kscans

Chapter 137 - Chapter Five: Epilogue - Part One

Chapter Five: Epilogue - Part One

Japan's first—and therefore, the world's first—Dungeon Gate on the Sea.

Its appearance drew the attention of the entire world—or not quite.

Of course, it was featured prominently by numerous media outlets, and international interest was high.

After all, it would have a major impact on future trade. Merely navigating through Japan's territorial waters now carried a significant risk.

What's more, the monsters inside were likely capable of moving across the ocean's surface.

Past attempts to completely seal dungeon gates with concrete had always failed, with the gate simply reappearing in a slightly different location. These attempts had even included using water-filled moats.

And yet, that dungeon still existed on the open sea. This implied that as long as the monsters within had an environment where they could operate normally, land was no longer a prerequisite.

This time it was the sea, and the victims were ships. What about the sky? If there were flying monsters inside, couldn't aircraft become targets as well?

The potential victims weren't limited to Awakened Persons, of course. A Stampede could occur unnoticed, and a city could be attacked without warning.

The Diet was still debating countermeasures today, but they had yet to reach a conclusion.

It was a massive story. No matter how much consideration was given to Professor Arisugawa's family, there was no way the media would leave anyone involved alone.

But there was a reason we'd only been approached for interviews we could easily refuse.

Another major incident had occurred.

"Take a look! This is what's left of the Turohorse headquarters, located in the mountains of Saitama Prefecture... no, what was the headquarters!"

A female Dark Elf announcer gestured excitedly at the scene behind her. There stood the ruins of what must have once been a castle.

For comparison, a picture of the castle in its prime was displayed on the screen. It showed a magnificent and beautiful fortress with Western-style walls and architecture—a single image that could have been mistaken for a tourist landmark.

But what the announcer was pointing to now was nothing but a charred wreck, with only fragments of its walls still standing.

"The sixty-eight people who escaped from Turohorse on their own were forced to work as phone scammers and money mules, and the money they collected funded Turohorse's operations? Is that correct?"

"Yes. It seems they were bound by magical contracts... It's hard to believe, but these contracts would inflict a lethal curse on anyone who broke them, forcing them to commit these crimes."

"The daring escape of sixty-eight courageous individuals! We'll pursue the truth! On tonight's program, our panel of experts will join us to uncover the facts behind the 'Turohorse Incident.'"

"Representative Yamashita! Is it true that you were sheltering the sixty-eight escapees at the Walkers' headquarters?!"

"Yes. A certain informant told me of their plight. As an individual, and in order to stop a tragedy caused by Awakened Persons, I couldn't abandon them."

"And who is this certain informant! What is their relationship to the group of four who destroyed the castle just before the police arrived?!"

"I cannot comment on the identity of my source. As for the four individuals who attacked the headquarters, there is nothing I can say. ...I truly knew nothing about it."

"Traces of a counterfeiting operation were also found at the Turohorse headquarters ruins, and the investigation will..."

"A dungeon gate has been discovered in the basement of the headquarters! It's possible they were using this Private Dungeon as a source of funding and to level up their members. Further crimes may..."

"Rumors are circulating on social media that Mr. Yaguruma, the leader of Turohorse, was the victim of undue police violence, as he was found with a broken spear impaled in his a...anus when he was taken into custody. What are your thoughts, Mr. Meikyuuin, former First Division detective?"

"Those rumors are baseless nonsense. By the time the police arrested him, his a...anus had already been destroyed. As for the culprit, we have no leads whatsoever. The case has gone cold."

"It's true! I heard that three of those four barbarians were those mysterious three girls from the rumors!"

"Regarding the assault on Mr. Yaguruma, another rumor suggests it was retaliation by the women he held captive. The investigation is still..."

"We have breaking news! We've obtained a photo showing one of the mysterious assailants in combat with Mr. Yaguruma! It looks like... a greatsword is splitting open to reveal a cannon? The day we learn the identity of these mysterious attackers may be close at hand!"

And so on. The news of the collapse of the Awakened-supremacist organization, Turohorse, was being treated as an incident on par with the Maritime Dungeon.

If anything, with new details emerging one after another, it was the Turohorse story that was capturing more of the nation's attention.

