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 - 66-67

Chapter 66: Ryuuto and Rinka Part 1

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Because he was also hungry, Ryuuto obediently let himself be led by Shougen to a relatively safe command post.

In fact, Ryuuto and the others were key to the dungeon expedition and irreplaceable VIPs. However, Ryuuto had begun to feel burdened by letting the soldiers fight the monsters while he and his team idly consumed rations without contributing to the fight.

“Ryuuto. There you go again, ignoring orders and waltzing out to the front lines. You’re causing trouble for everyone, you know! Honestly, when are you ever going to grow up?”

At the command post, his big sister Kazuki was waiting. The moment she saw him, she grabbed him by the collar and forcibly sat him down on a folding chair before launching into a scolding parade.

“Look, Nee-chan. It’s not like I was hanging out in the trenches without thinking it through. I was trying to sharpen my warrior spirit by getting a little closer to the front lines.”

“No excuses!”

“…Yes, ma’am.”

“Bad boys who can’t follow their big sister’s instructions are naughty boys.”

“Eep!”

Kazuki slightly raised her right hand. Ryuuto reflexively flinched and shrank back, shielding himself. He peeked through squinted eyes and saw Kazuki looking at him with a hurt expression. Beside her, Shougen stood with his arms crossed, smiling wryly.

“You know, Ryuuto. Your reaction makes it seem like I always beat you.”

“You do beat me, though.”

“You little…”

“Violence is wrong.”

Shougen teased and Kazuki shot him a sharp glare.

“I’m merely disciplining him.”

“Good grief, Ryuuto’s totally powerless in front of Kazu-nee.”

“Sniff… Head Monk, my big sister hits me…”

“Who are you calling a monk?”

“I’m not hitting him!”

Kazuki glared at Shougen. Because he was smitten with Kazu-nee, Shougen clearly sided with her.

“Idiot. The kind Kazuki-san would never do such a thing.”

“Idiot. You don’t know this woman’s true nature.”

“I know her better than anyone.”

“Hey, could you not fantasize about your friend’s big sister while indulging in your solo carnal desires?”

“I-I don’t! I swear! Kazuki-san? It’s all Ryuuto’s lies!”

“It’s time to stop using your friend’s big sister as fap material.”

“I said I don’t! Ryuuto! What if Kazuki-san takes you seriously?! N-not that someone as mature as Kazuki-san would actually believe—ahh! She’s already standing farther away than usual! I’m telling the truth, okay?! Seriously!”

“Enough.”

In an instant, the mood froze. Ryuuto looked up. A girl had appeared from the tent of the command post without anyone noticing, her cold eyes fixed on them. Ryuuto, who had been half-joking until now, suddenly stiffened.

“Wow, that’s quite the greeting after all this time. Witch-san. Is that how you treat your comrades?”

“I’ve never thought of fools who roam the front lines like it’s some kind of war game and burden the soldiers as comrades.”

“Say what?”

“What?”

At the girl’s sharp words, Ryuuto bared his teeth like a wild dog and growled. Shougen, who had been playing the clown, scratched at his sideburns with a bitter expression. Kazuki sighed deeply as she met the girl’s gaze. She looked troubled at the whole situation. 

“Ryuuto, and you too, Rinka. Are you two still fighting?”

“We’re not fighting.”

“That’s right, Kazuki. Fighting only happens between people with a certain level of mutual relationship and equal standing. There’s no way that could occur between me and that fool over there.”

Rinka Hoshioka Malmstein, who was two years younger than Ryuuto and currently thirteen years old, stabbed her magic wand—longer than her whole height—into the ground and glared at Ryuuto again with eyes like ice.

Good grief. This brat is so not cute.

Ryuuto and Rinka were currently in a state of open hostility. The cause of their quarrel was so trivial neither of them could even remember what started it. However, what had started as a minor argument escalated with traded barbs into a full-blown grudge match that had already lasted over half a month.

At fifteen, Ryuuto was one of the most powerful magic users among the nation’s explorers. His talent was unparalleled. And despite being just thirteen, Rinka wasn’t merely the famed prodigy brought from another world by the Great Sage Sirius in name—she was a true genius who could skillfully wield all types of magic with great versatility.

When the two were in sync, they were so close they resembled long-time partners, leaving no room for others to intervene. Their flirtatious dynamic was so saccharine it could give bystanders cavities, but the two of them remained completely oblivious to it.

Basically, they were so close that those around them often felt like shouting, “Just get together already!” However, once they both got stubborn, their quarrels became hopelessly tangled, something that had happened many times before.

