Volume 4 Chapter 13 Dungeon Co-op
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It is dungeon training day. Last time, we explored the fifth floor. We could not find the entrance to the sixth floor. We plan to keep searching the fifth floor today. But there is something to do first.
At the dungeon entrance office, the administrative receptionist1 hands us a small tally. I take one half of the split token. Komoda-kun takes the other half.
Komoda-kun faces me. “I’ll call you the moment I find the statue. Sorry for the trouble, and thanks in advance.”
”Got it,” I reply. “I’m the one supporting you, right?”
”Yeah, that’s right,” Komoda-kun says.
”Understood,” I say.
I leave Komoda-kun and walk over to my group members.
”Welcome back~” Chifumi calls out.
”I’m back,” I say. “I got the tally.”
”So that’s the cross-border item for this dungeon~”
Chifumi and the others look at the item in my hand.
The tally is about the size of a Shogi piece. It looks like it is made of wood. This item lets you move into a dungeon where another group is currently inside. It is a world-line movement item. You need it when a group needs help from another group. Sometimes a dungeon is just too hard to clear alone.
One person can only call one other person. This means a party of 12 across two groups is the maximum. Only Komoda-kun and I hold the tallies this time. So, we can only call upon each other.
Getting this tally costs a lot of money. You also have to offer drop items. We sold the furs from the first four floors to afford it.
”So?” Risa asks. She eyes the other group. “Can you really trust that group?”
Risa looks at the Komoda group with suspicious eyes. Her doubt makes complete sense. The reason we got this tally started a few days ago.
The day after our group reached the fifth floor, I was stopped in the school hallway. It was after school.
”Hey, got a moment?” Komoda-kun asks.
”Oh… sure,” I reply. “What do you need?”
”I want to share information about dungeon exploration. Do you have time now?”
”Hmm… sure,” I say. “Can I bring my members?”
”I’ve reserved a room for a small group,” Komoda-kun notes. “Let’s talk with both group leaders present.”
”Understood,” I say.
I call Chifumi and follow Komoda-kun. On the way, Komoda-kun meets up with the Strong-Females from his own group. They are Shoji’s group members.
”Muto-san, hello~” the girl greets.
”Takino-san, looking forward to working with you,” Muto-san replies.
These two share information fairly often. So, the conversation should go smoothly.
We enter the guidance room and sit at the table. We agree not to leak any information outside our groups. Then, Komoda-kun gets right to the point.
”Do you know about the ‘Commercial District’ floor boss?” Komoda-kun asks.
”The boss of the shallow levels?” I ask. “If you mean the boss on the 20th floor, I know it.”
”Then this will be quick,” Komoda-kun says. “Based on our information, the floor boss is a ‘Torso.’ What’s your take on it?”
”Same here,” I state. “I heard it looks like those torsos used for product displays in clothing stores.”
Komoda-kun nods at my words.
”To be honest, the ‘Torso’ is weak. It only uses physical attacks. It has no proper sorcery. It is just a torso model. If a group can reach the 20th floor, it is harder to lose than to win. That is why people think clearing this ‘Commercial District’ is all about the basics. You learn how to navigate a huge maze while managing your Mana levels… at least, that is what everyone thinks.”
”Thinks…?” I question. “Is it actually different?”
”The ‘Torso’ is a special boss,” Komoda-kun explains. “Its strength changes a lot if certain conditions are met.”
”…That is the first time I’ve heard that,” I admit.
”I figured,” Komoda-kun says. “Only a few people in my family know this.”
He just shared a huge secret like it was nothing. Chifumi and I trade glances. Komoda-kun smiles without a hint of malice and goes on.
”The condition is to defeat the ‘Unique Variant’ along the way.”
”Wait a second,” I interject. “Unique Variant? The ‘Commercial District’ is supposed to be a dungeon without any Unique Variants.”
That is also written in the official dungeon documents from the government.
”That is wrong information,” Komoda-kun insists. “The country doesn’t have the right information.”
”No, no, that can’t be right,” I argue. “Official documents being wrong? Even if it were a new dungeon, the ‘Commercial District’ has existed for decades. Over a hundred sorcerers have dived in. You’re saying information about a Unique Variant or a boss is wrong? That sounds like a conspiracy.”
”Unfortunately, it is a fact that it is wrong,” Komoda-kun counters.
This sounds like a crazy conspiracy theory. I can see that Komoda-kun is completely serious. But I can’t just accept this because he says so.
”The Unique Variant only appears on floors 5, 10, and 15,” Komoda-kun says. “It shows up in the place furthest from the starting point. Behind the door to the next floor, there is a plaza with a statue in the center. Of course, stationary monsters are waiting for us. But the real problem starts after that.”
”…”
”After you destroy the stationary monsters, the statue moves if a certain condition is met. That statue is the Unique Variant.”
”…And that condition is?” I ask.
