Chapter 129
Hello, this is Akagi Hideo.
After a long day, I used the "door," passed through the EXP factory, and returned to the executive room of the hotel.
I guess I'll at least wash my face.
I did get pretty filthy.
"Kyukkyukkyu!"
"Hm?"
As I was wiping my face with a soft towel, I heard a cry from the direction of the bed.
When I peeked over to see what was going on, a shocking sight leapt into view.
"Chi-chi-chi! (Translation: Super-senior, I'm disappearing here, chi! I'm returning to the wild before I get any less EXP share, chi!)"
"Kyukkyukkyu~! (Translation: I am the mighty ancient dragon-kyu! This cannot be allowed-kyu! Stop this, Bird-dono~!)"
Shimaenaga-san was trying to grab little hedgehog and throw them out the window. Gii-san was doing their best to stop Shimaenaga-san with a black tentacle.
*Snap*
"Chi—!!?"
I turned the bean pastry into a roasted bean pastry and launched it out the window.
I caught little hedgehog so they wouldn't fall.
"Sorry, little hedgehog. That's a terrible illness. Don't worry about it."
"Kyukkyu (Translation: I'm saved-kyu~. If it's a kind-hearted and strong Hideo-dono like you, then I can gladly serve you-kyu!)"
Ahh, little hedgehog is such a good kid.
Has the true conscience finally joined Team Finger Man?
"Kyu (Translation: Bird-dono is dangerous-kyu)"
"Gii (Translation: Junior hedgehog, if that strange bird attacks you, just let know anyti)"
"Kyu! Kyu! (Translation: Bug-dono is dependable too-kyu! I look forward to working with you-kyu!)"
Gii-san seems to have won over little hedgehog right away.
As expected, cunning. Probably sensing the coming rise of EXP-based parliantary democracy, they're already forming factions.
Still in my dirty clothes, I used the "door" to head to the EXP factory.
As always, Doctor was tinkering with machines in the middle of the shallow lake.
"Oh, Finger Man, that's quick. You could've taken a nice, long shower. You're still filthy."
"I've got a lot to do. I'm just stepping out for a bit."
And so, from the EXP factory door, I headed to the 8th floor door of the dungeon.
I could've jumped to the first floor, but there was sothing that caught my attention a little.
"Dungeon Broker, you here? Or, like, are you even alive?"
Dungeon Broker S, the one I once did black market deals with.
A truly dangerous rchant who lured in using vile drugs like 'Moteru Motel' and 'Etchi Etchi'. Seriously dangerous. Dangerous.
Fortunately, the 8th floor hadn't collapsed, so I figured they were okay... but I ca to check just in case.
"Hm, no one's here."
It was what you'd call a completely empty shell.
Not even a trace of soone having been there.
I'm sure they used to run a shop here, though.
"Chi (Translation: There's sothing left here-chi)"
Shimaenaga-san discovered a letter.
'The Foundation folks started acting weird, so I closed up shop.'
It was overly simple, but the ssage ca across clearly.
Well, as long as they're alive, it's fine. I just thought it'd be sad if they were buried alive because I collapsed the dungeon.
I returned from the 8th floor to the EXP factory, and this ti entered the first floor door.
All that's left is to head back.
Following the path displayed on the 'Labyrinth Conqueror,' I made my way back to the dungeon entrance.
I stepped outside quickly.
Empty movie theater seats.
While the self-defense forces and police were standing guard, I walked outside.
The atmosphere just outside the gate was completely normal.
The outside world probably didn't know the dungeon had been conquered, or that the Archon Dungeon even appeared.
......Or so I thought.
I returned to the dungeon camp.
The state of the camp had changed drastically.
First off, there were far fewer people.
There were a few explorer-looking types scattered about, but the popularity was about that of a dying gacha ga in its 8th year.
Thinking sothing must've changed at the camp too, I steeled myself and headed to the reception at the Counterasures HQ.
The desk was unattended, so I asked a nearby Foundation staff mber, "Is Shurado-san here?" I got a cheerful reply: "I'll call her now," and waited a bit.
I pet Gii-san in my coat, and cald Shimaenaga-san and little hedgehog who were fighting over the chest pocket.
"Sorry, little hedgehog. That's Shimaenaga-san's favorite spot."
"Chi-chi-chi!!"
"Kyuu......"
"Little hedgehog, how about this property instead?"
I offered the side pocket next to 'Adolphene's Holy Shroud'.
It looked like sothing a normal person would stick their left hand into on a cold day, and I gently guided little hedgehog into it.
"Kyukkyukkyu♪"
Looks like they liked it.
When I put my left hand in the pocket, I can squish little hedgehog, which is also very helpful for .
Soon, I heard hurried footsteps.
From the back of the Counterasures HQ tent, Shurado-san made a dramatic entrance, and when she saw my face, she cried out, "Akagi-san?!"
"Akagi-san, you're safe! I'm so glad!"
Shurado-san jumped over the reception desk and gave a big hug.
Eden was right here. Also, her chest. Amazing. Her chest. Amazing. Amazing. Her chest. And she slls really good. So cute.
"Sniff sniff sniff, this scent is definitely Akagi-san! You're not a fake!"
"Ahaha, of course not."
This is okay, right? This is totally okay, right?
I an, Shurado-san was the one who hugged , right?
Since she sniffed , it would be rude if I didn't sniff her back, right?
Feeling like a returning husband in a war movie, I tried to hold back my excitent and coolly return the embrace with a vibe like, "I'm ho, my honey (cool voice)."
