Chương 53: Chapter 14 The Search Beyond(Part 2)

"Gates could transform a dystopia into a utopia.

"But the reality is that we might just become residents of a smoky mountain." Chiyoda took out a cigarette.

"It's been a long time since knowledge itself made me feel disgusted."

"Even so, we still have to live, don't we?" I took out my own cigarettes.

"... May I have one?" I hadn't expected Chiyoda to smoke. I handed him a cigarette, instructed him to place it between his lips, and lit it with magic. The drifting smoke from both of us quickly filled the small room.

"Chiyoda-san, I intend to investigate the Safe Spaces and the native flora and fauna beyond the fifth floor.

"Considering what happened in Akihabara...

"If possible, I'd like to see whether we can create medicine from Gate resources and organisms.

"If we can't...

"Then we'll continue deeper."

"Understood. We'll gather personnel."

"Do I really need people to accompany me? For simple investigation, I should be able to go alone." Chiyoda shook his head. He exhaled cigarette smoke with an unpleasant expression. His way of smoking wasn't wrong, but it was obvious he hadn't done it in a long time.

"You are the only person who can sit at the negotiating table.

"That alone makes you the most important VIP we have.

"Normally, someone else should handle this.

"But your knowledge is indispensable.

"If you move, you need protection.

"And bringing production-class users for field research will make the investigation far more efficient."

"Hmm.

"If there is anyone who has obtained an Alchemist-type Class, please bring them.

"I'll leave the rest of the team composition to you.

"How long will preparation take?"

"Let's see...

"It won't be thirty seconds.

"But we can gather everyone within an hour.

"And please wear the usual outfit." The matter of not receiving proper equipment still bothered me. I had thought about it many times. Right now, I was a fourteen-year-old fragile-looking girl. Even if they couldn't prepare a bulletproof vest in my size... Why did I have to run around wearing gothic lolita clothes every single time?

"I demand an equipment upgrade!

"Why do I have to run around in a gothic lolita outfit again?

"Is this someone's hobby?" Chiyoda smiled knowingly. After taking a deliberately arrogant puff of his cigarette, he explained.

"This is an experiment.

"Classes work outside the Gate as well, and their power is influenced by imagination.

"If so, then your symbol is...

"A red-eyed, white-haired girl in gothic lolita clothing.

"If external perception strengthens your abilities, then the results could be immeasurable." Chiyoda was clearly enjoying himself. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it But his argument made sense. My symbol was exactly what he described. That was how I had appeared during the livestream. If external image really affected power... Then someone like the leader of a major religion could potentially possess enormous strength. Not just through words.

But as an actual ability.

"... I'll accept it.

"If my embarrassment can prevent future disasters, then it's a fair price."

"Thank you, Chloe."

"Yes.

"Magical girl fan." With that, the discussion ended. I left the room. Preparation would take about thirty minutes. The destination would probably be Setagaya or Adachi. I wanted to buy some cigarettes, coffee, and snacks while I still had the chance. But would they even let me leave the building? I wasn't a child, so I wouldn't get lost. Still, if people noticed me... I'd attract a crowd. Chiyoda and Mochida were nowhere to be seen. For now, I decided to walk around the Metropolitan Police Department.

The moment I passed by, I received countless curious looks. Foreigners often said Japanese police were kind. If so... Could they spare some of that kindness for me? Warm, pitying looks were not what I wanted. After wandering around for a while, I finally found a store. The stares continued.

"Can we help you with something?" Several police officers stood behind me. I didn't think anyone could mistake me for someone else based on my appearance alone, so what did they want?

"Well... we wanted to see if you were the real thing."

"She's smaller than I expected. And cute."

"We thought we should make sure she was safe."

"Could we get your autograph?"... Maybe the world really was more peaceful than I thought. The tension that had been holding me together finally loosened. My shoulders felt lighter. So much had happened. And yet... It hadn't even been a week. Ah... I remembered the taste of the chicken tempura my wife had made that day.

"... What should I write?" I signed the paper.

"Will this be enough?" The officers left after receiving their autographs. I'd never written one before, so it felt awkward. Who actually thinks about the proper size ratio between handwriting and autograph paper? Normally, nobody does. When I returned to the room, Mochida came running toward me carrying a trunk. He looked pale. Had something happened?

