The Saitama Dungeon No. 4. It was classified as an “urban-type” dungeon.
An urban-type dungeon was one whose structure evoked a sense of civilization—often reminiscent of something extraterrestrial… or perhaps something even stranger. As of now, the true nature of such “civilizations” remained a mystery. Yet, many of the breakthroughs since ancient times were said to have come from research into the interiors of these urban-type dungeons.
In other words, most urban-type dungeons should have been vital sites for the further advancement of Earth’s civilization. However, not all of them fit that mold. Quite a few did not. One such case was this Saitama Dungeon No. 4, whose design was unmistakably close to Earth’s civilization—more specifically, to “Showa-era Japan.”
“Hmm… what a nostalgic atmosphere this is.”
“Really?”
“Mhm. Though the time of day feels like dusk… nay, rather the witching hour.”
The sky above, which Inari gazed at, was dyed crimson, a large setting sun bathing the town in light. In an alleyway, circles were drawn on the ground as if by a child’s hand in a game of hopscotch.
“There are so many circles…” Shion murmured.
“That is kenkenpa. Children would draw such with a white stone called chalk and play.” (T/N: Kenkenpa けんけんぱ is a traditional Japanese children’s game, very similar to hopscotch.)
“Oh, so that’s what it is.”
“Mhm.”
Of course, there could be no real children here. It was a fabrication by the dungeon. Yet around them stood old-fashioned houses, lights glowing within, and from somewhere wafted the delicious aroma of food.
“That is the scent of curry. Surely no monster is the one cooking it…”
“There’s never been a case of residents discovered in urban-type dungeons. Most likely, it’s some kind of trap.”
“A trap, eh…”
What kind of trap, they could not say. But likely one meant to kill the careless who let their guard down. And yet, the tranquil, nostalgic atmosphere was so convincing that if one did not already know, they might not believe it was a dungeon at all. Of course, anyone entering here did so knowingly—but Inari imagined first-timers must have been quite confused.
“Well, in any case, let us press onward. There should be a boss somewhere.”
“Yeah.”
As they walked and turned a corner, Inari noticed something lurking in the alley between houses. Its lower half resembled a dog… and she knew from Eri’s words what it must be.
“A human-faced dog, eh. I have heard of thee.”
Drawing Kogetsu in its blade form, Inari advanced. The dog crept back from the alley before poking its face into view. That face… unmistakably like that of a middle-aged man, worn and tired of life. Attached grotesquely to a canine body, it clicked its tongue audibly.
“Quit starin’!”
It lunged. Inari’s foxfire met it head-on, striking the beast mid-leap.
“Gweh—!” it screamed, before exploding apart and leaving only a small magic stone behind.
“Hmm. That was clearly Japanese speech… yet to think it capable of conversation would be premature, I suppose.”
“That’s your impression…?”
“Hm? And what else should I think?”
“Maybe, like… that it’s unbalanced and gross?”
“Well, true. But compared to the fish-man I met in Fuchuu, I—hm?”
Recalling the Deep One, Inari returned her gaze… and froze. From the surrounding alleys, faces were peeking out—scores of them. Human-faced dogs, watching her.
“Hyoh—… I take that back. All those clammy stares at once… this is unsettling indeed…!”
“Yeah.”
“Quit starin’.”
Even as Shion nodded, that voice echoed again. One of the beasts had spoken—but as more shuffled into the street, they repeated it in eerie chorus.
“Quit starin’.”
“Quit starin’.”
“Quit starin’.”
“Quit starin’.”
Five… ten… thirty… The human-faced dogs gathered, chanting the same words—then all at once, they kicked off the ground.
“Boom.”
『Flying Torpedo!』
From the void before Shion’s spear, a torpedo-like projectile appeared and launched straight into the oncoming pack. It struck, exploding in a blast that obliterated the swarm, scattering their final cries of “Gweh—!” along with the magic stones they left behind.
Inari let out an impressed “Hooh…” as she watched.
That had certainly been Shion’s technique—and a powerful one at that. Even the colossal soldier that Atsuage had destroyed last time could easily have been shattered by this strike.
No—surely this was not even her full strength. If so… perhaps even the King Colossus could have been slain, at least underwater, had Shion been there. Such was the force Inari felt in that blow.
“A splendid strike indeed.”
“I just did it without thinking… Was it overkill?”
“Nay. We are partners in this conquest now. Do keep at it.”
Interesting. That was what Inari honestly thought.
She had met many awakeners through the matching system—Yasuno, Eri, and Hikaru of Lion Communications. Of them all… well, she could not yet judge Hikaru. But still—Shion stood unmatched. Her movements with the spear on land were refined, and her ranking as Japan’s fourth was no empty title.
“Do you want the red cape, or the blue cape?”
“Neither, thank thee.”
Slicing cleanly through a humanoid monster that had appeared before her, Inari glanced at Shion, who drove her spear into a masked woman asking, “Am I pretty?”
The way Inari looked at her—it was like a parent watching over a child doing her best.