177 ハンターランク調整依頼
アキラがクガマビルの前でキバヤシと待ち合わせをしている。初めてクガマビルを見た時は、都市の防壁と一体化している高層ビルの、その巨大な姿に圧倒されていた。だが
「好きなものを頼んでくれ。どうせ経費で落とすんだ。俺が支払うわけじゃない。高いものから順に頼んでも良いぞ?」
「え? ああ......」
上機嫌なキバヤシと異なり、アキラの機嫌は大分下がっていた。キバヤシが察して楽しげに笑う。
「何だ、上階の高級店にでも連れて行ってもらえると思っていたのか? そりゃ無理だ。経費で落とすにも限度ってのがある。高ランクのハンターと接待を兼ねて交渉する場合でもないと、そんな予算は下りねえよ。アキラの方が俺に
アキラは黙ってメニューを開いた。そして少しふて腐れたように高価格帯の料理を探し始めた。キバヤシはそのアキラを見て、やはり楽しげに笑っていた。
取りあえずの注文を済ませると、アキラから話を切り出す。
「それで、話って何だ?」
「いろいろあるんだが、まずは簡単な事情聴取からにするか」
「事情聴取?」
「先日スラム街で大規模な抗争が発生したのは知っているな? なぜその抗争に参加していたのか。その辺りの事情を話してくれ」
「そもそもどうして俺がその抗争に参加したことになってるんだ?」
上階の高級店の食事を勝手に期待して、その当てが外れて落胆した所為で、アキラは少々八つ当たり気味に
派手に暴れて随分殺した自覚もある。ハンターオフィスは行儀の良いハンターを好んでいると知っている。そのハンターの素行からは大分逸脱した行為をやったと理解もしている。だからそれをハンターオフィスの職員であるキバヤシに積極的に話す必要はない。アキラもそういう考えを多少は持っていた。
キバヤシが情報端末を取り出して少し操作をしてからテーブルの上に置く。アキラはそこに映し出されていた映像を見て顔を引きつらせた。キバヤシが予想通りの反応に笑い出す。
「一応社外秘の映像なんだが、機密レベルは低いし、お前は当事者だからな。構わんだろう」
キバヤシの情報端末には、黒い人型兵器と交戦しているアキラの姿が映っていた。
無謀を地で行っているようで何よりだ。これを見た時は大爆笑だったぞ?」
アキラが軽く頭を抱える。
「これ、どうやって撮影したんだ?」
「さあな。俺も上から資料として渡されただけだからよくは知らん。防壁上部に設置されているっていう望遠カメラで撮影したのかもしれないし、いろんな場所に設置してあるって
キバヤシはアキラから一通りの事情を聞きだした後、耐えきれなくなったように笑い声を漏らした。
「そ、その、恋人を助けに行ったってのはまだ分かる。色恋沙汰ってのは人を動かすもんだ。特にお前みたいな
ねたように視線を外すアキラを見ると、これ以上機嫌を損ねるとこの後の交渉にも差し支えると判断して、何とか落ち着きを取り戻そうと努力した。
「まあ、事情は分かった。俺としてはお前の立場を尊重するよ。大変だったな。......そんなに怒るなって。ほら、ハンターオフィスもハンターの倫理向上に力を入れている以上、強化服を着た程度で人型兵器と交戦して勝つほどのハンターが、金次第で虐殺並みの対人戦闘も
「そう言うなって。ほら、料理も来たんだ。落ち着けよ。飯にしようぜ」
キバヤシが運ばれてきた料理に手を付ける。アキラも少し
キバヤシが機を見計らって次の話題に移る。
「結構腹に入れたし、そろそろ本題に入るか」
「さっきの話が本題じゃないのか?」
めて警戒する。キバヤシは場を和ませるように苦笑する。
「そう警戒するな。俺はお前を気に入っている。変な話を持ちかける気はないし、強制と言っても大抵のハンターなら喜ぶ内容だ。何しろハンターランク調整用の依頼だからな。要はランク上げだ」
「ランク上げ?」
「そうだ。......一応確認するが、自分のハンターランクぐらい把握しているよな?」
アキラが自分の記憶を頼りに答えようとする前に、アルファが口を挟む。
『あれ? 29じゃなかったっけ?』
『この前シズカの店に遺物を持ち込んだでしょう? あれで上がったわ』
ハンターランク調整用の依頼を持ちかけているんだよ。この際だ。その辺の話もついでに話してやるから、ちゃんと聞いておけ」
キバヤシは少し不満げな様子を見せるアキラに今回の依頼の背景説明を兼ねていろいろ話し始めた。
東部のハンターはハンターランクでその実力を評価されている。
ハンターランクの数字には非常に高い価値がある。その数値を算出し、評価し、決定する権限をハンターオフィスが持っている。それがハンターオフィスの強みであり、危険で広大な東部にいるハンター達を管理運営する重要な手段なのだ。
「そういう訳で、お前みたいなランク詐欺ハンターには早急に実力に
「良いから受けておけ。それともハンターランクを上げてはいけない理由でもあるのか?」
「いや、どっちかと言えば、報酬としてハンターランクが上がるよりは金が欲しいってのが理由だな」
キバヤシがアキラの様子を確認する。それなりに納得した様子を見せているが、ランク上げに興味を示したようには見えなかった。
「億単位の金が口座を出入りするハンターなら、普通はハンターランクの方にも気を使うんだけどな。興味なしか?」
「そう言われてもな。それにその手の依頼って、ハンターランクの上昇が報酬だからって、金の方はさっぱりなんだろう? ハンターランクを上げればモンスターが逃げていくわけでもないしな。正直、気乗りしない」
「悪いが気乗りしようがしなかろうが依頼は受けてもらう。じゃあ今からその内容について交渉だ。なるべく要望に添った内容にするから、言うだけ言ってみてくれ。無理
