Chapter 191

After unloading our luggage, we sat around a low, rectangular table, relaxing on the cushions prepared by Uranos.

Nearby was an old-fashioned monitor mounted on a wooden frame, but nothing was displayed on the screen.

Uranos glanced at the wall clock,

"Exactly eight o'clock...

Shall we eat quickly?

It depends on the subsequent preparations, but I think I will enter Greed Island after midnight.

It will be a forced march, but if there are no problems with Aisa's recovery, we will be ready for the Antokiba Monthly Tournament at 1:00 PM tomorrow."

After some thought, I said,

"... That is on the premise that my fainting recovers within 6 hours."

Uranos nodded,

"It seems no time was set when the vow was made, so it might be a bit different.

If you let me give you my Prediction, I think you might recover from the faint faster."

My reaction was "Huh?"

"Aisa.

Is this the only time you've fainted due to a Boss Attribute upon entering Greed Island?"

"... That is correct."

"Then I haven't verified it yet, and I don't think I can.

The vow stipulates 'faint immediately,' right?

It has nothing to do with how long it takes to recover from the faint.

Fainting originally refers to a loss of consciousness, recovering in a short time."

... Certainly. Thinking about it, that's true.

"So, the reason you needed six hours to wake up is probably because your Aura was completely exhausted, until I recovered to a certain level."

"..."

"Do you usually sleep for 6 hours?"

"... That's about it, maybe a little short."

"Yes.

And 70% to 80%, I think it's 6 hours again."

Can you make such a big judgment based on so much information?

I don't know if it's correct, but it makes sense. Especially since I have almost no experience recovering from Aura exhaustion. I'm afraid I can't experiment.

But if that's the case...

"Mr. Uranos, if that's the case, then I'll just faint—"

"I won't wake you up."

It was inserted gently. Looking straight at me as I shut my mouth,

"In terms of verification, it might be effective, but I think those six hours are necessary.

Don't do anything that might cause resonance by interrupting the sleep you might need."

"... Yes."

Ugh. I can't say anything because it's too true...

"And don't call me Mr. Uranos."

"... Excuse me."

You are very tidy.

"I understand, let's hurry up and eat."

"Good morning."

Meleoron and Sim came to the court.

"... You guys are going to succeed now, so you have to wait for a while.

No matter how you look at it, I don't want to help. Tsk tsk..."

Saying this, Uranos stood up.

"Ah, you're going to cook, I'll help you too."

I got up too.

"... Yeah. It'll be faster if we do it together.

Before that, I'll explain the plumbing a little, so everyone come over."

We followed Uranos toward the kitchen.

Uranos stopped in front of the kitchen faucet,

"This faucet provides normal drinking water.

It's neither good nor bad."

"It's not connected to a water source, is it?"

When I asked, Uranos agreed.

"We Collect rainwater, filter and distill it, and then disinfect it in a water storage tank.

It hasn't been used for a long time, the tank is full, it doesn't matter how much you use."

"Where does the used water go?"

When Meleoron asked, Uranos pointed downward,

"It is filtered and discharged into the groundwater vein.

Initially, rainwater was drawn into the basement from the route flowing into the water vein."

After finishing the explanation, Uranus walked to the doorway next to the kitchen,

"I don't think I'll use much, but most of my other water needs can be met here.

Follow me."

Uranus pushed the door open and walked in.

A washer/dryer was installed in a cramped room, which was divided into squares. There were two other doors.

"As you can see, dirty clothes can be washed and dried there.

The middle door is the dressing room and bathroom, and the right one is the toilet."

This seemed to be the end of the explanation, and Uranus left immediately.

Hmm. Now, how do you use electricity? Could this also be a divine artifact?

Back to the dining table.

"So, do you want to cook?

Meleoron and Seam, please kill some time."

"No games, games."

Uranus made an obviously strange expression at Meleoron's remark.

"... You are about to enter a game, and you're still playing games beforehand?"

When you say it like that, it sounds strange.

"If you don't mind Joy Station, then there is that."

Uranus still looked at me with a strange face after all.

"That is..."

"This is mine.

Uranus is currently playing Greed Island, so she won't be able to play other games."

"No, why are you carrying it with you?"

It's like a habit. I couldn't say that, so I turned and left.

No, well, why is there a joystick in the luggage for Greed Island... Yes, it's a habit. No, no.

