Earth Dungeon 55.1

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Chapter 55.1. Training

Ooki dashed up the towering staircase of the Amatsugahara headquarters. Passing through the reception, the residential floors, and the research labs, he sprinted up the stairs as if he were training. 

Despite the lingering summer heat, sweat dotted his forehead, and he was catching his breath.

Apologizing to a person carrying documents, he deftly dodged someone pushing a cart laden with luggage, making his way to the top floor.

"Cough, cough. I wish the boss would move. Climbing to the top floor is a hassle."

However, with a sense of urgency, he pushed through his discomfort and, feeling dizzy, entered his home. His determination was evident, enough to surprise even Melos.

"Boss, are you here?"

The house was silent. There is no sign of anyone. He began to turn pale, wondering if the boss had gone to Arakawa. He had realized something—the conversation from yesterday. Perhaps the students had gone to Arakawa, encountered the boss, and things had turned chaotic. The so-called 'flag' had been raised.

Hence, he rushed over.

"Oh? What's up, Ooki-kun? What do you need?"

The boss emerging from inside the house, scratching his head and yawning, was the president.

He was fine. It seemed like it had been his imagination.

"So sleepy. Today's Sunday, isn't it? What is it?"

"You're here... I'm relieved."

His energy drained away, and he collapsed. He had feared that an internal conflict might erupt. Yet, the president was leisurely dressed and at home.

"Well, it seems the inner town's forces are on the move?"

"The inner town's guys? Did something happen? Has a big shot appeared?"

"Well, there are students here..."

The boss squinted, resting his chin on his hand.

"I see... students... military school, huh? Naturally, there'd be something like that. We have to save resources, after all. The scarcity of bullets has become a serious issue recently. Ironically, the underlings from the outer town are using those bullets, but that's the way it is."

"Understood. There's a high possibility that they'll conquer the dungeon around here. Maybe they'll meet at the water source and some accidental incident will happen, just like in old novels. That's why, even though I'm not feeling well. I rushed here."

"It's already daytime, you know."

The sun was directly overhead. The sunlight was scorching, and Ooki felt even worse due to his hangover. Running in the heat had made him feel even sicker.

"I may have had a bit too much to drink yesterday. A soldier acquaintance was treating, so I drank quite a bit... hehe."

"Well, at least you came to report. I got it. Today, I'll peacefully enjoy my day off at home."

His tone was exasperated, but the boss showed no signs of anger, which brought relief to Ooki.

"Are you alone today?"

"Ah, fortunately, no one has come. I can enjoy a leisurely nap. Then, it was tough work. Here, take this."

Flicking a 500 yen coin with his finger, the boss shot it toward Ooki, and I hurriedly caught it.

"Hehe. Thank you... Ouch, ouch!"

Just like that, he shot another 500 yen coin at me, and it hit his body, causing quite a bit of pain.

"It's a reward and a punishment. Such reports should have been made yesterday. You rushed things... But I suppose it wouldn't be strange for students to be among them. Timing-wise."

Ooki happily gathered up the jingling 500 yen coins, excited to find six of them. However, the boss's strange words made me curious.

"What do you mean by 'timing-wise'?"

"Well, for complete rest. I'll lay low for a few days, just to be safe. So long then."

"Alright. Excuse me then."

He greeted the boss as he waved with one hand and returned inside the house, then I headed back.

"It's a relief that the president is here."

Exhaling a sigh of relief, he clutched the 500 yen coin in his hand and looked up at the sky.

"Now then, time for a welcome drink."

With that, he headed back to the tavern with a light step. After all, a welcome drink was the cure for a hangover.

As Ooki looked up, he noticed dark clouds starting to form in the sky. A typhoon might be approaching.

A convoy of vehicles was moving through the ruined city. 

Three military jeeps and two infantry transport trucks were unusually making their way through the debris, kicking up stones as they went.

Inside the second jeep, a man was feeling irritated.

He was a Japanese military officer and a captain. Known for his exceptional skills, he ranked among the top four majors in Tokyo. He openly showed his annoyance, tapping his arm with his fingers.

"Tch. Why do I have to be the one escorting students? It's utterly ridiculous."

"Well, there's no helping it. They're supposedly part of the Golden Generation, after all."

In the swaying car, he complained to the lieutenant who was driving. The lieutenant, maintaining a stoic expression, responded, causing the captain to snort and look outside.

The scene was as usual. Dilapidated houses were on the brink of collapsing, no longer suitable for habitation. 

Buildings lacked windows, and the former offices were cluttered with desks and chairs, stained with black marks, rendering them unusable.

Or so it should have been.

He had intended to conquer the dungeon they had found and return easily...

"Captain, we've received word of a dungeon discovery."

A soldier seated in the passenger seat, who was handling the radio communication, turned back to report.

"Good. Can we begin the dungeon raid then?"

"Yes... if the students agree to it."

The captain became even more annoyed by the implied wording. This was the third dungeon already.

"We've also received reports of occasional sightseers. It seems to be a farming dungeon. The students have replied that they don't need any special treatment."

"Damn it! Those people in the abandoned town. When did things become like this?"

He slammed his hand, growing angrier with each repeated report. It had been the same since a while ago.