novelraw Chapter 155
Chapter 155
Chapter 155
I was planning to sway my way from Nara to Kyoto by train, but due to a Dungeon Break, the Foundation had issued a Type I State of Emergency, so the trains weren't running.
"What shall we do?"
"Kyukyuu (Translation: I think we should just run normally, Hideo-dono)"
"Gii (Translation: I'm probably faster than the train anyway)"
And so, we came on foot.
Kyoto. I haven't been here since the school trip back in middle school.
I want to buy souvenirs for my family, and for Dr. and Na too—but buying them first is what amateurs do. Because the more you buy, the more stuff you have to carry.
"Nyao."
"Hm? What is it, Norwegian Bakeneko?"
"Nyao~"
The Norwegian Bakeneko suddenly bolted off like she was being drawn to something.
Could it be that the rhythm of justice within the Norwegian Bakeneko is compelling her to act?
We arrived at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
The endless stretch of vermilion torii gates creates a fantastical scene, and it's quite famous.
I followed the Norwegian Bakeneko without thinking much about it.
Oh—wait, I just spotted someone familiar.
Black hair. Sharp, narrow eyes. Right, that's 'Bradley.'
The one who hates me. I remember well. I mean, he hates me.
He's calling my name.
Okay, okay, I'm coming now.
"W-why... are you... here...?"
"Hm? You called my name."
I mean, you literally just called me.
Huh? Some giant with blue skin... wait, that face is terrifying!?
What the hell is this monster?
"F-Finger Man, b-beware him... that's... a monster..."
Yeah, no kidding.
You're mortally wounded with ribs sticking out of your chest—maybe don't talk.
Still, the Norwegian Bakeneko has been smacking him around with cat punches for a while now.
I think we might actually win this one.
I'll just observe for now.
The Norwegian Bakeneko and the faceless blue-skinned giant unleashed a ferocious battle, completely disregarding the preservation of cultural heritage as they wrecked torii gates left and right. In the end, the Norwegian Bakeneko emerged victorious. She's strong—I'm sure of it.
"No way! You're kidding...! A synthetic human lost...!?"
I spotted a shady-looking guy with a metal pipe.
Our eyes met. Ah, he ran off.
"Gii-san."
Gii-san, hidden in my sleeve, responded to my intent by extending a tentacle and tripping the metal pipe punk.
In that moment, the Norwegian Bakeneko blocked the escape route with her big fluffy body.
"Who the hell are you?"
"W-who the hell are you?! An explorer who can take down a synthetic human?! We weren't told about anyone like that!"
"Finger Man. And you? What's with that blood-covered pipe?"
"F-Finger Man... Finger Man, as in... that one...!?"
Bradley staggered over from behind.
I already hit him with "Blue Blood Lv8" earlier.
It's a powerful healing method, but since it's a narcotic-type recovery item, and "Blue Blood Lv8" puts a huge strain on the body, you can only use it once per day.
I can use it multiple times because my body's all messed up. Huh? Addict?
"As expected... Finger Man... and what's with that cat?"
"A new pet. By the way, who's this shady guy?"
"Kuzu. Most likely, this Dungeon Break was deliberately caused. That man is one of the conspirators aiding the mastermind."
"Hmm. So he's a bad guy. Norwegian Bakeneko, would you kindly move aside?"
"Nyaa♪"
I clenched my fist and punched the man.
He went flying far away, smashing through a torii gate and landing out on the road.
"Finger Man, you..."
"Mmm, that felt great. You can punch bad guys all you want and no one gets mad—it's awesome."
Unleashing monsters into the outside world is the worst kind of disaster.
There's no mercy for scum who deliberately cause such things.
"But Finger Man, we mustn't kill him. We still need to hear what he knows."
"No problem. I've already set up for interrogation."
I planted a split-off part of Gii-san in him when I hit him.
See? The guy with the deformed face is already wobbling his way back here.
"I see... (I already knew Finger Man wasn't ordinary, but it seems he's also experienced in interpersonal combat and intelligence warfare. He's young, but his career must be brutal. I get it now—he must've been a special agent for an intelligence agency.)"
Bradley is glaring at me hard.
Maybe he's thinking it's gross that I've got a slug up my sleeve. Well, it is gross.
"Bradley, could I ask you to handle the questioning? You're probably more used to this kind of thing."
I'm asking him because he's supposedly an assassin, so he's probably good at torturing people. But really, I just don't want to ask dumb questions and reveal that I'm an idiot. Yep, sorry, I regret it.
"You want me to do the questioning, huh? (So Finger Man's worried that if he does it himself, his old habits from his intelligence days will slip out. He calculates even unconscious risks. Truly a true professional.)"
"? What is it? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"You're one hell of a pro."
"...... Let's not talk about that. (Wait, he's figured out I'm an experience point pro. Oh no, does he know about my twitchy finish too? Huh? Why? That's terrifying.)"
"(As I suspected. He knows that I know. If I dig any deeper, I could be in danger myself. I'd better drop the subject here.)"
After that, Bradley asked some questions with a smug look.
His interrogation was scarily efficient.
"We anticipated interference from the Foundation... and prepared our forces for this ritual..."
"Prepared your forces? You're talking about those weird monster weapons?"
Bradley pointed to the now-motionless corpse.
Right now, the Norwegian Bakeneko is poking at it to play.
No, don't play with it. It might have germs or something.
"That was brought by Lord White Night... I don't know where he got it from..."
"Then what were those forces you mentioned?"
"The 'Sword Prison' folks... transcendental beings who came to hunt the Foundation's explorers..."
"Transcendental beings? Hm, sounds like some dangerous people."
We learned four things.
① The Dungeon Break was caused by a dangerous group called the 'Sword Prison Society.'
② The 'Sword Prison Society' is trying to unleash the dungeon boss into the world.
③ The leader is a man named White Night.
④ There are three elite members known as the Sword Prison.
So, shall we go knock out all the bad guys?
And just then, I made a call.
"Ah, Jigokudo? Yeah. I'm in Kyoto now. ...About the 'Black Fingertips,' we've got about five squads ready to deploy... Yes, yes, that's exactly what I meant. ...Yes, that's right. Just as you said... Got it. Of course. Yep, yep, understood. Yep."
I hung up the phone.
"Gii-san, can you summon the 'Black Fingertips'?"
"Gii (Translation: You mean them?)"
"We're here now, and we have to act—secure the dungeon gate causing this Dungeon Break as soon as possible. I've already received permission from Jigokudo due to the emergency."
"Gii (Translation: Got it. If that's the case, then yes, that should be a valid excuse.)"
I created a "door" near the main hall of Fushimi Inari Shrine.
From the "door," Black Swamp monsters began pouring out and spreading into the city of Kyoto.
"Are... are all of these your familiar monsters...?"
"More or less, that's the arrangement."
"...I see."
Is Bradley-san maybe a bit weirded out?