That 154: To the "Ground Floor"

"Still, though..."

After watching the group from the "First Basement" disappear into the "Adventurer's Inn," I speak up.

"Kind of lukewarm, this floor, don't you think?"

I pressed my feet into the cushion-like floor, squishing them with each step.

"Yeah. This place seems pretty suitable for camping out. The monsters don't seem eager to attack, so... probably, the comfort of the 'First Basement' was calculated in advance."

It makes sense why so many people have stayed here.

Maybe the 'First Basement' was meant to test one's will to keep moving forward.

"Got unnecessary complications now. — From here on, we're pushing through as fast as possible."

"I understand."

We keep the strategy for the "upper floor" taught by Shun'na-san in mind.

There was no time left to leisurely hone our skills.

We urgently needed to clear the "Master Dungeon" as soon as possible.

"By the way, what was written on the paper that Sōma was holding earlier?"

"Hm? Oh, that?"

Then, the "Gambler" casually looks away, as if it's nothing important.

"Nothing much."

"It's not like it's nothing important—what did the two horsemen mean by 'the enemy for every 'player' out there'?"

"Ah, that handsome guy just exaggerated."

"You think you can brush it off with nonsense? That's a big mistake."

"Hmph... You really want to know, huh?"

"Yes."

"Even if I, the great one, have decided this isn't the right time to speak?"

"...Yes, well..."

Then, the "Gambling Master" let out a low, thoughtful hum,

"……Listen, 'Warrior'."

"Huh?"

"I consider you a friend, me."

"Really?"

"Not just any friend. Someone so important that few people in a lifetime ever get to have such a friend. A true, close friend."

"What's with suddenly saying something so sappy like that?"

"Listen. I'm an orphan. I have no family. So honestly, I don't fully understand what that really means. But I do see you like family."

"O-oh..."

"Even after we leave this place, if you ever need help, I'll be there for you—anytime. If you ask me to give my life, I'll do it gladly."

Doesn't that sound a bit too intense?

You're not a feudal warlord, after all.

But the gambler wasn't at all joking.

She took my hand—slightly pulling it back—

"Are you saying you don't believe in someone like me?"

Huh?

That kind of thing?

"No, no. That's not quite—"

It wasn't even the same topic.

I was about to say that.

But somehow, her desperate expression had drained all my resistance.

"…Incidentally, when do you think would be a good time for you to speak?"

"When we leave this 'Master Dungeon.'"

Hm.

That would mean,

"Under normal circumstances, it'll be in about one or two hours from now."

"Yeah. That's fine."

Well then, I guess that'll do.

I casually accepted it and opened the door to the "Boss Room."

Now that it's decided, I might as well clear the 'Master Dungeon' quickly.

Incidentally, I should have already settled things with the "Floor Boss" on the "First Basement Level."

I was thinking I could just breeze past with a nod and move on... like that.

But then.

"Ah, warriors."

Standing there wasn't the "Floor Boss" I'd heard about.

Instead, it was an old man resembling a withered tree.

"Oh, hey there."

I gave a quick wave in greeting.

The old man floated in midair like a withered tree, sitting upright as if suspended.

"Who are you?"

"'The King.'"

"Oh, so that's how it is."

I said it with the same casual ease as when I'd found a hundred-yen coin on the roadside.

"You're the 'Floor Boss' here?"

Perfect performance.

"Your voice is shaking a bit. Something you're hiding?"

Wait... maybe that wasn't the case after all.

When you mention secrets—well, it seems you were having a private conversation with that "cardsharp" over there....Shall I tell you what it was about?

No, thank you. I'm told I'll be informed later.

'Hmm. I see.'

"Anyway, can you quickly tell me the clearance conditions here?"

That is...

The old man grinned broadly,

"The ones here were somewhat useless, so I dealt with them accordingly."

"What does 'shobun' mean?"

"The 'King' has the ability to absorb experience points from those who are subordinate to them. By doing so, they can expand their domain."

"Hmm."

"Players who are of no use are all dealt with in this manner and then cast out beyond the nation's borders. 'Punishment' means exactly that."

