My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 34: Conditions

Episode 34: Conditions

(Note: Special for this chapter, dialogues through speaker, telephone or faraway voice is in ‘……’.)

The next morning. As Rindou was eating breakfast, he received a message from Kyousuke.

“…How did it come to this?”

The content of the email from Kyousuke was both a blessing and a nuisance for Rindou.

“I can enter the new player’s gate, but I can only do so if I’m with Yada-san?”

Rindou didn’t immediately understand how they had reached this conclusion. But another email quickly followed, explaining the reasoning.

“……….I see. It’s because I brought in a large amount of drop items. And the Association started keeping an eye on me.”

The Association had recognized Rindou as an outstanding player. As a result, they wanted to grant his request. But they were also concerned about losing such a valuable player if something went wrong. The Association decided to send Kyousuke, who was familiar with Rindou. It was not only to protect him but also to assess his abilities.

“Clever, or perhaps just thorough……”

Rindou didn’t want to reveal his skills. So he was hesitant to accept the company of Kyousuke. However, if he wasn’t with Kyousuke, he wouldn’t be allowed to enter. 

He paused his meal and thought for a moment. But then, with his goal of becoming stronger and freeing Kyouka from her suffering in mind, he decided to send a response with only one option.

“…’That’s fine. Please, take care of me (yoroshiku onegaishimasu)’……. Alright, this should work.”

Rindou agreed to let Kyousuke accompany him. If the person accompanying him had been someone else from the Association, Rindou would have rejected it. Though their relationship was still new, he trusted Kyousuke’s character. Rindou thought that when the Association inevitably learned about his abilities, Kyousuke wouldn’t report anything that would put him in a bad position.

“Plus, Yada-san has a Magic Bag. If things end up going south and our relationship is cut off, it’d be a waste of all those drop items.”

Though Rindou didn’t think of Kyousuke as a porter, the Magic Bag he carried was undoubtedly useful. Rindou weighed the pros and cons and came to a decision.

“Oh! Yada-san, quick response there… Alright, I’ll finish this meal and head straight to the gate!”

A message was sent stating that they would meet at the new player’s gate. After receiving this, Rindou hastily finished his breakfast, equipped himself, and left the house.

◆◇◆◇

Meanwhile, the man who had been watching Rindou yawned widely while still sitting on a bench in the park. He was keeping an eye on Rindou’s house.

“…Damn, I’m so tired.”

He rubbed his eyes, shook his head to clear his thoughts, and opened them just in time to see Rindou leaving the house.

“Whoa! Wait, I need to follow him right now!”

The man quickly stood up from the bench. He pulled out his phone to make a call. Naturally, the call was to Gakuto.

‘—…Has he moved?’

“Y-Yes! I’m tailing him, and I think he’s heading toward the new player’s gate!”

‘—Heh, understood. Keep an eye on him, alright?’

“Y-Yes……. He hung up again!”

The man clenched his fist tightly around the phone. He immediately relaxed his grip, worried about breaking it. But his anger didn’t subside.

“……..Why is it just me being treated like this? I’ve been watching all night!”

Perhaps because of the lack of sleep, the man’s mind wasn’t as clear as usual. His thoughts began to spiral in anger.

“I’m doing my best too! But Gakuto won’t acknowledge me! Maybe I should just betray him……..”

As the man thought this, he watched Rindou’s back.

“…If I told Rindou that he is currently being after by Gakuto, what would happen? He’d probably report it to the Association, right? Then what happens to me? If I provide the information, I’d be saved, right?”

The man’s heart started racing.

Should he continue following Rindou and cooperate with Gakuto, or should he betray Gakuto and expose him to Rindou? If he sided with Rindou, his life would have changed drastically. However—

“…I really don’t want to get hit again. Plus, even if things are fine now, I’d probably end up being targeted later. I really don’t want that.”

In the end, the man couldn’t resist the fear of Gakuto and silently followed Rindou. He eventually reached the port where the new player’s gate was located.