My Refrigerator Turned Into A Dungeon

Chapter 434

Exhaust Note

Staring at each other with troubled faces, Ore and Serai-san.

Shark and Yuzuki-chan are looking up at us anxiously. Having noticed that our conversation seemed strange, they broke from their meditation and came over to join us.

(Well, with an ability-user's ears, it can't be helped, I guess...)

I didn't want them to hear, but what's heard is heard. Regardless of them, first I need to discuss the future.

"But, Serai-san. If Nemu-kun is the leader, then he wouldn't do something so reckless, would he? He seemed to be keeping his comrades well in hand, and even with Masaru, he looked calm, didn't he?"

Yeah, those guys who were trying to capture that Masaru.

Among the group that came to retrieve them was Nemu-kun's figure. But even though his comrades were down and covered in dust, he just quietly welcomed them back. From that behavior, I had thought he was a person with a reasonably rational side.

"Umm... I think that was because I and Shizu were there."

"Because you two were there?""Yeah. That guy acts incredibly cool in front of women..."

"Hmm, is that how it is...?"

"Yeah..."

Serai-san averts her eyes and mutters this without meeting my gaze. It must be awkward to speak ill of a former lover, and to talk to me about it.

"Hey Jung, what's this 'outburst'? Is someone attacking?"

"No, it's not decided that—"

"Grrrrrrrr...!"

Just as we're talking like this, Taro, who had been curled up in the shade of the trees, suddenly gets up, faces the direction of the mountain pass, bares his fangs, and growls. A few seconds later, my own ears also catch the terribly environmentally-unfriendly sound that echoes forth.

…….

As expected of the defense captain of Serai-san's family home. Taro, having quickly picked up on a sound in a frequency inaudible to human ears, bares his fangs and barks, urging caution.

"No way...! Did they really come!?"

Serai-san's face goes pale, and we unintentionally look at each other.

But even during this, from the direction of the pass comes the wan wan boo boo exhaust note, likely from modified mufflers. Added to that, the ridiculous horn sounds motorcycle belonging to a group of local gang members. Hmm... It seems our opponents are quite the group, it appears.

"What should we do, Egetsu-san!"

"It's okay. No problem."

To Serai-san, who wears an anxious expression, I firmly tighten my face and nod strongly. Yes, from the day I swore to protect them, there has been no hesitation in my heart.

"Hey Jung, is this an enemy attack!"

There, Shark energetically asks again.

"You two go inside the house and stay with grandpa."

"But they're enemies, right!? Then I'm fighting too!"

No, no, Shark, please wait. If you go out there, it'll likely turn into a fight without discussion, and that's scary. Besides, the opponents are dungeon ability users too. What happens if we get into a fight with them? If we mess up, people could die.

"Hey, don't call them enemies. For now, they're just... well, a bit noisy guests."

It's clear they're making a racket to intimidate.

But, we can't definitively say it's aimed at us. So at this stage, let's assume the possibility they're just a bit noisy guests can't be ruled out.

"Don't be stupid!? That's obviously them picking a fight!"

"Even so. Hey Shark, if the opponent's aim is to have a battle, then playing into their invitation is the same as us losing, isn't it?"

"But still!"

"Don't worry. If it comes to your turn, I'll properly call for you. Also, these things have a proper order. So leave the initial discussion to me. Okay, Hinata-kun."

Turning my face to prompt Yuzuki-chan, she also helps persuade Shark.

"Hey, Ruri-chan. Since Egetsu-san says so, let's return to the house for now."

"Uu~...! Later! You better call me later for sure, Jung~!"

Thus, Shark, led by the hand by Yuzuki-chan, reluctantly heads off toward the main house. Raising one hand to see them off, I turn back to Serai-san.

"So, Serai-san. I'll handle them, okay?"

"Please, Egetsu-san..."

"It's okay. Ah, but, could you stop Shark if she tries to rush out?"

"Yeah. But I can listen in, right?"

"Of course, you're involved, so naturally. But, it's better not to show yourself."

"Then I'll be behind the fence."

"OK. But just in case, maybe you should put your suit on? I'll try talking, but I don't know myself how things will roll after that."

"Got it. Then I'll go change first..."

Even during this conversation, the noise echoes loudly into the basin, drawing rapidly nearer.

There is little time to spare. However, smoking the meat any longer would make it too tough. So, I extinguish the charcoal heating the smoker and make sure to leave the smoker wide open.

"...Hmm, good condition. This time it's nicely glazed too, looks really delicious."

From the finished smoked meat rises a savory, appetite-stimulating aroma. But then, as expected, the cars that descended into the basin surround Serai-san's family home and noisily rev their engines.

"So noisy~. Really, just when we were having such a nice day..."

Alright, I'll go deal with them now, so wait just a little longer.