Otherworld Company Chapter 225a: Should I Go And Teach Some Social Common Sense (Law Of Nature) To The Person Who Caused Trouble To Others?

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　Darkness, darkness, darkness spread all over.

　It’s pitch black as far as the eye can see.

　Of course, right?

　After all, it’s 2 a.m., the time when even the bad guys, let alone the good kids, start to say it’s time to go to bed.

　It would be strange to be in a place like this at such a time of night, if it were bright.

　The name of such a place is Aokigahara.

　Naturally, there would be no artificial light in this place; if there was, it would be the streetlights along the road.

　Even from above, it is so dark that it seems as if there is nothing but darkness in the area.

　The residential area is far away.

　The lights do nothing to illuminate the place.

　There may be at least some beasts, but it is a space where no one seems to be relying on civilization.

“I really don’t know what they are doing so early in the New Year.” (Jiro)

“Seriously, being quiet in a place like this must be a pain for the other person as well.” (Kirika)

“Mom, how are you feeling? The other party is also having a hard time. It must be a nuisance to us, but why do you look so happy?” (Jiro)

“Do I look like a woman who is concerned about everything that happened? If someone does something to me, I’ll get back at them, and that’s all there is to it. Isn’t this about going to a shrine to thank them for this? In fact, it’s a great way to relieve stress that can’t be released on a normal day. I think it’s a good opportunity. Don’t look like a wet rag, just enjoy it.” (Kirika)

“Are you having fun?” (Jiro)

　We, a parent and child, watched the space from above.

　The emotions of between parent and child differ in the way we look at the space, though.

　My mother was clearly enjoying herself, and I was sighing and wondering why this was happening.

　I regret my behavior a little while ago, wondering why I said what I did at that time, even if it was to prevent a situation from happening.

　But I’m resigned to the fact that if it’s here, and I’m ready for it.

　I’m not as excited as my mother, but this won’t interfere with my work.

　The difference between my mother and I is quite different, but we have one thing in common: we are both very tensed to be here.

“Oh, there are quite a few of them.” (Kirika)

“It seems like nature. Well, I can kind of see it too.” (Jiro)

　When you look into the distance, don’t you put your hand on your forehead?

　My mother makes such a gesture and exclaims in amazement, but normally, all that lies ahead is Aokigahara sinking into the darkness.

　But my mother says it as if there is something there.

　Have you gone crazy? If I ask her that, my mother will probably hit me hard.

　Of course, I had no intention of committing such a foolish act.

　I understand the meaning of her words, so there is no point in doing it.

　In other words, I can see the scene beyond my mother’s gaze, the light that is hidden in the darkness.

　There exists a corner of the tree line that is so bright that I think they are holding a festival in the middle of the tree line.

　But the electronics on the helicopter don’t respond to anything.

　But we can see it.

　In other words, the location is hidden.

　A place that is normally hidden by special technology and should not be visible.

　It was something that could be considered a pain in the ass, depending on the occasion, but this is not such a place.

　Rather, it is more problematic if we can’t see it.

　We, parent and child, all looked at one place in common.

　I guess you could call it the Mt. Fuji side of the sea of trees.

　However, it didn’t reach Mt. Fuji, which seems inaccessible to people, but it wasn’t in the middle of Aokigahara.

　There are countless bonfires that look like such a festive place.

　And countless people dancing there.

　I understand without anyone saying it.

　It means that some kind of ritual is being performed there.

　And now we’re going to put a stop to it.

“Now, don’t call us sneaky.” (Jiro)

“Who are you talking to, Jiro?” (Kirika)

“The leader of the organization I’ve never met before.” (Jiro)

“It’s too late now. The other person tried to pick a fight, and we just accepted. What’s the need to show mercy?” (Kirika)

“That’s true.” (Jiro)

　I agree with mother’s words with a wry smile.

　Well, we can’t just stare at that bonfire forever.

　As I said earlier, I came here to stop that ritual.

“It’s my first time holding a gun, but it’s surprisingly light.” (Jiro)

“It’s still one of the heaviest guns I’ve ever held. But it’s nice to see my son grow up strong.” (Kirika)

　I took the sniper rifle out of its case and slowly and carefully lifted it, something I was handling for the first time.

　The black shiny body of the sniper rifle feels massive in my arms, even though it feels light.

　The body looks long and tough.

