After dealing with most of the bee-type monsters and deactivating the spacesuit equipment, Kageichi muttered, “Hmm.”
“It seems this way is a dead end. The path to the Dungeon Boss was to the right from the entrance, wasn’t it?”
“…Do we really have to defeat the Boss?”
“Yes. The Boss holds a large portion of the Dungeon’s total Magical Power, so it’s necessary to defeat it.”
For a Dungeon to exist as a Dungeon, it needs to maintain a certain amount of Magical Power within it.
In specialized terms, the minimum amount of Magical Power needed to maintain a Dungeon is called the “Dungeon Magic Threshold”—roughly about 25%—and if it falls below this value, the Dungeon can’t maintain its form and will self-destruct, disappearing entirely.
The Cleaner’s job is to reduce the total Magical Power within the Dungeon by defeating monsters and collecting Magic Stones, causing it to self-destruct.
However, since the Dungeon Boss often possesses about 30% or more of the total Magical Power contained within the Dungeon, defeating it is almost essential.
“If I remember correctly, the Streamer who was making a fuss at the entrance said they were heading to defeat it… Well, let’s go take a look.”
If they defeat the Boss, that’s fine with me.
We’ll split the reward as promised.
I just hope there aren’t any other troubles…
With that, Kageichi straightened his suit and led Kiraboshi back through the Dungeon.
Since all the small-fry monsters were eliminated, the return trip was easy.
“…Kageichi-san. Can I ask a question?”
“If it’s something I can answer, anything.”
“Um… I was just thinking, if the Streamer who went the other way defeats the Boss, maybe we don’t need to go, right?”
Hmm. That’s a perfectly decent question, he thought, nodding.
“As you say, there’s no need for me to go. But that’s only if they really do defeat the Boss.”
“…They entered the Dungeon, but won’t defeat it? Is the enemy too strong, or something?”
“No. Those who went in ahead of us are, attitude aside, probably around low-B rank in terms of skill. They shouldn’t be outmatched by the low-D rank Killer Bees, or their Boss, the Queen Bee… Unless they get bored and go home.”
“What’s that?” Kiraboshi asked, surprised.
Kageichi was also surprised when he first learned the reason…
“Bee-type monsters and insect-type monsters aren’t popular with Streamers. Their appearance is, well, like that.”
“Eh, for that reason!?”
“Monsters are easier to understand when they look like monsters. Dragons and demons are rare, but material-based monsters like golems, or demon-type monsters, are easier to understand. But insect types are often disliked for their appearance.”
“Then why did they come to this Dungeon?”
“They probably didn’t know what was inside the Dungeon. They found out about it on SNS and suddenly charged in.”
They must have regretted it when they heard about the “Forest” stage.
It’s well-known that while the Forest stage isn’t that difficult, it doesn’t look good either.
“In that case, they might go home without defeating the Boss. Or, they might defeat the Boss but ignore most of the small-fry monsters along the way. That wouldn’t be cleaning.”
The Dungeon Boss holds a large portion of the Dungeon’s Magical Power.
But even if you defeat it, leaving a large number of small-fry monsters will prevent the Dungeon from falling below the Dungeon Magic Threshold, and the labyrinth will remain.
“And if you do a half-hearted job of exterminating them, the Dungeon might grow later and reappear.”
Even if the Dungeon Boss is defeated and the Dungeon naturally collapses, if small-fry monsters are left behind, they can quickly revive and create a new Gate.
Moreover, Dungeons that reappear often have a difficulty level that’s one stage higher.
It’s like using Medicine halfway and causing resistant bacteria to develop.
It’s the same as weeding. If you’re going to do it, get to the roots.
“Streamers who defeat only the Boss without knowing these circumstances, or intentionally ignoring them, are called ‘Hit-and-Run’ in the Cleaner community and are disliked… Of course, there are Streamers who carefully clean, and there are helpful people who conduct enlightenment activities, so not everyone is bad…”
Only a small part.
It’s not good for the reputation of the entire community to be tarnished by the malicious actions of a very small number of Streamers.
“That’s terrible… Don’t they think about the trouble they’re causing others…?”
“Yes. Well, in reality, it’s still better if it ends with just Hit-and-Run.”
“Huh?”
“Before Dungeon Recorders were generally recognized, there were many more things. There were many missing persons who were suspected of being involved in crimes.”
Labyrinths without people’s eyes are a great inn for criminals.
There were even cases where what seemed like just a wild Dungeon was actually a base for criminal organizations.
Kiraboshi gasped and looked at Kageichi.
“…What do you do in those situations, Kageichi-san?”
“First, report it. The Recorder has records, after all. Then, if necessary, I’ll fight.”
“The opponent is human… right? In those cases…”
“Strength in Dungeons is proportional to the total Magical Power and Skill proficiency, not the number of people. Unlike on the surface, you won’t immediately lose just because you’re surrounded by multiple people with bare hands.”
In that respect, Dungeons are easier for Kageichi than the surface.
Even if there’s a Recorder, the footage can be tampered with, and more importantly—
“Besides, it’s easier to clean up in Dungeons.”
“Ah, clean up…?”
“If you feed them to the monsters, it’s easier to dispose of them, right?”
While he was explaining, a staircase finally appeared.
Kageichi recognized the wooden staircase surrounded by trees, but it was probably the first time Kiraboshi, who had fallen into the Pitfall, had seen it.
Following Kageichi, she gently placed her foot on the stairs…
“…………”
Suddenly, he saw her stop and clench her fist slightly.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. I just remembered when I fell into the Pitfall.”
Hmm. It seems reasonable that she remembered the trauma of falling…
“In that case, wouldn’t you be more afraid of the passage with the Pitfall, rather than the stairs?”
“…That’s. Um.”
“I’m not very familiar with people’s hearts, so I can’t say anything grand. But I think there might be another reason.”
Kiraboshi turned visibly pale.
He thought it was easy to understand her emotions, but Kageichi didn’t need to guarantee her psychological safety—well, it’s what adults should do.
“If you want, you can ignore it now. Dungeons envelop and erase all secrets… I’ve said something cool, but sometimes it’s good to express your feelings.”
“…Kageichi-san.”
“I place great importance on the dangers of psychological Stress in life. It can easily destroy one’s life at times… If you have worries, I recommend that you first speak them out loud. By doing so, you can become aware of them, and if you can consult with others, you may be able to get solutions.”
Kageichi himself never consults with others, but if he’s consulted, he’ll at least listen.
If it’s a one-sided emotional argument, he won’t deal with it from the start.
If she’s really worried, he might be able to give advice based on his age.
He doesn’t know if that will be for her sake.
“…………”
Kiraboshi bit her lip tightly.
Kageichi didn’t say anything and slowly climbed the stairs.
The rest is up to her.
It’s fine if she doesn’t say anything. It’s her decision.
Whether you’re young or old, you have to make the final decision yourself—
“…Well, I wanted to say that, but the situation has changed.”
“…………Eh?”
“It’s incredibly careless, but it seems your worries are walking towards us.”
Along with Kageichi’s grumbling.
“Hey, Class Representative? Are you still alive? Ugh, this is so annoying, answer me?”
Kiraboshi couldn’t possibly mistake the piercing voice.
It was the voice of the Kamase Sisters, the classmates and friends who pushed her down—