ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 81
81 Yasagure Shōma
I escaped from the A-group classroom and was walking down a deserted corridor with no particular destination in mind. I’m sure I’ve earned their hatred. If things go badly, they might even resort to violence. In that case, it’s dangerous to return to D-group, where my whereabouts are known. But I can’t think of anywhere else to escape to.
To calm my restless emotions, I kept moving forward. I wonder if the 1-D members are still searching for ABYSS at this hour?
I want to join them too…
I just want to explore the labyrinth without thinking about anything!
…or so I thought.
Isn’t the worst one myself? If that guy hadn’t attacked the 1st-year classroom, things would have been peaceful, wouldn’t they? Why do I have to be treated like the root of all evil?
Of course, I mentioned their names!
If someone asks who’s strong in the 1st year, I can’t not mention Ōtōri’s name, can I? Even if it wasn’t me who was asked, their names would’ve come up eventually, and that guy would’ve targeted them sooner or later!
And yet, you’re saying Shizuru is the bad one?…
It’s unreasonable! Unreasonable, unreasonable, unreasonable!
You can’t say it to my face, so you’re saying it to me instead, right?
Grrr…
When I think about it, I get angry…
What’s not forgivable, you idiot?!
You’re treating me like an enemy without even listening to what I have to say!
Oh, go ahead!
Do as you please!
We were enemies to begin with, anyway. If the hated one becomes even more hated, there’s nothing to lose!
I don’t like you guys either!
“Damn, damn, damn…! ——Hmm?”
“Sh-Shōma!?”
The ones who came running from the other side of the corridor were Kureha, Utsugi, and three upperclassmen I didn’t recognize. They seemed to be in a hurry, but when they saw me, they stopped in their tracks, looking surprised.
Something feels off…
And just a while ago, I was subjected to malicious stares. Honestly, my feelings are at an all-time low. I don’t want to be hurt any further.
If you’re going to go, then go.
Don’t stop.
You don’t have any business with me, anyway?
But contrary to my wishes, that Kureha guy stopped and turned towards me. She looks like she wants to ask something… Please spare me.
“Did you hear about Senpai Ido’s story, you…?”
“…Hmph.”
Sigh, it’s as expected.
It’s that story again.
This woman is as sharp as ever.
She’s sharp enough to hit my weak points. She touches on things I don’t want to be touched. On the other hand, when I need help, she does nothing. That’s just like Kureha, isn’t it? She’s an expert at making “Shizuru Shōma” suffer.
It’s almost artistic.
“…Did you hear it? You already know, don’t you?”
“Do you know?”
While exchanging shallow words, I was grinding my teeth inwardly. How could I not know? It’s already caused such a commotion. Does she think I’ll explain everything with my own mouth?
“… wouldn’t it be faster to check the magic crystal terminal (portal) yourself instead of listening to me explain? … Then, I’ll leave now――”
“Wait!”
“Gueeeee!?”
Just as I was about to leave, Koume grabbed the back of my collar. Ah, it hurts…! My neck was constricted, and I involuntarily let out a strange voice from the back of my throat…
“D-don’t be ridiculous……!”
“You’re the one who wants to do things your way! We need to talk! Just wait a little――”
“Koume-chan, Koume-chan! Look at this!!”
“Eh――?”
Utsugi interrupted our conversation. She was holding a magic crystal terminal (portal) displaying the SNS bulletin board. Koume approached Utsugi, and I was released, but I lost the chance to leave.
“What’s this……! The vice president of the 1st-year ABC class has been attacked! And behind it is the shadow of Ishizuru Shouma――!”
“This is huge, isn’t it?”
“Senpai Morisaka!”
“Ah, sorry about that. But, Houjou-kun, I’m going to assert my innocence this time. I didn’t have time to instruct the members to create biased reports, and I didn’t intend to do so in the first place.”
“――!?”
“You can tell just by looking at him. We don’t need any tricks anymore. The situation has already unfolded on its own.―― So, I want to ask Shouma-kun, is what’s written in this article true?”
“W-what’s going on?”
… Who is this person?
My doubt must have been conveyed, as the upperclassman in front of me smiled lightly, brushed up their bangs, and began to introduce themselves.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I’m Morisaka Shirou, the 2-B class, and the head of the reporting department.”
“Reporting department… does that mean you’re here for an interview?”
“You can take it that way if you want.”
“…”
Morisaka-senpai’s amiable smile. From the reporting department’s perspective, I’m just a prey, so it’s an occupational smile.
It’s not unusual for Utsugi to be here, connected to the reporting department, but what’s Koume doing here? She’s already left the 1st-year classroom, and it doesn’t make sense for her to be walking in this corridor unless she’s trying to avoid attention…
… avoid attention?
At that moment, my intuition kicked in.
The two from the reporting department, and Koume, who dislikes me. The abnormal surge in the anti-fan thread. Considering the situation with Ishizuru, the answer becomes clear.
“Hah… so that’s it, huh…”
“What’s so funny? You’re creepy…”
As I chuckled, Koume said something hurtful.
This violence――there’s no mistake. She’s definitely in cahoots with the reporting department. They’re going to write an article that puts me at a disadvantage and laugh behind my back.
… Come to think of it, Koume mentioned something about the anti-fan thread earlier, didn’t she? That was just a camouflage to hide her own actions. She was trying to see how much I’ve been hurt by being bashed online!
No matter what… her hobby is terrible!!
I knew she disliked me.
But, would she go this far?!? She’s secretly colluding with the reporting department to spread bad rumors about me online!?
I don’t get her nerve at all!!
This is completely bullying!!
Getting bashed online is normal in this industry, and I thought it was just a tax on being famous. But this time is different, isn’t it!?
If you don’t like it, just say it to my face. It’s too cowardly to use the internet, where you can’t even see each other’s faces, to badmouth me.
Do you hate me that much?!
Ugh, unbelievable! You’re not going to get away with this, you b*tch!
“First of all, I want to ask, are all the rumors written here true?”
“Senior!”
The senior who forced the interview and Red Feather, who was enjoying it.
Ugh, everything is so suspicious.
The portal terminal displayed the SNS bulletin board, which was filled with groundless speculations about the attack on our school today.
“…It’s true, senior.”