“I am not sure if Kirie is being sarcastic towards me for leaving home and while preparing a Hecate.” (Kirika)

　PGM Hecate II.

　This is a sniper rifle developed by the French company Precision.

　Named after the Greek goddess Hecate, it is a weapon created by the modern age that is specialized for killing people.

　I was impressed that the day would come when I would hold such a thing, but my mother’s expression was not good, as if the emotions she and I had just shared were reversed.

“Sarcastic? What do you mean?” (Jiro)

　She seemed to be dissatisfied with the gun they had prepared for her, but it seemed to work fine, and she seemed to have no problem with what we were going to do with it.

　What is there to be dissatisfied with?

“My family’s home is a shrine. Why would they prepare a gun named after a foreign god?” (Kirika)

“Is that so?” (Jiro)

　My mother’s words quickly cleared up the question.

　In short, she was emotionally frustrated and was complaining about the indirect snipe.

“That’s the thing. What will she do if I can’t use it?” (Kirika)

“You can’t use it?” (Jiro)

“I used it once, when I was drinking with the Foreign Legion guys.” (Kirika)

“…What were you doing?” (Jiro)

　I show a look of dismay without hiding it, but my mother doesn’t even show any sign of concern.

　I don’t know what to make of it now.

　It’s not the first time she’s broken the mold.

　It’s not like I’m going to be happy or sad about her shooting or not shooting a gun.

　Besides, she probably thinks I am doing something similar.

　It’s just that it’s not a gun, and things like this happen to me every day.

　I cut people and monsters with the Mineral Tree.

　I have broken their bones with my fist.

　I’ve seen many lives end, and not just people’s lives.

“I guess it’s too late for me.” (Jiro)

　If you ask me if I have any sentimentality about what I’m about to do, I can say that I do.

　However, if you were to ask me if this was enough to make me feel sad, that’s not the case.

“Mom, do you have any experience shooting in actual combat?” (Jiro)

“…yes, I have. To protect my husband.” (Kirika)

“…I see.” (Jiro)

　The sentiments are also strongly implied in the past, when I would have never imagined that the day would come when we would do something like this together.

　Even though we are silent, the gestures we make to each other hint at this fact and made it perceptible.

　This is what I mean when I say that you never know what will happen in life.

　My mother was somewhere on Earth.

　I am in the otherworld that she does not know.

　It’s really a strange coincidence.

　Maybe that’s why we didn’t talk much.

“Well, let’s end this dark conversation and get it over with.” (Kirika)

“Yeah, sure.” (Jiro)

　This one exchange ended that delicate atmosphere.

　We were a mother and son who had fought, not only verbally, but physically as well.

　We can guess each other’s intentions to some extent.

　If they want to get the job done, I’m all for it.

　I also prepare to use the gun, following the mother’s checking of the rifle that was handed to her.

　As I was making various preparations, I came to understand the characteristics of this gun, or rather its uses.

　A picture is worth a thousand words, and although it looks ordinary, you can tell by its atmosphere when you hold it.

　This gun is not ordinary.

　In fact, according to the story explained to me beforehand, this rifle is different from ordinary rifles in that it is imbued with a special magic spell.

　Both the gun itself and the bullets have been designed with innovation.

　The main body of the rifle has an improved range and a penetration effect.

　The bullet has a barrier shattering effect and magic jamming.

　To make the bullet reach the place of the ceremony, an ordinary gun is meaningless.

　And it is meaningless to just let it reach there.

　It would be meaningless if they did not make careful preparations to break through the barrier and disturb the enemy’s ritual area.

“I don’t think I’ll make a hit. Why did Ms. Kirie prepare something like this for me? Mother alone would be enough.” (Jiro)

“Don’t complain, Jiro. That’s not manly. Besides, what are you thinking, sending such a weak woman off by herself?” (Kirika)

“Where is the weak woman? A weak woman won’t jump kick a big man and blow him away. And I am expected to have some complaints. If you hand me something like this and give me only a light explanation, I’ll complain. I only know how to shoot. Don’t take leaves lightly.” (Jiro)

　Don’t complain if it comes off, I said as I looked through the scope.

　Even for experienced snipers, it is difficult to successfully shoot at night on a helicopter that is in the air, shaking, and at night.

　The scope is shaking, and the scenery is also shaking.

　If this were a long-range shot at an opponent, it would be hard to hit.

