Chapter 145: Assassination Request

After conquering "Floor Three," my companion and I are now on "Floor Two."

Compared to the needle mountain hell of "Floor Three," "Floor Two" had a much more restrained atmosphere.

There were no traps built into the dungeon itself—just an endless wave of tough, metallic creatures, which could be called "Iron Slimes" or something similar.

According to Haruna-san's information, the condition for the "boss room" to appear is simple: defeat the ten thousand "Iron Slimes" that appear throughout the floor.

『Pikikiiii!』

As we mercilessly dispatch the high-pitched Iron Slimes one after another, we truly feel how much stronger our abilities have become—far beyond anything we've experienced before.

"Cutting through iron like butter... it's almost like something out of a manga."

"…It would've been perfect if our levels had risen too."

"True."

Now that we'd reached this point, the desire to push our strength to even greater heights was overwhelming.

Yet, as Haruna put it, "There's nothing more fragile than a 'player' who's only raised their level without any real growth~."

Having completed that day's quota of hunting Iron Slimes, we decided to return to the Adventurer's Inn for supplies and rest.

The shopkeeper of the second basement level is apparently the child from the previous 'Adventurer's Inn.'

...Honestly, though, the blood relation setup is starting to feel a bit forced now.

Even the third-generation 'Gilgamesh' has nothing in common besides having a beard at this point.

Couldn't they have prepared a different mannequin figure instead?

Anyway,

We decided to take a pair reservation at the usual "Bamboo" course lodging, as usual, to give our regular report to Haruna.

"Hey there."

I spoke into the radio,

"Hi~♪"

Haruna replied.

"So far, we've been hunting smoothly."

"Well, you know, right? With the two of you, we'll reach the 'Ground Floor' without a hitch, just like clockwork♪"

From our previous exchanges, it was clear that Haruna had not fully grasped what was happening within the "dungeon."

Only two people seem capable of doing that: the dungeon master, Nakamichi En, and this mysterious man who goes by the title "King"—a bit of a smug, self-important type, to be honest.

By the way, what's the relationship between Nakamichi En and "The King"?

And I asked something a little while ago.

According to the information from that time, Nakamichi En and "The King" are biological parent and child.

"'The King' is a rather unique role♪ It doesn't reside in a specific individual—the 'player'—but rather within the 'bloodline' itself☆"

"Bloodline?"

"Yeah☆ Of course, the main source of power comes from 'The King'—that is, Nakamichi Ginga himself—but a portion of that power is also granted to Nakamichi En, who is 'The King's child'♪"

It felt like I was starting to grasp the general outline of the story... or maybe not quite.

Anyway, what we can do right now, above all else, is clear the "Master Dungeon."

Thinking too far ahead won't help—better not count our gains before the fox is caught.

▼

Lately, we've been sleeping in the same room, mostly because the paperwork has become a hassle (the innkeeper at the Adventurer's Inn keeps insisting we're a couple, for some reason).

Fortunately, the bed is quite large, so we don't have trouble finding space to sleep. We do always end up fighting over the pillows, though.

"Ahh... Ugh... Every single day it's just slime hunting... Mmoo..."

"Stop complaining, stop complaining....We should be able to move on to the next floor by tomorrow."

I can't quite put it into words, but this is probably what it's like having sisters.

Well, we don’t really look alike, and it’s not even clear who’s the older sister and who’s the younger one.

"Still, if we keep going like this… really…"

And then, in an instant.

The "Gambler" who had just been standing right in front of us vanished, replaced by a middle-aged man with heavy breathing and a plump, round belly.

"...Huh?"

"Y-Yeah! It worked!"

Next to him stood a pale, beautiful woman who looked every bit the capable office lady.

"Huh?"

Upon closer inspection, the place wasn't the inn—specifically the bamboo course—where I had been just moments before, but a dark room filled wall-to-wall with monitors, somewhere unknown.

My instinctive hand reached for "Murasama," slicing through empty air, and then I realized my clothes had vanished too. To make matters worse, not only could I barely see my surroundings, but my glasses were gone as well.

No clothes. No pants. No glasses. No weapons.

Naked. Noodles. Nudist.

……(confused).

Anyway, I had to secure my own safety.

I stood there dazed for barely two seconds.

"——! "

First, I reflexively lunged at the middle-aged man and slammed a full-force punch into his face.

"……ow, damn it!"

The plump man flew several meters away, spraying blood from his nose.

"Eh, eh, eh, eh!? No way!"

The woman, stunned and confused.

Ignoring her, he lunges at her.

By then, I already knew these two weren't much of a threat.

Still, that didn't mean I had to be gentle with her.

"Hold on, wait—!"

With no mercy, I slam the screaming woman onto the floor.

Once I had her pinned by the throat, ready to take her consciousness at any moment,

"Then, I'll have you explain the situation."

"P-please calm down. Stay calm."

"I am calm. That's exactly why I'm doing this. Don't you understand?"

"Mmm…."

No room for argument—this was the "Gambler" style of persuasion.

Her will to resist shattered, and the woman slumped forward right there.

"Please… just listen to me…"

"I intend to. But—"

"And also, stop hurting me... I'm not good with pain."

The woman pleads in a truly sorrowful tone.

Reluctantly, I untied her bonds.

Ugh... I was so scared...

The woman wobbles to her feet and picks up what appears to be a brand-new bathrobe she had prepared.

With this, the body will be...

Ah...

I accepted it honestly.

Shaking the body of the plump man who had collapsed,

"Yui... Yui, wake up."

...Huh?

Enishi-san?

So this chubby guy is the "Dungeon Master"?

Anyway, let me check his skills...

"Wait, huh?"

No information comes through when I use Skill Scanning.

According to Haruna-san, he should technically be a "player" too.

"...Trying to scan me with Skill Scanning is pointless. The 'King' is my dad. I'm just an afterthought..."

Struggling slightly as he pushed himself upright, Enji turned back around.

"I apologize for summoning you so suddenly... but I hope you can understand that there was no other way."

"What is this place, exactly?... Who are you people?"

"I called you here precisely to explain that."

...Hmm.

At the very least, the other party seems to be seeking dialogue.

So, for now, this is just the right moment to listen... right?

"But please be careful with your words. If I so much as feel I'm being deceived, I'll snap both of your necks."

The woman and Enja exchanged glances.

Their expressions clearly showed... fear.

From their earlier exchange, it was obvious the two were not fighters.

In situations like this, it's more advantageous to clearly establish our superiority.

"Y-yes, understood."

The woman kept adjusting her glasses as she answered.

"I am Sasae Sasaegi. I called you here—just temporarily—because I wanted you to understand our situation firsthand… and because I need your help."

"Help with… what exactly?"

Sasae, gathering her resolve, replied in a determined tone.

"I need you to… kill the 'King.'"