280 端金脱却
潜伏場所を荒野からクガマヤマ都市のスラム街にあるシェリル達の拠点に移したアキラは、広い浴槽での入浴を十分に堪能していた。
昼間の激戦もあり精神的にも肉体的にも疲れている。気を緩めてしまえば意識は温かな湯にどんどん溶け出していく。その所為でアキラは僅かに体勢を崩した。視覚的にだが一緒に入浴しているアルファから注意される。
『アキラ。そのまま寝ると溺れるわよ』
『おっと......』
アキラが体勢を直す。だが眠気まで消える訳ではなく、うつらうつらしていた。
「アキラ。私が支えるから、眠いのなら寝ても良いわよ」
ぼんやりとした顔を向けたアキラへ、キャロルが笑い掛ける。
「アキラに余裕が無い時は、私がちゃんと手伝うし助けるって言ったでしょう?」
「そうだった......。じゃあ......、頼んだ......」
キャロルはそのアキラを軽く抱えると、されるがままになっているアキラを自分の前に移動させて、後ろから抱き抱えた。異性を誘う豊満な胸を枕代わりにしてアキラが半ば眠りに就き、目を閉じる。キャロルはそのアキラの様子を機嫌の良さそうな笑顔で見ていた。
シェリルがそのキャロル達の様子をじっと見る。
「随分、仲が良いんですね」
「ん? まあアキラとは荒野で命を預け合った仲だし、これぐらいはね」
「......キャロルさんも疲れているでしょう。代わりますよ?」
「大丈夫よ。これでも身体強化拡張者なの。問題無いわ」
パメラはヒガラカにあるリオンズテイル社の施設から、都市の防壁内にいるクロエに連絡を取り状況の説明を済ませた。
報告を受けたクロエは平然とした様子を見せていた。しかし施設の表示装置に映るその顔に
「......、そう。ラティス、死んだの」
「はい。ですが、まだ動きますので、今は私が動かしております」
パメラの後ろには簡易処置を済ませたラティスの死体が立っている。
「その使用許可を出す権限は、私には無いのだけれど?」
「存じております。ですので、クロエ様からベラトラム支店長に許可を取って頂ければと」
「......何する気?」
、アキラとレイナ達の処理で御座います。残念ですが、500億オーラム程度の賞金に釣られるハンター達ではアキラを殺すのは困難かと。賞金の増額という手もございますが、それならばもうこちらで殺した方が良いでしょう。四区の介入も確認したのです。そちらの対処も含むとすれば、ベラトラム様からの御理解も得られるかと」
「パメラにレイナ達の処理は頼んでいないのだけれど? それに支店間抗争であれば支店長が動くわ。レイナ達の処理はその時で良いと思うけど?」
「あの場で襲撃してきた時点で、彼女達はアキラと組んでいるのでしょう。四区支店長であるフリップ様がアキラと接触したという情報もあります。ベラトラム様もすぐに動くはずです。レイナ達も
「......分かった。支店長には私から頼んでおくわ。それじゃあ、今日はもう遅いし、これで切るわね。パメラ。ゆっくり休んで、次の機会に備えなさい」
「有り難う御座います」
深々と頭を下げたパメラは通信が切れて表示装置からクロエの姿が消えると、ラティスの
「ラティス......。死んだのね......」
クロエもまだまだ子供と呼んで差し支えの無い年頃の少女だ。長年自らに仕え、支えてくれた異性に淡い
「......それにしても、ここで従者を二人同時に失ったのはきついわ」
クロエはパメラが既に
ラティスはその死により、パメラはその精神の変質により、クロエは自身の側近としていた従者を二人とも失った。
「二人には外に出られない私の代わりを頼んでいたのに。何か手を考えないとね......」
シェリルの拠点に泊まった翌朝、アキラがシェリルの自室で目を覚ます。ベッドで身を起こそうとして動きにくさを感じると、シェリルに抱き付かれていた。起こさないように引き剥がし、ベッドから降りる。
そこでアルファに笑って声を掛けられる。
『アルファ。おはよう。ああ、良く眠れた。キャロルのキャンピングカーに不満がある訳じゃないんだけど、やっぱりちゃんとした場所で寝ないと駄目だな』
『どういう意味だ?』
『荒野に隠れていた時とは違って、アキラの居場所はもう完全に露見しているのよ? 寝ている間に襲われたらどうしようとか、不安に思わなかったの?』
