Chapter-08 · EP-112
Chapter 8: Chasers
Episode 112: Eyes
Saturday morning. I left the dormitory alone.
I was scheduled to meet up with Yuno, Maika, Iori, and Professor Kushinada in the afternoon to practice Yuno's archery on the fourth floor, but I had something to do first. I planned to go to Shinjuku before Yuno and the others and buy a new weapon in the morning.
I'd heard that you could clear up to the tenth floor with a wooden sword, but I couldn't deny its lack of offensive power.
Especially since I explored solo, without party support, I needed to increase my own firepower.
So today, I wanted to buy an iron sword.
After that, I planned to challenge the fifth-floor boss of the Shinjuku Dungeon alone.
I wanted to test my abilities. Now that I was Level 5, I felt like I could win.
When I stepped out of the dormitory entrance, the cool morning air touched my face.
There were still few people around.
I started walking toward the station.
――Just then, I felt something was off.
A gaze.
Someone was watching me.
I stopped and looked around.
But none of the people walking by were looking at me. Everyone was walking about their own business.
Was I imagining it?
No, something was definitely wrong.
I started walking again.
But the feeling didn't go away.
A sensation like a needle prick on my back.
Someone was observing me.
Even on the train, that presence didn't disappear.
I looked around the carriage, but no one was looking at me.
Salarymen, students, housewives. Everyone was acting normal.
I don't usually feel such a strong sense of unease.
Something was off.
Then I had an idea. Right — I'll use my Analysis skill.
The Analysis skill I'd stol—quietly copied from the young lady. I decided to use it on the passengers one by one to see if anyone looked suspicious.
Analysis had no Skill Level and could be used outside the dungeon.
I began checking the people in the carriage one by one.
Salaryman – Level 1, Skill: None. Student – Level 1, Skill: None. Housewife – Level 1, Skill: None.
Normal. They were all ordinary people. None of them were even explorers.
Maybe it was just my imagination.
Then I froze.
At the end of the carriage, a man reading a newspaper.
Tall, with sharp features. Probably in his thirties.
That man's status jumped out at me.
Tatsunori Susa: LV43
Skill: Divine Sword Summoning, Mighty Strike, Physical Enhancement
Party Members: None
Wait, wait, wait, wait!
I hurriedly looked away.
Level 43?!
That put him among the top explorers in Japan, no, in the world.
And he had three skills! A triple skill holder.
What caught my eye most was a skill I'd never seen or heard of: "Divine Sword Summoning."
Probably a unique skill, possessed only by the chosen few, with no other users.
An incredible monster was right nearby.
And – this man was tailing me.
Cold sweat ran down my forehead.
No doubt about it.
The source of the unease I'd felt since morning was this man.
I felt a chilling fear.
Why would someone like him be following me?
Had I done something wrong?
No, I had no idea. But――
I took out my phone and searched.
"How to lose a tail."
Several articles came up.
Use crowds. Change direction suddenly. Enter a building. Vertical movement is effective – use elevators or stairs.
Okay.
I got off at the next station.
Shinjuku Station.
Even on a Saturday morning, it was crowded.
I blended into the crowd, deliberately pretending to go to the wrong exit.
I started toward the West Exit, then turned back.
I started toward the East Exit, then turned back again.
I glanced behind me.
――He was there.
The man calling himself Susa was walking a short distance away.
He had folded his newspaper, but he was clearly following me.
No good. I couldn't lose him.
I walked, using the crowd as a wall to hide.
Then suddenly, I ducked into a restroom.
I entered a stall and locked the door.
If I stalled for time here, the man might lose me and leave.
I waited five minutes.
I waited ten minutes.
I cautiously left the restroom.
I looked around――
――He was there.
Susa was sitting on a bench a short distance away.
He was pretending to look at his phone, but he was clearly waiting for me.
Damn, he's a pro.
I couldn't lose him with amateur tricks like this.
I decided to use my last resort.
Vertical movement.
I entered the Shinjuku Dungeon building.
I got into the elevator alone.
I pressed a button – 3rd floor.
The doors closed.
The elevator rose.
The doors opened on the 3rd floor.
I pretended to get off, then waited a moment.
Then I pressed another button – 4th floor.
The doors opened.
I didn't get off.
I stayed on and pressed the button for the 2nd floor.
The elevator went down.
I got off on the 2nd floor.
I dashed for the stairs.
I ran down the stairs.
All the way to the 1st floor.
Had I lost him now?
Catching my breath, I looked around.
No sign of Susa.
Good――
I headed to the explorer market.
To buy a new sword.
And to prepare for the afternoon exploration.
But unease still lingered in my heart.
Who was that man?
Why was he tailing me?
And―― had I really lost him?