kscans

Chapter 151 - Equals

The day after I returned from Tokyo, the world was abuzz with news of the mercenary group that had declared the founding of a new nation... or not.

It came up in conversation here and there, but being in a distant place like the Middle East—a region that was already considered dangerous—most Japanese people didn't show much interest.

The main reason, however, was probably the complete lack of follow-up reports. The most that was heard were rumors that 'Awakened Persons are playing a major role on the battlefield.' Almost no footage from the area has appeared on the internet or television.

Anti-Awakened groups overseas are using even that scant information as a reason to claim, 'See, Awakened Persons are dangerous,' and 'They must be properly managed.'

Even the domestic media raised questions like, 'If they are Awakened, they must be Japanese. What kind of response will the government take?'

In response, the government stated on television, 'We cannot provide details as the matter is currently under investigation. In any case, the Middle East is extremely dangerous right now, so do not go there under any circumstances.'

Well, whatever the case, I couldn't really feel a sense of personal involvement. In fact, it had nothing to do with me.

To put it bluntly, it was someone else's problem. It's difficult to feel personally invested in events happening in a distant country on the other side of a TV screen.

However, I did feel that the gazes directed at me while commuting to and from school, and when walking down the school corridors, had grown warier. That wasn't a particularly pleasant feeling.

In any case, news about that mercenary group was just something I heard about on TV once in a while. For both me and the public, the talk about 'B-Rank Adventurers' was far more important.

After seeing the PV released by the Dungeon Agency, public opinion was divided between voices saying, 'It seems safe enough,' and criticism like, 'There are minors involved, aren't there?' In the midst of it all, the Dungeon Law was moving toward revision.

Right after returning from Tokyo, we gathered at the Arisugawa residence with the usual members for a consultation. We discussed whether there were any suspicious points in the contract and which dungeon we should go to.

Regarding the souvenir for Aira-san, she herself had said, 'Give me a moment to prepare myself mentally,' so we decided not to think about it for the time being. To be honest, I felt that if I thought about it, my mind would get stuck there, so it was best to postpone it.

After much discussion, we made a few calls to the Dungeon Agency for confirmation and decided on the first labyrinth we would tackle. We would head out within the week.

It was a dungeon that was relatively close and a good match for us. But of course, the level of danger was literally on a different plane from the dungeons we had been frequenting. Thorough preparation was essential.

The thirty dungeons that had been opened could be divided into two types: those with enemies that were 'simply strong,' and those that were 'extremely troublesome without countermeasures.'

We chose the latter. As long as we didn't neglect our preparations, we shouldn't struggle as much as we did against the Cuelebre.

After spending about two days preparing, Wednesday arrived. July was almost over.

On a hot day, with the chirping of cicadas echoing all around, we made our way to the 'B-Rank Dungeon'.

After about a thirty-minute train ride, we arrived at the station where a member of the Self-Defense Force was waiting to pick us up in a car.

We exchanged simple greetings with businesslike smiles and were driven to our destination.

Unlike the stores we'd visited before, this one had an imposing atmosphere that made even approaching it feel tense. I wondered if this area would change once the trial period was over and 'B-Rank Adventurers' were formally integrated into the system.

Abandoned fields and rice paddies could be seen through the window. All were overgrown with weeds and vines, a shadow of their former selves. It was a common sight around dungeons, but it still made me feel melancholic. I think I heard on TV that Japan's food self-sufficiency rate had dropped again.

While I was vaguely gazing out the window, we arrived at our destination: a gray building standing alone in the center of a large, chain-link-fenced lot.

An SDF member guided us inside, where, in contrast to the outside, a pleasantly cool breeze greeted us.

The interior wasn't much different from the stores we were used to. We got ready in the changing rooms as usual, presented our licenses, and passed through reception just like always.

However, what lay beyond was different.

Just by standing in front of the door, I could tell the mana concentration was higher. It felt exactly like the moment we were swallowed by the Minotaur's dungeon.

Upon entering the gate room, a thick metal door closed behind us. There were slight gaps at the top and bottom to prevent the gate from teleporting, but it felt as if the world had been sectioned off with that door as a divider.