アキラは指摘に納得して軽く
自信たっぷりに笑うアルファの態度を見て、アキラも満足そうに笑った。
「......アキラ。おはよう御座います。誰かと話してました?」
「いや、俺一人だ」
「......? そうですか」
アキラが表情を変えずに
うように楽しげに笑うアルファを見て、アキラは苦笑を浮かべながら気を引き締めた。
人の気配の消えたスラム街をカツラギの大型トレーラーが進んでいく。その助手席でダリスがカツラギに迷いの
くいけば利益もデカい。これはチャンスだ。分かるだろ?」
「それは分かるけどさ......、下手をすれば、俺達も一緒に狩られる羽目になるんだぞ?」
相棒の不安を吹き飛ばすように、そして自身の弱気も一緒に吹き飛ばすように、カツラギが豪快に笑う。
「大丈夫だって! 最前線に死ぬ気で仕入れに行った時に比べれば、大したことじゃねえよ!」
「そうか? 危険度はあの時と似たり寄ったりだと思うけどな。それにあの時、俺達は危うく死ぬところだったじゃねえか。アキラに偶然会ってなければ死んでたぞ?」
「それでも生き残ったことに違いはねえ! それにある意味でアキラはあの群れをAAH突撃銃1
「そしてその装備を売ればあいつに恩も売れる! そうすればもっと稼げる! このチャンスは逃せねえ! ダリス! お前も気合いを入れろ!」
ダリスもカツラギとは長い付き合いだ。相棒の夢に付き合って荒野を駆けてきた過去を思い返し、合わせて豪快に笑う。
「しゃあねえな! 分かったよ! 全く、たかがスラム街を通ってるだけだってのに、荒野を最前線へ向けて進んでる気分だぜ!」
現在スラム街は500億オーラムの賞金首が潜んでおり、それを狙う高ランクハンター達に襲撃される恐れのある場所だ。戦闘の余波で一帯が消し飛びかねない危険地帯となっている。それを分かっているダリスは車両から周囲の光景を見て楽しげに声を荒らげていた。
「カツラギ! こんな危険な場所で護衛をしてやってるんだ!
カツラギ達は大声を出して笑いながら、アキラのいる拠点へ意気揚々と向かっていった。
キャンピングカーの中で装備の整備をしていたアキラは、カツラギから連絡を受けると拠点の外でカツラギ達を出迎えた。駐車場の頑丈なシャッターを開いてトレーラーを中に入れると、再びシャッターをしっかりと閉じる。そして運転席にいるカツラギに真面目な顔を向ける。
「カツラギ。一応確認するぞ。乗ってるのはカツラギとダリスの二人だけだな?」
「そうだ。500億オーラムの賞金首になったお前の
な態度を取ったが、ダリスはすぐに非常に険しい顔で車内へ銃を向けながら、情報収集機器で自分達以外の存在を確認した。しかし他者の存在は確認できなかった。警戒を解かずにアキラへ視線を向ける。
「アキラ......。車内には俺達しかいないはずだ。誰かいるのか?」
アキラが表情を緩めて首を横に振る。
「いや、いない。悪いな。ちょっと鎌を掛けたんだ」
カツラギがダリスと一緒に大きく息を吐く。
「まあな。だがそういうことを言うのなら、こっちもそれぐらい危ない橋を渡ってるんだって理解してくれよ?」
「ああ。その辺は感謝してる」
「よし。それなら良い。入ってくれ」
カツラギは気を切り替えると、トレーラーの後部扉を開いてアキラ達を中に招き、自分達もそこへ移動した。そして積まれた商品を背にして商売人の真面目な表情を浮かべた。
「先に言っておく。今から商品を説明するが、全部荒野価格だ。足下を見やがって、とか思うんだろうが、こっちもリオンズテイル社から500億オーラムの賞金を懸けられたやつに武器や弾薬を売るんだ。そのリスクを負って商売してるんだ。その辺、ごちゃごちゃ言うんじゃねえぞ?」
「よし。じゃあ、始めようか。ああ、こっちも価格交渉ぐらいは受け付けてる。遠慮無く言ってくれ」
カツラギは商売人の笑顔でアキラに商品の説明を始めた。
アキラはカツラギの説明を聞きながら、キャロルとシェリルと一緒に荷台の中の武器、弾薬、消耗品を見て回っていた。
商品の値段を聞いたシェリルは、1億オーラムを軽く超える品の数々に驚きを隠し切れないでいる。そして平然としているアキラとキャロルを見て住む世界の違いを味わい、僅かに
キャロルは随分と強気な価格設定だと思ったが、状況を考えれば仕方が無いとも思って苦笑を浮かべていた。そしてアキラの資金繰りを考えて小声で声を掛ける。
