kscans

Chapter 233 - Final Chapter: Prologue

Final Chapter: Prologue

It was almost mid-October. While auto-battling in a gacha game on my phone, I idly watched TV in the living room after school.

'You see, it was just too soon to let adventurers go back into dungeons. Who's to say another powerful monster won't appear from outside a dungeon again?'

'We don't understand the other world's ecosystem, so dangerous poisonous insects or diseases could suddenly be introduced! When I was on location deep in the Amazon, let me tell you...'

'First of all, the SDF's Otherworld Dispatch can only be seen as an act of aggression. It's a violation of the constitution. Do you want to go down in history as invaders? Answer me, Prime Minister!'

'The rebellion in China has yet to be quelled, and the chaos is only spreading. The country is currently divided among three warlords, each claiming legitimacy.'

'Please take a look. These are his physical fitness test results after one month in a dungeon. Even someone who hasn't exercised much can easily break pre-'Day of Awakening' world records in this short period. This just goes to show how dangerous the military use of the Awakened is. It's as clear as day.'

'Awakened Persons are not the slaves of the non-Awakened! Now is the time to carry on the will of Turohorse's Representative Yaguruma and seize true freedom!'

'The number of missing persons cases in rural areas has tripled compared to before the 'Day of Awakening.' This is proof of the government's delayed response. One cannot help but say there are issues that need to be addressed before any otherworldly dispatch.'

'We demand peaceful employment for the Awakened! What society needs now is not the dangerous profession of adventuring, but the facilitation of sound jobs in infrastructure maintenance.'

'The White Guns are waiting for you to enlist! To all you Awakened out there, why not spread your wings and fly out into the world with us?! Call this number now, and we'll take you on a trial tour where you can shoot a real gun! Come on! Enlist in the private military company of justice, the White Guns!'

And so on. Commentators, idols, and politicians, people who are apparently famous though I don't really know them, were all saying various things. I was surprised when a commercial for a foreign private military company came on.

It had gotten to the point where no one found it strange to hear people in suits, even members of the Diet in the National Diet Building, talking about 'dungeons' or 'monsters.'

Two and a half years since the 'Day of Awakening.' And for me, half a year of life as an adventurer.

The extraordinary was on the verge of becoming the ordinary.

"Ah."

While I was lost in thought, I made a tap mistake in my game.

...Well, this was part of the ordinary, too.

*

This was a world where dungeons were a given.

And being an adventurer was a normal profession. But within that world, you could say that I—that we—occupied a slightly special position.

In the store's changing room, I quickly got dressed. I put on a jumpsuit, hiking boots, and a steel-plated helmet. Then, I equipped the bulletproof vest supplied by the Self-Defense Force.

Even though I'd deploy my `Arcane Gear`, I needed to be prepared for it to be dispelled if I was knocked unconscious.

I gave the vest a light tap to check it, confirmed my earring was in place, and then left the changing room. Soon after, my similarly dressed companions emerged from the women's changing room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kyo-chan!"

"No, I just got here myself."

'My, my, it's just like a date,' Aira-san's teasing voice came through the earring.

"Yeah, yeah. Sure it is."

'Hmph. What a boring reaction, Kyo-chan-kun.'

"A-A date... so that means on the way back...?!"

'You should give me an interesting reaction like my sister does.'

"Do you really want two people like Mia-san around?"

'Hahaha. Alright, let's be serious. Let's challenge this dungeon without any more fooling around...!'

"Yes, yes, of course."

Replying nonchalantly, I glanced over at the unusually quiet Erina-san.

She was frozen in place, though she wore her usual cheerful smile.

"Erina-san?"

"Yup! That's right, dungeon delving is none other than ninja training. One must be serious!"

"That's not what it is, though?"

"!?"

Seems like there's no problem. Or maybe she's just always like this.

"Well then... shall we go?"

"Yeah!"

"Yes...!"

One deep breath. Together with my companions, I headed for the reception desk.

I presented my adventurer's license and the Dungeon Agency permit from the case attached to my bulletproof vest, and we proceeded to the gate room.

"Good luck."

"Yes. Thank you."

I gave a nod to the Self-Defense Force officer who saw us off with a salute, and the door closed.

We stopped in front of the white door in the center of the room and deployed our `Arcane Gear`.

A sallet helmet with an open front. Around my neck, a simple gorget like a choker with an iron plate. A thick cuirass covering my torso.

Steel vambraces covering my forearms, and greaves protecting my legs from the knees down. I lightly tapped the floor with the toe of my boot to check the fit.

With my hands, covered by the leather part of the gauntlets, I attached an LED lantern and a drawstring pouch to my sword belt. I retightened the whole thing, including the waistcloth with chainmail sewn into the back.

Finally, I checked the knife and one-and-a-half-handed sword at my hips. I drew them slightly from their sheaths to inspect the blades.

When I looked over at Erina-san, she, dressed like a ninja, took out the bag containing 'Blanc,' a weapon case, and a wooden box containing a bracelet and a cloak from her [Item Box].

After thanking her, I quickly assembled Blanc. It took about a minute to equip his armor and weapon, which I then checked by hand and eye. Next, I put on the bracelet and cloak over my own `Arcane Gear`.

Once my preparations were complete, I gave a small nod and looked over at Mia-san. It seemed she had finished activating 'Ukon and Sakon' as well.

Blanc's Magi Battery would be installed inside the dungeon. I spoke to Aira-san through the earring.

"Preparations are complete. We are now entering the dungeon."

'Understood. ...The one you're challenging this time is also an 'A-Rank,' same as before. You might have some leeway with your levels and equipment, but you still can't let your guard down for a second.'

"Right."

The three of us nodded in unison at her words.

The thing that set us apart from other adventurers was that we were among the fewer than thirty people in the world who were 'A-Rank Adventurers'... or more accurately, candidates for that rank.

This meant we were about to enter a danger zone that ordinary people were absolutely forbidden from entering, as non-police and non-military personnel, without a single modern weapon.

Well, according to Director Akasaka of the Dungeon Agency, he'd 'do his best to overlook any minor items brought in,' but honestly, I wouldn't know how to use a gun if you gave me one now.

At this rank, an amateur firing a machine gun would probably just get in the way of their allies.

So, this was fine. This equipment was the best.

I lightly touched the cloak on my shoulders and took another deep breath, switching my mindset to combat mode.

"Alright, we're going in."

'Right. Good luck. All of you, be careful.'

"Roger."

"You got it!"

"Yes."

My companions placed their hands on my shoulders, and the golems each made contact as well. With everyone touching someone else, I, at the front, began to walk forward.

Naturally, my feet were headed beyond the white gate before me.

A sensation like the ground disappearing. But there was no feeling of floating. The strange feeling ended quickly, and I felt the hard floor through my boots.

Walls made of stacked, light-brown stone blocks, with the same for the floor and ceiling.

The passage was about ten meters wide and, I'd heard, twelve meters high.

The moment we entered, the sconces on the walls lit up all at once. In the dimly lit corridor, the lantern on my hip cast a particularly strong light.

It was a scene straight out of a fantasy world's labyrinth. But this was real.

The dry air caressed my skin, and the flames of the sconces flickered, distorting our shadows.

The sword drawn from its sheath reflected the light with a dull glint.

Alright, today... let's have an 'adventure'.