Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: I Have Returned
An Apostle from another world -- a man named Tetsuo -- is helping us clear Floor 7 of the dungeon.
The great wall of Floor 7 that had been blocking us was cleared in no time.
Since we cleared it using a little trick, there remains a slight doubt as to whether this is truly the labyrinth of Floor 7.
Still, if we proceed from here and reach the place we once visited, it will prove that this clearing was the correct path.
We advance through the labyrinth while facing powerful monsters.
We found a spot suitable for camping, and the first day was drawing to a close.
Just then, a god descended, taking Chichi the Harpy as a vessel.
Izaru, the one who bestowed supernatural power upon Tetsuo -- the main deity.
Hime and Iroha's "There really is a god..." is an honest reaction, I suppose.
I thought the same thing myself.
Among us, Kaorulko was the first to accept the existence of gods and seems to be learning how to utilize Magic Stones.
If Sana can do it, she can do it too.
Once we can utilize the magic power contained within Magic Stones, magical culture and magical science will take a step forward.
The magic tools Tetsuo sold to the Yaegashi Group also run on magic power stored in Magic Stones.
It is knowledge necessary for practical use.
-- The second day after clearing Floor 7 of the dungeon.
Upon waking, we all ate breakfast -- bread and soup.
While eating, we held a meeting.
"This labyrinth would be faster if we just flew over with Shazam."
"Then we wouldn't gain any experience points."
Hime immediately rejected Tetsuo's proposal.
Well, that's true.
If the goal is just to complete the dungeon map, riding Shazam to map it out would be simple.
Encounters with monsters might be avoidable, though...
I, who met the god, have noticed a small change.
I can now see the black holes that Tetsuo creates.
Indeed, there appears to be a black disc, and Shazam enters and exits from it.
"If Tetsuo's goal is at the deepest part of the dungeon, couldn't we just use Shazam to fly straight there?"
"That's true, but -- I want a powerful ally."
Even he, who possesses the supernatural power of a god's miracle, must feel uneasy facing unknown enemies.
The more combat power, the better.
War is about numbers! -- Even great men say so.
"Do you know what lies at the deepest part, Tetsuo?"
"Hmm, probably -- whoever created this dungeon."
"Are we going to defeat it?"
"It hasn't been clearly shown by the god, but likely so..."
"Darling -- if that god guy is aiming for that, doesn't that mean the final boss waiting there is a huge monster that created dungeons all over the world?"
Probably, what Iroha says is right.
"That's likely."
"But, Daisuke-san. If we defeat the big boss that created the dungeon, won't the dungeons disappear from this world...?"
Kaorulko seems to have realized the same thing I thought before.
"That might be -- but I think Izaru's god will step in there."
"Will a god named Izaru take the place of the defeated one?"
Hime looks a bit dumbfounded.
"Maybe not like that -- right, Tetsuo?"
"It might become a gate system like in my world, not a dungeon."
"A gate?"
Iroha tilts her head at the sudden word.
"It seems that gate connects to another world, and various things fall through it."
"So they pick them up and utilize them like a mine."
Tetsuo explains the gate to the other world.
"Is there combat with monsters?"
"Sometimes, but mostly no."
"What, that's boring!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Iroha and Hime, who love fighting, are negative about it.
"Even after the dungeon disappears, if Japanese people wish for it, the dungeon system might continue as is."
"One thing I don't understand -- why would a god do such a thing."
Hime raised a question about the dungeon.
"Well, simply put, it's to gain believers. If you build a gate in a place with nothing and release supplies, everyone will be grateful, right?"
"What about this dungeon?"
"This one feels like just a game. Humans put insects and animals in cases to observe and enjoy them, right?"
Tetsuo looked around the dungeon rooms.
"Are we saying we are the same as insects and animals?"
"To those gods, humans and insects are no different. There is no logic that says it's wrong for gods to use humans just as humans enjoy insects and animals."
"Grrr..."
"They deliberately make difficult dungeons and do unreasonable things, enjoying watching humans writhe in agony."
"Ah, looking at this dungeon, it's painful that I can't deny it."
"Haa... We are just insects caught up in a boring power struggle between gods..."
Hime sighed.
"When you peek behind the scenes like that, it becomes quite depressing."
Kaorulko sighed along with Hime.
"It seems that a boring backstage is the same in every era and every world."
"..."
At those words, everyone fell silent.
"Hey, hey, don't tell me we're going to stop clearing the dungeon here -- I need to go to the deepest part too..."
At Tetsuo's words, Hime spoke up.
"Since we've started, we have to finish this. I also have a desire to confirm what lies at the end of this dungeon."
"If there is a beginning, there must be an end."
Iroha agreed with Hime's words.
