“Have you prepared enough for the exam?”

Claire’s voice echoed.

Not in the usual classroom but in a different location.

Yes.

It was the entrance to the dungeon that the Author so desired.

But something’s strange.

 If they wanted it so much, why was she not saying anything?

“Author?”

[Yes?!]

“What’s wrong, were you sleeping?”

[No?! I-I was just nervous. Hehe…]

Why would they be nervous?

Is it like feeling the excitement just before watching a much-anticipated movie?

While I felt pity for the Author’s pathetic state, Claire’s voice echoed again.

“You will now enter this place, the D-rank underground prison palace, Knosos Palace. Find your assigned team members and proceed.”

Knossos Palace*, what a name.

For a D-rank dungeon, it sounds quite grand.

But how strong can a D-rank be?

I don’t know. Let’s just assume it’s a relatively low level.

Surely, they wouldn’t send inexperienced students into a dangerous dungeon right after enrollment, would they?

The Author won’t suddenly throw an S-rank dungeon at us after saying it’s D-rank, right?

…Or will they?

Suddenly, I felt anxious.

“Author, this is just a D-rank dungeon, right?”

[Yes? A D-rank dungeon is a D-rank dungeon. What else could it be?]

“Oh, I see. It’s nothing.”

Happily, it seemed the Author wasn’t as malicious as I had feared.

Perhaps they hadn’t even considered it.

I decided to just think that they have a good heart.

Slowly, I looked around, wanting to find the protagonist.

Luckily, it wasn’t too hard to find Siwoo.

I could see a familiar head in the distance.

His height also made him easy to spot.

Lucky guy.

I wish he were 10 centimeters shorter.

I was a bit annoyed because even when I was a guy, I wasn’t that tall.

Should I play a little prank on him since he’s so annoying?

I lightened my steps and approached them.

Everyone was busy searching for their team members, so my footsteps were naturally drowned out, and I easily sneaked up behind him.

Tap tap.

I lightly tapped his shoulder.

“…? Who–”

As they turned their head, I lightly poked their cheek.

It might be considered rude to do this to someone you’re not close with, but they’re the protagonist, after all.

It might be a bit over the top, but it’s a good way to quickly become friends.

 If they feel bad about it, I’ll apologize.

“Hello?”

“–is…Arte!”

Wait, what? Why such a fright?

…It’s like a reaction you’d have after watching a horror movie.

He looked as  if he’d seen something terrifying.

Why?

What did I do?

I felt a slight sense of crisis.

 If things aren’t good between you and me, it’ll be difficult for the novel’s development.

There’s a limit to watching from the shadows every day.

Thinking the atmosphere might become awkward, I tried to speak as playfully as possible.

“Are you really that scared of me?”

“Sorry. You just surprised me.”

“Hehe, it’s okay. Shall we go find the other team members then?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Is it gynophobia?

No, no way.

Siwoo was having a good conversation with Amelia.

It can’t be gynophobia, right?

…Does Yu Siwoo, the protagonist, have no friends?

A sudden thought crossed my mind.

Come to think of it, besides Amelia, he didn’t seem to have any close friends.

Of course, it’s only been a short time since he enrolled in the academy, but…

The idea that he might have difficulty making friends suddenly came to mind.

“I hope we can get along with the other members well.”

Well, does it matter?

I uttered empty words, knowing it wouldn’t happen.

Friends? One is about to leave from here, and the other is just an extra. There won’t be time to get close.

The protagonist doesn’t need to interact with extras.

It’s enough to be friends with the main and supporting characters who stay here rather than those who just leave after being written in as fillers.

With such trivial thoughts, I found Lyla and the other member with Siwoo.

“Alright. Yu Siwoo and three others. Confirmed.”

[I’m so excited!]

“Let’s go in. Don’t worry, we have surveillance cameras inside the dungeon in case of any emergencies.”

Claire began reading the different safety precautions.

It seemed even the Author was forcibly calmed down by the prolonged bombardment of nagging.

[Hmm… Having PTSD from losing a comrade, that setting isn’t too good. She’s talking too much.]

I agree with that.

It’s really excessive, seriously.

To cut off the endless nagging that showed no sign of ending, I decided it was time to enter the dungeon.

Starting to say the same thing for the third time is crossing the line.

“Well then, let’s go in first.”

“Wait, Arte! I haven’t finished talking yet!”

