ch1-ch20 · 015-ch15

Episode 15: Experience That's Not Experience Points

I want to hit level 7 before heading to the 7th floor, but...

"It's not going up."

I know the reason.

There aren't enough hobgoblins, which should give the most experience.

The monsters that appear are unarmed goblins from the 1st floor, club-wielding goblins from the 2nd floor, knife-wielding goblins from the 3rd floor, spear-wielding goblins from the 4th floor, and club-wielding hobgoblins from the 5th floor.

If all monsters have the same spawn rate, the appearance rate for club-wielding hobgoblins is one-fifth of what it was on the 5th floor.

"Earlier, I even ran into two unarmed goblins at once."

Going back to the 5th floor is starting to look like an option.

The pouch I put magic stones in is already stuffed full, and I've got some in my pockets too.

I'm thinking about whether to head back and cash them in when I spot some hobgoblins.

"And there are two of them."

Two hobgoblins at once is a first.

Instead of waiting for them, I'll take the initiative.

""Ggogogoo.""

The hobgoblins that noticed me let out threatening cries.

While running, I aim for the right hobgoblin's leg and swing horizontally.

I cut its leg clean off.

I create distance to the right.

The hobgoblin with its leg severed can't move anymore.

I'll deal with this one later.

The other hobgoblin clumsily climbs over its ally to get to me.

"Leg sweeps are pretty effective."

I land a hit to the chest of the approaching hobgoblin.

For the one that's fallen and struggling, a single slash to the back of the neck.

My level hasn't gone up, but you could say I've mastered this sure-win pattern through accumulated experience.

"Did it happen? [Status]."

Name: Kasugano Haruki

Job: None

Lv: 7

HP: 30/70

MP: 3/70

Strength: 7

Endurance: 7

Agility: 7

Magic: 7

Skill: [Gate]

Level 7.

"It's past 9."

It was bright until around 7:30 PM after I came down to this floor, but now it's dark.

It's almost a new moon, so the moon is barely visible, but the stars are incredibly bright.

They're shining so brightly it's like they're all first-magnitude stars. I've been fighting in open areas where I can still see.

Still, it's tough digging through goblin corpses to find their magic stones.

I'll take a look at the 7th floor, then head home.

Just like before, I've already found the 'Gate to the 7th Floor.'

"It's pitch black."

I pass through the 'Gate to the 7th Floor' and move from the 6th to the 7th floor.

It's still a forest, but the trees are taller, and even the starlight can't reach through.

This is impossible.

I need to prepare for nighttime too.

Attaching a light to my already-unstable helmet seems out of the question. What should I do?

([Gate])

I bring out the 'Left Gate' and move to the 2nd floor.

"The stars are amazing."

The 2nd floor is much brighter.

The grassland area without trees seems bright enough to fight in even at night.

"There really aren't any constellations I recognize."

'Beyond the dungeon lies a world that is not Earth,' or so they say.

From Earth... from Japan... at least, this isn't the kind of starry sky you'd see from Chiba.

After gazing at the stars for a while, I head to the Association facility on the 1st floor.

The path from the 'Gate to the 2nd Floor' on the 1st floor to the Association facility has streetlights installed.

Even though it halves the beauty of the starry sky, I think as I enter.

The gyaru is still at the counter, so I head over to her.

"I'd like to check in my weapons and belongings. And I'd like to cash in some magic stones."

"Sure thing~. Huh? Is this pouch full of magic stones too? You don't want to cash those in?"

What I pulled out of my pocket to cash in were ordinary goblin magic stones.

The pouch contains larger hobgoblin magic stones, but it must be stuffed so full she could tell by touch.

"Ah, is this like, you have a favorite girl here or something? But we don't have quotas or margins here, so that kind of thing doesn't matter~?"

The gyaru says they don't do that kind of thing here.

How rude.

It's true I have a favorite receptionist, but she's not the one who cashes me in.

But I see, no commission system. That's kind of a shame in its own way.

Is this what they call a 'refund scam'?

"Ahem."

A cough comes from the male staff member at the neighboring counter.

The gyaru glances over and continues.

"Well, if you're okay with it, I won't stop you~. I'll put away your weapons first~."

That cough just now wasn't to scold the gyaru—it was apparently a signal to let her do what she wants.

When I look at the male staff member, he gives me a big nod.

Like he's saying, "I get it, I get it."

What is with the staff here?

"Okay, let me count the magic stones~."

The gyaru comes back and cashes them in for me.

"Thirty goblin magic stones, that's 3,000 yen~. Thanks for your hard work staying out so late~. Please come again~."

"Thank you for your hard work."

I bow to the male staff member as well before leaving the dungeon.

The gyaru is waving her hand, but I'm not looking back this time.