"Once upon a time, there lived an old man and an old woman who lived happily ever after."
"Stories must have a happy ending."
Those were Hime's words, of course, but there are objections.
That is how the world is; the merchant won't let you off that easily.
It's sad, but this is reality.
"What about Sana?"
She had been listening to our talk in silence this whole time.
"Me? -- Hmm, if a god made a dungeon, I don't think it would be such a mean dungeon."
"Ha ha, that's true. But there are people who like strange things, so someone might say they prefer this twisted current dungeon."
As Tetsuo said, there are people like Cursed Game Hunters in the world.
"But, Sana-chan."
"Yes."
"If Izaru becomes the main god of this world, Sana-chan will become that banner."
"What is a banner?"
"Someone who waves a flag at the front of the crowd."
"I am ready for that. If I become that banner, Mio and Grandpa's safety will be guaranteed, right?"
"It is certain that they will be under the god's protection."
"In that case, it's fine."
"Just because you won't die doesn't mean you won't go on a tour of hell."
Tetsuo looked like he was dead.
He was sent to the battlefield as a god's vanguard and had killed thousands of people, they said.
"I am prepared for that."
"According to Tetsuo, you might end up killing many people."
Well, I don't think a god would make a saint do such a thing...
No -- if the opponent is a heretic, maybe that happens?
"...If Mio, Grandpa, and Daisuke-san are safe..."
"Am I included too?"
"..."
Does this mean I am included in the wish where Sana becomes a saint?
Sana did not speak a single word, but deep within that silence lay a strong will burning quietly.
Those eyes gazing straight at me were more eloquent than words, telling of an unshakable resolve.
I was overwhelmed by that gaze and resolve and could not open my mouth.
-- Wandering inside the dungeon, waking up after camping -- Day 3.
When I peeked into the backpack at Chichi --
"Gya!"
She looks energetic.
After breakfast, she was happily eating with Gigi.
I'm sure she has recovered, but a small change appeared in her.
"Daisuke! Daisuke!"
Surprisingly, she seems to have remembered my name.
Flapping her wings, she calls my name.
She is making words close to human pronunciation, but the only word she can speak is "Daisuke."
Did the god using her as a vessel give her a little wisdom, allowing her to converse more?
"Why is a beast calling Darling's name!"
"Hime, don't get angry over that. It's similar to parrots or budgies saying 'So-and-so-chan!', right?"
Even I was a bit dumbfounded by Hime's words.
"B-b-but..."
"Gya! Gya! Gya! Gyasuke! Gyasuke!"
Perhaps to counter Chichi, who said my name?
Gigi seems to be trying to say my name too, but it stops at "Gyasuke."
"Ahaha! At this rate, Darling just got a dog or cat, and we can see Cherry Princess's jealousy."
"Which is more important, me or the cat? Something like that~"
"Ahaha!"
"Grrr..."
Iroha and Sana are teasing Hime to the max.
"Come on, come on, forget that. We need to finish eating and clear Floor 7."
"I know!"
"Daisuke! Daisuke!" "Gyasuke! Gyasuke!"
"Shut up!"
Hime is taking it out on the Harpies.
"Really..."
After the meal, we repeated battles inside the dungeon, but thanks to the drop item sword Iroha obtained, her combat power increased significantly.
Even monster fur that normal swords couldn't tear through could now be sliced in two.
She is leveling up steadily.
"Grrr..."
Hime, watching Iroha's performance, looks truly resentful.
"Hime, drop items will come out for you too someday."
"B-b-but..."
"Then, why don't you have Daisuke fight and just take the items?"
"C-c-can you do that!"
Hime raised her voice at Sana's slightly mean proposal.
"I see. People with unusually high pride have a hard time."
"What did you say!"
"Sana, stop it."
"Boo!"
Since I sided with Hime, Sana pouted.
If you keep doing this, won't your virtue as a saint go down?
The god said Sana was immature... maybe this is it.
"Really..."
"Sakurako-sama is also looking resentful about Oga-san's drop items."
At Kaorulko's bitter remark, Hime made a bitter face.
"Ahaha! How about it, Cherry Princess. Are you envious?"
Iroha is holding up the sword she got as if to show it off.
"Grrr..."
"Iroha, stop teasing too."
"Ahaha!"
She is always being teased, so she is taking this chance to get revenge.
It feels a bit too mischievous, but the atmosphere isn't hostile.
We continued repeating battles and advancing through the dungeon.
"Haa..."
Basically, I provide support from the rear for the women.
If I get defeated, we won't gain experience points.
"Gya!" "Daisuke!"
The Harpies are watching the battle from atop Shazam.
They must have understood that it is safe to be with her.
