part2 · 110-ep110

Episode 110: The Investigation Request

The next morning.

Mizuki had gotten up a little earlier than usual. In the living room, the sound of her preparing breakfast echoed quietly.

When Ren came out of his room, Mizuki turned around.

"Morning, Ren."

"...Morning."

Ren took his seat as usual. On the table, a simple breakfast was laid out.

Toasted bread. An egg dish. Warm soup.

A morning scene he should have grown used to. But Ren looked at Mizuki for a moment and noticed right away.

Her preparations to leave were earlier than usual. Her bag and jacket were already placed near the entryway.

"...Dungeon today?"

Ren asked.

Mizuki blinked as if a little surprised, then smiled softly.

"Yeah. The investigation request I told you about yesterday."

"...The A-rank one?"

"Yeah. The danger level stays A-rank. Today we're only checking up to the twentieth floor."

"...I see."

Ren gave a small nod. He didn't say anything more right away.

But Mizuki could tell. Ren was worried about it.

Last night too, Ren had asked. Whether it was dangerous.

That was a feeling the old Ren might not have put into words.

Worry. Unease. A faint fear that someone might disappear.

Ren still couldn't express it well. Even so, he was trying to put it into words, little by little.

"It's fine."

Mizuki said, in as ordinary a voice as she could.

"It's just an investigation, and Reina and Hinata are with me."

"...Yeah."

"If it looks dangerous, I'll come back right away. I won't push myself."

"...Got it."

Ren brought the soup to his mouth. But his gaze was a little lowered.

Seeing that, Mizuki's chest warmed a little. That he worried about her. That made her happy.

At the same time, she felt a little bit sorry.

"Ren."

"...Hm?"

"I'll be back soon."

Mizuki said with a smile.

"When it's over, I'll contact you properly."

"...Yeah."

Ren answered shortly.

When breakfast was over, Mizuki began preparing to depart. Her movements were practiced.

She threw on her jacket, checked the tools she needed, and put her smartphone in her bag. Ren watched that silently.

"Alright, I'm off."

Mizuki put on her shoes at the entryway. Ren was standing behind her.

"...Take care."

After saying that, a short pause.

"...Be safe."

Mizuki's hands stopped. She slowly turned around.

Ren's expression changed as little as ever. But those words had certainly come from inside Ren.

Words that cared for someone. Words that wished for someone's safety.

Mizuki smiled happily.

"Yeah. I'll be careful."

And then, she opened the door.

"I'm off."

"...Yeah."

The door closed.

Ren stood there for a while. The entryway had gone quiet. Mizuki's presence gradually receded into the distance.

Ren slowly went back to the living room. The cookbook was lying on the table.

Ren picked it up and opened the pages. But the words didn't enter his head right away.

It's fine. That's what Mizuki had said. It was just an investigation. She'd be back soon.

Ren let out a small breath.

"...Be safe."

He repeated the words he himself had spoken once more, in his head.

Meanwhile.

Mizuki was on her way to the adventurers' guild.

The morning town had begun moving as always. People commuting. People opening their shops. The voices of students.

An ordinary morning, found anywhere.

Walking through it, Mizuki suddenly remembered Ren's face.

Be safe.

Just that one phrase. But for Mizuki, it was a big change.

Ren was gradually trying to engage with someone. Trying to put his own feelings into words.

"...I have to come back properly, huh."

Mizuki murmured quietly.

Before long, she arrived at the adventurers' guild.

When she opened the door, the usual clamor greeted her. Adventurers checking requests. People handling procedures at the reception. Parties inspecting their equipment.

Among them, Reina and Hinata were already waiting.

"Morning, Mizuki."

Reina raised a hand lightly.

"Good morning, Mizuki-san."

Hinata greeted her with a smile too.

"Morning, you two."

When Mizuki came closer, Reina lightly tapped the hilt of the sword at her hip.

"Preparations are perfect. If it's just an investigation, we'll be done by early afternoon, won't we?"

"You mustn't let your guard down, Reina-san."

Hinata said at once.

"I know, I know."

Reina smiled wryly.

"But this time it's only up to the twentieth floor, right? An A-rank dungeon, and with us, there's no problem."

"Yeah."

Mizuki nodded.

"But it's a fact that abnormal readings are showing up, so we won't push ourselves. If we judge it's even slightly dangerous, we withdraw."

"Got it."

"Yes."

The two nodded.

As leader, Mizuki confirmed one more time.

"The objective is investigating the cause. Monster slaying isn't the goal. Even if it comes to a fight, don't let it drag on."

"Understood."

"I'll keep an eye out for support and scouting."

"Please do."

While the three were talking, yesterday's staff member came walking over from the reception.

"Everyone in 《Astra》, sorry to keep you waiting."

The staff member was carrying documents.

"These are today's investigation documents. In addition to yesterday's briefing, the nighttime monitoring records are included."

"Nighttime monitoring records?"

Mizuki asked back.

The staff member turned a page.

"Yes. Last night, the monitoring crystal's reaction wavered temporarily."

At those words, Mizuki's expression changed slightly.

"An alarm?"

"None was issued."

The staff member answered at once.

"The magic concentration is also within the standard range. It's on the high side, but not enough to change the danger level."

