arc2 · 088-ch88
Chapter 88: What You Need Is...
Having finished my patrol, I was absentmindedly thinking about today while sending Asahi toward Yamamoto Electronics. Today's patrol didn't go anything according to plan. When using Transfer Stones, you can dive down immediately, but because of boss rooms, you can't return to upper floors.
In reality, the parties that didn't return this time were reportedly between the seventeenth and twentieth floors. Two parties were level-grinding, and one seemed to be in the middle of a boss fight. The twentieth floor boss probably ranked up due to the Dungeon Modification.
I know that danger to life comes with being an explorer. I know that I can't save everyone. But the fact that three parties didn't come back weighs heavily on me.
In a mood of indescribable gloom, I placed Asahi on the charging dock at Yamamoto Electronics and moved to the living room. I didn't really want to be alone right now.
"Oh, Souta, are you done with work?"
"Ah, Onii-chan! Look, I made another menu for you! If this one tears, use this one!"
Mom and Umi greeted me with smiles, not knowing anything. Thanks to them, my heart lightened a little.
"Today's work is finished. Some things didn't go very well, so I might need to make some improvements."
I responded while pretending I didn't know anything. It was helpful that it took my mind off things.
"And now, an emergency news report. This evening, a Dungeon Modification occurred at Inubosaki Tower Dungeon."
While talking with the two of them, such a voice flowed from the 100-inch TV. They seemed to be watching TV, and it appeared emergency news about today's events had begun.
The two listened intently. After all, Dungeon Modifications don't happen that frequently, but once they occur, they always claim many victims. Monsters rank up and explorers inside get killed.
Furthermore, during a Dungeon Modification, monsters rise from deeper floors to shallower ones. Because of this, even the stairs aren't safe, and although you don't pass through boss rooms, rank-up monsters rise from the ninth floor and eventually overflow from the entrance. People call this a Monster Flood.
Because of these Monster Floods, secondary damage occurs. Monsters overflowing from the entrance attack the Dungeon Association and explorers. Depending on the location, monsters may even appear in the city, so explorers are stationed at dungeons in densely populated areas. The tragedy in Africa serves as a lesson.
However, there are many dungeons. And Dungeon Modifications hardly ever occur. Therefore, almost no country can take complete countermeasures. Even Japan is no exception.
"Regarding this Dungeon Modification, three parties became casualties."
The announcer calmly stated the facts. Hearing that made my chest twinge with pain.
"However, the casualties of this Dungeon Modification were only those three parties. Thanks to the efforts of SS-san, who is partnered with the Dungeon Agency, no fewer than twelve parties were able to evacuate in advance.
Furthermore, high-rank parties requested by the Dungeon Agency in response to SS-san's call arrived immediately, successfully evacuating forty-five parties and thinning out the monsters to prevent a Monster Flood.
This is a historic achievement. It is the first time in the world that casualties from a Dungeon Modification have been so low and that a Monster Flood has been prevented. The world is filled with voices praising SS-san's efforts.
We also express our deep condolences to the eleven explorers who lost their lives and pray for their souls rest in peace."
I see. I wasn't actually counting, so I didn't know, but that many parties were saved.
"Hey hey, is this about Onii-chan? Onii-chan, you're amazing! You helped a lot of people!"
The small thorn stuck in my heart vanished with Umi's words.
"My goodness, Souta. You did well. Saving other people's lives makes Mom so happy."
My heart lightened a bit with Mom's words.
RING, RING
Just as I was starting to feel relieved, my phone rang. Checking the display, it showed Arihara-san.
"Yes, hello, this is Soramine."
"Ah, Soramine-san! Sorry for calling so late! Thank you so much for today! Thanks to you, we were able to save many explorers!"
Ah, so Arihara-san is also looking at the number saved rather than the number of casualties. It seems like I'm surrounded by good people.
"No, this is my job, after all. However, the efficiency was a bit poor, so I'd like to consider different movement patterns."
I don't have any good ideas right now, but I don't think Dungeon Modifications happen that often either, so I need to come up with some good ideas in the meantime. I have no basis for this, so wishful thinking might be mixed in.
"No no, you did plenty! Oh, I still have cleanup to do after this, so I'll excuse myself for now!"
After saying just that to me, Arihara-san hurriedly hung up. After all, a Dungeon Modification occurred, so the Dungeon Agency is definitely busy. Amidst all that, he called just to say a word to me. I'm grateful.
"Was that the Dungeon Agency?"
"Yeah."
"You were thanked, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hehe, looks like you worked hard."
"Yeah."
It was a casual conversation. But even that was precious. Until just a little while ago, I felt like I was being crushed by self-blame, but thanks to the people around me, I think I'll be able to overcome it. I probably won't be able to sleep tonight, though...
I ate dinner with Mom and Umi and returned to my room. My heart was considerably lighter. I think I'll probably be able to do my best starting tomorrow.
RING RING RING RING
When I returned to my room and was alone, the phone rang again.
"Hello, Himehana?"
"Hello, Souta? Thank you for today!"
Huh? Thank you? What does she mean?
"Your drone went to Inubosaki Tower Dungeon today, right?"
"Yeah, it did."
I see, Himehana also heard about the Dungeon Modification. Maybe she saw it on the news, or maybe the Dungeon Agency requested support.
"Hey, one of the parties you saved was my friend. They said that if you hadn't saved them, they definitely wouldn't have made it at that time. Thank you for saving my friend, Souta!"
That's unfair. Tears came out before I knew it. The guilt remaining inside me was flowing away with these tears. Did I do my best? Did I do well?
"Did I... do my best?"
"Souta, are you maybe feeling down? Knowing you, you're probably thinking about how there were people you couldn't save, right?"
My heart skipped a beat as Himehana hit the mark. How does she know what I'm thinking?
"No, it's not like that..."
I denied it reflexively, but this is exposed.
"Hey, my grandpa is a doctor, and apparently there are patients he couldn't save either. I once asked him 'Isn't it painful?' and he said 'Of course it's painful. But you know, I became a doctor knowing that. I'm supposed to save hundreds of people from now on, so I can't stumble here!' You know? Even my grandpa could overcome it, so you'll definitely be fine too, Souta!"
Wait wait, what is she saying? Your grandpa isn't a doctor. Does she think I don't know? Or could she have possibly made up this story just for my sake.
..........Thank you.
"Hey hey, who said I was feeling down? How many people do you think I saved? I'm the type who always completes the work I take on! I can't be feeling down!"
"Aha, looks like your spirits are up! This weekend, we're challenging the thirtieth floor of Tokyo Skyscraper Dungeon, so make sure to keep your schedule open!"
Hey hey, she drops that on me at this timing? If it's this weekend, I have to prepare for all sorts of things starting tomorrow.
"Tell me sooner!"
"Hehe, it was just decided, so couldn't be helped, right!"
Maybe she thought I was feeling down and intentionally kept me busy so I wouldn't overthink things. What is this, tears are coming out of my eyes on their own. This is strange.
If I talk any more, she'll find out I'm crying, so I hurriedly said "Well then, talk to you later" and hung up.
I'm done for. I was completely cheered up by Himehana. And Mom, Umi, and even Arihara-san too...
This day became one where I strongly realized that I'm living while being helped by the people around me.