携店ならその手の情報はすぐに広まる。というよりも、提携店ならハンターコードと
「でもそういう情報が登録されると、それを嫌うハンターがハンターオフィスの買取所とかに遺物を持ち込まなくなるんじゃないか?」
「高ランクのハンターならハンターオフィスに頼めばその手の情報の閲覧制限を頼んだりできるんだよ。高ランクハンターの特権ってやつだ。そういえば、お前のハンターランクは?」
アキラはカツラギからそう説明されて、自分が遺物を持ち込んだことはそれなりの騒ぎになっていると認識を改めた。
「まあ、こんなところか。強いて言えば、俺が呼んだ鑑定人達から情報が漏れた可能性は確かに高いだろう。だがそれを俺の不手際にしてもらっては困る。俺は連中を呼んでも良いか、お前にちゃんと確認を取ったんだからな」
「分かってるよ。俺もそこまで文句を付ける気はない」
「......それで、今日は買取はなしか?」
アキラが新調したリュックサックを開いて、買取を頼む遺物をテーブルの上に置いた。旧世界製の情報端末が再び6個並べられた。するとカツラギが含み笑いを抑えきれないように楽しげに笑い出した。
「そう言うなよ。それで、この遺物の入手元はヒガラカ住宅街遺跡なのか? まだまだ見付かりそうなのか?」
アキラが素っ気なく答える。
Ch 173
Even after Shizuka stored the relic box out of sight, there was still some awkwardness left in the air. So Akira tried to change the mood by getting into the real reason why he came there that day.
"Shizuka-san, I actually want to consult about buying a new rifle. Is this a good time?"
A rifle that could rival the power of the CWH anti-material rifle with its special ammo, with the ability to shoot in rapid succession like a DVTS minigun, and could shoot grenades just like the A4WM automatic grenade launcher. Then to top it off Akira also wanted that rifle to be able to do long-range precision sniping too, and all of those features to be packed in a small-sized rifle. Although he was okay as long as he could use it with his current augmented suit, he wanted it to be as light as possible too.
"As I thought, there's no rifle that good, huh..."
"If you ask me whether such a rifle exists or not, the answer would be yes."
"Yes. There are actually many people who are looking for such a versatile rifle. So some companies actually manufactured such rifles and are selling them in the market, although, I'm sure they only do that because there's demand for that sort of rifle. But personally speaking, I don't recommend you to get such a rifle..."
"Is that so? I'm sure it would be really helpful to have such a rifle though."
Akira looked rather confused. Seeing that, Shizuka's expression turned slightly cloudy, which was very rare for her. She then explained as if to emphasize the disadvantage of such a rifle.
"Because all those features are packed into one, such a rifle is usually exorbitantly expensive. Moreover, although it can do all of those things, its overall firepower is less when compared to a normal rifle of the same price tag. Of course, there are those with enough firepower to rival normal rifles. But with the better firepower, their prices also increase exponentially."
"How big is this price gap?"
"In your case, for a rifle that's basically an amalgamation of CWH anti-material rifle, DVTS minigun, A4WM automatic grenade launcher, and DSS sniper rifle, it will cost about the sum of all of those rifles with some zeros trailing."
Shizuka started by pointing out the price disadvantage of such a rifle. Seeing that it was enough to make Akira rethink it, she then continued adding more reasons in order to discourage him from buying such a rifle.
"Not to mention that you'll need a special set of skills to be able to effectively use that kind of rifle compared to when you use individual rifles. So, you'll take more time mastering a single multi-type rifle compared to mastering multiple single-type rifles."
"And even if you learn how to master it in a relatively short time, you'll have less freedom and firepower compared to if you're using 4 different rifles. Like I said before, compared to 4 people having one rifle each, using one multi-type rifle definitely offers less firepower."
"Say, Akira. If you want a rifle for sniping, you can just buy a sniper rifle, right?"
"No, I'm already carrying around CWH anti-material rifle, DVTS minigun, and A4WM automatic grenade launcher. So I thought that it would be hard for me to move if I carry another rifle, you see..."
