CHAPTER 88: SIBLINGS FIGHT ABOVE GROUND

“Brother, we’re getting more and more responses. Some people are saying it’s not true, but I guess they are in the minority.” (Haru)

　After spreading our speculation on the Internet that monsters would increase as people died, I was cooking lunch as usual.

　I was relieved to hear this information from Haru, who had been watching the Internet for reactions to our idea.

　Although I didn’t want to stand out, I didn’t necessarily think it was a good idea for other people to die. If there’s a way to save people without being exposed, I’ll do it right away.

“Haru, what’s going on in Tokyo?” (Kei)

　What I’m most interested in is the dungeon in Tokyo. The other dungeons are too far away from here to do anything about it, and it can’t be helped.

“Hmm, this could be bad. I don’t think they can keep up with the monsters. Also, there are pictures on social media of monsters standing all over the city.” (Haru)

　Hearing those words, I thought about it. I think about the risks. And then.

“Haru. Are you willing to go to Tokyo?” (Kei)

“To protect the city?” (Haru)

“To protect people, to be exact. As our old man said, we should value ourselves more than any number of other people’s lives.” (Kei)

“Yes.” (Haru)

“That’s why—” (Kei)

　When I had said that much, Haru continued.

“If you are absolutely safe, it’s okay to go and help. I want to go to help. Sometimes I want to check things myself.” (Haru)

“What do you mean?” (Kei)

　I asked back, not understanding what Haru was trying to confirm.

“The stampede is too long. I didn’t mind it because we’re probably faster at dealing with monsters than you are, but I think it’s crazy if there are still enough of them to push explorers around.” (Haru)

“Oh, that’s right.” (Kei)

　I put my newly prepared lunch on the table. Then I look at the internet using our smartphone. There is no information about the stampede settling down in any dungeon around the world.

“I think it’s best to just take a look at the situation and see how we’re doing.” (Haru)

“If that’s the case.” (Kei)

　In addition to our usual gear, I prepare something to hide our faces. In the event of an emergency, I transferred the items I would use from my item pouch to my backpack and put them together.

“Basically, ‘we’ won’t do anything. If we, do anything, we’ll do it in an inconspicuous way. If we fight in public, we’ll pretend to be Intermediate Explorers.” (Kei)

“Yeah. I understand.” (Haru)

“Then, for the time being.” (Kei)

　We sat across the table.

“Want to eat lunch?” (Kei)

“”Thank you for the meal.”” (Kei & Haru)

　After finishing lunch, we quickly made our preparations and placed the thorns that we had made using [Bind] and [Alchemy] at the entrance of the dungeon, although we were not sure how long they would last.

　And now, we were in Tokyo.

　There were hardly any people walking around the city, which should have been overflowing with people every day.

　I guess it has something to do with the fact that the monsters have left the dungeon. This place is close to a dungeon. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were monsters.

　Then, while I was thinking about such things.

“Brother, there’s a monster over there.” (Haru)

　Haru pointed in a direction between buildings, not in the direction of the dungeon.

“Would you like to go there for the time being? Our status is increasing, so we should wait and see.” (Haru)

“Alright.” (Kei)

　Since we are in the city, we head toward the direction that Haru’s [Detection] tells us while firmly not pulling out our weapons. As walked a little further, there was something in the range of my [Perception].

“It’s a goblin. They’re humanoid, so it’s going to be an easy fight.” (Kei)

　I looked between the buildings that had the reaction, and there was a goblin looking around. Is it lost?

　The goblin saw us, it raised its hands and jump at us. But.

“Slow.” (Haru)

　The way it runs is unsteady as if it has no strength as if it has already been exercised to the limit.

　And it’s slower than the goblins on the first level. The way he swings his arms and moves his legs.

　I lightly grabbed the hand that the goblin had swung down and spun it around. Since it wasn’t a person, I spun it halfway around and dropped it headfirst to the ground.

　The goblin doesn’t even grunt at that and stops moving. After a few moments, the goblin disappeared.

“It died too easily.” (Haru)

“Well, are the goblins getting weaker outside of the dungeon?” (Kei)

　A goblin of this strength could be defeated by a child. There are situations that you gain the courage to attack unhesitatingly an enemy who is trying to kill you.

　Of course, the goblin gave no drops.

“Well, do you want to go to the dungeon?” (Kei)

“Yup. Let’s go.” (Haru)

　We left the place where there were no traces of goblins and headed for the dungeon.

　As we approached the dungeon, we began to hear people’s voices, which became louder and louder.

　Cursing, shouting, and screaming. We could also hear the roar of monsters, and the sound of metal clashing.

　It seems that at least some monsters with hard metal-like parts have come out to the surface.

　I went to the square in front of the dungeon and found it crowded with people. Most of them were probably spectators.

　A fence had been put up to confine the monsters that had come out of the dungeon, and explorers seemed to be fighting the monsters inside the fence.

　Monsters that tried to climb the fence without fighting the explorer were hit from outside the fence and fell back inside.

　Just as I thought, there was a scream and the mass of people parted neatly. There was a goblin who must have climbed over the fence. The goblin, which had fallen off the fence and was lying on the ground, immediately stood up and jumped at the nearest woman.

　Its steps seemed faster than those of the goblin we had just fought.

“Hey, stop. You.” (Kei)

　Haru, who had somehow stepped forward, grabbed the goblin by the neck and brought it to the ground again. And then.

“Hiyaa!” (Haru)

　She grabbed its leg and swung it around and threw it inside the fence.

　It must have been a little too low. The goblin hit its head on the fence, spun around, and fell inside the fence.

　Haru looked around and noticed that the eyes of the people around her were on her.

“Brother”

　The cool image she had earlier was nowhere to be seen as she rushed towards me, hiding her face.