Volume 5 Chapter 15 Day Three: The Sealed Dungeon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
First things first, I instructed Miku and Megumi to get breakfast ready.
The two went right to work cooking without a single complaint. Since we had already bought some breakfast bread and yogurt last night, it was light work—just boiling some eggs and brewing enough coffee for everyone. Not a bad place to start for a first request.
We spent our time as we pleased until Anri-san arrived to pick us up.
Despite the limited time, Mitsuki managed to squeeze in a trip to the bath. It must be nice being part of the short-hair club, since you can just hop in the bath whenever you want without any hassle.
When Anri-san came to pick us up, I asked if the entire group could tour the dungeon. She readily and graciously agreed.
As we made our way to the Hotel on foot, she filled us in on the details regarding the dungeon.
”As far as the dungeon type goes, it is classified as a Static and Open-field type.”
”Static” is one of the primary classifications used to define a dungeon’s characteristics.
Dungeons are generally divided into three categories: Static, Semi-static, and Unstable.
A Static dungeon is one where the interior remains completely identical no matter when or who enters it. A Semi-static type, much like the “Commercial District” I explored back in the first term, treats the interior as a parallel world based on the time of your initial entry. An Unstable type refers to your classic roguelike-style game, where the interior layout behaves as a parallel world and dynamically changes its structure with every single entry.1
The “Open-field” designation is another method of classification.
Dungeons are typically grouped into Labyrinth, Open-field, or Trial types.
Unlike the Labyrinth type, which features clearly defined pathways and rest areas, an Open-field type expands into a vast, wide-open space.
A Trial type consists of a single linear path where forced, predetermined encounters with Aberrations occur. A Tower Dungeon would be categorized as a Trial type. On the rarer side of things, there are even Collapsing types that come with a strict time limit.
”The oldest surviving record regarding this particular dungeon is a journal dating back four hundred years,” Anri-san continued. “Some theories even suggest it already existed a thousand years ago.”
”Setting aside the Imperial Capital or the Old Capital, it is quite rare to find a dungeon that ancient in District 5.”
”The clan of guardians has preserved the records across generations,” she went on. “As a family tasked with managing an ancient dungeon, the sorcerers from my mother’s side of the family are actually quite influential figures around these parts.”
”A clan with quite a history, then,” I said.
”It sounds impressive when phrased that way,” Anri-san replied, “but it seems to be a family plagued by deep, dark secrets… They resorted to all sorts of extreme measures just to maintain the seal and preserve the bloodline, so they aren’t exactly held in high esteem, to put it mildly…”
”Well, that sounds like a fairly common tale,” I said.
”Things took a definitive turn for the worse starting with my mother’s generation,” she added. “My sister and I have a very weak standing within the family.”
Arriving at the Hotel in a large group, we waited in the lobby for the time being. We stayed put for Anri-san, who went to report the increased number of visitors to the Hotel manager.
While we were browsing the souvenir corner at the gift shop, Anri-san returned.
Following her guidance, we first boarded an employee elevator located at the edge of the lobby and descended to the third basement floor.
The floor we stepped out onto was a utility area housing generator rooms and mechanical spaces.
As we walked down the corridor, an aged, heavily weathered iron door came into view. The area beside the door was set up like a small management office.
”The dungeon lies just ahead. I am going to open the door, so please step back a little.”
Anri-san entered the management office and took a seat in front of the machinery installed inside. After scanning a card through the machine and typing in a passcode, the thick iron door began to slowly grind open.
Beyond the door, an expanse stretched out that looked like a natural cave reinforced with heavy iron pillars.
”Watch your step, it is quite slippery.”
We advanced through the cave, and after descending a flight of stone steps about ten meters down, we arrived at a wide-open clearing. The rock face directly in front of us seemed to ripple and wave. This was the entrance to the dungeon that was said to have existed in this mountain since ancient times.
”Would you like to step inside for a bit?”
”Is it really alright?”
”It is perfectly fine. It is a Static dungeon, and no hostile Aberrations will manifest here.”
Risa, who had been conversing with Anri-san, turned around to seek my permission.
Everyone had brought their Escape balls along, but none of us carried a Return slip. Trusting her reassurance of safety, we decided to take turns entering the dungeon by swapping group members.
Anri-san and Risa went in first, followed by Yurina, Chifumi, and then myself. It was decided that Anri-san and Risa would remain on standby inside the dungeon while the remaining members cycled in and out one after another.
The moment I passed through the rippling wall, a brilliant sky burst into view.