　However, there is one exception.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a leaf or cherry. It’s better to miss such a stupid target.”

　It’s a different story if the target is huge.

　We, mother and son, are holding anti-material rifles.

　At the end of the two muzzle flares is a dome-like barrier that can be seen through the scope.

　This bullet is the one that will break through it.

“Okay, are you ready, Jiro?” (Kirika)

“Ready.” (Jiro)

　I stabilize my breathing and assume the sniper’s posture that was really only lightly explained to me.

　I crawl on my stomach and rest the butt of the gun on my shoulder.

　I put on the earmuffs to protect my ears and look through the scope.

　Parent and child sniping side by side inside a spacious helicopter.

　We could feel each other’s breathing, albeit vaguely.

　Without a signal, we quickly held our breath and gently reached for the trigger, then gently but purposely pulled the trigger.

　With a bang, I felt the impact on my shoulder and the release of the bullet.

“…Okay, next.” (Kirika)

“Hey, don’t we have to watch the bullet hit?” (Jiro)

　It wasn’t like there was anything left, but the mother quickly stood up without looking at the result after shooting.

　I was shocked by her actions and asked.

“What are you talking about? There’s no way I’m going to miss.” (Kirika)

　Ahead of my vision, the bullets we fired broke through the barrier.

　A burst of purple electricity illuminated Aokigahara for a moment, and then a bright spot appeared.

“You’re a good shot too.” (Kirika)

“It’s called Beginner’s Luck.” (Jiro)

“Then, how about I train you with the training I learned from the Marines?” (Kirika)

“Please give me a break.” (Jiro)

　After confirming this, we put on our gear, and this time we descend into Aokigahara with ropes hanging from the helicopter.

　If this were a manga, this place would have been filled with people dressed as shrine maidens and carrying swords, but our equipment was completely modern.

　A night vision scope, a bulletproof vest, and dark-colored equipment that allows us to blend in with the darkness.

　We have rifles in hand, handguns on our hips, and a knife and spare magazines.

　We look like Special Forces unit members.

“I’ll lead the way, follow me.” (Kirika)

“Got it.” (Jiro)

　This must have been familiar behavior for my mother.

　We proceeded along the unpaved road in the darkness of the forest with the nimbleness of an animal.

　I had already been on a similar path in the dungeon, so I followed her without any difficulty.

　The moonlight does not reach us in Aokigahara, so we follow the path with the help of our night vision goggles.

　It must have taken about 20 minutes.

“It caused a big fuss.” (Jiro)

“It did.” (Kiriko)

“Are we going to charge there?” (Jiro)

“We won’t.” (Kirika)

“That’s a relief.” (Jiro)

　Deep in the forest, we could see the lights from a distance that didn’t require night vision, and we hid in the bushes to watch.

　The bullets were originally intended to disrupt the ritual.

　Thanks to that, the group of people dressed like onmyoujis were moving to the right and left.

　The negative energy collected that had been gathered from all over the area had stopped, and they were busy trying to restore it.

　Seeing the situation from a distance, we were ordered to suppress the situation if possible.

　They are sending reinforcements, but it will take time.

“Then what should we do? Should we wait for backup?” (Jiro)

“From the looks of it, I don’t think we’ll have time to wait. I’ve fired a shot to prevent the ritual from being completed, but I’m sure that will be restored in a while. I’m hoping to deliver a fatal blow before then.” (Kirika)

“So, we have no choice but to do it on our own? There’s a severe shortage of manpower.” (Jiro)

“We can’t regret for what we don’t have, but we’ll make do with what we do have.” (Kirika)

“What are you planning?” (Jiro)

　I can’t just stand by and watch.

　But I had no experience in such a special force unit type of situation, so I had no idea what my mother was going to do.

“Yes, yes.” (Kirika)

　As she rummaged through her luggage, I couldn’t help but be amazed at what my mother brought out.

“Let’s give them a taste of karma.” (Kirika)

　A clay-like substance.

　Even I, who didn’t know much about it, could understand it.

　My mother kneaded it with a smile, then hummed to herself and said to me,

“Now, Jiro, I’m going to prepare here, so kidnap two people who have similar physiques to us and take their clothes.” (Kirika)

　She casually instructed me to kidnap people, and when I saw her face, I thought to myself.

　I guess she’s used to it.

Note for the Day

I caught a glimpse of my own mother, and I’m glad I never saw her as a child.