Off To The Dungeon - Part 3

The dazzling stars in the night sky shine brilliantly. I gaze up at the starry expanse, evoking a sense of familiarity and memories of the endless space. It feels as though I could pluck the stars with my bare hands; I reach out, attempting to grasp them, only to find them firmly fixed in their original positions.

"Am I overthinking?" I wondered as I felt the newfound powers surging through my body, inducing a light-headed yet comforting sensation. It resembled an infinite ocean; even if I entertained the notion of depleting it entirely, the quantity remained unchanged. That was the conclusion I reached after some contemplation.

At first, I was unsure about it, but I soon became adept. On the way home, I had numerous questions I wanted to ask. Many were frivolous, such as, "What underwear is Haruka-sensei wearing today?" or "What does Mio like?" Many of my queries were focused on girls whom I held in high regard. To my surprise, I received answers to all of my questions in the form of messages within my mind.

Haruto experienced conflicting emotions; he felt both pleased and guilty for the girls, yet he was primarily consumed by fear of the powers he now possessed. He couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't a positive development; he sensed something ominous looming or perhaps already in motion. After acquiring these overwhelming powers, he began to entertain thoughts like, "Is this a conspiracy orchestrated by some higher force?" or "Have I stumbled upon a supernatural ability by chance?" These questions plagued his mind incessantly on his journey home, but unlike before, he didn't receive any answers.

"Oh!? I nearly forgot... I went out to buy a game ...why am I pondering something so complex? As someone who wants to savor life properly, I should direct my attention to the game now! Dangers...? Let the SDF handle them; they're capable. And I might not be the only one with powers, correct? I'll simply concentrate on enjoying the remaining days of the holidays!"

Dismissing those lingering thoughts, he hastened his pace, the weight of his recent purchases bearing down on his hand. Amidst the quietude of the abandoned streets, he pressed on with determination, each step underscoring his desire to reach home. After a short journey through the desolate thoroughfares, Haruto eventually made it back home.

"I'm home..." 

After locking the door, I entered the house. Observing its emptiness, I remained silent and switched on the lights. With Mom and Dad often preoccupied with work, they're seldom at home. My dad, a manga artist, dedicates himself to creating hot-blooded manga, which typically centers around formidable female protagonists. These characters possess a range of traits, including legal lolis endowed with the power to demolish mountains, onee-san with a whip or beautiful-sensei with succubus powers.

The storyline primarily revolves around the ecchi, harem, and adult genres, with multiple female characters and a lone male protagonist taking center stage.

Despite Mom's appreciation for Dad's manga, she refrains from expressing too much interest in front of him, worried it might embolden him to pursue his own harem. Consequently, whenever she discovers him engrossed in harem manga, she swiftly seizes the back of his shirt collar and guides him into their room, his face reflecting a sense of resignation... Dad reluctantly complies. Despite being in their own room, I could hear Dad's pleading voice, as if he was at Mom's mercy, begging for her compassion. Whenever he got caught like this, which happened often, I couldn't help but laugh—it seemed like he was doing it on purpose. Maybe this was just their way of showing love? At first, I laughed at myself for thinking so deeply about it.

In that moment, I heard gasping noises that got me curious. I moved closer to the door, listened carefully, and quickly realized what was going on. Feeling embarrassed, I hurried back to my room for some quiet time.

My parents' closeness at home was something I had become used to, until... the growing frequency of their intimacy started affecting my sleep, resulting in dark circles under my eyes that could easily be mistaken for those of a panda. Despite feeling embarrassed, I realized I needed to talk to them about it. During dinner, I stared at them intensely, looking like a ghost with a grudge, my tired eyes revealing my exhaustion. Suddenly, my dad noticed my gaze and jumped in surprise, seeking comfort in my mom's arms.

Sensing the opportune moment, I approached my parents. As our conversation touched on sensitive subjects, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and they lowered their heads. Following a brief discussion, they concluded to move out. While I felt a twinge of sadness, I also respected their decision.

Both my mom and dad are high earners; my mom is a renowned clothing designer, and she is financially well-off. On that very day, she purchased an apartment next to our house and promptly relocated there. Now, they spend seven to eight days here with me each month and the remainder of the time in their new apartment. Additionally, they return here for two or three days before the end of each month.

Entering his peaceful home, clad in his cozy slippers, he welcomed the tranquility he had become accustomed to. Setting the game console on the table, he eagerly took his seat. With anticipation, he gently opened it, eager to start. Following the instructions carefully, he connected the wires. As he approached the final step, excitement surged within him. With a quick motion, he inserted the CD, ready to embark on his gaming journey.

"Let's see what this game has in store for me!"