アキラは反論を諦めた。何を言っても説得力に欠けることは自分でもよく分かっているからだ。
その後、アキラはキバヤシと依頼内容についての交渉を粘り強く続けた。
「アルファ。今更だけどさ、依頼の内容ってあれで良かったと思うか?」
アキラは自分なりによく考えて条件を詰めたと思っている。しかし穴があったとしてもそれに気付けるだけの交渉能力がないことも理解しているのだ。
『それなら後は終わった後に問題点を洗い出すしかないわね。これも経験よ。私としては、今回も弾薬費等の経費を向こうが負担する形式にできたのは高く評価したいわ』
「あー、地下街ではそれで
なことをしていたな。戦力差を金で押し潰したようなもんだ。しかも他人の金で」
『今回もその利点を有効に活用しましょう。高価な弾丸を山ほど消費して安全を買ってしまいましょう。しかも他人の金で』
楽しげに笑うアルファに、アキラも軽く笑って返す。
「......いや、無理だろう? あの専用弾はDVTSミニガンじゃ使えないって」
アキラが不思議そうな表情を浮かべていると、アルファが得意げに
『同程度に強力で高価な弾丸を、その連射に耐えうる銃で使用する分には全く問題ないわ。ちょうど新しい銃を選んでいる最中だったでしょう? その性能を条件にして絞れば良いのよ』
アキラの視界に以前のように多数の多機能銃が拡張表示された。そこから条件に一致しない製品が消えていく。
「大分減ったな」
シズカが手続きを始める。前回の時と同じく、依頼の識別コードを添えて会計処理を行えば代金が前払いされる形式だ。決済額の所為で処理が止まる場合もある。普通なら問題なく終わってほしい処理なのだが、今回に限っては問題が起こってほしいと軽く願っていた。しかし会計処理は滞りなく終了した。
「通ったわ。お客様の支払能力に何ら問題のないことは、お店としてはとても喜ばしいことなんだけれど」
苦笑いを浮かべるシズカに、アキラも苦笑を返す。
「では装備品の方もお願いします。
「まあ、そんな依頼は最前線で活動しているハンターでもなければ無理ね」
シズカが続けて手続きを済ませる。アキラの口座からの引き落としも問題なく終わった。
「お買上げありがとう御座いました。届いたらすぐに連絡するから取りに来てね。弾薬類と一緒に渡せるようにするわ」
いつも通りの様子でそう答えたアキラを、シズカが少し真面目な表情でじっと見ていた。アキラが不思議そうにしていると、シズカがカウンターから出てアキラの前に行き、そのままアキラを軽く抱き締めた。
アキラは少し驚いたもののそのまま黙って抱き締められている。シズカがアキラの頭を軽く優しく
シズカが再び心配そうな表情を浮かべている。既にアキラは帰った後で、店内にいるのはシズカだけだ。
アキラは前にも弾薬等の消耗品の代金を依頼側が負担する内容で依頼を受けていた。そして大金を稼いで装備一式を新調した。そこまではシズカも一緒に喜べる内容だ。
しかしアキラはその代償としてそれまでの装備を全て失うほどの危険な目に遭っている。強化服まで駄目にした上に、体の方も何らかの治療を受けている。間違いなく非常に危険な状況に陥っていたのだ。それぐらいはシズカも気付いていた。
アキラが今回受けたのはハンターランク調整用の依頼。都市側が
Ch 177
Akira made a promise to Kibayashi to meet up with him in front of the Kugama building. The first time Akira saw that tall and huge building that was stuck into the inner wall, he was utterly amazed by its majesty. But after all this time, he already got used to it, which also signified his growth.
"You can go ahead and order anything you want. I'll put it on tab anyway and it's not like I'm paying for it either. So feel free to choose from the most expensive ones first."
"Eh? Ah, sure..."
Unlike Kibayashi who was in a very good mood, Akira seemed rather disappointed. Kibayashi smiled amusedly at that.
"What's wrong? Were you expecting to go to a high-class restaurant or something? That's out of the question, you know. Although the City Management would pay for it, it's not like I have an unlimited budget. Unless it's for a negotiation with a high-ranking Hunter, they won't let me spend that much money, you see. But if you tell me that you would treat me, I don't mind going somewhere else, you know?"
