Level-up Maniac, Level up in Modern Dungeons - Episode 58

　After returning home from the dungeon, having a slightly late dinner and taking a bath, I returned to my room to find a message from Hinata in Ruin.

 

“I managed to convince my parents about dropping out of college.”

 

“The withdrawal procedures are currently underway.”

 

“I won’t be officially expelled until I receive the notice of permission to drop out, but the procedure itself is scheduled to be completed on the 8th, so I should be able to return to dungeon exploring from the 9th.”

 

“Takeo-kun, is it okay if we meet at Shinjuku Dungeon at the usual time on the 9th?”

 

　Hinata-san, will we be able to resume dungeon exploration on the 9th?

 

　That was pretty quick. They may have rushed through the process.

 

“Hmm… I’ll probably reach level 29 on the 9th, so this is good timing.”

 

　But then, even the monster room on the 4th floor won’t provide enough experience points. After all, to go from level 29 to level 30, you need 6 million experience points.

 

　If so, it’s probably time to go down to the lower levels in search of new hunting grounds.

 

　However, exploring any deeper would be a bit tough on a day trip, since the travel time alone would take up a significant amount of time.

 

　Therefore, it is time for us to move on to the next stage.

 

　I sent a message back to Hinata.

 

“I got it!”

 

“So then, Hinata-san.”

 

“I have something important to tell you… Can I call you now?”

 

　It took a while – or rather, the message was marked as read immediately, but the reply came after a few minutes.

 

　Pop!

 

“Um… is it something important?”

 

“What could it be?!”

 

“Time is fine, though.”

 

　Hmm… It seems like you’re a bit on guard when I tell you this is an important topic.

 

　I could explain the situation to Ruin in detail, but…it would be quicker to talk on the phone.

 

　I called Hinata.

 

　After the phone rang for a while, Hinata answered it.

 

“Yes, hello…Takeo-kun?”

 

“Hey, it’s Takeo! Sorry for calling so late at night.”

 

“No, that’s fine, but… what about a story?”

 

“Yes. That’s it…”

 

　I took a deep breath. It seemed I was feeling nervous, which was unusual for me.

 

　What if Hinata turns me down? Such worries begin to well up in me.

 

『…!? (The sound of deep breathing…? Takeo-kun, are you nervous?!)』

 

“-Hinata-san.”

 

“Hya, yay?!”

 

“Next time, how about we stay over…?”

 

『Wait?! Wait, stay the night?!』

 

“Yes, that’s right. I think it’s about time we move on to the next stage.”

 

“Eh, what?! Eh, that means, well, that means… the two of us are going to stay the night together?!”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

『Is that so? …Is that so?!』

 

“…You don’t like it?”

 

『Ummm, you see!? Well, you see!? …It’s not that I don’t want to… well, it’s not like… It’s a little too early, you know… Um, it hasn’t been that long since we first met…!!』

 

　A little early…?

 

　–I see! Hinata-san still doesn’t know what level I am. I guess it’s natural for her to be anxious about going to the lower levels.

 

“Certainly, I can understand why you’re worried, Hinata-san.”

 

『Uh, yeah. You see? It’s not like I dislike it or anything. I, but… I’ve never had that kind of experience… I’m just a little scared…』

 

“Is that so……”

 

“Y-yes. Sorry about that. I-if you give me just a little more time, I think I’ll be able to prepare myself…or rather, um…Takeo-kun, are you sure you want me?”

 

“? What do you mean?”

 

“B-but, well… I’ve never heard anything about Takeo-kun thinking of me like that…”

 

“??? …I don’t understand, but there’s no one else but Hinata-san. …No, I can’t think of anyone else but Hinata-san!”

 

『Huh, Whhhhhaaaat?!?』

 

　Hinata-san and I are good acquaintances as healers. To travel around the hunting grounds more efficiently, we will need Hinata-san’s powers. And considering the efficiency of experience points, I don’t plan on adding more party members to the group other than Hinata-san.

 

“I know I should say this, but I think we get along well.”

 

『Right? Is that so…?!』

 

“Yes! I’m sure of it!”

 

『I, I am certain…』

 

“Besides, I need Hinata-san!!”

 

『!? ～～～～！！』

 

　But I’m in trouble.

 

　I’m eager to explore new hunting grounds right away.

