Chapter-08 · EP-119
Episode 119: Three-Way Confrontation
Let's rewind a little.
Tatsunori Susa was observing from a distance as Shirou Ichinose met up with Yuno and the others.
Up to this point, there was nothing particularly suspicious. There was no sign that he possessed high-rank potions.
He seemed to have cleared the sixth floor easily… but his progress was unbelievable for a first-year who had just enrolled.
It was indeed impressive. However, he didn't seem to have the strength to defeat a Quicksilver Slime on the 21st floor, which dropped Rank 3 potions.
If so, did that mean Ichinose wasn't the one who had obtained the Rank 3 potions?
As Susa was thinking this while observing the targets – he suddenly noticed a foreigner approaching Shirou and the others.
A tall, blond young man.
Susa's eyes widened at the sight.
Josh Carmichael…!
Susa knew that man.
They had participated together in a previous Japan-US joint exploration exercise. He was a member of America's top explorer team.
Why was he in Japan at this exact moment?
Susa was shaken.
Was America involved in the Rank 3 potion situation?
That made sense. It wasn't something a student could obtain easily. But perhaps the Duke and America had some connection, and they were using a student as an intermediary…
But no. I'd heard the Duke was an honest man. Would he do something to betray Japan like that?
Various possibilities ran through Susa's mind.
Watching the scene, there seemed to be a tense atmosphere. Josh and Shirou's group appeared to be meeting for the first time.
If they were meeting for the first time, another suspicion arose.
Perhaps America had also caught wind of the rumors about high-rank potions at the academy and was making contact.
Whether the negotiations failed or not, Josh hurriedly left.
Susa made a decision.
He would confront Josh directly and find out his purpose.
Susa stood up and walked in the direction Josh and his group had gone.
At that time, Susa was so focused on watching Shirou from a distance with enhanced vision that he didn't use his enhanced hearing. This would later lead to further misunderstandings.
In a corner of the dungeon building.
Out of sight, the five Americans had gathered.
"Josh! I heard you! You leaked confidential information!"
Caleb said angrily.
"Sorry. I panicked when he noticed the Skill Scope, and it slipped out."
Josh held his head.
"Well, the method for raising Healing Magic's Skill Level is already vaguely known worldwide, and now only the specific number of 100 people has been leaked…"
Emily said comfortingly.
"Even so, that's a state secret! Josh! This is a big problem! I'll report this to the organization when we get back."
Caleb said with a stern expression.
"Yeah… I'll accept the penalty."
Josh sighed.
"So, did you find out anything about that girl?"
Alex asked.
"No, she's tight-lipped. I couldn't get her to tell me anything."
"Well, if a big American suddenly talked to her, a delicate Japanese girl would be scared!"
Emily smiled wryly.
"I usually do okay with Japanese girls, though."
Josh, who had a handsome, refreshing face that indeed seemed popular with girls, shrugged.
"It depends on the person."
Alex said calmly.
Just then – a man's shadow approached them.
"Josh! What are you doing here?"
Hearing the voice, the five turned around in surprise to find a sharp-featured Japanese man standing there.
"Susa?!"
Upon seeing his face, Josh exclaimed in surprise.
Tatsunori Susa. Belonging to Japan's Self-Defense Force Special Exploration Unit. Josh knew him from the joint exercise.
"Why are you here?"
Josh asked, looking flustered.
"That's my line. What are you doing?"
Susa's eyes glinted sharply.
"You were just making contact with academy students. What's your goal?"
Josh faltered for a moment.
Then –
"Susa, are you also… after that girl?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Huh? Never mind. Anyway –"
Just as Josh started to say that, they heard footsteps running from another direction.
The five and Susa all turned at once.
There stood Shirou Ichinose, out of breath.
"You're the boy who was with the group they just spoke to."
Susa, who had been tailing Shirou until then, was internally flustered at this direct confrontation with his target. But he composed himself not to show it and spoke in a calm voice.
"There were suspicious foreigners, so I was questioning them."
He explained, hiding the fact that he had been tailing Shirou.
Hearing Susa's words, Josh hurriedly objected.
"What are you talking about, Susa? That's not true! We have nothing to hide."
Shirou immediately denied Josh's claim.
"You guys were using a Skill Scope to monitor Japanese explorers, weren't you?"
Shirou pointed out sharply, and Susa's expression changed.
"What?"
"It's a misunderstanding! I just happened to notice the skill of the girl with him. I wasn't monitoring anyone!"
Josh desperately defended himself.
"Are you guys planning something else?"
Susa glared at Josh and the others.
Shirou looked at Susa.
"And you, Susa-san, was it? Are you also with them?"
"Wh-what are you saying? I'm just a passerby."
Susa finally couldn't hide his fluster and answered, agitated.
"You're not a passerby! You've been tailing me since this morning, haven't you?!"
Susa's face froze.
He'd noticed me?
Seeing Susa's expression, Shirou's gaze sharpened. He was observing Susa's character.
"What are you doing, Susa? Your surveillance target spotted you? You're slipping. Wahaha!"
Josh started laughing.
"It's a misunderstanding!"
Susa denied in a panic.
Faced with a laughing Josh and a flustered Susa, Shirou remained calm and told them.
"Whatever. Our teacher has gone to get an Explorer Guild official. You can all go answer their questions."
"Huh?!"
Susa and Josh both exclaimed in surprise.
After that, surrounded by multiple officials that Kushinada had brought, Susa and the American explorers were led away to another room.
Kushinada looked momentarily surprised when she saw Susa, but immediately pretended not to know him and ignored him.
Shirou didn't miss the fact that Susa looked extremely embarrassed.
These two were hiding it, but they were clearly acquaintances from the same Self-Defense Forces. I couldn't let my guard down around Professor Kushinada either.
Shirou judged.
But in the end, I had shaken off Susa's tail. Now I could focus on Yuno's archery practice with a clear head.
Thinking that, Shirou returned satisfied to where Yuno and the others were waiting.
"Shirou-kun, are you okay?"
Yuno asked worriedly as he returned.
"Yeah, I'm fine. The officials handled it, so no more problems."
"Thank goodness…"
Yuno looked relieved.
"Well then, let's head to the fourth floor."
Shirou said, and Yuno, Iori, and Maika nodded.
Kushinada, who had been talking with the officials, also returned, and the five were together again.
"Then, let's go."
And so, the five headed toward the portal.
Today was going to be a long day, but at least there were no more tails.
Shirou felt a slight weight lift from his shoulders.