Chapter 27

Chapter 2 begins.

In this world, visitors from another world called Dampun arrived, and ten years have passed since they created dungeons.

The creation of dungeons greatly changed the world.

Monsters called "mamon" exist within the dungeons, and various items can be obtained by defeating them.

It became possible to generate electrical energy using magic stones, eliminating the need for fossil fuels like oil and natural gas.

It's not just magic stones.

There are medicines that can heal diseases and injuries that modern medicine cannot treat.

Ingredients for delicious and exotic dishes that even those who know all the world's cuisines have never tasted.

Minerals that are far harder than diamonds.

There are even said to be secrets to rejuvenation.

Moreover, when monsters are defeated within dungeons, the level of the person rises, and their abilities, called "stats," improve. They can also obtain mysterious powers called "skills." While these abilities and skills have little effect outside the dungeon, they still have some influence, and there are skills that can be used outside the dungeon. This system, similar to a game, led many young people to become dungeon explorers.

In many countries, a safety margin system was established within dungeons, allowing people to only go to levels where they wouldn't get injured, and dungeon exploration became a kind of sport that permeated people's lives.

However, this year, things changed dramatically.

A new life form from another world called Dampur appeared.

Dampur created black dungeons all over the world.

These black dungeons have no safety margins. Moreover, if dungeons are left alone or triggered, monsters overflow from them.

The monsters that overflow from the dungeons cannot be dealt with by conventional modern weapons, and even the Self-Defense Forces in Japan struggled.

Additionally, Dampur interfered with existing dungeons, causing strong monsters that shouldn't appear in shallow levels to appear, leading to many deaths.

The government, recognizing the severity of the situation, enacted the EPO law, which had been considered for some time, to establish a mutual aid organization for explorers.

As a result, high-level dungeon explorers are now given tax benefits and various qualifications.

This year can be considered a major turning point in the history of dungeons.

"The world is now in the Great Explorer Era!"

"What's that?"

Hearing Aoki's words, I asked back, not understanding.

"Kazeno would understand. It's a play on words from Wa〇Piece."

"I've seen the anime Wa〇Piece, but I don't get it."

"Why not? I thought you'd definitely know if you watched the anime."

Aoki looked it up on his smartphone.

He seemed to realize why I didn't understand.

"Haven't you seen the Fishman Island arc? Oh, the Fishman Island arc was in 2011!? Wow, there's a generation gap."

Aoki seemed shocked, but we are the same age.

I mean, 2011 is so long ago, how could I remember an anime from before kindergarten?

"But why does Aoki remember it?"

"Ah, I have a subscription."

"Subscription? Can I watch Do〇goball too?"

"Are you into Do〇goball now?"

"My dad told me to read the entire manga on my smartphone—"

"Really? So you're finally on our side. Okay, I'll lend you the Do〇goball DVDs. I have the complete collection, including GT and Super."

"Are you a god!?"

"I'm a god, but a De〇de one."

Aoki immediately threw in a Do〇goball reference.

Unlike me, he did it very smoothly.

What did I say in response? I can't remember, but it made me oddly happy.

I didn't expect to find a classmate who likes Do〇goball besides me.

The name of the legendary manga is not for nothing.

"Then, I'll bring them to your place today."

"Sorry, I'm going to Milk's house today."

"Milk, as in Makino Milk? So, you two are finally dating?"

"No way. What do you mean 'finally'? I just met her dad. He was discharged from the hospital, so I'm going to visit him to wish him well."

"You mean the incident. The heroic act that saved the Self-Defense Forces. I saw it on the news. It's good he's out of the hospital."

It really is.

***

Not knowing what to bring for a get-well visit, I consulted my mother, who said that slime wine and super mushrooms would be appreciated in most households, so I decided to bring those.

It's been a while since I've been to Milk's house.

It was always a big house, but it has become a real mansion. With the increase in income from becoming an explorer, Ushizou bought the neighboring farmland and expanded the house.

As I was about to ring the doorbell, Milk came out.

The timing was as if she had been waiting at the door, but it was probably just a coincidence.

"Taiga, welcome."

"Thanks. Can I come in?"

"Wait, I need to disable the security."

Security? Do rich people have such things?

If I opened the gate without permission, would an A〇sock person come running?

I don't think Ushizou would need such a thing.

After waiting for the security to be disabled, I was led into the house.

The entrance—marble floors that dazzled.

Changing into slippers—so different from the 100-yen shop ones at my house, they were fluffy—then to Ushizou's place.

I was about to say the greeting I had prepared, but the words got stuck in my throat.

"Hey, thanks for coming. Sorry for the casual attire."

Ushizou was sitting on a bed.

I was glad to see him looking well.

I was about to say that, but I couldn't.

Ushizou looked quite emaciated.

A nurse was by his side.

I was happy to hear he had been discharged, but now I was angry that he was discharged in such a state.