The incident had occurred right around the time we were swallowed by the Minotaur's dungeon.

It apparently started when Yamashita-san, the guild master of the Walkers, brought sixty-eight people who had been missing to a police station.

These sixty-eight had escaped from a settlement effectively controlled by Turohorse and were wandering through the forest. He claimed to have received a call from 'a certain informant' and taken them under his protection.

The reason he didn't contact the police immediately was that the escapees had told him that police officials were among those who frequented the Turohorse headquarters.

Still, recognizing that this was not a problem he could handle alone, he used social media to publicly announce his intentions before marching to the police station with the sixty-eight people and the Walkers' combat unit in tow. There, in front of the public, he requested that the police's Awakened Person unit take them into protective custody.

At the same time, satellite imagery revealed that a mysterious group was attacking the Turohorse headquarters.

Police were dispatched immediately, but by the time they arrived, the castle was in ruins. All the clan members inside had been restrained, and the imprisoned victims were having their wounds treated with magic.

According to the testimony of those rescued, the mysterious group of four had targeted the timing of a 'supply transport'... a delivery that included drop items from recent dungeon incidents and stolen goods from other adventurers.

However, Turohorse, having sensed the group's approach, abandoned the supply team outside, shut the castle gates, and solidified their defenses.

They thought they would escape unscathed inside their walls, just like the last attack... or so they believed.

After subduing the transport team, the group of four used ropes and stones to rig the steering wheel and pedals of a stolen truck, sending it careening into the castle gate.

Normally, that alone wouldn't have even scratched the gate, which was protected by numerous magical barriers.

And yet, the entire castle wall came crashing down. Not just the gate. The whole thing.

What on earth happened? The pundits on TV were debating various theories, but I had a feeling my [Concept Interference] skill was involved.

Or rather, wasn't that spear part of the cargo...?

There was no footage of the moment, but from what I heard on TV, the truck must have hit the gate at over a hundred kilometers per hour. If, by some 'unfortunate accident,' that spear had been lying exposed without a weapon case and made contact with the gate...

...The spear probably broke when the wall collapsed, and no one died, so it's all good! Besides, it's not our fault.

As for the lynching of Representative Yaguruma, the leading theory was that it was retaliation by the women he had held captive and tormented. They had been forced to be his maids, living in constant fear of being turned into 'zombies.'

However, no evidence of the lynching has surfaced yet. It's unclear if it ever will.

This whole affair had emboldened anti-Awakened groups for a time, but since Awakened Persons were also instrumental in resolving the situation, things quickly settled back to normal.

It showed that the Awakened community was capable of self-policing, and moreover, Yamashita-san—the leader of the largest Awakened 'guild'—had demonstrated a willingness to cooperate with the police.

Of course, it would become a source of conflict. That was certain. But for now, the fuse remained unlit.

And so, the world was hardly short on topics for conversation.

Domestically, the Turohorse incident was getting more attention, and it would likely be some time before the Maritime Dungeon took center stage again.

Internationally, however, the latter was a much bigger story. I could only pray that no harm would come to us.

*

And so, while the world was in turmoil...

At the Arisugawa residence.

"It's... finished..."

"Indeed. Good work."

Having conquered my classical Japanese homework, I slumped back against my chair, utterly drained.

As promised, Aira-san had been tutoring me through my summer assignments. Dressed as a sultry, 'forbidden' teacher, no less.

"I must say, you really are terrible at classical Japanese. If you want to improve, you should start by finding a way to enjoy reading older texts."

"Yeah, but I just don't find old books that interesting... and anyway, what's the point of learning classical Japanese..."

"Oh? Are you trying to pick a fight with Grandma and me?"

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean anything by it!"

She jabbed me in the cheek with her teacher's pointer, and I hastily apologized. Yep. That one was on me.

That aside.

"Also... how am I supposed to concentrate with you sitting next to me dressed like that..."

Aira-san's outfit was... something else.

Her long, silver hair was done up in a chignon, and she wore a pair of thin-framed glasses. Below the neck, she was in a suit, but several buttons on her blouse were undone, revealing a deep, alluring valley.

Her pencil skirt was also incredibly short, exposing black garter belts. The contrast with her pale thighs was potent.