"Chloe! Where have you been?!

"Do you have any idea how worried we were while searching for you?"

"I just went to buy cigarettes and supplies.

"We're entering the Gate soon.

"I needed some things." Mochida lowered his shoulders in exhaustion. Then he grabbed my hand and dragged me into the changing room. Ah. The gothic lolita outfit.

"Chloe, listen carefully.

"You are an important person now.

"If you walk around alone, someone will kidnap you.

"I'm not exaggerating." Behind Mochida's lecture, I changed into the gothic lolita clothes. The makeup and ribbons were quickly applied. The work was surprisingly efficient. The trunk even contained my dog tags, which I placed around my neck. Somehow... I'd gotten used to wearing this outfit. Maybe I would be stuck with it for a long time. The trunk also contained spare clothes, so I stored everything inside my ring.

"Mochida-san, who are the members joining us this time?

"Also, this is my phone number.

"I'll keep GPS tracking enabled at all times." After changing clothes, I examined my own body. I couldn't sense any obvious changes. At least, this body itself did not seem affected by external enhancements. However, strengthening magic was not about changing the body. So it still worked normally. A single test wouldn't reveal anything. I'd simply have to wait and see.

"Thank you.

"This time, there are five members.

"One of them is a production-class user."

"Are they police officers again?

"If Akamine-san and the others are coming, that would make things easier."

"No.

"They're from the Special Operations Group.

"By the way, Chloe, you were originally from the Self-Defense Forces, weren't you?" I had been. But I had already left. I had no idea what had happened since then. Still... The Self-Defense Forces had begun moving as well. A ripple spreads until it collides with another ripple. But how far would the ripple I had created travel?

"I'm already discharged.

"I don't know them personally, but I can probably predict their behavior to some extent.

"Of course, have they obtained Classes?"

"Yes.

"They have.

"The details can be discussed once we meet at the Adachi Gate."

"Understood.

"Then let's go." The Metropolitan Police Department... A girl in gothic lolita clothing walking through it was an absurd sight. The officers staring at me... Please do your jobs. I got into a black vehicle and headed toward the Adachi Gate. A patrol motorcycle passed by. I couldn't help but think: I want to ride a bike. Looking out the window, I watched people walking through the streets. It was supposed to be a day off.

Yet there were office workers in suits, students wearing hoodies, a group of people in black gothic lolita outfits with red ribbon ties, and even a man wearing a torn martial arts uniform with a red headband. The world had become surprisingly colorful.

"Isn't today supposed to be a holiday?"

"People heading to the Gates don't really care about that." True enough. Who cared what someone wore when entering a Gate? Then I remembered something important.

"Mochida-san.

"Have there been any reports of explorers encountering other explorers inside the Gate?"

"A few cases.

"Compared to the number of people who entered, it's extremely rare.

"But it's not zero." Hmm. Was the Gate shaped like a funnel? A box? Or perhaps a flat area divided into sections? I had no idea. Maybe I would find out by going deeper.

"We're here."

"Alright.

"Let's go.

"To that wonderful place." Standing before the Gate, the first word that came to my mind was... Entertainment. I felt good. I wanted to go deeper. Further and further. People said turning hobbies into work was hell. Because you lose your escape. But... Wasn't it okay to enjoy your work too? The vehicle stopped. A crowd had already gathered around us. Of course. The excitement from last night had not faded yet. The lingering scent of dreams was still tempting people.

"Oh?

"Chiyoda, you're already here?"

"Yes.

"I couldn't keep you waiting." When Chiyoda opened the vehicle door and stepped out, voices rose like summer cicadas. Annoying. But... Those voices were worth hearing. I lightly waved my hand and walked toward the Gate.

"Make way, please." Like the sea parting before Moses, the crowd opened. I reached the Gate. Waiting there were four members of the Self-Defense Forces wearing black uniforms. And then...

"Oh?

"Takatsuki.

"You're the production-class user?

"We'll discuss everything inside.

"Now, let's hold hands." I took Takatsuki's hand and entered the Gate together with the soldiers. The brief sensation of floating ended. And there we were. A dungeon with no escape until the exit.