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 41

“I must say, I never expected you to make it here on your own.”

“Where exactly is ‘here’?”

I voiced the obvious question to the demon god, who was staring at me with a curious expression.

Does this mean there’s a place like this inside the dungeon?

“This is the outer perimeter of the dungeon.”

“The outer perimeter?”

Wait… what does that mean?

“That’s right. The dungeon itself is structured as an independent world. But if I had to explain it, this place is the space between your world and the dungeon.”

“I see…”

I don’t see at all.

“Well, since you have the ability to cut through space and time, I figured you’d end up here eventually. But isn’t it a bit too soon?”

“Too soon or not, I have no idea… But honestly, considering how many times I’ve been tearing through space, why haven’t I ended up here before?”

Ever since I learned how to teleport and slice through dimensions, I’ve used the ability countless times.

Even now, it seemed to have activated by accident, but I’ve been doing this with my sword for ages.

“That’s just a coincidence, I’d say… The dungeon is an independent entity, after all. Maybe it’s because you didn’t specify a destination, or perhaps your intended destination rejected you.”

“I never felt like I was being repelled, so it must be because I didn’t set a destination.”

“Why would you do that?”

I explained the situation briefly.

“I’d love to try that drink too!”

That’s not the point!!!

“Well, that was just a joke. I see now… Your sword is quite refined. And with your power imbued in it, you managed to cut through space, but without a set destination, you ended up here instead. The fact that you landed right in front of me—what an incredible coincidence.”

He spoke as if he found it amusing, but honestly, I felt the same way.

Are we… destined to be together or something? Please, spare me.

“The dungeon… you created it, didn’t you? But this place is different?”

“No, this place existed before. It has always been here, as a boundary.”

“A boundary between gods and demons?”

“No, that’s something else. That place was explicitly defined and called a boundary on purpose. It was a paradise, not for gods, but for beings that were neither merely demons nor divine.”

“So, something like Ragnarok? Not that I’d know.”

“That’s an awfully vague comparison… but you might not be wrong. It was our place of rest.”

“Then why did you drive out the monsters and Effie’s ancestors?”

“They were too noisy…”

“Never say that to Effie. She’s fighting monsters to return to that world.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Impossible?”

“Yes. That place no longer exists.”

“…What?”

“It was devoured by the Primordial Demon God. It’s gone.”

A shocking revelation… or not, really. It doesn’t concern me. But if Effie hears this, she’d probably be devastated. Maybe even left in utter despair.

The place she wants to return to is already gone.

“Well, maybe fragments of it still exist somewhere within the dungeon.”

“Huh?”

What does that mean?

Fragments?

“You don’t seem to know much about dungeons. Dungeons break down and absorb entire worlds, reassembling them in pieces. So, the world devoured by the Primordial Demon God? Some remnants of it probably still exist within the dungeon.”

“Then… does that mean Effie’s homeland has also been absorbed?”

“You mean that sword spirit? If she was inside the dungeon, then yeah, it’s possible.”

“Can it be restored?”

“That’s impossible. At least, for me. If there was a chance, it would be through the demon god who absorbed it… but I’m the only one left.”

This would be devastating news for Effie, but… am I supposed to be the one to tell her?

I guess I have to.

There’s no way this demon god would take the time to explain it to her properly.

“You’re maintaining the dungeon all by yourself… What are you even doing?”

“I just want friends.”

“…What?”

What the hell is he talking about?

“You don’t have to look at me with such pity.”

“I just wasn’t expecting that answer.”

A god whose entire world was destroyed just said something like that. Who wouldn’t find it strange?

I mean, sure, living alone for eternity with no one of your kind around would probably be boring, but…

“You’re exactly right. I’ve been alone all this time. Sometimes I watch the events happening in the dungeon, sometimes I tweak things. But none of it is enough to cure the loneliness.”

“Then why—”

“The dungeon fosters growth. It forces evolution. Someday, someone might reach godhood. Or at the very least, someone strong enough to keep me entertained might emerge. It’s the perfect way to kill time.”

I see…

So that’s why he’s been carelessly throwing his power around, behaving however he wants, and taking an interest in me—someone strong enough to spar with him.

It makes sense.

After all, we did have a decent fight. Though I doubt that was anywhere near his full power.

“For humans, the dungeon is a valuable resource, isn’t it? Sure, some people die, but still.”

“Well, yeah. At this point, the world can’t function without dungeons anymore.”

“And for me, it’s an amusing pastime. See? No problem at all.”

“Well, I guess.”

“Plus, I sometimes release new features! Though occasionally, I mess up and things spiral out of control—wait, no, that never happens.”

“Hey!”

That definitely happens. Don’t mess around like that.

As someone who lost his parents in an accident, I don’t take this lightly.

“You lost your parents? I see… That’s unfortunate. But if you’re talking about monsters escaping into the world, that’s not a bug or anything like that. Sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I know… I don’t want to accept it, but I do.”

“You are… No, never mind. Anyway, let’s be friends from now on.”

“…Huh?”

And just like that, I was somehow declared a friend of the demon god.

Good thing I stopped my live broadcast.

If the headlines read: ‘Shocking Revelation! Koichi Okita is Friends with the Demon God!’, I’d probably become public enemy number one.