Earth With Dungeon: Saving the World With an Economic Boom

Chapter 178. Back Streets

I walk behind Tatsumi in a cheerful mood. Although it’s a city that’s only been around for about ten years, I thought there wouldn’t be any dirty places, but there are vacant lots where broken buildings and rubble have piled up here and there.

“Aren’t they building too many buildings too close together? This situation is terrible.”

“Hmm? Yeah, you’re right. It’s because the top of this city is incompetent, you can tell from seeing this kind of thing, right, bro? It doesn’t matter to me though. I’m just trying to get by in my daily life.”

Tatsumi says casually, with his hands behind his back. It’s clear that it was destroyed when the dungeon occurred, but it’s definitely terrible. Since the asphalt on the narrow road is rolled up, the dungeon probably occurred from there. It’s probably where it destroyed the surroundings. Dungeons usually appear in vacant lots or roads without basic buildings, and they emit monsters at that time.

Well, you could say the same thing about any city, so follow-up is necessary. I have to be careful about dungeon occurrences in my city from now on too.

“Here we are, bro.”

Tatsumi stops at one of the mixed-use buildings and descends the stairs leading underground. It seems to be down there.

[You can’t really have a noisy bar openly, can you?]

[Shizuku-san, who modestly refers to a noisy bar where her sister is as just ‘noisy,’ is kind.]

[I’m an understanding wife. I won’t get angry even if my husband goes to such a noisy bar.]

Shizuku, pleased with the compliment, dances happily in the air. Hey, weren’t you angry just now? Well, whatever.

[More importantly, we’re being followed.]

[Three people… I’d like to say ‘thank you for your hard work’.]

Shizuku laughs happily, and Banjin shrugs in response. It’s an expected development.

As we descend the concrete stairs, there’s an iron door in the dim underground. Tatsumi knocks on the door, and a peephole opens.

“We always pay in cash with a smile.”

When Tatsumi mutters what seems to be the password, the eyes visible through the peephole disappear, and the sound of the key unlocking is heard as the door opens.

“Hehe. Pretty cool, huh? This is a good place.”

Tatsumi says proudly as he enters. A burly bald man, probably a guard, stares at us as he watches us leave. As I enter, a man passes by in the opposite direction.

As we walk down the hallway and open the door, cigarette smoke fills the dimly lit basement, and jazz music sounds like noise. It must be because it’s early summer; the waitresses are wearing swimsuits with aprons.

“Welcome. Oh, first-time customers, I see.”

A particularly stylish waitress approaches with a tray in hand. She’s beyond seductive. Wonderful. So, Shizuku, could you refrain from doing gymnastics in front of me? Weren’t you supposed to be a good wife?

“Oh, I brought my brother here. Take care of us, okay?”

“Oh, it’s your first time here, so welcome.”

She answers with a distorted smile to hide her amusement. The waitress leads us to a table with a smile, so I order food and drinks casually.

A woman comes to the table next to us and makes a highball. While watching the waitress mix the highball with a swizzle stick, I see Tatsumi devouring the oversized spaghetti on his plate.

“So, is this city always like this?”

“Oh yeah, it’s always like this.”

While munching on spaghetti, Tatsumi answers.

“Like what?”

As the waitress presses her chest against me and asks, it’s just right. I want to hear the voices of the locals.

“Well, there was a group criticizing the city’s policies. What was that about?”

“Oh, that? It’s the commotion caused by the Iron Fangs. They’re a group trying to rectify this rotten city.”

“Iron Fangs? Is that the name of that group?”

When I slip a bill into the waitress’s cleavage, she continues happily.

“Yes, that’s right. They’ve been active lately. Perhaps because they no longer have trouble finding food? They’re causing trouble all over the city.”

Tilting her head, the waitress tells me, maybe recently? The reason they’re not short of food is thanks to the Core Store’s power. And they’re becoming more active.

“I see. They’re causing trouble?”

“Well, when I say trouble, it’s more like the activity we just saw.”

Swirling his fork, Tatsumi answers with his mouth full. Hmm, causing trouble… Molotov cocktails are a threat, huh?

“It’s for justice. We’re fighting to correct the twisted policies of this city.”

The men who approach us stop and glare at us.

They’re all sturdy guys. They all have intimidating faces.

“They’re a bunch of gruff old men. I’m just here to enjoy my drink, you know?”

As the waitress clings to me, I slip another bill into her cleavage and push her away. Sensing that things are about to get rough, the waitress waves slightly and winks before leaving.

“You don’t need to tell me your name. Who’s your boss?”

Narrowing one eye, I smirk. The men, noticing my calm demeanor, show a slight hint of caution.

“We’re the Iron Fangs. I’ll lead you to the boss. Follow me. There are things we need to confirm.”

Chin up, the men start walking away, beckoning us to follow. But soon they stop and look puzzled.

