アキラが荒野をバイクで駆けている。単独で受けた巡回依頼の最中だ。
バイクにはハンターオフィスから貸し出された車載型の情報収集機器が積まれている。この情報収集機器は周囲の索敵と同時に移動ルートや索敵範囲、遭遇したモンスターの数や種類、撃破数などを記録している。その記録から評価額を算出した後に、機器のレンタル代や破損時の修理代を引いた額が依頼の報酬として支払われる。
している危険地帯を巡回すれば報酬も上がり、安全な場所で暇潰しだけをしていればレンタル代で赤字になる。運が悪いとモンスターの群れと一人で戦う羽目になるが、勝てば討伐報酬の総取りが可能で、見切りを付けて逃げ出す判断も他者の意思に左右されない。前回のような集団での巡回依頼に比べて利点も欠点も多いが、今のアキラには利点の方が多かった。
アキラはアルファと念話で雑談しながら巡回依頼を続けていた。誰かと話しているような独り言が記録され続けるのを防ぐ念の
『先日の騒ぎで山ほど倒した後だからね。どちらかと言えば、それだけ倒してもまだ残っているのよ。いつも通りの遭遇率に戻るまでの期間も、そう長くはないと思うわ』
アキラが僅かに顔を
いは防衛装置が強力すぎて攻略不可能の遺跡の生産装置で、無尽蔵に製造され続けているとかでしょうね。生産場所が近場にあるのか、遠くから流れてきているのかは分からないけれどね』
『機械系はそうかもしれないけどさ......』
『生物系もよ』
『工場で生物系モンスターを製造するのか? 繁殖とかじゃなくて?』
アルファが自分の知識を自慢するように少し得意げに
『そうよ。生物を製造するぐらい旧世界の技術なら簡単よ。家畜、ペット、護衛、生物兵器。用途は様々でしょうけれど、自然交配では困難な高品質を求めるのなら、一から製造するでしょうね。まあ、当時はしっかり管理されていて、むやみに無差別に人を襲うような存在ではなかったと思うわ。付け加えれば、一部の機械系モンスターも自己修復機能とかを応用して繁殖するわ。だから製造元の工場を破壊してもモンスターが劇的に減ったりはしないでしょうね』
『......旧世界ってのは、聞けば聞くほど
な世界の遺跡にこれからも何度も足を運ぶのよ? より良い装備を整えて、もっと実力を身につけて、そんな場所でも死なずに済むように頑張りなさい。その訓練として、手始めにあれを自力で倒せるかどうか確認しましょうか。アキラ。モンスターよ』
この巡回依頼は射撃訓練を兼ねている。アキラは新たな的の姿を確認するとバイクを
モンスターは小型の肉食獣のような姿をしている。発達した四肢を毛皮で隠しており、そこまで強力には見えない。事実この周辺では弱い分類のモンスターだ。
だが人を食い殺すには十分な身体能力を持っている。荒野を
アキラが強化服の身体能力でCWH対物突撃銃を支えて照準を合わせる。だが強化服の操作も未熟な上に、CWH対物突撃銃の扱いにもまだ慣れていない所為で、銃口から伸びている弾道予測の線は細かな揺れを繰り返していた。
アキラは真剣な表情で大きく息を吸い、可能な限り集中して引き金を引いた。弾丸が銃声を響かせて撃ち出され、空中を貫きながら飛んでいき、モンスターの足下に着弾した。
『弾道予測線有りでも駄目か。完全に自力で当てられるようになる日は遠そうだな』
『訓練と安全の
に銃弾がモンスターの胴体に着弾した。被弾したモンスターが急激に動きを鈍らせる。アキラはそのまま冷静に撃ち続けて、モンスターにしっかり止めを刺した。
アルファが笑って健闘を
『お見事。悪くなかったわよ?』
『どうも。まあ、これなら弾薬費で赤字にはならないだろう。だよな?』
『多分ね』
『良し』
いて軽く笑った。
再び荒野の巡回に戻ったアキラが何となく尋ねる。
『アルファ。そういえばこの巡回依頼だけど、俺のハンターランクがある程度上がるまで続けるんだよな。前の緊急依頼で17まで上がったけど、具体的にはそこからどこまで上げるんだ?』
『20を目安にしているわ。荒野仕様の車を借りるにはそれぐらい必要なの。単純に借りるだけならもっと低くても良いのだけれど、車の性能とか保証金を含めたレンタル料とかの兼ね合いもあるのよ』
『車か。取りあえずバイクがあるんだし、そんなに優先しないと駄目なのか?』
『駄目よ。このバイクだと予備の弾薬を運ぶ量にも限度があるわ。いずれ他の遺跡に探索にも行くからその装備を整える必要があるけれど、荒野仕様の車は高いからね。当面はレンタルになるわ』
