Sousetsuka

 18-15. Satou's General Store [2]

"Ah hey you, whatever do you mean by rustic?"

It was Arisa who got back at the un-amiable looking blond twintailed girl.

"What's with this girl? Do you think some lowly adventurers have the right to casually talk to me, Kerinagure, the eldest daughter of Ussha Company, the greatest store in Dungeon City Akatia? Know your p--"
"Kerunaguru? Oh I watched that kind of CM back in the days."

Sorry, Arisa.
I don't know that kind of CMs. Probably something from Showa or early Heisei era.

"Do not get it wrong! My name is Kerinagure! It's a honorable name bestowed upon my great grandfather of Ussha Househould of Braibolga Kingdom!"

Arisa lightly apologized, 'my bad, my bad', to the upset girl.

Her slightly pointy ears piqued my curiosity, and confirming on AR reading, she's apparently a leprechaun.
If I'm not mistaken, they are fairies who love pranks in earth's legend.

"U-um! So Kerenaguri-san, you're here for--"
"It's, Kerinagure! My name is Kerinagure!"

The girl snapped at Lolo who also got her name wrong.
She's getting teary eyed, feel kinda bad for her.

She kinda reminds me of [House Fairy] Leriril of [Mansion of Ivy] at Labyrinth City Selbira.

"Lolo, protect."
"Lolo, not wrong."
"Lolo, pat."

The hamkin children struck a cute fighting pose in front of Lolo like they were acting out as her knights.

"What would the fair lady of Ussha Company want with our humble Hero Store?"

I stood in front of those children and asked the girl's business.
Oh yeah, Ussha Company is the same company that headhunted Hero Store's alchemist, isn't it.

"H-hmph! That's what you should have done from the start!"

The girl wiped the tear around her eyes and shouted, "It's a duel desuwa!" while pointing at me.



◇



"Wha, what is with this baked sweet? How could something be this tasty?"

The blond twintailed girl put cookie in her mouth at tremendous speed while maintaining her elegant gestures.
She must really like these cookies.

Below her, the hamkin children are also eating their share of cookies.
Tama and Pochi have also joined them enjoying the snacks like it's their natural habitat.

『--Wasn't this supposed to be a duel?』
『Would be nice if she just forgot about all this duel business and went home.』

I had a secret talk with Arisa using space magic [Telephone].

Since talking in front of the store would disturb other customers, I brought the girl inside and served her tea with cookies which captivated her.
These cookies are byproducts of me trying out new snack recipes using local materials whenever I had free times tending the store.

"Young lady, I was looking for you everywhere, were you having a tea party?"
"Tomari!"

A beauty's voice called out from the store's direction.
Looks like she can't get in here with Liza preventing her advance.

As I told Liza to let her through, a beauty with short stature showed up.
Judging from her pointy ears, she must be a leprechaun as well.

"Nice to meet you all, I am a secretary of Lady Kerinagure, Ussha Company's clerk, Tomaritorore."

Are all leprechauns get these tongue-twisting names or something?

"My lady, we should head back if you are done with your chat. Gold Lion rank adventurers, Tiga party, are all waiting for your return."

Arisa was tilting her head while whispering, 'It's lion but tiger?', I think it's just similar pronunciations though.

"Ha! Oh yes that's right, we're not done yet here! Curse this cookie trap, I almost went back just like that."

Shame. The girl recalled why she was here.

"It's a duel desuwa!"

The girl shouted out loud as she stood up her chair.

"I shall allow you to partake in a request by Grand Witch-sama! If you can complete this request, you will be granted Grand Witch-sama's referral!"
"Grand Witch-sama's referral!"

Lolo shouted out loud, unusual for her.
Looks like it's something really amazing.

This [Referral] in Akatia Language skill translates to the longwinded words of [An honor adorned with official talisman and seal to signifies a company recognized by Grand Witch-sama] in Japanese.

"My lady, it may be a competitive request sent to several companies but I don't know about adding another competitor to the fray in jest."
"It's fine! You will tell me your trade route for [Hero's Store Special Preserved Food] if you lose! That shall be the stakes if you participate in this request!"

I see, so we get [Grand Witch's Referral] if we win and disclose information about [Trade Route for Special Preserved Food] if we lose.
Yup, nothing to lose for us. I mean I'm the trade route.

"Mind telling us what the request is before we agree to it? You can't have already gathered all the items, can you?"
"But of course! The request came in this morning! No company has these items in stock!"

The girl got upset like she was offended by Arisa's suspicion.

"What's the requested items?"
"They are written here."

There are three materials on the scroll the girl unfolded.
Massar Frog Tongue, Undercrawling Lily Bulb and a parasitic mushroom growing on the back of a giant ancient dragonkin.

According to Map Search, none of them can be found in the dungeon city.
The girl isn't lying.

According to my search on Rampaging Evil Dungeon, the frog is in the later region of [Dirty Mud Ruins] to the west of the sea of tree, the lily bulb is in the mid-later region of [Bloodsucking Wetlands] to the south, and the parasitic mushroom is in the highest level danger zone, [Castle].
The lily bulb looks to be the easiest to get at a glance, but since it's crawling around in a few meter long area under the ground of a vast region, getting one is practically impossible unless you know how to get them or a practitioner of earth or space magic.

As expected of a request from Grand Witch-sama, [Pinchusion Fort] and [Ogrekin District] suited for beginner and intermediate levels won't have their turn this time around.

"Never heard any of these mats. Lolo, you know?"

Arisa asked Lolo.

"I have heard about the frog and the lily bulb. Mage Tia-san mentioned how she was having trouble getting them. I believe Tia-san would know about the parasitic mushroom as well."
"Nice, then we can just look for this Tia-san."
"I would love to..."
"Any problem?"
"She hasn't been coming to this store in the last half month, it's possible that she's gone on an expedition."
"It's okay. I know where to find them at least."

I just searched the map and all.

"There is no issue then I believe. Do you need an introduction letter to Adventurer's Guild?"
"Nope, no need for that. Lolo's got us!"
"You lot? And your rank?"
"Still Silver Tiger cause we just got to Akatia recently, but you bet we won't lose to Gold Lion rank!"
"Oh really?"

The girl looked at Liza and Nana with a probing glance before saying 'Good luck to you' over her shoulder and leaving the store. Secretary-san had been urging her all this time after all.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
◇



"I'm sorry. I have gotten Satou-san involved in this without asking first."
"Oh please don't worry about it. We've got nothing to lose anyway, and these girls won't lose either way."

The girls smiled proudly when I said that.
I left the store to Lolo and gave a briefing to the girls where to find the materials at the back parlor.

"What kind of items she wants?"
"Hang on."

I went around with Gates to collect samples employing all kind of magic. Took around three minutes in total.

"They look like these. The frogs are all entrapped in icicles and don't move, but they will all run away into the mud if they see you, be careful here."

I showed some samples and gave pointers what to be cautious of.

"Ah! Tia-san!"
"Hi there~."

