Chapter 13, It’s Just Good Luck, You Know

Translator: Lizz

 

Masato was reflecting on the earlier incident.

 

At first, he thought it was a case of romantic entanglement, but on closer look, the atmosphere suggested otherwise. Since they had come out of the dungeon shop, he could guess it was trouble related to exploration, though the details were unclear. Their party was still newly formed, and he wasn’t sure if it was a topic he should touch on.

 

There was a good chance they would have another encounter during exploration. If he wanted to know more, he could wait until then. Worrying about it now was pointless. Masato decided to put the incident behind.

 

“Let’s train on the 2nd floor again today.”

 

That was the end of the conversation in the car. He focused on driving.

 

When they parked at the Tokyo Dungeon lot, both of them silently prepared without exchanging words. Only after passing through the gate and entering inside did conversation finally resume.

 

“What’s the target number?”

 

“How about twenty?”

 

Assuming all were goblin magic stones, that would mean 20,000 yen. Since the party had agreed to split evenly, that meant 10,000 yen each in just a few hours. Considering that their bodies would also be strengthened by magic, it wasn’t a bad deal. Rika thought this through, then reflected inwardly that she was being too calculating, given that she had already been provided funds for equipment.

 

“Alright. I look forward to working with you.”

 

“Then, let’s go.”

 

Masato walked in front, Rika following a few steps behind. To avoid leaving traces, they carefully stepped only where the other had stepped.

 

As usual, once they passed through the crowded 1st floor full of explorers and entered the 2nd floor, Masato advanced while consulting the map to find unexplored areas.

 

Their destination was far from the route leading to the 3rd floor, a place where people occasionally went missing. Because monsters rarely appeared there, most explorers avoided it.

 

Normally, Masato also disliked the risk of accidents and stayed away. But to test party coordination, exploring unknown territory was convenient. If they only encountered goblins or green wolves, they could handle any problems. He wanted to see if their teamwork could hold up even in unfamiliar terrain.

 

Their surroundings were thick with trees, making visibility poor. Goblins and green wolves attacked from time to time, but they were easily defeated. Their coordination was smooth, and efficiency was better than when Masato had fought solo.

 

“How’s the new equipment?”

 

“The breastplate makes it easier to move. The boots feel a bit stuffy inside, but if I think of it as safety, it’s not a problem.”

 

“Yeah, ventilation’s bad. Probably the sweatiest spot.”

 

“Masato-san, you handle scouting, fighting, support, everything. Must be tough.”

 

“I’m used to it by now. And look, we’re finally here.”

 

In the middle of the forest was a small clearing. Artificial sunlight created by the dungeon shone down like a spotlight. At its center stood a rock taller than a person, with a hole leading deeper underground.

 

“When you enter the hole in this rock, there’s a small clearing. Apparently, there are often a few goblins around. Let’s go in for now.”

 

Even if no goblins were present, monsters could be hunted just by walking around, so it wasn’t a problem. Seeking a bit of change and stimulation, Masato took out an electric lantern and entered the hole. The soil was exposed, and the passage was just wide enough for one person. He descended a half-collapsed staircase and arrived at the clearing.

 

It was about the size of a school classroom, with nothing inside and nowhere to hide. The walls and ceiling were rugged, looking like a natural cave.

 

“No one’s here, huh.”

 

“Seems that way. I’m glad we don’t have to fight in the dark.”

 

“I thought it would be perfect for training, though.”

 

“Don’t you think that’s a bit too stoic?”

 

Rika chuckled, poking fun at Masato’s skewed way of thinking.

 

“Really?”

 

“Of course. You’re always focused on training. Are you like that at home too?”

 

“Ah—, come to think of it, Rekka once said, ‘Can’t you talk about anything besides being an explorer?'”

 

“I knew it!”

 

Maybe because they’d reached a relatively safe spot, their conversation flowed easily.

 

There was none of the awkward atmosphere they had back in the car.

 

“I’ll check the chamber, so rest wherever you like.”

 

Masato had hurriedly started investigating the small room, as if trying to escape from Rika’s pointed remarks. Still, since it was an empty space, all he could do was touch the walls and floor.

 

He knocked lightly as he circled around. Nothing turned up.

 

He turned toward Rika, who was sitting in the corner of the chamber.

 

“Looks like there’s nothing. I guess I should rest too.”

 

He took a step forward.

 

*—Crack*

 

A faint dry sound rang out. The echo of his footsteps was strong, so neither of them noticed.

 

He took another step.

 

*—Crack*

 

This time it was a little louder. Still, they didn’t notice.

 

He walked three, four steps, reaching the center of the chamber, when the sound finally reached Masato’s ears.

 

*—Crack, crack, crack, crack.*

 

With a fatal breaking noise, the floor split open.

 

“Huh?”

 

The floor within a two-meter radius around Masato collapsed.

 

Rika frantically reached out her hand, but he was too far away. She couldn’t make it in time, and Masato fell, pulled down by gravity.

 

“Masato-san—!!”

 

Rika’s cry echoed sorrowfully through the room.

 

◆◆◆

 

“Am I alive…?”

 

His enhanced body had withstood the shock of the fall.

 

He was bruised and ached all over, but no bones were broken. His movements were stiff, yet still possible.

 

When he looked up, he saw the hole he had fallen through. It was nearly ten meters high, and Rika was peering down with a worried expression.

 

“I’m alrigh—”

 

He had tried to call out to reassure her, but his voice stopped midway. He had sensed the presence of a monster. His awareness shifted instantly into combat mode, and he drew his knife, readying himself. As he scanned the surroundings, he noticed a figure faintly illuminated by the glow of the electric lantern.

 

*Clatter, clatter, clatter*

 

An unpleasant, rhythmic sound echoed. A skeleton that moved like a human was standing there. It was nearly four meters tall, and it was obvious to anyone that the creature it had once been was not human. In one hand it carried a large shield big enough to cover half its body, and in the other, a poleaxe suited to its towering frame. The axe head bore both a hammer and a perpendicular blade, something that stirred fear by its sight alone.

 

Neither equipment was something a human could wield with one hand, yet the skeleton before him showed no sign of strain. It was clear that it possessed strength beyond that of humans.

 

“This… is a bit of a problem…”

 

The skeleton’s weapon had an overwhelming reach compared to his knives. Slashing at bones would have had little effect. Since skeletons were animated by magic, their weak point was the magic stone in the left chest, but it was set too high, and the ribcage blocked access. Reaching it with a blade was difficult. It was an opponent even less compatible with than an orc.

 

Masato felt his cheeks spasm with fear, yet he was relieved that Rika had not been dragged into this. Whether he lived or died, it would all be resolved by himself. He did not have to bear any extra responsibility. That was his only consolation.

 

The situation had forced him into a one-on-one battle, head-on.