After defeating Zeldris, I left the dungeon.
Since my pants got torn, I lost all my money and had no choice but to walk home.
To kill time, I decided to check the items I'd obtained in the dungeon.
There wasn't much of importance—nothing noteworthy aside from the battle with Zeldris.
The "Bloodstained Spear" was an S-rank item, which was seriously awesome.
My skills were already maxed out, so it didn't seem like I needed to level them up further.
My stats, just like my level, remained unchanged.
However, I apparently had something called "Personal Points" that I could allocate.
They weren't part of the adventurer system, but they functioned similarly.
I had 30 points, so I distributed most of them into strength, speed, endurance, and intelligence.
I had no idea what intelligence did, but it couldn't hurt to have it high.
I also gained a new passive skill—"Nightmare Doppelgänger."
It seemed my sword had fused with Zeldris, hence the "Nightmare" part of the name.
Its effect: "Can materialize shadows of a person to recreate the deceased or mimic past events. Each doppelgänger consumes Spirit Points instead of magic power."
My status window now had a "Spirit Points" gauge, currently at 100/100.
(So I can create clones of myself… and even make them mimic others?)
(But what does it mean by "past events"…?)
There was a lot to figure out, but I'd leave that for later.
Suddenly, I got a message on my phone.
"This thing's tough. Survived all those attacks."
It was from Yukine: "Staying at a friend's place tonight. Don't wait up."
"Why the hell is she texting me?"
Just as I wondered, another message came through.
"Not like I'm texting you because I want to. Mom's not answering. She should be home by now—probably asleep or watching some drama."
(Ah, that explains it.)
I pocketed my phone and realized I'd already reached home.
But something was off.
The lights were out—even though the house across the street was lit.
I approached the gate—it was open.
The front door was slightly ajar too.
"Excuse the intrusion," I called out as I stepped inside—only to be met with a scene of devastation.
The place was wrecked, as if wild animals had rampaged through.
Papers were scattered on the floor. I picked one up—a message in vivid red letters.
Then, a voice message came through on my phone.
I played it—
"Yuuya-kun, listen! Don't ask questions!"
"Take Yukine and get out of the house, now!"
"Ah, they're here—!"
"No! Let go of me—!"
The audio cut off with the sound of things crashing to the floor—that alone told me everything.
The letter's contents:
"We know where you live. We're coming to collect what you owe. You can't run from us."
Every note said the same thing.
(So that's what that look on Hinami's face was about this morning… They've been watching her.)
(She knew this would happen…!)
But what could I do?
Go to the police?
I had no leads to help her…
…Wait. Help her?
Then I remembered—my skill.
"Doppelgänger."
I called its name, but nothing happened.
A message appeared instead:
"To activate this skill, a specific keyword is required."
"A keyword? Nobody told me that!"
"Let's see…"
I tried a few different names, but none worked.
Then it hit me—the one thing I hated most in my past life.
"Awaken."
A purple-blue light flashed, and three shadowy figures emerged around me.
They stood there, waiting for orders.
"Recreate what happened here."
The shadows began replaying the scene—Hinami coming home, men bursting in, dragging her by the hair, slamming her into furniture, then forcing her out.
They left the house and got into a car. One of the shadows even transformed into the vehicle itself.
"Wait… does this mean I can track them?!"
The car took off—and I followed.
This was my chance to save her.
Hold on, Hinami.
◇◇◇
Hinami had been taken to Kabukicho.
The building appeared to be an ordinary office, but in reality, it was a criminal organization's hideout. Bruises marred her face as she lay bound on the floor.
Kunugi Renya's office looked, at first glance, like any shady corporation's—plush leather sofas, thick curtains, an imposing black desk.
Yet a metal bat lay discarded in the corner, and faint bloodstains seeped into the walls.
The man in black-and-purple silk—Kunugi Renya—grabbed Hinami's chin. Five golden rings glinted on each hand.
"Long time no see, Hinami."
"What... do you want?" she whispered, trembling.
Kunugi unfurled a contract. "100% daily interest. Your debt's now in the trillions."