I could hear Lolo's excited voice and Tia girl's languid voice from the direction of the store.
Lolo explained to her about the competition and asked her cooperation. Looks like she's the mage Tia we were talking about earlier.

"Satou-san, it's Tia-san!"

Lolo brought a plain-faced girl wearing a big hat with a wide brim.
The girl looked surprised when she saw Lulu's identical face to Lolo.

--Geh.

AR readings tell me the true identity of this Tia-san.
Since Lolo doesn't seem to be aware and the girl herself seems to be hiding it, I'm not going to say anything here.

"Ah! Massar Frog Tongue, Undercrawling Lily Bulb, and Parasitic Mushroom grown on the back of a giant ancient dragonkin! How come you got all of them here?!"

Tia-san shouted out.

"These are samples."

I opened Item Box and put the evidence away.

"Ah, aaaah."

Tia-san reached out while au-au-ing, but her arm never got to touch the three items in the end.

"Well now that we're done with briefing, let's get to collecting shall we?"
"Why! Can't you just like deliver those?!"

Tia-san retorted logically.

"We must not cheat."
"You got that right! Gotta do all the gathering ourselves in a duel!"
"Well, I guess, you're right, but you know."

Tia-san looks unconvinced to my and Arisa's words.

"Gotta go to the [Castle], there's some danger in splitting up into three groups. But going there one by one is too long... Maybe we can leave either the wetlands or the ruins to Karina-tan's group? Hikaru-tan can pick whichever cuz she's got an observer with her."
"Then we'll take on the dirty mud ruins. Considering how vast the wetlands are, I don't think we can get to the bulb without Arisa's or Mia's magic."

Since the bulb is located underground, Zena-san's wind magic is bad match for it.
And Princess Sistina's earth magic can't cover that much range.

"Okay then we're heading for [Castle]! Can I leave it to you to get in touch with Hikaru-tan, master?"
"Yea, count on it. Careful not to get hurt, okay."
"""OKAY."""

The girls departed in high spirits.



◇



"H-hold on."

Tia-san grabbed my shoulder.

"What can I help you with?"
"You gotta stop them! You can't let them get close to [Castle], there's even small children with them. Are you aware just how dangerous that place is? There's like heaps and heaps of level 50 monsters, you know."
"Oh they will be fine."

Those monsters are nothing more than [Delicious] prey to those girls.

"Fine you say, do you know that even the top Gold Lion rank, Tiga's group have a hard time there?"
"I am not familiar with this Tiga-san, but those girls are stronger than anyone at their home ground, they will be okay."
"Well I guess it's fine then--"

Besides, I'm keeping watch on them always with [Clairvoyance] and [Clairhears] anyway.

"--Or like, who are you again? You weren't even here two weeks ago and yet you've got this, 『I've been a clerk here for years』 face on you."

Tia-san sure can throw some hard and fast ball.

"Oh I'm just a little helper of this store. My companion, Lulu is a [Second Cousin] of Lolo-san, see."
"Second cousin, you mean she's a descendant of Hero Watari?"
"That will be true. Aren't they the splitting image?"

She was even surprised when she saw Lulu earlier.

"Oh, and where's Seiko?"

Tia-san asked Lolo, changing the subject.

"I took a glimpse of the magic potions at the store, he's really upped his skills. I just taught him a bit on some stuff, but I'd like to give some praises for his hard work still."
"Seiko-san has resigned."
"For real?"
"Yes, another store poached him."
"That little ingrate."

Tia-san seems enraged by Seiko's treachery.

"Then, did you stock those potions from other alchemists? Considering their quality, it must have been expensive."
"Satou-san made those potions."
"Eeh? You did? You a genius?"

Nope, just a cheat.

"Satou-san is really amazing, you know! The food he makes tastes so good and he even developed preserved food! He'd even do maintenance on weapons and armor. He repaired the junk we brought in a bazaar and turned them into store-worthy goods! It's like magic!"

Lolo boasted to Tia-san with sparkling eyes.
Oh gee, you're making me blush.

"Who are you really?"
"Just a noble from some faraway land. I'm kicking back here to get away from some excruciating situation back in my land."

Looks like my plea not to pry got transmitted to her.

"I got it. I'll refrain from prying further. But promise me this at least. Don't you ever make Lolo cry! You'll make her your wife if you put your hand on her!"

Tia-san, that's two.

"You promised there! Protect her right, okay!"

Tia-san left after saying that much.
She's stuffed her bag full of the cookies, looks like they're to her liking.

"Satou-san, will Lulu-san and the other be okay on their own?"
"Oh they're fine. They're making their way inside [Castle] while humming even as we speak."

Looks like they also saved several parties of adventurers on their way to [Castle].
Seeing Lulu's group is doing all right, guess I should go contact Hikaru's group right about now.



※Next update is 11/10

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 9





"Yoana-san, we have gotten to floor 92 as well."

"Eh, already?"

"Now that is a surprise all right."

"Hold on a minute. Are you saying you have conquered both floor 90 and 91?"

"Yes, we are."

"That is most impressive. Which party were you exploring together with?"

"Oh it's just the two of us."

"Kakaka. That is doubtful. Well, it is all right if you do not wish to divulge."

"It works out great then. The party we went with is completely worn out, you see. They're planning to take a break from exploring for a while."

"Then how about you take a day off tomorrow and go diving together with us the day after? Let's find some rooms and see how well we work together, if it looks like it's going well, we can then go find some giant variants to beat up."

"Sounds good. How about it, you two?"

Lecan and Arios agreed to it, thus their cooperative diving would start a day later, on the 30th of month 1.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


10





Morning of the 30th, Lecan, Arios and <Grindam> had breakfast together. For the loot split rule, they've decided to follow the same agreement <Grindam> usually have with other party.

First, blue potion drops belong to Yoana. For magic stones, Yoana takes the same amount of magic stones she consumes on a particular day. As for other kinds of potions, those who defeat the magic beasts that drop them own them. But this rule doesn't apply to <God Cure>. For <God Cure> and all other items dropped from treasure chests, they will have trading facility assess the prices first. Then everything besides specific items wanted by the members will be sold off. Then the prices of those items will be deducted from that particular member's share of the total sales before being split to five people. Weapons and equipment purchases and maintenance are each individual's responsibility.

"Did a <God Cure> ever get dropped here?"

"Nah. Never. Kakaka."

The five went to a townlord-managed store and bought some portable food. Yoana also bought Wound Salve and Blue Potions. Bruska acts as a treasurer in the party, Tsuinga and Yoana would report their personal shopping lists and prices to him.

"Now then, time to go to the mediation office."

Lecan stopped Bruska when he was going to walk off toward the mediation office.

"How about giving it a go with these members first."

"Eh. That won't do, Lecan. We need at the very least ten people with us to take on floor 90s onward."

"How about floor 70s then."

"Floor 70s huh."

"The more people on hands, the harder it is to coordinate. Either way, us five should try fighting as a group first to assess each other's strength, ability, fighting styles and habits among other things. We can start thinking about getting more people from there."

"Hmm. What do you think guys?"

