Chapter 257 Injury and Withdrawal
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…… Tester Life: Day 118, Afternoon. 14th Stratum, Inner Perimeter Deep Zone. Sanada Yakumo. ……
”Haa… haa… Haa… Did it stop?”
After surviving five consecutive waves across seven groups, I braced my hands on my knees to catch my breath before looking over at Sanae.
”Haa… haa… Yeah. I am not picking up any more responses.”
”Ahiya~, that was a close one! I cannot remember the last time I had to spam Fire Wall that hard,” Karen said, sounding surprisingly lively despite her exhaustion.
”It was rough with only two light rings. I need to practice so I can handle three more quickly,” Leticia said, already reviewing her own performance.
”Owner of the blonde Doll-sama, your remaining Mana Capacity is approximately one-third,” Sheena reported.
”I burned through quite a lot. I am reaching my limit too.”
Even after buying a Mana Capacity ring for myself, my reserves were running dangerously low. That was what happened when I was chugging rank-4 recovery potions like water while the fighting refused to end. Next time, we would need a longer break.
Just then, Saizou signaled that he had found a building we could enter. As usual, I took the lead, had Rock force open the door, and sent him inside with Hanako. A moment later, we confirmed there were no monster signatures within.
”So places like this exist too?”
Apparently, the first floor was completely empty. Up until now, every accessible building had contained Orcs whether there was treasure inside or not.
”Aw, man. I was totally planning to blast them with my Magic Gun,”1 Lucy complained.
”I was looking forward to throwing my light rings in there too,” Leticia added.
”Not having to fight is a blessing. Let us head inside.”
We moved up to the second floor, where Saizou and Lucy searched the rooms. Before long, they found a silver chest sitting beside a window, and the sight of it immediately lit up Karen and Leticia’s faces. Hanako, meanwhile, looked less than thrilled.
After confirming there were no physical traps, Lucy stepped out with Saizou. It was another magic trap.
At my signal, Hanako trudged into the room and approached the chest with all the enthusiasm of a condemned prisoner.
”Sorry, Hanako…” Sanae said.
”Buhi…”
She glanced back and forced out a pained smile that seemed to say, Do not worry about it.
”It cannot be helped. Since you have been working so hard today, I will ask Master to reward you with extra-spicy crackers and chips.”
”Buhihi!”
Hanako’s mood improved instantly.
While Sayaka watched with an amused smile, Hanako crouched before the chest, flipped open the lid, and sprang backward with her great shield raised. This time, however, there was no scroll hidden beneath the lid.
”No trap…?”
”It appears so.”
”Huh. I thought every chest would have one.”
”All that tension for nothing,” Leticia sighed.
Hanako finally lowered her shield and wiped the sweat from her brow.
”We did it! There are four of them!”
”Seriously?! Then we can pull the Silver Gacha!”
Four Silver G-Coins rested inside the chest, and Karen eagerly reached out to grab them.
BUZZZZZZZZT!
A deafening buzzer exploded through the room.
”Eh?! Eh?! What?! What is it?!”
”Kyaa!?”
”Ya-Yakumo!”
”I know! Damn it! Everyone, it is a monster-luring trap! There are six on the first floor, and even more are swarming the building from outside! Hanako, block the entrance!”
”Eeeeeehhh?!”
”We got played,” Lucy muttered.
Just as I was about to order Karen to deal with the Orcs coming upstairs, movement outside the window caught my eye.
The Orc Wizards.
”Both of you, get down!”
Activating Physical Reinforcement, I lunged forward and raised my shield.
CRASH!
Fist-sized stones shattered the window and shot toward Karen and Leticia. As the barrage closed in, I intercepted three with my shield, knocked another aside with my gauntlet, and absorbed the final two against my chest.
”Ghh…”
Before I could recover, two Orc Archers appeared on the rooftop across from us and loosed their arrows. One struck my shoulder plate, while the other slipped through a gap beneath my armor.
”Darling!”
”Yakumo!”
”I am fine! More importantly, get away from the window and move to the center of the room!”
While I deflected the next volley, Sanae’s expression twisted with fury.
”Aaaaaah! How dare you hurt my Yakumo!”
Her arrows flew toward the archers without hesitation.
”Bugi♡ Bugi♡”
Meanwhile, Hanako stood at the doorway, happily absorbing every attack aimed at her.
”Owner of the blonde Doll-sama!”
