Original subtitles

2 Years Earlier

Miku.

My player name is Queen.

Call me that instead.

Can we battle, Queen?

Sure. I don't have anything else to do.

The shop champion's going to battle!

Queen is?

How many times has Aizawa-san challenged her now?

I can't remember. He never learns his lesson.

As the former shop champion, I'm sure he'd hate to go out on a loss.

There. Now we're done here.

Again!

Sure, but aren't you wasting your time?

Wasting my time?!

Just so you know, players like you who pay to cram their deck with rare cards

aren't the definition of strong!

Of course not.

What?

Just loading your deck with rare cards doesn't make it strong.

You have to understand their characteristics

and play accordingly, right?

I was always bored.

I was convinced I wouldn't have any fun for the rest of my life.

I'd like to battle, Queen-san.

Dungeon Hospital

What I Can Do Now

Rooms 401-405

Rooms 406-410

Nurses' Station

Showers & Bathroom

Laundry Room

Miku, the doctor said she'd be okay with some rest.

Why don't we leave for today?

I'll stay a little while longer.

But the doctor said the drugs would keep her from waking up today.

I want to stay.

I'm sure she'll be fine.

A high-end potion should...

Potions can only heal injuries like cuts, burns, and broken bones.

But Hikarin's illness...

Miku, do you know something about Hikarin's condition?

Hikari!

I'm sorry I let this happen to her!

You have nothing to apologize for, Miku-chan.

My wife is right.

We're grateful you spend so much time with Hikari.

No, we're grateful to all of you.

You're Jinguji-san and Takagi-san, right?

Yes, I'm Airi Jinguji. Nice to meet you.

I-I'm Kaito Takagi.

Hikari said going to the park has been even more fun since meeting you.

Please excuse us.

Excuse us.

They're all smiling...

So was Hikarin.

She was always smiling.

Sure.

Thank you!

I attack.

This girl's deck is just like mine.

But how?

Mine's a rich girl's deck, chock full of rare cards.

It wouldn't be easy to replicate. So what gives?

Does she come from a rich family, too?

But I've fine-tuned my deck to suit my playstyle.

Compared to my aggressive tactics, she's more cautious and defensive.

There. You're finished.

Why don't you build a deck that suits you better?

Because I love you, Queen-san.

What?

So I want to play with a deck just like yours.

Is that... not okay?

No, that's fine.

It's totally fine, but my deck doesn't suit you at all.

I'll build you one that's perfect for you.

A deck by the Queen? You mean it?

But you gotta call me Miku instead of Queen.

What?

Miku-san...

Just Miku is fine.

Would Miku-chan be all right?

Well, I guess that'll do.

That day, we began building Hikarin's new deck together.

I didn't have the time to be bored.

Just being with Hikarin made every day so much fun.

I thought we'd be together day after day after...

No, I assumed we'd be together forever.

Duel Fighters

National Tournament

Open pair battle event!

When

September 7th

Starting at 13:00

Nationwide Store Qualifiers

Area Championships

No entry fee!

No age restrictions

A national tournament?

Let's enter this pairs event together.

You and me? I'm looking forward to it!

I think that's everything.

The opponents we can't underestimate are—

You're so prepared, Miku-chan.

That's basic game strategy.

Of course.

Hikari & Miku

Yuki & Sari

Sho & Yamato

Kan & Gon

The champions of the national pairs tournament are... Miku and Hikarin!

You take it too, Hikarin.

Hikarin?!

Hikarin!

Hikarin! Hikarin!

I'm sorry I never told you before...

About what? What didn't you tell me?

Soon, I...

You'll what?

Miku-chan! How's Hikari?

She just went into the ICU.

Darling...

Moriyama-san.

We should've told you.

So you've known about Hikarin's illness since then?

What is it?

Miku?

We shouldn't make her tell us.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking.

No, it's fine. I'll tell you.

There's no cure?

Hikari's condition causes total organ failure over time.

It's difficult to treat even with modern medicine.

We were told she may not live to see the new year if she collapses again.

Does Hikarin know about her condition?

Yes, she knows.

She's got good instincts.

I was forced to tell her when she asked me about it one day.

But she hasn't seemed gravely ill.

She's always full of energy.

That's only because the medicine suppresses her symptoms.

Our stats also get boosted in the dungeon, which keeps her stamina up.

The dungeon?

She told us you've been hanging out at the park together on the weekends.

I see... So Hikari's been exploring the dungeon.

I'm sorry!

There's no need to apologize.

I'm sure it's what Hikari wanted.

Wait a minute.

Why did Hikarin want to risk the dungeon if she was so sick?

Because...

"Very, very rarely,

a miraculous medicine that can cure any disease drops in the dungeon."

Despite that, countless wealthy and powerful individuals have invested massive fortunes into acquiring this miraculous medicine, and numerous schemes have been concocted to acquire it. On black market auctions, it goes for the shocking price of hundreds of millions of yen, and according to rumor, behind such deals are secret organizations and criminal groups.

Very, very rarely, a miraculous medicine that can cure any disease drops in the dungeon. According to rumor, it auctions on the black market for hundreds of millions of yen.

"According to rumor, it auctions on the black market for hundreds of millions of yen."

"The item is called elixir."

The item is called elixir.

Many adventurers and alchemists have heard the legends and believe it has the power to remedy all the world's maladies.

Are you reading about the elixir?

Hikarin, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the hospital?

I snuck out.

You shouldn't do that. You'd better go right back.

More importantly, Miku-chan...

Wh-What?

You're planning to go to the dungeon to find an elixir, aren't you?

Don't be ridiculous.

You can't hide anything from me.

