Chapter 361
Chapter 361: In other worlds, age doesn’t seem to be an issue but history seems to be a taboo.
Day 85 – Morning, White Weirdo Inn
A faint Flat Gaze could be felt, but it hadn’t quite escalated into a full scolding, yet. A mild warning stare? Pre-scolding staredown?
「Uuu~~」
「Mmuu~~」
The yukata-clad beauties fixed me with that Flat Gaze, groaning with disapproval. So I overdid it after all? But how could I resist? Those alluring curves wrapped in the thin fabric of yukata, smooth skin peeking through the folds, I’d been invited, no, summoned, into a world of silken temptation. And so, with every ounce of sincerity (and hormones), I’d thrown myself into the task with single-minded devotion, a whirlwind of earnest highschool enthusiasm bordering an insane abandon. And now a Flat Gaze?
Still, the prototype testing had been worth it. I’d glimpsed the truth of the yukata, the divine interplay of straight seams and curved fabric, the artistry hidden in every gap and fold. A masterpiece worth refining. A world worth revisiting!
But the endless, wordless Flat Gaze humming continued. So I tried「You were just… too cute? So I kinda…Oopsie? Kind of?」and they dove under the blankets, their faces bright red. Adorable. And that disheveled morning yukata look? Downright dangerous. The urge to yank those covers away, or dive in after them, threatened to boil over, but another scolding clearly loomed. So I endured it. Let the towering high school boy bear this torment a little longer. Yeah, I mean, it’s morning? Can’t be helped?
The two of them peeked out from under the blanket, only their eyes visible, giving me the full Flat Gaze. Technically, they’re each a year older than me, but in moments like this, they’re honestly kind of cute. Although generationally, there is enough of a gap that it might be better seen on a historical scale… wait, no, never mind! That’s not what I meant! I was simply making a historical comparison about generation gaps across eras! Just academic musing! Wait, where did you even pull that out from!?
「I mean seriously, how, how does a morning star even come out of a yukata!? That’s just wrong, no? There’s no way that fits through the sleeve, and the neckline is even worse! I do deeply, sincerely wish to witness something falling from the neckline someday, but I was thinking more along the lines of a wardrobe malfunction, not a medieval weapon! What just happened is way off from the kind of surprise the general public would appreciate? (*Thud! Smack!*) Ouch?」
Yeah, it hurt. People say age is a touchy subject for women, but in this case, it seems the real taboo isn’t age, but history.
I’m sure if they ever feel like talking, they will. And if they don’t, that’s fine too. The past is just the past, a once-upon-a-time sort of thing. What really matters is being able to look forward and see 「happily ever after」. If they ever do decide to tell me, I’d best avoid asking for a birth date. If I do, my entire life might instantly be filed under 「long, long ago」
「It’s time for breakfast, let’s go? But as you’d expect, those lovely yukatas of yours, though, are officially banned from public view. If the Geeks and Idiots saw you in those I’d have to gouge out their eyes, incinerate their brain cells, and forcibly reset their memory, so please allow me the honor of helping you change? May I?」
Apparently not. Well, if I did help, we’d probably end up with their clothes halfway tangled up somewhere they shouldn’t be, and they’d never get dressed properly. Once again, my day begins with both visual (eros) and physical (beating) stimulation getting me wide awake by now. The bumps on my head are already regenerating at a remarkable pace thanks to 『Regeneration』. Well, I guess I went a bit overboard last night with the whole 「Nooo~」 and 「Isn’t that fine~」 routine.『Regeneration』 got pushed to max level from all the abuse. That 「Nooo~」is too dangerous.
However, judging by that intense reaction both『Lewd Arts』 and 『Sex King』went up . Even when I just went 『Pardon the intrusion』with my High School Boy alone without any『Sensitivity Increase』, they were left gasping and arching backs uncontrollably. That extreme overreaction must mean I wrapped those skills in『Magic Wrap』, because halfway through, things escalated wildly, leaving them in such a disheveled, embarrassing state that they are still giving me that Flat Gaze.
