Chapter-02 · EP-033

Episode 33: Shinjuku Dive

Dungeons—they all seem similar, yet each is different.

The terrain, the structure, the distribution of monsters—there are countless dungeons in the world, each with its own distinct character.

But when it comes to dungeons near Tokyo, there's a slightly peculiar commonality.

For some reason, on the first floor, almost without exception, slimes appear.

Their bodies are pale blue. They're like jelly made of a weakly acidic liquid. Their offensive power and intelligence are low, but if you let your guard down and get engulfed, you'll suffocate without being able to breathe.

As if welcoming newcomers to dungeon exploration, these are the monsters that appear first in any labyrinth.

In that respect, the Shinjuku Dungeon was no exception.

But even though the same slimes appeared, the terrain structure was completely different.

Using the "Shinjuku Dungeon First Floor Map" I'd bought at a shop near the station, I made my way deeper into the labyrinth.

The map was surprisingly detailed, clearly marking corners, large halls, and even the location of the Floor Boss's room.

Of course, it wasn't completely accurate. But for a first-timer trying not to get lost, this level of guidance was just right.

However, the map didn't account for "other explorers."

From the moment I descended the stairs, there were always several explorers around me.

People in proper gear made of leather and metal, not school uniforms. Some laughed with companions, while others stared ahead with serious faces, on guard.

Unlike the academy's dungeon, this was completely a "professional workplace."

A place where letting your guard down could cost you your life. That tension was subtly infused into the air.

Amidst it all, I was alone, relying on my map and wooden sword, steadily advancing.

Occasionally, I'd slash at a slime that oozed out from the edge of a passage, collecting the faintly glowing gems it left behind.

—No particular trouble. Everything was going smoothly.

My target was the deepest part of this floor: the first-floor Floor Boss's room.

When I finally reached the large door, I stopped.

Because there were many explorers gathered in front of it.

Among them were some sitting with eyes closed, composing themselves; others quietly discussing strategy with their party members; and a few standing in silence, gripping their sword hilts.

Curious about the crowd, who were lined up almost like a queue, I spoke to the nearest person.

"Excuse me… What are all these people here for?"

"Ah, are you a first-timer? They're all waiting their turn."

"Huh?"

Apparently, this dungeon was so popular that there was a waiting line just to enter the first-floor boss's room.

"Hehe, surprised? The first-floor boss, the Huge Slime, takes a long time to defeat. It's tough to aim for its core buried deep inside its massive body. Actually, I failed to defeat it last time and had to run back. This is my second attempt."

"Eh? Is that so?"

He held a spear about two meters long in his hand.

"Your only weapon is that wooden sword? Can you use Fire Magic?"

"No, I don't have any skills."

"Then it'll be difficult to defeat the Huge Slime with that sword. To defeat a Huge Slime, you need a long weapon, a projectile weapon, or Fire Magic. You came here without knowing that, right?"

"No, I've heard about that, but I've already defeated the Huge Slime twice with this."

"Huh?"

Hearing my words, his two companions, who seemed to be his party members, also looked at me in surprise.

"You're joking, right? You shouldn't lie like that. A Huge Slime is still too much for you. What's your level?"

"Ah, it's 2."

"Then you might be fine… Where are your companions?"

"No, I'm alone."

"Huh?"

He and his companions stared at me again.

"How old are you?"

"Ah, I'm fifteen."

"Fifteen?"

More surprise. These people were a bit of a hassle…

"Are you by any chance a student at Dungeon Academy?"

"Dun Academy… is that short for Dungeon Academy? If so, then yes."

"And at fifteen, you just enrolled, right? You shouldn't lie like that. If you just enrolled, there's no way you're level 2, and saying you've defeated the Huge Slime is a lie. Dungeons are dangerous. If you don't understand your own abilities, your life could be at risk."

I understood he was saying this out of kindness, but everything I said was true…

"How can I get you to believe me?"

"…Well, how about we challenge the Floor Boss together? We'll protect you. If you feel it's dangerous, you can retreat."

"Well, if that's okay…"

And so, for some reason, I ended up entering the Floor Boss's room with these people I'd just met.

"By the way, what's your name?"

"Ah, I'm Ichinose."

"Ichinose-kun. I'm Sannomiya. These two are Oda and Tsuchiya."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

"Yeah."

As I chatted with Sannomiya and his companions, our turn finally came. I was grateful; waiting alone would have been boring.

"Alright, let's go. Ichinose-kun, be careful not to get hurt."

"Yes."

We opened the door to the Floor Boss's room and stepped inside.

"…So, what's the plan?"

Light shone down on the center of the domed room, and the Huge Slime appeared.

Sannomiya and his party gripped their weapons, tense at its appearance, while I remained relaxed as I asked.

"For now, watch how we fight. If you think you can join in, feel free. Okay? Absolutely don't get hurt."

"Yes…"

Feeling a bit awkward due to the gap in our tension levels, I did as Sannomiya said and watched how they approached the fight.

"Let's go!"

"Yeah!"

They took positions surrounding the Huge Slime and began attacking with their spears.

They thrust from three directions. When the Huge Slime moved toward one, that person would retreat, and the other two would stab it.

They repeated this process, but their stances seemed hesitant, and their thrusts were shallow. Probably because they were scared.

"Um, is it okay if I join in now?"

"Alright, but be careful! If it gets dangerous, retreat immediately!"

With Sannomiya's permission, I approached. Using my wrist, I swung my wooden sword rapidly.

To shave the surface of the Huge Slime quickly, I used wrist snaps rather than swinging my whole arm, shaving it off in quick, sharp motions. Nice, this was fast. I might set a personal speed record.

Sannomiya, meanwhile, was staring in amazement at my bizarre movements.

Perhaps sensing me as a threat, the Huge Slime began moving away from me.

"Don't run away!"

I pursued it on foot, continuing to swing my wooden sword with rapid, sharp strokes.

The Huge Slime shrank bit by bit.

Sannomiya and his companions were now just standing there, stunned.

Suddenly, the core moved within range for an instant.

I didn't let that momentary opportunity pass. I thrust my wooden sword with such force that my arm sunk into the Huge Slime's body.

It felt strange to say it myself, but I destroyed its core perfectly, and the Huge Slime's body collapsed and vanished with a burst.

I picked up the Huge Slime's gem that was left behind.

"Alright! How was that? Do you believe me now?"

I turned back to look at Sannomiya and the others. All three were staring at me, mouths agape.

"Y-yeah…"

In the center of the room, the stairs leading to the second floor had appeared.