Chapter 23: 23

(Akira POV)

“Speaking of which…”

“Hmm?”

“What is it?”

“What about?”

After three days of teaming up with the Tajika sisters, Toki-san and Sora-san, we are gradually getting to know one another over dinner. Perhaps as a result of our good chemistry, we have developed into one of the finest in the first unit.

I have noted something during the previous three days, therefore I have opted to ask both of them to confirm or deny my observation.

Hono-san and her two followers are seated at the same table as us while we eat in the girls’ dormitory’s dining hall, so to speak. They are having their meals in a very casual manner en passant.

It was only three days ago that Hono-san and Sora-san were quarreling, yet they are now currently having meals together normally is an incredibly terrifying thing to become accustomed to… Not to mention, I encounter no resistance when entering or exiting the girls’ dormitory’s communal spaces.

Well, I should leave that part aside.

“You can distinguish between the two of them based on their moles apart from the atmosphere and equipment, right?”

As I say this, I make two pointing gestures: at the neck and the right eye corner.

The two twins share the same physical appearances: they have black hair, reddish brown eyes, are slightly taller than I was before I signed the contract with Ys, and have breasts of a reasonable size for moving around.

But there is a tiny variation in how they look and behave. Whether it is due to the difference in birth or the God they are contracted with is a mystery to me.

“That’s correct.”

“Oh, you noticed that? Toki nee-chan’s mole is in an erotic position, isn’t it?”

“Sora?”

“Hiuuh!?”

Toki-san glares at Sora-san.

As can be observed from the interaction, Toki-san has a serious and rather rigid demeanor, whilst Sora-san has a cheerful and vivacious nature with the differences in their personalities directly reflected in their facial expressions and moods.

Besides that, there is a physical difference between them: Toki-san has a black mole on her neck and Sora-san has a mole on the corner of her right eye.

Well, you know. It would be best to keep in mind that Sora-san is the one with the mole on the corner of the right eye when I am confused about them.

As for Toki-san’s mole being in an erotic position… I should simply ignore it.

“But if you look closely at Toki-san’s mole is unquestionably seductive. I didn’t realize that until now…”

“Hono-san?”

“!?”

This time, Hono-san receives a glare from Sora-san.

Toki-san is undeniably in a position of power than Hono-san and Sora-san. Perhaps this is because of the sermon she delivered three days ago during the group’s decision-making process.

In fact, I am convinced that I would cower if I were subjected to that much intimidation.

“E-Even so, the exam is approaching in less than two weeks.”

“Right. As I recall, the exam requires us to explore a suitable ‘Maze’.”

“Although destroying the “Maze” is our ultimate objective, preventing any fatalities is our first priority, right?”

“Of course, our group’s objective is to destroy the ‘Maze’. Even if Akira-sama is my opponent, I have no desire to lose that argument.”

Hono-san then shifts the subject, albeit somewhat roughly.

But well, in fact, that’s what our top priority should be right now, isn’t it?

“I don’t care who destroys the ‘Maze,’ but you ought to exercise caution there since actual monsters differ significantly from the puppets we use for training. You’ll usually perish if you’re not careful.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what the difference is between the two because it is a question of sensation, but it’s definitely distinct.”

As I proceed with my meal, I am reminded… of the frog that I actually confronted in the maze, a monster called Anchor, the name designated by the Security Organization eradication squad as well as the phony monster that I fought during practical training, the illusion produced by the power of a God who specializes in this area and compare the sensation of both of it.

How can I express it… right, I guess it could be called the smell of death. Anyway, I believe that there is a major difference in the feelings between me and them and how our view of the “Maze,” is.

The line separating being a warrior from being a survivor is whether or not you can smell it and not despair.

As a matter of fact, I practically died before I signed the contract with Ys when I smelled that scent and became desperate.

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I won’t argue that my line of reasoning is flawed because of this.

“Akira onee-sama, your face is kind of scary…”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I just remembered something.”

“About Graecian… right?”

“[Well, it’s a memory I can’t forget.]”

I am speaking the same words that Ys muttered to me before.

What I meant by “before” was the information that Akira Whiteice was a native of Graecian and that was the part I should use to my advantage about concealing my identity.

The person who provided me with this story was a member of the Security Organization, ostensibly to authenticate the information that was brought to them not by Ys but by me, that Graecian had been wiped out.

[Even though I could only see them from the gate, Graecian was being invaded by numerous large monsters, and most of the buildings were on the verge of collapse. It was a scene that could only be characterized as a realm of death since the city was populated by creatures of all kinds and sizes with snow falling from the sky.]

That is the narrative I ought to use.

Even though I felt that I was out of line to ask Ys a few questions for the future after hearing this, the last thing I heard from her was the same words I had muttered to them earlier.

I would never be able to understand the whole range of emotions and thoughts that Ys had put into her words.

One thing, though, is definite.

“I will never forgive the monsters, the ‘Maze,’ or the ones behind it, and I will never let them get away. Absolutely not.”

[[[…]]]

This is the one thought that Ys and I both share, so I can declare it with confidence.

“Ah, excuse me. This is not the time to talk about it. Come on, eat quickly or your food will get cold.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right.”

“Munch.”

“Of course.”

At this point, I tell the individuals seated at the same table to continue using their chopsticks after realizing that my words have entirely stopped their movements.

Now, regarding the examination to determine if we can officially join the eradication squad, I hope everyone may return back safe and sound if possible…

■■■■■

(Third person POV)

“Damn it, damn it, damn it! What the hell is wrong with those women!”

Meanwhile, in a corner of the boys’ dormitory, a candidate was swearing at two boys in the same group.

“As usual, you are acting as rough as ever, aren’t you?”

“Well, I can sympathize with you when you get beaten to a pulp by a three-day-old group that crushed you at close range and at long range.”

“Why are you playing it so cool! We don’t have time to be so relaxed!”

The candidate who has been swearing hits the table with all his might, causing the liquid to spill from the glass on the table.

“Are you talking about the exam in another two weeks?”

“Let me tell you, the first priority is to survive. Depending on what you bring back and what information you are able to acquire, you may still pass the exam.”

“Shut up! I want to be a hero! Aren’t you guys the same!”

“Well, that’s true. But to be a hero, you need the right kind of strategy.”

“For now, you need to get rid of that temper of yours. You don’t want to be a hero by dying, do you?”

“Ugh…”

The candidate who has been swearing at the two guys stammers his words.

“…I’m going to cool down a bit.”

The candidate who was swearing leaves the room to compose himself before making his way to the rooftop, which is perfect for catching a breeze.

“Now, Photon-chan called me over, so I came over here, but maybe I’ll just set up a few thingsー? That would make things more fascinating.”

And then there is the red and blue light that looks like a pair of eyes… staring at him from the darkness oblivious to anyone else, depending on how one views it.

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