The LV.99 Middle Boss, Starts His Second Life with Subordinates!

T/N: Manjushri is known as the oldest and most significant bodhisattva (a person on the path of Buddhahood) and the symbol of transcendent wisdom.

　“…As you may have guessed… Over represents, in other words, the hours of unpaid labor that we spend on the dungeon for a month.” (Sakura)

　We changed locations, and we’re back in the town of Canal again.

　We are in the usual cheap hotel room, surrounding Sakura who was sitting on the bed.

　Unpaid work.

　I knew it, but when I heard the words again, blood rushed through my head again.

　However, I endure it and clench my child-sized fist.

　However, it’s enough for my nails to dig into my palms.

“I hoped it wasn’t, but it was it after all…”

“If I remember correctly, one of the executives was over 300…” (Alraune)

“Um… if one day is 24 hours and one month is 30 days…” (Kyuuketsu)

“…720 hours.”

　As Kyuu-chan counted on her fingers, I quietly came up with the answer.

　Kyuu-chan’s eyes widened.

“If you add up the prescribed working hours… there’s zero days off!” (Kyuuketsu)

“…It’s a horrible number and it’s questionable whether you can secure time to rest, forget about the holidays.” (Sergeant)

“It’s a black dungeon and it makes me sick…” (Alraune)

　The three lost their words due to the internal circumstances of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain.

　I’m just trying to control the impulses coming from within.

“…Is it the current Middle Boss’s instructions to incorporate the idea of ‘over’?”

　Sakura nodded.

“Yes… Over is the quantification of loyalty to the dungeon, and It’s a way to increase competition within the organization by making it public, which will lead to greater solidarity…” (Sakura)

　Then, something warm runs down my hands.

　When I saw it, blood was dripping from my palm and it had spilled to the floor.

“Wa-wait, Narugoa, there’s blood…!” (Alraune)

“What else did the current boss do?”

　I could no longer afford to give Alraune a response.

　Sakura looked frightened for a moment at my horrible appearance, but then…

“So… there’s mass layoffs and restructuring of (employee) monsters to cut costs…” (Sakura)

　――A moment later, an almost unbearable sense of righteous indignation fills my head.

“The current boss is going to use up the remaining (employee) monsters until they break down…! Even my sister, when exactly does she sleep? …Please, Narugoa-san!” (Sakura)

　Suddenly, Sakura jumped off the bed and knelt down, she hung her head so deeply she rubbed it on the floor and begged.

“Please capture Inanaki Sacred Mountain!” (Sakura)

　A drop of water fell.

　You can see her shoulders shaking.

　Of course, I can’t even imagine Sakura’s feelings.

　Because that would be impossible to.

　The feelings of someone who is begging for someone to destroy her workplace. One, that she loved so dearly. She is shedding tears in front of us, people who are complete strangers to her.

“…I’ll leave for a bit.”

　I stifled my voice and slowly stood up.

　I was continuously dripping blood onto the floor, But I didn’t care a bit about that. I was about to walk towards the doorway of the room—when my path was blocked.

　Alraune, Kyuu-chan, and Sergeant surround me. They move between the front door and me, staring right at me.

“…What’s wrong, I’m just going to the bathroom.”

“We’re not dumb, if you really want to, do it here.” (Alraune)

“…what the?”

“Do it here.” (Alraune)

　Alraune repeated it again in that strong, determined tone of hers.

　A numbing level of tension filled the small room.

“Come on, everyone.”

“No, I hate it! I’ll never let you go!” (Alraune)

“…Why do you have to?”

“Because once we move, Narugoa-san is going to go to the Inanaki Sacred Mountain alone!” (Kyuuketsu)

“…”

　I resent the excellence of my former subordinates just now.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking, Narugoa! The reason why you retreated there was because you didn’t want to get us involved, or because you didn’t want to show Sakura how you would completely and mercilessly crush the dungeon, right?” (Alraune)

“If you know that much, we can end this quick.”

　I take a step forward.

　I can’t back of anymore.

“In the beginning, I thought it was just a light inspection, but then I changed my mind, the Inanaki Sacred Mountain is corrupted, and I don’t even have a shred of sympathy for this atrocious Middle Boss.”

　Every word I spit out, dark emotions swelled and filled my thoughts.

“I’m not going to do it half-hearted by conquering it… I’m going to completely crush it. I’m going to crush the Inanaki Sacred Mountain by myself until it can’t be rebuilt, that’s the only way.”

　What kind of face do I have now?

　Sergeant is trembling, and Kyuu-chan is looking at me with terrified eyes.

　However—

“That’s the only way… is that it? That’s just hubris, Narugoa!” (Alraune)

　Alraune shouts with determination.

　I was surprised by the pressure she gave off.

　And not even letting the gap close, Alraune stood up even taller.

“That’s just your opinion! But we’re a party with all four! As long as you haven’t consulted with us, you’re just being selfish!” (Alraune)

“Selfishness… so…?”

　The clenched molars squeak.

