The moment the real Hero was swallowed into the center of Hell Gate, the Nether King appeared before me in his usual holographic form.
With a weary sigh, he scratched his head and grumbled,
“Good grief… That Hero fellow really did as he pleased with this Nether-Class Dungeon. I spent ages fine-tuning its balance with master craftsmanship, and now I have to fix the whole thing…”
“…Is it.… over…?”
To be honest…
I simply followed the Nether King’s instructions at the very end. I didn’t really feel like I defeated the Hero. My legs gave out beneath me, and all I could do was sink to the floor and mumble those few words.
“You’ve done well, young lad.”
The old man smiled faintly.
“The primary source has been eliminated.”
“I see… that’s… good to hear…”
Maybe it was because all the tension I’d been carrying suddenly vanished… but an overwhelming wave of exhaustion crashed over me. There were so many things I needed to ask. So many mysteries still left unanswered. Yet my mind refused to work. Thinking itself felt like too much effort.
In times like this… I’d just let the viewers do the thinking for me.
The chat immediately exploded with questions.
| > What’s the connection between Hell Gate and the old man? > What’s the relationship between the Nether King and the old man? > How are the Nether King and the Dungeon Master connected? > How exactly does Hell Gate work? > So… what was the Hero, in the end? > I want to hear the Nether King’s backstory. > What’s going on with the old man’s body right now? > Fastest route for an RTA clear of the Nether-Class Dungeon? > What’s old man Nether King’s weakness? > Do they even need to fight anymore? > Wait… why are we even here in the first place? > Isn’t Guild Headquarters the real enemy? |
I casually asked the twenty million people watching the stream in real time if they had any questions for the Nether King. And that turned out to be a terrible idea. The comments started flying by at such an absurd speed that even I couldn’t read them anymore.
…Yeah. That one’s on me.
There were so many questions that my brain only got more tangled trying to keep up.
“It seems you’ve all got quite a lot you’d like to ask. But I won’t be answering.”
“Cheapskate.”
Seriously?
So asking had been pointless after all.
“As for the Hero…”
The old man shrugged.
“I don’t know a blessed thing.”
So even the Nether King considered the Hero—and everything surrounding him—to be an unexpected anomaly. Which, honestly, made sense. If he’d known everything from the beginning, there was no way he’d have let someone run wild through his own dungeon and wreck the place.
The bigger picture…
I’ll probably have to uncover that myself.
“…Can I ask just one thing?”
It would leave a terrible taste in my mouth if I walked away without asking anything.
Come on, old man.
Just answer one question.
“I believe I already said I wouldn’t answer.”
The Nether King folded his arms.
“…Still.”
“Hmm… You did defeat the Hero for me. So… I’ll answer one question, so long as it’s something I actually know.”
In truth, there were dozens of things I wanted to ask.
But there was only one that truly mattered.
“The way things are now… is there really no way for you and me to avoid fighting each other?”
“There is no such option. Okay, that’t it.”
“…That was fast!”
He cut me off without a moment’s hesitation.
His expression remained cold.
His answer left no room for argument.
“Why?! You helped me defeat the Hero! We’re both being targeted by Guild Headquarters! And at this point, it’s practically like part of your body has fused with mine! So why do we have to fight each other at all?!”
I’d come this far because that troublesome loli goddess had insisted on it.
But originally… she’d been your superior, and you were her subordinate, weren’t you?
So if everyone just sat down and talked things through…
Couldn’t you guys just simply make peace…?
“There are reasons for everything up there. If you truly want to reconcile with me, you’ll have to conquer this nether-level area, defeat me, and make me submit. When that happens, I’ll have a frank and honest conversation with you.”
“…What are these reasons for everything up there?”
“I told you there was only one question. That’s it!”
Tch!
I tried to get him to talk by going with the flow, but it didn’t work. My sales skills, [leading questions], have really fallen from grace.
The chat continued to race by.
| > Looks like clearing the Nether-Class Dungeon is mandatory no matter what. > I’m way more worried about what Guild Headquarters is planning. > The Hero had to be their trump card, right? > Who knows. > Wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve got something even worse hidden away. > The theory that the Unique Classes are all part of Guild Headquarters’ scheme is looking more convincing. > There were still a few other people with Unique Classes, weren’t there? > We know almost nothing besides the Hero and the Demon Knight. > I’ve got a really bad feeling about this… > Is the Dungeon Master’s dungeon going to be okay? > That’s probably where the real battle is headed. > Makes sense—it’s the source of everything. > Can’t everyone just get along already?! > Maybe the old man will end up being the bridge between them all. > Half your body, half your soul… you’re connected to both sides now. > The future’s resting on your shoulders, old man. > Just don’t let the dungeon streams disappear! > I don’t want this fun to end. > We’re counting on you, old man! |
I caught snippets of the chat as it flew by.
Theories. Words of encouragement. People placing their hopes in me.
I couldn’t possibly read everything… but if everyone was counting on me, then all I could do was give it my best.
It might be a fresh start…
But my next objective was clear.
Conquer the Nether-Class Dungeon.
“Still…”
The Nether King muttered.
“Hm?”
“Repairing this place is going to take a fair bit of time. I’d like to get started immediately, but first, you lot will have to leave the dungeon.”
…Wait. We get to go home?
YES!!
“Honestly, that helps a lot. I’m completely exhausted you see.”
I’d been exploring nonstop ever since entering the Beginner Dungeon.
If I was being honest…I’d really wanted the chance to rest and recharge. Besides, it had to be late at night by now.
A hot bath.
A drink.
Then collapsing onto a nice, fluffy bed.
That sounded like heaven.
“I’ve been thinking, since I’m renovating anyway, I might as well go all the way. I’m planning to dramatically remodel the place—from one hundred floors down to just ten. So you can take about a week off.”
…Yeah.
That sounded like a fantastic renovation.
I’d thought a hundred floors was ridiculously excessive from the very beginning. Cutting it down to ten would make me very happy.
Though… A whole week?
What am I even supposed to do back on the surface?
Well. No point worrying about that now. I’d figure it out with everyone else—and ask Satsuki-chan and the viewers what they thought.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. Just because it’ll only have ten floors doesn’t mean it’ll be any easier. If anything… I’m planning to make it far denser. So spend this week preparing yourself.”
“Got it!”
I answered with as much enthusiasm as ever.
Though…
I’d really appreciate it if “denser” didn’t mean “Hell Gate-level concentrated.”
Still. For the first time in what felt like forever… everything had finally settled down.
“As a special departure service, I’ll send you straight back to your companions.”
“Much appreciated.”
“One week from now, return to the Nether-Class Dungeon. And don’t even think about saying, “Actually… I changed my mind” and running away.”
“Hah! As if I’d do that!”
The Nether King’s hologram began to distort. Moments later, it transformed into a swirling space-time vortex.
If I stepped through it… It would take me back to the first floor, where everyone was waiting.
“Alright!”
My body felt like it was about to collapse from exhaustion, but just knowing I was finally going home filled me with energy.
Time to head back.
“…Hm?”
Just as I was about to step into the portal…
A familiar message suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Well… with a little help from the Nether King, sure— but I was still the one who’d defeated the Hero. This was only natural.
| 《 Daishi leveled up. 》 |
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com
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