ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 100
100 Class Competition ① Aoi
――SIDE: Aoi Sōshi――
“Once everyone has finished transferring, the match will begin.”
I recall the words of the male teacher of Class A, gazing vaguely at the scenery inside the labyrinth――and immediately turn to my companions.
“Is everyone okay!?”
“We’re fine,” “Yeah,” and “I’m good” are the responses I receive, and I let out a sigh of relief while continuing to survey our surroundings.
The labyrinth is simply constructed. The area is divided by white walls, and the ceiling is thin and transparent. It’s designed so that the audience can see us from the outside and track our movements.
“What do we do, Sōshi?”
“First, let’s search for enemies. Kana, can you check if there are any enemy reactions around us?”
“Yeah. I’ll link the information to the magic crystal terminal (portal), so everyone check your terminals.”
Everyone nods, and Kana uses the skill 【Search】. At the same time, we share the terminal information within the party, and life markers are added to everyone’s magic crystal terminal (portal).
The only markers displayed on the map are the four of us. Since we haven’t filled out the map, this is to be expected, but at least there don’t seem to be any hidden enemies nearby.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
“――That’s right! The class roster!”
I recall and operate my magic crystal terminal (portal). The updated app for the class competition displays the members of each class in the simulated ABYSS.
In other words――when I display the class roster, the names of students who are not in this labyrinth will be in red… meaning they’ve been eliminated by someone. Students who have withdrawn are the same.
Shoma hasn’t withdrawn yet.
Did he change his mind and decide not to withdraw due to our desperate persuasion?
Or――
“Since Shoma hasn’t withdrawn, it’s advantageous for us. What do we do? Move or wait? The decision is up to the leader, Sōshi.”
“But didn’t we agree to avoid fighting as much as possible in our previous strategy?”
“Yeah, but we can’t come up with an optimal solution if we can’t see the enemy! I think we should move to fill out the map!”
I consider the proposal from Kureha and decide on our next action.
“――For now, let’s move. We need to get a lay of the land, and as Beniha says, filling out the map is crucial. If we encounter students from other classrooms, don’t think twice—just run. If it looks like we can’t escape, I’ll take command of the battle, so until then, focus on getting away. That’s the plan, I guess? Any questions, everyone?”
When I asked, everyone replied with “None,” “All good!” “No problem at all!”
From here on out, it’ll be a blind search.
Let’s proceed cautiously down the path.
◆
Several minutes after the start of the competition――
As we moved forward, we heard a scream-like shout from the depths of the corridor.
“aaah!! Someone help meee!!”
We involuntarily looked at each other.
“……That voice just now……?”
“――Katsu Hayashi. Does that mean it’s Sanbongi’s PT?”
“We have to help him right away!!”
“Wait!!”
Utterly reflexive, I tried to dash off, but Kanon stopped me with her body.
“What!? Move, Kanon!!”
“……Don’t you think something’s off?”
“Huh?”
Kanon spoke in a calm voice. But while we’re hesitating here, danger is closing in on Hayashi. The moment I tried to force my way through, Kanon grabbed my arm with a strength I hadn’t anticipated.
“Kanon! What are you―!?”
“……Infighting?”
“What’s gotten into you, Kanon!?”
We were puzzled by Kanon’s unusual behavior, but she herself seemed oblivious, keeping a wary eye on the depths of the corridor. What on earth is she thinking?
“……It’s too quiet. If Hayashi-kun is being cornered, we should be hearing the enemy’s voices too, right? But all we heard was Hayashi-kun’s plea for help……”
“That means, in other words――?”
“It’s a trap. A trap to lure out us, the students of Class D. Once we go, there’s no coming back.”
『――』
Just as we gasped at Kanon’s explanation, the sound of clapping echoed from the corridor behind us.
“Well done. What’s this? You guys are smarter than I thought. All my scheming for nothing!”
“You are……!!”
The one who appeared from the depths of the corridor was a crew-cut male student, Kenji Yoneda from Class C. Beside him stood another member of his PT.
“But ya know? Even if you figured it out, it’s too late! I’m gonna beat you to a pulp and make you wet your pants, Aibaahh!!”
“!”
Wielding an iron club, Yoneda charged at us. ――So fast! Realizing I couldn’t dodge in time, I leapt forward to fulfill my role as a 【Tank】, facing him head-on.
“Soushi!!”
“Ugh!”
I blocked the blow of the club with my iron sword and, while my arm went numb, I shouted orders to everyone.
“――Everyone, start fighting!! We can’t run from these guys!! Brace yourselves――!!”