Chapter 201 Tactical Rangers
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
… Tester Life Day 73, Late Night, 6th Floor, Small Room, Kurokawa Jin (Jin Kurokawa in Western order) …
While sleeping in the sleeping bag being held by Roa, I heard the sound of the tent entrance opening and a man’s voice.
”It’s time for the shift change.”
”Nn… yeah.”
Opening my eyes and looking at the tent entrance, Takahashi’s Noh mask-like face appeared, half-illuminated by the light of the torch set up in the small room.
You’re freaking scary, man!
Screaming that internally, I quietly climb out of the two-person sleeping bag so as not to wake Roa. Having confirmed I was awake, Takahashi left without a word.
I let out a small sigh and stepped out of the tent, putting on the equipment I had left by the side.
I can see Doi, a first-year, coming out of another tent. After giving me a slight nod, he put on his equipment in the same way.
After a short while, I can hear a woman’s moans coming from Takahashi’s tent.
He’s getting busy with Mona right away, it seems.
Mona is a petite girl with short brown hair, the same age as us. She’s an incredibly cute girl, and she was apparently quite popular in White Knight. Well, I guess that’s why the high-school-girl-loving Ueno-Sensei was obsessed with her.
Before he broke, Takahashi apparently used to brag about Mona to Sakuma and the others in the track and field club all the time.
Well, I’m the same. Because of that, I ended up being forced by the guys around me to hand her over.
Even if you obtain a Soul-less Doll¹, they aren’t displayed on the nameplate like slaves.
If I had kept quiet, no one would have noticed.
And yet, I was so happy that I told everyone. If only I had stayed quiet back then, Roa wouldn’t have been hurt so much.
Sigh… let’s stop. That’s something everyone here is thinking.
It’s too late for “if only” now. The past can’t be changed. The reality that we couldn’t protect the women we loved because we lacked power and a strong will isn’t going to change one bit.
I sit down on a sheet spread on the ground with Doi, our backs to the tent.
”Senpai, I’m sleepy.”
Doi speaks to me as if looking down at me.
As always, this guy is huge. I’m over 170cm myself, but Doi looks like he’s in the mid-180s.
In exchange, he has a slender build, and his arms are so thin they look like they’d break at any moment. Well, I guess that’s why he was in charge of magic in his previous guild.
Even though Doi hasn’t even learned Physical Reinforcement magic, he still ran around the room during Guardian battles and Area Guardian battles, and with a face like he was going to die, he protected us by spamming Earth Wall.
For someone with such a timid-looking face, he’s got guts.
I look up at my reliable junior and answer.
”Yeah, as expected, keeping watch every night is tough.”
”We explore during the day and keep watch at night, after all. Ah, today’s hamburger steak bento²… was delicious.”
”That’s right. It was delicious.”
Since it had been nothing but fried chicken bentos, it felt incredibly delicious. Roa also seemed somewhat happy.
Yes, we ate hamburger steak bentos.
Of course, we didn’t go back to My Room to buy them.
While we were exploring at noon, five backpacks were sitting all alone in the middle of the main passage. Inside were hamburger steak bentos, toilet paper, and body wipes. And water.
And a letter, too.
In that letter, it was written like this:
’Thank you for helping us when we couldn’t fight-degozaru. This is a thanks for that time-degozaru.’
From that unique writing style, I knew immediately it was Koyama-Senpai.
Even though I was among those who attacked along with Manda and the others, he felt indebted because I helped with Magic Stones in the beginning, and he bought and left food and water for the likes of us.
The hand holding the letter trembled.
And I cried.
It wasn’t just me. Everyone there was crying.
Even Takahashi, with his Noh mask-like face, was shedding tears.
That there are still people who care about us-us murderers who killed our comrades and friends.
At the very least, Nightmare is remaining non-interfering, and Koyama-Senpai and the others are providing support like this. Just that alone made me feel somewhat saved.
When you’re driven to the point of thinking you have to become a thief starting tomorrow just to survive, and then you’re handed a letter like that…
Well, you’re gonna cry.
At the very least, let’s try not to attack anyone other than those we have a grudge against.
If we absolutely have to attack, we all discussed making sure we don’t kill.
Because if we kill indiscriminately, I think Koyama-Senpai and the others would regret helping us back then.
