Spoils of War and Withdrawal

The orc's massive body began crumbling from the feet up.

It wasn't decaying.

It was dispersing into the air as particles of black mist.

"It disappeared…?"

"What the hell, is this seriously a video game…?"

The students watching from the gallery murmured at the supernatural sight.

Monsters born from dungeons, upon death, were reduced back to maso, the magical particles they were composed of.

This phenomenon was proof that they were not living creatures, but manifestations of magic.

However, the bodily fluids that had sprayed from the massive hole I'd vaporized with Mana Strike, and the pools of blood that had spread across the floor, remained.

An intense bestial stench mixed with the smell of iron filled the hall.

Clang, clatter…

A heavy metallic sound echoed through the hushed hall.

The road sign pole, now bereft of its master, had rolled emptily across the floor.

After the orc's body had completely vanished, two objects lay beside that iron pole.

One was a dark purple crystalline mass about the size of a fist.

The other was a sphere roughly marble-sized, emitting a faint golden light.

"… Bingo."

I reached out without caring about getting covered in blood and fat, and picked them up.

First, the crystal. A D-rank magic stone.

It had a satisfying heft. Its surface was hard as diamond, with murky dark mana swirling in its depths.

A completely different class from the goblin magic stones.

Size, purity, luster. First-class in every way.

At current rates, this single stone might be enough to build a house in Tokyo.

And then the other.

The golden sphere.

I held it up to the light and almost let out a whistle.

(A Skill Orb…! And this color means 'body enhancement type' or 'resistance type.')

A rare drop.

If the magic stone was just an energy resource, this was "ability" itself.

A legendary item that, through a special process, could transplant a portion of a monster's skills into a human.

Coming from an orc, it was probably "Herculean Strength" or "Skin Hardening."

Either way, it was something money couldn't buy.

"… Hey, something dropped!"

"A jewel? Looks like a big stone…"

The students on the upper floors were starting to notice what was in my hands.

Not good.

In this chaos, if word got out about "treasure," an ugly fight over ownership could break out.

Or some self-righteous type might pop up saying "it should be used for everyone's benefit."

Quick as a street magician, I stuffed both spoils into my hoodie pocket.

I wasn't giving these to anyone.

This was the reward I'd won by risking my life and sacrificing my partner.

UUUUUUU—!!

Just then, the siren approaching from outside the school grew even louder.

The sound of heavy vehicles. The vibration of tank treads. Shouting through loudspeakers.

'This is the 1st Airborne Brigade from Narashino Garrison! All survivors, raise your hands and come out immediately! Repeat…'

"… Tch, late-arriving heroes of justice."

I clicked my tongue.

Arriving right after the boss was defeated. How very government-like timing.

If I stayed here, I'd naturally be "protected."

But that also meant "detention" and "questioning."

Right now I was carrying a suspicious weapon (its remains), covered in blood and filth, and in possession of mysterious items.

I'd definitely be isolated as a person of interest and have my magic stones confiscated.

(What a hassle… Time to bail.)

I pulled my hood down deeper and surveyed my surroundings.

The students' attention was fixed on the SDF troops storming in through the school gate.

They were desperately waving their hands, calling out "We're saved!" "Over here!"

Now was my chance.

I silently moved to the shadows of the hall, muffling my footsteps.

The back corridor leading to the kitchen.

No eyes there, and it connected to the rear of the building.

"… H-hey!"

A hesitant voice called from behind.

I looked back to see Sakaki gazing down at me from the third floor gallery.

He'd noticed I was trying to slip away. His expression was conflicted, but he gave a small nod.

A question: Is it okay to go?

I raised one hand silently and gave him a thumbs up.

Meaning: I'll leave the rest to you.

Sakaki gave a watery smile and returned something like a salute.

I was lucky to have such a good friend.

I melted into the shadows and dashed for the back exit.

Behind me, I could hear the shouts of "Secure! Secure!" and "Any wounded?" from the troops who had stormed in, along with the relieved sobs of students.

I didn't need praise as a hero.

What I had in my pocket was far heavier and more certain "reality" than any of that.

I pushed open the heavy iron door of the back exit, and the evening wind blew in.

A lukewarm wind, tinged with the smell of blood.

But to me, it felt like a celebratory salvo heralding the dawn of a new era.

"… Time to go home."

I vanished into the debris-strewn back alleys, the SDF searchlights at my back.

Mana completely empty, weapon totaled. Battered to my limits.

But my steps were the lightest they'd been all day.