Genocide Reality

“I’m a resident of the picture book, you say!”

Ussa’s cry echoed.

It seems Ryuji Mikagami, the fuzzy-head with knowledge of GenoReal, immediately recognized Ussa, whom I had brought with me, as an NPC on the sixth floor and told Shuichi Nanami about her.

So they followed us and started questioning us. First of all, Ussa had no idea what game they were talking about, and she, Nanami, and the others were not on the same page at all.

I couldn’t help but explain from the side.

In GenoReal, there is a communication item called the “crystal ball of far-sightedness”, which is like a phone that can send images and voices over a long distance.

I explained that it was a story world seen through such images. I explained that she was a fictional human being, not a real one, so it was not a wrong explanation.

It was good that she understood, but Ussa would not admit that she was an inhabitant of the game world.

It’s not surprising when you think about it.

“I am alive, just like you. Just like all of you.”

“That’s right…”

When Ussa squeezes my hand and says this with moist eyes, I have no choice but to reply.

It’s not nice to be told that you are an NPC in a game, is it?

“We’re, um… Alisdair Adelaide Alphonsina Angelique Allette Arabel Aline Diana, that’s not what we want to talk to you about, we just want to exchange information with you.”

Man, Nanami was impressive. He managed to remember Ussa’s long full name at once.

“Exchange of information, I also want to ask you guys something. Aren’t you earthlings who have moved to this world?”

“What? Alisdair Adelaide Alphonse…”

“Vice President Nanami, don’t do that.”

It’s too long. At least once is enough.

“…Ahem, does Diana-san know about Earth?”

“Of course, I don’t directly know the world called Earth, but it was prophesied by the High Priest-King, who rules over the Rabbitta Rabbit Tribe, that people who come from the world known as Earth would surely help to stop the Genesis Collapse!”

Now it’s Ussa’s counterattack after being called an NPC in the game.

You are from another world, from a planet called Earth, and you are the hero who will save the world of Mundus!

It’s a shocking revelation.

Both stories seem plausible, and it’s hard to say which side is true and which is false.

“Dear, you are also a bad person. If you’re from Earth, why didn’t you tell me you were from Earth when we first met?”

“Well, you see, it’s because…”

I was stumped when Ussa accused me of that, though I guess it was because I was too lazy to explain it to her.

As I scratched my head, I heard Seki and Kumiko whispering something to each other.

“It can’t be helped, Shinjo-kun is that kind of person.”

“That’s right, he’s Wataru-kun, after all.”

I can hear you!

I don’t think Seki and Kumiko had that much contact when they were at school, but it seems like they’re all getting along here.

That’s good, but I want to remark, What do you guys know about me?

“I didn’t know you were that kind of person, dear. I’m a little shocked.”

“You too, Ussa.”

“But my love for you won’t disappear, don’t worry.”

“Oh, I see, thank you.”

What the hell are you talking about?

As I was getting exasperated, a male student suddenly confronted us.

“That’s all a lie! You lying rabbit, GenoReal is a game and you’re just an NPC!”

Fuzzy head… Mikagami Ryuji?

“What’s with this rude guy?”

“What do you mean, ‘rude guy’? And it’s weird that the rabbit made it all the way to the first floor! Just wait in the dungeon until I come to rescue you!”

I don’t know why, but Ussa’s theory about GenoReal’s alternate world seems to have irked Mikagami Ryuji.

He looked like he was about to attack Ussa, and Ussa was about to retaliate, but they both seemed to have forgotten that this area was a no-combat zone.

“You too, Shinjo!”

“What, me?”

Fuzzy’s anger is now directed at me.

“Yes, you’re wearing the ‘Mantle of Diminishing’ and the ‘Solitude’ sword you’re carrying on your back, and the cloth-wrapped sword at your waist is the ‘Onsatsumaru’.”

“You know a lot, Mikagami.”

“I know! It’s a rare item that comes out in the samurai solo play route. Because you have knowledge of GenoReal, you were able to progress on your own up to the sixth floor!”

“Hmm, what’s that got to do with anything?”

Mikagami also experienced playing alone?

I thought I had concealed my rare items well enough not to stand out, but it seems there’s no fooling him.

