Volume 3 Chapter 38
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Guild Master, this is one of the leaders of the KSK Three, the eldest of the Kosaka brothers. Can you keep him restrained?”
”Right, I’ve got it…”
The Guild Master proceeded to bind the eldest Kosaka I’d dragged in with a sturdy rope made of Dungeon Material1.
”Still, Kanade,” the Guild Master said, her voice grave, “I was worried sick while you were getting pummeled by that Black Dragon. I figured there was no chance you’d actually lose, but… it was still a heart-stopper. Don’t do something like that again.”
”Haha, I know,” I replied with a wry smile. “That was a special situation since Aina-chan had been taken hostage. I don’t want to go through something like that again, either… But wait, Guild Master, do you finally understand how I feel when I worry about you getting seriously injured? I deal with this kind of anxiety every single time.”
”Ah! …H-haha… I, I’m sorry!” the Guild Master stammered, looking momentarily flustered. “So, that’s how it feels… Yeah, I’ll be more careful from now on…”
”As long as you understand.”
Just as we finished that exchange, the Guild Master finished securing the eldest Kosaka.
”Oh, Kanade-kun, you’re finished over there too, I see.”
It was Mana who approached, her tone light and airy. In her hand, she was gripping an ankle, and if you followed the line of that leg, you could see the second brother, Kosaka-nii, being dragged along behind her.
Well, Kosaka-nii is a high-level Dungeon Explorer, so he wouldn’t get a single scratch from being dragged like that, but it was such a pathetic sight that I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy, even if he is an enemy.
”He tried to make a run for it by himself, so I caught him,” Mana explained. “Apparently, he was planning on escaping alone so he could come back later to rescue his brother…”
”I see,” I murmured. “So they really were close as brothers… It’s a shame they couldn’t have directed even a little of that devotion toward other people.”
”Yes,” Mana agreed. “It’s not like it really matters, but if they can find redemption while serving their dungeon labor, that would be better for the country. Talented ability-users… especially that eldest brother’s power as a Tamer, could potentially be useful in helping to rebuild a shattered Japan. Well, for now, we’ll need to acquire the Chokers Kosaka used on Aina and put them to use on these guys.”
While we were exchanging that conversation, the Guild Master finished binding the second brother, Kosaka-nii, as well. After thanking the Guild Master, I headed toward the Rock-fortress with Mana.
”It looks like they’re finished over there, too,” Mana noted.
”Yeah,” I replied. “It’s the trio of Minami-chan, Maria-san, and Haruka-san, after all. They’re good enough to give even us a run for our money. And with Sakurako-san handling the suppression inside the fortress, the chance of a mistake happening over there is zero.”
”Yes, that’s true,” Mana said. “Well then… I don’t particularly want to see it, but shall we go for a final check, Kanade-kun?”
”Yeah, Mana.”
I intertwined my fingers firmly with Mana’s, and the two of us ran side-by-side toward the Rock-fortress. Standing in front of the Rock-fortress were Haruka-san, Minami-chan, and Maria-san, the effects of their Wraith Potion already having worn off. In front of them sat Kosaka, bound and forced into a seiza2 position. Whether they had pestered him relentlessly or given him a thorough beating, there was a palpable air of sorrow emanating from the back of the kneeling Kosaka.
”Man, talk about…” I started, watching the scene. “He really got it rough from those three, didn’t he, Mana…”
”Indeed he did, Kanade-kun…”
”I was thinking I might want to throw a complaint or two his way… but after seeing this, I think I’m good.”
”Yes,” Mana nodded, “there is no doubt that speaking to him now would only be an unpleasant experience…”
And so, we decided to leave the kneeling, lectured Kosaka alone. We just waved a greeting to Minami-chan, Haruka-san, and Maria-san when they noticed us, and we kept moving forward. There, we found Aina-chan, who looked a little mentally exhausted. When she noticed us, Aina-chan stood up, ran over, and hugged Mana and me all at once. Mana and I wrapped our arms around her back, hugging her just as tightly in return. Shoulders shaking, Aina-chan wept while still held in our embrace. Eventually, she lifted her face while still wrapped in our arms.
”Elder Brother Kanade,” Aina-chan sobbed, her voice small and childlike, “because I was taken hostage, you were put into such a dangerous situation… I am so sorry!”
”Don’t worry about it, Aina-chan,” I said, gently stroking her hair. “Even the attacks from those guys—the Black Dragon—didn’t do a single bit of damage to me, so it was no problem at all. If anything, because you managed to escape so quickly, it actually made it easier for us to take down the Kosaka brothers.”
As I said that, I patted her black hair soothingly, and Aina-chan showed me a somewhat happy, albeit teary-eyed, expression. Then, Mana also reached out to pat Aina-chan’s back.
”That’s right, Aina,” Mana said, her tone warm and comforting. “More importantly, you showed great resolve to use Dungeon Energy Mastery to stand up to them on your own. I thought you might know what to do, but having the determination to actually do it is not an easy thing. As your big sister figure… I’m very proud of you.”
”Thank you, Elder Sister Mana!” Aina-chan beamed, her smile returning completely. “Seeing Elder Sister Mana’s warm eyes, I knew exactly what I had to do! It’s all thanks to you, Elder Sister Mana!”
”Sakurako-san has returned from inside as well, it seems…” Mana observed. “Well then, Kanade-kun. Shall we head home?”