『他の遺跡か。今のうちにバイクでちょっと寄ってみるぐらいはしても良いんじゃないか?』
『車を含めて装備をしっかり整えてからよ。できれば情報収集機器も手に入れておきたいわ。他の遺跡へ探索しに行くのはその後ね』
『うーん。回復薬とか探したかったんだけどな。それぐらいならバイクでも運べるだろう?』
『言っていなかったわね。私の索敵はクズスハラ街遺跡以外だと精度が非常に落ちるの。情報収集機器はそれを補う重要な装備よ。それでも行きたい?』
『よし。止めよう』
アキラはあっさり引き下がった。今の自分の実力でアルファの索敵無しに遺跡に入るなど自殺と変わらないと理解している。遺跡の中で四方八方から奇襲を受け続けるなど御免だった。
『車の他に、情報収集機器も買わないといけないのか。金が飛んでいくな。1200万オーラムも稼いだはずなのにどんどん減っていく。CWH対物突撃銃も結構高かったしな』
『ハンター稼業とはそういうものよ。稼ぐ以上に金が掛かるのなら、そこでハンター稼業に精を出すのは早すぎる。そういうことよ』
『......。そうだな』
自身の実力を過信した結果、身の程を超える難度の遺跡に入って命を落とすハンターは幾らでもいる。それはアキラも同じだ。アルファに出会わなければアキラもあの場で死んでいた。
あの日の数奇な縁が今も自分を生かしている。アキラはそれを改めて自覚して苦笑を
アキラがシズカの店を訪れるとエレナ達がシズカと談笑していた。弾薬の注文をしながらその雑談に混ざっていると、強化服の話題の中でエレナの強化服の話になった。
アキラはエレナが今まで強化服を着用していなかったと知ると意外そうな表情を浮かべた。
「......エレナさんの服は防護服だったんですか。結構重そうな装備品を付けていたのを見たこともありましたし、強化服だと思っていました。見かけによらずに力持ちなんですね」
サラがアキラの反応を見て楽しげに笑う。
「そうなのよ。エレナはそれで自分はか弱いとか言うのよね。アキラ。無理があると思わない?」
「え、あ、いや......」
アキラは下手に肯定もできず戸惑いを見せていた。その横でエレナが不服だと言わんばかりに続ける。
「A4WM自動擲弾銃を片手で振り回す人間に言われたくないわ。あれ、弾薬込みでどれだけ重量があると思ってるの?」
「私はナノマシン補助系身体強化拡張者なんだから当然よ。ナノマシンが抜ければ私は十分か弱いわ」
「その時はサラの自慢の胸もかつての貧乳に戻るけどね」
エレナとサラが
凄
されてるわよ? 熟練ハンターの威圧感をこんなところで見せてどうするのよ」
エレナとサラはシズカの仲裁で威圧を抑えると、何となく視線をアキラに向けた。
「あー、その、か弱いかどうかは分かりませんが、エレナさんはすらっとしていて美人だと思いますよ?」
エレナはアキラの言葉が場を
みには明確な強制力があった。アキラが少し慌てながら答える。
「サラさんもとても美人だと思います」
「シズカさんもとても美人だと思います」
アキラもシズカが分かって聞いていると理解して普通に答えようとした。しかし僅かに照れが
『美人だよ。満足か?』
アルファがアキラの御座形な態度に不満を表情に示して抗議する。
『だから何で私にはそう辛辣なのよ』
っているだけだからだ。アルファに変な反応を示さないように注意しているんだから、邪魔をしないでくれ』
アキラは視線をアルファに、エレナ達にとっての虚空に向けないように注意していた。
シズカはアキラの言葉を予想外に
「アキラ。取りあえず美人だと言っておけば大丈夫だと思っていない?」
「いや、俺に気の利いたことを言えって言われても無理ですよ。それに、取りあえずだとしても、
「そういえば、サラさんは強化服は着ないんですか?」
「私? 私は身体強化拡張者だからね。中途半端な性能の強化服だと逆に身体能力が下がるのよ。それにナノマシンと強化服の相性も考える必要もあるの。その問題を全部解決する高性能な製品も有るけど、高すぎてちょっと手が出せないわ。資金に余裕が出るまでは、ナノマシンの消費効率を上げる機能が付いた防護服の方が都合が良いのよ」
「なるほど。いろいろあるんですね。それで、エレナさんはどんな強化服を購入したんですか?」
エレナが僅かな焦りを顔に出す。
「えっ? ま、まあ、結構高性能なやつよ。アキラと同じようにシズカに選んでもらったのよ」
