Metro Labyrinth - CH 46

“Now then, we will take your photo for the recognition slip, and give you an Insignia.” (Tanabe)

“A photo!?” (Shuu)

I unintentionally raised my voice.

“Yes, it’s a picture. Do you not know that?” (Tanabe)

“Ah, yeah… I think I heard something…” (Shuu)

“This is my identification card, although it is going to be slightly different from yours because it belongs to a staff member.” (Tanabe)

Tanabe shows everyone hers. It is a plastic-laminated card the size of a driver’s license, with information such as her name, branch, and staff number. On the left side is her portrait. The quality of the picture is rough, but it is still a colored photo with light tints.

“Wow, so this is a picture,” Kurano said. “It’s my first time seeing one.”

“Sister, you’re smaller than me, squeak,” said Tamiko.

“It been around for ten years now,” says Tanabe. “However, it’s still not very popular, also there are only very few identity cards with a photo, including Sugamo City.”

Well, at the end of the Edo period, cameras and photography had already been introduced, so it shouldn’t be that difficult as long as the principles and knowledge remain. It seemed impossible for Shuu, who was born in the humanities, even if it took 100 years.

So we moved to another room for the photo session. One by one, we were made to sit on chairs and forced to make smiling faces with a box-shaped camera about the size of an adult’s face. “Yes, Abe-san. Open your eyes more. Raise the corners of your mouth more. Let’s make your face a little narrower.” For some reason, Tamiko alone was subjected to four or five shots, but I wondered if it was too much to assume that Aomoto, who was watching over her from behind, was exercising her authority.

We then moved to another room, where not only the guild officials but also Sugamo city officials were present, and we were given an insignia—in other words, a tattoo of the city to which we belong (apparently, the issuance of a family register is a city procedure, and the guild acts only as an agent to guarantee our identities).

“Then please lie down here.” (Tattoo Artist)

Following the instructions of the elderly tattoo artist, I lay down on the simple bed. As someone who had never experienced getting tattoos or even piercings, I was overwhelmed with excitement.

Tanabe and Aomoto are both staring at the tattooist’s back with complicated eyes. According to Obuchi, Mayor Sugamo has a history of expressing opposition to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in past regarding the control of citizens by engraving. In the end, he was brushed off on the grounds that it was a provision of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government law, but the staff and guild members may not be equally comfortable with the idea.

As for me—surprisingly, I wasn’t that resistant (aside from the fear of pain).

The designs to be engraved are less than five centimeters in diameter and have practical use. In a world where people have become semi-infected humans with mycelia and spores coming out of their bodies, and where there are Magical Beasts and Demihumans, there is no need to make a fuss about one or two Insignias.

(Well, I heard that even in ancient times, it was used to identify individuals and to determine whether or not they had a criminal record.) (Shuu)

(Which would never have been possible in a developed country of my era.) (Shuu)

After all, what’s included as human rights are like a yearly fashion trend. Universal values are as common as ghosts.

The procedure takes about 15 minutes. I felt a slight prick, but not so much that I would call it painful. However, each side of my body was tattooed.

The one on my left is the Insignia of Sugamo City, which serves as proof of my citizenship. It has a ring-like circular outer frame with eight spikes and a mark resembling a “モ” in the middle. The color is dark green.

On the right is the Hunter’s Guild Insignia. The pattern is of a wolf entwined with ivy-like things, and the color is black.

“Usually there’s some swelling, but yours is beautiful…” (Tattoo Artist)

The artist is amazed.

“Oh, I have [Self-Regeneration].” (Shuu)

Actually, I was slightly worried that the tattoo might not stick because of [Immortality], but it is safely and properly tattooed. It seems to be a special ink made from mycelial plants, the effect of which is that even if it is scraped or gouged off, it will reappear as it was before. It can be erased, but it needs to be done by another artist.

“Then next is Tamiko-san.” (Tanabe)

Tamiko sits at the table She looks a little anxious.

“Looks like the hair on your body is too fluffy, may I tattoo it on your paws then?” (Tattoo Artist)

“Don’t make it hurt, squeak…” (Tamiko)

So he took out a needle that was even thinner than the one used on me, and he then put on something similar to sports glasses.

“It’s okay. Using this needle, I can even make a cat’s face on a grain of rice. And with this wearable magnifying glass, it will make it look bigger.” (Tattoo Artist)

“I’m worried, squeak.” (Tamiko)

The Insignia of the Hunter’s Guild is placed on the right paw and the Insignia of Sugamo City on the left.

“Kya~un! Kuh, ticklish, squeak!” (Tamiko)

“Because it’s on your paw.” (Tattoo Artist)

“Pigyaa! Tingly, squeak! Tickle, tickle!” (Tamiko)

“I’m sorry, you’ll have to hold it in a little longer.” (Tattoo Artist)

“Okay, then I’ll hold her,” said Aomoto.

