Chapter 15, Hey Tora, Wanna Go Explore With Me Next Time

Translator: Lizz

  

<The auto-run feature is now unlocked>

 

“Huh!? Auto…what?”

 

The next evening. I hurry home after my interview and start rushing to get ready for a get-together. Though it’s called a drinking party, it’s really just meeting up with a few college friends.

 

I’m in such a rush that I don’t really hear what Miria says, but I kind of register that it’s another quirky announcement.

 

Also, it’s totally my fault for not checking the location of the meet-up, and now I’m scrambling like crazy.

 

<The auto-run feature. Kagetora-sama’s other self will run through the floors of previously cleared dungeons and collect experience points and rewards.>

 

“O-other self? That’s kind of awesome. I can earn experience even without actually doing the runs myself, right?”

 

“<Yes. Shall we start right away?>

 

“Ah, yeah. Go ahead then. …Huh? Wait, hold on. Why are the goggles already on? Was the power even on?”

 

<…The power was on. Kagetora-sama did not log out last time.>

 

Oh, so I just forgot. Now that I think about it, I haven’t charged these goggles in ages, but the battery life is insanely good. It’s been about a week since I left them like that.

 

…Wait, no, this battery’s lasting way too long. Seriously?

 

“Ah, crap! I’m off!”

 

<Have a good time>

 

A lot of questions come to mind, but I don’t have time for that. Not wanting to be seen as the guy who’s always late, I dash out of the house like my life depends on it.

 

◇

 

…But I didn’t make it in time.

 

“You’re late! You’re the only one, Tora!”

 

“S-sorry. Seriously, my bad.”

 

By the time I reach the private room at the izakaya, everyone’s already there. It’s the same group I used to hang out with in college – six of us total, two girls and the rest guys. Everyone’s looking way more polished now.

 

And the first one to complain is Kirisame Rena, the girl who always teased me back in college for some reason.

 

She’s a crazy beautiful gyaru with super pale skin and long blonde hair that suits her like a dream. Honestly, I still have no idea why someone like her ever had anything to do with a guy like me. It’s one of those campus mysteries with no answer.

 

“Oh, Tora! You haven’t changed a bit!”

 

“Actually, I think you’ve bulked up or something?”

 

“We were just talking about you before you got here!”

 

“Toraaa! Missed you, man!”

 

I wonder what they were saying about me. Doesn’t sound like anything good.

 

Anyway, we catch up a bit after a long time, and of course most of the talk revolves around our college days, office romances, or work stuff.

 

While I sip my beer thinking the conversation’s starting to get awkward…

 

“Tora, were you working late again today?”

 

An unpleasant question hits me.

 

“Uh, no… Actually, I’m job hunting.”

 

That gets a surprised look from one of the guys.

 

“Huh? Why? Didn’t you just join that agency for streamers?”

 

Rena follows up with a question, and everyone’s face is like, ‘Wait, what!?’ This is getting seriously awkward.

 

“Oh, that. I got fired. It was pretty wild. Got literally kicked out the building by the CEO. But yeah, not stressing about it anymore.”

 

I try to laugh it off while explaining, but their reaction is a collective ‘Uwah’, like I dropped a horror story on them.

 

A few of the guys chime in with stuff like ‘What a jerk of a CEO’ or ‘You’ll find somewhere way better, man’. I feel like I’m about to cry.

 

“Seriously? That’s so messed up. Getting fired right after joining? What was the name of that agency?”

 

But one person looks genuinely angry. Of course, it’s the blonde gyaru Rena.

 

“Uh, ah… Team Dead End.”

 

“Should I prank call them?”

 

“Hey, no, don’t!”

 

“‘Oi heeey! I’m storming your company next time, just you wait!’ That’s what I’ll say.”

 

“No no no, definitely don’t!”

 

“Got it. ‘My name is Kagetora. Ryuga Kagetora! Don’t you dare run away!’ I’ll deliver the message for you.”

 

“Stop hijacking my name, will ya!”

 

“Haha! But hey, if you’ve still got this much fire, you’ll be fine!”

 

The blonde gyaru grins at me. She’s teasing me again. I get annoyed and turn away from her.

 

Then, the quiet female friend who’s been calmly drinking all evening speaks up, looking concerned.

 

“Kagetora-kun, are you managing okay?”

 

“Ah, yeah. For now at least. I’ve been exploring dungeons and getting stuff. If I sell it, I think I can scrape by.”

 

I sugarcoat it a bit since I don’t want to worry anyone, but seriously, what am I going to do?

 

“Huh? You’re exploring dungeon? Me too, lately!”

 

Just as I’m lost in thought, the cheerful gyaru next to me jumps in with that.

 

Everyone else reacts to the word ‘dungeon’ too, and soon the whole group is chatting about their adventures.

 

“Wait, so all of you have been exploring?”

 

“Of course! Hey Tora, wanna go explore with me next time?”

 

“You’re just gonna use me as monster bait, aren’t you?”

 

“Eh? How’d you know?”

 

“Knew it. No way I’m diving with you.”

 

I flat-out refuse, but Rena just laughs like she’s having a blast. Honestly, it’s easy being around her because I don’t have to put on any airs.

 

With that kind of silly back-and-forth, the long-awaited get-together goes on until almost the last train.

 

◇

 

After settling the bill, we all gather outside the restaurant, everyone’s got flushed face or is wobbling around in some way.

 

“Alright, I’m heading this way. See you!”

 

The tipsy bunch, riding high on good vibes, wave in unison as I leave.

 

They’re great people, but they all seem to be going through their own struggles. Makes sense – they’re all in their first year of working life.

 

I bet they’ll start climbing the ladder soon, each in their own way.

 

“Man, I’ve gotta lock down a job soon. Until then, it’s just interviews and dungeon explorations on repeat.”

 

“That sounds kinda cool! Why not go full-time explorer?”

 

“Nah, come on… Wait, you’re still here?”

 

I glance to my side, and there she is – Rena, with that mischievous grin. Give me a break, seriously.

 

“You forgot I live this way too? So mean”

 

“Do you? Huh?”

 

“By the way, how strong are you now?”

 

“Hmm. Not sure. The AI says I’ve still got a ways to go though”

 

“AI?”

 

I give my mischievous friend a quick rundown about Miria the AI. The more I talk, the more her small face tilts, looking increasingly skeptical.

 

“What’s that? There’s no such thing as AI support. Tora, you sure you’re not getting scammed?”

 

“Huh? No way. Miria’s always spot-on. She supposedly remembers all the monster info, and she always helps me out”

 

“There’s no such thing as a subscription, though, right?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Now it’s my turn to be confused. ‘Really?’ ‘Yeah, really’ – I keep asking and she keeps repeating, and the more we go back and forth, the more it starts to feel like maybe I actually am being scammed.

 

Still turning it over in my head, I say goodbye to Rena and make my way home. Might as well ask Miria about what she said earlier.

 

“I’m home! Hey, Miri-”

 

But before I can finish, a mountain of stuff comes crashing down from above!

 

“Uwaaahhh!?”

 

<Welcome back. The auto-run has finished, and rewards have been collected.>

 

“What the heck!? What is this pile!?”

 

The sudden chaos makes me forget what I wanted to ask, and I end up just listening to the AI’s explanation.

 

Bit by bit… I feel like things are spiraling out of control. Am I gonna be okay?