Volume 4 Chapter 15 What Was Gained from Successive Battles
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The moving statue stepped off its pedestal, aiming for us.
At that exact moment, it stopped. A few seconds later, it started moving again.
No need to panic. This is an enemy I have already defeated in another timeline.
Even the Komoda group managed to handle it. There is no way our group, with Majo (our powerful ally) by our side, cannot manage this.
I quickly told everyone what I knew. If I had known this would happen, I should have explained about Unique Variants (special, stronger monsters) while we were traveling here. …No, wait. On the way here, we could have met roaming monsters while dungeon crawling. If I had just stopped and explained then… no, that is not it. I can think about that later. First, defeat that Unique Variant.
”That monster repeats a cycle of stopping and moving. It is completely untouchable while stopped. Strike it the moment it starts moving!” I commanded.
”Got it!” Mitsuki replied.
”Yes!” Yurina added.
Yurina and Mitsuki answered, then launched their attacks.
But the timing was off. Mitsuki’s strike was a bit too early, so the monster canceled it. On the other hand, because Yurina’s attack came just after it started moving, the monster dodged. I don’t think she was slow, but her blade cut through empty air. The monster’s dodging speed is high.
The statue struck back at the two. Asari used a defense spell against the strike. The crystal wall shook but blocked the statue’s attack. This feeling… the statue’s striking power is definitely higher than the Anatomical model’s (a type of monster), at least.
I tried attacking several times, aiming for the moment the stopped statue began to move. Timing is truly the key.
It only lands right when it starts moving. I do not know how the Komoda group did it so easily. Overall, this Unique Variant feels faster than the one we just defeated.
Still, our current situation is not bad. Even though more than half of our attacks have been canceled by misses or being too early, damage is building up on the statue. Mitsuki’s attacks, in particular, are helping to destroy the statue. Maybe because this statue has an enlarged right arm, it uses its left arm and both legs for attacks. It does not use its right arm at all.
Mitsuki and the others stepped back from the stopped statue. As it began to move again, Risa’s rifle shot hit the statue’s chest. A loud sound of a magic bullet hitting metal echoed. But even though the sound was loud, it did not seem to damage the statue much. The magic pistol does not work well against it.
”We will hit it with the Vanguard (the frontline fighters). Risa, provide cover,” I ordered.
”Okay!” Risa chirped.
”Yes!” Asari said.
”I have waited long enough, I am ready!” Mitsuki shouted.
The two Vanguard members took turns. The rest of the members supported them. I also joined in, firing a Shock Sorcery (a lightning spell) for cover. Our combination attacks are limiting the statue’s movement.
The six of us focused our attacks on the statue. We repeated the pattern of moving away from the monster the moment it stopped, then hitting it with strikes and slashes as it began to move. Many dents and wounds appeared on the Unique Variant’s body. It is almost time.
”Mitsuki, crush it on the next move,” I said.
”Yeah, you got it!” Mitsuki cheered.
In front of Mitsuki, whose whole body was dyed black as she readied her Kanabo (a heavy spiked club), the stopped statue began to move.
The downward swing from overhead was faster than the statue trying to dodge.
Thud. The dungeon floor shook.
With Mitsuki’s full-strength blow, the statue was smashed into the ground, destroyed so it no longer kept its shape.
The monster vanished into smoke.
Where the vanished monster had been, between the Kanabo and the floor, a piece of metal had fallen.
It did not seem like a coincidence that it looked like a molded right arm.
Mitsuki picked it up and held it out to me.
”Here,” Mitsuki said.
”Thanks,” I replied.
”Why did that monster start moving so suddenly?” Yurina asked.
”It was the same as when we were with the Komoda group. It moved after we defeated the yankees (a type of weak monster). But there are six of us. We have not met the conditions for a Unique Variant to appear.”
I tilted my head, but I could only guess.
”The first talk was about entering with seven people. But the conditions for the second time and later were not specified. It is possible that from the second time, the Unique Variant appears no matter how many people.”
”I will ask Muto-san about it later~” Chifumi hummed.
I will leave the information gathering to Chifumi.
”For now, let us move to the 6th floor and call it a day,” I decided.
Following my decision, we all moved to the next floor.
From the 6th floor, more types of monsters appear. We will start fighting multiple types at once. Since we are tired from the Unique Variant battle, I decided to leave the dungeon quietly.
