Chapter 11

May 5th, Children's Day.

Father drives me to a hotel near the Ishibutai Kofun in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture.

The Ishibutai Kofun is where Soga no Iruka, who was killed during the Taika Reforms, and his grandfather, Soga no Emishi, are buried. It's a famous place that children from Osaka have likely visited on school trips.

"Man, I really wanted to go to Asuka. They have this ancient rice curry. It's made with ancient rice, you know."

"Father, you just want to enjoy Asuka's cuisine while dropping me off. Don't drink, okay?"

"I won't drink during the day. It's just a shame your mother couldn't come."

Mother had apparently promised to help with the children's festival organized by the neighborhood association today.

In the fall, the back of the Ishibutai is said to be beautifully covered with red spider lilies, and we plan to go then.

We probably can't stay at the hotel, though.

While the car was moving, I put on my headphones and watched a video on a streaming site.

It was a video of Kyō showing off his skills while exploring the second floor of the Umeda Dungeon.

Hmm, watching videos of him just defeating walking mushrooms and red slimes isn't very exciting.

He's doing some skill research, but his viewer count doesn't seem to be increasing much.

"Watching a dungeon stream? You've started watching that kind of stuff now, huh? You didn't seem interested before."

Father glanced at me sideways and asked.

I still look up information about dungeons on websites, but I don't really watch dungeon streams.

"It's because Aoki, who works part-time, is involved in editing, and he told me to watch it."

"Are you going to become a dungeon streamer someday? If you become a streamer with a luck value of 100, you'll stand out."

"I haven't thought about it. Besides, I'd probably just be envied."

"If you become strong enough that no one can envy you, it won't be a problem. If you reach level 80, no one will complain."

"Level 80? That's not going to happen anytime soon."

"Taira, you can do it. After all, your PD is like the Room of Spirit and Time, right?"

"The Room of Spirit and Time... what's that?"

"You don't know!? It's from Dragon Ball!"

"Oh, the Kamehameha. I see it on social media a lot, but I've never read it."

"You've never read it!?"

Is that surprising?

The manga had already ended by the time I was born.

"You, read the digital books on my smartphone. They're all there. It's a must-read. Here!"

"What? I'm watching a video right now."

"It's definitely more useful than that pointless video."

I thought that was unlikely, but I reconsidered the value of watching Kyō use his skills to defeat walking mushrooms.

Since I was being driven, I decided to comply.

Considering traffic, it would take less than three hours, so I wouldn't be able to finish all the books.

Conclusion—extremely interesting.

I read up to volume ten, but the Room of Spirit and Time hadn't appeared yet.

Besides, the protagonist is still a child.

"Even though I recommended it, you don't seem to get carsick."

"Since my level has increased, my inner ear seems to have gotten stronger. I'm confident I wouldn't get seasick even on a ship rocking in rough waves."

"A great scholar said that you become less susceptible to alcohol as your level increases. I'm fine staying at a low level. Well, we're almost there."

"What? Already? The road was clear, huh?"

"Idiot. We got caught in traffic several times. It's the last day of Golden Week, after all."

I hadn't noticed at all.

Looking at the car's clock, it was already 11:00 AM, even though we had left at 8:00 AM.

The car stopped in front of the Oshino Resort Hotel.

When I got out, a staff member came over.

After introducing myself as a friend of Miku Makino, the staff member, who seemed to have been informed, parked the car for my father. I left my smartphone and other items that couldn't be taken into the dungeon at the hotel.

Outside the hotel grounds, "Oppose Oshino Hotel Construction" placards were placed everywhere.

"Doesn't the Oshino Group have a good reputation?"

"Not really. For those who run stores for dungeon explorers, it's a big inconvenience. After all, 1.5 million people used to visit Asuka annually to explore the dungeon, but now it's only hotel guests and regular tourists. However, the parent company is the GDC Group."

"GDC Group, the largest dungeon manufacturer in America, right? So Oshino Resort is under their umbrella."

GDC Group.

Officially known as General Dungeon Company.

The largest dungeon-related company, making backpacks and sleeping bags that I use.

The chairman, King Campbell, is also a famous dungeon explorer ranked first in the world.

King's earnings are not public, but the fourth-ranked Indian explorer has exceeded 200 billion D, so King must be even further ahead. Probably over 10 trillion D in personal earnings.

The GDC Group is also known for its persistent rumors of illegal activities.

Connections with the mafia, collusion with the government, and the illegal trade of dungeon items as weapons, among others.