"I believe that is a solid idea. And on floor 70s, we can simply get out of the room if things go south."

"I'm fine with that too. To be honest with you, I hate how hard it is to shoot my magic when there's too many people. Besides, floor 70s drop some pretty good weapons."

"All right, that settles it then. Lecan, we're on board with your suggestion."

"Good, let's head for floor 79."

"Eh?"

"Kakaka."

"Right off the bat."

The party went to floor 79.

Today Lecan is using <Sword of Odo> instead of <Sword of Rusk>.

This was a comparatively good sword enchanted with power and sharpness boost by an enhancer in his previous world. The sword had no name back then, but appraising it in this world gave it the name <Sword of Odo> with <Sharpness Boost>, <Power Boost>, and <Weight Boost> Graces attached to it.

It's a good sword with high offensive power, but it couldn't be enhanced with durability boosting enchants. It consumes a lot of stamina due to its weight, and there's a danger of it breaking if used regularly. Even though Lecan can never get a sword like this again in this world, he's decided to use it here. He believes the sword should be capable of cutting <Black Body> on floor 90s.

Bruska who was leading the way stopped moving in front of a room very close to the stairway.

"I'll go take a peek."

Right after he said that, he poked his head in the room. And pulled back right away.

"OK, no one's using it. Let's get in here."

So he was confirming whether there was another party fighting in the room or not.

Lecan could only see this method as highly risky, but perhaps it's only workable because they're on floor 70s. Naturally, doing something like that on floor 80s carries the risk of getting your head crushed.

Bruska issued commands.

"OK, let's decide on going in turns. Lecan, Arios, Tsuinga, me, then Yoana. Once you're inside, get as far away as possible and lure the enemies away. Tsuinga and I will protect Yoana. Tsuinga will also rush in once Yoana has shot her magic. Draw your swords."

Arios drew his sword.

Lecan too.

Mage Yoana took a slim wand, held it over her head, and tapped Bruska's head with the tip of her wand once it had been loaded with mana.

A transparent magical mark emerged over Bruska's face. Yoana did the same thing over Bruska's heart.

Yoana repeated the procedure on Tsuinga. Bruska explained to Lecan and Arios.

"It's a defensive magic. The mark reduces physical and magical attack, only a minute amount of it though."

"Hou."

Lecan recalled one thing.

There was that time when he destroyed some idols in Vouka's Ceres Temple. Back then, the vice temple head mentioned something about the idols having defensive magic cast on them.

Later on, Lecan asked Shira about defensive magic. Since that kind of magic wasn't written on Shira's list.

According to Shira, that's not a specific magic that get cast by reciting a spell, but a method that solidifies the idols' sturdiness by cladding them with mana. There are defensive magic with permanent effects, and another that only holds its effect for a short amount of time in exchange for very high defensive power. He was planning to ask Shira teach him how to use that magic, but the thought completely slipped his mind.

After Lecan and Arios got their defensive magic in order, Yoana put away her small wand and took a big wand, she gulped down a Small Blue Potion before reciting another spell.

"O God of Raging Flames, Zaboa. Goddess of vengeance enthroned in the bottom of endless pit. Revive anew and pour your grace unto me. I offer you this life and beseech you flames of ruination. Come forth, tear my foes asunder."

Mana is converging into a huge lump on the thick wand. Condensing and swirling at tremendous rate.

Yoana glanced at Bruska. Signaling him that she's ready.

Bruska issued an order.

"Go!"

Lecan charged headlong toward the magic beasts.

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 8





"Hou. It's indeed unlike anything thus far."

"What is it like now?"

"The magic beasts inside are waiting to ambush us. Looks like they've sensed us getting close."

"Hee. You can even tell that much huh."

"<Deploy (Parshoot)>!"

Lecan readied <Shield of Wolkan> on his left hand.

"Those magic beasts are crowding around the entrance. Opening up a space behind them."

"I see."

"I'm gonna rush in headlong and get behind them. You go in after a breath."

"Got it."

At this point, they just can't afford to falter at the possibility of Grace Gear. Gotta grasp the initiative and strike first.

Lecan crouched down, putting his body and weight behind the shield, then he charged inside.

A sword swung by a magic beast hit his shield, but he paid it no heed and kept running. The White Spectres were crowding a tight spot, but Lecan's charge with enough momentum behind it easily got him through the gaps between these beasts, knocking away their shoulders and arms in the process.

He broke through the magic beasts, colliding with them along the way. Something hit his back, but the damage was not significant.

Lecan ran to the back of the room while knocking magic beasts away and kicked on the wall to jump and turn around as his body grazed the low ceiling, then he cut off a <Red Body> who was opening its mouth to attack.

He beat down a <Red Body> to the left with his shield just as he was landing. Then immediately right after he landed he jumped to the right, hurling himself into a <Red Body> to send it flying, then he <Puncture>d the throat of a <Black Body> in the middle. As he swung his sword to the side, the magic beast's head fell down in a weird angle. Its holes-for-eyes looked as if they had a tinge of bewilderment on them.

A magic hit him on the left side, but <Necklace of Intuador> blocked it.

Arios who rushed in the room a breath after Lecan cut down a <Black Body> from behind. And unusually enough, his slashing attempt at the second <Black Body> was stopped by the black armored rind around its neck. Then the other <Black Body> turned at Arios.

Now that it's come to this, they've got to eliminate all <Black Body> first before dealing with the <Red Body>.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Arios could have handled three <Black Body> at once if he just had enough room, but he can't completely dodge every attack in a confined space like this. And Arios is nowhere near as resilient as Lecan. He can't stop moving and just bear the brunt of damage while fighting back.

Lecan struck the right ankle of the middle one, the <Black Body> that was about to hit Arios, from behind. Then he leaped to the left to dodge the right <Black Body> that was swinging down its hammer as he was attacking and knocked the back head of the left <Black Body> with <Shield of Wolkan>.

Magic attack unleashed by the three remaining <Red Body> landed at the same time, flaring up a blue colored light as the <Necklace of Intuador>'s barrier stopped them. A moment after the blue flame vanished, the left <Black Body>'s lost its head.

Arios went for the middle <Black Body> that was attempting to get up.

Lecan crushed the right <Black Body>'s right arm with <Sword of Rusk> before its down swinging hammer could smash his head. As a result, the hammer missed its target and crushed the <Black Body>'s own right knee into pieces instead.

Another volley of magic attack was concentrated on Lecan. Lecan paid it no mind and Punctured the right <Black Body>.

At that point the middle <Black Body>'s head fell to Arios.

Magic attack from the three magic beasts landed at the same time and got mostly ignored.

By this point, victory was only a matter of time.

"Forgive me. I have been a burden to you master."

"Can't be helped with this cramped space."

"It would have been best if Lecan-dono could focus on <Red Body> while I dealt with <Black Body>."

Arios can block magic damage by making clever use of his light armor, but Lecan and his <Necklace of Intuador> is far more suited against <Red Body>. And as long as there is enough space, Arios can lead five <Black Body> around in for a while unharmed. It's too bad that they can't use that tactic.

