Chapter 10: The Fool’s Mask

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Saturday begins, and the morning passes slowly.

The familiar ceiling no longer carries the loneliness I felt when I first woke up here.

I vaguely picture today’s schedule in my mind.

Today, I’ll head to the dungeon again with Hina and Shino. The time spent with them keeps growing in my heart, and being with them starts to feel natural.

My eyes catch the smartphone resting on the desk.

Though it’s always on, there are zero incoming calls.

Opening the app “Connect,” only two contacts are registered.

When I open the chat with the one labeled “Little Sister,” a read message pops up: “Big Bro! Have you gotten used to the new school yet? I’m working hard to join Seishin High next year too~!”

It’s the message my sister sent on the day I enrolled. Three weeks have already passed since then.

I should probably reply to her soon, but if I cling to her now…… I feel like I won’t be able to move forward.

To avoid worrying my family, I took the entrance exam for Seishin High and passed without consulting them.

When I told them after passing, my sister didn’t say a word—just shed big tears.

If I’d been a better brother, I wouldn’t have worried them. She must’ve seen through my struggles—she’s a smart girl. That day, she said nothing, just cried.

If I weren’t around, she’d probably live more freely. My sister, loved by everyone like a light so opposite to me—

—Beep beep beep!

Lost in thought while staring at the message, the alarm rings to remind me of the time.

I quietly close the smartphone, place it on the desk, get ready, and head out.

“Good morning~!”

As I leave the dorm and pass the school gate, Hina and Shino are waiting for me.

“Both of you!? Why are you here?”

We were supposed to meet at the Kamui house.

“I woke up early and went for a walk, and it just happened to be this time.”

“My place is closer to the school than Hina-chan’s house, so I stopped by.”

Both of them bloom into smiles and line up on either side of me.

“Come on, time’s wasting~! Let’s go~!”

As expected, Shino’s the one who pulls our party forward.

We head to the Kamui house first, where Hina’s mom kindly prepares bentos for us. She says we can eat them or go out to eat—our choice.

I suddenly recall my mom shooing me and my sister out to play together.

The bentos move from Hina’s magic backpack to my dimensional storage. It seems the magic backpack doesn’t have a time-stop function, but dimensional storage keeps things fresh.

“A new dungeon starting today, huh~.”

“The place you mentioned on the way back from the dungeon yesterday, right? I think it was—”

“D46!”

Hina chimes in excitedly.

Yesterday, after E90, we could’ve kept going there, but someone suggested trying D46 instead.

The income will drop sharply, but since I already have over a million yen, it’s not a concern.

Of course, I agreed to Shino’s suggestion without hesitation.

Yet, Shino leads us not to a dungeon—but to a clothing store.

“A clothing store?”

“Yup! Come on, let’s go in~.”

Shino pushes me and Hina inside as we pause.

“Welcome~!” comes the cheerful voice of a female clerk right away.

I wonder which section we’re heading to, but we stop at an unexpected spot.

“Shino, it’s getting warmer soon, isn’t it……?”

Three weeks since enrollment, it’s warm enough that heavy winter coats aren’t needed. Yet, before us are winter clothes—fluffy coats that look like they’re for a snowy region.

“What are you saying? These are for D46.”

“Hm? For D46?”

“Hinata-kun? I explained yesterday—D46 is a snowfield. It’s super cold there.”

“Oh, yeah, I heard that.”

“That’s why we’re here to buy them.”

“Huh?”

“Why are both you and Hina-chan so confused?”

I glance at Hina, avoiding Shino’s puzzled look. Our eyes meet, silently saying, “Well…… right?”

“Shino, there’s a misunderstanding—I don’t need a coat.”

“Eh?”

“Shino-chan, I…… don’t need one either.”

“Eh!?”

“Because I have cold resistance, I don’t feel the chill.”

As I say this, Hina raises her right hand slightly and adds, “Me too.”

“Oh…… right, you two are those kinds of explorers…… haah……”

Shino lets out a big sigh and slumps her shoulders, then perks up.

“If I’m the only one in a fluffy snowfield coat, it’ll ruin the party vibe, so you’re both buying them~! It’s settled! I’ll pay!”

Now that she mentions it, it’d feel like Shino’s left out if she’s the only one dressed differently.