「Morning~, kind of?」
「「「Good morning.」」」
Finally tearing myself away from the dangerous allure of the yukatas in the morning, I headed down to the dining hall, only to be greeted, once again, by high school girls in snug spats,who are returning my greeting with cheerful energy. I mean, not the spats themselves, they don’t talk, obviously? The 『Bitches』were also dressed in their super-snug spats, some styled like leggings to look trendy, but if you take a closer look, there were digging into various places, making it a very unwholesome sight. Honestly, I wish people understood a bit more about how hard mornings are for your average Highschool Boy.
Lately, the Geeks have become so background they’re approaching the limits of what even『Detect Presence』is able to pick up. That said, as soon as the girls disappear, they start weeping bloody tears and placing orders for spats and bloomers tailored for kemomimi girls. It’s annoying, but I have to admit, they’ve earned the Geek title for a reason. Going after 『blurts』? That’s some next-level Geek career progression right there.
(Money’s no object! Please include bloomers and school swimsuits too!)
(We are ought to prepare for the possibility of Lolidwarf-san too!）
(Wait! We need a version for truly flat-chested elf girls too! Erolfs are a heresy!)
(Everyone calm down. The first priority is striped panties and sailor uniforms!)
(((Ooooooh! A genius was among us!)))
Even while being subjected to sub-zero stares from the girls, the Geeks are going hard, while remaining so air-like it’s hard to tell if they even exist anymore. I wish they’d pick a side, either have presence or don’t. But judging from this cost estimate… they’re dead serious!
「Quit clinging already, you’re annoying, creepy, gross, and reek of desperate Geek energy! You guys are overlooking the most important detail… do you even know where the tail-hole is supposed to go?」
「「「GUHAAAHH!」」」
The air turned frigid, the looks are so cold that if someone spray water in here, it’d definitely turn into diamond dust instantly. The girls might not have the tsundere trait, but they’ve clearly mastered tundora-class magic. Better run before we get swept away in a total jökulhlaup.
Breakfast is oyakodon. Despite the overwhelming male support for yakiniku rice, it was steamrolled by the sheer power of girlish numbers. Gyudon was in the running, but in the end, oyakodon passed by vote. The Orphans said they wanted to eat everything. Maybe that’s Avarice-san’s influence? Or maybe it’s Gluttony-san?
「Thanks for the meal! We’ll head out as soon as we clean up!」
Fast! And that look in their eyes, those are the eyes of warriors headed to battle, the gaze of a hunter stalking prey. They are clearly ready to make serious money. The swimsuit designs must’ve finally been finalized. The monsters are destined to be turned into magic stones, reborn as swimsuits.
At blistering speed, dishes are being washed, and the spats-clad girls begin donning their armor. Since armor is typically equipped from the feet up, they lean forward, which naturally highlights their butts in black spats. Conversely, the torso armor is put on with arms raised overhead, causing the Slime-sans to jiggle along with the motion. Meanwhile, The Geeks and Idiots just sit frozen in place, likely for very deep reasons. For a Highschool Boy, this really is a kind of torture.
I head over to the Adventurers’ Guild first to finish my business while waiting for Pres and the others, the usual morning routine.
「The everlastingly motionless bulletin board, manned by the unfaltering and unmoving bulletin board clerk, continues its miraculous streak of not changing. From the very first day I saw it, not a single letter has deviated, not one task has shifted even a millimeter from its eternally fixed position. This board is so timeless, it might’ve survived the end of the world. I mean, putting it plainly, nothing’s changed again today. But seriously, when are we going to see a profitable job post here?」
「Siiigh… Why is it that every single morning, someone who isn’t even an adventurer sneaks in to look at the board, but then proceeds to loudly and proudly nitpick it with the gravitas of some great warlord? Where exactly did the ‘sneaky and quiet’ part gone so wrong it became ‘loud and proud’? Just asking, you aren’t an adventurer? Right? And just SNEAKED in to QUIETLY check the quest board? Right? I just want to know, why, despite claiming to be stealthy, have I never once seen you actually be stealthy? Why is it that the non-adventurer, a person who supposedly came to silently take a look is the most outspoken, back-talking, and self-important bulletin board critic in guild history!?」
「「Haa, haaa, haaa, haa」」(Breathing heavily)
A perfectly articulated barrage of rebuttal, followed by what could only be described as the apex of Flat Gaze in all isekai history! Truly, the title of Receptionist Pres isn’t just for show, not that it shows up on her status sheet or anything. Alright, time to head out. Looks like Pres and the others have finished their reports and filings with the guild.