「そうなんですか。やっぱり高性能な強化服だと、俺のやつとは見た目もいろいろ違うんでしょうね。どんな感じなんですか?」
エレナが言葉を濁している。アキラは妙なことを聞いたつもりは全くなかったので、エレナの態度に戸惑っていた。するとシズカが少し不敵に
に見せてもらえば良いわ。来週ぐらいに届くからそれまで待っていなさい」
「そうですか? 分かりました」
アキラは慌てるエレナを不思議そうに見ていたが、シズカの勧めなので取りあえず普通にそう答えた。
アキラがエレナの情報収集機器を見てふと思う。
「そういえば、エレナさんの情報収集機器も、シズカさんお勧めの品だったりするんですか?」
エレナが話題を切り替えるために素早く答える。
「違うわ。どこで買ったかは忘れたけど別の店で買ったものよ。シズカは情報収集機器を取り扱ってくれないのよね」
「うちはハンター向けの銃火器の店なの。よく知らない商品を取り扱うとトラブルの元になるから嫌なのよ。取り寄せぐらいはしているんだから、それで我慢しなさい」
でしょう? 情報収集機器と連携する銃器も多いんだから、情報収集機器ぐらいは取り扱っても良いと思うけどね。アキラもそう思わない?」
エレナとシズカの視線が、同意を求める者と求めない者の視線がアキラに向けられる。アキラは少し焦った様子で選択から逃げた。
「その、俺はその内に情報収集機器を買おうと思っていまして、シズカさんお勧めの製品が有れば参考になるかと思っただけです」
「御免なさい。情報収集機器は
「私? そう言われてもね。索敵、遺跡内の構造把握、遺物収集作業の補助。そういう用途からの選択の他にも、ハンター稼業の活動方針でも違ってくるし......」
アキラに下手なものを勧めたくないと言う思いと、情報収集機器になまじ詳しいだけに生まれる選択肢の多さがエレナを悩ませていた。そして少し
「エレナさんには合わなかったって、癖がある製品だったりするんですか?」
「癖はないというか、個性がないというか、簡単に説明すると......」
ハンター向けに販売されている情報収集機器を大きく分けると、単一系と総合系の製品に分かれる。単一系は特定の機能に絞った情報収集機器で、動体探査、反響収集、映像識別などの個別の機能に特化している。総合系はそれら複数の機能を
両方に長所と短所がある。単一系ならば壊れてもその機器だけ買い換えれば済む。また他社製品と組み合わせて特定の機能を強化するなど、高い自由度を持つ。その反面、収集情報を有益な情報に加工するのはかなりの手間だ。収集情報の形式には一定の共通規格があるとはいえ、製品ごとの差異はかなり大きい。それを分析して有益な情報に成型するには高度な技術が必要だ。
総合系ならばそれらの手間が省けるが、かわりに自由度は低くなる。自社製品を統合した製品が基本で、一部の機能が壊れただけでも丸ごと買い換えるか修理に出さなければならない。収集情報を基に索敵結果の表示などを行うプログラムの互換性も低い。
エレナは単一機能の情報収集機器を組み合わせて、独自の情報処理を行うのを好んでいた。だが最近は総合系の製品の方が多く、人気の高いシリーズの製品も増えてきたので、一度試しに購入した。しかし実際に使ってみた結果、エレナの感覚では中途半端なものにしか思えず、結局そのまま
『良い話だと思うわ。問題はその予算がアキラにあるかどうかだけれど』
「えっと、できれば買いたいですけど、幾らぐらいになりますか?」
かれるだけだから取っておいただけのものだし、200万オーラムでどう?」
エレナの提示額は相場から考えればかなり安い。それでもアキラの預金口座の大半が消える額であり、買えば再び風呂無し生活へ転落する第一歩になり兼ねない。アキラは僅かに湧いた
「分かりました。支払は振り込みで構いませんか?」
アキラが情報端末を操作して代金をエレナに振り込む。エレナもその場で振り込みを確認した。
「入金を確認したわ。交渉成立ね。それじゃあすぐに渡すから、今から私達の家まで一緒に取りに行きましょうか。シズカ。またね」
エレナ達がシズカに軽く笑って店から出ていく。アキラも軽く頭を下げて後に続いた。
のかぶった箱を持って戻ってくる。
「これよ。一応完品......のはず。まあ、足りない物があったら中古品だと思って諦めてちょうだい。センバエレクトロニクス製の総合情報収集機器で、製品名はミッドナイトアイだったかな? 私に合わなかっただけで、性能自体は結構高かったはずよ」
「ありがとう御座います。初期設定とか必要ですか?」
