How a Regressor Conquers the Tower of Urban Legends
Chapter 44
I stood inside the elevator and stared ahead.
What kind of reward would I get this time?
"Ah."
Come to think of it, I was still holding the camera.
The lens was broken, though.
Should I put it back?
Or would the elevator take it on its own?
I scratched my cheek and thought about it.
Then the announcement began.
<A reward will now be provided.>
Clink!
Something metallic fell to the floor.
I quickly looked down.
Nine ornaments were scattered across the floor.
"Nine!"
"!!!"
That was more than enough to make the renovation easy.
My eyes lit up.
Then another announcement followed.
<Additionally, as you destroyed one of the photographer's workshops, the camera will be granted to you.>
"Granted?"
"??"
The mascot tilted its head at the same time I did.
It was giving me the camera?
Why?
<As the lens is damaged, you will not be able to use the camera's original ability perfectly. However, it may prove extremely useful when necessary.>
"...What does it normally do?"
<As you have seen, it steals the memories of others.>
That's useless.
Whose memories was I supposed to steal?
The monsters chasing me?
<However, because the camera's lens is currently damaged, it can no longer perform that function perfectly.>
"So what am I supposed to do with it?"
Was this thing messing with me?
I stared silently at the elevator wall.
Then the announcement continued.
<As a result, the camera currently steals the target's time.>
"Steals?"
<You will understand once you use it.>
I suddenly wanted to take a picture of the elevator itself.
Unfortunately, I had nowhere near enough courage to actually do that.
So I settled for glaring at the wall.
"Fine. I'll figure out how to use it, but..."
How was I supposed to carry this too?
I already had the headset.
Imagine a man walking around in a suit, holding a notebook, wearing headphones, accompanied by a mascot.
And now I had to wear a camera too?
Appearance was probably the last thing I should care about in a place like this.
Still.
It was a little much.
Then...
"!!!!!"
The mascot confidently held out one hand.
"You want it?"
"!!"
It shook its head.
No?
Then what?
When our eyes met, it pointed at itself.
Then at the camera.
"...You want me to take your picture?"
"!"
"..."
Wasn't that dangerous?
What if the mascot lost its memories?
I stared at it.
The mascot stared back.
Then...
"!!!!!!"
It thumped its chest several times.
It seemed to be telling me to trust it.
"...All right. I'll take one."
After confirming the mascot's nod, I raised the camera.
The lens was broken, so taking a proper photograph was probably impossible.
But it didn't seem like the camera needed a clean image anyway.
I aimed it at the mascot.
Click!
The instant I pressed the shutter, the mascot froze.
Or...
Maybe "froze" wasn't quite right.
It felt different from simply stopping.
Almost as if someone had stolen a few moments of the mascot's time.
About two seconds passed.
Then...
"!!!"
The mascot suddenly started waving both hands at me.
"You okay?"
"!"
"No pain? Nothing feels strange?"
"!"
It nodded repeatedly while looking at me.
If it said it was fine, then I supposed it was.
Still...
"..."
Click!
Just in case, I took another picture.
"?"
"I figured."
It didn't freeze a second time.
If it had, I'd planned to repeatedly stop any monster chasing us.
Apparently life wasn't going to make things that easy.
I clicked my tongue.
Then the mascot held out its hand again.
"!"
"What?"
"!!!"
"You want the camera?"
"!"
The mascot held its hand out expectantly.
"..."
"...!"
It nodded confidently.
In the end, I handed it over.
The mascot immediately hung the camera around its neck like some treasured possession.
With the red scarf and camera, it looked less like a supernatural companion and more like an extremely excited tourist at an amusement park.
"!"
"Well... it's not exactly difficult to carry."
Could the mascot even use the camera properly?
I had my doubts.
But I'd already handed it over.
Nothing I could do now.
"I'm counting on you."
"!"
The mascot thumped its chest again as though telling me to leave everything to it.
It'll manage.
I trust the mascot.
I turned back toward the elevator panel.
As if on cue, another announcement began.
<Before attempting Floor 10, the participant will rest on Floor 0.5 for the safety of both mind and body.>
<The rest period will be shorter than usual. However, all available facilities may be used normally.>
That was a relief.
It was disappointing that I couldn't rest for long.
But asking for even more would probably be shameless.
Not long after, the elevator shook with a familiar clunk.
We'd arrived.
I looked at the familiar scenery, blinked once, and immediately checked the remaining time.
Three hours.
So it really was only a short break.
Maybe because I'd only cleared one floor.
I hadn't planned on staying long anyway.
Still, it felt a little disappointing.
It would've been nice to get at least one proper nap.
But there was nothing to think about.
I already knew exactly what I wanted to do here.
I quickly headed toward the shop.
The Renovation Approval Form was still sitting inside its glass case.
I looked at it, then turned toward the mascot one last time.
