Dungeon Game c51

-51- Prelude 3

Even though the giant wolf disappeared, the strained atmosphere did not vanish and not a single person was able to do their next move.

The wound that should have been closed opens with the death of Tanba Ayaka and the fear, anxiety, and threat of death gnaw at their spirits. The memories scorched into their mind that should have been forgotten is vividly recalled. The near-death experience in the tutorial seized their hearts like an eagle.

Yawata Hajime restraining his mouth and Kizugawa Sachi is standing still with a cramped face. Ooyamazaki Shun is staring down to endure and Ide Kousuke is breathing roughly.

Only one person, just Tsuzuki Haruna who is unconcerned with the pain of death is thinking calmly.

「Let’s leave this place immediately and head towards the exit.」

Their thoughts that had been stopped as though it was tied down start to move because of Tsuzuki’s instructions. However, it’s not possible to easily switch their heads after being frightened by facing a threat.

「H, how didn’t we notice a giant monster like that was approaching us? If Tsuzuki and Kizugawa noticed it, Tanba…」

Kizugawa snarled at Yawata who spoke words of disappointment with a hint of blaming.

「Hey, I was sleeping so I didn’t know. Didn’t you guys let Tanba go to a distant spot like that alone?」

「Sh, she went to the toilet. We boys can’t possibly go with her.」

「In that case, you want to say that it would’ve been fine if Tsuzuki went with her, right?」

「Th, that’s not what I mean…」

With Kizugawa and Yawata arguing with each other to divert their thoughts, Ooyamaazaki talked to Tsuzuki.

「Tsuzuki-san, why? Why did you stop us? If only we were able to help then…」

Ooyamazaki also knew. He should say something and express his criticism that held some resignation.

Tsuzuki didn’t dispute anything. She personally accepts the occasional criticism that flies from the conversation of Kizugawa and Yawata. She felt that she did not have the qualification to object.

The monster could be killed if they have the time, but they don’t have enough to fight it. Tsuzuki insisted that she could not be saved and, as the leader, prioritized their safety. She could not even imagine where they could win against a giant beast as their opponent. Therefore, Tsuzuki decided to abandon her ally.

「It’s not the time to argue. That ridiculous giant might return here. Didn’t you hear Haruna’s order to quickly leave this place?」

The three shut up at Ide’s scolding. And finally, they start to carry the scattered luggage to depart in a hurry. Ide approached Tsuzuki and whispered.

「Haruna, thanks for stopping us earlier. If I think about it calmly, it was right not to fight a monstrous wolf like that. I feel guilty for Tanba-san though…」

Tsuzuki was saved a little by Ide’s words. She could slightly think that there was no mistake in her own judgment. Without time to reply, the departure preparation is ready and they start to head to the dungeon’s exit in a hurry.

◆

They had been walking in the dungeon since morning, taking several short breaks. Being on guard to monster attacks, they were straining their nerves and paying attention to the surroundings. Just when they thought they could finally sleep after accumulating fatigue, the situation changed in less than an hour. They were even forcibly wakened up by a resounding scream and has been forced to move quickly.

Tortured by the fear of the giant wolf probably coming out from the dark even now, Kizugawa is whipping her body that wants to rest and continues moving her legs.

She doesn’t know why she has to experience something like this. She longed for a warm and soft bed more than anything else. She couldn’t help but want to see her parents who she normally repulsed. Tears naturally flow down her cheeks. But she already knows that crying won’t help.

So Kizugawa sends her heavy legs forward while wiping her eyes.

Nobody could afford to speak a word. They silently follow behind Tsuzuki who is walking at the very front.

Ooyamazaki who is walking at the end of the line is on guard with gloomy steps. He continues on the rough path while also paying attention to the darkness behind.

He has been tall from the start. He always ends up at the backmost when they line up based on height and has just enough strength to match his given physique. But before being summoned by the devil Streiya, he never once displayed his strength fully.

He was too gentle. So he was scared. He felt like things smaller than him would easily break and was afraid of putting more strength into daily life than necessary.

Driven by danger, his restraints were becoming undone little by little. The experience of death gave enough push to flip his conventional sense of values. Lastly, the death of a friend who he spent joys and sorrows with despite a short period of time fills the final fragment missing in him.

Rage is roaring in his heart. It is anger towards the unreasonable reality and indignation for his friends that died tragically. His burning courage fires up his emotions. His ferocity increases looking at the uneasy and small backs of his friends walking ahead.

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