The case of Pochi's disappearance.
On a calm, uneventful evening as I was heading home, an incident occurred.
The theme song of a certain muscular hero suddenly blared—our very own muscle-brain hero's personalized ringtone. It’s rare for him to call, which could only mean trouble. As much as I wanted to ignore it, I couldn't.
“Hello, this is Rosarin.”
“My Lord… forgive me…”
“Oneechan! Pochi rolled into a hole!”
“Oneechan! Pochi got separated!”
“… What?”
I had no idea what was happening. Geraldin-san’s explanation skills were as bad as ever, so I turned to the twin angels of my family for clarification.
Apparently, at the Ruins of Cord (the Final Dungeon), Geraldin-san had been body-slammed by a monster, causing Pochi to fall into a hole. This is no time for puns about "lonely Pochi!" My attempt to contact him via communication magic tools failed. Pochi likely didn’t have one, and even if he did, magic doesn’t work inside that dungeon, meaning teleportation was also impossible.
“If he’s still inside the dungeon, he probably can’t receive calls either. Geraldin-san, keep searching for Pochi! Lucius and Lucille, come back! Geraldin-san will move faster alone! I’ll join the search as soon as I organize reinforcements!”
“I’ll go ahead and scout!”
Dirk, ever-reliable, dashed off to begin the search.
“Thank you!”
It was now a race against time.
I hurried to the Adventurers’ Guild and issued a request for help. Luckily, the Free Wind and the Protectors of Amethyst were available, and I specifically requested their assistance. My elder brother, Rinka, Milfi, and Cidar-kun also joined the search effort.
Pochi had the “Wolfanea Boy No. 6” survival suit with him. If he used it, his survival chances would skyrocket, but there was no guarantee he even had it. To make matters worse, Geraldin-san had dragged him along with zero preparation, so it was highly likely Pochi had no food or weapons.
And the worst part—the spot where he went missing. The Ruins of Cord is the final dungeon, teeming with incredibly strong enemies. It’s precisely because of this that Geraldin-san got body-slammed and dropped Pochi in the first place.
As I progressed through the maze, slaying monster after monster, I shouted desperately:
“Pochi! Pochi, where are you!?”
Please, be safe! I called out frantically while the spirits and magical beasts helped with the search.
“Pochi! Pochi!! Answer me!!”
I yelled at the top of my lungs.
“Rosarin-chan, shouting aimlessly won’t help.”
“Rinka…?”
Rinka appeared, wearing a bowtie, short pants, glasses, and a short haircut. For some reason, she looked even shorter and scruffier than usual.
“Baby-faced! With a fujoshi’s mind! I am Detective Rinka!!”
“Please, save the jokes for later.”
My clawed hand lashed out. What’s with this idiot pulling nonsense at such a critical moment?!
“Ouch, ouch! Truce! Listen! Shouting won’t help! The hole Geraldin-san lost Pochi in connects from the 10th to the 11th floor! Judging by the time elapsed, Pochi is likely on the 10th or 11th floor, or possibly the 12th if he’s taken refuge!”
“Say that from the start!”
Using communication magic tools resistant to magic interference, I relayed this update to everyone searching.
Then, we received an eyewitness report from an adventurer in the dungeon, though it was baffling.
“This is Dirk. Rosarin, do you read me?”
“Dirk? What’s the update?”
“… You haven’t found Pochi yet, have you?”
“No.”
Dirk sounded hesitant.
“Um… Valkyrie is with you, right?”
“Yes.”
Our Valkyrie was in Asura Mode right now, taking out enemies.
“Well… someone on the 12th floor reported being rescued by a child who introduced himself as ‘Wolfanea Boy No. 6’, wearing a sleek bodysuit, and a dignified beauty who called herself ‘Rosariiin’.”
“… What the heck is going on!?”
“Well… Rosarin is certainly a beauty, but the one shouting ‘Rosariiin’ would be Valkyrie…”
It’s highly likely Wolfanea Boy No. 6 is Pochi, but I have a terrible feeling about his companion.
Pochi, what on earth is happening with you!? Though confused, I pressed on with the search, determined to find him safe and sound.
And in doing so, I experienced firsthand the truth of the saying: “Genius strikes when you least expect it.”
What do you think about this chapter?
