Volume 2 Chapter 21 Consult (Report, Inform, Consult)
Here's a funnier, more US-style comedic version of the scene:
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"By the way," Sakurako-chan smirked, arms crossed like she was about to drop some world-changing wisdom. "Cooperating with me means you'll be helping level up the 'Valkyries' too."
"Huh? Ohhh, right."
That's right—Ayumi-san and I, along with the 'Valkyries,' are basically Sakurako-chan's personal hit squad now.
"Wait, but... wasn't Omega supposed to be laying low because of all the attention we were getting?"
Exactly. So, naturally, I started searching as 'Yuki Takeru'...
"No, no, just don't livestream it. Besides, the goal is to level up the 'Valkyries,' after all."
"Got it. That sounds good."
"Yep, I'm counting on you. Oh, speaking of which... how many 'Trans Potions' do you have left?"
"...What did you just say?"
Buzz.
"W-Why is that question coming from you, Sakurako-chan? You're not planning to use them on Ayumi-san and the others, are you?!"
"Well, it would make them stronger fast!"
"NO, NO, NO! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?! Those are Trans Potions! The dangerous, highly questionable, 'you-will-become-a-science-experiment' Trans Potions!"
"Wow, you say that like you didn't already use them on our own clan members~"
"Th-that was—! I had a backup plan! If something happened, I could always use my magic—"
"Uh-huh. Which is exactly why you can handle it if we use them again, right?"
"Uhhh... maybe?"
"Then no problem!"
"But that was only in case of emergencies! I had, like, a whole ethical debate about it before—"
"Sure you did. Just admit it, you used them because it was convenient for you."
"Ugh?! W-well, yeah, but—!"
Yep. That's the truth.
"...Wait. Why are you even asking about this all of a sudden? Are you scheming something, Sakurako-chan?"
"..."
Huh?
"I can't confirm it yet, but I've got a lead on a major conspiracy."
"A major... conspiracy?"
* * *
"It's intel from my own network, but apparently, the 'Talking Monster' that showed up in the Shinjuku Gyoen dungeon? That was deliberate."
"Excuse me, what?"
"There's a chance the mastermind behind it is about to make a move."
"..."
A mastermind, intentionally making a Talking Monster appear in Shinjuku Gyoen...
"As I mentioned, this is the first time a Talking Monster's appeared in that dungeon. Maybe it was just a freak incident, but I can't shake the feeling that something shady is going on."
"...I see."
Yeah. That is suspicious.
"This is just my theory, but... I think it's an act of terrorism targeting Japan's biggest modern alternative energy resource—magic stones."
"Okay, WHAT?!"
No, no, no, no, no. That's way too serious of a topic.
"Which is why I think we need to take countermeasures."
"...And by 'countermeasures,' you mean using the Trans Potion."
"Bingo. In another world, Trans Potions just give a temporary physical boost. But here? There's a chance they could unlock new skills. We're still researching it, but considering the potential... I think the situation is dire enough to justify testing it."
"So, you're saying this threat is THAT bad?"
"Depending on how it plays out, this could also lead to an increase in elite Seekers, finally solving Japan's biggest issue—our 'lack of top-tier Seekers'!"
"Oh!"
"In other words... the future is bright!"
Sakurako-chan puffed out her nonexistent chest like she'd just solved world hunger.
Huh?
What?
This smug little gremlin?
If a cute girl asks me for something, obviously I wanna help.
But...
"...I'm sorry. But I only have three Trans Potions left. Even if using them on 'Valkyrie' gets a good result... that's it. There's no more. I don't think your plan to beef up all the Seekers is gonna work."
"Heh. Right! But! I have an idea!"
BOOM!
Sakurako-chan jabbed a finger at me with so much force, I swear I heard a sound effect.
"That Trans Potion you have... I'm gonna mass-produce it!"
"HUUUUUUH?! MASS-PRODUCE TRANS POTIONS?!"
"I'll call it... THE TRANS POTION MASS PRODUCTION PLAN!"
"...Wow. Creative. Mass-producing Trans Potions... Wait. Is that even possible?!"
"There's a chance! But I'm no potion expert. I need to consult someone first—"
"...So basically, you're just guessing."
"Maybe! But I think the odds are really high if we bring in that collaborator."
"Oh? And why's that?"
"Because every single potion we have—Health Potions, Mana Potions—was analyzed and mass-produced by that collaborator using samples from another world. They made it possible."
"WHAT?!"
Okay, that's seriously impressive.
"So we need to move fast! I'm contacting them right now!"
"Wait—!"
Before I could stop her, Sakurako-chan whipped out her phone and dialed at lightning speed.
Oh man. This gremlin never slows down.
But seriously—who is this 'collaborator'...?
* * *
"Hello! It's me! You free right now? Oh, I see—!"
The person picked up.
Good.
That means we'll know soon whether mass production is possible—
"Hmm? Yes... yes... what?"
Huh? What's wrong?
"Yes, I understand... HEY! HEY!!"
Huh?! Did they just hang up on her?!
Wait. Hold on. Sakurako-chan is the guild master, right?! One of the strongest Seekers in the country, right?!
WHO JUST GHOSTED HER LIKE THAT?!
"Uh, Sakurako-chan? Weren't you gonna ask about the Trans Potion mass production?"
"Yeah, I was..."
"?!"
"That person said, 'I'm heading over now!' and then hung up on me."
"...WHAT?!"
SOMEONE CAN JUST HANG UP ON SAKURAKO-CHAN LIKE THAT?! WHO THE HELL IS THIS COLLABORATOR?!
"Wait. Who the heck is this person?!"
"Hehe, I see. So that's how it is..."
"...Huh?"
Why is she grinning like that?
"That 'collaborator'... You know them too, right?"
"Huh?"
Someone I know...?
Before I could even process it—
BANG!!!
The door flew open, practically off its hinges.
"Yo! I'm counting on you guys!!!"
Storming in like a tornado was—
"Hey there! Long time no see, Sakurako!"
"...You showed up fast (smirk)."
"HUUUH?! WAIT, WHAT?!"
"Long time no see! ...Wait, no, we literally saw each other yesterday, right, Yuki Takeru-kun?"
"WH-WH-WH-WH-WH—KISARAGI-SAN?!!"
Standing in the doorway was none other than—
**Kisaragi Kanna, the Development Division Director of Amamiya Value Technology.**
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