Multiverse: Starting by Creating Delta of Fate, the Group Went Wild — Chapter 21

In truth, he had no confidence at all.

With how ultra-aggressive the AI in this game was, he could easily get killed.

And without teammates, if he died, would it really be a direct game over?

How annoying. He had really written that essay wrong before.

He shouldn't have wanted to become a lone wolf. What kind of bear was that?

Hachiman Hikigaya had already decided what he would write for Shizuka Hiratsuka's career-planning assignment.

He should write about wolves—wolves that lived in packs.

--The transparent air wall vanished.

Gravity began to take effect on his body.

His fall accelerated. Faster and faster.

"Ahahahahaha!"

Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help laughing—not because he had a cheerful personality.

It was because when people fell from a great height, they had to scream.

Not wanting to scream out of embarrassment, he could only force himself to laugh instead.

"By the Command Spell, I command myself to float in the sky."

He landed safely.

Hachiman Hikaya glanced at the map. He had actually landed between the "Matou Insectarium" and the "Tohsaka Villa"?

And there was even a golden treasure chest at the "Tohsaka Villa," a high-tier loot point?!

He really wanted it.

Hachiman Hikigaya swallowed, but as a knife-running rat, the most important thing was assessing his own strength and taking only what he could handle.

The AI in this game was all absurdly aggressive. Even Dragon Tooth Soldiers had top-tier attack instincts.

The last time he had fought Dragon Tooth Soldiers, he had relied entirely on the defensive power of his Craft Essence to grind them down.

Even a massive loot point like the academy had reasonably strong AI.

For small resource points like the "Matou Insectarium" and "Tohsaka Villa," either the loot density was high or the quality was excellent, which meant the difficulty inside would definitely be high as well.

It couldn't be that he could just walk in and happily loot everything without anyone there, could it?

Hachiman Hikigaya didn't believe in youth, nor did he believe in something as vague as that.

What was luck? He had never seen it in his entire life.

He turned around and left without hesitation, so resolutely that he didn't even spare it another glance.

As Hachiman Hikigaya walked, he checked the map and occasionally chatted in the group.

Hachiman Hikigaya: "Where did you guys spawn? I'm near the Matou Insectarium."

Kazuma Satou: "I'm at the shopping street. After we finish looting, we're planning to head toward the academy. Want to come with us?"

Kurisu Makise: "Our team is on the other side."

Hachiman Hikigaya: "OK."

Hachiman Hikigaya took another look.

It was probably too late to head to the shopping street now.

As for Hohzuki Academy, his current position was actually closer than Kazuma Satou's.

But Hachiman Hikigaya didn't really want to say he was going there too.

That would... make it seem like he was rushing to compete for loot.

Besides, he was alone. He could probably get enough just by casually looting around; there was no need to fight a three-person team for supplies.

He would just search a loot point they weren't going to...

"Ryuudou Temple," "Emiya Residence"...

They both sounded dangerous.

Hachiman Hikigaya looked at "Seaside Park," marked along the coastline near the Miyamasu District.

That settled it.

He put away the map and prepared to take the train.

He had originally planned to buy a ticket nearby, but on a sudden whim, he went to check the card reader instead.

Oh?

Hachiman Hikigaya memorized the name of that card. He remembered that the shop sold cards directly as well; it was not like he had to pull them himself in the game.

He could look around for them later.

Then he could calculate whether buying cards directly was more cost-effective, or whether converting items into Fate Coins in-game and buying single tickets was cheaper.

Only careful budgeting could save up money.

Before long, Hachiman Hikigaya arrived at Seaside Park. The density of supplies here was pretty good.

Item: Little Yellow Duck Swim Ring

Type: Miscellaneous

Rank: White

Value: 1,000 Fate Coins

Huh?

Hikigaya walked toward the shore and discovered a fishing rod glowing green.

It was not just part of the scenery—it was an actual item?

Ho ho ho.

Delighted, he stepped forward and picked it up.

