I couldn't say no and decided to join in, an intrusion into the realm of control.

　I put on the kendo kimono my mother had forced me to wear for the first time in a long time, grabbed my shinai (not) and joined the members of Tenipara.

''Yes, yes. After all, Sayama-san looks good in a kendo suit.
'Right!　You're right!　After all, that look of Rina's is wonderful~

　Deguchi-kun and Saori, who were cheering me on as I joined them. I felt somewhat embarrassed.

　But the Kendo suit I hadn't worn in a long time and the shinai in my hand.

　I felt uncomfortable.

　My body is light...?

　Ever since that day when "World Salvation Project" was installed, my body was strangely light. At first I thought it was just my imagination, but then I lightly swung the bamboo sword in my hand for the first time in a long time and realized that my physical abilities had been enhanced...?

　Has my physical ability been strengthened...?

　Is this another blessing from a goddess?

　I was puzzled by the change in the sound of the wind breaking as I gestured.

　There were 12 participants this time. Eight members of Tenipara and four members like me who were invited from outside.

　We had to drive to our target area of control.


　　◆


d*mn, it's hard to drive...

　The man driving us around was complaining.

　The car wasn't just on the well-maintained roads, but also on the dirt bare footpaths.

　The only sound is the driver's complaint in the clattering car.

　Since the emergence of the dominant territory, the transportation infrastructure has been nearly wiped out. Numerous dominant territories have appeared that cut off the national highways and railroad tracks that connect the various prefectures. Buses and trains that were supposed to be in regular service were forced to be abandoned. Incredibly, the dominion area also seemed to encroach on air traffic control, so that even airplanes could not now take off.

　Cars powered by electricity were the only means left to get around on the roadless roads.

　It was about an hour's drive. A short distance that could have been reached in about 15 minutes if there was no impenetrable zone. We had arrived at the area of control that needed to be invaded.

　One by one, the participants got out of their cars. When all the participants were present, Ando looked around and said, "We're going to go into the controlled area now.

We are now entering the controlled area. According to my research, only low-ranked demons called slime and rats inhabit the entrance area. First of all, let's all unite to successfully defeat the demons for the first time. After that, invade to the back of the room to see what's going on. If we sense any danger, we will retreat immediately.

　Ando-senpai speaks calmly, as if speaking to you.

''Let's go then!

""Oh!"

　In front of me was a huge monolithic rock that could have been mistaken for a mountain. A part of the rock was like a cave with a big hole in it.

　With a great deal of anxiety and fear, but also a small amount of hope and expectation, I was going to challenge the dominant area.


　　◆


　Two hours later.

　The battle results of the first dominated area were dismal.

　Suzuki-senpai and Tanaka-senpai, who are also valuable personnel who can handle magic. And then, Deguchi-kun has become the one who did not return.

　According to Ando-senpai, the results of the battle were not disastrous, but a success.

　The survival rate was 75%. Nine level-up players. And a rank D item.

　Looking only at the numbers and results, it seems to be a great success.

　A great success........?　What?　Even though the person you were laughing and talking with two hours ago is dead?

　As I was overcome with despair, Ando-senpai chased me down.

''Sayama-san, may I have a word?''

Excuse me?

"The Black Iron Sword...

　Ando-senpai shifts his gaze to the black, shiny, martial sword I was holding in my hand - the black iron sword.

　Ah......... I see. This sword was entrusted to Deguchi-kun, but it's not mine. It's a weapon that we all worked together to acquire.

Ah!　...I'm sorry.

　I muttered emphatically and presented the black iron sword to Ando-senpai.

''No, the owner of the black iron sword is........Sayama-san. It's you.
What?

　I am puzzled by the unexpected response.

'You can handle that sword better than anyone else. Besides.........I think that's what Deguchi-kun wants too.

　Ando-senpai muttered in a voice that seemed to disappear in the second half.

''Just may I post that sword on social media?''

What?

Sayama-san, are you aware that the 'liberators' are supported by the government and some corporations?

　To my confusion, Ando speaks quietly.

　'Liberator' - a recently coined word. It means one who seeks to liberate the controlled territory.

　I knew from the news and internet posts that the government and some companies were implementing supportive measures to encourage those who had leveled up or obtained rare and valuable items in the controlled realm.

''Then we can take the Black Iron Sword to City Hall...''

I think that would be foolish. We are young. I may be an adult, but I am a student. There is a possibility that someone might be watching my step. So I think it's best to wait for them to call out to us, or, as I like to say, offer us a job, instead of going to them.

Is this an offer?

Yes. By waiting for the offer, we can offer better terms. We think that having the backing of the government, or even some of the companies, will be good for our future endeavors.

Is this a future activity?

'Yes. Now, there are probably companies that will hang an offer on you even at level 2. But if this is a month from now?　What about in two months?　We can probably expect that the level of the level at which we hang our offers will increase. We need to be in a better environment, all the time, in order to survive. So this time I want to post on social media and wait for the offer. How do you like it?

　I am troubled. Because if you accept this proposal, the days of intruding into the dominant area are fixed from now on without a choice.

''Well, Hideya is a man of few words!　First of all, why don't we take a picture to celebrate our first success in the realm of control? You guys gather round. See?　Rina, can you smile too?
What?　What?　Wait, wait.

　Against my will, Yuya forced me to take this commemorative photo.

''So.........I got a rank D weapon!　Well, here we go.

　And then the photos that were taken of me were thrown out into the sea of the Internet with a few light words.

　I had no way of knowing at the time that Yuya's rash act this time was a turning point that would largely determine my future.