It's past noon and the time limit for survival recreation is just a few hours away.

'Okay, done.'

　Takigawa combined branches and ivy to create a simple tent.

'Wow!'
Wow!

　Everyone in the squad, including me and the chairperson, is constantly amazed at Takigawa's skills.
　But if you're the usual Takigawa, you can say, 'Worship me more! Praise! His expression was dark, despite the fact that he was about to get into a good mood, saying.

''Teh, there's a tent being built. It's great! But....
That group was just building a shed.

　Oulu and Junna, who had been doing the reconnaissance and material gathering for me, reported on our current situation.
　Thanks to Takigawa's knowledge of the outdoors, the first day was a monopoly for our group, but on the second day, the clouds started to look suspicious.

'It looks like we're working together, after all.
It's like you're helping the doctor gather materials and make tools without him seeing.

　Ishida and Aihara-san, who had gone to find out what was going on, also reported on various things to me.
　It seems that the "Mizukami-san, Junna-chan and Auru-chan Fan Club Coalition" that is currently confronting us is cooperating with each other behind the scenes.
　Four of the groups in the coalition are not doing well, but the progress of one group is clearly different.

We collected a large amount of branches and ivy, and also made a huge amount of pottery and stone tools. This is clearly more work than a team of seven amateurs could do.

　Ishida calmly analyzes the situation.
　The teachers may be aware of this situation, but they may not be able to say anything because there is no clear evidence and no rule against cooperation.
　Even with Takigawa's knowledge and skills, he couldn't make up for the five-fold difference in personnel.

"I'll go pay attention to it after all. This is too unfair.
'I'm going to tell you too. This is not fair!
You two, just give me a second and I'll be fine.

　Just as a disgruntled Junna and Auru-chan were about to turn to make a request, Takigawa stopped them.

''Chairman, if we can collect food as well, it will be evaluated, right?
'Yeah. I'm sure the local hunters who are helping us with this recreational activity will be able to identify and evaluate the wildflowers and mushrooms we can eat.
Okay.

　While asking the committee chairman such a thing, Takigawa got up unsteadily.

"Takigawa, what's happened to you earlier?
"....I hated surviving with my grandfather. It's always so hard and I almost died, no joke.

　When I asked him about it, the memories were even more spectacular than I had imagined. It seems that Takigawa's normally cheerful personality had an unimaginable past.

But that's why I was confident that no one could beat me when it came to survival. Even if there was a difference in numbers, I had confidence that I would never lose...

　Takigawa muttered and stared deep into the forest with a prepared expression on his face.

''I'm going to go for a while.''

　Holding a stone axe and ivy in his hand, Takigawa ran out.

''Stopp!''
"Haha!

　Ishida and I immediately seize Takigawa.

Stop! Violence is not good!
'That's right! I don't like their methods, but that doesn't mean they can't resort to violence!
What? Violence? Guffaw.

　When I listened to him as he seized Takigawa, I heard that he was just trying to make a trap and go get some river fish or something.

'I'm sorry I misunderstood,'
I'm sorry.

　I thought I was going to tie up the guys from the fan club association.

Well then I'm off.
Yeah.
Have a good day.

　Takigawa disappeared deep into the forest, brushing away the dirt that had been left on him when he was seized.

''Okay, let's do what we can to keep Takigawa's hard work from going to waste!
""Yes!" It is!

　There's a lot of things we could do: make stone tools and pottery, improve our tents, etc. But first, let's take a bathroom break.



◇



'Wow! That's a lot of smoke!
Kakáká!

　Linn and White were clinging to the window of the car, their eyes gleaming at the white smoke billowing out of the huge chimney.

That's the smoke from the paper mill. It's quite noticeable, so it's one of the famous places in Asahikawa.

　Waco, driving a shiny black luxury foreign car, explains the view outside to Lynn and White, who are frolicking in the back seat.

'Does this car belong to you, too?'

　In the meantime, Black, who was sinking into the soft passenger seat, spoke to Waco while he was driving.

Of course it's personal. Of course it's my personal item, and I have my license.
You make me reconsider what it means to be a demon.
Demon or not, what you are is bound to change over time. Just as you have chosen to serve others.
Hmm, yeah.

　After spending the night at the hotel run by Waco, Kuro and his group are moving to a young man's house where they are having an overnight recreational trip to meet up with Kosuke.
　Chromium, an unknown and powerful enemy that they had fought yesterday.
　They must avoid putting Kosuke in harm's way by leaving him alone and dangerous enough to fight on equal footing with Kuro and the others. With this in mind, Kuro and his men are on their way to the young man's house.
　Incidentally, Iwa has taken command of a security force to set up a siege around Asahikawa City, while Coro is flying in the sky and Sei is searching the city with rats and cat carcasses, so he isn't here.

