novelraw Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Chapter 43
After finishing a pleasant dinner with Shurado, I stroll through the camp.
That's because I still can't enter the dungeon, so there's nothing to do.
Let's quickly review how the Dungeon Foundation handles dungeon operations.
- Stage 1
Dungeon Foundation investigation
Using explorers under the foundation's control, they conduct investigations to reveal the dungeon's nature. Based on its size, monsters, floors, etc., they classify it into a class and allow civilian explorers inside.
- Stage 2
Dungeon conquest
This is when the actual conquest begins, and they start mining crystals and anomalous substances.
- Stage 3
Boss extermination
After locating the boss room and recovering most of the resources, a team is formed to conquer the boss room, and heavy firepower is deployed to defeat the boss.
So, since the Dungeon Foundation hasn't even announced the class yet, we're still in Stage 1.
It's still the preparation phase.
Right about now, the foundation must be diligently conducting their investigation.
As I'm walking around the camp, I come across the commissary.
Though, it's really just a regular convenience store.
It's the dungeon camp commissary, limited-time only.
"Oh, Finger Man, you're alive!"
"Dr., it's been a while."
I was caught by a wandering old man in a lab coat.
"There were whispers you'd gone missing or something like that."
"Actually, it's a whole thing, you see..."
"To think something so strange could happen. A dungeon in your backyard, huh."
"Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say. Anyway, how about you, Dr.? Did you get any results at the conference?"
"Ah. It's small, but my achievement was recognized, and I got funding."
"Congratulations."
"And this here is the 'Mugen High-Load ver4.0.'"
Whoa, that's cool.
I like things like duralumin cases, attaché cases, trunks and stuff.
Feels like they'd have classified documents or the Key of Nebuchadnezzar inside.
"Th-that white bird of yours, could it be......"
Looking closely, my chest pocket is squirming, with Shimaenaga-san's tail sticking straight out toward the sky. Her tail is so cute.
"What? You got a problem with that? Doesn't matter what it is, right? (assertive posture)"
"No, I won't ask. Anyway, could you help me collect more usage data again?"
"Sure. Same as always, right?"
"This 'Mugen High-Load ver4.0' has, though the principles are unknown, the functions of both evolution and transformation. And it probably won't explode. Yeah, probably. Definitely."
How did you even manage to build it with that kind of fuzzy logic?
You're totally the instinctive type, huh.
"Since we don't understand the principles, we just need a whole lot of trial data."
I raised my hand lightly and said "Got it."
"I should get going. Looks like the dungeon's still not open yet."
"Indeed. It likely won't open tonight."
"Well then, I'll be off."
"Ah."
I part ways with the Dr.
"Finger Man."
"?"
"Are they going to fight too? Those... pets of yours."
"Huh? Ah—..."
From my chest pocket, Shimaenaga-san pokes her head out and stares intently at the Dr.
Gii-san also pokes his head out and stares vacantly.
"When the time comes, they will. They're my companions."
"I see."
The Dr. pursed his lips and made a "hmm" kind of face, then turned his back and walked away.
What was that? What kind of emotion is that? That expression is kind of annoying.
The next morning.
I returned to the hotel, spent the night riding a pizza-and-cola high, and sort of pulled an all-nighter. As the sky paled with the sunrise, I dove straight into today's Daily Mission.
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★Daily Mission★
Let's put in steady effort every day!
'Suddenly! My Revolution'
Sing "My Revolution" out of nowhere 0/5
Consecutive days: Day 97
Steady Rank: Platinum Multiplier 10.0x
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Daily-kun is out for blood today.
No gaps in early, mid, or late game.
But hey, I won't lose.
I left the hotel and headed into downtown Chiba.
——2 hours later
In front of a busy train station packed with commuters, I let my singing voice ring out.
"Wakarihajimeta my revolution~♪ Asu wo midasu koto sa~♪"
──────────────────
★Daily Mission★
Let's put in steady effort every day!
'Suddenly! My Revolution'
Sing "My Revolution" out of nowhere 5/5
★Today's Daily Mission Complete!★
Reward: Wisdom of the Ancients B (50,000 EXP)
Skill Nutrient B ×3 (50,000 Skill EXP)
Consecutive days: Day 98
Steady Rank: Platinum Multiplier 10.0x
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This time, I'm keeping all the Daily Mission rewards for myself. No 3:4:3 split.
Shimaenaga-san and Gii-san are giving me disapproving glares, but nope, not giving in to those eyes.
After completing today's public embarrassment challenge, I head straight for the dungeon camp.
"Good morning, Akagi-san!"
"Good morning, Shurado."
"The dungeon's already open!"
"Wait, don't tell me... I'm late?"
"Yes!"
She confirmed it with an absolutely radiant smile.
"Mister and the others entered about 10 hours ago, that was the earliest."
"Ah, so Mister was here too."
"Yes, he's very dedicated. The latest info has already been updated."
