Tanaka Jiro, 28 years old, single　
Her Suela Hendelberg　
　　　Memory Tris
Occupation Dungeon Tester (full-time) + Recruiter
Magical aptitude 8 (general class)
Post Warriors


"Do I know that guy from somewhere?

He came out of nowhere, and although he might be on my side if I saw him fighting the enemy, unfortunately, I was troubled.
Now I was looking through the peephole at a dark elf man who was waging a war against his troops, wreaking death flags.
He was screaming out of the corner of my eye.
He's trying to pull himself together, but the dark elf man is precisely blocking him.
No, to be precise, he is only telling us what to do, and the interference is being done by another being.
He doesn't seem to have much fighting ability himself, but is he an errand boy?
Is it the vanguard and shield of the kangaroo-like twin demons, equipped with metal armor in places, that blows the enemies off one after another with gorgeous hooks, sharp uppercuts, and snarling straights and sinks them to the floor?　The armadillo-like demon with a large ball-shaped hard skin that rumbles and growls and is actively going to receive long-range attacks, and the devastation of the opponents suggests that it would be a bad idea to hit it, and the snipers are in charge with a needle from the rear guard, who mercilessly shows off a three-step attack with a status abnormality like some sixth heavenly demon king A swarm of bees, and a giant chicken sitting in the center of the dark elf's ride.
This nightmare Hamelinian unit had overrun the other side.
When I saw the dark elf on a pedestal with a cloud of dust and a high-pitched announcement, I thought it was a character full of death flags, but when he came out riding a giant chicken, I changed my mind and thought he was a monster.

"Oh, you're the one that got blown up by the supervisor in the last bar, how did you end up here?

It took me a while to remember because it had taken me a while, but I remembered it because it had flown by so nicely.
I'm sure you know him from the fact that he was trying to talk to Suela, and also from the fact that he came to save her, as in this case, but what is your relationship to him?

You're Lois Ugley in the lab.
"Lab?　So that means you're on our side?
Yes, he's the department that mainly develops new types of demons to place in dungeons. And as for the rest of the staff, I don't know, but he's definitely an ally in that regard.
"Huh, is your researcher's default to be able to fight?

The memo revealed who the opponent was, but was a researcher supposed to travel to such a front?
No, they aren't really fighting, but they have the power to do so.
Just like in some Warriors games, the animals are overrunning the other side, and the enemy is desperately defending the dungeon's entrance, but their numbers are still dwindling.
However, the

"Chicken, you're strong.
They seem to be the best of the best. Chickens, maybe an enhanced species, but certainly not cockatrices.
"Is the cockatrice that fancy over there?
No, they look more fierce and powerful, but if you only look at their strength, they may not be much different.

It's not a huge body that can carry several people, but it flaps its wings with such lightness of movement that it's impossible to imagine it being able to carry a few people, and then, with its gorgeous footwork, it kicks and slashes at its enemies.
If this is the case, it's only a matter of time before they take control of this place.
To be honest, the hulking chicken is more impressive than a serious dark elf.
That crowing sound you'd hear in the morning as you'd hear in slow life is also that huge body.
Quol-aaaaaah! What a heartwarming change to a monster movie, with a powerful roar at full force.

So, what happened to Suela earlier?　I don't know why I'm starting to escape reality.
No, I thought Suela was just conflicted, not escaping reality.
"With what?
"Is it real benefit and stress?
"Real benefits?　Stress?

If we consolidate the story so far, we can at least be sure that it is a colleague who knows each other.
Then why do we need to get in the middle of such things?

"I'll be frank with you, he's in love with Suela. But Suela has dumped him with all her might. But that doesn't change the love, he declares. To put it bluntly, he's a pre-stalker.
"............

It's nice to be able to resolve the question, but as a man, how am I going to respond to this?
Do I get angry?　It's like, what the hell are you doing with my girlfriend?
You want me to get in trouble?　It's like, oh, that's a pain in the ass.
Do I act like I'm not interested?　Hmmm, I believe in Suela and I'm just saying.
Or do I just need to find out how it happened?　Tell me how that happened, like, I'm going to dig and dig and dig.
Nope, I'm getting confused.
None of this feels right.
The fact that I understand what Memoria said makes it all the more difficult to know how to react.
I guess that's exactly what despair means.
All I can say is that, whether we're in a rage or not, it doesn't matter what we're doing.