Lecan himself personally doesn't feel comfortable relying fully on the necklace to block magic attack. He will relent if it's needed in a breakthrough battle like this, but Lecan's strength won't grow if he keeps doing that forever.

"For the time being, we got no choice but to use this tactic. We can further revise it after repeated tries."

"Yes, that is indeed sound."

At the end of the day, they got through six more rooms and conquered floor 90's boss room.

On the 28th the following day, they fought in eight normal rooms before challenging floor 91's boss room, they prevailed despite suffering some damage and went down another floor.

They procured eight Grace Gear in two days.

The two returned to <Rafin's Rock Terrace Inn> in exhaustion.

Now that they've gotten to floor 92, they can work together with <Grindam>.

Battle should prove far easier with more people.

Additionally, Lecan was curious about depth-walker adventurers' fighting styles.

Especially in how mages handle themselves.

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6





That night, they had a meal together with the three members of <Grindam>.

"By the way, you guys. Which floor are you two exploring now?"

Arios replied to the short spearsman, Tsuinga's question.

"We're on floor 90."

Lecan's ear caught Nark spewing water behind the counter.

(Guess he really doesn't believe us.)

Nark seems to harbor some doubts regarding <Willard>'s unusually quick pace at conquering the dungeon. He probably only takes the news at face value.

"What's your highest floor yet?"

Arios answered Tsuinga 'Floor 90', then the mage Yoana suggested they banded together to conquer floor 93 once Lecan and Arios caught up to them. Tsuinga and Bruska agreed to her suggestion. With alcohol helping they ended up making promise to do cooperative diving. Though <Grindam> folks probably believed that wouldn't be for way later.

"Tsuinga-san. How tough are the giant variants on floor 90?"

"Ou? What's that about floor 90 again?"

"Are floor 90's giant variants a tough nut to crack?"

"Yea. See here, from floor 90s down, those magic beasts get very aggressive. They'll come slashing at you and shoot out magic the moment you step inside their room. Doubly so when it's giant variants! Some parties even just went and got themselves obliterated to this. Kakakaka."

"I see. There's ten of them right?"

"Ou, that it is! The maximum number of magic beast in Dungeon Tsubolt!"

"Hee? But then, how many White Spectres spawn on floor 100?"

Yoana who was sitting to the right of Arios answered this question.

"It's five."

(What?)

(It gets reduced to five on floor 100?)

"Not like we've gone on floor 100 ourselves though. We've just heard stories about it. Apparently they're also smaller than floor 90s' beasts. In exchange, they move really quick and with nasty aim to boot, just way tougher all around."

"Kakakaka! We too dream of getting past floor 100 after all. We're not letting up on info gathering."

(I see.)

(These three are from this town.)

(Must have lots of adventurers' acquaintances too.)

(At any rate, this is good intel.)

(Exactly what we were looking for.)

(Picking this inn wasn't a mistake.)

Arios skillfully led the conversation to dig up more info on floor 100 below from the three.

Fortunately, no other adventurers are sitting in other tables. As they don't seem interested in dungeon-related stuff, there's no worry of having their talk overheard.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

7





The next morning they got up earlier than usual and left the inn.

"Huh? Lecan-dono. Aren't we going to the dungeon?"

"Didn't we decide on going to the information desk."

"Oh yes we did, we were going to buy information on floor 100 down. But I don't think there is any more need to, is there?"

"Just in case."

Due to the early hour there were only two staff manning the counters, but there wasn't a lot of adventurers queuing either, so they got their turn quickly.

It's a strict-looking elderly employee.

"I'd like to purchase info about dungeon."

"Shoot your questions. I'll tell you the price."

"How many magic beasts are there on floor 90s. Also, are rooms on floor 90s of the same size as floor 80s'. How much is this info?"

"That info is public knowledge, therefore it's free. Floor 90s have ten magic beasts. The room is the same size as rooms on floor 1-80s."

"How many magic beasts are there on floor 100s. Also, do their size, ability and fighting style differ from all White Spectres that come before them. How much is this info?"

"We don't sell information on floor 100 below. If you wish to know, stay at an inn for depth-walker adventurers and ask the staff there."

"What? You mean at one of the stone buildings over there."

"It's the inns managed by town lord to the east of this one. Look for a dark green roofed building for the depth-walker inn."

"So they'll tell you information on floor 100 and below if you stay even a night there."

"That's right. Free of charge. However, only those who have reached at least floor 80 are permitted to stay there."

"How do you even confirm that?"

"Another depth-walker party can act as a guarantor. You can also ask the receptionist there to confirm, but it'll cost you one big silver coin."

Some staff there must have floor 80s' <Marks> then.

"Fumu. Are you allowed to gather info from a <Rat>?"

"We don't offer mediation service for <Rats> for floor 100 and below."

"Hou. Got it. Appreciate your time."

Lecan left the information desk building along with Arios.

A man ran up to them from behind.

"Kekeke. Sir, good sir. Heard yer' looking fer' info on floor 100 down yeah?"

"Yea."

"Hehehe. Lemme tell you all 'bout it. For cheap."

"Nah. Save your breath."

Lecan walked away just like that.

"Lecan-dono. Why didn't you buy his information?"

"Hunch. Can't trust that <Rat>."

"Hee? Ah. And didn't we already get information we need from <Grindam> last night. Why did you go out of your way to try and buy information from the desk? Are you doubting <Grindam>?"

"I'm not doubting them. But neither do I believe them entirely. I was assessing whether the dungeon seen from their eyes differ from one seen from the town lord's subordinates, if the answer is yes we would have more information to deliberate with."

"I see. Lecan-dono is really prudent aren't you, unlike your appearance may suggest."

Lecan stopped walking and stared at Arios's face.

"Arios."

"Yes?"

"Heed this. The stronger a beast the more cowardly they are. Beasts who know no fear don't live long."

Fools who cast aside their nature and go into a deep slumber just because they're in a safe spot die.

Only cowards who stay on their toes for the slightest hint of sound or presence even in their sleep survive.

Wolves are cowards. They do not sleep soundly.

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 5





They got in two normal rooms before challenging the boss room. No Grace Gear, but a short sword with high offensive power and extreme sharpness got dropped.

On floor 87 they took on two normal rooms before taking a meal break and then another two before going in the boss room. A dagger with <Curse Resist (Large)>, and <Poison Resist (Large)> got dropped. Arios wanted the dagger so it became his.

On the 26th the day after, they took on two normal rooms, had a meal and then one other normal room before conquering the boss room. On floor 89, they went for the boss room after beating three normal rooms.

They got a <Speed Boost (Large)> and <Power Boost (Small)> long sword that day. The rest was all potions which got passed over to Arios.

As they sat on the ground after beating the boss, Arios talked to Lecan.

"Let's piece together all the information we have gotten so far."

"Hou."

"First of all, this Dungeon is a Unique Type dungeon where only Unique type White Spectres spawn. There are two Unique types, the so-called <Red Body> and <Black Body>."

"Yeah."