「Over there, ready? I’m going to pin it!」
「Left side, got it!」
「OK.」
「Copy.」
With fluid coordination, they move to encircle and destroy. Originally, we’d planned to handle everything from the 75th floor onward by ourselves, but there were many requests to press on to the 80th, and since Armored Pres-san and the others gave their okay, today’s goal became clearing 75th to the 80th floors. No change in team composition, agreed to meet up around midday at the halfway point.
Even under the relentless blows of the enemy, their defenses don’t falter. 『Blade Gorillas Lv75』 unleashes a storm of powerful strikes, which they absorb with their shields while steadily surrounding and suppressing them. Vice Pres A-san, dual-wielding and without a shield, twists her blades into a half-spin to intercept the monster’s full-force swings with the flat of her swords, deflecting and driving back, overwhelming level 75 through technique.
Even the raccoon-san is skillfully using her axe like a shield to block and counter, swinging it around to mow down enemies. I was kind of hoping for a 『Tanuki vs Gorilla』showdown, but apparently, no one’s getting bitten.
Once cornered and forced to huddle together, the enemies can’t properly swing the blades on their arms. If it could grab a shield, a sword, or even a body with that brute strength, it might’ve stood a chance, but its hands are blades. Massive strength, a towering body, and 『Magic Reflect』on top, yet surrounded and worn down, they crumble. The skill『Howl』 and its Fear, Panic, and intimidation effects are nullified, leaving it helpless as they cut them down. A clean sweep.
With everyone hitting Lv100, leveling has slowed, but day after day of 『One more set』 continues to sharpen their skills. With daily Dungeon battles adding to the experience, their decision-making and tactical abilities have grown too, making them overwhelming in group combat. Sure, they are still weak against trickery and underhanded tactics, but in a straightforward fight, they can handle even lower floors just fine.
Riding the momentum, they crush floors 76 and 77. But floor 78 is a maze-type with monsters spread out, so we move in smaller parties. Which means it’s just me and Dancing Girl-san now. The monster we found『Axe Fox Lv77』. Maybe it’s just my Highschool Boy brain, but that name sounds vaguely suggestive somehow? If I were a middle school boy, this could’ve been dangerous.
It’s a fox monster with a twin-bladed axe for a tail. Its fur’s all spiky too, so there’s no chance of getting a fluff moment out of it. Not that you could, it’s already chained up and getting beaten into oblivious. Definitely not a fluffable situation!
Still, something feels off. It was the same before, despite the depth, the monsters feel too weak. Are the monsters’ upgrades not keeping pace with the Dungeon’s rapid growth? Or is it just individual variation in Dungeon monsters?
The monsters in The Great Dungeon were stronger than their levels suggested, but here, that’s not the case. Well, to be fair, even in the Great Dungeon, the 77th floor was weak, it had imps. I was expecting a lucky-perv episode in celebration of the 77th floor, only for it to be those ugly goblin-type imps, and I got so annoyed I just killed them all in a flash. But really, if you trample on the dreams of a sensitive, hopeful sixteen-year-old, it’s only natural for the Highschool Boy to trample right back.
Still, the fact that just two parties can fight effectively this deep in proves they’ve gotten more than strong enough. It hasn’t even been three months yet. Things surely are different when you have all those nice Cheat abilities. As for Dancing Girl-san and the others… Well, you can’t use Dungeon Emperors as a baseline.
On the 78th floor, we found a hidden room with 『Magic Piercing Lance – Pow SpE 40% UP, Magic/Physical Defense Nullification (Intermediate), Piercing, Rotational Penetration, Armor Break, +ATT』 To put it bluntly, it’s just a drill. Since they are trying to pay off their debt with dungeon loot I ended up keeping it. But I’ll be mithrilizing it and selling it cheap anyway, so in the end, the debt’s just going to grow more. Still, looks like I’ll at least be able to pay for the inn tonight.
They steamrolled through the 79th floor too, and now it’s time for today’s main event, the floor boss on 80. There’s no way a floor boss at this level is going to be weak. They got new armor, so I don’t think they will be defeated, but both Dancing Girl-san and I shift into combat mode. That said, somewhere deep down, I’m honestly rooting for this yet-unseen boss. I mean, if it’s weak, I won’t get any action. I’ll just be standing around? It’s pretty boring, you know?
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