「Oh my GOOOOD!!!」
「Hold it right there, you punk!!」
「Someone, pleeease save me!!!!」
The aggressive girl, overcome by emotion, was chasing him and firing her gun indiscriminately as if it were a natural thing to do. The fact that the bullets hadn't hit him yet, despite him running at full speed, was not due to the awakening of a hidden strength or a supernatural ability to dodge fire; it was simply due to the difficulty of hitting a moving target.
Conversely, it was terrifying that Subaru's meager speed, though nearly unarmed, was comparable to that of the heavily laden girl pursuing him. Even if Subaru had wanted to reason with her, her collapsed morality left no room for that; she pointed a gun at him before any discussion could begin.
「What is wrong with the people here!?」 (Subaru)
Subaru wished her face suggested genuine malice, but she looked only like a sweet teenage student role-playing as a bully. He was close to falling victim to their extortion...
「St- stop! I really don't have a single penny!! I'll give you everything else I own! Will you just stop chasing me!?」 (Subaru)
「Then stop running and leave everything behind!」
「Isn't the reason you're chasing me because you're shooting!?」 (Subaru)
「What's the problem with that! We'll shoot whether you run or not! We'll shoot if you run, and we'll shoot even if you stop!!」
Mission 1: «Escape the extortion of those lacking all morals»
Since Subaru's arrival in this world, the first scene he witnessed was a gunfight. Strangely, the inhabitants of this world only feel "pain" from bullets, which is likely why the ethics of gun usage are so lax here.
Perhaps if Subaru were an invincible hero, he could endure the bullets unharmed and become incredibly powerful in this world, but he didn't yet have the courage to test that. There are examples where latent power only appears when one's life is in danger.
— But Subaru had not spent his life on fantasies of other worlds for nothing.
「Woooaah! Take this! The result of my daily daydreams!」 (Subaru)
「Oh?!」
「You bastard...!」
Subaru knocked over and scattered the contents of a roadside stall as he sped past. The fruit of repeatedly simulating spy movies had paid off. Although this was the first time he'd applied it in practice, it worked.
In addition, Subaru knocked down all the iron pipes leaning against a wall, making every possible effort to obstruct his pursuers before he accelerated his run.
— This was a suitably quick reaction for an escape, indeed.
However, his opponents carried rifles, advanced weapons of modern civilization.
「Come on, if you stop moving, you'll be easier to hit.」
「— Is this for real, oh no!?」 (Subaru)
The accuracy of the bullets increased. Although the distance was still dozens of meters, and the bullets had previously barely grazed his body, he was now taking noticeable damage.
「There's no damage reduction, so that's how it is!」 (Subaru)
He had hoped for a damage reduction skill or a superpower that would make him bulletproof, but that hope burst like a fragile soap bubble.
Thus, Subaru truly was the weakest creature in this world. Perhaps even mosquitoes or cockroaches would have a better chance against them
— The bullet grazed his ankle.
「Agh...!」 (Subaru)
It was painful—more acutely painful than any sharp scratch. Lethal attacks came at him one after another, despite them lacking a genuine intent to kill.
Subaru was in the most dangerous situation of his life. Although the pain was not fatal, the injury seized his heart with terror.
It was frightening. Despite the appearances, death was very near in this world. He had never expected to be shot at in his entire life...
「Hah, hah, huff!」 (Subaru)
At the corner of the alley, Subaru at least escaped the direct line of fire.
This world was incredibly harsh on him. While acquiring knowledge about weapons was possible in Japan using the internet, he never expected to need it in this manner.
「Hah! How painful and cruel! Damn it, damn it...!」 (Subaru)
When Subaru pressed down on his ankle, he found that blood was flowing more heavily than he anticipated. It wasn't just dripping; the correct description was a steady stream, which amplified his horror.
Since he didn't know how to stop the bleeding, Subaru emptied everything in his plastic bag, then tied the bag tightly, like a rope, over the injury.
「This way... it should be fine.」 (Subaru)
「What exactly do you think is fine?」
「What?!」 (Subaru)
To his utter dismay, Subaru found the former loitering girl had placed her hand on his shoulder.
All this time had passed. He had boasted that he would excel in another world, yet a simple injury had led him to this predicament. It was natural since he hadn't expected to engage in real combat, but he wished he could feel some mercy.
