Akatsuki Translations

“Haah” 

I involuntarily let out a sigh. It’s been a week since the winter break of my third year in middle school ended. 

I walked to school, feeling gloomy on this cold day where every breath I took turned white. 

It’s the height of high school entrance exam season. My parents, despite having remarried, don’t get along and rarely come home. I’ve been bullied at school, and every day of my third year in middle school feels like a painful ordeal. 

Ever since I started middle school, there’s been a girl I liked named Kiriyama. She’s quite beautiful and is known for having a sister who’s a famous model. As a bullied kid, I could only gaze at this unattainable beauty without speaking to her. 

“Even though there’s no time left for entrance exams, why do I have to go to school? Why would my old man suddenly ask me to talk to my homeroom teacher?” 

Dungeons had emerged all around the world for five years now. Common sense had gradually shifted, yet the pre-dungeon mentality still held sway. I had declared to my parents that I wouldn’t go to high school and instead would enter the dungeon. But my father, who happened to be a lawyer, wouldn’t allow me to drop out after completing middle school. 

『Your father is worried about you. Anyway, talk to the teacher today. 』-Father  

“Well, that’s easy for him to say over the phone.” 

Soon after my father was re-married, it was revealed that my stepmother had an affair. Since then, she hasn’t returned home. Soon after, my father also had an affair, and to make things worse, he hasn’t come home either. 

“It’s been 5 years since my father stopped coming home, huh.” 

Even though they both stay with their respective lovers, they haven’t divorced. With these thoughts and my gloomy mood, I With thoughts of parents who remain married despite both being at their respective lovers’ homes, I pass through the school gate with a melancholic mood and enter the classroom. The classroom before the bustling morning homeroom, a familiar sight. Becoming a third-year middle school student, with just a glance at the most unremarkable boy in the class, everyone lost interest. 

This private middle school was the only one I barely managed to pass the entrance exam for. With everyone focused on high school entrance exams, they hardly had time for anything else. Even with the emergence of dungeons, the world is changing, but these guys are just idiots. 

Countries like the US and China are even being thrown into chaos by dungeons, and it’s unclear how far traditional school education will go in this changing world. Yet, in Japan, most people haven’t accepted this new reality. 

Everyone wants to believe that tomorrow will be the same as today. 

“So, Rokujou, where’re you applying?” 

That’s why I get asked such stupid questions at school. One of the bullies, Onoda, who sits in front of me, asked. He’s the idiot who claims his brown hair is natural because he wants to be popular with girls, even though he’s in a private school. 

I have no intention of applying anywhere, but if I say that, I’ll be the center of attention, so I’ve kept my post-middle school plans a secret. Yet, Onoda seems eager to know. 

Annoying. Shut up, scum. 

“Eh? Oh, um, various places.” -Rokujou 

Although I thought of a confident reply, my actual response was timid and hesitant. 

“Be clear. Where’re you applying?” -Onoda 

Onoda probably can’t imagine anyone not going to high school. But I had already made up my mind not to. If not for the dungeons, I wouldn’t even consider such a decision. 

But now there are dungeons. There’s no need to force myself through more school education. Plus, I’m confident I won’t fit in. My entire life, from kindergarten onwards, has been filled with being bullied. 

“Wherever I apply, it’s my business, right?” -Rokujou 

“What the hell’s that, just tell us where.” -Onoda 

“Onoda—, what’s going on?”  

“Oh, Rokujounokimi here won’t tell where he’s applying.” -Onoda 

Today, due to my father, who’s a lawyer but neglects his parenting duties, there’s a meeting with the teacher as well. But I want to go home right away. The one who approached me is the main culprit who turned my middle school life gray. 

“It doesn’t really matter where you’re going to apply, Rokujounokimi, but I’m a bit curious too. What are you going to do? D-rank?” 

A boy named Ikemoto, known as a bully, approached me. Ikemoto is tall, handsome, and has dark skin. Since entering middle school, he seems to have learned some martial arts, and he’s muscular and good at fighting. He’s an unpleasant guy who likes to show off his strength to others. I wish he would just die. 

Onoda is smirking. This guy loves to tease me alongside Ikemoto. I’ve been with Ikemoto since elementary school. When we were younger, Ikemoto wasn’t particularly tall or good at fighting. 