”I am fine. It is only a minor wound.”
”Leticia, heal me. Karen, support Hanako.”
”O-okay! Ugh! Now I am really angry!”
”High Heal.”
Warm light washed over me as Leticia completed the spell.
”Phew. Looks like we cleared out the enemies inside.”
”Master…”
”Yakumo! I got all the archers! How is your wound?!”
”It is fine. It is already healed.”
”Darling… I am sorry.”
”I could not react in time,” Sayaka added quietly.
”Do not blame yourselves. None of us saw that coming. What matters is that both of you are safe.”
”Darling…”
”Yakumo… I love you.”
I peered down into the Back Alley through a narrow opening.
More than twenty Orcs had gathered below.
”Oops.”
An Orc Wizard raised its hand, and I immediately pulled back from the window.
3:00 PM.
”It cannot be helped. Let us call it a day and use a Medal of Return.”
”I agree. Burning our scrolls here would be a waste.”
”I guess we do not have much choice,” Lucy said.
”The Gacha can wait until tomorrow.”
”I want Yakumo to rest.”
”Let us reset and challenge it again tomorrow.”
”Alright. Let us head back.”
After returning the familiars to their crystals, I took out a Medal of Return. Everyone gathered close as I poured Mana Capacity into it, and a moment later we were whisked back to my room.
…… Tester Life: Day 119, Morning. My Room. Sanada Yakumo. ……
The next morning began quietly.
Lunaria and Sheena were already awake when I opened my eyes, and after exchanging a few sleepy words, we lingered in bed for a while before finally getting up.
Sheena might act rough and casual in public, but when it came to everyday things—preparing meals, drying my hair, or helping after a bath—she was surprisingly attentive. She also cared deeply for Lunaria, and the two of them got along better than anyone would expect.
Once we were fully awake, the three of us climbed out of bed and headed for the shower together. With an arm around each of their waists, I led them out of the room and started the day.
The hallways felt noticeably longer these days. After adding two more rooms for Hoshino and the other 1st Rank Slaves, along with several extra restrooms, my once-modest home had expanded enough that simply crossing it took time. As I passed through the living room, I exchanged quick morning kisses with Moe, Kyoko, and Sayaka while they worked on breakfast.
Outside the window, Sanae was already training on the isolated island. Arrows streaked through the air as she practiced against Saizou’s aerial maneuvers and Lucy’s high-speed dashes. The two of them had stayed out there even after I returned yesterday covered in wounds. I had told them to stop and get some rest, but neither had listened, which eventually forced me to go out there and personally make sure they called it a night.
After finishing my morning routine, I made my way toward the service room with a cup of coffee that Sayaka handed me along the way. The moment I sat down, a party invitation from the Gozaru crew leader appeared in front of me.
I accepted immediately.
Ever since acquiring Soul-less Dolls of their own, that group had become impossible. Every day off seemed to end with another invitation, and I already knew what awaited me on the other side: Gozaru wearing that embarrassingly affectionate grin whenever the topic drifted toward his Doll.
To be fair, under my guidance, every member of the group had managed to get one.
Gozaru himself had adapted surprisingly quickly. Honestly, I suspected he would have figured it out eventually even without my advice. The others needed more time, but now that they had finally caught up, enthusiasm had spread through the entire Upstart Federation. The remaining twenty-seven members were following the same path, encouraged by the Gozaru crew leader’s example.
His Soul-less Doll was named kuLulu, a tanned beauty with a generous figure. According to Sheena, her people came from a chain of small island nations in another world. The rest of the party had received cute, youthful-looking Dolls instead, and every one of them had apparently been a virgin. For that, I had to give Lanora some credit. She clearly understood her customers.
Then again, that entire group was obsessed with virgins, even if Gozaru tried to pretend otherwise.
At first, kuLulu had come across as an innocent island girl. After Karen got hold of her, however, she somehow emerged as a full-fledged gyaru. As long as Gozaru was happy, I had no complaints. Still, it was amusing. For a hardcore otaku, he certainly had unexpected tastes.
More importantly, the party had nearly reached the point where they could challenge the 10th Floor Area Guardian.
That news surprised me.
The rest of the Upstart Federation was progressing just as quickly. Most of them had already reached the 9th Stratum, and it sounded like they had been lending familiars to one another during Guardian battles. It was a dangerous strategy. Losing a high-ranking familiar could cripple a party’s progress overnight.
