After taking a long lunch break on the stairs connecting Floor 9 and Floor 10, we finally set foot onto the tenth floor.
“Whoa, so this is Floor 10. I’m really starting to get hyped now.”
It wasn't the Shinjuku Dungeon, but it was the Sladan, and we had finally made it this deep. I couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental. Maybe it was just my imagination, but the landscape of Floor 10 looked different from everything we'd seen up to Floor 9—
“…Actually, never mind, Hinata-san. Not really much to get hyped about. It’s just more of the same.”
“Yeah, it’s basically identical to Floor 9, isn’t it? The passages have certainly gotten a lot wider, though…”
『lol exactly』
『What was with that self-correction? lol』
『Hey Junkie Bro, I get that lunch was important, but are you sure about this?』
As we advanced casually into the depths of Floor 10, I tilted my head at the viewers’ doubts.
“Hm? What do you mean?”
『I mean, isn’t the Metasla first-come, first-served? Even if it’s so strong it can’t be defeated easily, you’re already behind schedule. Isn't there a high chance another Special Crisis Case Explorer will take it down?』
『Yeah, exactly. I honestly thought that being the Leveling Junkie Bro, you’d go charging off to find the Metasla without a moment’s rest…』
“Ah, I see what you’re saying.”
I nodded, understanding their point.
It was a natural question. However—
“It’s fine, everyone. There’s no way the Metasla will be defeated by anyone other than me.”
“Umm…?”
『…I have to ask, what is the source of that baseless confidence?』
You don’t get it? Then, I shall answer.
With an expression full of confidence, I placed my right hand over my heart and declared grandly:
“I love Experience Points, and I am loved by Experience Points. Who else but me could possibly defeat the Metasla-kun? I just know. I can tell that Metasla-kun is definitely coming to find me…”
“…………”
『This guy… look at how pure his eyes are…!!』
『Sunshine Samejima…?』
『Hey, that doesn't answer a single thing!』
『Convinced… convinced… is something I’m absolutely NOT!?!』
『What the hell is this guy saying?』
It seemed they didn’t understand. I suppose normal people wouldn’t grasp the concept of destiny at this level.
It couldn't be helped. I’d try a different angle—giving them a more easily understandable reason to put them at ease.
“Everyone, please stop acting like I’m some kind of amateur. Just how many Metasla do you think I’ve hunted in my time?”
Technically it wasn’t Metasla, but Metakin. Well, I’ve hunted a fair share of Metasla too.
『Wait? Junkie Bro has hunted Metasla before!?』
『Wasn’t the Metasla a Special Variant that appeared for the first time in this incident???』
『And Junkie Bro, today was your first time in the Sladan… ah.』
『You! You’re talking about video games, aren’t you!!?』
“Is there a problem?”
『“Is there a problem?” my foot!!』
『Stop with that blank stare!!』
『Stop mixing reality and games!!』
『This guy… has he finally lost the ability to tell the difference between reality and games…!?』
『It’s no use, we have to do something about him soon…!!』
For some reason, I wasn't able to convince them.
“Fufu, but I’m relieved.”
“Eh?”
The one who laughed was Hinata-san.
“Takeo-kun, you have an absolute, foolproof way to defeat the Metasla, right? Before the other explorers get to it. Don’t you?”
H-Hinata-san…?
Her face is smiling, but her eyes definitely aren't…?
『Hm? Hinata-chan?』
『Huh? Is Hinata-chan angry?』
『No way. There’s no way Hinata-chan, who we listeners sometimes call the Saint, would get angry…』
『B-Goo-goo-ga-ga…!!』
『I don't know why, but my body has suddenly started shaking…!!』
『Wait, could it be that Hinata-chan was looking forward to defeating the Metasla too…?』
『Hey, don't say something so stupid. She's not like the Junkie Bro…』
“You won’t let anyone else take it from you, right…?”
Ah.
This is about that. The bet I made with Mayurin-san in the Association lobby.
Hinata-san seems to dislike Mayurin-san, so she’s pressuring me, basically saying: Don’t you dare lose. In fact, I won’t tolerate you losing even by a fluke, boy.
Honestly, I’d completely forgotten about the bet with Mayurin-san until just now, but the atmosphere isn't exactly one where I can admit that…!!
I feel like I want to lose my memory right now…!!
“Oh? I wonder why I, a fragile young lady, am lying here in this unfamiliar place…”
“—Takeo-kun?”
“Ah, yes! Understood, ma’am!!”
My tragic heroine act didn't work…!?
This is no time for playing around!!
If I don't defeat the Metasla soon… my life is in danger!!
“Everyone! This is no time to be chatting here! Let’s hurry and move forward!!”
『The only reason we were chatting here was your fault!』
『What’s with him all of a sudden?』
『He suddenly got motivated… or rather, he started panicking.』
『But then again, I can understand Hinata-chan’s frustration. He dragged her to the Sladan on a whim again, didn't he? If they ended up going home without even defeating the important Metasla, the whole trip would be pointless.』
『I see, it would mean the trip to the Sladan was a waste of time.』
『I’d be mad too lol』
『Wait, would Hinata-chan really get mad over that? She’s a Saint, you know?』
At any rate, we began our search for the Metasla in earnest!!
Hurry!!
●◯●
For a while after that, we wandered around Floor 10 looking for the Metasla, but—
“Forget the Metasla, not even a single regular slime is appearing.”
“You’re right. We should be quite deep in by now…”
We had already been walking around Floor 10 for about thirty minutes. Yet, we hadn't encountered a single slime.
What was going on?
There were plenty of slimes up until Floor 9. Was it possible for there to be none only on Floor 10?
While I tilted my head in wonder, the viewers offered a guess.
