NOVEL NEXT The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 20
20: ABYSS Transfer
After confirming the PT leaders, it’s finally time for the ABYSS exploration. I’m in the mood to skip the “Tutorial” and transfer right away, but reality doesn’t work that way.
“Now, each PT will actually dive into the ABYSS. Since it’s the first exploration, the time limit will be set to one hour, so please make sure to return to the first floor when the time is up.”
“Sensei, how do we get back?”
Student number 12, Suzuki Ippei, a sports-haired boy wearing a cap, asks while carrying a baseball bat on his shoulder.
“During the exploration, the magic crystal terminal’s screen will automatically switch to ABYSS mode. A simple map of the area you’ve walked will be displayed. There’s an ‘Emergency Escape’ app among its functions, so if you tap and activate it, you’ll immediately return to the first floor.”
“I’m worried about accidentally pressing it…”
Student number 5, Yoshikawa Himeko, a sweet-looking girl with pink hair and a gentle gaze, lets out a sigh as she looks at her terminal.
“Emergency Escape is a function only available to leaders. Each leader, please consider the time and situation and use it wisely.”
“Ugh…! Pressure…!!”
Student number 14, Sanbomatsu Himari, a girl with a messy bob and manga-like glasses, looks down, suppressing her stomach. As the leader of the Sanbomatsu PT, which consists of many introverted students, she’s worried about not being able to use the Emergency Escape properly.
“Who cares, just hurry up…”
Isonono spews out his words, not a single shred of seriousness in his tone. I, who was thinking the same thing, couldn’t deny his opinion.
Student number 8, Isonono Kousuke, a boy with a blond pompadour, is a troublemaker with high ability values. His followers are all low-ranking students, but Isonono himself is exceptional.
“To dive into the ABYSS, we’ll use the transfer stone. The stone in the center over there is the transfer stone. You’ll find similar stones on each floor. When you approach it, the magic crystal terminal will react, and the transfer screen will appear. All you need to do is confirm the transfer. The ‘pedestal’ with the transfer stone allows you to choose which floor to transfer to. You can only transfer to floors you’ve been to before, but it’s essential for conquering the ABYSS. Check the stone’s glow to see if it can be used. If it’s dim, it can’t be used. Defeat the floor boss, make the transfer stone glow, and update your reached floor. That’s the end of my explanation.”
Everyone had a solemn expression on their face.
It’s finally time for the ABYSS exploration to begin.
For those living in this world, the ABYSS is an object of admiration, just like how a young boy dreams of becoming an astronaut. The people of this world admire the unknown dungeon, the ABYSS.
The time to make their dreams come true has finally arrived.
It’s only natural to feel emotional, right?
“――Alright! Let’s go!!”
The first to move was the protagonist, Aiba Soji. He gave a command to his friends and approached the transfer stone, transferring to the second floor. Kagami, Shinonome, and Houou followed after him.
“Then, we’ll go too. Yoshikawa-san, please lead the way.”
“Yes, understood. Everyone, let’s start our first ABYSS exploration. Don’t get left behind, and follow me closely!”
Prompted by Boujin Masaki, Yoshikawa Himeko gives a command to her friends. Her cute appearance, with her eyes closed and saying “Ei!” as she transfers, is endearing to behold. Following her are Sekikawa Sanjuro, a judo club member and a big eater, and Takaoka Aki, a volleyball club member. Boujin acts as the rear guard, transferring last.
“Let’s go, stupid! Hurry up!!”
“Bwah, what’s with you?! Why do I have to go?!”
“What’s with this guy?! Who’s talking back?!”
“Hehe, it looks like we’ll be bullied in the ABYSS…”
“Hi, hi…?”
…I feel a strange sense of familiarity.
The one who was forced to transfer into the ABYSS, looking like he’s being chased, is student number 22, Sugiyama Haruo, a short and chubby boy. Following him are Shibata Airi, number 19, and Kasaiki Katsumi, number 20. The leader, Isonono Kousuke, is the last to transfer. The characteristics of each PT are showing, aren’t they?
“Oh ho ho! It’s finally time for my legend to begin! This is what they mean by ‘indescribable’…! Utsunomiya-san and the rest, my loyal subjects! Let’s go!!”
“Wait, did I just get demoted to being a loyal subject?”
“Muuu…”
“How can we not go? It’s about Ojou’s matter. We can’t let them wait for us, so let’s hurry up and chase after them!”
“I-I understand!”
