Akatsuki Translations

“Want me to hold onto it for you?”  -Nagumo

Just moments after getting back my 500,000 yen, Nagumo-san offered as I put the money in an envelope. Taking this envelope into the dungeon filled me with unease. After all, I had just been deceived—or rather, I should have known better. My guard was up. 

“Don’t worry about it. That guy has money to burn. Losing a mere 500,000 yen wouldn’t bother him at all.”  -Nagumo

I was still in the dungeon shop. The cashier was, for some reason, blushing fiercely and had disheveled hair. Beside her was a woman who, by any account, had the features of an elf—pointed ears and delicate facial features. When she spoke, her tone felt old-fashioned, but her voice was as beautiful as an angel’s. 

The strikingly unnatural green hair reached her waist. And her eyes were so beautiful they looked artificial. Despite her beauty, her attire was rather revealing—a deep slit that almost exposed half her rear and a top that barely covered her chest. 

“Who is she?” -Rokujou

Both Kiriyama-san and the cashier were beautiful, but this woman’s beauty was surreal, like a finely crafted doll. 

“An acquaintance of that kind man over there, the name is Utsugi Fumiko.”  -Utsugi

It’s a rather traditional Japanese name. Given her appearance and the fact she’s Japanese 

“W, wow! She’s someone who reincarnated!” -Rokujou

In the dungeon, as one’s level continues to rise, there’s a phenomenon called reincarnation. When one undergoes this, they transform into a completely different entity. When one’s level reaches the point where a human vessel can no longer contain the power, they can reincarnate. 

This was my first time seeing it in person. 

Such people rarely appear on TV or online. They’re powerful enough not to need to earn money in those venues and typically live longer than humans. Reincarnation is a mark of a high-level explorer, a VIP on a global scale. 

At that level, explorers aren’t discriminated against but are revered instead. 

“If you’re mentioning that, Nagumo-san is also one. Although, he doesn’t like staying in that form. You can call me 『Elf-san』. I’m in a party with Nagumo-san.”  -Utsugi

“Wooow.” -Rokujou

Being in a party with such a beautiful elf, Nagumo-san must be quite impressive. Or rather, he has also reincarnated. 

“Nagumo-san, could you please hold onto my 500,000 yen? Wait, what’s wrong?”  -Rokujou

He looked troubled, though I couldn’t quite place the emotion. 

“Oh, nothing. Just contemplating the darkness of this world.” -Nagumo

“The darkness of this world?” -Rokujou

I didn’t understand what he meant by the world’s darkness, but Nagumo-san took the 500,000 yen and summoned a black void, placing it inside. It probably was an item box. This guy really was an impressive explorer. 

There are extremely expensive storage tools called “Magic Bags”, but owning an item box that can produce its own space proves the ability to use spatial magic. 

“Well, let’s get going.”  -Nagumo

“Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you.” -Rokujou

“Young’un, do your best.” -Utsugi

With a voice as clear as a ringing bell, Elf-san smiled and waved. I happily waved back. 

“Ignorance is bliss, huh.” -Nagumo

“What do you mean?” -Rokujou

“Never mind that, you’re practically naked.” -Nagumo

I wasn’t literally naked. I wore a sweater and cargo pants, with a thick coat over them. I had the backpack I’d been carrying since before I arrived, but without any weapons or armor, heading into the dungeon felt like going in bare. 

“I returned everything as instructed. If there’s any recommended gear, I can buy it now.” -Rokujou

“Nah it’s fine, I don’t wanna to see that old hag again. I’ll lend you mine for today.” -Nagumo

“Old hag? Was there an old woman?” -Rokujou

“Yeah, the mountain witch who appears in the dungeon.” -Nagumo

“Mountain witch?” -Rokujou

“Oh, never mind. It’s better not to talk about her too much. We don’t know who’s listening. Anyway…” -Nagumo

For some reason, a chill ran down my spine. Suddenly, a black void appeared before Nagumo-san. 

“Is that an item box?” -Rokujou

Nagumo-san took out a necklace and a cross-shaped spear from the void. He began to speak as they stepped outside. The sun was just rising, but it was still chilly and dim. 

