Ch.65April, and the Dungeon (3)

“Sasith. How far have you progressed your relationship with that card game-loving kid?”

I asked Sasith.

Since this game is basically a youth drama, I needed to build relationships and raise intimacy ranks during weekday daytimes.

The rewards for raising intimacy ranks were substantial. New Psychorobo fusion recipes would unlock. The faster you raised intimacy, the quicker you could create powerful Psychorobos.

“You… how did you…”

Sasith was flustered.

“I have information-gathering abilities.”

I made up an excuse.

“Well… we’ve gotten closer.”

Sasith said.

When you progress your relationship with the card-loving boy to a certain point, the fusion recipe for Imp, a mid-game overpowered Psychorobo, unlocks. It was a useful Psychorobo that nullified darkness and possessed dark-attribute skills.

‘Starting from the second dungeon, there are many enemies that use darkness or light attributes…’

Without resistance, darkness or light attribute attacks would deal amplified damage. Without proper preparation, your HP would drain rapidly. At the same level, you could be near death after just four magic attacks from enemies. Without preparation, you’d be ejected straight back to the save point.

“Combine Inuitum and Deraka.”

I immediately told him the fusion recipe.

“Fine… I’ll do it.”

Sasith summoned the two Psychorobos and fused them together.

Fwaaaash-!!

As light burst forth, a new Psychorobo appeared.

“Gehehehe!! I’ll serve you as my master!!!”

A goblin-like creature that looked malnourished jumped out and greeted us. Despite its appearance, it had a protruding belly that made it look quite unsightly.

“Not cool…”

Sasith muttered, clearly disappointed.

“Its performance is solid. Don’t judge someone by their appearance.”

I said in a solemn tone.

“That’s rich coming from you, Shota. You judge people by their looks too. All your girlfriends are beauties.”

Sasith hit a sore spot.

“I’LL SCOLD YOU!!!!!!”

When at a loss for words, shouting was always the best option.

*Flinch*-!

Traumatized by my shouting, Violet immediately covered her ears. I felt a bit sorry about that.

“You always yell when you have no comeback…”

Sasith grumbled.

“Next!!! Combine Mira King and Ash Goblin!”

I immediately gave him the next fusion recipe.

“M-Mira King…?”

Sasith said with a reluctant tone.

“Yeah. Why?”

I tilted my head.

“Did you… get attached to it?”

I said with a grin. This guy had complained at first that Mira King wasn’t cool enough, but it seemed he’d grown fond of it after using it for a while.

“N-Not particularly!! It’s just that getting rid of a Psychorobo that can cover all attributes feels wrong!”

Sasith snapped.

“Umi can use lightning, and Taiga can use fire. You can inherit two skills when you fuse anyway. Just inherit ice and wind attributes.”

I explained.

That’s right. This game has companions. You can leave covering other weaknesses to your teammates.

Me? I just need to keep tanking.

“Fine.”

Sasith followed my instructions and performed the fusion.

Fwaaaash-!!!

“I shall be the vanguard that protects you!!!”

A large knight with a sword and a generous appearance emerged. This was Pupupung, known as a mid-game overpowered Psychorobo.

Not only did it have light attribute skills by default, but it also had light attribute resistance. Plus, it could learn physical skills. It was versatility incarnate.

“It looks cool, but… that name…”

It didn’t seem to match Sasith’s aesthetic sensibilities. He’s really picky. That’s chuunibyou for you.

“Why? It’s endearing and nice.”

It seemed like something that would take responsibility for the team’s health.

“Fine. If you say so.”

Sasith sighed and dismissed the two new Psychorobos.

With that, our preparations were complete.

At that moment, Bluebeard spoke up.

“Ah. There’s something I haven’t mentioned yet.”

Bluebeard looked straight at me.

“Are you giving me a new Psychorobo?!!”

My eyes immediately lit up. Finally… could I get rid of this useless mortar?

“Master!!! I’ll work harder!! Please don’t throw me away!!”

Pinocchio immediately clung to me. Ugh, seriously. Adults are talking, and you’re interrupting. This is why juvenile delinquents are such brats.

“No. That’s not it. You’re not worthy of handling Psychorobos. That hasn’t changed.”

Bluebeard stated firmly.

“………..”

That’s true. I’m… just a weakling.

Anyway.

“The flow of fate has greatly changed because of you, Arigiri Shota.”

Bluebeard cleared his throat and said.

“The flow has changed……”

“A trial that shouldn’t have existed will come to your party.”

Bluebeard looked at me with serious eyes.

“……..”

His tone was roundabout, but as someone who had possessed this body, I understood the meaning. Something was happening that deviated from the original storyline.

“If you overcome this trial, you’ll become stronger. However, if you fail, you will die.”

Bluebeard made an incredible declaration.

