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Over the Infinite Chapter 18 Part 4

 

「”Sadist with glasses,” huh… Yeah, I can see that. But no, that’s not it. The thing is, that guy was actually originally a woman. A fujoshi, to be exact. She was really into BL and even published a lot of doujinshi.”」

[3. TL Note: Fujoshi is a term often used in Japan to describe female fans of manga and novels that feature romantic relationships between men.

“BL” stands for “Boys’ Love,” a genre of fiction that depicts romantic and/or sexual relationships between men.

Doujinshi refers to fan-made or indie manga, novels, or art, often based on existing works but can also be original content. They are usually self-published and sold in limited quantities.]

I didn’t really want to hear that. I hope he’s not publishing any of me.

「He twisted it in the wrong direction, wanting to become a man himself. 」

He seems like a lost cause in many ways.

「So, he eagerly volunteered to be a test subject for gender reassignment, which had no prior cases back then. And, well, he ended up like that. 」

「Then can I change back? 」

「You can. …But there’s one problem, like I said. Yuki-chan, you’ve lived 14 years as a man. 」

I suppose so.

Childhood might have lesser gender differences, but what’s attached is still attached.

「So, whether you’re aware of it or not, those 14 years have left their impact. For example, the guy with the glasses was the most apparent. A sudden change in gender, or even species, can break you. 」

「Break? What will break? 」

「Your mind. Maybe even your soul. It seems like there’s a sort of rejection when bodily integrity is lost. Have you felt something like that? 」

It coincides with what he mentioned before. So, it’s not about my mental state, but something more fundamental.

「…I have. 」

「Actually, there might be a kind of reaction when information engraved on the soul or something tries to rewrite itself. It might also have something to do with the brain or other parts of the body.

The guy with the glasses I talked about earlier, I was planning to progress gradually, but he forced the progression at his own discretion.

As a result, he couldn’t withstand the rapid changes and broke down. He was already a bit strange to begin with, so you wouldn’t notice at a glance, but he’s definitely off. 」

「……… 」

The example is a bit hard to grasp, but essentially, this is something that should be done gradually over time.

「Practically speaking, there’s no precedent like Yuki-chan, so it might be okay if we try, but I want to proceed carefully. 」

「So, it’s possible if we take our time? 」

「Yeah, there are people who have successfully changed their genders afterward, so I think it’s alright. Of course, I’m not a doctor and it’s not my specialty, so I can’t say for sure. 」

I mean, doctors can’t do such a thing.

「How long would that generally take? 」

「If we proceed in stages, maybe around 5 years. That’s just an estimate, so it’s best to keep an eye on the situation at each stage. 」

「5 years… 」

Whether that’s a long or short time, I, who am not directly involved, don’t know.

Time passes in the infinite corridor, so it might actually be shorter.

「That said, I want to present you with a challenge. 」

「Eh? 」

「What, suddenly? 」

The subject change is abrupt.

「Right now, Yuki-chan’s soul is becoming more male. First, let’s stop that. It’s simple. There will be no growth, but no adverse effects either. 」

「Oh, thank you. That alone is quite a relief… 」

「Then, to gradually turn back into a girl, I’d like you to clear one challenge at a time. 」

「A challenge…? 」

「Yes, about five. You’ll gradually revert to female with each one you clear, and after all five, you’ll be completely female. 」

「……… 」

It’s a tedious discussion, but I’ve started to grasp what the dungeon master is getting at.

「By any chance, are you using this as bait for dungeon conquest? 」

「That’s right. 」

He nonchalantly admitted it. What on earth? I thought he was a lighter character, but he turned out like this.

「In the end, it’s going to take time. To maintain motivation, I’ll set some challenges. These are five trials to encourage growth towards conquering the dungeon. Consider this separate from this time’s bonus. 」

「I don’t particularly like it. 」

Well, I did say that anything is impossible, but conditions after suggesting what’s possible?

But my protest was stopped by Yuki.

「It’s fine, Tsuna. I wasn’t expecting my wish to come true all at once. Rather, I now have a clear goal, and there’s also the bonus of not progressing any further towards being male. 」

Yuki is stopping me, but it’s unsatisfactory.

Originally, it was a right that suddenly sprung up. Moreover, it’s understood that it will take time. That much is clear.

「Surely, it’s not a case where if you fail even one, you’re out? 」

「No, no, I won’t be so harsh. If you fail, I’ll set additional challenges. If you keep at it, you’ll eventually be able to fully revert to being a woman. 

Next, about issuing individual trials, there will inevitably be gaps in timing. For this, let’s auto-scan the situation and issue the next trial only when it’s deemed safe. 」

「You’re not the one deciding the content of the trials? 」

「I could, but might as well make it a proper quest. If I’m the one to issue it, there’s a chance it could be impossible to clear. 」

Well, making it impossible to clear would certainly be a problem.

