Before we emerged above ground, I asked Hana to wait while I sneaked out. I’d entered Sumifuku with Dungeon Teleportation instead of using the Gate, so I needed to make sure my exit didn’t draw attention. I used Conceal to suppress any detectable motion and surfaced. Predictably, adventurers at an E-rank dungeon didn’t pick up on my secrets. Hana came up after me, alone.
The trainees who’d surfaced before her reacted with surprise, but they seemed relieved to see her safe. When she was asked why she’d been left behind, Hana told them the story we’d agreed upon: other monsters appeared along the way, and as she tried to flee, she was separated from the group but managed to find her way back. Everyone was satisfied with the answer. Afterward, I regrouped with Hana at the meeting point to blend in.
The only problem was that Yanagi and Katagiri never returned from the dungeon’s depths.
After some time anxiously waiting, Dungeon Association staff members arrived. Seasoned adventurers dived to save them, only to bring their bodies—and a magic stone slab—back up. My heart thumped at the sight.
They gathered around the magic slab and spoke hurriedly. Their voices were too low for the students to hear, but my senses were sharp enough to hear clearly.
“Are the words written here true?” one asked. “Yanagi-kun killed Katagiri-san?”
“I can’t believe it. He didn’t seem the kind of young man capable of murder…”
“We need to investigate whether he truly possessed this ‘Plunderer’ skill. If he used it to steal Tamer, it would explain that adventurer’s death.”
“We can’t draw any conclusions just yet, but the missing adventurer did have the Tamer skill. Let’s go over the circumstances of his death one more time. That may clarify things.”
“Agreed.”
I left that slab for them to find. It described everything that happened, but I left out my and Hana’s involvement.
I wasn’t ready to share my true strength yet. The world wasn’t ready for Dungeon Teleportation. If they found out a supposed weakling like me had the power to defeat Yanagi, the odds of me facing serious scrutiny—or worse, tests—would be high. It was best to stay silent about my involvement.
I made one compromise. Yanagi had used his position as a Dungeon Association member to steal many lives. I couldn’t stomach concealing that awful truth, so I carved the message using one of my swords into the magic slab, like a clue left in blood by a murder victim.
Unfortunately, that raised the question of who left the slab…but only Hana knew I was in the dungeon. It was impossible to trace it back to me.
Their conversation continued.
“Most importantly, who left this message behind?”
“They may have a reason to stay hidden, but we can’t just drop it. This is an investigation. Let’s ask the trainees and regular adventurers if they saw suspicious individuals inside as they leave.”
“Understood.”
One of the staff members stepped through the Gate. The other one came to us and lowered his head.
“We’re terribly sorry for involving you in this terrible incident. I’m sure it was frightening, but may we ask you some questions to ensure we get to the bottom of this?”
They asked a number of questions. How did such strong monsters appear? What were Yanagi and Katagiri’s interactions like? Things in that vein.
Hana faced a volley of questions compared to everyone else. Of course, they didn’t believe such a young and inexperienced girl had the power to kill Yanagi. When she explained the story to them, they seemed satisfied with her answers. Time would tell.
In the end, the other adventurers exiting the dungeon did nothing to help them reach the truth hidden within me and Hana. We were all allowed to go home.
✦ ✦ ✦
That night, I told Hana everything: my struggles during the year I was labeled talentless by others, and what came after once Dungeon Teleportation awakened to its true potential. I described how I bypassed the Span to dive as many times as I wanted. I confessed my worries about what kind of dangers I’d attract if others knew I could grow so much faster than them. Why I felt I had to hide the truth, even from her. I hoped she would understand after what we went through with Yanagi.
She listened quietly until the very end. When I was done, she smiled and nodded with acceptance. I sagged with relief.
There were so many other things I wanted to tell her, but we were exhausted. Better to call it a day.
At least, that was my plan. I had bathed and fallen into bed to recover from both the Remote Magic Tower and the nightmare afterward when a small knock sounded on my door.
“Hana?” I called.
The door cracked open and revealed her clutching her pillow. “Oniichan, can I sleep in your bed tonight?”
I understood. Anyone would find it difficult to fall asleep after a near-death experience. I didn’t mind. I moved over so she had room to sleep next to me that night.
How many years had it been since we did this?
“Hey, oniichan?” she whispered.
“Hm? What is it?” I replied.
“Thanks for today. I’m really glad you came to save me.”
“…Of course I did. I’m your brother, after all.”
I gave her head a gentle pat. She giggled, then went quiet.
“I feel a little sad, though,” she said.
“Yeah?”
“I wanted to become an adventurer so I could protect myself without you, but you had to protect me anyway.”
“That was your reason?”
I’d wondered why she wanted to become an adventurer. I never thought she’d tell me at a time like this. Was she was telling me because the incident scared her off adventuring?
“I want to become stronger,” she said, contradicting my expectations.
“Stronger?”
“I can’t keep relying on you like I did today. In fact, I want to get strong enough to protect other people, not just myself.”
“Hmm, gotcha.”
Hana was already strong. Maybe not in body yet, but in mind. I was sure she could make her goals into reality. But she was mistaken about one thing.
“I get how you feel, but you don’t have to go at this alone,” I said with a smile. “You can rely on me anytime. If you stop needing me cold turkey like that, I’ll be the one going through withdrawal.”
“Jeez. I can’t tell if I’m lucky to have a brother who cares this much or not.”
Hana covered her head with the blanket. I couldn’t tell in the dark, but was she embarrassed? Either way, it was about time we tried to sleep.
“Good night, Hana,” I said.
“Yeah. Good night, oniichan.”
We slept soundly until morning, just like we were kids again.