episode_0007

Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be too late.

Perhaps because I ran with all my might, I was able to arrive before Rachel got seriously injured.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure, but all I can say is that I’m glad.

“You… Then… … .”

Rachel’s eyes trembled as she faced me.

Is it because I did not fully understand this situation?

I wanted to wait for her to calm down, but I couldn’t afford it.

“We’ll talk about it later. Please excuse me for a moment.”

“Ugh… ?!”

I lifted Rachel up and held her by her side with one arm.

“What is this…? … !”

“I’m sorry. Please be patient.”

There was obvious confusion in Rachel’s voice, but this was truly an unavoidable situation.

So I started running toward the entrance, holding Rachel in place with my left arm.

Kieiik─!

Ratmen’s cries could be heard from behind, or from all directions.

And, there are even signs of people rushing towards me like crazy.

Since we had a clear advantage in speed, we were able to quickly overtake the guys behind us, but that wasn’t the end. Because rat men came out from every direction I turned.

Even though we’ve already dealt with quite a few on the way.

The bad news does not end there.

I ran non-stop from the dungeon entrance to here, and in the process, I didn’t find Rachel right away, so my stamina and magical power were greatly expended.

In addition, he had been caught in explosions a few times, so it was difficult to say that his physical condition was normal.

Even in these adverse conditions, I am confident that I can escape safely on my own, but now the speed inevitably slows down due to Rachel’s presence.

To be honest, the situation was not all that optimistic.

How did the original Rachel survive in such a hopeless situation?

That was an unknown part because it was not described in detail in the novel.

However, if I had to guess, I would guess that he barely survived thanks to the remains of the dungeon that collapsed due to the explosion.

For a moment I thought about using it, but I quickly deleted it.

The probability of debris falling in your favor is lower than the probability of being struck by lightning under a dry sky.

I couldn’t rely on that kind of coincidence. in other words.

‘I have no choice but to shut up and run.’

Run with all your might towards the entrance.

In the process, he cuts down the ratmen that block his path with the sword he holds in his right hand.

Most of all, protecting Rachel from getting hurt.

However, there was something else to be most careful about during this process.

“… … !”

bang!

An explosion suddenly occurred in the empty air.

This was an explosion that occurred because the dungeon itself became unstable.

In a dungeon, where the very appearance is related to spatial distortion, the moment it becomes unstable, something goes wrong in the space inside itself.

This explosion was one of the symptoms.

And these explosions come with few signs.

Even more so in a situation like this.

I barely read the signs right before the explosion occurred and quickly twisted my body to protect Rachel from the aftermath of the explosion.

“Qu… … !”

The body was blown away by the impact of the explosion.

Although I corrected my posture along the way, I was unable to relieve the shock itself. Even if you protect your body with magical power.

I can feel my internal organs being shaken. But he gets up straight away.

If you stop, you’ll catch up.

So you must not stop.

I started running forward again.

***

Amid the violent shaking, Rachel raised her head and caught the man’s appearance.

From the moment the man first appeared, he looked far from normal.

His entire body was covered in small wounds and scratches, and his entire body was already soaked in blood.

Even without seeing it in person, I could guess that the man had overcome difficult hardships to get this far.

‘why.’

When she recognized that fact, those were the first words that came to her mind.

Why does this man do this?

Looking at the man’s reaction, it was clear that he had come here in search of her.

In other words, he came all the way here to save her.

Rachel had no idea why.

why. why.

So to speak, my relationship with him ended that day when we met and talked on the terrace.

Other than that, there was nothing.

We had a fairly serious conversation to say that we only saw each other once, but that was all.

It’s hard to even call them acquaintances, it’s just a passing relationship for a moment.

But why? Is this man risking danger to come here and go through all this trouble to save me?

Why do you protect me even when you hurt yourself?

I couldn’t understand at all.

“Why… … .”

Was the question so big that it could not be suppressed?

The words flew out of my mouth unintentionally.