“Here, use these.” -Nagumo

“You’re lending these to me?” -Rokujou

They seemed rather expensive, but why would he hand such items to me? 

“The necklace is a cheap item I got from the 11th-floor gacha. It’s a defense item that can absorb damage up to 100 HP, irrespective of where you’re hit. Quite handy.” -Nagumo

“…Isn’t that incredibly valuable?” -Rokujou

“Not really. The one I’m wearing costs about 100 times more. As for the cross-spear, it’s not a dungeon item. It’s one of the Japanese swords and spears I collect as a hobby.” -Nagumo

“Are you sure? They both look quite expensive.” -Rokujou

They definitely cost more than the gear I intended to buy. Especially the accessory that grants total defense. Isn’t that something worn by foreign dignitaries or even the Japanese Prime Minister? It might be cheaper than what Nagumo-san wears, but… 

There’s a rumor that explorers lose their sense of money as their level increases. Even the cross-spear looks sharp, and its hilt is intricately designed. Isn’t it meant to be displayed, not used? 

“They’re just gathering dust in my item box. If you like them, I’ll give them to you.” -Nagumo

“You’re…giving them to me?” -Rokujou

“Don’t you want them?” -Nagumo

“I do, but I can’t afford to pay for them.” -Rokujou

“I said I’m giving them to you. I’m not short on money. Honestly, I’d like to give you something better, but that old hag would nag, and besides, I can only accompany you today. From tomorrow, you have to fend for yourself. Considering that, it’s not good to give you too much.” -Nagumo

“I suppose…” -Rokujou

Aren’t these already quite valuable? The cross-spear alone must be worth at least 10 million yen. As for the accessory, it’s probably priceless. 

“Anyway, with this gear, you should be fine on the first floor. Shall we go in?” -Nagumo 

In front of the dungeon shop was a large cave entrance, inviting people into the darkness. There are ten entrances in total. Beginners start from the northernmost entrance, which leads to the dungeon’s first floor. That’s the same entrance I tried earlier. 

“Are we not entering the first one?” -Rokujou

Without thinking, Nagumo-san headed towards the sixth entrance. 

“Right, my mistake. There’s no point in entering the sixth if you’re with me.” -Nagumo 

“Do you always enter from the sixth?” -Rokujou

“Usually, yes.”  -Nagumo

The sixth leads to the 51st floor. It would be years before I could enter. That’s if I’m even alive by then. 

Changing his mind, Nagumo-san entered the first entrance. Fearing I’d be left behind, I quickly followed. The entrance was pitch dark. As I stepped in, I felt a strange warping sensation. 

“This is the dungeon…” -Rokujou

In an instant, the scenery changed. Before me was a vast grassland, much like the African savanna. I could see for miles, unobstructed. 

Although a bit further away, I could see forests and lakes. The dungeon was clearly connected to another dimension. 

The sun blazed overhead, and the heat caused mirages to dance on the grasslands. It was so hot, a stark contrast to the cold outside. It was mid-winter in Japan, so the difference was jarring. 

“It’s always a shock how hot it is the first time, right?”  -Nagumo

To top it off, there were animals typical of the savanna: giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. But no carnivores, as they were replaced by goblins on this floor. 

“Wow, goblins.” -Rokujou

With pointed ears and green skin, they were slightly hunched and shorter than an average adult. They had ugly faces and carried katanas. A group of five roamed around. 

“Be careful. To me, they might seem like mere insects, but the monster that has killed the most humans to this day remains the goblin.” -Nagumo

“I know, I know. They’re also called ‘Human Killers’. They violate women and kill men, right?” -Rokujou

Although the only monster on the first floor is the goblin, many people are killed by them year after year. Men and women who come to the dungeon with dreams often see those dreams shattered by these creatures. It’s said you would understand their terror only when you face them in battle. 

“It’s so hot. Feels just like summer.” -Rokujou

“Just take off your clothes already.” -Nagumo

Nagumo-san was dressed casually from the beginning, wearing a light shirt and distressed jeans. I also took off my coat and put it in my backpack, continuing to wear my t-shirt with “Manly Spirit” written on it and my cargo pants. 