「In the Labyrinth City, one of the dungeon features allows for the automatic generation of quests. It’s a handy feature that provides a quest within the adventurer’s achievable range once the difficulty level is set.

Once you reach an intermediate level, quests will be issued individually to adventurers by this system. Let’s use that. And if you fail, we’ll lower the difficulty setting. Eventually, you’ll be able to clear it. 」

「So, you’re saying you’ll only issue tasks that are difficult but possible to clear? And if you fail, you lower the hurdle? 」

「Exactly. But the first hurdle will be high. 」

If you want your wish granted quickly, then clear the difficult hurdles.

「Is Yuki okay with that? 」

「I’m fine with it. If I’m getting additional help for when I fail, then that means my wish can come true eventually if I try hard enough. …If it stops the moment I fail once, then that would be a bit troubling. 」

Damn. I can understand what the Dungeon Master wants to say and do.

But what’s this? How can Yuki swallow this so easily? It’s him we’re talking about.

「Tsuna, it’s okay. Having this conversation, I’ve come to understand a bit about the Dungeon Master. …Probably, advancing through the Infinite Corridor is his top priority, right? 」

The Dungeon Master remains silent, with that same unreadable expression. Honestly, it’s creepy looking at it like this.

「That’s why he’s doing what he can, too. I don’t know what lies beyond the 100th floor of the Infinite Corridor, but…probably, this person doesn’t have much time left. 」

Suddenly, what is she… talking about?

「…Hmm, you have a good grasp of it. 」

「I have a good intuition, at least. …I’m probably right, aren’t I? 」

「Yeah, you’re not wrong. I simply find it amazing. …Is this the so-called woman’s intuition? 」

「What are you talking about? 」

What are they talking about?

「…Dungeon Master. How many years have you been transferred here? 」

「A little over 20 years, isn’t it? 」

Given the dates on the bulletin boards and what I’ve heard a few times, it’s been no less than 10 years since the Trial Dungeon was established.

「Considering the mechanics of the Infinite Corridor, I suspect the actual time you’ve experienced is likely much longer. 」

「Ah… 」

It’s not just the Infinite Corridor. This applies to all dungeons—the time inside doesn’t align with the time outside.

When I heard about this, it immediately made sense to me. It could be why the Dungeon Master’s cleared floors are on a completely different scale.

I mean, I myself just recently experienced more than 20 hours in what felt like an instant.

「Very perceptive. You’re probably right…continue. 」

「Okay. Tsuna probably noticed too, but the Infinite Corridor gets wider the higher you go. Naturally, the time to clear it also gets longer. …You are probably progressing “ahead,” aren’t you? 」

「Ah, didn’t you hear? I told Tsuna. 」

「…I didn’t hear. 」

Wait, why am I being blamed in this flow? I thought there was perception inhibition so I couldn’t say it, but is that not included?

「Well, yes, you’re correct. I’m currently at the 1203rd floor. 」

「Seri… 」

Yuki is speechless at the number, which hasn’t changed since then.

「…I’m certain now. …Tsuna, humans don’t live that long, you know? 」

「What are you saying? 」

…Hold on.

So how long has the Dungeon Master lived, then?

How much subjective time have you spent in just over 20 years?

「…Alright, let me take it from here. In reality, I don’t remember exactly how long I’ve been living since being transferred from Earth. It’s been a little less than 25 years in terms of outer time, but the time I’ve experienced is much longer.

Even at around the 100th floor, the time it takes to clear each floor can be several weeks. The difficulty spikes after the 100th floor…naturally, the time to clear it also increases.

…Physically, I’m fine. Whether it’s 1000 or 10,000 years, I can probably live. …But mentally, it’s not possible.

Even though the Dungeon System assists and covers it up, like Yuki-chan said, my limit is close.

My soul is wearing thin, and I’m beginning to feel numb. That’s why I want to accelerate the dungeon-clearing process… I want to go back to Earth. 」

…Damn, what kind of story is he laying on me?

「The limit is probably close. Even if I fake keeping human emotions, there’s only so much I can take. 」

「So your personality is also an act? 」

「Well, it’s close to my original personality, but yes, it’s an act. I try not to forget what it’s like to be human by pretending to be one. …So, you noticed, huh? 」

So, this carefree demeanor is all an act?

「That’s why, if I can use you, I will. I honestly have high expectations for you all… I’ve watched your dungeon-clearing videos. After meeting Tsuna-kun, I actually researched you before you came here. While I couldn’t find anything about your past lives, you guys are different, not just because we come from the same world. You make me feel that way. 

So, I’m truly sorry for relying on you. …Please take me to the depths of the Infinite Corridor. 」

His head bowed down.