Volume 9 Chapter 20 At Dadamajima, Sightseeing
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The lord dancing endlessly to the flute’s melody. After watching him dance for over a minute, I’d had enough. Left alone, he’d probably keep dancing all day.
”Hey, how long you gonna make us wait (angry)?”
Hinoki, pissed off, forcibly ended the dance of joy.
After that, the lord kept trying to dance with one excuse after another. The flute sounded off. I subdued the combat terminal first, named it “Mai,” and ordered it not to blow the flute. The lord looked disappointed, but now we could talk calmly. I extracted the information we needed in order.
Incidentally, Yui and Yuu wore subtle expressions at my naming choice. I realized it was a mistake after naming it. A failure. But intuition struck. Forgive me.
Collecting myself, I started with the terminal’s info.
One commander terminal and 99 combat terminals formed a subjugation force that came to this dungeon over 300 years ago. The commander terminal looks like the lord because it was modeled on the commander’s attire from when they were created. The combat terminals resemble female warriors for the same reason.
Nearly all combat terminals that came to subjugate were wiped out. Only the one here remains. I wondered if it was really okay to hand over a precious comrade to me. The commander terminal has no combat abilities of its own – its pure fighting strength is small-fry tier at best. Is it really fine without a guard?
Bottom line: no problem.
Originally, the Ancient Land Deity’s avatar (the rock) that existed in this dungeon had its functions restored, making it possible to receive guard supply from the avatar. They actually showed me. The dungeon floor swelled up, and a 30-centimeter humanoid was generated. Small as it looks, it apparently has combat power equivalent to about 0.2 combat terminals.
That’s the current level, but once the avatar recovers, it can make larger humanoids. Given time, the legion will revive. They said they’d wait leisurely, then return to the main body. A time sense where waiting 100 years is no burden. Too different from humans.
The commander terminal finished speaking and looked over us. Its gaze stopped on Yui and Yuu.
And an unexpected fact was revealed.
The relationship between the Futami family, the dungeon, and the commander terminal.
In the Futami family, a rule has been passed down through generations: the next Head of the House must reach the deepest part of “Kamikake Gorge.” There’s secret intel behind the public info.
That the Head of the House is a Venom-sorcery user who must remove the seeping curse at the deepest part. The commander terminal was involved in this rule.
Over 200 years ago, a Futami family ancestor contracted with the commander terminal, using Venom-sorcery to periodically reset the avatar’s erosion, receiving compensation in return.
Earlier, Yui used Venom-sorcery to cleanse the impurity around the spring-rock. The contract was fulfilled.
Similar purification had been executed roughly every 20 years, but this treatment caused the impurity to vanish completely, ending the contract. Yui and the Futami family no longer need to conquer Kamikake Gorge’s depths.
Yui and Yuu received a kokedama from the lord as proof of contract fulfillment. Just need to hand it to the current Head of the House.
After hearing all the info we wanted, at the end, Hinoki pressed the commander terminal with a half-threat: “Make sure you tell the main body we kept our promise. ASAP. Got it?” The commander terminal nodded, and our business here concluded.
We’ll use Return Slips to escape the dungeon. Normally, Return Slips are disabled in secret areas – you can’t escape directly outside – but we got special escape permission from the avatar (the rock). Once again, I felt the rock is the dungeon master.
Anyway, seen off by the lord and the little humanoid, we exited the dungeon. Both the lord and the humanoid were waving with “see ya~” expressions. Carefree bunch. And that thing was once the Ancient Land Deity’s servant who fought Hinoki toe-to-toe. Image shattered.
In the end, we were used, but we managed superficially friendly negotiations with the Ancient Land Deity’s associates. This exchange was a success, wouldn’t you say?
Back outside the dungeon, a manager looking half-dead flew over.
From the outside, we look like a suicide squad diving into a dungeon beyond our permitted level. Guilt weighs on the manager, not to mention Kuga’s eldest daughter is among our members. If something happened, it’d be a liability issue.
You could tell he was relieved we walked out ourselves via Return Slips, not transferred by Escape Balls.
