I Reincarnated Into a Vending Machine Chapter 97

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Jidou Hanbaiki ni Umarekawatta ore wa Meikyuu o Samayou
Author: Hiru k.u.ma
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Recently, the community has become quite calm.
It seems all the monsters have been defeated, and although we're continuing to patrol just in case, we haven't seen a single one these past two days.
Using a pump-like magic tool that Hyurumi had invented previously, it was possible to send water directly from a nearby well to the handmade pool, so there's no need for me to put ice in it.
The Clear Stream Lake level has plenty of water so it seems like the wells won't run dry, and so it's possible to use the pool everyday.
A drainage pump was also installed, so the replacement of water is perfect.

Over two weeks have pa.s.sed since we returned to the level. Clear Stream Lake Level's lively, everyday life has returned, making the turmoil seem like a lie.
I'm impressed that we've rebounded so well from such a horrible situation, but that's only limited to this level. We don't know what's going on in the other levels without any way to communicate with them, and we can only hope that they were also able to drive away the monsters like we have.
With it peaceful here, I can't help but be concerned about other levels. No, frankly, I'm not that worried about levels I haven't gone to. What I'm worried about is the Starting Level.
Princ.i.p.al-sensei and the orphan children. Also the Fools of Whimsy Brigade. Since they're there I think they'll manage somehow, but ……

"Hakkon."

Oops, I was too deep in thought and wasn't looking at my surroundings. Next to me are Hyurumi and Ramis with serious expressions.

"Right now there's a special meeting. Come partic.i.p.ate."

"I'm going to carry you, ne."

Does this mean that the repairs for the transfer circle are done? If that's the case, can we finally head towards rescue and relief? Despite thinking of that, I didn't say a word and dove under the door while being carried on Ramis' back.
People were already gathered in the hall; everyone was paying attention to President Bear.

"Looks like Hakkon has also come. Then can I ask you to give the explanations, Hyurumi?"

"I don't mind."

Hyurumi moved next to President Bear. As I thought, it's related to the transfer circle.

"Gramps and I have somehow restored the transfer circle that couldn't transfer at all."

"OOOOOH-!"

Everyone suddenly became excited, but Hyurumi calmed them with her hand.

"Calm down. There's more to it. It's just that we can't connect to the outside right now, and it's impossible to directly transfer outside of the dungeon."

I saw a few people with dissatisfied expressions, but the majority are citizens who have lived a long time on this level, and so they were calm about it.

Furthermore, even if we forcibly connect to other levels with the current adjustments, we'll be in a good position if we connect to one place. Furthermore, the most people we can send is three."

So we can't control it perfectly? Even so, you can say we've made quite the progress, as the possibility of sending in small groups of people allows us to see the situation and gather information from another level.

"And then, the problem is who ta send in, huh? And also, which level should we go to? That's what we're discussing … is that good, President?"

"Aah, that's fine. However, my apologies to everyone, but the level we'll be sending to is already decided. It's the Starting Level."

"Oh President. You're going to explain the reason, right?"

Grandfather stood up swiftly, turning his sharp eyes to President Bear.

"Certainly. The Starting Level is the only place that is directly connected to the outside. There is little doubt that that place has the highest survival rate."

Oh yeah, the Starting Level has those huge doors, and past those are huge stairs that connect to the surface, right? Even if the transfer circles have been caused to malfunction, it it's connected to the surface, then it's possible to evacuate citizens and get reinforcements.

"Right now, the transfer circle is a one-way trip from here. By somehow dealing with the transfer circle on the other side, it should be possible to come and go from that side. And for that reason, I want one of the people we'll be sending is the magic tool engineer, Hyurumi."

"Aah, I got it. If I don't go, we won't be able to connect from that side's magic circle, ya?"

So among the fixed number of three people, Hyurumi is established as one of them?

"Furthermore, I'd like to ask Ramis and Hakkon to go as well. The that surpa.s.ses defensive abilities and being able to provide food is major. With Ramis carrying Hakkon, I wish for you to use that power to save everyone."

"Un, that's fine. I'm worried about all the orphans and the Fools of Whimsy Brigade, so I intended to become a candidate anyway. Hakkon, you're okay with it too?"

"U n Welcome."

If they need my power, then I'll happily partic.i.p.ate.
I'll have to leave behind a large amount of imperishable food. The current situation is that I'm the one providing most of the food, so let's provide enough to last at least one month.
They have more than enough water secured, so we'll need sweet juice, considering the replenishment of sugar, and sports drinks to counter heatstroke, I guess.

