The weakest (self-proclaimed) salaryman suddenly finds himself treated like an S-rank adventurer!? ~Relaxed dungeon life - Episode 3

With a wooden sword-or, more accurately, a “Bolt of Orbal Power” slung over his shoulder, Shiina You walked leisurely forward.

The stone passageway continues on and on, silent as ever.

Ancient-looking patterns floated faintly on the walls, and the pale blue glow of the moss gently lit up the ground. There was something mysterious and fantastical about it. I felt as if I was walking between reality and dreams.

“Hmm… I feel so calm.”

Yang muttered quietly to herself.

Although it seemed silent, if you listened carefully, you could hear the sound of flowing water somewhere. Occasionally, there was also the sound of wind blowing through. Even though it was underground, it wasn’t stuffy, and the clear air was rather comfortable.

It’s like a different world from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, sandwiched between the buildings.

No, that’s true.

This is an underground dungeon connected to another world.

However, Yo has no idea about this fact.

◆ ◆ ◆

“Oh?”

As Yo stopped walking, something strange caught his eye.

There, sitting alone at the end of the aisle, was a box.

It was a waist-high rectangle, heavy as if made of metal. Its surface was intricately carved and studded with small red and blue gems. These were the only places that reflected the light and sparkled.

It stood out so much.

“…treasure chest?”

Even Yo gets it.

“That shape” that we have seen countless times in games, anime, and movies.

But his next words were…

“You see these kinds of things in fortune slips at tourist spots. Is it okay to draw one?”

They are completely unguarded.

Knowing that a treasure chest meant that he was free to touch it, Yo put his hand on the lid without any hesitation.

And then―it opens.

–Click.

A faint, mechanical metallic sound echoed from deep inside the box.

“Yeah?”

The moment Yo leaned forward and peered in–

“Whaaat?!”

Suddenly, something small popped out!

Yo reflexively leaned back, nearly dropping his wooden sword with the force of the blow, but managed to stop himself in the nick of time.

“It” floated up into the air in front of my eyes and began to spin around, covered in tiny particles of light.

And then, its shape changes.

The dazzling light converged, and what appeared there was–

It was the figure of a little girl.

She had thin, transparent wings on her back, pointed ears, and a dress that looked like a bunch of flower petals. Her hair was a pale pink color, and it fluttered gently like the spring breeze.

It was about the size of two apples, so small it barely fit in the palm of your hand, and had a presence that was straight out of a fairy tale.

“…Fairy?”

As Yo muttered this to himself, the girl spun around softly and burst out in a smile.

“Startup check completed ♪ . Welcome, [Pilgrim]!”

“fart?”

“I’m Mirellia, the Guide Fairy. I’ll support you in your dungeon exploration with all my might!”

That declaration, which was accompanied by a perfectly executed pose, left Yo frozen with his mouth open.

“What? An audio guide? A new type of drone?”

“That’s not true! I’m alive!”

“It’s, it’s talking…! Are AIs this realistic these days…?”

Mirelia spun around in the air, crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks.

“Hmm… This makes me worry a bit about what’s to come. Pilgrim, are you really not aware of this?”

“Pilgrim? Is that some kind of title?”

“Well, that’s how it is.”

Mirelia’s reply was light, but its meaning was extremely significant.

Originally, “Pilgrim” was a title given only to special beings who had achieved a deep affinity with the dungeons of another world and had the potential to bring about change to the world.

In other words, Yo is now recognized as “legendary” throughout the other world.

The biggest abnormality is that the person in question still thinks of it as merely “exploring a mysterious event”–

“Anyway, I’m Mirelia. I’m a navigator who will accompany pilgrims and guide and support them on each floor!”

“Umm, Mirelia-chan… is that okay? She sounds like a spirit from Dragon Quest.”

“Dragon Quest…? What is that?”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. Don’t worry about it.”

The conversation, which somehow seemed not to make sense, continued for a while.

Still, Mirelia seemed happy.

“But was it in this box?”

“Yes! This 《Activation Treasure Chest》 is the ‘Ark of the Covenant’ prepared for the pilgrim’s arrival!”

“Wow… that looks elaborate…”

“…Your reaction is weak.”

Mirelia shook her head and shrugged her shoulders (it wasn’t clear if she had shoulders at all) with a wry smile.

“I wish it were more moving. The moment of the contract is supposed to be a ritual, or something like a light splitting the sky, right?”

“That’s so fantasy-like. Yeah, I like that kind of thing.”

Always at your own pace.

◆ ◆ ◆

Thus, Yoh decided to continue his exploration together with the navigator fairy, Mirelia.

However, even now, he still only sees it as a mysterious drone that can talk.

If we take one wrong step, we will be treating something that should be sacred as a smart speaker.

At this time, Mirelia still didn’t know.

How this “easy-going person” is an out-of-the-ordinary being–

How much “healing” and “confusion” the dungeon structure itself will bring.

“Okay then, let’s try the next aisle. Ah, if Mirelia-chan is that powerful, can she give you drinks or something?”

“I can’t get it out!!”

“Tch. Even though I’m a fairy, I have no dreams.”

“It’s full of dreams!”

As they exchange light-hearted jokes, the two continue their journey.

The dungeon quietly expands into its depths, and the fate of the world is slowly set in motion by the protagonist’s seemingly unaware steps.