“W-Well, as expected of you, brother. There was no room for us to step in at all…”
“Hoho, ho… I can only say it was a splendid performance, you know?”
Completely ignoring Kazami, who was bowing his head with a forced smile, Kageichi, having escaped the Dungeon, was fiddling with his smartphone at the entrance of the apartment building.
He had been asked by the client to send the completion report as soon as possible.
Kageichi sent the evidence of the Monsters with attached images.
The cleaning request was for a high-level Rank D, but in reality, it was Rank B—however, the client had reported the appearance of Zombies in advance, and he explained that the appearance of the Zombie Chimera, let alone the Poison Zombies, was completely irregular.
Although the cleaning fee would be higher, he communicated that it did not constitute intentional fraud regarding the difficulty level.
Beside him—
“Seriously, the flamethrower was something we never would have thought of. Where do you get that kind of knowledge? Is there some kind of underground community just for Hunters?”
Kazami approached Kiraboshi, saying, “Hey, hey.”
“Speaking of which, I’ve been wondering, are you the brother’s disciple? And come to think of it, you’re cute. I didn’t notice because you’re wearing those ugly framed glasses, but should I buy you a nice pair?”
Kiraboshi’s face twitched at his overly familiar attitude, thinking, “What’s with this guy?”
Unable to completely ignore him, she remained silent, and Kazami approached her, seemingly pleased.
“Speaking of which, you’re a high school student, right? But you’re strong for your age. What kind of training did you do?
“…I just fought strong Monsters.”
“Come on. There’s gotta be something, right? Super easy level-up! I bought this because I thought I should study if I’m going to be a Hunter. ‘Dungeon Winning Strategy Techniques!’ Ah, wanna see? It’s by Champ-san, who’s famous in the Dungeon martial arts world, and it’s already sold 50,000 copies. Amazing, right? Ah, I know this guy~”
“…………”
Super easy level-up… I almost died, though.
I leveled up desperately…
Could you not put that together with some self-help book sold on the street?
Kiraboshi wanted to glare at him, but he was an adult, so she reluctantly kept quiet—
“Speaking of which, aren’t you bored going to a Dungeon with an old guy on a Sunday? Ah, maybe it’s that ‘sugar daddy’ thing?
Should I take you out instead? How about dinner after this?
We always have a wrap-up party after a battle to reflect on things. Well, it’s a drinking party disguised as a reflection meeting!
Speaking of which, do you have a boyfriend? You must have one, you’re a High School Girl. Maybe you’re secretly doing something behind that serious face?
I have a good eye for these things, and I’m good at that kind of stuff. The other day, Michiko… well, she’s my third woman, but she’s married and still great. Ah, but I could promise you real love?
…Or, do you like that old guy—”
“Kazami-san… and everyone with him.”
“Hm?”
“Before you move your mouth, why don’t you try fighting first?”
Crap.
I got irritated and talked back to an older person… but it’s the truth.
This guy has just been blabbing during the battle, and he’s really—
“You weren’t helpful at all. Except for that chubby guy who took down two or three Zombies with a hammer.”
“W-Well, we’re just Rank C amateurs. Besides, the brother took them down so quickly that there was no room for us… and it’s not good for streaming~”
“Then you should have acted separately, right?”
There were crossroads in the Dungeon. If we had split up, we could have shortened the work time.
In fact, Kiraboshi and I patrolled even after defeating the Boss, taking our time to burn down many small fries. If the extermination of Monsters is incomplete, they may revive later even if the Dungeon collapses.
There should have been plenty of ways to do it—ah, once I start thinking, I can’t stop talking. I can’t stop.
“You guys look flashy, but you’re shallow on the inside. I understand creating a persona as a Streamer, but you should improve your skills first.”
“…………”
“You said something about easy level-ups earlier… I’m still inexperienced, but—I think you should get more practical experience.”
It might be useless to say it.
As Kiraboshi glared at him, Kazami sighed in amazement, “Hey~”
“You should read the room a little more, okay?”
“…Read the room?”
“Yeah, yeah. You guys are strong, but what should I say? Compromise? How to fit into society, or how to get along with people? How to become an adult? For example, when we’re in front, you should hold back to give us a chance to shine.”
“…………”
“It’s important to be kind to others. We’re all brothers and sisters. Let’s get along. Love & Peace! Right?”
Kazami laughed, and Kiraboshi clenched her fist tightly.
Read the room. Get along. Be considerate of others—it was a curse that Kiraboshi had often been told by her parents and classmates.
Be a good girl.
Read the room and be patient.
You’re the Class Representative.
Kiraboshi now understood that such people usually said things that were convenient for them.
Cowards who only talk. Smooth-talking bastards.
“You have a cute face, so why don’t you try something other than Dungeons? Ah, I can teach you something new? Something that feels good. What do you say—”
“—Excuse me. The report is complete.”
Just before her irritation gauge reached boiling point, Kageichi put away his smartphone and returned.
“Well then, this concludes our work for today. Kiraboshi-san, thank you for your hard work. Would you like me to escort you part of the way home?”
