Issa scanned the file displayed on his PC monitor, then transferred it to his device. Once the file appeared in the dungeon creation page and was selectable, he left his workroom.
"Hmm? What's up?"
In the living room, Oboro, who had been petting Inaho and the other Nukkonyans, noticed Issa and called out.
"I'm done with my work... now I'm going to implement it into the dungeon."
"Have you been forgetting to eat and sleep again?"
"I didn't know you were the type to get so absorbed in your work that you forget basic needs. Seriously, you need to take better care of yourself."
"Yeah, sorry..."
Apologizing while shrinking under the concerned gaze of Sengetsu and the slightly stern Miyan, who had her hands on her hips, Issa sat down next to the Nukkonyans, who were curled up together in a ball. Hisui immediately laid down like a backrest behind him, while Oboro and Inaho sat by his side. The rest of the group gathered around them.
"You said you're a composer, but now that I think about it, this will be my first time properly hearing your music."
"I've listened to the Vocaloid songs with Yumizuru and Sora!"
"I haven't heard any game music yet, so I'm excited!"
"The Vocaloid songs were super good! They had lots of plays on WeeTube, too!"
"I remember you had quite a few subscribers as well."
The three who had been learning customer service on the computer gave him sparkling looks, making Issa feel a bit bashful. He averted his gaze and turned his attention back to the device.
"For now, I'll set up the BGM... after that, I'll check how it sounds in the dungeon. I've only decided to play the main theme in front of the central building. By the way, doesn't the central building need a proper name?"
"True, calling it 'the main building' is a bit bland. But we can decide the name after the BGM is implemented. Hurry up, I'm eager to hear it."
"Your eyes are really shining… Just give me a sec."
Issa operated the device, setting the BGM for various areas of the dungeon. He drew lines with his finger to designate the regions and assigned BGM to them. After checking for any blank spaces or overlapping areas, he finished the setup.
"Alright, it's done. Now, let's enter the dungeon… everyone coming?"
The moment Issa mentioned going into the dungeon, everyone stood up eagerly. When he asked, they nodded vigorously, and so the whole group entered the dungeon.
They arrived at the entrance of a water city, the main street stretching out before them through the gates.
It was currently the dead of night. Above them, a sky full of stars twinkled, the cool air around them quiet, with only the sound of a bell ringing softly in the distance. Gradually, more layers of sound began to join in. The buildup was subtle, the stillness accentuated by the instruments, which slowly faded out until only the bell remained. Then, the music looped back to the beginning, blending into the quiet night, coloring it without disturbing it—just enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.
"Magnificent."
"Great work."
Oboro, captivated by the music, muttered quietly, while Issa, embarrassed by the praise, looked away, mumbling in response. He still wasn't used to being complimented directly.
"The music loops, huh?"
"Yeah… It bothered me when there was a pause between loops, so I worked hard to make it smooth."
After answering the curious Miyan, everyone ran off to different parts of the dungeon to check the BGM for themselves. Umi and Sora headed to their guild, while Yumizuru, Miyan, the Nukkonyans, and the Minimanuccos went to the cat café and the clinic. The bird monsters took off toward the fields, and Sengetsu casually strolled down the main street.
That left Issa, the composer, still listening to the BGM with Oboro, along with Hisui and Inaho, who were sitting nearby.
"So, I'm going to check the other areas. Are you staying here?"
"Hmm? Ah, yes. I'll enjoy the music leisurely."
"Alright. Inaho, take care of Oboro, okay?"
"Meow!"
"...You're entrusting me to Inaho, not Inaho to me?"
"Yep."
"...Very well. I'll relax here with Inaho."
"Okay. Hisui, let's go."
"Meow."
After giving Inaho a pat, Issa set off to check the other areas' BGM, with Hisui in tow.
As he checked the different parts of the water city, the bird monsters reported back to him with feedback—such as places missing BGM, overlapping tracks, or BGM not triggering during encounters with enemy monsters. To be honest, the bird monsters provided more useful information than the humanoid monsters in the city. The staff in the city hadn't moved from their respective workstations, so they weren't bringing back any feedback. Even Sengetsu, who was casually walking around, was just enjoying the music without checking anything.
"How am I going to check the underwater BGM? We don't have any monsters suited for underwater environments… Can Oboro check? Maybe I'll just stick my head in the water and listen...? Nah, I can't hold my breath that long..."
"Meow."
"Yeah, let's ask Oboro."
Opening his device, Issa teleported back to the water city. He was glad that dungeon creators could move around easily inside the dungeon. On the device, he opened the map, tapped the location he wanted to go, and pressed the warp button to transport himself there.
"Oboro."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Can you check the underwater BGM for me? I need to make sure it's working properly."
"Ah, leave it to me. Should I check it by diving into the lake and following the river? Or is there a specific place you've set with different BGM?"
"No, all the underwater areas have the same track. No problem."
"Alright. I'll go check."
After asking Oboro, who was still lounging near the entrance to the water city, Issa moved toward the central building that floated on the water. On the way, Sengetsu, who had been strolling leisurely, joined him, followed by Yumizuru, who had just left the clinic.
"I'm heading down to check now."
They watched as Oboro slowly submerged himself into the lake.
"Meow!"
"Huh? Has Oboro been so absorbed in the music that he hasn't moved this whole time? Is there a chance he'll stay underwater for too long, even though he's supposed to be checking the BGM?"
"Meow."
While grateful he had left Inaho with Oboro earlier, everyone now wondered just when Oboro would resurface from the water.
"Mmm, such beautiful music. Swimming while listening to such a lovely melody is truly a special experience."
"Oboro."
"Hmm?"
"Is there anything you'd like to say to us?"
"...?"
"Oboro-dono, what time do you think it is?"
"...Ah."
The group, who had been in the water city and those who returned from the field, stared at the satisfied Oboro as he emerged from the lake. Sengetsu looked up at the sky, his gaze implying Oboro should notice the passage of time. When they had first entered the dungeon, the stars and moon had shone brightly, but now, the sky was painted with the colors of dawn.
"S-sorry..."
"Well, just be careful next time… Anyway, it's almost morning, so let's check the daytime BGM and then head back to sleep."
"You have separate tracks for day and night?"
"Yeah. No track for morning, but I made different ones for day and night. The underwater BGM stays the same."
Answering the surprised Miyan, Issa stretched a bit.
"Alright, everyone, go check your areas. The BGM should switch soon... I'll stay at the water city entrance. Umi, Sora, head to the guild."
"Got it!"
"Understood."
"Yumizuru, take the Nukkonyans and Minimanuccos to the cat café."
"Will do!"
"Miyan, go to the clinic with the Nukkonyans."
"Got it!"
"Oboro, confirm the main theme at the central building."
"Understood."
"And... Sengetsu, could you wander around the field and check with the bird monsters?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Thanks, everyone."
After teleporting Sengetsu and the others to their designated areas and watching the rest of the group scatter, Issa himself warped to the dungeon's entrance to check the main street BGM.