Chapter 22 Onward to the Dungeon.

"Mr. Hiroshi we have arrived".

The limousine stopped in front of a luxurious residential building in one of the Tokyo wards. The driver went out and opened the passenger door.

Hiroshi turned his gaze at Soma and he opened his mouth while putting his right hand on Soma's shoulder.

"Thank you, please convey my gratitude toward President Ito. Soma see you later".

"Yes, Mr. Hiroshi".

"Soma if you have something on your mind don't hesitate to call us okay. I already left you my private number so please don't burden yourself alone".

Hisako crouched in front of Soma while taking his hands on hers tightly. Her strong gaze that implied he could only say 'Yes' made Soma's lips twitch. Overwhelmed, Soma nodded his head and flashed his white teeth.

"Okay, Miss Hisako I will certainly do that".

"..Good".

Hisako feels a bit reluctant at first but she releases her grip before stepping down from the car, followed by her husband, and there is only one person who still hasn't come out.

Soma turned his attention to her and their gaze met for a brief second, before Hina turned her gaze away, humped displeased. She didn't utter a single word as she passed before Soma and left the limousine. Soma feels a bit mixed feelings about her attitude.

He is rather pleased seeing his favorite heroine become real in front of him, but also the person herself has a rather hatred for him.

Seeing that the Akabane family has stepped down. The driver closed the door and went toward the driver's seat.

"Young Boy, please buckle up, the car will be leaving soon?".

"Understood".

Soma smiled wryly, as he accepted the driver's small joke. Then leaned his back to enjoy the pleasant feeling that supported his back.

On their way toward Soma's house. Soma didn't utter a single word, the same also applied to the driver. They exchange a brief talk just to ask about the destination they want to go to.

After silently driving for an hour. The limousine slowed down in one of the residences in east Tokyo and stopped before an ordinary house. That gives a lonely feeling because there is no sign of life there.

The passenger door opened and the driver offered his smile after seeing Soma stepping out of the limousine.

"Thank you for the drive".

Soma bowed his body toward the driver and the driver, pleased at Soma's attitude, smiled before shaking his head to the side.

"I just did what I have been told. Then, Young boy, I hope you have a wonderful day".

"..Yes, thank you".

The driver bowed his head slightly before going into the driver's seat and drove the car away from his house. Soma watches the leaving limousine until it disappears from his sight.

Soma began to open the gate and put his feet in the yard. He took the key from his left chest pocket and inserted it in the keyhole then twisted it. It clicked perfectly and Soma grabbed the metal knob before twisting it and pushing the door inside.

Inside a rather dim quiet room welcomed his coming. Soma didn't utter a single coming home word because he knew that there was no one that would reply so he changed his shoes into indoor sandals. Then stepping inside.

His footsteps echoed against a wooden floor as he entered the wide living room that had two big spaces. There is one four-seater white Sofa facing the 32-inch LCD TV on top of the width drawer, on its right side, there is a small bookshelves brimming with books that his late parents collected.

In another space beside the living room, there is a dining space where there are four wooden chairs that surround a rectangular wooden chair. Beside it was the kitchen. Soma could see a pile of dirty plates in the wash bin that he forgot to wash. He was planning to clean it after getting home from his part-time job. The sight before him didn't have any difference from his memories in his previous world.

"All of it was the same".

Not wanting to wear his mind any more than this. Soma walked briskly as he entered the small corridor on the left side of the living room house that had two doors on each side and one in front of him.

Soma opened the door on his right side and entered a small room with a tidy clean bed that connected to the window on the right side. a small wooden drawer on the left side of the bed. There is also a learning desk in one of the corner rooms and a wardrobe for his clothes. The room has the impression of minimalist for it has no accessories or any decoration at all inside.

He approached the bed then slid the small wooden drawer on its left side and took a charger to recharge his phone. Once he connected the charger to the power source he inserted the type-c cable into his phone and with a slight vibration his phone began to light up and show its brand logo.

