Chapter 128
“This way, this way! If we cut straight through the trees here, this’ll be the shortcut!” (Melt)
“Got it. As expected of you, Melt.” (Shizuma)
“Hmhmm, leave it to me! Ah, next, see that little stream over there? If we jump across that, we’ll be there in no time!” (Melt)
The Dreamhill Great Forest.
Beyond the river that flows behind Golda’s royal capital, past the mountain path, spreads a massive natural dungeon.
Inside that vast forest, Melt was moving freely, like she was in her own home, cheerfully and confidently charging ahead.
“Seimu, stop. There’s a monster up ahead.” (Melt)
“Mhm… Should I take it down?” (Shizuma)
“It’s fine. Just watch.” (Melt)
The monster that appeared along the way was, once again, an Owlbear. Judging by the situation, it seemed to be moving with a group. There were at least seven of them visible even from a distance.
But Melt didn’t seem wary at all.
Instead, she boldly revealed herself before the group.
“Alright, you all go somewhere else! Or I’ll turn you into meat and eat you up!” (Melt)
“Gyeh! Gyeeeehhhhhh! Gyueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!”
The next instant, at the sound of Melt’s threat…with words and posture that were far too cute to be called intimidating, the Owlbears all let out cries and bolted away at full speed.
“Hmhmm! Every monster in this dungeon knows that I’m the strongest one here, besides the Dungeon Master! Not a single one would dare to challenge me!” (Melt)
“A-Amazing… Melt, that was seriously cool just now!” (Shizuma)
“Eh? Really? You’re making me blush!” (Melt)
No, seriously, that intimidation was both cool and adorable.
And so, we reached the deepest part of the great forest without any delays or interruptions. The place that was once called The Mansion of Greed, where the Dungeon Master’s castle used to stand.
—————–
“So this is…where that guy used to live? There’s nothing left…” (Melt)
“Yeah. As soon as I defeated him, he started glowing and just disappeared.” (Shizuma)
“I see… Huh? What’s that over there?” (Melt)
“Ah, that’s something that was summoned together from my world.” (Shizuma)
When I told Melt that the vine-covered object she was pointing at…a microbus…was something from my world, she smiled brightly and ran toward it.
“Heeey, what’s this? It’s a big metal box with windows!” (Melt)
“It’s kind of like the passenger cabin of a carriage. See the wheels?” (Shizuma)
“Oh, you’re right. I’ve never seen this kind of material before! Heeh… So what pulls it? It looks really heavy.” (Melt)
“It’s not pulled by monsters or animals. It moves on its own, kind of like a magic tool. Though it does need fuel.” (Shizuma)
“What! I wanna see that!” (Melt)
…Right, but what about the keys? The driver probably took them back to Earth with him…
I reached for the bus door for the first time in a long while.
The moment I opened it, the familiar scent of Earth filled the interior, freezing my thoughts and stopping my body for an instant.
…They say scent and memory are deeply connected, after all.
“Seimu?” (Melt)
“Mm, it’s nothing. Just a sec.” (Shizuma)
When I checked, the key was still in the ignition.
Well, that makes sense. In an emergency like that, he wouldn’t have had time to take it out…or maybe he left it there on purpose, in case he needed to drive off fast.
“…Even without a license, just starting the engine should be fine, right?” (Shizuma)
I mean, it’s an isekai anyway.
Using what little car knowledge I had, I sat in the driver’s seat and carefully turned the key while pressing the brake.
The microbus made a few sputtering sounds, trying but failing to start, each attempt making Melt jump in surprise and back away cautiously…it was honestly adorable.
“Guess it won’t start…?” (Shizuma)
It has only been a few months since it was last used…could it really have broken down already?
But after a few more tries, the engine finally roared to life.
…Okay, now what do I do!?
“Seimu? You okay? It’s making weird noises!” (Melt)
“It’s fine! It started up!” (Shizuma)
It’s automatic…so maybe I can move it…?
I shifted the lever and pressed the accelerator gently. The microbus began moving smoothly.
“O-Oh! It’s really moving!” (Shizuma)
“It moved! Even though it’s so big! Let me on too!” (Melt)
“Sure, come on. You can sit near me.” (Shizuma)
“Oh, so this is the door? Yoisho… Excuse me!” (Melt)
Melt sat down next to me, curiously looking around the interior.
She looked like a cat exploring a new house…except, well, she’s a fox.
“Heeeh! It’s so comfy! The seats bounce!” (Melt)
“Haha, I’m gonna drive it now, so quiet down a bit, okay?” (Shizuma)
I drove slowly across the empty grounds where the mansion once stood.
Melt was practically bouncing with excitement as the bus glided forward.
“Wow! It doesn’t shake at all! It’s completely different from a carriage!” (Melt)
“Yeah, in my world, people came up with all sorts of clever ways to make things smooth since there’s no magic.” (Shizuma)
Now that I was driving it myself, I realized something: wasn’t one microbus for just nine people -teachers included- a bit much?