“I had heard the first floor is hot, but I didn’t expect this much of a difference.” -Rokujou

“Dungeons don’t have seasons, so it’s always hot. I think you know, but the environment up to the fifth floor is all savannah.” -Nagumo

“So whether it’s a special class dungeon or a beginner dungeon, the design is the same?” -Rokujou

“Yes. Almost no difference. Every dungeon has the same structure, a circle with a diameter of 100km. Regardless of the dungeon’s class, from the first to the third floor, goblins are the main monsters.” -Nagumo

“The third floor is a goblin village, the second floor is a goblin scouting team, and this floor is filled with lesser goblins, right?” -Rokujou

“You’ve done your homework. The only differences between dungeons are their depth and the items you can get from the gacha. But you knew that too, right?” -Nagumo

“Ye-yeah, when I was researching about dungeons, the most common scenes I saw were men being killed by goblins and women being captured.” -Rokujou

Goblins in the savannah might attack and eat animals like zebras, but if they spot humans, they prioritize attacking them. If humans lose to goblins, men are killed and eaten, while women are taken alive to their villages. 

“Let’s review about goblins since you’ve been researching.”  -Nagumo

“That would be helpful.” -Rokujou

Now, even schools teach about dungeons. Dungeon education starts in the second year of junior high in Japan. By the third year, they teach concrete methods to deal with monster attacks. And in dungeon-specialized high schools, students actually enter dungeons. 

“Goblins on the first floor range from about 140cm in stature to as large as adult humans. All of them are aggressive and never flee.”  -Nagumo

“They never flee?” -Rokujou

“Never. Moreover, they often appear in groups of three or more, and there are many cases where they use weapons dropped by explorers. They might be less intelligent than humans, but there are individuals that use bows and guns. Those types are called Goblin Archers and Goblin Gunners. They lack female individuals, but they can impregnate females of any species. Of course, human females aren’t an exception. In fact, they particularly like human women and keep them with great care in their villages.” 

“How did you handle them at first, Nagumo-san?” -Rokujou

“At first?”  -Nagumo

“Y-yes, you’re probably from the first generation, right?” -Rokujou

The period of three years from when the dungeons appeared to when dungeon-specialized high schools were established is referred to as the first generation. Those who challenged the dungeons during this time, when little was known about them, saw many of their peers die or suffer grave injuries. Many survivors either gave up out of fear. 

However, from among them, the first generation who survived and continue to explore are predominantly composed of incredibly resilient high-level explorers who emerged victorious in the struggle for survival. Furthermore, the first generation has caused issues around the world, even daring to challenge military forces, which has led to both fear and admiration for them, rendering them both feared and revered as heroes. 

“I don’t really like being called ‘first generation’. But yes, I entered the dungeon quite early.”  -Nagumo

“So, when you were 15?” -Rokujou

“Yeah, just like you. I assume since you’re here, you’re not enjoying school much?” -Nagumo

“Well, yeah.” -Rokujou

“I felt the same. I was 15 and in my third year of junior high when I first entered the dungeon by myself. I knew nothing about it, felt no fear, and just thought it was a more dream-filled place than school.”  -Nagumo

“It’s amazing you survived. Most people who mistakenly entered the dungeon at first died.” -Rokujou

“Whether by luck or something else, I found a spear inside. I picked it up and desperately fought off goblins. I loved anime and manga as a kid, so I knew about leveling up in such environments.” -Nagumo

“O-oh, u-uh, leveling up sounds so cool.” -Rokujou

I was so happy to talk with someone about dungeons that I became quite talkative. 

“Yeah. Initially, every 10 goblins you defeat, you level up. That increases your physical abilities, which helped more than I thought.” -Nagumo

“The infamous ‘first 10’, right?” -Rokujou

Exactly. Initially, just leveling up once drastically changes one’s physical abilities. But to achieve that, you need to defeat 10 goblins. And that’s when most beginners die. 

