Looks can be deceiving

　――Then.
　It was only a few minutes later that the commotion finally died down.
　Ayaka, who had been prompted by Arthur to say she was sorry to Nao, was chewing on a stick of candy in her mouth and looking sullen as she remained silent.
　Meanwhile, having been appeased by Akira, Nao sat down again and sipped the whiskey that Arthur had offered her as an apology.

　The topic returned to the matter of having defeated the werewolf.

　Nao spoke to Arthur while tilting her whiskey glass.


"Earlier, you were saying that I had defeated the werewolf, but…… I did almost nothing. I only took part in a few small parts at the end. It was mostly Ichijou who defeated the werewolf."
"Oh, is that so?　Hahaha, I apologize. I was watching near the end, so I don't really know what kind of fight they were having."
"Well then, what is it?”　The one who defeated the werewolf wasn't this old wo――……but the one with the lower level?”

　Ayaka, looking at Akira, said while re-stating the middle of her sentence as Arthur and Olivia glared at her.

"Isn't he Level 13?　What kind of trick did he use?”
"Hahaha, Hanayagi-kun. I said level 13, but I didn't say that his stats were low, did I?　He――Ichijou-kun's stats are the highest of anyone here. His strength is just short of 200. If he gets serious, we are all minced meat. Be careful."
"――――What?　200?”


　Ayaka stared at Akira intently as Arthur spoke.


"This dull-looking guy?”
"Fumu…… I think you will understand this if you live a long time, even if you don't want to, but looks can be deceiving. Especially now that things like levels and stats have appeared, right?”

　Arthur grinned and replied to Ayaka's words.

"……However, I can also understand your meaning, Hanayagi-kun. At level 13, he already has such high stats. I'd really like to know how he managed to get to that point. "

　Then Arthur looked at Akira.


　Akira smiled and shrugged at the words.


"Nothing big. I've just been reliving this world over and over again, right?”
"I see. "


　Arthur said with interest.
　Then, stroking his beard as if deep in thought, he turned his light brown eyes with faint pigmentation towards Akira's party.


"If we're going to be working together from now on, we should get to know each other better…… Well, how about we be frank with each other and reveal our cards?　I've already told you everything about myself, but I haven't told you about Hanayagi's powers yet. Ichijou-kun, you're also curious about her powers, aren't you?”
"Hey, old man!　You can't make promises like that on your own――――"
"If we're going to be working together anyway, your abilities will naturally be revealed. You don't plan on changing your fighting style, do you?　Or will you use that power while hiding from them?　I think it's definitely impossible."
"――Uh."


　As Ayaka was at a loss for words, she chewed the candy in her mouth and let out a loud sigh before opening her mouth.


"……My unique skill is 『Holy Arts』. The effect is that, depending on my own level, I get additional skills that are exclusive to me, in addition to the skills I get by spending points. There are three skills I can use at my level right now. 『Self-healing』, 『Shield』, and 『Silence』. There is a limit of five uses per day for each skill. I can't use them any more than that."

　Ayaka said this and then turned her eyes to Akira.


"Next, what about you?”

　Akira nodded, then started to speak.


"My unique skill is 『Return from Hell』. The effect is that when I die, I will revive at a specific point in the past while maintaining my current skills and stats. ……If I were to put it simply, it's like a time leap."


　Akira concealed the effects of the 『Inventory』 and 『Scenario』 when he told them. Although he had decided to act with them, he still did not trust them completely.
　Inventory had the effect of allowing you to bring items you obtain in the future back to the past, and in terms of the scenario, if it was misused, there was a possibility that someone could just run off with all the points and unique skills you had given them. Since he didn't know the conditions under which the scenario would occur, he thought it best to keep it hidden for now.


"……Oh?”
"Time Leap?”

　Arthur and Ayaka both murmured simultaneously at Akira's words.
　Ayaka stared at Akira, furrowing her brows deeply.

"Well then, what is it?”　Does that mean you've died many times before?”
"I guess you could say that."
"Ohh……?”

　Ayaka smiled, the corners of her mouth lifting up.