For some reason, she was even wearing heels indoors. According to her, they were brand new, so it was fine. I wondered if they would scratch the hardwood floors...

At my words, Aira-san gave a bewitching smile, adjusting her non-prescription glasses slightly. She leaned forward, resting one hand on the desk to peer into my face, giving me an eyeful of her cleavage.

...It's black with lace!!

"Oh my. Did you not like this outfit?"

"No! I love it!!"

"Honesty is a virtue."

Aira-san chuckled softly and straightened her back.

Playfully tapping her pointer against her palm, she glanced at the clock.

"Well then. Now that my poorly-performing student has finished his homework, it's about time we started the party. You should go get changed as well."

"Y-Yes, ma'am!"

"Oh, and one more thing."

She'd started to walk away, the heels of her shoes clicking on the floor, but she turned back to face me.

Crap, did she catch me staring at that huge ass and those thighs squeezed into that short skirt?!

"There will be some... rather stimulating 'costumes.' Try not to turn into a beast, will you?"

" "

With a sultry, sidelong glance, Aira-san closed the door behind her.

Th-This is bad...! She's different today...!

I pressed both hands against my chest, trying to calm my pounding heart.

"Oh, Grandma. These shoes? No, I haven't worn them outside yet, so they aren't—The floor will get scratched? ...Tough lu—hey, wait, not the iron claw, stop iiiiiit?!"

Nope, same old Aira-san.

Hearing her voice from beyond the door, I quietly pressed my palms together. Rest in peace, you unfortunate college girl.

Anyway, I needed to get changed too.

This time, I had a 'secret weapon' of my own. It was time to unveil it.

*

In the Arisugawa residence's living room, amidst a spread of various dishes and sweets.

"Well then. To celebrate our safe return from the Minotaur's dungeon... Cheers."

"Cheers!"

At Professor Arisugawa's signal, we raised our glasses.

"'Cheers,' she says, but I'm quite displeased by the lack of alcohol,"

Aira-san, who had changed out of her teacher look and into a cheerleader outfit, complained.

It was lewd. Very lewd.

Her long hair was tied up in fluffy pigtails, and her off-the-shoulder top was so snug against her chest that her navel peeked out.

Her skirt was exceptionally mini, and her undershorts were occasionally visible. Even though my rational mind knew they weren't panties, the tantalizing flashes still stirred my heart.

"Y-You can't be helped, sis! Besides you and Grandma, no one else is old enough to drink!"

"I should think I'd be allowed to drink as I please in my own home."

"B-Besides, alcohol might make you lose your inhibitions and cause some trouble!"

Mia-san said, her eyes looking like she was the one about to cause some trouble.

She was also lewd. This was a family of extreme lewdness.

She wore a black bunny-ear headband and a red bowtie. Her slender, pale shoulders were bare, and her meter-class bust looked ready to spill out of her top at any moment.

What in the world was that chest... were those two giant watermelons lined up there?

I could see the tops and sides of her breasts. Supporting such a magnificent bust was a tiny waist, which contrasted with a huuuuge rear.

Her risqué groin area and thick, meaty thighs that screamed 'They're called thighs for a reason!' were covered by white, frilly fishnet thigh-highs, exposing legs that looked like they were straight out of an erotic manga, long and slender from the knee down.

Wait, is she actually going to jump rope in that outfit later? Seriously?

Aira-san, I will follow you for the rest of my life.

Meanwhile, the matriarch of this lewd family was staring intently at the bodies of Aira-san and Erina-san.

...Could it be that, from an outside perspective, I look like that? No, the peeking power of my [Spirit Eye] is supreme in the world of lechery.

I have to believe in my skill...! That's what this power is for!

"...When I was first given this outfit, I thought, 'I have to wear something this embarrassing?!' But... seeing everyone else, it feels almost normal," said Busujima-san.

"Well, that's 'cause you run around lookin' like a harlot in your [Arcane Gear] anyway," Ooyama-san retorted.

"Shi-zu-ku-saaan?"

A vein throbbed on Busujima-san's smiling face as Ooyama-san, standing behind her, playfully poked her cheeks.