It was an immense, boundless expanse.
When I looked back, a massive torii gate stood behind me. This torii gate served as the entrance and exit of the dungeon.
Rising directly ahead was a rounded, gently sloping hill.
By my estimation, it stood roughly two hundred meters tall. The foot of the hill resembled a marshy wetland, which visibly transitioned into a dense forest further up. The area near the summit was stark white. It looked exactly as though snow had accumulated there. Even though we were undeniably inside a dungeon, it felt precisely as if we were standing outdoors. The space had to be several kilometers square at least. It was incredibly vast.
From where we stood, not a single Aberration could be seen.
”This place is…”
”The entrance to the dungeon. It is incredibly vast, so if you are not careful and end up losing your way, you will not be able to return home.”
Though, we will not be venturing deep inside today, Anri-san added with a smile.
”The only Aberrations present here are these little ones. They have no intention of harming humans, so please rest assured.”
A small cluster of fluffy down gathered around Anri-san. Looking closer, they turned out to be tiny, white winged insects. As hundreds, even thousands of these bugs—each no larger than an adzuki bean—swarmed together, they formed something akin to a swirling pillar of mosquitoes.2
”Are you controlling them with your sorcery, sister?” Risa asked.
”That is right,” Anri-san said.
”Huh, I see,” Risa muttered.
While letting Risa and the others’ conversation fade into the background, I struck up a conversation with Hinoki (they/them).
’Hit the jackpot, me,’ Hinoki said. ‘There’s proper power lingering right atop that hill, no doubt about it.’
”Should we go take a look?” I asked.
’Aye, I’m proper dying to go, like,’ Hinoki replied.
Since that was the case, I made a request to Anri-san, but she turned me down with an apologetic expression.
Moving further into the depths was simply not permitted, she explained.
’Can’t be helped, mind,’ Hinoki said. ‘At least we know it was here, innit. That’s a proper result on its own.’
”Sorry about that,” I said.
’Nah, don’t sweat it,’ Hinoki replied.
After my brief exchange with Hinoki, I stepped out of the dungeon.
Manaka and the others took their turns swapping places to enter the dungeon as well. In about ten minutes, every single member had completed their quick rotation. It was a brief spot of sightseeing that only a sorcerer could enjoy.
With our tour concluded, we retraced our original steps and made our way back to the iron door.
The management console was operated once more, and the heavy door groaned shut.
When we returned to the lobby, we noticed things were strangely loud and hectic. A crowd had gathered near the main entrance, surrounding someone at the center. The individual was loudly barking out orders to the security guards, who appeared completely bewildered and at a loss.
Anri-san approached a Hotel staff member standing nearby to ask what was going on.
”What happened here?”
”Naruse-san! You are safe! Thank goodness.”
I could see the immense relief wash over a man in his thirties when Anri-san showed herself.
”Safe, you say?” Anri-san asked.
”Your mother arrived here in an injured state,” the man said.
”What is it!?” Anri-san exclaimed.
”She kept insisting that her daughter was in grave danger. Given the nature of her injuries, we attempted to call for an ambulance, but she is flatly refusing to go to the hospital,” he explained.
Following the direction of the man’s gaze through a gap in the crowd, I could see someone locked in a fierce, back-and-forth argument with the people surrounding her.
”Is that Mother!?” Anri-san cried.
At the sound of Anri-san’s voice, the woman at the center of the commotion noticeably snapped her gaze toward us.
Parting her way through the crowd, Anri-san rushed to the woman’s side.
”Why are you here?” Anri-san asked.
”Anri. You are unharmed. There is something that I absolutely must convey to you,” Mother said.
This woman was supposedly Risa’s mother.
Starting with her fierce, unyielding gaze, she certainly possessed enough shared physical traits to leave no doubt that she was a direct blood relative of Anri-san and Risa.
”Setting that aside, you need to go to the hospital and get treated immediately,” Anri-san insisted.
”Medical treatment can be administered anywhere,” Mother shot back. “This matter is far more vital than my mere injuries.”
The mother cut Anri-san off with a sharp, biting snap.
It was an intensely strong-willed reaction that perfectly matched her severe appearance.
”The orb has been stolen.”
”The orb? What are you talking about?”
Anri-san looked completely unable to comprehend the meaning of her words.
”The Orb of Calamity, which must remain strictly and heavily sealed,” Mother said. “It is the artifact my family has protected for generations.”
”This is the very first time I am hearing of this…” Anri-san said.
