kscans

Chapter 78 - 078

Rena and I headed to the Grade 5 'Human Dungeon.' Amaterasu-sama decided to wait at the luxury condo that had become our base, turning her room into a sacred domain while she waited.

"Oh, right. Amaterasu-sama, what about meals?"

A Grade 5 dungeon would be difficult to clear in a single day.

We didn't plan on sleeping inside the dungeon, but since it was far from our current base, we considered the possibility of staying at a hotel near the dungeon depending on our level of fatigue.

If we called the concierge using the phone in the room, they could deliver any kind of food. It was an amazing system, but...

"I do not require it. When I am with you, I will eat for the occasion, but my sustenance comes from the faith of the people of Hinomoto."

"I see. In that case, we'll get the Buddy as soon as possible so you don't go hungry, Amaterasu-sama."

"Let's go to the dungeon together. We'll do our best for that!"

"Yes, I am looking forward to it. But do not push yourselves too hard."

""Okay!""

---*---

Someone from the Shinonome Zaibatsu drove us to the Human Dungeon.

Several days had passed since Grade 5 dungeons were unlocked, but there were still few people coming to this grade. The plaza in front of the dungeon was almost empty.

Previously, whenever we moved to clear a dungeon, we would be surrounded by the media and unable to move. But that had been happening less recently. It was the result of Rena's father, Nobutaka-san, taking action.

He detested having his daughter's image broadcast recklessly and instructed his subordinates to have us surrounded by multiple bodyguards. Even so, there were several tough reporters who didn't flinch even when glared at by the burly guards.

Photos of Rena and me entering dungeons together have been published in weekly magazines many times. We didn't mind that much, but...

Nobutaka-san apparently couldn't stand having Rena's picture taken without permission and having the media write whatever they pleased.

So he bought them.

All the major media organizations.

It hasn't been revealed to the public.

According to Rena, it was barely legal. But it was apparently a very forceful method.

Freedom of the press.

What was the right to know again?

Well, thanks to that, I no longer have to worry about a picture of me holding hands with Rena on our way into a dungeon ending up in a weekly magazine, which is a relief.

Incidentally, even if a freelance or small-time reporter takes a picture of us and brings it to a major publisher, they won't buy it now. Furthermore, the PR people at the Shinonome Zaibatsu take pictures of Rena and me and release them as official information on SNS and other platforms. So we've been getting fewer cameras pointed at us outside lately.

"I always get a little nervous before entering a new dungeon."

"Yeah. The mix of excitement and tension. I like this moment, right before we challenge a dungeon."

"I know what you mean. A little while ago, it was so noisy around us that we had no choice but to enter the dungeon quickly. But now, we can concentrate like we did back in FWO, so it feels good."

I guess we have Nobutaka-san to thank for that. Thank you very much.

After a short wait, Rena looked at the dungeon entrance. I was mentally prepared to go in too.

"Let's go, Rena."

"Yeah!"

Alright, let's be the first ones to clear this grade too.