High School Hack and Slash Chapter 111 Part 2
「Well, long story short, even if it’s said to be a『Lore (Legend)』 type, everything is alright as long as you defeat the core boss that serves as the core of the other world (raid).」
「There was a boss that seemed to match that point.」
It’s probably the multi-headed dragon that was frozen in ice in the middle of the central area.
「… How many heads were there?」
I’m asked as such by Shizuka, who is pressing her finger against her lips, but I only passed by it, so I don’t remember.
It’s just that, it’s considerably smaller than Yamata no Orochi we encountered in the mountain during our summer vacation, and I think it’s just an opponent of the same level as the guardian of the realm gate from the dungeon tenth stratum and beyond.
「I think it’s probably some kind of hydra, but I can’t think of a situation where it would appear in Manhattan….」
「Hmm~, if it’s a low-ranked raid, perhaps there’s also the possibility that it was born from a minor urban legend.」
Mikan-senpai, groaning in a cute manner, tilts her head slightly.
I wonder if there’s a white crocodile boss in the sewers, or if a slit-mouthed woman is serving as the boss.
「Well, it looks like this time, for the quest itself, we’ll be able to manage somehow or another. The problem is the other groups of challengers (raiders) who have also entered the raid domain, I suppose.」
Everyone nods in agreement to Rinko’s words, while Tatsuya gulps, swallowing his saliva.
*Thump thump thump* Position pins rain down and stick into the map displayed on the table.
Talk about meticulousness in one’s work.
I pat the heads of Miharu and Natsumi, who are making faces that they want to be praised.
「The groups assembled in the west and east areas are probably raiders who have formed teams and are working as one, I suppose. The ones scattered in the north area are solo attackers…, rather than such people, maybe more like victims who were dragged in unintentionally?」
「I guess you’re right. I doubt there are any daredevils who would attempt to conquer a raid solo, after all.」
「Then, does that mean these three are Shinnosuke, Riru-chan, and Yuka-chan?」
The pins stuck in the north area just happen to indicate three people.
They’re stuck in separate positions, but it conforms to the number of party members Tatsuya-kun is looking for.
「The possibility is there, but I can’t say for sure. According to what Miharu-chan said, the domain is divided into five areas, though.」
「Yeah, and when I tried to enter the park in the central area, I couldn’t get through because there was some sort of invisible wall, you see… Is it the same for the boundary of the east, west, south, west, and north-south areas, too?」
「Mm.」
「… Wait a minute. Touma-kun, didn’t you go from the west area, through the central area, all the way to the east area?」
「Destroyed the barrier.」
Well, it ended up getting closed soon enough, though.
For some reason, I’m being pierced by everyone’s still gaze.
「I suppose we now understand the reason why the space cracking-like sound of destruction roared… Ignoring that kind of definitely illegal route, I think the location you raid in is set to be somewhere in the four areas at random.」
「In other words, does that mean the probability for the three of them to have been sent to different areas is higher?」
「If the situation is such that we can’t move between areas, then it would be more natural to assume that they have joined up with the group that is in the area, I suppose.」
I guess it’s human nature to become a dependent on a group when they are in a situation that they can’t deal with on their own.
「… It’d be nice if the other side are decent people, though.」
「I don’t think we can expect much on that, but it looks like this time, we’re in for a slightly unexpected situation, I suppose.」
「Foreigner, was it? The ones that Touma-kun came across.」
I nod to Mai, who seems to not believe it even now.
「In other words, does that mean they’re not students of our academy?」
「I don’t know about that, but speaking of their hairs, some were blonde while some were brunette, as for their skins, some were white while some were black.」
Also, the words fək, Jē’zəs, and mī ɡäd were flying around.
「For there to be people other than the students of the academy in the dungeon.」
「— Well, I guess it’s not impossible.」
「You know about it, Seiichi?」
As Seiichi nods his head, Rinko-senpai, perhaps perceiving his guess, connects the dots.
「Which means… They are raiders of dungeon conquest organization from other countries, I suppose.」
「Huh? There are dungeons in other countries, too?」
「There are. Rather, we’ve learned about it in class, haven’t we?」
Seiichi throws a retort at Mai’s joke, but I don’t remember it either.
「Well, I don’t know the actual number since each country doesn’t make it public, but it’s said that there are a considerable number of dungeons all over the world. The large scale dungeons in Europe, China, and India are even said to be about the same size as Yomotsu Hirasaka (here).」
「That’s right. Each large scale dungeon is put under strict control of the country, apparently. Along with the『Dungeon Conquest Organization』 that’s similar to the academy.」
Ooh, something like that.