「アキラ。買えそう? 難しいのなら私が価格交渉をしても良いわよ?」
それなら頼もうか、と思ったアキラだったが、その交渉内容にキャロルの副業が絡むことを察して首を横に振る。
「キャロルが自分の装備を買う分には好きにしてくれ。俺の装備は普通に買う」
それを聞いたキャロルが、浮かべていた笑顔を僅かに固いものに変える。
「......アキラって、そういうの、気にする方だったの?」
「一晩100億オーラムなんだろ? 俺だってそんなデカい借りを作るのは
アキラに普通にそう答えられて、キャロルは機嫌を戻した。軽く笑いながら商品の品定めに戻る。
「そう。それじゃあ、私も普通に買いましょうかね......」
アキラも装備の物色を続ける。しかし確かにどれも非常に高額で、アキラの予算では装備の調達など難しいのは事実だった。どうすれば良いか
『金ならあるぞ? 当然、貸しだけどな』
『そういうことだ。あのハンター達と戦った時も手を貸してやったんだ。これで俺の依頼を受ける貸しとしては十分だろう?』
『何でだよ。俺の協力がなければ死んでたかもしれないんだぞ? それだけでもデカい貸しのはずだ。違うか?』
『ああ。俺もそう思う』
『じゃあ何でだ? 貸しとしては十分だろう?』
『その借りは、あのヤナギサワってやつにシロウの居場所を教えなかったことで全部返した。いや、あの二人の強さを考えればこっちが貸したぐらいだ。何なんだよあの二人は。あのハンター達全員より強いんじゃないか? そんなやつに銃を向けられて、シロウの居場所を教えなければ殺すと脅されたんだぞ? それでも口を割らなかったんだ。十分にデカい貸しのはずだぞ?』
シロウが返事に詰まる。ハーマーズの強さを知っている分だけ、確かに、と思ってしまったのだ。アキラが勝手に意地を張っただけだとも思うが、アキラが口を割っていれば自分は終わっていたことも確かであり、そっちが勝手に意地を張っただけだとは
ぎ込む。それは約束する。まあ、信じろとは言わないし、無理強いもしない。そっちの都合で決めてくれ』
シロウが悩む。ヤナギサワを相手に口を割らなかった者が約束すると言っている。一定の信用は出来ると考える。そしてハンター達との交戦を見る限りアキラの実力は本物だとも思う。自分の目的の
よって、妥協した。
『......じゃあアキラ、こうしよう。今回の支払は依頼の前金として全額俺が持つ。これでどうだ? これで俺の都合をどこまで優先してくれる? そっちも大変なのは分かるけど、俺も結構切羽詰まってるんだ』
『坂下重工に頼んだ装備が届いたら、状況次第でそっちを優先してやる。それぐらいだな』
『その装備、いつ届くんだ?』
『早ければ1週間、通常なら1ヶ月、どんなに遅くても3ヶ月程度って、1週間前に言われた』
『もう1週間
った猶予も1ヶ月であり、既に1週間使ってしまっている。アキラに坂下重工から装備が届くのを待てるかどうかは、かなり微妙な状況だ。
『アキラ。坂下に頼んだ装備って、絶対必要なのか?』
『だから状況次第だ。装備が届く前にクロエが死んだとかで、最前線の装備で防壁内に乗り込む理由が無くなったりしていれば、
シロウが更に迷う。運次第だが可能性はある。そして自分の力でその可能性をどこまで上げられるか考えた上で、決断した。
『良いんだよ。確かにアキラに死なれると俺も困るんだからな。口座の方の処理はやっておく。じゃあな』
それでシロウとの念話は切れた。ちょうどその時、カツラギも一通りの説明を終えていた。
「アキラ。今回持ってきた商品はこれで全部だ。......お前にも予算の都合はあるんだろうが、ここでケチって死んだら終わりだぜ? 可能な限り買った方が良いと思うぞ?」
カツラギはそう言いながらも、アキラの予算では大して買えないと思っていた。500億オーラムの賞金を狙うハンター達を撃退したのは
いを超えてとんでもないとは思うが、そのハンター達に勝ったからといって金が入る訳でもないのだ。口座を空にしても弾薬類の補充が精一杯だろう。そう思っていた。
それを分かった上でアキラには買えないであろう高額商品を積み込んできたのは、ある思惑があったからだ。そしてそれをアキラに告げようとする。