However, for some reason, around the fifth grade, he suddenly proposed wrestling with me in the hallway. He probably thought there was no way he could lose to me, who had been bullied since then. But my move accidentally landed, and Ikemoto’s arm bent in a strange direction. 

It must have been extremely painful, as Ikemoto cried at that moment. A year later, in middle school, Ikemoto again asked me to wrestle. This time, he was all muscle. Did he train just to beat me? 

There was no way he could win. Since then, the bullying has continued. It’s not my fault, right? 

I thought I would never see him again if I could just get into this prep school, but Ikemoto turned out to be surprisingly smart, and we were together until middle school. I had worked hard to take private school exams to avoid being bullied in middle school, but that plan was ruined. 

If I get stronger in the dungeon, I’m seriously thinking of killing this guy first. 

“Rokujounokimi! You’re going to D-rank school too, aren’t you?” -Ikemoto 

Ikemoto approached and punched me in the stomach as if it were a greeting, calling me by my nickname. I absorbed the blow, bending my body into an awkward shape. 

“Haha, well, something like that.” -Rokujou 

I responded vaguely, even I thought it sounded creepy. 

“Figures, D-rank! Me too!” -Ikemoto 

He punched my stomach again. Annoying. There’s no way I’m going to a place like that. D-rank doesn’t mean D-rank high school; it’s short for Dungeon High School. It’s famous for being easy to get into, just like F-rank universities. 

Because of this, in Japan, where there’s still an aversion to dungeons, people make fun of Dungeon High School by calling it D-rank. The trend has diminished recently, but the derogatory name has become a nickname. 

Dungeon High School is a school created to study dungeons after they appeared. Despite its reputation for being easy to enter, it’s very difficult to graduate from. Even though almost 100% of those who want to get in are accepted, only about 1/10 are said to graduate. 

However, on the flip side, because intelligence leaps along with leveling up in the dungeon, if you can graduate, you’re undoubtedly one of life’s winners. Therefore, despite its known severity, there were many applicants. 

“Rokujounokimi, if you’re going to Dungeon High School, choose Musashino! Then we’ll be together again! I’ll look after you in the dungeon, so in return, carry my baggage! You can willingly say “Allow me to do this” right?!” -Ikemoto 

Ikemoto. I knew you’d say that. 

That’s why I won’t go. Graduating from Dungeon High School is now the dream of every modern middle school student. So, the coolest guys in middle school usually aim for D-rank. Ikemoto, the most handsome guy in the class, had explicitly said he was going to Dungeon High School. 

“Ah, man, I’m so kind to look after this guy even at Musashino!” -Ikemoto 

Ikemoto puts me in a neck lock. 

“Of course, you’ll give me the gacha coins you earned, right?” -Ikemoto 

“No, I’m good.” -Rokujou 

This scene replayed countless times in this class. I was embarrassed and my eyes wandered to Kiriyama, a girl I liked in the class. 

She seemed to be arriving at school and was about to enter the classroom. A gorgeous girl, anyone could tell with just one glance. Her figure, especially her rear, was beautiful. There wasn’t any special event between Kiriyama and me. 

I just liked her because she was cute. A simple crush. 

“What are you looking at!” -Ikemoto 

Ikemoto, still holding me in a neck lock, noticed immediately. 

“I’m not looking at anything.” -Rokujou 

“Oh! You’re looking at Kiriyama, right?” Ikemoto 

“No, I’m not!” -Rokujou 

“What’s with the secrecy? Hey, Kiriyama! Rokujounokimi likes you!” -Ikemoto 

“Hey, stop it! No one said that!” -Rokujou 

In reality, I did like Kiriyama, who looked back at me. She had sharp eyes, glossy hair tied in a ponytail, and a beautifully symmetrical face. Her skin was healthy, and she was cool, not talking much, which I liked. 

The cool Kiriyama didn’t show any interest and just glanced before looking away. 

“Ikemoto, just stop it. The teacher will be here soon.” -Kiriyama 

“You’re no fun.” -Ikemoto 

Ikemoto released the neck lock. He wasn’t listening to me. He liked Kiriyama too and was careful not to be too overtly bullying in front of her. 

Would Kiriyama date him if he confessed? The chances are higher than mine, and that thought hurt. 