「私が試しに使った時の設定が残っているから、そのままでも使えるわ。使いにくかったら初期化すれば大丈夫よ」
アキラが興味深そうな様子で箱を見ていた。エレナはその様子を楽しげに見ていたが、情報端末からのアラーム音を聞いて申し訳なさそうな表情を浮かべる。
「御免なさい。お茶ぐらい出していろいろ説明するつもりだったけど、見付けるのに結構時間が掛かって無理になっちゃったわ。ちょっとした依頼の時間が迫ってるのよ」
「お気遣いなく。これで失礼します。いろいろありがとう御座いました」
エレナ達の家を出た時、その近くにカツヤ達の姿が見えた。偶然カツヤと目が合ったが、アキラは気にせずそのまま通り過ぎた。
宿に戻ったアキラが総合情報収集機器の箱を開けると、情報収集機器の本体である長方形の機械と様々な付属品が出てきた。それらを手に取って興味深そうに見ているとアルファから指示が出る。
『アキラ。早速それを情報端末と
「また何かいろいろするのか?」
『当然よ。私のサポートが存分に受けられるように、ソフトウェア側は思いっきり書き換えるわ』
「そうか。まあ便利になるなら良いことだ。頑張ってくれ」
アキラが情報収集機器を箱から取り出して情報端末と
『エレナが使っていた時のデータが残っているわね。消した方が良いかしら?』
「どんなデータが残ってたんだ?」
『クガマヤマ都市周辺にある旧世界の遺跡の内部構造とか、いろいろなモンスターをスキャンしたデータとか、多分この情報収集機器以外で取得したデータも入っているわ。各機能の出力調整のデータとかもあるわ。恐らくエレナなりにいろいろ試行錯誤した結果がそのまま残っているわ』
『分かったわ。エレナとサラの身体データも残っていたわ。多分機器のテストで試しに取ってみたのでしょうね。至近距離から取得したデータだから非常に精度が高いわ。ちょっと再現してみましょうか?』
エレナは痩せ形と表現するより、不必要な要素を絞り、必要な要素を凝縮した身体をしている。それを色艶の良い健康的な肌がより輝かせ、機能美と肉感的が矛盾なく同居していた。
サラは美しく豊満な胸が分かり
れていたが、我に返るのと同時に叫ぶ。
すぐにエレナ達の姿がアキラの視界から消える。その横でアルファが意外そうにしている。
『別にそこまで慌てなくても良いじゃない』
アキラが片手で少し赤い顔を押さえながら、アルファに非難気味な視線を向ける。
「......何で裸だったんだ?」
『身体データから姿を再現したからよ。服は別データになっていたわ』
「相手と状況による!」
『そういうものなの?』
アルファが納得しているのかしていないのか微妙な表情を浮かべる。
『まあ良いわ。するなと言われればしないから安心して。それより明日は遺跡に向かうから銃の整備はしっかりしておいてね』
「車がレンタルできるようになるまで遺跡には行かないんじゃなかったか?」
『情報収集機器の性能が予想以上に良さそうだし、エレナ達が残した遺跡のデータもあるわ。その上で比較的安全な遺跡に向かうわ。情報収集機器の扱いにも慣れないといけないしね』
アキラが銃の整備を始める。2
Akira was riding through the wasteland on a bike. He was in the middle of an individual patrol request.
The bike was equipped with an onboard information gathering device that Akira borrowed from the Hunter Office. This device would record everything around him, the route that he took, the type and number of monsters that he encountered, and how many of those monsters he defeated. All of this data would be then exchanged for money, deducting the rent fee of the information gathering device and the rest would be paid as Akira's reward for this request.