Akira silently browsed the menu as he started looking for the most expensive dishes that he could order there as if he had some grudge against Kibayashi. Kibayashi who saw that could not help but find it amusing.
After they finished placing their orders, Akira immediately cut to the chase.
"So then, what is it you want to talk about?"
"Actually, there are a lot, but I guess I'll start with the investigation first."
"Investigation?"
"You do know that there was a huge fight in the slum not too long ago, right? So why exactly were you involved in that battle?"
"In the first place, why does it sound like it's already a given that I was involved in that battle?"
Akira tried to play ignorant, which might be because he was a bit annoyed after his expectation of getting a good meal was completely missed.
But in reality, Akira himself did not deny that he had killed many people and fought fiercely in that battle. He also knew that the Hunter Office preferred Hunters to behave nicely and he did something that deviated from the Hunter Office's preference. So a part of him was telling him that there was no reason to proactively talk about that subject with the Hunter Office.
Kibayashi then pulled out his information terminal, clicked some buttons, and put it on top of the table. Akira looked at the video playing on that information terminal and frowned. Kibayashi smiled happily seeing that Akira reacted as he predicted.
"Well, although it's actually a secret videotape, it's not that big of a secret. And since you're involved in this incident, it should be fine."
Kibayashi's information terminal was showing the video of Akira fighting a black powered suit.
"In all honesty, I'm really glad to find that you're as reckless as ever. I had a good laugh the first time I saw this record, you know?"
Akira lightly ruffled his head.
"How did you get this video?"
"I only got it from my superiors, and I have no idea how they got it. Someone might have been recording you from afar using a telescope or something from above the wall. Or it might be from some secret cameras planted somewhere that coincidentally recorded this video. Well, either way, I bet the City Management has something to do with it."
Kibayashi listened closely to Akira's explanation. After that, he said to Akira as he tried his best to hold back his laughter, which obviously he was not doing very well.
