After defeating the demon king in another world and returning to Japan, a dungeon appeared on the ground. - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

“Ah… I feel exhausted…”

After school, I dragged my weary body along the road home. Today I went through a whirlwind, because of the transfer student, Yotsui, who also happens to be the heiress of a conglomerate, turning my life upside down. Throughout the afternoon, Yotsui continued to say that she forgot her textbooks, which forced me to share mine with her. As a result of which, the entire class—and likely the entire school at that—now believed that Yotsui and I had some kind of special relationship.

Because of this, I couldn’t walk around without feeling an intense gaze coming from fellow students. I could even hear whispers of their conversations having “Yotsui” and “Ando,” confirming that I was the topic of conversation. Ah, what a miserable day. Why do I keep attracting these troublesome situations? I just want to stay out of the spotlight, but I ended up drawing everyone’s attention anyway.

“I guess I am skipping my usual after-school dungeon exploration for today…”

I decided to skip my usual routine to recuperate from this exhaustion. I need to go home and rest, and also figure out how to handle Yotsui moving forward. If I did nothing, she’d just keep clinging onto me, drawing even more unwanted attention. If I can just divert her interest away from me somehow. But given that she transferred specifically to be with me, cutting ties with her would be an extremely difficult task.

“Sigh… And now there’s another problem.”

I noticed a presence following me since then. I let out a heavy sigh. Even though I am already burdened with Yotsui, it seemed another trouble had also found it’s way to me.

“Hey, you. If you need something from me, just come out and say it.”

“Oh! You noticed me from this distance!”

At my call, a man emerged from behind a nearby tree, about thirty meters away. He walked over with a casual, almost skipping gait.

“Impressive, Ando Shogo! You must be quite skilled!”

“And you are…?”

I glared at the cheerful man. He laughed heartily and handed me a business card.

“I’m Ichinose, a strategist from The Armor of Bronze. Nice to meet you!”

“The Armor of Bronze…”

Aahh.

Great, seems like this really is a hassle.

Why are famous clan like The Armor of Bronze bothering me now on a daily basis?

“Today, I visited you for a talk!”

“Can I go home already?”

“Now, now, don’t be so cold…”

He grabbed my arm as I turned to leave.

“Let go of my hand.”

“Just a little! Please listen to me just a bit! Okay?.”

“Sigh… What is it?”

Even though I sighed and looking exasperated, he didn’t seem to mind or react at all.

“Just confirming though, do you know about The Armor of Bronze?”

“Yeah, a well-known dream-like explorer clan.”

“Wow! You know about us! That makes me so happy.”

“Don’t be… Someone from your group already tried to contact me recently. You sent them, didn’t you?”

“Ah, right, but that really happened?”

“……”

This Ichinose guy’s feigned innocence as I said that. But, unlike Goto from before, Ichinose seemed to hold a much higher position. What could a strategist from a dream-like famous want from me?

“You’re wondering ‘what could a strategist from a dream-like famous clan wants with you’, aren’t you?”

“…!”

I was shocked. He had perfectly guessed my thoughts, almost as if he could read my mind. What is this guy. He spelt all what I was thinking right to the bone!! Try replicating this now, then.

“You’re thinking What is this guy. He spelt all what I was thinking right to the bone!! Try replicating this now, then’ right?”

“…!”

Having my mind read again, I raised my guard against him immediately. This is definitely not lip-reading; it’s a skill.

“That’s right. It’s not lip reading. It’s my skill.”

Ichinose smirked.

“I can peek into others’ minds. I can see exactly what they’re thinking about. Impressive, right?”