"Ah! More importantly, why are you here, Akagi-san?! How did you get back?! What about the Archon Dungeon?! What happened to Jiu-chan and everyone?!"
Shurado-san suddenly pulled away with great force, issuing a divine rejection of my hug.
I caught a glimpse of a world with Spell Speed 3. Period.
"A lot happened. Long story short, I beat the big gross thing."
"So, that ans... the incident is already resolved?!"
Shurado-san turned into a small, cute creature.
Since there were lots of injured people, we decided to start freeing everyone.
One by one, I laid down those I had stored in 'Super Catcher Lv4' on the beds in the dical room.
Many were seriously injured, with so having lost arms or legs.
Imdiate treatnt using recovery potions, anomalous substances, dungeon studies, and modern dicine was administered, and thankfully, no one died.
"Finger Man......"
"Happy-san, it's okay now. This place is safe."
"...R-right. We did it."
With that, Happy-san gently drifted into a deep sleep.
I guess I'll go check on Jiu-san too.
"Chi-chi-chi (Translation: You only worry about pretty girls, chi)"
"N-no, that's not true. I wonder if Mister is okay—if he's doing well—"
I changed plans and headed to Mister.
"Mister, I'm here—oh, you look totally fine. That's great, that's great. Okay, then I'll go to Jiu-san."
"Akagi."
"Yes, what is it?"
I was called back and turned around.
"You chose your own path."
"...... Yes. Thank you, Mister."
"Everything you achieved, you grabbed with your own hands. You were the best. Because of you, everyone here was saved."
"Because I was there......"
"That's right. You connected it all. So be proud, Akagi Hideo."
Mister...... That's right, I really did sothing incredible.
"Your overwhelming ability. The Foundation will take notice. From here on, you may be burdened with harsh duties... but if it's Akagi, I'm sure you'll be fine."
With those words, Mister placed his thick hand on my shoulder.
────
——Mister's perspective
Who would've thought that the young man who first awakened only 'Finger Snap' and sparkled with gleaming eyes that day would co this far?
Only I can choose my own path.
To be blunt, unlike , I didn't sense any talent in Akagi at all.
In fact, it was the first ti I'd seen a rookie with so little talent.
Honestly, I probably should've strongly recomnded that he give up.
But back then, a thought crossed my mind.
The people who laughed when I told them I'd beco an explorer after receiving a letter from the Dungeon Foundation. The days my brothers tried to drag to the Bering Sea, saying the dungeon was nothing but a suicide spot for .
I chose for myself.
And I beca an explorer.
That's why I thought, back then—
Akagi should also choose for himself.
"Quite a ss, huh."
"Dandy, you ca."
A well-grood man in his forties approached the bedside.
Trimd beard. Lightly tanned skin. As always, ridiculously handso.
Eyes of piercing blue, unlike any typical Japanese, brimming with intelligence.
You could sense his hidden, overwhelming power just by the way he shifted his weight.
S-rank 3rd place explorer, 'Dandy'.
If he had been there, maybe not a single person would've been injured, and the problem could've been solved effortlessly.
Thinking that made feel that maybe he should've been there instead of .
"How was the dungeon? It was your first ti facing a Darkness-type Archon, right?"
"It was overwhelming, to put it in one word. I was reminded once again that I'm still not ready to stand in the world of Archons."
"To hear even you say that—it's a relief I didn't go. If I had, I would've made a fool of myself and been utterly humiliated."
Dandy's version of a gentle joke.
The distance between him and is just too vast.
We're not even comparable.
But maybe Akagi could share the sa worldview as him.
"Dandy, do you know Akagi Hideo?"
"Akagi? No, that's not a na I'm familiar with."
"I see. Then rember it. He's the young man who was the true identity of the Finger Man. Pure and filled with a righteous heart."
"Oh? Now that's an interesting story. Finger Man, Akagi Hideo. I'll rember it... The corruption is advancing. Very few people will be able to retain that fact."
"When the ti cos, I intend to entrust everything to Akagi."
"I see... That'll be lonely."
Dandy's eyes glimred with a hint of amusent.
He must be swelling with expectations.
What a ridiculously unbeatable guy this Dandy is.
——Trurururuu ♪
A ringtone echoed.
Dandy pulled out his smartphone and checked it at a glance.
"Ah, sorry, my niece has co to pick up. I have to go. If Benvenuto is isolated, I need to make contact with him while I still can."
Doctor Benvenuto Yoko Chichigasky, a powerful figure in the Dungeon Foundation.
He's not just an astonishing, outrageous lover of sideboob.
In the field of dungeon studies that spans the entirety of modern occult academia, he is said to be one of the 'Four Emperors of the Dungeon Studies Conference'—a true genius.
Due to so bizarre circumstances, he ended up traveling from his base of operations in Europe to Japan, and had already been taken to a different location from this dical room by n in black suits.
Dandy is a special explorer with connections to the Foundation's Agent Division.
He's probably going to et Benvenuto now for so kind of special mission.
"Thanks for going out of your way, Dandy. I really appreciate you coming all the way here."
"I only ca to visit a friend. No need to thank . Ah, I almost forgot. Plutonium Coffee. It's a drink beloved in the Chiba Nation. Think of it as a governnt-approved legal stimulant—it'll perk you right up."
After placing a chilled MAX Coffee he'd taken from his coat pocket by the bedside, Dandy walked out of the tent with graceful steps.
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