arc3 · 157-ch157

Chapter 157: Astonishment ②

"Oh, there's a Goblin Knight and a Goblin Magician. Let's take these two down first!"

The first monsters to appear after we rendezvoused with Soramine-san's drones were a Goblin Knight and Magician duo. Only two, but with a Magician in the mix, the difficulty of the fight climbs. Frankly, not the sort of monster an examinee should be facing.

But Soramine-san headed toward the goblins without hesitation or fear. Ahead of him flew the two drones. The moment the Goblin Knight and Goblin Magician came into view, Hayate took the lead and closed in on the pair.

"Here we go. Magic Machine Cannons!"

The goblins hadn't noticed Hayate's soundless approach. And the bullets made of mana, too, were fired without a sound.

Doshu-doshu-doshu

The magic bullets unleashed from Hayate punched holes through the Knight and the Magician. Without even a death cry, both were dead in an instant. I was left speechless by combat power beyond anything I'd imagined.

(What just happened? I'd expected a certain degree of strength, but to take them down without a sound...)

"You defeated them without a sound."

The words I finally squeezed out were the sort of impression a grade-schooler might give.

"Right? Being mana bullets, they don't make a sound at all. They're silent in flight too, so they're great for surprise attacks!"

Soramine-san seemed completely unaware of how extraordinary what he had just accomplished was, delighting in it like a child. If Soramine-san ever took on the assassination of some VIP, there would be no stopping him.

D-rank monsters had been killed without ever noticing him. Thinking of what would happen if this were aimed at people made me shudder. When I happened to glance down at my own arm, it was covered in goosebumps.

Setting that possibility aside for later, I still had to see Shiden's attack — said to be even more powerful than these Magic Machine Cannons.

"That combat power far exceeded my expectations. But Shiden's attack power is the higher of the two, correct?"

"That's right. Honestly, against the monsters on this floor, it'd be overkill."

I had heard he dealt damage to Terror's Symbol, but I'd assumed that was mostly diversion — that Kokushi Musou's strength deserved most of the credit for bringing it down. But if D-rank monsters are overkill, then couldn't he defeat even C-rank — no, even B-rank monsters solo?

Even if it is overkill, I have to confirm it with these eyes. With that thought, I followed behind Soramine-san.

"How unusual — a group of Orcs. An Orc Knight and an Orc Magician... oh my, isn't that an Orc General in the middle?"

"Soramine-san, that's bad news. I'd recommend we pull back."

Next to appear was a group of Orcs. Unusual for this floor, the Orcs were acting as a pack. And with a C-rank Orc General leading them, even I couldn't guarantee Soramine-san's safety.

That's why I advised a retreat, but —

"Ah, it'll be over in a second, so wait right there. Go, Shiden."

And Soramine-san walked toward the Orc pack as if out for a stroll. He was so utterly at ease that I forgot to stop him, and let him go.

"Thunder Bullet Machine Cannon."

At Soramine-san's murmur, mana bullets wreathed in lightning fired from Shiden. This time, perhaps because of the lightning, they crackled as they flew. By the time the Orc pack noticed the noise and turned to look, everything was already over.

BZZT-BZZT-BZZT!

The Orc pack, riddled full of holes, lay where they'd fallen, still crackling with electricity.

(Unbelievable... to this extent? With power like this, he really did deal damage to Terror's Symbol. Attribute affinity aside, this has to be A-rank-level attack power by now...)

"Soramine-san... um, how should I put this — today is more than enough. I'd like to have a discussion regarding this whole matter. Do you have time afterward?"

Soramine-san had already become an existence far beyond the realm of a cameraman. He was already the one and only being who could communicate from inside dungeons — if he now possessed this much combat power on top of it, his value would only climb higher and higher.

Or rather — was this actually a good thing? Didn't it mean he could now protect himself? If he could defend himself, would he no longer need the nation's backing? No, no. He wasn't that strong yet. He still couldn't match the top-ranked explorers overseas.

Our presence should still be necessary. We must protect him from malice. No matter how strong an individual is, malice attacks in countless forms, and we must shield Soramine-san from all of it. His family too.

"Yes, I have time. Shall we head back?"

Watching Soramine-san's back as he walked on with confident steps, drones trailing behind him, I reviewed in my head what needed saying.

▽▽▽

"So — what did you want to discuss?"

Straight from the dungeon, we made our way to the Dungeon Agency, and now sat facing each other in our usual room. Now then — where to begin?

"First, this."

I handed him the Explorer Card I'd had prepared on the way here.

"Ooh! So this is the proof of an explorer!"

What I handed over was an F-rank Explorer Card. Soramine-san took it and gazed at it happily. Come to think of it, he's a university student. His exploits had made me forget.

Now then. Honestly, counting his drones, he deserves a C-rank card — no, even a B-rank one. But that would not be wise. It seems best that he doesn't stand out just yet.

"Soramine-sama, believing it best you not stand out yet, I registered you under a Physical Enhancement skill. With that, given your raised level and physical abilities, the odds of your true skill being exposed are vanishingly small."

"Thank you! That's a big help!"

After that, Soramine-san and I discussed what comes next.

Basically, he'd keep working as he has been while raising his level. According to Soramine-san, there's still room to grow stronger. If so, then I want him to keep getting stronger — strong enough to beat the top-class rankers overseas.

Until then, we would protect him with everything we had. Of course, keeping him in Japan is a direct order from the government — but more than that, I've grown genuinely fond of him. A man with that much power, yet humble and kind, never letting it go to his head.

That said, he does have a slightly reckless side. Perhaps from lack of experience, his guard is a little... no, considerably loose. Someone experienced — an adult — must guide him. I should ask Yamamoto for his cooperation again as well.

"Also, please recognize that your value has risen once more. Be more vigilant of your surroundings than ever. Especially toward people from overseas."

"Understood... Ah, speaking of people from overseas — Michael from Queens came to my university. He said it was for explorer exchange."

(Michael of Queens? He wasn't supposed to be going anywhere near a university...)

I was of course well aware that Britain's Queens had entered Japan. Truthfully, I would have preferred to keep them out, but when explorers are this top-class, refusing is difficult. So we tracked their movements and controlled the flow of information, but...

"Why would Michael go to a university..."

"Um, apparently the university invited him."

Soramine-san answered, apparently having caught my involuntary mutter, but...

(They invited him in themselves, of all things. Still, no one at the university knows SS's true identity. And that has come back to bite us.)

To think they had changed their plans on short notice at a university's request. And to cross paths with Soramine-san at exactly that moment — rotten luck. But what's done is done. Figuring out what to do next is my job.

"Soramine-san, for the time being, please keep outings to a minimum. And be especially wary of Queens' members."

After advising Soramine-san to stay in, I headed straight to the Minister.