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Carrying a lump of healthy
pink rabbit meat, we head for the campsite, relying on the map.
The ceiling narrows down like Gulliver
Tunnel, and at the end of the ceiling is a door with an iron fence. It was high
enough for an adult to enter with a bent back. The door is not locked, but it
cannot be opened unless the knob is turned properly. [T/N: Gulliver Tunnel
is a gadget from Doraemon.]
“…whoa…” (Shuu)
“…squeak…”
(Tamiko)
It’s quite spacious inside.
The ceiling is wide, and Firefly
Moss completely shifted into its night glow, pouring down bluish light. The
ground is soft grass, and there are about ten cloth tents set up in the open
space.
In the back is an underground lake,
the shores of which are covered in shimmering sand. It looked like a resort.
“It feels like an oasis
in the Outsuka Metro, squeak.” (Tamiko)
“It does? Maybe, because
it’s by the water.” (Shuu)
“Oh, is this your first
time here? Come here.” (Woman)
The three of us are startled
by the call. There is a woman sitting in front of the tent, using a stump as a
chair.
She is a tall, fabulous woman
in her mid-thirties with curly hair. Her magnificent Mount Fujis are showing.
Staring at her is inevitable.
“T-Thank you…”
(Shuu)
“Haha, why are you holding
back? We’re not the manager of this place or anything, we’re just guests just
like you.” (Woman)
“Oh, is someone here, Sis?”
(Other Woman)
The group was startled. The
woman who came out of the tent had the exact same face and the same magnificent
Mount Fujis as the first woman. A doppelganger?
“Ahaha, you guys are
giving quite the good reaction. This is why we can’t stop.” (Woman)
They are twins. Their favorite
game is this: one calls out to the other to come in, and the other comes out
later. It’s a little frustrating that I’ve become the target for them. I’m a
little embarrassed.
“We are Akabane Tribe’s
Shishikaba Sisters. I am Midori Shishikaba.” (Woman => Midori)
“I’m Aoi Shishikaba. Nice
to meet you, newcomer.” (Other Woman => Aoi)
The sister who first
approached me was wearing a green jersey, and the sister who came out of the
tent was wearing a blue jersey. They are distinguishable by their outfit’s
colors, just as their names suggest.
“Is there a manager here?”
(Shuu)
“No, no. There’s no one
like that.” (Midori)
“Some kind soul set up
this place, and since then, anyone can use it freely.” (Aoi)
“Trouble is still an
everyday occurrence, though.” (Midori)
“Keep your valuables
safe.” (Aoi)
“You can count on us if
you need anything.” (Midori)
“It’s almost like you’re living
here all year round.” (Shuu)
“We’re old-timers.”
(Midori)
“Like Snufkin.”
(Aoi)
Is Moomin still being passed
down in this era? Anyway, the two doppelgangers talks of meddlesome questions.
It’s the perfect use of their twin power.
At any rate, they don’t seem
to be bad people, so we casually introduce ourselves. “I’m Abe Shu from
Sugamo” “I’m Ikari Noa” and “I’m Tamiko, squeak.”
“The place is half empty, so
use it as you see fit.” (Midori)
“We see many visitors
these days.” (Aoi)
“We’re going to have a
barbecue in a little while.” (Midori)
“If you don’t mind, please
join us.” (Aoi)
“We’ve got plenty of
booze, so we’ll be serving it up tonight.” (Midori)
They are not just not bad people.
They are goddesses, or the real Guri and Gura sent to this world. I want to eat
pancakes. [T/N: Guri and Gura are children’s book characters that originated
from Japan.]
The tent on the far right of
the entrance is empty. Inside, there is only a thin sheet on the ground and an
empty lamp hanging from it. Even with space for luggage, there was enough room
for about four people to sleep in the tent.
“Hey Noa, Gu—the twins said
they were going to have a BBQ, is it okay if we join?” (Shuu)
For Tamiko and me, this is the
first time (besides Noa) that we have had the opportunity to interact with
other hunters in the Metro. We had passed each other several times on the way
here but had only greeted each other with a “hi” in the way mountain
climbers do.
This is a free camping space
in the middle of a semi-lawless Metro area, free from management. I wondered if
there was really no problem in terms of risk mitigation.
“I think you need to be at
least cautious… but I think is fine. The metro is under the direct control of
the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and there are many people coming and going.
I don’t think there are any hunters who would openly try to do something bad.