“Hurry up, everyone. Nobody knows how long the teacher will keep us here.”

As I boldly entered the dungeon, the rest of the team followed me inside.

[It’s really starting! Hehe, I’m excited.]

As the Author said, it was the beginning.

Not of the academy’s exams.

Of course, those were starting too, but…

Something even more important was beginning.

The start of the main story of the novel,

Written by the Author and me.

The chaos of the world will finally reveal itself.

Isn’t that just typical of a web novel?

***

“Hup!”

Swoosh!

Yu Siwoo’s sword left a trail of crimson blood splattered on the marble floor.

The body of a goblin crumbled, and after a brief moment, the corpse turned to ashes and scattered.

All that remained was a purple gem on the ground.

…Yes, it is exactly what you are thinking.

A mana stone.

The Author was going on about it being the next generation of energy or something.

I don’t really understand that.

I just have to go along with it, right?

[Of course, there are goblins and mana stones in dungeons! That’s my protagonist! Fighting!]

The Author shouted with excitement, watching the protagonist’s exploits.

Not like Yu Siwoo can hear them anyway.

It’s like cheering for a soccer player on TV, knowing they can’t hear you.

Though I wish they’d keep it down because my ears were bleeding.

There were only four of us, so I had no choice but to endure not talking to the Author because I didn’t want to be treated like a crazy person.

“…Phew, it’s not that difficult.”

“Yeah. Siwoo is too strong.”

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Why aren’t you fighting?”

Finally.

I was wondering when Lyla would ask.

She’s been looking discontented since earlier.

“I’m fighting with that guy up front, and the other one is playing the role of rearguard…What are you doing?”

“I told you, didn’t I? I have to watch our flanks since we could be ambushed.”

Well, it’s an excuse.

I tried to come up with various excuses, but surprisingly, the rear guard student and Siwoo just nodded without complaining, so it passed more easily than expected.

The reason I’m not actively fighting?

Well, it’s because of Lyla, who’s glaring at me right now.

My ability becomes increasingly disadvantageous the longer I fight.

The more I fight, the exponentially higher the cost becomes.

At first, it’s simple materials like stockings, rubber gloves, and the like.

…Let’s not imagine the terrible outcome.

I don’t want to become a pervert.

Anyway.

Knowing that Lyla will cause trouble inside this dungeon, it’s best I don’t actively fight while I can.

But then she started getting mad, saying I’m pulling her grade down.

But why do you care?

Weren’t you going to quit the academy anyway?

The ones should be angry is not you, but Siwoo and that boy over there.

“Let’s put the jokes aside. …I really can’t stand it anymore. I was planning to wait until we defeat the boss, but I can’t wait anymore.”

Lyla, who had been scratching her head from time to time, suddenly spoke mockingly.

What’s with her? Already starting?

“Lyla, please calm down…?!”

Crash!

Sparks flew as swords collided.

Yu Siwoo, who had approached unnoticed, blocked Lyla’s attack as she charged at the male student.

“…Fast.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Hey, you. Could you quickly go to the teacher and tell her? There’s a traitor in our group.”

“B-but you…!”

Glance.

Siwoo looked at me.

…Huh, why?

Could it be he’s treating me like a heroine? Huh?

What should I do in this situation?

Should I smile?

I awkwardly smiled at Siwoo and he turned to the other member.

“…Go quickly!”

“Oh, okay!”

With a determined expression as  if he had made a decision, he turned his gaze to Lyla.

Oh, so he’s still the protagonist, huh?

Quite impressive, isn’t it?

Protecting weaker comrades and confronting a traitor alongside a heroine…Well I’m close enough to being one.

This dynamic is quite tasty.

[…]

The Author seemed completely immersed, even forgetting to breathe.

It’s quite a scene to warrant that.

So, Siwoo.

What will you do now?

In this moment of confrontation with the academy’s traitor aiming for you, with a pretty classmate standing behind you.

What choice will you make?

“Sigh,  if the three of you fought together, there might have been a chance to survive even a little. Idiots real–”

“…Run!”

“Huh? …Hey! Where are you going?”

The protagonist, Siwoo’s choice, surpassed my expectations.

I thought he’d either ask me to fight together or tell me to go ahead without him.

But instead, taking advantage of Lyla’s momentary lapse, he dashed deeper into the dungeon.

Towards the direction of the boss room.

…Huh?

What about me?