**Episode 038: Emergency Contact**

A week has passed, and I accompanied the “Post-Apocalyptic Fresh Vigilante Squad” in their leveling up, without participating actively myself.

As someone with the strength of level fifty four at level nine, there’s no immediate need for me to level up. Besides, I have prepared the base to a comfortable extent, so there’s not much more I can do at the moment.

If there’s something else, it would be agriculture, but that would require specialized knowledge, so I haven’t started on that yet. I did go to bookstores and libraries to obtain related materials, just in case.

Regardless, as a result, all the members of the Fresh Squad reached level seven. In the current situation, they are now at a level where they won’t die even if they act alone.

It’s about time they can operate on their own without my direct involvement.

“From today, you all officially become members of the squad. You’ve overcome tough and strict training. From now on, you will be the core members of the squad. Address each other by your assigned numbers. Masayoshi is Number One. After that, decide among yourselves.”

So today, we decided to hold a completion ceremony for the members’ training.

“Sergeant, understood.”

“I’m not a sergeant anymore.”

“Got it. Kotaro.”

“That’s fine.”

At some point, I had started to be called a sergeant, and I had accepted it during the training. However, that ends today. In order to deal with them on an equal footing, and as we will now interact as equals, I will stop being addressed as a sergeant.

Masayoshi separates from me and gathers the members to rank the fifteen of them. As he is trusted by them, there is unlikely to be any objection to the names assigned by him.

Although various things happened during this week, I think we managed well.

We fought against hordes worse than when we started. Of course, I had a margin that I could protect, but for them, it must have been like a hellish battlefield.

Despite facing such a horde, they overcame it. They must have had their own thoughts, and surely, the desire to impress girls motivated them.

“Kotaro, we’ve finished deciding on the code names.”

Looking back on the week and reflecting on various emotions, after waiting for a few minutes, Kotaro returned to me, and the members lined up behind him.

“I see. Then, as a graduation gift from me, I’ll give you a selection.”

“I think we’ve received enough already.”

Masayoshi chuckles at my words.

I understand what he’s saying. We’re in a world where we receive equipment, combat techniques, leveling up, and job information from him.

However, that alone is not enough for their role.

“No, you guys still lack the power as a deterrent. So, I’ll give you this.”

“What is it!?”

Seeing the item I took out from the magic bag, Masayoshi’s expression turns to shock. And rightly so. What I took out wasn’t a beginner’s equipment,but a weapon from a different class from silver box.

“This is a weapon called Shadow Sword from the silver box. I’ll provide you guys with equipment of silver box class.”

“Whoooaaa!”

I also plan to give them chest protectors and protectors to wear over their suits with good performance.

Once the squad members understood that, they shouted in excitement. It should be fine for a while since we’ve hunted down the Shadows in this area today.

“Now, come to me one by one.”

“Yes, Sergeant!”

“I told you I’m not a sergeant!”

Masayoshi, in an overwhelmed state, inadvertently called me by the previous title while shedding tears, so I raised my voice in embarrassment.

“Now, let’s proceed with the completion ceremony. Masayoshi, step forward.”

“Yes.”

Masayoshi briskly walked up to me and stopped.

“You’ve worked hard this past week. From now on, lead everyone as the captain.”

“Ye… yes! Understood!!”

When I addressed him, Masayoshi’s face crumpled, and tears streamed down. I don’t have a particular fondness for seeing a man cry, and I don’t remember doing something that would warrant this much gratitude.

“Don’t cry!! You’re going to lead the squad from now on. Don’t show tears in public.”

“Unde…rstood…”

Though I intentionally spoke harshly, Masayoshi showed a happily teary smile.

“He’s truly an unstoppable guy.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Next!”

“Yes!”

The next person also had a tearful voice. Looking around, everyone was covered in tears and runny noses.

They seem to really like me… even though they’re younger than me.

After handing out equipment to everyone, I spoke a few words to each of them.

“Alright, the completion ceremony is over. From now on, think for yourselves and work hard to maintain the peace, order, and safety of the people around here.”

“Yes! Thank you very much!”

Lastly, I gave a brief speech in front of everyone, and the squad members bowed to us.

“Well, I’ll come by occasionally, so don’t slack off, okay? … If I find out you’ve been slacking off or acting recklessly, you understand what will happen, right?”

When I added an intimidating tone, everyone vigorously nodded their heads.

“If you understand, it’s fine. Well then, I’m heading home.”

*Brrr, brrr, brrr*

At that moment, my smartphone vibrated.

“Hmm? Who could it be?”

I unlocked my phone and saw a message on LINGU.

It said, “Help.”