“Oh, it’s just as I looked up. Come on, Class Representative, let’s go in before your family finds out.”
“W-Wait, isn’t that a wild Dungeon, not a public one?! That’s illegal…”
“It’s a Dungeon, so it’s the same, right?”
What is she saying? It’s completely different.
Public Dungeons are maintained daily by government-designated Hunters, and the Monsters that appear are also limited.
At the entrance, there are rental weapons, armor, and items, and if there’s any danger, you can use the app given at the entrance to call for help immediately.
On the other hand, wild Dungeons have no such considerations.
To put it simply, a wild Dungeon is like a zoo without cages.
Teachers often warned us not to imitate those who selfishly enter Dungeons with illegal content.
“It’ll be fine. Sure, we hear about fatal accidents every year, but that’s just because those who haven’t learned about Dungeons in class are being stupid, right? There are four of us, so there’s no problem.”
“But…”
“Class Representative. That’s why you’re called a boring woman because you’re too serious. Show some courage for once.”
Poked by her sister and then her younger sister, Kiraboshi bites her lip tightly.
That’s… certainly true, maybe.
Kiraboshi may be a woman without courage.
But, isn’t personal safety a different matter from courage?
Even if she said that, her sisters wouldn’t listen anyway. Then…
“Emergency contacts, and a Dungeon compass…”
“Class Representative, how much of a goody-two-shoes are you? Didn’t you say you hated that lame name, Yoshiko?”
Aneki accurately digs at her, while Imoutoya silently stares in amazement.
When she looks at the Ojou-sama for help, she’s just smiling innocently like a flower, having been dragged along by her friends.
“I don’t really understand, but is it a bad thing? But, aren’t all of our classmates entering Dungeons often?”
“That’s right, Ojou-sama gets it. It’s like a rule that says ‘no buying snacks after school.’ Well, it’s okay to break it sometimes, right? Otherwise, we can’t become adults, right?”
“Yes. My father and butler often tell me to take on challenges sometimes.”
That’s not the issue. This is a matter of safety—
But no, this Ojou-sama is too out of touch with reality and doesn’t listen to people.
She’s not a bad person, but she’s out of touch with the world…
“At least, we need to prepare a recorder and rescue equipment. And potions…”
“Ah, well, should we buy some just in case? Hey, Ojou-sama, can you buy some potions at the convenience store? Three of the cheapest ones will do.”
“Oh my. Do they sell potions at convenience stores these days?”
Kiraboshi doesn’t know how to respond to Shirogasaki, who’s eyes are sparkling with interest.
In the meantime, Shirogasaki smiles like a butterfly and heads to the convenience store.
But, even with potions and a map… entering a wild Dungeon is still illegal, and if the teachers or adults find out—
“Well, shall we go ahead?”
“Eh?! Wait, what about Shirogasaki-san…”
“Just the beginning, just the beginning. Besides, you can’t open your Inventory unless you enter the Dungeon, right? I forgot what items I have.”
“A little reconnaissance. Or are you scared, Class Representative?”
Pushed by her sisters, Kiraboshi is shoved into the silver Gate.
Stepping into the Dungeon, the first thing she feels is… a sweltering humidity that sticks to her uniform.
“Forest” stage.
Just as she heard in class. Dungeons have various types such as “Plains,” “Forest,” and “Cave.”
I think “Forest” is the easiest after “Plains”…
But Kiraboshi, who has only experienced the Plains in class, feels her heart pounding just looking up at the dense forest.
“Ugh, it’s hot even though it’s only March. Amazing. What’s going on? Imoutoya, do you know?”
“The laws of physics are replaced by Magical Power in a Dungeon… right, Class Representative?”
“Y-Yes. That’s why we should be careful in Dungeons because the physical laws themselves are different from reality…”
Within a Dungeon, all physical abilities increase in proportion to Magical Power.
Also, the damage received won’t kill you unless your total Magical Power—in game terms, your HP—runs out.
Even if your heart is pierced or your head is cut off, you can survive and move as long as you have Magical Power left.
Well, if your heart or head is pierced, it’s a fatal damage in terms of Magical Power…
Kiraboshi wipes away the sweat trickling down her face and looks around the Dungeon entrance.
There are two paths, one to the left and one to the right.
Kiraboshi, who wants to turn back if possible, looks at Aneki, but she smiles faintly and says,
“Shall we go left? Well, just randomly.”
She nudges Kiraboshi’s back.
Eh… am I in the lead?
“You’re the Class Representative, right? Come on, you have to lead the class, right?”
She’s certainly called the Class Representative, but she didn’t want it.
Rather, she’s just being burdened with troublesome tasks and conveniently used by the homeroom teacher because she’s a good kid.
…But, what will they say if I refuse now?
Suppressing the throbbing pain in her heart, Kiraboshi proceeds left into the woodland-like path leading from the plaza.
…This is just a reconnaissance.
It’s just a reconnaissance.
If it gets dangerous, we can turn back immediately. It’s not a path where we’ll get lost.
While recalling what the emergency contact number was in case of distress, Kiraboshi also opens her “Inventory.”
What she takes out is a large Tower Shield, almost as tall as herself.
It’s been gathering dust in her Inventory since she last used it in Dungeon class.
Other students made fun of her, calling it a “joke” and “uncool,” but Kiraboshi really wanted an item to protect herself.
Something like this is just right for gloomy me—
“Class Representative, are you still using that shield? That’s hilarious.”
The sisters laugh behind her, and the sound of an Inventory opening can be heard.
Turning around, Kamase Aneki smoothly holds a silver spear—a weapon with a silver ring that Dungeon Streamers often use.
And Imoutoya has a small… rod?
“It’s fine, my dad bought it for me. I actually asked for a better one, Imoutoya.”
“My dad’s stingy… I asked for something cuter.”
Imoutoya mutters, looking bored, and clicks the tip of the rod.
Immediately after, a snapping sound echoes, hitting the air.
Imoutoya, with a half-smile, holds in her hand—a slightly glowing, thick rope like a jump rope.
Realizing it’s an electric whip, Kiraboshi feels a chill.
“――――”
“What’s wrong, Class Representative? It’s okay. I’ll defeat the Monsters if they appear.”
Instead of the clumsy Class Representative, she says.
Kiraboshi feels as if she’s being approached by something more terrifying than the Monsters that appear in the Dungeon by the smiling sisters, and she hurriedly turns forward.
…They’re friends.
Coming to the Dungeon is just for fun.
Yet, the feeling that she’s being attacked is—surely just Kiraboshi’s imagination.
*
After proceeding in silence for about ten minutes—Kiraboshi notices something strange.
…?
There are no Monsters?