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Over the Infinite Chapter 26 Part 3

 

「It’s an issue for us too. After all, we’re attempting to take on challenges meant for six with just three of us.

Even in the recent Time Attack event, if we had six people, our rank might have been quite different. 」

 

The Time Attack event is a regular competition to clear dungeons in the shortest time possible. We had just participated in one.

The target dungeon varies each time, and this time it was the “Collapsed City Sewer,” a relatively easy dungeon, so we tried our hand.

We managed to clear it, but our time was so poor we barely ranked. It’s possible to attempt multiple times during the event, but with our performance, breaking into the top 10 seemed impossible. Even with rank restrictions, the top times were unbelievably fast.

The top ranker, especially, was ridiculously ahead, even doing it solo.

 

「Leaving aside the top score achieved by a solo player, with six people we could have definitely improved our rank. 」

「Time Attack is all about the traps. Without a specialist, there’s only so much caution can do. 」

「I could try dealing with painful traps, but… 」

「Even if you’re fine with it, if a blast trap blows you apart, it’s a problem for us, not you. 」

「Hmm, that’s troubling. Knowing I’ll heal in the dungeon, losing two or three limbs is okay with me. 」

 

You’re probably the only one who would say that.

I’m more worried you’ll happily walk into traps.

 

「Before reaching the intermediate rank, we’ll need someone who can handle traps and a (Surveyor). The (Adventurer) tree classes seem essential. 」

「It’s ironic for us professional adventurers to say this, but support classes are heavily concentrated in the (Adventurer) tree. 」

 

But the (Adventurer) tree classes we’ve heard of so far all seem lacking in combat power.

(Cargo), (Surveyor), (Toolmaster), plus a class from the (Ranger) tree, which does have some combat capabilities.

 

「The problem isn’t just the traps, but also the dungeon structure from the 31st floor onward. 」

「Right, I’ve heard about that. Now that you mention it, a (Surveyor) does seem essential. 」

「The ‘wall’ at the 30th floor? I know the monsters get significantly stronger from watching videos, but is there something else? 」

 

I’ve heard several times about the adventurer’s wall at the 30th and 50th floors. Even Brief-san becomes a small fry character.

The videos mostly cut out the journey, and the maps don’t seem much different, so I didn’t notice.

If a (Surveyor) becomes essential, does that mean the maps get much larger or more complex?

 

「Ah, so Tsuna, you’ve only been watching combat and boss videos? From the 31st layer onward, the dungeon becomes three-dimensional.

The term ‘layer’ is well chosen. Within one layer, there are several ‘floors’ to deal with.

There are sites that analyze how the dungeon changes from each layer, so it’s a good idea to look at those too. 」

 

That’s new to me. So that’s why they don’t say ‘floors’.

That sounds challenging… Wait, this isn’t someone else’s problem. I need to research properly.

 

Like the D-class promotion exam, I need to clear this hurdle too.

It seems far away, but it’ll be upon us before we know it, and I do want to advance quickly.

 

We have to consider the personality and skills of the people we recruit, not just their class.

 

-3-

 

Now, back in my room.

Ever since I borrowed that large TV for a certain program, people have started gathering in my room more often. This time it’s for the PC, but it shouldn’t be related.

 

「Eventually, I’ll need to think about moving out. 」

The free period has passed, but I’m still using the dorm due to the rookie battles and such. I’ve glanced at rental information, but I haven’t had the chance to actually go see any apartments.

 

「Sarges, you’re renting a room, right? 」

「Yes, I used the dorm for about half a year, but the rent isn’t much different outside. It’s a bit far from here, but close to the dungeon teleportation facility.

I chose near the station because I need to take the train for my masochism lessons. 」

 

He chose his location based on that, of all things.

 

「Is it an apartment? Or a house… though I’m not sure if houses are available for rent. 」

「It’s an apartment. 2K, and one room is almost entirely used for storage. 」

 

I won’t ask what he stores.

 

「I need to find a place soon too. I don’t want to compromise too much, but I’d like a bath where I can soak. 」

「Aren’t the communal baths okay? 」

 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in the communal bath.

 

「You know, given my situation, there’s no way I can enter a bath full of men. 」

「So you’re conscious about that. 」

 

Physically he’s male, but maybe he’s more uncomfortable with that aspect.

Or maybe he hates the idea of being seen while exposed.

 

「I do mind. I don’t want to see or be seen by others naked. 」

「I don’t mind being seen. 」

「Don’t lump me with you, Sarges!! 」

 

What a complicated guy. So he only uses the private showers. The communal bath is nice; it’s a shame not to use it.

He must have a tough time with things like public baths or health centers.

 

And what about swimwear for Yuki? Technically, being topless now is still legally acceptable, like in a boy’s magazine.

