Usurpation And Nightmare
As we returned to the 2nd floor, the airsoft gars had long finished their retreat preparations. When we all returned to the surface, the sun had already set, leaving the surroundings pitch black.
"Yo! This is the last of these cases."
The Trident mbers packed massive amounts of plant-based monster drops into resin beer cases used as chairs, loading them into the rental car. Sohow, the quantity filled eight cases.
"Thanks. I owe you one."
Yes, quite the haul. With this much, Tadokoro-san from Sanada Pharmatheucal would surely be pleased. I can make a good impression on him and owe him a favor, so it's a win-win.
"Well then, we'll head back. See you later, Machi!"
Shark, riding in Nabe-san's 4WD, leaned out the window to wave at Serai-san.
"Hey, Shark! You should at least say thank you properly for our help before leaving!"
However, Serai-san seed displeased with that response, puffing up in annoyance.
"Well, we're comrades, right? Helping each other is natural! See ya!"
""
However, Shark, with an indifferent expression reminiscent of a shonen manga protagonist, delivered a line and left gracefully. Yep, even Serai-san seed taken aback and had no choice but to watch him go with a defeated expression.
While I smiled at their interaction, Admiral ca over to greet .
"Jung, it's dark now, so be careful on your way back."
"Yeah, Admiral. When the drops sell, I'll transfer the money to the account you gave ."
Surprisingly, Trident Airsoft Circle is well managed, with a bank account for mbers' dues. So I was given the account number for the transfer.
"Hahaha. Well, I don't know how much it'll be, but let's wait without expectations."
"See you then. If you need salt weapons again, I'll have Shark handle it."
..
Thus, we safely began our journey back.
However,
"Hey, we're tired and sweaty, and isn't there a good hot spring nearby?"
Serai-san and Nina-san suggested, leading us to stay overnight at the Yoro Waterfall Hot Spring. Well, they worked really hard this ti, so I can't deny them such a small request.
However, during a restroom break at a park, I noticed sothing odd about Ruu's deanor.
"What's wrong, Ruu? You've had a troubled look since earlier."
"Uh! Um, well"
Huh? I wonder what's up.
It doesn't seem like she's injured anywhere, and since the sli covering her body when she wears her suit peels off cleanly, there shouldn't be any discomfort now.
"Hey, what's up? Sothing bothering you, Rua?"
"Uh, yeah Machi-chan, I have a skill called [Usurpation] in my status"
"What!?"
What did you say!?
"What's up, Ruu? Isn't the one you got earlier different from our [Agility]?"
"Well, that too, but"
..
From what she said, Ruu couldn't imdiately read the characters for the skill [Usurpation].
Well, [Usurpation] is quite a dangerous word. One that Ruu would have no reason to encounter. So even if she didn't know it by chance, it's not particularly strange.
So Ruu thought What is it?' but decided not to discuss it until she could look up the aning and talk to us later.
But while in the car, she looked up the aning of that word and beca really scared, she said.
(Ugh this is definitely my fault Wait, it can be transmitted!? [Usurpation]!? It's obviously a super rare skill! What the hell!)
"Co to think of it, didn't Egetsu-san say sothing like a catchphrase when finishing off the boss?"
(Cringe!)
"Yeah, sothing like taking' or sothing along those lines, right?"
(Cringing intensifies!)
"Oh, no Yeah, yeah! Everyone, it'll cause trouble for the inn we booked if we're late! Let's discuss this after we arrive at the inn! Right!"
I got flustered during the unexpected boss battle and neglected information managent. I have no choice, but to tell the three about the skill [Usurpation].
Sigh
..
8 PM.
Arriving at the inn that kindly accommodated our sudden request to stay overnight, we first enjoyed a delicious dinner, and then we bathed together in the open-air bath attached to our room.
I had been persistent in not ntioning anything about the skill [Usurpation] until bath ti.
You know, it's hard to talk about it face to face. And it's not just about being seen oddly; this ti, it could be seen as burdening Ruu with strange business, so I wanted to talk in a more relaxed setting, like when we were all soaking in the hot water together.
"So, are you ready to tell us?"
"Coach?"
Since it's a family room with an outdoor bath, it's not too cramped with four adults soaking in it. Plus, it's moderately dark, and when I look up, the night sky with stars and the moon is quite a nice atmosphere.
"Well Where should I start"
The fact that our fridge suddenly turned into a dungeon is a shared secret I've already told them. But there's still a lot I haven't told them.
