And so, it’s time to set off.
The members are me, Chiyu, Shion, Fukuhō, Yona, Professor Luminus, and Miyao.
Including those seeing us off, everyone heads outside together.
“Um, w-well… if it’s alright, I could transform into a Black Dragon—”
As if hearing Miyao’s statement, Mikuron zoomed over to me and wrapped her fluffy body around me.
Then, she growled lowly, as if issuing a warning to Miyao.
“Piuu!”
“A-ahaha, sorry, Miaa. Mikuron just loves Sōsuke very much.”
While stroking Mikuron in a soothing manner, Shouko wore a troubled expression.
“I-I suppose we should give it up this time…”
“I think it’s fine as long as it isn’t the Black Dragon.”
“But, didn’t he seem quite interested when you transformed into Fenrir earlier…?”
Just as Fukuhō said, when I had transformed into a Female Fenrir, Mashi-ro came over with a look of intense curiosity.
“Transforming into a griffon? Hyarou has been particularly fond of Miko for now, so maybe it’s fine?”
“That might be the case, but if Sougo doesn’t let Mikron ride him, he’ll get all sulky.”
At Miko’s words, Mikron nodded his head in agreement.
“Haha, fair point. Then take care of myself, Mikron.”
Mikron leaned his head over happily, so I scratched him.
“Ugh, it really isn’t going well…”
“I saw that you tried your best in your own way.”
Yorina patted Miyuo’s back lightly to encourage her as she slumped dejectedly.
If this had been the ‘lone wolf’ era of hers, it would have been an action she wouldn’t take.
She can still be prickly with anyone other than me, but I get the feeling she’s getting used to this party as well.
“Yorina…”
“If you’re serious about it, I’ll even let you have some alone time with Sousuke inside the barrier if it comes down to it.”
As Yorina said this with a sly grin, Miyuo’s face turned beet red.
「S-Serina-san. If that’s the case, I have something to ask as well…」
Mifune approached Serina and began whispering something to her.
「……Would it be alright if I asked you a favor?」
「Sure.
As long as you do the same for me when it’s my turn, okay?」 「…Yes, please entrust it to me.」
The two of them shook hands, though no one knew what they had been discussing.
Anyway, it was time to depart.
Me, Chi-yu, and Shi-on would be on the Micron.
Griffon Miyao would carry Mifune, Teacher Luminas, and Serina.
“Mikuron, please take care of everyone!”
“Goodbye.”
“Byee~”
Only three of us remained as the stay-behind team, but Mashiro was with us, and the Jouhou party was right next door.
In terms of combat power, we were rock-solid, especially with Serina’s barrier added to the mix.
With no unique individuals present right now, there was no threat to our safety.
As I mounted the Micron, she lifted off into the air.
I had grown used to it, but I still felt that weightless sensation every single time, like the moment just before a roller coaster drops.
The selection of the men had already been completed, so we moved along relying on the map.
Thanks to the flying phantom beasts, we arrived before long.
“Takano!?”
Once we landed outside the stone wall set up for their protection, he immediately came out of the hut.
I had just visited a group of three men who were moving together.
All three were wearing the linen clothes I had given them previously.
“Maezono-kun, Manaka-kun, Goto-kun, are you safe?”
Professor Luminas called out to the three of them.
“Professor Tanbi!”
“Teacher Lumi-chan!”
“Why are you here?”
“Did you suffer any damage from the slimes?”
“We ran into some during our exploration and got spooked, but they were slow, so we managed to escape.”
“But isn’t it terrifying when you can’t tell where monsters might pop up?”
“Since there might be even more in the future…”
“That’s why I brought a proposal from Takano-kun and the others today.”
Professor Luminous explained to the three of them.
“E-what?!”
“T-the ‘Return Right’ transfer!?”
“No way, are you serious?!”
The three were stunned.
“We’ve all discussed it, and we’ve decided to transfer our surplus shares. There is just one condition.”
“Name it!”
“I hate being here anymore!”
“I want to go home…!”
“I— I see. Well, since we’re giving them to you so you can use them, I just wanted you to use them right away, that’s all.”
“That’s it?!”
“I don’t feel like I could clear any quests or anything, but seriously, this is a lifesaver!”
“Yay…!”
I glanced at Shioto. She nodded with a smile.
So she was telling the truth.
“Sena, Fukami, please.”
“Mm.”
“Yes.”
The two of them nodded and stepped forward.
I followed behind them.
“We ‘transfer’ our ‘Return Rights.’”
For a split second, it seemed like their bodies flinched—and then—.
We had been thrown into a white void.
In the pitch-white classroom, all the party members were gathered. It was exactly like every night’s dream.
“Huh?
What is going on?!”
Yoko’s distress was entirely justified.
[The users of the “Return Rights” have been identified.]
[Participants: Maeno Asuta, Manaka Daichi, Gotou Shinji. These three individuals are exiting from this island.]
I see, a report comes in when someone returns home.
It’s likely that the others are having this same dream.
“[Notice] As returnees have appeared, a ‘Vanishing Day’ and ‘Designated Quests’ will be added starting from Day 14.”
”……Holy crap.”