Soma put away his phone, taking off his jacket and put it in the bed corner, before submerging himself onto the soft bed and letting out a satisfying sigh.

Lying on the soft bed while looking at the familiar ceiling in his sight. Give his mind some time to wander a bit, and then he begins to form a concrete plan for his future.

"First, I need to level up fast and get some amazing skills to help me increase my survival ability and maybe save her. Last but not least, how to undo the curse within me".

While muttering to himself he remembers that he must inform the two of them about him. He raised his upper body up grabbed his charging phone and booted it on.

Soma grabbed his jacket before taking two pieces of paper that contained contact information from two significant figures.

After his phone completely turns on. He saved the two contacts in his phone. He ponders for a bit before he decides to give the other two a message.

{Good afternoon, pleased to meet you, and Thank you for taking care of me earlier. This is Soma. Best regard}

"Send!".

Not wanting to make some effort for just a message. He sent the same exact line toward the two numbers simultaneously. While he turned away from his phone a bit. It began to vibrate and a new notification appeared on the screen.

"That was fast!".

{Good afternoon, Soma. I am glad you arrived safely at your home. Have you eaten? Please don't neglect your health. not long ago you are still sleeping on the hospital bed after all. ..If you need anything you can contact me anytime. Best regards to you too}.

"..What is this? Is she my mother?".

Soma had a blank face seeing the message that had been written in just a dozen seconds. But, then he lifted the corner of his mouth and burst out laughing. It brings a flash of memories from his mother when he was left alone on a business trip. The message was almost identical, he couldn't help but recall those heartwarming exchanges he had with his mother.

{Thank you, Miss Hisako. I am fine and planning to eat some food right now. Thank you for your concern}

After sending the message Soma put away the phone and then lifted his butt from the soft bed.

".. Let's get something to eat first. I am hungry".

Soma lifted his legs and let them carry him toward the kitchen to cook something. But, after the room was empty, his still phone vibrated twice as a new notification alarmed him for incoming new messages. One is from Hisako and the other one is from Mr. Ito.

{....Your permit has already been made. I will send it to you tomorrow morning….}

***

As the first rays of the sunlight gently filtered through the curtains accompanied by the ringing sound of the alarm from the digital clock near him, stirred his slumber mind as he opened his eyes slowly, blinking them a few times to wash away the remnants of sleep preparing to welcome a new day.

Soma who opened his eyes raised his upper body turned off the alarm ring and sat on the bed to gather some strength in his body. He stretched his stiff body, before leaving the comforted bed and approached the curtain.

He stretched the curtain as a brilliant ray of sunlight began to assault his eyes, blinding him for a moment. When his eyes began to accustom themselves to the light, a translucent window appeared before his eyes to warn him about the quest.

[Daily quest Jogging 30 minutes]

"..Jogging huh".

Without further ado he began to tidy his bed, Then he stood before the wardrobe to equip his jogging equipment. A set of dark blue jerseys, long blue trousers, and a blue sports jacket from the same brand with two stripes on each arm made him ready to face his morning trial.

After making a proper preparation in the morning, Soma now stood up before his homeyard began to stretch himself. As the chilly breeze that caressed his skin made his body shudder for a bit, he rubbing his hands to keep them warm. Then, he noticed there was something inside his mailbox.

"You're kidding me, It's already arrived for the first time in the morning".

Soma realized what the thing was and began to approach it, and a single white envelope was there. He grabbed the soft paper before tearing the seal and searching the contents inside.

Inside, there was a small guidebook, a black ring, and a Silver rectangle card that was made from special material. Soma's heart throbbed and he felt elated because of the entry permit in his hand. With this, he can start to explore the dungeon and level up.

He grabbed his phone and looked at the specific spot where he marked it last night, as the first location he would go to visit if the entry permit was in his hand.

"Let's go while finishing my Daily quest".