The Boy Who Fell to the Lowest Level of the Dungeon, Becoming the Strongest and Returns to the Surface After 10 Years~He Just Wants to Live a Quiet Life, but His Childhood Friends Who Have Risen to Prominence Won’t Leave Him Alone~ - SS 2: With Six People Again

“Elta is headed to the Asterla Dungeon.”

Such extra editions circulated throughout the royal capital.

A few years after Elta returned to the surface.

Now, there is hardly anyone who doesn’t know about Elta. His popularity is astounding.

That Elta finally headed towards the most challenging dungeon, the “Asterla Dungeon.”

It was only natural for the news to spread in an instant.

And what’s even more surprising are the party members.

With her striking blonde hair flowing, the “Ice Knight” wields her sword for the sake of the royal capital.

The Leader of the Royal Capital Knights Order──Celia.

During her student days, she served as the student council president, then became a teacher, and rose to the position of vice principal at the fastest pace in history, excelling in both academics and sports.

Vice Principal of the Royal Capital Etoile Academy…──Leone.

The developer of magical armor and the top explorer who continues to charge ahead.

Number one explorer──Jura.

A girl who has childhood friends who are heroic figures and continues to chase after their backs.

Royal Capital Etoile Academy “Teacher”──Tina.

It was a lineup that seemed to gather all the prominent figures of the royal capital.

Additionally, there are rumors of one more person, but it’s not certain.

However, if someone can join that group, they must be quite a formidable talent.

Moreover, there were also quite a few opposing voices.

If they were to be lost all at once, the royal capital would fall into great chaos.

The main reason they pushed through such opposition was that the two of them spoke up.

A woman who is legendary in many ways.

Royal Capital Etoile Academy “Principal”──Virgo.

The leader stepped down, but remains a unifying figure for the knights.

Royal Capital Knights’ Order “Captain”──Schwa.

They, who have long contributed to the royal capital, encouraged them by saying, “Go ahead.”

And then, Elta and the others headed towards the Asterla Dungeon.

However, both of them were thinking the same thing in their hearts.

Even for Elta and the others, it will be quite a tough battle.

Including the two of them, the people of the royal capital wished for their return.

Such as Elta and the others are currently──

“It’s been a while since I’ve had some fluff~”

He was wrapped in fluffiness.

Centered around Elta, the group proceeded surprisingly smoothly.

What awaited beyond the last door was Elta’s friend.

“Fen, long time no see!”

“Elta, Eltaaaaaa!”

Having been reunited, Elta and Fen immediately embrace each other.

Also, his friend was watching it with a teary expression.

They must have been looking forward to this moment for a long time.

On the other hand, as for Elta’s party members──

“””…”””

They were frozen in place at the back.

They usually are the ones who lead people, but now they were standing there with their mouths agape, looking dazed.

Because he knew a creature that looked just like Fen.

(“””No way, it’s Fenrir…”””)

Even if they knew, it was a legendary existence.

The “friends” that Elta has mentioned several times wouldn’t think they were like that.

However, disregarding that, Elta exchanged greetings after a long time.

“Long time no see, Fierce God-san!”

“L-long time no see.”

“Ahaha, your voice is so small as always!”

Thus, they finally came to know.

Elta’s friends were the strongest races.

(“””He was dealing with a monster…”””)

Thinking that way, suddenly Elta looks big.

Even though they understood that Elta doesn’t change, they realized once again just how significant it has been.

Such friends approach Celia and the others with great interest.

“Are you all friends of Elta?”

“””…!”””

Fen speaks in a gentle tone.

However, the sheer enormity of its body naturally makes one want to shrink back.

“It’s okay, Fen is gentle. Want to give it a try?”

“Yes. Feel free to pet as much as you like.”

“””…Tch.”””

However, his childhood friends find it difficult to take the first step.

Amidst all that, the one who stepped forward was──Tina.

“Big brother, you’re really great.”

“Oh, of course!”

“…Tch.”

That said, she was scary to be honest.

It’s unreasonable to expect someone not to stiffen up in front of a legendary creature.

Still, Tina wished to become stronger as she mustered all her courage.

“I-I’ll touch it.”

“Um.”

And then, she gently stroked Fen’s chin.

“Kyaa.”

“…!”

Maybe it felt good, and Fen couldn’t help but let out a voice.

At the same time, Tina’s heart raced with a thump.

(C-cute…!)

Once she feels at ease, she can’t stop anymore.

Tina hugs Fen tightly, just like Elta.

“Super cuteーーー!!”

“Wahoo!”

“T-this is fluff!”

On the surface, there is no culture of interacting with demons.

In other words, it was also their first experience with “fluffiness.”

It was truly an exquisite sensation.

“””…”””

Seeing Tina’s demeanor, those around her gulped nervously.

That happy-looking face gradually piqued their interest.

“El-kun! Can I join too?”

“E-Elta! Me too!”

“Please, big sister too!”

Elta nodded to Celia, Leone, and Jura, who raised their hand in unison.

“Sounds good, Fen.”

“Of course… woof!”

“””Kyaaa!”””