That part reminds me of my sister, and I end up patting her head.

“Hinata-kun?”

“Whoa!? S-Sorry, I just……”

Patting a girl’s head like that isn’t good. I need to be more careful……

For some reason, Hina glares at me with a pout.

“Sometimes Shino just feels so much like my sister, it’s like a reflex…… Sorry, I’ll be more careful.”

“Mmph…… no, me too.”

Hina says, leaning her head forward. Shino chuckles at us.

I don’t know how it came to this, but to cheer Hina up, I gently pat her head—she’s a bit shorter than me.

“Alright, Hinata-kun, this one’s for you. Hina-chan, this’d suit you, right?”

Shino’s impeccable sense decides our outfits.

Since it’s for the party, I insist on paying. I take all the rewards, so it’s only fair I cover party expenses.

They both agree without issue.

Next, we board a bus headed for D46.

The moment we get on, I feel the stares of the guys around us.

With two beautiful girls boarding together, it’s no surprise we stand out.

Then, I hear a faint voice: “Two beauties with a lame guy like that—did he buy them with money?”

Shino’s wearing earphones and doesn’t hear, but Hina does and glares toward the voice.

“Something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it, Hina.”

“But……”

“I’m fine.”

Hina stays frustrated the whole bus ride. Shino notices but doesn’t press further.

After twenty minutes on the bus, we get off in front of D46.

At the dungeon entrance, we put on the thick outfits over our clothes.

Both wear them over their skirts, and I catch a fleeting glimpse of their absolute territory.

Even if it’s unavoidable, couldn’t they at least provide a women’s changing room?

“Something up, Hinata-kun?”

“No, I just thought making girls change in a place like this, even over clothes, feels off……”

“Hehe, you’re so kind, Hinata-kun. But as explorers, we have to be ready for this. Clothes can tear in dungeons from monster attacks too.”

I hadn’t worried since Hina and Shino are strong, but sharp claws could rip fabric.

Seishin High’s uniforms are made for explorers—tougher than normal clothes. Made from dungeon materials, they feel like regular fabric but resist blades.

That’s why there’s a rule to wear uniforms even on weekends in dungeons, though they have limits and must be returned to the school upon graduation, so adults need to buy armor first.

Many save up for armor during school, I hear.

“Alright, let’s go in~!”

Shino and Hina, in fluffy hoods, look adorable. The fluffy trim around the hoods suits them perfectly.

Inside the dungeon, Shino removes her earphones, whispers something to Hina, and they start talking.

As Shino said, D46 is an endless snowfield, with fine snow falling ceaselessly from the sky.

The dim world feels different from the bright dungeons we’re used to.

“What did you say!?”

Shino suddenly shouts, sounding angry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hinata-kun! About what happened on the bus!”

Oh, since I didn’t bring it up, she waited to ask directly.

“Don’t worry about it, okay?”

“I hate it! Our party’s led by you, Hinata-kun—you’re the center!”

Me, the leader!? The center!?

“I can’t forgive some clueless person saying that!”

Shino’s mad for my sake. Hina’s been upset too. They’re so dear to me, and that’s why I don’t want them angry on my account.

“Both of you, I’m happy you feel that way. Thanks for getting mad for me. But I’d be sad if you were upset because of me. And honestly, I don’t care—because I’m the one partying with you two.”

“Hinata-kun……”

“Come on, it’s our first time in this dungeon. Let’s get pumped and do our best!”

“If you say so…… okay, I won’t say more.”

“Me neither.”

Thanks, you two……

As we walk the snowfield, the sound of crunching snow echoes. My hometown and Seishin Town don’t get snow, so this first snowy scene excites me. A kid would make a snowman right away.

But this is a dungeon. Proving it, a pack of wolves—each a meter long with white and blue fur—appears before us. Five in total.

“D-rank dungeons have monsters in groups, so be careful.”

Shino and Hina draw their weapons, facing the wolves.

The pack charges at us, howling and leaping.

Two head for Hina, two for Shino, and one for me.

I parry a wolf biting at me with its real-like teeth.

It’s not too tough, but the footing worries me. The snow’s about five centimeters deep, tangling my steps each time.

Without the Martial Arts skill, I’d easily trip.

Hina and Shino, with their high skill, finish theirs off quickly.