Maybe our group just got the leftover bus…or maybe our destination wasn’t that popular among the other students.
Still, it’s a great size. If I could store it, it’d make a perfect portable inn.
Even if I couldn’t run it forever due to fuel and tire limits, it’d still be a durable, movable shelter. Really useful.
“Alright, let’s get off for now.” (Shizuma)
“Eeeh, but I wanna ride more!” (Melt)
“Not now. There’s still stuff I need to test.” (Shizuma)
I gathered all the remaining bags left in the seats.
Since all our main luggage had been unloaded at the hotel back then, what was left were only small things like handbags and backpacks.
I picked up my own old backpack and rummaged through it.
“…Unopened sports drink, school trip pamphlet…manga for killing time…snacks. The expiration date’s…still barely okay. What else… Ah, pens, and a phone battery.” (Shizuma)
Oh yeah, that smartphone I had when I turned into Shizuma…it was stored in my item box too.
Its battery would run out someday.
And somehow, that made me feel…just a little lonely. Like my connection to Earth was slowly fading away with time.
If I feel like this, then the ones caught by Kokuri-san must be feeling far worse.
Not that I pity them.
I collected the other classmates’ bags too and stepped out of the bus.
“Hey Melt, you come down too.” (Shizuma)
“Eeeh! I still wanna ride! I wanna drive it too!” (Melt)
“Mmm…that’s actually really dangerous. I was being super careful, moving it really slowly…but it can suddenly speed up and crash into trees, you know?” (Shizuma)
“Eek!” (Melt)
Melt jumped off in a hurry and hid behind me.
I keep thinking the same thing over and over today… She’s so cute.
“So it’s a dangerous thing…” (Melt)
“Yeah. In my world, you need to pass tough exams and get the government’s permission before you’re allowed to drive one. If you drive without permission, you get arrested…it’s that dangerous.” (Shizuma)
“T-Terrifying…” (Melt)
…And I just drove it without a license. But it’s an isekai, so it’s fine.
Actually, this whole dungeon is basically my private property now.
So yeah, still fine!
“Alright, let’s see if I can store this thing.” (Shizuma)
“Eh!? There’s no way something this big would fit!” (Melt)
“Well, maybe. My storage isn’t exactly the same as your magic storage tool. It’s more like… a byproduct of the power I got from the Dungeon Master.” (Shizuma)
“Hmm… that’s the power that lets you take the form of other souls sleeping within your own, right?” (Melt)
Yeah, that’s how I explained it to her.
“Hmm… storing matter in your soul? Weird power.” (Melt)
“Yeah, I don’t really get it either.” (Shizuma)
Alright, let’s try storing it the same way I do other items.
“…Oh, it worked.” (Shizuma)
The bus vanished instantly. But when I checked the menu…
“Huh? It’s not showing up in my item list…” (Shizuma)
What the…?
“It disappeared! So it worked, right?” (Melt)
“M-Maybe…but that’s weird… I can’t take it out…it’s not listed anywhere.” (Shizuma)
What’s going on here?
“Well, I’ll look into it later. For now, let’s head to your house, Melt.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah! It’s a bit far from here, but we’ll reach it by nightfall. You can stay at my place tonight!” (Melt)
“Got it. I’m actually kind of excited to see where you live.” (Shizuma)
“Me too! It feels weird having Seimu in this forest!” (Melt)
True enough. I’d feel the same way if Melt showed up in my hometown.
Before leaving, I looked back at the ruins of the mansion one more time and took out the [Heart Core of Grimgram] from my item box.
“…This is what I got when I killed him. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been able to leave, and I wouldn’t have been able to live peacefully either. He’d have definitely bound us somehow.” (Shizuma)
“Yeah… I was able to come out into the world thanks to you and Shilent defeating him.” (Melt)
The core -a transparent, crimson gem- gleamed as I stared at it. But then…
“W-What the!?” (Shizuma)
Suddenly, the core emitted a blinding light. I dropped it in surprise.
“Seimu! Something’s coming out of it!” (Melt)
“Huh?” (Shizuma)
When I opened my eyes, from the fallen core rose a glowing, bluish projection…like a hologram…similar to the dungeon control screen that appeared in our sunroom.
The interface was, as usual, in Japanese. But why was it appearing now?
[Administrator information unknown. Temporary authority: Grimgram recognized.]
[Connected via advanced terminal.]
[Select management category.]
[Territory Enhancement]
[Base Enhancement]
[Base Teleport]
[Base Transfer]
[Base Management]
[Temporary Base Construction]
[Compatibility Program Detected]
[Familiar Management]
Unlike before, all the options were now visible.
So that’s it… This only activated because the core and the original site were together.