Checking the foundation's SNS, I see that the official account is boosting posts by explorers participating in this Chiba dungeon. I try scrolling back on the timeline a bit. Looks like famous explorers get boosted.
From S-class, there's "Dandy" and "Mister."
From A-rank, there's "French Fries" and "Former Chiba-kun."
These explorers' posts are being amplified.
I guess everyone's taking part in this run.
Or rather, Mister was S-Class all along...... he's basically a celestial being......
So French Fries Asakura is participating too.
That means the other Walking Family Restaurant members are probably here as well.
I mean, everyone's just blasting out strategy info.
Since it's a shallow floor, the early posts are coming in like machine-gun fire.
From what I can tell, the stairs up to the third floor have already been found.
As expected of the top-tier explorers.
They're so fast, I feel completely left behind by the times.
"This dungeon is Class 4. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS and DIFFICULT to conquer. Estimated depth: 30 floors. Each floor's map isn't as wide as 'Pure,' but since it's 'Salvation,' there may be many trap rooms. Please be careful."
Hah, so Salvation-types tend to have more traps.
I guess it's like how Jiro-style ramen has extra bean sprouts.
"By the way, did you bring those kids along?"
"They're here, look—say hello to Shurado, Shimaenaga-san, and Gii-san."
"Didn't they get smaller?"
"They can grow big or small, totally shapeshifty, these little ones."
"That's amazing!"
Shurado said that as she let out a little "heave-ho" and pulled out a back scratcher.
It looked seriously old and radiated gravitas and age.
Without hesitation, she began to scratch the top of Shimaenaga-san's head.
"Chii~!"
Shimaenaga-san looked extremely content.
Now she scratched Gii-san's smooth, sleek body.
"Gii♪"
He let out a heavenly-sounding squeak.
"I'm next, right?"
"Ahaha, what would you even do if she scratched you, Akagi? That makes no sense at all!"
"Ugh."
A verbal attack out of nowhere.
Poison. Stop it. That technique works on me.
"This is the anomalous substance 'Anatomical Identity.'"
"Anatomical... Identity?"
"It was acquired by the foundation in Aichi Prefecture in 1962. If you're struck 47 times with it, any living being loses its ego. Put simply, they lose their mind and become an empty shell."
"You used something that dangerous on our babies!?"
"Heh heh heh, while it's a powerful anomalous substance capable of instantly neutralizing even juvenile Calamity Series specimens... the truth is, good things happen when you scratch with it."
"Oh? Like what?"
"When you scratch with this anomalous substance, it lowers the abnormality coefficient that allows them to be observed by the outside world! In other words, they won't be picked up by detection devices!"
"Whoa!"
"It's a necessary treatment for these little ones, Akagi."
Shurado is really thinking of our babies......!
Thank you so much!
"Then, Shurado, please scratch them all you want."
"Ah, by the way, if you scratch 47 times, they'll explode into tiny pieces, so be careful not to overdo it!"
"Never use that thing on our babies again."
That was close.
We almost had a splatterfest.
"Well then, take care out there, Akagi!"
"Off I go."
With the sensors handled, I headed toward the movie theater.
Where tickets would normally be checked, there were armed self-defense force members.
"May I pass through here?"
"Of course."
"Please proceed, A-rank explorer."
With an awkward motion, I was allowed through to the back.
The movie theater where the dungeon appeared was quite the impressive building.
Normally, I'd be excited, hugging popcorn as I climbed the side slope, but now a giant screen came into view.
And right in the center of it, a gate to the dungeon stood open.
Black, a mouth beckoning all who enter into the depths.
Alright, time to get started again.
I step into the first floor.
Immediately, I encountered a monster.
A dachshund the size of an ankle.
"Kyun~"
"Mmm~ so cute, so cute. You're absolutely adorable."
Alrighty, time to reduce you to charred remains~! (Madness)
——Snap
The blast obliterated the monster without a trace.
"HP 1 is enough. ......No, as it should be."
I can output 500 ATK with just 1 HP.
If I recall correctly, monsters up to the 8th floor fall within One Snap One Kill range.
Thinking that, I realize I've gotten pretty strong myself.
With a swoosh, I traced the temple of my sunglasses—'Labyrinth Conqueror'—and projected a 3D map into the air.
I took a photo and updated "Today's Hunting Grounds" for the first time in a while.
The target is the part-time explorer light-clear group.
I uploaded a relatively easy hunting spot near the entrance.
Then, I happened to notice the date of my last post.
Now that I think about it, I've been missing for about two months.
I wonder if everyone's already forgotten about me......
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Shares: 20 Likes: 186
Red Tree kotoha:
Finger Man is back
Agent G:
Been waiting
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Oh, I'm actually getting more responses than I expected.
And there are even comments.
Agent G was waiting for me.
That makes me happy.
Red Tree kotoha?
I'm glad this person commented too.
Humming with joy, I descend deeper and deeper into the floors.
Let's give it our all in the dungeon today, too.