Chapter 355: An Unexpected Magic Tool
Yuma and the others were put in the Seeker’s car and taken to the center of the city.
They got out of the car in a district lined with buildings and headed for an office building with brightly lit lights.
There were a few people with rifles around. At first glance, they looked like soldiers, but they were probably Seekers.
“This way.”
The Seeker man jerked his chin. The man was in his forties, with short black hair. Judging from his arrogant attitude, he might be in a fairly high position.
Yuma obediently followed his instructions. It didn’t seem like he intended to harm him at the moment.
They entered the building, took the elevator, and got off on the seventh floor. He was led to a room on the floor. When the door opened, there were many women inside.
In the bleak room, futons and other items were laid out.
All the women were looking down anxiously, their faces exhausted.
“You stay in here. We’ll officially decide your fate tomorrow.”
Anzai (she) was pushed in and forcibly put into the room. The door was immediately closed, and Yuma (he) was led to another place.
“You’re this way.”
He was shoved in the back and thrown into a large room. Inside were about twenty men, looking at him with downcast eyes.
They also had haggard eyes. Were they being treated roughly?
“We’ll verify your identities tomorrow. Until then, stay put.”
The man said that, closed the door, locked it with a click, and went somewhere. Yuma (he) looked around and sat down in a suitable place.
The men in the room didn’t say anything and didn’t try to talk to Yuma (he).
Yuma (he) didn’t try to talk to them either, and silently looked out the window. It was dark outside because it was late at night.
Should he go and rescue Anzai (she) right away? It would be better to do it at night if he wanted to disappear into the darkness.
Yuma (he) thought about it, but then shook his head.
–Since I can only turn into a Metal Slime, it will be difficult to escape. If I’m going to fight anyway, it’s better to do it in the light.
Yuma (he) lay down on the floor mat. He would sleep here tonight and go to rescue Anzai (she) in the morning.
Rescue Anzai (she) and send her back to Brisbane…
As he was thinking about this and that in his head, he was suddenly called out to.
“Um, excuse me, are you perhaps Japanese?”
Yuma (he) was surprised and raised his face, lifting his upper body. Standing nearby was a young man with a black bob haircut.
Yuma (he) smiled at the young man who asked anxiously.
“Yes, I am. Are you Japanese too?”
The young man breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a smile, “Yes, I am.”
“Is it okay if I sit next to you?”
“Of course.”
The young man sat down next to Yuma (he) and gave him an innocent smile.
“My name is Hayama. I came to Australia to work, but, well, the world has become something else, hasn’t it?”
“It has. Ah, my name is Mitaka.”
When he gave his name, Hayama brought his face closer and spoke in a low voice.
“Mitaka-san, were you forcibly brought back too?”
“Eh? Forcibly?”
Yuma (he) asked back with a puzzled look. Then Hayama opened his eyes wide and looked surprised, “Aren’t you?”
“I thought you were caught after escaping from Canberra…”
“How did Hayama-san end up here?”
“I’m exactly the type who escaped and was brought back. This is hell for people who can’t use magic.”
Hayama told him about the current situation in Canberra.
Since the Seekers came to dominate the city, ordinary citizens have been forced into de facto forced labor.
Producing parts for weapons and Magic Tools in factories.
Engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry to secure food.
Public interest activities to maintain the city.
Even if they worked more than ten hours a day without a break, all they received in return was a small amount of food.
If they didn’t obey, they would be severely punished, and if they tried to escape, they would be forcibly brought back. If they were too rebellious, they might even be killed in the worst case.
“It’s almost like slavery. It’s true that there are a lot of Seekers, so there’s no need to worry about being attacked by Monsters, but instead, we have to obey terrifying humans. How did the world become like this…”
Hayama sighed deeply.
“I originally lived in Canberra, but I should have left as soon as possible before the terrorists overthrew the government.”
“Is that so…”
He had heard that the Seekers were in control, and he thought that they were living a decent life, but it seemed that they were doing whatever they wanted.
It was no wonder they were called terrorists. Yuma (he) asked Hayama about other things he was curious about.
“But, you’re not attacked by Monsters, right? Is the defense system here that strong?”
Hayama nodded, “Yes, that’s right.”
“After all, they have Magic Tools that control Monsters.”
“Eh!?”
Yuma (he) was surprised and couldn’t help but open his mouth.
“Magic Tools that control Monsters!? Does such a thing exist?”
“Yes, I’ve heard that they can control pretty strong Monsters. I’m not a Seeker, so I don’t know the details.”
At Hayama’s words, Yuma (he) looked down with a serious expression. He had never heard of a Magic Tool that could control Monsters.
Was the reason the Seekers launched a coup because they were confident that they could control Monsters?
Various questions came to his mind. Among them, Yuma (he) asked Hayama what he wanted to know most.
“By the way, Hayama-san. I heard that there is a ‘Black Dungeon’ in Canberra, but do you know where it is?”
“The Black Dungeon? Oh, the one in the south? Of course, I know it.”
“What’s it like now? Are Monsters overflowing from it?”
Hearing Yuma’s story, Hayama shook his head and denied it.
“If Monsters were overflowing from such a large Dungeon, this place would be uninhabitable even with the Seekers. Strangely enough, Monsters aren’t coming out of the Black Dungeon. I don’t know why, though.”
“Is that… so?”
It was certainly a strange story, but if Monsters weren’t coming out, that was all the better.
Yuma (he) thanked Hayama and lay down in the corner of the room to rest. In any case, it seemed dangerous to stay in Canberra for long.
He would sleep here tonight and go to rescue Anzai (she) when the sun rose.
If he could get Anzai (she) into a car and take her to a safe place, all that was left was to head to the ‘Black Dungeon’.
The problem was what to do with the Seekers in the city —
And what to do with the Monsters that the Seekers controlled.