I am currently in a state of despair.

I’m confined in an iron cage that flies through the sky, my hands are restrained.

Escape is impossible.

Now, what to do?

Aya: “We won’t let you escape anymore, Kai-san.”

Reina: “Kai’s arm… it’s firm. Touching it for some reason makes me happy.”

Kai: “Could you please let me go since I won’t run away? Both of you. Seriously. I need to use the restroom.”

I’m currently on a flight to China. I was supposed to be sitting in a large chair in first class, enjoying a leisurely air travel.

However, for some reason, Reina and Aya are sitting on either side of me, gripping my arms and not letting me go. As for Reina, I don’t know what’s going on, but she’s kneading my arm. This kid might be a bit strange.

Aya: “No. You might say ‘Lightning!!’ and try to escape again.”

Kai: “That’s why, Aya. Didn’t I explain? I won’t do anything like that because we have to go to China.”

Aya: “Then I won’t let you escape at least while we’re on the plane.”

Kai: “It’s no good, she totally doesn’t understand…”

Nagi: “Big brother, you’re a man with a girl on each arm. Double heroine!!”

Nagi watches me and chuckles. You always seem to be having fun, don’t you? Seeing your smile is enough for me, Big brother. Reina, it hurts, you’re pulling too hard. Remember, you’re a transcendent, right? Please control your strength. Seriously, if you exert full force, my arm will tear off.

Kai: “Hao-san, I’m sorry. Suddenly there are two more people.”

Hao: “No, no, both of them are celebrities. I didn’t think that they were in a relationship with Kai-san, and both of them at that. I’m envious.”

Kai: “No, that’s…”

Aya: “That’s right! Although my response is still pending, we’re planning to be in a romantic relationship.”

Reina: “I feel I’ve communicated my feelings. So, I’m waiting. Forever.”

Kai: “Stop it, when you’re so direct, I don’t know what I should do.”

The two of them immediately affirm Hao-san’s remarks. There’s no self-restraint left in them, and I was honestly bewildered. I had never been shown such straightforward goodwill, so I didn’t know how to dodge it effectively.

Aya: “Well, it’s okay. We’ll take it slow… I’m also looking forward to sightseeing this time. Right, Nagi-chan?”

Nagi: “Yes! If Aya-san and Reina-san are there, I feel safe! Big brother seems to be busy, so let’s enjoy ourselves!”

Kai: “Eh…”

Reina: “I like Chinese food. Nagi-chan, Aya wants to eat a lot.”

Kai: “Um, me too…”

Aya: “Sounds great! Then I’ll introduce you to a restaurant I recommend. We’ll arrive by lunchtime, so I’ll make a reservation for three!”

Kai: “Eh…”

It seems they will be sightseeing together. I have no choice but to visit the Battle God Guild, Big brother is lonely.

Nagi: “Hehe, I was just kidding, Big brother! I want to eat dinner with you at night!! I want to eat authentic shark fin!!”

Kai: “Oh, Nagi. When did you become such a little devil, my wallet is always loose. I’ll let you eat as much as you want.”

In the end, as Nagi had planned, I made a reservation for high-end Chinese cuisine. I’m really looking forward to authentic Chinese food.

Pilot: “…Please fasten your seatbelts. We will soon be arriving at Shanghai Airport, Shanghai Airport.”

Before long, the plane carrying us seemed to have arrived at our destination. We left the airport, led by Hao-san. We didn’t even need to wait in line because we were allowed to go through a special gate. That’s what you expect from VIP treatment. It’s like the route Hollywood stars take.

Today is October 1st.

A very comfortable fall season. China is slightly hotter than Japan, but the temperature is just right. It feels like the perfect temperature.

Hao: “Well then, Kai-san. It’s time to part ways with your sister for now. Originally, I planned to escort you to the hotel, but it seems you will be sightseeing with the two ladies.”

Kai: “Ah, right. So Nagi, let’s part here for now. The hotel is…”

As I asked Hao-san for the name of the hotel where I will be staying, Hao-san took out a business card and handed it to Nagi, Reina, and Aya.

