Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Dungeon Experience (1)
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Libra's Aerial Garden. Jade's study.
Jade had returned to the family estate after two sleepless nights buried in a flurry of business matters. Most of it had just required him to make a brief appearance.
"A letter from an Endex student."
His dedicated secretary handed him an envelope, even here in the study—the one place where Jade could steal a moment of rest. Not from some congressman, mayor, or corporate bigwig, but from an Endex student, of all people.
"...Daniel. Do you send fan letters or something?"
How lightly did this guy think of the Libra name? Jade shot him a scolding glare. The secretary bowed as humbly as he could.
"Yes, but it's from that senior who visited last time. I naturally tried to reject it, but... it came through anyway."
"It came through?"
"Yes. Word is, Lady Jahan personally approved and sent it up."
"..."
That impulsive, gambling-addicted wild boar of a woman—what nonsense was she pulling now?
Either way, Jade's mood soured.
This Endex senior should have taken the one act of kindness and been satisfied. What more did he want, sending a letter like this?
"Tch."
Jade tore open the envelope. A small drawing fluttered out first. It was a pencil portrait the size of three business cards stuck together.
The subject was Jade himself.
Drawn from memory, most likely...
And extraordinarily well done, at that.
Different from an oil painting's polish, but that rough touch actually highlighted Jade's features even better.
"Hm."
Frame it small and set it next to the desk monitor. With his mood lifted, Jade picked up the letter.
To Lord Jade,
As the Mana High Festival approaches, we—your distant juniors—have prepared a special play as Endex seniors. This production reimagines the Latynel drama The Bard in a modern style...
Your presence would mean the world to us. If Lord Jade attends, the play itself would shine brighter, filling us all with immense joy and honor.
Compared to your refined tastes, our humble effort may seem like fireflies before the sun, but if you could spare even a brief moment, we promise a performance that won't disappoint...
If a star like Lord Jade leaves even the smallest footprint, it would become our greatest treasure, making every moment of that day gloriously unforgettable.
With the utmost respect,
Senior Sion Askal of Endex.
"..."
Indeed. Chewing it over, the letter brimmed not just with admiration and respect, but a masterful way of expressing it.
"A play, huh."
Jade rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Daniel. Do you think it's right for me to go watch a Mana High play?"
"Rumor has it that six-star prospects and even Edshilla University students are participating. The script's quality is supposedly top-notch."
"...My schedule lines up nearby anyway, so I can spare about thirty minutes."
It didn't sound half bad. All the spotlight would be on him, and he could cultivate an image of benevolence by attending his alma mater's festival.
"Tell them I'll attend."
"Yes, sir."
Of course, no direct reply. If he ever stooped to responding personally to some random senior using his name, Jade would murder his secretary.
Just leak it to the press. Pick the ones good with words: "Libra's benevolent Jade to grace alma mater festival—"
"Thirty minutes... exactly thirty minutes."
This meant to handle the timing so no one could whisper he was too busy even for a high school play.
"Yes, understood."
Secretary Daniel bowed.
Friday dawn. I woke to the patter of steady rain.
"...It hurts."
Pain. That's what it was.
Side effects hitting late? My knee, wrist, and hip kept creaking like screws tightening. My whole body throbbed, insides burning like they were scorching.
Nausea surged with every breath.
"Ah..."
I leaned against the wall. Stared blankly at the rain streaking the window. Slowly, I got up and headed outside.
Beltos Elder stood at the old building's front gate. Under the eaves, gazing at the garden soaking in the downpour.
We'd pruned a lot together; now it looked just right.
"What're you doing, Elder?"
I approached. He glanced at me.
"Watching the rain."
"Yeah?"
"College Board's tomorrow. Sleeping in?"
"Kinda happened."
"...You're lasting a while."
I chuckled softly.
"More than that. Edshilla National University might even be in reach."
My grades so far were solid. Sure, my GPA was D-, so we'd see after the third quarter combined College Board and school scores.
"Knight Academy, maybe?"
"..."
Beltos just shook his head silently.
This old man was underrating me.
Drip... drip...
Rain poured endlessly onto the earth. The scent of wet soil filled the air.
Suddenly, a question popped up.
How much time did the Elder have left?
I didn't know when he died.
But his time would run out eventually.
Probably around when I was bedridden with illness in my previous life.
"Elder."
I called. He turned.
"What's dying feel like?"
He shifted his gaze silently. Back to the rainy scene. Murmured softly.
"Like accepting the years. Slowly getting used to it."
"...Hmm."
I pondered.
Accepting the years.
That made sense—youth's death and old age's might differ.
Youth has years left, so death's weight crushes; it's agony.
Old age accepts it gradually, like soaking in rain.
Then what about me?
A regressor, revived to repeat this pain—what was I?
"I'm not getting used to it."
Never did.
Pain was bearable.