"U-Uh, s-so, I get it that you went there to save your girlfriend. It's not that strange for people to be moved by love, especially for a young boy like you. B-But still, no kidding here, did you really fight that powered suit just to kill a pickpocket? Are you okay in the head? Ah, don't take this wrongly please, I'm actually complimenting you here, you know? After all, your action and line of thinking are as reckless as always and I really like it."
Kibayashi then laughed hard again. Before he continued, he noticed that Akira was pouting and thought that it might affect the thing that he was about to bring up next. So he tried his best to calm down.
"Well, I get why you're in that place now. Personally speaking, I respect your decision, so you have my condolences, that must have been hard... Geez, can you stop pouting like that? That aside, I'm sure you do know that the Hunter Office puts their effort into cultivating good manners among Hunters, so it would be troublesome if there's a Hunter who can win against a powered suit only with an augmented suit and is willing to do that just for money. After all, there are quite a lot of Hunters out there who are talented in fighting other people but could not do well exploring the ruins. So it's our duty to give them jobs that would help to keep public order while at the same time keeping them away from doing anything that might disturb it."
"Calm down. There, the meals are here, so let's calm down and enjoy the food for now."
Kibayashi extended his hand to the food in front of him, Akira also did the same although he still looked annoyed.
Kibayashi closely monitored the change in Akira's mood before bringing up the next subject.
"Now then, since we've filled our stomach, let's get to the main topic."
"Huh? That one just now was not the main topic?"
Akira slightly frowned and was obviously alerted. Kibayashi smiled bitterly in an effort to calm the situation down.
"You don't need to be that alert. I actually like you quite a fair bit, you know. So I won't give you any weird requests. And also, although I said it's compulsory, normally, most of the Hunters would be more than happy to accept this request, you see. After all, it's a request to help you readjust your Hunter Rank. Basically, it's a request to boost your Hunter Rank."
"Boost my Hunter Rank?"
"Yup... Let me ask you this first, you do know your current Hunter Rank, right?"
Before Akira was able to pull his Hunter Rank out from his memory, Alpha interjected.
"Hm? Wasn't it 29?"
"The relics that you brought to Shizuka the other day got you to 30."
"If it really didn't matter, we won't be talking here and now about raising your Hunter Rank, you know? Since this is a good chance, I'll explain the rest to you regarding that matter. So listen carefully."
To Akira, who still looked slightly annoyed, Kibayashi started explaining about the matter of Hunter Rank and the request that he was about to ask Akira.
The strength of the Hunters in the eastern district was represented by their Hunter Ranks. Of course, Hunters of the same Hunter Rank did not mean that those Hunters were equally strong. There were many other factors that defined one's strength such as their equipment, experiences, and their talents or preferences. Although it was impossible to make sure that Hunters with the same rank had the exact same level of strength, the Hunter Office tried its best to readjust the Hunter Rank as a good indicator for Hunter's skill.
The ranking system was highly valued and the Hunter Office held the sole rights to calculate, decide, and assign that ranking system. That was the power of the Hunter Office as well as a way for the Hunter Office to assert control over those Hunters.
"So that's basically the gist of it, we want someone like you with a big gap between your Hunter Rank and your real strength to get your Hunter Rank to a more suitable number. But with that being said, it's not like we can just pull up your Hunter Rank either. That's why we dispatch this request in order to readjust your Hunter Rank. You get it now?"
"Just accept the request. Or is it that you have a reason why you don't want to get a higher Hunter Rank?"
"Not really, if I have to say anything here, I prefer you pay me in form of money instead of Hunter Rank."
Kibayashi glanced at Akira to check his reaction. Though Akira seemed to properly listen to him, he still showed no interest at all.
"To be honest, Hunters who often deal with hundreds of millions of Aurum tend to put extra attention on their Hunter Ranks though. So, do you have any interest in it?"
"Well, even if you say so. That request for boosting Hunter Ranking, since most of its reward is in the form of Hunter Rank, I bet it doesn't give me much money, assuming that it gives me any at all, right? Honestly, monsters won't get scared of me just because of my Hunter Rank anyway, so I don't see any point in taking that request."
