Chapter 78: Ota Dungeon Re-Investigation ①
That day, I parked my car on the grounds of the Ota Dungeon.
“We’re here. Thanks for driving.”
Otama-chan, in the passenger seat, thanked me for driving in a cheerful voice.
Today, the two of us were scheduled to explore the Ota Dungeon.
――It all started with a phone call two days ago.
☆★☆
“Natsume-san, do you have a moment?”
When I answered the call, it was Yamada-san from the Tochigi Explorer Association.
She’s Otama-chan’s superior and a veteran Explorer.
“Yes, I’m free. Is this about purchasing magic stones?”
“No, I’m calling today because the Association would like to make a request.”
“A request…?”
“Yes. First, let me give you an overview.”
After listening to the details, it was as follows:
・The clients are the Explorer Associations of Tochigi and Gunma prefectures (a joint request).
・Regarding the Ota Dungeon, where Otama-chan had her accident in March, stairs leading from the 10th to the 11th floor have appeared (confirmed by a live camera set up by the Gunma Explorer Association).
・Since the mana levels within the dungeon have also stabilized, it’s presumed that the changes in Ota Dungeon have settled down.
・The Association wants to confirm its safety by clearing the dungeon. Considering the worst-case scenario, they want to request me, who can use 【Spatial Transfer】, to clear it.
・Although it’s a low price for an A-Rank Party leader, would you accept a reward of two million yen?
・Otama-chan will accompany you as support. It’s also possible for other Association staff from Tochigi or Gunma to accompany you, but please understand that their combat capabilities will be several ranks lower.
☆★☆
And so, that’s how we ended up here.
By the way, Yamada-san had helped me out when I was just starting, so I tried to decline the two million yen reward, but she ended up scolding me instead.
“Absolutely not.” “Thinking about the future, please accept the reward graciously.” “You could even ask for ten million yen.” “Basically, no one will complain if you turn down requests for less than three million yen per day.” “Natsume-san, you need to realize how exceptional you are.” “We’re sorry it’s only two million yen,” she’d said.
――Two million yen.
That’s half a year’s salary from my previous job.
To think I could earn that in less than half a day…
A-Rank Party Explorers are truly something else.
“Ko-chan, what’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. I’m just not used to the financial scale of Explorers yet. Let’s go greet the Association.”
Near the entrance of the Ota Dungeon, there’s a prefabricated building.
When I opened the door and visited the Gunma Explorer Association – Ota Dungeon Branch, two familiar faces greeted us.
“Yo, Natsume! Long time no see! You’ve become quite the celebrity…”
“It’s been a while, Jonuma-san. Thank you for your help back then.”
“Tamaki-san. It has been a while, hasn’t it? Has there been any progress with Natsume-san?”
“W-w-w-w-what are you talking about?! P-p-p-p-progress?! W-w-we became an A-Rank Party together, didn’t you know?!”
“…From the looks of it, nothing has happened, I see.”
“…? What are they talking about?”
These two are Jonuma-san and Tatara-san from the Gunma Explorer Association.
They helped us with post-incident reports and such during Otama-chan’s accident.
Today, they’re supposed to watch our streamed footage and check if there are any abnormalities within the dungeon.
“Sorry about this… To think we’d be a burden…”
“Tamaki-san’s growth rate is also quite astonishing, isn’t it?”
“Ehehe, leave it to us today!”
“We’ll go in, prioritizing safety.”
“Ooh… Natsume, you’ve become such a dependable man… I’m so happy! Uooooh!!”
“J-Jonuma-san, please calm down!”
“Jonuma-san is simply delighted that a celebrity has emerged from a dungeon he manages.”
And so, we moved to the front of the Ota Dungeon.
Tatara-san pointed to the lock at the dungeon entrance.
“Administrator privileges have been granted to Natsume-san’s license ID. Please confirm.”
Just as she said, when I touched my card to the device, the lamp changed from red to green.
It seemed the lock was disengaged without any issues.
“…Well then, Natsume-san, Tamaki-san. We’re counting on you.”
Seen off by Tatara-san, we entered the Ota Dungeon.
☆★☆
――Ninth floor underground.
“This is the last room on this floor. It doesn’t look like there are any abnormalities.”
<<[Official: Gunma Association] Okay. Natsume, please proceed to the next floor.>>
<
<
<
<
<
“Alright, Otama-chan, next floor.”
“Hey, hey! I haven’t done anything to deserve a ‘don’t worry’! And why do they say the same thing on every floor?!”
“Haha, it just means everyone likes you that much.”
“Muu… I’m not convinced…”
Today’s investigation, as usual, is being streamed from the Tochigi Explorer Association’s account.
Since we plan to release a recorded version, the live stream started without prior notice, but in less than 30 minutes, 30,000 people were watching.
I’m just steadily clearing the dungeon, so I’m thrilled that so many people are watching.
<<[Official: Gunma Association] Next is the mid-boss floor. There’s a Giant Serpent, so be careful. Well, Natsume and Omogawa’s girl should be fine, though.>>
<
<
<
<
“Ehehe, it looks like they have high expectations. Hey, hey, Ko-chan. Can I take the lead in fighting the 10th-floor boss?”
“Well, alright, but if it looks dangerous, I’ll step in.”
“Okay, leave it to me!!”
<
<
<
And then, we descended the stairs to the 10th floor.
Just then.
“Kishaaaaaaa!!!”
The mid-boss, a Giant Serpent, which had been lying in wait, glared at us.
<
<
<
<
“Can you handle it, Otama-chan?”
“–Yeah. Let me do it.”
Otama-chan said, full of confidence.
With this much confidence, she’ll probably be fine.
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
“…………Fuuu…”
Otama-chan lowered her center of gravity and gripped the hilt of her katana.
The Giant Serpent slowly closed the distance.
“Shaaaaa!!!”
<
<
At that moment.
“【Body Enhancement +】 and 【Water User】 Combination… Turbulent Flow – Continuous Slashes!!”
“Oh…!”
Otama-chan leaped towards the snake while jetting out water.
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<>
<
<
And then.
“Sei!!”
As Otama-chan slashed the giant snake’s neck.
“Shaaaa…”
THUUUUUD!!!
The Giant Serpent collapsed to the floor and stopped moving altogether.
“Yatta-!”
“As expected.”
The giant snake began to disappear, turning into black mist from its tail.
<
<
<>
“Ehehe… V!!”
Otama-chan, beaming, flashed me a V-sign.
At that innocent sight.
(Ah…)
My heart skipped a beat.
“Hm? What’s wrong, Ko-chan?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
And, the fact that Otama-chan used 【Body Enhancement +】 means she’s wearing a gym uniform and bloomers underneath.
I can’t help but be conscious of that outfit.
I probably shouldn’t be thinking about this.
“Well then, guess I’ll go collect the magic stone~. Ko-chan, I’ll go get it!”
“H-hey…”
<
<
<
“Okay, magic stone, magic stone… Eh…? Kyaa!!”
<>
<
<
<
“Yah, sei!!”
Otama-chan did a backflip and avoided the pitfall trap.
<
<
<
<
“Ehehe, thank you, thank you.”
<
《This is what happens when you get too carried away…》
《[Official: Tochigi Prefecture Association 2] This is Yamada. Omogawa-san, let’s have a talk when you return.》
《Heeeere it comes!》
《A ‘talk’ (read: a lecture).》
《Serves her right.》
「Wh-why—?!」
《Tama-chan, don’t mind!》
《Tama-chan, don’t mind!》
《Tama-chan, don’t mind!》
《Tama-chan, don’t mind!》