c21-c40 · 022-ch22
Chapter 22: Distress Signal
Hearing the alert, I paused for just a moment to think.
A distress signal is something explorers send out when they find themselves in a critical situation in the dungeon—when they can't do anything on their own and need to call for help. It's the last hope an explorer can cling to.
In the upper and middle layers where life cords work easily, distress signals are rarely sent. But the deep layer is different. There are plenty of situations where life cords don't activate when you're in a life-or-death crisis.
So I'd want to go help if I could... but the distress signal came from the 8 o'clock direction.
The magic needle compass pointed in the opposite direction.
I had to choose: head toward the area with stable mana, or go toward the source of the distress signal.
If I dropped these three off first and then went to the distress signal... it would take too much time. Whether the sender would still be alive by then was doubtful. But if I took all three with me to help, it would obviously involve significant danger, and their lives could be at risk too.
Sending a distress signal means the surrounding area is in a corresponding state of crisis.
They could be surrounded by monsters, or the dungeon environment itself could be baring its fangs. Either way, there's no telling if B-rank explorers who've never even been to the deep layer could handle it.
But...
"...Shit."
Don't hesitate, Ichiro Shibasaki! Right now, getting these three back safely comes first!
The distress signal is transmitted indiscriminately to all explorers with receivers in the surrounding area. Even if I don't go, surely someone else will. More importantly, I can't just watch the people in front of me die. What I need to fulfill is getting these three back safely.
Yes, this decision shouldn't be wrong...
"Shibasaki-san."
That's when Negomin-san tapped my shoulder.
"There was a distress signal, wasn't there?"
"...You could hear that?"
I was somewhat taken aback by that statement.
The incam audio should only be audible to me. Is her hearing... no, maybe her eyes are just that sharp.
"Yes, but we need to prioritize returning, so we should head where the mana is..."
"Let's go help them. We don't have time to just stand around here."
"...!"
She said that while looking me straight in the eyes. It was almost too bright—I almost had to look away.
"But... I can't take all three of you into a dangerous area..."
"I understand. I know you're prioritizing our safety, and that I'm being unreasonable asking this in our current situation... I also understand that we're a burden."
"We are? I'm not though."
"Big sis, don't butt in, this is a serious moment."
"I'd forgotten... until you saved me yesterday. This feeling, this heat, that I'd tucked away deep in my heart."
Negomin-san let out a small breath. Her trembling voice betrayed nervousness and fear she couldn't hide.
"I became an explorer to save people."
"...That's..."
"I'd rather die than survive by abandoning someone. I don't mind dying if it's to save someone else."
"..."
"This is my pride as an explorer. I can't compromise on this."
Her words carried resolve, and the weight of the life she had lived. In front of her, Negomin-san pressed her tightly clenched fist against her chest, as if suppressing her racing heart.
It was easy to understand that she hadn't said this as a lie or on some whim. That's exactly why I...
"Hey, little sis. What's 'kyouji' mean?"
"It's someone who teaches various things in a classroom."
"That's 'kyouju' [professor], isn't it?"
"Tch, couldn't trick you, huh."
"I don't know if it's kyouji or kyouju, but basically we just need to not die, right?"
"Well... I suppose so."
"No problem then. After all, the two of us are scheduled to get A-rank party certification!"
"You don't even have it yet...?"
"Took you long enough to point that out, strong uncle."
Mayoi-san peered at my face and grinned broadly.
"Let me tell you one thing. Dungeons are places where you risk your life from the start. We take responsibility for our own lives."
"...!"
"The strong uncle's life, our lives, the lives of the people asking for help—they're all equally valuable here, right?"
"Big sis actually says cool things sometimes."
That's right. The value of life is equal. It's not my job to weigh them on a scale.
Everyone here came as explorers. That means they came here risking their lives. And yet, thinking I could protect them—how arrogant of me.
What I need to do is give everything I have and do my best. That's all.
"Then I have something to say as well."
"I wouldn't mind listening!"
"Big sis is so annoying."
"...I'm not 'the strong uncle.' My name is Shibasaki Ichiro."
"Shibasaki Ichiro... is that your real name by any chance?"
"Shibasaki-san... that's a cool name! Kyuu gives it a thumbs up!"
"Shibasaki-san..."
And of course, that includes all explorers. I raised my head and stared intently at the faces of the three.
Everyone has a good look on their face... Yeah, I've made up my mind too.
"Mayoi, Kyuu... Negomin. I know we just started, but as an explorer, I'm requesting your cooperation."
My best course of action is to work with them to rescue the person in need and get everyone back safely. This decision will probably significantly lower their survival rate. But I'm making this choice.
Because I want to. It's simply my own selfishness.
"We're now heading to the distress signal sender to conduct a rescue. After confirming the rescued person's safety, we'll aim for the mana-stable area."
"Roger!"
"Understood, Shibasaki-san."
"Thank you... Shibasaki-san."
"...Yeah."
I'm the one who wants to say thanks. But now isn't the time for that.
"Maika-chan, set the destination to the signal source. Please report on the surrounding conditions as long as communication remains stable."
"Understood!"
I switched the incam settings to speaker mode so everyone could hear Maika-chan's voice, and then I started walking.
"All right, let's go. It's going to be tougher from here than it was before, but I don't think you're going to start complaining now, right?"