Dungeon Refrigerator 275

Test

Dungeon Stampede 2.0 Galaxy

(I wonder how that guy's doing...)

The next day, I headed to the apartment where my otaku friend lives.

There was a time when we got hyped up after an event and couldn’t bring ourselves to part, so I visited his place just once. That night, we drank and had an intense otaku discussion, blooming with passion.

(Friend... please, be safe...)

Even though I hadn't thought about him for a while, I now sincerely hoped for his well-being.

(If I remember right... it was Room 102.)

I entered the apartment complex and aimed for his room. It was just a standard two-story apartment building, and relying on memory, I reached the target without getting lost.

[Ding-dong!]

Hmm, no answer. Not home?

[Ding-dong... ding-ding-ding-ding-dong!]

I rang the doorbell with a rhythm that only a fellow otaku would recognize. Even if he didn’t know it was me, this rhythm should signal that the visitor is one of his own.

"……"

Still no response.

Maybe I should search the place with aura detection... No, he's an introverted otaku like me. Holding his breath and erasing his presence would be second nature to him. Besides, aura detection struggles with timid presences.

He’s always been timid, so his aura would be faint for sure.

[Knock-knock-knock-knock!]

“It’s me, Jung! If you’re in there, come out!”

(……)

Hmm, no response to that either. Did he evacuate somewhere?

But, knowing a recluse like him, living among regular people for long would be incredibly stressful. If anything, he’d rather barricade himself in here than endure that.

Alright, in that case…

“Haaah... Aura Power: Psychokinetic Unlock! Chase!”

I raised both hands as if forming a seal and infused the door lock with directional psychokinetic energy from my aura.

[(Whirrrr…) Click!]

Nice, it’s open.

...

[Creak (Whomp…)]

(What the…!)

The moment I opened the door, a stench wafted out so thick it felt like a wall. I wasn’t wearing my insect-king mask with its toxin filters, so I involuntarily stepped back from the smell.

But... it’s just a household odor. At least, it isn’t the stench of death. That would smell far more rancid...

[Click…]

(……)

With the bright daylight outside, the inside felt unnaturally dark. I tried flicking on the entrance light, but nothing happened. A power outage? No... the intercom worked just fine.

[(Rustle…)]

(…!)

There! I definitely sensed movement. I couldn’t see clearly yet, but beyond the door deeper inside the room…

“Can you hear me? It’s me, Jung. I’m coming in!”

[Click.]

Inside the dark room sat a frightened orc-like figure.

Wait... on second thought, even in the dim light, I could tell his skin was pale, so... more of a pork than an orc?

“Wh-who are you?!”

The scared pork—no, my old otaku friend, who had put on quite a bit of weight—shook as he pointed a design knife at me, probably one he used for assembling plastic models.

“It’s me! Don’t you recognize me? Jung!”

“Liar! The Jung I know is lanky like a stick of burdock! There’s no way he’d look as beefy as you!”

Wait... Is that really how you saw me? That kinda hurts.

But my friend refused to believe I was who I claimed to be. Screaming “Get out, thief!” he started hurling whatever was within reach, including a TV remote.

This isn’t good... Oh! I know! A code only a true otaku would recognize! But... which one?

Knowing his tech-savvy brain, even if I blurted something familiar, he might accuse me of hacking his personal info.

Hmm… Something only the two of us would know... Something just between us…

“Get out! Get out, now!!”

Ugh, what do I do... Wait—I've got it! My friend, listen to this... LISTEN TO MY SONG!!

“Kyun-pie Kyun-pie! Don-do-don-do-don! Kyun-pie Kyun-pie! Don-do-don-do-don!”

“What?! Th-this song…!”

I sang and danced the routine we both knew by heart.

“The night sky sparkles, a passion fruit! The ocean of space—it’s all mine! (Kyun-kyun!)”

“Aaah! It is that song! The hidden opening theme included as a special CD in the limited edition of 18+ game Kyun-Kyun Pirates! ‘Let’s Go! Charge☆Kyun-Pie Heart’!!”

“That’s right! Remember how we went to the electronics district together, stood in the rain, and lined up for it? Just to get that store-exclusive poster!”

“Wait... then… you’re really… the real Jung?!”

“Yes! Piraaaaaates~ Zukkyuuuun!!”

“That’s it! My heart’s galaxy is kyun-kyuning once again!! And only the real Jung would sing that song in public without a shred of shame!!”

Hey! Come on, now! I sang my heart out just to get you to recognize me!