“Don’t squeaking touch me! Don’t touch my back, squeak! Squeak!” (Tamiko)

Despite looking like she’s on some comedy skit, Tamiko’s hands flailing with tears in her eyes as she somehow managed to finish the procedure. When Tamiko borrowed the wearable magnifying glass to check, she found that the same pattern was drawn on her paw pads, just small enough to be barely visible through a pair of magnifying glasses. It is truly skillful craftsmanship to be able to do such a small and precise drawing.

“Abeshuu, my hand is squeaking tingly.” (Tamiko)

“Okay, [Holy Healing].” (Abeshuu)

“Now, you are both one of us. I’m looking forward to your contributions to the guild. Moreover, I’m looking forward to working with you.” (Aomoto)

Aomoto asks for a handshake. She shakes hands with me for a second, but she passionately stroked Tamiko’s paws.

“I don’t want to call it a congratulatory party, but allow me to invite you to my home later. I’ll prepare the finest acorns for you.” (Aomoto)

“Touching is only for three minutes, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“Contract sealed.” (Aomoto)

They said that the identification card will be ready at a later date. All my activities for today are done, so Tamiko and I go down to the first floor.

“Hey, newbie. Over here, come here.” (Senior Hunter)

A man standing at the bar calls out to us. One of our colleagues who had finished earlier was also there.

“It’s no party, but since we’re all here, let me buy you both a drink.” (Hunter)

“Ah, yes… Thank you.” (Shuu)

If it was an invitation from a senior colleague of mine, it would be foolish to refuse. Or rather, my eyes were constantly focused on the wheat-colored liquid in the glass he was holding.

“Can I have a beer?” (Shuu)

“Yes! By all means!” (Senior Hunter)

He gets me a glass from the counter.

“I don’t really do daytime drinking, but just for today. Milk for the little one?” (Senior Hunter)

“Squeak!” (Tamiko)

“Thanks! Thanks!” (Tamiko)

What a kind senior, and what a nice place to work. This alone can make me add about ten hours of overtime a month (I’m not saying I’ll do it).

So I said to my Senior and Kurano, who had already been drinking, “Nice to meet you!”

(Oh… after five years… or rather after a hundred years, Beer-san…) (Shuu)

I quietly pick it up bring it to my lips and pour it into the back of my throat immediately.

“*Glug*… *Glug*… Ahhhh! *Glug*… Ahhh! Woaaah!” (Shuu)

“It broke Abeshuu, squeak.” (Tamiko)

It has a creamy taste and fine bubbles, a firm pop, and a dry spiciness that creates a refreshing aftertaste. It’s not warm, but it’s just pleasantly cold enough. Overall it’s great. It’s so good it makes me want to cry.

“Ha-ha-ha, he’s a good drinker. This guy has a bright future.” (Senior Hunter)

“Thanks! I’ll follow you for the rest of my life!” (Shuu)

He was probably about 50 years old. He is a tall, thin, and wildly handsome man. He wears his gray hair all back and sunglasses on. He wears a flashy silver jersey covering a nice manly build.

“*Whisper* (Abeshuu, listen, squeak.)” (Tamiko)

“*Whisper* (how much?)” (Shuu)

“Whisper (Similar to Abeshuu’s, squeak.)” (Tamiko)

“Whisper (Seriously?)” (Shuu)

Around level 68. …He’s stronger than Aomoto, the guild representative.

That means—.

“…Shimoyanagi Heiya…san…?” (Abe)

“Oh, you know me? I am honored.” (Heiya)

The handsome man chuckles and combs up his hair with his fingers.

Obuchi told me about him. This man is the most famous hunter in Sugamo City.

Heiya Shimoyanagi. He is also known as “Shooting Willow”.

He is said to be one of the best [Snipers] in New Tokyo.

“You’re Abe Shuu-kun and Tamiko-chan, right? I heard from this kid that you’re 28 and 40 even though you’re just rookies.” (Heiya)

“Ah, yeah…” (Shuu)

“Maybe we’ll be working together in the not-so-distant future. Nice to meet you.” (Heiya)

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.” (Shuu)

Shuu grabbed the outstretched hand.

(–Eh?) (Heiya)

For some reason, his hand is just an ordinary human hand, with a few scars that are somewhat noticeable.

It is as if he is pulling me from the inside.

It is as if he is pulling me from the inside of my stomach as if he is taking me in. Is it the sensation of knowing that I am dealing with a big shot?

When I bewilderedly looked up, the smile was gone from Shimoyanagi-san’s face.

He pulled his hand away and whispered in my ear.

“… you, maybe you’re stronger than I am? Who are you?” (Heiya)

A/N: “Aokigahara Forest – Sugamo Arc”, has ended. Just right at the end of the volume.