If Akira patrolled around an area filled with dangerous monsters, his reward would shoot up. On the other hand, if he only patrolled around a relatively safe area just to kill time, his reward would be so less that it might not even cover the rental fee. And if he got unlucky and encountered another swarm of monsters alone, he could monopolize the reward all for himself. Even if he decided to run away from that swarm of monsters, no one would have any complaint against him. Compared to the group patrol from the last time, an individual patrol request like this had its advantages and disadvantages, but for the current Akira, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
Akira was speaking to Alpha through telepathy while on his bike. It was to avoid the information gathering device from recording him talking alone.
"A lot of monsters were killed in yesterday's battle. But it can also be said that there are that many monsters left even after we killed so many of them yesterday. I'm sure it won't take that long before the population of monsters in the area returns back to normal."
Akira frowned.
"I bet there are undiscovered production facilities somewhere out there or production facilities guarded by powerful defensive devices, which makes it impossible to subjugate them. These keep producing monsters endlessly. The monsters in this area might come from a production facility near the area or come from a faraway place."
"That might explain the mechanical monsters, but still..."
"That's also the case for the biological monsters too."
"The biological monsters are also produced in factories? They don't multiply from breeding?"
Alpha smiled, boasting her knowledge.
"That's right. It's an easy task to produce biological organisms using technology from the old world. Livestock, pet, bodyguard, biological soldiers, you can use old-world technology to produce all kinds of biological creatures. But a high-quality creature can only be produced by synthesizing everything from scratch. Well, of course, it was properly maintained back in the days, thus these monsters would not randomly attack people. Moreover, some biological monsters can multiply by using their reproductive abilities. So even if the factory where these monsters were originally produced are no more, they would still multiply."
"...The more I hear about this old world, the crazier it sounds."
"And you'll be exploring the ruins filled with this crazy old world technology many times in the future, you know? So be sure to work hard to get yourself proper equipment and skill to survive these deadly ruins, okay? As for training, how about you try fighting a monster on your own? There's a monster right over there, Akira."
This patrol request also doubled as training for Akira. As he spotted and confirmed his target, he stopped his bike.
It was a small carnivorous monster. The burly fur hid its limbs and it did not look strong. As a matter of fact, it was a relatively weak monster.
But it was strong enough to actually attack and kill a human. And since it was roaming in the wasteland, it showed that it had enough strength and ability to survive in such a harsh environment. This quality alone was enough to make anyone run away from it out of fear.
Akira held his CWH anti-material rifle with the help of his augmented suit as he took an aim at that monster. But since he was still inexperienced in using an augmented suit and still not that familiar with CWH anti-material rifle, the TPL extended from its muzzle was swaying left and right.
Akira took a deep long breath while making a stern stance, he gathered his focus and pulled the trigger. A bang reverberated as a bullet flew out from the muzzle and cut through the air before landing near the ground where the monster was standing.
"I still couldn't hit my target even with the help from TPL, huh? It seems that I still have a long way to go before I can shoot accurately on my own."
"It might also be because you always shoot from a safe range during the training. No need to be nervous and do your best. That monster is heading this way now."
Then finally, one of his bullets hit the monster's body. The monster immediately slowed down. Akira then calmly took an aim and delivered the killing shot.
Alpha smiled and praised him for his performance.
"You did well, that was pretty good."
"Thanks. Well, I guess this much shots against a monster won't put me on red, right?"
"Yep, maybe."
"Alright."
Akira firmly nodded and smiled lightly.
As he returned back to patrolling the wasteland, he asked Alpha.
"Alpha, about the patrol request though, we'll keep doing this request until I reach a certain Hunter Rank, right? Although my Hunter Rank went up to 17 from the last battle, until what rank do I need to keep doing this?"
"Your goal is to reach Hunter Rank 20. You'll need to at least reach that level to be able to borrow a custom made vehicle to traverse the wasteland. Although a lower Hunter Rank is actually enough if you just want to borrow a vehicle, you also need to think and find a balance between the vehicle specification, the rental fee and the insurance fee."
"A vehicle, huh? But I already have a bike. So, do I still really need to hurry up to get a vehicle?"
"Yes, you should. There's a limit on how much supplies you can bring with you on this bike. Although you'll need to get all the required equipment before going to explore the other ruins, a vehicle specially designed to travel in the wasteland is quite expensive. So you'll just have to rent for the time being."