"<Red Body> attacks by casting magic, but they can also carry swords or spears with them, attacking them with your own sword on upper floors will make them retaliate with their weapons. However, they stop retaliating with weapons on <Middle Layer> down, so you can no longer employ the tactic of luring them in close quarter combat to seal their magic."

"Right it was."

"This indicates that the ways these White Spectres fight can change depending on floors."

"Really."

"Oh and their body get dyed pale red when they're casting magic. This is probably the origin of <Red Body> name."

"Who cares."

"<Red Body> shoots out magic after growling once. If even one <Red Body> managed to growl and shot out magic, the rest of <Red Body> can immediately shoot their magic as well. The individual that growled will always be the one that initiates the first strike, which is handy for predicting their attack pattern."

"Right."

"The heat ray-like offensive magic can have different colors, from bluish white, pale red, to yellow, but each color does not have any specific trait. However, the bluish white one boasts high firepower in comparison to the other colors."

"Yea, that's right."

"The growls start faster and finish faster the deeper you go down, by floor 80s, they will start growling the instance you get in a room."

"What about it."

"These growls change with floors, becoming tougher as we go on."

"Yeah well I can tell that much."

"Which means they might not even need to growl eventually."

"What."

"Lecan-dono."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"What?"

"We cannot peek inside a room where magic beasts lurk. However, Lecan-dono can detect locations of hostiles."

"Yea."

"But what about the magic beasts side then."

"What'd you say?"

"Those magic beasts might also possess some ways to detect enemies entering the room themselves."

"Something like that. Wait."

Lecan never even considered that. However, he cannot say that the possibility is completely nil.

"They may start growling before we get in and immediately shoot magic the moment we're inside. Or perhaps they may not even growl and just shoot right off the bat."

"Fumu."

"Next up, there is no rhyme or reason to the ratio of <Black Body> and <Red Body> numbers on upper floors. On floor 10s, there can be two <Black Body> or two <Red Body> in a room. However, this ratio stabilizes the further you go down. By floor 80s, it's always five <Black Body> to four <Red Body>."

"Yeah. The black ones ahead, red in the back."

"That's it."

"Hm?"

"Their formation is all over the place on upper floors. But on deeper floors, <Black Body> take the lead while <Red Body> stay in the back, a sensible formation to adopt. This may back the hypothesis of magic beasts being capable of detecting intruders."

Lecan didn't respond back. He couldn't.

However, it is indeed true that the enemy is getting better at positioning.

"Next up, <Black Body> specializes in physical brute force. Their black rind is abnormally sturdy it's pretty much an armor. And this armor gets tougher the further below you go, less and less parts are exposed as well. But their neck being their weak point does not change, thus you can defeat them with sufficient techniques."

Lecan isn't as technically advanced as Arios. However, <Puncture> skill affords him accuracy on the same level as Arios's.

"And next, both <Black Body> and <Red Body> get bigger with every deeper floor. Giant Variants on the first floor were about Lecan-dono's size, but now most of them are a head taller than you. Normal variants are about a size smaller, but their basic attributes such as agility and the likes are fixed depending on the floor they're on."

"Yea. Moreover, their individual and group movements feel identical when they're on the same floor."

"Which translates to getting used to dealing with normal variants on a particular floor will put us in an advantage when we're going up against that floor's giant variants."

That was how it was like with the majority of dungeons in his previous world, thus Lecan himself didn't find the concept novel.

"Lastly, the relation between room size and the numbers of magic beasts."

"Hm? I think that's obvious."

"It is made to be obvious. And that's why I found it suspicious."

"What?"

"The room size is mostly unvaried from floor 1 to 89. No, perhaps the shapes differ a bit, but its size is virtually identical."

Lecan nodded.

"How many magic beasts there are in a room gets added by one with every ten floors. This is completely systematic. At the rate this is going, we will face 10 beasts on floor 90s and 13 beasts on floor 120s. Beasts that are slightly bigger than the ones here."

Lecan also nodded this time.

"Don't you think that's weird? 13 adventurers and 13 magic beasts in such confined space, how are you even supposed to fight. And yet this dungeon gets conquered once every year."

"What can you do, that's just how it is."

"We should go make sure whether that it is or not."

"Mwu."

"Either we pay for information at the help desk, or go ask depth-walking adventurers for intel."

"Fumu."

He is right.

A slight mistake may mean life or death in the battle from here on out. If they can buy this kind of information then they should.

Of course, room size, magic beast number and stature as well as their tendency can be detected with <3D Perceptions>. However, Lecan has no way to tell what kind of ability they've got.

That was when he realized.

(Arios, this guy.)

(He caught on my ability.)

"Alright then. We'll go buy some intel at the information desk tomorrow morning."

Lecan and Arios went down to floor 90 and got the <Mark> before leaving the dungeon.

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 18-14. Satou of General Store

※ This is a side story from after Demon Lord Slayer title to before Purple Tower Incident.


"Masita, guest."
"Masita, come."
"Masita, hurry."

As I was in the middle of making some magic potions at the kitchen in the back of the store, the knee-tall hamster-like furballrat, hamkin children who were tending the store called for me.

"Got it. I'll be right there."

I put away the almost done magic potion in Storage and walked toward the counter with the hamkin children pulling on my sleeves all the way.

"Is Lolo gone out somewhere?"
"Lolo, went out."
"Lolo, delivery."
"Lolo, left earlier."

This Lolo I'm referring to is the shopkeeper of this store, [Hero Store].

"O, you finally showed up."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Nona-san. Are you preparing for an adventure today?"
"Well yeah, just look at my outfit."

This adventuress whose physical beauty is looking like it's gonna burst out of her leather armor, Nona-san is a regular customer of this general store.

"Five lesser potion, one Lostless Candle and also 30 servings of preserved food please. And get me the pricier ones! I can't eat that sole-like jerky and hard bread anymore once I got a taste of that preserved food."
"Oh, you're stocking up a lot. Are you planning on going in a long excursion this time?"
"Yea, managed to snatch a seat in an expedition sponsored by a huge adventurer clan, see."

This girl went solo due to a certain circumstance during our first meeting, it's been on my mind but I guess it's okay now that she's got companions.

I went in the back and pretended to fetch the items she requested while actually taking them out of my Storage, and then I put them on the counter.

Hamster kids are taking the bulky preserved food from the warehouse. Thanks to my and Lulu's research, the preserved food we stocked up has turned into a sales worthy commodity at this general store.

"Oh and my Water Stone's running out of mana, a refill please. Been an adventurer for some time, but I had no idea you could refill this thing."
"Oh that's because refilling is our store's special service."

I recharged the Water Stone embedded on her water bag with water elemental mana.
The me now can make as many elemental stones as I want so long as I have the core part, but I'm not doing that here. Elemental stones are a big source of adventurers' income after all.

"Masita, preserved food."
"Masita, carry."
"Masita, praise please."
"Yep you all did really good."

I patted these kids for their work, their short tails wagged happily.

Nona-san is also looking like she wants to pat the hamster kids' heads.
They'd be ecstatic, no need to hold back you know?

