Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 92

Chapter 92 : A Difficulty Overcome 2

“...‘Appraisal.’”

―――

Target: Phantom Doll

Effect: A doll created by granting a pseudo-personality through special abilities (Inou). The doll can activate any abilities given by its creator at will. It can also be modified to gain various extensions.

Status: Inactive

Notes: The entire body is frozen, and many functions are damaged. The doll’s appearance and internal structure closely mimic a human. The granted pseudo-personality and appearance are modeled after a gentle girl, and it possesses the special abilities of [Life Force Enhancement], [Object Absorption], [Charm], [Recognition Impairment], and [Skill Resistance].

Additional Note: The creator is ■■■■■.

―――

Now that it’s been neutralized, its resistance to ‘Appraisal’ might have faded. Hoping for the best, I activated the skill—and as I suspected, the mysterious resistance had disappeared.

From the appraisal, I confirmed that the doll’s claim was true: it really was an artificial construct. Also, the unknown individual who created her possesses skills or abilities I have never encountered before. Those were the only two certainties.

(For now, all I can do is analyze it and extract as much info as possible...)

“Iori-kun!”

As I was considering the next steps while facing what used to be Ibaraki, a voice called out to me. Looking over, I saw Kyori running toward me, accompanied by her drone.

“Hah… hah… Are you okay!? Are you injured anywhere!?”

“Ah, I’m totally fine. How about you? Did you get hit by anything dangerous?”

“I’m fine. This little one protected me…”

Kyori gently stroked the drone, which was damaged but still somehow hovering. Sure enough, she was unharmed. It seemed the plan to protect Kyori worked perfectly.

“Oh, sorry! I ended up damaging this kid…”

“Don’t worry about it. Tools exist to serve humans. Besides, that level of damage can be fixed easily.”

“...Thank you.”

Now that we confirmed each other’s safety, there was a collective sense of relief—but Kyori still seemed uneasy. It was probably because of the frozen figure turned ice statue nearby.

“Um, who’s that frozen over there...?”

Kyori asked cautiously.

I hesitated, wondering whether I should answer honestly since we didn’t fully understand the enemy yet. But trying to dodge or lie in front of a frozen figure like that would only cause more anxiety. Deciding honesty was best, I casually said:

“That was a doll who called herself Ibaraki. Not human, nor a monster—just a tool.”

“A doll?”

“Yeah. Probably something like a shikigami—a spirit servant made by someone. But who made it and how exactly it worked, we’ll have to investigate more. Anyway, it won’t be causing trouble anymore.”

“I see…”

Kyori’s expression was a mix of relief knowing the frozen being isn’t human and anxiety that the mastermind behind this wasn’t just this enforcer but someone else.

“Well, with all the obstacles cleared out, we can worry about complicated stuff outside.”

“...Right. I’ll do the same.”

“That’s good. Then let’s get out of here.”

“Yes!”

To escape this labyrinth, we had to find the operation panel at the exit.

“By the way, Kyori, do you know where we can escape from?”

“I heard the escape enchantment is set on the final floor.”

“An enchantment, huh? Got it.”

Judging from the trends in the previous floors, it’s probably hidden somehow. I didn’t have the patience to solve every gimmick or search blindly anymore.

So, here’s what I’ll do.

(Water Magic.)

I activated the skill and created countless water-formed eyeballs, spreading them to cover the entire floor.

These watery eyes connected to my vision through Sensory Sharing and allowed me to remotely activate skills. Essentially, it was a downgraded version of the water doll I sent to the Kuon mansion—but without enemies here, this was good enough.

Now all that remained was to automatically scan every corner of this floor with ‘Appraisal’ and head to wherever it reacted to the target.

“What was that?”

“It’s like a scouting device I used to find that enchantment. Once it spots something, it’ll let us know, so we can wait here quietly.”

“U-understood.”

While we spoke, a reaction came from the scanning device.

“So, where was the key to escape...?”

“...Whoa, seriously?”

“What’s wrong? Another enemy!?”

“No, it’s not that…”

I scratched my head and looked at Kyori.

“Let’s get back to Koharu’s place first. We’ll talk after.”

“?”

◇◇◇

“Kyori-nee-sama!”

“Ko-Koharu... it hurts...”

As soon as we returned to what looked like backstage of a theater, Koharu threw herself at Kyori with incredible force.

“I’m so glad… I’m really glad nothing terrible happened…”

“...Yeah, sorry for worrying you.”

Relieved by the reunion, tears streamed from Koharu’s eyes, and Kyori gently stroked her head to comfort her.

...Better leave these two alone for now.

Just as I was about to head to the operation panel to escape alone, a worried voice stopped me.

“Um, what about Genji-sama...?”

The siblings anxiously asked.

I had checked on Kuon Genji on the way back here, but how should I answer these kids, who look up to him and strongly support him as the next head of the Kuon family?

“He’s unconscious for now, but he’s safe.”

After a brief pause, I answered.

The siblings sighed in relief.

I wasn’t lying. Although Kuon Genji was unconscious, I’d treated all his wounds with Healing Magic. He won’t die.

The real question is what he’ll do once he wakes up—will he remain in that broken state or lash out in rage?

I had prepared insurance for the latter scenario, but... worrying about Genji can wait.

“Anything else you want to ask?”

“...No, nothing now. Sorry for taking up your time.”

“No problem.”

I parted from the siblings and finally headed to the operation panel.

(Whoever designed this definitely has a mean streak, hiding it right by the entrance like a background prop.)

The stage-like floor blended so well with the surroundings it would be easy to overlook.

I cast Dispel on it, and like peeling off a sticker, the stage prop vanished, replaced by a glowing pentagram suspended in midair.

(Appraisal.)

――――

Target: Layered Containment Barrier Operation Panel for Ensnaring Demons and Monsters

Effect: Activates upon direct contact by Kuon family members, automatically ejecting all humans inside the barrier to the outside world. Normally concealed by special textures to avoid detection by demons.

Status: Operating normally.

―――――

I confirmed with Appraisal that this was the correct panel.

However, it only worked for Kuon family members...

“Kyori, can you come here?”

“...? Okay.”

I called Kyori over after calming Koharu and guided her to the panel.

“I think this is the escape enchantment.”

“It is. I was told about it beforehand.”

“Good. But it seems only Kuon family members can activate it. Can you do it?”

“...Understood.”

Kyori took a deep breath, as if making a big decision, then reached out to touch the glowing pentagram.

“Here goes...!”

The moment her hand touched the pentagram, a torrent of light flooded my vision—and then――――

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