Chapter-08 · EP-125
Episode 125: Lying in Wait
After continuing to fight Grey Wolves and Big Boars on the fifth floor, the three finally reached Level 4. Around that time, Yuno ran out of arrows.
"Sorry, I'm out of arrows…"
Yuno muttered apologetically.
She had brought about twenty arrows today, and while she recovered some as she used them, most were not reusable, and she had exhausted her supply.
If she could explore at this pace, she should probably bring more next time.
…Still, the sight of Iori, who was Level 3, mowing down Grey Wolves left and right was spectacular. I had struggled, getting bitten and covered in blood, just to defeat them.
Even Professor Kushinada's eyes widened at Iori's impressive performance.
"Well then, let's call it a day here."
We turned back from the fifth floor and headed toward the dungeon exit.
Just before passing through the portal, Yuno muttered quietly.
"I wonder if I'm really being useful…"
At those words, Maika, Iori, and I stopped and turned around.
"What are you saying, Yuno? Without you, we'd be stuck if we got injured."
"That's right. We can fight without worry because you're here, Yuno."
Iori and Maika said, but Yuno still looked uncertain.
Then Professor Kushinada, who had been silently watching us from behind, approached.
"Hayasaka-san, may I talk a little about party balance?"
"Huh? Yes."
Yuno turned to the professor.
Professor Kushinada began speaking in a gentle tone.
"In exploration, party balance is very important. For example, a party consisting only of front-line fighters with swords is at a disadvantage when fighting flying monsters or monsters that use magic. Because they can't handle attacks from a distance."
"…Yes."
"Conversely, a party with only long-range attackers like bows or magic becomes helpless when enemies get close. Because they can't handle close combat."
The professor looked over the four of us.
"But your party has an ideal balance. Takigawa-san, a front-line fighter who is very strong in close combat; Momota-san, a Water Magic user who can attack from a distance; and Hayasaka-san, who uses a bow. And above all, you, Hayasaka-san, who can heal injuries. This makes your party extremely well-balanced."
Yuno looked at the professor in surprise.
Professor Kushinada smiled gently.
"Learning archery and becoming an offensive asset is certainly wonderful. But you already have a very important role. You can be confident even now."
"…Yes!"
Yuno's expression brightened. She seemed to have regained some confidence.
"Well, let's go check the Skill Board when we get back to the surface. I want to see if Yuno really learned Detoxification Magic."
Maika said, and we passed through the portal.
We were enveloped in light, and our vision went white for an instant.
And then –
When the light cleared, we were at the surface entrance of the Shinjuku Dungeon.
There, a man stood with his arms crossed.
Tatsunori Susa.
That high-level Self-Defense Forces explorer was staring at us as if he had been waiting.
"…"
Our eyes met.
Susa spoke quietly.
"Shirou Ichinose, I'd like to talk to you."
He had finally abandoned underhanded methods like tailing and come to ask me directly.
I hadn't expected Susa to give up just because the officials took him away. So his appearance didn't particularly surprise me.
I turned to my companions.
"I need to talk to this man. You all go home without me."
"Shirou…"
Yuno called out worriedly.
Then Susa said something surprising.
"You're Yuno Hayasaka, aren't you? I'd like you to come as well."
"Huh? Why? Yuno has nothing to do with this!"
I couldn't help but ask. Susa's answer was shocking.
"I have things to ask you as well, but more importantly, I have extremely important matters to confirm with Hayasaka-san."
"Huh?"
I had some guesses about what he wanted from me, but I had no idea what he wanted with Yuno. His words surprised me.
"Professor…"
Yuno looked back at Professor Kushinada in fear.
But I told Yuno the unfortunate truth.
"Yuno, the professor isn't on our side…"
"Huh?"
"There was a reason Professor Kushinada was suddenly sent from the Self-Defense Forces. This Susa-san is also from the Self-Defense Forces. They're colleagues."
Learning that Professor Kushinada, whom they had thought of as their guardian, was an enemy, Yuno and the others looked surprised.
Professor Kushinada didn't make excuses; she looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to deceive you all."
Then Susa, questioning my words, asked me.
"How did you know?"
"When the American called you 'Susa,' I cross-referenced that name with the Guild's explorer database."
Susa's expression changed.
"Then I found out you were from the Self-Defense Forces. When two Self-Defense Forces members, who normally have no connection to our daily lives, appear so close to us, it's obvious they're connected."
Realizing his mistake, Susa looked embarrassed.
"A-anyway, will you two come with me?"
"Are you okay, Yuno?"
"Yeah, if Shirou is with me…"
As Susa started to walk, Yuno suddenly said.
"Ah, right, can we check the Skill Board first? Since we're here, I want to see if I really have Detoxification Magic…"
"…I don't mind."
Yuno got Susa's permission and went to check the Skill Board. Since it was an off-peak time, the Skill Board was free, and she could check smoothly without worrying about other explorers.
Yuno Hayasaka: LV4
Skill: Healing Magic LV2, Detoxification Magic LV1
Party Members: Shirou Ichinose, Maika Momota, Iori Takigawa
"Wow, it's real! Just like Shirou said, Detoxification Magic really did sprout!"
Her companions smiled at Yuno's innocent joy.
But Susa had an expression mixed with astonishment and caution.
"…Are you a double skill holder?"
"Huh? No, actually, I only just became able to use it today."
"Today?!"
Yuno answered Susa's question honestly. I hurriedly stopped her.
"Yuno, don't talk so freely. This man is an enemy."
"Ah, sorry…"
"Well, fine. Let's hear your story, including that."
And so, the two of us, separated from Iori and Maika, were led to another room.
Meanwhile –
At a spot a short distance from the Shinjuku Dungeon entrance.
There were people watching Shirou and the others.
Josh and his team of American explorers.
"Did you see that?"
Seeing Yuno's skills displayed on the Skill Board, Josh said to his companions.
"Yeah. Detoxification Magic LV1… a skill she didn't have before."
Caleb, unable to hide his surprise, answered in a trembling voice.
"What does this mean? Not only can she grow her companions' skills, but she can also grow her own?"
Marcus asked back, looking perplexed.
Because Yuno had carelessly displayed her skills on the Skill Board, Josh's team, who had been peeking, could only be amazed that Yuno's Detoxification Magic, which shouldn't have been there before their exploration, had appeared.
"Since Susa warned us, we can't dig any further. But we can't overlook this for our country. Ideally, I'd like Yuno Hayasaka to come to America, but at the very least, we should establish a cooperative relationship. Let's report this to the UED and have them consider a response."
Thus, because of a tremendous misunderstanding, Yuno's life was about to change dramatically without her even knowing it.