“[Compatibility Program Detected]…and [Familiar Management]…plus that [Temporary Base Construction] one that I didn’t touch before…” (Shizuma)
Everything that used to be restricted was now unlocked. I should test it right away.
We will only be here today anyway.
“Melt, Melt, I’ve got a lot I need to check. We might end up camping here tonight.” (Shizuma)
“Okay… Something came out of that guy’s core at the site of his death… We have to be careful. What if he comes back?” (Melt)
“If he does, I’ll kill him again. This time, I’ll make him suffer. He hurt my family. I’ll never forgive that.” (Shizuma)
“Seimu… Don’t get so angry. You’re strong, but it’s scary when you’re like that.” (Melt)
“Sorry, sorry. But I don’t think he’ll revive… Probably just some expanded function.” (Shizuma)
It must’ve been the right key and terminal together that triggered this.
I checked the [Compatibility Program Detection] option.
[Detected a bootable program with low compatibility.]
[Execute forced activation?]
Hmm… Something’s been detected.
…Let’s try it.
[Activation complete.]
“Huh? Nothing happened… What was that?” (Shizuma)
Wondering if anything had changed, I opened what I thought might qualify as a ‘program’… The usual menu.
And…
[Items]
[Equipment]
[Character Status]
[Map/Quests]
[Mail/Chat]
[Logout/Character Change]
It looked the same as always. But then…
[Items]
[Equipment]
[Character Status]
[Map/Quests]
[Mail/Chat]
[Base Settings/Construction Menu]
[Logout/Character Change]
A new option appeared…something that should only be visible inside housing zones in the game.
“No way… The [Temporary Base Construction] command must’ve activated this…” (Shizuma)
That menu was used for building or expanding your personal home -the player housing system- normally accessible only from special servers.
When I opened it…
“…There it is. The microbus is listed as a construction item.” (Shizuma)
It contained various furniture and building materials I owned. Items that could only be manifested in housing areas.
So now, I could use them freely anywhere?
“Melt, come here for a second.” (Shizuma)
“Hm? What’s up?” (Melt)
I called her closer since it might be dangerous, and tried manifesting the microbus again.
In an instant and without sound, the bus appeared.
“It’s back! You can summon it now!” (Melt)
“Looks like it. I think I’ll be able to bring out more stuff like this from now on.” (Shizuma)
“Hm… what do you mean?” (Melt)
“I guess it means I’ve fully absorbed Grimgram’s core power.” (Shizuma)
“Oh! So that means he’s not coming back or anything, right?” (Melt)
“Right. You can relax.” (Shizuma)
Being able to use the housing system anywhere… That’s incredibly convenient.
But no, this isn’t just that.
…The [Base Settings] option doesn’t only handle construction, it governs functions related to the base itself.
And the one it likely resonated with was…[Familiar Management].
And I already had an idea what that meant.
“…Can I…summon them?” (Shizuma)
“Huh? Summon? Like, otherworld heroes? No way, that’s dangerous… Summoning requires sacrifices.” (Melt)
“Ah, no, not like that.” (Shizuma)
The options listed were [Auto Production], [Gatekeeper Assignment], and [Material Collection Dispatch].
Each one basically involved ordering characters you’re not currently using.
…Could it be? Could I really do it?
“…Huh?”
But the display was a bit different from what I expected.
[Orderable Characters: 0/1]
[Shilent]: [Gatekeeper] [Gathering]
[Shire]: [Gatekeeper] [Gathering] [Research]
[Seira]: [Gatekeeper] [Gathering] [Cooking]
[Hash]: [Gatekeeper] [Gathering] [Composition] [Performance]
[Still]: [Gatekeeper] [Gathering]
It looked just like the in-game interface.
But the limit was [0/1]. Meaning…I could only choose one.
And apparently, only the characters I had transformed into and used in combat or production qualified.
“…So there’s some kind of condition.” (Shizuma)
“Mmm… You look troubled. Are you okay? Want to take a break?” (Melt)
“Yeah, maybe. Just one last thing first…” (Shizuma)
If I could only pick one, then…let’s go with [Shire].
The next moment…
“No way… Why… How is Seimu here and yet…!?” (Melt)
“It worked…” (Shizuma)
A light appeared before me…and as it faded, standing there was an elf girl with silver hair and beautiful rose-colored eyes.
Shire was standing right there.
—————–
(´・ω・｀)
And with that, Arc 8…and the first part of “Then, I’ll be the only one to Use My MMORPG Characters”…comes to an end.
To celebrate the conclusion, a portion of the Kakuyomu supporter-only side story (for paid members) has been made publicly available.
Since I can’t post the URL here, you can find the link to my Kakuyomu user page in the latest activity report.
Also, as a change of pace, I’ve started posting a reworked version of another story I’d been writing before…now up on Kakuyomu as well.
If you’re interested, I’d be happy if you checked that one out too.
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