"I suppose there were indeed some unfortunate ones among them."

Neither I nor the gambler seemed particularly shaken by this.

I had already mentally prepared myself for situations like this ever since I first heard Sasaedzuki-san's story, so I wasn’t surprised.

"Even the unremarkable guy you know—Kamata Tadayoshi? We dealt with him too."

"…………I see."

My chest gave a sudden, sharp pang.

"But you didn’t actually kill him, did you? You just absorbed his experience points."

"You idiot! You really are an idiot!"

The old man lets out a hoarse, phlegmy laugh.

『My kingdom has been made impenetrable to those “zombies.” Yet those walking corpses are drawn by the scent of humanity, surging toward our borders! Now, the kingdom’s frontier is lined with swarms of zombies, like a wall of the undead. How could ordinary people, stripped of weapons and left to wander outside, possibly survive?』

"Like Sabo in 'One Piece,' characters who don't have clear death scenes are usually not the ones who survive, right?"

I could tell my voice was trembling.

"Childish! This world isn't a manga!"

I know that already, damn it.

"It seems the conversation's gone off track, so I'll say it again. Tell me what's needed to move forward— you damn old man."

The "gambling expert" asks with clear hostility, leaving no room for ambiguity.

After flashing a rather unpleasant smile that one wouldn't particularly care to stare at, the old man

Lick my feet.

Too bad. I can't be fooled by such a cheap challenge.

You're joking....Wait, actually,

Gazing lightly from the old man's feet to the top of his head,

"That's essentially the same as telling me to do something impossible, isn't it? You're some kind of illusion, or hologram—something without physical substance, right?"

"True enough. My body isn't here. It's on the throne. That was just a joke."

Ugh, not funny at all.

"So why did you bring me here?"

"Can't you figure it out?"

"Not in the slightest."

"I have come to deliver a proclamation. In just a few hours, the two of you will meet a humiliating end."

"Ah, no, please don't."

"Your feelings are your own—but it is unavoidable."

"Why on earth?"

"Can't you see? This is my kingdom, and you are but insignificant outsiders. With a single command, you'll be surrounded and beaten to death with sticks."

"Scary..."

Contrary to the "king's" expectations, we no longer saw him as a threat.

If he truly wanted to harm us, he would have already taken action. His failure to do so means...

"Is the farce over? Then we're moving on."

At this point, threatening us seems to be all he's capable of.

"Wait! You still don't get it, do you? I'll say it again..."

"Shut up... Just open the door already."

"Idiot! Like I'd open it! The 'floor boss' here is already gone!"

"Fine. Then, 'Warrior'—get to it quickly."

The "Gamblor" points at my "Muramasa."

...Ah.

I see.

I don't need to hold back anymore, do I.

I raise my sword toward the door leading to the "Upper Level,"

"——'Meteor Crash'"

Activate "Fatal Sword V."

A silver aura envelops "Murasama."

"Hey... you're not serious, are you...?"

There was no need to use Fatal Sword—using Murasama alone would have shattered the door.

But I'm sick of all this chatter from behind me.

"Hey!"

I swing the blade in a straight line, conserving my strength.

The released silver light struck the door with a violent impact, shattering not only the door but also blasting the surrounding walls into fragments.

'W-What... What is this...?'

The old man's eyes widened in shock, nearly popping out of his head.

'What did you do? What kind of ability is this? I've never seen or heard of anything like it...'

Please, don't praise me—I'm getting embarrassed.

"Come on, stop smirking, let's get moving already."

"Ah, wait a second, please—'Gambling Master'!"

The "King" couldn't utter another word as we moved ahead swiftly.

No more unnecessary exchanges. Let's leave coolly.

Hastily, we rushed up the stairs.

Midway,

"Hey, 'Warrior.'—Did you notice it?"

"Yeah."

I gave a small smile in response to the 'Gambling Master's' words.

"That old man, I don't know what he's so flustered about, but—within the conversation, he just gave himself away."

"Yeah, that's true."

The "Gambling Master" chuckled deeply.

"We can win this—this battle."

...That might be a bit of an overstatement.

But there's no doubt our chances have improved.