“Isn’t that cheating? Hand over that equipment and sword to me!”

“Why would I do that? Hey…”

Ryuuji is trying to grab the nodachi, but is repelled by an invisible wall.

Right, negative actions are impossible in town. Ussa should stop kicking Mikagami; it’s pointless.

“Shinjo, you are selfish! I’ve been giving everyone information about trap locations and monsters, it’s not fair that you keep such nice items to yourself in the meantime.”

“Well, then you should have gone on the conquest like me.”

When I say that, Ryuuji turns as red as a potato and steam practically shoots out of his head in anger.

“Th-that’s because I was too busy trying to help everyone! You cheated and quietly collected rare items. Such selfishness is unforgivable. Those rare items are more suitable for a heroic hero like me, who saved everyone!”

“Sigh… you’re an idiot, aren’t you?”

In the first place, what’s your occupation, anyway?

Aside from the mantle, the ‘Solitude’ is just an extremely hard sword if not used by a high-ranking samurai.

“Hey, don’t call me an idiot, you cheater!”

“You know, I think it’s great that you helped everyone with your knowledge of GenoReal.

I’m glad for that, because it saved me a lot of trouble.

So, it’s okay to be thankful for that.

“Then give me the rare item!”

“That’s different. You, being virtuous, chose the path of helping everyone and being appreciated. Selfish me chose the path of self-improvement during that time. It’s a matter of individual ‘responsibility and choice.'”

“Ohhhhhh!”

He swings his arms wildly and tries to hit me like a child throwing a tantrum.

Even Ussa, who was showing hostility towards Ryuuji earlier, is now staring in disbelief.

That’s right; this isn’t about hostility.

It’s just a kid throwing a tantrum because things aren’t going his way.

“Vice President Nanami.”

“What’s up, Wataru?”

“I’m progressing through the game on my own because I believe it’s the best way to clear this game. Our ultimate goal should be the same, right? I don’t want to be hostile to you guys.”

“Of course, we don’t want to…”

A white-gloved hand swiftly interrupted Nanami’s statement.

Jinguji Tsukasa, who had come later and was quietly watching our discussion from behind, pushed Nanami aside and stepped forward.

“Shinjo-kun, do you know the term ‘leadership principle’?”

“What are you talking about? You’re not trying to become a dictator, are you?”

Wearing what looked like a military-style black cloth armor with golden threads, Jinguuji hung a slender treasure sword from his waist and his gray cloak fluttered in the wind as he stood confidently.

A line of students, all wearing black uniforms and white gloves, formed behind him. They stood with their chests proudly raised and the sound of their heels clicking against their shoes echoed in the air.

The students with large red flags led the way, all wearing the school’s designated black uniforms and red armbands with ‘Student Council: Supervisory Staff (SS)’1 written on them.

Jinguji, straightening his back, salutes lightly to the members of the executive committee under his command.

Then, turning to me, he flashed his glasses, licked his red, glistening lips, and gave a chilly smile.

His laugh is menacing.

As usual, you’ve got a bad taste, you sly glasses.

Are you planning to start a fanatical speech in front of everyone with a pseudo-SS squad in tow?

“Hmph, a dictator is quite harsh, isn’t it? Right now, the 123 survivors of our Yuurin High are in a critical situation. Even though a third of the students have already lost their precious lives, there are fools among us trying to defect from the Student Council. To avoid further divisions, strict organization and leadership are needed under an excellent leader.”

“So, are you claiming that the excellent leader is you?”

Jinguji quickly shakes off his white-gloved hand and denies it.

He is so theatrical with every word he says, and it irks me.

“No, it’s Vice President Shuuichi Nanami. If you’re as intelligent as you seem, you must understand. Our current leader, the Fuhrer of the ‘Student Council’, is him. Without him to guide and lead everyone, we can’t function. The Student Council(SS) is an organization that carries out Vice President Nanami’s leadership, and I am merely an assistant.”

“Well, congratulations.”

I hate this guy with all my heart.

I don’t care if the fuzzy-haired guy throws insults at me like a child having a tantrum, but I can’t stand these transparent political tactics.

“Mikagami-kun, you are not wrong. Shinjo Wataru, your actions are getting out of hand, and they could have a negative impact on other students.”