"That's kinda true, but still, normally you won't carry each and every type of rifle just because each of them has a different use. If you're planning to go to a ruin where you would need that kind of firepower, you can just invite us to come, you know? After all, we did ask you to come with us back in Mihazono ruin. Although it's not like we can always come with you anytime you invite us since we have things to do too. But if you invite us to come, we might be able to fit it into our schedule... Or at least, Elena will, right, Elena?"
Sara just realized that she was talking for both herself and Elena without asking Elena first. So Sara sent a glance to Elena remembering that she was a little bit finicky about changing her schedule. So, it might really annoy her if Sara suddenly changed their schedule without her consent first.
Elena smiled, it seemed that what Sara said did not bother her at all.
"It's alright. We did ask you to accompany us when we went to the Seranthal building in Mihazono ruin after all. I don't mind shifting the schedule a bit if you invite us."
"So there you have it. If you need more help, you can ask us anytime."
"Thank you very much, I'll ask for your help when I need it."
Akira lightly smiled and bowed at Sara and Elena. Shizuka then smiled and made a suggestion to Akira.
"So then, Akira, what's your plan? If you're going with Elena and Sara, as I thought, you won't need that rifle. You can just choose to bring rifles to complement Elena and Sara's equipment. So instead of buying a multi-type rifle, you can just buy a sniper rifle, you know?"
"Ah, thank you, but as I thought, I still want to get a multi-type rifle. I feel like I would cause Elena-san and Sara-san trouble if I suddenly impose on their schedule, after all. Uhh, what can I say... I often decide things pretty randomly, forget deciding what to do depending on my mood of that day, I sometimes even make decisions based on my mood at a given moment. I also often get involved in incidents that I didn't expect at all, so it would be great if I have a multi-type rifle that can do anything in that situation. So, as I thought, it's better for me to still get a multi-type rifle, can you help me with that? Although it might be weird for me to say this since I'm the one who asked for help, I'm not sure that I even have enough money to buy one."
"So then, Akira, how much is your budget for this rifle?"
Akira said it without much thinking. But when he noticed that Shizuka raised her eyebrows and looked at him with widened eyes, he flusteredly shook his head and said.
"No, it's not like I have that much money with me right now. It's just that I haven't really decided on a precise amount as the budget for that rifle. I just thought it would help me if I know the price and the quality of the rifle that I can get with such a price beforehand even if I'm planning to only buy that rifle after saving some money."
"I see, in that case, is it okay if I ask you why you come up with that number?"
"Back then when I went to Mihazono ruin with Elena-san and Sara-san, I got 500 million Aurum from that request. So I thought that I would just double that amount for now."
When Akira thought that he was able to get 500 million Aurum from last time, it made him think that 1 billion Aurum would not be out of his reach. Judging from the way he reacted, Shizuka figured that he put 1 billion Aurum as the upper limit to understand how good an equipment he could get with that amount of money, he did not think that he would be able to get and then use that much money anytime soon. Shizuka was slightly relieved when she understood that.
"Ahh, I see, so that's what you meant, huh. That did surprise me for a bit, you know."
"I'm sorry. But well, when I think about it, if I have 1 billion Aurum, I feel like I'll spend it on a new augmented suit and other extra equipment instead, so it might be weird when I put that as my budget limit... Not to mention I did spend 500 million Aurum to buy that bike too. Although it's not like I regret spending that much money on that bike, when I think about it, I still have to buy a vehicle too. It also surprises me for a bit, I never thought that the day would come when I have 500 million Aurum and I still don't have enough money to get everything I need."
Akira looked slightly conflicted and smiled bitterly when he said that. Shizuka only replied with a smile. After that, he stayed there for a bit, talking about how Hunters spent their money together with Shizuka, Elena, and Sara.
As their conversation continued, the subject then changed to Hunter's equipment. That was when Akira remembered the fact that one of his rucksacks was damaged, so he decided to buy a new rucksack while he was there.
The rucksack that he bought was a very robust rucksack designed to offer protection for its contents. Although its volume could expand greatly, it could also be folded to save spaces when it was empty. It was one of the expensive items that Shizuka had in her stock. It cost 3 million Aurum per bag and Akira bought several of them.
But before Shizuka processed it, she asked Akira once more just to be extra sure.
