CHAPTER 14: FIVE YEARS LATER

For some time after that, every day I would sneak down the stairs to observe the boss for a bit.

 

 

　The boss never once leaves that hall. Apparently, he has grown too big to pass through both the staircase and the exit side.

 

　So how does he get food? The Metro Beast comes in through the doorway on the other side. Every day or two, they wander in as if they had fallen into a mysterious hole. Those poor bastards are the boss’s dinner.

 

 

“Metro Beasts, why are they coming there?” (Shuu)

 

“I am not sure, squeak, but… my mother said there are a lot of slimes out there, squeak. That floor is now slime country, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“Seriously?” (Shuu)

 

“She said they might be hiding in the boss’s room, squeak. They may be there because of the boss’s scent, squeak. Following their own leader, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

 

　If that is true, they are like worker ants. It’s a black company.

 

　Incidentally, Tamiko’s [Risk Counter] confirmed that the boss’s level was around 70.

 

 

“Huh!? Is that true!? 70 is a different beast!” (Shuu)

 

 

　If I had known that before, that scouting would have been canceled for sure.

 

 

“It’s squeaking ridiculous. If it’s just Mother said, it should have been about level 60, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“So that means… the bosses have grown further and further?” (Shuu)

 

 

　Metro beasts, like us, grow and become stronger by preying on other individuals. They are just like that stray creature, the gargoyle that I defeated the other day.

 

　It might not be common, but it seems that such well-developed individuals and mutants with unique qualities since birth are different from others and are recognized as bosses as they are.

 

 

“The level of growth differs depending on the type and character of the individual, squeak. My mom says that’s a Superior Slime, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“It’s the pinnacle of slimes, I don’t know about the others, but I think they’ve broken through the race barrier a little too far, right?” (Shuu)

 

 

　It is also discovered that the boss has been creating smaller individuals—still, they are as tall as me—and sending them to the lower floors as well. That’s why the area around the stairs on the fiftieth floor was almost barren, with scorch marks on the walls and floor. Although there does not seem to be a lot of them, it is highly likely that they are chasing prey and procuring food from the 50th floor as well.

 

 

　We spotted its minions near the stairs and actually fought them. It is commonly known as an Intermediate Slime. According to Tamiko, they are around level 30.

 

　When we crossed blades with it, we found that its power and speed were far behind those of the boss. However, it is still hard to slash and kill. By the time I kill them, my new wolf clothes are a little melted. Tamiko also gets a little bit of the dissolving liquid on her head, now she has a circular bald spot on the back of her head.

 

 

“Pigya! My squeaking hair is injured!” (Tamiko)

 

“A Kappa-squirrel, let’s apply some [Healing Ball].” (Shuu)

 

“Put a squeaking amount of it! Down to my squeaking hair root!” (Tamiko)

 

 

　The intermediate Slime’s body spreads with fluids like muddy water on the ground, and its internal organs are exposed. It looks like a jellyfish on land.

 

 

“It’s a pain, but it was a good lesson to help us defeat one of its kind.” (Shuu)

 

 

　Its weaknesses were just as Tamiko’s mother had informed us. If we do the same, we should be able to kill the Boss Slime as well.

 

 

“Well… If I can do it.” (Shuu)

 

 

　If the boss’s power continued to increase and the number of slimes grew, this floor might eventually be swallowed up by them. It is not a skirmish between wolves and monkeys, but an invasion and massacre by an alien species. Is it an exaggeration to imagine such a thing?

 

 

　I don’t know how much time we have left. But—we must steadily and carefully build up our strength to ensure that we defeat that monster. I have vowed to come back one day to take my revenge, and I have tearfully sealed my goal of leaving the Metro with the two of us.

 

 

 

　

　From then on, I just kept on hunting the strong enemies on this floor—Ogres, Orthrus, Demon Centipedes, Wraiths, and Intermediate Slimes.

 

 

　Tired, wounded, and quarreling with Tamiko over trivial matters.

 

　I almost got my butt hole blown up when I got stuck in a goblin’s pit.

 

 

　I fail to control the heat on the BBQ and get caught in a cloud of smoke.

 

　I got high after eating a mushroom called “Agartake” and almost got kicked to death by a unicorn when I unintentionally approached it.

 

 

　I almost died when I faced three Ogres at the same time.

 

　I then fought to the death with my nemesis, the Wraith, a fully-developed individual with burns all over its face.

 

 

　In search of an even stronger foe, we advanced to the 51st, 52nd, and 53rd floors.

