arc03 · 055-ep49

Episode 49: The 【Plunder】 Holders (2)

"So? Did it work?"

"Yeah, 【Plunder】-wise it went off without a hitch. No change yet, but I can feel the proficiency piling up."

"Ooh, then that's a roaring success."

"That said...... maybe it's on me for not asking beforehand, but if you're putting up that kind of money, I'd have liked a heads-up. That's not money YOU prepare—that's MY money to prepare. The negotiation itself was clever, sure, but I nearly had a heart attack."

"It's fine, it's fine. I don't have money troubles at all—an amount like that doesn't sting one bit. Besides, if someone told you to come up with that kind of cash right now, that'd be tough, wouldn't it?"

"Well, I probably could... I think, but yeah, it'd be tough. I'll pay you back eventually."

"No need—just keep at the dungeon. And hang out with me once in a while, too."

"Ngh...... haah...... Fine. Sure—once in a while is fine. ONCE in a while, mind you."

"Yay!"

Where'd that cutesy act come from all of a sudden.

Rich, pretty, capable at everything—and yet her mental game is pathetic beyond belief.

Well, if the price of my getting stronger is looking after this girl's feelings, cheap enough.

"Oh, right—one thing's been bugging me. The reincarnator angle. We never checked, did we?"

"Ah, that. Going by how they all came across in our message exchanges beforehand, none of them felt like reincarnators. I asked the fortune-teller too, and apparently there's nobody else who seems fated to cross paths with me—so this round's probably a bust."

"Hm. So 【Plunder】 holders aren't necessarily reincarnators, then……"

"Looks that way."

One more question answered. Not that knowing changes anything.

Man, though—everyone's really carrying their own life, huh.

Some people don't start diving until middle age, I guess. I really do want Haga-san to give it his all. No clue what his stats are like, but with a Swordsman's sword, I figure he can make it to level 10...... Tall order? But past that, on around Floor 4, juggling it with security work should pull in decent money. Here's hoping his life turns around from here on.

◇

The appointed hour arrived, and in came number two.

Mio greeted her as with Haga-san and seated her across from us.

A young woman this time. Mid-twenties, I'd say?

Her wariness of me is coming through loud and clear. I really am sorry.

"Ah—please disregard the gentleman here for the moment. He is needed for today's discussion, but he's rather a man of secrets, you see... I'll be handling everything, so please bear with us."

"……U-understood. Thank you for having me today."

She keeps sneaking glances my way, but she manages to concentrate on Mio well enough.

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

"Yes."

The same exchange as before gets under way.

"First—I, Azuma, have been searching for people who hold 【Plunder】 and are troubled by it—I wished for people like you to take part in a certain verification. And you, Mikami-san—you hold the 【Plunder】 skill, and you carry some manner of troubling circumstance. Is that correct?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Would you share those circumstances with us?"

For a moment she looked our way and hesitated—then, apparently deciding there was no way around it, she began her story.

"I'm, um, from a single-mother household—I put myself through university on a student loan. For the repayments, and for my mother's sake, I'd meant to take a well-paid guild-related job... but my very first dungeon dive drew 【Plunder】... It came up in an interview. They said, 'Plunder holders carry the risk of misconduct'—that sort of thing. Naturally, the guild job never materialized...... It's unjust, isn't it? I haven't done anything, and yet...... ah, I'm sorry. Um—so now I'm in an ordinary office job with no guild connection, but somehow the cold looks reach me there too. Maybe word that I'm a Plunder holder leaked from somewhere. The pay's low, and just the repayments are quite the struggle......"

"I see......"

The world's view of 【Plunder】 really is vile.

Treatment like that, no WONDER everyone hides it. It's not like any of them asked to draw 【Plunder】. Genuinely rotten.

"You said you might be able to do something for 【Plunder】 holders in trouble...... what would that be, specifically?"

"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 this strict-confidence—that is to say, confidentiality—agreement, take part in the verification, and we can hand it over on the spot."

"Is that really true? What is this verification, exactly? Is it something I'm capable of? Is there any danger?"

"Of course it's true. I can't yet share the details of the verification, but there is no danger whatsoever. Nothing will be required of you, Mikami-san. At most, you'll shake the hand of the gentleman beside you."

"Just that, and...... two million......"

"I understand your suspicion, but please look over the contract first. I can't promise anything, but if the verification goes well, your situation may improve somewhat, Mikami-san."

"What do you mean by......? No—surely that's the confidential portion, isn't it......"

"Thank you for your understanding."

After that, Mikami-san appeared to steel herself and signed the contract, and Mio gave her the same explanation she'd given Haga-san.

Once the explanation wrapped up, she offered her right hand, and we shook.

(Plunder)

『Successfully plundered the target's skill』

Power comes flooding in once again.... I thought something might change this time, but it seems I'm just barely short. Still, I've got a feeling the next one changes it for certain.

"That appears to be that. Thank you for taking part in the verification. I'm sure you're fine, but any unusual changes in your body?"

"……Yes, nothing unusual at all. Ah! My skill—it's really gone!"

"I imagine the damage to your reputation won't settle from the skill's disappearance alone. So we'll support you as best we can going forward—and as for today, please keep it strictly under wraps."

"Thank you. It's all right—I absolutely won't breathe a word."

"Wonderful. And... we may possibly be founding a clan of our own at some point. Should we need office staff then, we'd like to scout you with priority. The salary would be quite respectable."

"!! If— if that time ever comes, please do consider me……!"

"Yes."

'Yes' is not the point here.

What is this girl even SAYING!?

Founding a clan—since when was THAT on the table? You've never once talked to me about anything like that!

Huh? Seriously, what's going on?

"Then, thank you very much for today."

With a little bow, Mikami-san takes her leave.

All I can do is hope her life turns upward from here, too.

Incidentally.

There's quite a lot I'd like to ask you about, actually? Hey—Mio.