They seemed to be of high levels.” (Noa)
“They’re both about 40,
squeak.” (Tamiko)
“I see.” (Shuu)
The more you go up the levels
and ranks, the less likely you are to find small-time crooks who will do evil. They
can earn money without relying on such acts, and they have accumulated
achievements and status. There are a few examples like that bandit chief, so
it’s not an absolute rule.
“They certainly don’t seem to
be bad people, and it’s a rare opportunity to meet with a senior member.”
(Shuu)
“Mr. Shuu, I see ‘beer’
written in your eyes.” (Noa)
“What a bad adult, squeak!” (Tamiko)
The loud metallic clangs
echoed outside the tent
“Everybody, gather around!” (Aoi)
“Let the barbecue begin!”
(Midori)
It’s Guri to Gura, or Midori
and Aoi. So all of us leave the tent to join in the fun. Hi-ho-ho!
Seven individuals are gathered
on the shore of the underground lake at the far side of the tent.
Midori and Aoi. A young male
and female duo. A duo of uncles. And a handsome man with red hair standing there
alone.
“Ten people, isn’t that a
lively group?” (Shuu)
“Actually, there is one
more person.” (Aoi)
“We invited them, but they
didn’t want to.” (Midori)
“So, they’re a Lone Wolf,
huh?” (Aoi)
“Literally.” (Midori)
Noa twitched at the edge my
gaze. Just for a brief moment.
A table is set with cups made
of carved stone. Stone boxes and firewood are set up for the fire. Vegetables,
mushrooms, mysterious meat, and fish with strange tentacles are grilled on
skewers. The twins quickly process and skewer the Almiraj meat that Noa brought
with us.
“…Tamiko, this is a
real BBQ…” (Shuu)
“… An
absolute sumptuous feast, squeak…” (Tamiko)
We had done a lot of fake BBQ
at Outsuka Metro, but this one was on a whole new dimension.
The fire crackled and flared just
right. The skewers, which had been properly sprinkled with salt and pepper, or
doused with a soy sauce-like sauce, were slowly grilled. A bottle of whiskey-like
liquor is on standby. The Kellogg’s Combo would have been screaming, “I
can’t take it anymore!”. [T/N: Combo is a Japanese Kellogg’s mascot, a blue
gorilla.]
While the two starving beasts
stare at the food with deadly intensity, Midori and Aoi take a moment to
introduce themselves.
The male-female duo is from Komagome
City. The uncle duo is from Nerima Tribe. The hot young master is from Senju
Tribe. In general, many of them are from the northern and eastern parts of New Tokyo.
After my group and everyone
was done greeting each other, (and Tamiko’s “I’m ten, squeak!”), we
toasted with glasses in our hands. The toast is led by the twins hosting the
party.
“Yeah f*cking bastards! This
is the last paradise in hell!” (Hunter)
“Tomorrow we’ll be going to
the grave or nursery! It doesn’t matter, we’ll put our regrets behind us today!”
(Hunter)
“Even though we hang on each
other’s sleeves, to a long and prosperous relationship! For some reason or
another, we’re just a bunch of fools!” (Hunter)
“Cheers to Ouji Metro and
our adventures!” (Hunter)
“Yay!” (Hunter)
I took a mouthful of the
amber-colored liquid. It hits my tongue, burns my throat, and then exists my nose.
“Oh! That’s the spot! Ahhh!”
(Shuu)
“Abeshuu is broken again,
squeak.” (Tamiko)
“We have to stay strong.”
(Noa)
By the way, Tamiko and Noa
drank non-alcoholic grape juice. The children are not ready for adult
beverages.
Meat and vegetables are good.
The rabbit meat was juicier and more tender than expected. The spices used in
this dish doubled our appetite. The drinks go down smooth.
I have long since forgotten
that I had been warned by Noa to not drink a lot because we have a big day
tomorrow. I have two more drinks. I can almost see stars, what a nice feeling.
The story bounces around the
twins and the uncle duo. Even me who was accustomed to social gatherings with
my peers due to the nature of my job as a salesman. Since I was a newcomer, I
remember being stopped by my senior saying things like, “We won’t let you
go home until you get a lot of business cards.”
Savoring the delicious skewers
and enjoying the heat of the amber liquid in my stomach. Drunken exchange with
people I had never met before. Two gorgeous, tipsy beauties. It’s fun. Just
plain fun.
