We headed off immediately for the nearest water source.
Since there was a lake near our previous base, we set that as our destination.
On Fenrir’s Mashiro’s back rode Yobiko, Mugakai, and Fukaho.
On Microphone the fluffy black dragon’s back were me, Senyuu, Shiin, and Roa.
Splitting up our passengers this way, we all set off together.
“Serina—Doesn’t the barrier fade away?”
“From what I’ve heard, it’s supposed to be close by now, right? So it should be fine.”
Apparently, rather than there being a clearly defined limit on distance, the barrier and the Dream Realm were connected like an invisible thread; if they drifted too far apart, that connection would snap.
If that happened, the barrier would dissolve.
Seemingly, as her abilities improved, the distance she could maintain while staying connected had increased, so she figured it should hold up until we reached the lake.
—If that’s the case, maybe the barrier breaks if we get teleported to a different location during an event…
We could just stow the facility away, but there was still the chance of monsters wandering into the grassland where we’d set up base.
Next time the event happens, be careful.
“Speaking of which, what is Mystery Blackboard thinking?
Sending everyone to a desert island, making us survive, and on top of that starting to release monsters—” Shouko expressed her dissatisfaction.
“From what they’ve done so far, I’d say it looks like some kind of observation experiment.”
Fukaho replied.
“What do we gain by observing us?”
“To know how humans act and make choices under specific conditions… maybe.”
There was no way to know the answer, so Fuhou sounded unsure of himself.
If Fuhou’s hypothesis were correct, we might have been selected at random as representatives of “mid-teens.” Or perhaps as “high school students” or “students.”
Therefore, it’s possible that all employees of a certain company, or the staff of a specific department, were sent to another desert island under the category of “working professionals.”
“But what would Mystery Blackboard gain from knowing that?”
Shion also put on a pensive face.
“If the Mystery Blackboard is a godly entity from another world, it might be an experiment to see just what kind of human is most suited for reincarnation.”
Sena said.
“Actually, that’s plausible. In fiction, the genders, ages, and personalities vary widely. But if there were a reason to send humans to another world, they’d want to select personnel optimal for achieving their goal rather than choosing completely at random.”
In the first place, none of us could deny that transmigration to another world is impossible anymore.
The reality was that they had actually been transported to an desert island in another world.
Therefore, it wasn’t implausible that gods existed and that multiple incidents of humans from Earth being sent to other worlds were occurring.
In fiction, scenarios range from gods mourning or apologizing for accidental accidents, to explicitly summoning individuals as saviors of the world, to ones with no explanation at all, or even works where it’s reincarnation rather than transportation.
“Is it like those isekai manga Sousuke recommends? Not just happening to go to another world, but… are we testing what kind of people are suited for it?”
“If that’s the case, it’s quite an imposition.”
That was how Moyoko and Yumikai reacted.
“Indeed, for us, it was akin to an accident… However, regarding myself, there have been many things I’ve been glad about since coming to this island, so I can’t completely deny it.”
“Hm. If I had stayed in Japan, I might have had to wait until university to finally settle down with that lukewarm Sousuke.
The time was significantly shortened, so lucky me,” Chi-iyu remained entirely unruffled.
“Hehe, I feel glad to have been thrown onto this island too, since I became friends with Sousuke-kun and everyone else.”
“T-that’s right. I also… made dear friends on this island… and, w-well, su-su-su, like… it…! ~~~~~”
Shion said so with a smile, while Fuhou blushed and fell silent partway through.
“Yes. I have found the house and master I should serve, so in conclusion, it was a good experience.”
“It’s the same for me~. I got to meet Mashiro and Mikron, and become close friends with everyone!” “Heh? Who are your close friends?”
“Yorina, we’re best friends, right?”
“……”
“Stop ignoring me!?”
“Haaah… Well, I get it now. You guys have adapted to this off-kilter reality pretty well, haven’t you? And Ina is at the center of it all.”
“Ceri-chan will figure it out soon, too.”
“Izayama, you’re getting a lot closer all of a sudden.”
“Aha, ha. But since it’s Chiya-juu doing it, Yorina, please accept him, okay?”
“Haaah… Well, if that’s what you want to call me, fine.” “Then, Yumepon it is.”
“No, the original one was better.
Keep calling me that.”
As they carried on with this kind of banter, they found themselves getting closer to a spot with a clear view of the lake.
Mashiro and Micolon brought them to a stop, allowing them to peek at the state of the lake.
At first glance, the lake looked perfectly peaceful… but…
Asking the Phantom Beasts to advance bit by bit, the distance to the lake shrank gradually—and then—it was here…!
Ripples spread across the water’s surface, and something shot out of it.
Something, my ass—it was an Avankh.
And there wasn’t just one or two of them.
Before I knew it, a pack of fifteen or so, each the size of a medium dog, was charging straight at us.
Their fur was a dark blue-black, their five-toed forepaws armed with razor-sharp claws, and the incisors of rodents jutted out from their mouths.