I know how Jiro-san feels for now, so please take your hand off the weapon. Also, your eyes are dead. You're going to be able to get the best out of it. But honestly, he's a pain in the ass if you reject him and he still approaches you aggressively. Do you understand?
"Oh, I understood so much that I didn't want to understand.

I would like to add that, under a murderous motive, I have no personal interest in the work.
I would also like to add that I had to be a party, but at least I could understand the current situation.


The bottom line is that Lois, a dark elf man riding a chicken warrior right in front of you, is an ally of Suela, not a trustworthy ally.
Especially me, I'm the kind of person who could be stabbed in the back.

What are you going to do?
Then let's make a proposal with three choices.
"Oh, there's three of them.

Suela is oblivious to our conversation because she's so distressed that her gestalt is about to collapse.
It's really hard to talk to her now, so we'll listen to Memoria, who can give us an honest suggestion.

One, ignore her, two, pretend to be a stranger, or three, pounce. Which one do you want?
"Subtle and undeniable choice for this vampire girl, especially the three.

I'd like to choose any of the options that were suggested to me, considering my feelings precisely, if possible.
Perhaps a part of Memoria's sentiment is also included.

What do you recommend, by the way?
I'd like to say an honest one, but do you want to get rid of the hassle?
It's something to think about.
"Suela, are you okay?
"Yes, I'm starting to get a headache, so I rounded up.

I have to work with the person I rejected.
I don't want to ask you about your headache, because I can understand why you would want to say no, considering your feelings (stress) based on what happened in the past.
So you can't ask the question, "Is there room for thought," which is the only other option, to ignore it.

I have a suggestion. Why don't you have that guy right here to intercept me?
"Intercept, is it?
Yeah, a few here, a lot there. Then we should avoid reinforcements from the outside as much as possible. Just by holding the entrance, wouldn't it make a difference to the war situation?　Also, it's going to be a decoy.
I guess it's a good idea to do that.

The expression on Suela's face was that of a woman ready to compromise, a hard choice.
I had a hard time letting go of the hilt of the mineral tree, so I know how you feel.

Fortunately, it looks like the battle is over for them.
"Yeah, I knew it was coming, but you did a great job of being an animal warrior.
Yes, aside from my personality, I am the best animal handler (beast tamer) of all the dark elves.

If I could get Memoria, who was quietly peeking out the other side, to change places, I could just catch Lois getting off the chicken.
All that was left was to talk to her at the right time.

I know you're there!　Come on out!　Tanakajiro!

That's fine. ......

Should I leave?
It's annoying that the direction you're pointing is so precise.
Maybe he was discovered by a sniffy messenger.
"Really? I have a feeling I'm going to be that nasty chicken.

You can't afford not to get out if you are pointed toward the door where we are hiding while posing with a force that seems to have a thunderous sound effect.
At best, it's cool, and at worst, it's a mid-life crisis, but there's no time to spare.
With your mind made up, you unlock the door and step in front of Lois.

Huh, you're still sneaking around.

I know you think you're trying to say you've got it all figured out, but don't you realize that the chickens in the back of the room are ruining the atmosphere because they're all praising you and taking great action.
I don't think he realizes it.
I don't like having to deal with a guy who's snorting, "I'm going to deny everything the haters say.

"Lois, what are you doing here?
"Ah!　The hawks were reflecting on it in the house arrest room, coming up to me!　While you're talking about all the nonsense you've been saying, you took over the company. So you beat up the guy who was giving the speech in front of you because you thought he was in danger, and then you grabbed his weapon and brought all the people who were waiting in the lab to get here!

I don't feel like a flip-flopper.
I'd like to ask you how you found out about this place in the first place, but 'love! I can't listen to it, as I'm sure I'll get some kind of response.
Still, in contrast to his attitude toward me, his reaction to Suela was positive.
They're in bloom.
Yeah, they're in full bloom.
I wish it hadn't been for your attitude and what happened to Suela, but this is just not going to happen.
To be honest, I'm inclined to join hands with the other party who got beaten away by this guy.

Yeah, that's great.
"Hm!　Of course, I'm not like you!

Oh no.
This guy can't even be sarcastic.

What to do: ......
"Humph! That's such a dumb thing to do. That's good!　More exposure!　Then you can get the hell out of Suela!
"No, back and forth, back and forth
"Hmm, you can fool me with those words.
"■■■■■■■■■■■■ (There it is!)!
"■■■■■■■■ (Deploy the magic squad!!!)
"■■■■■■■■■■■ (dark elf archers poised with lizardmen as the vanguard!
"Oh, I spent too much time on it.