The wolf I parried turns and lunges again, aiming straight for my throat. I swing my right fist upward, striking its head from below.

A shockwave-like wind and sound ripple out, and the wolf collapses limply.

Like with Kuna, I can take them out in one hit within this range.

I’m amazed at the Martial Arts skill’s power, even at level 0.

《The skill ‘Monster Analysis (Weak)’ has identified the monster as ‘Kelna.’》

《Its weakness is wind attributes. Its rare drop is ‘Tiny Magic Stone.’》

I quickly dismantle and collect it. Its strength is similar to E90’s Kuna, so the rare drop and materials—meat, claws, fangs, fur—are the same.

“Hinata-kun? The materials here aren’t worth much, you know?”

“Yeah, a friend told me. Lots of explorers mean high supply, right?”

“Yup.”

Looking where Shino gazes, I see other explorers.

My Area Scan picks up a ton of them too.

Many six-person parties are around, stripping monsters.

“See? Normally, they physically strip them like that. So parts they don’t want often get discarded.”

There lies a wolf corpse, stripped of only claws and fangs.

Dungeon-born monsters vanish after five minutes on the ground, so there’s no environmental damage or rotting smell.

They don’t disappear while being touched, so stripping can be done slowly.

“For now, let’s dismantle where people can’t see, Hinata-kun.”

“Yeah, I’ll be careful.”

We hunt Kelna while heading for the second floor.

Despite the many parties, everyone’s focused on themselves—no one pays us attention. Sensing gazes is thanks to the Martial Arts skill.

On the second floor, the snowflakes are bigger and fall more heavily.

Naturally, the snow on the ground is ten centimeters deep.

“The footing’s pretty bad, huh.”

“Rather than moving around too much, maybe we should focus on intercepting?”

“Yeah, it might be better to rely on counters.”

Their conversation is so high-level I can’t keep up……

Plus, they don’t really give me much input.

I follow behind as they start walking.

“Ah…… the second floor’s monster. I might not be able to handle it……”

Shino, unusually, lets out a weak complaint.

Blocking our path is a giant frog monster. Its blue and cyan body heightens its eerie presence.

“Hina, you look pale too?”

“Ugh…… s-sorry……”

Both of them seem physiologically repulsed by its form.

“Then I’ll take on the frog.”

If I had a way to attack from a distance, I’d use it, but I don’t. All I can do now is strike with bare hands and feet. Thanks to the Martial Arts skill, I’ve gotten used to it.

As I approach, the frog opens its huge mouth and lashes its tongue out like a whip.

I dodge with a sideways leap while running forward, then charge straight in again.

Following the red tongue extending from its mouth, I close in on the frog and leap at full speed, kicking its massive belly with force.

The snow piled behind the frog rises like a blizzard.

The frog collapses limply right away. Seems I took it down in one hit.

For the sake of the two who can’t stand its form, I quickly dismantle it and hurry through the second floor.

《The skill ‘Monster Analysis (Weak)’ has identified the monster as ‘Gibro.’》

《Its weakness is wind attributes. Its rare drop is ‘Small Magic Stone.’》

The third floor has heavier snow than the second, and the piled-up snow, more like a snowy mountain than a snowfield, reaches up to my ankles—about fifteen centimeters, I’d say.

“Hinata-kun! Leave this floor to us!”

“Yeah, yeah. We didn’t do anything on the second floor, so take it easy.”

“Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”

The third floor’s monster is a two-meter-tall gorilla-like yeti.

Far faster than the monsters so far, it shakes the ground just by slamming it.

The two dodge the yeti’s attacks effortlessly while coordinating their strikes.

In less than thirty seconds, the yeti falls.

I quickly collect the monster, and we move deeper in.

After several yeti fights, two appear at once.

“While you two handle one, I’ll draw the other and buy time.”

“Got it! We’ll be right there!”

They head for one yeti while I face the other.

I try to dodge and stall without injuring it, but when the yeti slams the ground with its arms, I see an opening and kick its neck upward.

I pull back immediately, ready for the next move.

Ten seconds…… twenty seconds…… thirty seconds pass.

“As expected, even a yeti’s a one-hit for Hinata-kun, huh~”

“R-Right. It’s Hinata-kun, after all.”