「でもまあ、お前も無い袖は振れないだろう。そこでだ。さっきもちょっと言った価格交渉だが......」
「ああ、大丈夫だ。普通に買うよ」
アキラは気にせずに、買う品をトレーラーから次々に降ろしていく。強化服、銃、弾薬、回復薬、バイクのパーツ類など様々な物が駐車場に運び出された。
「こんなところか。カツラギ。幾らだ?」
我に返ったカツラギが困惑を顔に出しながらも計算する。
「そ、そうだな、は、端数は負けて、160億オーラム、だな」
アキラはハンター証を取り出し、普通にカツラギへ差し出した。カツラギは少し硬い表情でそれを受け取り、会計処理を行う。問題無く通った。
余りの衝撃で倒れ掛けたカツラギを、ダリスが慌てて支える。
『了解だ。......それにしても、最前線はどんな魔境なんだか』
160億オーラム出して買った装備でも不十分な備えにしかならない危険地帯を軽く想像しながら、アキラは新しい装備の準備を始めた。
まった借りを返済できるようになるだろう。そう思っていたところに160億オーラムをあっさりと支払う姿を見せ付けられ、1億オーラムが小銭に成り下がったことを分からされた。
加えて今回の騒ぎで遺物売買業は休業を余儀無くされている。徒党の規模も一気に縮小した。アキラへの借りを金銭で返すのは非常に難しくなってしまった。
そこでカツラギもそろそろ正気に戻った。機嫌良く息を吐いた後で、少し難しい顔をシェリルに向ける。
「おいシェリル。アキラはいつの間にあんな金を支払えるようになったんだ? 都市間輸送車両の護衛で稼いだとは聞いていたが、その稼ぎは装備代やら何やらでとっくに消えたんじゃなかったのか?」
「......アキラですからね。いろいろやって稼いだのだと思います」
カツラギにとってそのシェリルの返答は、シェリル自身もアキラがそれだけ稼いでいたことを全く知らなかったと白状しているのに等しい。それほどの情報を共有できていないことから、カツラギはシェリルとアキラの仲を少し疑った。だが余計なことは言わなかった。
シェリルもそれに気付いたが、素知らぬ振りをした。代わりに内心の
だがアキラがそれらの商品を貸出ではなく買ったことで、160億オーラム相当の装備貸出交渉は同額の商談へと変わり、カツラギの売上となった。160億の商談はカツラギの精神を激しく震わせ、失神手前まで追い込んでいた。
シェリルはカツラギの元々の魂胆を薄々見抜いていた。その利益もアキラあってのことだと、
Ch 280
After spending days out in the wasteland, Akira was finally in the slums of Kugamayama City. More specifically, he was in Sheryl's HQ, completely revelling in his time in their wide, spacious bath.
After the huge fight in the afternoon, he was physically and psychically drained. He could tell if he let his guard down, his consciousness would melt into the warm water. Nonetheless, his body gradually sunk into the water. Watching him, Alpha, who was also in the bath albeit only as a hologram, warned him.
"Akira, if you fall asleep, you will drown."
"Whoops..."
Akira pushed his body back up. He fixed his posture. Unfortunately, his drowsiness continued to pervade him. As he was bobbing his head, having a hard time holding it up, Carol, who was physically present, prompted him.