And then, the three of them hugged Fen just like Tina.

It took just a moment to become captivated by the fluffiness.

“””Ahahahaha!”””

Jumping and lying down on a fluffy trampoline.

Women originally have a weakness for “cute” things.

It seems they have completely gotten hooked.

“…Ugh.”

Among those women, there was someone who completely fell behind.

The last childhood friend──Callum.

The identity of the fifth person, along with Elta and the four girls, is Callum.

(D-damn it…)

Such calmness was cared for by the Fierce God.

“Do you want to touch it?”

“…Not bad muscles?”

“Thank you.”

A mysterious friendship was also blossoming here.

“Callum, let’s begin.”

After spending some time with friends, Elta spoke up.

“Ah, that’s right.”

They didn’t challenge the Asterla Dungeon recklessly.

The six of them had come with a “common purpose.”

Originally, if the grown-up Elta and the others had been there, they could have challenged it much earlier.

Even so, it took several years because Callum was waiting to atone for his sins and appear before Elta and the others.

It doesn’t make sense unless all six are together.

It seems to be for that purpose.

“You brought it, right? Mother’s ashes.”

“Ah.”

What Callum took out was his mother’s ashes.

It wasn’t grave robbing, it was something necessary.

In contrast, Elta brings a certain flower.

It’s a mysterious flower, white and translucent.

“This is the ‘Memory Flower.'”

It is a flower that only blooms at the lowest level.

It is said that the last lingering thoughts of an object surface.

In other words, they can have their last conversation with their Mother.

Reviving the dead is impossible, but even so, it shouldn’t be possible on the surface either.

For Elta, who couldn’t be there for their Mother’s final moments, this was a long-held wish.

That’s why they all came together as a group of six.

“I’ll use it.”

Elta gently drips flower nectar onto their Mother’s remains.

At that moment, the gentle figure of their late Mother comes to mind.

“Oh, what’s wrong, everyone?”

“””…!”””

The six people involuntarily gasped, but this is not real.

It’s an illusion that the flowers are showing.

Even so, they couldn’t help but cover their eyes at the sight of their former Mother.

“Are you crying? Did something bad happen?”

“””…Ah.”””

Then, their mother expresses her final regret.

“Elta fell into the dungeon, right?”

“Mother…!”

“It’s because I took my eyes off you.”

“No! It was my fault!”

Even though he knows it’s an illusion, Elta still responds.

There was no one to interfere with it.

“But, you’ve got to see everyone again, right?”

“…!”

“Mom is relieved.”

“Yeah… that’s great!”

And so, their Mother turns her gaze to each person one by one.

“Celia was a tomboy, but she has become a wonderful lady.”

“…! Yes!”

“Leone, that silver hair really suits you.”

“Elta… said it!”

“Jura is really being a proper big sister, right?”

“Of course… I’m everyone’s big sister…!”

“Tina has grown so much, it’s surprising.”

“Mother… thank you!”

In contrast, everyone expresses their gratitude while holding back their words.

For everyone, it was such a significant presence.

And to her biological child, Callum.

“Callum.”

“…!”

“I’m sorry. Even though I was your mother, I couldn’t take proper care of you.”

“Such a thing…!”

Callum regrets what he has done.

However, his mother gently spoke up.

“But it’s okay. You’ve always been capable.”

“Mom…”

“For the sake of others, please. I’m watching over you.”

“Ah… ah, just watch!”

And then, their Mother spread her arms wide.

“It seems like it’s the end.”

“””…!”””

The illusion is fading.

The six people were unable to shake off their loneliness as they immediately rushed over.

“””Mother!”””

Six people gather at their Mother’s place.

That scene was just like the time in the orphanage.

And then, as she started to fade away, their Mother showed a smile.

“Always, you all need to help each other and live together as six.”

“””Yes…!”””

The illusion is fading away.

“Mom is watching over you.”

What remained in the end were those words they often heard.

“May everyone live healthily and happily.”

Thus, Elta and the others had their final conversation with their Mother.

The “Memory Flower” can only be used once, but even though Elta couldn’t be there for their Mother’s last moments, he must have been able to remove his regrets.

With this, Elta and the others continued to move forward.

However, they were completely satisfied with this and had completely forgotten.

“””Where are the excavated items?!”””

“Ah.”

It is said that Elta and his party conquered the Asterla Dungeon and brought nothing back──.

───────────────────────

Afterword

The second SS was about the six childhood friends!

Since it’s a few years later, their position and status have also improved!

Actually, it was a chapter I wanted to include as an epilogue in the main story, I was so torn about it.

After all, “childhood friends” are just something special, aren’t they?

Not just a friend, but also someone who holds memories, you could say.

Also, isn’t it concerning that Virgo is the Principal? Haha.

Is it okay since she has Leone as the Vice Principal and Tina as the Teacher?

And for those who haven’t pressed it yet, if you don’t mind, please rate us with the number of ★★★.

If you flick down on the latest chapter, you can go to the screen where you can enter your rating!

Even just a single word like “it was interesting” in a recommendation review makes it incredibly rewarding!