Chapter 30: Choosing Your Future
The day after defeating the giant metal slime, Yuma was troubled.
–We ran out of cooling spray and burner canisters yesterday. I don’t know how we’re gonna beat the metal slime today…
Twisting my head, I go down the stairs to the garden.
Then I noticed something strange. Mamezo is always barking a lot, but today he is very quiet.
When Yuma comes close to her, she jumps out of the kennel and wags her tail to pamper him.
What’s up, Mamezo?
I pat Mamezo’s head, and look down to see that the hole that was there yesterday is gone.
“What?
I’m just stunned by it all. There’s no hole? Yuma looks around and carefully examines the place where the hole should have been.
But there is nothing there.
A small dungeon that has been haunting Yuma for more than a year and has produced a strange slime.
Suddenly, it vanished without a trace.
“What? It’s gone so suddenly?”
In contrast to Yuma’s bewilderment, Mamezo was in a good mood. He ran around the garden in circles, and came rushing up to us.
Looks like the dungeon really is gone.
“Well, well, I’m glad we don’t have to get up so early in the morning now and Mametzou doesn’t have to deal with any weirdos.”
“Woof!”
Yuma went back to his room and got ready for school. He doesn’t have much to do now that he has more time to spare.
Yuma leaves the house earlier than usual.
“Good, good. I didn’t even get paid for it anyway, so I’m happy!”
It must be a good thing that the hole is gone. But for some reason, I feel like there’s a hole in my chest. I even felt lonely.
Was it because of the routine?
I’ve been wishing it would go away ever since I found out it wasn’t worth it.
I still don’t understand why it suddenly vanished. Was it because I killed the big slime? Was he the boss?
As I’m thinking about that, a bright voice comes from behind me.
Good morning! You’re up early.
“Hm? Oh, Kaede. Good morning.
Kaede’s fresh smile makes me forget everything I’ve been thinking about.
Is it my imagination that I feel a little more mature these days?
“I heard! I heard you were late last night. Maybe you had too much fun last night and didn’t get enough sleep.”
“It’s not like that!”
“Well, he’s been getting up early for the past year or so, so I’m not worried.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m your mother! I overslept last night. It won’t happen again.
No, not anymore. No more being late because of the dungeon.
“I see… By the way, Yuma, did you get into university? Congratulations! You’ll start campus life in spring.”
Oh, yeah. Well, it’s not the most prestigious college in the world.
“But I’d love to. Campus life, I’ve got a job lined up.”
“What? You got a job?”
Yuma was surprised by Kaede’s words. He had expected her to go on to university.
“You’re smart, you can go to any college!”
“You’re overpaying. I don’t have the best grades, and we don’t have a lot of money. I need to get to work.”
I know Kaede comes from a motherless family. But I’ve never heard of her not going to school for financial reasons.
“Working.” You already know where you’re going to work?
“Yeah, actually. I already got a job offer. I’m going to start work in the spring.”
Oh, yeah?
You’ve already decided to go that far? Yuma is surprised, but manages to keep his composure.
So, what kind of company are you going to work for?
“Med-iris is a medical venture company. I’ll be doing clerical work and reception.”
“I see…”
I didn’t think it would be such a solid company, but the term “medical venture” sounded familiar.
“Could this company possibly…”
“Yeah, it’s a dungeon company. I actually got the interview through Louie.
Louie?
The name Louis came up suddenly and Yuma couldn’t hide his shock.
