kscans

Chapter 56 - Shinonome Rena

Mochizuki-san used the Shinonome Zaibatsu’s information network to investigate the kidnapper, David.

It seems he was a person who handled the President’s dirty work. Sometimes it was on the President’s orders, other times he acted on his own for America’s sake, but at the very least, David has connections to the underworld.

So there will probably be mercenaries or assassins where I’m going.

There’s no way I’m not scared. My hands were trembling just a moment ago.

But I force my feet forward.

I can’t run away. If I run now, I might never see Hayate again.

I’ll do anything to get him back.

The only saving grace is that the negotiation site is inside a dungeon. That’s a place that’s advantageous for us explorers.

It’s fine even if there really are mercenaries with guns. Weapons from the outside world don’t damage explorers even if the PVP function is enabled.

It would be a problem if they have weapons they got from a dungeon… but thanks to the overprotective Hayate, I’m wearing what can be considered the strongest possible equipment at this time.

I made all this equipment together with him.

I really wanted to gather the materials from scratch, but we prioritized rescuing people who had been turned into trophies, so we just bought the materials from the Market and did the enhancing together.

Even so, it was fun. It was a happy time.

Those memories give me strength.

The maximum party size for the Black Dungeon is eight people. Since I’m joining, that means besides Hayate and David, there will be a maximum of five mercenaries. If Mary-san is with them, it will be four mercenaries.

I can defeat just five people. I can definitely do it.

I’ll defeat five people and get my Hayate back.

I entered the Black Dungeon.

【Welcome to the Black Dungeon. Would you like to begin the tutorial?】

YES / NO selection buttons floated before my eyes.

I selected YES. Because I was told to do so.

【Transferring to the tutorial space.】

The scenery around me changes. A vast grassland with a pleasant breeze blowing.

I like this place.

Moving forward from here will automatically start the tutorial. If I wait without moving much, I can form a party with people I want to progress through the game with.

After waiting a little, a party invitation came.

I accept it. The moment I pressed the party join confirmation button, the scenery changed.

"Well, hello. You must be Lena Shinonome."

A man who had been waiting for me in a space of a different dimension spoke to me.

"Hayate!"

Hayate was standing next to the man. Even though he must have seen me, his expression didn’t change.

It’s true that he’s been brainwashed. Just wait. I’ll free you right now.

Behind Hayate, Mary-san was lying on the ground with her hands and feet tied. She seems to be unconscious.

I thought there would be mercenaries and such, but besides me, there were only three other people.

"I came alone as you asked. Please return Mary-san and Hayate!"

"Are you an idiot? If I return them, I get nothing."

"That’s why I’m asking you to tell me what you want."

"What I want? Hmm, let’s see. In this situation, what I want is ‘everything,’ I suppose."

"…Huh?"

"I’ve obtained the world’s strongest dungeon explorer. I’ve obtained the daughter of the man who moves the world’s strongest nation. And finally, I can obtain a super-rich and lovely young lady."

"Wh, what are you talking about?"

I’m confused because I can’t figure out David’s intentions.

"You’re slow on the uptake. I’ve already obtained everything I need. Even if the police or the military come to capture me, I can just use an item to escape into a dungeon. With Hayate here, I have nothing to fear. Even the mercenaries I hired with a large sum of money were instantly killed by this guy."

It seems it wasn’t that he didn’t bring the mercenaries here, but that he had already disposed of them.

"It’s just that the mind-control device has been acting up since I used it on Hayate. I haven’t been able to brainwash Mary yet. Well, I can fix it soon enough. Once I do, I’ll brainwash you too."

He said with a dirty laugh.

I finally realized. This person has no intention of negotiating.

"Hmm? Ah. The fact that you’ve drawn your bow means you’ve finally understood. That’s right, I had no intention of negotiating from the start. I realized it the moment I got Mary. As long as I have Hayate, that’s enough. I don’t need useless subordinates. With this guy and my mind-control device, I can do anything in this new world where dungeons have appeared."

"Then why did you summon me, calling me a negotiator?"

"You’re Hayate’s girlfriend, aren’t you? It was my own brand of kindness. Since Hayate will be working until he breaks, I thought I’d let him see you one last time. But seeing you in person has changed my mind a little."

David’s expression twisted disgustingly.

"I thought Mary alone was enough, but now I want you too. By the way, after I’ve used you until I get bored, depending on my mood, I might even let you do it with Hayate. What do you think? Not a bad offer, is it?"

I couldn’t hold back any longer. This scum must be eliminated here.

I will definitely do something about Hayate myself. First, this guy.

"Aaaahhhhhhh! Get out of our lives!!"

I released an arrow from my fully drawn bow. I shot with the intent to kill.

The arrow I shot, aimed at the scum’s forehead, was…

"Wh, why!?"

It was blocked by Hayate.