Fuzzy-head, who had been whining and crying in a fit of pouting, looks pleased when Jinguji defends him forcefully. I see, so this is how they are being controlled.

“Then… What are you going to do?”

“Well, I’ll have you swear unconditional obedience and iron loyalty to the Student Council. Since you seem to know GenoReal well, I’ll also ask you to supplement the information Mikagami-kun submitted. That’s enough for the time being.”

So what do we do now….

It’s easy to rebuff Jinguji’s demands here, I alone would have no problem making enemies with these guys, the ‘Student Council: Supervisory Staff(SS)’.

The question is what the leader of the Student Council, Shuichi Nanami, himself thinks.

Why does Nanami, who has a strong sense of justice, approve of the way Jinguji does things?

“Vice President Nanami, do you really think such a high-handed way is right?”

“I don’t think it’s right to use force to hold them down either. However, there are people who prey on weak students by acting as they please, and even people who target female students outside of town. In order to protect everyone, we need the police force, even if unwillingly.”

I see what you mean.

It’s not as simple a scheme as the rogue Jinguji taking advantage of Nanami’s charisma to monopolize the situation.

Jinguji takes care of all the dirty work that occurs in order to maintain order in the organization.

Jinguji and the rest of the Student Council: Supervisory Staff(SS) take on the role of the villain so that Nanami can remain a clean leader who is only righteous.

In fact, it could even be said that Shuichi Nanami is taking advantage of Jinguji Tsukasa.

They’re quite skilled. Light and shadow, while diametrically opposed, are complementing each other. Shuuichi Nanami, the idealist, also proves to be a splendid realist.

Sigh, seriously, these guys…

I understand that Jinguji is deliberately coming at me aggressively, using the psychological negotiation technique of the Door-in-the-Face,

Where he starts with an extravagant demand, and if I agree, that’s good.

If I resist and refuse, then he follows up with a more modest compromise.

It is a transparent political maneuver.

Even if they can’t achieve practical gains, they can at least make me bow my head in form, preserving the face of the Student Council.

“This is utterly ridiculous…”

I don’t care what these guys do in town.

Just don’t drag me into it.

I’ve come this far and I’m still going to have to sit through some stupid skit by a bunch of humans.

I’m not kidding, I don’t care about anything anymore.

“Are you sure, Shinjo Wataru, if you go against the student council, I’m afraid your friends will be in a bad position….”

The reason why JInguji is intimidating me with the Student Council: Supervisory Staff(SS) behind him is probably that if I reject them, they won’t guarantee the safety of Seki and the others.

“Go ahead, try me.”

“What?”

“I said try me, Jinguji. Do you understand the difference in our ranks, I’m an ‘Expert Swordsman’ decked out in rare equipment. Try messing with me in the dungeon, and I’ll turn your pride and joy, the Student Council: Supervisory Staff(SS), into minced meat in an instant.”

“…You’re not a very understanding guy, Shinjo-kun, don’t you understand that I’m saying that if you just follow the formality, we won’t lose each other.”

“Unfortunately for me, I don’t make decisions based on gain or loss. I’m not going to play along with the political games you guys are playing.”

For a moment, Jinguji’s thin lips curved into a grimace of hatred, but then he quickly regained his composure and smiled wanly.

Shrugging his shoulders, he gives a spare wry smile to his entourage around him and says, “Ha, here we go.”

Jinguji is desperate to protect his reputation.

That’s right, he’s not a warrior, he’s a clever politician. There is no way he can touch us unless he is sure he can win.

He tries to control people by bluffing and intimidating them, but those are just bluffs.

Even if they point a gun, there are no bullets in it.

“If that’s all, I’ll be on my way.”

“Well, wait, Shinjo Wataru-kun!”

Seeing the negotiations about to end in a breakdown, Shuichi Nanami hurriedly tried to mediate, but I turned my back and walked away.

I have no intention of staying in this political game with these guys any longer.

____________________________________________________________________________________

I had to bullshit this title. ‘生徒会執行部’ or Seitokai Shikkoubu, translates to Student Council Executive Committee, but it wouldn’t work for the acronym SS.