ch21-ch40 · 032-ch32
Chapter 32: Do You Know What Target Cutting Is?
After all that running around, I was covered in sweat, mud, and splattered with blue blood.
I wanted to go up to the surface and take a shower, but for that, I had to check my weapons at the Association counter inside the dungeon.
"I'd like to check my weapons, please."
"Hey! Why are you going over there?"
She should really think about that question while touching her own chest.
I handed over my weapons and license to the quiet handsome guy.
"Wait a moment."
The quiet handsome guy actually spoke normally.
"That's some amazing gear. There's a shower in the upper branch office, so you should go use it. Oh, do you know where it is? Should big sis show you the way?"
Ignore, ignore.
"Here."
The quiet handsome guy came back and returned my license.
All the locker keys are just a matter of scanning your adventurer license.
The counter's back area too, of course.
The staff can't just open them on their own.
There is a master key, but it's managed by the branch director, and permission to use it isn't easily granted. Plus, everything gets recorded, so it's safe. -From Hayashi-san.
"Hey, are you listening? This kid is ignoring me, you know."
"......"
The quiet handsome guy was properly quiet this time.
I quickly grabbed my wallet and phone from the valuables locker and headed to the changing room.
Both the valuables locker and the changing room lockers open with a quick scan of your license.
Instead of changing clothes, I just wiped my face and head with a towel and went to the shower room.
I just came out of the 'Dungeon Gate,' and everyone else probably uses it the same way, so even being covered in blue probably won't surprise many people.
I transferred the magic stones from my backpack to the bag I had left there, grabbed a change of clothes, and headed for the shower.
I really didn't feel like putting on these same clothes again when I got back, so I guess I need to buy some clothes specifically for dungeon use.
I haven't been able to cash in anything for the past three days, so I'm actually short on money.
I'll discuss it with my wallet over lunch.
When I came out of the changing room, someone called out from the counter.
"If you two team up to ignore me, I'm gonna tell Watanabe-san on you!"
Hmm. Maybe ignoring her wasn't the right move after all.
︙ ︙ ︙
Well, I've showered and had lunch.
And while I was at it, I bought some easy-to-move-in clothes—1,000 yen for sweatpants and a 500 yen long-sleeved shirt, to be exact.
I was back in about an hour, so the two at the counter hadn't changed yet.
"I'd like to withdraw my weapons."
"......"
The quiet handsome guy silently took my license and headed to the back.
"Hey? At this hour, you probably can't go that deep, right? It'll be dangerous if it gets dark when you return."
I had been planning to go home early today.
That's why I was thinking I'd train on the 2nd floor until I used up all my MP, then call it a day.
But I've come up with a strategy for the 19th floor.
I want to try it out.
Up to the 'Gate to Floor 20'...
If the strategy works well, I might be able to get out of the dungeon by around 5 PM.
"Here."
The quiet handsome guy handed me my weapons and license.
"I'm only here until 5, you know~ I might be too worried to go home~."
"...I'll be back before 5."
"Hmph."
"Ah, he just laughed! I'm seriously gonna tell Watanabe-san on you two, you know."
Leaving the Association building with the two of them seeing me off.
Now, for my strategy on the 19th floor, I'm thinking of using my [Gate] skill.
First, when I enter the hill, I'll head straight for the watchman orc.
The watchman orc will blow his horn, and all the orcs on the hill will gather, but I'll defeat the watchman orc as quickly as possible.
And then escape into the 'Left Gate.'
What happens then?
...What does happen?
Actually, that's unknown.
Do you know the term "target cutting"?
If you don't abbreviate it, it's "target cutting."
You might know popular terms like "target taking" or "target shifting."
But what I'm using this time is "target cutting."
It means hiding yourself from the enemy that's targeting you, essentially cutting yourself off as their target.
In anime or something, a ninja wraps himself in cloth that matches the wall pattern and hides... so what does the enemy who was searching for him do?
He passes by and searches elsewhere.
That's a clear example of target cutting.
In games, when monsters lose sight of you, they return to their set positions.
What about in dungeons?
After I pass through the 'Left Gate' and move to the 2nd floor, if I dismiss my [Gate], what will the monsters do?
They might search the area for a bit, but eventually they'll return to their set positions, right?
Let's give it a try.
And so, here I am on the 19th floor.
Having people around could be dangerous.
After defeating the watchman orc, I'll go to the very top of the hill, check my surroundings, then escape into the 'Left Gate.'
Among the hills surrounding the 'Gate to Floor 18,' I'll choose the hill with the fewest enemies in a straight line from the watchman orc.
"Hm? There's an orc wearing armor. That would be an orc knight... or was it knight orc?"
If it's wearing armor, it's probably slow.
That works out better for me.
My target is the watchman orc.
"Ready... and go!"
I sprinted up the hill all at once.
The watchman blew his horn.
I ignored the orcs coming toward me.
Among those coming from above, I only defeat the one directly in front of me.
"Here it comes."
I took out the descending watchman orc in a single horizontal line.
Gutted him.
Felt the impact. It's a fatal wound.
Without stopping, I continued to the top of the hill.
Checked my surroundings.
Doesn't look like anyone's around.
I can't hear any combat sounds either.
"[Gate]."
Run—!
Jump in.
This is the 2nd floor.
"Disappear. Disappear."
From here, I make the 'Right Gate'? disappear.
On the 19th floor, the 'Left Gate' should be disappearing.
It takes about 15 minutes for monster corpses to be absorbed.
Respawns usually happen after that, so maybe 20 minutes?
I just need to get back before 20 minutes pass, but it shouldn't even take 5 minutes this time.
It shouldn't have taken even a minute to get from bottom to top.
The orcs should return to their original positions in about that much time...
No, they probably won't run back, so I'll wait 5 minutes.
While waiting, I'll check out the rental spear.
It's a good spear for a rental.
I wonder how much this costs?
For my own spear, if possible, I want something better than this one.
If I cash in all the magic stones, it'll probably exceed 300,000 yen.
But it's probably not good to cash in too much at once, so maybe I should do it a little at a time.
Should I convince Watanabe-san properly, or maybe deceive her...?
"Oh, it's time."
Let's head back to the 19th floor.
As quietly as possible.
([Gate].)
I create the right gate and immediately enter it.
But I need to be quiet and not make footsteps.
This is the top of the hill, and there are no orcs around.
Of course, the watchman orc hasn't respawned either.
The orcs have returned to where they probably were, keeping watch toward the bottom of the hill.
That's only natural.
The enemy comes from below.
They don't suddenly warp in from above.
I think it's safe to say this target cutting strategy succeeded.
(Disappear. Disappear.)
I dismiss the 'Left Gate' I created, then crouch down and quietly check the distance.
The direction I need to go... I want to know the location of the 'Gate to Floor 20.'
(...Is that it?)
There's a place where the spacing between the four hills is strangely wide.
None of the watchman orcs on any of the hills should react around the 'Gate.'
The gate is probably over there.
I checked the entire area as far as I could see again, but there were no people, and I couldn't hear any combat sounds.
That means I can use the target cutting strategy without hesitation.
I'll slowly make my way down.
If any orcs notice me, I'll run and aim for the top of the next hill.
And repeat escaping into the 'Left Gate.'