Only I know that this world will end – 109 | Sousaku – 創作

A temporary parting




　After Nao and company returned, Ayaka apologized to Akira for her slip of the tongue once more.
　As they sat at the bar, their conversation centered on the future.

"First, the immediate goal is to earn points to gain 『Poison Resistance』."

　Akira and the others were told that it was a “treasured item” before Arthur brought a plastic bottle of orange juice from behind the bar.


"I think the number of points needed to acquire 『poison resistance』 was 20, right?”
"I think so."

　Akira nodded as he accepted the glass of orange juice from Arthur.

"The other thing is whether or not antidotes can be made using 『Compounding』, and whether or not it's possible to make full-fledged protective gear."
"You said you had a plan for protective gear, but are you sure it's okay?”
"There was someone in the town where I was from who was considering acquiring the 『weapons production』 and 『armor production』 skills. She didn't get it at the time because she didn't have enough points, but…… If only that person's level could be raised, the problem with the armor would be solved."
"Is this about Kashiwaba-san?”

　Nao asked in a whisper at Akira's words.
　Akira nodded slightly at the words and then spoke.

"Yeah. Worst case scenario, I'll do whatever it takes, including power leveling. ……Of course, after getting permission from the person in question. ……The problem is that there is a possibility of dying during power leveling. Also, power leveling itself doesn't end quickly. During leveling, the inversion rate will progress, and there is even a possibility that the monster will be strengthened."
"However, the rate of reversal has now stopped. Can't we do something in the meantime?”

　Arthur asked Akira.
　Akira made a troubled face and groaned at the comment.

"If you could do the same as me and 'pass on' things for the next time, then that would be possible. ……But I am the only one with this power. It is impossible for anyone to rapidly acquire power in a short time. I don't know when the reversal rate will start to move, but I don't think it will be that easy."


　At this, Arthur groaned and turned his gaze to Nao.
　Perhaps he suspected Nao, who had suddenly gained strength because Akira was hiding the 『scenario』.
　Nao put her mouth to the glass of orange juice Arthur had given her, as if to hide her expression from Arthur's gaze.


"Or rather, to begin with. It's important to raise that person's level in order to make armor, but. For us to get 『Poison Resistance』, we have to accumulate 20 points starting now, right?　Do you have time to level up other people?”

　Ayaka took a stick of candy from her hoodie pocket and put it in her mouth as she spoke.


"Hanayagi is right. 『Poison Resistance』 skill, 『Compounding』, and armor. If we want to get everything, we will never have enough time. If the next monster's strength is increased in the meantime, it'll be even harder to get into the hive, won't it?”

　Nao agreed with Ayaka's words.
　At this, Arthur nodded his head in agreement.

"Yes, you're right. If the next strengthening comes while we are preparing, we will have wasted our efforts. If possible, it's best to challenge the boss while maintaining our current state."
"What then?　If we rush into the Killer Bees' nest without preparation because we're short on time, the future that awaits us is a poisonous death."

　Akira's words made Nao shiver slightly.
　Perhaps she remembered being killed by the Killer Bee. Akira continued to speak while watching them.

"I can use my powers to find a way to defeat the boss through trial and error, but attacking without a plan is out of the question to begin with. I'm not going to die for no reason."


　Everyone was stunned into silence by Akira's words.
　As he watched, Akira pondered.


(……We seem to be at a dead end. There's not enough time. In terms of the points, if we could use the scenario, it would be a quick fix, but I can't trust these two people yet, and I can't rely on something that doesn't even exist in the first place…… Also, the only thing I can use is 『Inventory』, but――――)

　Thinking to himself, Akira suddenly noticed something.

(……Wait a minute. 『Inventory』?　If we have that, can we at least solve the problem of the inversion rate that advances with power leveling?　If I can have equipment made with 『Armor Production』 and then register it in my 『Inventory』 and return from the dead, the time spent power-leveling will be erased. Consequently, the inversion rate will not progress, and the completed armor that should not exist will return with me and be immediately available.)