For the time being, I rummaged through my backpack and took out the joystick that had sunk to the back. Hmm, soft...

Uranus was also rummaging through his backpack for food. Hmm, a bag of software, a bag... Oh, there it is.

When I pulled the bag out with force, I hurriedly grabbed things like a bra that were about to jump out together and stuffed them back into the backpack.

I took the Game Software package out of the bag and placed it next to the joystick. I also took out the accessories and wires I had put Together.

"Play it to your heart's content. Do you know how to connect it?"

"Ah, I see."

Seam grabbed my joystick and wires and began connecting the monitor.

"Uranus, this is a monitor that can be connected, right?"

Uranus, who was taking out food, looked back at me and said:

"It's the same old model, so I think it's fine.

I also intend to connect Greed Island to that."

Meleoron lined up the software in a row,

"Hmm. Fighting games are nothing but a cliché...

... ○Capcom? What kind of game is this?"

This is a game that destroys friendships.

"Better stop."

"Hmm?

However, this kind of fighting game is a bit difficult for me."

"Better stop.

... Or rather, it usually takes a few hours to start."

"Ah, that's not good.

Another chance."

... I wonder. I feel like a very bad flag has already been raised. Why?

The two of us stood side by side in the kitchen, helping Uranus cook while asking what he was thinking.

"Uranus.

These two people might not be from NGL."

As I whispered amidst the sound of water and the Kitchen Knife hitting the cutting board, he heard it clearly,

"Ah, so you are worried too?

For people born and raised in NGL, I don't think this is a way of life."

──Although NGL is nominal, it is a country of autonomous groups that have abandoned machine civilization.

These two are very familiar with things they wouldn't have come into contact with if they lived in NGL, such as photos and games. I can only think that I have lived a normal civilized life.

"Then...

The Chimera Ant incident ended with NGL...

Whether it's reincarnation or whatever, I can't believe the victims were someone else."

"I have finished washing the vegetables."

"Thank you. I still have a Kitchen Knife; could you help me peel the potatoes?

... You don't have to think too much about it."

"Yes.

Eh? Is that so?"

I took a peeler out from under the kitchen counter and asked back.

"Because not everyone in the NGL is someone who lives there forever."

"Ah...

I see, so that's why you moved here later."

"Perhaps.

Conversely, there might be many people who grew tired of machine civilization and migrated to the NGL."

I don't know what's going on with those two.

... After the potatoes are peeled, can the raw rice be washed gently?

Cooking Gohan takes a long time, so I'm going to make pilaf."

"Hmm. Perhaps that's it...

I'm a bit reluctant to ask them.

Can the rice for pilaf be washed?"

"Ah, the taste is a bit off, but I'm still worried about hygiene.

Therefore, just wash it quickly and drain it. You don't have to make a big fuss.

... When the time comes, you should ask. We will be Together for a while anyway."

"Mm, you're right.

... The potatoes are peeled, let's wash the rice. Anything else?"

"Hmm.

Cut the lettuce and cucumber, slice the tomatoes, open the canned tuna...

After that, eat a bite-sized apple."

"Yes. Do you have any dressing?"

"Didn't you only buy mayonnaise?

... I'm sorry. If you could help me, I should have bought ingredients for more elaborate dishes."

"Not applicable."

I have been cooking for myself for a long time, but it is still interesting to cook while talking to someone like this.

The monitor connected to the joystick is displaying the loading screen before the battle.

During the long loading wait typical of old hardware, I saw the two standing at the back of the kitchen.

Both were wearing matching White Dress outfits, cooking while shaking their long black hair tied up with white rubber bands and hanging to their waists, and the cherry-colored hair covering their backs.

Tenno Sei could only be seen as a girl from a distance. He was not tall, had a slender build, and his hair was neatly combed. His demeanor lacked a masculine, rugged feel and was somewhat weak.

Eisha was undoubtedly feminine. Needless to say, his appearance was well-maintained. His work gave a slightly intense impression, but it was attractive in itself. The childish behavior he sometimes displayed might be appropriate for his age.

It reminded me of my past life. I wonder if I was a woman like those two...

"Round one, fight!!"

"Hmph!"

"Oh!? Seam, what are you doing suddenly!"

"That's because the young lady is looking the other way."

"Don't let the opening screw up in the first game!!"

"Yes, Brother Gao."

"Jajanken... I won't even give you time to adapt."