Outside, the Komoda group was there.
When they saw we had returned, they came over. They thanked me.
”Thanks for earlier,” Komoda said.
”Don’t worry about it. It is nothing big. I should be the one apologizing, since I got items just for watching,” I replied.
”Don’t worry about that. Your advice was the key. If anything, we were helped more,” Komoda laughed.
I asked Komoda-kun, who was smiling, a question.
”I am glad to hear you say that. By the way, this item is fine, but what should we do if we meet that Unique Variant ourselves?”
”Hm? What you should do… does that mean you want to try fighting it?” Komoda asked.
”That is exactly it. Our group also wants to gain combat experience against that monster,” I said.
Actually, we already fought it, but I continued the conversation while pretending we had not.
”I would not really recommend that…” Komoda advised.
”Eh? Why?” I pressed.
”Apparently, from the second time onwards, the Unique Variant appears without any restriction on the number of people. If you go there and find the plaza with the statue, I think you can fight the Unique Variant. However… I heard the monster gets stronger the more times you fight it,” Komoda explained.
”The Unique Variant does?” I asked.
”Yes. You use the special item the Unique Variant drops on the boss, but… apparently, when the number goes up, the boss’s power becomes terrible,” Komoda continued.
”Terrible…?” I muttered.
I was very worried about the word Komoda-kun used.
”It is just a rumor, though. …This information is important, but personally, I wish my ancestors had told me more about how to beat the Unique Variant,” Komoda said thoughtfully.
”…That is for sure,” I agreed.
We laughed a little, and then another group returned from the dungeon. Is that uniform Shoji-kun’s group?
It would be bad if they heard us talking about strange things. Komoda-kun and I decided to end the talk. We lowered our voices and said only what was needed.
”In any case, I think you can fight the Unique Variant, but it is better to be ready. If you think it is too hard, do not push yourself and retreat. It is safer to use only one of the special items meant for the boss battle,” I warned.
”I see. Thank you for everything, it helps,” Komoda said.
”Don’t mention it. I owe you one. …Well then, see you,” I said.
”Yeah. See you,” Komoda replied.
Muto-san urged Komoda-kun to leave. They went straight out of the dungeon management building. It seemed they had already exchanged the loot for cash. They had come out before us and were waiting. Did I keep them waiting?
We also sold the normal items we got today, the furs and uniform patches. After exchanging them for cash, we left the building.
When we went outside, the shopping street was lit by streetlights, but the sun had already set and stars were in the sky. Autumn days are short. Considering the time it takes to get home, it is better not to stay in the dungeon too late.
On the way to the station through the shopping street, I did the necessary shopping. Asari is staying over tonight. I bought groceries, starting with ingredients, and daily necessities.
I parted ways with Mitsuki, Risa, and Yurina at the station, parted ways with Chifumi in front of the Takino residence, and returned home with Asari.
As soon as I opened the entrance, Clam, in human form, jumped on someone. The one she jumped on was not me, but Asari. For some reason, Clam is fond of Asari. Maybe she understands that she came from the Kasakura family.
Clam and Asari made miso soup together. It was as delicious as ever.
After finishing the meal, Asari cleaned up.
Hinoki came to me, since I had nothing to do.
Perfect. There is something I want to talk about.
”Come to think of it, today’s Unique Variant did not drop a piece of power like the sea serpent, did it? I do not feel Hinoki’s power in this piece of metal,” I noted.
”Yeah, you are right. But… that statue is definitely influenced by my power,” Hinoki said.
”Maybe it had such a tiny piece of power that it did not remain as a stone after the battle?” I wondered.
”That is possible, but… if anything… that Unique Variant feels like a servant of someone else who has my power,” Hinoki reasoned.
”What do you mean?” I asked.
Hinoki, who had climbed onto the chabudai (a low Japanese table), stopped moving.
”For example… that dungeon master from another world has a piece of my power. And that statue is a trap monster that the master made themselves. So, a leftover of the power’s influence stayed. It feels like I sensed that,” Hinoki explained.
”Does that mean the guy who has a piece of the power is a higher existence than that Unique Variant?” I asked.
”That is right,” Hinoki confirmed.
Hinoki began to circle the same spot on the table.