I couldn’t care less about the circumstances of other countries.
It seems that everyone isn’t too interested in it either.
Sure enough, I do think that it’s a stunning sensational occult material, but for those of us who have actually been conquering a dungeon, it’s too late for a matter.
「But, you see… Does that have anything to do with the case this time?」
「It’s ultimately just something like a rumor, and it has yet to be actually confirmed, but… The thing is that, the dungeons all over the world are perhaps connected to each other at the core part.」
「Hmm. That’s not particularly strange of a matter, is it? I mean, if you pass through the dungeon that spread out inside the round earth, you’ll be able to come out at the other side, no?」
That idea is faulty.
Mai’s image of dungeon must be a kind of『Hollow Earth Theory』, so to speak.
Like an ant’s nest, I guess.
My image of dungeon, by the way, is a fantasy along the lines of another world transfer.
「… Well, there are a lot of theories pertaining to that, but the point is that『raid domains move inside the dungeon』. It’s said that they are drawn to the entrance of the dungeon, but it’s not like there’s a clear trend of it either.」
「In other words, there’s also the possibility that the raiders who are conquering the dungeons in other countries have been dragged into the raid as well.」
Rinko-senpai nods to Shizuka, who is deep in thought with her hand pressed against her mouth.
「I suppose. It seems that this time, things are brewing into a pretty irregular raid festival, after all. Which means it’s not just our dungeon, but perhaps the same is true with the other dungeons as well.」
◇ ◇ ◇
In raid quests, where you dive inside the dungeon the whole time, it’s an ironclad rule to maintain your way of life outside.
A static environment where day and night do not rotate will plainly turn into a source of stress.
Eating and sleeping ought to be adjusted to the body’s internal clock as much as possible.
After doing some reconnaissance as well as policy-deciding on the first day, we soundly rested to restore our energy.
「… I thought we were going to pitch some tents like at camp, but….」
「It felt as if we were staying at a fancy hotel in a foreign country.」
「I never would have expected for it to actually be fully equipped even with a bath.」
「The open air bath was wonderful….」
The Senpais have an obsession with baths.
The first timer quartet are pretty surprised.
Mirin, for instance, who is of the same Craftsman class, harbors a newfound respect for them, a twinkle in her eyes.
Perhaps, as long as it’s together with the Senpais, we would be able to lead a comfortable life even if we were to be confined in the dungeon for years, I think.
Woken up by Kurumi-senpai’s clanking frying pan, we were served a tomato-series breakfast.
The fluffy scrambled eggs, which were made of fresh eggs, were also pretty delicious.
It seems that the chicken lizard null mobs that Yuki-chan has bred have tenaciously survived in the courtyard of the Demon Lord’s castle.
They seem to have grown a bit in size and evolved from nameless, meaningless monstrous creatures (Null Mob) to monsters with a name, but, well, it doesn’t matter.
When the Senpais promptly built a chicken house for them, they went cluck-cluck hiss-hiss in delight, so I guess they are harmless.
「Well then, have a safe trip!」
At the main gate of the Demon Lord’s castle, we are sent off by Mikan-senpai and the others.
We’re having the Senpais on standby as the base station defense, while we’re sallying out as the offensive unit.
On our side, in addition to the usual conquest members, we have Tatsuya-kun and Honami-san, plus Merion-senpai whom I’ve asked to accompany us as an interpreter.
「I’ll do my best, to be helpful.」
Merion-senpai who is clenching her fists tightly and firing herself up is very cute.
I’m not that worried about the defensive force of the base.
If it’s an interception style battle, the Senpais’『Armed Golem』 will be able to exhibit their full power.
Even if a problem were to occur, we would be able to receive their emergency call as long as we have Meiron-senpai with us.
「As I thought, the period setting is different from the present day… I don’t think it’s older than a hundred years, though.」
「Old styled cars are abandoned here and there, but do they work?」
Shizuka and Mai are in a sightseeing tour mood as they restlessly look around with interest.
Saki, who is in high spirits, and Miharu and Natsumi, who are stroking the doggies that are behaving in a spoiled manner, are operating as usual.
Next to the eager Merion-senpai, her『Armed Golem』 Daidara-kun, is walking in a heavy and clumsy manner.
Daidara-kun, donning a haniwa-like featureless mask, boasts a huge body that’s the largest in size even among the golems summoned by the Senpais.
Following closely behind such Daidara-kun is Peperon-kun.
He looks like a self-running 2-ton truck.
He’s a metabolic dragon that looks like he would make the ground cave in, but his footsteps are unnaturally light.
I guess some magic-like power is at work here.
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
High School Hack and Slash
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 70 hours
Tftc