Even so, that willingness to trust one another was probably their greatest strength.
Considering that the Baseball Club still had not defeated a single Area Guardian, it was no surprise the Upstart Federation had caught up.
Kurokawa’s group might actually challenge their guardian even sooner. Five of their seven members had already reached D-Rank, and they practically lived inside the dungeon. Having Ria, a former adventurer and magic user, constantly pushing them forward certainly helped.
Their Kobold familiar had evolved into a General as well.
Meanwhile, Kurokawa’s Doll, Roa, and Takahashi’s Doll, Pola, had taken charge of training the non-combatant Dolls. Since they came from a world where monsters were an ordinary part of life, adapting to dungeon combat had been easy for them. Most specialized in magic or healing, but that was still a huge advantage.
Once they reached the 11th Stratum, I could easily see them clearing floors as a full group. Between their members, Dolls, and Goblin familiars, they would be moving around with sixteen combatants.
At this rate, they might genuinely become strong enough to rival us once Orcs entered the picture.
Akatsu’s group, which had split away from the Kendo Club, was also making steady progress. One of their two parties looked ready to challenge the Area Guardian at roughly the same time as Gozaru’s team. If things continued at this pace, the entire guild would likely be past the 10th Floor within ten days.
The Soccer Club’s casual players were an even bigger surprise.
Despite their reputation, they had already reached the 9th Stratum and were second only to us in overall progress. Apparently, learning that the 11th Stratum allowed them to buy ingredients and cook for themselves had lit a fire under them. From the moment they heard that news, they had charged ahead without slowing down.
I supposed feeding all those Soul-less Dolls had become painfully expensive.
What I still could not understand was how so many of them kept getting caught by crotch-targeting traps. At some point, it stopped being bad luck and started feeling like a talent.
Meanwhile, the teachers under Oida were holding steady in the 8th Stratum. I had also heard that Kume—the intellectual-looking teacher who never went anywhere without his glasses—had nearly died.
A shame.
Close, but not quite.
In general, everyone was feeling the pressure now. Once food expenses started piling up, income from the 6th Stratum no longer stretched very far. Anyone supporting slaves or Soul-less Dolls was feeling the squeeze.
Naturally, people were getting desperate.
There was also a rumor going around that the third adjustment would arrive on Day 120. The previous restriction had appeared on Day 60, so many people believed the next one might target anyone who had failed to clear the 10th Floor.
Personally, I was not convinced.
Compared to back then, far more people owned slaves and Soul-less Dolls now. The administrators might decide that repeating the same approach would not accomplish much. Besides, rising food costs were already serving as plenty of motivation.
Just as I was considering that possibility, the service room door burst open.
Karen practically bounced into the room.
”OMG, Darling! I think I ranked up! My body feels so light this morning! And I swear my Mana Capacity went way up too!”
”Oh? Let us take a look.”
Trying—and failing—to sit still, Karen hovered beside me while I opened the Slave Management Screen.
……………………………………
Karen Edwards Walter
Age: 17
Race: Human
Mana Capacity: C
Subjugation Target: Sanada Yakumo
Subjugation Status: Fully Subjugated
Possessions: None
Notes: Familiar—Kobold Rogue (The Queen D)
……………………………………
”YES! I did it! I finally caught up to Sayaka!”
”Haha. Congratulations, Karen.”
Before she could launch herself around the room in celebration, I gave her a pat on the head.
She had been next in line after Sayaka to land the finishing blow on an Orc, so the result was not surprising. Next time, I would make sure Sanae and Leticia got their opportunities too. Feli as well.
Hanako, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content crushing Orc skulls with her great shield.
”I am going to tell Letty!”
Still overflowing with excitement, Karen sprinted out of the room.
Watching her disappear down the hallway, I finished my coffee and stood.
Well then. Time to get something to eat.
—
Summary:
The party navigates a grueling sequence of battles in the 14th Stratum, culminating in a trap triggered by a treasure chest. Yakumo sustains an arrow wound while protecting the party, but they successfully repel the Orc reinforcements. They decide to withdraw early via a Medal of Return to preserve resources, ending the day in Yakumo’s room with intimate morning recovery.
Yakumo starts his morning with his household, checking on the progress of his slaves and Soul-less Dolls. He reviews the rising ranks of various groups within the dungeon, noting the competitive pressure caused by increasing living costs. Karen arrives with news of her successful Rank Up, marking a milestone for her growth.
