Chapter 195: |
Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Selfishness
At the locked school gate, a six-foot ladder had been placed against the fence. Using it, I, Serai-san, and the leader of the Heavy Machinery Fighters, an old man we call Occhan, entered the premises.
However, the negotiation place was right after we got down. We weren't led to a reception room or anything, just a standing conversation surrounded by teachers. Ah, this is definitely not a warm welcome…
"Who exactly are you?"
First, an older man who seemed like the head of the office staff addressed Sekai-san.
"We are friends of Toga Ruri, a student in class 1-E of this school. We came to ensure her safety."
"And this man is?"
One of the teachers glanced at Occhan, who was in his dirty work clothes, with a puzzled expression. They clearly didn't want to acknowledge the even creepier and more suspicious insect-man, avoiding eye contact entirely.
"This man is a ‘benevolent adult'. When he heard this school was under attack by monsters, he came to help with his heavy machinery. We have other matters to attend to."
"Um… I noticed a lot of cars besides the heavy machinery…"
"They are unrelated to us. They followed on their own."
Ah, Serai-san mercilessly cut off the refugees. She’s very angry about being blamed for the monsters.
But that's understandable.
Such actions during a desperate battle can cost lives. People often argue that they’re strong or they can fight, but that doesn't justify pushing monsters onto others.
It's a vile, despicable act of self-preservation at others’ expense, which they fail to understand. In fiction, only villains behave that way. Did they know that?
"I see… However, many local residents and students' parents have taken refuge here, and space and resources are limited—"
"Then just accept the heavy machinery crew. These guys are very strong."
The office manager type tried to politely refuse the refugees, but Serai-san bluntly threw back a straightforward response. While thinking ‘That's harsh,' I kept quiet because I mostly agreed with her.
In times like these, I often think about the ‘hero's dilemma'.
For instance, imagine a hero with a breadhead facing ten starving children. If he gives his bread head to all ten, the children survive, but the hero dies. What should he do?
This assumes no outside help. Not even trusted friends, a kind old man, or a helpful dog are coming to assist.
Even if he saves ten children today, what about tomorrow? Sacrificing half the children to save five over two days, what happens on the third day?
In stories, heroes get miraculous powers or timely help because it's scripted that way. If a hero existed in the real world, things wouldn’t go so smoothly.
"Oy, Machi, Jung!"
While I was pondering, someone alerted us, and Shark, in her tracksuit, ran from the school building. She's always seemed small, but she looked even smaller among the other female students.
"You came! All four of you?"
"Heh, look! Even the heavy machinery guys are here! They’re amazing! They took down hundreds of monsters with those machines!"
"Whoa… Seriously? That’s incredible… Look at that machine, it’s covered in blood! How did they fight to end up like that?!"
Shark climbed a pile of desks and stretched her neck, eyes wide at the sight of the blood-covered heavy machinery. Occhan, hearing this, proudly puffed out his chest.
"Impressive. You managed to fortify the school in such a short time."
"Well, we had that previous incident… Everyone worked hard… Wait! Jung, what about Pixie!?"
"Heh, I brought them. Here!"
"““Pipiii~!!”””
With a burst of magic, silver boards scattered in the air. As they shone, they danced like glowing pixies in the twilight.
"Yay! Veil! Where are you? Ah. Veil!"
"Pii~!"
This was a request from Shark. She had asked to borrow the Pixies who protected Veil and the school during the next Dungeon Stampede. The pixies danced joyfully around Shark in his tracksuit.
"““Wow…”””
The teachers let out sounds of admiration at the enchanting sight.
Hehe… How's that! Many students and teachers remember the Pixies who protected the school during the last stampede, and cheers erupted. While showing off the pixies isn’t always a good idea, changing the atmosphere is necessary. We can assert our legitimacy here because of our past achievements.
…..
At 7 PM, we were somehow accepted at Shark Girls' High School, including the refugees. Although it's not Shark's school, we’ll call it that for convenience.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the impatient refugees crowded the main gate, causing a commotion. They were shouting, "What's taking so long? Let us in!" From the cars behind them, unseen by the school, honking blared, demanding haste.
Sigh… It’s so foolish. They haven’t learned anything about causing a scene.
Naturally, the commotion attracted a swarm of monsters again.
The refugees abandoned their stolen cars and surged towards the main gate. These are stolen cars, taken with keys left in during the emergency.
They screamed, "Help us!" and "Are you going to let us die?!"
The school staff was exasperated.
These were clearly troublemakers, but as educators, they couldn’t turn them away. Many students watched the scene.
Thus, the school reluctantly accepted the refugees. It was truly reluctant. The teachers and office staff, caught in a dilemma, showed their distress. Their inner turmoil must have been immense.
But accepting them meant we had to act too.
At the school, we were responsible for bringing these troublesome people. To the refugees, doing nothing would later make them resent us for not helping during the attack. It was such a hassle.
So we reluctantly, very reluctantly, aided their refuge at the school.
The people I call refugees probably think they’re ‘ordinary'.
This is just my biased opinion, but they likely live wasteful lives, indulging in luxuries and fashion, and think they’re ‘eco-conscious' for minimal efforts.
That's their ‘ordinary'. Average people. But their version of ‘ordinary' includes expecting to be protected and helped.
Japanese people are often mocked by foreigners for assuming water and safety are free, and it's evident in their behavior.
Despite us risking our lives fighting monsters to save them, they just bow their heads. No one has ever offered sincere thanks, like transferring money as a token of gratitude.
There was plenty of time during the journey to express thanks. They did ask, "Where are you headed?"
Well, maybe some intended to thank us after they were completely safe, so I won’t say anything.
We’re not invincible superheroes. We’re just reasonably strong and able to fight monsters.
We’re not like protagonists in isekai stories who can effortlessly defeat hordes of monsters and heal severe injuries instantly.
If monsters swarm us, we’d be overwhelmed quickly, and each of us only has one healing potion.
Once, Ruu tried to use her healing potion on an injured child, but Nina-san stopped her, saying, "Don’t! What if others find out?!"
Nina-san was right.
The healing potions Tadokoro-san gave us are strictly limited. Using them recklessly in front of many injured people would cause a chaotic demand. It could lead to ugly disputes over who gets the potion.
The potions were given for emergencies involving us. They aren't for anyone to use.
Moreover, these potions aren’t available on the market yet. If known, it could cause even more trouble.
But Ruu wasn’t wrong. She acted out of humanitarian concern, which is commendable. But it must be done with care.
If we use potions on non-combatants and later get injured ourselves, what then? We must consider such outcomes.
Serai-san and Nina-san have already used their potions.
Although their suits prevented major injuries, accumulated bruises slowed them down. Using the potions was a good decision, enabling them to reach here safely.
"Sigh… Reality is relentless. There are no convenient villains, nor wholly cooperative good villagers…"
Mumbling to myself, I watched the staff guide the refugees into the school building. The gym was already full.
