For a long moment, we simply stared down at our cold dinner. We were half-expecting it to be laced with laxatives or some other drug, but since we had nothing else to eat, we tried to convince ourselves that even Genya-san wouldn't go that far. Just to be safe, I used my Appraisal Analysis skill—even though I’d intended to refrain from using it during the training—and the results came back clean. No drugs had been mixed into the provided rations.
Still, we were all visibly tense as we took that first bite. For the record, the retort pouch food was actually quite delicious, even cold.
“Phew... Thanks for the meal.”
Having finished eating, I unconsciously placed a hand on my stomach and rubbed it. Even though I knew it was safe thanks to my skill, the distrust I’d felt wasn't something that faded easily. When I happened to look up, I saw that Yuji and Hiiragi-san were making the exact same gesture.
“““...”””
We stared at each other in silence for a beat before exchanging weary, strained smiles.
“...It’s okay. I checked it thoroughly. It was clean,” I said.
“Y-Yeah, you’re right. It’s fine...” Yuji replied.
“I know that, logically, but still...” Hiiragi-san added.
We all understood. The food was safe. However...
“When we’re staying overnight in a dungeon, it’s probably best to only eat food we’ve prepared ourselves,” I mused. “Even if we know it’s safe, the anxiety takes over when it’s food given to us by someone else.”
I didn’t think it was likely, but the possibility wasn’t zero that an explorer with a kind face might offer food laced with poison. Deep inside a dungeon, away from the public eye, there was no guarantee that someone wouldn't be driven by greed to try and steal another person’s spoils.
Self-sufficiency... well, not exactly that, but making sure we could carry and consume our own supplies would be much better for our peace of mind.
“True. If you can’t even trust your meals—one of the few pleasures in a dungeon—you truly have no time to rest. That would be mentally exhausting,” Yuji agreed.
“I agree,” Hiiragi-san said with a nod. “Fortunately, thanks to Kokonoe-kun, our restrictions in that area are quite loose. We’ll each need to carry the bare minimum, but we don’t have to worry too much about the surplus.”
Yuji nodded his head in agreement.
Right, I’m the cargo carrier. I had to face the reality of my role once again.
Once we finished cleaning up dinner, we decided on the night watch rotation and prepared to get some rest. Since there wasn't much else to do, it made more sense to maximize our sleep.
“Alright, so for the night watch, we’re doing two-person shifts, right?” I asked.
“Yeah, we should follow the same procedure as our last camping trip,” Yuji said. “However, since it’s 21:00 now, if we’re resting until 4:30 in the morning... each person will need to be on watch for about five hours.”
“Five hours, huh...”
Using a tree branch, Yuji scratched the numbers from 21:00 to 06:00 on the ground. Then, he drew lines under them to map out the assignments.
In the end, we were split into three roles: one person on watch from 21:00 to 02:00, one person from 00:00 to 04:30, and one person covering 21:00 to 00:00 and 02:00 to 04:30. Because we insisted on a two-person system, our rest periods were significantly shorter than during our previous camp—amounting to roughly two hours of solid sleep per person.
“Only two hours of rest?”
“Well, we chose the two-person system... it can’t be helped,” Yuji said.
“Fortunately, we don’t have any physical fatigue, so even two hours should be...”
We all trailed off, wearing bitter expressions. The disadvantages of a small party were becoming painfully clear. While a massive group isn't always better, having too few people was a serious logistical problem. With five people, we could have comfortably managed a two-person rotation, but there was no use wishing for what we didn't have.
“...It can’t be helped. Let’s decide the order.”
“...Right.”
“...Yes.”
During our last camp, Yuji had proactively volunteered for the short straw, but this time we settled it with rock-paper-scissors. I felt it wasn't right to keep putting the burden on him alone.
And as it turned out...
“So I’m on from 21:00 and again at 02:00...”
Having lost with scissors, I was the one assigned the split shift: 21:00 to 00:00 and 02:00 to 04:30.
“Well then, I’ll take my rest early,” Hiiragi-san said.
“Ah, yeah. Goodnight, Hiiragi-san.”
“Goodnight.”
Since she only had three hours until her shift, Hiiragi-san quickly disappeared into the sleeping area we’d screened off with the camp screens.
“Okay then, Yuji. I’ll move to the other side of the camp screen to keep watch as planned. I’ll leave this side to you.”
“Yeah, leave it to me. Don’t go falling asleep and letting them raid us, Daiki.”
“I’m not that clumsy. See you later.”
“Yeah.”
After our brief exchange, Yuji and I took our positions. Now I had to make sure I didn't miss a single trace of the attackers.
I wrapped myself in a thermal blanket and kept watch over the dark slopes, illuminated only by the stars and the moon. Suddenly, the faint, dry snap of a dead branch echoed through the air. In the stillness of the mountains, far from the white noise of the city, even that tiny sound reached my ears clearly.
The sound hadn't come from the canopy but from the ground. Someone had stepped on it.
“...”
Without a word, I shifted my gaze toward the sound. A moment later, I heard the faint rustle of dry leaves. The intruder had clearly reached a patch of debris.
“...Right there.”
I aimed my zoom light toward the source and clicked the switch, whispering to myself. A pillar of light lanced out from my hand, cutting through the darkness and illuminating a figure trying to creep between the trees.
Nailed it. I knew someone was out there.
““...””
For a few seconds, I locked eyes with the illuminated figure. The person made a slightly frustrated gesture before vanishing back into the shadows of the forest.