"That's awesome, totally the best. I can't believe you can come back to life no matter how many times you die. And you can carry on with the abilities you already have, right?　I wish I had that ability too."


　Hearing those words, Nao, who was sitting next to her, suddenly twitched.
　Nao tilted the glass in her hand and slowly let out a few words.


"…………Ichijou's ability is not that good. It's not like a game where you can try again and again, you know?　At the very least, the power of this guy is a force that people like you can't endure."
"What?　What's that supposed to mean?"

　Ayaka let out a voice with a strong undertone and leaned forward to glare at Nao.
　Nao turned her cold gaze towards Ayaka and slowly spoke.

"I'm telling you to say those words after you've died once. Don't think you can use this guy's power so easily."

　It was a rare, intimidating comment for Nao.
　Ayaka cleared her throat once, as if to put pressure on Nao, and then opened her mouth with a small snort.

"After dying once?　What are you talking about? Everyone has had that kind of experience at least once in their lives. I was almost killed by a monster before I got this unique skill, too――――"
"It wasn't just almost getting killed. This guy's actually getting killed. Over and over again. Even so, this guy is still standing up. This guy is――――"
"Nao-san. You're getting too worked up. You've had quite a few drinks, haven't you?"

　Akira gently interrupted Nao.


　When he looked, Nao's face had turned slightly red. In part, it was because they were fighting a werewolf and also because they were drinking strong alcohol on an empty stomach. For Nao, who usually drank a lot, it seemed like she was drunk on a surprisingly small amount of alcohol.


"…………Yeah, it looks like it."

　Nao murmured softly at Akira's comment.


"I'll go outside for a bit."

　Nao said this in a whisper, and then left her seat and walked out of the shop.
　As Arthur watched her back disappear, he muttered “Hmm...” and turned to look at Olivia behind him.

"Olivia, I'm sorry, but please go with her. It would be awful if monsters attacked. I hope nothing happens."

　Olivia nodded slightly at these words and slipped through the door, following Nao.


"What's really going on? That person."


　Ayaka seemed irritated at Nao, who had disappeared.
　She took a stick of candy out of her pocket with a click of her tongue and began to chew it with all her might.
　Akira turned to Ayaka and said in a soft voice.


"……Sorry. I don't think Nao-san meant any harm."
"So what?　Why do I have to be told that just because I'm giving my opinion?”
"…………That's because Nao-san has died before, just like me. So, she knows how painful and difficult it is to die. Hanayagi…… Right? Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of monsters, Hanayagi?　Have you ever had a monster eat your flesh?　Have you ever passed out from pain, but then regained consciousness from pain again without dying?　……You haven't, have you?　That's what made Nao-san so angry. My power isn't something so simple."

　Akira spoke quietly.
　Ayaka probably understood what Akira was trying to say from those words. Her expression changed, and she looked away and opened her mouth.

"I wasn't trying to…… That's not how I meant it…… But I really felt envious, and that……"
"……Yeah, I know. I would have thought the same thing if I had only heard that someone was redoing it over and over again while inheriting the current power. But, the timing was a little off this time. That person ――Nao-san had just managed to get back on her feet. That's why it bothered her even more."

　At that, Arthur smiled and turned to look at Ayaka.

"Umu. I know that you survived a close call with a monster, but some people have experienced more than that. I understand that you envy the strength of others, but you shouldn't say it so easily."
"…………Yes. It looks that way."

　Ayaka muttered, her voice quiet.


"I'm going to apologize."

　Having said that, Ayaka stood up. At this, Arthur addressed Ayaka.


"Before that, there's someone you should apologize to, right?”
"……That's right. I'm sorry. For saying unnecessary things."
"It doesn't bother me."

　Akira shook his head slowly.
　Ayaka bowed to Akira once more and then left the store quickly.


"Despite appearances, she's a very honest girl."

　Akira muttered to himself as he watched her back.


　When he heard that, Arthur gave a grin.


"Umu. This is exactly what they say about people not being what they seem."
"Is that goofy attitude just for show?”
"I wonder."

　Arthur smiled and then, as if to hide his expression, he gulped down the contents of the glass in his hand.

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 ToC    

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