**Episode 035: Emerging Adversaries**

Two weeks have passed since the appearance of the Shadows.

Today, once again, we descended to the city aiming for level advancement. The weather was clear, and occasional glimpses of people’s shadows could be seen in the city. Many places in the town, which had not suffered much damage initially, were now in a dilapidated state.

Likely, other survivors, like us, had come out to the city to scavenge for supplies, causing destruction and infiltrating into the buildings.

Currently, the internet is still connected, but the television doesn’t work. Probably, the situation isn’t suitable for broadcasting.

While electricity, gas, and water supply could stop at any moment, for some reason, they were still functional. Fortunately, we had each made preparations in these aspects during the first week.

We produced simple baths and stoves with magic, making it possible to take baths and eat without water. We even created non-flush toilets. Concerning waste, my holy magic’s purification could cleanse it thoroughly, leaving no problems.

Moreover, surprisingly, this house had solar panels. I don’t know what he was thinking, but my grandfather installed them when he rebuilt the house, saying it would be troublesome if something happened before he passed away.

Also, originally, items that were broken couldn’t be used again, but with me, repairs were possible. Thus, during our lifetime, there was no inconvenience with electricity or other items.

Now, we truly appreciate how valuable that is in the current situation.

“Let’s do our best for level up today too.”

“Yeah!!”

Today, it’s me and Enjyu teamed up.

After surpassing level six, the growth rate has slowed, and recently, leveling up has become quite challenging. Nevertheless, in the past two weeks, we managed to reach level nine.

“Hey hey, don’t forget I’m here too!”

While the two were immersed in their own world, Shuji complained.

As the house had almost turned into a fortress, currently, there was no Shadows that fly in the sky. As long as we defended the entrance, the chance of it being taken over was minimal. One strong person on guard was sufficient.

Hence, we hunted together every day, rotating the team members.

Although the three of us have been defeating Shadows quite a bit, there’s no sign of them decreasing. Apparently, they still occasionally emerge from that vortex.

Moreover, while these Shadows aren’t that strong, if they constantly attack, many citizens won’t be able to lead a decent life unless they become capable of fighting.

No one will protect our future lives. Not the country, not the police, not the lawyers. We have to secure a safe life with our own strength.

For that, we need to defeat as many Shadows as possible, level up, create a safe living space, and widen our advantage. So, today, we have to give it our all once again.

“Hey hey, kids like you shouldn’t show up in a place like this.”

“Yeah, yeah. You might get involved with scary big brothers like us.”

Appearing as if to dampen my spirits were men dressed in post-apocalyptic fashion. They were appealing their insanity by licking knives with their tongues.

I never thought that even in such a situation, there would be individuals who try to trample on the weak like this.

“Ah?! Don’t underestimate us!”

Against such men, Shuji boldly stepped forward.

He’s truly an incorrigible guy.

“Hey, are you guys in middle school or high school? Or maybe you’re just cosplaying and trying to stand up to us?”

“Don’t underestimate us!!”

These guys, looking down on our cosplay-like attire with their ridiculous laughter, but Shuji doesn’t back down.

Actually, aren’t these guys more like cosplayers themselves?

And don’t they have internet connection for information gathering?

If they had collected information properly, they should realize that what we’re wearing is high-quality equipment. Well, even if they don’t know the quality, they should at least understand that these are gears obtained by defeating Shadows.

The fact that they haven’t done so means they are amateurs. I tried appraising them, and the leader is at level four, while the rest are level three or below.

“Heh, not bad courage you got there. You guys!! Let me teach you the harshness of the world!!”

“Hai!!”

However, these post-apocalyptic guys, oblivious to that fact, prepare to attack us.

“What do you think?”

“Yeah. Leave these guys to me.”

“Understood.”

I decided to keep a watchful eye on the surroundings while observing Shuji’s fight.

“You’re underestimating us!!”

“Huh.”

“Ugh!?”

One of them, perhaps realizing my intent to leave Shuji to handle this alone, irritably attacks me.

Too slow. Way too slow.

I’m essentially a level 54 monster. Their movements, less than a tenth of mine, are so slow that it can be described as watching in slow motion.

Shuji seems to be in the same situation, effortlessly dodging and striking without using weapons, probably to avoid killing them.

Even so, the man who was hit easily flies and crashes into a wall.

“Tch!! Everyone, get him!!”

“Hai!!”

Seeing that the leader thought he was at a disadvantage alone, they all rush to attack Shuji. However, Shuji dodges all their attacks and strikes them, sending them all flying.

“Hey hey, where do you think you’re going?”

I put my hand on the shoulder of the leader who was trying to escape. The leader turns back towards me as if he were a tin doll. His face is filled with despair, so I smile at him.

“Eeeeek!!”

The man screams at the sight of my face and faints, his eyes rolling back.