Chapter 41, Like Hell I’m Coming Back

Translator: Lizz

 

“What!? Part of my salary wasn’t paid!?”

 

Two days after the expedition, I get a shocking message and jump up. This is unacceptable for a company.

 

The sender is Fukurokouji Michimune, the President of the livestreamer agency I used to work for.

 

Michimune: Sorry. Can you come to our headquarters sometime soon? I plan to pay you some extra.

 

Huh? What does ‘pay you some extra’ mean? I don’t really get it, but not getting my full salary is irritating.

 

Me: Long time no see. I’ll come today then.

 

It’s tiresome, but I probably won’t see that President again, so I put up with it. Yesterday my body was so tired I could barely move, but today I’m fine.

 

Still annoyed, I sling on my favorite backpack and leave the house.

 

After riding the train for a while, I finally arrive at my old workplace, and it’s already past noon.

 

Wait, this building… has the vibe changed? It feels kind of glommy.

 

Well, maybe it’s just my imagination. But when I go inside, the receptionist lady is standing there with a lifeless expression.

 

“Um… I’m Ryuga Kagetora. President Michimune of Team Dead End called me here.”

 

“………Yes. The President is in the office on the eleventh floor.”

 

“I-I see. Thank you very much.”

 

Her aura feels like a ghost from a horror movie. It’s seriously creepy, so I quickly take the elevator up to the eleventh floor and knock on the President’s office door.

 

“Come in.”

 

“Excuse me.”

 

“Hm? O-oh! Well, well, if it isn’t Kagetora. That was fast.”

 

With a grin I’ve never seen before, Michimune-san pats me on the shoulder.

 

“Actually, I’ve got something important to talk to you about. You remember the company restaurant, right? How about we talk over a meal?”

 

“Uh, that’s not really necessary. I mean, I just want to get the unpaid salary.”

 

“A-ah. Well, let’s talk about that too. Alright, let’s go.”

 

What’s going on? What’s this important talk besides the unpaid salary?

 

Ignoring my suspicious look, Michimune-san insists on taking me to lunch. It’s a hassle, but I figure it’s just for today, so I head to the company restaurant.

 

It’s a nice place with a panoramic view of Tokyo, but being with this guy makes it totally unenjoyable.

 

While chomping down on steak, Michimune-san suddenly says:

 

“Hey, Kagetora. Things are getting tough for you lately, right?”

 

“No, not tough at all.”

 

“Really? Don’t push yourself too hard. It’s always the ones who say they’re fine that are secretly struggling. So, how about coming back?”

 

“Huh? Coming back…?”

 

N-No way. What is this guy saying? When he fired me, he literally kicked me out.

 

“I was a bit immature too, you know. Got a little too fired up. It’s just that I’m passionate about the work. Our company’s still on the rise. We’re seriously short on people. So, what do you say?”

 

“If I get the unpaid salary, that’s enough for me.”

 

I start getting irritated, and my tone naturally turns cold.

 

“Ah, my bad. That was a lie. But this should cover it, right?”

 

“…What?”

 

The guy tosses an envelope of cash at me. What does he mean it was a lie?

 

“Come on, Kagetora. A bit of pocket change like this won’t change your life. Right? Help out Ai and the others again. If you join DunFes, you’ll make money too.”

 

“I’m better off now. I’m enjoying the explorations.”

 

“But you’re solo, right? You can’t make money solo. I mean, come on! Wearing those cheap goggles, listening to that kiddy AI voice, there’s no way that’s gonna sell.”

 

Cheap goggles. Kiddy AI voice. The moment I hear those two things, I can’t stand being here anymore. I snap.

 

I silently push the envelope back and stand up.

 

“H-Hey! Where are you going? I’m not done talking!”

 

“I’m done listening. Don’t treat me like a joke, old man.”

 

“Hah!? You think you can act tough just because I’m being civil—”

 

Michimune stands up, visibly angry, and I glare at him without holding back.

 

“…Hii!?”

 

Then, for some reason, he lets out a weird sound and falls backward. I don’t really get it, but I don’t even want to look at his face anymore.

 

“W-Wait! You’ll regret this. Our Team Dead End is entering DunFes! When that happens, you’ll be crushed. If you’re coming back, now’s the time, Kagetora! Or what, are you planning to make an enemy of me… Fukurokouji Michimune? I’ll personally participate. This legendary explorer will!”

 

“Shut up! Like hell I’m coming back. Join if you want, I don’t care.”

 

“Ahii!?”

 

What’s with this guy and those weird noises? I’m too fed up to care anymore, so I leave the restaurant without looking back.

 

◇

 

It’s more than just a waste of time.

 

Seriously angry, I get off the train and walk home in silence.

 

“Huh? Something’s glowing?”

 

When I catch my reflection in the shadow of a car, I notice my backpack is glowing. I open it up and find the goggles inside. Right, I brought them out of habit again.

 

<Today’s login bonus.>

 

“Oh? Wh-what’s this?”

 

Something soft and unexpected rains down on me. It’s like… a warm light, kind of like a hot spring. My fatigue and irritation melt away in an instant.

 

“This feels amazing. What is it?”

 

<It’s a type of healing magic.>

 

“There’s healing magic in login bonuses?”

 

<Yes. There are other login bonuses today too, but it’s better to give them once you’re home.>

 

Aren’t the login bonuses increasing lately? I can’t keep track anymore. Also, Miria’s voice today feels gentler than usual.

 

My mood has lifted quite a bit, but as I walk, the events of today still linger in my mind.

 

Is Michimune really going to enter DunFes? I can’t stand the thought of losing to those guys.

 

“I might end up competing against them at DunFes. I don’t want to lose.”

 

<You’ll be fine. Kagetora-sama is already far stronger than they are.>

 

“Really?”

 

<Yes.>

 

“I hope so.”

 

<There’s a significant gap between your stats and theirs.>

 

“Oh, right, I haven’t checked my stats lately. I’ll look once I get home!”

 

I’ve taken down a bunch of those metal monsters, but I wonder how much my level has gone up.

 

Feeling restless, I get home and put on my goggles while sitting on the usual tatami mat.

 

“…Hm, hmm… huh??”

 

At that moment, I start to wonder if I’m seeing something completely different.