Only one person was unfazed.
Shizuku-san alone seemed certain we’d return safely. She welcomed us back with a warm smile. “Welcome home.”
—
Manaka aside, basically everyone’s fatigued.
Fortunately, no other dungeon explorers today. Quickly finished drop item sales. This haul split with Manaka’s companions. Magic monkey fur and wyvern membrane have no current use, so sold all. Can buy back if needed. Though I doubt the occasion will arise anytime soon.
Stepping out of the Management Building, the setting sun hit my eyes.
Nearly dinner time. Stomach’s growling.
Everyone agreed, so we hopped on the bus to eat. Charged into the steakhouse Shizuku-san reserved. Everyone devoured the meat as it arrived.
At the end, I doubted my eyes at the receipt the waitress handed over. Nearly double the estimate. Underestimated brand beef.
Even splitting with Manaka, putting all today’s drop item income toward it wasn’t enough. Significant out-of-pocket. As I reached for my wallet, Shizuku-san paid for Manaka’s companions’ shares with a card right in front of me. Financial gap shoved in my face.
—
By the time we reached the hotel, the sun had sunk below the horizon. Sawa wanted to game, but fatigue and post-meal drowsiness won. Decided to sleep quietly for tomorrow.
Next day, 8 AM checkout, hotel lobby meetup.
Evening ferry departure. Half a day for sightseeing until then. Wasting it lazing in the hotel would be a shame. Departed immediately.
Outdoor sightseeing first, while it’s cool.
Bus to the first destination – Kamikake Gorge, which we passed yesterday. Not the dungeon, the regular tourist spot. Ropeway not open yet, so parking lot empty. Lined up at the entrance, secured our spot, boarded as soon as it moved. Headed for the summit.
Aerial view of the complex gorge scenery. Summer means lots of leaves. Autumn foliage is supposedly spectacular, but right now it’s all green. Still, you can feel life’s vitality.
Yui and Yuu approached with serious faces.
”Minoru, look at that☆ That☆”
”That’s… Futami Rock…”
Kamikake Gorge’s selling point is various strange rocks. This is one of them.
Indeed, matches the pamphlet photo.
”Same name as Yui and them. Any connection?”
The Futami family is a lineage said to have roots here in Dadamajima. A strange rock with the exact same name. Some connection, surely?
”Here’s the bad news…”
”Nothing to do with us☆”
”None at all!”
Couldn’t help but deliver an exaggerated tsukkomi on reflex. Felt my face heat up at everyone’s deadpan reactions.
”Good reaction. Never disappoints, impressive.”
”Minoru… nice☆”
Chifumi and the others gave me exasperated looks at the exchange. Something about our members gathering and whispering. Rude bunch.
But Yui and Yuu seemed happy. Good enough. Gotta think that way or my heart won’t hold.
—
Gondola continued powering through the air.
Another weird rock appeared. Checked pamphlet for name.
”That’s… Matsutake Rock.”
”Mhm! Doesn’t not look like a mushroom!”
”…Bwuh!? Gah! Hack!”
Yurina spoke to Risa in a slightly off tone, and Risa suddenly sprayed. Holding back laughter. Her unnatural behavior prompted a question.
”Risa, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”
”Well… Asunaro said that rock looks more vicious than Minoru’s thing, so…”
”…”
”Gouging your insides would really kill you… well, yeah, but it’s a rock. Won’t fit.”
Dirty joke, huh!
Comparing it to a matsutake is a stretch for that rock. Or rather, that comment means Asunaro understands matsutake as slang for that thing.
”Risa, stop teaching Asunaro weird stuff. Mental contamination.”
”It’s not me. Asunaro taught me.”
Unexpected reverse. Asunaro’s a closet pervert?
No, that’s not the issue.
”Risa, that’s a lie.”
”Ah, caught.”
Risa switched to Asunaro.
”Prince, I’m not that vulgar. It’s true.”
”I know.”
”Believe me? Thanks, Prince.”
Pita. Asunaro clung close.
