ch1-ch20 · 011-ch11
Chapter 11: To the Surface
I've made it to the 5th floor.
Since I've reached level 5, all my stats have increased to 5.
The monsters that appear on the 5th floor are Hobgoblins.
They're about one size larger than goblins, around 150 centimeters tall.
On this floor, they only appear equipped with clubs.
If goblins are about as strong as children, then Hobgoblins are probably as strong as adult men.
They're equipped with short clubs, but getting hit in the head would probably be fatal.
"Come to think of it, I'm not wearing any armor. I think they told us we absolutely need to wear a helmet..."
Watanabe-san might not have said anything since she thought I'd only go to the 2nd floor... And Hayashi-san might not have even noticed she didn't have a helmet in the first place.
"I'll go back and buy a helmet when I level up."
I want to cash in the magic stones too. I have over 30 magic stones. I've defeated more than 30 goblins too. Even at 100 yen each, that's over 3,000 yen. Dungeons are amazing.
The 5th floor continues to be a forested area. I quickly spot a Hobgoblin and enter combat. I spot it first, note its position, and prepare to intercept. I'm getting into my sure-victory formation.
"That was anticlimactic."
No problem, a single strike to the heart. Just the impression that it was only bigger.
Like the goblins, the Hobgoblins also have no parts that can be harvested. I take out the magic stone.
"One size larger, huh?"
Regardless of its body, it's nice that the magic stone is also one size larger. This probably won't be just 100 yen. I'll sell the drops and get properly equipped. It's just like a game.
After defeating 10 more Hobgoblins, my level increased.
"[Status]. Oh, it went up."
Name: Kasugano Haruki
Job: [None]
Lv: 6
HP: 20/60
MP: 2/60
Strength: 6
Endurance: 6
Agility: 6
Magic: 6
Skill: [Gate]
Nothing particularly special. Without a Job, my level directly becomes my stat values.
You can obtain a Job by defeating the boss on the 10th floor. Those with Jobs are called Single-Rank adventurers and receive special treatment—privileges, you could say—from the Adventurer's Association. Whether someone has a Job cannot be confirmed by others, so when you cash in a boss's magic stone at the Association, a star is added to your license, making you a Single-Rank. Similarly, defeating the 20th floor boss makes you a Double, the 30th floor a Triple, and the 40th floor is humanity's limit, the Quadruple adventurer.
"I'll create a 'Left Gate' near the '6th floor Gate.' Where should be good?"
Since my level increased, I'll exit the dungeon for now. My current MP is 2. Using 1 to return and another 1 to come back here would mean I have no way to get back after that, so I need to wait outside until I recover at least 1 MP.
"[Gate]."
I create a 'Left Gate' and head to the 2nd floor. Walking from the shade of a tree, it takes less than a minute to reach the '1st floor Gate.' From the 1st floor's '2nd floor Gate' to the Association building where the 'Dungeon Gate' is located is a 15-minute walk.
"That's quite a distance."
The time is just before 5 PM. Earlier than planned. I head to the reception where Watanabe-san is still working.
"I'd like to cash in these and have you hold onto my weapon."
"Welcome back. You were a bit late, so I was worried. ...Hmm?"
Watanabe-san looks around. After confirming no one is nearby, she starts talking in a low voice.
"These are Hobgoblin magic stones. I thought you would only advance to the 3rd floor, but to think you made it all the way to the 5th floor... If they were just goblins up to the 4th floor, the magic stones would be the same size so I wouldn't notice, but you can't fake Hobgoblin magic stones. When you cash them in, it leaves a record, so for today, please only cash in the goblin magic stones. ...If you don't, the staff member in charge of your training might face punishment."
Ah, right, going to the 3rd floor was not allowed either. Is Hayashi-san going to get scolded? This is bad.
"I'm sorry. Please just cash in the goblin magic stones."
"Then I'll hold onto your spear, pouch, and the Hobgoblin magic stones for now. I'm at this window until 5 PM on weekdays, so please come to cash them in when I'm working tomorrow or later."
Just barely made it before 5. I'm glad Watanabe-san was at the reception. But she said she was worried, so maybe she would have waited even after her time ended. I'm glad I came back.
After putting away my spear and returning, Watanabe-san counts the goblin magic stones.
"Is 36 correct?"
"Yes."
"Then that will be 3,600 yen."
"Thank you."
The transaction is in cash. 'Dungeon Gates' don't transmit signals, so cryptocurrency systems can't be used. Transferring items between inside and outside can only be done by having people pass through the 'Dungeon Gate.'
"You should aim to buy your own spear first."
Just as I was about to head outside, I hear a voice from behind.
"Yes?"
"I'm off duty, so I'm heading home."
I watch as Watanabe-san disappears into the back.
"No, I'm buying a helmet first."