「Excuse me, can't you just spare my life? I know my escape was a mistake, so please, lower the gun...」 (Subaru)
「Hmm? What are you talking about? We won't take your life... But... —」
Subaru thought his immediate prostration had an effect...
「Th- that's right! Thank you!」 (Subaru)
「— But I'll just shoot you a few times in the temple.」
A terrifying declaration dawned on Natsuki Subaru, embodying the vast difference between what "not dying" meant to the girls and what "not dying" meant to him.
Subaru was close to tears from the sheer despair in this early situation; he was on the verge of dying without understanding anything. The fact that he hadn't burst into tears and screaming yet could be considered a miracle.
「And then we'll steal everything from you while you're passed out!」
「Kee-ha ha ha! Be grateful we aren't leaving you completely naked!」
Subaru stared at the finger descending upon the trigger, then indulged in an escape from reality, wondering about the state of morals in this world. He thought about reviewing his life's tape; but... — nothing appeared, and there was no slow-motion sequence of his impending death; he was simply going to die.
The moment their laughter reached his ears, and the trigger was fully pulled — in that instant.
「Stop right there.」
A firm, resonant voice.
Time did not slow down, yet it seemed as if the entire world had paused.
「So...」
「S- s- Sora...」
She was a small, beautiful girl.
Her voluminous, fluffy white hair seemed nearly to touch the ground, and her violet eyes shimmered lightly when the sun was blocked. Her movements were graceful, delicate, and strong; the word "enchantment" suited her attraction perfectly.
Regarding her height, despite her extreme shortness that did not match her overall appearance, this overwhelming level of charisma transformed it into a unique source of admiration. The girl was wearing something that resembled a military uniform and carried a huge rifle on her back—an instrument of violence far greater than any weapon he had seen so far. Everything seemed oversized compared to her diminutive frame.
「「Sorazaki Hina!?」」
「Lower your weapons.」
「Okay, o- okay! We understand, please forgive us! —」
「Hey, wait for me! Hey! Don't leave me here alone —!」
The two bullies scattered and fled in what could be described as "the dispersal of spiders." Before Subaru could laugh at the disappearance of their previous arrogance, he felt an intense gratitude mixed with fear.
In a world where gunfire was rampant, people did not usually fear those who carried weapons. But standing before him now was a figure who had completely nullified that assumption.
「... Ah.」
「Young man, are you alright? I came after hearing your screams.」
「Y- yes... My condition is questionable, but I survived the fate that awaited me. Thank you for your help.」
「— You have an injury on your foot, and your appearance... Are you someone who came "from outside"?」
「I don't know if your concept of "Outside" aligns with my knowledge, but I am certain that I would be minced meat in an instant if I got into a shootout with the girls here.」
Subaru calmed down and brushed the dust off his clothes, then looked closely at her, noticing a halo floating above her head. It was incomparable to those floating above the heads of the ordinary high school students.
It was a colossal halo, which could be described as a "fortress," with a three-dimensional texture and real mass, not just a two-dimensional shape. Subaru felt that its rotation alone was capable of grinding him into dust.
「It seems you are in a rather exceptional situation.」
「Indeed, it is extremely exceptional, and I still don't understand any of it... At the very least, this is not the place I know, and I am a man who dies from a single shot.」
「... From a single shot?」
「Why are you stumbling over that specific point!?」 (Subaru)
「...」
While the girl wore an expression of deep contemplation, the bleeding from Subaru's improperly bandaged ankle wound increased.
This was natural because the injury was not merely a cut, but a hole carved by a bullet. Consequently, a small pool of his blood formed beneath his feet as he stood.
Thanks to the adrenaline, Subaru had been ignoring the pain, but as he calmed down, he realized the wound was far deeper than just a "minor injury." He felt an urge to roll around and scream, yet he could not commit such a shameful act in the presence of the girl before him.
「— Well then, I was passing through on a patrol mission. Will you tell me your story?」
「Agreed! ...Alright, first of all, allow me to introduce myself!」 (Subaru)
「I am Natsuki Subaru, the ignorant, penniless fool who is invincible nowhere. A pleasure to meet you.」 (Subaru)
「... I am Sorazaki Hina, a third-year student in the Prefect Team of Gehenna Academy. A pleasure to meet you.」
Unfortunately, Subaru's first impression failed miserably; he looked like a "pervert" standing before a "child," but this was no longer an issue for someone who had already surpassed the stage of "deviance" once. Subaru had completely abandoned his shame and expectations.