Haruto remained engrossed in his game, oblivious to the world around him, showing little interest in superpowers and considering them a futile pursuit. However, upon reflection, he realized the potential consequences of the situation: it was only a matter of time before many individuals discovered their latent abilities, likely leading to chaos. Foreseeing government intervention to manage the situation, Haruto anticipated new systems and regulations that would favor those with superpowers.

Unbeknownst to Haruto, a seemingly ordinary book nestled within his soul momentarily flashed a golden hue before returning to its usual appearance. This fleeting moment marked a profound shift. Suddenly, earthquakes shook the world, planes fractured, and lands split open, forming vast chasms from which ominous sounds emanated, rattling buildings and homes. Despite the widespread devastation, citizens emerged unscathed, with no reported casualties or injuries amidst the debris.

It was both a miracle and a curse for them. Their homes lay in ruins after the earthquake, and the loss of property weighed heavily on them, leading to mental consequences such as panic attacks, a lack of basic necessities, and depression among survivors. In this dire situation, monsters such as "Goblins," "Horn Rabbits," and others like "Lizard Soldiers" and "Orcs" emerged on the surface from the gaping holes, leading an army of minions with them. The sudden appearance of such creatures, reminiscent of those from games, left them stunned.

"Could this be... really happening?!"

"Goblins... rabbits... orcs... and now lizard monsters?! Am I just dreaming? Pinch me, I must be dreaming... Ouch...! That's real!"

"You're the one who wanted this! Don't put the blame on me..."

"Shut up! Stop arguing and look there instead! See it? They've got health bars above their heads, just like in games. If this works like in games, we might level up and get stronger. Who knows? We might even learn magic if they drop items like in the game!"

Those who were familiar with status and health bars started discussing fighting the monsters. As they listened to their explanations, people began discussing loots and items. They took their time discussing, noticing that the monsters didn't attack them, almost as if they were waiting. It was strange to see the monsters standing still and observing them; an unsettling feeling welled up in their chests as they watched the strange behavior of the monsters.

Players swiftly organized themselves into battle-ready formations, their unity palpable as they prepared to confront the advancing horde, while cautious civilians, unfamiliar with gaming strategies, kept a safe distance.

"Owaaaaaaaaa!!!"

"Ghaaaahaaaaaaaaaa!!!"

The resounding echoes of war cries filled the air as the clash between humanity and the monstrous invaders erupted. It was a conflict of unparalleled intensity, a desperate struggle for survival that ignited the very essence of human resilience.

In the throes of battle, amidst the chaos and carnage, history bore witness to the shortest yet most intense war mankind had ever experienced. Miraculously, no lives were lost, but injuries were widespread as humanity fought fervently to defend its existence.

As the dust settled and victory hung heavy in the air, the courageous players, hailed as heroes, were generously rewarded by the government with opulent villas and substantial monetary compensation. Meanwhile, an eerie silence descended upon the scene as the government swiftly disposed of the monstrous corpses, leaving the players disappointed by the absence of coveted loot and resigned to leave the task to the authorities.

In just a few days, the world underwent a dramatic shift. The swift adoption of the new system brought a sense of optimism to the public, offering fresh job opportunities and means of earning a livelihood. Particularly for the homeless, the chance to hunt rabbits for sustenance offered a ray of hope. Regular announcements kept everyone informed, with institutions like schools and offices receiving directives from higher authorities to assess aptitudes, increasing the chances of identifying individuals suited for rare job roles.

Amidst this flurry of activity, Haruto lay sprawled on his bed, indulging in lazy slumber after days spent immersed in gaming. With only four hours of sleep, the rest of his time was devoted to gaming. The clamor outside failed to disturb his peaceful repose; in his eyes, life couldn't be more perfect.

"Hmmm... ah..." I mumbled as I stretched upon awakening. Monday, the most loathed day of the week; today, school would resume. Rising from bed, I proceeded to the bathroom for my morning routine of brushing and bathing. Once I had finished bathing, I donned my school uniform and grabbed my bag before descending to the dining room. In the kitchen, I rummaged through the refrigerator and discovered some bread cones, which I promptly enjoyed for breakfast.

"Delicious!" I exclaimed after consuming four or five bread cones. With my school shoes on, I made my way to the front door, locked it behind me, and ventured outside.

Haruto found himself disoriented as he looked around—streets he once traversed, towering buildings he recognized, all reduced to rubble, except for his home. His disbelief was evident as he surveyed the devastation. Glancing at his undamaged house brought a momentary sense of relief, but as he turned back to the ruins, the full weight of the situation hit him. Lost in thought, he was snapped back to reality by the ringing of his phone.

"Hello... Yes, I'm at home right now. Okay... I'm on my way to school, I'm hanging up."

With a sigh, Haruto stowed his phone and headed towards school, his steps heavy with a mix of familiarity and strangeness. The image of his "perfect high school life" shattered before him, replaced by the daunting prospect of the challenges ahead.