"The other ruins, huh? Is it okay if I take a peek into those ruins for a bit with this bike?"
"We'll only do that once you get yourself the proper equipment and a vehicle. If it's possible, I want you to get an information-gathering device at least. We'll only visit other ruins after you have all of that, okay?"
"Hmmm. To be honest, I want to at least collect some medicines though. Is the bike really not enough?"
"Oh, I haven't told you this, huh? My detection ability deteriorates outside Kuzusuhara ruins, you see. That's why it's crucial for you to get an information-gathering device. Or do you still want to go without one?"
"Alright, let's not do that."
Akira immediately backed off. He understood that it would be futile to challenge a ruin relying solely on his own power without Alpha's detection support. After all, he would not want monsters to swarm him from all directions.
"So besides a vehicle, I should get an information-gathering device too, huh? That would require a huge amount of money. Although I just got 12,000,000 Aurum, it has gone in a puff, the CWH anti-material rifle is pretty expensive after all."
"That's what it means to be a Hunter. If it requires more money than what you can earn right now, then it means that it's still too early for you to get it. That's all there's to it."
"...You're right."
It was not a rare occurrence where a Hunter who got ahead of himself challenged a ruin that was outside his ability and then was claimed by the ruin. It was the same for Akira too, he would have died if he did not meet Alpha in Kuzusuhara ruins.
Akira understood that lucky coincidence had kept him alive up until now and let out a bitter smile.
When Akira visited Shizuka's shop, he found Elena and Sara talking with Shizuka. Akira then joined their conversation while placing a refill order for his ammo. As they were talking about the augmented suit, the conversation somehow shifted to Elena's augmented suit.
Akira seemed obviously surprised when he found out that Elena was not using an augmented suit until now.
"...Elena-san, so that's just a simple armour, huh? Since I've seen you carrying heavy equipment, I assumed it was an augmented suit. So you're actually stronger than you seem, huh?"
Sara looked amused by Akira's reaction.
"That's right. But even so, Elena always says that she's just a weak girl, you know? Don't you think that's just unreasonable?"
"Eh, Ah, no..."
Akira could not immediately agree to that as he was at loss for words. Elena who had just gotten teased there quickly retorted.
"I don't want a girl who carried an A4WM Automatic Grenade Launcher saying something like that to me. That gun is crazy heavy, you know. And even more so when it's fully loaded."
"That's normal for me. After all, I'm a nanomachine enhanced human. But of course, without the nanomachines, I'm just your normal weak girl."
"And without the nanomachines, Sara's glorious chest will turn back into its original pitiful size."
In the next moment, Alpha used her advanced computing ability to reconstruct images of Elena and Sara based on the data and showed those images to Akira.
Akira was shocked and froze up. Especially after realising that those 2 images were n.a.k.e.d.
"You two should stop there. Akira is scared, you know? What are you girls doing letting out veteran Hunter's intimidating aura in this place?"
As Elena and Sara heard Shizuka and turned down their intimidating aura, both of their gazes shifted to Akira.
"Ahh, well, I don't know about being a weak girl, but I think Elena-san is a pretty girl with a beautiful slender body."
Although Elena immediately understood from her experience that those words were just flattery, she also understood that Akira was being honest when he said that. Thus she was pretty happy with his compliment.
There was obviously some pressure emitting from her smile. So Akira could only answer back in a panic.
"Of course I think that Sara-san is also a beautiful girl."
"Shizuka-san is also a beautiful girl."
Akira answered back casually since he understood that Shizuka knew he would answer with that when she asked him that question. But it was obvious that Akira was a bit bashful when he said that.
"Yeah yeah, you're beautiful too, are you satisfied now?"
Alpha looked displeased with Akira's answer as she retorted.
"Why are you always so mean to me?"
"Because I know for sure that you did that only to tease me. I'm trying my best not to look suspicious here, so can you please stop interrupting me?"
Akira was trying to be careful not to look at Alpha, who was invisible to Elena and the other girls there.
Shizuka was a bit surprised when she found herself happy from Akira's words, thus she tried to hide it by teasing Akira.
"Akira, did you say that just to change the mood?"
"No, I'm not a person who can say anything if someone tells me to say that because it's more profitable that way. So, although we are in that kind of situation, I didn't lie. Everything I said is true."
"Now that I think about it, Sara-san doesn't use an augmented suit, right?"