“– I’ll tell you again! The Inanaki Sacred Mountain is corrupted! They can’t handle themselves anymore! Then I’ll have to destroy it by force!”

“I’m telling you, that’s hubris! If you want, I have a better idea! A way to conquer the Inanaki Sacred Mountain peacefully, without spilling a drop of blood!” (Alraune)

“Huh? That’s interesting! If you have such a dream-like idea, please let me know!”

“Yes! I’ll tell you as many times as you want! That’s why–!” (Alraune)

　Alraune bent over, grabbed my shirt, and pulled me up until we’re her face is all I can see.

　Our gazes collide and scattered sparks.

　And Alraune—

“…So, rely on us, you may be able to do anything by yourself, but it’s definitely better to do it with four other people…” (Alraune)

“…!”

　 I was expecting a shout of anger, but I was caught off-guard.

　It was quiet but straightforward.

　My feverish thoughts rapidly cooled down.

　The black emotions instantly deflated.

　One person might be able to do it.

　But if the four of us do it together, we can do it better—

　I exhaled a single sigh.

　No way, my former subordinates told me something that even such a child could understand…

“… It looks like it’s getting a little too warm.”

“Hmm, It’s a good thing I know what I’m talking about.” (Alraune)

　Alraune releases me and smiles cheerfully.

　With that as a switch, the tension that dominated the place dissipated.

　Kyuu-chan collapsed on the spot and Sergeant melted.

“Ah, I thought my heart would stop…! Narugoa-san is too scary…!” (Kyuuketsu)

“I thought I was going to die…” (Sergeant)

“Sorry, I showed you something unsightly.”

“Don’t worry, it’s only the second time you’ve done it.” (Alraune)

“Second time? Did something similar happen before?”

“Yes, that was a hundred years ago when you found out that the fairies under my command were working during a holiday…” (Alraune)

　After saying that, Alraune turns pale.

“I remembered something I didn’t want to remember… well, let’s call a meeting again.” (Alraune)

“…As you’ve said earlier, do you really have a better idea?”

　A way to conquer the Inanaki Sacred Mountain peacefully, without spilling a drop of blood, she said.

　I don’t doubt her words, but I still have questions.

　Is there really such a way…

“Yes, there is, though it’s still nebulous.” (Alraune)

“Specifically what is…”

“Then I’d like to ask you the other way around, but what does Narugoa think about unpaid work?” (Alraune)

“…First of all, the term “unpaid labor” is a contradiction in itself. Labor without compensation is not labor.”

“Continue.” (Alraune)

“…Nowadays, there are as many dungeons as there are stars in the world, and their managers—the Middle Bosses—manage the dungeons through repeated trial and error, using their wisdom accompanied by limited resources and limiting costs. However, Inanaki Sacred Mountain ignores even such absolute principles, and this is an insult to all managers and workers.”

“That is?” (Alraune)

“If you ask me, that’s just like the work of a child.”

　I said firmly.

　Introducing a childish system such as “over”, the now—corrupt Inanaki Sacred Mountain is no longer a dungeon.

　That’s why I can’t forgive them.

　In response to this, Alraune returns a gentle smile.

“…I’m glad you were our Middle Boss.” (Alraune)

　I was once again taken aback by her honest words.

　Perhaps she remembered something after looking at me, Alraune’s cheeks were dyed red, but she hurriedly changed.

“I-in short, the current Inanakiu Sacred Mountain is now the ‘playground’ of the idiotic middle boss called Senri, right?” (Alraune)

“Well, that’s right…”

“—If so, the solution is easy, all the enemies are there after business hours… to say the least”

　Outside business hours.

　Those words that Alraune deliberately emphasized gave me a revelation.

“…Yes, that’s it!”

“Bababababa… (What do you mean by that?)” (Sergeant) [T/N: He literally melted]

“You two, don’t just reach a conclusion on your own, what is the plan?” (Kyuuketsu)

　Kyuu-chan and Sergeant tilt their heads in confusion.

　I noticed that the corners of my own mouth had lifted up.

　Oh, how stupid I was!

　Until a while ago, I believed that there was no other way but to destroy the Inanaki Sacred Mountain forcefully.

　But now I’m convinced that Alraune’s idea is the true “answer”!

　It’s not only a peaceful way to attack without spilling a drop of blood… Moreover, it also exposes the fatal weakness of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain!

“—Listen carefully! We will now begin the meeting! The topic of discussion is, of course, a plan to attack the Inanaki Sacred Mountain! And the key to this plan is…”

　So I turn around and point to her.

“Sakura, her—?”

　No, I meant to point at her.

　But there was no Sakura in my line of sight.

　When I looked around to see what happened, I immediately found her.

“…” (Sakura)

　Finding her quiet, Sakura was lying on the floor, foaming at the mouth.

“Sakura-chan, she fainted…” (Kyuuketsu)

“… Narugoa-san and Al-san are too scary.” (Sergeant)

　Sergeant has finally regained his original shape murmured.