April 9th.
As we had previously agreed, I headed toward the Shinjuku Station East Exit slightly before 10:00 a.m.
Our meeting spot was the Shinjuku Station East Exit Plaza. I arrived five minutes early, but looking around, I found that Hinata-san was already there, waiting for me.
I jogged over to her, bowing my head slightly in apology.
"—Hinata-san! I’m so sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Oh, Takeo-kun. Good morning. No, it’s fine. I just got here a bit early, that's all."
I was about to apologize again to the gently smiling Hinata-san when something caught my eye.
"Wait..."
"Takeo-kun? Is something wrong?"
"Ah, no. It’s just, today you look..."
I took a moment to observe her.
Hinata-san was wearing a long dress in spring-like colors. She looked every bit the refined, elegant young lady. On the days we dove into the dungeon, she usually wore more casual, practical clothing, so this was a complete departure from her usual look. She felt much cuter than usual today.
"Um, uh... Takeo-kun?"
Hinata-san’s cheeks flushed as I continued to stare.
Seeing her reaction, I decided to ask her frankly.
"Hinata-san, by any chance..."
"Y-Yeah? W-What is it?"
"—Did your combat power increase?"
"............"
I wonder why. In an instant, the light vanished from Hinata-san’s eyes, replaced by a cold, flat stare.
"Um... are those really the first words you have for a girl you haven't seen in a while?"
"...When you put it that way, it strangely feels like I'm the one in the wrong."
"There's nothing strange about it, okay?"
She didn't stop staring. Her expression showed no signs of returning to its usual softness.
I scrambled to explain myself.
"No! You see, you seemed even more dignified than usual today, Hinata-san! The atmosphere was so intense that I couldn't help but say it! Ah, those clothes suit you incredibly well, too! It’s what they call 'gap moe'—the combination of cuteness and a sharp, dignified air!"
I tried my best to pile on the compliments while explaining, but she didn't look particularly pleased.
Hinata-san let out a heavy sigh.
"I don't think I'm any different than usual, you know? So, that 'combat power' or whatever... it definitely hasn't gone up. Besides, what even is combat power? That's not a word you use to describe a girl."
"Oh, you aren't familiar with the concept? It’s from Dragon Ball, where—"
"I didn't ask for a technical explanation."
"—Right. Sorry."
"Besides, Takeo-kun, I'm actually a little angry with you."
"Wait, why!?"
I didn't think I’d done anything to make her mad. Not a single thing!
Hinata-san puffed out her cheeks and began to lecture me, sounding like a teacher scolding a troublesome student.
"During our phone call the other day, you spoke in a way that was very... misleading."
"Misleading?"
"Are you really not aware of it? Forget a confession... you sounded like you were inviting me to do something... um... l-lewd! You really did!"
"Wait, what was that last part? Sorry, your voice dropped a bit. Could you say that again?"
"I am not saying it again!"
Was that the 'don't make me repeat myself' kind of anger? Hinata-san seemed genuinely ticked off.
But judging by what I did hear, did she think I was hitting on her?
"Hmm... are you sure you’re talking about me? Maybe you've got the wrong person?"
There was no way I could hit on a beautiful older woman. I’m a total virgin, after all.
"It’s not a mistake. I'm talking about you, Takeo-kun."
"That’s impossible."
"I was planning to give you a piece of my mind today, but then you went off into the dungeon alone, saved people, fought some brand-new monster, and went viral..."
Once again, Hinata-san fixed me with a flat, judging look.
Wait... was this a silent protest? Was she actually saying, 'I wanted to have a heart-pounding, life-or-death battle too!'?
As I thought, Hinata-san’s true nature was that of a battle-hungry warrior. This was a classic case of her body craving conflict even if her words said otherwise!
"I understand! If the opportunity comes up again, I'll definitely invite you along, Hinata-san!"
"I'm not sulking because I was left out!"
"Yes! I totally get it!"
"I have a feeling you don't get it at all!"
I suppose she was just embarrassed to admit her bloodthirsty side. I gave her a knowing nod as she made her excuses and suggested we get moving.
"Anyway, Hinata-san, shall we head out?"
"Ugh... I feel like I'm not getting through to him..."
At any rate, we began our trip.
Our destination, the Dungeon Life Shinjuku Store, was located in a building just a short walk from the plaza. I’d researched the location beforehand, so I led the way with confidence.
We reached the building in just a few minutes.
"Takeo-kun, is it here?"
"Yes, on the 4th floor."
The building was a large facility housing various sports and outdoor retailers. Since dungeon camping gear is essentially specialized camping equipment, many outdoor companies have branched out into the dungeon sector.
Dungeon Life was one of those companies. They originally focused on standard camping gear, but two years ago, they expanded into Explorer-grade equipment and changed their name accordingly.
As it turned out, Mogi-san and the others I saved from the Goblin Rider worked at the company's headquarters. When they offered me a reward for saving their lives, I mentioned I was looking to buy some camping gear. In response, they offered to give me a full set of essentials—tents, sleeping bags, and everything else—for both me and Hinata-san.
I explained the situation to Hinata-san as we rode the elevator up.