But it was strange.

Ushizou's wounds were supposed to have been healed by the hero's elixir, so why was he like this?

"Did I surprise you?"

"Um, the wounds were healed, right?"

"Thanks to you. But there seems to be a curse left."

"A curse!? Was it the Darkness Wolf!?"

"Darkness Wolf? No, we did fight the Darkness Wolf, but it was a different monster. A monster I've never seen. Or rather, I have no memory of seeing it. I don't even remember what I fought. That's what did this to me. Cough, cough."

Ushizou laughed wryly and coughed hard.

He looked very uncomfortable.

The nurse rubbed his back, unable to bear it.

"Sorry, I've decided to go to the American dungeon."

"In that condition!? It's dangerous!"

"On the contrary. This curse reduces my stamina by half and lowers my immunity accordingly. But in the dungeon, I can benefit from the stats. I won't be as strong as before, but I can move around more actively than you."

"…I see. When are you leaving?"

"Tonight. I wanted to see you before I left. I should have come to you, but in this state, I can't. Thank you for the hero's elixir. I would have died without you. And there's something I've sworn never to say to anyone, but I want to say it now. Please take care of Milk while I'm gone."

"I'll do my best if I can."

"Thanks… cough, cough."

The nurse said that talking any longer would be bad for his health, so I bowed and left the room.

I couldn't even give him the gifts.

I probably made the right decision not to, as I didn't think Ushizou in his current state could drink alcohol.

I left Ushizou's room and went to Milk's room.

"Ushizou didn't look well."

"No, he's much better now. And as Dad said, he'll be fine in the dungeon. He has to go to America because treatment in dungeons is illegal in Japan."

"I see. It'll be lonely without him."

"…Yeah. Mom is going with him. I was invited to go too, but I decided to stay here. I'm graduating high school this year, and I have a helper, so I won't have any trouble living—"

"Taking care of Milk, huh. It must be worrying to leave your daughter alone in Japan."

I said, surprised that Milk had casually mentioned having a helper.

Does this house have maids?

Or a handsome butler?

Is it like, "Miss, your tea is ready"?

"Let me tell you, the helper is a 70-year-old grandma, not a maid or a butler."

"Why did you know!?"

"Well, we're childhood friends. I can read your mind like a book."

Is that how it works—looking around Milk's room again.

Her room is surprisingly simple for a girl's room—looking at the shelves—

"What? You like stuffed animals?"

The shelves were full of stuffed animals.

I didn't think she liked them that much in middle school.

"Well, I don't really like them, but I end up getting them from UFO catchers."

"But you said it was a waste of money in middle school."

"That's true, but you liked it, right? You often played at the game centers on the national road. I went a few times too."

"Is that so? I usually went to the medal corner on the second floor, so I rarely went to the first floor."

Even when I played medal games, I didn't feel like I was getting much luck.

I mostly just passed time and got medals from salarymen who gave them to me, so I hardly spent any money.

"(You were on the second floor… That's why we never met. Still, not meeting for three years is really bad luck… I saw Aoki many times.)"

Milk muttered, looking like she wanted to complain.

She probably wanted to say that I should study instead of playing games.

"By the way, remember the talk we had before?"

"About the barbecue?"

"That's for next time. I'm talking about the party. Going into the dungeon. Are you really okay with it? Ushizou is in such a state, and he'll probably be against it."

"Dad said I can do what I want. But I haven't told Mom. She'll definitely be against it."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I'll find the Saint's Elixir to cure Dad's curse."

If the hero's elixir heals injuries, the Saint's Elixir treats curses and diseases.

It's a legendary elixir, not easily obtained—but come to think of it, Ayame wanted one too.

"Then I won't stop you. But you have to take an audition before going into the dungeon."

"An audition?"

"Ayame is serious about becoming a top-ranked dungeon explorer. She wants to carefully select her companions."

"What about the girl you said you'd go into the dungeon with before?"

"She passed. She seems very motivated."

"Then I'll pass too. I can't lose to her."

Well, Milk should be fine.

I told her the date and place of the audition.

I politely declined her invitation to have dinner together.

She must be busy preparing for her trip to America.

Besides, I need to hurry home.

It's time for a walk.

When I got home, I heard a noise.

Then, the thing called Kuro ran up to me.

"I'm home, Kuro. But I told you not to come out of the yard without permission!"

When I scolded Kuro, it made a cute "kun" sound and showed a repentant look.

It looked like a small, cute black puppy.

It was fluffy to the touch, and I thought it would be comfortable to use as a pillow.

Actually, I once used it as a pillow in a dungeon.

It's hard to believe it's the same individual I fought to the death with the Darkness Wolf.

Chapter 2 begins!

Kuro is sure to be cute!

Yeah, just imagining it makes it cute.

Next time, while talking about the time Kuro became part of the family, we'll go into the dungeon together.