Unbelievable!!
To think that a Metasla capable of birthing other Metaslas—a Metakin (Provisional)—had actually been born into this world!!
It was an invaluable existence, without a doubt!! I had to protect it immediately and have that Metakin produce Metaslas for all eternity!!!
But what should I do to achieve that?
Even if I wanted to protect the Metakin, monsters died if they were brought to the surface. That meant there was no place to keep it safe other than right here in Sladan.
However—just as my thoughts reached that point...
"W-Well, let’s get back to the topic at hand, shall we?"
I had unintentionally let out a shout of joy that drew everyone’s attention, but a single comment from Ajari Kong shifted the focus back.
Ajari Kong continued with a grave expression.
"A Metasla that breeds other Metaslas... huh? That is an incredibly dangerous entity."
"!!?"
So that was how they were going to play it.
This was a very unwelcome development for me.
How could I convince everyone that "The Metakin must absolutely be protected!! Killing it is out of the question!!"? I racked my brain desperately.
But before I could come up with an answer, Arnold Oishi nodded in agreement with Ajari Kong.
"The moment it started spawning that massive swarm of Metaslas, we fled without fighting it directly. So, I can’t say for certain how strong it actually is... but judging by its size, I doubt it's limited to splitting into only a hundred or two hundred. It wouldn't be surprising if it could split into over a thousand."
"That many...?"
!!!!?
That many!!?
Over a thousand Metaslas!!?
"That’s not all. The Metaslas that chased after us were only a portion of what it had split into. We shook most of them off before getting here... or rather, it felt like they just stopped pursuing us on their own."
"But that number was insane! You’re saying that was only a fraction of its total!?"
"No, that’s not what I mean. Most of that swarm wasn't made up of the ones that split from the boss. They were just ones we encountered while we were running away."
"Oh, I see... still, that doesn't change the fact that this is bad."
"Yeah. Besides, didn't you all find it strange? On Floor 10 today, we didn't encounter a single slime other than Metaslas..."
At Oishi’s words, the Special Crisis Case Explorers looked at one another, and a buzz of concerned chatter broke out.
"Now that you mention it, yeah."
"True, we haven't run into anything but Metaslas either."
"Where did the other slimes go?"
"Could the Metaslas have hunted them?"
"Why would monsters fight each other?"
"Even if they did, it’s weird for them to stay gone. They should repop after a while, right?"
"Maybe slimes absorbed by a Metasla don't repop?"
"There's no way... is there?"
"Wait, if they're in an absorbed state, they haven't technically been defeated... so is it possible?"
"But for one Metasla to absorb every single slime on Floor 10... wouldn't that be nearly impossible?"
"In that case, isn't there a simple answer?"
"..."
The moment someone asked that, the room fell dead silent.
Everyone’s gaze fixed on the young man who had spoken.
The man flinched under the weight of so many eyes, but as if he had made up his mind, he continued.
"I mean... maybe the individuals born from the split can use Fusion Absorption too."
An incredibly heavy silence filled the air.
A short while later, people finally began to whisper.
"Hey, what do you think?"
"So it released its split bodies across the entirety of Floor 10 and absorbed every other slime one by one...?"
"For what purpose?"
"To increase its own mass...?"
"Or maybe to strengthen itself..."
"Either way... isn't this way too dangerous?"
"Yeah... if every Metasla can use Fusion Absorption and split... it'll be impossible to kill. Even if we reduce their numbers, as long as one remains, they'll just multiply again."
"To begin with, if we’re struggling against a single Metasla, we're helpless against a thousand..."
"Wait, the Metasla is a special variant, right? If they keep increasing like this, won't they start moving between floors?"
"Hey, hold on... if a rookie explorer runs into a Metasla, they'll die just from a body slam!?"
"That’s why I’m saying this is a case for the top explorers!!"
"Wait, but wouldn't Leveling Junkie Bro be able to win...?"
"True... if it's Leveling Junkie Bro, who defeated that many Metaslas already..."
The atmosphere was shifting from whether they should kill it to the feeling that they simply couldn't kill it. If that was the case, it wouldn't be exterminated immediately... I still had time. Now, before "we can't kill it" turned into "call someone who can," I had to find a way to get the Japan Explorer Association to agree to "protect it."
To do that... wait, oh? For some reason, everyone is staring at me.
What is it?
"Leveling Junkie Bro..."
Oishi tightened his already stern face and looked at me.
Naturally, I stared back.
...Should I introduce myself?
Hello! I’m Takeo Samejima, eighteen years old!!
Just as I decided to say that, Oishi spoke first.
"I saw your fight earlier."
"Ah, yes."
"You are... incredibly strong."
"Heh, well, you know."
"You're clearly much stronger than our party. To be honest, it’s hard to believe even after seeing it with my own eyes....However, having said that, please excuse my bluntness."
"Yes...?"