”What is wrong?” I asked.
”…Big brother, I have a request,” Hinoki said.
Hinoki stopped moving and raised their head. Their look made me imagine what was coming next.
”Tell me,” I encouraged.
”That monster’s kind, there are still more, right?” Hinoki asked.
”If his story is correct, it means they are on the 10th and 15th floors,” I said.
”I want to fight those guys. And collect items to challenge the boss,” Hinoki declared.
”Does that mean there is a possibility that the boss has a piece of power?” I asked.
”That is what I am after,” Hinoki said.
Comparing the first Unique Variant I met today with the second, I think the second was stronger. I did not fight the first one directly, so I am only guessing from watching. The second one moved faster, and it was hard to hit it when aiming for the moment it started moving from a stopped state.
If the third and fourth keep getting stronger like that, the fourth might be hard. And I also heard to avoid bosses that have been boosted by two or more stages. If I want to train safely in the dungeon, there is no need to take such dangerous risks.
”You know it is dangerous, but you still want to fight, huh,” I said.
”Yeah. When it is really dangerous, you can use me as a decoy and run away,” Hinoki suggested.
”That is not allowed. Hinoki is already part of my proud monster team, my permanent starter. I do not want to lose you,” I said.
”I see,” Hinoki replied.
Hinoki’s reply was short, but it somehow sounded happy.
”Got it. We will defeat two more Unique Variants. On top of that, let us prepare as much as we can and challenge the boss,” I said.
”Is it okay? I am the one who asked, but it might be dangerous… no, it will definitely be a big deal. It is not a small fry like that sea serpent. There is a high chance that a stronger monster will appear,” Hinoki warned.
”But Hinoki wants to meet them, right?” I asked.
”I want to meet them. It makes me angry that they are acting big with my power on their own, so I want to beat them up,” Hinoki growled.
Hinoki, angry while moving their many legs, is a little funny and interesting.
”Hinoki is my servant, after all. As the master, I can be generous and accept my servant’s wishes,” I said.
”Thank you,” Hinoki whispered.
”Once that is decided, it starts with gathering information,” I said.
From tomorrow, I have to look through materials too. I am getting excited.
”You look happy,” Asari said.
Asari, who finished cleaning up, took off her apron and came to my side.
”The goal for the second semester has been decided,” I said.
”Eh… well, what kind of goal is it…?” Asari asked.
”Defeat two more Unique Variants, and beat the floor boss,” I replied.
”It seems difficult…” Asari whispered.
”Do you dislike it?” I asked.
”It is not that I dislike it… because it is what Minoru-san decided… I will help with all my might,” Asari promised.
”I am counting on you,” I said.
I pulled her close and lightly touched my lips to hers. I released her after playing with Asari’s reddened earlobes with my fingers for a while.
I won’t push her down just yet. I have to do my homework first. I am serious.
Two hours later, when I finished preparing and reviewing, it was finally time to be together on the futon. I pushed Asari down, who had also finished her preparation.
What came out from under her loungewear was neat underwear. It matched Asari’s image and suited her. I touched her over the underwear, and while teasing, I took it off.
When I whispered in Asari’s ear to try and tempt me, she showed me her womanhood, filled with honey and stretched open with her fingers, with a flushed face.
”Please train my p**sy with Minoru-san’s p**is…” Asari begged.
Following her request, I pushed my organ into Asari’s girl-hole, and the secret flesh gently wrapped around it from all sides. From now on, I will release my built-up sexual desire with Asari.
Asari is a serious person by nature. Once she decides that studying comes first, she concentrates on that. But in reality, she is a closet pervert.
Now, I have inserted it deep, and I am still on top of Asari. In this state, just by whispering sexy things in her ear, I can make Asari come. Asari has a strong imagination.
When it comes to sex, she will do anything I say. As a strong-female (Shoji’s group member), the training has reached her deeply.
Watching her tremble and come every time I come inside her, I realize that I am controlling the most important part of a cute, well-raised girl from the ground up, which feels great.
I mated many times, just enough not to affect tomorrow.
—
Summary:
Minoru leads his group through a successful battle against a Unique Variant statue in the dungeon. They celebrate, return to the surface, and coordinate with the Komoda group to gain intelligence on boss-level mechanics. Back home, Minoru and Hinoki plan to challenge more variants, leading to an intimate night with Asari.
