ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 91
91 Are We Getting Along?
――SIDE: Aoi Souji――
April 23rd, Sunday. 3:30 pm.
Currently, we’re advancing through the 6th floor of ABYSS while training individually. Our goal is to level up. After changing jobs, we acquired new skills and can now handle the monsters on the 6th floor with ease.
Especially notable is Hou.
“――Is it over yet…”
Until now, we’ve been dealing with the Werewolf as a team, but lately, I’ve been taking it down solo. Not just the level, but it feels like my skills have simply improved. …I can’t lose either.
“Everyone, good job!”
After defeating the mixed squad of Werewolf ×3 and Killer Bat ×6, we’re confirming each other’s exhaustion.
“It’s indeed troublesome when we’re in a party…”
“But, but! You’re amazing, Hou-kun! You took them all down with a single strike!”
“It feels like you can read the enemy’s movements? I’m not at that level yet…”
“Ah――that’s…”
Hou hesitates before continuing his words.
“…thanks to Shouma. I learned a bit about exploration from him. That’s why I could read the Werewolf’s movements.”
“What!?”
“No, it’s just that…I had a chance to talk to him, and it wasn’t a big deal. That’s all.”
“No, it’s not just that――!?”
Akane interrupts, unable to hold back.
“Hou-kun, when did you start calling Shouma-kun by his first name?! And you’re even using a familiar tone! You still call us by our last names, don’t you!?”
“Mm――?”
Kaori is surprised, but Hou and I are caught off guard as well.
But Hou presses on regardless.
“…you’re one to talk, Tōdō. You’re calling him by his first name too, aren’t you? What’s with the sudden change?”
“Eh! Ah!? That’s, uh, recently…”
“Akane, what’s going on?”
Akane shoots a suspicious glance at Kaori. I don’t get it, but please spare me the drama.
In any case――
“What’s with you guys being so sly?! I want to get along with Shouma too!”
“H-Hey, it’s not like that…”
“The way you say ‘get along’…”
I watch as the two of them clam up, feeling like I’ve been left behind.
Did Hou get stronger thanks to Shouma’s advice? If so, then I――
“aaagh, this is unbearable! What’s going on?! Where is he, and what’s he doing?!”
“K-Kaori-chan?”
“He’s always worrying about others, and now he’s hanging out with Kaori and giving Hou advice! I don’t understand what’s going on in his head at all!!”
“Calm down, Kaori”
“…Souji, but…”
“I don’t understand what Shouma’s thinking either, but if he’s giving Hou advice, that means he hasn’t completely abandoned D-class, right?”
“That’s…well…”
“Then there’s no point in us getting worked up. He’s the class leader now, and he might be preparing for the class competition.”
“…Preparation? It’s been a week since he stopped coming to school! The class competition is next Friday. If we don’t do something today, we won’t be able to do free exploration!”
“…Well, that’s true…”
I stumble over my words, unable to continue.
This time, D-class’s morale is high.
It’s because everyone is going all out to become the class leader, as per the condition set by Shōma, where the top performers in the class competition can become the class leader.
Especially notable are Isozaki and Sakakibara.
Isozaki’s current level is LV.8, having reached the 4th tier. Sakakibara is close behind, at LV.7, with the same number of tiers at 4. If we’re talking about levels alone, they’re already higher than us during the class leader selection period.
I mean… in terms of progress speed, are they even surpassing us?
However, this is where the experience points start to dwindle. From now on, it’ll be tough to level up or reach new tiers.
It’s great to see the students growing, but it’s also frustrating that we can’t let our guard down.
Currently, Class D is being strongly targeted by ABC Class.
The reason is obvious.
We know that Shōma is not the mastermind behind the “First-Year Student Attack Incident” thanks to our sister, Ai-na. However, the other classes won’t believe it, and as a result, Class D is being targeted from all sides.
The enemy’s morale is high too…
After all, they think they’ve been deceived and are burning with a desire for revenge.
The only way for Class D to win was to rely on the “arrogance and disdain” of the others. But that’s no longer an option.
They won’t hold back. They’ll definitely come at us with full force.
At that time… can we win?
I’m starting to feel a little weak.
“…It’s a pathetic story, but we have no choice but to bet on Shōma. I believe in his power to turn the tables at the right moment.”
“…Walk…”
Red Feather, who had been silent, spoke up.
…There’s not much we can do.
“…Let’s continue our search. We can at least become stronger than we are now. That’s all we can do.”