Facing the white double doors, I took a deep breath. The SDF member who had guided us was no longer in the room. I deployed my `Arcane Gear` and entrusted my luggage to Erina-san.

Then I activated the golems she took out from her Item Box. This would be `Byakuren`'s first battle in her new body. We had only done a light test run at the city's training ground, and I belatedly prayed that it hadn't been a mistake.

"Everyone, are you ready? You all have your 'charms,' right?"

"Yes."

"The charm is fine. But wait a sec."

In response to my call, Erina-san's voice was tense.

Wondering what was wrong, I turned my gaze to her and saw her serious eyes fixed on Byakuren.

It was a new Byakuren, created by combining drop items from the 'Green Man' with existing spare parts. A cold sweat ran down my back as I wondered if there was something wrong with it.

"Senpai, did you notice?"

'Of course I did. In fact, I'm surprised you didn't notice at all, Kyou-chan. I'm even disappointed. I'm very disappointed in you...'

"Huh? What is it..."

This was our second 'B-Rank Dungeon,' following the 'Minotaur's Dungeon.' We needed to be fully prepared, so if there was a problem, we would have to call off today's exploration.

I felt bad for the SDF member who picked us up and for my friends, but our lives were the top priority.

Erina-san's shapely eyebrows shot up sharply.

"It's new, but the design hasn't changed at all!"

"Please move, Mia-san. I can't punch that idiot."

Mia-san held her staff out like a railroad crossing gate and shook her head vigorously.

"C-Calm down. I'm sure Erina-san and the others have some profound reason for this...!"

'A foolish question! This is a problem born from a reason deeper than the sea and an ambition higher than the mountains!'

"Aira-san."

'Yes!'

"Depending on what you say next, your sentence will change."

'—I have nothing to say. Please don't mind me.'

"Senpai!?"

The self-proclaimed ninja, whose ladder had been kicked out from under her, was flustered. Serves her right.

Aira-san's sentence is reduced. I'll just tell the professor later that 'she was very eager to take a manners course!'

Let's experience hell together again...!

"Erina-san. Recite a haiku."

"Oh, you sound more like a ninja than usual now, Kyou-chan! Good one!"

"Twenty, nineteen..."

"What are you counting down for?!"

"Eighteen..."

"W-well, you know, a debut of a new model is a big deal, right? So it's a given that you should change the colors, add new equipment, and all that stuff."

"Zero."

"I was talking for eighteen secon—nyaaah!?"

I flicked Erina-san's forehead rather hard.

She clutched her forehead, pouting with a resentful look in her eyes.

"Ugh, that's mean, Kyou-chan."

"For someone who was joking around right before entering a dungeon, I'd say that's a gentle response, wouldn't you?"

"But come on! It's a new form! A new model! A machine upgrade event! I think it needs to be more golden, or have a cannon mounted on it."

"Mounting a cannon would be illegal, and there's no point in painting it gold. I get the appeal, but don't bring your fantasies into reality, you moron."

"Kyou-chan is being colder than usual..."

"The only thing cold was the sweat running down my back...!"

Byakuren's appearance and equipment were exactly the same as before.

It's not like there's any problem with it as it is, and constantly changing the form of something I use in combat would just be confusing.

"Now, now. Thanks to that, you've managed to loosen up, haven't you?"

Mia-san said with a wry smile as she stroked Erina-san's forehead.

Well, that's true... I might have been too tense, since this is a higher-rank dungeon than usual.

"You're right. I should be grateful for that."

'That's right! I, too, was showing a consideration befitting an elder by trying to ease your tension.'

"Aira-san."

'Yes.'

"If you joke around any more, I'll lock you in a room with Mia-san. For about an hour."

'Hee hee... I wonder why. It's just spending time with my cute little sister, yet for some reason, a cold sweat is running down my back...!'

"K-Kyouta-kun! That's indecent!"

'Mia? Normally, there's nothing indecent about sisters spending an hour together, right? Please tell me there isn't.'

Alright. Now that we're nicely relaxed, let's finally enter the dungeon.