Feeling grateful for this rare genuine kindness in a Cyberpunk world, Subaru extended his hand for a handshake. Despite her confusion, Hina returned the gesture.
Though immensely thankful, Subaru was eager to learn about this world, especially after the strange term "Gehenna Academy" appeared before him in another world.
「... Ah.」
「What is it?」
— In the very moment they shook hands.
Subaru collapsed forward, either due to the adrenaline wearing off, the intense pain in his ankle, or anemia.
Naturally, he fell directly onto the small girl standing right in front of him.
「Oh...」
「Ah, sorry!」 (Subaru)
Because Subaru fell on her so suddenly, Hina was unable to brace herself. Therefore, Subaru tried to shield her with his entire body. If Subaru had caused her injury, his persona as "Natsuki Subaru the Gentleman" would have been completely shattered.
— Subaru twisted his head and fully rotated his body using his uninjured foot.
「... Ow, ah, painful...」 (Subaru)
Subaru hit his back with astonishing force. "Hit" his back, or rather, he managed to direct the impact entirely onto his back. He was certain that Sorazaki Hina was unharmed...
「「...」」
— But somehow, Subaru ended up lying on the ground, tightly embracing the girl, even if it was out of necessity.
His face sank into the massive volume of her hair, and his nose was tickled by a warm, sun-like scent. The aroma was so pleasant that, if he were in his own bed, he would have wished to bury his face in it and take a deep breath.
「I'm sorry... I'll move away immediately, I truly apologize.」 (Subaru)
「... It's alright.」
「Your foot wound looks bad. I will take you to the first-aid room immediately.」
「Okay. I have nothing to repay this favor with, but I will definitely pay it back... So, help me explore this world, Hina.」 (Subaru)
「...」
Fortunately, the persona of "Natsuki Subaru the Gentleman" seemed to have survived for now. To avoid appearing even worse, Subaru endured the pain, held her hand, and asked her to guide him out of the alley.
Subaru was now helpless, having no choice but to rely on her kindness.
When Subaru exited the alley, the scene, which moments ago looked like a chaotic slum, transformed into a beautiful street fitting the description "absolute cleanliness and good conduct." He had entered a world where the shooting had ceased.
「You mentioned you are part of the Prefect Team; could you be responsible for this entire area, Hina?」 (Subaru)
「Yes, maintaining security is the mission of the Prefect Team.」
「— That is amazing; you are truly wonderful. What are you? Are you an angel stuffed with all the goodness and kindness in this world?」 (Subaru)
Subaru forgot his pain, held her hands, and shook them vigorously while praising her. After believing he had been cast into death, a war angel had rescued him. The words "deep gratitude and thanks" might not be sufficient.
「Mmm, I said it's my duty; it doesn't warrant all this praise.」
「No, you should be proud of it. When I came to this world, I thought I had bypassed despair and gone straight to hell.」 (Subaru)
「...」
「B.A.A. It is truly a good thing you rescued me, Hina... My evaluation of you has surpassed the limits of praise. If we were in a dating sim, I'd accept your confession instantly.」 (Subaru)
「What nonsense is that... And do you mean that weapon by B.A.A.?」
「No, no. It stands for Beautiful Angel Alert, Hina.」
「... I see.」
Subaru felt she was embarrassed by his words, but since the praise held no exaggeration or falsehood for him, he couldn't stop showering her with compliments. Subaru curbed the reins of his gratitude, fearing he might end up disliked due to excessive thanks, but he wished that even a small part of his feeling had reached her.
「In any case, how much do you know about this place?」
「Nothing!」 (Subaru)
「Well, it seems you truly have an exceptional situation. Allow me to brief you...」
「— This is the Academy City of Kivotos, an immensely vast city containing thousands of academies and self-governing districts.」
「And this area is one of the three major academies: Gehenna Academy.」
「It is also the worst place in Kivotos in terms of security and order.」
{Dear Mom and Dad, although your son was not perfect, we had a covenant that I would never get involved in any bad deeds, and I certainly committed no wrongdoing...}
{But the result is that my point of transfer became the worst place possible. Madam Fate, would you kindly punch me?}
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[Power stones and reviews please]
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