　However, the next problem that would arise is where to return to after dying following power leveling.

(Since we've beaten the boss and cleared Nao-san's scenario, I think the current point of return is after we've defeated the werewolf, but…… After power leveling, it'd be troublesome if the death return point was changed while the inversion rate had advanced……)

　Change of specific location due to Return from Hell. At this point, it was still unclear as to when this was taking place.
　If too much time is spent, there is a possibility that the save point will be changed in an unexpected spot.

(This side is having all sorts of problems……)

　That's when Akira was thinking about such things.
　Suddenly, Ayaka slumped against the bar counter and, perhaps tired of thinking, let out a sigh.


"Aah, I don't understand anymore!　If we tried to do everything, it would take too long to prepare!!　I'm sorry to say this, Arthur, but I'm starting to think it's impossible to get into the hive right now."
"Hmm…… I suppose so. Realistically speaking, it seems impossible to head straight for their hive right now."

　Arthur muttered to himself at Ayaka's words. Judging from his expression, it seemed that he had not given up yet, but at the same time, he did not want Akira's party, who were helping him, to die.
　Arthur let out a deep sigh and turned his gaze to Akira and Nao.


"……All right. Let's leave the hive aside for now. First, we need to make preparations. Let's think about how we can buy some time to do that. That being said, it's like we've already come to a conclusion."

　Akira nodded slightly at his words.

"Yeah. The inversion rate is not moving, so we should defeat another boss again while we have the chance. If we want to buy time, that's the only way."
"Yes, that's right. If that is the case…… The question is, which boss should we face……?"


　Akira recalled his memories when he heard Arthur say those words.
　As far as Akira knew, the bosses that remained in the surrounding cities were a High Orc, a Giant, a Lizardman, and a Harpy. All of the monsters had a level of over 70 at the time before they were strengthened. Now that the strengthening had been carried out, it was expected that their level would certainly exceed 100.


"If only I knew the bosses' current levels and stats…………"


　Arthur stroked his beard as he thought about Akira's words.


"Fumu…… If so, I will fulfill that role. With 『Stealth』, I won't be noticed by the monsters around me, and if I use binoculars to do 『Analysis』 from a distance, the boss won't notice me, either."
"Are you sure?　If you're going to check on the state of the bosses, then there's a chance that……"
"Umu. There's a chance I might die. ……But if we go back to the beginning, you are the ones who are doing me a favor by listening to my request. Then I guess I should be the one to make the first move."

　Arthur grinned, saying this.

While I'm investigating the bosses around here, I want Hanayagi-kun to go and see this person called Kashiwaba. If that person dies while I'm investigating the boss, it'll be all for nothing. Would it be all right if Ichijou-kun and company also go to see that person?”
"I understand."

　Akira nodded in response to Arthur's words.
　If Arthur could find out more about the bosses, that would be great. The problem was that Arthur's 『Analysis』 couldn't see the skills a boss had, but that should be easy enough to find out after deciding on the next boss to challenge.


(In the meantime, I'll try to raise my level a little.)


　As for his own points, he could cover them with quests.
　The problem was Nao and Ayaka's points, but there was nothing he could do about that, so he just had to hope that they would work hard to improve their own skills.


　Akira's party then went into further details. Akira's party decided to meet up with Arthur at the hospital where Akira was staying, and set Arthur's recon deadline at 3.37%, the inversion rate at which the monsters would not be strengthened, as confirmed by Akira earlier.


"Umu. If I don't return by then, you can think that I'm dead. If I die, please forget my request completely."

　Having said that, Arthur looked around at Akira and the others.


"Then, I'll be going out. You should rest up a bit and leave here. Oh, can you please look after the keys?　The lock has become meaningless thanks to the status, but that's no reason not to lock it up."

　Arthur took a small key out of his pocket, placed it on the bar counter, and then.

"Well then, it's time to say goodbye for a while. Ladies and gentlemen!”

　He laughed out loud and then gallantly walked out of the shop.