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Chapter 102 - Interlude: Those Who Move in Society's Shadows

Interlude: Those Who Move in Society's Shadows

──We rewind the clock just a little.

No POV

Yamashita watched the backs of the Invisible Ninjas as they departed.

Still, he couldn't bring himself to push through the surrounding police officers to go and talk to them.

He had been on the verge of being killed by a mysterious group inside the dungeon when the Invisible Ninjas saved him.

But a question lingered in Yamashita's mind. Why were they there, at that exact moment?

"..."

Was it really just a coincidence?

The two members of the Invisible Ninjas were, without a doubt, C-Rank or higher in terms of skill. Would adventurers like that really come to a D-Rank dungeon for no reason?

Of course, he was grateful they had saved him. But it was all too strange.

"What in the world... is going on..."

"That's my line."

Yamashita snapped his head up at the voice that came from in front of him.

There stood a suspicious figure, clad head to toe in black cloth. A member of the Alchemy Enthusiasts Club.

Two members had already arrived with golems to act as Yamashita's bodyguards, but it seemed another had come as well.

And Yamashita recognized that voice.

"Chairman...!"

"They might recognize my voice, so I'd like to speak quietly. Your ears shouldn't have a problem with that, right?"

Sometime during their exchange, the police officers had vanished from their immediate surroundings. A few were at the Dungeon Store's reception desk, conducting interviews and reviewing security camera footage, but near Yamashita, there was only the club member, his own party members, and the combat golems.

The officers watched them, looking like they wanted to say something, but they had been ordered not to pry into the club's affairs due to ‘pressure from above.’

As it happened, the one who applied that pressure was the head of the club himself—a clear abuse of authority.

"First, congratulations on making it out safely. And second, I'd like to express my anger at your reckless decision. The Vice-Chairman was furious too, muttering, 'I just warned him about this the other day,' while brewing a beastification potion."

"I'm sorry... I never imagined I'd be targeted like this..."

Yamashita ran a hand through his bangs in frustration.

"Thinking about it now, it's not surprising a day like this would eventually come. But I just selfishly assumed I'd be fine..."

It wasn't that he was particularly naive. He was a man born and raised in Japan, a rank-and-file employee at a small company until just recently. While he could be wary of monsters, it was difficult to be on guard against being murdered by other humans.

But he was no longer in a position, or an era, where the sensibilities from before the Day of Awakening were permissible. It was as simple as that.

"I agree that the changes in your life have been drastic. But please, be more careful from now on."

"Yes... But what exactly should I be careful of?"

"For starters, always keep skilled and trustworthy people around you. You have a few guild members stronger than you, don't you? Also, don't stray too far from your 'territory.' For the time being, you personally should limit your activities to Kanagawa Prefecture... no, confine yourself to the area around the Walkers' building."

"I'll do that..."

Yamashita's tail drooped as he looked down. The Chairman sat next to him and let out a small sigh.

"That's enough lecturing. I'm busy myself, so I'll tell you what we know so far."

"Wait, is that okay? Isn't that leaking investigative infor—"

"What are you talking about? I'm just an ordinary citizen. Am I not simply sharing a rumor I happened to overhear with an acquaintance?"

"...Right."

It was a ridiculously flimsy excuse, but Yamashita didn't have the energy to argue.

With that, he listened to what the man had to say.

"I'll get straight to the point. Catching the culprits who attacked you will be a little... no, quite difficult."

"Huh?"

Yamashita tilted his head at the Chairman's words.

He glanced for a moment toward the gate room. There were security cameras there, of course, and SDF personnel at the reception desk.

"Is it because they're incredibly skilled, or because they've already fled the country, or something like that?"

"No. We don't even know their faces or names to begin with."

Yamashita's brow furrowed, finding the man's words increasingly incomprehensible.

"You see, there's no shortage of people in this world who will lend their name and bank account to others for a paltry sum. From the receptionist's testimony and the security camera data, we have the suspects' faces and names. However, they were likely just other people using skills or magical tools to disguise their appearance."

"You're certain about that?"