 

　Hinata-san turned me down, after all… She said she’d make up her mind if she had a little bit of time, but how long should she wait?

 

　It would be great if he could make up his mind within a day or so…

 

　………….

 

　I know it’s bad for Hinata, but I think I’ll just have to force my way through.

 

　It’s okay, it’s okay. Hinata-san can’t resist pressure, so it’ll be okay!!

 

“Hinata-san, why don’t you try it out next time you stay overnight?”

 

『Eh, what?! N-no, even if you say you’ll try it…?!』

 

「I understand your anxiety, Hinata. But I think you should go ahead and try this! Everyone has a first time, and because it’s your first time, it’s scary. But once you try it, it’s not that scary after all… isn’t that common?」

 

『That’s… certainly true, but…!! You can’t just try it out, you know?!』

 

　Hmm? It’s true, if things go wrong, there’s a chance you could die. I was wrong to say it was just a trial.

 

“I’m sorry, Hinata-san. It was certainly my mistake to use such light words as “trial.”

 

『Uh, yeah…』

 

“But please believe me on this one thing!! I didn’t say it lightly!! You might not believe me, but to me, this is something worth risking my life for!!”

 

『Eh?! My, my life?!』

 

“Yes!!! I’ll risk my life!!!”

 

『I, I see… h, wow…!!』

 

　!? It’s working!? I don’t know why, but I feel like my persuasion is working on Hinata-san!

 

　I had a hunch.

 

　Just a little bit more… I can push through!!

 

“Hinata-san, you may be feeling anxious, but will you trust me and entrust yourself to me? From now on, I will protect you, Hinata-san! Even if someone like Kanzaki and the others come, I will protect you! I won’t lose my mind this time! I promise!”

 

『Huh?!?』

 

　A breathtaking sight.

 

　Hinata-san’s reply was…

 

“That, that’s… that’s what it means, right…?”

 

　???

 

“You’ll always, um… protect me…”

 

　Ah, I see.

 

“Of course!!”

 

　I’ll always be at a party with Hinata-san, and of course I’ll always protect you!! Of course!!

 

“Hmm, hmm… well, you may have noticed, but… I’m quite a heavy-handed woman, you know? Is that still okay…?”

 

　???

 

　Suddenly worried about your weight?

 

　Maybe she didn’t like the fact that I said “You’re as light as a feather” when we explored together last time? For some reason, she pinched me on the cheek, so maybe she misunderstood that as a compliment I didn’t mean.

 

“I don’t think that way at all… but no matter how heavy you are, Hinata, I’ll be fine. Let me carry it!”

 

　No matter how fat Hinata gets, if we’re in a hurry, I’ll carry her on my back!!

 

“H-That means…let me take responsibility for my life…right!?”

 

“Hinata-san…?”

 

　What happened? Why did he suddenly go quiet?

 

　I sensed that he was extremely upset over the phone…

 

“…Yeah, I get it. Takeo-kun, if you’re thinking about it that seriously… then, um, it’s okay… okay?”

 

“oh……!!”

 

　As expected, Hinata-san was weak to pressure…!!

 

　I love the easy-going Hinata!!

 

　I got Hinata’s permission, so now I can stay overnight and level up without any worries!!

 

　Before Hinata could change her mind, I quickly thanked her.

 

“Thank you Hinata-san! Then please meet at the east exit of Shinjuku Station on the 9th! Around 10 am!”

 

『Uh, yeah…!!』

 

“There’s a store called ‘Dungeon Life’ just a short distance from the east exit, so let’s go there and buy all the things we need!”

 

“Yeah, I get it…!! Huh?”

 

“Well, actually, I just happened to meet some people who work at the head office of that store today, but I’ll tell you the details another time, but I helped them out a bit in the dungeon, you know? And as a thank you, I was given some dungeon camping equipment!”

 

“…………yeah?”

 

“Well, that being said, I still need to buy a few small items, so let’s go shopping together on the 9th! Then, I’d like you to take the day off and start exploring the dungeon the next day!”

 

『…………』

 

「Well, I’m relieved that Hinata-san gave me the okay to explore the dungeon overnight! Oh, I’ll protect you in the dungeon, so you can rest assured, Hinata-san! Well then, I’ll contact you again next time!!」