”That’s no good~”
”My rule, I don’t allow it.”
”Aaah!? Prince…”
Chifumi and Asari immediately peeled her off. Asunaro made a sad sound like lovers torn apart, then switched back to Risa.
”Asunaro’s getting dyed in our ways too, huh. Hehe, delightful.”
Mitsuki commenting from above for some reason.
Our witches’ play.
”Interesting little skit.”
”We can’t lose either.”
Manaka and Sawa impressed.
Not that I especially like this kind of exchange? If forced to choose hate or like, I like it.
—
Before long, the gondola arrived at the summit station. Walked to the observation deck.
Cooler than the base – welcome relief.
A strange object sat in an open area.
A giant mesh sphere made of iron. No idea why something like this was installed here. Don’t think anything goes just because it’s “art.”
Me crossing my arms staring at the object, Megumi and Miku approached.
”Don’t need to glare that hard.”
”I don’t hate it~desuwa-n!”
Megumi and Miku are pro-art.
Megumi seems artistically inclined vibe-wise, but Miku’s surprising. You’d think she’d prefer running around outside to museums.
”Wah!?”
”Minoru-san, Miku’s actually good at drawing, you know?”
”Surprised!?”
”Unexpected.”
”Eeeh!? What kind of character do you think I am!?”
Miku protesting to Megumi with a look like she’d been shot from behind. Forgot her sentence-ending particle. Rare exchange.
While ruffling the fluffy hair on her head from behind, I conveyed my mental image.
”Miku’s image is a dog running wild through fields.”
”Wafu♡ Overdid the innocent dog appeal… will emphasize dog intelligence going forward… wan!”
Miku straightened, saluted, and started running around the object.
”Oh my… I won’t lose either!”
Megumi started chasing Miku. Megumi gives off this vibe like she’d never run in the middle of town, yet she runs normally. Maybe they’re birds of a feather.
—
A gazebo stood at the observation deck.
Familiar gazebo. Closely resembles the one in the dungeon’s secret area.
’They modeled this after that, huh.’
Hinoki on my shoulder muttered.
”But this is still new, right? The lord’s been in the dungeon 300 years. Same gazebo in the secret area – timeline doesn’t match?”
’Means they had leeway to freely redecorate the area.’
”Wasn’t that a desperate situation?”
’Who knows. Aside from that management terminal, the Ancient Land Deity main body might not care if one Otherworld fragment malfunctioned, as long as it didn’t affect the whole.’
”Perspective changes what you see and how you think, huh…”
’That’s how it is.’
A thought struck.
Right now, Hinoki clinging to me is because they’re small and weakened.
I wonder… if Hinoki fully regained their power, would they become indifferent to us like the Ancient Land Deity? …Realistically, I don’t think Hinoki will recover full power in my lifetime, so it’s needless worry.
”Hinoki, countin’ on ya from here on too.”
’What’s up? Sudden?’
”Negotiations with the Ancient Land Deity went well thanks to Hinoki.”
’Well, our fault Otherworld got inaccessible, so nothin’ to be thanked for.’
”Still… yeah, thanks this time.”
’Welcome.’
—
Gazing at the scenery with Centipede, Chifumi called. Everyone gathered for a commemorative photo. Handed a camera to a random tourist, got our picture taken, left the summit.
—
Down the mountain, we had lunch at a set-meal restaurant near the port, then the school ruins.
Old wooden school building. Location used for drama shoots. Toured it, then bought souvenirs at a local shop. Ferry time – left Dadamajima.
—
Shizuku-san drove the bus, dropping everyone home. Thanked Kuga family for the bus and Shizuku-san for driving. Plan to properly repay with money and goods later.
Entered the grounds, released the anomalies, went straight to the main house. Gave souvenirs, ate dinner, retreated to the annex.
Pape, who’d prepared the bath and futon in advance, is competent.
The moment I got in the futon, drowsiness hit.
Thus ended the Dadamajima trip.