"This is an unpopular dungeon. Aside from the three of you, the only ones who entered today were the duo who apparently rescued you, and the four individuals we believe to be the culprits. A total of nine people."

"So it was a small number to investigate."

"Yes. We immediately sent the suspects' faces and names to police departments nationwide, and Awakened officers were dispatched to the addresses listed on their adventurer licenses. And... we discovered that all four were spotted elsewhere at the time of the crime."

One was at a racetrack. Two were at a high-end club in Osaka. The last one was at a pachinko parlor.

All of them were indulging in fleeting pleasures with the money they'd earned from lending out their identities. Testimonies from neighbors about their sudden good fortune have already started pouring in.

"All four are indeed Awakened Persons, and they have adventurer licenses. But when we looked into it, they don't even have the skills of an E-Rank, let alone a D-Rank. And yet, they definitely passed the promotion exams through the proper procedures."

"Does that mean... the culprits from today have been masquerading as those four and acting as adventurers for some time...?"

"Yes. It seems they were prepared as 'bullets' well in advance. The culprits apparently took the promotion exams while disguised with false names and faces."

It was clear from the moment they used a stun grenade that this wasn't a spontaneous act. But this strengthened the evidence that the crime was premeditated.

A cold sweat trickled down Yamashita's spine. It was proof of just how intense the murderous intent directed at him truly was.

"The tricky part is, these 'bullets' were likely not prepared just to target you. An 'Awakened Person who can fight' that can't be traced by name or face is a highly sought-after asset for terrorists. I imagine politicians and the wealthy are all re-evaluating their security right about now."

"What kind of organization is behind this?"

"That's still unknown. The four we've apprehended won't talk right away. They all had debts of varying sizes, but they borrowed from different lenders. Investigating from that angle will also take time."

"Don't people with those kinds of debts get rejected during the exam?"

"Unless it's proven to be a debt from an anti-social organization, it's overlooked up to D-Rank. Of course, most such individuals mess up during the interview... but the impersonators were apparently all model citizens."

Once again, the Chairman sighed.

"We're currently trying to track the actual perpetrators using fingerprints and hair found at the scene... but it will be difficult. It would be easier if they had prior records, but given how well they planned this, the odds are slim."

"...The attackers clearly had skills equivalent to or greater than a 'C-Rank adventurer.' Can't you track them using information from that angle?"

"We're cooperating with the Dungeon Agency to investigate what C-Rank adventurers were doing at the time you were attacked... but we can't rule out the possibility that they leveled up using a Hidden Dungeon."

Hidden Dungeon.

It was a phrase that sounded like it came from a video game strategy guide, but it was now recognized as a serious criminal act.

Normally, the Dungeon Law stipulates that upon discovering a dungeon gate, one is obligated to immediately report it to the local government or the police.

However, there were those who didn't report them, instead keeping them for their own or their organization's private gain.

Also known as a Private Dungeon, it's believed they are primarily used by anti-social groups as a source of funding and to strengthen their 'soldiers.'

While there are ways to level up besides killing monsters, nothing is more efficient than clearing dungeons. Consequently, there are cases where adventurers with shady backgrounds who failed their promotion exams end up joining such groups.

The Dungeon Agency and the police are tracking drop items sold through back channels, but they have yet to catch everyone.

"Fools who have a Private Dungeon for personal use are easy to find because their sales routes for drop items are sloppy... but it's honestly difficult with those who know the ropes. I can't say this loudly, but some are even in league with foreign countries or politicians."

As he spoke, he glanced toward the store's automatic doors.

"This whole incident came to light because a 'coincidentally present C-Rank adventurer' saved you. If you all had been wiped out, it might have been written off as a mere accident."

"...A coincidence, you say."

"Yes. A coincidence, indeed."

Though they both said the word, neither Yamashita nor the Chairman believed it was simple good fortune.

In reality, it was a complete coincidence, but preconceptions are a frightening thing.

"...This is nothing more than a rumor, mind you."

"What is it?"

"The organization known as the Invisible Ninjas probably doesn't exist. However, a 'certain someone'—a British noble who is now a university professor—may be making moves using that name as a cover. ...Or so I heard from an acquaintance in the SDF."