"The total would be three copper cylinders and 12 pieces--oh, don't worry about this, three copper cylinders will do."
"Ou, thanksies!"

Nona-san took 300 hundred copper coins connected in a string of 100 pieces per cylinder by the hole in the middle of the coins, and then put them on the table.
Commoners are prohibited from trading silver and gold coins in this town, thus this is how they improvise with copper coins.
They use jewels for transactions that involve a huge amount of cash, I mean it would be hard otherwise.

"Should I sharpen that sword on your waist?"
"Eh I can do that much m'self."

Nona-san took the sword on her waist and put it on the table despite saying that.
It's been maintained yes, roughly that is. Since this place has high temperature and humidity being in tropics and all, swords get rust quick if you don't take care of them.
As a result, metal sword wielders like her are in the minority here, most people rely on bone weapons hardened by shamans or necromancers.

"Let me have a look."

I took a special whetstone I recently created with alchemy and whetted the sword real quick.

"This should make it cut better."

Since Nona was looking at me with dubious eyes, I held a performance by dropping a paper onto the blade, cutting it in two.

"Uooo, awesome! That Lolo went and found herself a nice partner. At this rate ain't gonna take long before Hero Store took Dungeon City Akatia by storm!"

Nona-san cheerfully put the sword back on her waist before leaving the store with all smiles.
A girl with a bang long enough to cover her face came in the store right afterward.

"Lolo, welcome back."
"Lolo, you hurt?"
"Lolo, praise."

The hamster kids jumped out of the counter and went trotting toward the girl.

She's the shopkeeper of this store, Lolo.

"Welcome home, Lolo. We just got a guest."
"I'm home, Satou-san. Oh yes, I met Nona-san on the way here."

As I took the paper bag off Lolo, I was greeted by a beauty that would even overturn a castle.

Her transcendental beauty would not lose to Lulu's.
That's only natural. After all, her great-grandfather is hero Watari--the same root as Lulu, the two of them look like two peas in a pod if you disregard her golden hair.

I met her just a week ago.

Thanks to my title Demon Lord Slayer being known far and wide, I got a bit peeved up for not being able to even take a stroll around Shiga Kingdom's capital without disguise.
This Dungeon City Akatia was the place I stumbled upon when I was looking for a faraway land where I could kick back without worrying about public eye.



◇◇◇◆◇◆◆◆



"So this here is the Sea of Trees huh..."

A sprawling tropical jungle befitting the name Sea of Trees is spread before my eyes.
This is a huge swat of forest on a continent far away from Shiga Kingdom, it's the continent's biggest woodlands whose area even cover Burainan Forest and the Leprechaun's Braibolga Kingdom.

"That spire-like thing doesn't seem like it--"

I moved with Flash Drive toward Dungeon City Akatia while referring to my Map and ignoring ruins I occasionally saw along the way in the Sea of Trees.

"--There it is."

I found a city surrounded by a rampart far away.
I should get down, someone could see me from there at this altitude.

--ＫＺＳＳＡＹＡＡＡ.

I chop down all dinosaur-like monsters that have been coming at me while growling as I make my way to the dungeon city.
The encounter rate is unbelievably high this close to a city, but there's a reason for that.

That is because this vast forest itself is a dungeon.

This Rampant Evil Dungeon is a field-type dungeon, unusual even in the whole world, and the Dungeon City Akatia where I'm heading to is located in the center of this dungeon.

『Nona! A Blossom Naga to the left! There's a Thorn Prick too!』

Some people are fighting a fair bit away.
According to Map info, they're a group of late level 10s people.

From what I researched, adventurers in this dungeon are descendants of adventurers who went on a journey toward the end of Sea of Trees during Furu Empire era, and today they have been naturalized and bear the same social standing as the people living in the countries neighboring the Sea of Trees.

They seem to be Hungry Wolf-rank adventurers.

I was using translation magic but since I got Akatia National Language Skill, I allocated some points and made it Active.

"They got Zans! Nona, buy us time!"
"You're asking the impossible! How the heck's a light warrior gonna go up against Thorn Pricks alone!"
"Shut up! Don't you dare order us around you lowly Furless! You guys should be happy to work as our meat shield!"

The adventurers are coming to my direction along with smell of blood.

A tanuki-kin and a bearkin beastmen jumped out of a tall bush.

"Another Furless."
"Nice, let's put him to good use as a sacrifice too."

The bearkin man swung down his white wild sword while smiling repulsively.
I caught the sword and flung it away without even needing the help of Self-Defense or Evasion skill.

--This wild sword is made of bone.

I went toward the scream while getting to know that useless trivia.
The sacrificed adventurer is in danger.

"Dammit, how is it so hard. I swear I'm gonna beat Tobi and Higua to pulp if I got out of this."

Oh good, she's still alive.

The adventuress was still going at it while cursing despite her bloodied body.
All while protecting a fainted lizardkin adventurer behind her even.

"I'll lend a hand."

I talked to her, picked up a sword lying on the ground and went toward the monsters.

"H-hey you fool! Why're you charging at a Thorn Prick without armor!"

The Thorn Prick, aka an Ankylosaurus monster spun its body around and used the momentum to swing its thorn appendage tail at me.

I dodged that by lightly jumping up, kicked its defenseless flank to turn it upside down and stabbed its soft-looking belly with the sword I picked up.
These kinds of pointlessly sturdy monster would rampage around for a while even after their heart's been stabbed but it's stopped by the time I cut off the other monster, Bloom Naga's head.

"Zans! Oy, don't you die on me Zans!"

I turned around to a scene of the other fainted adventurer falling into critical condition.
Looks like blood is clotting in his throat, he can't breathe.

It would be too late if I chanted here thus I picked up healing skill on Magic List and healed them both. Gonna have to rely on Deception skill sensei if they noticed I casted chantlessly.

"Oooh? Wazzat magic?"

As the adventuress expressed her surprise, the other adventurer behind her coughed up and breathed in.

"Looks like you'll be okay now. I'm heading for Akatia, you guys want to tag along?"
"Y-Yeah, of course. I should be the one asking actually."

When I asked her that, the adventuress gave an immediate reply.

"And besides, Sea of Trees seems weird today. Thorn Prick and Bloom Naga are monsters that should only spawn near the [Castle]."

I don't know where this [Castle] she mentioned is, but I know the reason for the unusual condition around here.

"Thankfully I got the herbs Lolo asked, we can go back right away."

The adventuress went in a bush to pick up a large cloth bag they threw away earlier.

"Nona, what about Tobi and the rest?"

The lizardkin adventurer who had finally come to called out to the adventuress.

"Those guys ran off when they saw you got knocked out. Leaving me as a decoy."
"To think they would abandon their comrades! Fools the lot of them!"

Well, his anger is justified, but please hold on until we're inside the city.

"Let's move out. Who knows if more monsters are coming."
"H-hold on a bit."

As I walked away while urging the two, the adventuress stopped me.
When asked why, she said she wanted to collect parts of monsters that can be sold.

