NOVEL NEXT Chapter 111
A big event is approaching.
The Hunter Management Agency in Japan has entered a state of emergency.
The failure to conquer the SS-rank Dungeon, despite all efforts.
High-ranking Hunters have suffered heavy losses, leading to a manpower shortage.
This shortage has caused continuous delays in the conquest of other dungeons.
They barely managed to cope with the steadily increasing number of high-rank dungeons.
Even after experiencing a failure once, Japan was still a powerhouse in hunting.
However.
“When are we going to conquer the SS-rank Dungeon?”
“If we fail again, it’s really over! We need to consider this more carefully…”
“Careful? Careful is just a death wish! An outburst is looming right ahead!”
“Who doesn’t know that?! This is driving me crazy. What should we do about this dungeon…?”
The problem lay with the highest-tier dungeon.
There seemed to be no solution whatsoever.
They would need to deploy even more Hunters than when they failed.
The pressure and refusal from the Hunters were severe, and even if they forced them in, the risk of other dungeons going out of control during that period was far too great.
They found themselves at a crossroads, unable to move forward.
“What about international support requests?”
“They say it’s going to be tough…”
Japan humiliated itself by requesting foreign Hunter support.
However, the only reply they got was a cold rejection.
The Hunter Pharmacy also turned down the request due to their own lack of resources.
Even strong nations were being cautious, claiming the risk was too high.
They were just as much in a panic over the SS-rank dungeon.
It was effectively a rejection.
“Damn it, we need to come up with a countermeasure!”
The Hunter Management Agency in Japan wracked its brains to find a solution for the SS-rank dungeon.
It was such a critical matter that all other tasks were pushed aside.
They had to find a new countermeasure.
They needed to overcome this crisis at any cost.
They felt as though they would give anything to whoever could solve this issue.
* * *
…We arrived at Ueno Station.
We toured the sightseeing route one after another.
The lively shopping district known as the Candy Store Alley.
The shrine famous for tying connections.
The large park that was visible right from the station.
We explored diligently, as if we would never have another chance to wander around.
Then, just before it got too late.
We naturally returned to the station via the path leading down from the park and headed to buy swimsuits.
Jason guided us, making it easy to get around.
…Though I felt a bit uneasy.
“Sis, what’s with that expression?”
“It’s nothing, just amazed.”
“Hmm…”
I boldly declared that it was possible.
But when that reality came into view, it felt… well…
…No, wait.
Thinking back to the dress and high heels.
The suffocatingly tight clothes and the sharp heels that made each step tense.
Compared to that?
I looked back at the swimsuits.
“…Possible.”
Experience is that important.
Having already overcome worse, I felt like anything was doable.
“What’s possible?”
“I can totally do it.”
“……Huh?”
Si-yoon tilted her head in confusion.
I smiled lightly to indicate it was nothing and started browsing inside the store.
There were paddles on display, and colorful fins that looked nice.
Items I didn’t even know the use of glided past.
Then we reached the section with adult swimsuits.
…Bikinis were a no-go.
No way, that’s just too much…
Like I’m a skillful mushroom or something…
“……”
I quickly moved away before Si-yoon could latch on.
I naturally stood in front of the section with rash guards.
Bikini? Never seen one. No, it was never there from the start.
Let’s just browse the swimsuits here.
Then it happened.
“Si-hyun, Si-hyun.”
“…….”
“Si-hyun?”
A sweet voice called out to me.
Slowly, I turned my head in the direction of the voice.
Ji-a waved at me, beckoning me over.
Beside her, Si-yoon wore a bright smile.
With her index finger extended, she pointed to the side and moved her hand back and forth.
Look over here quickly!
Her lips didn’t move, but Si-yoon’s voice replayed automatically in my head.
I didn’t even need to turn my eyes; I could see in my peripheral vision.
Bikinis dazzlingly showcasing their appeal.
“……Sigh.”
I trudged toward the two.
As I got closer, Si-yoon whined discontentedly.
“Sis, you said you could do it earlier!”
“……It’s just that, well, bikinis seem a bit… embarrassing? It makes me feel too exposed.”
“Oh come on! You should apologize to your body! With that figure, you should be thinking of looking even prettier instead!”
“……”
She continued pouting her cute lips.
“If you wear anything, you’ll look pretty, but you should flatter yourself while at it! Show off a little!”
“……”
“I’d be having a blast picking if I had an amazing figure like yours…”
“……”
I had no reply.
What on earth was I supposed to say to that?
It was truly an unreasonable attack.
There was no blocking it.
“……Recommend something for me.”
“That’s our sister! Great thinking!”
As if she hadn’t just been whining, Si-yoon beamed brightly.
Next to her, Ji-a smiled, covering her mouth and trying not to laugh.
…Yeah, I said I’d try my best.
I really have to show them I’m putting in the effort.
Of course, there are limits to that.
“Uh, um, nothing weird or too flashy, okay?”
“Haha, you say that every time you buy clothes.”
“Ahem…”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
To hide my embarrassment, I turned my head and crossed my arms.
