041-060 · 041-ch35

Chapter 35: Chatting - Thoughts on the Dungeon

"Any other questions? I've got time now, so I'll answer them."

After finishing a brief lecture about how to get stronger, it wasn't yet time for dinner, so I decided to take more questions.

>>Explanation about armor and tools since we've seen weapons >>What's that magic-like thing? >>I want to hear about some of your skills, not all of them >>Seriously, what's your level? >>Don't you feel like supporting other explorers? >>Come to think of it, do you know what's happening on the surface?

"Oh, right, I haven't really talked about the surface. Well, it's not like I'm particularly interested in hearing about it, but... unless someone's managed to build a base in a deep area, I don't really have much interest."

What's happening on the surface, this kind of movement is happening. This clan defeated that boss, that clan was wiped out. That country launched large-scale support, explorers from that country—

That kind of information is only meaningful to those who normally pay attention to those circles. From my perspective, someone currently exploring the dungeon without interest in much else, hearing about it just elicits a "huh" at best. After all, no matter how great an achievement on the surface might be, from where I stand, it's just something I could easily accomplish.

"Oh, right then, let me tell you one thing."

So, taking this opportunity, I decided to disclose some information to encourage explorers and countries to work harder.

"There are occasionally entire floors that are completely safe zones inside dungeons. I don't know if these floors are the same in all dungeons or different depending on the dungeon. But if people can reach that far, it's not impossible to build a base there."

>>What the!? >>You're just leaking such important information so casually! >>The stocks of major clan sponsors will jump now >>How safe are we talking? No monsters appear? What about water? >>If we can build bases in places like that, exploration could progress a lot >>No, no, don't be fooled. There's no way there are safe zones in dungeons >>You probably just got lucky and weren't attacked. Or he's trying to trick us

Honestly, how troublesome. I told them something good, and yet there are still those who doubt and mock me. I suppose it's natural for the ones hearing this to be suspicious, but I am being serious.

No, I shouldn't get impatient here. I need to properly communicate with the understanding that this is what communication entails.

Besides, they're not wrong to doubt me.

If I were lying, or if I said something that wasn't true without realizing it and they believed it, in the worst case, it could lead to their deaths.

I'd rather they be suspicious than that.

That said, when they deny me so strongly, I can't help but want to talk back.

For now, I'll calm down and continue my explanation.

"This is serious. No monsters appeared on that floor. Grass and trees grow there, but they're nothing special—just the same as plants on the surface. There was a river with flowing water. Also, there were various surface animal species, and fish and insects too. That's what I found when I checked."

Indeed, when I first saw it, I wondered if I was under some kind of illusion magic.

What existed there, despite being inside the dungeon, was nature no different from the surface.

Furthermore, a large magic stone resembling a simulated sun was attached to the upper part of the ceiling, and as it moved and illuminated the ground, I could experience the passage of time just like on the surface.

In other words, except for not being able to see the blue sky, it was an environment where I could live exactly as I would on the surface.

There were animals too—wild boars, deer, wild rabbits, and other animals that posed little threat, as well as insects and fish in the rivers.

If you have a way to catch them—or rather, the fact that you can reach that floor means you've inevitably broken through the deep layers—you should be able to catch one or two wild boars or deer.

After that, as long as you have the skill to butcher them, you won't have trouble with food for a while.

I actually tried eating them with my clone body created through my skill, and nothing unusual happened to my body.

At that time, I ate it with only salt, so it was just a normal meal with a wild flavor—for better or worse.

That's why I think that place could potentially serve as one of the bases for dungeon exploration.

"Well, but as explorers, you shouldn't just believe what I'm saying. It's possible that I was just lucky to make it through alive, and it was actually a floor with camouflaged monsters on the ground that would instantly swallow you the moment you passed over them. I want those who actually find what seems to be a safe floor to investigate that aspect. I'm not taking responsibility for that much."

That said, I shouldn't forget to warn them.

There's also the possibility that I was just lucky.

Besides, I didn't have detection-type abilities back then, so I couldn't search thoroughly.

I could know for sure now, but deliberately going that far is troublesome.

>>Sounds irresponsible, but you're saying the sensible thing >>Doubting is only natural >>It's sad to doubt you when you're kindly telling us, but >>If there's such a place, if many explorers can reach it, it seems like they could build something like a village >>A forward base kind of feel? >>On the scale of a Monster Hunter village? Getting excited just thinking about it

Oh, that last comment.

That's exactly what I seek and enjoy in dungeon exploration.

"Someone just said they're getting excited, and that's exactly right. Building our own base in a new place, living there, and expanding our exploration even further. Because it's the kind of pioneering that's impossible in reality, it's exciting and something to aspire to. Not in America, I suppose, but that frontier spirit thing. Carving out something new, building a village with our own hands there, and then going even further."

And then, as you live like that, won't people gradually start to take on different roles?

