An Old Man Restaurant Owner Is Unparalleled by Relying on His Old Tricks. It Turns Out, He’s the Legendary Dungeon Conqueror. - 70

Chapter 70: I Have 46 Siblings

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“How did things end up this way…?”

I was holding my head in despair while standing in front of the entrance to Kabukicho Dungeon, a dungeon in Shinjuku. Kabukicho was, without a doubt, Japan’s largest entertainment district. Countless izakayas, pubs, cabarets, host clubs, stalls, love hotels, girls’ bars, adult shops, pachinko parlors, and other night spots lined up the streets. The crowds never dissipated even until late in the night. However, there was one particular corner in Kabukicho that looked completely out of place in Kabukicho. In a place formerly known as ‘Toyoko’, there was the entrance to the Kabukicho Dungeon. The imposing building looked so jarring compared to the other flashy buildings.

“I’m sorry Nishida-san. However, the current situation leaves me with no other choice. We have to gather as much force as we can to avoid further damage. Not to mention, I heard you already have experience in conquering this dungeon. To be honest, I don’t think there’s anyone more qualified for this task than you.”

While I was still holding my head in despair, I could hear Rinko Nagao’s soothing voice coming from beside me. She was the director of the Dungeon Management Agency. Due to her request, or to be precise, her forced summons, I ended up being added to this search and rescue team. S-rank explorers were required to respond to forced summons from the government. This was the reason why I never wanted to become an S-rank explorer, but… It was already too late to regret my decision now. 

“No, no. Although it is true I did conquer it, but that was nearly 20 years ago, you know? You need to think of the gap in all those years! The gap!”

“…The gap in experience for you, Nishida-san? You must be joking right now.”

Why is she laughing at me?!

Kabukicho Dungeon was classified as a Class 9 Dungeon with 45 floors. There were about 200 dungeons in Japan, but there were only 5 Class 9 Dungeons, including Kabukicho Dungeon. While this dungeon didn’t have an abyss level, but challenging the deep levels of the 45th floor was not something one could do without thorough preparations..

“This is nothing like my usual laid-back ingredient hunt…”

“The fact that you consider going to the 30th floor is a ’laid-back’ ingredient hunt’ is already strange enough.”

I was talking with Nagao-san when Nana Tendou slipped between us. 

“Ha! We don’t need to drag this old fossil along! We’re already more than enough without him!”

“Then please tell me, who was it that attacked this ‘old fossil’ only to get defeated in the end?”

“I-I wasn’t serious at that time, okay?!”

Flustered, Nana Tendou turned red and snapped back at Nagao-san.”

“Fufu… What a childish comeback. Aren’t you already 30 years old? No wonder you’re still holding on to the promise you made when you were in elementary school with zeal.”

“ARGHHHHHHH!! STOP ITTTTT! I get it, I get it already!! I’m an embarrassing woman, alright?!?!”

…Yeah. A complete defeat. As expected from someone who managed to become the director of the Dungeon Management Agency at a young age. 

“Please stop teasing Nana.”

Unable to just watch, Elsa Simon interjected to help Nana Tendou.

“In fact, her innocent naivety and her foolish nature is what makes Nana so adorable. In a good way, of course.”

“YOU’RE NOT HELPING MY CASE AT ALL!!”

The search and rescue team consisted of 10 people in total. Among the S-rank explorers, there were me, Nana Tendou, Elsa Simon and…

“Nishida-kun, it’s nice to see you again~ I’m Ryoko Hongan~”

Ryoko Hongan. The daughter of the leader of a certain new religion. She was revered by their followers as the ‘saintess’ due to her extraordinary healing magic. It was said she held a very strong influence in that cult, second only to the leader. She was the only one that passed the promotion exam, which had to be redone due to the dungeon’s rampage. She was a new S-rank explorer, just like me. 

“Hey, would you like to join our organization?”

“I will have to pass.”

She immediately tried to invite me to join her cult.

“Eeeh~ But I don’t think it’s going to be a bad deal for you, Nishida-kun. The main teaching of our organization is simple. ‘Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.’ Basically, the highest priority in our organization is to have lots of children. I mean, I have 46 siblings myself.”

“46!? H-How is that even possible…?”

“Of course not all 46 of them are my full-siblings. That includes my half-siblings. My papa has eight common-law wives~”

…I had heard that she was involved in a dangerous cult and this discovery definitely confirmed it. 

“If you want, I could introduce you to plenty of our young female believers. You’re still single and you’ve got lots of money, right? I know you’re already 40, but if you do your best, I’m sure you could have at least 10 kids. Oh, and don’t worry, we don’t sell vases or anything. That’s a different religion from us.”

“I will have to pass.”

“Hahaha~ Well, if you ever feel like you’re changing your mind, just give me a call. You can find me at our headquarters in Asakusa.”

The rest of the team was made up of A-rank explorers. 

“Nishida-san! I always have a fun time watching your livestreams! My name is Shinnosuke Ichinose, the leader of our explorer team, Mercys. It’s a pleasure to be working with you.”

A young man with good manners who appeared to be in his mid 20s greeted me on behalf of his group. It seemed these A-rank explorers were working together as a party. Their group consisted of five members, three men and two women. All of them seemed to be around the same age. Apparently, they had started doing dungeon diving together as a club back when they were university students. After graduating, they formed an explorer agency consisting of the same members.

“Of course, we’re well aware we’re not comparable to S-rank explorers like everyone else, but our team has explored the deep levels multiple times. I assure you, we won’t be a burden to everyone else. Besides, we will need manpower to transport the rescues.”

“…You’re… Normal.”

I muttered without thinking.

“Huh?”

Shinnosuke Ichinose blinked, looking confused by my comment. 

“No, no. It’s just… All the high ranking explorers I’ve met so far have been complete weirdos… I’m just relieved to see there are still some normal people out there…”

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T/N: Nishida didn’t know he’s one of the weirdos too…