c21-c40 · 033-ch33

Chapter 33: The Genesis Light

"I never thought I'd be able to meet you in a place like this, Shibasaki Ichiro-san."

Sandai-san approaches me, her glittering armor swaying with each step.

『Eh? Shibasaki-san, you know Sandai-sama?』

"......I apologize, but I don't believe we've ever met."

『What, so you don't know her after all~』

Sorry, Maika-chan, I'm pretty confused myself. Sandai-san is a famous explorer who even appears on the news. I can't imagine why someone like that would have business with a regular old cleaning uncle.

Given how things felt this morning, she's probably just mistaking me for someone else.

"If you're looking for someone, I believe you have the wrong person."

"No, there's no mistake about you. Because——"

Sandai-san takes a deep breath of the dungeon's cold air.

"——'The Genesis Light.'"

The instant I hear that, I cut the power to my incam.

"Twenty-five years ago, when dungeons appeared all over the world during the dawn period, they rose to prominence from the very beginning. A legendary clan that left countless achievements through their overwhelming strength and exploration capabilities, praised as the world's finest. The greatest of these achievements was the complete conquest of Shinjuku Dungeon fifteen years ago."

"......"

"Complete dungeon conquests have only been reported three times in the entire world, including Shinjuku. Moreover, the other two were just five years ago and two years ago—very recent. They accomplished the first feat in human history with an overwhelming exploration speed that no one else could match. That was 'The Genesis Light.'"

"............"

"But ten years ago, they suddenly vanished. Without any warning. And since then, their name has never been heard on the public stage again."

......What's this guy after?

Sandai continues speaking, oblivious to my thoughts.

"I hear that despite being an elite few, each member possessed abilities above S-rank. Among them, the leader concealed extraordinary strength. That person, who somehow managed to bring together such a collection of oddballs, strangely never carried a famous sword or powerful magic tool, instead always using cheap weapons like you do. The nickname given was 'The Nameless War God.' The explorer name...... was Antares."

After speaking all that in one breath, she points her slender finger at me.

"That is you, Shibasaki Ichiro-san."

"......"

......Seriously?

I thought I was hiding it pretty well, but...... I can't exactly say it's a case of mistaken identity now.

"......So what will you do?"

"That much is obvious."

Without releasing even a hint of killing intent, Sandai enters my range without hesitation. Then, extending her right hand, she suddenly shouted:

"I'M A FAN!!!!!! Please shake my hand!!!!!!"

"Fa......huh?"

Eh, a fan? What does that mean? I somehow ended up shaking her hand, overwhelmed by her momentum.

"Yesss!! Thank you so much! I'm never washing this hand for the rest of my life!!"

"H-hahaha......"

I can't keep up at all, but at least I understand she has no hostility.

"Um, when you say fan......"

"I've been a huge fan of 'The Genesis Light' ever since I was a child—that's actually part of why I became an explorer in the first place! I used to go all out with the fangirling back in the day, but then they suddenly disappeared, so I was really stuck...... Then this morning, I saw the video of you fighting!! I was so moved, just completely moved!"

"......It's strange coming from me, but you figured it out well. I don't think I have any trace of those days left."

"Of course! That sharp sword technique, those crisp movements—there's no way I could mistake them!! The moment I saw that, you have no idea how excited I got......!"

"I get it! I get it, so let's calm down for a moment!"

It's pretty scary being aggressively pushed back by a tall, gold-armor-wearing woman.

This was a secret I've carried for many years, but to think I'd be seen through by such a pushy kid...... You really never know what life has in store.

"I'm sorry......! I haven't been able to contain my excitement since earlier......!"

"Haha...... So, the two people behind me—are they your companions, Sandai-san?"

"As expected, you noticed. You two, you can come out now."

When Sandai-san calls out to the rubble behind me, two figures emerge from it. One is a tall woman, and the other is a young girl with a full grin on her face.

"Ririka-san is seriously amazing! She saw through my technique in seconds!"

"Shut up, Anju, you're too loud. Sigh...... I really didn't want to see Sandai like this......"

The girl is incredibly high-energy, while the other one sighs with a contrasting, negative expression.

"Let me introduce them. These are my two subordinates. This tsundere beauty with glasses is Ririka, and the energetic one is Anju."

"I'm Anju-ssu!"

"......A pleasure to meet you. I serve as secretary for Sandai-ren. I am Ririka, an explorer."

"Eh."

"Well met. I am Shibasaki Ichiro of Shibasaki Cleaning."

"Ah, um? ......I'm Anju! I'm part of...... Sandai-ren! Subordinate! And I'm Anju!"

"Anju-san, nice to meet you as well."

"......Ssu! Nice to meet you-ssu!"

Ririka-san and Anju-san, huh. Both are explorers I shouldn't underestimate.

Normally, it's considered difficult to erase one's presence in places with few monsters or stable mana, but their presence-concealment was at such a high level that I was a beat late to notice them even with both those conditions combined here. With elites like this gathered, it's no wonder the world says Sandai-ren is the clan closest to conquering Shibuya.

"So, what business did you have with me, Sandai-san?"

When I ask the question I wanted answered most, an unexpected response comes from Sandai-san's mouth.

"No, I don't have any particular business. I just wanted to meet you, Anta......Shibasaki-san."

"Eh? ......Sandai, what does that mean?"

The first to react to Sandai-san's words wasn't me, but Ririka-san standing beside her.

"Sandai, don't tell me you mobilized Sandai-ren for something this pointless......?"

"It's not pointless! I finally found the person I've been admiring and searching for all this time! It's only natural to use every power I have to go meet them!"

"Sandai-san...... I understand that feeling-ssu!"

"Until just now, my heart was pounding so hard from nervousness that I couldn't even talk properly—I had to act all noble and strong in front of the person I admire......"

I thought she was incredibly haughty at first, but she was forcing that.

"Listen...... because we moved, other clans came to Shinjuku too, you know? Do you properly understand our influence?"

"That's the fault of people who get led around by information. I'm not at fault!"

"That kind of behavior is what erodes trust...... Never mind that! What I'm saying is, if you mobilized Sandai-ren, you should at least bring back some profit! You can't just meet and be done with it!!"

"Oh, that's what you meant. If that's the case, I do have an idea......"

Sandai-san brushes off the agitated Ririka-san and approaches me. Then, suddenly bowing her head, she says something I never expected.

"Um, Shibasaki-san...... would you spar with me, like you did with Stained Hawk-san earlier?"