 

　They go head to head with powerful Metro Beasts that even Tamiko doesn’t know about.

 

　The days continue to be more severe than in the previous three years, draining my mind and body even more.

 

 

　Still, I feel a sense of accomplishment.

 

　I feel that my body, which can survive in a deadly place, is accumulating more and more strength.

 

　MY footsteps are moving step by step towards the surface.

 

　Half a year has passed since the bitter battle with the boss, and now a year has passed.

 

 

　When I mastered my 16th Fungal Skill, I reached level 65. Tamiko is level 40 and has five Fungal Skills, surpassing her most longed-for goal of surpassing her mother.

 

 

　I realized that the end of my days here is near.

 

 

 

 

　In the morning, I add a horizontal bar to the wall of our hideout.

 

　The daily calendar, which I had been keeping every day, has now reached three hundred and sixty.

 

　One thousand eight hundred days. That’s about five years.

 

 

“Good morning, Tamiko.” (Shuu)

 

“…Good morning, Abeshuu, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko, who had woken up earlier than me, was anxious or low-spirited. I was about to tease her but decided not to. The same is true for me who is a little nervous.

 

 

　I washed my face in the oasis’ water hole and clean my teeth with a toothpick.

 

　I have been grooming my beard and hair with my [Hypha Sword] or a stone knife. I shave my sparse stubble easily, and then, with a determined look, I cut my hair roughly and boldly. No need for a mirror, just do it. As long as it’s short and easy to move around in, it’s fine.

 

 

“I’ll do it for you, squeak. I’ll give you a stylish smart hair-style, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“No. You’re going make me bald.” (Shuu)

 

“Don’t squeak it, just stand still. I’m going to make your ugly head squeaky and clean.” (Tamiko)

 

“Stop it you idiot squirrel. My face is the only one that should be smooth. Stop making me say it, you damn *sshole.” (Shuu)

 

 

　I’ll settle for a very short haircut, an inch short of a shaved head. My head feels light and refreshed. It feels good to the touch.

 

　And then something comes into the range of my [Sensory Spores]. It’s the soundless Unicorn.

 

 

“Good morning, Oldman Uni.” (Shuu)

 

 

　A unicorn with a slightly chipped horn tip. In the past two years, the unicorns and I grew much closer. He still won’t let me touch them, though.

 

 

　He brings his face close to mine and breathes on me. He seems to be urging me to give him something.

 

　So I produced a [Healing Ball] in the palm of my hand. He rolls it up with his tongue and puts it in his mouth. He sniffs in satisfaction and bobs his head up and down.

 

 

(In the end, I never had any luck with unicorns, didn’t I?) (Shuu)

 

 

　According to the [Risk Counter]’s assessment, I now have the upper hand. I have also mastered the 15th and 16th Fungal Skills and would not be defeated in a head-to-head battle.

 

　However, for me, we have no intention of doing so. They don’t want to fight either, and this watering hole has taken care of both of us. There was no reason to go out of our way to pick a fight with him.

 

 

“Oldman Uni, maybe today would be our farewell.” (Shuu)

 

 

　I don’t think he understands my words, but I still tell him.

 

 

“I’m going to take revenge on the boss on the 49th floor. I’m confident I can beat him this time, and if I do, we’ll go straight to the top. So we might not come back down here. Well, there’s a chance I’ll get beat up and come back.” (Shuu)

 

 

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　I wanted to give a proper goodbye to him, the only friend I had made in this hellish Metro besides Tamiko.

 

 

“I think this will be the last time I will be able to give Oldman Uni a Healing Ball. I’m a little disappointed since we got to know each other so well, so… take care.” (Shuu)

 

“Don’t forget about me, Uni-san, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Oldman Uni snaps open his big eyes and then throws his heels back.

 

　Suddenly, he dashed toward the rock wall. The wall shatters with a loud bam from the crash, and stone fragments fall down.

 

 

“…Wait, Oldman Uni…?” (Shuu)

 

 

　Tamiko and I were stunned. Oldman Uni pulls out his head buried in the rock wall, holding something in his mouth as he returned to us.

 

 

“Oldman Uni, you…” (Shuu)

 

 

　His horn is broken off at the base. He bites at it nihilistically like a cigarette.

 

　“fun”, with a snort and thrust. I sensed their intention, gently extending my hand, and he dropped the horn on my hand.

 

 

“No, this…” (Shuu)

 

 

　It may have been intended as a gift of encouragement, but it was too much for him to offer such a bold and generous parting gift.

