Chapter 43: - Dungeon Collapse
"Originally, I didn't intend to be an adventurer because I was scared to fight with monsters and reluctant to get used to the feeling of holding a weapon with my hand. Even obtaining an adventurer qualification and entering a dungeon was all due to my friend that invited me, And I only entered with the idea of having a stronger body if I successfully obtained status."
Certainly, there are many people who want to acquire status to have a body strong enough to not be killed in a traffic accident as their aim.
Rather, most of them had that kind of simple view to acquiring status, and only a handful of people spend their lives doing the job of an adventurer where they put their lives at risk.
I think Yui was the same as the majority of people. But then, this is what makes her different.
"But when I successfully acquired status and realized I had a talent as a healer, an idea popped up in my mind. Certainly, I was afraid to go to the front line and fight the monsters but if it's just supporting the other adventurers from the rear, I think I can do it too. That's why in the end, I decided to continue being an adventurer and felt the worth of becoming one after that."
Yui stared at her palm as she said.
"It might be a coincidence that I was given this kind of talent. Even so, it is a fact that I found a meaning for me to have this kind of talent. I think what I want the most right now is to make this power that can save people grow."
Then, Yui raised her head while a strong will displayed in her eyes.
"It seems you have decided what you want to do."
"Yes. I have decided to summon my courage and try to join the guild."
"I see. Well, just do what you can first, and you can just leave if it's impossible as your life is more important than anything. And then…be careful not to receive labor exploitation, okay?"
When I said that with a smile, Yui smiled back at me.
"If it's about that, then don't worry! Because after I told the scout that I was a college student, he said it was fine for me to only accept a summon from the guild during the holidays. And it seems I can even earn more money than the estimate of what average healers could get. I might even overtake Rin-san in the term of earning soon."
"Nonsense."
Putting aside the previous me, right now I could earn more than 10 million in just three days. Although I wanted to say that, of course, I decided not to.
At any rate, after enjoying a conversation with Yui for a while, we decided to leave the cafe. And when I tried to bring the bill, the word "Ah!" came out of Yui’s mouth.
"Please wait, Rin-san. Today, you came here to listen to my problem after all, so, I will be the one who pays."
"Don't worry about it. Besides, even if you’ve decided to join a guild, it will be a while before you can actually make money yourself, right? But if you insist, you can just pay me back then."
"Rin-san…"
Yui stared at me in a daze while standing rooted on the spot.
Looks like she finally understands that I am a reliable man. Then, in contrast to what I thought, Yui uttered some unexpected words.
"Caring, kind, and dependable…I wonder why you’ve never had a lover before?"
"Wait a minute, did I just get insulted? Rather, how did you know that? Are you my stalker?"
"I-it's not like that. Hana-chan was the one who told me when I was on a call with her!"
"Why did you guys even talk about that…"
It seems that there is a need to scold Hana when I get home.
At any rate after that, we decided to finish today’s appointment with me, still not satisfied with that explanation. However, on the way to the exit of the shopping mall, I found a certain person.
She was a girl who wore headphones that currently stood in the corner of a music store. If I'm not mistaken, she is–
"Huh? Kurosaki-san?"
–Faster than could I recall her name, Yui who was walking beside me called her first.
The girl–Kurosaki Rei's shoulder shook and she widened her eyes after nervously turning around to look in our direction.
"Rin..?"
"Yo, it's been a while."
"Yup"
The last time I met her was when I was about to challenge Kenzaki Dungeon for the first time, therefore, it's been a week.
Anyway, Yui was shocked when she saw us casually greeting each other.
"Wait wait, why did you react to Rin-san when I was the one who called you?"
"…Who?"
"You don’t even recognize me!? I am Kasai Yui from the same university as you!"
"When you say it like that, I feel like I know you."
Hmmm, it seems Yui and Rei were attending the same university and were even in the same grade. But from their dialogue, it seems they’ve never talked to each other before.
"Rather than that, Rin-san, why do you know Kurosaki-san?"
"Because she is an adventurer too. I met her at the dungeon before."
"Is that so? I didn't know about it at all…"
Yui displayed an expression like she was truly surprised from the bottom of her heart. Then when I was having a conversation with Yui, Rei hurriedly returned the CD in her hand to its original place––But, unfortunately for her, I didn't miss it.
What's drawn on the jacket of the CD was a girl character. Which means, it's an anisong 1 CD. I see, it seems she was a comrade…
Certainly, she will be embarrassed if an acquaintance saw her selecting an anisong CD after all. Yup, let's pretend not to notice it…
That's what I thought but immediately after that…
"Even so, what a coincidence to meet Kurosaki-san at this kind of place. I'm glad I could talk to you for the first time because I thought I shouldn't talk to you as you always listen to music with headphones…And you must really like that song with… what do you call it, many drawings of cute girls appearing…anime song?"
"————"
Stop it Yui! That kind of attack is very effective on us. As proof, Rei’s face even became bright red when you pointed out that fact.
Although Yui didn't have any ill will when she said that, of course, Rei would be embarrassed regardless. Yes, yes, I really understood that.
Thus, I cleared my throat and tried to change the topic.
"Rei, do you plan to capture a dungeon today?"
"Y-yes. I was going to join the other members of the party and go to Kenzaki Dungeon after this."
Rei answered my question as it was convenient for her if the topic was changed.
But I see, if she is going to join with those people, maybe it's better for us to separate from Rei as soon as possible. Because I don't want to meet with them after all.
And then after I had thought about something like that, something happened.
"What?"
"An emergency broadcast"
A broadcast began to be aired throughout the shopping mall. And the broadcast was accompanied by sirens which made the feeling of tension rise willingly or not.
『An emergency situation has occurred. Once again, an emergency situation has occurred. A dungeon collapse has occurred in Kenzaki Dungeon. Common people should evacuate as soon as possible and we request the cooperation of adventurers of C-rank or higher.』
"Wha- Dungeon Collapse?"
When I heard those words, I unconsciously repeated it out loud.
"Dungeon Collapse… Rin-san, don’t tell me…"
"…It’s become a very bad situation."
Even Yui and Rei also tensed because of the sudden occurrence because the two who were adventurers understood how dangerous this current situation was more than anyone else.
Dungeon Collapse. It is a rare phenomenon that occurs when a dungeon disappears. It was a situation where the entrance of the dungeon that normally only adventurers can pass through became possible for monsters to pass through.
Which means—
"The town is full of monsters."
Footnotes
- Anime Song.