"Me? That's because I'm a nanomachine enhanced human. If I use a common augmented suit, my physical strength might reduce instead. Moreover, it has to be an augmented suit suitable for someone with a nanomachine enhanced body. Of course, I can get such an augmented suit that solves all of these problems, but it's soo expensive that I can't afford to buy one. So until I have enough money, an armour that increases the efficiency of my nanomachine consumption works better than a common augmented suit."
"I see. So there's a lot of things to consider, huh? So then, Elena-san, what kind of augmented suit you're planning to get?"
Elena looked a bit fl.u.s.tered.
"Eh? Well, uhh, it's basically an advanced augmented suit. Just like in your case, Shizuka is picking one for me."
"I see. I'm sure an advanced augmented suit will look completely different compared to my augmented suit, right? So what kind of augmented suit is it?"
Elena answered back vaguely. Akira did not mean to ask anything strange, so he was puzzled by Elena's answer. His confusion was shown on his face as Shizuka smiled.
"It's something hard to explain with words, so instead, you can see it for yourself, you know? It should be here by next week so you don't need to wait that long."
"Is that so? Alright then."
Akira was confused as to why Elena panicked, but since Shizuka suggested that herself, he just casually accepted the offer.
Akira caught a glance of Elena's information gathering device and thought.
"By the way, about that information-gathering device, did you buy that from this shop too?"
Elena quickly answered back to change the subject.
"Nope, I don't really remember where I bought it, but I didn't buy it from here. Shizuka doesn't sell information gathering device, you know."
"This shop specializes in ammo. It will only bring trouble if I sell stuff that I'm not familiar with, that's why I don't sell them. But you can still order them from this shop."
"But your shop sells everything that's related to Hunters, right? Since you also sell a lot of guns that can be operated in tandem with an information-gathering device, I think it'll be fine if you sell information gathering devices too, you know. Don't you think so too, Akira?"
Both Elena and Shizuka turned to Akira. He looked panicked as he tried to run away from having to choose any side.
"Uhmm, I'm actually thinking of buying an information-gathering device soon. I just thought that it would be a great help if Shizuka-san has some recommendations."
"I'm sorry, but information gathering devices are outside my expertise. If you want to get some recommendations, I advise you to ask Elena."
"Me? But even if you ask me... Enemy detection, ruins mapping, relics identification. There are so many different options depending on what you want to use it for..."
Since she did not want to recommend anything bad to Akira, Elena was a bit at loss because of the number of options that she could go for an information-gathering device. As she was humming while thinking, she suddenly remembered an information-gathering device that was only gathering dust back in her house.
"But you said that you don't use it. Is it because it is faulty?"
"It's not that it's faulty or anything bad, well, to explain it simply..."
The information-gathering devices sold to the Hunters were mainly categorized into two types, specialized and generic. Specialized type focused on one kind of function like movement detection, sound detection, image analysis, etc... While on the other hand, the generic type was an amalgamation of different functions. It could compile all the information that it gathered into a map or an image. Furthermore, the generic type could process all the analysis on its own.
Both of them had their own pros and cons. If a specialized type information gathering device broke, it only needed a small part replacement to fix it. It could also be combined with parts or devices from the other companies to add extra functions. In short, it had great flexibility. But on the other hand, the gathered information needed more processing before they could be used. Although there was a standardized output for each type of information, each company tended to use different formats. Because of that, it needed advanced processing technology to transform all the information into a usable form.
A generic type information gathering device did not need any of that. But in exchange, it was not as flexible as a specialized type. Most of the generic type information gathering devices produced by the companies would need a total replacement even if only one part was broken. Moreover, the information output from the on-board program in a generic type information gathering device was not interchangeable.
Elena preferred to use an information-gathering device that she made herself by combining multiple different specialized type information gathering devices. But lately, the generic type was getting famous as a lot of new generic type products went on sale, thus Elena decided to buy a device from one of the popular series. But after she used it for a while, she found herself not liking it at all. It simply felt like a half-baked device to her. In the end, she just left it to collect dust.
"I think that's a good idea. The problem is whether you can afford it now or not."
"Uhmm. If it's alright, I want to buy it, so how much would it be?"
"Let's see, it's basically a second-hand for you, and even if I sell it, it'll only sell for a low price. Not to mention that it'll be just sitting in my house if I don't sell it, so how about 2,000,000 Aurum?"
