Chapter 94

"Did it somehow end safely?"

I muttered this with a voice mixed with relief and dissatisfaction as I returned to the outside of the Isolated Magic Tower through the transfer magic. To avoid any trouble with the people conducting the investigation, I used stealth to leave the area.

On the way, I wondered if I could use the dungeon transfer magic to enter the Isolated Magic Tower again, but decided against it this time, as it would be troublesome if another quest started.

But more importantly,

I took out my smartphone from my item box and noticed a message from Hana.

"Damn. I lost track of the days, but today is the day of the dungeon practice. She wrote that she would go ahead since I haven't returned yet... The location is the same as last time, the Jufuku Dungeon. It's quite close, so I might as well go there too."

I kind of want to take a bath and relax first, but since I obtained and used cleansing magic frequently during the exploration, my body and clothes should be clean. If I still smell bad, I'll be in big trouble.

"Well, whatever, I'll head over there right away."

So, I headed towards the Jufuku Dungeon.

After walking for about forty minutes, I arrived at the Jufuku Dungeon and felt a sense of unease.

There were an unusually large number of people in front of the entrance.

Moreover, I recognized them. They were the students and their companions from the last dungeon practice with Hana.

What was even more strange was that all of them had expressions of fear and anxiety.

And—

"Where is Hana?"

I realized that Hana was not among them.

She should be with them, normally.

I caught a relatively calm man nearby and asked him.

"Excuse me, has something happened?"

"Eh? Y-Yes, actually—"

My heart skipped a beat as I heard his next words.

◇◆◇

A few hours earlier.

"Still not back!"

One morning, a few days after Rin left home, Hana suddenly shouted in the living room.

Then, she puffed out her cheeks in frustration.

It was understandable for her to react this way.

After all, today was the day of the dungeon practice.

"He said he might not make it, but I didn't think he really wouldn't come back. He hasn't contacted me for days, what a troublesome brother."

While muttering this, the departure time was approaching.

Hana quickly finished her preparations and left the house.

"I'll at least send a message. When he comes back, I'll complain to him, I will."

Then, Hana headed towards the Jufuku Dungeon, today's meeting place.

When she arrived at the Jufuku Dungeon, about half the number of people from last time had gathered.

This was probably because those who failed to obtain their status last time were not present.

Incidentally, most people were accompanied by their companions.

Hana suddenly noticed the extremely conspicuous tower that had appeared a few days ago.

"That's a dungeon too, right?"

The huge tower had suddenly appeared a few days ago.

It was close enough to walk to from the Jufuku Dungeon.

According to experts, it might be a dungeon, but no entrance gate has been found, so the investigation has not progressed much.

The top of the tower extends above the clouds, making it impossible to see.

"Well, I should focus on myself first. I have to fight monsters today, so I need to do my best."

Hana re-energized herself.

A shadow approached her.

"Good morning, Tamaoto-san."

"Ah! Umm—"

It was someone from the Adventurer's Guild who was there last time.

She managed to recall his name from the back of her mind.

(I remember! )

"I think it was Yanagi-san, right? Nice to see you again."

"Yes, nice to see you too. By the way, are you alone today?"

He was probably asking if Rin was accompanying her.

Hana nodded with a wry smile.

"Yes. My brother has been away for a few days... But he taught me a lot beforehand, so I'll be fine on my own!"

"I see... That's a shame."

"?"

She felt a slight awkwardness in the conversation but assumed it meant Rin wasn't there, so she nodded again.

While they were talking, Katakiri from the Adventurer's Guild, as usual, addressed everyone present.

"We will now begin the dungeon practice. We will go to a deeper level than last time, so the monsters will be a bit stronger, but don't worry, we'll be with you. Please act calmly."

Then, with Katakiri leading the way, everyone entered the gate one after another.

Naturally, Hana hurried to follow them.

"Yes, it's a shame... really."

That's why.

The small whisper from behind never reached Hana's ears.