[Group Notice: "Normal High School Student" and "Railgun" have accepted the mission. You will be transferred to the target's world in one minute.]
[Group livestream function activating…]
Shirakawa had expected this ever since Saeko Busujima joined the group. World plots were bound to progress.
For her, things might've once been normal high school life…
But with the outbreak of the undead virus, crisis was inevitable.
So the moment he saw the rescue mission pop up, he didn't hesitate. He accepted it instantly.
Aqua, who mostly spent her time chatting and signing in for points, was utterly confused by the system notification. Her eyes went blank.
She recalled "Normal High School Student" being one of the earlier members.
She turned to Shirakawa and asked curiously,
"Hey, Shirakawa, did you just hear something weird?"
"…"
With Megumin nearby, Shirakawa decided to be subtle about the chat group.
"Just found a way to earn some points," he said vaguely.
"Eh?"
Aqua, previously in a good mood, froze in place after hearing that.
That was it? That's how you earned points?
Abandoning all goddess-like grace, she grabbed Shirakawa's arm and whined,
"Even if the points aren't that important, I still wanna go play toooo!"
"Can't be helped…"
Shirakawa shrugged. Aqua was effective against undead… but against virus-infected corpses, who knew if her purification would even work?
What truly surprised him was who his mission partner was.
It was none other than the Railgun from the Toaru world—Misaka Mikoto.
[Chat Group Thread]
Mistress of the Butterfly Estate: What kind of speed is this?! I just clicked the chat and the mission's already been claimed!
@Ordinary High School Student @Railgun
Future Holy Sword Wielder: Enhancing my physical stats helped, but I still wanted to grab that rescue mission…
Gabriel: You can go to other worlds through group missions?!
Gabriel: This chat group's functions are kinda amazing. Wait, does the livestream work like a TV channel?
Asuna: Looks like my fingers weren't fast enough.
Bronze Rank Adventurer: I believe in @Normal High School Student. He'll be fine.
Mai Sakurajima: @Saeko Busujima, didn't you say your world was just modern-day society? Why's there suddenly a crisis?
Aqua: Why didn't I get picked for a group mission!!
Railgun:@Normal High School Student, aren't you in school today? Why do you have time for a mission?
—
Academy City – Toaru World
Misaka Mikoto didn't expect her teammate on this rescue mission to be the "Normal High School Student." She remembered watching the entire last mission's livestream.
The Future Holy Sword Wielder's magical tech was interesting.
As for Shirakawa's strength—she had a rough impression.
He'd just taken the Holy Sword class and hadn't developed it deeply yet.
If he were in Academy City, he'd probably rank around Level 3 or 4.
He shouldn't be a liability.
It was currently lunchtime.
As for asking the teacher for leave—Misaka turned to Shirai Kuroko and said casually,
"Tell the teacher I need to leave this afternoon. Something's come up."
Kuroko, seated at her desk, looked up with a smile.
"May I ask what exactly has come up, onee-sama?"
"…That's a secret."
---
In the Konosuba world, high-tier mage classes required a staff as a casting medium. Finding a suitable weapon quickly would be tricky.
Although Shirakawa was surprised to find Railgun as his teammate—
He had no time to dwell on it. He turned to Megumin and asked,
"Megumin, can I borrow your staff for a bit?"
"I should be able to return it by tomorrow."
"Hmm…"
Megumin thought back to today's luxurious meal and didn't think Shirakawa would lie to her. But to a magic user, their weapon was like a partner.
So she hesitated.
"I have something I need to handle. I want others to experience the full power of Explosion Magic, and I need a proper weapon to do that."
"You're going to use Explosion Magic!?"
Upon hearing this, Megumin found it almost impossible to say no.
After all, Shirakawa was a fellow explosion enthusiast.
Though a bit reluctant—
She still handed over her staff, wrapped in gray cloth, and solemnly declared:
"This is a weapon I entrust to you. Let the world feel the might of Explosion Magic!"
"I will."
Though they'd only just met and bonded over food, Megumin was willing to lend him her most valuable possession.
Shirakawa gave a soft chuckle and gently patted her head.
When she was being serious—she was pretty adorable.
As the chat group countdown finished, Shirakawa vanished from the adventurer's guild corner, leaving Megumin staring in disbelief.
"…My teammate's Railgun, huh?"
"Feels like even without using Explosion Magic, this mission's going to be a cakewalk."
A Level 5 esper like Misaka Mikoto in Saeko Busujima's zombie-infested world?
Shirakawa could only see one outcome: mass slaughter of the undead.
And if killing zombies gave experience points?
Then no matter what, he was going to go all in.
There was no way he'd let himself fall behind on class progression.
As the brief wave of dizziness passed—
He braced for the chaos ahead.
Having just left the Adventurers' Guild, he opened his eyes once more.
All that remained was the unfamiliar school building. Screams echoed from outside—
The zombie virus had already broken out. The only thing unclear… was where Busujima Saeko was.
"Are you Normal High School Student?"
No preparation was necessary.
She didn't even bother with a school bag.
Wearing the signature Academy City JK uniform—pleated miniskirt with dark tights underneath, and tea-colored hair cascading over her shoulders—
The girl leaned casually against the wall, flipping a coin between her fingers.
Noticing the sudden appearance of Shirakawa, Misaka Mikoto turned to him.
What caught her eye most was the long staff wrapped in gray cloth in his hand.
"Misaka Mikoto. What's your name?"
"Shirakawa."
Not one for shyness, she introduced herself simply and added,
"Busujima Saeko is in the infirmary."
"The group said so too. Let's go find her first."