"[Usurpation] is a skill I obtained when I defeated a boss-level monster called Bug King. At that ti, I thought, Since I defeated such a powerful monster, I'll surely beco stronger!' and strongly wished, If only I could make the power of boss-level monsters all mine!'"
"Ahh, so your wish ca true, and you got a risky skill like [Usurpation] (glug)."
Nina-san was leaning on the Hinoki wood bathtub and took a sip of sake from the cup in her hand. She seems pleased tonight, enjoying moon viewing and hot springs.
"I see. So that's why Egetsu-san was so strong. Hey, with a na like [Usurpation], does it an you can steal power or skills from monsters?"
"Well, yeah. But I don't fully understand all the skill's details, and there seem to be conditions."
Serai-san is beside , nodding along as she listens. And in the bath, I'm also holding her hand. I can't see much because of her large, white chest.
"So, does that an I can do the sa things as Coach if I have this skill?"
"Yeah, since it's the sa skill, I think it's possible for Ruu too. The conditions are defeating a monster with your own hands' and having a strong image of stealing the opponent's power'. But there also seems to be sothing like a success rate, so it doesn't always activate smoothly."
By the way, Ruu is sitting on my lap.
Fantastic, wonderful. And knowing that I also possess the sa skill, she looks reassured. Rua is more afraid than anyone of being different from everyone else.
"Hey, hey, that's not fair~. Why does only Ruu get it? What about us~?? (squeeze!)"
"Yeah, yeah! Playing favorites and giving Ruu such a good skill! (squeal!)"
"Hey! Wait! You two mmm!"
Serai-san hugs my arm tightly, pressing her chest against it passionately, also expressing her desire for the skill. And then Nina-san joins in, covering us both and sharing a kiss while pouring sake into our mouths.
Ohh!? What is this harem situation!? Was I overly worried about things, or was it unnecessary? Even Ruu!? Th-this is!
.
That night, I had a strange dream. I realized that I was dreaming, a lucid dream.
In the mountains dense bamboo groves. Well, I went to an airsoft field today and fought bamboo monsters. So I thought, Maybe my brain is just organizing mories', feeling strangely convinced as I looked around.
Then, I felt like there was sothing ahead and ventured deeper into the bamboo grove. There, a giant silver bamboo that seed to invite entry stood.
(Huh, what's this?)
In the bamboo grove, there stood a giant silver bamboo. I couldn't quite grasp its aning. Wait, could it be!?
Yes, the mystery quickly got solved.
My brain was functioning at its peak. There would be a feisty, cute Kaguya-hi fluent in German.
Thinking so, I happily ran towards it, but suddenly, the bamboo thicket on my right rustled loudly and out jumped a cat-eared girl with a gray fur coat.
Oh no, I was excited about eting a cute children's character soon, but unexpectedly, other characters crashed in.
Moreover, the cat-eared girl who jumped out was almost half-naked. Various parts were peeking out. As she ran closer, I felt my ntal shutters violently click in succession.
"Traveler! P-please, help !!"
(What, a traveler?)
She wore a traditional Japanese outfit. Not sothing as luxurious as a twelve-layer kimono. But just a simple, thin haori.
Her speech was rustic and really. Wait, can I say this now? Um, she had an innocent, country charm to her.
"What's wrong? Help ' isn't very calm. And what's your na?"
"I-I'm, I'm Nihon Ookami! We have to escape quickly before the demon granny arrives!"
"What, Nihon Ookami!? Are you alive!? But Nihon Ookami went extinct ages ago"
"Eh? Ehh!? I-I'll be killed soon! We have to run, or the demon granny will get us!"
(What!?)
Wait a minute, pause!
Chasing the Nihon Ookami girl is a demon granny, and if we don't run fast, we'll be killed by her? Suddenly switching from a Friends-like world to a violent yokai world is quite a sharp turn!
lZushimunZushimunZushimunZushimunZushimun!]
And then, from afar, a loud rumble like an elephant running started to approach.
(Gulp)
Demon grannies are one of the most frequently ntioned yokai in folklore. I feel really curious about seeing her, but I also absolutely don't want to encounter her. It's such a strange feeling.
"Buraahh! Where are you, wolf cub?! (crash! crash! crash!)"
And while I was pondering what to do for a mont, a giant demon granny, about three ters tall, appeared, breaking bamboo as she ca.
I deeply regretted it, thinking, Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have seen this after all'.
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