For some reason, Busujima-san was wearing a sailor-style school uniform top over a school swimsuit. And not one of the newer models, but a so-called 'old-school' swimsuit. It was my first time seeing one in person. Her bare legs, as smooth as white porcelain, were dazzling.

As for Ooyama-san, she was in a tiger-striped bikini of all things. Even though they'd just returned from the sea, they were both in swimwear. But the tiger stripes strangely suited her red hair.

And most importantly, her chest was magnificent. A rocket-like bust that was quite assertive for her short stature. Furthermore, her distinctly feminine hips were, in my personal opinion, very good.

"Still, why is it that celebrations always turn into cosplay parties? This is the second time now," Busujima-san wondered aloud.

"'Cause there are people who enjoy it. Specifically, that one and that one," Ooyama-san said, casting a weary look at me and Mia-san.

If I may make an excuse, it's always Aira-san who starts it. I'm not to blame.

I'll definitely follow you for life... Aira-san...!

"Hey, hey, Kyou-chan!"

"Hm?"

"That outfit is so cute! Are you a kitty?"

Hah? You're the cute one, you self-proclaimed ninja.

Erina-san was wearing a maid outfit this time. However, it was a modified maid outfit that would make any purist either convert or go insane.

Overall, it was a standard miniskirt maid uniform. But the chest was cut open to expose the northern hemisphere of her breasts—an eroge-spec maid outfit.

This family of lechery is on another level.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the chest of Erina-san, who was innocently poking my 'kigurumi' costume with her finger.

What a magnificent view. People would be lining up to go no-rope bungee jumping into that white canyon.

I once misread the word for canyon, 'keikoku,' as 'inkoku' in middle school. I'd like to tell my past self...

The Valley of Lewdness ('Inkoku') was real...!

"Technically, I'm a dog, not a cat."

"Oh, really!"

Incidentally, I was wearing a mascot costume where my face was visible.

To be frank, this was my secret weapon. Because—in this, no one can tell if my body has a... physiological reaction!

The torso is packed with cushioning, and it's baggy down to my knees. It's incredibly difficult to walk in and swelteringly hot, but that's what my level and stats are for.

Aren't they for surviving dungeon explorations and Stampedes? For now, I've forgotten.

Thanks to this, I was no longer forced to constantly maintain a hunched-over posture!

"But isn't that hard to eat in? Can you even hold chopsticks?"

"I can hold a spoon and a fork, so I'll use those."

"Ehh! But there's sushi! You can't eat it like that! That's heresy, heresy!"

I knew Erina-san was born and raised in Japan, but hearing that from someone who looks so Western felt incredibly strange.

Well, it's true I've never eaten sushi with a fork. Still, it probably wouldn't be a problem.

That's what I thought, but Erina-san clapped her hands as if she'd had a brilliant idea.

"I know! We'll feed it to you!"

"Huh?"

"Hey! Shī-chan, Ā-chan! Come over and help!"

"I heard what you were plannin', but are you serious?" Ooyama-san asked.

"Th-That's a little embarrassing... but, well, umm..." Busujima-san trailed off.

They gave me dubious looks, Ooyama-san with a deadpan stare and Busujima-san blushing and averting her gaze.

Wait, you don't think Erina-san is going to...

"But it looks like fun, like feeding a pet! Here, say 'ahhh'!"

'Ahhh'... she says...?!

Still smiling, Erina-san offered me a piece of salmon roe gunkan maki with her chopsticks. Below her innocent face was that wicked canyon.

Is there no limit to this family of lechery...!

"Hm, not eating? Do you not like salmon roe?"

"I love it!"

"Good! 'Ahhh.'"

"A-Ahhh..."

...Yep. I can't taste a thing. The resources that should be going to my sense of taste are being redirected to my sense of sight. Anyone would be the same. My apologies to the sushi chef.

But I can tell it's a taste of happiness. Thank you, Mr. Sushi Chef...!

"Well, well. Look at him, with that goofy face. So different from in the dungeon. Still, it's kinda fun to watch," Ooyama-san commented.

"It does look kind of fun... maybe?" Busujima-san added.

And with that, Ooyama-san and Busujima-san picked up their chopsticks.

I see... so this is heaven.

