NOVEL NEXT Chapter 89
“I need a more detailed explanation.”
“Th-that’s…”
I listened patiently to Elisa’s entire explanation.
To summarize her words, the assignment she had to complete was a tedious task of ‘interviewing a Dungeon Explorer and writing an essay with evidence photos.’
“As you can see, I’m a knight escort.”
I think I somehow obtained a dungeon-related certification, but claiming to live off that in a dungeon would be tough. As I frowned, Elisa waved her hands.
“Uh, th-that… other people… are too scared…”
Oh, is that so? It must be a harsh task for the socially awkward Elisa. I recalled her usual self and understood. It’s obvious that she’d just stand there hesitating in front of the dungeon until sunset. Finding me was quite a wise choice.
It’s better to have a familiar face than a complete stranger. But is it okay to use the acquaintance card? When I looked at her with that question in mind, Elisa flinched and replied.
“W-well, if you know someone else… you can get help…”
“So, it’s okay to use the acquaintance card?”
Well, connections are also an ability. Even if you don’t have connections, if you bring sufficient money and pay for an interview, there will be plenty of people willing to help. They might even give you a tour of the dungeon.
“Y-yeah…”
“A strange assignment. Is this how assignments are usually given?”
“W-well, Dungeon Studies has an assignment like this once every semester… I’ve heard…”
“Isn’t it unnecessary for you to listen?”
You don’t plan on entering a dungeon, do you? Wasn’t she majoring in a field related to research? So why would she need to attend a class related to dungeons? Elisa opened her mouth with a sad expression.
“It’s a required general course…”
Having a subject related to dungeons as a requirement is quite a brutal reality. But with so many reasons for people to enter dungeons, it’s better to have at least some basic knowledge. After all, dungeons can be discovered right in the middle of a city.
“Is that so… I understand. And what will the proof photos be taken with?”
I asked her about the part that was bothering me. At my question, she pulled out a square object the size of a human head from the drawer and showed it to me.
“You can use this…”
But hey, there’s a camera here too. I looked at the antique-looking camera that Elisa had brought. It looked like something used in the 19th century.
“That’s interesting.”
“H-have you never seen a screenshot before?”
“Screenshot?”
So this world really is advertising itself like a game.
I couldn’t help but get lost in strange reflections while looking at the tool called a screenshot instead of a camera.
The game system applied in various places without me even realizing it.
Perhaps there are features hiding in this world that I don’t remember. Maybe I should explore a bit later if I get the chance. There might be useful things. While I was lost in those thoughts…
I snapped back to reality when I felt a timid tug on my sleeve. Looking down, Elisa was hesitating to present the screenshot to me.
“D-do you want to see it?”
“Thank you.”
I took the screenshot from Elisa and examined it closely. It looked like a portable camera you would see in a museum. The fact it’s portable probably means you could take a screenshot anytime. Besides, once you take a picture, it immediately produces the photo—there was even a hole at the bottom that dispensed paper.
In a world setting comparable to early modern times, this might be considered quite over technology.
No, with magic, it should be fine.
After finishing my observation, I handed the screenshot back to Elisa and asked about the detailed schedule.
“When are you thinking of leaving?”
“It should be possible to go in two days since it’s the weekend…”
“I’ll keep time open.”
“Th-thank you…”
She’s quite nervous. I stood up from my seat and grabbed the doorknob. Now that the business was settled, it was time to rest.
“Sleep well.”
“Y-You too, Johann-san… good night…”
With the door closing, I stood there in the empty, silent corridor and sighed.
Talking to Elisa is not easy.
Really.
———————
“Th-this person is…”
“He’s quite a seasoned Dungeon Explorer.”
“Nice to meet you!”
Sif cheerfully spoke as she extended her hand to Elisa. It was a clear case of a manufactured business smile.
“U-um, nice to meet you…”
Elisa carefully took Sif’s hand and gave it a slight shake. It was such a small motion that it hardly looked like a handshake, making Sif tilt her head.
“…Johann, did you perhaps threaten her to come? Why is she like this?”
“Do I look like someone who would do that?”
“Uh…”
Why is she avoiding my gaze?
“…She has a naturally timid personality, so understand.”
