01-20 · 014
Chapter 14: A Find
The next day. Together with Seira Jinguji, I set foot into the 50th underground floor of the largest dungeon in Japan, Shinjuku Dungeon—the so-called "Deep Layer Area."
"Toru-san, isn't that hard to move in? Are you okay?"
"No problem. If I don't go this far, I'll risk being identified again."
I answered, enduring the stuffiness.
Today, I was wearing baggy camouflage clothes, a full-face gas mask-style helmet that completely covered my face, and even a voice changer to alter my voice. After the blunder of running into Goda and the others in the upper layer's garbage dump and having Rin identify me from the brand tag on my clothes, I couldn't afford to be recognized today.
In contrast to my suspicious appearance, Seira, walking ahead, was breathtakingly beautiful and refined.
She wore high-mobility magic armor in silver-white and ultramarine that fit her body line perfectly. At her waist hung the 'Holy Sword Excalibur' I had repaired, and on her left arm was the 'Aegis Shield' I had given her just yesterday.
A far cry from her cute look yesterday; this was the very image of an S-Rank explorer.
—BOOM!!
Suddenly, a massive shadow appeared from the depths of the passage, accompanied by a rumbling. It was a Minotaur, over five meters tall. In its hand was a giant battle axe wreathed in black flames.
"…!"
The overwhelming pressure made me instinctively step back. But Seira, paying me no mind, stepped forward with a calm expression.
"Good, a perfect target. Let me test out the Aegis."
The Death Minotaur roared and unleashed a spell of black flames. An inferno that could incinerate the entire passage rushed toward us—but the moment Seira raised the shield on her left arm—
CLANG!!
Magic reflection rate: 100%. The black flames were completely deflected off the surface of the Aegis Shield and rebounded straight back at the Minotaur. Seizing the opening as the giant beast flinched from its own magic, Seira kicked off the ground.
"Haah!"
She drew her sword. One flash. The silver-white arc of Excalibur split the air, and its absolute severing ability sliced through the Minotaur's thick steel hide like tofu.
"Amazing…"
A praise escaped my lips unconsciously.
One strike. Just one strike. Despite the powerful weapons, Seira's physical ability and combat sense in wielding them perfectly were on an entirely different level.
"The Aegis Shield really has no curse, and it's easy to channel magic through. Yeah, yeah, it feels great!"
Seira smiled innocently and sheathed her sword.
◇
Proceeding while securing our safety for several tens of minutes, we arrived at our destination.
"This is the deep layer's 'Dumping Ground.'"
Before us lay a sea of junk, incomparably vast compared to the garbage pile in the upper layers. The remains of skilled explorers who once reached the deep layers and fell. High-rank weapons and armor, brutally shattered in battles with powerful monsters, were piled up like mountains.
"Alright… let's do this."
I focused on my right eye through the helmet's visor and activated 'True Appraisal.'
—Thrum.
Suddenly, my vision was flooded with a torrent of information. As expected of the deep layers. Unlike the upper layers, there were high-rarity materials and powerful but damaged equipment sleeping everywhere. A true treasure mountain.
But what I was looking for wasn't just any high-value item. I needed something special enough to convince Seira.
I suppressed the urge to take everything I could find and kept searching for something promising.
"…Oh?"
My hand, sifting through the junk, stopped at a certain item. A cracked choker, half-buried in the mud. It was dirty, but it had a gem embedded in it.
====================
[Name] Star Spirit Choker (Soiled)
[Rank] Legendary Level
[True Value] Constantly and automatically recovers the wearer's physical and mental fatigue.
[Repair Conditions] Wash with magic-infused liquid, then purify by drying in the sun.
====================
(Automatic fatigue recovery… This is it!)
Just as I was about to pick up the choker eagerly—
My eyes caught a darkened, seed-like object lying right next to the choker.
====================
[Name] Seed of Servitude (Unconsumed)
[Rank] Dangerous Item (Unmeasurable)
[True Value] A consumable item that, upon fulfilling the conditions, establishes an absolute master-servant relationship with the target.
[Activation Conditions]
- Swallow this seed just before meeting the target. (The first person you meet after swallowing becomes the target.)
- Have the target perform three specific actions: shake hands, call your name, and nod.
- Complete the above process without the target suspecting anything.
[Risk] If the intent is discovered midway, the user permanently loses their 'Main Skill.'
====================
"…!"
I caught my breath. The risk was astronomically high. If I failed, I would lose 'True Appraisal' forever. But if I succeeded, it would become a trump card that could completely neutralize the threat Rin Sakai posed. Without hesitation, I put the black seed into a small bag and hid it in my pocket.
"Toru-san, how's it going? Find anything good?"
Seira, who had been watching for monsters, approached. I held out the 'Star Spirit Choker' to her.
"Here, this. It's an artifact that constantly recovers fatigue. It seems it can be used by washing it with magic-infused water and exposing it to sunlight for a while."
"That's an easy fix… but fatigue recovery?"
Seira blinked in puzzlement.
"It's not a weapon or armor. Why did you pick this?"
"You're Japan's strongest explorer. But whenever I see you on TV, you're always busy with expeditions and interviews. I thought you never had any time to rest."
I spoke honestly.
"I've already given you the strongest spear and shield. So next, I thought you needed something to heal yourself."
"Toru-san… my, my."
Seira's eyes widened slightly, then she smiled softly. The tense pressure she'd been giving off vanished, and her expression relaxed.
"Maybe I misjudged you. Okay, you pass! I'll treasure it."
She said this happily. It seemed she approved.
"Thank you. I'll mail it to you once I've restored it."
"Thanks. But anyway… so? What's that you've been hiding in your pocket? What did you find?"
Seira's gaze dropped to the bulge in my pocket.
"You noticed. As expected… I wasn't planning to hide it."
Seeing no point in secrecy, I answered honestly.
"This is my last resort against Rin. I'd rather not use it, but it's an item to completely bind her, even if I have to risk losing my skill."
"…It's good you're making arrangements to protect yourself, but I can't approve of using that item on someone."
"It's only a last resort. I'd rather not use it if I don't have to."
"Haah… well, I suppose you have your reasons. It's not my place to interfere."
Seira let out a deep sigh but didn't press further. She was leaving it to me.
Regardless, I'd obtained an unexpected card. In my negotiations with her, I wouldn't lose.
"Alright, let's go!"
Just as I was steeling myself internally—
Seira suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Huh?"
"Toru-san passed my test. So now, as promised, it's my turn, right?"
"Eh, wait, Seira-san!?"
"Let's go!!"
She held my hand and crushed an item, 'Return Crystal.' The world was enveloped in light, and in the next instant, we were teleported to the dungeon entrance gate.
As I staggered from teleportation sickness, what burst into my vision was—
"We're out! It's Seira Jinguji!!"
"A comment on the results of this expedition! Just one comment, please!"
"Who is the suspiciously dressed person next to you!? Have you finally formed a party!?"
A sea of countless camera flashes and a swarm of reporters thrusting microphones toward us.