My Refrigerator Turned Into A Dungeon

Chapter 469

Research Facility 1

While seriously attending a chiropractic school, I’ve still got all sorts of things to take care of. So today, I was heading to a research facility of the Ministry of Special Labyrinth Countermeasures in Harumi.

They contacted me to let me have a share of the materials from that giant crocodile I defeated in Edogawa, and also said, “That thing Egetsu-san is wearing, if possible we’d like to examine it in detail,” from Edahashi-san.

And when it’s put like that, I’m not exactly unwilling.

I don’t like having information taken from me, but the Insect King Suit is my proud creation. So I also had the desire to show it off. And if it caught the eye of a professional researcher, it’s only natural I’d feel a bit proud.

Besides, if they’ll examine the performance of the Insect King Suit with the country’s amazing inspection equipment, that information is important to me too.

(Hmm, it should be around here according to the address… Ah, is that it? It’s basically just a factory or warehouse-looking building.)

And so, the place I arrived at was a building in Harumi’s warehouse district. Or rather, a warehouse.

Covered in metal thicker than tin, with a massive shutter big enough for large trucks to back right in and handle cargo. On the edge, attached almost apologetically to a fence, was a brand-new nameplate of the Ministry of Special Labyrinth Countermeasures.

When I tried to drive into the wide loading space in front of the closed shutter, a one-armed Self-Defense Force officer carrying a rifle suddenly appeared from the shadows and blocked my path.(Whoa, that was close! No, I almost ran him over—that’s dangerous…)

“What business do you have!?”

“…I have an appointment with Chief Edahashi.”

The SDF officer approached the driver’s seat and demanded in a high-handed manner, so I ended up responding bluntly too.

“Driver’s license. Wait here…”

(Yeah, well, I get that it’s a research facility so security would be tight, but couldn’t they be a bit more friendly?)

Wait, the one who took my license to check it is dressed like an SDF officer, but maybe they’re actually a staff member of the Ministry of Special Labyrinth Countermeasures. Anyway, I watched that security figure’s back as they left, letting out a small sigh.

…。

Then, led by a lab-coated staff member who came to escort me, I entered the warehouse. Inside, it felt like a space where multiple laboratories had been built inside a hangar. The side near the entrance with the shutter was wide open, but the deeper you went, the more prefab-like rooms were densely packed together.

(Heh, so the giant crocodile I defeated must’ve been brought in here too.)

Since this was the place they told me to come collect the materials, that must be the case. And since quite a bit of time had already passed, there wasn’t a trace of that giant crocodile left.

Then, with sharp clacking footsteps echoing along a metal catwalk-like passage, Chief Edahashi arrived accompanied by someone.

“Hey there, Egetsu-san. Good work at the tournament.”

“Hello, Edahashi-shu—wha!?”

But the moment I saw the person behind him, my breathing stopped and my gaze locked on. Seeing that, Chief Edahashi introduced the person.

“What’s wrong? Ah, this is Chief Toyonami. They’re interested in your ‘thing,’ Egetsu-san, so they’ll be assisting with today’s examination.”

“Ah… I-I see. I’m Egetsu, pleased to meet you.”

“Yeah, nice to meet you. We don’t have much time, so let’s get started right away.”

“Y-Yes!”

Caught off guard by this sudden encounter, I was thrown into intense confusion.

Even though I thought there was no way that person could be in a place like this, I still couldn’t take my eyes off them. Because, because Chief Toyonami looked exactly like the master anime director who had a huge influence on the formation of my personality…

That kind of person was walking through this hangar-like space in a lab coat, looking every bit the researcher.

With the hem of that white lab coat fluttering, their footsteps ringing sharply across the metal walkway, and their scalp shining under the lights pouring down from the ceiling. Just that alone made my heart pound intensely.

It was like the first time I entered a dungeon, when I felt like I had jumped into the world of a game. Now, it felt like I had leapt into the world of an SF robot anime—such emotion was surging through my chest.

(Woah, amazing. They’re not the director… but they’re basically the director!!)

And then, I was certain. This person could absolutely build something like a large humanoid weapon…

(Ahh, man! I want this person to say to me, “Egetsu-kun, you’re the one who’s going to pilot this!” so badly!!)