"What was the cause of the reaction wavering?"

"It's thought to be a disturbance in the flow of magic. It's a phenomenon that rarely occurs with the monitoring crystal."

Reina tilted her head.

"'Rarely' means it's unusual, doesn't it?"

"It is unusual. However, if it's a one-off, it doesn't warrant a cancellation."

The staff member continued in a calm voice.

"According to the records, it also returned to normal display right away. Just to be safe, it's being treated as requiring continued observation, but at present no entry restrictions have been issued."

Hinata's eyes dropped to the documents.

"In other words, caution is needed, but it isn't an emergency."

"Yes."

The staff member nodded.

"That is precisely why the guild is asking an experienced group like yours to investigate."

Mizuki stared at the documents.

Magic concentration within the standard range. No alarm. No entry restrictions.

Survey range up to the twentieth floor. Withdrawal judgment also permitted.

Looking only at the terms, it wasn't an unreasonable request. Rather, it was natural for a request to come to 《Astra》, an A-rank party.

"Understood."

Mizuki closed the documents.

"We'll head out for the investigation as planned."

"Thank you."

The staff member bowed.

"Guards are stationed at the dungeon entrance. If anything happens, word will reach the guild right away."

"Means of communication?"

"As usual, communication devices can be used in the shallow levels. However, in the deep levels they may be disturbed."

"Understood."

Mizuki nodded.

Reina rolled her shoulders lightly.

"Well, let's go."

"Yes."

Hinata gripped her staff again.

The three left the guild.

They were to head to the A-rank dungeon outside the city in a vehicle the guild had prepared.

They got into the car and passed through the town. Outside the window, familiar scenery flowed by.

The buildings gradually decreased, and greenery increased on both sides of the road.

Reina, gazing out the window, said in a cheerful voice.

"When it's over, why don't we grab something to eat on the way home?"

"Reina-san, you're talking about the trip home before the investigation?"

Hinata said, sounding a little exasperated.

"It's fine, isn't it? This kind of thing matters. Something to look forward to after it's done."

"Well, I can understand that."

"What about you, Mizuki? Do you have time on the way home?"

Asked by Reina, Mizuki thought for a moment.

"Today, I think I'll go straight home."

"I knew it."

Reina grinned.

"Lately you go home early, Mizuki."

"Because Ren's waiting."

"Yeah, yeah."

Reina laughed, looking amused.

"That's nice. That kind of thing."

"That kind of thing, what?"

"Nothing?"

Reina deliberately looked away.

Watching that exchange, Hinata smiled softly.

"But I think it's a good thing. You seem a little happier than before, Mizuki-san."

"You think so?"

"Yes."

Mizuki lowered her gaze a little.

She remembered Ren this morning.

Be safe. Ren, who had said that to her.

I'll be back soon. Herself, who had answered that.

"...Yeah."

Mizuki gave a small nod.

"I have to come back properly."

Her voice was very gentle.

Before long, the car arrived at the managed area near the dungeon entrance.

It was a wide sealed-off lot, located away from the city district. A simple fence had been put up around it, and several guild guards were stationed there.

In the center was an entrance like a black gate. Space warped there, looking like a dark passage continuing inward.

An A-rank dungeon. Fifty floors in all.

Many adventurers had challenged it before, and its map was to some extent prepared.

It was dangerous. But it wasn't unknown.

"You're everyone from 《Astra》, correct?"

The guard at the entrance called out.

"Yes. We've come for the investigation request."

Mizuki presented her adventurer card. Reina and Hinata showed their cards too.

The guard checked with a terminal and nodded.

"Confirmed. Survey range up to the twentieth floor. Withdraw if the abnormalities are strong. Per the guild's instructions."

"We understand."

"Currently, the readings near the entrance are stable. The magic concentration is somewhat high, but there's no alarm."

Mizuki looked at the dungeon entrance. To the eye, it was not greatly different from an ordinary A-rank dungeon.

Only—

"...The air's a little heavy, isn't it."

Mizuki murmured quietly.

Reina turned her gaze to the entrance too.

"It's true. There's a feeling of pressure more than usual."

Hinata held her staff in both hands and concentrated.

"The flow of magic is somewhat unstable. But not to the point of immediate danger."

"Then we'll proceed as planned."

Mizuki looked at the two.

"But if the sense of unease gets stronger, share it right away. Don't push forward."

"Got it."

"Yes."

The three checked their equipment.

Reina adjusted her sword to a position where it would be easy to draw. Hinata checked her support magic tools.

Mizuki gripped her staff and took a deep breath.

A cold wind flowed out from the dungeon entrance. It was a sensation present in any dungeon.

Air different from the surface. A closed world, thick with magic.

For a moment, Mizuki remembered Ren's words.

Be safe.

That voice remained deep in her chest.

"...Let's go."

Mizuki said.

The three lined up and headed for the dungeon entrance.

One step. Another step.

And then, Mizuki and the others stepped into the A-rank dungeon.

At that instant.

The light of the entrance wavered, ever so slightly.

But it was far too small a change. The guards outside didn't notice. The monitoring terminal showed no abnormality either.

The dungeon entrance immediately regained its former stillness.

That's why no one noticed.

That that small waver.

had already begun.