"Akira, if you're too sleepy, you can just sleep here. I'll hold your body up."
Akira had his eyelids already half-closed as he turned toward Carol. Seeing his exhausted face, Carol gave a soft smile.
"If it's too much to handle, I'll be there to help you. I did say something like that, remember?"
"Ah, that's right.. I'll leave... The rest... To you... Then..."
Carol received him and hugged him. Since Carol now had full control of Akira's body, she moved Akira in front of her and hugged him from behind. Thanks to Carol's plentiful chest, which she nurtured to seduce men, Akira was lulled to sleep until he finally closed his eyes. Carol was looking at him with a gentle smile on her face. It was obvious she was enjoying this.
Sheryl stared at Carol and Akira as it happened.
"You two are pretty close."
"Hmm? Well, we did entrust our lives to each other back in the wasteland, after all. So, this much is nothing."
"...Carol-san, I'm sure that you're exhausted as well. So, I can take your place if you want."
"It's fine. I have a nanomachine-enhanced body, after all."
Back in the wasteland. In the Lion Steel facility in Higaraka residence ruin, Pamela gave a full report to Chloe, who was still inside the inner wall.
Chloe was reflected on a display. Although she seemed calm after hearing Pamela's report, there was no smile on her face.
"...I see, so, Latis is gone."
"Yes, but he still can move. I'm controlling his body right now."
Behind Pamela was Latis' corpse. It had gone through a simple medical procedure and was standing. Unfortunately, it was impossible to control his expression. Thus, Latis was simply staring blankly, expressionless. His corpse had been turned into a remote biological automaton.
"I don't have the authority to grant you that. I'm sure you are aware, no?"
"I am aware. My hope is for Chloe-sama to convey this request to the branch head, Beltram-sama."
"...What are you planning to do with this equipment?"
"Of course, I will hunt Akira and Reina down with it. Unfortunately, the Hunters could not take Akira down even when they prepared equipment and tools worthy of a 50 billion Aurum bounty hunt. We could increase Akira's bounty. But at this point, it would be more efficient to hunt him down ourselves. We've also confirmed intervention from the fourth ward. So, I am sure that Beltram-sama would understand this as a necessity."
"I'm sure he doesn't want you to kill Reina's group though. What's more, if a battle between wards breaks out, I'm sure that the branch heads would have to make their moves as well. I think we can deal with Reina's group when that happens."
"Considering that they attacked us with such precise timing, it is likely they are already working with Akira. We've also received a report that the head of the fourth ward, Flip-sama, had made contact with Akira as well. I'm certain Beltram-sama will not keep quiet for long. Thus, I believe this is a good opportunity to take care of Reina's group, along with Akira."
"...Fine. I will ask the branch head. Well then, it's already pretty late. I will end the call here. Pamela, take a good rest and prepare for your next task."
"Thank you very much."
Pamela gave a deep bow and closed the call. After Chloe disappeared from the display, Latis walked and stood beside her. Pamela smiled at him. Although this was still his real body, he was already dead and got turned into an automaton.
"So... Latis is gone... huh..."
Chloe was still quite young. It would still feel natural to call her a little girl. For such a young girl, it was natural for her to hold feelings toward him, a loyal servant, who had served and supported her for years.
"...But still, losing two servants really hurts."
Chloe already knew that Pamela's goal had shifted to taking revenge. However, she was completely fine with it. The only thing that bothered her was Pamela's overwhelming desire for revenge, which had taken priority over her loyalty toward the company. A servant who prioritized their own desires over their master was no servant at all.
With Latis gone and Pamela's change in attitude, Chloe had effectively lost two of her retinues.
"Up until now, I've been using both of them as my extension outside the inner wall. I must now think of another way..."
The next day, Akira woke up in Sheryl's room. As he was about to push his body up from the bed, he felt something obstruct him. He turned his head and noticed Sheryl was using him as a pillow. Therefore, he carefully moved her aside, so as not to wake her up, and left the bed.
That was when Alpha greeted him.
"Alpha, morning! I think I slept pretty well. Carol's camping vehicle is comfortable but it's just that as I thought, I can sleep much better on a proper bed."
"Why are you emphasising that?"
