A level-one danger zone is classified based on two factors.First, the appearance of multiple portals within a single area, causing monsters to emerge without end.Second, the existence of portals that cannot disappear—permanent portals that continuously spew out monsters.
In the game, level-one danger zones only exist in Shizuoka. However, that is solely because the game's scope is limited to Japan. If I remember correctly, after a certain update patch, Shizuoka—which initially became a dangerous area—eventually transformed into the strongest fortress in Japan.
But that time has not yet come.
At present, humanity prefers to designate dangerous zones and isolate them with fortresses, rather than constructing fortifications that surround entire cities.
In other words… there is a high probability that this world is developing according to the game's progression.
Yet a question naturally arose.If I change something, will the future change as well?
I frowned.
In the game, millions of players could work together to withstand waves of monsters using their own mobile suits. In this world, the number of mobile suit users would never reach that scale.
"I came here today to deal with abandoned family properties," Tatsuo continued, "and to make investments for fortress expansion. I've also prepared another location where you can develop your abilities in preparation for the upcoming exam."
I continued eating calmly, unsure whether I should tell him that building fortresses to isolate a zone was a foolish strategy.
…
On the way to school, I opened a stock trading account where Akira held five percent of Sekiryu's shares. Even so, five percent was still a considerable amount, and I was certain Tatsuo would be furious if I sold it.
Tatsuo seemed like the type of person who acted as the market maker for his own company's stock.
I decided to use funds from my bank account and convert them into Palantir shares worth one million dollars. The reason was simple. Before the portals appeared, Japan maintained strong relations with the United States, and even now, Japan continues to import weaponry from them. Palantir provides the software used in those weapon systems.
There is a high likelihood that they also control the production of software for mecha—mobile suits—and other weaponry. Buying now, while prices are still low, is the best long-term investment.
…
"Yo, Kurogane. It's only the second day and you've already changed the way you dress."
A young man approached and spoke to me. His name was Hiraga Saito, someone who had been overly familiar with me since yesterday's lunch break.
"What's with this? Your arm's bandaged, and your jacket's tied around your waist," Saito said curiously.
"Yeah, I got hit by a car yesterday."
I ignored Saito and walked toward my seat. There, Nora glanced at me briefly before quickly looking away.
I had just sat down when people began approaching one by one.
"Hey, Kurogane… what happened to your arm?"A short-haired girl stopped beside my desk, frowning as she looked at the bandage wrapped around it.
I nodded lightly. "It's nothing serious."
"That looks pretty serious," another girl cut in, leaning forward slightly. "You got hit by a car, right? Did you break any bones?"
I let out a quiet sigh. "Just a minor accident."
Several of them exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced. Their eyes shifted from my bandaged arm, to the jacket tied around my waist, then back to my face—as if trying to piece together mismatched fragments.
"Then why are you still coming to school?" a tall male student asked, arms crossed. "Most people would take leave."
"I have business," I replied shortly.
A brief silence followed.
"Oh—uh, sorry if we're being too nosy," the short-haired girl said with a stiff smile. "We were just… worried."
I nodded once more. "Thanks."
Saito suddenly slung an arm around my shoulder."Man, that's not how you deal with girls," he whispered into my ear.
It's not that I cared one way or another.I just hoped these people would leave me alone soon.
The sound of a chair crashing to the floor rang out loudly.
Metal scraped across the ground, and the entire classroom fell silent at once. Some students flinched, while others instinctively turned toward the source of the noise.
"Here we go again," a girl muttered irritably, as if this had become routine.
I rose slightly from my seat and peered through the gaps in the crowd. Between clustered bodies, I saw Nora.
Her hair was being yanked violently. Her head was pulled back as she was dragged out of the classroom. Her face was tense, lips tightly pressed together—but there was no scream. No resistance.
The classroom door flew open, then slammed shut with force.
"Does this happen every day?" I asked. My voice was cold. "Why do you all just stand there?"
Several students exchanged uncomfortable looks.
"Because it's normal," a girl replied without meeting my gaze. "She's always causing trouble."
"There are lots of bad rumors about her," another added. "They say she lies, craves attention, and hangs around shady people."
"And whenever there's some kind of incident," a male student continued, "her name is always involved."
I turned toward Saito.
"Well," he said with a sigh, "Nora used to be pretty popular. A lot of people liked her. But after those rumors spread, everyone started distancing themselves."
"Not just distancing," he added, quieter but firm. "They started treating everything that happens to her as something she brought on herself."
The room filled again with low murmurs—voices mixed with justification and unease.
I stood up.
The legs of my chair scraped softly against the floor as I pushed it back, but the sound was enough to draw attention. The murmuring crowd fell silent, then slowly parted as I walked toward the door.
"K-Kurogane-san?"A female student called out hesitantly. "Where are you going?"
I didn't slow down.
"Are you… going to help that girl?" another asked, her voice filled with curiosity and anxiety.
I stopped. My gaze swept over them without emotion.
"None of your business."