The Dungeon Core Assembly

When her vision returned from the engulfing light, she found herself at an outdoor buffet party venue under a blue sky. The assembly had apparently already started; a red werewolf was stuffing its face with meat, and a golden skeleton was laughing with a clatter while sipping black tea.

In the distance, a black dragon was guzzling alcohol from a barrel, with a unicorn egging it on.

At first glance, it was a peaceful scene with various races mingling and chatting.

However, everyone here was a Dungeon Core.

Many had human forms, but most of those were achieved through humanization. Dungeon Cores who were human-shaped from the start, like Rokuko and Haku, were few — just as each of the other races was individually rare.

"Now then…"

As she did every year, Rokuko quietly headed for a corner.

… Being outdoors this year was a pain. Without walls, it just didn't feel like a proper corner.

Then, three beings appeared before her — a human-sized giant snake, giant frog, and giant slug.

"Ohhh, if it isn't 695. What are you doing?"

"Gue gue gue, more like, you were still alive, huh?"

"You didn't come last year and your DP was 0, so I totally thought you were dead?"

Being addressed, Rokuko flinched.

"S-650, 651, 652… L-long time no see."

"Haaaaah?! Use 'Number', 695!"

"Hiii?!"

Bash! Number 650, the giant snake, cracked its tail with a loud noise, and Rokuko reflexively stiffened up again.

Incidentally, using "Number" was an honorific among Dungeon Cores. Rokuko absolutely did not want to use it for these guys.

"W-what's the big deal? We're all in the 600 series, so it's fine, isn't it?"

"Huh? Can't hear you. Gekokoko… What's the lowest-ranked 695 saying?"

Number 651, the giant frog, circled around to Rokuko's right rear as if to block her escape route.

"Yeah yeah, aren't you being cheeky?"

"Hiii…"

Number 652, the giant slug, slimily placed its hand (?) on Rokuko's shoulder.

The classic three-way deadlock formation… Rokuko felt goosebumps rise all over her body.

The giant snake brought its face close to Rokuko, its forked tongue flicking in and out.

"Shaaaa… Fufufu, how about we go over there for a bit?"

"N-no, let go of me!"

"It's fine, it's fine, it's not like you'll die, geko geko geko!"

"Noooow, shall we get nice and slimy?"

The place they indicated was actually the corner Rokuko had been heading toward, but going there on her own versus being dragged there by these three were completely different things. She'd been trying to stay out of sight precisely to avoid running into types like them.

Though Rokuko was being taken away, nobody cared… After all, it was just bickering or backstabbing among the bottom-rankers.

Just as they wouldn't care about ants swarming a piece of candy dropped on the ground, Rokuko and these three were equally worthless to the majority of Dungeon Cores here.

"Hey, got a minute?"

Just then, a red salamander appeared.

Number 112, Dungeon Core Ontentoo.

The Dungeon Core of the 51-floor dungeon [Flame Cavern], which comprised nearly an entire mountain.

He was enjoying a slow life with his wife, a Red Dragon who served as his Master. While not top-class, he was a solidly mid-ranked, stable Dungeon Core.

With a number in the 100s, he was counted among the veterans.

"N-Number 112, Dungeon Core-sama!? What business do you have with us?"

"Hah? … Ah… Yeah. I don't care about you lot. It's that one, 695. Come."

"Eh? U-um, this one?"

"Yeah. Got a problem? What number are you?"

"S-650! E-e-excuse me, Number 112-sama, I'm a fan!"

Since snakes can't shake hands, it offered its tail.

However, Ontentoo ignored it and spoke to Rokuko.

"I see. Well, whatever, let's go, 695."

"U-um… okay."

Led away by Ontentoo, Rokuko was freed from the three's encirclement.

Number 650 was left there dumbfounded, tail still outstretched.

… Using [Purify] to clean off the slug's slime, Rokuko spoke to Ontentoo, who walked silently ahead of her.

"U-um, Number 112… sama?"

"Hah?! Idiot, you don't need 'Number' or '-sama'. Rather, when did you become such a pushover?"

Turning around, he brought his face close as if about to bite her, and roared.

As a veteran, Ontentoo's name was somewhat well-known. So unlike earlier when Rokuko was being dragged off, they were drawing some attention now.

"B-but, a bottom-tier dungeon like me… surrounded by three of them, there's no way I could talk back."

"Haah? Ah, ah. I see, I see."

Ontentoo poked Rokuko with his fire-tipped tail, characteristic of salamanders.

She could tell he was clearly holding back, but it was still quite painful for Rokuko. And a bit hot. Since he'd just helped her, she couldn't really complain though.

"Kukaka, don't be so modest. You beat me, didn't you?"

"… That was thanks to Kehma, not my own power."

"Kakaka! True enough, and being honest isn't bad… but the fact remains that you won. A core's strength includes their Master, you know? In other words, I've got my wife's power of love included too!"

Ontentoo laughed.

Hearing their conversation, murmurs arose from those around them.

"… Beat him?" "Against Number 112…?" "695… the lowest-ranked one?"

Such whispers could be heard.

One comment stood out in particular: "What kind of dirty trick did she use?" — but since they really had used nothing but dirty tricks, she couldn't say anything back. The dungeon battle itself had had irregular rules to begin with.

"… Kehma said that was a draw, you know?"

"Then wanna try swapping offense and defense next time?"

"Sorry, but I'll pass… Anyway, I can manage from here. Thanks for the help, 112."

With that, Rokuko tried to leave. But Ontentoo stopped her.

"Hold on. 'Father's' greeting will be soon. How about we eat together until then? This meat's pretty good, you know?"

"Ah, good. So it hasn't happened yet… I mean, Dungeon Cores don't need to eat to survive."

"Nobody's gonna mix poison or garbage at this table, so relax. Or do you not trust me? Huh? Your savior here?"

"… Ugh. F-fine, I'll have a little."

Rokuko timidly bit into the meat Ontentoo offered her.

The moment she bit down, meat juices spread through her mouth, and the rich flavor of the meat enveloped her tongue.

… She didn't know what kind of meat it was, but it was delicious. Rokuko thought Niku would probably love this.

"Hey, you've got stuff all around your mouth. [Purify]."

"Nom, gulp. Th-thanks."

"Kakaka! Don't mention it."

After Rokuko had been enjoying her meal for a while, a voice rang out.

"Hey there, my adorable children. How is everyone doing?"

Looking up at the sky, a single man was displayed on a giant monitor floating in the air.