—
Trivia:
Yakumo purchased a dedicated Mana Capacity ring to help manage his dwindling reserves.
Buildings in the inner perimeter typically contain Orcs, making this encounter’s empty building an anomaly.
Hanako’s behavior is noted as being particularly “human,” a recurring point of observation for Yakumo.
The “Silver G-Coin” count reaches 11, fueling the party’s excitement for the gacha system.
The “buzzer” trap is a coordinated ambush tactic involving Orc Wizards and Archers.
Sheena is actively training Lunaria to regain her sense of self, often involving intimate acts.
The dungeon has a mechanism called the “Wall-Butt” restriction.
Living costs in the dungeon rise significantly with more slaves/dolls.
Upstart Federation members lend each other familiars for boss fights.
Soul-less Dolls often originate from isekai worlds where monsters are common.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Sanada Yakumo – Sanada Yakumo, a scarred veteran with a battle‑torn face, bears the Sanada family name and leads the Nightmare guild as its Guard Captain and Guildmaster. He is a Day‑100 Master/Tester, C‑rank adventurer turned localization editor, runs a succubus‑filled dungeon, heads a harem of students and familiars, manages resources and Gacha pulls, lives in his “My Room,” coaches his party, and uses Mana Capacity, an NVIDIA RTX 3070 Mobile GPU and “Drill‑Dick” powers to hunt races and guide tactics.
• Sanada – Sanada Yakumo, a scarred veteran and leader of the Nightmare Guild, commands the 14th Stratum with ruthless precision. Armed with dimensional magic and the formidable Sanada legacy, he manages his succubus-infested dungeon and complex harem of students and familiars. A pragmatic, ego-driven strategist, his battle-torn appearance reflects his endurance as he balances resource management with authority.
• Yakumo – Sanada Yakumo (25) is a scarred, stoic C+-ranked Guard Captain, Nightmare Guildmaster, and provider. He leads dungeon-layer parties against threats like Orc hordes using tactical commands and elemental magic. Within his dungeon facility, he manages combat strategies and exerts absolute control over a diverse harem of female companions, students, and slaves via high-level items and a dependency ability.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Sanae – Nijyuuki is a tall, model-like 1st-Rank Slave, Archery Club vice-captain, and skilled kyudo expert with a black ponytail and sharp features. A spirited, informal tactical rearguard, she supports allies with defensive magic and detection while actively tracking dungeon mechanics, drops, and chest rates, though traps make her anxious. Close with Yakumo and Karen, she teases Sheena, is best friends with Sayaka, and seeks the Third Concubine title.
• Karen – An energetic American animation major and soldier’s daughter, Karen is a busty, loyal member of Sanada’s circle. Once a cheerful dungeon resident who enjoyed anime, cooking, and gacha, she now fights using defensive walls and fiery magic gun support, entering combat with high emotional volatility if her familiar is harmed. Deeply disillusioned by the Voice Actors Hunter Guild’s atrocities, she has transitioned from a supportive companion to an openly hostile foe.
• Leticia – Leticia-chan is a short, cloaked Holy Maiden with an angelic look and blunt tone. A proud dungeon resident, she is a steadfast companion to Yakumo and Sanada, working with Karen in the rearguard. This magic user specializes in light-based restraining magic, Light Arrow spells, and recovery magic like High Heal. She hides her vulnerability behind a stoic exterior, fiercely competing for intimacy.
• Sheena – A 165cm rabbit-kin, Yakumo’s loyal “second wife” and former Flash-Step Decapitator, is a sharp-tongued, combat-proficient rapier user who sadistically mentors Lunaria. Acting as Sanada’s cautious Silver Wolf-kin tactical advisor, this highly analytical female companion monitors magical threats, structures training, observes enemy traits, and uses pragmatic commentary to navigate relationships.
• Hanako – A D-Rank homunculus Orc Woman General serving as Sanada’s stoic frontline defender and primary tank. Clad in full black iron armor and wielding twin greatshields, she acts as a durable meat wall to safeguard allies. Her masochistic, provocative combat style centers on absorbing projectiles and triggering chest traps, embracing the tactical strain to protect others at all costs.
• Saizou – A taciturn yet highly polite and deferential male goblin vanguard who wears ninja garb, featuring a small horn and jagged teeth. Armed with poison daggers and a bow, he loyally excels at scouting, trap-disarming, opening doors, and clearing rooftop enemies. He manages the group’s quarters, acts as a master to Lucy, and serves as a dedicated training partner for Sanae.