Those who explore, those who hunt and provide food, those who manage and provide living places like houses or tents, those who assist with repairing everyone's equipment.

That way, a small village forms, from there they go even further and build another base, then continue onward.

That's how you pioneer this unknown place called the dungeon.

And when you reach the very bottom of the dungeon, another world awaits.

Unlike now, where I'm adventuring centered around just one base, villages are built here and there, and explorers and merchant caravans travel between them.

That kind of world is exactly what I desire.

Only in a place like that can you adventure and occasionally stop by a village.

I want to try living like that.

"Fufu."

>>What's with the sudden laugh? >>A reminiscent smile? >>You're laughing with a really nice smile >>Did you think of something good? >>More importantly, answer our other questions—

I imagined a medieval world, more peaceful than modern society, where human society exists within nature, and I couldn't help but smile a little.

To the viewers, it apparently looked like a strange, reminiscent smile.

Well, it's true that I suddenly laughed for no reason.

"No, when I imagined it, it just seemed really enjoyable. Someday, when explorers come to this world I'm in now, build bases, create villages here and there, markets open there, and people set out from there. Or conversely, when those who return from hunting boast to everyone about a big catch. I imagined those kinds of scenes and laughed."

Someday, while I'm still alive, and while I'm still healthy.

If I could see such scenes, I would surely be completely satisfied.

Many adventures, many unknown sights, but more than that, it's just that I want to see these small, human activities.

"I guess I'll answer the other questions too."

>>Explanation of weapons not in the archive! >>I'm betting on his level >>Seriously? Then I'll bet on the rank of his highest class skill >>If there are any convenient magic tools you're using >>What do you actually think of the top-tier raid parties? >>How did you get so strong? >>You apparently don't return to the surface, but don't you have any important people?

Oh, it seems they have many things they want to ask, as questions keep piling up.

"Um, for weapons not in the archive, I'll summarize them another time since it's troublesome! And as for my level, my level is currently 2358."

>>Huh? >>I think I heard a number from another dimension >>Weren't the top-tier people around 60 or so? >>Isn't the cap 100? >>I'll just take it as a joke for now

I'm really not trusted, am I.

"No, no, there's about another 100 floors below the deep layers, right? Besides, you'd need at least level 100 to break through that, wouldn't you?"

By the way, in dungeons, level directly connects to increased base abilities, so a level 30 woman might be stronger than a level 1 muscular man.

However, it's just a multiplier, and the base body's strength has a large effect, so at the same level, someone who has trained more from the beginning will be stronger.

Additionally, resistance to things like bleeding seems to increase as your level rises, and it appears that higher-level people are less likely to die from equivalent serious injuries.

"And regarding skills, the one with the highest class is 'Magic Power Manipulation,' which has grown to Hero class SS+."

>>I don't even feel like doubting you anymore, but do skills really grow that much? >>Here we are with our E's and F's, groaning... >>Even in top guilds, they're C or so at best. Just what level is SS+?

"This is simply because I've gone through so many hellish experiences, so it's natural that I'm high-level, same as with levels. And speaking of convenient tools, it's this one."

Saying that, I show the bracelet attached to the opposite side from where I summon weapons.

"This actually has the same function as a magic bag, allowing me to put in and take out items. The bracelet itself is just a normal bracelet, so it's not bulky and super convenient, and the capacity is ridiculously large."

I found this bracelet in a treasure chest after a boss battle in a fairly deep layer, and it's been incredibly useful.

>>There's a bracelet-type magic bag? >>This makes me dream about deep layer exploration >>I want to hurry up and get to where I can find that >>Magic bags too, but things like this will revolutionize logistics

"And as for the top-tier raid parties, all I can really think is 'keep up the good work.' Also, I hope they can build bases in safe zones as soon as possible, and reach a state where I can come visit, or catch up to me and build bases in this world. Basically, I'm saying 'keep up the good work.'"

>>Saying such unreasonable things >>I wonder how long that would take... >>100 floors is just too deep >>Well, it's impossible for the foreseeable future >>If you're saying that, you should help them or escort them yourself

"I've decided not to do that, though. And as for how I got stronger... well, another time. It's a bit of that kind of method."

>>Huh? >>Don't tell me it involves killing people? >>Hey >>It's not some troublesome method, is it?

Ah, so my phrasing made it sound that way.

But that's not it at all.

I can definitely say it's not a method that harms people.

"I'm not causing any trouble to people like that. And finally, important people, huh? Of course, I have them, but we understand that we care about each other even without meeting. It's fine if we don't meet that frequently. They're probably watching this stream anyway."

And with that, I ended today's stream energetically!

I had intended to just answer a few questions, but it took much longer than expected.

Dinner ended up being later than usual.

"Sorry, Robo. I'll make it now."

『Bau!』

Being urged by Robo, I started making dinner.