arc2 · 046-ch46

Chapter 46: Drone Performance Check

I woke up early and started moving quietly while Mom and Umi were still asleep. I made breakfast for three people and placed it on the table. After quickly eating my portion, I hurriedly got ready and left the house.

I caught a taxi on the main road and headed toward "Yamamoto Electronics Co., Ltd." It would take about an hour, so I should arrive at just the right time.

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"Excuse me, this is Soramine. I've come to pick up the drone!"

I had received permission to visit this company early in the morning since they always have employees staying overnight, so I rang the entrance intercom and called out.

"Yeah—hang on a sec!"

The person who came out opening the door was the president himself! He couldn't possibly be sleeping at the company, right?

"Come on in, come on. The repairs are perfectly finished!"

President Yamamoto guided me inside.

My Asahi was enshrined on a large table in the middle of the room. Still as cool-looking as ever!

"While repairing it, I replaced it with the latest parts and boosted its performance! Max speed is an amazing 250 km/h! I also improved its maneuverability! And and and..."

Somehow, he got switched on and started explaining Asahi with a torrent of words. But I was able to learn about performance I didn't know about, so it was educational and fun.

"Also, I improved the battery! When the battery runs out, it automatically switches to magic stones, so don't worry!"

After hearing the last explanation, I paid the repair fee and put the drone in its case.

"Ah, th-thank you v-very much!"

After expressing my thanks, I left the company. Alright, next is Hayate's performance investigation! Looking forward to this!

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Since time is precious, I didn't go home and headed straight to the foot of Mount Takao by taxi.

First, I took Asahi out of the case and placed it on the ground. I also wanted to test its improved performance, but let's start with Hayate.

"Drone summon! Come, Hayate!"

I don't really need to shout, but I tried saying it out loud to set the mood. It would be embarrassing if someone else saw me, so I only do this when I'm alone.

I couldn't see clearly back then, so I took a good look at the summoned Hayate's appearance. Size is about 30 cm, black body with one camera. And it has a speaker attached. With this, I can make calls. I placed the recording device and microphone that were summoned together with it, and connected my consciousness to Hayate.

Now, let's test the flight performance first. I sent Hayate flying into the sky.

(Hmm, speed is around 100 km/h. Slower than Asahi, but it has good maneuverability. Oh, I just realized—summoning consumes 20 MP)

After confirming the performance to some extent, I sent Hayate back and checked the movement of the improved Asahi. The speed of 250 km/h was amazing. The movements had become smoother, making it easier to control.

Besides, it seemed not just the drone's performance but my physical abilities had also improved. Is this the benefit of leveling up? The increased reflex speed is appreciated. I had been unable to keep up with the movements of high-ranking explorers.

So the outdoor drone investigation is complete, but I haven't finished the most critical investigation yet. Whether this drone can actually deal damage to monsters inside dungeons.

According to my hypothesis, this drone was summoned with a skill. And skills-based attacks are effective against dungeon monsters. In other words, I thought that if I send this drone charging in, it might be able to deal damage to monsters.

However, my MP is currently 200, so I can only summon it ten times. I have to verify whether it can deal enough damage to defeat monsters within those summons.

To verify this, I have to send Hayate into a dungeon. I don't have explorer qualifications, so I can't enter myself. That means I have to ask some explorer to do it. There's only one acquaintance I can ask for such a favor. Besides, I only have one friend. I immediately called Himehana.

"Ah, hello? Is it okay to call right now?"

"Ah, Sota! It's fine! What's up?"

Her energetic voice came through the phone. Just hearing that lifted my mood too. What a mysterious girl she is.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask. Would you be able to make time tomorrow?"

"Eh!? Tomorrow!? Ah, I'm free, but w-what's up?"

Maybe because I asked suddenly, she seemed a bit tongue-tied. Rare for her.

"Ah, I kind of want to test my drone's performance, so I was wondering if you could take my drone into the dungeon with you. If you're busy, it's totally fine to decline, though."

"Oh, I see. (Aww) Well, I'm not busy so it's fine. Where should we go... Mount Fuji Dungeon would be best?"

"Oh, if possible, I'd like to do it at Mount Fuji Dungeon. But is that okay?"

"Yeah, totally okay. So what should I do?"

"I want to keep this secret for now, but that big drone—ah, its name is Asahi—I can now summon a drone from Asahi. I named it Hayate. I want to try if I can attack monsters with that one."

"That Hayate, is that the drone that suddenly appeared at the end last time?"

"Yeah, that drone. For some reason, it looks like I'm summoning it with my skill, so I thought it might be able to deal damage to monsters."

"Hee, that's amazing! If that can defeat monsters, does the drone's level go up? It's not that Sota's level goes up, right?"

Oops, as expected of Himehana. She noticed a good point. Now, what should I do? I should keep this secret originally, but I'll probably need her cooperation again in the future, so I'll just tell her everything.

"Actually, that's exactly it. Remember that time I accidentally defeated the Mithril Golem? For some reason, my level went up then, and I became able to summon it."

"You can level up without entering dungeons? Is that even possible!?"

"No, I don't really understand the principle behind it either, but it actually went up, so I guess it is possible."

"Haa. I already thought it was strange enough that you could remotely operate from outside dungeons..."

"Well, anyway, please do this for me. I'll treat you to a meal when we're done."

"Yaaaay!? A meal!? Just the two of us!?"

My ears! My ears aaaaaah! My ears rang at the sudden shout. What's wrong, Himehana? Is eating a meal together with me that unpleasant?

"No, if you don't want to, it's fine..."

It kind of hurts when she dislikes it that much.

"N-no, no no! I'm going! Going for the meal! Definitely going!"

Huh? She doesn't dislike it? Rather, she's happy about it? Is that what this is?

"Okay, then meet at the Mount Fuji Dungeon entrance at 9 tomorrow morning, alright? I just want to test it with weak monsters, so let's do it on the first floor."

"Okee! 9 it is! Leave it to me!"

Good thing Himehana was available. If Hayate can defeat monsters, this might get interesting. Though it doesn't have any attack methods, so the only way to deal damage I can think of is body slamming.

"Well then, time to go home and call a real estate agent."

Having confirmed the performance of both drones and secured tomorrow's appointment, I headed home satisfied.