"And so, there is one more person for the fixed team, but is there anyone who will volunteer, or else any recommendations?"

The hunters looked at each other and began to discuss it.
There weren't a few hunters who were thinking about partic.i.p.ating, but I heard a number of voices wondering whether or not their abilities would be enough.
Right now we can't grasp what the situation will be after transferring, so what we need is combat potential. Everyone understands this even if President Bear doesn't say it.
One candidate is President Bear. His strength is obvious and his abilities are unquestionable, but President Bear has a lot of things he has to do here.
Grandmother and Grandfather are also glancing here and there. Either one of these two are top cla.s.s out of all the people here, but we have to be considerate of their old age and not push them too hard, and their ability to recover is slow.
In particular, Grandfather has to be in charge of operation and investigation on the magic circle left on this side, so there's no chance he'll be chosen. Plus, it would be bad to pull him away from his granddaughter.
That being the case, the gatekeepers are pivotal for Clear Stream Lake Level's defenses so we'd like to leave them here, and the Big Eaters Brigade excel at searching abilities, but they feel like they're one step behind in pure fighting capabilities.
Did the majority of people come to the same conclusion as me? Through the process of elimination, all eyes rested on the same person. He must also realize it himself. He stood on the spot, as if naturally electing himself.

"My abilities are lacking, but I would also like to join."

There was no reason to refuse Mishael, in ikemen-mode, so the last member was unanimously agreed upon.
By the way, afterwards Mishael revealed his true feelings,

"If Master Hakkon and Ramis-san and Hyurumi-san, who I've gotten to be friends with somewhat, are gone, what am I supposed to do!?"

He was completely driven by his communication disorder.
Come to think of it, he hasn't opened up much to the other people after all. Being left behind here might be something like torture for him.

—

　最後の調整があるので出発は明日の早朝ということになり、俺はハンター協会の地下保管庫に食料品を積んでいく作業をしている。
There are still some last adjustments to be made, so the departure is for early tomorrow, and I'm working on stacking up food products in the Hunter's a.s.sociation's bas.e.m.e.nt vault.
Canned foods have a long shelf life, so it's really a huge help in this sort of situation. I made a mountain of canned bread and oden, and as of other long-lasting food stuffs… it would be cup ramen. This can also be eaten well after a month's time.
I'm concerned about nutritional balance, so let's also prepare a large amount of supplementary food, the Calorie something-or-other. If that's the case, then supplemental drinks are also necessary, huh?

"Let's line up all the goods-"

"Pl ea se do."

Without a single disgruntled look, Ramis is carrying them.

"Add more of this stewed one! I wonder what this food is called."

"O de n."

"Heeeh-, so it's called oden. Isn't there any with more meat?"

"Pel's all about the meat, ne. I want one that's full of gruit."

"Suko, you're all about sweets, aren't you? As the leader, I can happily eat potato sweets."

"Mikene, being the leader has nothing to do with it. Personally, I'd like you to increase the fizzyfizzy drink."

The Big Eaters Brigade are also helping, but they've got lots of demands of some sort or the other.
It concerns their eating habits from now on, so it looks like it's worth the same as their lives to them.
If there's facilities capable of preserving frozen foods I would leave their favorite karaage and other foods, but in this summery situation, it would go bad in the span of a day.
The vault is quite large, so it seems like we'll have more than enough for two months if I completely filled it. Furthermore, if their daily lives become a little more stable, it seems like they predict they'll be able to go outside to go hunting, so it's also possible that they'll be self-sufficient in getting food.
President Bear was also encouraging me, saying I didn't have to worry about this level, so it seems I'll be able to leave for the Starting Level without worries.

"Hakkon. I wonder how the Starting Level is. It would be good if everyone was safe."

Without pausing from carrying food, Ramis muttered with a gloomy look.
We might have to prepare ourselves for the worst, but with Princ.i.p.al-sensei and the Fools of Whimsy Brigade gathered together, so I am unexpectedly optimistic about it as well.
Since it's connected to the surface, in the worst case everyone escapes to the surface, and they can just try again from outside. Originally you need to pay a toll to pa.s.s through the door, but I'd a.s.sume that in this emergency situation there would be no charge.

"Re st a.s.s ur ed."
"Le a der."
"Is also prote cting them."

"That's true. They say the Fools of Whimsy Brigade are used to adversity. Yup, they'll be fine."

I don't have enough words, but looks like it got through somehow.
I also want to believe that each of the Fools of Whimsy Brigade's members won't be done in so easily.
That's why they'll be fine. That's right, I can't do anything else but believe that they're fine.

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