”It is a secret revealed only when one officially assumes the duty of guardianship,” Mother explained. “I was on the absolute verge of teaching it to you when… that man…!”
The mother gritted her teeth, her expression twisting into a mask of pure, bitter frustration.
”Who do you mean by ‘that man’?”
”The current manager. That weakling Ogura, completely failing to recognize his own place. We must head to the shrine this instant!”
”The shrine? What do you mean? I don’t understand, Mother.”
Anri-san spoke slowly and deliberately, attempting to reason with her mother as if coaxing her down. While managing to restore a semblance of calm to both of them, Anri-san guided her toward a corner of the lobby equipped with chairs.
It seemed this was a conversation they strictly did not want overheard, as everyone besides Anri-san was requested to step away.
I briefly considered having Mitsuki heal her injuries, but I thought better of it and let the matter rest. It wasn’t a life-threatening crisis. I judged that there was absolutely no need to display her Inherent sorcery in this place.
Even so, the mother was visibly injured. Since standard medical attention was necessary, Risa stepped in to tend to the wounds while Anri-san listened to their mother explain the situation. The rest of us kept our distance, remaining far enough away that the general noise of the lobby would completely drown out the details of their conversation… and yet, for some reason, the voices of the three women reached my ears perfectly.
I had experienced this exact sensation once before. The root cause was undeniably the person standing directly behind me (Manaka). While casually discussing our upcoming plans with Sawa and the others, she was thoroughly gathering intelligence while acting entirely uninvolved.
The mother’s explanation continued.
”For generations, the Shoji clan has managed the dungeon located in this land,” Mother explained. “A great Aberration of old is sealed within that dungeon. It is our absolute directive to preserve and protect that seal for posterity. I, too, held that very duty.”
”I am well aware of that,” Anri-san said quietly.
”When family obligations forced me to marry into the Naruse family,” Mother continued, “the management duties were supposed to be passed down to another member of the Shoji clan. A sorcerer from the main line should have arrived, yet the person who actually came was a man from a incredibly distant collateral branch—that Ogura fellow. I deeply feared that an incompetent successor would make it utterly impossible to fulfill our sacred mission.”
The mother’s sheer entitlement was truly something else.
Calling the person chosen to succeed her completely incompetent right out of the gate…
”Entrusting the management to a man like that is an absolute insult to the ancestors who have flawlessly passed down this mission through the ages,” Mother said, her voice rising. “Anri, I resolved to secretly continue the necessary oversight myself until you, the rightful successor, could properly take over.”
”I was told that you only served as the manager for a few years, Mother,” Anri-san said carefully. “That was over ten years ago, wasn’t it? I heard that Ogura-san has already served as the manager for more than a decade.”
”The length of time is entirely irrelevant,” Mother snapped. “The bloodline is what is paramount. There is a definitive reason why that man is fundamentally unfit to be the manager.”
”A reason?” Anri-san pressed.
This was turning into a rather convoluted and complicated affair.
”Maintaining the seal requires borrowing the strength of the Aberrations that reside within the dungeon. Anri, you possess an Inherent sorcery that allows you to employ Aberrations, do you not?”
”Yes.”
”That man’s Inherent sorcery is something entirely different. He is utterly incapable of borrowing the strength of the Aberrations. It was glaringly obvious that the seal would eventually completely collapse under his watch.”
Risa, who had been silently listening to the tale, finally interjected.
”Then why on earth did they make a guy like that the next manager?” she demanded.
”…”
The mother clearly had no intention of answering Risa’s question.
Anri-san quickly followed up, layering her voice over Risa’s inquiry.
”Mother, please tell us why,” Anri-san urged.
”…Aside from using Inherent sorcery to enlist the help of the Aberrations,” Mother admitted reluctantly, “there exists an alternate, separate method to repair the seal. The Shoji clan likely judged that the dungeon could be managed using that specific method.”
”What do you know, so there actually is a way,” Risa said, exasperated.
”It is strictly an emergency measure!” Mother fired back. “It is not the proper, legitimate method, so it inevitably leaves behind structural distortions that can never be fully repaired.”
The mother fiercely fired back in a harsh tone against Risa’s exasperated remark.
Risa seemed to have entirely anticipated that reaction, pushing forward with another question.
”And?” Risa pressed. “What is this method? Based on everything you’ve said so far, did that old guy just suddenly lose his mind? The pieces aren’t fitting together smoothly.”
”……”
As the mother fell completely silent, Anri-san questioned her further.
”The part that concerns me is your claim that you continued to manage it, Mother,” Anri-san said slowly. “You never showed even the slightest hint of doing such a thing.”
