ch1-ch20 · 013-ch13

Chapter 13: Back to the Dungeon Again

"Kasugano-san."

Just as I emerged from the 'Dungeon Gate' and returned to the surface, someone called out to me.

It was Hayashi-san.

"Hayashi-san. Did you need something?"

"'Did you need something' isn't the right way to put it. I was worried about you! It's already past 5 o'clock, you know. I asked the dungeon staff, and they said you came back at noon and then went deeper in. Don't tell me you went to the 3rd floor?"

Come to think of it, I did eat lunch at a shop inside the dungeon, and I didn't come back to the surface.

Not to mention it was way beyond the 3rd floor—I couldn't exactly tell her I'd gone to the 5th floor.

I'd have to make something up.

"No, I was testing my skills on the 2nd floor and got carried away. When I ran out of MP, I came back."

"For 5 hours? What in the world were you... Oh, my apologies. Anyway, I'm glad you're safe. Everyone who comes alone to register usually comes back in about an hour..."

She couldn't ask about my skills.

Which also meant she couldn't press the issue.

But she had seen through the fact that I would've come back in an hour.

If it hadn't been for Watanabe-san, I probably would have come back right after lunch.

So everyone's like that, huh.

That's good... right?

Well, at least I regained some confidence.

I'm normal.

"You know, it's dangerous to go to the deeper floors alone. Hey, have you thought about putting out a request to recruit party members?"

She was really worried about me.

What a nice person.

"No, I'm planning to form a party with friends, so it would be weird for me to recruit people on my own."

This was true—my birthday came early, and I couldn't wait, so I came alone.

"F-friends. Of course, they're registering at this dungeon, right?"

"Yes, they should be. It's close to school, and I was thinking I'd work hard here until graduation."

"U-until graduation... I see."

Hayashi-san suddenly lost her energy.

I panicked, wondering if I'd said something wrong.

"Sakura."

A voice called from behind.

Someone had come out of the 'Dungeon Gate'.

"If you're too persistent, he'll dislike you. Besides, haven't you finished the handover?"

It was Watanabe-san.

I flinched at her words about being too persistent leading to dislike.

"I'm not being persistent at all. And I've properly finished the handover."

Ah, so she had told Hayashi-san.

I felt relieved.

"Very well. Then let's get changed. We'll be late for our reservation."

"Oh, wait! Kasugano-san. Besides just finding a proper party, you can also put out requests for senior adventurers to teach you the basics. Please consider it."

"Yes. Thank you for your hard work."

As they left, Watanabe-san lightly tapped my shoulder twice.

Pon, pon.

It felt like she was telling me "I helped you out, but don't worry about it."

No, rather, she got in my way.

I don't really understand this person.

I could hear the two of them talking as they walked away. "I recommended the spear to her." "I'll treat you to dinner today." They seemed to be going to eat together. They must be on good terms.

Is Watanabe-san her senior?

Well, I should go shopping and get some dinner too.

︙ ︙

I bought a helmet at a dungeon shop right near the Adventurer's Association.

The helmet was a sale item right in front of the entrance's automatic doors, priced at 3,000 yen.

For dinner, since I didn't know when my MP would recover, I decided to eat outside the dungeon.

It cost me 800 yen at a fast-food place.

Combined with lunch, I was in the red, but I'd probably earn it back after one more dungeon run.

Time to head to the dungeon.

︙ ︙

(Status)

Name: Kasugano Haruki Job: None Lv: 6

HP: 26/60 MP: 5/60 Strength: 6 Endurance: 6 Agility: 6 Magic: 6

Skill: [Gate]

I entered the dungeon from the surface 'Dungeon Gate' and first checked my status.

Both HP and MP had recovered without any issues.

Time to get my weapon.

As expected, Watanabe-san was no longer at the counter.

There were two counters.

A male staff member was sitting at one, and at the other was a girl who looked like the ultimate gyaru type.

I hesitated for a moment, but ended up approaching the gyaru one. Her skin was naturally dark or maybe she'd been to a tanning salon—it was deeply tanned. Her hair was platinum blonde, almost white.

A black gyaru.

"I'm here to pick up the spear and pouch I left in storage."

"Sure thing~"

She didn't draw out the "sure" part.

"Here you go~. Have a nice day~"

She waved at me.

Maybe because Hayashi-san and Watanabe-san seemed so mature, she looked young by comparison.

When I found myself waving back instinctively, I made eye contact with the staff member at the next counter and quickly pulled my hand back.

Damn, they saw me.

I hurried out of the Association facility and headed toward the '2nd Floor Gate'.

I arrived at the shade of the trees on the 2nd floor, but it was already past 7 PM.

I wanted to leave the dungeon by 10 PM at the latest, so I couldn't stay for 3 hours.

([Gate])

I brought out the 'Right Gate'.

The 'Left Gate' is next to the '6th Floor Gate' on the 5th floor.

The 6th floor is just ahead.