Good work, and better luck next time.
“...Phew.”
I exhaled softly and clicked the light off. As expected, they were coming for us regardless of the hour. Just how many more hours was this going to last?
“Hm?”
I heard a small sigh from the other side of the camp screen where Yuji was stationed. It seemed an attacker had appeared for him as well.
“...It’s going to be a long night,” I muttered to the stars, continuing my vigil.
I spent the next few hours repelling the occasional intruder with the light until, eventually, the time for the shift change arrived.
“Kokonoe-kun, it’s time to swap.”
“Ah, Hiiragi-san. Morning.”
Hiiragi-san emerged from behind the camp screen, clutching her thermal blanket.
“Good morning. I’ll take over the watch on this side, so please get some rest.”
“Ah, yeah. Thanks. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes. I can’t exactly say sleep well, but make sure you rest your body properly.”
“I will.”
I stood up, folding my blanket as we swapped places. I was usually a good sleeper, but I wondered if I could actually drift off with the adrenaline still in my system. As I was thinking that, Hiiragi-san spoke up while settling into her spot.
“Oh, by the way, Kokonoe-kun.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“You should remember to take your medicine before you sleep. It’s about time for the next dose.”
That’s right, I’d almost forgotten. Genya-san had instructed us to take the medication at six-hour intervals. I’d been wondering why my head felt so clear lately; the drug must have been wearing off.
“Thanks, Hiiragi-san. I’ll take it now.”
“Yes. It’s a shame, since your mind was finally sharpening up, but the training won't mean anything if we aren't under the influence.”
“...Yeah. You’re right.”
Taking the medicine meant a fog would settle over my brain again. It was a depressing thought. Leaving Hiiragi-san to her watch, I retreated behind the camp screen.
“Well then, good luck.”
“Yes, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I ducked inside, swallowed the pill, and immediately lay down on the insulation cushion, wrapping the blanket tight around me.
...I hope I can actually sleep.
When the vibration of my watch alarm woke me, the first thing I saw was the vast, star-studded sky. Then the memory hit me—right, Genya-san’s training. We were bivouacking on a mountain.
“...”
Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and threw off the blanket. Even though I’d slept, my head felt heavy. I could tell my brain just wasn't engaging. In fact, the post-sleep grogginess combined with the medication made my thoughts feel even slower than before I’d turned in.
“...This is dangerous.”
If I didn't shake off this haze, I wouldn't be any use on watch. I’d set my alarm for ten minutes before my shift, but I doubted ten minutes would be enough to clear this level of mental fog.
Ten minutes later...
“Morning, Yuji. Time to swap.”
“Ah, morning... Wait, hey, are you okay?”
“Ah, yeah. Managing.”
Yuji turned around at the sound of my voice, his face clouding with concern as he looked at me. I’d hoped I looked a bit more alert, but the sluggishness was apparently written all over my face. Ten minutes hadn't been nearly enough.
“What do you mean, 'managing'...”
“Well, I guess this is part of the training...”
It was slightly better than the moment I’d first opened my eyes, but it would take time for the fog to lift—time I didn't really have.
“...Shouldn't I extend my watch a bit longer?” Yuji asked, looking genuinely uneasy.
“No, it’s time. You need to rest, Yuji.”
“But, still...”
He still looked unconvinced. I couldn't blame him; if our positions were reversed, I’d be just as worried. I gave him a dry smile.
“I’ll probably be as sharp as you are in about thirty minutes. Besides, this is good practice for being raided right after waking up.”
“...”
“So, please. Go get some rest.”
“...Fine. I’ll leave the rest to you then.”
“Understood.”
He seemed reluctant, but he accepted my reasoning and headed behind the screen. Now, the next thirty minutes would be the real test.
“Please don't let them come yet...” I whispered.
With that prayer, I forced my sluggish mind to focus on the dark trees.
Eventually, the horizon began to glow, and the morning light slowly filled the area. Phew, I’d managed to survive the night.
“Morning.”
“Hm? Oh, Yuji. Good morning.”
Yuji was already up, appearing just as I was finally letting myself relax.
“Daiki, was everything okay after that?”
“Yeah, somehow.”
To be honest, it would have been a disaster if an attack had come any earlier. I’d barely managed to notice the last intruder in time; if they’d come ten minutes sooner, I might not have reacted until they were on top of me. I’d refused Yuji’s offer to extend his watch, but for the future, we really needed to schedule shift changes so that the incoming and outgoing guards overlapped for a while. It would be a greater burden, but it was safer.
“I see. Well, once we pack up the camp screens, I’ll handle breakfast. You keep watch a bit longer.”
“Understood.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Yuji went to wake Hiiragi-san and then began the work of breaking camp and heating up more retort pouches. The anxiety of the meal returned.
Once we’d taken turns eating while guarding the perimeter, I pulled out the dice to decide our next destination on the map. Just then, I felt a presence approaching from the main path.
“Wait, surely they aren't coming from the front?” I muttered.
“There’s no way they’d just walk up the path...” Yuji said.
“Right. Surely not...” Hiiragi-san added.
We all focused on the mountain trail. A few dozen seconds later, a figure emerged.
Wait, that was...
“Huh? Genya-san?”
“Muroi-san is with him...”
The people walking up the trail were indeed Genya-san and Muroi-san. My sluggish mind struggled to process it. What could they possibly want this early in the morning?