—
Trivia:
- The Unique Variant’s difficulty scales with the number of times it is encountered.
- Using unique drops on a boss provides a significant buff to the boss, but risks making them “atrocious” if stacked.
- The dungeon management system appears to be linked to the “otherworldly dungeon master” and “power pieces.”
- Minoru maintains a strict routine of completing his homework/study before sexual activities.
Notes:
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male classmate from the influential Michinori family and experienced leader of the Komoda explorer group. Possessing restricted knowledge on boss Aberration mechanics, this calculated leader cordially approaches his acquaintance Minoru to share items and propose an alliance. While aiming to recruit Minoru, he also expresses genuine concern for the safety of his party.
• Majo – A member of Minoru’s group whose presence is noted to be vital for success.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Mitsuki – A tall, dark-skinned transfer student with a physically imposing, athletic hourglass figure and unexpected academic prowess. Blunt yet enthusiastic, she is Minoru’s deeply devoted, clingy childhood friend, rival, and Witch. Wielding a Kanabo with destructive Oni-fication and recovery sorcery, this top assassin candidate leads a vanguard party alongside Manaka and Koki.
• Yurina – A black-haired, refined Plain-folk Kendo vanguard and devoted partner in Minoru’s squad. Stoic, polite, and Chifumi’s childhood protector, she relies on Minoru’s support sorcery to execute front-line battle maneuvers. Distrusting the Komoda group, she wields a swift katana and Severing Sorcery to explore dungeons. She aspires to join her family guild despite struggling academically and culinarily.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Asari – A serious, diligent Kasakura first-year, this tall (170cm+), long-haired, curvy (E-cup) Handicrafts club member and Onigahara Dojo trainee is highly intelligent. As a reliable defensive vanguard in Minoru’s squad, her barrier sorcery defeats anomalies and strong seniors. Close to Mari and Nagase, she is a devoted, intimate partner to Minoru, until she is tragically devoured by a Phantom.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Plain-folk Naruse merchant student and disciplined Onibara practitioner. Minoru’s strong-willed, protective childhood friend and servant, she defers to Chifumi, knows Yurina, and suspects Komoda. Lacking innate sorcery, this cautious Shooting club member works hard to cover the squad’s weaknesses, using a rifle and magic pistols with magic bullets to snipe monsters and harvest loot.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Chifumi – Scrawny and long-haired, this first-year Lead Majo is Minoru’s childhood friend, protector, and top harem member who interacts with Muto. An intellectual strategist, she masks a sharp demeanor with bubbly idol poses and quick-changing expressions. She coordinates the team, gathers intel on Aberrations, and wields a water staff for destructive AOE magic and ice-based defensive sorcery.
• Muto – A staff-wielding leader in Komoda’s group who gathers and exchanges information with others. She maintains a close relationship with Chifumi.
• Shoji – A conspicuous male transfer student wearing a distinctive white uniform who enters the dungeon first. He leads an independent exploration group within the same dungeon curriculum and is encountered by Minoru.
• Takino – Chifumi uses this family name as an alternative identity to discreetly manage external relationships when the Tatemiya name cannot be used. A member of Komoda’s group, she utilizes this alias to facilitate requests and coordinate with Muto.
• Kasakura – The family name of Asari and her father.
• Clam – A newborn Phantom who evolved from a common clam after absorbing a stone, this entity takes the human form of a toddler with limited communication skills. Currently being educated by Tempura, she has also formed a particular attachment to Asari.
• Hinoki – Bound to Minoru, this three-meter, Oni-fied centipede Phantom speaks from his shadow in a regional dialect. Acting as a reliable mount, advisor, and dungeon navigator, they share a deep bond with him. Currently frustrated by lost power, they wield sorcery, venom, and chains to defeat a shallow-floor boss, while expertly coordinating joint strikes and attracting Unique Variants.
• Minoru – A lean, black-haired student sorcerer and reincarnated dungeon explorer leads an all-female party in a reversed-beauty world. Clad in a uniform, this pragmatic, calculating tactician uses Tatemiya magic, an iron whip, and shadow/space sorcery. Balancing academic pressure and an upcoming duel, he manages route pacts and guides his childhood friend, partner Risa, recruit Mitsuki, and sister Mai.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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