Sitting in my chair, I straightened my back perfectly. I was aware that my face was beet red, but it was just because of the heat from the costume. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

"Aira. It's fine to let loose a little when you're young, but you mustn't force anyone."

"Oh, Grandma. I assure you, I received permission from everyone?"

"...I certainly don't recall agreeing to be dragged into this, however."

In the corner of my vision, Professor Arisugawa protested to Aira-san.

Despite having three grandchildren, she looked like a beautiful woman in her twenties, thanks to becoming an elf. And she was wearing, of all things, bloomers.

A white, short-sleeved gym shirt and red bloomers. It might have been normal for a brief period in the Showa era, but wearing it now was apparently quite embarrassing.

For a rare change, the Professor was bright red, trying to pull down the hem to cover herself.

...Doing so only served to perfectly frame her shapely rear and beautiful legs from behind, but I decided to say nothing.

"But Grandma, if you're the only one in a blouse and jeans, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, won't you? It'll make it harder for everyone else to have fun."

"...I cannot deny that. In any case, Sana and I were not planning to participate."

"Hah? Everyone here is a comrade who fought to conquer that dungeon! Excluding anyone would be the height of rudeness. Right, Sana-kun?"

"This child, honestly, she has an answer for everything..."

Aira-san chuckled, speaking to the birdcage on the corner of the table. Sana was inside.

Normally, she only ate mana, but right now she was nibbling on a cookie the Professor had baked.

By mixing in a magical potion with a mild relaxing effect, she'd made them edible even for spirits. For some reason, Sana wouldn't eat them when imbued with the Professor's mana, so I was the one who had charged them.

It seemed Aira-san still couldn't see her, but at that moment... when we were fighting the Minotaur, she had definitely seen the same thing I did.

I'll have to think more about this spirit fusion thing later.

"Here, say 'ahhh'!"

"Ah, ahhh..."

Nope. Can't think straight at all. Boobs.

"Ugh, sis. Do I really have to jump rope in this outfit?" Mia-san whined.

"What's wrong with it, Mia? I made sure you put on pasties in case of a slip. The pink heart-shaped ones, right?"

"Hyaaaa?! Don't lift it up!"

Aira-san playfully peeled back the front of the bunny girl outfit, revealing the pink pasties.

Aira-san... I am truly glad to have worked under you...!

"Come on, you can do it. I dressed up like some kind of airheaded party girl. Now it's your turn to show them what you've got."

"Do you have some kind of grudge against cheerleaders, sis...? F-Fine. A promise is a promise."

"Yep, yep. You have to keep your promises."

"And that includes the promise Kyouta-kun made to show us his nipples."

"Eh?"

"Yep, yep. You have to keep your promises."

"Hold on a second?"

"Oi, Yagawa. Say 'ahhh'," Ooyama-san ordered.

"Yeees, Yagawa-san. Open wide, pleeease," Busujima-san cooed.

"You two are laughing way too hard about this!"

Ooyama-san and Busujima-san were grinning from ear to ear. Dammit, it's easy for you to laugh!

The innocent Erina-san was my only ally... or not. She'd definitely be the type to say, 'A ninja always honors their word!' and try to strip me. Even though I never agreed to anything!

I shot a desperate glance toward the Professor, but she was starting to lay a mat down where Mia-san was going to jump rope. Is there no salvation...?

"N-No way! I'm not taking anything off! Why would I, there's no joy in seeing a guy's nipples—"

"Here I go! Miyoshi Mia is jumping!"

Bounce♡ Jiggle♡

"Looks like Kyou-chan is nodding along. I'll take that as a 'yes,'" Aira-san declared.

"It looks to me as though his head is simply moving in time with her chest... As an educator, should I stop this? No, I'm off duty today, so it's fine."

"It's almost funny how obvious he is..."

"At least we can be sure he won't attack us."

"Ugh...! This is too embarrassing, sis...!!"

"You can do it, senpai! Try to fly by jumping rope! You got this, you got this!"

Afterward, they tried to strip me of my costume, but I managed to defend my lower half to the death.

Mia-san got a perfect shot of my nipples, but my dignity was preserved.

...Was it preserved, though?!

And so, after a party filled with ridiculous laughter, life goes on.

...Well, what can I say.

It's wonderful to be alive.