This is in front of the gate, one of the key locations.
Of course, if they were military, they'd be in touch on time or at least give a message.
It's only natural that the opponent would flock here like this if they couldn't reach you.



"I don't want to be chased. Let's do it.

It's better to get the job done quickly than to bother with it.
We've been spotted, and combat is already inevitable.
Even if we go into the dungeon without fighting, we'll still be pitted against the enemy inside.
Then you should not worry about hindsight.
Lower your stance and cut down before your opponent is ready to attack.
Suella and Memoria take up positions in response to my stance.
When I say posture, I don't mean overtly, as I do, but rather, both of you relax a bit and become more natural.
It's a different kind of coordination from Kaido and the others, when I was working as a shield in the vanguard, it was as if I was the starting point for a series of moves, but the two of them are positioned to work together.

"Huhahahahahahaha!　The scene is finally here!
"Ah?

Despite the fact that our opponents are numerous and we are at a disadvantage even if we include our allies who may or may not be our allies, this man takes turns looking at us and comparing us to the enemy's forces and suddenly starts to laugh out loud, "Thank you, comrade!

Thank you, comrade!　Now is the time for everyone's advice to live!　Come on, Suela!　Go ahead and leave me alone!　I'll take care of this one!
"Hey,

I can absolutely assure you that whoever gave this a**h*le the advice was not taking the advice seriously.
He chose a word at a time when it was clearly a death flag and put up a death flag.
That's why I had to get into it.

So let's just take advantage of the situation.
Well, they won't have to worry about it.

No, wait, wait, wait. Both of you, that's a bad reaction.
What's wrong with that is that it's not good to have a scene where you're trying to reassure an anxious and reluctant person that it's going to be okay.

It's all yours.
"Ah!　Let's see what Suela wants!　We'll wipe them out and I'll catch up with you!

Ah!
This guy didn't just stop the death flag with this guy, he's piled on top of it!
These two definitely aren't familiar with that sort of thing, so I'm just going to take them at their word!
...... No, wait, isn't that quite convenient if you think about it calmly?
Not great for working together, but great for stalling.
If that happens

"Okay, I'm on it!
"Shut up!　Suela's voice is ruined!
"You have a different attitude, you!
"Of course!　Why do I have to be nice to you!

We sniffed and turned our backs on each other, I went to the dungeon and he stayed there and started fighting.
I'll never get along with this guy.
I had those feelings, but the way he was fighting, I was annoyed that I didn't have to worry about trusting him with my back.

"Dark elf men are good with people as long as there is no 'love' involved, right?
I wanted that kind of information first.
"No more private conversation, open the gate!

Suela gets to the gate first, and at the controls of Suela, the doors open like an elevator, just like in a normal dungeon.
Suela goes first, then we follow.

This is the Superintendent's dungeon.

The first thing you see is a wide spiral staircase that descends along the wall, the center of which is a vault, but you can't see it at all.

!　The enemy is!
"Empty!

I stepped into the staircase without hesitation, but of course there is an ambush on the other side as well.
Demons, dragons, and other personnel who can operate in a confined space will float in the atrium and always have the upper hand to attack from a distance without forcing you to close the distance.

We will put up no barriers!　Run as fast as you can!
"I'll go ahead.

Barriers provide seemingly good defense, but they increase the area of your target.
In this case, a barrier covering me, Suela, and Memoria would be larger than the grand shield.
So it was Memoria who led the way for us, choosing to accelerate rather than stay and prevent.
Without waving her arms, she dove into the group of spears at an angle that raised rather than lowered, as if she were changing the angle of the stairs by ninety degrees.

"Memoria makes a breakthrough. Jiro, take cover!
"Oh!

I'm putting more pressure on my legs before I'm bewildered.
Memoria's fighting style isn't that of a pure warrior.

"?
"■■■■!　■■■■! (What's up!　(Don't lower the spear!!!)

About halfway between the spears, slipping between the spears to blend in with the slime, Memoria threw something at him.
No, she must have thrown something at it.
From my position, it looked as if the robe had fluttered only slightly.
But right after that, two spear-handlers held their faces and removed their spears.

The needle!
"It's a stake, to be exact.

I don't know how many stakes are hidden under the throwing stake and the lobes, but seeing that they are not recovered, I guess there is plenty of room for remaining ammunition.



