The next day, I arrived at the nearby park.
I didn't really want to go out on a Saturday, but it was necessary to challenge the dungeon. By the way, the other two haven't arrived at the park yet.
Dungeon Survival is a game that utilizes location information, similar to games like Pokemon Go and Walkr. It involves finding dungeons in the city on the app and challenging them. To challenge dungeons other than the tutorial dungeon, it's necessary to go outside.
"They're late. I'm a little worried."
I asked why the ogre was there, but it seems neither of them knows. They were walking home together when it suddenly appeared in front of them. And then the ogre appeared, as I know it.
Even checking the app's description, there's no explanation. What was that ogre, and will it continue to appear suddenly in the city? No matter how much I think about it, there's no answer, just growing anxiety.
"Without being able to post on social media or stream the dungeon, and monsters appearing in the city... I wonder if they want to promote the app or not."
I can't read the developer's intentions.
"Shion!! Sorry, we're late!"
"S-Shion-kun!! S-Sorry!"
As I'm thinking about that, the two arrived ten minutes late. Shiha-san came running lightly, and Kuroba-senpai came running with sweat dripping heavily. Oh, both of them... their chests are bouncing heavily.
Perhaps to challenge the dungeon, both of them are wearing school-designated tracksuits. Shiha-san's tracksuit is the same green as mine, and Kuroba-senpai's tracksuit is red. Personally, I wanted to see their casual clothes, but these potato-like tracksuits also have their own charm.
"N-No, I just got here too."
That's a lie. I actually arrived ten minutes ago.
Moreover, I've been wandering around this area for over two hours. I couldn't muster the courage to go into a cafe alone, so I've been walking around this neighborhood for over two hours. While playing Pokemon Go.
I'm an introvert, so I have extremely few experiences playing with friends. Even though dungeon conquest is exciting, I couldn't just sit still and arrived quite early.
"Well then, let's challenge it right away. Here we go!"
Shiha-san tapped her smartphone.
And then—
*Gyuon!!*
With that sound, a bronze gate appeared in front of us. It's about 1.5 meters tall, smaller than the gate from last time.
"Now, let's challenge it."
"Y-Yes."
"H-Hehe... Y-Yeah..."
The three of us challenged the dungeon.
...Kuroba-senpai and I, being big, had a little trouble getting into the gate. Especially Kuroba-senpai, with her large chest and buttocks, and she's a bit chubby overall... she got stuck and it took several minutes just to get into the dungeon.
---
We entered the dungeon.
The interior is like a normal cave.
There are some mosses growing on the rock surface, and the ground is damp.
There are plenty of glow mosses growing on the ceiling, making the inside surprisingly bright. It's as bright as the middle of the day in the city, so there's no problem with visibility.
"But... it's pretty normal."
"Yeah, it's the most common type... an orthodox dungeon. When you think of dungeons, it's probably the type everyone imagines first."
"Well, if you put it nicely, it's as expected. Like when you throw away an old refrigerator and buy a new one, it cools things better than the old refrigerator."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, uh... it's nothing."
I made a joke, but it didn't land. Painful.
"How many times have you challenged dungeons?"
"T-This is my third time."
"Oh, really? Are they all solo?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Wow, that's amazing. I respect you."
"N-No, it's not that amazing."
Even though I'm being modest, I can't help but grin.
I've never been praised by anyone other than my mom, but being praised by a friend... it feels so good. It's the best feeling.
"Anyway, it's surprising that there were players from the neighboring class. I don't know the total number of players, but the world is small, huh?"
"Y-Yeah, I was surprised too. I never thought there would be two players so close by."
"If you look around, there might be even more."
"Y-Yeah, maybe."
Since Shiha is in the advanced course and I'm in the regular course, there's a difference there. I worked hard in junior high, but with my brain, I couldn't get into the advanced course.
Well, even in the regular course, there are students who have found paths beyond the advanced course in the past. I'll learn from my predecessors and work hard in my studies.
"..."
"..."
Still, Kuroba-senpai is silent.
Is she quiet by nature, or is it because she's not good at talking that there's no topic?
Either way, it's quite awkward.
But anyway, I feel like I can get along with her.
Because we're the same kind, I'm sure.
"Sh-Shion-kun!"
"Y-Yes. What is it?"
"Sh-Shion-kun... d-do you like... p-plump girls?"
"Huh?"
An unexpected question came.
Should I answer this honestly?
"W-Well... yes. I-I like them to some extent."
"H-How much would you like them!?"
"W-Well... I-I like them quite a bit. I-I mean, more than someone with a skinny body like a chicken bone, I prefer plump girls."
"I-Is that so...? Ehehe."
Eh, why are you giggling?
I'm so confused.
But anyway, I'm glad I got to talk to senpai.
...I feel like I've exposed my sexuality and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
"Oh, a magic circle!"
Shiha's voice echoed in the dungeon, and a magic circle formed on the ground in front of us. And—
*Gishaaa!!*
Appeared was a mantis over three meters tall.
Its scythes are sharp and specialized for slaughtering prey. The large eyes on its triangular head are always fixed on us. It drips saliva and stares at us as if we were its prey.
According to the guidebook, this monster is called a Death Mantis. It reigns high among the F-rank monsters and is described as a beginner killer that has taken down many beginners. In other words, it's an extremely dangerous enemy.
"Both of you, leave this to me."
The two nodded quietly.
And I stepped forward to protect them.
"Alright, time to earn some experience."
With a sword in hand, I murmured.