"Even you... likely cannot defeat the one in the boss room. You should step back and leave this to those who can."
"I see..."
I nodded and then answered.
This was heartfelt advice from an elder. I wasn't so stupid or overconfident that I would simply brush it off.
"I cannot do that!!!"
"!!?"
But it all depended on the situation!!
Even if the Metakin (Provisional) had to be defeated, leaving it to other explorers?! Out of the question!! The Metakin’s experience points belong to meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
"I will be the one to defeat the Metakin!! Please, leave it to me!!"
If possible, I didn't want to kill it because I wanted to run a Metasla Ranch... but in this atmosphere, it was clear as day that I would be opposed. I’d keep the inconvenient parts of the plan to myself. At any rate—I wanted the handling of the Metakin to be left entirely to me.
"Metakin...?"
"Ah, does he mean the giant Metasla?"
"But Leveling Junkie Bro... he must know how dangerous it is..."
"Could it be... to ensure that not just us, but other explorers aren't put in danger either...?"
"Man, just how kind is Leveling Junkie Bro?"
"Self-sacrifice... no, this is a resolve that should be praised as courage."
The Special Crisis Case Explorers buzzed with admiration as they stared at me.
Meanwhile, Oishi spoke as if flustered, yet trying to reason with me.
"N-No, but... a higher-ranked explorer should be able to defeat it without issue. Someone like Denshiro-sensei or Headshot Yakuza could surely exterminate the Metaslas safely. There’s no need for you to take such a risk..."
"I cannot trouble Headshot Yakuza with something like this!! Please, leave it to me!!"
"B-But..."
"Leave it to me!! All of it!!"
"N-No... well... That’s right!! Hinata-san, as a member of Leveling Junkie Bro’s party, what do you think?! Do you think he should go to defeat it even if it means taking unnecessary risks!?"
Wha—!?
That bastard! Seeing that my resolve wouldn't waver, he was trying to use Hinata-san to stop me!!
I won't let you!!
I spun toward Hinata-san.
She was...
"—Yes—That’s right—So—Yes, it’s just as you saw. What should we do? —Yes, of course. Thank you. So—That’s right. I think that’s probably what he’ll say—Yes, can I ask you to do that? —Thank you very much."
Hinata-san was... on the phone.
Oishi and I stood there with our mouths agape. Since it would be rude to interrupt, we waited in silence for her to finish.
A few moments later, Hinata-san turned toward us.
"Here, Takeo-kun. Urara-san says she wants to talk to you."
"Eh? Urara-san...?"
So the person on the other end was Urara-san.
Actually, this was perfect. I would take this opportunity to persuade her and get the Association's permission to protect the Metakin.
I took the smartphone she held out and took over the call.
"Hello, this is Samejima speaking."
『Takeo-kun? It’s Urara.』
"Yes, Urara-san. What’s the matter? Did you need something?"
『Well, yes. Actually, I was watching Mashiro-chan’s stream from the office to check the situation, but...』
"Oh! In that case, can I assume you understand the circumstances here?"
『Yes, I have a general idea.』
That saved me the trouble of explaining. This was getting better and better.
"Th-Then, Urara-san! I! I have a request!!"
『—Is it something like... you want to protect the giant Metasla so that Metaslas keep appearing forever?』
"How did you know!?"
Was she a psychic!?
『I heard it from Mashiro-chan.』
"Hinata-san!?"
How did she know!? Wait, Hinata-san was the psychic!?
I snapped my head back toward Hinata-san, but she was simply smiling quietly.
『And, Takeo-kun. It goes without saying, but...』
"Ha!? So you’re giving me permission!? Thank you so much!!"
『Wait!? Why did you jump to that conclusion!!』
"Eh? But you just said 'it goes without saying'..."
It goes without saying that the Metakin is confirmed for protection!! That’s what you meant, right?!
『Wrong!! It goes without saying that it’s denied! Denied!! Where in the world is there anyone who would not only let a dangerous monster run wild but also try to increase its numbers!!』
"No way!? Wait, Urara-san!! Please listen to me!!"
『...What is it?』
"This is something that would benefit the Association too, you know!?"
『Sigh... I’ll listen just in case, but how so?』
"Are you listening? Think about it. What do you think would happen if you accepted my proposal!?"
『It would be very dangerous.』
"No!! The number of precious leveling spots would increase, and everyone would be smiling!!"
『Listen, I know because I was watching the stream, but the Metaslas are so strong that even the Special Crisis team can’t defeat them, right? The people who can level up against something like that are a tiny, tiny fraction of the population. There’s no way we can put the vast majority at risk for the sake of a few people.』
Guh!? Urara-san, you’re hitting me where it hurts!!
"T-True... you’re right, Urara-san...!! B-But!! I want to try to reach for it!! I might be mocked at first!! I might be criticized!! But what kind of explorer am I without a challenge!! I know the risks!! But please, let me do it!!"
