Episode 118: Encounter

"Say, what kind of enemies exactly are in a 'dungeon'?"

"In my previous life, they were called... something like 'magical creatures,' I think. I just call them 'monsters' casually."

Hakuba replies with complete ease.

"Monsters?"

"Ah... The dungeon possesses a mysterious force that generates such creatures, and 'magical beings' seem to thrive by feeding off that energy. As a result, they don't need to eat or sleep. Their sole purpose is simply to kill anything that invades the dungeon. That's all."

Hmm... Something about that just doesn't feel right...

"Yeah... the dungeon itself seems almost like a living entity. The monsters are probably just antibodies produced to repel foreign invaders—us, inside their body."

That means we're essentially waking up a sleeping lion.

Thinking about it that way, it's kind of frightening.

"Inside the dungeon, just make sure we don't run out of food. It's a space where basically nothing edible exists."

"Mmmph~"

With a pouty expression, Ayaka puffs out her cheeks.

"Aww, am I just the pack mule now?"

On her back was a mountain of luggage.

"In our group, Ayaka's the strongest, so it's only natural she carries the most."

"Gnurgh~"

Still, Ayaka-chan must realize by now that dungeon exploration depends entirely on her own abilities.

She didn’t argue further.

"But make sure to switch roles properly later, okay?"

"Of course."

Honestly, I'd rather be carrying luggage than fighting some mysterious monster—I’d find that way more relaxing, to be frank.

My "Attack Power" skill is strictly about enhancing attack, not actually boosting physical strength like a "Fighter" skill—completely different, despite the superficial similarity.

Still, I'm glad I don't end up tearing off door handles by accident (though Ayaka-chan has already done it a few times already).

"Then, let's go."

Hakka murmured, dispersing the "Flying Dragons" in all directions.

It seems difficult to bring them inside the "dungeon."

Inside the "dungeon," darkness spread like paint had been splattered everywhere.

"——《Illumination》"

Then, Hakka chanted《Light Magic I》.

A glowing orb appeared above her head, illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime.

Upon entering,

"Wha... huh...?"

I couldn't help but let out a dumbfounded sound.

Inside the "Dungeon," an environment that could only be described as clearly artificially altered stretched out before us.

It was an ancient ruin, built hundreds of years ago, to be precise.

Given what I'd heard so far, I'd imagined nothing more than a simple cave—so this was a bit of a surprise.

Looking at the walls, strange, unfamiliar patterns were carved into them.

I've seen something like this somewhere before...

Ah, right—now I remember.

You know, sometimes on Pixiv or elsewhere, there are artists who go overboard with intricate backgrounds.

That kind of thing.

"Wait a second—this has to be something someone made somewhere, right?"

"Yeah... but it doesn't necessarily have to be human-made. Might just be a handmade piece from a 'god'—if such a thing actually existed, that is."

Moving forward a little, relying on the light,

clack, clack, clack-clack,...

And then, an uneasy sound and presence, coming from all around.

"What is it?"

"About here, there are skulls scattered everywhere. They're clattering, chattering their teeth, making a fuss. I think they're probably the remains of past victims."

"……Dangerous?"

"Not really. Maybe they're just warning us out of old human decency—'beware, it gets dangerous from here'."

Wow, how thoughtful. (Sarcastic tone)

"Something about this feels a bit scary now, even though it's kind of late to be thinking that..."

Is that so?

For a brief moment, everything was enveloped in darkness.

At the same time, you can't even see your own feet.

Stumbling as if about to fall,

Whoa, whoa, whoa! H-Hold on! What's going on!?

Hehehe

Laughing, Hakuha activated once more.

"...Was that just on purpose?"

Uh-huh

Please stop, I can't take it anymore...!

Yeah, but let's not forget—”sensei” was the one who started it all.

"Me?"

Yeah, in my previous life...

Wow... My past life was way too mean...?

The me you know and the me here now are practically different people—please don't confuse the two.

You're right. I understand....Especially the "teacher," they seem completely different, like another person entirely...

There's something off about the way he says it.

"Earlier, you said my past life was a 'wizard,' right? Any other differences?"

"Plenty. For instance, when I joined up, the 'teacher' already had a lover."

"...Huh?"

What's that?

"It was a guy named Takeshima Isao. He was the 'teacher's' first 'player' he met, and a really skilled gunman."

Suddenly, I felt as if my head had been smashed with a hammer.

His death face flashes vividly in my mind.

"Really...? Takemoto-kun?"

"There are other differences too. A boy from Sakagahara High—Yahagi Kosuke. I've never seen him before in my past life. I think he probably didn't survive long."

Conversely... there are also people who managed to survive.

"Then there's one more thing. In my past life, the 'master' killed the 'slave master.' I don't know the exact circumstances, but it seems he had no choice but to kill him."

………….

Trapped in the incomprehensible space known as the "dungeon," I came to a stop.

"Is something wrong?"

"Hakka-san. We really should set aside proper time to talk properly."

……"Reincarnated one."

Perhaps I've been treating that idea as half-serious until now.

Or perhaps I've been treating the idea of past and present lives as entirely separate.

But now, my thoughts have shifted slightly.

Given the information she brings, someone might just be saved.

"Yeah... I actually kind of like talking to 'Master'."

The blonde, blue-eyed elf giggles softly.

"But... before that..."

"---?"

"Shall we take care of a quick task first?... After all, they're a customer."

That was the moment.

From behind her, an immense swarm of rats burst forth.

"Y-yaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Shaking with rage, she raises her sword, foam forming all over her body.

"Calm down. These aren't monsters. They're just sewer rats."

"EEEEEEEEE! No matter which way, I hate it! I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!"

She wildly swings her weapon.

The rats, treating her as insignificant, scurry past her feet.

Each time, something dirty and slimy brushes against her calf, pressing in with a squelching sensation.

"I want a bath!"

"…I'll treat you to some water magic later. Just hold on a little longer."

Hakka gave a wry smile.

"Alright… now it begins."

The swarm of mice had vanished.

From beyond them emerged a shadow that looked like a person wrapped in a costume.

The silhouette moved forward, swaying—round, like an ellipse.

"…………!?"

She followed its motion, half-crying.

It felt as though she were trapped in a terrible nightmare.

『Bshaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!』

私たちの目の前にいたのは、これまで通り過ぎていったものとは比較にもならないほど巨大な、二本足で歩く鼠さんだったのです。

「うわああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああああ」

『ぶしゅううううううううううううううううううううううううううううううう』

その数、八匹。

The mice all carried various items in their hands—pipes, or whatever—things that looked like they'd hurt if hit.

"Then I'll just watch. … 'Teacher,' please, be careful."

Hakuren smiled faintly and stepped back a little.

"Good luck, Nee-chan!"

Saya, who had been staying a bit apart, also offered her encouragement.

"Uuu……"

Crying and sniffling, I point the tip of the blade toward the little mice.

I don't want to do this...

I want to go home...

I'm really not good with mice...

I especially hate the ones that swing iron pipes at you.

Honestly, I was already eager to get back home.