When I returned from exploring the dungeon to save the world, I found out that my lover had been stolen, and I was blamed for the failed expedition. Enraged, I quit Japan's strongest party—only for them to self-destruct on their own. - Chapter 30

After finishing our break, we resumed our journey.

The enemies remained the same—nothing but orcs.

I won’t bother detailing every single fight.

I sliced through them all and collected their drop items.

Surprisingly, aside from meat, I also found some elixirs.

And then… what the hell is “Inoshimoranma”?

I picked up some weird-looking statue, and when I appraised it, that’s what it was called.

No idea what it does.

Hell, I don’t even know how to pronounce it.

No one else seemed to care, though. Actually, it was just me who was even thinking about it.

As we continued, the leader of the World Dungeon Association’s team, who had now started keeping a closer distance, finally spoke up.

It seemed they had realized my strength and figured it was too dangerous to stay too far from us.

According to him, the previous unit was wiped out by a radiant orc on the 93rd floor.

Since we had already passed that floor without encountering it, he suspected we’d run into it before reaching the 100th floor.

If only they had been willing to communicate from the start, things would have been much smoother.

Well, I suppose pride is a tricky thing.

And then—just as we reached the area leading to the staircase to the 100th floor—we finally encountered it.

Compared to the other orcs we had fought so far, this one wasn’t particularly large.

It had a muscular, well-built frame and was needlessly glowing, but it didn’t seem all that strong.

The real surprise was…

“Haaahhahaha! You humans return once more! I am Mythological Delicious Orc—the pinnacle of orc-kind, the ultimate embodiment of gourmet excellence!”

…It could talk.

Like that stupid Insect Lord (lol).

More importantly, what the hell is up with that name?

This guy is seriously calling itself “Delicious”?

Does that mean it’s already accepted its fate as food?

And yet, it stood there with an air of arrogance, completely confident in its ability to win.

“If you’re delicious, then I’ll just eat you. Be a good meal and surrender already,” Effie declared.

“Hmph, a Zanma Spirit? What an unrefined face you wear. And listen to that crude speech! You should strive to be as refined, noble, and elegant as I am.”

“Grrr…!”

What the hell is Effie getting all frustrated about?

This thing is literally just a buffed-up, glowing pig.

There’s nothing noble about it.

If anything, the way it shines makes it look gaudy as hell.

Still, as ridiculous as it seemed, a talking monster was rare.

This thing might actually have useful information.

“So, Mr. Mythological Delicious Orc, why are you here?”

“Hmph, you’re human?”

“You bastard! You’re the one who killed Raida and the others! Prepare yourself!”

I had barely started talking, but the leader—probably still holding a grudge over his fallen comrades—charged in with the other four explorers.

Before I could stop them, the orc made a single sweeping kick.

A moment later, they were all sprawled on the ground.

What the hell are they doing…?

I get that they want revenge, but at least assess the enemy first.

Also, maybe don’t interrupt when I’m trying to get information?

“Hmph. So you dodged? Not bad,” the orc smirked, hands on its hips as it looked down at me.

“Talking monsters are rare. Are you some kind of big deal?”

“Oh? So you’ve met others that can speak?”

“Yeah. There was one that called itself Insect Lord.”

“Hmm. And what became of it?”

Oh. Do they know each other?

Would it be a bad idea to say I killed it?

“Insect Lord was nothing against Koichi! He wiped the floor with him!” Effie blurted out.

Wait. Wait.

Damn it, Effie! Read the room!

If this thing gets pissed, we won’t get any answers!

“HAHAHA! Oh, that is hilarious! That bug actually lost to a human? Ahahaha!”

…Oh.

I guess they didn’t get along.

“So, I take it you’re not the kind to just attack mindlessly like that?”

“Hmph. Unlike that brute, I do not resort to such vulgar methods. I shall defeat you with honor.”

“Oh?”

“…What?”

Yeah, this guy clearly wasn’t going to talk unless I beat the crap out of him first.

And since he went out of his way to call himself delicious, I figured it’d be a waste not to eat him.

So I didn’t hold back.

“BUBOOOOOOHHH!!!”

In an instant, it froze—shocked.

I had already severed all its limbs, carved out its belly, and removed its organs and tongue.

It let out a gurgling, trembling cry.

Crap.

I went too far.

…Oh well.

Let’s just pretend it was never able to talk in the first place.

Yup. Sounds good.

With no more hesitation, I kept slicing until it was nothing but minced meat.

Time to make some delicious hamburgers.

“A-Ah… I… I’m sorry…”

As I expertly kneaded the minced meat, the leader, who had finally recovered, approached me hesitantly.

I was in the middle of using my ‘Dungeon-Proof Cooking Set: Premium Edition (with Adjustable Heat Settings)’ to cook the patties.

Even though I didn’t understand English, “sorry” was easy enough to get.

A responsible adult who can admit their mistakes?

Nice.

I’ll forgive him.

I’m sure he had his reasons, but none of them really concerned me.

And frankly, it wasn’t my problem if they didn’t like me.

We exchanged a few words, with Yokota translating in the shortest sentences possible.

Finally, the hamburgers were ready.

They looked and smelled amazing.

Perfectly plump, with a rich, savory aroma.

My mouth was already watering.

Not that I had rushed the whole forgiveness thing just to eat.

No, really.

But as comrades who had fought and survived together, I made sure to serve everyone a freshly grilled hamburger.

“Well, let’s eat.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Itadakimasu.”

I had no idea how to speak English.

But who needed words?

The moment they smelled the hamburgers, we all understood each other perfectly.

And so, in unspoken unity, we all took our first bite together.