“—Hey, take your seats.” -Homeroom Teacher 

The homeroom teacher entered, starting the homeroom, and discussed exam guidelines. Then, the class began. As always, it was tough. Since entering middle school and being bullied, I lost the motivation to study and the lessons felt torturous. 

And tomorrow, the first high school exam, the D-rank exam, starts. The morning classes ended, 

“Rokujou, can I talk to you later?” -Homeroom Teacher 

I was called by my homeroom teacher just when I was hoping to leave without any interruptions. I knew what the conversation would be about: my future education. Ideally, teachers would probably prefer to ignore such a problem student like me. However, that lawyer must have contacted them, saying, 

“I will send him to school today, so please talk to him about his further studies.” -Father 

My deadbeat father, who neglects his parenting duties, dumps the responsibility on the teachers whenever he’s unsure about how to handle me. And these dumped-on teachers, unsure about how to address the situation, still feel obligated to do something. As a result, they end up giving a half-hearted response. 

Today, the location was moved to the student guidance room. 

“Hey, are you really not considering advancing to Dungeon High School? There’s still time to apply.” -Homeroom Teacher 

The teacher earnestly recommended. Sitting on a blue pipe chair, I looked at the teacher with a sense of weariness. He was a man, past 50, and had a stubborn look. He wasn’t popular among the students. 

“I have no intention of going, even if it’s to a D-rank.” -Rokujou 

“But, no matter how you look at it, going to the dungeon without attending Dungeon High School is tough. It wouldn’t be surprising if you died. In fact, most of those who enter the dungeon without attending Dungeon High School end up dying.” -Homeroom Teacher 

“I want to enter the dungeon on my own strength. That won’t be possible with a D-rank. They just make us all do the same things.” -Rokujou 

I came up with various excuses, but in the end, I wanted to go somewhere where no one else was. I had been bullied since kindergarten and had grown thoroughly tired of group life. I wanted to be alone in the dungeon. If that meant dying, so be it. 

After all, no one would likely mourn my death. I wished they’d just leave me alone. 

“Sure, the classes might be standardized, but on the other hand, there are hardly any deaths in Dungeon High School. Excellent explorers support you. Conversely, if you enter the dungeon on your own, you’ll most likely die. No, you’ll probably just realize the reality and give up before that.” -Homeroom Teacher 

“I think I know more about the dungeon than you, sir.” -Rokujou 

“You know more than me? Really?” -Homeroom Teacher 

He looked as if he wanted to say, “Someone stupid like you?” I admit I’m not good at studying, but it’s frustrating to be thought of as dumb. The only reason I can’t study is that I don’t. 

“That’s right. I was able to score full marks on the entrance exam questions from the previous year for Musashino Dungeon High School. I consider myself smart when it comes to things I’m interested in.” -Rokujou 

“Dungeon High School, huh… After all, it’s just an exam for a gathering of idiots…” -Homeroom Teacher 

This is the current perception of adults. 

Dungeon High School is where delinquents gather. Teaching ways to potentially kill people in school is the height of barbarism. It’s something that shouldn’t exist in education. Especially those working in the education sector, they despised Dungeon High School. 

“The fact that the number of applicants to such an inhumane high school is increasing every year is a sign of the end times.” -Homeroom Teacher 

“What are you talking about?” -Rokujou 

“Listen, Rokujounokimi.” -Homeroom Teacher 

This teacher sometimes calls me by my nickname. “Rokujounokimi” refers to a noble from the Heian period who was skilled in waka poetry. And during a Japanese language class focused on waka, I apparently excelled, earning rare praise from the teacher. 

I was happy to be praised for my studies, but when my class teacher referred to me as “Rokujounokimi” in class, intending to compliment me, the whole class burst into laughter. Especially Ikemoto teased me about it, and since then I was called Rokujounokimi. 

“Only a small fraction of people can make a stable living in dungeons. You’re probably just dreaming, right? Even your lawyer father is worried about you.” -Homeroom Teacher 

Don’t act like my father is concerned about me. He’s a bastard who cheated and then abandoned his child. 

“Stop talking about my father. Besides, sir, I’m not doing anything unauthorized. Once I turn 15, the dungeon will accept me.” -Rokujou 

“Just because it accepts you doesn’t mean anything. It’s fundamentally wrong for minors to risk their lives in dungeons.” -Homeroom Teacher 

The teacher spoke down to me. 

