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 - 54

Chapter 54: Don’t Multiply

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“Wa-Wait! You’re too close-“

“Okay?”

Sumire intentionally slipped her fingers into the neckline of her shirt, giving a peek of her bra. Her black-painted nails stood out alluringly. Ryuuto watched, enthralled by the sight. 

How shameless! How indecent! This is unacceptable, unacceptable!

Ryuuto thought to himself as he leaned forward to get a better look at Sumire’s voluptuous chest almost unconsciously. 

“If Ryuuto-sama desires, not just me, but everyone here is at your disposal. We’re always ready for you.”

“I-I-I-I-I’m not falling for that! A-Anyway! I don’t know what Nee-chan told you and why you’re sticking to me, but I will go where I want, when I want! I won’t let you stop me!”

“Absolutely. Feel free to do so.”

“Huh…?”

“We’re not instructed to confine Ryuuto-sama like a bird in a cage. We’ll be supporting you from the shadows, completely unseen. So, please rest assured. However, if you’re going out, we’ll need to have you travel in a private vehicle arranged by us instead of using public transportation. After all, you are now someone so famous that everyone knows your name.”

“So, last night, when I stopped by the convenience store…”

“We were with you. Incidentally, we’ve rented out this entire floor, so no intruders can get in. Please rest easy.”

“I don’t really get it, but, uh, Sanada-san—”

“Call me Sumire.”

“Sorry?”

“Please address me simply as Sumire. As you may already know, the positions between you and us, shadows, are very different.”

“What the hell? That sounds like something out of a ninja tale.”

“Ryuuto-sama, your understanding isn’t incorrect.”

“Wait, seriously…?”

“We are descendants of the Sanada ninja clan and have inherited top-class agent skills along with the art of stealth passed down through generations. My sisters and I look forward to serving you from now on.”

“Huh? Then… Does that mean the ones peeking from behind the door are…?”

“That’s right. Along with myself, there are six of us. Yae, Botan, Tsuyukusa, Utsugi and Azu. Us six sisters will be supporting you from the shadows.”

“Whoa… There are that many of you?”

Five women donned in dark suits like Sumire’s appeared from the next room. They quickly surrounded Ryuuti without any sound. 

“You all, introduce yourselves.”

“I’m Yae. A pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m Botan. Looking forward to serving you, Ryuuto-sama!”

“I’m Tsuyukusa. I’ll support you anytime you need me to.”

“I’m Utsugi. I’m good at cooking.”

“I’m Anzu! Hello, hello! I’m super strong, so I’ll protect you!”

“Don’t all come out at once! My brain’s gonna short-circuit from the sheer number of you and all of your unique personalities!”

When Sumire snapped her fingers, the five sisters disappeared back into the neighboring room as smoothly as they had come, like well-trained pets. Ryuuto’s jaw dropped in astonishment at the sight. 

“Oh, and please make sure to keep this a secret from Lieutenant Yamanashi. After all, our existence is a top secret.”

Sumire pressed a finger to her pink lips and gave a small wink.

“Sayaka doesn’t know about you guys?”

“Our organization is entirely separate from the National Defense Force. Even so, for someone like Ryuuto-sama, a peerless hero, to notice our presence where even Lieutenant Yamanashi couldn’t… you are truly extraordinary.”

“…If the cleaning, laundry, and meals are all mysteriously taken care of, of course I’d notice.”

At Ryuuto’s remark, the sharp-looking Sumire showed a surprised expression for the first time.

“Indeed. How careless of me…”

Is she a genius or just an airhead?

“Well, whatever. Just don’t get in my way.”

“Fufu, as Ryuuto-sama wishes.”

“Don’t come into my room like it’s only natural for you to do so.”

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“Didn’t Ryuuto-sama have plans to go out somewhere?”

“Like I said, don’t come in without permission.”

“Ugh… This garbage game… I have to be honest with you, Ryuuto-sama. This game is absolute garbage.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The remastered Ghosts ‘n Goblins is super fun.”

“Is that so? I prefer something cuter, though.”

Sumire said as she joined Ryuuto. She had prepared a gaming console and connected it to the massive television in Ryuuto’s house. 

