kscans

Chapter 36 -

Rena and I came together to the Black Dungeon that appeared in Osaka Prefecture.

I've cleared the Grade 3 Spring Dungeon, so I don't need to be here, but since I'm in a party with Rena, who has never entered a dungeon before, it seems we have to clear them starting from the Black Dungeon.

In Rena's case, if we didn't hurry, there was a possibility that someone else would clear it and her personality would be rewritten. But a little while ago, there was an announcement in the Goddess's voice, and the setting that allowed the first person to clear the dungeon to rewrite the trophy's personality was removed.

Apparently, the trophy no longer becomes the property of the one who clears the dungeon either.

So, I wasn't in that much of a hurry.

If the person made into a trophy in the Kansai area had been a girl, I might have been more motivated, but the trophy here is a man.

It wouldn't be fair if only women became trophies, after all.

In Fantasy World Online, there were many female pro gamers. There were several female players I couldn't beat in PVP.

That's why it seems the female players here are trying quite hard to make progress.

The person who has been made a trophy is Saionji Hisato.

He's the scion of the Saionji Group, a major western zaibatsu that rivals the eastern Shinonome Zaibatsu. He's a super high-spec guy, handsome and managing several companies. Moreover, the Saionji Zaibatsu invests in FWO's operating company. I don't have proof that it's related, but Hisato was a top player in FWO.

He was often flamed on the message boards for being unfairly favored, but after a few days, those threads would be deleted. Is this how the rich do things!? He was a guy who was often criticized for that.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of him either.

Since the female dungeon explorers seem to be giving it their all, I was thinking of just leaving it to them, but…

A request for rescue came to Rena's father, Shinonome-san, from the head of the Saionji Zaibatsu. And that request was passed on to me. Since my relationship with Rena had been revealed on stream, it was naturally known that I had a connection to the Shinonome Zaibatsu.

"...Haaah."

A heavy sigh escaped me.

"You don't seem happy about it, Hayate."

"Yeah. I know I shouldn't say this when someone's life is on the line. But I'm not good with him."

"Hmm, me neither, actually. But this is a chance to put the Saionji Zaibatsu in our debt. It's a bit much to ask, but please help my father out."

"Alright. Well, I hear that when you're a trophy, your perception of time is shortened, and your body is like it's frozen in time. So it should be fine even if we're a little late."

That kind of information was starting to spread around the world.

My disciples, the Chunin, have already cleared several dungeons and rescued the people who were turned into trophies. Besides the Chunin, pro FWO players who are good at sports have also succeeded in rescuing trophies in various countries.

Apparently, Undine has been considerably weakened. I hear she only uses her major techniques once, just like in FWO.

Even so, the probability of the Chunin succeeding in clearing a dungeon on the first try is only about sixty percent.

The reason for their failures was the four-sword-wielding mid-boss that the message boards and stream comment sections had dubbed 'Fake Hayate'.

Even the Chunin who had mastered the Hayate-style four-sword style sometimes couldn't win against that monster, which traced my movements from about a year ago. If four Chunin surrounded it, they could manage a win, but a three-person party had a losing record. And if they challenged it with two people, they would almost certainly lose.

The 'Fake Hayate is too strong' problem was a hot topic on the message boards.

The four-sword style is supposed to be the strongest…

Losing is unavoidable. But I think I'll have the Chunin-san who challenged the dungeon in a pair, full of confidence saying 'We can handle it as a pair!', and came back defeated, take the Hayate-style four-sword style training course (Hell Mode).

Even if they're pro gamers, if eight non-ninja civilians form a party, they can beat Fake Hayate.

If you lose because you can't accurately gauge the enemy's strength, then a punishment is necessary, right?

"Hayate, you're making a wicked face."

"Am I? Don't mind me. Shall we head in soon?"

"Y-Yeah."

We are in front of the Black Dungeon. Rena had an anxious look on her face.

"I'm a little... nervous."

Unlike in the game, she will be facing monsters in the flesh. Moreover, the SP-san who always protected her in the game aren't here.

Now, it's my job to protect Rena.

"It's okay. No matter what happens, I'll definitely protect you. And, uhm... Isn't this our first date since we started going out?"

I wonder if something like this is okay, but we're Hayate and Elena. This should be more our style.

"Let's have fun clearing the dungeon. I'll do my best to make sure you have a good time, Rena."

"Ehehe, you're right. Thanks, Hayate. I'm counting on you."

Rena holds out her hand.

I take her hand, and we step into the Black Dungeon.