ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 48
48: Gathering and the Anxieties of a Seasoned Explorer
A explorer’s morning is early.
As I looked around the Academy’s transfer zone, which was open to the public, I remembered that saying. Originally, it was a phrase used to mock players who stayed up all night, but seeing the crowd, I felt a strange sense of excitement.
I had already finished my shopping in the transfer zone. Looking at the crowd today, even buying a single recovery potion would be a struggle. The Academy students were there, and I also saw some small clans of professional explorers scattered around. Were those TV cables? Maybe they were doing a live report for a special on ABYSS.
It’s like a festival atmosphere, isn’t it?
Ugh, I hate crowds so much.
I moved to the reception counter of the transfer zone, operated by the student council, and handed over my magical crystal terminal (portal).
“I’m Ishizuru Shouma from 1-D. My usage period is until Monday morning at 7 am. I have my backpack, so please take care of it. I’ll pay the fees by deduction.”
“Understood. Shouma-sama, this is your first free exploration, correct? I’ll trouble you to sign the ‘pledge’.”
“The pledge – ah, yeah…”
Come to think of it, there was such a thing.
It’s a document that outlines the exemption clauses.
“It says here that even if we lose our lives in ABYSS exploration, our organization bears no responsibility.”
We don’t sign this during weekday classes, so it’s a bit nerve-wracking, isn’t it?
I signed my name on the document with a flourish. The pledge only needs to be signed once, so it’s not necessary after the second time.
“Is this okay?”
“Yes, understood. Here’s your magical crystal terminal (portal) back. Please come back to the reception counter when you return.”
If I leave without permission, it might be treated as a disappearance, so the student council has a lot of work to do. I received a tag with a number on it in exchange for the backpack I handed over and finished the reception process.
“Well, where are they -“
As I looked around, I easily spotted the group I was looking for.
What’s with all those backpacks, though?
My classmates from 1-D, dressed like they’re on a school trip, made me speechless.
“Ah, you’re finally here! Ishizuru Shouma!!”
Musashibou pointed at me and started scolding me, but… didn’t we agree on a time? It’s not fair to blame me for being on time when they came early.
It’s annoying, but I won’t respond to that.
“Looks like I was the last one to arrive, huh? Have you guys finished the reception process?”
“Of course we have. We’ve all been waiting for you!”
“Ah, sorry about that, then -“
As I brushed off Akane’s anger, I turned to talk to Musashibou, the leader.
“Confirming, but the deadline for exploration is 7 am on Monday. It’s okay, 48 hours from now.”
“That’s fine. When the time comes, those who have reached deeper levels will be the winners!”
“In case of a tie, it’ll be a one-on-one battle between the candidates.”
“Shiraha Shōma. You don’t need to worry about that. It seems you’re not even bringing any helpers. You’re challenging this alone, which is quite reckless, don’t you think?”
“…Is it because nobody wants to be my friend?”
“If that’s the case, then the outcome is already clear. I won’t say anything bad. I’ll advise you to withdraw.”
You’re saying whatever you want, aren’t you…? Weren’t you the ones who told me to come out in the first place? Kobuchi and Utsugi are being too harsh. It seems they really don’t like me.
“…Whatever. You guys, what’s in those bags? You’re carrying them like idiots, and people are staring. It’s embarrassing to be with you…”
“Huh? So, Shōma, you’re not carrying anything?”
“…Is it stored in the magic crystal terminal (portal)?”
Aoba and Kanzaki are thinking, but at this point, I’ve already given up. Well, these guys are doing free exploration for the first time, and they lack knowledge, so it can’t be helped.
“Storing it in the magic crystal terminal (portal) won’t work. There’s a limit to the capacity, you know? Normally, we leave our stuff at the reception desk!”
“Huh…? So, what do we do when we take a break? Do we get hungry in the ABYSS too?”
Suzuki Ippei from the Mushakōji PT asks.
“We bring food and drinks that can be consumed on the same day. Block-type portable food and drinks. We don’t need anything else. We can’t even take a nap outside of the safe area (safe zone)? Sleeping bags are a pain too. It’s better to leave them behind.”
“Is the safe area (safe zone) around here? Do we have to go back to the transfer zone every time we sleep?”
I reluctantly answer “That’s right” to Tōno’s straightforward question.
“――Wait. Then, what do we do when we want to take a break after advancing a bit further?”
Kawakami Akane from the Hōkawa PT asks me.
Ugh, this is so annoying…
“…We endure.”
“Huh?”
“If we think we can update the level soon, we can endure and move forward, right? We don’t have the current map, and I don’t know what basis we have for judging that we can update the level, but the lower levels are much narrower compared to the middle levels, and I think it’s possible if we try.”
“Aren’t you saying we should push ourselves too hard?!?”
“――You idiot!! You should know your limits and take a break when you need to! Don’t wander around in the ABYSS when you’re exhausted! Camping in a place where monsters roam is not something beginners do! If you do that, you’ll be done for in no time! Take breaks properly! That’s the iron rule for explorers!!”
I shout, and the people around me gasp.
I got frustrated and yelled.
I did something bad to Serikawa.
This kind of personality is probably why I’m a loner.
I should reflect on this…
“…Look at the people around you. Are you guys not carrying backpacks and diving into the ABYSS? Of course, you’re not storing them in the magic crystal terminal (portal) either. The capacity for dimension storage should be allocated based on the resources obtained from ABYSS exploration.――In other words, if we think about the ‘purpose’ of us explorers, isn’t that normal?”
『……』
After saying that, the people around me finally understand, and Aoba hastily moves, saying “Oh, I’ll go receive it!” followed by each PT rushing to the reception desk.
Dealing with beginners is really tough.
I’m getting worried.
“I don’t think it’s okay to risk our lives, but――?”
Just in case, insurance might be necessary.
These people are really a handful…