”……I seem to recall that beaver teeth are incredibly hard; they can even fell trees.”
Shunhou’s deep knowledge turned several faces pale.
“Arvank splits fish and people open with its claws, right? And then, after the split, it bites down on them with those hard teeth, ahaha……”
Teiko laughed, a bit like she was trying to escape reality.
“Yume-kyou, I’m counting on you.”
“Yeah, I get it.”
The beavers lunged at us, aiming to tear us apart—and slammed into an invisible wall.
They flailed around, emitting a cry that wasn’t quite a “moo” or a “moan.”
“Good……! So Yume-kyou’s barrier really can serve as an invincible defensive wall in combat after all.”
Unlike the permanent barriers deployed to protect our base, I had reasoned that one designed for instantaneous deployment and release could function as a shield.
”……I see. If I’m alone, I’d have no choice but to wait until the enemies are gone, but if there’s combat personnel here, it becomes an effective shield.
In situations like this, was it really……’Just as expected from Takano’” “You don’t have to force praise like that.”
“The admiration is sincere.”
Alright then.
Indeed, in the case of just me, deploying the barrier would likely be the same as fleeing into a dead end.
The opposing enemies would quickly notice the presence of the barrier, so it would simply come down to a test of endurance.
But that was if they had no allies capable of fighting.
“Fukaho…!”
“Yes, leave it to me! ‘Ranjin’ (Tempest Blade)!”
Her magic had evolved as well.
Through a higher-tier version of the ‘Kazejin’ (Wind Blade), invisible blades—greater in power and sharper than before—one-sidedly sliced the enemies to pieces.
The Aruvankus died in an instant, their forms turning into light as they vanished.
“Wow…
So a barrier doesn’t just repel enemies; you can attack them one-sidedly from behind it,” Shiine exhaled a sigh of admiration.
“The Minori and Seri combo is way too OP. In a game, they’d balance them out immediately.”
“It’s not as powerful as Fukaho’s, but for example, if a swarm of monsters attacked our base barrier, we could all poke them with spears to take them down. The point value is unknown, but it will definitely come in handy when we return to Japan someday.”
Defeating monsters grants points, which can be exchanged for various items upon returning home.
“I see. If that’s the case, even someone like me who lacks a warrior’s upbringing can contribute to the party. As always, Master, you are wonderful.”
“I… I met Mashiro and Mikuron, so I had this delusion that I could befriend them, but I realized now that you can’t make friends with monsters like those. Seeing us, they attacked without a second thought. You were right, Sounosuke—it’s good to see it firsthand. From now on, I’ll do my part properly.”
I see. Moushi had been conflating the monsters with the phantoms of her companions.
If she had resisted because she believed these were potential allies she might have bonded with, her reaction made sense.
But after witnessing Arvanck’s relentless ferocity earlier, it was clear she understood that the summoned phantoms and the deployed monsters were distinct entities.
“Kuno, since we’re here anyway, let’s wipe out all the Arvancks in this lake. It’ll earn everyone points, we can secure some water, and I can repay my debt a little more.”
Dream World seemed eager to view this as a chance to settle its debts.
“Ah, let’s do that. Dream World, are you confident about the timing for activating the barrier?”
“It depends on the range, but if we stick together, it takes less than two seconds. We can get closer and still make it in time.”
“Alright, then let’s take them all down. It’s voluntary, of course, but I want us to get used to hunting monsters too. If you’re up for the challenge, I’ll generate some weapons for you—feel free to pick whichever ones you like.”
“Hm. I’m in as well. Besides, if we exterminate them all here, other survivors will be able to use this lake safely for a while. Thinking of it as indirectly helping people adds to the value of doing it,” Chiyu said.
And she was right.
Since redeployment takes ten days, wiping them out would ensure safety for that entire period.
After that, we employed barrier tactics and engaged in several battles.
Mashiro, having memorized the scent of the Arvancks, guaranteed that none remained in this lake before we called it a day.
Using our usual method of knocking over the casks and scooping up the water along with them, we managed to grab a massive haul of drinking water.
In the end, everyone was able to take down at least one Urunk.
However, it seemed the mental exhaustion was greater than expected.
I’m glad we kept the afternoon as free time after all.
“Let’s call it a day here.”
Since no one objected, we set off on our way back.
Anyway, it turned out that us could handle monsters of this level without any trouble.
Ah, we’ve entered Day 8 on the desert island!
Please continue to support Part Two as well!
Please read the following notes for readers:
After reading this work, if even a little bit…
“It was fun!”
“I want to know what happens next!” or “Write more!!!!,” then: • Please add it to your bookmarks.
• In the section at the bottom of the page that says ‘Please support the author by giving points,’
please change the ☆☆☆☆☆ button to ★★★★★ to show your support.
Your support is what keeps me motivated for future updates!!!!!!
Please, I really need it!!!!!