After arriving at the rooftop, I found a hiding spot and quickly used the item that I had purchased to check the storage shed.
―[Clairvoyant Looking-Glass].
Although it looked similar to the [Appraisal Looking-Glass], its effect was completely different. As the name implied, it could see through objects.
As I looked through the lens, the storage shed and its contents became transparent. There were certainly people inside. There was one 10-year-old kid and two 5-year-old kids. One of those two definitely had to be Mahina.
All of them seemed to be alive. Judging by their expressions, they were overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion. However, there were two men in there, glaring at the children.
One of them had a knife and was chewing on some kind of jerky. The other guy seemed to be carrying a gun. I didn’t know what he looked like since his back was turned, but the fact that he was holding a gun hinted that this guy was probably the leader of the bandits.
The 10-year-old boy was holding the frightened Mahina and the other child in a protective manner. He appeared to be trying to play the role of the older brother here, attempting to protect the younger kids, if only a little. But there was one thing that bothered me.
…Where is the Core?
I couldn’t find the Dungeon Core. I thought that it would be in the storage shed, but…
Sol landed on my shoulder.
“Master, what should we do now?” (Sol)
“Of course, I’m going to save the children. We’ve come all this way already.” (Bouchi)
“The children are in that storage shed.” (Sol)
….Should I buy a [Level-up Pudding II] and give it to Sol?
But it cost ¥100,000,000. I was honestly hesitant to buy something that expensive. The [Level-Up Pudding I] only cost ¥1,000,000. The difference was such a joke. Even though I had enough money to buy it, spending ¥100,000,000 just for this was a bit…
“Sol, first deal with the other 5 monsters. Off you go.” (Bouchi)
I decided to first take care of the monsters that were at a lower rank than Sol. As soon as Sol responded, she took off at a blinding speed and attacked the monsters.
Naturally, the Red Armor also noticed that they were being attacked and began to prepare for battle. It drew the massive sword at its waist and rapidly dashed towards Sol, swinging its sword.
However, Sol was overwhelmingly superior in terms of speed, so she wouldn’t be hit so easily. While avoiding the Red Armor’s attacks, she continued to torch them with flames and also use her usual piercing charges.
Good going, Sol. Keep it up.
Eventually, the five monsters were done in by Sol, and the only one left was the Red Armor.
However, it could repel Sol’s fire breath, and her piercing charge could only lightly scratch its armor. It was truly a monstrous defensive power.
While Sol was attracting his attention, I approached the storage shed while looking through the [Clairvoyant Looking-Glass]. Perhaps intrigued by the sounds of the battle that had suddenly begun, the men opened the window blinds and tried to look outside.
Then, as the leader of the bandits peered through the window, our eyes met. Instantly, I was so shocked that I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
Standing there was the person who I’d hoped that I would never see again.
“………….Ohsaka…?”
It was none other than Ohsaka Aito. There he was, as unchanged as ever, with those eyes that always looked down upon others and that perpetually arrogant attitude.
Thinking that help had finally come, Ohsaka yanked open the window and shouted, “Hey, you geezer over there! Save us!”
Dumbass… If you shout that loudly―!?
Sure enough, because of Ohsaka, the Red Armor noticed my presence. Turning its attention away from Sol, it started to rush in my direction.
Seriously Ohsaka, you’re such a fucking bastard!
“I-It’s coming!? Oi, get your ass over here and take down that monster!” (Ohsaka)
His manner of speech hadn’t changed one bit either. Absolutely irredeemable. But if I let this continue, I was going to become its prey.
I immediately tried to move out of the way, but the Red Armor swept out its massive sword. I was able to dodge it in time, but the sword had managed to reach the storage shed. As it easily smashed through the wall of the storage shed, a shriek rang out as fresh blood splattered everywhere.
I turned my gaze towards the entrance of the partially destroyed shed, which had been split from right down the middle. Ohsaka’s subordinate was lying on the ground in two pieces, having been torn in half right down the middle.
Next to him, Ohsaka had fallen back on his rear end in fear, and the kids were cowering in the corner of the shed. The only one who had died just now was that one bandit.
No, actually…
“Fuuuck, that hurts!!!?!” (Ohsaka)
It seemed that Ohsaka had been hit by the attack just now, and he was clutching his right leg, which was gushing out fresh blood. But the Red Armor was still approaching.
“Hyyiiiiiiiii!?” (Ohsaka)
Coming face to face with the Red Armor, Ohsaka let out a pathetic cry and even pissed himself. The Red Armor looked down at Ohsaka and held its sword aloft.
At this rate, the children would get caught up in the attack too. I immediately dashed out and kicked the Red Armor in the side.
Due to my physical strength being boosted by the [Perfect Ring], the Red Armor went flying several meters.
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“Sol! Grab its attention!” (Bouchi)
“Got it!” (Sol)
Sol began to dart rapidly around the Red Armor to provoke it. In the meantime, I approached the kids.
“Are you hurt?” (Bouchi)
“N-No…” (10-year-old Boy)
The 10-year-old boy had tears in his eyes, but he still had the will to tough it out.
“Waaaaaahhh!! Mamaaaa~!” (5-year-old Child)
The other young child aside from Mahina couldn’t hold herself back anymore and was bawling uncontrollably.
“Sniffle… Sniffle… Onee-chan…!” (Mahina)
Meanwhile, Mahina had her knees pulled up to her chin, sniffling as she thought of Totoki.
But…
“H-Hey! Save me! I’ll give you money, food, anything you want!” (Ohsaka)
I ignored Ohsaka’s words and helped the kids stand up.
“You’re going to make an escape right now. Run to that exit!” (Bouchi)
Responding to my words, the 10-year-old boy grabbed the hand of the other child and headed for the exit. Mahina was the only one left, and I was just about to pick her up when…
―Bang!
A dry crack echoed loudly through the rooftop.
I looked up to see Ohsaka pointing a gun at me.
“L-Listen here, alright? Rather than that little brat… prioritize saving me first! If you don’t, I’ll kill you!” (Ohsaka)
“………” (Bouchi)
“W-Why the hell aren’t you saying shit?! I’ll seriously fucking kill you! Rather, I’ll kill that brat! If you don’t want her to die, you’d better help me first, you son of a bitch!” (Ohsaka)
Even in his last moments, he was threatening me with an angry glare on his face. I couldn’t help letting out a huge sigh, and before I knew it, I found myself uttering words that were dripping with rage.
“―Looks like you haven’t changed one bit, you bastard.” (Bouchi)