I forgot about it since I usually just put them away in the Storage right away.

"Don't worry about that. There's no issue with leaving these here right?"
"Please just wait a little. At least let me go get their magic stones, Bloom Naga's hard horn and Thorn Prick's tail. Both are literally treasure troves of mats, but I don't to plan due to greed out here."

The two adventurers skillfully collected the mats.
They had a tough time collecting the magic stones so I lent them a hand there.

Once we got the mats, we were headed for the dungeon city.

"Young master, are you a noble?"

The adventuress candidly talked to me as we walked.

"Yeah, a noble of a faraway country."
"Why would a noble go all the way here?"
"Well, got a little situation there."
"Ah, sorry. Guess you're not gonna be in such a dangerous place otherwise."

Her guess is probably completely off, but I might as well ride on it to avoid extraneous questionings.

I changed the topic and got her tell me about Dungeon City.
The dungeon city is held together by a Grand Witch by the name [Master of Source]. This dungeon city probably doesn't have a City Core.

"There's the rampart. We're in luck. I see a watchtower, there should be a gate nearby."

Relief floated up even on the silent lizardkin adventurer's face.

The gate came into view after a bit more walking.
With guards in leather armor holding white bone spears.

Soldiers on top of the rampart and in the rampart tower tensed up when they saw us.

"Yo, Nona. Big game today eh."
"Too bad it's not mine. It's this young master's here."
"Hee, you're an unfamiliar face."
"I can guarantee young master. He saved us when we were about to get done in by a Bloom Naga and a Thorn Prick."
"That's impressive--wait, you telling the truth? Forget armor I don't even see a sword on him though?"

Oh right, I put fairy sword away since it was getting in the way.
The adventuress talked about my feat exaggeratedly and the [Judge Eye] bearer guard let us through without me talking.

"Welcome to the dungeon city Akatia. May you have the blessing of Grand Witch-sama's grace."

The guard left me with that as I walked in the Dungeon City.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
◆



"Young master, mind if I drop by Lolo's store before we sell these mats? I wanna get them to her before they expire."
"Ah, of course."

Not like I've got any business anyway.

Us three went in an alleyway slightly off from the main street.
Many buildings in this city have ivy coiling around them.

"See that, that's Lolo's store."

A relatively big store in the corner of alleyway.
It's quite an old building, but the storefront and the surroundings are neatly organized.

"My my, are you shirking your debt-paying duty then zansu?"

I could hear a sarcastic sounding voice from inside the store.

"That's debt-collector Babbus's voice!"

Right after the adventuress said that, a scream resounded.

The adventuress shoved her baggage to the lizardkin and rushed in the store.
The lizardkin is carrying a huge luggage on his back he can't go in the store, so I do in his stead.

"Lolo, don't bully."
"Lolo, protect."
"Lolo, important."

Hamster-like children with their hands wide open are  standing up to defend a crouching human girl even while trembling and faltering themselves.
The adventuress was being pinned down by a big tigerkin man who seems to work as the debt-collector's bodyguard.

There's another horsekin alchemist in this store, but he's not moving an inch behind the door in the back.

"My oh my, there sure is a lot of clueless idiots today."

Another bearkin bodyguard walked forward from the sarcastic deerkin man in gaudy clothing's side.
He's cracking his knuckles, apparently in an attempt to intimidate me.

More importantly, the HP gauge of the crouching girl on my AR is decreasing.
Blood is spilling from the cheek her hand is holding.

"Wipe your blood with this handkerchief."

I hand out a magic potion-soaked handkerchief to the girl.

"T-thank you very much."

I bated my breath when I saw the girl's face.

--Lulu?

Her unreal beauty is exactly like that of Lulu's.

"Lulu? Oh, my name is Lolo."

Looks like I blurted out Lulu's name out loud due to shock.

"Sorry. You look so much like my acquaintance, I let that slip."

The only differences are her hair color and her too slender of chest.

"How clueless can you be zansu? You must be really starving for females of your kind to go and woo such an ugly human zansu."

The deerkin jerked his chin, prompting the big bearkin man to perk up his shoulder before swinging his fist.
The hamster kids fell to their rear with their hands on their heads in fear.

I moved with Ground Shrink to the spot in front of the kids, and threw the big man into the air before pinning him down while being careful not to damage the store.
Weight difference means nothing before Self-defense skill sensei. Or perhaps it's the level difference?

"Y-you're pretty good zansu. See this contract here zansu? It's a formal contract made by Grand Witch-sama zansuyo?"

The contract flaunted by the man is drawn with a magic circle, with some kind of mental constraint unscripted.
The content of the contract itself is utterly and completely unjust though.

"I see it's a bond debt, but doesn't she have three days left still?"
"Where does she plan to procure 3000 copper coin cylinders in just three days zansu?"

--Cylinders?

I don't get these units.

"How much is that in gold coins?"
"--Gold coins? You look unfamiliar, are you a noble from Mashioku or Ruinberia zansu? Commoners don't use gold coins here zansu. Rate-wise, it's around 230 gold coins I suppose zansu?"

Eh, that's like one or two Magic Swords' worth.

"I don't have locale gold coins on me, do you accept Shiga Kingdom's?"

I had no intention to butt in here, but considering her alikeness to Lulu, I should be allowed to meddle a bit here.

"Are you illiterate on top of being clueless zansu? Akatia commoners are prohibited from doing dealings in gold and silver coins zansu. If you can't pay with copper coins, bring me jewels zansu."
"Will this suffice?"

I took an artificial ruby I made during my alchemy experiment.
Market skill tells me it should worth around 400 gold coins around here.

"Oooh. --I-it's a bit lacking zansu, b-but I'll let you off this time zansu."

The deerkin's hand went for the ruby while trembling.
He's trying hard to hide his excitement, and failing hard.

"Don't get tricked! That jewel is worth so much more than that!"

The adventuress came through with her advice even while being pinned down.

"Shut up zansu! Mere adventurers who can't distinguish zilch should just shut up zansu!"

The deerkin frantically tried to talk her down with his saliva scattering everywhere.

"Give it to me quick zansu."
"For the bond sure."

The deerkin slapped the bond onto me, snatched the ruby away, and ran out the store fearing I'd change my mind. The big men followed after the deerkin in a hurry.

"U-um! I'll work my hardest to pay you back! So please let me continue running this store."

The beauty--Lolo bowed before me.

"I just did that on my own, take your time paying it back."
"Thank you."
"Saved."
"Pat?"

The hamster kids lined up next to Lolo and bowed.
One of the kids was about to tumble over seemingly due to bad upper body balance. A bit cute.

"Lolo, here's the herbs."
"Thank you, Nona-san. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Naw, I'm fine."

Lolo took the herbs and paid the adventuress for the service.

"Seiko-san, we have the herbs here! We can start making the medicine for Grand Witch-sama now."

As Lolo said that toward the inside of the store, a timid-looking horse-kin showed up.

"O-oh no they got the herbs in time--"

My Eavesdrop skill picked up the whisper the horse-kin let out.