”Entering the plaza with 7 people on your first intrusion.”
Entering with 7 people on the first try is almost impossible if you explore normally. Having exactly 7 people is very hard. One group can only have 6 members.
”How did you figure out such a condition?” I ask.
”Apparently, one of my ancestors was a bit of an eccentric,” Komoda-kun says.
The person in front of me is a genuine eccentric. That makes sense.
”…Judging from what you’ve said so far,” I conclude, “do you want to cooperate because you want to defeat the Unique Variant?”
”Exactly,” Komoda-kun says. “I appreciate how quickly you catch on.”
I keep asking the grinning Komoda-kun questions.
”I haven’t heard the most important part yet. Can I keep asking?”
”Go ahead,” he says.
”First… how does the floor boss change when the Unique Variant is defeated? Is there any benefit to changing it?”
”Naturally, you’d be curious about that. …When you defeat a Unique Variant, it drops an item. If you have that item, the Torso grows limbs when you fight it. A Torso with limbs is obviously stronger. But in exchange, it drops more valuable items.”
”Valuable…”
After a brief pause, Komoda-kun answers.
”I can’t tell you about the items… sorry. I will only say that they are useful for future dungeon exploration. They aren’t on the official list of important strategic materials. So, the government won’t forcibly take them away.”
They must be items with great value for the Komoda family.
”Why me?” I press. “If the items are a secret, and the information about the Unique Variant is a family secret, shouldn’t you ask your family for help? Why not them?”
”I don’t know any family members who would be willing to cooperate,” Komoda-kun sighs. “To my shame, I am practically disowned as it is. Besides, the Unique Variant is strong. The word is that it will destroy weak helpers. I am well aware of your capability.”
Is he talking about what happened in the Simulated Dungeon? Until now, the matter of the near-Re-counter had remained vague. This statement makes it very likely that that was the real Komoda-kun.
”What is my benefit?” I ask.
”Of course, there is one,” Komoda-kun says. “The key item obtained when the Unique Variant drops will also be given to the helper side. Actually, if there are 7 members across two groups, each group gets one. If you use the key item, you can obtain items when you fight the Torso, too. You are free to use whatever you obtain as you like.”
Those are quite amazing conditions. He gives me information on how to get a key item hidden by the Komoda family. Plus, I get to obtain useful items. The Tatemiya family also has hidden magic items that are not officially recorded. I have no intention of denying Komoda-kun on that front. Even if they are just average items, the information itself has value.
However, I hesitate to accept this offer right now. I can’t shake the feeling that there is a catch.
”…Can I have some time to think?” I ask.
”Of course,” he replies.
”I would appreciate it if I could give you an answer by the next exploration. We are scheduled to enter the fifth floor around then.”
The next practice day is the day after tomorrow. I should talk to everyone in the group today.
”Understood,” Komoda-kun says.
”I look forward to a good reply,” he adds.
”I’ll have an answer for you by tomorrow,” I promise. “If I do accept, I think it will be a conditional acceptance.”
”I’ll count on you,” Komoda-kun says.
That is the end of the conversation. Chifumi and I leave the guidance room. Komoda-kun doesn’t come out. Other members of the Komoda group were waiting in the hallway. They went inside. I wonder what they are doing. The room is small for that many people, but… that isn’t my problem.
I join up with everyone in the group. I share the information I just got.
The group’s opinions on this cooperation are split. 2 in favor, 2 against, 1 neutral. Chifumi and Asari are in favor. Risa and Yurina are against. Mitsuki is neutral.
Chifumi and the others want to take risks to get the hidden key item and useful items. Risa and the others have very low trust in Komoda-kun because of his earlier trick.
Even Risa and the others usually follow Chifumi’s decisions without complaint. But they cannot be convinced this time. They clearly express their opposition, which is rare. I ask them to explain why.
”Assuming that story is true,” Risa argues, “you’re saying only Minoru will be called to that group? We don’t know what they’ll do to you once you’re there. Even when fighting the Unique Variant, it’s fine if it’s a joint fight. But what if it’s not? They could use you as a sacrifice. They could leave you to die. Or, worst of all, they could attack you, right?”
Risa wants to say that my safety isn’t guaranteed. So, there is no need to accept.
”You’re worried about me,” I say. “Thanks.”
”Of course,” Risa says. “Minoru is our leader, isn’t he? It’s natural to be worried.”
”Risa is right,” Yurina agrees.
”Then…” I start.
”But, I am thinking of cooperating,” I declare.
I hold up a hand to stop Risa from speaking.
”As a condition for cooperation, I will make the guarantee of my safety the heaviest Binding Vow. If things start to go wrong, we will abandon everything and return. I will make them agree to those conditions. Is that okay?”
”…If that’s the case, then, well…” Risa nods slowly.
It is my decision as the leader. I intend to cooperate in a way that resolves Risa’s anxiety.