”Yeah, Mana,” I agreed. “Let’s head back to our home…”
With Aina-chan having regained her energy, Sakurako-san having finished her rampage inside the Rock-fortress, Minami-chan, Haruka-san, and Maria-san dragging the bound Kosaka brothers, and the elite ‘New Tokyo’ assault team led by the Guild Master, we headed back to ‘New Tokyo’ in Korakuen.
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Summary:
Kanade and his party secure the leaders of the KSK Three after their conflict. Mana displays her own prowess in dealing with the second brother before the group reunites at the Rock-fortress. Aina is consoled after her ordeal, and the entire team prepares to return to New Tokyo.
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Trivia:
The Kosaka brothers were using Chokers to control Aina.
Mana acted as a surrogate older sister to Aina, providing emotional support.
Minami, Haruka, and Maria form a highly effective combat trio capable of challenging the protagonists.
Kosaka-nii is a high-level Dungeon Explorer, implying his resilience despite being dragged.
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Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Guild Master – As the S-Rank Mayor of New Tokyo and Explorer Guild leader, this authoritative, artificially created woman combines androgynous beauty with curled red hair, a muscular build, and a wild smile. Having fled a destroyed world to fight Phase Five monsters, she manages the Dungeon City, protects locals, co-strategizes with her ally Kanade, and feels deeply responsible for the younger adventurers.
• Kosaka – Kosaka is the arrogant, competitive leader of the KSK Three brothers. Outwardly a seasoned A-Rank explorer, he hides a lewd, criminal nature and harbors a bitter vendetta against the protagonist. He uses dungeon items, monsters, and a hostage, Aina, for combat advantages. Formerly an academy student and secret ninja for Haruka, he was defeated by adventurers and is now confined to forced labor.
• Master – An artificially created, androgynous-beautied woman and former S-Class Dungeon Explorer who now holds the title of guild leader and Master of a hyper-advanced dungeon. Originating from a world destroyed by a deity, she administers the dungeon for locals, oversees strategic planning for the city’s future, and manages the utilization of unique dungeon materials.
• Guild – A male Guild Master who leads the administration of the dungeon city New Tokyo. He is serious and focused on the survival and relocation of the populace.
• Dungeon – An artificially‑created, androgynous‑beautied woman, once an S‑Class Dungeon Explorer, now serves as the Guild Master of the Dungeon Explorer Guild. She administers a hyper‑advanced dungeon, leading and guiding its members, and is known as the Dungeon Master, wielding authority that shifts with each dungeon phase, her beaming smile a constant hallmark.
• Kanade – Kanade Hirosawa is a composed, silver-haired A-Rank Explorer with amber eyes and a sleek suit. As Resonant Melody’s assault leader, this pragmatic, weary young man navigates Phase Six zones using a cheat pressure-point skill that alters item drop rates and combat capabilities, alongside instant death and healing abilities. Devoted to Mana, protective of allies, and feared by foes, he is central to Haruka, Maria, and Minami’s affection.
• Aina – Aina Tanaka is a serious, polite, and beautiful bespectacled girl with black twin pigtails/braids and a soft physique. Resembling Mana, this Rare Job Sage was recently held hostage under magical restraint by the KSK Three. While courageously leading fellow captives, she relies on others for emotional support. She deeply admires and trains under Mana, and is romantically attached to Kanade.
• Kosaka-nii – The leader of Noble Soul and brother of Kosaka.
• Mana – Kanade is a serious, beautiful A-Rank explorer with a black ponytail and a sweet scent. As a Resonant Melody sub-leader, strategist, and Heavenly King, this calm, powerful administrator coordinates tactics, manages dungeons, and acts as a capable combatant. An emotionally perceptive mentor and older sister figure to Aina and others, she serves as the group’s moral center, maintains an affectionate, intimate partnership with the protagonist, but harbors deep resentment toward a former classmate.
• Sakurako – A beautiful, voluptuous S-Rank “Samurai of Solitude” explorer and senior member of Resonant Melody. She has sharp eyes, black hair in a princess cut, wears an off-the-shoulder kimono, and wields a katana. An expert in dungeon suppression and internal facility control, she commands 100+ clones to ensure total area pacification. As a highly reliable, nimble-tongued ally, informant, and social guild member, she mentors Kanade’s party—deeply loving him daily—and joins him and Mana on a dungeon conquest.
• Haruka – Haruka, “The Prince,” is a beautiful, androgynous, short-haired Holy Priest and voluptuous core team member of Resonant Melody. Sophisticated yet masochistic with hidden burn scars, this combat-hardened adventurer trio member plays a key role in neutralizing hostiles and high-level raids. She manages the ‘Black Ball’ security, is obsessed with Hirosawa, and allies with Mana, Minami, Kosaka, and Kanade to assist in a rescue.
• Minami – Blue-haired, twintail academy idol and petite “Young Princess” of the Four Heavenly Kings, this cute Resonant Melody Phase Six Light Warrior uses wind magic and twin swords. Innocent yet reliable, she is a physically imposing, skilled scout inside the dungeon alongside an elite combat trio. Devoted to Kanade, she cherishes Mana, Haruka, and Sakurako, and playfully calls Maria “Maria-chi.”
• Maria – Maria, a beautiful, voluptuous, sun-kissed blonde Dark Gyaru with one arm, is a Transcendent greatsword warrior and elite guardian of New Tokyo. Part of Resonant Melody’s high-level raid team and combat trio, she shares the guild home to maintain order. Playful yet leading, she is Kanade’s intimate partner on the infiltration team, devoted to the narrator, and craves pampering.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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