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"Wait, let me arrange a weapon for you first. We might stumble on goblins after all, always better to be prepared. What sort of weapon do you use?"
"You can even get weapons from your skill, Senpai!?"
"Tone down your expectations, alright. It's just typical stuff to use in daily life."
After taking a glance at my shovel, Takamiya-san nodded, seemingly getting the gist.
Well, I might have acquired a rare weapon like «Poison Dagger», but these were once in a bloody moon scenario. And besides, it was just the 3rd floor, we didn't need anything fancy to leave.
"I see. My standard weapon is a big shield, but I think I can make do with something that can be used as a blunt weapon."
"In that case, a shovel would just do, right?"
«Friend Gacha» dropped me three shovels. Handing her one wouldn't be a problem at all.
"Yes, that would be fine."
Had to say, swinging around a big shield with that petite stature strangely fit the image. Wait a minute, that just reminds me—
"Ah, I just recalled it. Takamiya-san, were you perhaps partying up with Takashi?"
"Huh, how did you know, Senpai?"
"Well, I came across your party around two weeks ago. I'd say something as strange as a party that had their clothes in tatters, yet no injury is hard to forget."
Furthermore, carrying a shield as big as her stature was undoubtedly bound to pick attention.
"I see... well, after we left the dungeon that day, I had to leave the party. And since then, I have been exploring alone."
Uh-oh, her tone dropped again. I did remember the party then was clearly bubbling with frustration and annoyance. Yeah, it would be better to not step into that landmine.
"That must be hard. But it's been two weeks since then, you didn’t look for another party?"
I tried to shift the direction of conversation. Let's go, me. I can do it. Keep pushing the topic!
"I was a bit interested in starting solo. And, to be frank, I have already been kicked out of one party. Even if I look for another party, I know it will be the same situation over again, and just thinking about it made me not try."
No way I just got course corrected?! This was a confirmed step on landmine.
"I, I can relate."
I chimed with whatever came to my mind. Man, my communication was really in dumb.
"This reminds me, I didn't see anyone beside you, Senpai. You didn't join any party?"
"It's, well... not that I didn't, but I can't."
"That's surprising. You even seem to have such handy skills......"
"Ah, sorry to burst your bubble, but this is a demerit skill. Plus, this is the only skill I have, so everyone else turned me down for not having combat skill."
"Huh? So you also have the demerit skill?!"
.......Hmm?
That was an unexpected reaction. Every time I had mentioned my demerit skill while looking for a party, the other responses were either laden with disappointment, pity for me, or outright annoying why I even talked with them.
Wait a minute. Did she say "also?"
"Also?"
"Yes. I also have demerit skill"
No freaking way?!
I mean, the odds of gaining a demerit skill was 1 in 10000. And here in this moment, there were two facing each other. Just what were the odds of it happening? Hell, we're even from the same school. I couldn't help but find it unbelievable, nearly bursting out.
"That's surprising. On that note, my skill is «Gacha - Spendlock». What about you, Takamiya-san?"
"Ah... um, er... well, mine is......"
I tried to ask, but her voice stammered as if it was her natural trait, and started fidgeting.
"It's alright. You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to."
"That can't do! You have told me your Senpai, it would be unfair if I step back here!"
I only revealed it of my own accord though, so she really shouldn't worry about that. I thought so, but Takamiya-san appeared to be quite a stubborn person. She shook her head, her cheeks flushed, and fidgeted while uttering the name of her skill.
......Why is her face turning red?
"My, my skill... is... ——."
Huh? Despite not looking quite comfortable, Takamiya-san pronounced that name. But, though I heard the words before the skill, the essential name itself didn't fall into my ear. She'd spoken in such inaudible voice I completely missed out even while at such close proximity.
"I am sorry, but I didn't quite catch it."
"W, Well... Ga... «Game System ——»."
"Huh, game system?"
It was an entirely unfamiliar skill name I never heard until now, and even its name didn't evoke the 'demerit' disappointment. I wonder what kind of skill it was.
"Y, You got it half. It's not «Game System», it's full name is, that......"
"Hmm?"
Oh, yeah. She did say something after «Game System», but it was barely audible. If that's not the full name, what was?
I didn't have any inkling, and tilted my head in confusion. Then, as if somehow resolving herself, Takamiya-san raised her face—the flush had now spread even to her ears—and looked at me straight.
"M-my skill is «Game System: Eroge»!"
"......Come again?"
"U-ugghh..."
Takamiya-san gave me a gaze that threatened to burst into tears any moment.
"S-sorry. It's not that I didn't hear you, but it's just, you know, unexpected. I couldn't help but repeat myself."
"I… I can understand. You just gave the same reaction as my family when I told them."
For a moment, I was stumped on how to react—should I reproach myself for my meagre imagination to not immediately recognise the effect of the skill whose name didn't give any hint at all, or should I call out the deplorable god who made that skill?