"A vampire can use a stake?　Weaknesses, points, you know!

If you look at the identity of the thing that is stuck in the air, you see what looks like a long, thin metal rod.
It sticks out, piercing the eyeball precisely.
Stepping back, once corrected by the pulling memoria.
In fact, this time it's not the size of the palm of your hand, but about the length of a man's arm, and it takes out a ring-like object near your hand and starts throwing again.
Instead, I cut in, biting into it with the support of the memoria to prevent it from getting behind me.
One swing of mine cuts off the spear, and another slices through the armor.

"Our vampires may be, but it doesn't matter how many stakes they stick into us, we don't care.

The lizardman is cut off in a vault, and a demon man comes at you from the air and hits the one behind with a spinning kick, clearing the way.

"Reveal with my voice, spirit of the bow, thou art the one who destroys the reason for the wind, whose arrow cannot miss. I will unleash it with my magic!

It is a very good idea to have a good idea of what you are going to do if you are not going to be able to get a good idea of what you are going to do.

■■■■! (Spiritist!)
"■■■!　■■■■■! (Not good!　(A wizard over here too!
"■■■■■■■■! (Beat him before that!)


While the opponent who took that figure as a threat would naturally go for a beating.

"You're with me, okay?

It stands in front of you.
The magic-laden yell will vibrate as a shock to the opponent.

Scared, weren't you?

A cold sweat appears on his face, and a crescent moon appears on my mouth with a grin.

"Then we're overrun!

Further fuel your opponent's fear.
Do not be haughty, but bite where you can cut down.
Quick as a hound, violent as a bear, cunning as an owl, skinny as a wolf, inflicting discernible losses on your opponent's strength.
The iron stake and the arrow of the wind will protect you.

■■■■■■■■! (What the hell!)
"■■■■! (Human why?!)
"If only I had the time to move my mouth!

Cutting

"Move your hands!

It leaps at the two remaining lizardmen.
You can't stop moving here, nor do you have the gentleness to forgive them.
Cut down the captain and the control is complete.

Let's go. It's almost time for the first room.
"Oh, this dungeon isn't so much of a hierarchy, is it?

Once we're firmly ensured that we don't have any forces left, we run down the stairs again.
The spirits of the hunters are alerted to our surroundings.
Sooner or later, I'll check with Suela to see what the dungeon is all about.

All ten layers are much smaller than one would expect in a normal dungeon, but that's why we've gathered our elites in the halls at each level.
Quality over quantity?
"Master Evvia is a demon. Because of their species, they don't have the same population as our dark elves, but they have greater physical and magical abilities. It is said that some of their titles could rival that of a general.
I've heard that story before.

Moreover, it's believable if the person who told the story is the one who did it.

The fact that such a being exists and the dungeon has been conquered means that there is such a being, right?
"Yes, it's possible,
"...... Honestly, what's your win rate?
"You have little chance of winning in the front.
"If.
"Yes, we will not go in the front.
By the way, Jiro, are you okay with high places?
Let's say, "as much as humanly possible.

Oh, I've had a bad feeling since I entered this dungeon, but I guess that's why.
Well, of course.
To begin with, the three of us are no match for the supervisor, so if we were to take on an opponent that could hold him down, we'd have to plan a surprise attack or a surprise plan.

How deep is it?
"There's no fixed length because space-time has been twisted to disable it against opponents who originally tried to take a shortcut down here.
"Are you okay?
Normally this would be a bad idea, but there are ways to unlock it.

Then, at one of the pillars, Suela stops.

Right here. I hope it doesn't hold up the function.

Reaching for a block in one of the pillars, Suela's hand slipped inside as if it were nothing at all.

Here it is.

And I think she grabbed something.
When she pulled back, Suela's hand was clutching something.

The key, right?
"Yes, it is a magic item that creates a path through the curvature of space-time.

The old, rusty key is tinged with a magic that even I can feel.

Then let's go.
I knew it was going to happen.
Be prepared. By the way, you can't use flying magic in the bends between the levels, so make sure you're passive.
"I am truly grateful that my body is inhuman.



Sending back the hunter's spirit, I followed Suela as she gently threaded her magic through the key and prepared to jump down the stairwell.

I never thought I'd see the day in my life when I'd experience a no-rope bungee.
You're cooler than that.
No, I'm just dismayed that I've done so many unrealistic things that I can't be surprised by something as far as jumping off after all this time.
"Kusu, that's reliable.
That's good, then.

