NOVEL ONLINE FREE Side Story 7
Side Story 7. Habit
One by one, people emerge from the dangerous zone of the former station building. Their faces, clothes, and hands are stained with blood, and though exhausted, smiles float across their faces.
“Shadow Devils were easy once we figured out how to take them down.”
“Way easier than goblins, huh?”
“Yeah, I took out five of ’em myself.”
Chatting boisterously as they walk, they compare their results. No injuries—just dirt—everyone’s unharmed. Those who took on the job of exterminating the monsters in the former station building were delighted that, contrary to expectations, not a single one of them got hurt.
“Ow ow ow. I’m the only one who got hurt here.”
“You tripped over an empty can and fell.”
Correction. About one tree got hurt from tripping. Since it’s not human, let’s exclude it from the count. Who got injured remains a mystery.
“But it’s thanks to you. Uh… miss, what’s your name?”
The reason no one got hurt. Komaki calls out to the girl responsible. Wearing a full-face helmet and a oversized black coat, the girl adjusts the burlap sack slung over her shoulder, making a heavy clinking sound before turning to face Komaki and speaking.
“Most monsters that lurk in the dark lack intelligence. Once you know how to handle them, they’re easy to defeat.”
Impressed by the girl’s matter-of-fact tone—no hint of pride—Komaki asks again, wondering if she’s dodging the question by not giving her name.
“Miss, where’re you from?”
She’s not from around here. Plus, she knew how to deal with Shadow Devils—monsters nobody here had even heard of.
The trick to Shadow Devils was simple once you knew it. Those monsters are drawn to light. Their eyesight is poor, so they prioritize attacking those illuminated.
So instead of fighting on the main floor, luring them into the staff passageways worked. They moved quickly, like puppies, but their strength was childlike, and their claws were dull. With thick clothing and a wooden scarecrow as bait, they were easily lured and exterminated.
Once cleared, the floor was mostly empty. All that remained was exploring and dealing with giant rats and slimes. The rare Shadow Devils that appeared were few, and the girl took care of them, ensuring a safe clear.
Komaki stares intently at the girl, her face hidden behind the full-face helmet. They’d had an easy time thanks to her. Not to mention how she’d danced through the darkness, wiping out Shadow Devils without hesitation. A terrifying ability.
Yet Komaki had never heard of her. Someone this skilled should’ve been famous.
“I was asked by Sakimori-san to come here. He said this place would start booming soon.”
Shizuku answers airily. It’s not a lie. She’s lived here for three years, and Sakimori-san had explained his plan to establish a market and make it profitable.
Not a lie. It might not be the whole truth, but that depends on how you take it.
[Ninja Art: Sakimori-san’s Technique]
[Don’t make me sound like some con artist.]
Smirking as she mutters the technique’s name, Sakimori-san gives a wry smile. She’s just mimicking what he always does, so he doesn’t deny it.
“So the boss sent ya, huh? I see… Guess this place’ll start attractin’ real talent soon.”
Komaki nods sagely, as if everything makes sense now. What exactly makes sense? Shizuku wants to retort but restrains herself with her ironclad willpower.
“That guy was strong too.”
Komaki glances sideways at a man who’d modified an iron pipe into a collapsible spear. The second-most effective at taking down Shadow Devils after Shizuku. His spear stance was polished, and by the end, he was dropping Shadow Devils with sharp thrusts before they even reached the light.
“Daddy, welcome back!”
Returning to the market, the spearman is greeted by his wife and child. His little daughter comes running, and he catches her with a gentle smile, hugging her tightly.
“I’m home.”
“Were you worried? Did you defeat lots of monsters?”
“Yeah, no injuries either.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
A heartwarming scene unfolds. A family reunited, relieved at the father’s safe return. But in the ruins, this scene carries a slightly different meaning.
“I see. That man’s quite skilled.”
“Yep. That’s Goto, the spearman. Rumor has it he’s one of the few decent folks in these ruins.”
Shizuku watches the family—the wife and daughter seem kind. In other words, a rarity in the ruins.
[The world’s vast, Sakimori-san. It’s like that mob army of strongest near the end of the Demon Realm arc.]
[Still don’t get your references, but I catch your drift. Yeah. Didn’t expect a guy like that here.]