"Round two, fight!!"

"Hmph!"

"Oh!? Seam, you!"

"Ahahaha!

... Big sister, are you that worried about you two?"

"Hey! Sorry!

... That's right. No matter how much plastic surgery is done, you can't go back to being human; I'm going to show you my ideal."

"Right, right, right, right, ah, wrong."

"Shh! Uwa is on Fire!"

"Yes, Brother Gao."

"Jajanken... Player 2 command input."

"Player 1 wins."

The loading screen appears after the battle ends.

"Guuu... Change your personality.

... However, the situation with the two of them seems very serious.

I don't think I can take it lightly..."

"Young lady, we are now..."

"... That's right. There's no other way."

"We will become stronger. As long as I don't have to rely on those two."

"Yes, let's do our best."

"... So, this is me."

"Chen, what kind of soldier are you calling?"

"What?"

"After all, if this kind of blatant meta-character is used, it will decide to change it."

"I mean, after I make a decision, you are a meta."

"As expected, the seam has been cut."

Shim laughed and rubbed his eyes.

"... That's interesting."

"After all, you are my older sister."

"... Yeah. You remember me. I just remember one thing."

"I once did the same thing."

"How nostalgic..."

The long loading screen before the match became blurry.

"Ahahaha!"

"Besides, I'm handling it!!"

Meleoron watched Shim playing a fighting game alone and burst into laughter.

"Yes. Please wait a moment."

"I am able to finish it."

When my game is being teased, I think of many things.

"Hey."

"What are you doing?"

"One. Wow, this is the first generation!"

"Aisha, why do you have this?"

Tianwangxing asked while putting down two plates of pilaf in the same way.

"Uh, no, that."

"... News source?"

"If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't buy or do something like this."

I quickly avoided the gaze staring at me.

"Aisha, this isn't funny at all."

A complaint from someone actually hitting the seam. I know.

"It's a simple job, just kicking and punching."

To be honest, go buy another dish.

"It's fine, I'm going to eat, stop playing games."

Saying this, Tianwangxing followed me to get food.

Picking up the salad plate, Tianwangxing grabbed the salad plate and a few forks, and walked to the table again.

"Aisha."

"Does this damn game have a jump function?"

While ruthlessly cursing me for being a shitty game, and pondering which seam I couldn't quit,

"To change."

"If you want, you can clear it with standing bread, crouching bread, and standing bread."

"Ahahahaha!"

Behind me, Meleoron, who seemed to find it reasonable, laughed and rolled over.

"If you want to do something interesting, you should do '96, but why are you making such a joke..."

I muttered while going to get the remaining food.

"That's just the kind of game it is."

Tianwangxing followed, holding back laughter.

No, I understand that. Yes... I don't understand.

"Yeah, you can eat meat rice!"

"Anyway, I prefer curry meat rice or shrimp meat rice."

Just as Meleoron made a wonderful clinking sound and spoke exaggeratedly,

"..."

"I forgot to ask if you could eat this kind of thing, but it's stupid to ask."

"With this much, you can eat all human food."

"Yes."

"On the contrary, if you ask me to eat insects, I will refuse."

Cormorant.... I just remembered something bad.

I took a light sip of water and took out my portion of salad. Drizzled with mayonnaise.

Only the meat rice and salad were cooked just right, and then I just grilled and stir-fried ready-made meals. The instant soup I made took the most time.

"Uranus, make your own food."

Crispy. Crunch.

"Hmm, this is something you can make easily.

I don't do anything that takes time, like stews.

What about Aisha?"

Fluffy. Crispy. Tuna and apples go well together.

"……Hmm. Me too.

It's not that I can't do it, but if it takes time, I don't like it.

Grilled dishes and stir-fried dishes can be made quickly to fill your stomach."

"I know, I know, that's true.

Delicatessen is limited to dining in the restaurant."

Uranus nodded and put the salad on a Plate.

……I thought about it and placed it in front of the seam.

"Eh."

"I feel like for some reason I can't eat.

Eat your vegetables properly. You can use as much mayonnaise as you want."

Saying that, Uranus brought the Plate without a seam to himself.

When I took out the salad again, I picked up the fried chicken and placed it on the pilaf.

"Are you using Kamiji and Fire here?"

I asked. Uranus shook his head.

"A few years ago, I studied Kamiji research.