”I shall explain the management details to you in full,” Mother said stiffly. “Risa, please excuse yourself.”
”Yeah, yeah, whatever…” Risa muttered, already starting to pull away.
As Risa began to pull away, Anri-san quickly stopped her.
”Wait,” Anri-san said quickly.
”What is it, sister?” Risa asked, turning back.
”I want you to stay and listen to this as well, Risa,” Anri-san said firmly.
”Anri, this is information that must strictly be revealed only to the manager,” Mother said, her tone warning.
”If anything should happen to me, Risa would become the next manager, right?” Anri-san countered. “If Risa lacks Inherent sorcery and will have to manage things using that alternate method, it certainly won’t hurt for her to know it beforehand.”
”……Very well,” Mother relented.
The mother finally relented, and Risa remained exactly where she was.
My deepest apologies, ladies. The rest of us are thoroughly eavesdropping on this entire conversation.
”A shrine exists that stands as a direct counterpart to the dungeon,” Mother explained. “By utilizing the orb at that shrine, one can repair the dungeon’s seal.”
”Oh, come on,” Risa interrupted. “You called it the Orb of Calamity so I thought it was some incredibly dangerous object, but it’s just a tool used for fixing a seal? Then there shouldn’t be any real issue here.”
”It is a massive issue!” Mother insisted. “The orb is capable of manipulating the seal itself. It is not merely used for repairs; it can also completely release the seal.”
”Wait, seriously?” Risa asked.
”Which is precisely why I kept it under lock and key with the utmost security,” Mother said.
The mother finally wore an expression that suggested her sense of crisis had successfully gotten through.
”Why were you the one keeping it, Mother?” Anri-san asked. “Shouldn’t Ogura-san be the one holding onto it?”
”Because I judged that the responsibility was far too heavy a burden for a man like him to bear,” Mother replied coldly.
”…Where exactly were you keeping this orb, Mother?” Anri-san pressed.
”In the family’s magical tool vault, of course,” Mother said.
”In a place with such incredibly weak security?” Anri-san asked, incredulous.
”It was perfectly secure because I was there,” Mother insisted.
”Did that old guy actually come and take the orb away?” Risa asked.
”The man paid a rare visit,” Mother said bitterly, “and the moment he began babbling about his responsibilities as the manager, he snatched the orb away. Before I could even put up a proper resistance, I blundered and let him get the better of me.”
The orb was kept under that much of a loose, sloppy management system!?
”That man undoubtedly intends to undo the seal at the shrine,” Mother said.
”Would anyone actually do something that incredibly stupid?” Risa asked.
”By breaking the seal, he thoroughly intends to claim the sealed power for his own,” Mother explained. “He believes that if the entity is in a severely weakened state, he can successfully absorb it. It is exactly the kind of line of thought an arrogant, overreaching man would settle on.”
The mother’s logic felt incredibly biased and warped to me… but as an outside observer, it was impossible to judge which side was truly in the right. Frankly, I was beginning to feel that taking the mother’s side in this matter might not be the wisest idea…
—
Summary:
Moving beneath the hotel lobby via an employee elevator, the group tours an ancient, static open-field dungeon guarded for centuries by Anri-san’s maternal line. Upon returning, they stumble into a loud public scene centered around Anri-san and Risa’s estranged, injured mother who claims the ancestral family orb has just been stolen by the current manager, Ogura-san. The protagonist utilizes Manaka’s sensory alignment to eavesdrop on their private conversation, uncovering conflicting familial motives surrounding the sealed ancient power atop the mountain hill.
—
Trivia:
The dungeon structure is Static, meaning its geographical parameters and layout remain entirely unchanged regardless of time or who enters.
Anri-san’s unique Inherent sorcery allows her to manipulate or recruit minor Aberrations, which fulfills the primary traditional method for stabilizing the local ancient seal.
Ogura-san lacks the specific type of sorcery needed to command Aberrations, forcing him to rely on alternative ritual methods at the counterpart shrine to maintain management parameters over the past decade.
The protagonist notes a historical precedent for Manaka’s unprompted intelligence-gathering style, which enables clear auditory feedback of distant conversations over background ambient noise.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Megumi – Satsuki is a young magic-world sorcerer, leader of the Manaka group, and part of Minoru’s household, serving him with shy, intimate devotion. Miku’s romantic partner, she assists her with breakfast and chores. Formerly broader, she lost significant weight from Break-Lock and Breach-Lock. She bears a grudge over being framed for tampering with a dungeon generator.
