The Unremarkable Man Who Fell Into The Dungeon's Pit Survives By Acquiring A Plain But Useful Skill, and Through Persistent Effort While Enduring The Absurdity, He Gradually Rises to Success - Episode 11

The corpse of the dog-demon kobold was foul-smelling.

We can’t keep them in the safe zone like this.

That said, throwing it into the lake seems to pose hygiene issues. Besides, I don’t want the valuable food, the salmon, to peck at a corpse.

Then, even if we keep it away and leave it alone, it will rot and the smell will only get stronger. If the smell reaches the end of the side tunnel…

Then what should we do?

The conclusion that Shogo arrived at… was that the only option was to burn it all to ashes.

Shogo gathered all the firewood he could find and started a fire.

While feeling like I might vomit, I use my skills to chop up the dog-demon kobolds, divide them into smaller pieces, and throw them into the fire.

When a monster’s magic core, located at the center of its body, is shattered, its ability to maintain its physical form weakens drastically, causing the dog-demon kobolds to turn to ash quickly.

Kemomecho: “It’s not that you’ve gotten used to it, but you’ve become more resilient.”

“The smell was so terrible, I had no choice…”

Shogo slumped over, saying it smelled so bad that he never wanted to see another dog, demon, or kobold again if there was a next time.

Night’s Main Gun: “Well done! [Red Super Chat]”

“Thank you very much… By the way, where is this money you gave me? Is it in my account?”

Night’s Main Gun: “No, it is being transferred to the account of Dungeon Resource Development Co., Ltd. That device is registered under the company.”

Kemomecho: “The Night Main Gun is trying to investigate and inquire about various things. We’re also keeping records to make sure this situation is believable.”

“Alright! That helps… no, that’s not it. The real question is how are you getting here…”

Shogo stood up, but recalling the place on the 533rd floor underground, he sat down weakly.

I can’t expect any help at all. Even though I thought I understood, my heart wavers at the slightest bit of information I can cling to.

Shogo gritted his teeth and stared at the ground.

Kemomecho: “Um… I’m sorry for saying something that might get your hopes up. But that’s why there’s an exit portal.”

“No, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that rescue is truly out of reach for me. I also understand the meaning behind what everyone has suggested. Once again… thank you. I’ll do my best to explore the exit portal.”

Shogo’s voice, which he answered with while lifting his face, had a small yet powerful resonance.

Shogo stared at the crackling fire for a while.

◆

At 9:30 AM, Kyouko Sayama was irritated at her desk in the Procurement Section 3 of Dungeon Resource Development Co., Ltd.

Normally, at this time, I would send out the workers and check yesterday’s work report on my desk PC, but I can’t concentrate at all.

The reason is that I haven’t been able to get in touch with Shogo Nakamura since yesterday.

Even if I ask Kanzaki and the other workers——

“I don’t know? We left early because Nakamura was working overtime.”

“Nakamura? Well? Did you break something from the supplied equipment or something? That guy is such a slacker.”

“I hate reporting, so I didn’t even clock out. You’re probably at home by now… An accident? It’s the Shibuya Dungeon, isn’t it, boss?”

——and that’s all I get. Even when I report it to my direct supervisor, the department head——

“He’s not making any progress, right? Maybe he’s finally given up? What a shame. It’ll throw off the balance of our resources again. …How about we just leave him alone for now and give him some time to think? We can keep him in the office until he returns to being a worker. Not a bad idea, if I do say so myself.”

Without even listening properly, Kyoko’s irritation only grew stronger.

Do you think he has the option to quit?

Even though I endured being looked down upon and despised to earn the high hospital bills for my mother, I can’t even think of giving up here.

Anger towards those who don’t even try to properly understand Shogo wells up within Kyoko.

Hunters and their recruits are mostly either overly confident, misguided young people or those who don’t even consider it embarrassing to have an unhidden sense of superiority.

When did Kyoko, who was exhausted by such an environment, start to develop special feelings for Shogo, who maintained a humble and steady attitude even before realizing his lack of growth, and who worked hard for the sake of his mother?

