Is this dagger... also a laser tag device?
That's right. It's made out of rubber, and the laser transmitter on the tip makes a sound when it comes into contact with the laser receiver.
At this time, there are lots of people in the spacious lobby of the wargame club. Standing in front of the display cabinet, I marvel at the various weapons inside it and really stand out among all the veteran players walking past me. Fortunately, Ein has been accompanying me the whole time and explaining everything to me.
These laser tag weapons look so realistic. I almost thought I'm in some kind of munitions and weapons exhibition hall.
Haha, that's not surprising since they were made to look like the real thing to give players a realistic gaming experience.
Laser guns, camouflage uniforms, field battle scenarios that are modeled to look real and natural... Now I think I made the right decision when I abandoned my plans to have a lazy weekend to come to this wargame club with you on the outskirts of the city.
What? Did you really come to play?!
Why else... would I come?
(whisper) I thought you came with me because you wanted to...
Hmm? What did you say? I couldn't hear that clearly.
N-Nothing. Oh right, this is a paintball gun. Getting hit by one of these bullets is no laughing matter because it hurts really badly and leaves a bruise. For that reason, the club requires everyone to wear corresponding helmets, protective glasses, and protective clothing if any player wants to use this weapon in a game.
Ein, you seem to know a lot about all the equipment here at the club. Let me guess. Are you a regular?
I don't really count as a regular. I just come here once or twice a month.
In my hometown, my tribe often organizes hunts. All the hunters will rush into the mountains and woodlands to capture wild animals, and the winner will be decided based on the number of prey caught and their size.
Although I can't participate in those hunts now, I can't let my body become lazy, so I've been looking for places to practice hunting after arriving here in One Han City.
But... based on what I know, shouldn't a wargame like this be different from the hunts you mentioned?
Yes, but playing wargames is an effective way to train both my physical ability and combat decision-making skills. It allows me to maintain the same state as when I'm hunting.
I see.
Haha, since we're already here, let me show you what a hunt is like.
I don't really understand. Are you saying that there's no one for us to play against right now? What can we do...
Tsk, I told you ages ago that you shouldn't expect to run into any evenly matched opponents in a game filled with novices. How could you possibly...
PLAYER? You're here too?
I turn my head to the left and look behind me at where the voices are coming from and find myself looking into a pair of pink pupils. I also see a rather irritable young man standing next to the owner of these eyes.
The disciple of Nishiba-ryu and... Ein? Why are you two together?
Because we get along really well. Isn't that right, PLAYER?
Ah, y-yes! I guess?
Seeing the menacing look in Zechs's eyes, my affirmative statement ends with an uncertain tone.
Hey, we also get along really well, right?
Oh? Er... yes?
I see... In that case, PLAYER, who do you get along with better between Zechs and me?
???
...
Getting the feeling that I've been dragged into a terrible war, I look at Hannah next to me for help, only to find that she's twiddling her fingers and looking at the ceiling, the floor, and the people passing by... She's looking at everything except me.
Excuse me, but our next treasure hunt is about to start. If the four of you are together, you have just enough people for a game.
No, we're not together.
Okay.
Tsk, that's what I wanted to say.
Huh?!!!
Then let me introduce the rules to you.
Wait a minute...
Ein and Zechs gather next to the staff excitedly to listen carefully to the explanation, and even Hannah has joined them. Nobody cares about my rejection...
I get it. I'm just deadweight, like a fragile support character who has forgotten to wear the right gear in a MOBA game...
PLAYER? If you don't listen to the rules carefully, you'll be scurrying around with your tail between your legs when the game starts.
Ein tugs me gently, pulling me into their group, which is listening carefully to the staff's explanation.
Well, it looks like this Attack Damage Carry is still in control, so I'll reluctantly agree to join them.
Are there any new players today? I'm referring to anyone who is here for the first time today.
Me.
Me.
...Same here.
Haha, quite a few of you are new players. In that case, I'll focus on explaining the various equipment to you. This is a laser receiver that players will wear in games. Each player will wear a total of six of these. When it is hit, an alarm will sound to indicate that the player has been injured.
To give new players a better gaming experience, we'll make it so that each receiver won't register any more hits within five seconds of being hit. In other words, you'll get five seconds of invincibility.
However, please note that if the laser receiver on a player's head receives a laser signal from a weapon, that player that has been hit will be eliminated immediately, so remember to protect your head when you're hiding.
I subconsciously touch my head. It looks like headshots are a thing in all games.
In a treasure hunt game, players will be divided into multiple teams and search for the same hidden target. The team that finds the target and takes it back to their camp safely or eliminates all their enemies will win the game. Based on the number of players you have, I recommend that you split into two teams.
Let's team up, PLAYER!
Right after Hannah speaks, three intense gazes focus on me.
Hey, I'm the best hunter in the tribe. Think carefully!
I'm not even going to bother to ask you whether your claim of being the best has been verified. PLAYER, don't you think it's better to choose an old partner with whom you've shared your joys and sorrows?
I've had enough of this topic of sharing joys and sorrows!!! I have no idea how I survived that month!!! I wail in my heart and then turn to look at Hannah.
A-Are you gonna choose me...?
Probably because my gaze is too intense when I look at Hannah for help, she shyly taps the floor with her tail gracefully. After a loud bang, dust fills the air, and I see that the floor has cracked.
Haha... I never would have thought that I, the worst fighter here, would be the one who gets to choose my partner.
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