Musashi Kojou disappeared swiftly, and it was Utsumi and Suzuki, along with Banma, who gave chase. Banma Kouto, student number 6, had exceptional overall abilities, surpassing even Musashi Kojou. However, his taciturn personality hindered him from becoming a leader. He had a square body and a square head, boasting an impressive physique as a Skinhead with unparalleled tank capabilities.
“U-uuu… I’m anxious! I’m really anxious!”
“But everyone’s going, so…”
“We have to go, or it’ll be bad, right?”
“Now’s the time, now! If we’re going to go, it’s now!”
“U-uuu… Okay!”
Lin Shou’s famous line was decided, and Sanematsu Youka reluctantly tapped on her terminal. As she was enveloped in light, Youka disappeared. Her friends, who had seen her off, immediately began to argue.
“That’s right! Next is Kinomoto! Come on, let’s go! Now’s the time, now!”
“Lin-kun, it’s not a punishment game, so the order doesn’t matter…”
“But then, Moriya should go! I’ll be last. I’ll make sure everyone transfers safely before following!”
“…”
Moriya was left speechless.
Lin Shou’s childishness could surpass even Ishizuka’s. No wonder he made such a face.
“I’ll go first…”
“Ah, Kinomoto-san, wait!”
Student number 21, Kinomoto Shiori, had a wave of black hair and an eerie atmosphere, reminiscent of a Western doll. She transferred.
The one who hastily followed was student number 24, Moriya Shinobu, a small boy with a cute face and an Okappa head.
Both of them were popular characters in the Legacy, aside from their ability values. Kinomoto was calm and collected, but her gloomy atmosphere and good looks made her likable. Moriya, on the other hand, had a peculiar personality that attracted a lot of fans…
As I recalled, Lin Shou, who still hadn’t transferred, was being rushed by teacher Kageyama.
He was half-crying as he tapped the transfer button, but… He really was hopeless.
“A-ah, Sakaki-senpai… We should go too…”
“What? Already? Can’t you wait a bit longer?”
“That’s right. As Takinami-san said, an hour is a long time. If we take it too seriously, we’ll get tired quickly, don’t you think?”
“B-but…”
“What do you think, Anai-san?”
“I-I think… Sakaki-senpai is right. Kikuta-san might be overthinking it…”
“Eh…”
“That’s right! Kikuta is weird!”
“Both of you are saying that, but what does Kikuta-san think is correct?”
“I-I think…”
Student number 18, Kikuta Mio, a bespectacled girl with black hair, trembled as she mustered her courage.
“I think it’s better to depart…”
“Haaa?!”
“―H-hey!”
As Sakaki toyed with her portal terminal, surfing the net, she suddenly turned on Kikuta, who had opposed her. The true nature of their harmonious party was revealed.
In reality, this party was a bullying party led by Sakaki Touko, with Kikuta as the target. Student number 16, Shiina Rio, a track and field athlete with a dark complexion, was as brutal as she appeared. Student number 17, Anai Yume, was a chubby girl who couldn’t oppose Sakaki and Shiina.
Student number 15, Sakaki Touko, had a warped personality, surpassing even Isozaki’s level of malice. Her model-like physique and cool beauty deceived many. In the original game, there was even a suicidal event involving Kikuta, which was terrifying.
“――I understand. Let’s go soon.”
“Ch, Fuyuko?”
“I’m the leader, after all. I’ll make sure to take care of the monsters on the way. You can count on Kikuta-san to protect us, can’t you?”
“…Eh?”
“Eh? You’re not going to take on all the monsters yourself, are you?!”
“Hehehe. It’s not necessary to defeat them all, anyway. We’ll have Kikuta-san act as our shield. Look, we haven’t decided who’ll be our tank yet, have we? I was thinking of leaving that role to Kikuta-san.――Right, Kikuta-san… can you do it?”
“――H… yes…”
“Alright!”
“Now that it’s decided, let’s hurry up. We’re already behind the other parties.”
“Are you looking forward to encountering monsters?”
“Anai-san, are you okay with that?”
“Y-yes… of course…”
“Good.”
Kikuta, who looked troubled, and Anai, who seemed bewildered. In contrast, Sakaki and Shiina looked like they were having fun. The last party to enter ABYSS was like this.
――The last one?
…No, that’s not it.
I’m the one who’ll take the lead.
“…Let’s go.”
I muttered, tapping the “Transfer” item on the terminal. A memory-like object with up and down arrows appeared, but only the second floor was displayed. I thought it would be exciting to increase the number of floors.
I tapped the terminal screen.
A faint light burst forth from beneath my feet.
Surrounded by particles of light that changed color every few seconds, I felt a sense of wonder at the phenomenon of transfer.