“Why aren’t you coming? I said I’d guide you, didn’t I?”

“Tatsumii’s eating, and there’s still highball left. I don’t feel like moving.”

“Huh? Oh, me? Bro, I’ll just go ahead and eat by myself, so you guys go on ahead.”

Tatsumi says, alternating between me and the men, with a grimace on his face as if he’s been dragged into trouble.

“I’ll provide the drinks. Come along.”

The man says irritably. If he insists, I guess there’s no helping it.

“Alright then. Lead the way. You guys can go ahead as you like. I’ll catch up later.”

I stand up and start walking towards the back of the bar. Then, I place my hand on the wall and lift the corner of my mouth.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

The men look puzzled as I shrug my shoulders.

“Just go ahead as you like. I can catch up.”

As I feel the rough texture of the concrete on my palm, I gather my mana.

[Tunnel]

By casting my earth magic, the concrete shifts and a hole about two meters wide opens up. I put my foot on the edge and casually say:

“Sorry, it seems noisy outside. See you later.”

And I enter the tunnel. If everything goes as expected, it should lead outside.

“Hey, wait up, bro! The tour isn’t over yet. I’ll accompany you with a danger allowance. You seem rich, bro.”

Tatsumi hastily stuffs the spaghetti into his mouth and follows after me.

“Then that’s an additional 20,000. Here.”

“Hehe, thanks as always.”

Handing over the 20,000 yen, I watch Tatsumi follow after me as I continue on. As the entrance of the tunnel begins to close, I can see the astonished faces of the men who are staring dumbfoundedly while the hole is already starting to fill in. It’s amusing, so I can’t help but laugh.

As the hole completely seals shut, I hear a commotion near the entrance of the bar.

“You’re all under arrest! The charge is treason. Surrender!”

“Darn it, we have to get out of here somehow!”

“Wait a minute, damn it!”

Tables flip, glasses clatter to the floor, and the waitresses scream and scramble away.

“As expected of a bar. It’s noisy, huh? Pu, hahaha.”

Laughing uncontrollably, I head towards the surface.

“Bro… you’re an amazing magician…”

“Yeah, I’m a specialist in earth magic. Quite the magic, huh?”

Narrowing my eyes against the brightness, I tell Tatsumi as we exit. Looking around, it seems we’ve emerged a block away as I anticipated. After seeing Tatsumi exit as well, I release the magic. The tunnel is completely sealed, leaving no trace behind.

[Tunnel] is a mysterious magic. When you close the hole it opened, it returns to its original state. This magic seems more fitting for spatial magic than earth magic.

As we return to the main street, there are several armored vehicles parked, with soldiers standing around. Onlookers gather, wondering what’s happening.

I join the crowd of onlookers and observe the soldiers. Gunshots faintly echo, making the onlookers tremble.

“What happened?”

“It seems like terrorists.”

“They’ve found their hideout.”

The onlookers buzz with excitement. It wouldn’t be strange for me to be among them, as long as I don’t stand out.

“I’ll leave the guiding to you, Tatsumi. Next, let’s go where I say.”

“Huh? O-Okay, but are we going to another bar?”

As the soldiers run around, Tatsumi asks bewilderedly, but let’s climb the ladder.

“I’m sure the next place will have an interesting attraction prepared for us.”

Grinning, I see Tatsumi tilting his head in confusion.

[Originally, you were supposed to be involved in the chaos and flee, right? You were supposed to panic, escape, climb walls, get in a car, and have a car chase. Then, you shoot a submachine gun loaded with a magazine with blue tape.]

[I don’t understand the meaning of the tape, but yeah, that was the plan. But I don’t want to accommodate the other party’s schedule. I haven’t received any appearance fees.]

“[I think I’m fine as the heroine, but the script is a bit lacking. I understand, we are first-rate actors after all.]”

Nodding with folded arms, the first-rate actress agrees. The script was indeed lacking.

They seemed to be trying to involve me without my consent. If they saw me with the Iron Fangs, the inner city would surely accuse me of supporting terrorists. War is on the horizon.

Laughing quietly, I turn my gaze to the man who fled the store first. The shadow snake has already infiltrated.

The men who called out to me are fighting off the soldiers who stormed into the bar, but they’ll be subdued soon. Originally, there was only one entrance and exit, so I was supposed to be caught too.

The real target was the waitress who fled first. She escaped to switch places with us before the soldiers arrived. It would seem suspicious to switch places, so I had my familiar hide while passing by each other.

Probably because of the successful switch, the man walks while grinning.

[You’re wearing a face that says the plan was a success.]

[Yeah. He doesn’t know the current situation. He should think I was caught or killed inside the dead-end bar.]

He seems unconcerned with tailing and walks straight ahead.

“Alright, Tatsumi, guide us to where I said.”

“O-Okay, sure.”

Tatsumi nods as we start walking. A straightforward guy is always the best guide.