“But still, I’m surprised to know someone like Ryuuto-sama, the hero of our era, and I, a wandering ninja, could share a common interest. Could this be… Fate? Maybe fate is bringing us together?”

“Yeah, no. If you’re going to play the game, at least take Ghosts ‘n Goblins seriously.”

Sumire played Arthur, the knight, on the screen. She threw spears at the approaching zombies in rapid succession. Watching Arthur fling spears as long as several meters, Ryuuto always found himself wondering, Where does this guy keep hiding such massive weapons?

Does he tie a string to the spear, retrieve it immediately after piercing an enemy, and throw it again? That would make sense logically, but… Why not just stab them directly instead?

When Ryuuto snapped back to reality, Sumire was still playing, seated upright on the rug in perfect seiza. She was complaining as she focused intently on the screen. She looked to be around Sayaka’s age, somewhere in her early twenties, but her childish demeanor contrasted with her otherwise mature tone and mannerisms.

“Ryuuto-sama, why does Arthur strip down completely when he takes a hit? Could it be that this pixelated version of him is trying to flaunt his chiseled physique for us female users?”

“You’re probably the only person playing the game with that kind of thought in mind.”

“Ah, ah, ahh! AHH!”

“What?! What happened?!”

“Ryuuto-sama, did you just touch my butt?”

“I did not! I’m over here on the sofa! My hand can’t even reach that far!”

“Tch. Guess it was just my imagination.”

“What kind of absurdly long arms do you think I have?!”

“And now, because of Ryuuto-sama, my Arthur is completely naked again.”

“That was your mistake! How is that my fault?!”

“Ryuuto-sama, why don’t you get naked too?”

“Like hell I would!”

“Please do not worry about me. I’m aware it’s just my wishful thinking. I was blinding reality with my selfish desire to be attacked aggressively by the person I’ve vowed to protect with my life.”

“Can you just… Leave already?”

“…Are you about to, um, relieve yourself? If so, I can help.”

“NO! It’s just that I can’t relax with some stranger hanging around!”

“Hehe.”

“Mumumu…”

Ryuuto quietly approached and covered Sumire’s right eye with his hand. Since her left eye was already covered with an eyepatch, this action completely blinded her. Yet, Sumire remained unfazed. She kept playing the game, skillfully maneuvering Arthur to take down the oncoming creatures.

“How…?”

“Fufu… I’ve fully analyzed this game. Even without my sight, I can sense the enemies’ movements as if they were in the palm of my hand.”

“That’s terrifying.”

“It’s not scary. I possess a unique clairvoyant eye that I gained when I was on the brink of death. Thus, even without vision, clearing a game of this level is like a walk in the park for me.”

“Then how about if I cover your eyes with a towel?”

“What a foolish question.”

“Alright, let’s try to wrap a towel around your eyes.”

With her eyes completely covered by Ryuuto’s towel, Sumire continued playing on the console. For a while, only the sound of Arthur massacring zombies echoed from the screen. Sumire rhythmically moved her fingers on the controller, flaring her nostrils in satisfaction.

“Well, Ryuuto-sama, how do you like this display of skill?”

The room was filled only with the game’s background music.

“Speechless, are you? I am not only adept at stealth and protection but also a master of recreational activities. By the way, Ryuuto-sama, even if you’ve grown fond of me, transferring me as your exclusive male protection officer would be difficult. Although, if you’re so insistent, I wouldn’t mind serving you as a slave-wife.”

The sound of throwing knives, pew pew, cut through the air.

“Ryuuto-sama?”

Arthur stopped moving on the screen. The enemies quickly swarmed him, stripping him down to his underwear. The armor scattered as Arthur bounced lightly across the screen.

“…Ryuuto-sama?”

Still blindfolded with the towel, Sumire turned around. Her heightened senses detected it—the presence and scent of six little sisters who had gathered silently, staring at Sumire with expressions of pity.

“Um, excuse me, this is hard to say, but…”

“Yae, you say it.”

“Nee-sama, Ryuuto-sama already left the room quite a while ago.”

“I KNEW IT!”

At Yae’s words, Sumire exploded with anger. She ripped the towel from her face and hurled it against the wall.

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