You were just thinking you'd go with me, weren't you?

What?

You can't hide anything from me either.

There's no way, okay?

I don't know much about it, but the dungeon is a dangerous place.

I can't take you somewhere like that.

If it's dangerous, then all the more reason I can't let you go alone.

Certainly not for my sake.

I'm going with you!

No!

I absolutely have to!

No!

Let's go outside.

Cool your head with this.

I've been thinking...

If we do find an elixir, it should help advance research.

Then anyone suffering from my disease—

No, everyone suffering from incurable illnesses would benefit.

Hikarin, you...

Of course, I'm after the elixir for myself.

But I'm not the only one who will be happy if I find it.

It'll help even more people.

I can't push that responsibility onto you.

You're not pushing anything...

Okay. We'll explore the dungeon together.

Are you sure?

Once you make up your mind, you don't change it.

You think I don't know that?

Miku-chan, thank you!

Hey, Hikarin...

We'll go exploring together.

That's what I can do right now.

What you can do right now?

Let's find that elixir, Hikarin.

Let's!

First, we'll have to attend an explorer lecture.

Miku-chan.

Yes?

If we find an elixir, I think I can do it.

Do what?

Be a hero for people suffering from illness.

Hikari said that?

So that's the story...

Even though she's seriously ill, she's more worried about other people.

That's just the kind of girl Hikarin is, so I couldn't leave her behind.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

What?

As her father, I'm truly happy she has a friend like you.

Thank you for exploring the dungeon with Hikari.

Like Hikarin, I'm just doing what I can do right now.

I've heard that somewhere before...

Just like Hikarin wants to be a hero for the sick,

I want to be Hikarin's personal hero.

Miku...

Airi-san, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Hikarin's illness.

I couldn't bring myself to do it.

It's fine. I probably would've done the same in your position.

Will you let me help you find an elixir?

But we don't even know if they really exist.

But Hikarin believes they do. Don't you, too?

Then so do I.

Airi-san.

Have you forgotten about me?

Kaito...

I thought the elixir was just an urban legend,

but after hearing that story, I'd like to see it with my own eyes.

Let's find some!

Then why don't we go deeper starting tomorrow?

What?

The monster that drops the elixir must be on a lower floor.

I see.

Then starting tomorrow, we'll explore floor 10.

Syl, use Song of the Valkyrie!

Okay!

Born into this world, grasp it tightly.

In order to search, I released my hand.

My mission of truth is the dream I saw in the cradle.

Miku, take the one on the right. Airi-san, take the one on the left.

Sure.

Got it.

As for the one in the middle...

My lord, allow me.

G-Go for it.

Kaito, what about me?

The light is enveloped in fear.

Just wait.

Seriously? But I wanted to use Beauty of Gluttony.

Having endured the long darkness, the heroes await the signal.

Spread out!

Dance of Visions!

Awaken the voices of the heroes hiding quietly in the depths.

Snatch!

Zantetsugeki!

The shadows proclaim that they are here.

From one place to another, all for you.

My lord, unfortunately, it did not drop an elixir.

It's a miracle medicine. We won't find it so easily.

You're right.

We just have to keep killing monsters.

Still...

I can't believe Hikarin has an incurable illness.

We must find that elixir!

Of course!

Anyway, I knew this was a desert area, but it sure is hot.

Right? Even though there's no sun.

It's nothing new, but the dungeon is a strange place.

Syl and Luce, are you two not hot?

Of course we are, but this temperature isn't a problem.

There are even hotter places in the devils' realm.

I see.

My lord, you're not going to ask me?

Oh...

My lord, please get out of the way!

Out of the way? Of what?

Master, below you!

Huh?

A sand worm!

Kaito!

Ew, it's a worm!

It's finally my time to shine. Hellfire of Destr—

Wait, Luceria!

What?

If you use Hellfire of Destruction, you'll burn our master to a crisp too.

Now that you mention it...

I've got this.

Dance of Visions!

It... doesn't hurt?

Now it's my time to shine. Hellfire of Destr—

You'll pay for harming my lord!

Did you see that?

The monster that disrespected my lord was—

Wh-Whatever is the matter, Lady Luce?

What's the matter?! To hell with you!

Hold it, hold it, hold it. I'll let you handle the next one.

Bellia, thank you.

You're too kind.

Dungeon Hospital

I wish I could've seen you constricted by a worm.

Yeah, that's not really anything I want people seeing.

And Luce-sama's angry face!

It was so cute! Right, Airi-san?

Yes.

I hope I can get out of the hospital and back into the dungeon soon.

Then I can help everyone using Ice Circle.

Yeah.

How can she smile like that?

She knows better than anyone how sick she is.

Miku, your ride is here.

As I told you before, the hero I wish to become

is someone with the strength to protect those they love.

Hikarin is exactly who I should be protecting.

Airi-san...

That is what I can do right now.

Where have I heard that?

Haruka Katsuragi

Hello?

Takagi-kun?

Did you go visit Hikari-san?

Yeah.

How is she?

I have to lie, right?

Liar!

That's right. That's where I heard it.

You lied, Daddy!

You said you wouldn't go into the dungeon!

Haruka, listen to me.

Someone has to enter the dungeon to discover its secrets and its true nature.

I want to be that person for everyone's sake.

That's what I can do right now.

Takagi-kun?

Sorry. I'll call you back.

What?

Sheesh.

There's still time until it closes.

Why did you suddenly come back?

Master, I sense an enemy. It's probably in the sand.

Is it another sand worm?

I should be doing what I can right now too,

just like the others and Captain Katsuragi!

Then someday, I'll become a hero!

Next Time