"You like it or not, I need to have you take that request. Well then, let's start talking about the details. I'll try my best to get a deal that can satisfy you too, so you can just go ahead and tell me your demand. If you're willing to take a reckless request, I might be able to get you a request with a huge amount of money, you know?"
Akira held himself from saying anything back. He knew very well that it did not matter what he said, it would not be enough to convince Kibayashi.
After that, Akira had a difficult discussion with Kibayashi about the details of the request. When they finished, the sun had already set.
"Alpha, I know it's too late to say this, but is that really alright?"
To be honest, Akira did his best thinking about what he should ask for during that discussion. But even so, he himself understood that he was so not skilled in that aspect to the point that he would not be able to spot any mistakes in case he made any during that negotiation.
"In that case, since we have come this far, we can only look back and reevaluate after you're done with that request. This will be a good experience for you too. Personally speaking, I think it's not a bad deal since they'll pay for the medicines, ammo, and other expendables."
"You're right, it really helped me out during that request to the underground city after all."
"Now that I think about it, I really did pretty reckless stuff back then. It's as if I'm compensating for the lack of my strength with money, and to top it off, it's not even my own money."
"Yep, so let's use that advantage to our best this time again. Let's stock up powerful ammo and buy our safety, and of course, with other's money again this time."
Alpha smiled when she said that, Akira smiled back at her.
"...Huh? That's obviously out of the question, isn't it? That special ammo can't be used with DVTS minigun, right?"
Akira frowned, he was surprised by that reply from Alpha, but then Alpha smiled smugly and said.
"It would be fine as long as you're using a powerful enough gun that can withstand the rapid-fire of such a powerful and expensive bullet. And since we're in the middle of choosing a new gun, you can just put that as an additional condition for your new gun, right?"
Akira's view was augmented with the info of multiple types of guns just like last time. Then Alpha discarded all the rifles that could not withstand rapid fire using such CWH anti-material rifle special ammo.
"That pretty much narrows our options."
Shizuka started working on the documents for placing that order. Just like last time, she also submitted the id code for that request to make sure that the deposit payment would be forwarded to that requester address. There were cases where the order was stopped because there was trouble during the settlement of the payment. Normally, Shizuka did not really care whether the payment would go well or not, but this time, she made a small wish for some kind of trouble to happen. But unfortunately, the payment went through just fine.
"Yup, it went well. To be honest, from the shop's side, I should be happy that my customer has no problem paying for the goods bought in my shop, but..."
She smiled bitterly, Akira also replied with a bitter smile.
"Well then, please process the equipment too. Of course, since it's not an expendable item, please process it separately. To be honest, even if it gets processed as an expendable item by mistake, I hope it doesn't really get turned into an expendable item."
"Honestly speaking, I don't think normal Hunters can get such a request unless they're from the front line though."
Shizuka then processed the rest of the deal. The payment went through just fine as it was withdrawn from Akira's bank account.
"Thank you for your patronage. I'll let you know when it arrives. I'll give the ammo together with the rifle."
Akira replied casually, but Shizuka stared back at him with a rather serious face. He found that a bit weird. Shizuka then left the counter and stood in front of him before giving him a hug.
Although Akira was surprised, he just silently let her hug him. Shizuka then gently caressed Akira's head.
Shizuka once again had a worried look on her face. Akira had already left her shop, so she was all alone in her shop.
Akira once took a request in which the cost of all his expendables was paid by the request giver. He then returned back with a lot of money and used it to renew his equipment. Up until that point, Shizuka was also happy for him.
But in exchange, Akira lost all of his equipment and almost got killed. He even had his augmented suit completely wasted and he had to get hospitalized too. There was no mistaking it, he had to go through a very dangerous situation. Shizuka at least knew that much.
This time, the request that Akira took was a request to raise his Hunter Rank. It was a request that the City Management personally dispatched for him. Though it was not a request that he could refuse, the situation now and then was not the same. If it was a good chance to let others know Akira's real strength that they had always looked down on until now, then it was something to be happy about. It could be taken as a request given to the Hunter as goodwill from the City Management and it should not be something that was overly dangerous.
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/
非公開