NOVEL NEXT The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 19
19, 1-D, PT Introduction
I attached the rapier I bought to the silver chain I also purchased. I adjusted it carefully so that the sword tip wouldn’t touch the ground when I walked.
…But, somehow, equipping myself with a weapon made me feel like I was really starting “Legacion” for real, and my tension rose. When I first entered this world, I was constantly frustrated, but now I felt like I was finally getting rewarded.
“Why did you choose a rapier? Wouldn’t it be easier to use a one-handed sword?”
“It’s true that one-handed swords are easier to use. However, rapiers are lighter. The lightest types of weapons are short swords and gauntlets, but they both have short reach, which is a drawback. Rapiers have a good balance of safety margin and exploration efficiency. Plus, up to the 20th floor, there aren’t many monsters with resistance to piercing attacks, so I can aim for critical hits. Personally, I recommend rapiers over one-handed swords.”
“Whoa, you’re really knowledgeable about this…”
Hey, hey. It’s embarrassing to be caught by a top Legacion player and be told that I’m knowledgeable…
“This is just basic knowledge. In Legacion, this is common sense―― Ahhh!?”
“Wha… what’s going on!?”
No, “what’s going on” is my line. What’s going on is that General-kun is standing next to me――ッ！？ And his friends are with him too!!
I was so surprised that I let out a weird voice!
Calm down, calm down, Ishizuru Shoma.
That’s right, let’s count the prime numbers…!
Become calm, it’s a charm…!!
“Are you okay, suddenly going silent like that?”
“No… I think it’s because Sosuke surprised me.”
“It’s scary how unaware you are of yourself…”
Noritsukkomi is doing, that red-feathered guy has already completely gotten used to being in Aoi PT…!?
“Heh, heh! It seems I unintentionally gave some advice! Well, I don’t think you guys can make use of my words, but try your best not to lose the top spot, okay?”
“A, ch—!”
“Then, farewell! Fuhahahahaha!!”
I spat out those parting words and retreated from the scene. Aoi still seemed to have something to say, but I didn’t care to hear it at all!!
It’s already at the limit!!
Seriously, I’m getting out of here—!!
I escaped like a fleeing rabbit.
◆
After escaping from Aoi and the others—
Enough time had passed, and the 1-D students, who had been scattered around, gathered in front of the transfer stone where Kageyama was. Each of them held weapons optimized for ABYSS exploration. They looked like ordinary wooden weapons, but since they had the blessing of status boosts, their power was greater than that of genuine weapons brought from outside.
—Well, anyway, weapons and equipment from outside were repelled by the transfer target. That was why countries around the world were struggling to conquer ABYSS, because their existing weapons couldn’t be used.
“Is everyone ready?”
Kageyama looked around at the gathered students, confirming their preparations. Almost all of them had purchased wooden weapons. It was a classic case of “you get what you pay for.” There were some who had even equipped themselves with full armor… but most of them, including Aoi, Kanzaki, and Shinonome, were equipped with ordinary wooden weapons. Only I, who had given advice to Aoi, was equipped with a single iron short sword. Those three were quite diligent…
“Before we enter ABYSS, we’ll have the PT leaders confirm their teams. Please raise your hands and introduce yourselves.”
When Kageyama said this, the leaders raised their hands. …Do I, a solo player, need to raise my hand too…?
It felt a bit awkward…
Thinking this, I hesitantly raised my hand.
“Student number 1, leader Aoi Sosuke. We’ll be a four-man team with Kanzaki, Shinonome, and Hoka.”
“Student number 5, leader Yoshikawa Himeko. I think Sei-kun is more suited to be the leader, but everyone asked me, so I’ll do my best this time.”
“Oohohohoh! Student number 9! I’m Mushakoji Mikako! My PT consists of Utsunomiya-san and two other followers!”
“Tch, what a pain… Student number 8, Isoguchi Hiroshi. My teammates are Kasai and Shibata, and that pig-faced guy… Ah, you, laugh now and I’ll hit you later!”
“Uh, is it my turn? Ah, yeah… Student number 14, Sanbonmatsu Hikari. I’m the leader, but… it’s a bit of a joke, right? I’m really weak, so please go easy on me…”
“Student number 15, Sakakibara Fuyuko. My PT consists of my friends Shinoda-san, Yasui-san, and Kikuta-san. We’re an all-female team, so we’d appreciate any help when we’re in trouble.”
“…And finally, please go ahead.”
It seemed I had to say something too.
“Student number 25, Ishizuru Shoma. I’ll be exploring ABYSS solo, but this is because I don’t want to be a burden to any of you. I’m not saying no one wanted to team up with me, so don’t get me wrong!”
I declared this with a smile, looking at everyone. …It’s good that the reproduction rate is high, but it’s annoying how people keep their distance from me whenever I try to imitate someone…
I was seriously troubled.
The formed PTs were the above seven teams.
For convenience, we’ll refer to the PTs by their leader’s name.
The strongest team in 1-D, “Aoi PT”
No. 2’s honor student, “Yoshikawa PT”
The “Musha Kojiro PT” of the idol-like lady,
The “Isonono PT” of the rough-looking delinquent,
The “Sanbomatsu PT” of the gathering of introverts,
The “Sakakibara PT” led by the ace of the idol group,
And the solo “Ishiru PT”.
This is the PT that all 1-D students have formed.