"So that's how it happened... but I did some research, and Explorer-grade gear is really expensive. Is it really okay for me to take it too?"
"Well, they have employee discounts, and since the whole party is chipping in, they said it wouldn't be much of a burden. We'll just buy the smaller items ourselves."
"I see. That makes sense."
By then, we had reached the 4th floor.
As we approached the Dungeon Life store, we spotted Mogi-san waiting out front in his suit.
"—Oh, Takeo-kun! Over here!"
He saw us and waved us over. He used to call me 'Leveling Junkie Bro,' but after I introduced myself, he started using my real name.
While Mogi-san worked at the headquarters and wasn't a clerk here, he had taken time out of his busy schedule to meet us.
"Good morning, Mogi-san!"
"Morning, Takeo-kun. And this must be Hinata-san from 'Hinata Channel,' right?"
"Yes, I’m Mashiro Hinata. Um... I heard the story from Takeo-kun, but are you sure it’s alright for me to receive this as well?"
Mogi-san gave her a casual wave and a smile.
"Don't worry about it. As Takeo-kun probably told you, it’s a small price to pay for our lives. Anyway, let’s head inside. I’ve already picked out a general set of gear I thought you’d need, but you should take a look for yourselves. We can still exchange anything if you’d prefer a different model."
"No, if you selected them, Mogi-san, I’m sure they’re great. To be honest, I wouldn't know the difference."
Mogi-san wasn't a salesman, but as a headquarters employee and an active Explorer, he knew his company's products inside and out. I trusted his judgment far more than my own.
"Hahaha, well, if you aren't used to camping, I suppose that’s true. Let me show you what we’ve prepared. If you see anything else you need, just say the word. This store has pretty much everything."
"Thanks. We probably would’ve missed something if it were just the two of us, so we appreciate the advice."
"Leave it to me. Follow me this way."
Mogi-san led us into the store. For the next hour, we browsed the aisles, picking up various small items while consulting with him.
We bought everything from portable toilets and camping cookware to a variety of rations. The most expensive item was a magic item water bottle that generated water using magic stones. A 500ml bottle cost a staggering 500,000 yen.
However, since it meant never having to worry about carrying a water supply, it was an essential purchase for me.
Mogi-san offered to pay for those as well, but we drew the line there and paid for the smaller items ourselves.
The gear we received from Mogi-san's group included tents that didn't need to be staked into the ground, sleeping bags, insulated mats, portable toilet partitions, and magic item stoves that ran on magic stones instead of gas. They even gave us lanterns, though those were just high-end LED lights.
Explorer-grade camping gear has to be incredibly durable to withstand dangerous environments, yet light enough for long treks. Because they use high-quality monster materials, the prices are naturally high. Magic item stoves are also the standard because carrying gas canisters is too bulky.
Even with five people splitting the bill, it must have cost them a fortune. I felt a bit guilty but accepted their kindness with gratitude.
●◯●
After parting ways with Mogi-san, we left the store.
I needed to organize my new gear for tomorrow's run, so in a rare move for me, I planned to go straight home without hitting the dungeon.
Hinata-san and I walked back toward the Shinjuku Station East Exit.
We were just about to head into the station when we noticed a man giving a street speech in the plaza. Whether he had a permit or not was anyone's guess, but he was impossible to ignore. He was using a megaphone, and his voice was booming.
"—The government knows the dungeons are dangerous, but they’re blinded by greed and are hiding the truth! Why did the dungeons appear!? Did they just manifest for no reason!? Was it just a lucky coincidence for humanity!? Of course not! Dungeons are weapons—a strategy by aliens who intend to invade Earth!!"
Wow. Alien weapons, huh? That’s an interesting take.
"The consumption of magic stones for power generation has skyrocketed in the last three years! The magic essence released into the atmosphere has already reached 3 percent of the saturation point! Do you know what this means!? Think about it! What happens when the surface is flooded with magic essence!? The monsters inside the dungeons will be able to survive out here without disappearing! Or worse—monsters might start manifesting right here on the surface!!"
Yikes, that would be a disaster. Sounds pretty bad.
"That is why magic stone power generation must be stopped immediately! Dungeons must not be explored! The foolish profession of Explorer must be abolished, and the dungeons must be sealed off forever! Everyone, stand with me! Dungeons are dangerous! They are a threat to us all!!"
I nodded to myself, thinking 'I see,' and started walking again.
"Let's go, Hinata-san."
"Ah... right."
We headed toward the station. The activist continued to scream his warnings behind us.
"Takeo-kun."
"Yes?"
Before we reached the station entrance, Hinata-san stopped and looked at me with a strange expression.
"What did you think of that speech just now?"
"What do I think? Well..."
"If... if what he said was true... what would you do, Takeo-kun?"
Hinata-san looked incredibly serious. So, I gave the question the serious consideration it deserved.
"If what he said was true, huh?"
"Yes."
"Well..."
I thought about it for a second, but my answer was already a foregone conclusion.
"I’d go into the dungeon and level up."
"I see."
For some reason, Hinata-san looked relieved. I wasn't sure why she’d asked, but her steps were much lighter as we started walking again.
...Man, there sure are a lot of activists like him lately.