Chapter 0 - Prologue

I, Eisuke Okamoto, a hardcore office worker at his limit, find solace only within this damp and thrilling dungeon where I go camping.

Dungeons exist all around the world.

Even in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, where I live. Dungeons come in various difficulty levels, ranging from F to SSS class. The government strictly restricts entry for ordinary adventurers, allowing them access only to dungeons corresponding to their adventurer rank.

During my usual life as a corporate slave and weekends as a dungeon camper, I’ve reached the SSS class. It’s because during my school days, I didn’t have friends, and I went exploring various dungeons with my adventurer dad. I can defeat most monsters, and some even steer clear of me.

Well, I usually hunt down most monsters and turn them into camp meals!

“Ugh, those annoying bosses and those airheaded women. So annoying.”

I open a can of beer and gulp it down, the scent of the grilled Lv500 Cockatrice wafting through the air. I became a regular office worker instead of following in my adventurer dad’s footsteps and making a living. But…

“Why do I have to put up with those trashy bosses acting all high and mighty?”

I take a bite of the grilled Cockatrice skewer, still piping hot, and wash it down with beer.

“Phew… Well, I guess I have to endure it to earn a salary for survival… Ultimately, I’m stronger than those guys. At worst, I can kill them, and they’ll die.”

I’m starting to crave something other than just the skewers.

What other monsters were in this S-class dungeon? Oh, right… There’s the best snack around!

I pick up my trusty bow and whistle.

In response, a cute, fluffy, toast-colored face peeks out from the tent. Triangular ears stand tall, and round black eyes twinkle. The bushy, coiled tail gives it a slightly cheeky expression.

“Oh, is it done cooking?”

“I’m going to hunt for some extra snacks, Shiba.”

“Geez…”

This is Shiba. Although he looks like a toast-colored Shiba Inu, he’s an SSS-class familiar called Inugami, which my dad left for me.

After yawning with a “kuuuh,” Shiba sniffs around and growls, “It’s over here, the beef jerky.”

I follow Shiba while admiring his round and cute rear.

“You like it too, don’t you? Centaur beef jerky.”

“I prefer the hoof part.”

“You’re a dog.”

“Because I am a dog, after all. Basics, you know.”

We chat as we stroll through the dungeon. If it’s a monster in an S-class dungeon, it won’t approach me and Shiba on its own.

So, it might not be very thrilling, but it’s just right for a weekend camping trip. We’ve already gathered plenty of food, and there’s no point in needlessly taking lives.

“Aaaaaaaa!”

A woman’s scream echoes from where we’re heading.

Other adventurers, perhaps?

Immediately followed by what seems to be the roar of Centaurs. And it sounds like there’s more than one.

“Shiba!”

“On it!”

Shiba swiftly transformed into a size large enough for me to ride comfortably, and I hopped on him, heading towards the direction of the screams at incredible speed.

“Centaurs usually operate solo, right?” I asked Shiba, somewhat teasingly.

“Not during their breeding season. They become more aggressive and tastier,” Shiba replied, licking his lips leisurely. It was a menacing expression that didn’t suit his cute Shiba Inu appearance.

There was a girl with flashy blonde hair, a cute outfit, and a sparkling magic wand in her hand. She had injured her leg and had collapsed. In front of her, a Centaur raised its axe. Its body had turned bright red, and judging by the pink tips of its horns, it was a female.

“Nooo!!!”

I nocked a specially crafted arrow on my bow and drew it tight just as the Centaur was about to swing its axe.

“Grrr?!”

The Centaur instantly became a victim of the explosive arrow. Its head flew off, and it fell to the ground without even screaming.

“Eisuke! Behind you!”

In response to Shiba’s voice, I turned around and fired another arrow at a male Centaur that had gotten dangerously close. Since male Centaur horns fetch a good price, I used a poison arrow instead of an explosive one. There’s no point in eating them.

“Now, let’s butcher them.”

“And don’t forget to store all my hooves.”

“Sure, sure.”

With that, Shiba reverted to his original small Shiba Inu form and moved a bit away, curling up. We efficiently took down the Centaurs, and it seems we can enjoy some delicious jerky.

“Um, thank you,” the girl said.

“Don’t mention it. I just happened to be passing by. Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yes, somehow. Um, may I know your name?”

“Sorry about that. I’m Eisuke Okamoto.”

The girl, with her gal-like makeup and slightly revealing outfit, her flashy blonde hair tied in a ponytail, smiled sweetly at me.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a smile like that. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been smiled at by a girl before.

“Oh no, my camera. Phew, it’s safe.” The girl picked up a video camera that had been lying at the edge and smiled again.

“I’m Inami Melody. I’m a dungeon streamer.”