Relatively speaking, it was actually pretty cheap. But even so, it'll take most of the money that Akira had with him now. So if he bought it, he would have to return back to sleeping in a room without a bath. Akira hesitated for a bit, but since Alpha, Elena and Shizuka recommended it, Akira decided to push his hesitation aside.
"Okay then. Is it okay to pay through bank transfer?"
Akira operated his information device and transferred the payment to Elena and she confirmed his payment.
"I have already confirmed the payment. This will conclude the deal then. I'll give you the device right away, so let's go to my house now. Shizuka, see you around."
Elena and Sara smiled at Shizuka and left the shop. Akira bowed and followed suit.
Elena then returned with a box covered in dust.
"This is it. It's the whole package...I think. Well, if it's missing anything, I'm sorry. It's second-hand goods after all. It's an information-gathering device made by Senva Electronics. If I'm not mistaken, its name is Midnight Eye. I don't use it only because I don't like it, but it's actually a pretty good device."
"Thank you very much. Do I need to do the initial setting too?"
"Since the last setting is still installed from when I used it, you should be able to use it as it is. But if it's hard for you to use, feel free to change the setting."
Akira looked genuinely interested in that box. Elena smiled as she watched Akira's behaviour, but the alarm in her information device suddenly rang. Elena looked apologetic as she said.
"I'm sorry, I actually wanted to serve you some snacks and tea, but looking for that box took me more time than I thought. I need to go soon for my next request."
"Please don't be. I'll leave right away. Thank you very much for everything."
As Akira left Sara and Elena's house, he passed by Katsuya by chance. Although their eyes met, Akira just ignored him and went on.
When Akira arrived in his own room, he immediately opened the box that housed his new information-gathering device. It was a rectangular tool equipped with a terminal and all kinds of extra parts sticking out from it. As he picked it up, his eyes stuck to it without blinking, completely engrossed in it. It was only when Alpha suddenly spoke up did he finally snap out of his state.
"Akira. Connect that tool to your information terminal."
"Do we still need to do something with this tool?"
"Yep, I need to rewrite the whole software so that it'll work together with my support."
"I see. Well, it's a good thing if it helps me use it afterwards. So, I'll be in your care."
Akira then picked the information gathering device out and connected it into his information terminal. Once the two were connected, Alpha immediately took control of the information gathering device through the information terminal.
"There's some data left from when Elena used it. Is it okay if I erase it?"
"What kind of data is it?"
"There are some blueprints of old-world ruins around Kugamayama city, some data from the scanned monsters, there might be some other data compiled from the other information gathering devices too. There's also individual output power setting for its parts, it seems that it's a leftover data from when Elena was tinkering with it."
"Alright. There's also some data about Elena and Sara's body measurement. I think it's from when they did a test run on this device. It seems like a highly accurate data since it was taken from a close range. Want me to make an image reconstruction using this data?"
For Elena's image, rather than just being simply slender, it was a flawless image with fats in places just where it should be to enhance her s.e.x.u.a.lity. Her skin was smooth and glossy with a healthy complexion. The elegance of a functional body and the beauty of a sensual body existed together without disturbing one another.
As for Sara's image, her body was well endowed and simply gloriously voluptuous. The perfect combination between her curvy waist, her firm skin and her glorious chest only served to enhance her beauty.
Akira was captivated by the n.a.k.e.d images of the girls who saved him in the past, but he immediately returned back to his senses and shouted.
Those two images immediately vanished from Akira's vision. Alpha who was floating beside him looked surprised.
"You don't have to be that annoyed, you know?"
As Akira used one of his hands to hide his reddened face, he glared intensely at Alpha.
"...Why were they n.a.k.e.d?"
"It's because the data is from their body measurement. Putting clothes on them would need extra data."
"It depends on the subject and the situation!!"
"Is that so?"
Alpha looked doubtful.
"Very well then. Don't worry, I won't do it again since you told me not to. That aside, we'll go to the ruins tomorrow, so be sure to do proper maintenance on your guns."
"Didn't you say that we won't go to the ruins before I can borrow a vehicle?"
"This information-gathering device is better than I thought and there are still some leftover data about the ruins from when Elena was using it. Moreover, we'll go to a relatively safe ruin tomorrow. Not to mention, we need to get you familiar with using this information gathering device."
Akira then picked his gun and started his usual maintenance. 2 AAH assault rifle and 1 CWH anti-material rifle, these 3 guns were Akira's lifeline right now.
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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