Hao: “The name of the hotel is Shanghai Grand Hotel. If you have a smartphone, it might be better to look up the address. Please give them your name, Kai-san, and show this business card and mention the name of the Battle God Guild.”

Speaking of which, it seems that smartphones can be used overseas. It appears the major carriers in China and Japan have a partnership. In the worst case, Nagi and the others, and Hao-san have already marked me, so even if I get lost, it won’t be a problem.

Nagi: “Yes! Let’s go, Aya-san! Reina-san! I’m really hungry!”

Reina: “Aya, I’m also hungry.”

Aya: “Alright… it feels like I’ve gained another younger sister. It’s strange to have a younger sister who is older.”

Aya and the others waved their hands and went off to sightsee. Those three should be fine no matter what kind of ruffians they encounter overseas. And Aya can also speak Chinese, so I’m not worried about that, she truly is a multi-talented genius girl.

Hao: “Now, shall we go, Kai-san?”

I was then led by Hao-san to head to the headquarters of the Battle God Guild. We went straight there by taxi, allowing me to take in the cityscape.

Kai: “It’s my first time here, but it doesn’t seem much different from Japan.”

Hao: “Haha, is that so? Well, we are both in Asia after all.”

I had an image of overseas being another world, but Shanghai was more like Japan than I imagined. The roads and the buildings, the atmosphere was similar, which made it feel familiar. It’s like the image I had when I visited Chinatown in Yokohama as a child.

Hao: “Well, we’re here. This is the building.”

Kai: “Ha… it’s impressively huge…”

After about 30 minutes of being jostled in the car, we had arrived at our destination. In the heart of a metropolis rivaling Tokyo in Japan, there stood a skyscraper as grand and beautiful as Avalon’s headquarters.

Kai: “It really doesn’t seem like it’s only a 33-person guild.”

Hao: “Well, we do have multiple sub-organizations, so it’s not just 33 people. Still, it’s a fairly elite guild, only accepting members of B-Rank or above. Now, let’s go.”

I was then led by Hao-san into the building. Inside, people who appeared to be raiders looked at me with interest. Probably because my face is known worldwide, though it’s a relief that they didn’t look at me with malice.

Kai: “By the way, what exactly is this ‘observation’? Are we going to do a dungeon clear together?”

I asked, while ascending to the top floor in a glass elevator.

Hao: “No, no. The master said he wanted to see your strength.”

Kai: “Strength, huh…”

Ding

We arrived at the top floor. In front of the elevator was a single door. A high-end, double-leaf door made of wood.

Knock, knock, knock

Hao: 『Excuse me, it’s Hao. I’ve brought Kai Amachi-san.』

Wang:  『Ah! Let him in.』

It must have been Chinese; I could only understand when my own name was mentioned. Hao-san knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside. Along with that voice, Hao-san energetically opened the door, revealing a room that resembled a large conference room.

There were many raiders sitting around a round table, with a few empty seats here and there, but probably close to 20 people in total.

Wang: 『Nice to meet you, Kai Amachi. I’ve been wanting to meet you. Hey… Don’t you think… you resemble me?』

Hao: 『I think his atmosphere is similar.』

The person seated furthest in the back didn’t seem much different in age from me. Probably around 25, with black hair, sharp eyes, and yet a somewhat gentle and soft demeanor.

A bit of a cow-lick in his hair, a pitch-black earring in his ear, and a mole under his right eye.

It might be rude to say this, but I ended up thinking that this man – Asian, Asia’s strongest, one of the world’s strongest – had a face, an atmosphere… that somewhat resembled me.

Hao: “Hehe, don’t you think he has your resemblance, Kai-san?”

Hao-san, standing beside me, voiced out what I was thinking.

Wang: 『Now, now, sit down. And tell me.』

The strongest, looking a bit surprised, said with a smile. That great hero who can face off against Arnold, the savior of this country, was looking at me with a friendly smile.

Wang: 『The story of how you punched that selfish muscle-brained king!』

He said, laughing joyfully.