'Well then, let's meet up with your masters quickly. It's possible that the chrome may already be closing in on us.
'Hmm. I don't have any emergency calls from Nia, so I'm sure she'll be fine, but I'm a little worried.

　Although Kosuke himself doesn't know it, he knows that if Kosuke is in danger of needing Kuro's help, Nia will hack into the electronic devices around Kuro and his friends via the Internet and send out a distress signal.
　Even if the area is out of range, Nia can extend her spiritual thread and use it as an antenna. Therefore, she can access the internet as long as it's not in an uncharted area or a closed room with blocked signals.

''Iwa's penetration and Sei's corpse manipulation are also unusual abilities, but your companions are quite good too.
I don't know what to say about that.

　White's vibrational manipulation, Lin's disconnection, and Nia's control of his telekinesis. Knowing what they were capable of, Black smiled and replied.

'Alright, we're about to enter the forest. If nothing happens, we'll be there in less than half an hour.
''Mm. I've been saving it for battle, but once I use 'pseudo-sensing'... hmm?
Kah!

　Just as they were about to activate their abilities, Black and White sensed the presence of someone approaching them at high speed.

'Waco, stop the car. Someone is coming.
All right. "Seicho Kekkai.

　Waco parked his car on the side of the road and made countless wards the size of origami appear.
　These wards, which are nearly transparent, are very effective in blocking or obstructing actions because of their ability to be difficult for the opponent to notice. For this reason, Waco's basic tactic was to prepare these wards first in situations where it was unclear whether the opponent was an enemy or not.

'Please wait, Waco-sama! I am not the enemy!
Well, it's been a long time.

　A few moments later, a woman wearing a gray robe bursts out of the forest. Waco seems to be an acquaintance, but since Kuro and the others don't know the woman, they don't let their guard down and carefully assess the other party's movements.

You are, as I recall, the water family's resident sorcerer in Asahikawa. Why are you here?
''It's a bit more complicated than that... at the moment, the Water family's sorcerers and members of the British witchcraft organization are jointly setting up a vigil around the forest.
That sounds complicated.
Yes. I would like to ask you why you are here, as well as the reason for your visit.
'I see. Maybe there are some similarities between your situation and our objectives, so I'm not reluctant to exchange information with you. But before we do, may I ask you a few questions?

　After witnessing Chromium's ability to change his appearance, Waco carefully confirmed that the woman in front of him whom he knew was the person in question, and then they exchanged information with each other.


◇


　At the edge of the range determined by the survival recreation, there was Soshi Kasai rubbing tree branches together in a demon like manner.

''It's so annoying. Making a fire is so easy if you use 'cold heat'.
Why are you trying to be so obtuse? We'll be exposed as aliens if we do that. Come on, get a move on.
Hey, yeah.

　Soji rubs dry branches together while Akari, who is with him, blackmails him.

"Big sister, Soji-kun. I gathered some branches and ivy and stuff.
""I'm home."
Hey, welcome back.
Good job, drops and all.

　The squad members with wood and ivy, led by Shizuku, came back to the two of them.

　This place is a bit far from the youth's house, but because of this, the resources are abundant and the probability of competing with other squads is low, so Soji's squad has been based here from the first day.
　Many of the squad members are delinquents, middle school gals, and other squad members with a bad temper, led by Soji. That's also why Akari dares to choose this place to avoid conflicts with other squads.

It's a good idea to have a look at your team. I'll just take a look at it.
You're not going anywhere. Here, go make your fire.
"Good luck with the fire.
"Godd*mn it...

　With Akari and Shizuku's support, Soji silently scraped the wood.

''Sis........''
Hmm? What's up with the drops?
I got a weird feeling from deep in the woods.

　In the midst of all this, Shizuku is the first to notice an odd presence approaching from deep in the forest.

''I don't sense anything, but Shizuku's instincts are pretty good.
I don't feel anything, but I don't hear anybody coming. Hey, you guys need to get back to the young man's house....oh?

　Trusting Shizuku's instincts, Soji tries to get his squad members to escape. However, his decision was a bit late.

''Hey, guys! Hey!

　The two delinquents in the squad and the two middle school girls are staring deep into the forest with vacant eyes.
　The squad members didn't show any reaction to Sorge's words either.

''It's kind of bad, isn't it?''
Yeah, that's clearly not normal.

　Shortly after Akari and Sorge muttered that. The plants and trees in the forest suddenly began to move, giving way as if to welcome the strange presence.

''Oh my, there are children who can feel my presence and still maintain their sanity.
'Granted'!

