Chapter 28

If I run at full speed, I can reach the north entrance in just a few minutes.

Just like the south entrance when I first arrived, monsters are swarming here. Although I didn’t get a good look at them earlier when I scattered them all at once, they are indeed not just goblins and slimes, as befitting their D-rank status.

Orcs with pig-like faces, ogres like demons, serpents that look like giant king cobras, and puppets that move autonomously as if their strings have been cut.

It’s truly a varied scene, one that a monster enthusiast might find irresistible.

...

“...But I’ll crush them anyway! Take this!”

...

From behind, I launch a surprise attack on the crowd trying to exit the shopping district from the north entrance. A single punch, like a cannonball, pierces straight through the monsters, clearing a path, while a precise kick shatters the heads of the enemies, turning them into particles.

In the midst of the transformation into light, I sense something being released from the monsters. What is this? Are they... rejoicing?

It’s just a gut feeling, so I can’t say for sure, but do monsters even have such emotional expressions? I’m not sure, but right now, protecting the shopping district is the priority.

...

I finally reach the entrance to the north. I’ve taken down a considerable number of monsters to get here, but there are still a lot more in total.

Then, the explorers who were dealing with the situation here approach.

...

“We’ve received the message! You must be Yamagata, thank you for your help!”

“No problem! The south entrance is already secure, so I’m here to help with this!”

“Gotou is also diving into the dungeon now! This commotion will soon be over, but I need you to help a bit more!”

“Of course!”

...

We understand the situation and turn to face the enemy. They are still coming this way, but from beyond, explorers are arriving from the south entrance I just freed.

We’ll be able to sandwich them. With this, we might be able to handle it.

...

I stay alert and get ready. Then, a voice calls out to me from behind.

...

“Yamahara, why are you here...!”

“...It’s Yamagata. And you’re here too, Sekiguchi.”

...

Sekiguchi. Since he’s D-rank, it’s not strange for him to be here.

Even in this situation, he still glares at me without hesitation, which is so typical that I almost admire it...

But I wish he would read the room. Wait, our positions are reversed?

...

“Why is an F-rank here? Go home. Don’t think you can ingratiate yourself with Kanae and get in her good graces. You’re a nuisance.”

“Is this the time to say such things?”

“It’s pointless to have a useless F-rank around!”

“Stop it, Sekiguchi! Is this the time for that? He’s a powerful ally, can’t you see that!”

...

An exasperated older explorer scolds Sekiguchi, who is completely ignoring the monsters.

I’m grateful. With heartfelt thanks, I destroy a few more monsters with my bare hands.

...My power is decreasing. Is it because I’m fighting alongside other explorers, or has the effect of “I Walk the Barren Wasteland Where Not Even the Wind Blows” worn off?

Why is it a skill that assumes I’m alone, System? This is frustrating!

...

“Why! That guy is just an F-rank with no real skills, and even Hikawa said he’s just trying to ingratiate himself with Kanae!”

“Until just now! Seeing this, I realize I was a fool! He’s the real deal, Gotou doesn’t matter!”

“What...”

“Right now is an emergency, don’t play your personal games! How many years have you been an explorer, you idiot!”

...

Sekiguchi and the older explorer, Hikawa, are still arguing.

Let’s put that aside for now and focus on the monsters. The other explorers are getting irritated and working, and I feel a bit uncomfortable since I’m the cause of the argument.

...

At that moment, a monster quickly passes by Sekiguchi and Hikawa.

That’s... I’ve seen it in the data. It’s a werewolf, a beast-type monster specialized in speed. It usually appears in B-rank dungeons, what’s it doing here?

...

They can’t handle it, so I chase after it.

...

“Wait, don’t act on your own!!”

“Wha...!?”

...

Sekiguchi grabs my collar and stops me!

What the hell, he’s lost his mind! To do this even now!?

I can’t help but get angry and grab his hand.

...

“Don’t do something so foolish!!”

“What... Oh no!?”

...

I twist, break free, and throw him. Sekiguchi flies away.

I catch a glimpse of Hikawa’s shocked face as I chase after the werewolf.

It’s heading out of the arcade street and towards the people who are evacuating!

...

“I won’t let you!”

...

I intervene in a split second, grabbing both of its arms with my hands to stop it.

It’s incredibly strong... Without the effect of “I Walk the Barren Wasteland Where Not Even the Wind Blows,” I can barely hold it back.

This is going to be tough, huh.

...

“Guh... Get out of here, quickly!”

“Y... Yamagata?”

“Guh... What...?”

...

I manage to hold it back and call out to the people behind to evacuate. My name is called.

I turn around and see a few of my classmates, including Sayama, among the people who are too terrified to move.

At the time of posting this story,

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I would like to express my gratitude again, thank you very much.

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