"A British noble and a university professor? That's quite... is she by any chance a math professor? With an aquiline nose?"

"I forget if it was anthropology or archaeology, but it wasn't mathematics. And she's a woman, a beautiful elf, I'm told. Her appearance is less Napoleon and more the type to be courted by him."

"An elf..."

"One of the people who saved you today is apparently that professor's granddaughter."

Noble birth and a university professor. Normally, that combination would inspire social trust, but Yamashita couldn't help but feel it was all the more suspicious, especially given the timing of her granddaughter's actions. He gave a wry smile.

If the professor in question were present, she would likely be shaking her head furiously at their conversation.

"Well, they may be allies, for this instance at least. If not, we can assume they are hostile to the organization that targeted you. Our resources are limited. We have no choice but to let it slide, as there's no immediate danger. More importantly..."

"I should be on guard against the organization that targeted me, right?"

"Yes. Although, there are so many candidates we don't even know where to begin."

The Chairman held up his palms in a gesture of surrender.

The Walkers had grown too big, too quickly.

Perhaps foreign nations, viewing Yamashita as an obstacle to poaching his members, had come to resent him.

Perhaps one of his own guild members sought to eliminate him and seize the organization's immense influence.

Perhaps another group of adventurers saw him as a threat to their own activities.

And then there were politicians, business leaders, anti-social forces, terrorists. Not to mention the anti-Awakened groups and new religions that have been making headlines overseas recently.

In terms of possibilities, the list of suspects was longer than he had fingers.

"...They won't let this failure stand. They're bound to make some kind of move. The only thing we can do is prepare to counter them effectively when they do. Unfortunately, the police still lack a perfect countermeasure against 'skill-based crime.'"

Roughly two years and two months had passed since the Day of Awakening.

It was still far too little time for society to adapt to this new order.

"Be on your guard, Yamashita-kun."

"...I will."

He nodded, clenching his fists tightly.

"I will absolutely survive. This isn't just about me anymore."

"Oh...?"

The Chairman smiled, intrigued by the young man whose eyes now burned with a new light.

There was a time when he, too, had been filled with hope and ambition. Now, he was only interested in satisfying his own desires, with no intention of changing.

And yet... he still had enough sensitivity left to find this youthful, earnest light just a little bit beautiful.

"I see... No wonder the Vice-Chairman took a liking to him."

"Huh...?"

The voice was too quiet and muffled by the hood for Yamashita to catch, and he tilted his head in confusion.

"I'll have some extra healing potions and barrier generators sent to the Walkers' office. Keep them as charms. Give some to your bodyguards, too."

"Are you sure?"

"Consider it a loan. No interest, no deadline, and you can pay me back when you've made it big. So make sure you come back to repay it. Otherwise, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth. Or rather, the Vice-Chairman will."

"That's terrifying."

"Kukuku...! If you don't want to be forced to drink some strange potion, you'd best not try to skip out on your debt."

With a villainous laugh, the Chairman stood up, his black cloak swirling around him.

"I'm going to be quite busy from now on. Although, just busy enough that I can still take my paid leave. I have no intention of working in a sweatshop environment like the Dungeon Agency or the SDF."

"Thank you for your hard work. And for everything else."

Yamashita also stood and bowed to the Chairman's turned back.

"Ah, one more thing."

The Chairman, who had started walking, turned back and pointed an index finger at Yamashita.

"Your sister and friends were quite worried. You'd better be prepared to take your scolding like a man."

"...Yes."

Yamashita himself had said it was no longer just his problem.

In that case, he should consult with his 'reliable comrades' about everything. They, too, might be targets.

His cat ears and tail twitching, Yamashita slapped his own cheeks.

"...Alright!"

Just as the Chairman was leaving, Shougo and the others rushed into the store, their faces etched with panic. They spotted Yamashita and ran toward him, calling his name.

With a wry smile at the sight... the guild master of Japan's largest adventurer group, the Walkers, walked toward his friends.

──He wasn't stopping just yet.