“Until you reach level 3, be extremely cautious. Once you get past that, you can easily kill goblins. If you want to level up further, go down to the second floor. Do you know why?” -Nagumo

“Because of the level limit for each floor.” -Rokujou

“Right. More explorers give up while alive than those who die. Once you level up, you can’t just keep defeating weak monsters to continue leveling up safely. Each floor has a level cap. The first floor caps at level 3, the second at level 7. So if you want to level up, you inevitably have to go deeper.” -Nagumo

“It’s like the dungeon is luring us deeper.” -Rokujou

“Dungeons are mysterious places.” -Nagumo

“They’re a bundle of mysteries.” -Rokujou

Why were they created? Why do they produce such strange items? If someone created them, what do they intend by leveling up humans? It’s a space full of unknowns. 

“It’s not just about encountering the usual mysteries. Those who become high-level explorers tend to encounter ‘fate’.” -Nagumo

“Fate?” -Rokujou

“Yes, there are those who are favored by the dungeon. Such people invariably encounter their fate in the dungeon. When I first entered the dungeon alone, I soon met comrades who would stay by my side.” -Nagumo

“That might be impossible for me.” -Rokujou

In my entire life, I’ve never been blessed with something called ‘comrades’. You could also call them friends. I’ve had acquaintances I played with, but I doubt they were true friends. They had closer friends than me, and I was just killing time with them. 

“I think you might be one of them.” -Nagumo

“It’s kind of you to say, but I think my situation is different from yours.” -Rokujou

“Why do you think so?” -Nagumo

“After all there aren’t any beginners in the current dungeon, right? I found that refreshing.” -Rokujou

Ever since D-rank was established, all beginners go there. There’s no age limit for entering, so theoretically, even a 100-year-old could enter. Nowadays, it’s common sense to start with D-rank. 

On the flip side, very few people, like me, enter the dungeon without going through D-rank. That’s because the chances of surviving without any support are low. It’s said that still 30% die, and not many are willing to take the risk with those odds. 

“True. Even if there are a few newbies, they often get sweet-talked by government people like that bitch, preventing them from delving into the dungeon. Well, as long as they don’t die, the government won’t get bad press, so such tactics are tacitly approved.”  -Nagumo

“But it’s not just about not dying. Just staying alive isn’t meaningful.” -Rokujou

“Ah, you think that’s different, huh?” -Nagumo

“Not dying doesn’t necessarily mean you’re living.” -Rokujou

“I agree with you on that. I like explorers. The world might call them inhuman or monsters, but they live without being bound by anything, relentlessly pursuing strength. I realized I disliked those folks who try to fit that freedom into some mold, like that woman, more than I thought.” -Nagumo

Nagumo-san said, as if realizing it just now. 

“Well, I’m only saying this for today.” -Nagumo

“I understand.” -Rokujou

“If you’re aware and still going along with it, fine. My teachings could lead to an outcome worse than what that bitch tried teaching you. Don’t resent me.” -Nagumo

“I won’t hold a grudge.” -Rokujou

Even if I die because of it, I won’t hold a grudge. I’d feel bad for Imari, but I want to live to the fullest before I die. I hated my student life, feeling as if I was dead while still alive. 

“Well, there are those who keep defeating goblins at level 3, play gacha, and hit the jackpot.” -Nagumo

Nagumo-san pointed behind him. 

Next to the mound that serves as the dungeon entrance, there’s a building known as the Gacha Zone. It’s a white cylindrical structure with gacha machines inside. When you enter from the external dungeon entrance, there’s always a gacha machine beside it. 

I was so focused on the goblins that I hadn’t noticed the Gacha Zone, the primary source of enjoyment and income for explorers. I realized I might’ve been more overwhelmed than I thought. 

“You’re not planning to make a living off cheap coin farming, are you?” -Nagumo

“I don’t plan to. I enjoy gacha, but I want to level up more.” -Rokujou

“Then let’s go. Depending on how hard you work, I’ll get you to level 3 by today. From there, think about what you want to do next.” -Nagumo

“Yes, sir!” -Rokujou

I tightly gripped the cross-spear Nagumo-san had given me.