arc03 · 054-ep48

Episode 48: The 【Plunder】 Holders (1)

Well then—the fateful day has arrived.

Is what I'd say, being all dramatic—but really, I'm just a little nervous.

Today, I'm due to meet a 【Plunder】 holder, after all.

Mio and I are waiting in a rental space she's booked somewhere in the city, for the 【Plunder】 holders to arrive.

Three people to meet today. We're seeing them one at a time at staggered times, so I'm nominally taking the day off from dungeon diving.

Well, I do intend to go if I've got time in the evening.

Still, it's caught me off guard.

Mio's knack—or maybe her drive—she's plain and simply shrewd. Can't quite believe it.

"Hm? What's up?"

"Nothin'. Just a bit wound up, is all."

"Ehh? Even you get nervous, Takeru?"

"Just what do you take me for……"

She's forever pulling off-the-wall stunts, but things being what they are, it's a comfort having her beside me. Not that I'd ever say so—she'd never let me hear the end of it.

◇

The rental space has a nicely settled air to it, the furnishings carrying a faint antique flavor. A table and chairs are all today needs, but it apparently gets used for events too, so there's a fair assortment of things about. Board games, as well, it seems.

As I'm looking around like that, our first visitor arrives—the time must be up.

Mio opens the door to greet her guest.

"Excuse me."

In steps a middle-aged man, mid-forties to fifty-odd.

Sloping shoulders and a rounded back—something about him gives off an air of quiet sorrow that's hard to name.

"Right this way, please."

Mio ushers the man to the table.

He takes the seat facing me and Mio.

Mio's running the show, as planned, so I hold my tongue for the time being.

Face hidden behind a mask and sunglasses—I must look suspicious as hell, of course.

And the man, confronted with my obviously shady self, has his eyes darting everywhere.

Relax, please. I'm not going to do anything. Yeah—no way that line actually relaxes anyone.

Please, Mio, do something……!

"I'm sorry—he may look tremendously suspicious, but please disregard him for the moment. This is the companion I mentioned to you beforehand."

"Um, right……"

"He is an important party to today's discussion, but... he's a man of many secrets, you see."

"I... oh, um, I see. So for the time being, I should simply speak with you, Azuma-san……?"

"Yes. I'll explain all the essentials and handle everything myself, so please rest at ease."

Good. I am a piece of furniture. Keep ignoring me.

"First, I'd like to confirm what we discussed over messages."

"Yes."

I don't know the details myself—I'd better listen carefully.

"First—I, Azuma, have been searching for people who hold 【Plunder】 and are troubled by it. I have several reasons, but I'll set those aside for now. And you, Haga-san—you hold the 【Plunder】 skill, and you carry some manner of troubling circumstance. Is that correct?"

"……Yes. That's correct."

"Would you share those circumstances with us?"

"Of course. I touched on this in our messages, but—last year the company let me go in a restructuring... I'd given them many years and came away with next to nothing in severance. For my family's sake I wanted work fast, but nothing was coming... so I pulled myself together and registered as an adventurer. But with 【Plunder】 as my starting skill, I couldn't form a party with anyone... These days I'm somehow scraping by on day-labor security work."

"I see."

"You said you might be able to do something for a 【Plunder】 holder in trouble, Azuma-san—so this time, clinging at straws as I am, I decided to come meet you."

"Yes, you'll be fine. We're conducting a certain verification at present, and to have you take part in it, we've prepared around 2,000,000 yen in cash. Sign these confidentiality documents, take part in the verification, and we can hand it over on the spot."

"!! Really?! Ah, but this verification—what does it involve, exactly......? Is there any danger?"

"Before the contract, I can't share the details of the verification. Only this much: there is no danger whatsoever, and it may just be your salvation, Haga-san."

"I see...... Might I see the contract, then?"

"Of course."

Huh?

What is this girl saying.

Two million? She PREPARED that?

Hold it, hold it, hold it—if she's got two million per person, does that mean she brought six million today!?

I-I never told her to go THAT far!?

Unbelievable. No, seriously—unbelievable.

Shouldn't this be money I put up? It's absolutely supposed to be mine, right?

God, it's completely off the wall... but it's secretly a clever approach, isn't it.

For someone in a jam, cash settles things with high probability, and it makes the gag order easy too. And the 'verification' business isn't even a lie.

True enough—this way nobody leaves unhappy, and my secret stays sealed.

And this Haga fellow does look quite eager, in fact. Oh—yep, there goes the signature.

"Yes—please, I accept……!"

"Thank you. Then allow me to explain properly. We—or rather, this gentleman here—can erase the 【Plunder】 skill outright. However, my case is the only success on record, so today, we would like to verify whether Haga-san's 【Plunder】 can be erased in the same fashion. And rest assured: all that's asked of you, Haga-san, is to shake his hand—nothing more. If it succeeds, your skill column should turn into an open slot."

"An open slot......? Then as long as I can just learn a new skill there......"

"Yes. Precisely."

The SP requirement is the one snag, but since it's like picking your own starting skill, he might well end up far stronger than someone who drew a dud.

"Ah, and one more thing—should you continue as an adventurer, we may also be able to issue you a weapon."

She flicks a glance my way. Fair enough—I can just swipe one off a Swordsman. Simple. I give a nod.

"That's... tempting, indeed...... Without 【Plunder】 I could form a party again, and with a weapon provided, I'd save on equipment costs... Yes—please, by all means!"

"Understood. Then please extend your hand to this gentleman."

Nice. Nice. Niiiice!

That's another dose of 【Plunder】 proficiency in the bank!

Haga-san looks a touch nervous, but this will be over in a second—no need to worry.

I grip the offered hand and speak in my heart.

(Plunder)

In that instant, just as with Mio, I feel something pour into me.

『Successfully plundered the target's skill』

Yes! It worked!

More proficiency banked.

Nothing's changed in my status so far, but I can feel it accumulating, beyond doubt. Any bit more, I feel like something will give.

Done. I wordlessly nudge Mio to carry on.

"It seems to have concluded smoothly. And your body—any odd sensations?"

"For an instant it felt as though something were drawn out of me, but I'm fine now. If anything, I feel almost refreshed."

"That's a relief. Please, do check your status if you'd like."

"…………It's true! My skill column—it's turned into an open slot……!"

"You can form parties again now, and with SP you should be able to learn a new skill as well. Please do give life as an adventurer another try."

"Thank you……!"

"Then, with your acceptance of this 2,000,000 yen, today's business is concluded."

"Thank you so very much! Thanks to you, I feel I can try again."

"We're rooting for you as well. We'll deliver the weapon another day—we'll be in touch."

"Yes! My deepest thanks. I'm so glad I came today."

"And we're glad the transaction went so pleasantly. Thank you very much."

And so Haga-san went home with his eyes gleaming—a different man from the one who walked in.

His age may count against him in places, but I sincerely hope he makes it.

Well, well—not a bad omen for a start, is it?

Here's hoping for the next one.