After informing everyone about Shinshui's situation, the women were all excited and enthusiastically discussed how to proceed with the hidden mission.
However, during this afternoon, Kaito and the others also had a simple, belated lunch and started organizing the weapons and ammunition captured earlier.
Naturally, none of them knew how to use guns, so Kaito used his master-level marksmanship knowledge to teach them.
By night, they had learned the essentials of shooting, though hitting the target was another matter. At least they knew how to aim, fire, load bullets, and change magazines.
...
Kaito organized the shotgun, AK automatic rifle, and an unknown pistol, hanging them on himself. After moving around to ensure they didn't hinder his movements, he took them off.
"Kaito, do we still need to wear protective suits when we go out?"
"I think it's not really necessary anymore. The effect of this level of radiation on us, who have strengthened our bodies, will become weaker and weaker."
The virus issue had passed long ago. However, previously infected animals, etc., could still infect humans.
It was somewhat similar to a zombie apocalypse.
Even those animals continued to reproduce, like the mutated cow Kaito encountered at the beginning.
"Hehehe... then I'll take mine off~ I want to go upstairs. It's so stuffy in the shelter."
"Hmm..."
Initially, it was hard to get used to. Even with ventilation installed and electricity still running, it was still stuffy.
Kaito nodded, letting them go up to the villa above. He also asked those staying behind to rest and look after Shinshui, while he went upstairs to get some air.
Reaching first-grade level allowed one to ignore the surrounding radiation.
But when encountering mutated creatures, it was still necessary to wear a gas mask, preferably a protective suit, as they carried many viruses. Close contact would inevitably lead to some contamination.
Outside the villa, it was now evening.
The women simply chatted in the yard, even bringing out playing cards they had found at the mall to play.
Kaito wasn't interested in joining, so he climbed to the third-floor balcony to enjoy the breeze, smoke a cigarette, and think about the next course of action.
For now, there seemed to be nothing to do, and no important events were happening, but not only did mutated creatures enter the city every night, but there were also survivors who might come to cause trouble.
Most importantly, what about the beast wave in twenty days?
"Oh, the wind is getting stronger?"
The wind blew against Kaito's face. He felt like the wind was indeed getting stronger.
Of course, it might just be a sudden gust.
As for the surroundings, they were eerily quiet, with no lights visible.
Even though he was in the city, the absence of any light was very strange.
"Kaito, what are you doing up here alone?"
Mamako came to stand beside Kaito.
She had always been curious about Kaito. Listening to the other ladies in the chat group constantly praise Kaito made her desire to talk to him alone grow.
Just now, when she lost at cards downstairs, she voluntarily quit and, seeing Kaito alone on the balcony enjoying the breeze, came up to talk.
"Just enjoying the breeze and thinking about the next steps."
"I see. Kaito really is very reliable~"
Mamako put her hands together, sighing in admiration, with a look of worship in her eyes.
It was only then that Kaito really took a good look at Mamako.
All he could say was, she looked exactly the same. In both temperament and figure!
Her personality was also similar, just lacking a son to worry about and care for?
"By the way, Oosuki-san, why don't you tell me about your world?"
"Oh my, didn't I already talk about it?"
"Other things, other things. Someday I want to visit your world, so I'd like to know a bit first~"
"I see~"
Mamako playfully tapped her chin with her index finger, thinking about how to introduce her world.
Soon, she mentioned the labyrinths in her world.
"What? What labyrinth did you say?"
"It's the Elro Great Labyrinth!"
'Elro Great Labyrinth!'
'Isn't this the labyrinth from "So I'm a Spider, So What?!"!'
'So the question was, was this a coincidence, or was it truly the same labyrinth?'
'If it was just a coincidence in name, it was nothing.'
'But if it was exactly the same, with two worlds merging...'
'Would the cute spider girl who loved monologues be there too?'
"Kaito, are you interested in conquering labyrinths?"
"Of course. You might not know this, but in our ordinary world, there are many RPG adventure games with labyrinths."
"Yes, I know that. Sawamura-san explained it to me!"
"Right, so I've thought about becoming a hero someday, braving a labyrinth, defeating the boss inside, and so on."
"Is that so? Then I'll accompany you too!"
Mamako became interested too.
Originally, she had no interest in conquering labyrinths.
After all, her daughter didn't like going to such places, so she naturally wouldn't go either. Besides, it was pitch black in there, requiring torches for light all the way, and it was easy to get lost, etc., etc.
That made her want to go even less.
Besides, adventurers died in the labyrinth every day.
"Speaking of which, regarding your daughter, haven't you tried to investigate her true identity?"
"I have! I just haven't found anything out, hehehe~"
Mamako looked mischievous, but it was true she hadn't found anything out.
"Actually, I've been worried about something lately."
"Is it about your daughter?"
"Yes!"
Mamako nodded vigorously.
Lately, her daughter had been acting strangely. Initially, she thought Chiyo had someone she liked. She would find various excuses to go out alone every day, and Mamako would secretly follow her.
But what happened?
Her trailing failed...
Her daughter, Chiyo, discovered her. But when she returned, her daughter didn't explain anything to her, acting as if nothing had changed.
So she was worried about what had happened to her daughter that she wouldn't even tell her mother about it?