Kagetora: “Gahaha! This is too funny!.”

After Reina made a bombshell statement during the press conference, everyone who had rushed to the Ryuenji residence was laughing together.

That statement had set Japan abuzz, and the reporters were throwing questions one after another. Akuzawa, who decided it was impossible to keep up, temporarily halted the press conference and ended the session, promising to make an official announcement later.

Kagetora:  “It’s no laughing matter, but, well, I was surprised. Just seeing Chairman Akuzawa’s face at that moment relieved my choked feelings. I never thought Reina-kun would confess to the world…”

Aya:   “Why are you laughing! Hey, grandpa, does this mean Kai will come back to Japan?”

Kagetora:  “Hmm, it’s still difficult. But, something will surely change after that conference just now. Even those who don’t know the details should have understood that there was some kind of situation.”

Reina:  “I see… If it helped Kai, then it was good.”

Saying that, Reina blushes slightly and looks happy. Her expression is completely that of a lovestruck maiden.

Today’s statement will change the tide of public opinion against Kai. The voices defending Kai will become slightly louder, and the criticisms will become a bit quieter. It’s still a faint change, but it harbors the potential to become a torrent someday.

Kagetora: “Aya… Aren’t you in big trouble? Are you making a proper approach? You’ll lose him.”

Kagetora whispers to Aya who had a disoriented expression, as if she had been hit hard, and was not present in mind. But she snaps back to reality at Kagetora’s voice.

Aya: “Re, Reina! I, I won’t lose either!!”

She stands up and declares war, not knowing how many times she has done it before.

Kagetora: “Haha, Kai-kun is in trouble, isn’t he? I wonder if he’s inside a dungeon now?”

Aya: “He said he was challenging the A-Rank Cube. I’m worried. Grandpa, can I go to China?”

Kagetora: “I don’t mind, but if you cling too much, you’ll be disliked, you know? Besides, weren’t you going to come back at night?”

Aya: “Uuuu…”

Aya is getting restless. She wants to meet Kai as soon as possible and ask about his relationship with Reina and what he thinks about her.

But she also hates the thought of being considered a clingy woman. She absolutely despises the idea of being seen as troublesome.

Aya: “Ah… I’m constantly worried!! Is this what it’s like to be mentally unstable?!!”

She holds her head and groans. A lovesick girl who can’t get Kai out of her mind.

Even without any ill intentions, Kai was unconsciously becoming a mentally ill person manufacturing machine.

Reina: “I will wait. I said I would wait forever. Kai will surely come back.”

Aya: “What’s with that ‘I’m the main wife’ composure?!!”

◇ Meanwhile, Kai

『Condition 3 has been achieved』

Kai: “Phew… finally 100. I’m tired… this is nerve-wracking, one clear per day is the limit.”

I casually take out my smartphone to check the time. My smartphone is housed in a ridiculously sturdy custom-made container. This smartphone has saved me countless times, it’s like a partner.

Kai: “I entered at 9… and it’s 3:00. Six hours… well, that’s about right.”

I’ve been in this dungeon for about six hours.

I open the memo I made before entering this dungeon on my smartphone.

 

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Remaining magical power: 83,000/100,000 (+1000/24h)

Clear Difficulty: A-Rank

◆ Rewards

First-time clear reward（Complete）: Magical power +50,000

・Condition 1: Defeat the boss in a state where it has never been cleared before.

Complete clear reward (pending): Magical power +100,000, special skill acquisition ticket (reward for first complete clear of A-Rank Cube)

・Condition 1: Clear solo.

・Condition 2: Reach the boss room without taking any damage.

・Condition 3: Defeat 100 red species.

・Condition 4: Unlocked after achieving conditions 1-3 (defeat the extra boss)

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

 

Kai: “All that’s left is to go to the boss room, although the complete clear reward has changed from a job change ticket…”

In the Okinawa A-Rank Cube, the reward was supposed to be a high-level job change ticket, but it had become a special skill acquisition ticket. Perhaps it’s because I already used a high-level job change ticket.

I don’t know what I can get, but I feel like I can get some kind of skill.

I activate Mirage and head towards the boss room.

Just like in the Okinawa A-Rank Cube, there is a giant double door, about the size of a small building. I lightly push the massive door.

Slowly, the door opens on its own with a sound, and there is a demon in the center.

Kai: “Ruby Ogre. If that gem on its forehead is a ruby, it seems extremely valuable. Speaking of which, Aya likes red, so if it remains, I can give it as a present.”

The ogre is a size larger than me. About the size of Arnold, which is abnormal for a human but normal for a demon.

It shows off its giant fangs, and its red skin looks like it’s flushed with blood. A red gem is embedded in its forehead, which is probably its magical power stone.

Ruby Ogre: “Gyaaaa!!!”

The Ruby Ogre charges at me as soon as it sees me. As expected of an A-Rank Cube boss, it’s incomparable to the dungeons I’ve encountered so far.

I grasp my sword to face it and slowly walk forward.

The Ruby Ogre, which is closing in front of me, tries to gouge out my face with its sharp claws, like a spear.

But…

Kai: “It’s the strongest monster I’ve encountered so far… but”

Ruby Ogre: “Gah!?”

Kai: “There are beings tens of times stronger than you outside, real demon-like entities.”

What I remember is that tyrant. So strong that it makes the Ruby Ogre look cute.

Compared to that fist of destruction it’s not even a tiny bit as scary. I draw it in as close as possible and dodge by a hair’s breadth. With minimal movement, I even have the leisure for a counterattack. In one blow, my white sword sent the Ruby Ogre’s head flying.

 

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

Name: Ruby Ogre

Magical Power: 98,000

Attack Power: Reflection rate▶50% = 49,000

Defense Power: Reflection rate▶50% = 49000

Agility: Reflection rate▶50% = 49,000

Intelligence: Reflection rate▶25% = 24,500

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

With a strength that is literally of a different order of magnitude, I cut down the highest-ranking species of the Ogres.

I shake off my sword to remove the blood. I calm my mind and grip the sword once more.

It starts here.

This is where the real deal begins, everything until now was just a warm-up.

『Conditions 1, 2, and 3 have been met. Summoning the extra boss.』

The greatest barrier to complete clear, the extra condition 4.

Last time, despite being a B-Rank Cube, a monster with A-Rank strength appeared.

So this time, it should be assumed that a monster with S-Rank strength would appear.

An Emperor species? A Dragon species? Or even something beyond that?

I was prepared to face whatever came, with a face that showed no trace of complacency.

With both eyes shining in a golden hue, I look at the black hole that opened overhead, resembling space itself.

I intended not to be surprised, no matter what came. I intended not to be surprised, no matter how powerful the enemy was that appeared.

But it was too unexpected. What slowly descended from that hole was…

Kai: “…You are… surely not.”

After the promotion exam, the tags hanging around the necks of the remaining white knights. I had seen it many times, in the scenes that flowed through my mind when I touched them.

Kai: “…A black… knight.”

The sworn enemy of the white knights. It was a pitch-black knight, clad in armor that resembled darkness.