—
Summary:
Minoru’s party completes the Dadamajima dungeon, negotiating with the Ancient Land Deity’s avatar (a rock) and the lordly commander terminal. They learn the Futami family’s ancestral contract with the terminal – Yui’s Venom-sorcery purifies the corruption, ending a 200-year cycle and freeing the Futami family from needing to conquer Kamikake Gorge’s depths. After exiting, the group enjoys a sightseeing day on Dadamajima: ropeway to the summit, strange rocks (Futami Rock, Matsutake Rock), banter among the witches, an art object resembling the dungeon’s gazebo, and a steak dinner that blows the budget. The chapter ends with the party returning home.
—
Trivia:
1. The commander terminal (Tono-sama/”lord”) and combat terminals (female warriors) were modeled on their creators’ appearances 300+ years ago.
2. Only one combat terminal remains; the rest were wiped out.
3. The Ancient Land Deity’s avatar (rock) can generate guardian humanoids from the dungeon floor – currently ~30cm with 0.2x combat terminal strength.
4. The Futami family’s Venom-sorcery contract with the commander terminal lasted ~200 years, requiring purification every ~20 years. Yui’s purification ended it permanently.
4. Yui and Yuu received a kokedama (moss ball) as proof of contract fulfillment.
5. Hinoki once fought the Ancient Land Deity’s servant (the lord) evenly.
6. Kamikake Gorge is a tourist spot (ropeway) separate from the dungeon, but contains Futami Rock – same name as Yui/Yuu’s family.
7. Asunaro has a hidden perverted side (understands “matsutake” as p**is slang).
8. Miku is surprisingly good at drawing; her character motif is a dog.
9. The gazebo at the observation deck resembles the one in the dungeon’s secret area – Hinoki suggests the Ancient Land Deity had “leisure to redecorate.”
10. Shizuku-san’s wealth gap shown when she casually pays for Manaka’s companions’ expensive steak dinner.
Notes:
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Hinoki – An older classmate and powerful anomaly who speaks with a warm, blunt, Kansai-influenced dialect. Using they/them pronouns, they have a shy yet contrary personality and interact casually with the protagonist. As a mediator in the supernatural community, they secure bodies and support others, having bestowed fragments of their power upon Pape, Kram, and Risa.
• 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.
• 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.
• Yui – Yuu’s older twin sister, this blunt Shisei student from an upper-middle sorcerer line has short hair with a white lock and a downer Jirai-kei, pink/black gothic-lolita look. Minoru’s childhood friend and a protective, mocking member of Manaka’s circle, she defends Yuu and shares guilt in their deception. Composed but critical, she wields a knife and venom-sorcery before being eaten by the Phantom.
• Yuu – Minoru’s childhood friend and Yui’s twin, this Futami twin is a Mid-guard in Manaka’s group. Dressed in a striped swimsuit or Jirai-kei/gothic-lolita fashion, she underwent a character shift from soft and timid to bubbly with sharp commentary. A needle-using Shape-Proxy Sorcery user who teases Minoru, she motivated the Founding Strong-Females’ plan before being eaten by the Phantom.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• 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.
• Futami – The family name of twins Yui and Yuu, and their younger sister Mai. It carries a lower social standing, which factored into the group’s concerns about Yuu’s ability to lead at Shisei High School.
• 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.
• 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.
• Kuga – Worn on Manaka and Marin’s garments to symbolize kinship, the Kuga family name carries heavy social weight and authority. This distant lineage, marking the farthest point from the narrator’s home, has a strained relationship with the Tatemiya family due to Minoru being abandoned by Manaka. A family member working as hotel staff also reports Anri’s visit to the sealed dungeon.
• Shizuku – Job: Kuga family servant/attendant; Relationship: Branch family member; chauffeur; Note: Childhood acquaintance of narrator.
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• Sawa – Voluptuous, broad-framed yet recently slimmed-down, this confident, bespectacled Nieda student and game otaku is an IT-savvy Shisei member and core strategist in Manaka and Mitsuki’s circles. An upper-middle tier green-manipulation sorcerer who uses a hoe, sickle, and scissors, she controls security. She is a competitive Onibara disciple who bluntly complains to her childhood friend Minoru.
