Book 4: Chapter 123: 123

Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer

"I'm back~. Oh, if it isn't Fuyuki-kun."

"Ah, welcome back, Tenji~. I am excusing myself."

After inspecting Flame Demon and Snow Demon, Tenji could no longer handle the fatigue he had accumulated in these several days so he didn't stay at the 62th for longer and returned back quickly.

Though he had made up his mind, he didn't want to return empty handed, so left behind a single spike in the dungeon. Whether it would bring fortune or disaster, he was looking forward to the result.

"But why do you look so weary?"

"It is the result of a beating from Chisato-san."

"Presumed so."

Tenji and Fuyuki casually jabbed at each other before bursting out in laughter at the same time.

When Tenji had returned back, the big window to the living room was open ajar and beyond that, in the garden, Fuyuki was looking at the sky while covered in mud, as if he had received a good thrashing.

In the living room, there were also the figure of Chisato--- who was dressed in her risky outfit as always --- completely absorbed in the video game with headphone on her ears. She was so absorbed in the game that she didn't even take notice of her surroundings and didn't realize Tenji returned.

Tenji retrieved two sports drinks from the fridge and then sat on the balcony's large window ledge. He extended his legs outside and gently placed one of the bottles above the head of Fuyuki who was lying on the ground.

"Isn't it hot there? You could cool yourself inside..."

"Well~ just happened to be. After getting thrashed so one-sidedly today, I was just wondering why can't I win against her all this time. Thanks for the drink by the way."

Fuyuki slowly brought himself up and drank the chilled sports drink in big gulps. It seemed like she was considerably thirsty as the bottle was half-finished in just one breath.

Puah! Fuyuki pulled him away from the bottle's opening with a satisfied sigh. As the content swayed gently, mirroring the twilight, he began to speak slowly to Tenji.

"How did it go? What was your feeling seeing the new hell beasts?"

"Well, how to say......they are amazing which also puts me at a loss."

"Put you at loss?"

"Yeah, actually......they all are currently at the 62th floor as we speak."

"What!? Those demons are!?"

Fuyuki stared at the face of Tenji, though she didn't say it loud, her expression clearly asking 'What in the world are you asking?'.

Tenji continued his words with a serious expression.

"Yeah. Actually, there was this nagging question «What's the farthest range I can be afar from hell beasts?» in my mind that I always wanted to verify but couldn't. Though now------"

"......And that's why you left them there?"

"Yes, it's alright. It's not like anyone venuted in 62th floor and I have also thoroughly told Flame Demon-sensei and Snow Demon-sensei to «Hunt at the edge of the field and don't let yourself be seen by anyone at all cost» so I believe everything should be fine."

"It is indeed true no one ventures there and only a fool would want to explore that floor."

I know, that's why I think it should be alright. Even if they're to be found, they'd probably just be treated as new types of monsters, so no worries."

"So, where exactly is the problem?"

Fuyuki asked, keeping his gaze locked at Tenji's face as he brought the opening of the bottle to drink from it once again.

"That's it...... with this rate of experience gain, I might level up again within a week. The tyranny of numbers is really incredible, right? And, Flame Demon-sensei's long-range attack is just too powerful."

"Pfft!?"

As soon as 'I might level up again within a week' landed in Fuyuki's ear, he reflexively sprayed the sports drink he had in his mouth all over the yard. Though it wasn't his intention, the fog and the orange hue of evening created an pictur-esuqe scenery in the garden.