I’m surprised myself. They make it look easy too, but for me to do it……

《The skill ‘Monster Analysis (Weak)’ has identified the monster as ‘Gholg.’》

《Its weakness is wind attributes. Its rare drop is ‘Medium Magic Stone.’》

Hunting on the third floor takes longer than before, unlike the others. As we push through the ongoing snowfield, a large cave comes into view.

“That looks like the waiting area before the boss room. Let’s go in~”

As we enter, a crowd of voices echoes from deeper inside.

The wide space is filled with explorers resting in party groups, and at the far end, the usual teleportation magic circle is drawn on the ground.

“This is a per-party boss room setup. Once you defeat it, it takes sixty minutes before the next group can enter, so lots of parties wait here to take on the boss.”

I see. Rather than hunting monsters back on the third floor, they conserve energy for the floor boss.

Maybe it’s manners, but no one sits on the path to the magic circle—they’re all along the walls.

The explorers’ gazes focus on us.

No wonder. Even in fluffy outfits, Hina and Shino turn heads wherever they go.

There wasn’t much of this up to the third floor due to the lack of leeway, but the waiting area’s full of explorers with time to spare.

“Hey, look. Some rich kid’s got two beauties with him.”

“Pfft, you hear that? Lay off, lay off. It’s gotta be money. Look at that dumb face.”

“And that girl—silver hair? An S-rank latent ability user?”

“Ooh, awesome~ I’d love to get with a girl like that~”

A party deliberately speaks loud enough for us to hear. For a moment, the explorers fall silent, captivated by Hina and the others, but then those voices echo through the cave.

“Both of you, I don’t mind, so……”

“……”

I can tell Shino’s clenching her fists in anger.

I push the backs of an enraged Shino and a quietly fuming Hina into the teleportation circle.

Like Gige in E90, a large boar stands deep in the wide cave.

Covered in white fur, its round body boasts sharp, massive tusks.

“Hinata-kun!”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Leave it to us!”

“G-Got it.”

Still upset from earlier, they march toward the floor boss with scary expressions.

Even from behind, their “I’m angry” aura is intimidating.

The battle between them and the floor boss begins.

The floor boss, a two-meter giant, charges endlessly like a true boar.

They dodge its relentless rush while landing attacks.

I suddenly recall those comments. Apparently, I have a “dumb face.”

I don’t plan to say anything about it, but as my sister once said, my hair’s always messy, and I let it cover my eyes.

I’ve thought my reflection looks dumb too.

On top of that, I’m level 0. Even if I’ve gained skills and can fight decently, that’s only up to here.

Thanks to their low levels, I can still fight alongside them.

But as they level up and grow stronger, will there be a place for me?

Fujii-kun’s word “porter” crosses my mind.

If I become useless in combat, could I still stay in the party with monster dismantling and dimensional storage……?

My heartbeat quickens, and I can’t even hear the sounds of their fight anymore.

Then, a strange female voice speaks directly into my head.

《Are you, Suzuki Hinata, prepared to accept your fate?》

!?

I look around, but no one’s there. Yet I definitely heard a human voice speaking to me—different from the usual ones.

《Are you, Suzuki Hinata, prepared to accept your fate?》

Hearing it a second time confirms it’s not a hallucination.

At that moment, the two, having just defeated the floor boss, wave at me with smiles, calling my name.

“Hinata-kun~ Hurry up~!”

“We won fair and square~”

Putting the mysterious voice on hold, I head to them and collect the floor boss.

Unable to think of what I can do for them, a haze lingers in my chest.

“Having Hinata-kun around really helps, huh~”

“Yeah, leave it to me. I’ll do my best with whatever I can.”

“Hm?”

I flash a smile at Hina, who tilts her head curiously, and leave the boss room.

Outside, the waiting explorers start whispering as if they’d been anticipating us.

To keep Hina and Shino from reacting, I quickly leave the waiting area.

It’s obvious from a glance—Hina and Shino are dirtied from battle, while I’m spotless, reinforcing the idea I paid for them.

“Hinata-kun! Wait!”

“Both of you, don’t get mad over something so trivial.”

“B-But! The truth is completely different!”

“……No, what they said isn’t entirely wrong. You two defeated the boss, after all.”