　A woman dressed in a disastrous jet black dress.
　The moment she saw that figure, Akari activated her own unusual ability towards Soji and Shizuku.

''Ugh...!

　Despite the severe malaise, Akari manages to remain conscious.
　The different ability "Grant" to improve the bodily functions of others.
　As a Rank C, Akari's "Grant" would normally only work on one of its targets. However, after successfully granting the ability to exceed the limit during a battle against an alien organization, Akari was able to grant it to two people simultaneously while maintaining consciousness through daily training.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. Leave the rest to me.
You get some rest.

　However, he had little strength left to move, barely able to maintain consciousness.
　As if to hide such an Akari, Soji stepped in front of the woman in the jet black dress.

''I see, you guys were xenophiles. You all followed me just by making me feel your presence, but it seems that's not enough for the xenophiles...''
'What are you talking about? You're the one who did that to those guys in the squad, so just disarm them!

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good deal more out of it.
　It is an extraordinary ability to manipulate temperature, but it cannot be used to release heat without preparation. It absorbs the temperature of its surroundings and stores it temporarily, allowing it to release heat.

Interesting unusual ability. Let's get a little exercise. 'Defeat them.'

　Io commanded the plants and trees that existed around him. Then the ivy grew and the branches bent, and they all attacked at once towards Sorge and Shizuku.

''An unusual ability to control plants!
'Shizuku takes care of Akari and everyone else! .... "Cold Fever"!

　Shizuku, who was strengthened by the "grant", lightly dragged the stunned squad members to the rear of Soji. Finally, she carries Akari and completes her own evacuation with the rest of the squad members.
　After confirming their appearance, Soji burned away the approaching branches and ivy by releasing a heat wave.

''Fuuu.........................Cold Heat''

　Once again, Sorge freezes the area around him, storing up heat for his next attack.

'Is it an alien ability to strengthen others and an alien ability to store and release heat? That's interesting. How about this? "Beat them.

　As Io commanded that at his feet, the ground rose up and countless arms made of dirt attacked Soji.

''Tch, 'cold heat!'''

　The sorcerer released a heat wave immediately after releasing the heat wave, destroying one arm of dirt after another due to the sudden temperature difference.

''Uh-huh, this is getting fun.
"d*mn it...! "Cold fever!

　The "Cold Heat" was strengthened by the "Grant" and gained the strength of a rank B. In addition, with the temperature manipulation he learned through daily training, Io's attacks never reached Soji.
　However...

''Uh-huh, ah-ha-ha-ha!
Ggh...!

Io's onslaught never stops.
　Dirt became arms, pebbles became gravel, leaves became blades, and trees became spears as they attacked Soji one after another.

(What's with all this extraordinariness?!)

　Unable to deal with Io's increasing momentum, the raw wounds on Soji's body increased.

''Combine!''

　Shizuku invoked the 'bonding' variant to target the plants and ground that Io controlled.

''Oh? You're not moving fast enough all of a sudden.

　Io nodded his head at the fact that the movement of the soil and plants he was following had slowed down considerably.
　The 'bond' not only joins the objects it perceives, but it can also temporarily increase the original bonding power.
　By increasing the binding power that makes up the ground and plants that come into view, Shizuku blocked Io's attack.

''I've seen xenophiles a few times before, but this is the first time I've seen xenophiles like you guys. That's really interesting. Ufufu.

　However, Io resumed the attack without a single sign of impatience.
　Although his speed was greatly reduced, countless attacks by plants and earth and stone were unleashed towards Soji.

''d*mn........''

　Soji, who had already exceeded his limits, just stared at the countless attacks that were approaching without a trace.

''Soji-kun!''
Sojourn!

　Shizuku and Akari's mournful cries of distressed screams were the wood spirits, but the result the three of them expected did not come.
　A water barrier suddenly appeared, enveloping Soji and blocking all of Io's attacks.

''What the hell is going on?''
''That's my line. Why are Kasai-kun, Shizuku-san and Akari-san fighting that sorcerer?

　Junkanai Mizukami appeared to Soji, who had deployed a water barrier without understanding the situation.

''You're your sister's classmate, right? Are your predecessors practitioners too?
'I feel a power that is different from magic. It's a mystery.

　Following Junkanai, Junna and Aru join the scene, both of them looking warily at both Soji and the others and Io in confusion, as they don't understand the situation either.

'A lot of things are bothering me, but we'll discuss the details later. Instead, for now, we have to deal with the person in front of us first.
I agree with that.

　While wondering about the situation with Soji and the others fighting the sorcerers, Junkanai decided to focus on the enemy in front of her.
　Along with that, Junna and Auru also focused on dealing with Io.
　The joint front between the xenophiles and the sorcerers had opened up.