The Virgin Hero Who Fought in the Dungeon for 20 Years Returned to the Surface Only to Find the Population of the World Has Dropped Drastically, with a Male-to-Female Ratio of 1:1000 - 18-19

Chapter 18: To Be Honest, It’s Kind of Complicated

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“It’s been a while since I actually dream of something.”

“Oi, Ryuuto… It’s been ages since we siblings have a meal together. Can’t you look a bit happier?”

As the night passed…

Ryuuto, who had just woken up, was having breakfast at a hotel with his big sister, Kazuki, for the first time in 20 years. No. Not 20 years. How long had it been since they sat across from each other like this to be exact? Sharing a meal without anyone else around? Considering he had become a dungeon explorer around the time he entered middle school, it truly had been a long while since he had eaten alone with Kazuki like this. Especially since Ryuuto had to hunt monsters to save humanity. 

“What’s with that face?”

“Nothing. This is just how my face normally looks.”

“Listen here. Don’t you think you should be a little more grateful that Father and Mother have brought us into this world healthy and sound? In the first place, your looks aren’t that bad. The least you could do is try to look a bit friendlier.”

“Yeah, yeah, got it. You’re as naggy as ever, Nee-chan.”

“And your sharp tongue hasn’t changed one bit. Here I thought I was finally free from Yuto’s rebellious phase, but it turns out I still need to keep raising you…”

“Wait a second, Nee-chan. Who is this Yuto you’re talking about?”

“Who else? My son, obviously.”

“Whaaaaat!?”

“Quiet down. Don’t get all flustered like that. You’re already an adult, aren’t you?”

“B-B-B-B-But!! This is my first time hearing about your son! Wait? YOUR son??? Does that mean you’re already married?!”

“Oh, come on. What did you take me for?”

“I thought for sure you’d end up single forever—ah, I was joking!”

“I’ve been married for 20 years now. Yuto is my eldest son, which makes him your nephew. Congratulations, Uncle.”

“Unc—me, an Uncle? No way! Who’s the daredevil that dared to marrr you!?”

“I’ll introduce you to that ‘daredevil’ later. Now hurry up and eat your breakfast. You’re always chatting away, and look—ugh, you’re spilling your soup!”

“You’re the one who dropped a big bomb out of nowhere like that!”

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“Hey, it’s been a while. Never thought we’d meet again like this.”

“……”

After finishing breakfast, Ryuuto reunited with his former comrade, Shougen Genma, in the Imperial Hotel’s VIP room. Shougen, now 38 and still in the prime of his life, was a broad-shouldered man whose double-breasted suit complemented his robust build. His short-cropped hair, long arms, and legs were uncommon for a Japanese man, which gave him an imposing stature that actually paired well with his dark navy suit. Seeing him now, Ryuuto couldn’t help but feel a little tense. Though Shougen looked considerably different from the young Shougen he remembered, Ryuuto could still trace Shougen’s young self. This prompted Ryuuto to stand up from his chair almost instinctively. 

“Shougen, is that you? You… You’ve aged quite a bit since I last saw you, huh?”

“That way of talking… It is definitely you, Ryuuto.”

“I heard you got married to Nee-chan. Man, you’re braver than I thought. Are you treating her well?”

“Of course. Even now, we make love once every three days. 

“I’m sorry, but I feel sick in my stomach just from hearing that.”

“Oi. This is the part where I should be angry, right?”

“Please don’t ask that after you’ve punched me.”

Ryuuto said as he clutched his head at the spot that Kazuki had just hit him. But then, there was a soft knock on the door. 

“It’s time. Sorry, but I’ve got meetings and conferences to attend. Darling, can you please take care of Ryuuto for me? ’m sure you two have plenty of catching up to do.”

“You take care too. I’m sure you have a lot you want to talk about with Ryuuto.”

“It’s fine. We can talk anytime from now on. Let’s chat again tonight.”

“Yeah.”

