“We’ll Definitely Come Back to Save You!” — It’s Been Three Years Since I Was Left in the Most Difficult Dungeon, Isn’t It About Time for Help to Arrive...? - 7

Chapter 7: Thank You, Niflheim! And Goodbye!

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Niflheim Entrance — With a deep rumble, the tightly sealed gate to the demon realm slowly opened.

“—IT’S THE OUTSIIIIIIIIIDE!!! MY EXCITEMENT IS AT THE MAXXXXXXXXX!!”

The sun’s heat burned my skin. A refreshing breeze brushed past me. The scent of fresh grass and trees filled the air. None of these things could ever be found underground, which only made the realization of reaching the surface hit even harder.

“…It’s hot. My excitement level just dropped by 20 points.”

“I don’t care about your excitement! Wait, why did you even come with me?”

“There’s nothing to do down there anyway. Besides, if you’re gone, who’s going to pat my head?”

“I mean, literally anyone could do that… Well, I’ve learned over the past three years how boring it is underground, so… Fine. You can come with me.”

“Yay.”

“Why do you sound so dead inside…?”

I honestly had no idea what was going through Hel’s head. Still, despite everything, she was the one who had filled the loneliness I felt down there the most—being humanoid and someone I could actually talk to. I owed her for that, and having one more companion wouldn’t hurt.

“Well then, I guess it’s time to head back to town—hm?”

Something began to shake behind us—the entrance to the dungeon. The tremor that followed caused the birds in the trees to scatter like frightened spiders.

”◎★●※○▼※△☆▲!”

”●※○◎★☆▲▼※△!”

”☆▲●※▼※△○◎★!”

“You guys? What the hell is all the commo—WHOA!?”

One after another, monsters came rushing out of the dungeon and swarmed toward me without a word. One climbed on, then another, and soon a massive tower of monsters had formed on top of me.

“You’re carrying all that? More strength training, huh? You’re really motivated today… Fufu.”

Hel had somehow slipped away to a safe distance and covered her mouth as she let out a soft chuckle.

“Of course not… Don’t just laugh—help me already…”

At this rate, my back was definitely going to snap. I somehow managed to get Hel to pull me out, and while holding my aching spine, I faced the towering pile of monsters.

“…So, you guys want something from me again?”

”●※○◎★☆▲▼※△!”

“They’re protesting, saying ‘Take us with you too!’”

“There’s no way that’s happening! If I bring this many monsters into town, it’ll be a complete disaster!”

”◎★●※○▼※△☆▲!”

”☆▲●※▼※△○◎★!”

“…They say, ‘It’s not fair if only Hel gets to go!’ and ‘In that case, we should get to go too!’”

The monsters flailed their limbs in protest, clearly begging to be brought along.

“…Okay, I can’t argue if it’s unfair… Fine then! How about this. Hel! You stay behind too! That way, everyone’s equal!”

“—Excuse me?”

As soon as I said it, the monsters stopped protesting, like they were saying, “Well, if that’s the case…” and “Can’t be helped…”

“So yeah, Hel, sorry, but for the sake of fairness—”

I was about to say “stay behind,” but my mouth snapped shut. Had I spoken those words, I was sure I’d be killed. My finely honed sixth sense picked up on the immense pressure—killing intent—radiating from the magic beast in front of me.

“…Are you saying something unnecessary? Do you want to be melted? I could wipe out all of you right now if I felt like it.”

Hel’s pitch-black eyes stared them down as she approached, pressing terror into each and every one of the thousands of monsters.

“If you want to keep breathing, don’t say anything stupid. Got it?”

The monsters were completely broken. In unison, they let out pitiful, frightened whimpers.

“…She’s terrifying…”

“—Did you say something?”

“Uweh!? N-nope! Nothing at all!”

This was bad. I was going to get caught in the crossfire at this rate! I had to change the subject somehow…!

“S-so anyway! How are we getting back to town, huh!? It’s a pretty long way from here, isn’t it!?”

Yes, this was something Hel would definitely be interested in. And I was actually wondering myself, so if I could just keep this topic going…

“Oh, that dragon lizard over there—you stay. Everyone else can go back now. Yes, that’s right, go on.”

Hel pointed toward the dungeon entrance, and in an instant, all the monsters retreated at full speed—leaving behind the designated Black Dragon, Blightwyrm. 

So this is what a boss monster at full power looks like…

“…Hey, Hel. Why did you single that one out…?”

“Oh, it’s our ride.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought…”

Blightwyrm looked genuinely surprised, letting out an audible “Eh?” but Hel paid it no mind as she climbed onto its back. Her jet-black hair and gothic dress absorbed the sunlight, making her stand out with eerie elegance.

“Well? What are you doing, Athos? Hurry up. We have a place to be, don’t we?”

From atop the dragon, Hel looked down at me and reached out her hand.

“Y-yeah… You’re right! —Let’s go!”

That’s right. We have a place to be Our goal: the city of adventurers and once our home base—Calzeria.

The dragon, carrying me and Hel, spread its wings wide and soared into the sky. The rush of wind, the sweeping view—leaving everything behind was a feeling too exhilarating to put into words. When I looked down, the dungeon was already no bigger than a speck.

“Thanks for everything, Niflheim! I probably won’t be coming back, but still!”

With a smile I couldn’t suppress, I said my goodbye and guided Blightwyrm toward the city using only my memories. At that same moment—

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A man from the Guild, assigned as a field investigator, had been watching the entire scene unfold while hiding in the shadows of the trees.

“W-what the hell was that just now…!? The Phantasmal Flame Fox Fenflare, the Shadow-Eater Demon Vorashade, the Glacial Wolf, and the Blightwyrm… They’re all disaster-class monsters…! And they just came out of the dungeon at once? No, more importantly—!”

Despite his fear nearly erasing his rational thought, the man’s pride as an investigator spurred his trembling hands into motion.

He pulled a magic item from his dirt-stained bag—Vistia the Phantom Paper, a sheet that recorded exactly what the user saw via magical imprinting. Clutching it tightly, he looked up.

There, riding atop the dragon that drained the life from anything it touched, was a mysterious young man who commanded even a monstrous being like that demonic girl. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary boy. But on his back was a heavy greatsword stained with the blood of countless foes, and his tattered cloak fluttered like a tail in the wind.

The sight was so haunting the man nearly turned away, but he forced himself to keep watching, trying to remember every detail. Then, it happened—the boy in the sky looked directly at him.

No way… Did he notice me…!?

Frozen by fear, all the man could do was stare. On the boy’s face was a smile—a knowing, mocking grin that suggested he was fully aware someone had been watching… and even recording with Vistia.

Maybe he hadn’t noticed… Or maybe he just didn’t think it was worth the trouble to act.

The boy turned his gaze back and soared off into the sky. The man, now unable to move from the shock, felt a creeping dread take over his mind. That dread took form—an image that would never leave his memory.

“…That’s no monster. That’s a—Demon Lord…! I have to warn everyone…!”

He waited until the dragon was out of sight before turning on his heel and sprinting for his life. He didn’t yet know that the image he captured on Vistia would greatly influence Athos’s fate from here on out.

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