I wanted to know more about him and for him to know more about me, and just as I was starting to take action with that in mind.

Kyoko couldn’t sit still and took out her device to call Shogo’s personal device.

『🎵ーーーー。🎵ーーーー。🎵ーー。』

However, the ringing just continues. It’s been like this since last night.

Thinking it might be the case, Kyoko moved to the door near the men’s changing room on the third floor of the procurement department.

The vibration of the vibration could be faintly felt through the door.

If I end the call, the vibration stops, and if I call back, it vibrates again.

Kyoko returned to her desk, regretting her decision from yesterday.

I was in a hurry when I left, so I might not have remembered the promise. Besides, it’s the Shibuya Dungeon, so an accident is unlikely.

If, as others say, I were to break the provided equipment, it would indeed be difficult to return to the company since they are all expensive and have been treated for magic resistance.

The promise made in the morning might also be a reason for it to be awkward to meet… I’ll contact you after some time…

As she recalled the memories, Kyoko bit her lip, thinking that she shouldn’t have gone home with a feeling akin to making excuses.

I wonder if I’ve done something irreparable… Anxiety swirls within Kyoko’s heart.

However, it hasn’t been decided yet, and there are things that need to be investigated. Just as Kyoko was thinking this, the office clerk suddenly called out to her.

“Manager Sayama—. There’s a call for you. Please use line 2.”

“Uh, yes… where are you from?”

“Someone introduced themselves as Mr. Hayakawa from Endo Heavy Industries. Do you know him?”

“I don’t remember, but… I’ll go out for now.”

The operating bus keeps a record of passengers. In just five minutes, the data from yesterday will be updated and available for viewing.

Just when I thought I might be able to track Shogo’s movements, I get a call. And it’s from that major corporation.

If it’s a simple matter, that’s fine, but…

Kyouko took a deep breath before answering the phone.

“Yes. This is Dungeon Resource Development, Procurement Section 3, Sayama speaking.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Hayakawa from the Development Department of Endo Heavy Industries. To get straight to the point, is Mr. Shogo Nakamura someone who works there?”

Kyouko stood up with such force at the first words of the unfamiliar man that her semi-long hair was disheveled.

It’s an overly contrived timing.

“Do you know something?!”

“This is a good reaction. It’s a hit right away. It doesn’t seem like I’ve been abandoned, so I’m relieved.”

“Y-you’re going to abandon me? What on earth are you talking about?”

“Please be quiet. He is safe. You can confirm it. Please listen calmly.”

“Could it be an accident… Is he okay?!”

“How can I make them believe me…? It’s understandable since I can’t even imagine it happening in the Shibuya Dungeon.”

“Excuse me, but what are you talking about…? More importantly, is Nakamura-kun safe?”

Kyouko, feeling frustrated by the slow progress of the conversation, sat down in her chair while keeping her voice down. All eyes were on her.

“Mr. Sayama, I apologize for bothering you during work hours, but could you please give me your personal email address? Of course, a temporary one would be fine. There is something I would like you to see rather than talk about.”

“Something you want to show me?”

“I will include the video URL in the email.”

“Understood. [email protected]…… Yes, that’s correct. That’s right.”

“I just sent you an email. The subject is blank. You might not believe me, but the video is real. Please check it first by yourself. If you have watched it, please contact the number provided.”

Furrowing her brows as she hung up the phone, Kyouko stood up and headed towards the women’s changing room.

Since it’s not break time, there’s no one in the changing room. I take out my personal device from the locker and tap the email app icon.

8 unread messages. An email with no subject… found it. The sender’s address is a meaningless string of characters. It’s probably a disposable address.

As I heard on the phone, the video URL is included. Also, the phone number is listed.

A super giant corporation that first established the technology to process dungeon-produced materials into products in Japan, starting with the WD watch device.

Contact from someone who claims to belong there.

Normally, I would dismiss it as a prank, but it might be a clue related to Shogo.

When Kyouko, with trembling fingers from the tension, operated her smartphone and tapped the URL, the video started playing.

“A video site I’ve never seen before… It’s starting… Basement level 533… What is this? A strange streaming screen—Nakamura-kun!?”