『Being mocked or challenging yourself isn't the point. Denied. Denied.』
"Urara-san!?"
『Sigh... as a compromise, I won't stop you from going to defeat the giant Metasla, Takeo-kun.』
"...R-Really...?"
『Yes....I heard from Mashiro-chan that you were playing around while fighting the Metaslas, Takeo-kun?』
"That’s a misunderstanding! I always fight with everything I've got!!"
『Yes, yes, of course. But you were fighting while activating Seeker and Asceticism, weren't you?』
"...Well, that’s true, but."
『Well, even I find it a bit hard to believe... but if you could win against a swarm of Metaslas in that state, maybe you can defeat the giant one too... And as the Association, if the source of all these Metaslas can be defeated immediately, we’d like to do that. Even if we were to request the higher-ranked Special Crisis Case Explorers, everyone is busy right now, and we don't know when they'll be free...』
Come to think of it, special variants were appearing in various dungeons right now. Naturally, top explorers would have already been dispatched for extermination.
『But! If you think you can’t win, run away immediately!! Overdoing it is strictly forbidden! That’s a promise to me!!』
"Understood! Leave it to me!!"
—And so.
I ended the call and returned the smartphone to Hinata-san.
Then I turned back to Oishi, who had been watching the conversation, and nodded.
"I received permission from my coordinator to go and defeat the Metakin."
"—What!?"
●◯●
Rewinding time slightly, the Special Crisis Case Explorers were watching Takeo Samejima as he spoke on the phone.
"No way!? Wait, Urara-san!! Please listen to me!!"
Seeing Takeo speak so passionately, the explorers speculated on the conversation.
"Is the person on the phone his coordinator?"
"Yeah. Based on what Leveling Junkie Bro is saying, it sounds like he’s trying to get permission to take down the giant Metasla... the Metakin."
"But it looks like the coordinator is reluctant."
"It’s no wonder. Even if they haven't seen it in person, it’s a Metasla so massive it could split into over a thousand, right? Normally, you wouldn't think a solo run was possible."
"This is something that would benefit the Association too, you know!?"
"Are you listening? Think about it. What do you think would happen if you accepted my proposal!?"
"No!! The number of precious leveling spots would increase and everyone would be smiling!!"
At Takeo’s words, which carried a desperate and earnest ring, many of the explorers were struck by a sudden realization. They believed they had seen into Takeo’s true heart...
"A precious leveling spot would increase... no, he means he wants to bring it back to normal."
"Everyone would be smiling... that’s certainly true."
"Sladan is a precious place where beginners can level up in relative safety. If this thing stays here, rookies can't enter."
"He wants to reclaim that place for them... that’s what he’s after!"
"I see...!! The reason Leveling Junkie Bro is so desperate to defeat the Metakin is to protect the beginners who would be put at risk if he doesn't...!!"
"And he doesn't care about the danger to himself...!!"
"He’s the model of a Special Crisis Case Explorer...!!"
The explorers trembled at his overwhelming sense of justice. It was true that their work saved lives, but they wondered if they could be so selfless that they would gamble their lives for the sake of rookies they didn't even know.
But it wasn't just that.
With his next words, the explorers saw the depth of Takeo’s spirit.
"T-True... you’re right, Urara-san...!! B-But!! I want to try!! I might be mocked at first!! I might be criticized!! But what kind of explorer am I without a challenge!! I know the risks!! But please, let me do it!!"
"!!?"
The spirit of the challenge.
It wasn't just a heart of justice trying to save someone. It wasn't a spirit of self-sacrifice either.
The unknown frontier that had appeared in the modern era—the dungeon. As an explorer taking on that challenge, the flame burning within his heart was what drove Takeo to face a powerful enemy.
When they realized that, a wave of admiration swept through the room.
"Man...!!"
"You can't call yourself an explorer without taking on the challenge... huh."
"He’s young... no, he’s dazzling...!!"
"It’s not just to protect the beginners in Sladan. To him, the act of challenging the impossible is being an explorer."
"What a hot-blooded man Leveling Junkie Bro is...!!"
And Takeo’s passionate feelings had apparently moved the heart of his coordinator as well.
"...R-Really...?"
"Understood! Leave it to me!!"
"I received permission from my coordinator to go and defeat the Metakin."
As he hung up and told Oishi, Takeo’s face looked bright and clear.
A brilliant young explorer about to take on a formidable foe.
What words should be said to such a young man? "Good luck"? No, that wasn't enough. The words they should offer him were...
The explorers burst into simultaneous applause and cheers.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Leveling Junkie Bro!!"
"You can do it!!"
"We’re rooting for you!!"
"Eh, eh?...Eh? Ah, yes."
Meanwhile, Takeo, who was bewildered by the sudden support...
"I’ll do my best!!"
He put on his most gallant look and decided to play along for now.