Rooftop

What should I do?

Should I go after it?

But that helicopter is headed toward the shopping mall where the High Orc is.

It's probably still there.

As proof, my 'Danger Sense' is ringing its alarm loud and clear.

Don't go over there—not 'yet.'

It was urging me not to go.

Last time, I put my curiosity first and ignored that 'alarm.'

As a result, I encountered the High Orc and ended up putting my life in danger.

Hadn't I just decided not to go near it, having learned from that mistake?

Was it really okay to overturn that decision just because the Self-Defense Forces had rushed in?

No... but... still.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces are highly capable.

I'd heard they were among the world's best in close-quarters combat, and they'd surely have firearms, too.

The Self-Defense Forces, armed with weapons far deadlier than vending machines and washing machines, wouldn't easily lose to monsters, even if they were somewhat tough.

"Hmm..."

I scratch my head vigorously.

What should I do? Should I follow it?

Or should I watch things from somewhere for a while?

Now that I have 'Telescope,' I can observe what's going on without approaching.

If I found some high ground around here—an apartment rooftop, for instance—I might be able to use 'Telescope' to look down over the shopping mall.

Then I could decide whether it was safe before heading over. It wouldn't be too late, would it?

Yeah, that's probably best.

Safety first.

"In that case... that apartment building should do."

It stood about a hundred meters from the front of the co-op.

From its rooftop, I'd be able to observe things in the distance.

Besides, I didn't get much of that 'unpleasant feeling' from the apartment building.

It should be safe to go there.

"Momo, stay in 'Shadow' for now. We'll move like this."

"Woof."

With Momo inside 'Shadow,' we moved on.

Of course, I made sure to activate 'Presence Concealment,' 'Silent Movement,' 'Enemy Search,' and 'Hostility Detection.'

I had to stay alert for ambushes at all times.

We took down about three zombies on the way.

It was an instant kill. Zombies weren't hard to defeat anymore.

But there were surprisingly few monster presences around here.

Maybe there weren't that many monsters in this area?

"Huh...?"

I happened to notice something on the ground.

"...A magic stone."

A red magic stone.

When I stored it, 'Zombie Magic Stone (Tiny)' appeared.

Did I, like at the convenience store, kill one and fail to notice, leaving its magic stone behind?

Well, I'll gladly take it.

We started moving again.

"Huh? There's another one."

After moving several dozen meters, I picked up another magic stone.

Lucky me.

But as the apartment building drew closer, I began to feel something was off.

"...Another one."

Another magic stone was lying on the ground.

"How many times has this happened now...?"

I'd already picked up no fewer than twenty magic stones.

This was strange. Far too strange.

Did different people happen to kill monsters and leave the magic stones behind without noticing?

Could that really happen?

Then, supposing it was the same person, why would they leave the magic stones behind?

Why wouldn't they pick them up?

Because they didn't notice?

Or because they 'couldn't pick them up'...? What kind of situation was that supposed to be?

"...Hm?"

As I was worrying over this, 'Enemy Search' suddenly picked up a human presence.

And not just one.

There were at least five people within range.

"Momo, we're moving a little."

"Woof."

Since our destination was right nearby and I was curious, I headed toward where I'd sensed them.

From behind a wall, I could see several adults hurriedly emerging from the windows of houses and apartment buildings.

"Hey! Look! It's a helicopter! The Self-Defense Forces came to rescue us!"

"That way! Toward the shopping mall!"

"We're saved! We're really saved!"

"Hurry! We have to go!"

"W-wait!"

"You idiot! Leave your wallet and personal seal behind! Come on, let's go!"

There wasn't a trace of composure on the faces of the people shouting.

Their desire to be saved as soon as possible—to escape this situation—was plainly written across their faces.

Had they been holed up at home, content to watch and wait, only to spring into action after seeing the Self-Defense Forces' helicopter?

Yeah, I totally understood that feeling.

Maybe they were in such a panic that some of them were running barefoot.

Paying no heed to anyone else, they raced toward the shopping mall, each trying to get there first.

Hey, hey, by acting so conspicuously, you're making yourselves easy targets for monsters.

They weren't even carrying anything that could be called a weapon.

If you're going to carry such a heavy backpack, wouldn't it be better to hold even a single kitchen knife?

I wasn't about to call out a warning, though.

After watching them for a little while, we headed toward the apartment building again.

Yeah, of course we ignored them.

I mean, it didn't look like there was anything in it for me.

We reached the apartment building.

By the time we got there, I'd picked up close to thirty magic stones.

"It's deserted..."

Only a few human presences registered within the range of 'Enemy Search.'

Some people seemed to be remaining holed up inside, but compared with the size of the apartment building, their number was negligible.

I climbed the empty stairs toward the rooftop.

There was an elevator, too, but it probably wouldn't work anyway.

There were no monster presences, either.

So I reached the top floor in only a few minutes.

"...The door isn't locked."

Aren't rooftops normally off-limits?

Why is it unlocked?

...Was someone here?

"..."

I slowly turned the doorknob and stepped out onto the rooftop.

I'd already used 'Enemy Search' to confirm that no one was on the rooftop.

A pleasant breeze brushed my cheek.

Yeah, all clear... no one's here.

Still, something about being on an apartment building's rooftop made me fidgety.

A wide-open space, empty and liberating. If I could use this place freely... wouldn't anyone daydream about something like that?

I moved to the parapet, where I could see the entire city.

Whoa... it was an even better view than my shabby apartment had.

With 'Telescope,' I could clearly see what was happening around the shopping mall, too.

"All right, Momo, you can come out now."

"Woof."

Momo emerged from 'Shadow' and came to my side.

We stayed quiet and watched the helicopter.