That 128 Master Dungeon

"……—sis!"

"——hey!"

"——come back to yourself!"

"Big sister!"

"What should I do!?"

"Which one!?"

"Wh(・)o(・) is(・) the(・) enemy(・)!?"

"Kaihaku? Hikone?"

"Big sister's enemy is my enemy...!"

"So, tell me!"

"Big sister!"

▼

"——haua!"

My consciousness, submerged deep in darkness, was abruptly pulled back into the real world.

(…What?)

Slowly looking around left and right.

Confirming where I currently was.

I found myself lying on a bed—somehow.

"Uun…?"

The place felt vaguely like a hospital room—clean and sterile.

White walls. White floor.

White bed. White door… and so on.

Then I suddenly clutched my abdomen.

My abdomen, which should have suffered severe damage from Hakka-san's direct hit.

"...Huh?"

But upon inspection, there was no injury at all. In fact, it looked as if I'd been changed into fresh clothes.

Had Ayame-chan used her healing magic on me?

Only then did I realize that all my belongings had vanished.

My sword.

My glasses.

The essential items I needed to survive had both disappeared.

Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by an unbearable sense of anxiety.

After all, I hadn't let go of my sword even while sleeping these past few months.

I frantically searched under the bed.

I searched beneath the bed.

I desperately looked around, hoping at least my glasses might be somewhere.

Conclusion.

Nothing.

Now I was truly at a loss.

The truth is, I can barely see anything beyond thirty centimeters in front of me.

In this state, I couldn't even tell if the person right in front of me was a zombie or not.

"What should I do now...?"

Still, somewhere deep inside, I clung to a glimmer of optimism.

After all, my injuries had healed, and the place was clean.

Surely, Ayane had moved me to a safe location somewhere.

Just as I thought that, a sudden knock echoed from outside.

"There's some kind of rustling sound... Could it be that you're awake?"

The voice was unfamiliar.

"…Who's there?"

"Relax, I'm not an enemy. …May I come in?"

"You said no, but you're probably going to come in anyway, right?"

"Guess so."

The woman opened the door without the slightest hint of shame.

Oh... I nearly gasped aloud.

The person on the other side of the door was... a child about 130 centimeters tall.

"Wha...?"

"Oh, hold on! Let me clarify—my age is seventeen. I should be around your age, not that far apart. And I'm not short because of any illness or anything. It's because I drank the 'Hobbit's Drink' reward from clearing Phase 1....OK?"

I'm left speechless by the rapid explanation.

By the fact that she knows about the "Hobbit's drink," it's clear she's a "player."

"Um... Where exactly am I?"

The first question.

"Why am I here like this?"

The second question.

"How did I get here?"

The third question.

The woman who called herself a "Hobbit" sighed deeply and said,

"Read the paper by your pillow. It should answer all the questions you're struggling with."

"A paper...?"

Still blurry-eyed, she finally managed to find it after some fumbling.

She brought the piece of A4-sized paper to within a few centimeters of her eyes, reading each line carefully and slowly.

"You... really a pain in the neck, aren't you?"

Please just leave me alone.

The message written on the paper read as follows.

▼

『I am the "Dungeon Master."

Due to certain conditions being met, I have transported you all to the "Master Dungeon."

Your goal is to defeat me, the one who resides in the deepest part of the "Master Dungeon."

If you wish to abandon your attempt to clear the "Master Dungeon," simply declare your submission to me.

My name is Nakamichi Enishi.

Now then, enjoy yourselves.'

▼

"Wha...?"

For a moment, I was speechless.

I don't fully understand it, but one thing's for certain—I've definitely been taken by someone.

Suddenly, a cold sensation ran down my spine.

—The level-up process was far too efficient.

—The very existence of a "dungeon."

There's always a catch to an offer that seems too good to be true.

Or perhaps everything… was just a trap, crafted by that so-called "Dungeon Master."

(Asanohana-san… Asanohana-san!)

I tried to contact Saena, who was under the *Subjugation* status, through mental communication to check the situation.

...But no matter how I called out, there was no reply.

(What?...Then, Asanoha-san?)

(Reiko-san!)

(Rintaro-kun!)

(Koichi-kun, Koji-san, Oda-san, Akira-san!)

I called out each name in turn, but once again, there was no response.

"What on earth is going on...?"

"What's wrong? You suddenly went silent."

"Stay away from me."

I quickly put distance between myself and her, like a cat....Though, given the confined space indoors, I couldn't really get far.

"Calmedown. I'm just as much of a fool as you are."

"A fox...?"

"This whole 'dungeon' that makes no sense, trapped in it."

"I know you say that... but I can't just believe you right away."

Then, the woman let out a deep sigh, and after that,

"Well, I guess that makes sense... Alright, just wait a moment."

She stepped out of the room for a moment.

Then, after about ten or so minutes,

the woman returned at a brisk pace and tossed her glasses at me with a casual flick.

"This is..."

"It's the 'Extra Glasses' item, awarded as a reward for completing the 'Disease Leading to Death.' It should perfectly match the wearer's vision, so give it a try."

"Huh..."

After lingering underwater for a while, I put it on as if finally gasping for air.

Suddenly, I could clearly make out the figure of the woman before me.

Simple attire, a pure white shirt from top to bottom.

Now that I think about it, the shirt she's wearing seems to be exactly the same as the one I'm wearing.

The situation remains unclear... but,

"Thank you."

I at least made sure to say my thanks. She doesn't seem like a bad person.

"Don't worry about it. From here on, we're going to have to work together whether we like it or not."

"……What do you mean by that?"

"This so-called 'Master Dungeon' seems to be a bit more complicated than it first appears."

"Huh……"

"I'm not saying we have to be friends. But we do need to cooperate. This is serious."

I crossed my arms,

"...Anyway, I do intend to return the glasses. For now, I'd like to check the situation step by step."

"Sure. Ask away."

"First, may I know your name?"

"Sorry, I can't tell you that."

Wait, didn't you just say I could ask anything? (´・ω・｀)

"This guy here is my curse. I feel like revealing my real name to someone else causes my luck to diminish."

"But isn't it inconvenient that we don't have nicknames for each other?"

Ah... So, when you call me, call me "Job."

"Job?"

You can use "Skill Inspection," right? I peeked at your skill while you were sleeping a bit ago. So, you can check out my skill too.

I tilt my head slightly while checking her skills.

Job: Gambler

Level: 62

Skills: [Coin Toss (Divine Grade)] [Luck V] [Natural Healing (Strong)] [Skin Reinforcement] [Bone Reinforcement] [Hunger Resistance (Strong)] [Skill Evaluation] [Karma Evaluation] [Achievement Condition Reference] [Fire Magic I–III] [Water Magic I–III] [Thunder Magic I–III] [Healing Magic I–VII] [Fate Manipulation] [Negotiation Art (Death God Grade)] [Dream Dice Roll] [Turnaround Ace] [Roulette Shot] [Coin Toss] [Cheating (Advanced)]

Something like this.

Wow, it's like a mystery skill clearance sale.

Wait, "Gambler"...

There was actually a job like that?

"Have you confirmed it?"

"Yes."

"Then from now on, refer to me as 'Gambler.' I'll call you 'Warrior,' so we're even."

"Huh..."

Well, if that's what you prefer, I have no objections.

"Then, go ahead and ask your next question."

The "Gambling Master" sits cross-legged on the ground, a smug smile playing on his face.

I...