• Miku – Miku Kaharu is a devoted sorcerer, Strong-Females member, and maid-like companion in Minoru’s household. Working alongside her partner Megumi on meals and tasks, she initially joined as a newcomer seeking Minoru’s help to prove her innocence in a school incident. She also assists Sawa with snow construction.
• 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.
• 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.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Anri – The fourth Naruse sister is a private-school leader living in an annex with her mother, whose lineage guards an ancient District 5 dungeon. As Risa’s older sister and future administrator, this sorceress uses a staff and Inherent sorcery employing Aberrations. She acts as a mentor, mediator, and guide for Minoru’s group, but is briefly kidnapped by Ogura’s group during an investigation.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• Mitsuki – A tall, short-haired, dark-skinned Oni girl with a muscular build, this black-clad vanguard fighter is a haughty transfer student, wealthy Sumo member, Witch, and assassin candidate. She uses Oni-fication sorcery, recovery magic, a Kanabo, and a Hama Kongou nightstick. Minoru’s clingy childhood friend and rival, she joined his winter trip to refine his Mana but is absent from the current excursion.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Naruse merchant student, sorcerer, and skier raised as Plain-folk. As Aikawa’s sister and Anri’s protective yet younger sibling, this decisive family member shares authority in Minoru’s group. Bold and outspoken, the disciplined Onibara practitioner wields a grenade rifle and handgun, guides Yurina, cares for their mother, and distrusts Komoda and newcomers.
• 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 – A support sorcerer who uses ice and binding magic to restrain enemies, intercept attacks, and assist dungeon exploration.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student and sorcerer wearing an apron, cat ears, collar, and tail. A quiet observer, she is Risa’s sister, Chifumi’s protector, Anri-san’s trainee, and deeply devoted to Lord Minoru. As a Kendo vanguard skilled with a katana and a rounded nightstick, she uses Severing Sorcery for dungeon combat support, though she is absent from the current excursion.
• 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.
• Hinoki – Sharing Minoru’s consciousness, this sharp-tongued, non-binary Oni-fied centipede Aberration is an advisor deeply interested in dungeon mysteries. Speaking from his shadow, this 30cm, sharp-eyed, metallic-shelled entity bridges him to a nostalgic mountain power. They can transform into massive reptilian forms to draw aggro using dungeon sorcery, venom, and chains.
• Manaka – An elegant, aristocratic Shisei High beauty and Kuga family sorcerer, Manaka Kuga is the calm, strategic leader of the Manaka group and trusted advisor to childhood friend Minoru. Wielding spatial and sound magic, she handles recruits, protective oaths, and intermediate training. As a support ally, she serves as a liaison, manages hotel info, and uses her abilities to eavesdrop on the Naruse family.
• Naruse – The Naruse family is the paternal lineage of Anri and Risa, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by the sisters’ influential mother—a hotel and dungeon manager—this prestigious, understated old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild resides in a modest private estate featuring a dojo smaller than the Onigahara family’s and an integrated, mysterious dungeon.
• Ogura – A distant Shoji-branch sorcerer and engineer who works at the resort as a longtime dungeon manager providing mountain resources. Manipulated by hypnosis, they are suspected of searching for the shrine. They can alter their outward appearance by transforming into a werewolf through beastification sorcery.
• Sawa – Voluptuous and bespectacled, this relaxed, IT-savvy Nieda student gamer is an original Shisei member, Onibara disciple, and core group strategist. Prioritizing safety, she discusses plans in hotel lobbies while casually eavesdropping. She belongs to Manaka’s and Mitsuki’s circles, bluntly reads childhood friend Minoru, wields plant/mana magic, and needs it for severe motion sickness.
• Shoji – An ancient clan sealing the dungeon through Anri and Risa’s lineage, and the designation for its members. It features a dry, top-ranked male transfer student from the 5th District in a white uniform. A tactical Strong-Male with mana detection, magic pistols, and silver werewolf transformation, he leads a mobile snow exploration group, associates with Kotoha’s group, and met Minoru at an airport.
• Mai – Younger sister of Yui and Yuu, possessing a deceptive, snake-like gaze. She displays a shift from cutesy behavior to predatory indifference and is associated with unusual arthropod-related occurrences. A girl who accompanied the protagonist from the morning, only for her existence to be questioned as a potential manifestation of the protagonist’s inner psyche or a Phantom’s trap. A young girl who remembers specific lore from the museum and is determined to assist in the fight.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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