Chapter 16 – Deceive the Watchful Eyes and Infiltrate

Aftеr lеаving thе аrms shоp, Asutо and the оthеrs arrivеd аt Shinjuku Gуоеn.

This wаs the sitе where thе Nаitо fаmily, lords оf Tаkato Domаin, hаd their secondаrу residence during the Еdо period. It later bесame а botаniсаl gаrden and eventuаlly transfоrmеd intо a natiоnаl рark oрen to аll.

In one cornеr оf this urban oаsis, а gaрing hole оpened in thе ground. Тhis wаs Shinjuku Gyoen D—the Dungeоn under Ноund Dоg’s cоntrol.

Thrее lоokouts, likеly Guild mеmbеrs, stооd bеforе thе Dungеon еntrаnce.

Asuto’s Perception told him they weren’t unbeatable in a fight. However, if he defeated them to enter the Dungeon, other members would surely come as reinforcements.

If that happened, conquering the Dungeon would be out of the question.

It was better to avoid forcefully breaking through the lookout.

“So, what should I do?”

“Wait a moment. I’ll take out an item now.”

He opened the Shop and searched for items.

Finding the desired item, he quickly added it to his cart and made the purchase.

○ Hiding Mantle

Description: A mantle that erases one’s presence when worn. Its effect is so potent that those with low Perception will think you’ve vanished before their very eyes. However, the effect disappears after a single use.

If you wish to live as a decent person, you must not use it for improper purposes. That’s a promise!

Held G: 1504 → 5

(So expensive…)

The Gold he’d risked his life to save was now nearly zero.

He felt tears welling up at the mantle’s price.

“Hey, hey, weren’t you supposed to save your Gold?”

“It’s fine. Consider it an upfront investment.”

“An upfront investment for a disposable mantle? Or do you think that girl is worth that much?”

“…No.”

“Aha, so you—”

Had she figured out he knew the future Kanzaki?

Asuto’s heart froze at Amy’s sly grin.

“You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?”

“…Huh? I haven’t particularly—”

“Whoa, no need to say more. No one can stop feelings of love!”

“No, it’s not that I’ve come to like Kanzaki or anything—”

“Everyone who wants to hide their crush says that. I learned it in class!”

“What kind of class was that?!”

“Anyway, I’m rooting for you!”

She wasn’t listening at all.

Kanzaki should be around 16 or 17 years old now.

In contrast, Asuto was 23, but his mental age was 33.

To Asuto, a 16-year-old girl was just a child.

Romance was out of the question.

But he couldn’t explain that, and even if he did, Amy wouldn’t listen.

Anything more he said would be pointless.

Asuto heaved a deep sigh and shifted his focus.

He took out the item he’d just purchased from his Inventory.

Then, in the item window visible through his Insight, he saw numbers.

’59… 58…’

“So the Eye of Insight lets me see the effect time countdown too.”

This was lucky.

It would help him avoid carelessly wasting time and revealing himself before the enemy.

Asuto covered himself with the mantle and spread his arms.

“This is a mantle that makes you vanish. With this, we can get inside without them interfering.”

“I see.”

“When using the mantle, don’t make a sound, and watch your footsteps.”

“Eh, yes.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Um, it seems the other Hunters haven’t gathered yet?”

“There are no other Hunters.”

“Eh!?”

“More importantly, we’re running out of time. Come here.”

“Ah, uh…”

If they kept arguing, the countdown would reach zero.

Then his precious 1500 Gold would be wasted.

Asuto pulled Kanzaki into his arms and covered them both entirely with the mantle.

“I see, so that’s your plan… You’re quite the schemer.”

Amy’s voice grated on his nerves, but he couldn’t pay it any mind.

They were now in a Hidden State. If they made a sound here, no matter how good the mantle was, their location would be detected.

Asuto suppressed his breathing and slowly approached the Dungeon.

Kanzaki, right beside him, had turned bright red, belying her title of Ice-Blood Princess.

(Is she having trouble breathing?)

But, of course, they couldn’t take in fresh air right now.

(Just bear with it a little longer…)

He prayed for her endurance.

Step by step, they drew closer to the Dungeon.

And then, they were at their closest to the lookouts.

They were so near they could hear the lookouts’ breathing, right under their noses.

But not a single one noticed Asuto and the others approaching.

(Good, stay unaware…)

They inched forward, slowly, carefully.

They were almost inside the Dungeon when it happened.

“Hey!!”

An angry shout echoed from behind.

At the loud voice, Asuto and Kanzaki’s shoulders jumped.

(Had they been noticed?)

He quickly covered Kanzaki’s mouth to prevent her from crying out and looked back.

“Don’t fall asleep on the job. I’ll kill you.”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. When nothing’s happening, I get sleepy.”

“You probably stayed up late, forgetting you were on lookout duty today.”

“Even so, try a surprise attack. I’ll kill you.”

“I know, I know.”

It seemed one of the lookouts had been dozing off.

They hadn’t been noticed after all.

(Ah, that scared me…)

Asuto let out a sigh of relief.