Chapter 14
In the end, after much deliberation, Momo and I decided to head to the shopping mall.
From here, it should be about a fifteen-minute walk.
But considering how long it took us to get from the apartment to the convenience store, we'd better assume it'll take more than twice that long.
The journey was quiet.
We encountered fewer monsters than on the way to the convenience store.
We encountered only one zombie and one goblin.
I leveled up when I defeated the goblin with a washing machine.
Yes!
I duck into an alley and immediately allocate the points.
Including the previous batch, I have 14 JP.
Naturally, I raise 'Spy' to Level 9.
Then Sneak, Observation, Keen Hearing, and Stealth each increase by one level.
As expected, it seems safe to assume that the associated Skills increase by one level every time the Job level rises by three.
The next time my level rises, 'Spy' will finally reach LV 10.
Something will probably happen when it reaches LV 10. How exciting.
Next, SP.
This totals 23 points when combined with last time.
I raise Physical Enhancement and Item Box to LV 7.
Then I raise Swordsmanship to LV 3 and Hide to LV 2.
I save the remaining 2 points.
Kudo Kazuto
Level 5
HP: 22/22 → 27/27
MP: 4/4 → 5/5
Strength: 38 → 46
Durability: 36 → 43
Agility: 59 → 68
Dexterity: 58 → 67
Magic: 0
Magic Resistance: 0
SP: 23 → 2
JP: 14 → 5
Job
Spy LV 9
Unique Skills
Early Bloomer
Skills
Sneak LV 4, Observation LV 4, Keen Hearing LV 4, Stealth LV 6
Physical Enhancement LV 7, Swordsmanship LV 3, Stress Resistance LV 2, Fear Resistance LV 2, Hostility Detection LV 3, Danger Sense LV 4, Hide LV 2, Item Box LV 7
I check my status and start moving again.
By the way, I acquired a good weapon on the way.
It was a weapon I'd wanted to try ever since seeing it in a certain light novel.
It fit into the Item Box without issue.
After about twenty minutes, Momo and I made it close to the shopping mall.
"...I can hear sounds of fighting."
"Woof..."
I could hear them while moving, but now that we're this close, they're much clearer.
Screams and gunshots.
And the monsters' cries.
―――Someone is fighting monsters.
"Is it over there...?"
We came to within a few dozen meters of the shopping mall.
Momo and I hide in the bushes and use the 'Hide' Skill.
After testing various things, I discovered that the 'Hide' Skill has a wonderful bonus effect.
If I hide while holding Momo, it seems the effect applies to Momo as well.
It's a convenient and wonderful Skill.
The best part is that it gives me an excuse to hug Momo as tightly as I want.
Momo is fluffy and warm. It feels good.
And when I rub around Momo's belly, Momo lets out a blissful "Wuff..." What divine BGM.
What a wonderful Skill.
"Now then, I wonder what the situation is..."
At this distance, I don't need binoculars.
A fierce battle between humans and monsters was unfolding near the entrance to the shopping mall.
In front of the entrance, cars, trucks, chairs, and tables that had presumably been used as a barricade lay battered and abandoned.
About ten men were fighting to protect the entrance where the barricade had been breached.
They were fighting with iron pipes, forked poles, and machetes.
About two police officers were among them.
They were fighting with batons. Were they not using their guns? ...No, maybe they had run out of ammunition long ago.
Their opponents were orcs.
Judging from the SOS flag on the roof, they had planned to hole up until help arrived, but it seems the monsters broke through the barricade and forced their hand.
"Now that I get a good look, orcs are huge..."
They were massive, on an entirely different scale from goblins.
Even compared to the men fighting them, they were over two meters tall.
Each one held a huge butcher's knife in its hand.
There were five in all.
Despite being outnumbered by more than two to one, the orcs fought as if the numerical disadvantage meant nothing.
They're strong...
Without a doubt, they're far stronger than goblins.
Perhaps because of their thick layer of subcutaneous fat, blunt weapons like batons and iron pipes had no effect.
On the other hand, machetes and survival knives had nowhere near the reach of the orcs' butcher's knives.
Above all, the orcs were clearly more battle-hardened.
Were the two police officers the only ones putting up an even fight?
Have those people been leveling up?
"However you look at it, the human side is at a disadvantage."
What concerned me most was the single orc standing behind the others.
It was noticeably larger than the other orcs.
And while the other orcs had yellow skin, this orc's skin was a reddish bronze.
It was clearly different from the other orcs.
"Could it be an advanced species of orc?"
High Orc.
Those words came to mind.
My 'Danger Sense' was blaring an alarm.
"What should I do...?"
Should I help them?
"Hmm... But..."
I mull it over for a bit.
Suppose I barged in right now to help those people.
If I used surprise attacks and combos involving cars, appliances, and Momo's Skills, I might be able to handle the monsters there.
But that's only a "might."
It's not certain. No, the odds that I'd die are far higher.
Unlike the goblins and zombies I've fought so far, the strength of the orcs is unknown.
There are multiple orcs, as well as one clearly superior individual.
In this situation, is there really enough benefit for me to go that far?
I'd gain experience points. I'd probably level up, too.
The people I saved would be grateful.
I might even be able to obtain all sorts of information from them.
Then―――what happens afterward?
They'd surely come to rely on me.
As a 'fighting force' to ensure their own safety.
And my fighting style revolves around the Item Box.
They'd surely ask me all sorts of questions about the Item Box, too.
That's the kind of person I am.
If there were someone skilled at interrogating people or talking circles around me, I doubt I could keep it hidden.
They'd surely start making all sorts of demands.
They'd tell me to share my food, too.
They'd throw around convenient excuses like, 'This is the situation,' and, 'If we were in trouble, you'd do the same for us, right?'
On the other hand, saying, 'I saved you, so all of you do what I say, hyah-ha!' would be absolutely impossible for someone with my personality.
That would leave me carrying their luggage and acting as their bodyguard.
As a former corporate slave, I'd probably just go along with it.
It would continue until we escaped to somewhere safe.
All for complete strangers I barely even know.
...Honestly, what a pain.