Item: Wannyan's Fishing Rod

Type: Household Furnishing

Rank: Green

Description: Whenever a certain Blue Dog was in a bad mood, he would change into casual clothes and come here to fish for an afternoon.

"Hey, what kind of clueless mage goes around touching my fishing rod?"

A blue-haired young man wearing a gaudy floral shirt, loose beach shorts, and a fisherman's hat walked over.

Hachiman Hikigaya looked at the name and information above his head.

Cú Chulainn

Identity: Chairman of the Fuyuki Elderly Anglers Association / Friend of Fuyuki Middle-aged Women / ??? / ???

Description: When he isn't being assigned work by "???," he generally won't get angry—as long as you don't provoke him with a certain word. ```

"Sorry."

Hachiman Hikigaya did not care what those question marks represented. In any case, this was clearly someone he should not provoke.

Besides, stealing someone else's fishing rod really was bad behavior.

He immediately held out the rod to return it.

"Forget it."

Cú Chulainn waved his hand. "It's just a fishing rod. You can have it."

Hachiman Hikigaya thanked him and prepared to leave. He was alone, so safety had to come first.

"Hold it."

Suddenly, someone grabbed him by the collar. He struggled a little, only to find that he could not move at all. The other man's strength was far too great, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

Hachiman Hikigaya turned around.

Cú Chulainn grinned, revealing his canine teeth, and pointed toward the riverbank.

"Come on. Fish a few casts with me."

"?"

A question mark practically appeared over Hachiman Hikaya's head, but he had no choice. The situation was stronger than the man, so he obediently followed along and started fishing with him.

"What's with you? You don't even know how to fish, yet you picked up my rod?"

"Watch closely. Like this!"

Cú Chulainn held the rod in his right hand, hooked the main line with his left index finger, opened the bail, and pointed the rod tip behind him or diagonally behind him. Using the rod's springiness and coordinating his waist and forearm, he cast the line out, releasing the hooked line with his left hand at the right moment.

A beautiful entry into the water.

Takashi Tsutsujimori: "Such standard, practiced movements. There's real beauty to them."

Tsunohiro Sasaki: "I don't really approve of him not using a Stella."

Hana Ayukawa: "Nice. You can tell at a glance that this Cú Chulainn is an angler—and a genuine expert at that."

Karin Ordetia: "How expert?"

Hana Ayukawa: "He could probably win prizes in internationally influential fishing competitions, like FLW, COB, or FIPS. I only watched once, so I'm not sure about his exact rankings, but he definitely has the skill."

Cú Chulainn: "Guys, this is my one hobby. Can you not do this? Can't you just say I'm only messing around?"

"Shh~"

Cú Chulainn whistled, tilted his head to the side, and jerked his chin, signaling Hachiman Hikigaya to give it a try too.

"Uh."

Hachiman Hikigaya tried twice, failing both times, then turned back with a nervous glance.

Cú Chulainn did not get angry. There was no dissatisfaction in his red eyes as he spoke calmly and slowly:

"Try again."

His voice was as calm as the sea, devoid of any discernible emotion, yet without the slightest malice.

Hachiman Hikigaya let go of his anxiety, took a deep breath, copied what he had just seen, and finally threw with all his strength.

Clap clap!

Cú Chulainn applauded, smiling until his eyes narrowed.

"Not bad! You've got a real talent for fishing!"

As Hachiman Hikigaya watched the float on the river's surface, something inside him was hooked in an instant.

Fishing seemed... pretty interesting.

Tsunohiro Sasaki: "Another fishing addict is born."

A-Xiu: "I've been wanting to ask—wasn't this game supposed to be all about fighting the moment you meet? How did everyone start fishing?"

Esdeath: "I originally thought this blue-haired man would be worth challenging. Looks like my instincts were wrong."

Medb: "Your instincts were right. He's just too stupid."

Esdeath: "?"

Medb: "I'm talking about you. Cú Chulainn belongs to this queen. Every Cú Chulainn can only be mine, so other women should forget about it."

Garou: "Watching this is making me sleepy. That fight at the school last time wasn't their peak, was it?"