Although surprised by that fact, Rachel couldn’t stop talking.

“Why… Why are you doing this?”

I’m curious. I would like to know.

What is the reason?

“Why? hmm… well. maybe… … .”

The man who heard that question thought for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and said.

“Because I don’t want to regret it?”

“… … .”

Looking at the smile that bloomed on the face that was dirty with wounds, dirt, and blood, Rachel had a hunch.

This face, he probably won’t be able to forget for the rest of his life.

***

Combat Department Professor Urt felt a tingling sensation in his temples for the first time in a long time.

A sudden explosion of dungeons occurred during a dungeon training session for freshmen.

No matter how much I thought about it, there were a lot of questionable parts here.

Dungeons are places where accidents can easily occur, so the Academy always manages them meticulously. Since the target group is freshmen today, they must have paid even more attention.

Nevertheless, something like this can happen. Even though dungeons are places where safety cannot be assured, accidents rarely occur in dungeons where this level of care is taken.

I smell something.

However, that wasn’t the one to worry about right away.

“Have you identified all the people?”

“Yes! All but two people have now returned safely!”

“Two… … . One is Eldrid’s daughter, and the other is him.”

“… Yes.”

It was an unexpected explosion, but fortunately there were not many casualties.

Most of the people had escaped the dungeon safely.

And the Prince of Wolfron and the female student from the magic department, who had been isolated inside the dungeon a little while ago, have just escaped the dungeon safely.

Now there were only two people left inside.

Eldrid’s female student, Wade Heblon, a combat student who jumped into the dungeon on his own.

I hope either one gets out safely, but I’m more worried about Wade.

Even though they escaped the dungeon safely, the student who went back into the dungeon on his own had never seen Urt, who had been a professor for several years.

Because no one knew that entering a runaway dungeon was suicidal.

What on earth were you thinking when you entered the dungeon?

Could it be that this behavior has something to do with Eldrid’s isolated wife?

Urt felt doubts growing that were unsuited to the urgent situation, but there were more important issues at the moment.

‘… It’s not coming out.’

A considerable amount of time has passed since the dungeon storm began.

At this rate, there is a high probability that the inside of the dungeon is already a mess.

And considering the level of the average student, the time that could be endured has already passed.

So the probability that the other two people are fine is not very high.

If I’m lucky, I’ll still be alive, but maybe not for long.

‘shit… … .’

I wanted to jump in right away, but I couldn’t.

Jumping into an unsecured dungeon will only add one more victim.

Therefore, entering the dungeon had to be done after fixing the dungeon again.

Because of this, Urt had no choice but to suppress his desire to jump in and hope that the students were safe.

Although I’ve experienced it several times, losing students is not a very pleasant experience.

How much time had passed since I looked at the entrance to the dungeon so helplessly?

“Professor, I guess the students inside… … .”

“… Yes.”

From a realistic perspective, it must now be considered difficult.

Urt closed his eyes with a bitter feeling.

I don’t want to completely give up the possibility, but that and realistic issues are separate.

If a student dies during practice, procedures are needed to deal with the problem.

Moreover, if you are Eldrid’s child, you have to prepare in advance.

“Then, first report at the top─”

“… Wait.”

Urt cut off the assistant professor’s continuing speech.

It was because of a sound that began to faintly reach my ears.

Thump, thump.

Footsteps were heard.

Although it was still only a faint sound, Urth’s senses, which were outside the realm of normal humans, clearly caught the sound.

And the sound was getting louder.

Crash!

The footsteps, which had been getting louder, became clearer at some point, and were now loud enough to be heard by everyone except Urt.

Naturally, their eyes focused on the place where the footsteps were heard, the entrance to the dungeon.

And soon a figure appeared at the entrance.

With wounds all over his body, covered in blood, and holding a student in his arms.

“… Report it. Dungeon collapse, no casualties.”

The corner of Urt’s mouth curled for the first time in a long time.

***

A few days have passed since then.

Rachel and I, who were injured, received detailed medical care and treatment.

