Published: September 10, 2025
Correction made on 2016/10/24.
Partial revision on 2016/10/23.
This is Satou. At some point, stories not only about adventurers conquering dungeons but also about those managing the dungeons themselves became common. Personally, I think this traces back to around the fourth classic masterpiece of labyrinth exploration RPGs.
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"Master! Master, Master!!"
A white-haired little girl hugged me tightly, repeating the same word over and over.
Arisa, whom I looked to for help, just scratched her cheek and didn't seem inclined to help actively.
"I declare Master as my own Master."
"Ugh, you're clinging too much."
Nana pulled me back from behind with a hug, while Mia struggled to separate the white-haired girl from me.
Thanks to her level-based strength increase, Mia easily pried the girl away.
"Ah! Master! Let go! Maasteeer!!"
The girl pulled away from me in a panic, struggling and crying desperately for me.
Seeing this, Nana muttered, "Larval form," and stopped moving.
"Is bullying uncool?"
"You must never make little kids cry."
"Hmph."
With Tama and Pochi providing covering support, the white-haired girl slipped out of Mia's arms and clung back to my waist as before.
Lulu brought some tea just then, so I sat down on the sofa and placed the girl on my lap.
Tama looked at the girl with envy but didn't seem to want to push her off my lap.
"Well then, what’s the story with this child?"
According to the AR display, her name is "Core Two," and her race is "homunculus."
She belongs to the "Illusory Labyrinth" on Dejima Island, so she’s probably an external exploration unit of the dungeon core.
"Picked up her?"
"When I was munching away with Tama, she was running naked from bad guys."
I patted Tama and Pochi on the heads, who looked proud, and praised them, "Well done."
Pochi's words were a bit lacking, but it meant they had helped Core Two escape from the villains during their training journey.
Still—
"You figured out I’m your acquaintance?"
"Were you looking for Master?"
"When I say Master, I mean 'Master' of course."
I see, that fits Tama and Pochi’s style.
"Master, let’s go home. It’s dangerous outside the dungeon, you know?"
Core Two pressed her head against my chest, pleading with her neck tilted up.
Every time Core Two called me "Master," Nana twitched slightly but seemed to hold back, probably recalling Core Two’s earlier crying.
"There aren’t many safer places than here."
The only place safer than here would probably be Yuika’s base that set up this barrier.
"That’s not true."
I’m not sure if she doesn’t believe or accept my words, but Core Two shook her head vigorously to deny it.
"Well, labyrinths do get conquered, you know~"
"That’s not true at all!"
Reacting reflexively, Core Two argued against Arisa’s carefree words.
"If I’m with Master, I’m absolutely, absolutely invincible!"
"Well, sure, if you’re with Master, even a straw hut would be invincible."
"Of course~?"
"Wherever I am with Master, I’m wonderfully invincible."
Arisa nodded with a look of exasperation at Core Two’s argument, and Tama, Pochi, and the others voiced their agreement.
Core Two tilted her head curiously at their reaction and looked up at me.
"Wanna try some snacks?"
"Snacks?"
Lulu confirmed the atmosphere had calmed and brought some treats.
"Choco biscuits~?"
"Tama and Pochi explained today’s snack to Core Two: biscuits dipped in soft chocolate."
"Choco?"
Nana demonstrated for Core Two, who didn’t quite understand.
"Tasty. Master, it’s delicious."
"Thanks, but I’m good. Eat more."
Core Two’s eyes shone brightly after taking a bite and she turned to offer me the chocolate biscuit.
I took a single bite and encouraged her to eat the rest.
"Master, say ahh~"
When Arisa imitated Core Two and offered me a chocolate biscuit, the others followed suit.
I’m not particularly fond of sweets, but after staying up all night researching, they tasted surprisingly good today.
"Eek!"
Pretending to bite Lulu’s finger while eating, she blushed in surprise.
Maybe I’m starting to feel the effects of staying up all night.