“Alright, alright, I get it. I get it, okay? Let’s not waste time bickering and just eat. Look, the soldiers protecting us are getting flustered. Right? Making sure we get our rations without delay is a serious mission entrusted to them by the nation.”

“Ugh…”

Hearing Kazuki’s words, Rinka let out a small grunt and began fidgeting with the brim of her pointy hat.

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Chapter 67: Ryuuto and Rinka Part 2

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As the granddaughter of the Great Sage Sirius, Rinka keenly felt the weight of the responsibilities bestowed upon her every day. Because of that, she could understand the sentiments of the National Defense Force soldiers.

On the other hand, while Ryuuto had a heart that cared for his country, he was still a child at heart. Though he had accumulated combat experience and had a knack for using magic, it was questionable whether he truly grasped the responsibilities and burdens that came with talent.

“You’re right, Kazuki. I was being thoughtless. Eating is also a part of battle. It’s painful to trouble them any further. Come on, I’ll forgive everything up to now, so Ryuuto, hurry up and come over.”

“O-Oh. Huh? Am I the one at fault?”

“You’re the root of all evil.”

“Y-You… Don’t get cocky just because you know a few fancy words! I’m not evil!”

“You’re a villain. Especially with those sinister eyes.”

“W-What did you say, you… Idiot, idiot, idiot!”

“Pathetic virgin.”

“I-I’m not a v-v-v-virgin! You flat-chested girl!”

“Haaah? I have them, and like my Mama, they’ll grow eventually.”

“Your chest is practically concave-shaped.”

“Yo-You…”

“Your chest is like flowers on the prairie, small and fleeting.”

“Low-grade, low-IQ, low-resilient, antisocial human.”

“There you go again with the fancy words.”

“If you’ve got no counterargument, then I win, right?”

“Grrraaahhh!”

“Ahh… Kazuki-san, Ryuuto can’t come up with a comeback and now he’s clawing at his throat in frustration!”

“What an idiot. He actually thought he could win a shouting match with a girl. Haaah… What do I do… This boy is such a pain in the ass.”

“Uh, did your real feelings just totally slip out just now?”

Tension flared, ready to explode. As Ryuuto and Rinka glared at each other like stray dogs baring their teeth, a massive shadow suddenly loomed from within the tent. It was Ryuuto’s comrade, Yoriaki Satake. Standing over 220 cm tall and weighing more than 160 kg, this giant man was normally quiet but kind-hearted, a soothing presence in the party. Usually, he’d step in with a gentle smile to try and calm the two down—but this time was different.

“Gwah! What the—!?”

“Wh-What are you doing!?”

Yoriaki extended his log-thick arms and effortlessly scooped up Ryuuto and Rinka under each arm, then walked into the tent. Kazuki and Shougen rushed in after him.

“Hey, wait, stop, Yoriaki! If you’re gonna eat someone, I’m all muscle and gross—pick the little girl instead!”

“Wh-What the hell!? How could you say that!? H-Hey, hey, hey, Yoriaki! Calm down, okay?”

Inside the tent was a long table, and a pleasant aroma wafted through the air.

What the hell? That smells amazing.

“Wah!”

“Guh-yup!”

Ryuuto and Rinka were forcibly plopped into pipe chairs by Yoriaki. On the long table before them was a white tablecloth, and glasses filled with amber-colored liquid.

“Hey, at least give us an explanation first.”

Without a word, Yoriaki removed the lid from a giant stockpot. A mouthwatering smell spread through the tent—something nostalgic. Ryuuto’s stomach let out a loud growl at the smell.

“Ah, my stomach is growling.”

A second, even louder growl echoed immediately after. It wasn’t his. He turned to the side. Rinka, her face bright red, was holding her flat stomach. He wasn’t so immature as to laugh out loud at her.

“What? Go ahead and laugh.”

“It’s understandable though. Of course you can’t stop yourself from getting hungry. Not with this smell in the air.”

“Mm.”

Rinka shyly tugged down her pointed hat and fidgeted in embarrassment. 

If only she always acted this demure… She would be kind of cute if she did. 

Ryuuto thought to himself. Soon after, Yoriaki began ladling stew from the pot and placing bowls in front of them.

“Ohh, isn’t this everyone’s favorite—cream stew! Can we dig in?”

Yoriaki nodded cheerfully for the first time since he appeared.

“Let’s eat!”

Ryuuto plunged his spoon into the bowl and took a bite.

It’s been simmered to perfection!

The warm stew seeped into his empty stomach. The chicken, carrots, onions, and broccoli had clearly been slow-cooked, and with every bite, the rich flavor made Ryuuto’s brain melt with bliss. The cream—blending milk and stock in harmony—coated each ingredient, and the umami spread through his worn-out soul like a gentle balm. Glancing to the side, he saw Rinka’s usually sharp features softened in delight as she became entranced by the stew.