The next day, I told Komoda-kun that I would cooperate with conditions.
And now, we are about to enter the dungeon with the tallies in hand.
When issuing the tallies, I added a condition. If I sense danger, I will immediately abandon the cooperation. I will return to the dungeon where my original group is. I made this restriction with the administrative receptionist present.
With this, my basic safety should be guaranteed.
”Here we go~” Chifumi calls out.
Chifumi leads us into the dungeon as always. I stay at the back. The Komoda group must have entered the dungeon earlier. They should be exploring the fifth floor by now.
Will an Oni appear, or a snake? I feel a bit nervous as I step into the rippling wall.
—
Summary:
Minoru negotiates a cooperative dungeon exploration pact with Komoda, who reveals hidden mechanics regarding a ‘Unique Variant’ statue in the Commercial District dungeon. Despite heavy skepticism from Risa regarding Komoda’s trustworthiness, Minoru formalizes the agreement with a binding safety clause. The chapter concludes with Minoru and his group entering the dungeon, preparing to join Komoda’s group on the fifth floor.
—
Trivia:
The tally tokens (割符) are expensive and require selling precious drops like furs to acquire.
Minoru previously had a ‘Re-counter’ incident involving a person who was likely this same Komoda-kun.
Entering the plaza with exactly 7 people on a first-time intrusion is the specific condition to trigger the Unique Variant.
The Tatemiya family, like the Komoda family, possesses their own secret magic tools.
The Binding Vow (制約) is the highest level of assurance against betrayal in this world.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male classmate from the influential Michinori family. A calculated leader of a dungeon-exploring group, he possesses deep, secret knowledge of mechanics and unique variants. Recognizing Minoru, he cordially approaches him at a dungeon entrance to propose a tactical alliance, leveraging his insider data with the ultimate intent of summoning Minoru into his group.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• 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.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Chifumi – Scrawny, long-haired frost-water sorceress and first-year Lead Majo, she is an intellectual strategist who masks a sharp demeanor with bubbly, dramatic idol poses. As Minoru’s childhood friend, protector, and top harem member, this brass band member coordinates the team and interacts with Muto. Despite a low mana pool, she uses a water staff for destructive, range-based AOE magic to explore dungeons.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Plain-folk student and disciplined Onibara practitioner from the Naruse merchant guild, she is Minoru’s dutiful childhood friend, servant, and group member who defers to Chifumi and knows Yurina. Lacking innate sorcery, this cautious, protective Shooting club member trains hard, sniping monsters with firearms while harvesting loot, scanning dungeons, and suspecting Komoda.
• 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.
• Shoji – A male student who leads an independent exploration group within the same dungeon curriculum. A conspicuous male transfer student wearing a distinctive white uniform who enters the dungeon first.
• Muto – A member of Komoda’s group who exchanges information with others. The leader-type girl within Komoda’s group who carries a staff and interacts with Chifumi.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Tatemiya – The prestigious Tatemiya family plays a central role in the group’s social dynamics. Their name references the household where the protagonist Minoru, Kotoha, and his witches return to live, bond, and interact.
• Mitsuki – A tall, dark-skinned transfer student with a lean, athletic yet explosive hourglass figure, she is Minoru’s deeply devoted childhood friend, rival, and clingy Witch/Majo. Wielding a heavy Kanabo club with destructive black Oni-fication and rare healing sorcery, this top assassin candidate leads the Onigahara Dojo and their neutral vanguard group with Manaka and Koki, serving her Master, Minoru.
• Yurina – Black-haired, refined Plain-folk student and Kibe-born Kendo club vanguard swordswoman in Minoru’s squad, serving as his devoted, intimate partner whom she alerts to enemies. Polite, stoic, and emotionally stable, this childhood protector to Chifumi shares Risa’s distrust of the Komoda group. Wielding a swift katana and Severing Sorcery to explore dungeons, she becomes a duplicate facility guide after the Phantom devours her.
• Asari – Tall, long-haired, and curvy (170cm+, E-cup), this Kasakura first-year Handicrafts club member is a barrier sorcerer and Onigahara Dojo trainee in Minoru’s squad. She vanguards defensively, maps layouts, and analyzes data with Chifumi. Close to Mari and Nagase, she supports dungeon cooperation, craves intimacy with Minoru via special training, and was tragically devoured by a Phantom.
• 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.
• Minoru – A lean, black-haired student and transmigrated sorcerer leads a dungeon party in a reversed-beauty world. Wearing a uniform, this pragmatic, risk-averse master uses Tatemiya magic, an iron whip, and shadow/space sorcery to control monsters. He strategically manages route coordination and contract pacts with other teams. He maintains complex bonds with his female squad, including his childhood friend, partner Risa, recruit Mitsuki, and sister Mai, while saving his energy for an upcoming duel.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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