"Sorry, Lolo. I've been scouted by Ussha Company. I'm sorry, I gotta go!"
"Oy, Seiko!"

The young horsekin man shook off the adventuress and bolted right off, disappearing beyond the alley.

"N-no... There's no way we can make the medicine for Grand Witch-sama without Seiko-san..."

There's no way my meddling spirit won't lit up when someone that looks like Lulu is showing me that worried expression.

"Then, mind if I make them instead? I dabble a bit in alchemy if you can believe it."
"Will you really?! Please by all means!"

Lolo took my hands on the spur of the moment, then she blushed and started panicking when she realized, despite all that, we made it in time to deliver the requested magic potions in the end. We have the recipe memo left by the horsekin and all.

I got to know Lolo thanks to this incident, and thus began my fun life as a bodyguard as well as storekeeper at Dungeon City Akatia.



◆◆◆◇◆◇◇◇



"Satou-san, I've brought some tea for you."
"Oh then can you prepare additional seven helpings?"

BAM, the store's door was flung open as I said that.

"We're back!"
"Back~"
"Back we are nanodesu!"

Arisa followed by the other girls barged in energetically.

"Per your request, we have secured several kinds of Ancient Dragoon's fangs Master."
"Thanks, Liza."

Oh yeah, I asked them to collect materials from around this area.

"Young organisms, your souvenirs, Evil Broccoli so I inform."
"Nana, thanks."
"Nana, happy."
"Nana, pat pat."

Nana produced a gigantic pre-boiled broccoli, the hamster kids ran off to gnaw on it. It's these kids' favorite.

"Nn, broccoli tasty."

The vegetable-loving Mia seems delighted too.

Nana warmly watches over the hamster kids earnestly chewing on the broccoli.

"Lolo-san here is the herbs you were looking for."
"Thank you Lulu-san."

When Lulu and Lolo are side by side like this, they look like twins.
It's a miraculous collaboration.

"My? This is quite a crowd for such a rustic store."

A blond twin-tailed girl said that not-at-all amicable line as she came in to break the peaceful mood in the store.

Looks like General Store [Hero Store] is going to be as lively as ever today.




※ Next update is planned for 11/8

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Next Chapter

4





It's the 25th of month 1.

That morning, at first Lecan was going to the Mediation Office but he stopped short.

To begin with, he dislikes the facilities here.

The reception and information desk with those bombastic stone buildings.

A really large-scale trade and marketplaces.

And above all, the row of lodgings.

From the very cheapest to the unbelievably luxurious inns, it's got it all neatly lined up.

That in itself is not a bad thing, but Lecan couldn't help but feel revulsion when he first saw it.

They're treating adventurers like slaves.

You may get good plentiful meals and luxurious bed if you work for it, but how they're being managed and made to work is akin to slavery.

Lecan himself had no clue what made him feel that.

It might be because the way those staff members efficiently and casually handle crowds of adventurers looks like a livestock pen to him.

Of course those adventurers come here and explore the dungeon on their own volitions. That may be so, but seeing the staff manages how those adventurers proceed and the items they got in a mechanically sweeping manner just doesn't sit well with Lecan.

Lecan also loathes stone buildings. No way he could have a good rest in one such place. It was the reason he chose <Rafin's Rock Terrace Inn> even though it costs a bit more and is located slightly afar from the dungeon, and he has no regret.

So what about Mediation Office then.

It appears that trying to organize a cooperative diving with another random party by chance proves difficult in this dungeon. A party who wants to explore with another party will go to the Mediation Office. While a party who goes in the dungeon without looking for another party is a party who never plans to work together with another in the first place.

It's impossible to go on deeper floors without having the mediation office find you a matching party.

But Lecan just doesn't like how it works.

Besides, that official's gonna catch him if he goes there now.

For now he's decided to push through a few more floors with Arios.

The two <Warp>ed to floor 86, but instead of going straight to the boss room, they went in a normal room.

Five <Black Body> and four <Red Body>.

That's the enemy's composition in all floor 80s.

Just like yesterday, Lecan shot out a <Flame Spear> to signal the start of the fight. He made a <Flame Spear> that specifically focused on impact than piercing power. The magic looked more like a battering ram than a spear.

Afterward, Lecan would kill the <Black Bodies>'s mobility while Arios focused on disposing the <Red Bodies>, the battle would end before long.

Not sure why, all four <Red Bodies> would focus their attention to Lecan if he hit one of the <Black Body> with <Flame Spear> in the beginning, affording Arios plentiful opportunity to nicely get into position. And once Arios starts attacking, the nearby White Spectres would turn their attention to him, splitting up their aggro well.

One of the <Black Body> had a curious-looking weapon. Four blade claws furnished with wrist-straps that are used by gripping it with your hands, they're quite heavy and long. And it's also a Grace Gear. Arios didn't mention that it was one during the fight. Meaning Arios's insight on Grace Gear doesn't work too well on non-sword weapons.

Lecan involuntarily let out an 'ah', as he appraised the Grace Gear.

"What's the matter?"

"This weapon is called <Mount Raking Claws (Shelgragin)>. They pack some serious offensive power. The Grace is <Power Boost>, but with a stupid amount of boost multiplier. Think more than ten times."

"Eeeh."

"That's not all. These things' also got <Arm Break> Grace that has a chance of destroying any weapons that comes into contact with the claw parts at 1/3 probability."

"Ah. That kind of Grace has its effect manifest or not depending on where it sits in the hierarchical order."

"Hierarchical order?"
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"Grace Gear cannot affect another Grace Gear of higher order."

"Grace Gear of higher order?"

"Yes. But we're on floor 80s of a dungeon after all. I don't believe your average Grace Gear can stand up to this weapon."

"How do you even tell apart hierarchical orders between different Grace Gear?"

"I'm not sure. But <Appraisal> should be able to do that."

Lecan took the <Life Drain Sword> they got on floor 50s and then cast <Appraisal> while focusing on comparing the orders between Grace Gear. He did the same to the claws.

"Hou. These claws are of higher order."

"You can tell?"

"Had no idea about this <Appraisal> trick. That was informative."

"It's some real nice weapon we got this time."

"Yeah but I can't use these things. Guess it's straight to bargain bin."

"Eeeh?"

"You wanna?"

"I'm good."

"See? Ah, yeah."

Lecan tried comparing between <Sword of Rusk> and the claws with <Appraisal>, focusing on their hierarchical.

"How is it?"

"I know it's different but no way to tell."

"Is that right. But I believe the Grace <Arm Break> will work on any weapon that has no Grace."

"Really."

Its 1/3 probability means that you've got to consider the other weapon will be broken within three exchanges of blows.

<Sword of Rusk> is a good sword. A sword with the soul of its maker beaten into it. Lecan could only see it as unreasonable for a Grace Gear found in a dungeon to easily destroy it.

They conquered two other normal rooms afterward. Got no Grace Gear but a high quality ordinary long sword.

They had a meal in a vacant room. Some adventurers came by in the room when they were still eating, but those adventurers left immediately without saying anything once they saw Lecan and Arios.

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