“But there are no regulations, right?” -Rokujou 

“That’s just the government being spineless. In the West, they’ve found ways to prevent minors and civilians from entering dungeons without permission.” -Homeroom Teacher 

“Thanks to that, the West is in chaos—” -Rokujou 

“You’re wrong!” -Homeroom Teacher 

Just as I was about to speak, the teacher cut me off with heated passion. 

“Minors shouldn’t be exploited like this! Like in the West, dungeons should be regulated! Japan is the only developed country without regulations for dungeons! It should be the Self-Defense Force or the police who should handle the dangers in dungeons, don’t you think?” -Homeroom Teacher 

“Well, the dungeon won’t accept anyone without free will. Neither the government nor the Self-Defense Force could do anything about that.” -Rokujou 

“That’s what needs to change!” -Homeroom Teacher 

“I wish you’d just leave me alone.” -Rokujou 

“What?! Watch your tone! Your lawyer father asked me to look after you!” -Homeroom Teacher 

The head teacher’s eyes narrowed. He slammed his hand on the desk, startling me. I have a habit of flinching when confronted aggressively. 

“Do you think it’s okay to speak to an elder like that? You have no idea how the world works! You, being the bullied kid, will only die if you go into a dungeon!” -Homeroom Teacher 

“Bullied kid.” -Rokujou 

Is he really one to talk? I didn’t want this teacher’s help with the bullying. I don’t think he had any obligation to help. 

“But that’s my decision…” -Rokujou 

“What? So, it’s true you’re being bullied?” -Homeroom Teacher 

“It doesn’t matter. I turn 15 tomorrow. Specifically, at 5:23 in the morning. So, from tomorrow, I’ll be in the dungeon. At the very least, I’ll try not to let it affect your performance record by dying.” -Rokujou 

The person who should’ve been most concerned about me in this school was this guy. Students and teachers are connected by mutual interests. I think he was obliged to be concerned. Still, that relationship ends now. 

“You! Did you just call the teacher ‘you’?” -Homeroom Teacher 

The teacher stood up, leaning forward. What’s he so angry about? Does he expect respect just because he’s a teacher? I didn’t like the uncomfortable atmosphere, so I got up from my seat and walked towards the door. 

“Hey! We’re not done talking!” -Homeroom Teacher 

“I’m done. I don’t even feel like attending the graduation ceremony, so this might be the last time. Thanks for everything.” -Rokujou 

“Don’t mess with me! You have no idea how much trouble you’ve caused me! Do you know how many overtime hours I’ve had to work because of you?” -Homeroom Teacher 

I left the student guidance room, leaving behind the irritated teacher. From inside, I heard the sound of a desk being kicked. However, he didn’t chase after me out of the room. 

“He wouldn’t want other teachers to see that.” -Rokujou 

I know the teacher made time for me. Normally, he’d probably want to ignore a student like me. But my father is a lawyer and very knowledgeable about the law. So, the teacher couldn’t ignore me. 

But that’s what annoyed me about my parents. Twelve years, including kindergarten, elementary, and middle school, and adults have created such crappy institutions. As I walked down the school hallway, my discomfort grew. 

“Goodbye, teacher!” -Ikemoto 

“Hey, Ikemoto, do your best in the exams!” -Teacher 

In front of me, I saw Ikemoto walking. He didn’t notice me and was confidently striding down the hallway. The teachers liked Ikemoto, who bullied me, more. At that moment, I felt the urge to kick him from behind. 

Still, I prioritized hiding around a corner so Ikemoto wouldn’t notice me. 

“Ha… Starting tomorrow, I’ll be risking my life in a dungeon…” -Rokujou 

Once Ikemoto was out of sight, I came out from my hiding spot. It had been a miserable school life. Still, being cautious of Ikemoto, I left the school gate without looking back and walked away, as if fleeing from school. 

Thanks for reading! This series seems to be pretty similar to novels such as Solo Leveling and other Korean series, so fans of that sort of setting and genre may enjoy reading this!

I plan on releasing this weekly on Sundays. As of now, the raw already has 76 chapters released, so it’ll be a while until I’m caught up.