Hello! This is Kei, a Dungeon Rescue registered member!

I prioritize rescuing girls! Please take care of me!

That said, today marks the third day since I started Dungeon Rescue.

At first, I was worried whether someone like me, a makeshift explorer, would be able to help other explorers.

However, those worries were unfounded.

Ever since I got my hands on the Star Reader’s Staff, Sorciera, things have been going well. A scythe… or is it a staff? I’m not sure.

“—Kei, I’ve visually confirmed the rescue target and the dungeon boss. Align yourselves.”

“Yes.”

At the words of Mizuhi-senpai, I nod obediently.

To be honest, the one rescuing with me, Mizuhi-senpai, is incredibly strong.

She wasn’t in the original story, so why is she this strong? She said her rank is B, and her abilities are top-notch.

Mizuhi-senpai points her dual pistols at the dungeon boss.

The two barrels, aimed at a monstrous creature resembling a failed dragon, release flames and water.

Each bullet is shaped like a bullet, fired toward the dragon.

The dragon notices, but not many can react in time once they realize a bullet is coming.

Moreover, these bullets are just a decoy.

“I’m going!”

I dash forward.

At the same time, the bullets converge right in front of the dragon’s eyes, creating a cloud of steam.

Right now, its vision must be completely covered in white.

I dive into the steam.

Blinded, the dragon wildly swings its tail toward me.

However, thanks to the enhanced reflexes from my red bracelet, I easily avoid it.

The moment the tail passes in front of me, I slash with my short blade, which is my weapon.

And with that, my job is done.

“Mizuhi-senpai!”

“Yeah.”

By the time the steam clears and the area is visible again, the dragon is already paralyzed and lying on the ground.

Mizuhi-senpai points her gun at the dragon.

“Hmm, aside from the core, there seem to be magic stones as well… Should I cut them off with water?”

She mutters as she lowers one of the guns she was holding.

Soon, a water bullet is fired from the gun she was holding.

Despite being a pistol, it fires an unimaginable number of bullets.

The water bullets, which could be described as rain, quickly strip the dragon of all its flesh, leaving only the core and a few magic stones.

Mizuhi-senpai nods after confirming the enemy’s death.

“That’s it. Good job, Kei.”

It took barely a minute to engage with the dungeon boss.

This is everything we’ve done for this rescue.

Honestly, Mizuhi-senpai is a monster. No wonder she can handle Dungeon Rescues by herself and be the top earner at Fectom Academy.

I just used paralysis and enhanced reflexes to zap the boss.

Since I don’t have firepower, the rest is just Mizuhi-senpai choosing the appropriate gun and shooting from behind.

Mizuhi-senpai wields dual pistols as weapons.

Moreover, with her abilities, she can handle both water and fire bullets. It’s simple, which makes her ridiculously strong.

“Good work, Mizuhi-senpai.”

“Yeah… Ah, sorry to keep you waiting. We came for the Dungeon Rescue. I’m Mizuhi from Fectom Academy.”

Mizuhi-senpai lifts up a student who had collapsed in front of the dragon.

The student breathes a sigh of relief, looking like they can finally relax.

“Thank you so much! The dungeon level was higher than I expected…!”

“I’m just glad you’re safe. Now, let’s discuss the reward for the rescue.”

Mizuhi-senpai and the rescued student begin to discuss.

The going rate isn’t clearly defined, but if there are magic stones, those are given. If not, they give money or something of equivalent value.

The core that forms the dungeon is rarely offered as a reward.

And even aside from that, Mizuhi-senpai has never asked for a core.

She says, “If a no-name academy like ours offers a core as a high-end reward, no one will request a rescue.”

It makes sense—no one would offer a core as a reward to a nameless academy whose strength is uncertain.

“Kei, the negotiation is over. Let’s head back.”

“Ah, right.”

I leave the negotiation entirely to her.

I don’t know much about that kind of thing.

The rescued student has already left the dungeon, and we exit as well.

“By the way, what’s the reward?”

“I got all the magic stones we extracted. It’s ten times what we asked for. I’m grateful.”

“Huh, that’s generous.”

“It was a high-ranking dungeon. Just being able to bring back the core is already a huge success.”

Dungeons start at rank E and go up to rank A.

Usually, rank C is the line that ordinary explorers can handle, and for B-rank dungeons, compatibility and A-rank explorers are needed.

Rank A is so tough that you can’t even get permission to explore without an S-rank explorer accompanying you.

Just so you know, there are no S-rank dungeons. If there were, the world would easily end.

…Well, one will appear later in the original story, though! A ridiculously powerful one!

By the way, the TS dungeon I’m targeting is B-rank.

It was rated as B because of its peculiar nature, but its actual difficulty is much lower. Well, that’s assuming you exclude the disadvantage of turning into a girl.

For me, that’s an advantage.

“Let’s buy some meat on the way back, Kei.”

“Yay! I saw a flyer saying there’s a special sale at the supermarket in the central district!”

“What!? Is that true!”

At times like these, Mizuhi-senpai is even more serious than when we’re in a dungeon.

We leave the dungeon and head back.

Dungeons appear in a special district within this academy city, Hinotsuchi.

This is because the Aepis Council added rules and direction to randomly occurring dungeons in Japan using an incredible machine.

Thanks to that, even though we’re close to the city center, there are craters everywhere, with building wreckage and uprooted trees scattered around.

This is mostly due to the fights between academies over dungeon exploration rights. What happened to the security!

“…Kei, thank you. Because of you, things have gotten much easier.”

“Again? I’m already tired of hearing that. I just charge in and stab them with a short sword. The finishing blow is always done by Mizuhi-senpai, right?”

“I’m just hitting an immobile target. Until now, I had to juggle both rescuing the students and fighting. It was impossible to take down the boss in one go.”

Mizuhi-senpai said thoughtfully.

“Miroku is the student council president, so she can’t leave the school much, and Toa is too timid. Also, that weaponry isn’t suitable for rescue operations.”

Mizuhi-senpai’s words made me recall Toa-chan’s weaponry.

Her enormous cannon, which must be twice her height, is certainly not the best choice for rescuing someone.

“I’m glad you came to us.”

“If I can be of help, that’s all that matters.”

“Yeah, and there’s one thing I want to ask.”

“Yes?”

“Are you sure about the size of your uniform?”

“Huh?”

Mizuhi-senpai pointed at my jacket.

By the way, it’s incorrect.

I intentionally got a size larger to hide the red bracelet that appears on my left arm without warning.

Because of that, I’ve been stuck in this outfit even during summer.

Star ReaderSorciera, could you please restrain yourself or consider our circumstances a little more…?

“Is that so? I don’t see any problem with it myself.”

“Is that so? Well, as long as you’re okay with it.”

Though Mizuhi-senpai seemed like she wanted to say something more, she seemed satisfied and didn’t press the issue further.

After that, we talked about meat for a few minutes, and just then, Mizuhi-senpai’s Dive Gear signaled an incoming call.

“Huh? Senpai, isn’t that ringing?”

“Ah, this is… a rescue request?”

When Mizuhi-senpai opened the window, a map was displayed.

No, that wasn’t all.

“Good, we’re connected! Mizuhi-san, there’s a dungeon where I urgently need your help!”

It came with a flustered voice from the operator.