Volume 2 Chapter 25
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Standing before Sakurako-san, who had me pinned against the wall, Mana’s eyes turned sharp as she prepared her Dungeon Energy Mastery¹.
Mana’s Dungeon Energy Mastery is a skill that qualifies as a cheat in any situation.
However, its broken nature truly shines outside of dungeons, where usable Dungeon Energy is strictly limited.
It was entirely possible she could actually suppress the beauty in front of me, the S-Rank Explorer Himezaki Sakurako-san.
Mana looked ready to lunge at any second, but I quickly raised my palm to stop her.
”Hirosawa Kanade, are you sure you don’t need Tanaka Mana to save you? You realize I’m being serious, don’t you?” Sakurako said, pressing her hand against my throat.
”The pressure is the real deal, but your eyes aren’t in it,” I replied.
”I’m a Dungeon Explorer too, so I can tell,” I said.
(Truth is, I’m so terrified my legs are about to give out, but I have to keep up the act.)
I summoned every bit of my bravado to face Sakurako-san.
We stared each other down for about a minute.
”Heh, heh, heh! Exactly! Kanade, you really are a good man!” Sakurako shouted.
The crushing pressure vanished instantly as Sakurako-san returned to a beaming, friendly grin.
”My bad, my bad! I knew you guys weren’t shady, but your records are just too suspicious!” Sakurako laughed. “You ‘graduate’ from the Academy-and I mean the real graduation-and immediately get the fastest clear on a Phase Two Dungeon? Then the record for most complete clears, the fastest clear on Phase Three… you only missed Phase Four because the Guild was dragging its feet with those ‘adjustments,’ right? If you’d had the time, you would’ve breezed through Phase Four too,” Sakurako added.
Her words were dead on the money.
The only thing we lacked was time.
If we had been given that time, we would have long ago joined the ranks of the Phase Four conquerors.
I took pride in the fact that Resonant Melody possessed that much power.
”Once you guys start tackling Phase Five², you’ll hit S-Rank in no time,” Sakurako said. “The Guild probably thought it was too fast and tried to slow things down, and they even told me to check your backgrounds… but seeing Kanade and Mana like this, I can tell it was all a waste of breath!”
”A waste of breath?” I asked.
”Yeah! People like you wouldn’t get a big head just because you hit S-Rank,” Sakurako replied.
”That A-Rank guy acting out at the end of the meeting earlier seemed like a lost cause, though!” Sakurako laughed.
She was clearly talking about Kosaka-nii.
Well, setting him aside…
”I appreciate you saying that, but how did you know we weren’t suspicious?” I asked.
”Well, I’d already heard a good bit from Rin,” Sakurako admitted.
”She told me you were honest explorers and decent people,” Sakurako added.
That was an unexpected name.
Rin… she must have meant the busty beauty from Resonant Melody, Ichigaya Rin-sensei.
”Oh, now that you mention it, Rin-sensei did say she had a best friend who was an S-Rank,” I said.
”I just never imagined it was Japan’s strongest S-Rank Explorer, Himezaki Sakurako-san…” I muttered.
”Heh, Rin is a great girl and my best friend! But even she wouldn’t tell me the secret of your strength! She told me she’d explain it once I was ready to experience it myself… whatever that means!” Sakurako laughed.
The secret of our strength.
While the team is developing other hidden weapons, the foundation of our power is the reinforcement through various Vital Points³.
Specifically, the amplification caused by the Rod-Type Vital Point⁴ to the Portio⁵.
To think of performing that on Sakurako-san… Rin-sensei is suggesting something outrageous.
Just imagining doing that to the beauty in front of me made my face flush hot.
”Kanade? Why is your face turning red all of a sudden? Do you have a fever?” Sakurako asked.
She pressed her cool palm against my forehead.
The softness of her hand made me painfully aware of her femininity, and my face turned even redder.
”I guess the harem is growing by one more…” Mana muttered.
Mana gave me a cold, judgmental stare, but I felt like this was just an irresistible force of nature.
Regardless…
”So, if there are no problems, we’re aiming for a full clear of Phase Five together?” I asked.
”Yeah, I’d like to say that… but there’s actually a different problem,” Sakurako said.
Sakurako-san’s atmosphere shifted as she began to explain the actual hurdle we faced in tackling Phase Five.
—
Summary:
Sakurako tests Kanade’s resolve with a physical confrontation before revealing her true intentions. The tension breaks into a discussion about Resonant Melody’s suspicious growth speed and their upcoming S-Rank evaluation. Sakurako reveals her connection to Rin, leading to a suggestive misunderstanding about the party’s strengthening methods
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Trivia:
- The guild intentionally hindered Resonant Melody’s progress through Phase Four to control their ranking speed
- Sakurako’s ‘pressure’ is a tangible S-Rank explorer trait that can physically overwhelm lower-ranked individuals
- Rin-sensei has been intentionally vague about the team’s training methods to entice Sakurak
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Character Insight:
Sakurako shows a predatory yet appreciative interest in Kanade’s potential, while Mana’s jealousy is becoming more habitual and verbalized.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Sakurako – Sharp‑eyed, stunning explorer in a loosely draped kimono that shows her physique, long blade at her waist. Japan’s top S‑Rank adventurer, clears Phase‑Five dungeons solo, radiates overwhelming presence yet flashes a friendly, beaming smile when impressed. Close friend of Ichigaya Rin, her keen intuition makes her the nation’s strongest explorer.