It's the type that charges when Aura is injected, so it's a bit troublesome."

"Then……

Can you use Kamiji for weight? If you possess it, your Training will progress."

"Oh, it's for weight Training.

On the contrary, if it's just to make it Heavy, it's a good field. If I'm told to make it light, that's troublesome."

"Is it hard to make it light?"

Milky, who can use Manipulation on gravity, didn't say such a thing.

"……I'm not good at it.

On the contrary, it's easier to be told to float."

──? ──??

I feel like I just said something amazing.

"Well, anyway, it's impossible right away.

I'll prepare it in the game when I have time, so please specify where to write the god of attraction."

"Ha……"

Gravity—not universal gravitation, right? It might be different from Milky's gravity Manipulation. If I introduce Uranus and Milky, I have a feeling we might hear an interesting story.

While thinking that, I stuffed the fried chicken and pilaf into my mouth. Nom nom nom nom nom.

"Come to think of it, did you build this whole place?

If so, isn't that incredible?"

After Meleoron said that, I ate the soup.

Uranus made a strange face.

"Well, that's right, but……

It took so much time and Ging that I don't even want to remember it……"

"You didn't use this place when you played before, did you?"

When I asked, Uranus still had a subtle expression on his face.

"Because last time I entered from Battera.

……I think it's fine, because the security in that old castle is mostly silly.

Even the latest security system is at a subtle level that people with Nen Ability can't understand."

"……"

I think that's why Lina gave up on all games. If players paid for everything, they could take the Greed Island software out of the joystick, but if not, they have to keep the joystick safe all the time because they don't know who might come out at any time. It's too troublesome.

"Where did Aisha enter from before?

After all, signing a Contract with Battera and leaving the old castle?"

Uranus's question made me think a little. I usually think of it this way.

"Hmm.

Gon too. ……I let them buy it for me."

"……

That is……

Greed Island, explanation right?"

"……Hmm, hmm."

"... How much money?"

"Well...

You bought it for me, so I don't know either."

I want to know how much it is...

If I return the game to Leina in the end, I won't have to worry... I don't know if that will work... Since it concerns that girl, I still have a bad premonition.

"Ah, but I returned it after I cleared it, so you don't have it anymore, right?"

"............

Ah, I understand. Is that so?"

I thought I had been persuaded. I don't know why.

I scooped up some soup with a spoon and put it in my mouth.

Hmm... I think I would prefer a little more salt.

"You will faint immediately upon entering, so the risk of being hired by Battera to enter the game is very high."

"... Yes, that is correct."

After Battera's selection meeting, everyone entered the game almost at the same time. I can say that this is exactly what I was worried about. In that sense, I think I will be lucky again this time.

Take a spring roll and break it apart. Hmm. Yes, fried food and pilaf go well together.

The garnish seems hard to eat, while poking the cucumber with a fork,

"But Uranus also bought the game, right?

I'm quite rich."

"I'm poor now because I bought it.

It's time to make some money."

Uranus returned as if complaining.

"... I've heard of it for a long time, but are there any benefits to being a Divine Hunter?"

When I asked, Uranus gave a vague, sideways glance.

"I don't know, there are all sorts of things...

Originally I could handle Kamiji myself, but having just that wasn't enough, so I investigated ruins inscribed with Kamiji, Collect data, and studied them. This costs a lot of money...

I managed to do it with the money I earned at Heaven's Arena.

The difficult part is that it is basically only sold to people with Nen Ability. It sells for a high price, but finding someone to buy it is really troublesome."

Probably. Even the artifacts I learned to some extent were only used a little in the dojo, and I almost never used them in daily life. Even if you use them actively, you cannot use them where the public can see. The same goes for Nen Ability itself.

Even so, the Heaven's Arena system is indeed full of loopholes. I have always taken care of you, so I am not saying this...

Why don't those looking for the bounty for clearing Greed Island use Heaven's Arena? It is much easier to earn a lot of money there.... Well, I don't care.

"Uranus also earns money at Heaven's Arena."

"... Ah, you too.

Ah, if you are intentionally losing to earn money, it seems you will be warned if your battle winnings approach 1 billion."

"Ahahaha..."

Correctly verified.

This time, various games have come out, but they all have original games. The differences in details lie in the modifications.

By the way, the fighting game Aisa played at Heaven's Arena (unlabeled, Episode 9) is expected to be oof'96.