arc3 · 148-ch148

Chapter 148: Ghost Forest Dungeon ①

After that, I was watching the news with Umi, relieved that the incident had been resolved without issue. The TV news didn't mention me at all, and it reported that the three special police officers had restrained the perpetrator.

When I searched online a little, there was praise for the Dungeon Agency's swift response in resolving the matter with zero damage.

However, I was worried about the accomplice named Kuranohayashiin who had escaped, and that night I got a call from Arihara-san warning me to be careful. According to Arihara-san, he didn't think the targeting of Nishi-Hachioji city hall was a coincidence.

He was saying that maybe my drones were lured out. It might be overthinking, but it's better to be careful. Still, my biggest concern is Umi and Mom.

Hmm, I should seriously consider stopping SS activity from this condo... Ah, that's right, let me go check on the property I requested before — I wonder how far it's gotten.

That evening, I was thinking things like that as I returned to my room and opened my computer. Oh right, what should I do about the recorded livestream video from the other day? I recorded it and finished editing it, but I hadn't decided how to handle it.

Well, the rights to stream it or not belong to Kokushi Musou, so I should contact Shinonome-san. I quickly typed up an email and sent it.

Now then, let me check on the filming requests too, since it's been a while. As always, there are an insane number of requests, but now that I can level up on my own, they've lost a lot of appeal.

But, I started this myself, so I should keep going a little longer. I've filmed F, E, D-rank so far, so next let me accept a C-rank request. I checked the mailbox where C-rank requests had come in.

(Swordsmanship Corps, Dungeon Assault Unit, Self-Defense Force A, DAT, Utahime, Kachofūgetsu... Oh, Sato Fisheries First Co., Ltd. has risen to C-rank.)

As I browsed the details of the parties I was interested in, I sent an email to the leader of the party I'd be filming next.

▽▽▽

The next morning, I decided to head to a dungeon again to level up. This time, let me try going somewhere where only twenty floors have been registered so far. Ghost Forest Dungeon — to challenge the boss on floor thirty.

If it goes well, I can register the Transfer Stone on floor thirty; if it fails, no problem. Anyway, let me go as far as I can.

(Oh, an email from President Yamamoto. The time is... 2 AM. President, until what time do you work...)

The email said Asahi's reinforcement was done. With this, Asahi had obtained a mithril body. Half-baked attacks won't work on it anymore. Moreover, with a single switch, several mithril knives now pop out. President, what an incredible modification you've pulled off here! I'm happy my combat power went up, though.

Furthermore, the two turrets attached had been made to flip open sideways, so the capsules were now visible. With this, by using Hayate or Shiden's camera, I can now directly swap capsules in and out of Storage. President Yamamoto, you're the best!

So, after breakfast, I immediately activated Asahi and had it head to Ghost Forest. Umi said she's going to play with her friends. I did warn her to be careful about suspicious people, and I've quietly asked Arihara-san for a guard too.

Asahi, which took off from Yamamoto Electronics, arrived at Ghost Forest Dungeon. Since I can transfer up to floor twenty here, I'll use a Transfer Stone right away. I'll leave Asahi waiting here and summon Hayate and Shiden.

(They came right away.)

As soon as Hayate and Shiden, side by side, entered floor twenty-one, a Shooting Hornet attacked. These guys are like the vanguard for this floor.

When I came here on patrol before, it ended with a chase, but this time I'm different. The upgraded Hayate chased the Shooting Hornet instead and shot it down with the Magic Machine Cannon.

Bushu-bushu-bushu!

【You defeated the Shooting Hornet】

For me — honed by shooting games and with my physical abilities now boosted — shooting down these D-rank guys is no problem at all. I scattered the swarming Shooting Hornets and pushed on ahead.

As I advanced through the forest, weaving between trees, various insect-type monsters attacked. Iron Grasshopper, ramming into me with a steel-like body. Paralyzed Butterfly, scattering paralyzing scales. Ah, by the way, paralysis didn't work on my drones.

While scattering these monsters, the two drones hurried ahead. Down to floor twenty-two, floor twenty-three, smoothly.

Around here, C-rank monsters started appearing. The first one to show itself was the insect world's hunter, with sharp sickles on both hands — Sickle Mantis. A mantis-type monster, about two meters long, and surprisingly, though it might not be widely known, it can properly fly.

It was blended into the forest and seemed to be aiming at Hayate, but luckily I was able to notice its figure. Dangerous — if I'd passed by without noticing, I might have been ambushed. As the two drones carefully approached, the Sickle Mantis revealed itself, as if realizing its figure had been spotted.

When it comes to C-rank monsters, they're no longer opponents you can just shoot to defeat. Especially the insect-type monsters here — many have hard exoskeletons, so if I don't properly aim for weak points, I'll waste MP.

I manipulated Hayate and Shiden simultaneously, and aiming for the moment the Sickle Mantis's attention turned to Shiden, I fired the Magic Machine Cannon into its soft-looking belly.

GYOOOOHHH!

The giant mantis let out a scream despite itself. Good good, it seems I can conserve MP well. I fired magic bullets into the back of the head of the rampaging Sickle Mantis and managed to defeat it without issue.

【You defeated the Sickle Mantis】

(Since I solo-defeated a C-rank, I was able to get quite a bit of EXP.)

I can't know the actual numbers, but I feel like I'll level up soon if I keep going like this.

As if confirming my prediction, I leveled up after defeating the next monster that appeared, a Poison Frog — a poisonous frog.

【You defeated the Poison Frog】

【You have leveled up】

【You obtained 20 Skill Points】

Name Soramine Sota

Job Drone Pilot

Level 24

HP 82

MP 4320

Huh? For some reason, I was able to obtain 20 Skill Points. It's a little concerning, but I'm in the middle of exploring, so I'll think about it properly later.

I steeled myself and pushed on ahead.