"Unlike when you slept in the middle of the wasteland, everyone basically now knows where you are. Don't you feel anxious at all?"
Akira broke out a smile. It did make sense now that Alpha mentioned it.
Alpha smiled confidently and proclaimed. Akira also smiled back at her with confidence.
"...Akira, good morning. Who are you talking to?"
"Nah, I was just talking to myself."
"...? Is that so?"
Noticing that he escaped from scrutiny, Akira exhaled in relief. He still maintained his expression as he telepathically spoke to Alpha.
Seeing Alpha smiling teasingly at him, Akira made a bitter smile. He reminded himself to be extra careful.
Around the same time, Katsuragi was driving his trailer through the slums, which were not normally empty. As usual, Darris was sitting on the seat beside him. However, for some reason, he was frowning. He was looking at Katsuragi with a stern gaze.
"I know. But if this goes well, it will be massively profitable. This is a golden opportunity. You know that, right?"
"Of course, I know. But... If it doesn't go well, they will hunt us like fugitives, you know?"
Katsuragi laughed heartily as if to push aside his doubts and worries.
"Don't worry! Compared to that time when we went to the frontline like a couple of madmen, this is basically nothing!"
"Is that so? I honestly think this time is more or less as dangerous as that time, though. We almost got killed back then too, remember? If we hadn't met Akira, we would have been dead by now, you know?"
"But that doesn't change the fact that we're still alive and kicking now! Also, what Akira did back then was basically hold off a whole monster swarm. He did it with just a single AAH assault rifle, right? So, if all of us have better equipment, he'll do just fine. That's where I'll place my bets!"
"And if we can sell everything to him, it can be chalked up as a single favour from us! We can also get even more money! We can't afford to let this chance slip by! Darris, you should get yourself fired up too!!"
Darris had been together with Katsuragi for a long time. As he recalled all the crazy things that they did together out in the wasteland, Darris smiled and agreed.
"Geez, it can't be helped then! Good grief! Here we are, running through the slums but it feels as tense as the front-line wasteland!"
At the moment, a 50 billion bounty target was hiding inside the slums. Thus, there was a high chance high-ranking Hunters after Akira would attack the slums. Darris was aware of this and was keeping his eyes on the scanner, which kept close watch of his surroundings.
"Katsuragi! I'm basically helping you go through this dangerous place. So, make sure to pay me handsomely if this goes well, yeah?"
Katsuragi and Darris were laughing. Everything out of their mouth was spoken at the top of their lungs as they were heading toward Sheryl's HQ, where Akira was.
As Akira was checking his equipment inside the camping vehicle, he received a message from Katsuragi. Thus, he decided to go out of HQ to greet him. He opened up the robust shutter to allow Katsuragi in. Once Katsuragi moved the trailer inside, the shutter closed once again. Akira stared at Katsuragi, who was in the driver's seat with a solemn expression.
"Katsuragi, let me confirm this first. It's only you and Darris in that trailer, right?"
"Yeah, I came here with powerful equipment specifically for you. After all, you got a 50 billion bounty on your head. Feel free to thank me."
Katsuragi was obviously confused. Darris, on the other hand, quickly understood what was going on and reached for his rifle. He quickly aimed it inside the trailer. Meanwhile, he used his information-gathering device to check for anyone else inside. However, he did not find anyone else. He still had his rifle aimed inside the trailer as he glanced at Akira and asked.
"Akira... There should be no one else other than us here. Is there someone else?"
Akira lowered his shoulders and shook his head.
"Nope, sorry. It was just to be safe."
Katsuragi and Darris sighed in relief at the exact same time.
"Well, yeah. But if you would go this far, I'm sure you know just how dangerous it is for us to do this, right?"
"Yeah, and I'm thankful for it."
"That's good to hear. Come in then."
Katsuragi changed gear and invited Akira in from the back door of the trailer. He and Darris also moved to the back of the trailer. He had the weapons he was so proud of behind him. Katsuragi looked at Akira with a serious expression of a merchant.
"Let me tell you this beforehand. I will give you a tour of my goods, but the price would be the wasteland price. You might accuse me of greatly jacking up the price. However, from my perspective, I'm basically selling weapons, ammo, and medicine to a 50 billion bounty target set by Lion Steel. This price reflects the risk we are taking. So I won't accept any complaints, alright?"