“T-That’s…… but even you could’ve easily……”

“Both of you, let’s head back, okay? I’m hungry, and Hina’s mom’s probably waiting.”

I don’t remember what we talked about after that.

Emerging from the dungeon, it’s oddly already evening.

We didn’t even eat the bentos made for us.

They must’ve held back their hunger to match me.

With my Hunger Resistance skill, I didn’t notice at all.

What can I even do for them? Suppress Absolute Ice, send telepathy—that’s it.

They called me the leader, yet I can’t manage time and just coasted along—I’m furious with myself.

Why did I become an explorer?

To never make my sister cry again, to become strong—that’s why I became an explorer. Yet…… I haven’t done anything.

After dinner at Hina’s house and walking Shino home, I find myself…… standing on E90’s first floor.

“What…… am I doing……?”

Will I be able to party with Hina and the others tomorrow and go to a dungeon……?

《Are you, Suzuki Hinata, prepared to accept your fate?》

Do they really need me? If a powerful enemy appears, can I protect them?

《Are you, Suzuki Hinata, prepared to accept your fate?》

My fate…… I’ve always made someone cry. Back home, being mocked as level 0 made my sister cry countless times for my sake.

Even today. If I’d hired them with money, it might’ve been better. We were supposed to be equal party members.

But in reality? They don’t even need me to fight—they’re enough on their own. I’m just a guy collecting materials they don’t need.

Is that…… my fate?

《Are you, Suzuki Hinata, prepared to accept your fate?》

Resolve…… I decided long ago to accept my fate.

The resolve to enter dungeons to grow stronger.

《Are you, Suzuki Hinata, prepared to accept your fate?》

Yeah. I don’t know who you are, but I’ll accept this fate—and defy it. For someone else. And—for myself.

《You, bearer of the fate ‘Fool,’ are hereby granted ‘Fool’s Mask.’》

Fate…… Fool? Fool’s Mask?

The next moment, my body begins to be swallowed by an ominous darkness.

This is…… fate? I don’t fully understand. But one thing’s certain.

A power I’ve never felt before surges from within me.

‘Fool’s Mask’—equipped.

My entire consciousness is overwritten by something. Like a demon, like possession, I don the mask, craving power.

Opening and closing my eyes as a human is natural. But with the mask, my vision is utterly inhuman—everything in all directions is visible at once. Front, sides, back, above, below. Even my own body is crystal clear. Seeing my own back is a strange sensation.

It’s not just sight. The air on my skin, gravity, the wind—every sense transcends normal limits.

I run through the empty E90.

Even with skills boosting my speed, this is on another level—trees I crash into get blown away, as if mocking my previous limits.

I face a single monster. Normally, it’d charge with its fangs bared, but now it just trembles, staring up at me.

As I slowly approach and touch it, the Kuna vanishes on the spot.

I didn’t defeat it—it simply disappeared. I can sense that instinctively.

Using Floor Scan, I sprint toward the boss room.

Running full speed to the distant boss room takes mere dozens of seconds.

I enter and face the floor boss.

Gige, too, is different—trembling all over, staring at me.

From a distance, I thrust both hands forward.

I’d envied watching Hina and Shino attack from afar. I thought if I could do that, I could support them.

So—I unleash something.

The darkness enveloping me takes form as black lightning, surging from my entire body.

It moves like threads under my will, each one controllable.

I send countless black bolts toward Gige, and it evaporates in an instant, vanishing.

“With this power…… I can…… protect them…… haha…… hahaha, ahahaha!”

I should be happy. I should be thrilled…… so why are tears streaming down my face?

Was power what I wanted? No, that’s not it.

Solving everything with power—what would that leave me? What I truly want…… is just one thing…… someone to accept me.

I remove the mask. My vision returns to normal, pulling me back to reality. It tells me this is where I belong.

With heavy steps, I leave E90 and return to the dorm.

In the darkness, as I reach the school gate, I hear two familiar voices.

“Hinata-kun!”

“!?”

Lifting my head, I see Hina and Shino, their big eyes brimming with tears.

Illuminated by the streetlights, they run straight toward me.

“Why…… are you here?”

“Because…… you looked so sad, Hinata-kun…… we got worried……”

“Your room’s lights weren’t on……”

I thought I’d smiled properly. I’ve practiced fake smiles enough, and I even activated my Poker Face skill. So how……?