This is like the last bit of pride for us, who are about to sink as low as being thieves.
”The water and body wipes were also a lifesaver. Wiping my body down made me feel refreshed.”
”Me too.”
Roa was also wiping every corner of her body with the body wipes.
She’s a girl, after all. She must have been bothered by it for a long time.
Though I ended up holding her and getting her dirty again after that.
”I wonder if Koyama-Senpai and the others will provide support again?”
”I don’t know. But don’t count on it. Those upperclassmen probably don’t have that much to spare either.”
Most likely, they used most of a day’s income for this care package.
Since we only have Magic Stones, I’d like to propose a trade, but if it gets out that they’re trading with us-who are about to become thieves-it’ll cause trouble for Koyama-Senpai and the others. I don’t want to do that.
In the first place, I’m someone it wouldn’t be strange for Koyama-Senpai to hate. There’s a possibility he wouldn’t even agree to a trade.
It’s better to think that the support this time was for the guys other than me.
”Then we have no choice but to become thieves from tomorrow. I wonder how long we can keep it up.”
”To keep it going for a long time, we need to find the 6th-floor Guardian room quickly. Eventually, those guys will come to this floor too.”
”That’s true. If we aren’t constantly on the floors ahead, we’ll be found.”
”That’s how it is. So that’s why-‘Kyan kyan!’”
”What’s wrong, Maru!”
In the middle of our conversation, Maru, who was standing at the entrance of the small room, threw away his Greatshields and came running toward us while screaming.
And then he hid behind my back, trembling while tucking his tail.
”W-what’s the matter with Maru!?”
”I don’t know! But this reaction is the same as when he saw that monster kobold of the Guard Captain. Most likely, a powerful monster is approaching this way.”
”N-no way, is it the Ogre Ninja that supposedly appeared on the 4th floor!?”
”Probably so. Doi, block the entrance with Earth Wall! Everyone wake up! Enemy attack!”
After giving Doi instructions, I shout while kicking the tents.
Then everyone hurriedly came out of their tents and began putting on their equipment.
Roa and the others also jumped out of their tents and, as previously instructed, are huddling in one spot against the wall.
Maru’s fear is getting worse.
It seems the enemy is already right there.
This is a small room with only one entrance.
Please, let them pass by without noticing.
While being driven by a sense of frustration, I gripped my sword tightly and prayed.
* * *
… Tester Life Day 73, Late Night, 6th Floor, Sanada Yakumo …
Upon reaching the 6th floor, I run through the Labyrinth following Saizou’s guidance.
We proceed down a side road branching off from the main passage, and Saizou instant-kills the goblins blocking the way.
After running for about 30 minutes, Saizou stopped in front of a small room at the end of the passage.
”Is it that small room?”
”Gyoi.”
”Sheena, does it seem like people are inside?”
”Yes, I can hear the screams of a kobold and humans from inside. It seems they noticed Rock’s presence.”
”Ah, since they’re the same species, they can tell when one comes close.”
I didn’t mean to scare them, though. At this rate, when the door opens, they’ll mistake us for monsters and probably attack right away.
”Saizou, stay hidden. There’s someone inside who has seen your face. Rock, open the door. Be careful, because an attack might fly out, okay?”
”Vofun!”
Rock, barking in a reliable voice-perhaps because Sayaka isn’t here-opens the door while readying his Greatshields.
”Vofun?”
However, the entrance was blocked with earth, and Rock tilted his head.
”Come to think of it, there was a guy who could use Earth Wall magic. Can’t be helped. Rock, use a body slam and smash it.”
”Von!”
After barking powerfully, Rock took some distance from the door, then held his Spike Shoulders forward and tackled the earth wall with momentum.
BOOM!
With that sound, the earth wall was destroyed, and Rock charged into the small room with that same momentum.
At the same time, a man’s scream can be heard from inside.
”Huh? That was unexpectedly fragile.”
”It’s because Rock charged in at full power without holding back.”
”Now that I think about it, he was a Kobold Kaiser, wasn’t he?”
I hadn’t used him for attacking much lately. It might have been better to have him punch and break the earth wall with the Greatshields.
Well, more importantly than that.
”We’re going in too.”