"They appear to be a legitimate company. As long as we don't enter the underworld, they will only interact with us in their public capacity. That's what my parents say."

"I understand what you mean, Father."

If you don't try to take the mummy, you won't become one. It's enough to just look at the pyramid.

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back—so said the philosopher Nietzsche.

I buy GDC Group products even though I hear the rumors.

After walking a bit, we could see the destination, the restaurant.

"Taiga, do you want to eat the ancient rice curry with me?"

"Sure. I just had a curry mate... probably."

I don't really remember eating it while reading Dragon Ball.

If I get hungry, I'll just eat a dungeon drop.

"Be careful. When you come out of the dungeon, call me from the hotel to pick up your belongings."

"I know. We won't go past the first floor with Miku, so there's no need to worry."

I said that and headed for the dungeon.

The Ishibutai Dungeon.

I walked up the Prefectural Road 15, passed the Ishibutai Kofun in the National Historical Park, and headed to the grass park next to it.

There should be a dungeon there, but—there was a huge commotion.

Security personnel were surrounding the dungeon entrance.

"Sir, it's dangerous, so don't get too close."

"What happened?"

"An Acid Slime appeared on the first floor of the dungeon."

"An Acid Slime?"

"Don't you know? It's a more dangerous slime than the Poison Slime. A strong acid pool has formed at the dungeon entrance, making it impossible to enter. It's a level 50 monster."

"---!? My friend was inside. Is she safe!?"

"What's your friend's name?"

"Miku Makino."

When I said that, he took out his smartphone (probably a hotel device) and tapped it.

"I'm sorry, but there's no information—"

"Connect me! Miku is inside! She's still in there!"

A woman's crying voice could be heard.

I recognized it.

It was Miku's mother, whom I had met a few times before.

Miku was still inside.

He probably knew Miku was still inside and had a grim expression.

"We've already contacted the police and the Dungeon Management Bureau. Strong explorers will arrive soon. For now, leave the park, as we don't know what might happen!"

How soon is soon?

Even if they act quickly, it will take several minutes for strong explorers to arrive.

If we wait, Miku will be in danger.

I ran.

Not towards the dungeon.

Towards the nearby Ishibutai Kofun.

The Ishibutai Kofun area was also under evacuation orders. There was no one at the entrance or inside the fence.

Here, the fence blocks the view from anyone.

From a distance, it might be visible, but they probably won't pay attention.

I summoned my PD and entered.

"Dunpon! An Acid Slime has appeared on the first floor of the Ishibutai Dungeon!"

"! It's the work of Dunple."

"Can you handle it? I want you to eliminate the Acid Slime and save the people inside."

"Please wait. I need to ask the other Dunpon—! They say they have already dealt with Dunple's attack, but they can't eliminate the Acid Slimes and Bite Wolves they created. Dunpon can create monsters but doesn't have the power to defeat them."

Are you kidding? Not only the Acid Slime, but Bite Wolves too.

Bite Wolves are level 30 monsters, faster than Acid Slimes and with a keen sense of smell.

They will find you even if you hide.

"Can you tell if Miku is safe?"

"What does she look like?"

"She's a pink-haired ponytailed girl my age."

"---! She is safe! She is on the third floor."

Dunpon contacted his companions and confirmed Miku's safety, but on the third floor?

"She just started exploring today! There should be a safety margin."

"The safety margin function was also destroyed. The first floor is covered in Acid Slime's acid and toxic gas. To avoid danger, she fled to the lower floors. Some people on the first floor managed to escape, but others have died."

"Miku made the right decision. There were experienced explorers, right?"

They said it was a beginner's course, so there should have been experienced explorers.

"I don't know about the instructor. There are several groups of strong explorers below the fifth floor, but—ah, the signal interference is blocking the information to the streaming crystal, so they don't know what's happening on the first floor. It will take an hour to restore the connection, but—three Bite Wolves have entered the third floor. It's too late."

"I'll go save her!"

"It's dangerous!?"

"Can't abandon my friend! Tell me the detailed map of the third floor and Miku's location!"

The entrance to the Ishibutai Dungeon is sealed by the Acid Slime's acid.

But from this location, part of the PD should be connected to the Ishibutai Dungeon.

I will go to the third floor and meet Miku before the Bite Wolves.

Then, I will protect her until the rescue team arrives.

The story is finally running out of content.

Tomorrow, I plan to update the story from Miku's perspective.

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