“Eating something delicious really soothes the soul.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Rinka nodded slightly. All the negative emotions that had been raging inside Ryuuto moments ago vanished like it never existed in the first place. Why had he even been arguing with her? Arguing felt like such a waste of time.

At the same time, remembering the things he’d said to Rinka made him feel deeply ashamed of himself. He set his spoon down. Clink, a soft sound. Rinka, still holding her spoon in her mouth, looked at him curiously.

“Hey, Rinka. I said a lot of messed up stuff to you. Sorry about that. I’m really sorry.”

As he said it out loud, the weight lifted from his chest. He bowed his head. From the bottom of his heart, Ryuuto truly felt he’d been in the wrong.

“Uh, ah, um, I was in the wrong too. Ryuuto, I’m sorry. I said a lot of mean things… And I hit you, remember? Are you okay?”

“U-Uh? Did that happen? I totally forgot. I mean, I’m a pretty forgetful guy after all. Gahaha!”

“That’s a lie. Look, it’s still red right here. I’m sorry. That must’ve hurt. Oh, right. I can’t use Heal while we’re on the surface…”

Rinka leaned in so close their noses nearly touched, cupping Ryuuto’s face in both hands. By nature, Rinka had extreme mood swings and strong preferences in people. She must’ve wanted to make up as soon as Ryuuto gave in. Now, recalling the slap she gave him a few days earlier, she was tearing up with concern for the bruise she had left on his face.

T-T-T-Too close! Her face is way too close!

“I’m really, really sorry. I should’ve just apologized first. I was scared too. I was scared we might never make up. That scared me so much I couldn’t do anything. It prevented me from apologizing. So, thank you, Ryuuto, for apologizing first.”

“N-No, uh, Rinka-san. Seriously, if you come any closer, it’s kinda… Dangerous, like… My self-control is…”

“What are you even talking about? Nngh, nngh. It’s so dim in here, I have to get closer to see how bad the wound is.”

At this point in time, Ryuuto was a pure and honest virgin. And Rinka was an undeniably stunning beauty. As a virgin, Ryuuto obviously had no clue how to handle women. He was utterly inexperienced—his “EXP” in relationship was practically zero. 

With their noses almost touching, his heartbeat exploded, his whole face turned tomato-red, and cold sweat trickled from head to toe.

By the way, Shougen, who had been peeking into the tent, witnessed this scene and immediately struck a “good-for-nothing” pose—with his palm up, tongue out. He was overwhelmed by the sweetness of the moment.

Whoooa, hey! I’ve been thinking this for a while, but there’s no way she doesn’t like me. S-s-she’s totally into me, right? She’s fallen for me, hasn’t she? Right?! Yeah, otherwise this distance between us wouldn’t make any sense. I mean, this isn’t just close—it’s like we’re in some kind of lovey-dovey dimension! Ahh, sorry for calling you a kid and making fun of you. I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart. These tiny, soft fingers… On my cheek… Nnfuah. She smells so good… Rinka’s pheromones are making my brain explode. Ugh, and this cheeky girl has her nails done all cute in pink with sparkly patterns. That kind of detail totally makes me feel like she’s a true woman. Stop that—no, I mean, don’t stop, please don’t stop. Why? Why is she looking at me with those smoldering eyes? Ahhh, Rinka’s soft, squishy lips… right in front of me, nuuugh. Anyone would fall in love if this happened to them!

Yoriaki suddenly pulled Ryuuto and Rinka apart with his giant arms.

“Come on now, let’s all get along.”

He said it as he stood between them.

“Y-yeah.”

Damn it. I wanted to stay close to Rinka for a little longer…

But then, when their eyes met, she gave Ryuuto a ticklish, flower-like smile. 

Well, I guess I could let it slide just this once—actually, that’s a lie. I’m seriously grateful for your help, my best friend.

“Hey, Yoriaki! That wasn’t enough. I want seconds!”

He thrust out his now-empty plate to Yoriaki. The food had been so explosively good that the ivory-white plate gleamed as if it had been licked clean by Ryuuto.

“Sure, eat as much as you want.”

Yoriaki, his face crinkling into a smile, took Ryuuto’s plate and spun around to head back toward the stockpot. Even under the dim lighting of the canopy, Ryuuto didn’t miss the glimmer of a teardrop in Yoriaki’s eyes. 

Ah, this kind-hearted guy…

He was genuinely worried about Ryuuto and the others. Ryuuto deeply regretted having caused Yoriaki any worry because of his action.

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