As I sighed a little, Shazam, in the form of a woman, came over.
"What is it?"
"!"
Her black body imitated a woman's voluptuous flesh, proudly displaying her curves to the fullest.
Her abundant chest swayed lightly, and her supple waist naturally guided the viewer's gaze.
If she wore clothes, she might be indistinguishable from a human body.
Shazam seems to be lifting her own chest, as if pleading for something...
"Tetsuo, what is Shazam saying?"
"For now -- she's probably saying 'Rub my breasts'."
"Why?! Haha."
"I think she tried to comfort you because you looked a little down."
"Is that so? Ha, thank you."
According to Tetsuo, even in terrible battlefields, rubbing Shazam's breasts makes men feel better.
"So, breasts are jiggly everywhere and in all times."
"It seems that doesn't change even in another world, ha ha!"
"Hey! See, Darling is all about breasts!"
Sana is making a fuss, having eavesdropped on the old men's conversation.
"Darling!"
Hime must have been listening to our talk carefully too.
"That talk was just about general men, you know."
"So, does that include Daisuke-san among those general men?"
"Daisuke! Daisuke!" "Gyasuke! Gyasuke!"
The Harpies flapped their wings in response to Sana's voice.
"Shut up!"
"-- So, you can rub Shazam's chest if you want? If you like, I can make her even bigger-breasted."
There were even experienced warriors who buried themselves in huge busts with expressions of ecstasy.
"Haha, I'll decline."
My hand almost reached out to the wonderful black fruit ripening before my eyes, but I stopped myself.
I feel like I might lose something important as a man.
"Ahahaha!"
Iroha is laughing her head off at our foolish conversation.
"Neesan is so relaxed."
"Stop it. Being called Neesan by an old man gives me goosebumps."
Iroha shows disgust at Tetsuo calling her Neesan.
"Then, will the lone female warrior not participate in the Darling Battle?"
"I don't need to do that. If I survive, Darling is mine, ha ha."
"Hmm... Apparently, that is called 'a flag has been set' in the streets."
Hime, who was listening, spat poison.
"Grrr..."
As Iroha and Hime glared at each other and advanced through the dungeon, the state of the labyrinth began to change.
The dry air gradually became heavy and humid; with every breath, a chilly presence of water could be felt deep in the nasal cavity.
Slight puddles appeared at our feet, drawing faint ripples before disappearing.
Countless mosses grew densely on the walls, some of which emitted a faint light.
"Oh? Could this be -- a hot spring is near?"
"Indeed!"
"That's right! It feels just like before!"
Hime and Kaorulko's faces brightened even more at the prospect of a hot spring spreading through the dungeon.
If we reach that dungeon, this Floor 7 will undoubtedly be the same place we visited before -- that is what it means.
-- Thinking that, but it's possible it's actually a different dungeon, though I want to believe they aren't twisted enough to go that far.
"Daisuke, is there really a hot spring in the dungeon?"
Tetsuo also seems unable to believe it.
"It's a safe zone, and hot springs have effects of recovering stamina and magic power."
"Wow, amazing. If we lay tracks this far, we could make a spa."
"I want to make that too."
However, for monsters up to Floor 4, a locomotive is faster and stronger even with a ramming attack.
What about after Floor 5?
If we get hit by a monster's attack, I don't think it will end well...
Maybe we should have a mage who can use defensive magic ride along and advance while blocking monsters?
Is there any meaning in coming here even to that extent? -- If asked that, it's dubious.
As we cautiously advanced deeper into the dungeon, suddenly our vision began to whiten and blur.
Mist like fog rose from the ground, and in the blink of an eye, dense steam covered everything.
Humid heat clung to the skin, warming us gently even under our clothes.
While on guard, we took one more step forward, and the mist before our eyes became even denser.
What spread out beyond was a vast hot spring surrounded by natural rock, with steam rising.
"We did it! A bath! I have returned!"
"Amazing! It's really a hot spring!"
Even Iroha was surprised.
Tetsuo squatted down and tried to put his hand in the bath, then stopped.
"Daisuke, is it okay to put my hand in?"
"Yes, it's good water."
"Ora! Oh~ It really is good water, ha ha!"
"There's no sulfur smell, and it's not slimy."
"...Come to think of it, that's true."
"Ahhh! I can't hold it anymore!"
Suddenly, Iroha started taking off her equipment.
The temperature is high, the humidity is huge, it's like wearing clothes and entering a sauna.
"Hey, hey, I'll bring out something to block the view."
I took out a huge tank from my Item Box.
It's the tank used for nuclear plant treated water.
Previously, I filled this tank with water from here and put it in the Item Box, but I used it when facing a burning monster.
"I'm taking it off too!"