“Ah, brother, let’s go together! Let’s grab a bite to eat after this.”
“Is that necessary for the job?”
Kageichi, adjusting his tie, cut them off bluntly, leaving Kazami and the others speechless and frozen.
*
“What were those people…”
While holding onto the swaying strap of the train with Kageichi—Kiraboshi frowned, thinking it was too unnatural.
Leeches sticking to veteran Hunters. Hyenas trying to snatch rewards. That, I can still understand.
But they were annoying, but they didn’t really try to steal our prey.
…Will that even become a stream?
Will viewers watch a stream where an unsuccessful comedian is just spinning his wheels?
Besides…
“Is something the matter, Kiraboshi-san?”
“I’m sorry. I just feel a little bothered.”
They didn’t directly harm us.
That’s what bothers me.
The “Numbers” and the Kamase Sisters.
They approached with clear malice. That’s why Kiraboshi could think of them as enemies without hesitation.
But what should I do with those… just annoying people?
“Those people, to be honest, I think they’re a pain… but since I wasn’t attacked, I can’t really fight back… I was wondering what Sensei would do in this situation—”
“Hmm. Kiraboshi-san, you have one misunderstanding.”
“……?”
“Certainly, most of those I deal with are those who have caused me harm or fools who don’t keep their promises… but you know my other standard, right?”
Kiraboshi nodded.
No Stress—the secret to enjoying life, which Kageichi values most in a way.
“Those guys earlier, I was just letting them be because they had a lot of cameras and listening devices on them, but I would have eliminated them if the timing was right.”
“…Even if they didn’t attack you?”
“Does it matter?”
Asked in return, Kiraboshi hesitated.
Kageichi smiled faintly while calmly lowering his hand on the strap,
“I don’t focus on whether the other person’s actions are malicious or benevolent. What’s important is whether the other person’s actions cause me stress or not.”
“…Is that okay?”
“The standard is ‘me.’ To add, I clearly told them that I would refuse their company. Despite that, I judge that they have harmful intentions just by following me.”
Isn’t that easier in life?
Hearing that, Kiraboshi was convinced and… suddenly, she remembered the face of a classmate.
—Jougasaki Kawai.
Although the type is different, she is in a way a similar existence to Kazami.
Let’s be friends because we’re friends, we’ll understand each other if we talk… a troublesome ally in a different vector from the Kamase Sisters, who force their goodwill on Kiraboshi.
“…Come to think of it, I have to reply…”
Yesterday, she received a message from Jougasaki.
[Why don’t we talk to the Kamase-san again and go back to being “friends”?]
No way. I thought it was a joke… but I haven’t been able to reply yet.
While getting off the train with Kageichi, Kiraboshi secretly worried.
If they were obvious villains like the Kamase Sisters, anyone could cut them down without hesitation.
I also understood how to lure out foolish opponents.
But should I really lay my hands on Shirogasaki, who’s just approaching me with a slightly annoying goodwill?
Kiraboshi isn’t as easy to dismiss as Kageichi, and besides…
(When I think about it, my attack method is just a counter after the opponent makes a stupid move…)
If they’re fools like Kamase Aneki, who recklessly charge into unpopular Dungeons and resort to violence, I can easily deal with them.
But Shirogasaki isn’t that foolish (which is normal), and she tries to persuade me with decent, righteous arguments.
That’s exactly why she’s so troublesome.
…I thought I had grown a little from the incident with Aneki.
How should I deal with someone like that?
“All the answers lie in the Dungeon… That might actually be true.”
Suddenly, Kageichi, who was walking beside her, smiled.
As they left the station, the sky was already painted with the colors of dusk. Kiraboshi shielded her eyes from the setting sun and gently looked up at Kageichi, studying his face.
“Kiraboshi-san. In real-life relationships, violence is forbidden. But the Dungeon encompasses everything… With your cunning and your sharp eyes that never miss an opportunity, the chance will eventually come.”
“C-Chance? Please don’t talk like I’m going to mess up again.”
“Is that so? You have an even lower tolerance for Stress than I do, you know. If left unchecked, I think you’ll eventually do something, won’t you?”
I’m looking forward to your report.
He grinned, and Kiraboshi thought for a moment… Wait, am I being expected to do something weird!?
“Sensei. I’m just an ordinary, serious Class Representative…”
“Ah, that was your setting, wasn’t it? By the way, I’m just an ordinary former Salaryman.”
“I don’t think Sensei is ordinary.”
“Then Kiraboshi-san is an ordinary High School Girl? If you took a survey of people who know your true nature, it would probably be 10:0, you know?”
He chuckled… Wait, what!?
What’s 10:0!?
Seriously, even Sensei.
I’m an ordinary JK no matter how you look at it, she thought angrily—but she was also a little happy that she could joke around with Sensei, and Kiraboshi smiled secretly, trying not to let it show.
A lot happened today—but Dungeon攻略 is still great, Kiraboshi thought, feeling a little lighter as she headed home.