We returned to the twenty-second floor of the Tenshiba Dungeon.
Currently, explorers hired by the government were inspecting the shelter here—a relic that had drifted through time and dimensions.
They must be curious about how it works, but of course, chipping away or breaking it apart is physically impossible, so they have to investigate on-site.
Since no electronic devices work in the dungeon, they were limited to primitive methods: using magnifying glasses to inspect surfaces, or testing reactions with permitted chemicals.
The Tenshiba Dungeon remains closed to the public, with only special permission allowing us inside. However, streaming is prohibited, so there’s no stream today.
Apparently, the restriction will be lifted tomorrow, so it seems like this is their last survey.
Not wanting to disturb them, we decided to quietly pass by when—
「Are you, by chance, the members of Team Messiah?」
An older staff member, around fifty years old, looked over at us and asked.
「Yes, that’s us.」
Hime replied.
「I knew it! It’s an honor to meet you! My name is Iwakura, head of this inspection and a staff member from the Yamanashi Research Institute. I apologize, as I don’t have my business card on me in the dungeon.」
He said, bowing slightly.
「I know of your organization. The only dungeon-specific research institute in Japan certified by as an EPO corporation, conducting frontline research since dungeons first appeared and yielding remarkable results.」
While Hime’s business smile was in full effect, Milk and Ayame seemed a bit uncomfortable.
I felt the same.
While Iwakura-san and most of the researchers greeted us with friendly expressions, one of them—a young man in his thirties—was glaring at us.
Iwakura-san seemed to notice as well.
「Sonobe-kun! Stop making that face.」
Iwakura-san called out his name and warned him.
「Ano, have we done something to offend you?」
Ayame asked hesitantly. Sonobe, looking embarrassed, responded,
「No, it’s just…jealousy.」
「Jealousy….is it?」
「Could you elaborate?」
Milk asked making Sonobe-san say, ‘It’s nothing important.’. Then, he continued reluctantly.
「We’ve been exploring dungeons for ten years, just as you, Alpha-san—if I’m calling you correctly—have mentioned. Every day for ten years, we’ve been doing research, investigation, and monster extermination. Some of our senpais used the money they earned in the dungeon to FIRE—retire early—but this team has remained unchanged since its formation. We’ve kept leveling up with the dream of uncovering all the mysteries of the dungeons one day. I’d like to think that our determination is second to none among explorers. But… even with all that drive, we just didn’t have the talent.」
He went on to explain that his stats had stopped increasing after level 120, as had the others’. They had started struggling significantly around the twenty-fourth floor.
Sonobe-san rolled up his sleeve, revealing a large, old scar.
「I was lucky to get away with this, but one of our senpais… didn’t make it.」
The other researchers’ faces clouded over as he spoke.
It must have been a painful experience.
There’s no safety margin past the twenty-first floor.
Without sufficient information beforehand, any recklessness can cost you your life.
「We didn’t have the talent you all do. That’s why we felt envious—seeing people so much younger, barely a year into this, surpassing us by so much.」
「Oh, that’s all it was? Then no harm done.」
「Yeah, we totally get it.」
Hime and Milk both nodded, for some reason looking pleased.
「Why are you two happy?」
「「Because.」」
They both answered in unison.
「My Papa was envied, too.」
「My Daddy was envied, too.」
Ah, I see.
Both of them are daddy’s girls.
Even I feel a bit flattered to be in the same position as Gyuuzou-san.
「Thank you, Sonobe-san. We’ll work even harder to make everyone even more envious.」
「Hah….」
「Though, we’d appreciate it if you could root for us along with the envy.」
Sonobe smiled slightly and replied,
「Yeah. Actually, I’ve watched your streams many times. I was surprised to see that you’re all even cuter than your avatars.」
At that, the other researchers chimed in with enthusiasm: ‘Yeah, they’re adorable, even more than their avatars, aren’t they?’ ‘Alpha-chan is really that tiny?’ ‘I’m an even bigger fan now.’ The girls looked pleased, but—
「Alright, everyone, let’s keep moving.」
While it was nice to see the girls complimented, there’s such a thing as too much flattery. I led us forward.
-0-
We headed deeper into the twenty-second floor, where a conveyor belt transported Bronze Lizardmen.
Like Bronze Goblins, but with enhanced jumping ability, these required some caution from above.
However—
「They’re weak.」
「We’ve just gotten stronger.」
The Bronze Lizardmen’s movements seemed slower than ever, and we easily cut them down.
Our ten-level increase was paying off.
「Our treasure dungeon run has clearly paid off.」
The final wave brought another swarm of Bronze Lizardmen, just like with the Bronze Goblins.
I pulled out a weapon for Milk from my inventory and handed it to her.
With a shroud of shadows enveloping me, I activated Shadow Beastification.
Hime split into five bunshins.
「I’ll start! Release: Create Gunpowder, Release: Create Gunpowder, Release: Ignition!」
A huge round exploded from Milk’s weapon, striking the center of the Bronze Lizardmen swarm and detonating on impact.
Unlike regular firearms, the explosive rounds crafted by Mizuno-san’s smithing skill have limited use, but the power is impressive.
Then—
「Thunder Tornado!」
Ayame’s thunder vortex obliterated the remaining Bronze Lizardmen.
「Let’s go, Hime.」
「Right. Don’t fall behind, Taira.」
We charged. This time, unlike the Bronze Goblins, we managed to reach the Bronze Mother Lizardman’s location without slowing, and—
「Hellfire!」
In a flash, blackened flames reduced the massive metal lizardman to ashes.
It was a complete victory—a successful revenge.
After gathering as much magic copper as our inventory allowed, we took a short break, then moved on to the twenty-third floor.
-0-
As soon as we stepped down to the twenty-third floor, I felt a holy aura permeate the air around us.
Could this be thanks to my presence detection skill?
Curiously, there were no signs of monsters here.
The room was simple, containing only a large, round table.
「So, this is the altar.」
I murmured, pulling out two eggs from my inventory—the ones holding the slumbering Danpons, the treasure dungeon’s overseers.
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