Memories flooded back—her adventurer husband's funeral, the loan she'd taken from Kunugi at "1% weekly interest", the trap that followed—
"You fraud! You fat bastard!"
Kunugi's eyes turned dangerous. "Who lent you money when your idiot husband died?"
A subordinate's voice crackled over the radio: "Boss! Intruder at the—guh—!"
CRASH. A blood-drenched Yuuya emerged through the shattered wall, his fist embedded in the ceiling where he'd just hurled a thug.
"You... what the hell are you?!" Kunugi drew a pistol—only for Yuuya to snatch it mid-air.
"Kunugi... Renya?" Yuuya's eyes flared crimson.
"Politicians? Cops? I don't give a damn."
With a single throw, he launched Kunugi 20 meters through the window—shattering glass and concrete alike.
"You're safe now," Yuuya murmured, lifting Hinami onto his back as sirens wailed in the distance.
"Let's go home."
But Hinami shook her head. "...Take me to your place."
Their silhouettes melted into the dawn-lit streets—
◇◇◇
Upon arriving home, Yuuya brewed tea for Hinami.
The TV flickered on—news of the incident already breaking:
"Moments ago, a major yakuza syndicate was arrested. Details to follow."
Yuuya turned it off. "You okay?"
Hinami set down her cup, reaching instead for an empty beer can.
"Pathetic... I put Yukine and you in danger."
Her voice cracked. "If you hadn't come—"
"Stop lying to yourself." Yuuya seized her trembling hands.
"Can't handle something? Tell me. Aren't we family?"
Hinami looked up, eyes sharp.
"Honestly? You used to be the worst."
"A fat, stalker creep peeping on me and Yukine... squatting in our house—"
Yuuya covered his face.
(Yeah... I was scum.)
"But now—" Her fingers brushed his cheek.
"Yukine will warm up to you again. I know it."
Suddenly, Hinami's demeanor shifted. A blush crept up her neck—
"Hey... Yuuya-kun, are you a virgin? With that face now, you must be popular."
[New Passive Skill: "Incubo" Acquired!]
Effect: Increases female honesty under stress
"Whoa—Hinami! You're drunk—!"
She tugged her blouse aside, revealing soft curves.
"I'm older, but still got it. Want... practice?"
Yuuya's restraint shattered. Memories of his past life surged—
(That time the princess approved my harem... felt just like this—)
"No take-backs." He pulled her close, claiming her lips.
"Ready to be my woman?"
"Yes... please."
As he carried her to the bedroom, Hinami whispered:
"Make me... forget everything."
That night, Yuuya truly became a man in this world—
◇
The Next Morning.
Yukine returned home, clutching her mother's favorite cake in hand—fully prepared to be scolded as she stepped into the kitchen.
"Oh, Yukine! Thank goodness. I was worried."
Hinami stood at the stove, effortlessly flipping pancakes with a smile. There was an unfamiliar glow about her, as if she'd somehow grown younger overnight.
"...Huh?"
Yukine froze in confusion. Beside her, Yuuya casually sipped his coffee.
"Mornin'."
"...Morning. What's up with Mom?"
"Dunno."
Yukine's eyes widened at the mountain of food piled on Yuuya's plate.
"You're eating ALL that?!"
"Of course. Yuuya-kun's heading back to the dungeon today," Hinami chimed in. For a brief moment, her lips curled into something almost... sultry.
After finishing his meal, Yuuya patted Yukine's head and stood.
"I'm off."
"Have a good day~"
Once the door closed behind him, Yuuya exhaled, cracking his knuckles.
"Saturday, huh? Got a lot to do."
He grinned, tilting his face toward the sun.
"This reincarnated life—I'll live it to the fullest. For everyone who didn't make it."
"The dungeon's secrets... the truth behind the 'Herrscher'... I'll uncover it all in due time."
With a battle-ready shout, he punched the air.
"Time to make some serious cash!"
And so began another day for the former hero—now stranded on Earth.
_________________________________
Otherworld Dungeon Arc: END
Dungeon Herrscher - Volume 1: END