**Episode 006: Useless in Battle**

A Crafter is a non-combatant in the production field. In battle, I shouldn’t be of much use. Participating in combat is suicidal for someone like me, and it might endanger the other members.

“Even though crafting roles aren’t good at fighting, should I join the battle?”
So, I asked about my concerns.

“No, leave it to us; we’ll protect you.”
“Yeah, it would be troublesome if you moved recklessly.”
“That’s right. You just focus on being protected.”
“I guess I’ll have to protect you since you’re helpless.”
The energetic group confidently declared.

If they were willing, I decided to take them up on their offer. I pondered if there was anything I could contribute, but currently, without materials, it seemed like I couldn’t do anything. Moreover, I didn’t have time to verify my abilities properly. Unlike combat roles, I couldn’t experiment within battles.

“Then let’s first secure some weapons. Even a bat would do.”
“Will that really work?”
“Better than nothing, right? What if you get eaten like that person without directly attacking?”
“T-True. Weapons are crucial.”
Shinozaki suggested searching for weapons, and Yamada groaned in response. However, perhaps recalling the possibility of someone getting eaten, he reluctantly agreed, his face turning pale.

“Okay, then I’ll proceed while keeping an eye on the situation.”
“Are you sure?”
Borrowing something that looked like a weapon from a nearby house, Shinozaki volunteered as a scout, considering the results of her appraisal.

“Yeah. Since awakening my status, my senses have become sharper, and I can sense various presences now.”
“That’s an incredible ability. With that detection skill, you can avoid sneak attacks from enemies.”
“Well, yeah. But don’t let your guard down. This power is not absolute. It’s a rule in stories that there are enemies against which this kind of power doesn’t work.”
“True, be cautious and proceed.”
“Understood.”
Takatori applauded Shinozaki’s power, but indeed, as Takatori mentioned, it was better to be prepared for the skill to be broken. Even if I hadn’t prepared anything, there was a significant difference between considering possibilities from the start and not considering them. This difference could mean life or death.

Everyone gradually moved toward the shelter, which was the city hall, while paying attention to their surroundings.

“Listen, everyone…”
After walking about twenty meters, Shinozaki turned back and spoke to us in a low voice.

“What’s wrong?”
“Yeah. I think there’s probably a monster behind that alley, just one.”
“I see. Then let’s approach without being noticed.”

It seemed that Shinozaki had found the monster that had strayed from the group. She pointed to a certain alley and explained.

If they were determined, I would take advantage of their offer. I considered what I could do, but currently, I seemed unable to do anything as I lacked materials for my skills. Besides, there was no time to properly verify my abilities. Unlike combat roles, I couldn’t investigate within the battles.

They had no hesitation about fighting. It was clear that everyone was feeling much bolder, thanks to gaining statuses and watching videos of people defeating monsters.

I followed behind them. It seemed that the black shadows had reached this area, too, as there was blood scattered around. However, strangely, there was no sign of human figures. They were either eaten, on their way to the shelter, or perhaps hiding inside houses.

Shinozaki, leaning against the wall of a building that formed the alley, watched the situation and signaled us, beckoning us over.

“I found one a bit further in, so I’ll go in first to attack and draw it out.”
“Really, be careful, okay?”
“I understand.”

As we gathered near Shinozaki, she entered the building without making her presence known. We peered out from behind the wall, watching the situation.

In the alley, there was a black shadow slightly taller than us. It was walking with its back turned to us. Shinozaki approached stealthily and cut its back with a sharp stone she had picked up

.

“Ugghhh!”

The creature made a pained sound, unlike when it was shot with bullets.
“Now!!”
“Yeah!!” “Yeah!!” “Yeah!!”

In response to Shinozaki’s signal, we also rushed out and attacked the monster.

“Take that!!”
“Hya!!”
“Ha!!”

Everyone surrounded the creature and beat it with whatever makeshift weapons they had found.

“Vooooo!!”

Similar to Shinozaki’s attack, the monster responded to the attacks from Sanada and others with a scream-like sound.

It seemed the attacks were effective. Although there were no gunshots at all, the fact that we could deal damage with randomly picked items was strange. Perhaps this was related to our statuses.

After about five minutes of beating it up together, the monster fell silent. Then, like it dissolved into the air, it disappeared completely, leaving no trace.

I could only watch in astonishment.

“Haa… haa…”

The rough breathing of the four who had participated in the attack enveloped the surroundings.

—Thud

Breaking the silence after the monster disappeared, a box suddenly appeared in the spot as if it were a treasure chest.

“Huh? A treasure chest?”

“It seems that sometimes monsters drop treasure chests when defeated. Saw it in a video,” Yamada explained with internet knowledge, surprising everyone with the sudden appearance of a treasure chest. It truly felt like a game.

“Oh, really? Can we open it?”
“Are there any traps?”
“So far, there’s no mention of such things.”

Shinozaki eagerly asked while Yamada answered Sanada’s question.

“Well, then, we have no choice but to open it, right? Right?”
“Yeah. Be careful when you open it, okay?”
“Sure.”

As a precaution, we stepped back a bit and waited for Shinozaki to open the treasure chest.

“Eeeehhhh! Amazing! There’s a sword inside!”
Shinozaki, after opening the chest and seeing the sword inside, excitedly shouted. She raised the sword she took out from the chest to show us.

“Indeed, it looks like a good sword.”
“Naturally, Souta should use it.”
“I have no objections.”

Approaching the treasure chest together, Shinozaki handed the sword to Sanada.

“Thanks, everyone. I’ll protect you all with this sword.”

Sanada smiled at us, holding the sword still in its sheath, protruding from the center. This guy seems like he’s going to become a hero.

I pondered vaguely in that manner.