Well, in Rachel’s case, it was only a broken ankle, and mine was more severe, but since it wasn’t a fatal wound, the treatment itself didn’t take long.

Furthermore, the treatment itself was completed quickly thanks to the priest’s divine power.

I ended up being hospitalized for a few days just in case, but to be honest, I was able to move around normally from the beginning.

So there were no major physical problems.

the problem is… It was somewhere else.

“Why does Wade only do such dangerous things? Because of that, you and I both suffer so much─”

It was Mary who reacted most violently.

Well, if I had to choose the person closest to me in the academy, I would choose Mary without hesitation, so it was only natural.

Even though Mary went through all sorts of hardships and barely escaped the dungeon, she was very angry as if I was someone who had committed a mortal sin.

The root of his behavior probably stemmed from his concern for me, so I couldn’t bear to say anything in response.

Another visitor, Jack’s response was succinct.

Because he came into the hospital room and gave me a hard time.

Then he said it was okay since he was safe.

I thought it meant that I was worried and thought I should buy a meal later.

Well, up to this point, it’s okay in its own way.

Even though Mary was really angry, she eventually forgave me.

What really got on my nerves was the other side.

“You became very famous.”

“… … .”

okay. That was the problem.

Because I jumped into the dungeon to save Rachel last time, rumors about me spread within the academy.

Thanks to that, wherever I went, there were first graders in my class who recognized me, and sometimes I would feel that other grades recognized me as well.

“Ha… … .”

My plan to live a life as quiet as possible, befitting an extra, was already shaking at its foundations.

It wasn’t a very good flow, so all that came out of my mouth was a sigh.

‘… ‘It will subside someday.’

Water that has already been spilled cannot be picked up again.

However, there is no need to think negatively about it.

If I live as if I were dead from now on, someday the rumors will die down and this gaze will disappear.

So I decided to think positively.

“Huh? Wade junior?”

After being safely discharged from the hospital, I ran into senior Runia on my way to see the club for the first time in a long time.

“It’s been a while, senior.”

“Sure. I heard about it. Are you feeling okay?”

While I was down, I asked Jack to speak to Senior Runia.

Jack didn’t meet senior Runia, but he said he left a letter in the club room.

Looking at this reaction, it appears that it was conveyed properly.

“Yes. It’s completely fine now. It wasn’t that bad of a wound to begin with.”

“Really? I’m so glad.”

Senior Runia smiled his signature soft smile.

Although he is still a person with many unpredictable aspects, the feeling that he is a good person is conveyed.

“Is it okay if I join the club already?”

“Yes. It’s okay now.”

To be honest, going to a club doesn’t mean you’ll do anything, but you still have to protect what you want.

Because I’m already in a position where I’m just sucking honey.

“Then shall we go inside first?”

“Of course.”

Senior Runia and I entered the club building.

We were walking side by side and had almost arrived at the clubroom.

“Oh, now that I think about it, I had something to say to junior Wade.”

Senior Runia clapped his hands as if he had forgotten.

What are you talking about? What are you trying to say?

“A new member has joined the club.”

“Oh, I see.”

It’s not strange.

Someone might have found the Historical Research Club while looking for a honey pot like me.

Or, I think it’s unlikely, but they’re really interested in history.

Either way, I just hoped that it would be someone who would not harm the peace of the club.

While we were talking, we arrived in front of the clubroom, and Runia opened the door with a natural movement.

“I think he’s probably already there.”

I like it─

Beyond the scream of the hinge, which I had not heard in a long time, I saw a scene of poor construction.

A bookshelf, table, and chair filled with books.

There was only one thing that had changed from the scene in my memory and the unchanged appearance.

Someone was sitting next to the table.

That person seemed to be the new member that Runia senior had mentioned.

The sunlight streaming through the window hits the person’s rosy hair and scatters… Wait, rosy hair?

“Let me introduce you. This is Rachel Eldred, a newly joined junior.”

… Why are you out there?