Kazuki softened her expression slightly and kissed Shougen on the cheek. The secretary waiting by the door, Yurina, gave them a look as if she were witnessing something heartwarming. Meanwhile, Ryuuto, now crouched on all fours beside the sofa, was groaning in agony.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got hit with a bit of culture shock.”

“Don’t say it. I’m embarrassed about it too. But if I don’t do it, she will get all sulky.”

“Hehehe… What a lovey-dovey couple you two are.”

“I know, right?”

Shougen walked over to the window, letting the radiant morning sunlight pour over him. He laughed with a faint hint of bashfulness. Watching his side profile, Ryuuto couldn’t help but feel as though he was being shown a level of adult composure that he himself still lacked. Clicking his tongue softly, he looked away from Shougen.　

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Chapter 19: A Cruel Lie

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“So?”

“What do you mean by ‘so’?”

Shougen Genma did not respond to Ryuuto’s words. He simply gazed out the window at the vast Tokyo skyline. 

“Fine, I’ll be direct. It’s about Rinka. How is she?”

“You’re not going to ask about Yoriaki?”

Shougen brought up the name Yoriaki Satake, their former comrade and the heavy warrior of their team. But right now, the only thing Ryuuto wanted to know was Rinka’s whereabouts. He stood up from the sofa and spoke to Shougen, who still had his back turned against him.

“That guy wouldn’t die. Same goes for you.”

“That’s quite the assumption.”

“I’m begging you. Tell me about Rinka.”

Shougen finally turned around to face Ryuuto. His expression remained unreadable, betraying not the slightest hint of his thoughts. Born into a temple and raised by a Zen monk, Shougen had mastered the art of the perfect poker face when it mattered most. Even so, when Ryuuto locked eyes with him, staring straight through him. Shougen’s gaze faltered ever so slightly at that. 

“She’s gone.”

“Huh?”

“She disappeared.”

“What…?”

“Sorry to disappoint you. I know you were hoping for some emotional reunion. But, Ryuuto… Rinka went missing eighteen years ago.”

“W-Why?”

“Probably… Over a man.”

It was as if a lightning bolt had struck directly in front of Ryuuto.  dazzling, blinding light flickered across his vision. At the same time, a powerful dizziness overwhelmed him and his knees gave out beneath him, sending him collapsing onto the soft carpeted floor. Just before he fell face-first onto the floor, Shougen caught him by the shoulders. 

“I-Impossible…. That can’t be real…”

“Please don’t blame her. Despite everything, Rinka waited for you for two long years and we… We chose not to search for her. I’m sure you can figure out why.”

Ryuuto was left dumbfounded at the truth revealed by Shougen. His unfocused gaze wandered around the room. The image of Rinka’s smiling face, once so clear in his memories, faded behind a milky haze. Pushing away Shougen’s hands, he forced himself to stand. He turned his back against Shougen and he clenched his right fist. His entire body trembled violently.

“Ryuuto…”

“Guess I’ll go find myself a new girl.”

“Oi-“

“I’m joking.”

Turning his head to face Shougen, Ryuuto forced a smile. Bitter regret and exhaustion crashed over him, but there was nothing he could do. Time could never be rewound. The weight of twenty lost years pressed down on him. The void they had left behind was immeasurable.

“But, yeah… This one really stings.”

“Hey, Ryuuto-“

“Sorry. Could you leave me alone for a bit? I need to sort things out in my head.”

“Of course.”

With his face clouded with deep sorrow, Shougen stepped out of the room. As soon as the door shut, Ryuuto  covered his face with both hands and trembled without a sound. His body was shaking and a low, guttural sound escaped his throat, like a wounded beast. He thought he might cry, but not a single tear fell into his palms.

I know. It’s not about who’s at fault. I left her for 20 years. Of course this is going to happen. 

And yet, Ryuuto couldn’t accept the reality. 

Calm down, calm down, calm down…

Another voice within him whispered the words like a mantra, trying to anchor him.