“Hey, Hinata-kun. Is being with us…… painful for you?”

“!?! N-No way that’s true!”

“Then why won’t you tell us properly?”

“Huh?”

“What you’re struggling with, what you think and feel about us…… I want to know.”

“I want to know too. You brought your voice to me in a world where I couldn’t hear anything.”

“No one could get close to me, but you did, Hinata-kun. That alone saved me.”

Hina and Shino grip both my hands tightly.

I see tears streaming down their cheeks.

“I’m…… not the person you think I am. I’m always helpless, making someone cry like this, unable to protect anyone…… I’m a weak man……”

“Hey, Hinata-kun. If someone tries to hurt you, I want to protect you.”

“Even if everyone speaks ill of you, I know your kindness.”

“So don’t call yourself weak. Don’t carry everything alone.”

“We’re right here too. Let us share your pain with you.”

“Hina…… Shino……”

Tears well up unbidden.

What does it mean to be strong?

My fate is ‘Fool,’ they say. Yeah, that’s right. I’m a hopelessly foolish man. Even with these two who truly see me, I keep wallowing, getting anxious on my own, deciding the future by myself.

When there are people crying for my sake like this. I really am a useless guy.

The moon, hidden by clouds, slowly emerges, lighting us up.

They beam at me, holding my hands gently and pressing them to their cheeks.

“Tell us anything if it’s hard, okay?”

“You’re kinder than anyone. That’s the you we love.”

“Yeah. That’s why, can you tell us?”

Sitting on a bench, with them still holding my hands, I spill everything I’d been thinking.

I’d resolved to enter this school, yet I realize I’m still pathetically weak.

“…………”

“…………”

Guess I’m so pitiful they’re too stunned to speak.

Shino lets out a big sigh.

“Haah…… Hey, Hinata-kun.”

“Y-Yeah……”

“Are you seriously thinking you’re weak or something?”

“Y-Yeah…… I can barely keep up with you two now, but if you get stronger, I might just become a burden……”

“Haah…… Hinata-kun. When Hina-chan said today that she’s glad you were there, how did you take it?”

Huh? She meant during the floor boss, right?

“That was…… about the monster dismantling, wasn’t it……?”

Hina flinches beside me, staring at me.

Then, for some reason, she slumps her shoulders.

“Words…… are tough, huh…… I’ve been suppressing my emotions for a while, so I guess I couldn’t convey it properly.”

“No, Hina-chan. This is all because Hinata-kun’s so dense.”

“Dense!?”

“Um, Hinata-kun? That wasn’t about the dismantling…… it’s…… b-because…… you…… were watching over us from behind…… even if we were about to lose, it felt reassuring…… not just Absolute Ice or anything……”

“!?”

“Even if our levels keep rising and we get stronger, your value won’t drop, okay?”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah. I’d bet on it.”

“I’ll bet too!”

They lean closer, their warmth flowing through my arms.

!? T-The distance…… it’s too close!?

“Hehe. Looks like the usual you is back.”

“Yeah. It feels like the usual Hinata-kun vibe~”

“I-I don’t get it, but…… could you both…… maybe back off a bit……?”

They glance at each other over me. And then,

“No way~”

“Ehhh!?”

They cling to my arms even tighter.

In the quiet night sky, my heartbeat echoes loudly.

The next day.

Heading out early, I run into Fujii-kun.

“You look tired.”

Our voices overlap the moment we meet.

“Dungeon?”

“Yeah…… C3 was way tougher than I thought.”

He’d said yesterday he was switching hunting grounds.

“You look pretty worn out too, Hinata-kun.”

“Haha…… well, a lot happened.”

“I see. Being in a party comes with all sorts, huh. Let’s keep at it today~!”

“Yeah. Come by tonight when you’re back—I’ll treat you to tea.”

“!? G-Got it! That might keep me going~”

“No, don’t push yourself for that.”

“Haha~ But thanks, Hinata-kun. See you tonight, then.”

“Yeah.”

Seeing Fujii-kun off, I head to the Kamui house.

At the entrance, Hina waves with a smile.

“Morning.”

“Morning~!”

Seeing Hina’s smile first thing is a joy.

