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 - 91

Chapter 91: Lovesick

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The history of establishing ranks for Explorers dated back to the same time the Association was first founded. At that time, the battle against the Demon Lord had recently come to an end. It had been twenty years since humanity entered an age of transition.

Of course, people sought a hierarchy, a proper foundation for them to lean on. The lowest rank was designated as E-rank, followed by D, C, and B. At the very top stood A-rank. As the one standing at the op, the A-rank license shone brilliantly above all other Explorers.

Barring the exceptional S-Class, A-rank was effectively the pinnacle of Explorers. In other words…

An A-rank Explorer could be considered the furthest height a human could reach in modern dungeon exploration. Ability, mental fortitude, achievements, and high character. Only those who had accumulated all of these and gained the Association’s recognition were granted the highest-class license, and such individuals were but a handful in this world.

Ahh, I wonder if I’ll get to see Ryuuto-sama…

Feeling the damp, heavy air of the dungeon, Loria Himejima, an A-rank Explorer, wore an expression of deep melancholy. Along with the qualifications of an A-rank explorer came significant responsibilities to bear. 

Generally speaking, A-rank explorer’s weekday schedules were packed solid for up to a year in advance, and unless something extraordinary happened, they were expected to fulfill them to the T. It was a duty befitting those with the ability of an A-rank. But on this day, Loria was feeling utterly unmotivated.

“Hah~ I’m feeling so sluggish…”

That day’s task was to attend a training session for rookie Explorers at the Hachioji Dungeon. Not that someone of her caliber would personally instruct the newbie chicks herself. At most, she would be paraded onto the stage for formality’s sake and give a token lecture about dungeon work, just to fill time.

For the most part, the mere appearance of an A-rank Explorer was enough to excite the room. In a sense, this was little more than the Association offering a symbolic gesture to placate organizations related to explorers. Normally, with her naturally earnest personality, Loria would never have slacked off in such work, but today was different.

“Haa, Ryuuto-sama…”

Loria sighed while gazing out from the transport minivan at the densely forested mountains of green that lined Hachioji. She was completely lovesick.

Since the recent incident, Ryuuto had been busy. He hardly replying to her LINE messages or emails. She was simply dissatisfied. Yet, she didn’t have the courage to call him directly either.

What if he found me annoying? What if he really was busy? 

Her heart wouldn’t stop making a racket, despite her cowardice to take any action. 

“Ahhh…”

Loria fidgeted with her pink-cased smartphone Her dull, marble-like eyes were fixed on the passing scenery outside. Naturally, she thought of Ryuuto. The memory of the tears he had shed that day was etched in her mind, unable to fade. The sight of Ryuuto’s tears had etched a permanent mark on her mind.

Ahhh, my heart flutters. When I think of Ryuuto-sama… This spot right here, it’s fluttering so much!

Yes. Her womb throbbed.

“No, no. My chest, my chest. Yes.”

Placing a hand over her heart, Loria knit her brows in a pained expression. She hadn’t seen her beloved Ryuuto, but that only fueled her imagination further. In her daydreams, she was already carrying his third child. Purely imagination, of course. Besides, imagination wasn’t a crime, no matter how wild.

“Captain, is your stomach feeling okay? Should we stop at a convenience store somewhere?”

“No, don’t worry. I’m totally fine.”

Her adjutant, Ichika Houshou, peered in at her worriedly. She was a girl with straight, blunt-cut bangs and black hair like a Japanese doll. While toying the tips of her hair, she bore the expression of genuine concern toward her superior. 

“Driver, I think the Captain’s got the runs, so you can pull over whenever you can?”

The other Explorers in the shared ride chuckled softly upon hearing Ichika Houshou’s remark. How humiliating… For Loria.

Loria cleared her throat lightly and spoke.

“Listen, Ichika? I’m really fine, so could you not say things like that so loudly?”

“Ah.”

Ichika made a face like she had made a mistake. She winked and stuck her tongue out playfully. If Loria had been feeling unbearable stomachache, Loria would’ve half-killed her, but… This was a happy sort of ache, so for once, she decided to be generous. 

Paying no mind to Loria’s feelings, Ichika glanced around furtively before secretly offering her a paper-and-plastic hybrid bag. It was a “Unchi Poi Zou-kun” pet waste disposal bag.

Loria’s body froze as if struck by lightning. Was she supposed to use this? Their eyes met and Ichika nodded silently. Her expression looked like the expression of someone who clearly understood everything without being told anything. In return for her underling’s understanding, Loria’s fine nose wrinkled in displeasure.

“Don’t worry, Captain. This thing is amazing. It can block out even really strong smells. I tested it this morning on our walk.”

“Haha… Hahaha…”

“Nyah! W-what are you doing?! Don’t press the bag on me while you’re laughing!”

“Hahaha…. Just be quiet.”

“Stop it!”

“Eat it.”

“Nooo! I don’t want tooooo!”

While remaining expressionless, Loria forcefully pressed the poop bag against Ichika’s mouth. Well, at least Loria was feeling a little bit better now. 

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