”Yes, honestly, that boy…”
As I enter the small room, Sheena follows while letting out a sigh.
Sorry our familiar is a muscle-brain. I wonder who he takes after.
When I enter the small room, familiar Students were facing off against Rock while holding swords, spears, and bows with trembling hands.
Behind them, against the wall across from the tents, are seven women.
Every one of them is a beauty. As expected of those selected by Succubus Management.
Among them, I notice the woman who was being gang-r**ed in front of my room before.
That means one of the guys I warned back then was killed.
What a strange twist of fate.
”Vofun?”
Rock, who was holding his Greatshields in front of those guys and girls, seems not to understand why weapons are being pointed at him and is tilting his head.
Even though his body is huge, muscular, and intimidating, your face and gestures are as cute as ever.
It’s almost to the point of being “calculated” cuteness.
However, it seems Rock’s cuteness didn’t get across to the panicked guys.
Even though Rock only barked lightly, they are gradually backing away toward the women while knocking over the tents behind them.
Their knees are completely shaking.
No wonder. Rock is a higher rank than the Kobold King these guys fought.
Furthermore, his equipment is incomparable. It’s only natural they’re overwhelmed.
But something interesting happened here.
”!? R-Roa!”
”Mona?”
”I-it’s dangerous to step forward, Taria-san.”
Out of the seven women being protected by them, three stepped forward.
Moreover, two of them snatched weapons from the men’s hands, and one is holding her hand over her head.
”Ho… Sheena.”
”Yes, from their stance, the woman in the lead with red semi-long hair is likely a former soldier. The petite girl with brown hair is a former adventurer, and the woman with long dark brown hair is either a mage belonging to a country or an adventurer magic-user.”
”Well, well… what an incredibly lucky bunch.”
To pull Soul-less Dolls with combat abilities just like mine.
I’ve become more interested in these three than in Kurokawa and the others.
And yet, even though they have no ego, they take up swords to protect the men. It reminds me of Sheena back when she had no ego and picked up a rapier saying she would protect Sayaka.
It seems Kurokawa and the others are loved by them.
Now then, for now, let’s calm them down.
”Rock, good job. You can step back.”
When I tapped Rock on the shoulder from behind and told him to back off, Rock barked “Von” happily and moved to the rear.
”Eh? G-Guard Captain?”
”A-and a rabbit-eared beauty too.”
”Does that mean that monster kobold is…”
”Ah, looking closely, it was the Guard Captain’s kobold.”
The men are surprised to see the figures of Sheena and me emerging from behind Rock’s body and Greatshields.
To them, I call out with a smile on my face.
”Sorry for startling you. It didn’t seem like you’d hear me if I knocked, so I took the liberty of intruding by force.”
”I-I-I’m the leader of this group, I’m called Kurokawa. Um… I believe the talk was that Nightmare wouldn’t involve themselves with us…”
Then, the man with the natural perm introduced himself.
Hmm, so this is the Kurokawa who took out Mimura.
He’s not particularly handsome, but he has a kind-looking face. The reason his eyes look like they’re glaring is probably from the stress of murder and the pressure of being a leader. Judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he’s been backed into a corner quite a bit.
I answer Kurokawa’s question.
”Yeah, we aren’t involved. I don’t care if guys who lay hands on and play with other people’s women die. I just came to check on things today because Sheena was worried.”
”Th-then, you didn’t come to catch us?”
”Yeah.”
”Th… thank goodnessssss.”
”I-I thought I was going to die.”
”At worst, I was thinking of clinging to your legs to let Taria and the others escape.”
”Me too… well, the success rate seemed low though.”
Knowing I hadn’t come to catch them, Kurokawa and the others slumped to the floor on the spot.
It seems they were that scared of Rock.
If a monster even more atrocious than a Kobold King suddenly appeared by destroying an earth wall, I suppose it’s no wonder.
Even so, the women haven’t let go of their swords yet and are remaining wary of Rock behind me.
As for the other four women who likely have no fighting power, a blonde beauty who looks the oldest is standing so as to act as a shield.
Even though they’re supposed to have no ego, to be able to move this far reflexively. They’re quite something.
As expected of people from another world where dungeon monsters apparently roamed outside.
This makes me look forward to them regaining their egos.
