Usurpation And Nightmare
As we returned to the 2nd floor, the airsoft gamers 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 members packed massive amounts of plant-based monster drops into resin beer cases used as chairs, loading them into the rental car. Somehow, 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 seemed 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 seemed taken aback and had no choice but to watch him go with a defeated expression.
While I smiled at their interaction, Admiral came over to greet me.
"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 me."
Surprisingly, Trident Airsoft Circle is well managed, with a bank account for members' 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 time, so I can't deny them such a small request.
However, during a restroom break at a park, I noticed something odd about Ruu's demeanor.
"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 slime covering her body when she wears her suit peels off cleanly, there shouldn't be any discomfort now.
"Hey, what's up? Something 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 immediately 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 meaning and talk to us later.
But while in the car, she looked up the meaning of that word and became 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!)
"Come to think of it, didn't Egetsu-san say something like a catchphrase when finishing off the boss?"
(Cringe!)
"Yeah, something like 'taking' or something 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 management. 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 mentioning anything about the skill [Usurpation] until bath time.
You know, it's hard to talk about it face to face. And it's not just about me being seen oddly; this time, 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 time, I thought, 'Since I defeated such a powerful monster, I'll surely become stronger!' and strongly wished, 'If only I could make the power of boss-level monsters all mine!'"
"Ahh, so your wish came 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 name like [Usurpation], does it mean 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 me, 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 mean I can do the same things as Coach if I have this skill?"
"Yeah, since it's the same 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 something 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 same 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 memories', feeling strangely convinced as I looked around.
Then, I felt like there was something ahead and ventured deeper into the bamboo grove. There, a giant silver bamboo that seemed to invite entry stood.
(Huh, what's this...?)
In the bamboo grove, there stood a giant silver bamboo. I couldn't quite grasp its meaning. Wait, could it be!?
Yes, the mystery quickly got solved.
My brain was functioning at its peak. There would be a feisty, cute Kaguya-hime 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 meeting 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 mental shutters violently click in succession.
"Traveler! P-please, help me!!"
(What, a traveler?)
She wore a traditional Japanese outfit. Not something 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 me' isn't very calm. And what's your name?"
"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 mentioned 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 moment, a giant demon granny, about three meters tall, appeared, breaking bamboo as she came.
I deeply regretted it, thinking, 'Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have seen this after all...'.
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