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 - 70

Chapter 70: And So It Begins

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“Does it not look good on me?”

“No.”

“Aha. Sorry. I knew it. I guess it’s no good after all. I mean, I’m different from you and the others. My hair and eye color are different too and I’ve never been to something called ‘school’ before. You and the others are pretty much my only friends around my age, so maybe I messed up again. But I really wanted to try wearing something like this, just once.”

Rinka said this with a sad look on her face. Suddenly, Ryuuto felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if his heart was being crushed from the inside.

“I wish I could’ve gone to the same school as you, Ryuuto.”

Rinka said, looking downcast.

“…It suits you.”

“Huh?”

“It really suits you. You look cute in that outfit.”

“Ah, uh… Thanks.”

That was way too direct. Even Ryuuto thought what he said sounded cheesy. Right after speaking, he couldn’t bring himself to look at Rinka’s face. The more he tried not to think about it, the more awkward he became.

I was sure she’d just laugh it off. Wait, what? Does this mean… Does she actually like me? Could it be that Rinka actually has a thing for me?

Ryuuto was a hopeless virgin. To the point that if someone of the XX chromosome variety picked up something he dropped, he’d convince himself they were in love with him. And this time, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Though only God knew the truth, Rinka did indeed have genuine feelings for Ryuuto. However, seeing her fidget in front of him snapped Ryuuto back to reality.

There’s no way a smoking hot babe with a killer face and figure like her would fall for a guy like me, right?

“Yeah, well, you know… Maybe if that part of you got a little more bounce-bounce, I might consider making you my woman. Gahaha.”

“Hah? Are you stupid?”

“Shut up!”

And then Ryuuto committed an unthinkable act—he poked Rinka’s not-so-full chest with his fingertip. Now, in a world like this, where social hierarchy was serious business, and Rinka was born into the noble class—a class known for short tempers and high self-esteem—there was no way she’d respond with something cute like “Kyaa” or “Noo~ stop it!”

Bam! Crack! 

A spectacular, Shigeru Mizuki-style slap landed clean on Ryuuto’s cheek.

“Why…?”

Rinka stormed off, her face flushed with rage. Left behind were an oblivious virgin who’d just gotten wrecked by the girl he liked, and one unlucky Shiba Inu who got caught in the crossfire. Ryuuto, rubbing his stinging cheek, turned a pitiful gaze toward his soaked comrade still in the tub.

“Hey, Johntarou. Why’s she mad?”

“Gao.”

With no warning and true to his breed, Johntarou, the Shiba, chomped down hard on Ryuuto’s butt, expressing his pent-up frustration in the most direct way possible.

“My ass! My ass is split in two!”

“What the hell are you doing?”

Still holding a shred of duty as Johntarou’s owner, Ryuuto had finished washing him off, and was groaning in the waiting tent when Shougen returned with a look of exasperation.

“Listen to this, Shougen. Johntarou totally betrayed me. The guy just went straight for my ass. Now my butt’s split open.”

“Hasn’t your butt always been like that?”

Shougen’s deadpan reaction made Ryuuto feel slightly concerned for his friend.

“What’s with that gloomy face? Did someone catch you jerking it to Nee-chan or something?”

“What a baseless accusation! That’s not it. My reassignment with Kazuki-san just got officially confirmed.”

“Ahh.”

“To be precise, the higher-ups want to split the party in two for risk management. It’ll be me and Kazuki-san in one group, and you, Rinka, and Yoriaki in the other.”

“Makes sense. Wouldn’t be good if the whole party got wiped before we even reach the dungeon.”

“I’m worried, though.”

“Shougen, you…”

“I’m worried you’re gonna screw something up.”

“Hey!”

“What?”

“Give me back that warm bond of friendship I just felt!”

“I still have it. Though honestly, it’s more like parental concern than friendship.”

“You really think that little of me?”

“Well, come on. Without me or Kazuki-san, who’s gonna keep you and Rinka in check? Yoriaki’s just gonna go along with whatever you say.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then stop answering in that monotone voice.”

“Jeez, I said it’ll be fine! C’mon, Shougen-chan, leave it to yours truly. I won’t let you down. Gahaha.”

“Then lose that smug face of yours. It’s not reassuring.”

“I’m just bad at hiding things, you know?”

“True enough.”

“Trust me. I’m way more dependable than you think.”

“To me, you’re about as trustworthy as a big dog who wrecked the furniture while the owners were out.”

“Nice! That means I’m better than a mere indoor dog!”

“Come on, I beg of you.”

Shougen gave him a direct, serious look. Ryuuto stood up from the outdoor bench and scratched behind his ear roughly.

“Well, don’t worry. When the time comes, I’ll get it done. Just leave it to me, partner.”

“When did I become your partner?”

Shougen gave a wry smile and raised his left fist. Ryuuto met it with a solid bump from his right. Looking at his friend’s pale face and unshaven stubble, Ryuuto knew—joking aside—this could be the last time they saw each other.

They both understood. Ever since they’d set foot on the battlefield, they’d left behind any chance at a normal life. Normally, Ryuuto and Shougen should be middle schoolers worrying about high school entrance exams.

In reality, not all talented explorers were conscripted into military service. While the war against the magic beasts never ceased, most boys and girls their age still lived normal lives and went to school.

Even so, Ryuuto had made his choice: to save this country, in his own way—the only way he could.

“The situation of this war is changing. It’s almost time.”

“Yeah. I know even without you saying it, Ryuuto. Once it starts… I’m sure I will know.”

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