• Mana – Kanade, a bespectacled A-Rank Explorer and sub-leader of Resonant Melody, wields cheat-tier Dungeon Energy Mastery rivaling S-Rank power; she sports a black ponytail, immaculate armor, and a composed, pragmatic demeanor, mentoring the protagonist in combat while offering intimate restorative aid. Fiercely loyal and protective, she watches him with a judgmental, half-closed gaze when he interacts with others—her bond with him forged from their days as former class president and now battle-hardened comrades. Paired with a tactical strategist in a glossy black bodysuit, she scales and pulverizes giant enemies, balancing strategic brilliance with raw strength, all while maintaining an air of disciplined grace.
• Himezaki – Sakurako Himezaki, silver‑haired S‑Rank explorer of the Himezaki lineage, is Japan’s top solo dungeon conqueror. As a leading Guild member, her reputation defines her identity, and both allies and rivals view her as the benchmark of Japanese dungeon exploration.
• Hirosawa Kanade – Hirosawa Kanade, a quiet, cute male student at National Third Dungeon Academy and leader of the A-Rank team “Resonant Melody,” is dubbed a “Harem Master” for his intimate relationships with all four female team members, including Rin-sensei. As a Vital Point Practitioner, he uses pressure-point skills to buff allies—a technique that inadvertently induces lactation, which he subtly exploits. His gentle demeanor and tactical brilliance make him the team’s emotional and strategic center, beloved yet enigmatic.
• Tanaka Mana – Tanaka Mana, a serious, neat beauty with long black hair in a ponytail and glasses, is a refined, disciplined former Class President famed for her purity and Kanade’s top favorite. An elite close-quarters combatant with high agility and martial arts mastery, she’s a sadistic competitor who recently split from soccer ace Kosaka, feeling worthless like a house centipede. As the Tanaka family heir, she provides the core ‘cheat’ utility for Resonant Melody and is linked to its sub-leader.
• Hirosawa – Kanade Hirosawa, a quiet, cute teen, leads Resonant Melody as its commander. Heir of the Hirosawa line, he wields a Goblin Sword and Pressure‑Point Eye to manipulate bodies and boost allies. His scent‑triggered bond with Haruka‑san fuels his erotic‑energy mastery and self‑discovery.
• Kanade – B‑Class Dungeon Explorer and leader of the A‑Rank team Resonant Melody. He wears a black anaconda suit, wields the Lizard Fang Sword, a pressure‑point gun and a Black Ball storage item. Possessing the “Vital Point Master” cheat skill, he reads opponents’ intent, manipulates pressure points to heal, buff, debuff and trigger Instant Death, staying composed despite inner fear. Strategic core of his crew, fiercely devoted to Maria—his savior, romantic partner and current intimate companion, using their encounter to activate skill effects.
• Tanaka – Tanaka Mana: a serious, neat beauty with long black hair in a ponytail and glasses. Former Class President, refined and pure, Kanade’s top favorite. Elite close‑quarters fighter with high agility and martial‑arts mastery, sadistic competitor. Recently split from soccer ace Kosaka, feeling worthless like a house centipede. Heir of the Tanaka family, she supplies the core ‘cheat’ utility for Resonant Melody and is tied to its sub‑leader.
• Kosaka – Kosaka, a member of the A-Rank team ‘Noble Soul’ and a highly competitive, entitled explorer with a vitriolic personality, harbors deep resentment toward the protagonist; though outwardly a seasoned guild attendee, his lewd gaze and hidden motives hint at darker intentions, including his secret role as a student ninja tasked with assisting Haruka‑san against a stalker using a Wraith Potion—his hostility masking a personal vendetta intertwined with his professional rivalry.
• Rin – Rin‑sensei, a mature academy instructor, wears a crisp white lab coat over a turtleneck, her trademark large chest concealed by modest attire. She has inverted nipples and prominent areolas, a seductive yet maternal aura, and sharp Appraisal skill. As mentor of team ‘The Melody Played (by Kanade)’, she first uncovered Kanade’s hidden powers, flustering him with confident allure.
• Ichigaya Rin – An academy instructor and middle‑rank Dungeon Explorer, she sports bright brown hair, a white lab coat over a skirt and shorts, and a voluptuous figure. Known for sharp intellect, combat skill, and commanding respect, she recently negotiated entry into Kanade’s party.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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