And as I did, the very source of my embarrassment naturally slid up and settled softly on my arm.
An unmistakable weight and warmth flowed down my arm.
“……”
In an instant, the gazes of both Si-yoon and Ji-a were locked onto my figure.
Suddenly, another wave of embarrassment washed over me.
Si-yoon’s intense gaze.
The fact that she stood there silently was quite intimidating.
…I uncrossed my arms.
“Ji-a, a solid, bright color would probably be better, right?”
“Probably? Shall we each try picking one?”
The two began browsing for bikinis.
They took one after another, held them against my body, then put them back.
Some that seemed a bit too flashy started entering the running.
Eventually, I couldn’t keep quiet anymore and timidly asked.
“How about this one…?”
I pointed at a one-piece swimsuit.
Si-yoon, having shifted her gaze, laughed lightly.
As if saying, ‘Tsk, tsk, this is why beginners…’.
“It looks cute, but if you wear that, you’ll just float like seaweed the moment you hit the water.”
“……Really?”
“Yup, really. It’ll be so buoyant it’ll float up to your chest and turn you into a donut.”
“……”
“If looking nice in pictures is priority, I’d recommend something like that!”
“No, that’s fine…”
Since we were going to the beach.
I wanted to enjoy swimming comfortably…
I’d have to wear whatever they picked for me.
My timid resistance ended there.
A feeble struggle.
“Aha, how about this one?”
“Looks good! Si-hyun, let’s try this on!”
“Yeah…”
I received the bikini that the two agreed on.
Walking toward the fitting room set up in a corner of the store.
Translating the guide notice roughly on my phone.
It said trying it on was possible while in underwear.
I quietly stepped inside.
I started changing, moving sluggishly.
Rustle.
The soft sound of fabric brushing.
The only sounds echoing in the still fitting room were my breathing and the fabric rustling.
My own space.
“Hmm….”
I hung the clothes I had just taken off on a hanger.
Carefully adjusted the straps and put on the bikini.
That unfamiliar feeling of clothes wrapping around my body.
The coolness felt against my exposed skin on my shoulders and back.
Going out like this…
It felt awkward and unfamiliar.
My heart raced.
I slowly turned my body.
I looked into the mirror in the fitting room.
A strange version of me was reflected.
“…Y-Yeah, it does look pretty.”
It felt a bit odd to say that to myself…
But it wasn’t… bad?
Honestly, I felt like it suited me well.
I turned to examine my reflection from different angles.
The clear sky-blue bikini spread out beautifully.
The bright color harmonized with my white hair, giving a refreshing vibe.
It did emphasize my chest a bit, but, well, that’s the nature of the outfit…
“Hmm…”
Was it because I was all alone in the fitting room?
Separate from the embarrassment of exposure, my heart fluttered at the femininity I was feeling through the swimsuit.
I felt like a different version of myself, yet these moments were also part of who I am.
It was strange, in a good way.
Definitely awkward, but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the mirror.
The image of me reflected in the mirror was radiating a certain charm.
…I should thank Ji-a and Si-yoon.
They worked hard picking these out.
I had to get an objective opinion too.
“……”
With trembling hands, I opened the fitting room door and stepped outside.
Ji-a, who had been waiting in front, opened her eyes wide and started clapping her hands.
My heart fluttered as pleasant excitement spread through me.
Feebly, I felt my cheeks warm and ran my fingers through my hair.
“…Where’s Si-yoon?”
“Over there.”
I turned my gaze in the direction Ji-a pointed.
Si-yoon was looking at something with an extremely serious expression.
…And it was a push-up bra, right?
Our little sister, hang in there…
* * *
The next morning.
“What?! You say the information got delayed?!”
“Y-Yes… After the failure to conquer the SS-rank dungeon, it took longer to analyze the causes and hold meetings for countermeasures. Plus, the higher-ups are delaying party assignment approvals…”
“You idiots!”
Sato Ichiro slammed his fist hard against the wall.
Thud! The loud sound made those around him flinch.
The problems with Japan’s dungeon management system’s outdated equipment and inefficient procedures had been pointed out repeatedly.
Yet, even with all that complicated bureaucracy, this was beyond unacceptable.
The potential rampage of an S-rank dungeon could happen at any moment!
Things had escalated drastically.
“Let’s move out! Also, send out a support request immediately!”
“Yes, understood!”
Sato Ichiro’s party rushed urgently to the parking lot.
After getting into the waiting black van, they hurriedly prepared to set off.
Dungeon rampages occur after a certain period; however, the timing is irregular.
It could be today, tomorrow, or even right this moment—no one knows.
‘…It might just be overthinking.’
Perhaps nothing would happen after all. That is the best outcome everyone hopes for.
But the worst-case scenario looms simultaneously.
What if the dungeon truly goes out of control? A total catastrophe would unfold.
Sato Ichiro gritted his teeth.
The van started moving.
Their destination was the gate of the S-rank dungeon, slightly distant from a beach near Tokyo.