"Yes. There was one time when I lost all my relics inside my backpack and something also happened recently that really made me worry about the relics inside my rucksack. So I'm planning to replace some of my rucksacks with stronger ones just like these."
Now that he had finished his business in Shizuka's shop, he immediately went back home, leaving Shizuka, Sara, and Elena behind.
Sara waved lightly at Akira as she saw him off with a smile. But once he left, her expression turned serious as she immediately started talking about something that she could not bring up while Akira was around.
"But still, where did Akira get those relics?"
Although Sara believed Akira might as well just tell her if she asked him, in the end, she deliberately held herself back from asking that question. A source where a Hunter could find expensive relics was extremely important for Hunters. If she wanted to ask that question, she needed to be pretty close to Akira first.
To be honest, Sara was sure Akira was not that much of a stranger to her that it would anger him had she asked that question. But given what happened between them recently, Sara decided to be more careful for the time being.
Sara actually also wanted to apologize to Akira for the other day, but Shizuka stopped her. Apologizing to Akira now might backfire and remind him of what happened back then. So if she wanted to apologize, Shizuka advised her that it might be a good idea to wait for some time until he was not bothered anymore by that matter.
Last time, Akira casually told Elena and Sara about Yonozuka station ruin back then when it still had no name yet. But this time, it did not seem that Akira would do the same thing again if he really had found a new undiscovered ruin. Leaving aside the possibility that his trust dropped after what happened last time, the location of Yonozuka ruin also quickly spread among other Hunters after he told Elena and Sara. So Elena thought there was nothing strange for him to be more cautious this time.
[In the worst-case scenario, even trying to ask him this time might cause him to get suspicious of us trying to probe information from him. As long as he does not bring up the subject himself, we need to be careful not to touch on it. Though to be honest, it would be great if he would invite us to go to a prospective ruin since that way we can regain back his trust by working with him again...]
Last time, Elena and Sara invited Akira to go to Mihazono ruin thinking that it would be a light ruin exploration, but out of the blue, they got that sudden request to go to the Seranthal building which then turned into a fierce fight. Even now, Elena was not sure if Akira thought that it was worth the trouble or not. It was fully expected for someone to be cautious or even to decline an invitation from someone else that he or she did not trust. And it was doubly true when it came to Hunter work where they put their lives at stake too.
As someone who was used to handling negotiations, Elena tried to objectively evaluate herself from Akira's point of view. But with her feelings and wishes getting in her way, she could not help but make a stern face.
"Elena, Sara, about the relics that Akira brought here today. If both of you have the time, can you girls help me out? Of course, I'll also look for potential buyers, but can you help me out if you know someone who might buy them? If they sell well, it'll be easier for me to recommend expensive equipment to Akira."
"I know. Don't worry, I'll buy it at a higher price than the market price. After all, it'll still be cheaper than buying them from the other traders."
Elena smiled and jumped in too.
"In that case, I should look for a merchant who would buy them at a higher price to pull the market price up."
"Elena? We're friends, right? It's okay for me to expect some help from you, right?"
"But of course. It'll still be cheaper than buying them from the other traders, right? I can use that buying price as a trump card to raise the selling value of those relics when I negotiate with the other traders."
Sara and Elena exchanged mischievous smiles.
For Akira, other people were either enemies or not enemies, but never allies. He did not expect others to help him. That line of thinking was carved deep inside his mind and Shizuka noticed it.
Even if Akira helped someone, it was very likely that he did not expect that person to give anything back. But that was not out of kindness, or selflessness, or good virtue. It was simply because the concept of one hand washes the other had no place in his mind. So Shizuka predicted that he would be quick to abandon other people. The concept of relationship to him was completely one-sided, something that he only entertained out of his selfishness.
Shizuka hoped that one day Akira would find someone who would mutually help one another. It could be herself or anyone else, she honestly did not care who it might be.
"You're indeed right about that, Akira. Let's gain some distance from them before starting to look for relics again."
In the middle of the training, Akira regularly checked his information terminal to look for enemies and other Hunters while avoiding them. He was also being careful so they would not be able to detect him. Although he had been doing that all this time, today, there were many occasions where he was passing close to other Hunters or monsters. Because of that, today's relic hunting proceeded slower than usual.