In a way, it’s the same as when my “Bonus Area” unlocked.
When specific conditions are met, certain elements get added.
”[ • Regarding ‘Vanishing Day’”
Targeting is set randomly for random individuals and numbers of people each day.
Items brought to the main island will become unusable for the target(s).
The restriction lifts once the date changes.”
”……I feel like someone is trying to disrupt our stability, but am I just imagining things?” Fukaho said with a bitter expression. “Hm. That mysterious blackboard sure has a nasty personality.”
If Seirei’s barrier became unusable, we’d all have to work hard to defend the base that day.
If my “Crafting Ability” was disabled, I wouldn’t be able to store or place items, which would be incredibly inconvenient.
“Wait! If I get picked, what happens to Mashiro and the others? They can’t call them back if they disappear!”
That is precisely why Shouji keeps a phantom beast summoned at all times.
“In cases where the ability involves summoning or servitude, the target creature enters a dormant state.”
“So basically, they just sleep, right? Good for you, Shouko.”
As Seirei broke down the explanation for her, Shouko exhaled a breath of relief with tears welling in her eyes.
“Haaah~… I seriously thought my heart was gonna stop!”
Since servitude was included, even the monsters that Inukai had tamed wouldn’t be released; they would simply fall asleep.
“About ‘Designated Quests’
Set daily for a random number of individuals.
Random quests are assigned to the targets.
If the quest is completed within the day, a reward is granted.
If the quest is not completed within the day, a penalty is imposed.”
“Wait, does this mean there’s a chance I, Shiou, or Loachan could get ordered to do something like ‘Subjugate the monsters’? Aren’t we screwed?”
“For observers, quests resolved by relying on those with combat prowess might not be very entertaining.”
”……It’s scary, huh.”
Not just Junme, but Lo and Shiou also wore anxious expressions.
“That’s… even though everyone worked so hard to establish peace, adding something that puts students in danger is just outrageous!”
Teacher Lumines was indignant.
“What about non-targets helping with the quest?”
[If a non-target directly cooperates in completing the quest, it will be treated as a failure.]
“Are indirect forms of assistance permitted, such as lending maps, providing tools, or transporting them to designated locations?”
[The definition of indirect cooperation varies depending on the quest content.
The quest will only continue if we determine it to be indirect cooperation.]
For example, in a monster-slaying quest, having a phantom beast transport you to the location would likely count as “indirect cooperation.”
However, if there were a quest requiring you to reach a designated location within a time limit, traveling there by phantom beast would be considered direct cooperation.
It seems that one must not attempt to fulfill the quest’s clear conditions using the power of others.
Just to be safe, I asked out loud for confirmation, and it was determined that my understanding was correct.
”…This time, with three returns, two additional elements appeared.
Does that mean when the sixth person arrives, two more will be added?” [I cannot answer that.]
In response to Miyao’s question, a cold, mechanical answer came back.
It was a difficult choice.
If you don’t want any more variables added to the equation, there’s a simple way to do it.
Just make sure nobody goes home until everyone has accumulated enough “Right of Return.”
But that’s easier said than done.
We’re looking for a long-term stay on this desert island.
To ensure that, we tried to send the other guys back before they could become unpredictable variables.
We want to get rid of the guys, yet sending them home risks introducing new variables.
The mysterious blackboard seems to know exactly what our goals are, and it’s playing with us.
For them, a constant stream of fresh reactions is likely all they want.
“I don’t understand the specific content of the quest, but can students with no special abilities actually clear it…”
For a teacher who cares about her students, that’s certainly a cause for concern as well.
The mysterious blackboard might have intentions to provoke resentment toward those who have already returned, or to stimulate the desire to go home in those remaining.
“Based on previous patterns, I doubt it would set up an impossible-to-clear quest, but…”
Even Fuhō, who said that, sounded uncertain.
There’s no way to know for sure, so there’s nothing we can do about it.
“Even so, we have no choice but to send them back. Leaving things as they are means something new gets added every day. If the danger increases either way, at least let’s choose a path that gives us peace of mind.”
“Mm. It’d be better if just us dealt with the dangers than watching fights between humans or guys running wild,” she said.
Chiyu was right.
The worst-case scenario would be for a male to gain a new ability through ‘Ability Awakening’ and do more than just cause trouble for the females.
Even without that, there’s the chance that those unable to fight will suffer penalties under the newly added designated quest.
If so, we should keep sending the males back home, choose to survive together by fighting against the new elements with the remaining members, and unite.
“The number of participants on the main island is now thirty-eight.”
In an instant, we were returned to where we had originally been.
The figures of Maeno, Manaka, and Goto were gone.
Volume 2 of the book is currently available for purchase!
Thank you to everyone who has already bought it or is planning to buy it.
To those considering it, thank you in advance!
Now then, a new element has been added, but
Of course, 『Larc-Lark Deserted Island Life』 itself is not being abandoned.
That said, I’d like to avoid the dynamics becoming fixed with the same group of characters
and the reading experience becoming monotonous, so
please think of this as an element to explore interactions with a wider variety of members.
Sūsuke’s harem life is just getting started!
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