arc2 · 112-ch112

Chapter 112: Sato Fisheries Co., Ltd. ①

Now then, I managed to reach Level 18 yesterday through some serious grinding. I'm getting close to Level 20 where a new skill unlocks, but today I need to rein in my excitement and pour everything into filming and supporting Sato Fisheries Co., Ltd.

I woke up early and started with the breakfast Mom made for me. Today's a workday for Mom at the café too, so she should be heading out before noon. Umi has school, of course. Both of them are working hard, so I need to keep up.

After breakfast, I did some light exercise to get my body in gear, then launched Asahi and sent it heading toward the Tokyo Skyscraper Dungeon. I need to arrive a little earlier than our meeting time.

▽▽▽

When I arrived at the Tokyo Skyscraper Dungeon, it looked like everyone from Sato Fisheries Co., Ltd. was already there. They were wearing something like happi coats with the company name written in huge letters across the back, so they were easy to spot.

I'm pretty sure they all left the company, but they said they kept the party name to repay the kindness they'd received. They're a loyal bunch.

I sent Hayate, which I'd summoned in advance, over to the four of them, and one of them stepped forward.

"Nice to meet you. I'm SS. Thank you for having me today."

This must be the leader, Ounabara-san. He's carrying a staff, after all.

"Thank you very much for accepting our request. We're planning to defeat the boss on the twentieth floor this time, so we appreciate your support as well."

That was a very polite greeting. The three behind him bowed in return as well. They really do seem like a good bunch of people.

"Thank you for signing up for the additional options too. I'll give it my all."

Since they'd requested combat support, which I was grateful for, I made sure to thank them politely as well. Then I stored all four of their luggage in Storage.

"Is this the transport option!? Our luggage actually disappeared!?"

Ounabara-san and the rest of the group were thoroughly amazed.

"Well then, let's head inside right away."

This time we're tackling floors eleven through twenty. While editing the Hyakka Ryouran video recently, I got to thinking—I want to be more conscious about the fact that I'm filming with two drones.

Specifically, I want to film the explorers' side and the monsters' side at the same time, so viewers can enjoy the battle from both perspectives. Naturally, filming from the monster's point of view is dangerous, so I'll leave that to Hayate, and film the explorer perspective with Asahi.

I actually tried this once before when filming Kokushi Musou. I'm thinking of doing more of it this time.

So I sent Hayate ahead first and had it wait in the Transfer Stone room on the tenth floor, filming each person as they transferred in. Meanwhile, Asahi filmed from behind, capturing each person as they transferred out. If I play these side by side, it should make for some interesting footage.

Maybe because they were being filmed, all four of them seemed a little nervous.

The first to transfer in was the leader, Ounabara-san. As a Water Mage, he's carrying a staff made of magic silver. For mage staves, it's apparently common to mix dungeon-produced gypsum or calcite into the tip to boost magic power and casting speed. High-rank adventurers apparently attach gemstones matching their own attribute, but those are supposedly incredibly expensive. That's why everyone wants to learn the Weapon Generation skill as soon as possible.

Next to come out was Kawahara-san, who had a solidly built frame and was carrying a large two-handed sword on his back. He apparently used to work as a fisherman, so he seemed pretty confident in his strength.

Then Mizuhara-san appeared, carrying a spear about two meters long. In contrast to Kawahara-san, he was on the slimmer side and had something of a salaryman vibe about him. Even so, he's a D-rank explorer, so he must be strong.

And the last to transfer in was Ikeda-san, a Shortbow Archer. Like Suzuki from the Dungeon Club, he was carrying a somewhat short bow. However, the tips of his arrows were made of magic silver, so the firepower was probably far greater.

Finally, Asahi transferred in. I filmed this too, just in case.

Now then, after everyone transferred to the tenth floor, they each adjusted their weapons and armor, and set off in formation with Two-Handed Swordsman Kawahara-san and Spear Wielder Mizuhara-san in the lead, Shortbow Archer Ikeda-san behind them, and Water Mage Ounabara-san bringing up the rear.

The map for this area was already complete, so I sent Hayate ahead to check for monsters. Asahi served as their guide.

"We get a guide for this dungeon run!? This is gonna be way easier! Gahahaha!"

True to his appearance, Two-Handed Swordsman Kawahara-san was laughing boisterously with a big voice.

"It really is. If possible, I'd want to request this every time."

Spear Wielder Mizuhara-san agreed in a calm voice. I'm grateful they think so highly of the service.

"No doubt about it."

Shortbow Archer Ikeda-san didn't say much, but he nodded in agreement alongside Ounabara-san.

Everyone at Sato Fisheries Co., Ltd. had entrusted scouting to me, but they were still keeping proper vigilance themselves. As expected of D-rank explorers, they don't let their guard down on that front.

(Whoa, monsters. Those are Rapid Wolves.)

Rapid Wolves are, as the name suggests, somewhat fast wolf-type monsters. However, they're only E-rank, so they're considerably weaker than Ferocious Wolves or Bark Wolves.

I first spun Asahi, which was leading the way, around to face them and blinked the light twice. That was the signal for two monsters detected. Seeing that, everyone from Sato Fisheries raised their guard.

Then I brought Hayate back and relayed that there were two Rapid Wolves.

"They're in the corridor, so it'd be faster to take them out."

"Understood. I'd like to conserve my magic power, so I'll leave the opening strike to Ikeda's bow."

Ounabara-san immediately came up with a plan based on my suggestion.

"Got it. SS-san, can we count on you for support?"

"Leave it to me. I'll stop their movement with Flashlight, so aim for that moment."

"Understood."

With a brief exchange, the preparations for the opening strike with Ikeda-san were complete. We advanced carefully, and once we confirmed the Rapid Wolves around the corner, I sent Hayate charging straight at them.

"Grrrrrrl!"

The two Rapid Wolves spotted Hayate and came charging with growls. Their eyes were locked firmly on Hayate.

(Flashlight!)

Once they were fully drawn in, I hit them with a blinding flash of light.

"Yipe!?"

With their vision stolen, the two Rapid Wolves crashed into each other. That was lucky. Hayate passed right over the monsters' heads and pointed its camera at Ikeda-san, who had his bow ready.

"Seriously? This is way too easy."

Ikeda-san quickly loosed arrows at the Rapid Wolves that had tumbled to the ground. Two arrows fired in rapid succession struck each one right between the eyes. I managed to capture the incoming arrows in incredibly immersive footage.

【You defeated the Rapid Wolf】 【You defeated the Rapid Wolf】

As expected of a D-rank Shortbow Archer. He took down E-rank monsters in a single hit.

"No turn for me!? I'm not getting any EXP like this!? Well, I ain't complaining about it being easy though! Gahahaha!"

"This is better than expected."

Kawahara-san and Mizuhara-san, who had started running after the arrows, were surprised to find they didn't get a turn.

"At this rate, it looks like we'll be able to advance while conserving a significant amount of magic power. SS-san, thank you very much."

We'd only fought one battle and Ounabara-san was already thanking me. Honestly, I'm the one who should be thanking them for letting me earn some EXP.

After Hayate collected the drop items and Ikeda-san picked up his arrows, we continued onward.