As I stood there, overwhelmed by the sheer number of people packed inside the prefab hut, Ririka-san noticed us and approached with a greeting.
"Hello, everyone. It’s been a while. How were your exams? Did they go well?"
"Uh, ah, yes. I feel like I did decently well, so I think I’ll be fine, but... what’s with this crowd?"
While replying to Ririka-san, who spoke with a pleasant smile, Yuji asked hesitantly about the mass of people.
"These people are disciples of our house. They will be serving as the opposition for your training today."
"...Everyone here is part of the opposition?"
"Yes. Since this exercise will utilize the entire mountain, we need at least this many people."
"...I see."
I thought I might have misheard her, but seeing Ririka-san give her answer so naturally, we realized she wasn't lying or joking and steeled ourselves. It seemed this would be far more difficult than any of our previous training sessions.
While we were talking near the entrance, Genya-san, who had approached without us noticing, spoke up.
"Forgive me, you lot. Resuming training immediately after your exams..."
"No, we’re the ones who asked for the training, so please don’t worry about it."
"I thought about giving you a bit more of a break, but if we wait too long, the senses you’ve worked so hard to sharpen will grow dull. Considering the training content from here on, I wanted to avoid that if possible."
"I see. That makes sense."
Genya-san was right. If we took too much time off, our skills would rust just like they did during GW. I didn't want a repeat of that—especially since the penalty this time, the shock devices, really hurt.
"By the way, have you had lunch? If you haven't eaten yet, we have some leftover boxed lunches..."
"Oh, we’re fine. We ate some rice balls we bought at a convenience store in the car on the way here."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Thank you for your concern."
So there were extra boxed lunches... What a waste. If I had known, I wouldn't have bought those ridiculously expensive rice balls.
"Well then, let’s begin the preparations immediately."
With that, Genya-san turned away and clapped his hands sharply.
The sound echoed through the prefab hut, and the disciples' attention snapped to him. Once he confirmed their eyes were on him, Genya-san spoke.
"Now then, everyone. Let us begin preparing for the exercise. Some of you may be seeing them for the first time, but these three are your opponents for today. Come, Hirose-kun."
Suddenly put on the spot, Yuji began his self-introduction with some hesitation, prompted by Genya-san.
"Um, uh, I’m Yuji Hirose. Everyone, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to help with our training today! We look forward to working with you!"
We look forward to working with you!
He seemed nervous and couldn't quite manage a smooth speech in front of nearly thirty people, but as Yuji bowed and offered his thanks, Hiiragi-san and I followed suit. We were about to split into enemies and allies, but while we weren't asking them to go easy on us, mutual etiquette was important.
The disciples broke into applause the moment we bowed, so it seemed we had been accepted.
"Now then, let's leave the greetings at that and start the training. In thirty minutes, these three will enter the mountain. Everyone, be ready within thirty minutes... Dismissed."
Following Genya-san’s closing words, the disciples picked up their gear and filed out of the hut. As they left, each of them offered us a brief greeting.
Within barely five minutes, the prefab hut was empty of everyone except us.
"I will be waiting outside as well, so you three change into your training clothes. You understand, I presume? The countdown to the start has already begun."
"Yes."
After Genya-san and Ririka-san left, we hurriedly began changing. In the beginning, I had been nervous about changing with Hiiragi-san just on the other side of a partition, but by now I was used to it and didn't feel a hint of tension. We quickly changed, attached the shock devices to our limbs, and stepped outside.
Genya-san, sitting in his usual folding chair, turned toward us.
"That was fast. You still have about fifteen minutes left. Now, let me explain the training content."
"Yes, sir."
Genya-san stood up and handed us a map different from the one we usually used. When we spread it out, we saw eight marks labeled A through H scattered across the mountain.
"As you can see, eight checkpoints have been set up in the mountain for this exercise. You are to visit these points, collect the arrival markers from each, and return here."
"Should we visit the points in the order of the letters?"
"I haven't specified an order. You may decide for yourselves which sequence to follow. The clearance conditions are the same as previous exercises: collect the arrival markers and return unscathed within the time limit. That is all."
"What is the time limit for this session?"
"The time limit is three hours."
"Three hours... I see."
Since we had cleared Phase 2 right at the last second, a three-hour limit felt incredibly tight. Choosing the right route was going to be the deciding factor.
Sensing that we had begun looking at the map in earnest, Genya-san concluded the briefing.
"That concludes my explanation. In this exercise, both the number of traps and infiltrators have been significantly increased. Be extremely careful. You have about seven minutes left; use that time wisely."
"Yes."
With that, Genya-san sat back down.
We huddled over the map and began discussing our route. There were four checkpoints arranged in a square around the base of the mountain, three in an equilateral triangle halfway up, and one at the summit.
"Hmm, how about just going in alphabetical order?"
"Alphabetical, huh... Should we try it that way first to see how it goes?"
"I'm not so sure about that. Shouldn't we choose a route based on actual reasoning? I mean, look. Point C here has a steep slope on its side, so if we don't confirm the safety of Point F above it first, we'll be sniped from directly overhead."