“Shit.”

At the same time, the vivid images of Rinka’s flawless face, her perfectly shaped, voluptuous chest, her tight waist, her small, adorable butt and her plump thighs flashed through his mind, only to be swallowed into the abyss.

Shit. Someone else had had their way with that body—one that had once belonged only to  me…

He ground his teeth together so hard they ached. It was pathetic, but his lust outweighed his emotions. The thought of another man ravaging Rinka’s body from behind sent searing flames through his mind, scorching it beyond repair. It was the inferno of jealousy.

Ryuuto sank back into the sofa and took a deep breath. A long inhale, then an exhale. He repeated the process twice.

How the hell am I supposed to heal from this?

Scratching at his messy hair, Ryuuto turned his gaze to the latest model of OLED television mounted on the wall.

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“What a mess.”

Stepping out into the hotel hallway, Shougen Genma ran a hand over the back of his neck. His face scrunched up as if he’d just bitten into something bitter. Almost reflexively, he reached into his chest pocket and pulled out his Dunhill lighter. He then narrowed his right eye slightly. Most top-tier hotels these days had few designated smoking areas. The Imperial Hotel was no exception. Though the hotel had a smoking lounge as a courtesy to the small number of male guests who still smoked, but to smoke, Shougen would need to move locations. 

Leaving a friend who was currently reeling from a devastating shock just so he could smoke? That was something Shougen, a walking epitome of straight-laced man, simply couldn’t do. 

This is the role I volunteered for, but damn… This is so hard…

What Shougen had told Ryuuto was a mixture of truth and lie. It was true that Rinka had disappeared, but she didn’t leave Ryuuto because she had found another man. The truth was, she had followed Ryuuto into the dungeon. In fact, Rinka had vanished from their lives twice. The first time was immediately after it was confirmed that Ryuto wouldn’t be returning from the abyss. The second was when she entrusted her newborn baby to Shougen and Kazuki before disappearing again. 

Ryuuto was Shougen’s closest friend. 

Of course, he’s important to me. That goes without saying. 

He never wanted to hurt him. Never wanted to lie to him. And yet, Shougen still told Ryuuto that Rinka was still alive and had run off with another man. Why? Because if Ryuuto believed Rinka was still alive somewhere on the surface, even someone as reckless as Ryuuto wouldn’t suspect the lie that Shougen had told him.  

But if someone asked why he had to do this, there was only one answer. If Ryuuto were to disappear again, Kazuki would be hurt. Had he known the truth, Ryuuto would definitely dive back into the dungeon to search for Rinka. He would never stop searching and he would never return to the surface until he found her. That was how infuriatingly stubborn he was.

So Shougen made his choice. He lied to Ryuuto. Ever since Ryuuto had vanished into the abyss to deal the finishing blow to the Demon Lord, Kazuki had been deeply wounded. Nothing could heal the wound. Shougen was aware Kazuki had only accepted Shougen’s proposal because her mental state had been disturbed from losing her only younger brother. If things had been different, Shougen wouldn’t be able to wed Kazuki. 

Hence… Even if it meant he had to lie to Ryuuto… Even if it meant he had to deceive him… Shougen decided he would rather do all that than seeing Kazuki suffering in pain again. 

Eighteen years ago, just before Rinka disappeared. 

She had suddenly appeared before them, placing a newborn girl named Haruka into the care of Shougen and Kazuki. Then, without another word, she set off for the unexplored depths of the dungeon. At that time, Shougen and Kazuki had only recently married and had no children of their own yet. Due to Article 57 of the Family Register Law, Haruka was registered as an abandoned child and she was given the surname Shimomura, the same as the city mayor at the time. From that moment on, this little girl—whose true origins were a mystery even to them—became known as Haruka Shimomura.

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T/N: Oh my god. I feel bad for RINKA THE MOST. Like girl went into a dungeon to chase after Ryuuto only to be slandered by Shougen??? (ꐦ¬_¬)