"Alright then. Let's start. Ah, by the way, I'm fine if you want to bargain, so feel free to do so."
Katsuragi's smile was one typical of a merchant. He wore it as he started giving Akira a tour inside his trailer.
Akira was listening to Katsuragi while looking around together with Carol and Sheryl.
Sheryl's eyes popped out when she found out that most of the goods here could easily cost above 100 million Aurum. However, watching how Carol and Akira were so calm about it, she felt this huge gap between them. She could not help but feel a bit discouraged by it.
Carol thought that they were indeed rather expensive, but considering the situation that Akira was in, it was understandable to some extent. Thus, she bitterly smiled. She then casually asked Akira about his budget.
"Akira, do you think you can buy some? If it's too expensive, I don't mind helping you with the bargaining if you want me to."
Akira pondered over it for a moment. He believed Carol would include her side job into the bargain, so he shook his head and said.
"You can do whatever you want with the ones that you're going to buy. As for me, I'll just buy mine normally."
Hearing that, Carol's smile turned rather stiff.
"...Akira, are you... bothered by that kind of thing?"
"10 billion Aurum per night, right? Even I have no desire to owe you that big of a debt. So, I'll thank you for your offer but still refuse. Thank you for the offer."
Carol was relieved after Akira expressed himself. She then continued browsing the other items available.
"I see. In that case, I guess I will also just buy them normally..."
Akira also continued browsing the items. But since all of them were extremely expensive, he was having a hard time adjusting his budget. As he was pondering over his choices, no good idea came up. Suddenly, a telepathic call from Shirou reached him.
"I have some here, you know? Of course, you have to pay it back later."
"Exactly. I helped you back then during that fight against those Hunters as well. Adding that into the equation, you should owe me enough to take my request, no?"
"What?! You might have gotten killed back there if it wasn't for my help, you know? That's just how valuable my help is, no?"
"Yeah, I do think so."
"Then why? Wouldn't it be enough already?"
"Because I evened it out when I didn't tell Yanagisawa of your location. As a matter of fact, considering how strong those two were, I would even say you owe me one. After all, those two were even more powerful than those Hunters, and you know it. Furthermore, Yanagisawa said that he would kill me if I don't tell them your location. Even so, I still refused to tell them. That one is a huge favour from me, don't you think?"
Shirou went silent. Since he knew just how powerful Hammerz was, he could not refute Akira's words. He only thought that Akira refused to leak his location because of pride. However, it does not change the fact that it would have been the end of him if Akira had told them his location. As he thought it over and really could not bring himself to say, 'that it was not counted since he never asked him to do so'.
"I can promise you that I will use all the money you give me for equipment. Well, I won't tell you to believe me or anything. And I won't force you either. It's completely up to you."
Shirou hesitated. It was a promise offered by someone who would not confess even when faced with Yanagisawa. Therefore, Akira's promise was something he could rely on. Judging from Akira's battle against the Hunters, there was no denying Akira was indeed a powerful Hunter. Furthermore, it would be awful for him as well if Akira died. Overall, it was not a bad idea to increase Akira's upfront payment.
As such, he chose to make a compromise.
"...How about this instead? As a form of upfront payment, I will pay for everything this time. How much will you owe me if I do that? I know that your situation is not that good right now, but I can say the same for me as well."
"Depending on my situation after I got my new equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry, I at least will be willing to prioritize your request."
"And when will that equipment arrive?"
"In about a week if I'm lucky, a month if nothing bad happens, and three months if I'm really unlucky. Or so I was told about a week ago."
"What the heck, it's already been a week since then?"
The time window that Sugadome gave to Shirou was only 1 month, of which he had already used 1 week. It was a bit doubtful if he could wait until Akira's new equipment arrived.
"Akira, do you need that equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry no matter what?"
"Like I said. It would depend on the situation. If Chloe dies before it arrives, I have no reason to break through the inner wall. Depending on how much I owe you, I don't mind doing your request first while waiting for my new equipment. Though, I can get much stronger if you are willing to wait. Unless there's something important. To be honest, I would rather wait for my new equipment."
