NOVEL NEXT Chapter 116: WALKS ALONE
Then, his gaze shifted toward the window, and the familiar spark of determination flickered in his eyes.
"But now…" he whispered, the tone in his voice changing. "What dungeon do I have to conquer next?"
He clenched his fist, and in that instant, a faint blue glow started to rise from his skin his eyes gleaming with pure, condensed mana. The light grew brighter, swirling like a storm trapped behind his pupils.
"I have to save it," he murmured, his voice echoing faintly through the room as the blue energy spread, outlining his frame like an aura. "This power… I'll need it soon."
The blue light pulsed once twice before fading back into his body. Raito exhaled slowly, a calm smirk forming on his lips.
"Alright," he said, standing up and grabbing his jacket. "Let's see what the world has for me next."
Raito got dressed as he took his jacket and wore a trouser. This time, he slicked his hair back like a bot clean, sharp, almost classy. He looked at the mirror in his room and blinked.
"Wow… this actually suits me."
He turned a little, checking himself again. "Alright. My sister was right when she told me. I've actually really changed. It's like I've grown taller. My face looks different. Wow… who would've thought I'd be putting on clothes this expensive? It actually suits me. And it's perfect for this…"
He nodded to himself. "Before going to the dungeon."
"Well… I think I'm going to start moving," Raito said as he grabbed his things and walked out of his apartment. He placed his key under the doormat, slipped the button into his pocket, and headed down the street.
He had barely taken ten steps when a loud voice rattled across the street.
"MASTEEER! MASTER! BOSS! BOSS! SIR RAITO!"
Raito froze.
"…Someone called me? Did I hear my name right?" he muttered, turning.
Then he saw Daichi sprinting full speed toward him.
"BOSS!! How are you doing?!" Daichi yelled, waving like a maniac.
Right behind him, Haruya also ran up, panting.
Raito stared at them. "Hey… what's up? Is anything the problem? Why are you calling my name like that?"
Daichi grinned. "It's been a while since we saw you!"
Haruya nodded quickly. "Yeah! We don't see you every day. I don't know where you live or your phone number so I can't contact you."
"…Why do you want to contact me? What reason or business do we have with each other?" Raito asked, genuinely confused.
Daichi laughed. "There you go again cold as ever. Are we not friends? We are friends, right? Can't I have your number?"
"Friends? Since when did we become friends?" Raito said flatly.
Daichi's expression dropped. "So… you hate the idea of us being friends?"
"No, no, no. It's not like that. I don't." Raito shook his head.
Haruya put on a dramatic sad face. "Then why are you declining…?"
Raito sighed internally. Well… friends. It's not actually a bad idea. But I'm just going to have to say it…
"You're right," Raito said out loud. "We're friends."
Haruya instantly brightened. Daichi pumped his fist into the air.
"Alright! So, Boss, where are you going? Can it be you're going to a dungeon?" Daichi asked, leaning forward like he was expecting drama.
"Well… yeah," Raito said.
Of course. That's exactly where I'm heading, he thought.
"We are also heading to the dungeon. Let's all go together!" Haruya said with a bright smile.
Raito immediately shook his head. "Sorry, but no. I think I'm gonna go alone."
"Alone?!" Daichi nearly choked. "Boss… did he just say alone?"
"Yeah," Raito said. "Is there any problem?"
Daichi and Haruya exchanged looks.
"Boss… the both of us me and Haruya we don't go into a dungeon alone," Daichi said. "We always make sure we have at least five or six people in a party before entering a dungeon."
Haruya nodded. "We're about to meet up with our party members. We're not officially a party, but we want to join them for this raid. But still… are you serious, Boss?"
"Yes," Raito said. "I'm not going into a dungeon with anyone. It's too strong. So if you'll please excuse me."
Raito stepped forward, but Daichi stretched his hand out.
"Boss, PLEASE let us go with you!" Daichi begged.
"Yes, Boss, please!" Haruya added. "I want to join you!"
Raito stopped walking and sighed deeply.
Ah, what the hell… these people are a pain in the ass. I won't be able to go alone at this rate. If they keep begging me so much, I'm just going to have to agree… Raito thought as he raised his hand and pressed it against his forehead.
"Please, Boss! Please! Please! Please!"
Both Daichi and Haruya said it at the exact same time, in the most annoying manner possible.
"FINE!" Raito snapped. "You can join me!"
Daichi's face lit up instantly. "Thank you, Boss! We won't disappoint you!"
"Yes, Boss! We won't hold you back!" Haruya said proudly.
Raito shook his head. "Well… fine. Let's just get going."
"Okay, Boss," Daichi said as he started walking. Raito moved ahead of them, his hands in his pockets, while Daichi and Haruya followed behind, watching him closely.
"Boss… what dungeon are we going to?" Daichi asked.
"Well… A rank… or S rank dungeon. Any one that doesn't have a pile of hunters outside of it," Raito said casually.
Daichi and Haruya instantly froze mid step.
Raito walked a few more steps before noticing the silence. He turned around and looked at both of them.
"What happened? Why are you not moving?" Raito asked.
Daichi gulped. "B Boss… did he just say… S rank or A rank dungeon… that he wants to go conquer?"
"Yes, I did. Any problem?" Raito said.
"But Boss… you're strong, but… isn't that too much?" Haruya said, his voice shaking. "You're going to get yourself killed…"
"Maybe," Raito said calmly, "it's possible. But I'm not going to die."
Daichi stepped forward nervously. "Boss… A-rank or S-rank dungeon… after that time the red monster appeared— the one that escaped from a dungeon… and even the chimera that was spotted— most hunters stopped entering A-rank or S-rank unless they were in large groups. But even if hunters don't want to enter, the cops stay there to block it."