I didn't mess up, so I guess I'll just leave my guts in it.

"Be careful not to leave.
"Oh.
I understand.

I follow Suela as she smoothly jumps down, and Memoria and I jump down.
With the sensation of gradually accelerating as we follow the freefall, the natural destination is the ground surface.
There are lights around to illuminate the stairs from the magical stones, but they don't have enough light to illuminate the bottom of the stairwell so that the streetlights can't illuminate everything.
Falling dozens of meters, that darkness gradually looms in front of you.
That's what it would feel like to perform a skydive into the sea at midnight.
Without a parachute, it is not necessary to think about the consequences of doing it.
Before and just before you did it, it was fine, but the fear was so great that you almost closed your eyes.

Don't worry.

As if to reach out to the heart, a soft touch is felt in the vacant right hand.

......

And then something quietly light rides on its opposite shoulder.
Oh, you're not a man if you don't have the guts to do this for me.
Your eyes widen, you nod to Suela, who takes your hand in hers, and you lightly touch Memoria's head with your left hand.
Then you look ahead and the darkness is right in front of you, and although the fear isn't gone, you no longer hesitate.
Just like that, you will enter the darkness.
All at once your vision is tinted with darkness, and you feel as if you are passing through a thick fog of sensation.
There's no sound of wind, no light to illuminate anything, no sense of gravity as I fall down.
Whether I'm headed up, down, or sideways is becoming ambiguous, but I can't change the direction of my body's motion.
Normally, this would be a horrible thing, but I am thrilled and excited by this unknown sensation.
I can't stop the grin around my mouth.
I'm looking forward to what's ahead.

'Landing!'

The time has flown by in the blink of an eye.
All at once the light returned from the darkness and I could see the floor less than ten meters away.

Rah-ah!

The excuse for this moment is that it was a spur-of-the-moment action.
I did not hug the two beauties with a guilty conscience.
In normal circumstances, it would have been enough to break your knees.
It would have been better if it had only been a knee.
You can feel the ground grinding against your feet and legs as they support the weight of three human beings.
I land at an angle and apply sideways braking, I'm impressed with how my body has become stronger and stronger, as if I were someone else.

"Ox, I've managed it.
Please don't take it easy anymore.
As for me, it was a boon.

Despite leaving behind two feet of blackened scorch marks, we successfully landed on the lowest level.
You'll be able to see the face of Memoria, who smiles at the embarrassed Suela as she quietly puts them down, and it's worth the effort just to see her face.

Now, let's get down to business.
"Yes, it probably shouldn't be known yet that we've broken through the atrium. So before we lose this advantage.
Should we go in?
"Yes.

Turn your gaze to the path that would lead you to the back, apart from the staircase coming down.
At the end of the atrium is a grand corridor, a chalk castle-like path that doesn't have the old-fashioned feel you saw near the entrance.
The decorations, without being ornate, have an elegance that would welcome a dungeon conqueror.
The advantage Suela refers to is probably a power differential.
Ignoring all of the opponent's forces that were somewhat dispersed to intercept them, they rushed to the final layer where the supervisors would be held.
Before the other side's reinforcements arrive, we have to

Dogaan!

"What!
"!

Just as I was about to attack, a section of the corridor wall exploded with a magnificent sound.
A thick cloud of smoldering dust speaks of the power of the wall's destruction.

Enemy?
I don't know.

Whether it's a surprise attack or a trap, the timing is blatantly off, the intent is not clear, and I can't move recklessly, so I have no choice but to hold my weapon on alert until the smoke clears.
And then, several shadows appear wavering in the smoke, and one at the head of the pack is coming towards you.
You're going to be able to get a good idea of what to expect when you get a chance to see it.
You are proud to be the vanguard and step forward.
Suela and Memoria also take up positions to begin the battle, and finally the figure is revealed from the dust cloud.

"Oh?　That's Jiro, man.
"Instructor Kio!

From there, an ogre yakuza appeared, wearing his usual suit and carrying a huge gold bar.

Tanaka Jiro, 28 years old, single
Her Suela Hendelberg　
　　　Memory Tris
Occupation Dungeon Tester (full-time) + Recruiter


Magical aptitude 8 (general class)
Post Warriors


Word of the Day
Instructor Kio: ...... confusing!
Also, that gold bar looks disgustingly good on you.