The feeling of dying? Never gets familiar.
"Dantian cancer."
Beltos's eyes twitched faintly.
A big reaction for him.
Dantian cancer was infamous. Practically synonymous with death. Among human diseases, cancer terrified most, but this was unavoidable grim reaper territory.
"..."
Beltos didn't comfort me.
No advice either.
"Saw the lakeside. This garden too."
He continued.
"You've shaped it well."
"...Yeah?"
I smiled quietly. No energy for more words. Just leaned on the wall and dozed off.
I woke in bed.
Morning sun blazed.
Cleam Hall. I dragged my unusually wobbly legs there.
"Good to see you."
Chedric slipped in right as I sat. Almost late.
"As you all know, next week is a break. For the festival."
Seniors' faces lit up brightly.
Even College Board had 'breaks.' Once in the first quarter. Plus vacations between terms.
"Focus on today's assignment so you can relax properly."
I fiddled with my still-aching knee. Please be something easy.
"Dungeon experience."
Oh, fuck my life.
...
Dungeon
A familiar name to mana industry folks and civilians alike. Pops up in games, movies, media.
I'd done plenty. Guided B~C-ranks, hauled gear, that sort.
People who haven't been imagine caves, ruins, haunted islands. Totally wrong.
D-grade and below dungeons are managed directly by offices. Run by the corporation owning the entrance 'portal.'
"Hello, Endex students."
In the office's classroom, all 76 Endex seniors gathered.
"I'm Jeremy, head of Tanvelly Dungeon Office."
The director spoke from the blackboard with a friendly tone.
"First off, Tanvelly is a D-grade dungeon. Owned by Tan Corporation. 3.5 square kilometers, and what monsters appear? You'll find out yourselves."
Clap clap—he applauded.
"Let me explain dungeons. Some of you may know, but anyway. Dungeons don't occupy physical space. No underground cave under the office leading in. We enter via 'portal' only."
Spot on.
Still unexplained by mana or science, but leading theory: 'We enter warped worlds in gaps between realities through portals.'
I dunno the details.
Just think dungeons exist in unobservable gaps; portals get us there.
"So our office occupies the entrance 'portal,' not the whole dungeon. Legally, the portal is the dungeon. Alright."
He pointed at a tablet PC.
"Tablets at your seats. See them?"
One per desk, screen showing [Dungeon System Signup].
"Hit signup—something surprising happens. Already signed up? Skip it."
I knew from before regression.
Tap.
I pressed signup. A palm outline filled the screen.
Placed my palm. Mana sucked in; tablet activated.
[Not an existing member.]
[Welcome to the 'Dungeon System.']
[Starting signup process.]
Site name: [Broadband Mana Spell: Dungeon System]. Invented by some super genius beyond my comprehension. App, site, system.
Revolutionized dungeon clears and exploration.
[Set your 'Dungeon System' ID. Random if unset.]
[Enter birthdate. Falsification penalties not our responsibility.]
Random? No thanks.
Entered 951111.
[Signup complete. Login now possible with mana-linked biometrics.]
"All signed up? Sending invites."
Director fiddled with his smartphone.
Ding!
Message in my Dungeon System.
[Tanvelly Dungeon admin 'JEREISME' invites you to the Dungeon Room.]
[Yes / No]
"Hit Yes. Moves you to Dungeon Room—midpoint between portal and dungeon. Like a game lobby."
Yes.
Space shifted. Desk and chair vanished instantly.
"Ugh."
Almost fell but caught balance.
"...What kind of lobby is this?"
Pitch black void, no furniture, nothing. D-grade, so lobby's busted? C and B-grades had nice train-station vibes.
One by one, seniors popped in.
Whoa. So cool.
Cool? First dungeon?
Why's it so pitch black?
I tapped my wrist. Retinal window popped up.
[Tanvelly Dungeon Room]
[Unwanted invite? Hit 'Exit.']
[13 / 900]
13 current, 900 max.
Quickly hit 76, then director crossed over.
"Everyone here? This is the Dungeon Room. Kept it simple all-black. Nice, huh?"
He spread his arms. Not sure what to admire.
"Set your position here, then random party match. D-grade has just Guard and Forward."
Guard: tanks hits. Forward: deals damage.
"Position first."
['JEREISME' sends message.]
[Choose position.]
1. Guard
2. Forward
"Unsure? Pick by style. Guards face front. Forwards need ranged attacks."
1.
Body's iffy, but guys like me can't Forward. That's archers/mages.
"Ooh~ 38 Guards, 38 Forwards. Perfect balance. Random party matching now."
Director tapped his phone. System window.
[Matching...]
[Match complete]
[Party: D-rank user 'ElizeEEM']
ElizeEEM.
I read the ID slowly.
E-li-ze-E-M.
Elizeem?
"...Damn, annoying."