ch341-ch360 · 357-ch357
Chapter 357: 【Aikawa Natsuki】A Bear's Cub Is a Panda, a Troublesome Child 【Part 2】
SIDE: Aikawa Natsuki (Haruki's Party Member)
"So this is a 'Dungeon Gate,' huh?"
"Right? First time seeing one in person for me. Shiro-san, you've been past this before, haven't you?"
"Well, I can't get to where you live without going through it, Natsuki."
It's cold, so we changed before coming out into the garden.
I'm used to it—no, I see this thing every day, since I can't get home without going through it.
For ordinary people, I suppose it's rare.
Then again, plenty of people take adventurer licenses for fun or tourism like Shiro-san did, so I don't think many go a whole lifetime without seeing a 'Dungeon Gate.'
"Anyway, I'm reporting it."
"Ooh, a working adventurer, as expected."
Teased by Saori, I pick up my phone.
That said—who am I even supposed to call?
I never dreamed I'd be the one to find a new dungeon.
Watanabe-san will be busy.
She's already been dispatched to hold the 'Dungeon Gates' that surfaced all over, like the one here.
Even if not, I'd rather Watanabe-san didn't come HERE.
If I call anyone, Shiraishi-san?
If she doesn't pick up, the branch......
"Ah, Saori. We have a guest."
"Who? Oh—they're coming in. What is it, just barging—huh? Ah......"
"Eh? A gun?"
By the time I looked up from my "Huh?", it was already too late.
Four men, guns raised, one in the lead.
"Get-tah in. Get-tah in thee-ah!"
The muzzles are pointed at ME.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
I can't tell what's happening.
Broken Japanese......
But none of the four looks Japanese.
Those foreigners from the news—the ones trying to exploit 'Dungeon Gates'......
(Scary......)
My legs are shaking.
Having a gun pointed at me is a first.
It's a different kind of fear from facing a monster in the dungeon.
The dungeon...... that's it.
(Inside the dungeon, guys like these are NOTHING!)
This one here holds two upper jobs and is past Level 40.
My rank's still Double, but my real strength is Quadruple-class.
"Hurry-kuh! You not go in, kah?"
"N-Natsuki."
"It's fine—let's go inside."
I'll protect all of them.
I nod to everyone and step in first.
The mysterious group watches, confer among themselves, and I catch one of them heading for the house.
Checking whether anyone's inside, probably.
"Rain?"
"Huh? It's not cold, though."
"So this is a dungeon?"
Rain......
This dungeon has rain falling in it.
And while outside it was bitter cold, like a January morning, inside the dungeon it's almost hot.
'Rain? This one's a jackpot dungeon. What a waste, huh.'
'Makes me want to set up a base here—but right in the middle of a residential area. Soon as the residents vanish, the neighbors notice.'
'Oi, let's finish up and get out.'
Not Japanese.
And not English either, so I can't make out a word......
(Should I already be attacking?)
My legs have stopped shaking.
Do I make my move?
But if their goal is like the news says, the moment they pull something out of their 【Storage】 they should bolt.
If I leave them alone, maybe nothing happens?
The muzzles aren't pointed at me anymore, either.
They were on me because I had my phone out.
No phone signal inside a dungeon, so no more need for it, apparently......
"What language even is that?"
"Something about this dungeon being a jackpot, they said."
"Eko, you can understand them?"
Ah......
'This one understands the words!'
The three of them huddle together, talking in low voices.
But we still heard, apparently—the one who'd had his gun on me starts raging, pointing at Eko.
He understands JAPANESE......
'What? Have they been hearing our conversation all along?'
'Kill them!'
Another man pulls a gun from inside his jacket and turns it on Eko, so I throw myself between them.
Nothing for it now.
(【Body Enhancement】【Partial Beast Transformation】)
I 'Beast-Transform' just my arm and smash my fist into the one closing in on Eko, gun raised.
(Yes—this works!)
The one I punched goes flying and doesn't move.
Next, the other gun carrier—was what I thought, the instant before—
"Gah!"
A full-force blow lands on the side of my face.
One of the three who entered—the one without a gun.
"Natsuki—!"
A scream goes up from Saori and the others.
I'm fine—I'm fine, but......
'Oh? She doesn't go down from that? A Triple, huh......'
This one might be strong......
'Ah well, ain't protecting that one your job? Aww, she's out cold. Won't be getting up for a while. With the 【Storage】 holder like this, we can't work. What now?'
'Tch. That one walked up on her own and got herself dropped. Let's step outside and watch for a bit...... Staying in here makes us rats in a sack. But before that......'
"Gih!"
Hit again.
A boxer?
I knew it was coming and still couldn't dodge.
The power itself isn't much, though.
If I'd guarded my face......
'Our work got interrupted. Might as well kill these ones.'
"Guh!"
Like he'd read my mind—a body blow......
My breath......
Even so I hold firm and don't fall.
I can't lose.
If I lose, everyone will......
'She tanks THIS too? What a tough one. A shield job?'
He's off his guard.
Now or never.
I extend my claws and unleash a full-power strike.
(Ah...... the evasion skill......)
Swish—.
Dodged with that unnatural movement.
'Whoops. That one was close. Still full of energy, I see.'
"Geh. Goh."
A crisp one-two, up and down, and I drop to one knee.
Hate to praise the enemy at a time like this, but he's good.
'What's wrong, what's wrong? Done already? Get up and come at me. I'm not even using the evasion skill right now, you know?'
I can't understand the words.
But I can tell I'm being taunted.
"Why you—!"
Whoosh, whoosh—my left and right swings cut nothing but air.
'Too bad. No way a wild swing like that lands.'
"Gah, gi, gu, geh, go."
I receive five in return.
The gap in human-combat experience.
I've never fought a person.
If only I'd taken Hiramatsu-san's lessons properly......
Too-late thoughts.
Too many judgment errors.
First: I didn't report the 'Dungeon Gate' the moment I found it.
I went to change, stepped outside, and was stopped before I could call it in.
If I'd reported, all I'd have needed to do was buy time.
Second: I didn't take them by surprise the moment we entered the dungeon.
Hiramatsu-ryu would have struck right there.
And third: I never used 【Dance】.
If I could just dance, I'd have my evasion skill too.
Even now, I could......
'Man, you're really tough, huh—'
"Za, ji, zu, ze, zo."
I try to make distance, take another barrage, and collapse backward.
'Adventurers in this country are weak. Small fry with nothing but level. Are they ALL like this?'
'Adventurers here only ever fight monsters. Something like you must be their natural enemy.'
Still...... not...... over......
If I...... don't...... protect...... everyone......