 

 

“The horn of a unicorn grows back, squeak. If we ever meet again, I’m sure you’ll have a big horn that isn’t broken, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“Of course.” (Shuu)

 

 

　Oldman Uni nods his head as if agreeing.

 

 

“Thank you, Old man Uni. I will cherish it. I will come to see you again someday.” (Shuu)

 

“*Neigh*!” (Oldman Uni)

 

 

　Oldman Uni looked up at the ceiling and let out a loud neigh. It was the first time we had ever heard such a cry.

 

　Finally, he looks at the two of us with dull eyes and leaves without looking back this time. The two of us leave, this time without looking back. I was about to cry but Tamiko is already crying, so I held it back.

 

 

“…It’s too uncool for us to lose and return after that.” (Shuu)

 

“Squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“Let’s go, Tamiko. We’re going to say goodbye to this floor today.” (Shuu)

 

 

 

　The first thing to do is to put the horns of Oldman Uni in our bag and leave the hiding place. This will hopefully be the last time I have to crawl in and out on all fours like this. I get out of the hole, standing up, and bowing. Tamiko follows suit.

 

 

　After two hours, we reach the stairs. The Heart Breaker 250-step staircase—as the two of us call it.

 

 

(If each step is about 20 centimeters high, each floor down is 50 meters long. Two and a half kilometers underground, by simple arithmetic, right?) (Shuu)

 

(Why am I that deep… when I was just sleeping in the hospital in the first place?) (Shuu)

 

 

　It’s not much of a load on my current physical strength, but if I had to go up this many steps per floor, my thighs might be the size of a bicycle racer by the time I get to the surface.

 

 

(Once I reached the ground…) (Shuu)

 

(If I meet someone… what will I do?) (Shuu)

 

 

“Abeshuu… Soon squeak…” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko whispers over my shoulder. I nodded and looked up.

 

　Not wanting to make the same mistake as last time, I put my bag down on the ninth landing. I also takes off my wolf jacket and cloak, and I was dressed neatly in just a pair of short pants fastened with a straw cord.

 

 

“…as usual, it’s there.” (Shuu)

 

“… As usual, we’re here, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko’s [Enhanced Hearing] and my [Sensory Spores] detect that it is at the top of the last twenty-five steps.

 

 

“Tamiko, can you check it with your [Risk Counter]? Sneakily and carefully.” (Shuu)

 

“Squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko gets off my shoulder and hops up the stairs, stopping before the last step. She pulls herself up, faces up, and looks toward the back of the room.

 

　She holds that position for a few seconds, then plops down on her butt, and comes back down again.

 

 

“How was it?” (Shuu)

 

“I feel like it’s squeaking stronger than when I saw it before… It’s stronger than 70, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

“……I see.” (Shuu)

 

 

　The trauma of the last time comes back to my mind.

 

　The hands are shaking. The heart rate increases. My back is shaking with fear.

 

　I close my eyes and breathe deeply again and again.

 

 

(It’s okay. I can definitely win.) (Shuu)

 

(I simulated it many times in my head.) (Shuu)

 

(I can do it this time.) (Shuu)

 

 

　Telling myself this over and over again.

 

 

“A-Abeshuu! Are you okay, squeak?” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko says while shaking and slapping me.

 

 

“We-we’re gonna squeak it together!” (Tamiko)

 

“Tamiko…” (Shuu)

 

“Ahhhhhhh I’m going to squeak through it like it was an acorn! I’m even fine wearing a wig, squeak.” (Tamiko)

 

 

　With teary eyes, shaking tail, clenching her small hand tightly, and looking up at me.

 

　I stood up. I then pat Tamiko’s head with my fingertips.

 

 

“I’ll laugh if you become bald again.” (Shuu)

 

“Baldness can be fixed, squeak!” (Tamiko)

 

 

　I could never reach this day by myself.

 

　I’ve been able to live for the last five years because there are two of us.

 

 

(Even if I fight alone—I’m never alone.) (Shuu)

 

 

　I put my fist in front of Tamiko.

 

 

“I’ll need your help in case of emergency, partner.” (Shuu)

 

 

　Tamiko bumps her fist against mine.

 

 

“I’ll squeak it to you, Abeshuu…” (Tamiko)

 

 

　I nod.

 

　A thread spun from my hands facing forward. A [Hypha Sword] and [Hypha Great Shied].

 

 

　Closing my eyes and I focus my attention.

 

　A sword and shield clad in blue light.

 

 

　—my Fifteenth Fungal Skill, [Spore Light].

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