As planned, we head to Shino’s house next.

Walking the usual night route with Shino in daylight with Hina feels strange. Every passing guy turns to look at Hina.

I don’t know why, but Hina’s smiling the whole time.

“Hina?”

“Yeah?”

“Something good happen?”

“Yup! Something great~”

“I-I see.”

“Shino-chan’s waiting, so let’s hurry~”

Hina pulls my left hand.

Now even Hina’s holding my hand, not just Shino. Shino’s like my sister, so I managed, but Hina’s still tough to handle.

Calming my racing heart, we reach the Kagura house, where Shino waits with a smile.

“Alright, let’s head to the dungeon with gusto today too~!”

With Shino pulling my right hand and Hina my left, we head to D46, same as yesterday.

Like yesterday, we move through the snowfield from the first floor to the waiting area before the boss room.

Maybe because it’s Sunday, it’s more crowded than yesterday.

Ignoring it, we pass through, and everyone turns to Hina and Shino.

Amid envious stares, they confidently pull me onto the magic circle.

“Okay, today you take it down, Hinata-kun.”

“O-okay?”

“Come on, come on.”

“Alright.”

At Shino’s suggestion, I’ll face the floor boss today.

I’ll hold off on using Fool’s Mask from yesterday—it’s my trump card.

I close the distance to the floor boss in one rush.

Before it can charge at me, I leap in and kick down on its head.

《The skill ‘Monster Analysis (Weak)’ has identified the monster as ‘Shiroga.’》

《Its weakness is wind attributes. Its rare drop is ‘Snow Crystal Orb.’》

A deafening boom echoes, and cracks spread across the ground like a shockwave hit.

I step back to check the monster’s state. Next time it moves, I’ll target its legs.

If it heads for Hina and Shino, I’ll use Fool’s Mask to unleash that black lightning.

“Hi~na~ta~ku~n.”

Shino’s cheerful voice calls from behind.

“Hm?”

“It’s already down~”

“!?”

“Come on, collect it, and let’s head out~”

“Y-Yeah.”

Pushed by Shino, I collect the floor boss and step outside.

The place was packed with explorers, but we spread a leisure sheet Hina brought and sit in an open spot.

“How’d it go?”

“S-Somehow, I can manage up to here?”

“Manage? You’re terrifyingly strong, you know. We held back yesterday on purpose. It’d feel bad if we just followed you around.”

So…… that’s how it was.

“We can’t carry stuff or dismantle, so all we can do is fight in your place, right?”

I wanted to say that’s not true, but if I kept defeating and collecting, they’d have nothing to do—that’s a fact.

“Sorry……”

“As long as you get it. You’re not weak, and you can give us orders too, okay? Leader.”

“Y-Yeah, got it.”

Then, I feel killing intent aimed at me from behind.

Turning, I see four smirking guys standing there.

“Hey, ditch that dumbass and join our party.”

“Yeah, we’d treat you way better.”

I stop Shino from standing and get up myself.

“Ooh, the little prince is mad~? Gonna tattle to daddy~?”

“Kyahaha!”

I don’t know what’s so funny, but they start laughing like it’s a riot.

Sigh…… they’re not much different from Gai-kun. Maybe higher level, but I feel no fear.

The floor boss’s killing intent was way stronger.

“Hinata-kun~ take it easy, okay~”

At Shino’s cue, I unleash the Intimidation skill that made Hina cry so many times, full force.

“Eek!?”

“Sorry, but if you mess with my party members, I’ll fight you with everything I’ve got.”

Their faces turn pale, and they stumble back.

It even made Hina cry, so I figured it’d work—turns out it’s more effective than I thought.

“S-Sorryyyy!” they yell in unison, fleeing the waiting area.

Oddly, all the other explorers bolt out too.

“I said take it easy, didn’t I?”

“Did I…… overdo it?”

“Yeah, way too much~”

Feeling a bit guilty, I’m still glad I could protect them from malice.

After that, we eat lunch, they defeat the floor boss, we rest, repeat three times, and head out.

At the dungeon entrance, I hear rumors: “Thought an irregularity popped up—never imagined explorers fighting would make everyone run. What kinda guy was that?”

After dinner at the Kamui house, I walk Shino home and return to the dorm.