My Refrigerator Turned Into A Dungeon

Chapter 235:

Dungeon Stampede 2.0 A Struggle To Survive

"So, the Self-Defense Forces came here once but left because they were ‘short-handed'?"

"Yes, it seems tough everywhere… They were impressed by how well-defended this place was, said they'd arrange for food supplies, and then left…"

Aine-sensei explained that the SDF had come here.

"But it was just a reconnaissance team on foot. They probably reported back to the main force, and the higher-ups are deciding how to deploy the supply units… They're probably stuck dealing with that."

"Hmm…"

The military-otaku Shark added this, explaining the SDF's movements.

I see. Well, to be honest, the towns we've seen had more than one ransacked shop and convenience store. It may seem unbelievable, but once distribution stops, a densely populated city like Tokyo becomes a desert. When people flood in seeking the scarce food, some turn to near-rioting.

Well, dealing with people is still easier than dealing with monsters.

"But even with food scarcity, it's surprising there hasn't been more rioting. I brought them along, but honestly, the refugees weren't exactly a classy bunch, right?"

"Ah!? Th-that's…"

Aine-sensei hesitated and faltered in response to my question. And for some reason, Aine-sensei and the prickly classmate kept glancing at Shark.

Hmm, what's going on here…?

"…They kept complaining without helping, so I threw a monster's severed head into their shelter!"

Whoa… If a current high school girl did something like that, even those fools would realize ‘we don't know what she might do next!' and calm down.

"…Was that wrong?"

"No, you did well. If it were me, I'd drag a live monster in and slice it in half right in front of them."

Shark glared at me with a sullen face, but I praised her actions and patted her head.

Taking such an attitude means she probably felt bad about it and didn't want to do it. Even as a military otaku, she's still a young girl. Yes, this is a time to praise and become her ally rather than scold her.

"Um, Egetsuki-san! Please don't teach Toga-san such horrible things!"

"No, Aine-sensei… Shark acted with the understanding that she'd be seen as the villain. But originally, that should've been an adult's responsibility, right? And yet, we made her do it. It's us adults who should be ashamed."

"""…"""

With that, everyone fell silent. Hmm, the heavy topic made the atmosphere in the tent heavy too.

"Alright, how about I go slice something in half right now? That way, the hostility towards Shark will shift to me!"

"Oh no, that's okay! The evacuees have calmed down now! So, please don't do that!!"

"Hmm… Is that so?"

Aine-sensei desperately tried to stop me, so I sat back down.

I recall there being a monster around here, about three meters long, that looked like a canine ancestor. I thought slicing that in half in front of them would scare most people into submission…

But after all that, the good food and mucus packs that refreshed the three of them led to this awkward atmosphere.

"Oh, by the way, Hinagata-kun, did you come here for a reason? What was it?"

The prickly aikido classmate's name is apparently Hinagata Yuzuki.

I was a bit unsure of what to call her, but ‘kun' seemed appropriate, as ‘chan' might be too familiar. She was crying earlier, but after some mental care, she seems calm now, quietly listening to everyone while eating crab cheese.

"Huh…? Oh, yes! I was hoping you could help procure some food…"

"Well, it's physically impossible for this many people. We brought some food, hoping to help a little."

"Ugh…"

But Serai-san cut that off coldly.

Yeah, but I like that straightforwardness. So, I might have Aine-sensei carry some of the burden too. It seems like the students at this school are the only ones facing various hardships.

"Ah, Aine-sensei, is the food situation as you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes, we're currently getting food from the generosity of nearby shop owners or buying it with money collected from the evacuees."

"Hmm, then we'll hand over the food we brought to you tomorrow. Please distribute it as you see fit. Though, it's dungeon monster meat."

"Wha… what!?"

Well, with distribution stopped and even the SDF struggling to arrange food supplies, there's no way we could just find food lying around.

"Are you serious about the dungeon monster meat!?"

"Come on… You were just saying how delicious it was!"

""What!?""

At that moment, Aine-sensei and Hinagata-kun froze, their eyes wide open, and the crab cheese dropped from their hands.