"I'm at my limit."
"I too..."
All the women started taking off their equipment behind the tank.
"As I expected! Here! Sorry, there are no types or sizes!"
I threw women's swimsuits from my Item Box to the other side of the tank.
I prepared bikinis and one-pieces, but the basic size is for Hime and Kaorulko.
I never thought Iroha and Sana would accompany us.
All colors are black -- if they were white, they would be transparent when wet...
While the women were giggling while changing, the old men also changed.
Naked, wearing black swimming trunks.
"I'm fine naked..."
"Well, there are girls too."
"Should I hide behind Shazam the whole time?"
"Well, that's fine too. Just don't commit sexual harassment."
"Ha ha!"
Tetsuo went naked, and Shazam's black body hid his crotch.
It's like seaweed pasted in an erotic scene of a manga...
"Gya! Gya!" "Gyagya!"
The Harpies flapped their wings, took a bath in the water, and then went somewhere else.
This place has high humidity, so it might be a place they dislike.
When we bathed in the water here before, they seemed unable to swim too.
"Darling!"
The women, now in swimsuits, appeared.
Hime in a bikini, Kaorulko and Sana in one-pieces.
The problem is Iroha.
A tight, small bikini on her toned body.
It looks like a lot might be visible.
"Iroha, your bikini has become a micro bikini. Isn't that a bit dangerous?"
"Ahaha! It's not much different from my usual equipment."
Her magic equipment is also revealing, but usually, other parts are hidden by armor...
"Should we wrap a towel around like a sash?"
"This is fine."
She is still manly.
Also, with her in a bikini, she looks like a superhero character, and coolness stands out more than eroticism.
"Oh! She looks just like a comic book superheroine."
"Do you think so too, Tetsuo?"
"Yes."
"After all, she became the protagonist of a movie."
"Oh, I watched that movie on the hotel net; it was popular."
"It's quite popular. The production costs were recovered long ago, and profits are being distributed."
"I've received many invitations to appear in other movies, it's troublesome."
I will never give permission, so they are attacking individually.
She is an adventurer by profession anyway.
She probably doesn't want to act in movies either.
That was just because she owed me, so she had no choice but to appear.
"Thud!"
Hime jumped into the bath.
A large column of water rose.
"Daisuke, is the depth okay?"
"You can't touch the bottom if you go deep. It's dangerous."
"Alright! Then I'll swim too!"
Iroha also entered the bath --
No, no, if she swims in that swimsuit, everything will be exposed.
On the contrary, since it's tight, is it okay?
Hime and Iroha are playing around, while Kaorulko and Sana, with their hair tied up, are quietly soaking in the water.
"Daisuke, Daisuke!"
Tetsuo is calling.
"What is it?"
"I made something like this?!"
What Tetsuo showed was a black slide.
It was probably Shazam transformed.
"For real."
"Ha ha ha!"
Tetsuo was lifted by Shazam's tentacles and slid down the slide.
Plunging into the water surface, a column of water rose.
"Hey! Old man! You made something interesting!"
It seems Iroha also intends to use the slide.
"Phew! If you're going to do it, make it higher."
Tetsuo, showing his face from the water, ordered Shazam, and the height of the slide increased.
"Hyahho!"
When Iroha slid down the steep slide, a tremendous column of water rose.
"Kyaa!"
A large wave attacked Kaorulko and the others too.
"Really! I'll do it too!"
Feeling like she couldn't hold back anymore, Sana headed for the slide.
It seems she wanted to try it.
"Making a slide in a hot spring is confirmed then."
"Ahahaha!"
Iroha showed her face from the water, but her black bikini blew off, and her chest was completely exposed.
"Iroha, your chest! Your chest!"
"No~ Darling is perverted!"
She covered her chest and twisted her body.
"Too late."
"Ahaha!"
"Eww! I saw something disgusting -- I'm going to have a nightmare."
Hime looked disgusted seeing Iroha's unfamiliar pose.
"What is it, Cherry Princess. If you have something to say, just say it."
"Why don't you show that pose to your fans or whatever?"
"Grrr..."
While Hime and Iroha were glaring at each other, Shazam found Iroha's bikini.
"Tetsuo, I want a slide that doesn't just go straight but also spins around."
"Oh?! That's good!"
The black slide changed shape, becoming spiral.
"Alright! I'm going first!"
The one most excited is Iroha -- ha ha.
While watching the girls playing, I took out a tank from my Item Box and soaked it in the hot water.
Since more adventurers will visit here, the use of hot spring potions will decrease, but this water has various uses.
It saved me in a pinch too.
Preparation prevents worry -- there should be no harm in putting things into the Item Box.
I am expecting it to be active again soon.