ch21-ch40 · 034-ch34

Chapter 34: Look at This Guy

"So yeah, Shimizu-senpai's taking me to the 10th floor on Sunday. I'm finally a proper solo adventurer!"

The one bragging since morning is Minami, my blonde-haired classmate.

He's what you'd call a delinquent.

Tall and popular with the girls.

The other guys in class are all voicing their envy.

Hm? Did he just say Shimizu? As in the delinquent Shimizu who graduated last year?

That Shimizu who stole the angel of the library from us?

"Gotou-senpai's apparently pregnant, so there's an opening in her party. I might just end up joining Shimizu-senpai's party permanently. Too bad for you guys, right? Just kidding."

Huh? Gotou-senpai, as in the angel of the library Gotou-senpai?

I'm starting to feel sick since morning.

"Hey, did you hear? That guy Minami's already at floor 10?"

"I heard. I've got no reason to live anymore. I'm diving into floor 20 after school today...."

"What's wrong? Oh, Gotou-senpai? Oops, she's already married, so it's Shimizu-senpai now."

Soushi keeps twisting the knife in my wound.

Give me a break, my HP hit zero a long time ago.

"Chill out, guys. We have our goddess here, don't we? Look, here she comes."

"Mornin'."

The morning commotion ends with the black gal's greeting as she enters the classroom.

The goddess will be here soon too.

And that'll be the end of all dungeon talk.

The goddess lost her sister in the dungeon.

Ever since then, dungeon-related topics are forbidden in front of her.

This has become an unspoken rule for the entire school.

Minami is pretty popular with the guys too.

The reason is how he got shot down when he hit on the goddess...

The dungeon-hating goddess knew that Minami's dream was to become an adventurer, so she told him this:

"If you'd give up on becoming an adventurer, I might think about it, you know?"

Minami replied:

"Then I'll give up. On you."

That Minami was born in April, and I heard he got his license right on his birthday.

He's taking his time, isn't he?

He did say he was gathering other delinquents to form a party, and I think some of the guys who were just jealous of him already had their licenses.

Did he not move forward until all his members were assembled?

Delinquents really are loyal, aren't they?

︙ ︙

I'm breathing heavily, shoulders heaving.

By the way, this isn't the dungeon but the school gym.

Today's PE class is basketball.

Five people play at a time, with the losing team rotating out.

I lost in the first round and got incredibly tired.

That's strange...

I wasn't this tired even when I was running up hills at full speed in the dungeon.

"Well, obviously you'd get tired if you run that hard."

Soushi's worried about me.

?

No, I wasn't running hard at all.

I thought I was taking it easy..., but I'm out of breath.

"Kasugano-san, your birthday was last week, wasn't it? Could it be that you've obtained an adventurer's license? I've heard stories about how rapid level-ups can make daily life difficult."

The one who spoke to me is a glasses-wearing male student, a dungeon otaku.

His name is... what was it again.

Everyone just calls him "otaku," so his real name doesn't come to mind.

Wait, more importantly, why does he know my birthday?

"So? Is there a solution?"

"Time. You just have to get used to it. There are two ways to get used to it quickly. Either do intense exercise in the dungeon, or do intense exercise above ground. That's all."

"It's decided then. Soushi, Otaku, I'm counting on you guys. I'll be watching the goddess during the match too."

The resting guys aren't watching the boys' match; they're watching the girls' side.

"Aww..." Disappointed voices rise from the guys.

The basketball club girls were dominating, and the goddess's team had already retreated.

"To level up this drastically in such a short time. It seems Kasugano-san has more potential than Minami-san."

"Oh, really? Then Haruki can rest after this. Actually, work hard in the dungeon and entertain me."

︙ ︙

After school, I pedal my bicycle slowly toward the dungeon.

Now, how should I convince Watanabe-san.

I enter the dungeon and head to the counter.

Watanabe-san is there with another newcomer girl.

"Um, I'd like to cash in the magic stones I have stored."

"Please wait a moment."

Watanabe-san heads to the back.

The newcomer girl's pen scratches across paper.

"Is this everything?"

A paper bag filled with magic stones.

"Yes. I'd like to cash in all of them."

"...I see you have three Minotaur magic stones. Would you like to proceed with the Single-Rank promotion procedures?"

"Yes. And I have something I'd like to discuss with Watanabe-san."

I say this and turn my gaze to the newcomer girl.

Watanabe-san looks at the newcomer girl too.

Noticing this, the newcomer girl stops her hand and looks up.

"'Would you like to proceed with the Single-Rank promotion procedures?' The eyes of Kasumi as she said this were filled with compassion... What's up?"

"I see. A separate room, is it? Understood. Let's just complete the cash-in first. The Hobgoblin magic stones are..."

"Separate room incoming!"

The newcomer girl's notebook was confiscated.

︙ ︙

I'm in a room in the Guild's branch on the surface side.

Watanabe-san led me here, explaining that since you never know what skills might be used to eavesdrop inside the dungeon, we should have our conversation above ground if we don't want others to hear.

"So, what is it you wanted to discuss? I heard you had already cleared the 10th floor by Saturday. This isn't about Job consultation, is it?"

"There are various things, but let's start with that. How did you know that I cleared the 10th floor on Saturday?"

"...I see. First, let me offer my apologies. I am terribly sorry about what happened."

Watanabe-san stands from her seat and gives a graceful bow.

Having her apologize without making excuses first catches me off guard.

"No, I didn't say that because I wanted an apology. Please, raise your head. I came here because I wanted to talk about what happens from now on."

"From now on? You say?"

"Yes. First, please sit down."

After watching Watanabe-san return to her seat, I continue the conversation.

"Please take a look at this."

I present the Watchman Orc's magic stone that I brought from the changing room.