Either become stronger or die. One of the two.

“…….!!”

Sasith’s expression hardened.

“What are you talking about!!!”

What an ominous quest!

“It’s the truth. Your death is scheduled for today. However… you’ve already avoided death once. I’m curious to see how you’ll overcome this obstacle.”

Bluebeard chuckled.

“Hey!!! If you’re going to make such irresponsible prophecies, take responsibility!!!! Give me a super strong Psychorobo before saying things like that!!!”

I immediately tried to rush toward Bluebeard.

“How dare you!!! I won’t allow you to approach my master any further!!!”

Violet immediately blocked my path.

“Get lost!! Weakling!!!”

I immediately charged up a scream aimed at Violet.

“KYEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!”

Channeling the rage of a rejected pteranodon that lost its mating competition, I screamed with all my might.

Her weak ears wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

However, Violet was fine.

“Hmph. It doesn’t work.”

Violet pointed to her ears. That’s right. Violet was wearing earplugs.

“You cheater…..!”

“Ufufufu. Your screams and antics are nothing. You’re just a mortal after all.”

Violet immediately regained her smug attitude.

But my weapon wasn’t just screaming.

“Opening!!!”

I immediately reached out and grabbed Violet’s chest.

Squish-! Squish-! Soft-!

And I kneaded with all my might.

“KYAAAAH?!!”

Violet let out a shrill scream. Her pale face turned red at an incredible speed.

“Now’s my chance!!”

After successfully breaking free from Violet, I immediately tried to run toward Bluebeard. I wouldn’t be satisfied until I begged and got at least one Psychorobo.

If I might get shot and die, at least give me a bulletproof vest!!!

“Give me a Psychorobo!!! KYEEEEEEK!!”

I immediately leaped toward Bluebeard.

“Really… as noisy as ever.”

Bluebeard clicked his tongue and waved his hand.

Fwaaaash-!!!

At that moment, my consciousness went dark.

When I came to, Sasith and I were left stranded at the dungeon entrance.

“Ah!! Did we get kicked out?!! Damn it!!!!”

I immediately pounded the ground.

I was overwhelmed by the same sense of helplessness as when I was kicked by a super admin while playing KartRider as a kid. I just typed “Didn’t say ready?” and was immediately kicked out… that guy was nothing short of a tyrant.

“Yeah. We definitely got kicked out.”

Sasith said, pointing to the entrance of the Soul Room.

‘Entry Prohibited for Now’

A sign was placed at the entrance of the Soul Room.

“Why was I kicked out too… I didn’t do anything.”

Sasith seemed quite upset about that.

“It means you and I are soul duos.”

I laughed and patted Sasith’s shoulder. Somehow… I felt our friendship had deepened. Isn’t that how you become closer through shared responsibility?

“I got lumped in with you and treated like a weirdo!!!”

Sasith immediately got angry at me.

“What!!! Are you embarrassed of me?!!!”

This guy, saying such hurtful things?

“Yes… very embarrassed.”

Sasith said with a serious tone.

“Oh… I see.”

His serious tone and expression were quite hurtful.

Anyway, we had finished our business in the Soul Room.

———

Now it was time to tackle the dungeon.

“It’s a 10-floor structure. Everyone, stay sharp.”

I clapped my hands and said.

“10 floors… that’s quite high.”

Taiga made a displeased face.

Indeed, it was quite a long dungeon. For an early dungeon, it felt like the developers had put in considerable effort.

While it wasn’t necessary to clear the dungeon in just one day, I planned to do it in one go if possible. That would give Sasith more free time to build relationships. After all, raising Sasith was the key to saving the world.

“Let’s go!!”

As the tank, I took the front line. Pinocchio sat on my shoulder, positioned so I could throw him at any time. He had become accustomed to my fighting style.

We immediately climbed the stairs and headed to the second floor of the dungeon.

Creeak-! Creeeeeak-!!

Wind-up teddy bears stared at us.

“Kyaa!! So cute!!”

Umi’s eyes immediately turned into hearts. She’s always had a weakness for cute things.

Fwaaaash-!!!

However, Umi’s admiration didn’t last long. The teddy bears closed the distance between us at an incredible speed.

Zwiiiiing-!!

Hideous blades emerged from the teddy bears’ arms. The bloodlust gleaming in their eyes was just a bonus.

“Uwaaaah!!! Scary!!!”

Umi immediately made a disgusted face.

Claaaang-!!

I raised my sword and blocked the teddy bears’ attacks.

Then, I decided to test a new technique.

Fwaaaash-!!

I grabbed Pinocchio’s long nose like a handle and held it defensively.

This was the Pinocchio Shield. With a sword in my left hand and a shield in my right, I had achieved perfect armament.

“Come at me!!!!”

At this moment, I became a complete tank. This is what being a tank is all about.