But, what happens if he completes the trial and gradually becomes more feminine? How far can he go before it’s not okay to be topless anymore?

 

Unfortunately, there’s no ocean in the Labyrinth City to test that theory. Shame, really.

Will we ever solve this mystery?

 

「I found Miyumi’s page. ‘Tomato Club’. 」

「That was quick. Well, it’s just typing the URL. 」

「I had to type it manually from a note. 」

 

The page Yuki showed had the ‘Tomato Club’ logo and a large image of a half-elf.

Her annoying smile was unmistakable, though it wasn’t clear from the card photo.

 

「That’s definitely her. The same annoying aura oozes from her. 」

「Is she really that annoying? She looks cute. 」

「You can say that because you haven’t met her. The more you know, the more irritating that smile becomes. 」

「What kind of person is she? 」

 

Our collective opinion in the Salad Club was that she’s annoying.

 

「What’s on the page? 」

「Mainly her events, merchandise… Looks like she’s doing some kind of talent work.

She’s also got dungeon challenge schedules and expedition dates. Looks like she’s not around right now. 」

 

Is she doing TV appearances and handshake events? It’s hard to imagine.

Or, maybe that suits her personality?

 

「Merchandise? 」

「Seems she’s released songs. There are figures, photo books… everything and anything.

There’s also a link to an auction for items she has used. 」

 

What on earth is she doing?

Maybe her appearance is tolerable? She’s leveled up in looks since becoming a half-elf.

 

「She’s also publishing doujinshi. 」

At this point, it’s hard to tell if she’s more of a talent or a doujinshi creator.

 

「BL books. It says, ‘Lettuce x Sea Chicken’… wait, is that supposed to be about Tsuna? 」

「What the heck is she doing?! 」

[1. TL Note: “シーチキン” (Sea Chicken) humorously refers to “ツナ” (Tsuna). This wordplay arises from the Japanese use of “シーチキン” as a colloquial name for canned tuna, playfully dubbed “sea chicken” due to its ubiquitous use and versatility, much like chicken in other cuisines.]

 

Panicked, I looked at the screen to see a sample image of two half-naked men entangled.

 

『Lettuce, I didn’t mean to…  』

『What are you saying? It’s obvious you did. 』

『S-stop, Dressing is in the next room… 』

『If Sea Chicken doesn’t make noise, we’ll be fine. 』

 

「Aaahh!! My eyes!! My eyes!! 」

I wish I hadn’t seen that sample image.

The content is bad enough, but the dialogues are terribly cringy because of the salad theme. If you don’t know the original story, it makes no sense.

 

I feel faint.

Never imagined I’d see a BL book about myself in another world.

 

「But the resemblance is there, though it’s not very close. It’s more like a girls’ manga style. 」

「Yeah, it’s beautified in a girls’ manga way, but the characteristics are definitely mine from the previous life. 

I don’t remember Lettuce’s face, but… that image from earlier, isn’t that the ‘devilish glasses’ guy? No, I don’t need to see it again. 」

 

Yuki, please don’t bring that tablet any closer.

I don’t want to see it again. Seriously, stop.

 

「Wasn’t that guy from the review panel? But he used to be a woman, right? So it’s not the real Lettuce. 」

 

Whether that guy looks like Lettuce or Lettuce looks like him, I’m not sure, but there seems to be some connection.

I hope Tomato and the ‘devilish glasses’ guy aren’t acquainted. The fact that he grabbed my butt during the review might be influenced by this.

 

「And so, Tsuna is the one receiving? 」

「Hey, I don’t know anything about that. 」

 

Why do we have to discuss whether I’m a top or bottom here?

I’ve never thought about my role in a male-male relationship.

I never read the homoerotic novels she wrote in our previous life either.

 

「It seems our interests don’t quite align. That kind of thing is a bit… not for me. 」

「I think it’s rare to find someone whose interests align with yours, Sarges. 」

「I wonder if it’s popular. The series seems to continue, and although the top changes every time, Tsuna is always the bottom.

…Looks like they even made a drama CD based on the doujinshi. 」

 

This is outrageous!! What is she doing behind my back in a place I can’t reach?

What about the legalities, like image rights, in the Labyrinth City?

And it’s clear she’s been active even before I arrived in the Labyrinth City!!

 

「There’s a sample voice clip. Should we listen? Click. 」

「No, please stop, Yuki. Seriously, stop it!! For real, spare me this. 」

「Ahahaha!! 」

 

I found myself frantically trying to stop Yuki from playing the sample voice clip.

Damn it, if she ever shows up, I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.

 

But then again, what if she’s stronger than me now?

I hope she doesn’t turn the tables on me with a reversal deathlock or something.