Now then, to ensure they can regain their egos without issue, I suppose I’ll start by taking these guys under my protection.
—
Summary:
Kurokawa’s group of struggling students receives an unexpected care package from a former ally, Koyama-senpai, which moves them to tears and renews their resolve to retain their humanity. Their camp is suddenly breached by Rock, a powerful Kobold Kaiser, causing mass panic until Sanada Yakumo reveals himself. Sanada clarifies he isn’t there to arrest them but to check on the women, noticing that several of the Soul-less Dolls possess high-level combat skills and are instinctively protecting their masters.
—
Trivia:
- The ‘Soul-less Dolls’ do not show up on nameplates, allowing owners to hide them.
- Kurokawa was forced to ‘hand over’ Roa to others previously due to peer pressure.
- Doi is the group’s magic specialist despite his frail appearance and cowardice.
- Koyama-senpai uses a ‘ninja’ roleplay speech style (-degozaru).
- Sanada recognizes one of the women from a previous assault scene outside his room.
- Three specific women in the group are identified as having professional combat backgrounds (Soldier, Adventurer, Mage)
—
Character Insight:
Kurokawa is reaching his psychological limit, oscillating between the urge to become a ruthless thief and a deep desire for redemption sparked by Koyama’s kindness. Sanada shows a growing interest in the mechanical ‘glitch’ where ego-less dolls act out of loyalty/love, mirroring his own experience with Sheena.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘Noh mask’ description for Takahashi to emphasize his detachment and lack of empathy, a common visual trope for characters who have ‘broken’ mentally in survival horror settings.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Kurokawa – A leader fugitive who revenge Mimura and the other because of their soulless doll being snatched. White Knights and other guilds are specifically hunting them. He is a foot-fetishist and a member of the guild ‘Road to Glory.’He has a permanent burn scar on his face and neck from an Ogre Ninja attack. He is the owner of the Soul-less Doll Roa.
• Roa – A 20-year-old Kurokawa’s Soul-less Doll with red, shoulder-length hair and long, attractive legs. She has a slender build and a crotch tattoo that influences her sexual arousal.
• Takahashi – Kurokawa’s classmate and a member of White Knight. Formerly bright and cheerful, now traumatized and vengeful after his Doll was exploited.
• Doi – A first-year student. Extremely tall, in the mid-180cm range, but with a slender, frail-looking build. The magic specialist of the group capable of using Earth Wall.
• Mona – Takahashi’s first Soul-less Doll, who has now also been violated by other member after Takahashi obtained her. Petite with brown, short-cut hair. Formerly a very popular member of the White Knight guild.
• Ueno – Track and field coach with a reputation for targeting female students. Uses a spear in combat. Lolicon.
• Sakuma – A male classmate of Jin. He is currently a fugitive on the 6th floor of the dungeon. A member of the track and field club and White Knight. He carries a Greatshield and a short spear. He previously owned a Soul-less Doll named Pola-san. He has a history of trauma involving his teachers Oida and Kume.
• Koyama – Koyama Sanjuro. A 3rd‑year Animation Department student and the underdogs’ de facto frontliner, Sanjuro masks his fear with grand speeches and humor, leading his group through dungeon nights with reckless courage and nerdy flair. Degozaru.
• Maru – A summoned Kobold beast belonging to Jin. He wields a pair of Greatshields.
• Yakumo – A 25-year-old human male. He has facial scars, stab wounds, and gunshot scars from his time in a war zone. He works as a school guard.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Saizou – A newly summoned Goblin. Intelligent with a small horn on his forehead and jagged teeth. Wears ninja-style clothing (shinobifuku) and uses poison daggers/knives.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s. Now, her ego is back.
• Rock – A male Kobold summoned from a Magic Sealing Crystal. He has grey fur, round eyes, and a face resembling a Shiba Inu. He wears a leather jacket and a pilot’s cap
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
• Taria – Soulless doll. One of the women (Soul-less Dolls) being protected by the men, but stepped up after. Has red semi-long hair.
• Mimura – Seiji (Former professional soccer, now a coach)’s accomplice, proposes the ‘monster train’ strategy. The new Guild Master of White Knight after Manda’s death. He had his arm reattached with a potion. Violent, predatory, and authoritative over underclassmen.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply