Earth Dungeon 55.2

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Chapter 55.2. Training

"It appears that there are individuals with powerful skills. I can see them."

As the car moved forward and turned around a corner of a building, a cave-like formation rose like a hill in the distance. Ahead, the scouting team's jeep and infantry transport truck were parked, and soldiers were deployed.

They held automatic rifles, cautiously surveying the surroundings, but their demeanor was relaxed. Amongst the people dressed in shabby clothes were those who wielded remarkably well-crafted metal spears. They were accompanied by a Black Tiger and observed the soldiers from a distance.

Around them were individuals holding makeshift clubs, looking bewildered.

They were hunting Goblins. Despite the presence of the military, they were here to earn cores.

"Who would've thought that Core Stores would have such an impact... that the people of the abandoned town would bounce back in just a few months... It's unbelievable. They should've been content lurking in the garbage heaps."

Garbage belongs in garbage bins. Yet, they were capable of managing dungeons.

"It seems they established a market. Oh, some company called 'Amanosomething' seems to be in control. They buy cores, exchange them at the store, and have a wide range of goods prepared."

He read the reports from the advance scouts. Unbelievable. They were achieving things that even the inner city hadn't.

"Damn. They're making things complicated. ...This is turning into a theme park. I understand why the students dislike it. And the Golden Generation? Why are they called such an embarrassing name? They probably want to achieve results that match that name."

He wishes the Tokyo Four Heavenly Kings would stop already. He continued to think, growing more frustrated. The Golden Generation—probably wanting achievements worthy of their name.

"This area's dungeons won't work. Abandon that dungeon. Find a place without the people from the ruined city. If we survey a wide area, we should encounter goblins. The area nearby should be untouched. We can't spend any more time here. We can't keep lingering in a place like this."

"Understood! What should we do then?"

"It's regrettable to disperse our forces, but the enemies around here are small fry anyway. Have the students accompany one of the infantry transport trucks as an escort. I'll join the investigation ahead."

Sighing in resignation, he knew it couldn't be helped. He was a soldier. He didn't like walking in the abandoned town, but considering efficiency, it was unavoidable.

Receiving the commanding order in Captain Marume's stern voice, the communication soldier nodded. The soldiers began to disperse for the investigation.

"My head hurts... bullets should be valuable."

A significant amount of live ammunition was being wastefully consumed in this field training. It was unbearable to waste precious bullets on dungeons like those in the ruined city.

"This field training is also about the high-ranking officials saving face."

"Upper management is always like that. Start the car. Ah, have the students wait here. If they don't like waiting, they can consider the dungeon right in front of them as their raid mission."

"Understood! This is the command vehicle. Please ensure the comfort of our esteemed guests. Over."

Sighing as he watched his subordinate start the communication over the radio, Captain Marume clicked his tongue and looked out the window.

The jeep carrying Marume and the others slowly started moving, heading north to explore the untouched dungeon. Their figures disappeared behind the buildings' shadows.

Soldiers began to move away from the dungeon, and the tourists who had been touring around started entering the dungeon once again.

Only a single jeep and an infantry transport truck remained. Silence spread around the area.

Soldiers disembarked from the truck, alertly scanning the surroundings. After a while, the door of the remaining jeep opened.

"Phew, what's up? Are we just on standby?"

A vigorous young man emerged, stretching as he did so. He had well-groomed black hair and a lively expression. Standing around 180 centimeters tall, he wore a polished suit of white-silver Western armor that shone like a mirror. A sword was sheathed at his waist.

They were the students who had come for this field training.

"It seems that way, Teru. The situation feels somewhat different this year. If you don't want to wait, why not do something about the dungeon right in front of you?"

The next person to step out was a quiet girl who nodded in agreement. She held a robe adorned with purple and gold threads, and a platinum staff with a beautiful ruby, about the size of a baby's fist, attached to the tip. Her golden hair, resembling threads of gold, reached her waist. She had cool eyes, a refined nose bridge, and small lips. Her face was so exquisitely crafted that it seemed like a sculpture. Her ears were elongated and pointed like bamboo grass, unmistakably indicating she was an elf.

"It's not that simple, Fuuka. Did you see it earlier? Conquering a dungeon that people with such equipment can enter, and then returning as victors? That's not something people will keep quiet about. They'll become a laughingstock in no time."

"I don't think they can conquer dungeons like that."

"Still, reputation is important. I don't want to face my father with my head hanging low. We need a more respectable dungeon. Hey, you. What's the most dangerous dungeon around here?"

The elf girl raised an eyebrow at the playful shrug from the guy. She fell silent.

"If it's around here, it'd probably be the area around the Arakawa River. Since there's a water source, it's likely to have numerous monsters."

Anticipating that there would be many monsters near the river, the girl responded, and the guy smirked mischievously, like a mischievous child. The unpleasant grin made the elf girl grimace, regretting that she had said too much.

"In that case, while waiting, let's go to the Arakawa. But not to the dungeon, of course. We'll stay vigilant and deal with nearby monsters while waiting. How about it, Fuuka?"

"Sigh... You're surprisingly reasonable, Teru-sama. Fine, I understand."

"Then let's ask the driver to move."

And so, the young man named Teru persuaded the reluctant driver and began to move along with the infantry transport truck.

This happened before Sakimori heard about the story of Ooki.