• Minoru – The protagonist and narrator is a black-haired Demon reincarnated from Japan, standing 183cm with sharp eyes. Pragmatic yet internally hurt, this eldest Tatemiya son wrongly believed his childhood friends abandoned him. Serving as ‘master’ to a mixed female group, he uses inherent spatial manipulation sorcery to command a handgun and subjugated monsters like Pape in mid-guard combat.
• Chifumi – Eldest daughter of the Takino residence, this 160cm, J-cup kimono-clad sorcerer is Minoru’s childhood friend, Lead Majo, and trusted partner. Sporting a long brown side-tail, her bright, casual personality bridges his group with Manaka’s companions. Wielding a staff with flowing ice/water magic, she manages household admin and rearguard combat while secretly protecting him from the truth.
• Yurina – A stoic, analytical 165cm Plain-folk vanguard with a black ponytail and G-cup. A humanities student and eldest daughter of seven, she uses a katana and Severing Sorcery in Minoru’s party. She protects Chifumi, fights alongside Mitsuki, and addresses Minoru-sama with polite deference. Efficient and loyal, she trusts his judgment despite feeling unsettled by his escalating violence.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• Yuri – A cheerful, energetic, and curvy Higashi High first-year student dating Shibuya. While calculating, she is fiercely loyal, even winning a third-place Best Couple Award with him. She was an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina in middle school. Known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism, she is defined by her intense relationships, vibrant spirit, and distinct presence.
• Asunaro – An anomalous White Centipede monster who received a fragment of Hinoki-sama’s power. Known as Lady Asunaro, she resides in Risa’s body, serving as a second interpreter. Saved by Minoru (whom she affectionately calls “Prince Charming”), she speaks with a flat tone but has genuine emotions. Her name is heard during the goodnight sequence, and she belongs to a group with a large presence.
• Asari – A tall (175cm), braided black-haired Kasakura honor student with an E-cup, this analytical, quiet, and pragmatic science-track strategist serves as Minoru’s devoted partner and Risa’s future host. Close to Mari and Nagase, she uses a hand-armor gauntlet and Silicic Armor to manifest crystal barriers, switching between Vanguard and Mid-guard. Polite yet lecturing, she is currently recovering from mana exhaustion.
• Mitsuki – Eldest daughter of the Onigahara estate, this 188 cm science-track classmate has short brown hair, a lean athletic build, an I-cup, and a mischievous grin. A determined vanguard and healer in Minoru’s group, she uses a golden mace and Oni-Transformation Sorcery. She bickers friendlily with Minoru, coordinates with Manaka’s companions, and uses recovery magic for service play and training.
• Megumi – A 162cm former District 13 student at Shisei High, she is a flexible-body Sorcery user wielding a naginata. Belonging to Manaka’s, Minoru’s, and Tatemiya’s groups, this plump woman has thick thighs, a generous belly, and a C-cup. Submissive, eager to please, and speaking with a pleading manner, she maintains a highly proactive and desperate physical intimacy with Minoru.
• Miku – Former District 13 student in Minoru’s and Manaka’s groups at Shisei High. Standing at 147cm with an A-cup, she has a chubby, long-legged build and a supermodel face, dressing to hide her figure. As one of Tatemiya’s “strong-females” and a courier with Megumi, she uses Heaven-kick Sorcery and leg armor. She is energetic, highly reactive, and prone to angry, Chihuahua-like displays.
• Centipede – A former high-level Apparition currently reduced to a powerless, disembodied state. It speaks with a manipulative, merchant-like tone.
• Pape – A Mannequin-type monster with a special nature. She serves as the boss of the shallow layer of the Commercial District dungeon. She has evolved from a lazy Torso into a diligent servant who prioritizes cleaning and proper attire. She aspires to become a butler and is influenced by Hinoki-sama’s power, which has made her fond of caregiving through clothing. A monster created as a dungeon boss who has spent many years in that role. Their monster history is exceedingly long. They follow rules properly and play cat’s cradle with Clam.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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