• Rock – A grey-furred male Kobold from the Magic Sealing Crystal with round Shiba-Inu eyes, he wears a leather jacket and pilot’s cap. As a frontline defender wielding a greatshield and Black Iron short-spear, he acts as the party’s reliable, lazy older-brother figure. He anchors the formation, breaks charges, and creates space for allies while favoring physical protection and receiving affection.
• Lucy – A 170cm, slender-muscular canine kobold Rogue Queen serving as Saizou’s scout and Karen’s familiar. Featuring a cute, bratty face, whiskers, and a wagging tail, this former thief wields a massive black-iron knife with ruthless precision. As a positive vanguard fighter who shrugs off trap hits, she acts like a mischievous little sister to her allies, protecting them beside Hanako on the front line.
• Sayaka – A seventeen-year-old Rank-1 slave, C-Rank mage, and the academy’s top beauty. Specializing in fire, ice, wind, and water elemental spells, she assists with dousing flames. As Yakumo’s devoted caretaker, she manages his gear and training within the dungeon. A refined mediator for Sanada’s group—balancing Lunaria and Sheena—she remains a supportive party manager despite his relentless demands.
• Lunaria – The Princess, a silver wolf-kin Great War survivor with a doll-like appearance, regal bearing, and reactive wolf ears and tail, wields dual swords with beast-ki reflexes. Despite her soulless demeanor and violent outbursts, she clings to Yakumo, who subjects her to public exposure and training during dungeon breaks, while she slowly regains her ego through an evolving bond with Sheena.
• Kyoko – A 180 cm tall, curvaceous first-rank student, model, and athlete who lives in the dungeon, assisting with logistics and meal preparation despite being a clumsy housekeeper. Behind her bold, mischievous charm and fierce, high-stamina combat skills lies a deep emotional and physical dependency on Yakumo. She is intensely affectionate, relentlessly teasing, and uninhibitedly assertive in intimacy.
• Moe – Middle-aged and gentle-faced, this mature woman resides in the dungeon as Chief Slave Adjunct, managing household tasks and participating in manual labor. Reserved yet warm, she acts as a caretaker and teacher to students. She is a supportive harem and party member who shares an intimate bond with Yakumo as a regular sexual partner, known for her apron, domestic skills, and erotic displays.
• Lanora – Elder sister succubus and high‑rank management staff; brown‑skinned with white hair, tan undertones, wings, and the ‘Anemone’ trait; authoritative presence, respected by peers.
• Kurokawa – A scarred male student and leader of a fugitive group, marked by burns from an Ogre Ninja attack. Once part of the guild Road to Glory, he owns the soulless doll Roa and seeks revenge for her loss. Now hunted by the White Knights, he leads a band of betrayed outcasts, his mind twisted by obsession.
• Ria – Blonde soulless doll of Yusa Hayato, the soccer club party leader. High school age.
• Takahashi – Kurokawa’s classmate in the White Knight guild—once bright and cheerful, now a haunted figure with a Noh mask-like face from extreme trauma. Vengeful after his Doll, Mona, was exploited.
• Pola – Sakuma’s Soul-less Doll, who was forced to service 20 men per day by the White Knight guild members until she reached her breaking point. Blonde, mature beauty.
• Roa – Kurokawa’s 20-year-old Soul-less Doll—a tall, slender former soldier with shoulder-length red hair, striking legs, and a cursed crotch tattoo. D+ Mana Capacity, she’s Jin’s partner, now hollow-eyed and amnesiac from an Oblivion Potion.
• Akatsu – Kendo club captain. 160cm tall, delicate boyish features.
• Kume – An English teacher, suspicious of Sanada. Slicked-back hair, wears a shady expression.
• Oida – A PE teacher with a large build and a plain, non-intimidating face. He was formerly an Olympic developmental athlete for Judo. He uses a greatsword in the dungeon and wears tattered jerseys.
• Feli – A large, green wolf-girl-like canine companion and Leticia’s familiar, she acts as the group’s affectionate, playful pet. Deeply loyal to Yakumo, she provides emotional support to other summons while jumping for attention. In battle, this swift, lethal combatant retrieves magic stones from defeated monsters and specializes in delivering finishing strikes against incapacitated foes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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