"So, are we good to go this time?"

"Yep!"

"I'm ready."

'Y-yes. I'm currently debating whether to consult Grandma about sibling relationships, but there are no immediate problems.'

"Then, let's go in."

Confirming a hand on my shoulder, I passed through the white gate.

For a moment, it felt like the ground beneath my feet had vanished. Immediately after, the sensation of a hard floor came through my boots.

We were inside a building made of stacked stones.

The floor and walls were constructed of light brown blocks, and I could feel a faint draft from small cracks scattered here and there.

The only light sources were the LED lantern hanging from my waist and the lights attached to the golems' heads. The passageway was wide, about the width of a three or four-lane road. The ceiling seemed high as well; when Erina-san took out an extra penlight and pointed it upward, it was only faintly visible.

I knew from the materials provided by the Dungeon Agency, but being here in person, the density of mana was on another level.

My shoulders, which had relaxed during the banter in front of the gate, had tensed up again without me realizing.

Consciously breathing, I slowly drew my sword and gripped the hilt firmly, as if to confirm its feel.

"Aira-san, we've entered the dungeon."

'Right. I'm looking at the map here as well. As usual, find the paint markings first.'

"Roger."

I exchanged glances with the two behind me and slowly began to advance.

Only the sound of our footsteps echoed in the space. Even though I knew in my head what might emerge from the darkness ahead, an indescribable sense of anxiety welled up in my chest.

Will it be a demon, or will it be a snake? The only thing certain is that a monster will appear.

As we proceeded down the dark, windy corridor, I spotted yellow writing on the wall.

"Aira-san, we are currently at 'D-41'."

'Understood... Hmm. For now, proceed straight ahead. The interior looks the same everywhere, so I can't pinpoint your location at this stage.'

"Okay."

I gave a short reply and started walking again. A moment later...

"Wait."

Erina-san's voice, though a whisper, carried clearly.

Her tone was different from her foolish banter earlier. I instinctively gripped the hilt with both hands.

"Three of them, coming from the front. From the sound, they're 'flying.' Judging by their speed, I think they've noticed us."

"Got it. Byakuren, forward."

"`Ukon` and `Sakon`, form a shield in front of me and Erina-san."

With a clank of its chain, Byakuren, its iron ball at the ready, came to my side.

"Let me confirm one more time. You both have your 'charms,' right?"

"Yes."

"Of course. After all, Ā-chan made them for us. I've got them right here."

"Understood. Then—I'll make the first move."

I could now hear it too, the sound of flight cutting through the air.

It was fast. Capturing the movement of mana in the darkness ahead, I drew a knife with my left hand.

Simultaneously, I used the power of my ring to sheathe the blade in flame, reared back, and threw it forward.

An all-out throw, aided by the wind. I was confident it could take down an average C-Rank monster, but...

The flame-wreathed knife was shattered with ease. The flames still flickered on the debris dancing in the air.

In that light, three grotesque figures were illuminated.

Their skeletons were remarkably similar to a human's. They wore green tunics and loincloths, and held swords and spears in their hands.

Looking at that alone, one might think them a civilized humanoid race. But no one who saw their full form would mistake them for 'human'.

They had the heads and feet of eagles. From their backs sprouted dark brown wings, and their muscular limbs and any visible skin were covered in feathers.

Their turbid yellow eyes, looking down on us, were clearly filled with malice and hostility.

'Utuq.'

This monster was so named due to its resemblance to a spirit from ancient Babylonian mythology.

The original myth speaks of two types, good and evil... but this could only be considered a type of evil spirit, also known as 'Garula.'

'Gak-gak-gak-gak-gak—!'*

With a sound like mocking laughter, the creatures readied their weapons.

...It's fine. I can fight them. Don't be intimidated.

I told myself this as I readjusted my grip on my sword with both hands. Both the Cuelebre and those bull-men were powerful enemies that could have taken my head with a single misstep. And yet, I have overcome them to be here now.

I no longer see them as my superiors. As a fellow B-Rank adventurer—an equal—I will strike them down!