Shirou was in a pickle. Though it depended on his luck, waiting was not completely out of the question. Thus, he decided to try to increase that possibility as much as possible with his own effort.
"Yeah. I don't want you to die after all. I will handle the account transfer from here. Later then."
Shirou then closed the call. That was right when Katsuragi finished the tour.
"Akira, that would be all the items that I have today... I know that your budget is not unlimited. It would all be in vain if you are too frugal now and end up getting yourself killed, yeah? I think it's better if you spend as much as you can here."
Katsuragi believed that Akira's budget this time was tighter than usual. Thus, he said that in an attempt to push him to spend more. Katsuragi was greatly amazed when he heard the news that Akira managed to repel the Hunters who came after him. Unfortunately, that event would not yield Akira any funding. As a matter of fact, Akira would have had to spend a lot to repel them.
"Ahh, well, about that, I just thought that if it's Akira, then it should be okay. Well, it turns out that my hunch was right, no? That just means my intuition as a merchant is as good as ever. Though I might sound haughty, feel free to admire my merchant skill. After all, I did not let this chance slip by."
Katsuragi really thought that Akira would not be able to afford anything but a handful of ammo. The reason why he brought expensive equipment, knowing Akira would most likely not be able to purchase them, was to lure Akira to negotiate with him.
"But well, if you don't have enough to purchase what you want, here is the thing. About the bargaining I mentioned earlier..."
"Ahh, don't worry about that. I will just buy them normally."
However, Akira simply ignored him as he casually picked some equipment off the shelves. An augmented suit, ammo, medicines, bike parts. He carried all kinds of things off from the trailer and unloaded them into the garage.
"I guess this should be enough. Katsuragi, how much is the total?"
Katsuragi managed to return to reality as he awkwardly calculated the total.
"A-ah, r-right! Rounding it up, it is 16 billion Aurum."
Akira took out his Hunter ID and casually handed it over to Katsuragi. Katsuragi clumsily received the ID with a stiff smile. He processed the payment, and as expected, it went through without an issue.
The moment Katsuragi saw the payment notice, he was so shocked that he nearly fainted. Thankfully, Darris flusteredly held Katsuragi up.
"Of course... But still, it makes me wonder just how crazy the eastern front-line is."
Akira began to imagine a perilous place. A place which even his new 16 billion Aurum equipment would not suffice. A place where he had to get even stronger equipment just to have a chance to survive. As his thoughts wandered off, his body continued to move as he proceeded to prepare his new equipment.
She thought that at this rate, she should be able to repay all her debt to Akira soon. However, upon seeing how Akira just paid 16 billion Aurum like it was nothing. She felt disheartened. After all, her perceived worth of 100 million Aurum crashed right into the ground.
Furthermore, the relic shop was temporarily put on hold because of the current situation. The size of the gang had also greatly diminished as well. It had become exceedingly difficult for her to repay Akira.
Eventually, Katsuragi returned to his senses. He heaved a huge sigh wearing an equally huge smile. He glanced at Sheryl with a frown.
"Sheryl, just when exactly did Akira become able to casually pay that much? I heard that he received quite a lot from the inter-city transport escort mission. However, I thought that he had already spent it all on his own equipment."
"...It's Akira, after all. I'm sure he's earning from other sources as well."
Judging from Sheryl's reaction, Katsuragi was certain that Sheryl was equally clueless about how Akira had earned so much. Thus, he began to be suspicious of Akira's relationship with Sheryl. After all, Akira did not even share his monetary sources with her. Since he thought that it was better to keep it to himself, Katsuragi did not voice it out.
Sheryl naturally noticed. However, she was pretending not to notice. Thus, she asked Katsuragi in a manner which seemed as if she was venting.
Unfortunately, Akira did not borrow from him but managed to purchase new equipment from Katsuragi. Thus, the rental contract of equipment worth 16 billion Aurum had turned to dust. Instead, it had become a pure sale of 16 billion Aurum. The transaction of 16 billion Aurum had shocked Katsuragi so much that he nearly fainted.
Sheryl had an inkling of what Katsuragi was trying to do. Thus, she hatched a plan and then lightly reminded Katsuragi, that it was all possible because the person in question was 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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