Sakimori-san bobs in agreement, stroking his chin. In the ruins, kind families are easy prey—surviving is hard. This man must have the strength to protect his own.
Unfazed by the impressed onlookers, Goto heads into the market. Shizuku and the others follow.
The market is unusually lively. As the only market in the ruins, it’s always bustling, but today feels different. Something new must’ve happened.
Those selling dumplings or wilted vegetables and potatoes seem restless, and the shoppers are oddly excited.
“What’s going on?”
Daiki tilts his head, puzzled as he scans the area. Shizuku knows why everyone’s excited but plays dumb.
Good thing I’m wearing this helmet. Her adorable face is grinning ear to ear—it’d be obvious otherwise.
If asked, she’d probably chuckle mysteriously, twist into some weird pose, and say, “Shall I tell you?” No doubt about it.
They head to the core collection desk—a flimsy setup with a folding table and iron pipe chairs—where a woman sits.
“We’ll start with those who have fewer cores.”
At her words, everyone nods and places theirs down. Some only have five or so. Since this was a subjugation request with a reward, the half-hearted participants aren’t worried.
F-rank cores go for 30 yen. Some had joined just for the 5,000-yen reward, figuring even a few cores would suffice. Survival comes first in the ruins—can’t blame them. The request had specified skilled fighters, but they hadn’t cared.
Then something unexpected happens.
“These are E-rank cores. They’re 300 yen each.”
“Wha—?! E-rank cores? You’re buying those now?!”
Until now, only F-rank cores were accepted. A man who’d planned to just collect the reward slams the table, stunned.
The clerk’s cheerful smile doesn’t waver at the loud noise. Women who flinch at that don’t last long at this counter.
Calmly raising a hand, she explains to the man now leaning in intimidatingly.
“Today, E-rank corn seeds were added to the core store. As such, Amatsuihara Corporation has begun purchasing E-rank cores.”
Nearby eavesdroppers erupt into chatter. They’d been waiting for this.
“Hey, hey, they’re finally buying E-rank!”
“Ten times an F-rank’s price!”
“Gotta spread the word!”
“Will the tours change too?”
“Gotta stock up—this’ll sell big!”
E-rank monster cores being bought changes everything. Not just higher pay for hunters—it’s about where that money goes. Before, it was just food.
But with more income, people might buy clothes too. And with new crops like corn—exchangeable with these cores—added to potatoes, the market’s hustle will grow. Sharp merchants are already preparing new stock.
But the man doesn’t care about that. His cores’ value is all that matters.
“This is E-rank? They were weak!”
“Correct. The glow is different. See how it’s a clear red, unlike F-rank’s faint flicker? Shall we proceed?”
The clerk’s seen enough E-rank cores by now. Though previously collected by President Amano, there’s no mistaking it—the crimson light within the dark crystal is unmistakable.
“Yeah, go ahead… Damn it. Should’ve fought harder.”
Clicking his tongue, the man slumps. E-rank cores come from hobgoblins or stronger. Not something you get by slacking. He’d missed a golden opportunity.
After the quick transaction, he trudges off. Others line up, handing over their cores.
“Wow, impressive! You’ve got thirty!”
When it’s Goto’s turn, the clerk marvels at the pile.
“Daddy, you’re amazing!”
Patting his starry-eyed daughter, Goto reflects.
He’d avoided hurting others or scavenging corpses, living quietly even in the ruins. But now, he might finally live proudly—provide for his family properly.
“Let’s buy some clothes today.”
With the hefty reward, he tells his wife and daughter, smiling. It’s been so long since he felt this happy.
(He’ll later be scouted by Shingen, but that’s another story.)
This marks a shift in the ruins’ people. Those who’d steal, kill, or loot without hesitation begin to reconsider. Some start thinking about honest work.
……A changing ruin. But not all effects are positive.
Some watch the bustling market with scorn, clicking their tongues.
Did I do something? Shizuku almost says, but Goto’s playing the straight man for her. Pouting, she watches the discontented leave.
“Days off are rare. Shouldn’t let fun things slip by.”
Muttering, she hefts her heavy sack of cores toward the counter—fully intending to ask, Did I do something?