“Okay~”
Sif replied cheerfully as her fingers subtly formed a circle at an angle Elisa couldn’t see.
Is she always looking for a way to squeeze out money wherever she goes?
I punched Sif in a way to teach her a lesson for her irritating behavior right from the start.
“Nyah! Why’d you hit me!”
“Don’t be greedy when you’ve already been paid.”
“But it’s better to have more money! Can’t we at least add some extra for the trouble?”
She’s not wrong there. More money is always better. I myself embezzled from the budget to buy mithril in the black market.
Anyway, we were all set, backpacks slung over our shoulders, preparing to enter the dungeon in front of us, a place bustling with people. We packed enough supplies for two days, including food, water, blankets, extra clothes, and weapons. With everything well-prepared, there shouldn’t be any major issues even in case of emergencies.
Leaning against my bag, I suddenly thought of Millia, who must be busy studying with Karina right about now.
Millia wanted to follow us but was held back by Karina, who was studying for her transfer to the academy. It’s heart-wrenching to see her parting with such a sulky expression like a child, but she chose that path, so she must bear it. Still, I should probably buy a small gift for her on the way back.
I can’t leave her feeling sulky forever.
“Johann?”
“…Hmm. Well, we’ve decided on this destination, but there are a lot of people.”
There really are.
It was only natural. The dungeon we came to was more of a tourist attraction than an actual dungeon. A small three-story dungeon populated only by goblins, with the boss being a goblin sorcerer. It was practically a tutorial dungeon.
It would be more accurate to call it a field trip dungeon. Perhaps because of that, there were quite a few students in uniforms.
“Isn’t it a bit awkward to take pictures here? Even if it’s for an assignment, it might be better to take proper photos somewhere else, right?”
“Are you planning to take proper photos?”
I looked at Sif with suspicion when she suddenly expressed her opinion. She usually only speaks up when it’s time to collect money. Seeing me glare at her, Sif waved her hands dismissively and began to explain.
“Ah, no! Think about it! Do you really think a person who enters a dungeon like this would be considered a real Dungeon Explorer? If we’re going to do it, we should go to a more legitimate dungeon and take pictures of some dungeon monsters!”
…That’s surprisingly convincing.
Given how many people are here, it would certainly be better to take pictures in a somewhat risky dungeon instead of this over-sanitized place where you can hardly even catch sight of a goblin’s junk. Interviewing Dungeon Explorers who venture into dangerous dungeons would surely yield better results than interviewing a bunch of rowdy people.
Of course, that sneaky cat is likely just saying that out of a desire to make some money.
“Well, since it’s an assignment, you don’t have to go that far…”
“It’s fine! Even so, we’ve cleared four dungeons, you know!”
Don’t try to sneak yourself in there. I did all the hard work. To signal her silence, I gave Sif a swift punch.
“Nyah!”
“Stop saying weird things and head to the dungeon…”
Just as I was about to finish my sentence, I was taken aback by the sight of a throng of students heading towards the dungeon.
Why are there so many? The sight of dozens of students pouring into the dungeon all at once was eerie in various ways. Some carried weapons, while others were completely empty-handed. It looked less like a dungeon exploration and more like a day out.
“S-seniors… they’re seniors…”
“It seems that your grade isn’t the only one receiving dungeon-related assignments.”
“I heard that around this time, there are many dungeon-related assignments that come up…”
I turned my gaze from the students back to Elisa. Her expression was visibly dark. Is she having trouble with her seniors? Or is it just her social awkwardness making her avoid crowded places? Just as I was about to ask her for a specific reason…
“Oh my, what a surprise. Elisa-chan, what are you doing here?”
“Uh, um… h-hi… I-I’m here for an a-assignment…”
What’s with her? This cliché noble princess type. I glanced at the other student in a uniform, exuding noble vibes, just like Elisa.
I feel like I’d love to punch her as much as I would Sif.
“It seems you’re here to work on your Dungeon Studies assignment! Oh ho ho!”
“Y-yes…”
“Oh my, where are your other group members? You didn’t come alone, did you?”
…What? Group members?
When I looked at Elisa with a puzzled look, a nameless female student added to clarify my confusion.
“Didn’t she mention we were supposed to work in groups for the assignment?”