ch341-ch360 · 359-ch359

Chapter 359: [Sad News] It Was a Criminal Organization

January 1st, New Year's Day.

With Soushi in tow, I got off at a station I never use.

It's on the far side of the school, so it's not a station I'd normally come to.

'Once the new year begins, go to Mizuki Saori's house.'

That's what the goddess in my dream said.

She said "as soon as possible," too—but surely she didn't mean the moment midnight passed.

And if the goddess IN the dungeon said it, then it concerns something dungeon-related.

On this New Year's Day, the dungeon-related event is the appearance of the new dungeons.

The time is 9 AM—by standard time, exactly midnight. The year turns.

So I decided to aim for that moment and head to Mizuki's house.

"That's the situation, anyway."

"So let me get this straight—the dungeon goddess from your dream told you to go to Mizuki's house, and that's why we're heading there right now?"

That's about the size of it.

Going alone would look like a problem, so I invited Soushi, and under the pretense of a first shrine visit, we're passing in front of Mizuki's house.

Aikawa's over there, and "Soushi wanted to do the shrine visit with Aikawa" works as an excuse, too.

"A dungeon dream isn't something to laugh off. Even 'Sword Saint-chan' came to recruit Kasumi-san purely on the grounds that she'd seen it in a dream. We pass the house, nothing's there, done. After that, you check that Aikawa's safe, and the mission's complete. Then we can do the shrine visit for real and head home."

Well, "nothing there" is unlikely.

A 'Dungeon Gate' is probably standing there.

Mizuki's parents are famous anti-dungeon hardliners.

Worst case, they might keep the 'Dungeon Gate' secret.

So the idea must be: report it before some nasty faction takes notice.

Report it anonymously, wait for Association staff or someone to arrive, then slip away......

That was the plan, but Soushi-kun was late, you see.

It's already past nine.

And the goddess did say "as soon as possible."

"So THAT's why 'Sword Saint-chan' keeps coming...... I see. Dreams, huh......"

Something in his own dreams, apparently—Soushi falls deep into thought.

Come to think of it, what dreams have Soushi and Aikawa been having?

Aikawa especially sleeps in the dungeon every day.

Kasumi-san said she hasn't had the Floor 50 dream—but if Aikawa's been having it, she might have already cleared it.

If Aikawa's 【Dancer】 evasion skill could dodge 'Sword Saint-chan''s 【Dimension Slash】 cleanly, twice......

Hmm, the "twice" is the hard part.

There'd probably be a second strike waiting right where she dodged......

She'd have to dodge one on her own, then......

Might be rough unless she picks up a second evasion skill?

No wait—with Aikawa, would her opponent even be 'Sword Saint-chan'?

If four people go, how many skeletons spawn?

Go alone—one skeleton?

Wouldn't that make it easy to clear?

Well, as long as you're prepared for the Lich......

'A dreadful thing has happened, I say.'

'I-I've called the police. Sh-shall we go help?'

'Are you in your right mind, I ask? The enemy bears GUNS, I shall say.'

Near Mizuki's house, I spot the familiar dungeon otaku and several others.

So THAT's what the goddess meant—eliminate these guys.

Storming someone's house on New Year's Day—the "Goddess Adoration Society," apparently, was a criminal organization all along.

Let me call the police right away.

'Everyone, compose yourselves, I say. In any case, we contact the President and await instructions.'

Mmm-mmm-mmm.

At last—the President of the Goddess Adoration Society, his true identity, his true—?

I've caught the culprits red-handed!

'Rrring. Rrring.'

The phone I'd just taken out to call the police starts ringing.

The caller is the dungeon otaku standing right in front of me.

"Ch-Chairman!"

All five of them cry out at once.

And to hammer it home.

The criminal group turns around, sees me, and shouts.

No wait—there's a chance they mean Soushi......

"Chairman, it's dire, I say! An armed group forced their way into the goddess's home and drove the goddess into the 'Dungeon Gate'!"

Guns?

Eh?

What is this guy saying?

"Four foreigners, I shall say!"

"Th-they threatened the goddess and the others with guns to make them enter the 'Dungeon Gate'!"

"Three of the culprits are inside the dungeon, and one is standing watch before the 'Dungeon Gate,' I say!"

They start explaining the situation over each other, but I can't follow it.

"Aikawa!"

Soushi breaks into a run.

"Wh-what is going on? You lot—call the police, and the Association too!"

I'm flustered by the turn of events.

"That guy's got a gun?"

I catch up to Soushi, stopped in front of Mizuki's house.

In the garden stands the 'Dungeon Gate,' and before it, one man.

"Looks like it. What do we do?"

"......I'll pin that one down—you get into the dungeon. Once you're inside, you can do anything, right? Worst case, get everyone toward the Chiba branch......"

He means to play decoy, then?

"Calm down. If Aikawa's inside, she may be handling it herself. But that one's the reason she can't come out, maybe. The two of us shove him into the 'Dungeon Gate.' Got it?"

Once I'm in, Aikawa will probably chew me out—what am I here for, what took me so long.

That's right—once we're inside the dungeon, guns aren't scary.

Even if I'm shot on the way in, once I'm inside, I shouldn't die as long as my HP lasts.

With 【Gate】 I can even move to the Chiba branch dungeon.

Then Shiraishi-san can treat me there.

"Got it. But I'm going first."

He won't yield that point, huh.

I cede the first move and follow the darting Soushi.

'Hm? Wha—'

Just as the man reaches into his jacket, Soushi grapples him.

And I tackle from behind.

The scenery switches, and simultaneously we land in a puddle—splatt.

The temperature on my skin changes too.

Yes! The dungeon.

Strength floods in.

So much that I nearly crushed the leg of the man I'd pinned down.

Soushi likewise seems to have crushed the hand in the man's jacket—the pistol drops from it.

Eep—he really did have a gun.

"Natsuki—!"

Soushi calls Aikawa's name and dashes off.