"Alpha, let's head back for today. There's something I want to check."
Akira then left that ruin. After he was gone from that place, other Hunters who were scanning his position appeared. They then started searching carefully at the places that he had searched.
"Akira, huh. Ah, right, the medicines that you ordered just arrived. Are you here for those medicines today? ...- Wait, don't tell me that you're here with more old-world terminals."
"I'll take the medicines, and also, there's something else that I want to ask you."
"Oh, what is it?"
Akira then told Katsuragi what happened that day in Higaraka residence ruin. About the Hunters who were flooding a ruin that should have no more valuable relics anymore, how it was obvious that those Hunters were watching and following him, and how he was suspecting that it was because of Katsuragi's doing.
But Katsura casually replied.
Akira was surprised. He did not expect Katsuragi to say something that sounded as if he just admitted his involvement. But seeing Akira's expression, Katsuragi exasperatedly explained.
"Good grief! Although you're already stronger than those common Hunters, you're still a beginner in terms of Hunter knowledge and experience, huh?"
"Well, sorry about that."
"Very well then, it would be a huge pain in the neck to have one of my main customers doubt me. So I'll give you a long detailed explanation here."
Katsuragi and Akira went into the staff room in Katsuragi's trailer, and just like last time, Katsuragi prepared some drinks and put them on the table between them before they sat face to face across the table. Katsuragi then immediately started his explanation.
The information terminals that Akira brought to Katsuragi were of very good condition. Those relics were hard to find among the ruins around Kugamayama city, but even so, a low ranking Hunter like Akira was able to get his hand on those relics, twice no less.
If it was only once, it could be dismissed as just luck. But since Akira brought them to Katsuragi twice, it opened up to a whole variety of possibilities. After all, it opened up the possibility of a narrative that it did not matter whether Akira found them at first out of pure luck or because he worked super hard to find those relics. But Akira, who did not know their worth, did not expect them to be that valuable the first time he brought them to Katsuragi, and so he decided to go look for those relics again for the second time.
"Those relics inspectors that I called saw you sell those relics twice themselves. Although it would still be a guess, it was enough for some people to make their moves. Those relics are just simply that valuable, you see. But to be honest, I find it strange for them to react this quickly just from that. I bet you sold your relics in another place, right?"
"Too naive! Expensive relics are still expensive regardless even if they are only just old-world clothing. Though I'm sure they're nowhere as expensive as old-world terminals, it does not change the fact that you brought expensive relics 3 times in a row."
"...But it's still strange for them to follow me just because of that. They should not know where I sold my relics and what kind of relics that I sold."
"Again, too naive! I don't know where you sold your relics, but if that shop has some connections with the Hunter Office, it would be nothing strange for that information to quickly spread around. Or more like, those shops which partnered with the Hunter Office could use your Hunter Code to track the type of relics you sell. As a matter of fact, those people who want to avoid that sell their relics to shops that have no connections with the Hunter Office. I thought that you're only bringing relics to Sheryl's place or to me because you want to avoid that too, but that doesn't seem to be the case, huh?"
"But if that kind of information is always registered in the Hunter Office, won't that make those Hunters wanting to avoid it stop selling relics to those shops?"
"High ranking Hunters can ask the Hunter Office to put an extra lid on that information. Of course, it's only available for those high ranking Hunters with special privileges. By the way, what is your Hunter ranking?"
As Katsuragi explained to him, Akira started to understand the effect of him selling those relics.
"Well, I guess that's the gist of it, huh. If I have to add something, there's also a good chance those relics inspectors that I called also leaked that information. But even so, that would not be my fault. I did ask for your permission first before I called them and you gave me your approval after all."
"I know, I will not blame you about that at all."
"...So then, are you here to buy anything today?"
Akira opened his new rucksack, pulled out his relics, and lined them on the table. This time, it was 6 old-world information terminals. When Akira was done, Katsuragi could not hold back his joy and laughed heartily.
"Geez, don't say that. So then, did you get these in Higaraka residence ruin? Do you think you still can find some more of these relics there?"
Akira replied instantly in such a casual manner.
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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