Eventually, the topic of
conversation turns to “What are you doing here in the Metro?”
“I am here for the
emeralds.” (Midori)
“Amethyst. We’re after
gemstones.” (Aoi)
Midori and Aoi said proudly.
The color of the gemstones are the same color as their name.
“It looks like this, but
we’re jewelers, you see.” (Aoi)
“Actually, we also have a
third sister.” (Midori)
“A year younger than us.”
(Aoi)
“She didn’t have the
talent of a hunter.” (Midori)
“But she’s a lot better
than us because we’re not as smart as she is.” (Aoi)
“She’s a real genius and leaving
the store to her is perfect.” (Midori)
“If you’re ever in Akabane,
come to Shishikaba Jewelry Store!” (Aoi)
It is said that the
male-female duo is aiming for the money too. From Tamiko’s point of view, they
are a little over level 30, so they might also be grinding. However, keep what
you’re doing in private.
The uncle is aiming for some
gold. It seems that it is close to their own golden wedding anniversary, so
it’s literally for gold rings. What a happy marriage.
“Even if I don’t say anything,
I can’t get out of the house much… Just by going for a walk, I get yelled at,
“Hey, old man you’re going out again!’…” (Uncle 1)
“Then, I’ll just kick off saying
‘Don’t get in the way!’ A golem is much prettier than them.” (Uncle 2)
What a terrifying and veteran
hunter duo (estimated level 45). I’m scared getting married.
And as for the handsome young
master—he scratched his cheek and tilted his head.
“I’m just here to test my
skills?” (Young Master)
I wonder if he’s as old as me.
His red hair is smooth looking as it flutters in the wind, he’s elegant looking
and perfect to be an idol. There’s always has a smile on his face. He doesn’t look
bad, but when our eyes meet, I felt a chill on the back of my neck.
“*Whisper* (Tamiko, what’s
with that guy?)” (Shuu)
“* Whisper* (50 or so,
squeak.)” (Tamiko)
If it’s just the level, I am
better.
Individual strength cannot be
measured by level alone. It is the same for Metro Beasts and humans. If level
were the only measure of strength, we would not have won against the Satan
Slime, and it would have been impossible for us to survive in the Outsuka Metro
in the first place.
I feel something more than
level in that man.
Something that neither the
twins nor the old man could find, something that lurked beneath his thin skin.
“Abe, tell us about yourself?”
(Uncle 1)
“From what I’ve seen,
you’re young, but you look pretty skilled somehow.” (Uncle 2)
A baby’s butt smooth face that
seems to be harmless to humans and beasts. This evaluation remains relatively
the same in New Tokyo, and it is rare for ordinary people to be wary of me.
People often even say, “You don’t look like a hunter.”
However, it seems that those
who understand me do. Like the ace of Sugamo, Shimoyanagi, the old man and his
wife have accumulated a lot of experience in the field.
“Um… I’m hoping to get
some Mithril or something.” (Shuu)
The faces of all the members
of the group stiffened. The male and female duo laughed bitterly and said,
“That’s absurd.”
“Abe, that’s
unreasonable.” (Uncle 1)
“Mithril is just a dream.”
(Uncle 2)
“It seems it was hunted down a
few decades ago.” (Uncle 1)
“Nowadays it only appears
in the deepest layer.” (Uncle 2)
“And they are rarely seen
in the first place.” (Uncle 1)
“And the deepest levels have
recently been the home to a Boss-class Golem.” (Uncle 2)
“It’s hard for us to get
our hands on it.” (Uncle 1)
The information given by the
man at the reception desk seemed to be out of date. Apparently, there is a boss on the thirtieth
floor.
Even the experienced uncles thought
it was a reckless challenge. It seems that it is not a simple matter.
When I glanced at Tamiko and
Noa, they were kind of prim and quiet.
“Our Mr. Shuu is as good
a hunter as any of you here.” (Noa)
“Sugamo’s strongest,
squeak.” (Tamiko)
“Tamiko, pipe down.”
(Shuu)
The senior members of the
group tease me about my virginity. I simply deny them. “Proof! I’ll give
you the proof!”
“Still… by any chance Mr.
Shuu… well… I still respect you.” (Noa)
A finishing move.
“Well… I’m also… a…”
(Noa)
I was revived.
“I’m a girl too, squeak.”
(Tamiko)
“Sure, sure.” (Shuu)