Hell...
Rias scoffed inwardly. If this really was hell, that'd be perfect. Going to hell for her would feel no different from going home. Unfortunately, this place was definitely not hell.
"So, if there really is some mastermind behind all of this… the only possible suspect would be him?"
Rias turned her gaze toward Ryuji, voicing her suspicion aloud.
"Yeah, and the crazy thing is—this information actually came from him," Kiri replied with a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "We still haven't been able to figure out if he's telling the truth or just making things up. After all, this world is pretty bizarre."
Honestly, it wasn't strange at all for Rias to be suspicious. Kiri had the exact same reaction the first time she heard Ryuji's explanation — assuming he was the mastermind behind everything.
That possibility still hadn't been ruled out.
After all, for all anyone knew, Ryuji's behavior could be an elaborate act.
Kiri's initial plan had been simple: if it turned out he was lying, she'd beat the hell out of him, knock some sense into him, and if that didn't work—shoot him dead.
If there was really a way to return home, it wouldn't even matter whether or not Ryuji was the mastermind anymore.
But then Tsunade's unexpected reaction threw everything into chaos, making the situation even harder to read.
"I see…"
Rias nodded. To her, Ryuji didn't seem special at all — just an ordinary human, no matter how she looked at him. But she couldn't rule out the possibility that he might be some ancient entity in disguise either.
In fact, Tsunade was thinking along similar lines.
The only one not caught up in this line of suspicion was Lux, who had been quietly listening at the side.
"Eh? That kind of method…"
Lux's face turned bright red as she finally understood what they meant by having sex. While she wasn't completely ignorant of such things, the thought of actually doing it herself made her cheeks burn uncontrollably.
"Uh… well, I don't really think it's something you guys need to worry about too much. It's just… a personal ability of mine, really… ah, forget it. The more I explain, the more suspicious it sounds…"
Ryuji sighed helplessly. He had known from the start that revealing his special ability would lead to this exact situation.
But if he wanted to actually sleep with Tsunade and Kiri—and harness the power of his skill Endless Traveler to escape this world—he needed a legitimate reason to get that close to them.
No matter how he looked at it, honesty seemed like the best approach.
"So, can you guys let me go now? I want to take on some quests. Without getting stronger, there's no way I can uncover the secrets of this world. And Kiri—you've leveled up a bunch too, haven't you? See if you can accept quests now."
Ryuji glanced at his status screen. He had reached level 70, but compared to level 50, absolutely nothing had changed. No new unlocks, no new powers — just the same old him.
"Huh?"
Kiri blinked, then quickly pulled up her own status window.
A moment later, she grinned and pointed finger guns at Tsunade.
"Hah! Tsunade, looks like I can take on quests now too! Hey, Ryuji — you were right! I'm already level 54. This damn system really does unlock stuff based on leveling up! Maybe we really can go home if we just keep leveling!"
Kiri's words made the newly arrived girls' eyes light up with hope.
But Tsunade just shook her head.
Whether leveling up could lead them home or not had little to do with her in the short term. With her hemophobia (fear of blood), she couldn't exactly fight zombies like Ryuji and Kiri could.
Sure, she could dig to gain EXP, but that was way slower than killing zombies during a Blood Moon.
Plus, digging randomly could easily lead to disaster.
"Mmm… I gotta test just how amazing these skill points really are!"
Kiri chuckled and allocated two skill points into Agility.
The next moment, her expression changed.
She swiftly spun the chamber of her revolver, then drew and fired in one fluid motion.
Staring at her hands in amazement, she whispered:
"Incredible… I really am twenty percent faster!"
Kiri was stunned. With her muscle memory fully restored from all the zombie hunting, her reflexes and finger dexterity were already at peak performance — and yet just two skill points had taken her to a whole new level!
Looking down at her own hands, Kiri couldn't help but break into an excited grin.
As a Ranger — a class of gunslingers obsessed with pushing their limits and chasing after power — the moment there was a way to grow stronger, of course she'd go after it without hesitation. As for whether that power came from some mysterious external source...
Rangers didn't care about stuff like that.
"Heh, what a strange little power… but pretty damn useful! If I can bring this back with me, maybe I really could go for the title of the strongest Ranger!"
Kiri's face practically lit up with excitement.
It wasn't that she was obsessed with power for power's sake — it was just that things weren't looking good for her comrades back in her own world. So if possible, Kiri hoped that when she eventually returned, she'd be strong enough to protect them.
"Honestly, I feel like you're better suited to chasing the title of 'World's Greatest Merchant Scam Artist'..."Ryuji silently grumbled to himself.
Meanwhile, Rias and Lux looked even more lost, exchanging confused glances. They honestly had no idea what was going on.
And Kiri? She was already completely immersed in testing out her new powers — darting around, flipping through the air, moving with explosive speed as she got used to this unfamiliar strength.
Yeah… it didn't look like this crazy woman was going to calm down anytime soon.
As for Tsunade...
Ryuji glanced at Tsunade, who was sitting there with her head lowered, saying nothing at all. Very naturally, he turned his gaze to the two confused ladies.
"If you don't mind, how about I explain things to you from here?"
Even though he was still tied up, Ryuji casually extended his invitation.
"That would be most welcome."
Rias smiled at him.
"Th-thank you very much!"
Lux, ever so polite, quickly followed.
It took Ryuji about thirty minutes to explain the situation of this world to them — everything they had discovered so far, the terrifying Blood Moon hordes of the undead, and the unique properties of various items found here.
"…So, in short, this is a terrifying world. What's worse, the intervals between Blood Moons might be getting shorter. Honestly, the timing of your arrival couldn't have been worse."
Ryuji pointed at the ruins of the nearby town, now reduced to rubble, and the area around the store that was filled with giant craters.
"That's why, if you're willing, you're welcome to stay here with us, work with us, and survive together. If not, that's fine too. As long as you don't show hostility towards us or interfere with us, you're free to go wherever you like — we won't stop you."
He repeated the same offer he once made to Tsunade and Kiri.
Both Rias and Lux nodded, indicating their understanding.
However, after hearing Ryuji's explanation, Rias looked at this rather plain-looking man — plain, at least, by the standards of devils and angels — and showed him a brilliant smile.
"If this world is really that dangerous… then I'll join you."
Smiling, Rias extended her hand. Whatever she was truly thinking, though, remained known only to her.
Lux looked between Ryuji and Rias, hesitated for a moment, then nodded as well — though she didn't dare extend her hand for a handshake.
"I'd like to stay too."
Once Ryuji was untied by the two of them, he shook Rias's hand briefly, gave it a gentle shake, then released it. At the same time, he nodded to Lux.
"Welcome aboard."
Ryuji smiled warmly.
And then...
He pulled out two pickaxes and handed one to each of them.
Rias stared at the tool in her hands, her expression one of sheer disbelief.
"Then let's start by having you two work as miners!"
That's right. In Ryuji's eyes...
Two bright new labels had just appeared above their heads: Laborer +1.
~~~~~~~~~
T/N: Next Bonus Chapter target: 400 PS.