"This way, right?…"
"There's only one way, right…?"
"Yes, this way…"
"…Yeah."
Around three and a half months had passed since I met Tina and the others.
Finally, we found the passage that led to the dungeon's exit.
To be honest, we already figured it out yesterday.
But everyone wanted to make sure to check the other paths, because Sheena thought there might even be treasure chests hidden around.
Not that anyone actually wants a treasure chest from the first floor at this point.
Still, we all agreed to humor her and went looking for one.
In the end, all we found were traps.
That night, we all shared one last dinner together.
Tina, Liz, and Sheena, came into the bath with only towels on, as a thank you and helping me wash.
When Tina washed my hair while I rested my head on her lap, it felt like pure bliss.
What was even more exciting was all kept glancing at the towel around my waist, to be precise at my energetic 'son'.
This morning, for the first time, everyone overslept.
I also found it hard to get out of bed, knowing today was the day we would have to say goodbye.
In the end, I went to everyone's room, waking them up myself.
After that, we had leisury breakfast, and as we were finishing, they quietly placed the storage rings on the table, which stored equipments I gave them
I nearly cried
They looked distressed too—well, Sheena was actually crying.
We'd been living together for over three months, exploring, fighting, eating, and even sharing baths together—though that was only on the last day
On our off days, we'd play basketball in soldier tents with a ball made from monster hide and hoops made from bones.
We even played dice games with a naughty punishment I came up with.
Every day was fulfilling.
I love them, not just one, all three of them. I love living with them.
But now, we have to part ways.
I want to stay with them, but they have loved ones they left behind in the Empire.
I'd destroy the slave system if I could, free them and their loved ones in one go.
But no matter how much rank has risen, fighting the Empire that conquered the world all on my own sounds impossible.
Even if I there were the so called skill to "obtain the world," I have no idea how to actually get those skills.
Maybe I need to combine it with other skills.
More than anything, I don't even know what's happening outside.
I'll gather information outside and find a way to reunite with them.
I said my goodbyes to Undine, giving her a lot of magic water and cast [Tracking] on each of them, so I can find them again.
Every stalker in the world would envy for how easily using my magic in following them.
Don't call it creepy—I think so, too. But this way, we'll meet again. I'm sure of it.
They've grown stronger too. They're using with decent equipments we acquired along the way.
Estina
Species: Elf
HP/Stamina: B+
Magic: A
Strength: B+
Agility: A-
Dexterity: A
Skills: [Body Enhancement IV], [Small Heal III], [Appraisal III]
Notes: Contracted with the middle-rank water spirit, Undine
Sheena
Species: Rabbit Folk
HP/Stamina: B+
Magic: B
Strength: B+
Agility: A
Dexterity: B
Acquired Skills: [Appraisal III], [Night Vision III], [Hawk Eye III], [Body Enhancement III], [Small Heal III], [Glacial Shift III]
Liz
Species: Cat Folk
Stamina: A-
Magic: B
Strength: A-
Agility: A
Dexterity: B-
Acquired Skills: [Body Enhancement III], [Strong Arm III], [Wind Blade III], [Wind Wall III], [Detection II]
Their statuses have improved, and I helped them learn skills like Appraisal and Detection.
Apparently if they reach A-rank, their treatment would improve considerably
I did everything I could for them. I'm sure they will be fine until we meet again.
I continued to reassuring myself that they will be fine, while listening their words of farewell
"Hikaru… thank you for everything. I look forward to the day we meet again," Tina said with bitter smile
"Hikaru… you're more than just our savior. There's… a lot I'm grateful for. Honestly, I kinda liked you," Liz muttered, turning away shyly as she rubbed her nose.
"Hikaru-san… T-the rabbit wishes you were my m-master…" Sheena stuttered, her face was messed up with tears.
"I've been alone in this dungeon for a long time. Even though I had my own purpose, my heart and mental broke many times. Loneliness was painful. But then I met Tina, Liz, and Sheena. You three healed my heart. So, if anyone should be grateful, it's me. Once I'm out, I'll find a way to the Empire and join you. I love Tina, Liz, and Sheena. So for now, lets do our best until then."
"Hikaru… I'll be waiting…" Tina whispered.
"Y-you idiot… saying you love me, and all three of us… well whatever, just hurry up and come…," Liz mumbled.
"Hi-Hikaru-san… please buy the rabbit too… please…" Sheena sobbed.
I nodded and urged them to head to the exit.
They walked slowly towards the exit, promising to wait for me.
Apparently, there are no soldiers at the entrance of the dungeon, as it is located on the halfway up on a mountain.
Being on an island, security is concentrated at the base of the mountain, where the SDF and I first gathered before entering the dungeon.
Just to be safe, I plan to leave late at night, sneaking out under the cover of darkness, and return home using a gate key.
If the Empire's soldiers see us, it'll cause trouble for Tina and the others.
I watched their retreating figures as they slowly walked out of sight.
Then, I turned to the way I came
I finally made it back to this floor…
There were no corpses of the Self-Defense Force, Baba, or Hamada here.
This is because, except for the boss room, each floor randomly changes its appearance every one or two years.
At that time, any corpse and their equipments will be swallowed up by the dungeon.
So, the general outline of this first floor had change quite a bit. But I still knew this was the area.
Up ahead… I hadn't encountered any Velociraptors or Fire Lizards on the way here.
I've been hearing something ever since I arrived at this floor.
Everyone… they are telling me to get revenge here first.
As I reached the plaza I found yesterday, Velociraptors began to leap out from countless holes, followed by a swarm of Fire Lizards.
I was welcomed by a bigger crowd than the last time I was here.
I drew my magic iron sword and stood in the plaza's center, ready to face down the Velociraptors swarming in from all directions.
"Come on, let's see how different I am now from back then! [Demon Vanquisher] [Inferno Hell]!'"
I unleashed [Demon Vanquisher] all around me, slowing the Velociraptors, then followed it with [Inferno Hell IV]
This time, I can easily drain their magic stones to kill them instantly.
But I don't want that. I won't let them die so easily.
Flames engulfed the Velociraptors, roasting them as they collapsed one after another.
"Take this!"
I dodged the scorching heat while charging at the remaining Velociraptors, severing their necks one by one. The Velociraptor's head dropped to the ground even before it could let out a dying cry.
The Fire Lizards approached me from behind while trying to surround me, and I unleashed another skill.
"'[Glacial Shift]!'"
I channeled enough magic power to freeze the entire area.
Then, ice spread from beneath me in all directions, covering the ground. Any Fire Lizard that touched the ice froze rapidly from its feet to its body and finally its head.
"I hunted down many monster from the deeper floors to get here, and this is all you send to me? Damn it! Is this all there is? These pathetic things… Everyone, Baba, Hamada, Mita, Suzuki, Tanabe! They were killed by creatures at this level? Damn it! Hey, shitty dungeon! It's not enough! Where is your favorite tactic of suddenly teleporting monsters in? Hurry up and send them to me!"
I yelled and venting my frustration and helplessness while thinking back to the weak and powerless human I was two years ago.
But the dungeon was quiet, all I saw was a charred Velociraptor exposing its black magic stone, and ice sculptures of Fire Lizards.
For the rest of the day, I continued sweeping through the first floor until nightfall, hunting down every last Velociraptor and Fire Lizard.
I didn't know which of them had killed my friends. So, I figured I will just kill every monster on this floor…