『Could it be because all the Special Crisis Case Explorers are gathered on Floor 10?』
『Ah, is that it!?』
『Hm? What do you mean?』
『I mean, several Special Crisis Case Explorers have been searching Floor 10 since yesterday, right? So the slimes might have been temporarily hunted to extinction.』
『Ah, makes sense.』
I see. Because of the oversupply and concentration of explorers in one spot, the slimes had disappeared.
『But still, the encounter rate is worse than Floor 1! No matter how many Special Crisis Case Explorers are gathered here, is that really possible for Floor 10?』
『But since they’re actually not here, that must be it, right?』
Well, while it was questionable, it was a problem without an answer no matter how much I thought about it. I decided not to worry about it and concentrated on the Metasla search.
Regardless, I scanned the area with eyes like dinner plates, searching for the target.
Metasla, Metasla, Metasla—and then, it happened.
“—!? Hinata-san, get back! Something’s coming!!”
“—! Understood!!”
From the darkness further down the dim passage, I sensed the sound of something approaching at high speed.
I quickly drew my sword and lowered my center of gravity into a combat-ready position.
『Wait, what!?』
『What happened!?』
『Something’s coming!?』
The thing approaching at high speed from beyond the darkness was revealed as it drew closer, illuminated by the light of the glowing crystals.
It was about the size of a Shiba Inu.
It was almost perfectly spherical.
It had a metallic texture and a silver body, sleekly reflecting the faint light of the crystals.
It didn't hop or bounce; instead, it moved through the cave at high speed by spinning itself violently like a wheel.
In other words—it was a Metasla.
“The Metasla is heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!!!!!!!!!”
It’s here, it’s here, it’s here!!! See, it came!!!!!
『Wha!?』
『Seriously!?』
『No way!!?』
『This guy actually pulled a Metasla!?』
『Is this the power of someone loved by Experience Points!?』
『How is this even possible!?』
『Wait, look!! Something is coming from behind the Metasla!?』
“—!?”
I noticed it immediately too.
Behind the Metasla, which was racing toward me as if to dive headfirst into my chest (Note: This is a misunderstanding).
Even faster than the Metasla-kun, who was traveling at ultra-high speed.
Sprinting at a speed comparable to the Special Variant Goblin I had fought before, a “human figure” overtook the Metasla and swung a flashing blade.
Clang!! With a high-pitched sound, sparks flew.
That person came to a sudden halt between us and the Metasla, which had stopped after taking the hit, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
The figure glanced back at us and spoke through a mask.
“—Hm!? Are you the Leveling Junkie Bro and Hinata-chan!?”
“And you are… Cheetah Mask-san!?”
The person who had appeared on the scene at ultra-ultra-high speed was the explorer wearing a cheetah mask—Cheetah Mask-san.
He spoke over his shoulder while facing the Metasla without letting his guard down.
“Sorry, Junkie Bro. I found this Metasla first. I’ll have to ask you to keep your hands off.”
“Ugh… It can't be helped, I suppose…!!”
Interfering with the prey of an explorer who was already in combat is a serious breach of etiquette. It’s an extremely malicious act known as “kill-stealing.”
It was frustrating, as if my Metasla-kun had been snatched away right before my eyes, but I had no choice but to watch Cheetah Mask-san’s battle.
『Wait, are you serious!?』
『Just when we thought he found a Metasla, it turns out it was already in a battle with Cheetah Mask!?!?』
『What are we going to do if Cheetah Mask defeats it!?』
『No, look closely! Cheetah Mask’s attacks aren't working at all!!』
『Ha, I see!!』
『So we don’t know if he can win yet!!』
That was it.
It wasn't guaranteed that Cheetah Mask-san could defeat the Metasla. And if he couldn't, we would be the ones to fight it next.
Besides, from what I could see, Cheetah Mask-san wouldn't be able to defeat the Metasla alone. Because—
“Are you sure about this, Cheetah Mask-san? If you’re alone, the Metasla will just run away…”
“Heh, no need to worry, Junkie Bro. Because—”
Then, at that moment.
Beyond the Metasla, which was whirring its body and attempting to move at high speed again. From the darkness that Cheetah Mask-san had run out of, four new figures rushed onto the scene!
They came to a halt, sandwiching the Metasla with Cheetah Mask-san, blocking the path the Metasla was trying to take to retreat.
Caught between the two sides and having lost its escape route, the Metasla squirmed as if hesitating.
“—I have reliable comrades with me.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Cheetah!!”
“Heh, we finally cornered you, Metasla!!”
“This is where you pay your dues!”
“The ones who will defeat the Metasla that so many Special Crisis Case Explorers couldn’t… are us, the Animal Go-Ranger!!!”
“—!? Those are…!!”
I shuddered.
Some incredible people had arrived!!
『Is that Ostrich Mask!?』
『Patas Monkey Mask too!?』
『Ugh, even the insane Pelican Man…!!』
『Wait, wait, wait, wait…!! Even Ai-am-Koala is here…!!』
『The whole Animal Go-Ranger squad is here!?』
There was a man wearing an ostrich mask whose gaze was impossible to follow, a man wearing a monkey mask with a somehow sorrowful expression, a man wearing a pelican mask with crazed eyes, and a man wearing a koala kigurumi.
Including Cheetah Mask-san, all five members of the Special Crisis Case Explorer party, “Animal Go-Ranger,” were assembled…!!
This is… bad…!!
“I’m sorry, Hinata-san…!! I might not be able to hunt the Metasla…!!”
Even though I had pushed Hinata-san to come all the way to the Sladan…
With bitterness seeping into my voice, I apologized to her.
“Eh? Ah, yeah… What is up with these people?”
Hinata-san was also stunned after having her prey suddenly snatched away by the Animal Go-Ranger!