Looking at the spot Hiiragi-san pointed out, it was indeed a steep slope where sniping from Point F was possible.
"Ah, now that you mention it, you're right. Going in alphabetical order would be a mistake."
"Yeah. Even if it means taking a bit of a detour, we should choose the safest route..."
"What if we secure the summit point first? I think we should avoid a situation where they hold the high ground from the start. Plus, to see how the new participants move, I’d rather use a path we're familiar with instead of taking a completely unknown road."
"I see. In that case, if we start from the summit, would a sequence like H-E-G-B-A-F-C-D be the safest bet?"
I traced the route on the map for Yuji, Hiiragi-san, and Ririka-san.
"Yeah, that looks good."
"I agree. I think that route will work for now."
"Also, Ririka-san, is this route okay with you? If it’s too physically demanding, we can change it..."
I asked for Ririka-san’s approval to be sure.
The difference in physical ability resulting from our levels had become apparent in our previous training. Even if a path was easy for us, it could be grueling for Ririka-san.
"I’ll be fine. It’s not as if I’ll be running all over the mountain paths, so I won't have any trouble keeping up on this route."
"...Understood. But please, tell us immediately if it gets too difficult."
"Thank you."
"Alright, let's take this route then."
We managed to finalize our route before the start. We didn't have enough time to analyze potential ambush spots or trap placements in detail. I wasn't thrilled about it, but we’d just have to figure it out as we went.
As we finished our meeting, Genya-san informed us of the time.
"Hey, one minute until the start. Wrap up your discussion and get ready."
"Yes, sir!"
At Yuji’s response, Genya-san turned to Muroi-san.
"Muroi-kun, are those in the mountain ready?"
"...Yes. Everyone has confirmed they are ready. We can start anytime."
"I see... Twenty seconds left."
Listening to Genya-san’s murmur, we checked our equipment and formed an equilateral triangle with Yuji in the lead, protecting Ririka-san. And just in case, I kept an eye on Genya-san and Muroi-san. I didn't want to get shot from behind the moment we started.
"It is time. Now... begin."
At the signal, we set off while guarding Ririka-san. We aimed for the summit first. We climbed the path—a route we had grown accustomed to over the last several sessions—walking while keeping a sharp eye on our surroundings.
"For now, it doesn't look like they’re going to attack immediately..."
"Yeah. If the enemies are scattered across the whole mountain, they’re likely to lure us deep inside before striking."
"True. If they’re coordinating with traps, the chances of an attack near the entrance are slim. Though, of course, that's no reason to lower our guard."
While remaining alert but not overly tense, we climbed the mountain, exchanging light conversation. It all came down to accumulated experience that we could do this so naturally now.
"Whoops, no ambush, but here's a trap already."
Yuji stopped suddenly and crouched to examine the ground.
"What kind?"
"It’s camouflaged with fallen leaves, but it’s a directional shrapnel mine—a claymore. There’s a wire stretched between those two trees. The main body is at the base of that tree over there."
Looking where Yuji pointed, I saw a thin wire extending from a small, box-like object hidden near a tree root.
"Hirose-kun, are there any other traps? Like before, where another one was hidden on the detour route?"
"Give me a second, I’ll check."
Yuji remained crouched and observed the area. Meanwhile, Hiiragi-san and I scanned the shadows of distant plants and the treetops for infiltrators. With the long range of the laser guns, there was a high probability of being sniped if we stayed still. If we got careless, we’d fall prey to the shock devices.
In less than a minute, Yuji stood up.
"It’s okay. The only trap around here is that claymore."
"Got it. Let's just shift our course slightly and bypass it."
We could have detonated it from a distance, but we would have needed to move far outside its wide effective radius first. It was more time-efficient to mark the location on the map and move on. Since I wasn't sure if we could finish all the points within the time limit, I wanted to save every second we could.
We reformed our formation and continued up the mountain path, guarding Ririka-san.
After walking a short distance past the trap, all of us simultaneously wore grim expressions. Because...
"...Daiki, Hiiragi-san. Did you notice?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Yes. We're being watched."
We felt someone’s gaze. Without changing our pace, we moved only our eyes, searching for the source... and we found it. About fifty meters ahead to our front-left, a bush was swaying unnaturally. There was likely an enemy lying prone inside. Since there was no malice in the gaze, they didn't seem ready to snipe us just yet.
"Is the infiltrator’s target Ririka-san?"
"Probably. It doesn't feel like the focus of the gaze is on us."
"So Ririka-san is the target after all..."
But if the target was clear, we could eliminate the threat if we timed it right.
I turned toward Ririka-san and brought up a proposal.
"Ririka-san, I have a request..."
"I don't mind."
"No, uh... I haven't said anything yet..."
"I heard your conversation. I just need to act as the decoy, right?"
"...Yes. Um, could we ask that of you?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Alright, now that I had Ririka-san’s permission, let’s see what we can do!