ch21-ch40 · 037-ch37

Chapter 37: The Strategy of Pretending to Lose While Secretly Cashing In

"What is this?"

This line is becoming my catchphrase lately.

Watanabe-san is holding a magic stone in her palm, weighing it up and down.

"Floor 17... no, is this from Floor 18? Did you join some party? I haven't heard anything about that... Don't tell me..."

She must have figured it out from the weight. She really is a professional receptionist, I guess.

The machine that identifies magic stone types can only be used inside the dungeon. And naturally, they don't buy them outside the dungeon either.

So it was definitely the right call to consult with Watanabe-san, a staff member who works inside the dungeon.

Just as I was thinking that...

"Stop messing around!"

Watanabe-san slams her hand on the desk and stands up.

Huh? Did I do something to make her angry?

"Don't tell me you went to Floor 18 all by yourself? That's insane. What do you think your life is, anyway?"

I'm so stunned I can't find the words to reply.

There wasn't really any danger to my life, though...

"That floor has a lot of accidents. It's not the kind of place where you'll be fine as long as you fight at your own pace. What were you planning to do if another party brought monsters along with them?"

Ah, I see. So that's what she meant.

I had been careful not to do that myself, but I hadn't considered the possibility of other parties doing it.

If a party coming from behind tried to rush through that floor, I could get caught in a pincer attack.

But I can't just say "I'd just escape with my [Gate] skill"... That's a problem.

Besides, I could normally escape just fine, but then I'd become the culprit who led the monsters along.

"Um, first of all, I'd like you to hear me out about that and other things..."

Let's calm down first.

"Are you telling me to keep it a secret that you're doing something dangerous? ...No, I got carried away. I'm sorry. I'll listen."

"The truth is, my special skill is movement-type. And because I want to keep it secret, I set up this meeting with you today..."

In other words, "keep it a secret that I'm doing something dangerous," huh? Maybe that wasn't the best way to put it...

"...A special skill... Movement-type, you say? So because you're alone, there's no danger?"

Yes, yes! That's exactly what I wanted to say.

But I've lost my momentum, haven't I?

Did she react because I mentioned "special skill"?

This might mean she has a landmine skill herself.

I should probably avoid touching that topic. No, I should avoid stepping on it.

"For now, I can get to Floor 19 and back in less than a day—no, less than half a day."

"Fi-Floor 19? I see, so you've made it past Floor 18 alone... And that's the magic stone from there."

"Yes. But I want to keep my special skill a secret, so I haven't been able to cash these in."

"Secretly, even from other staff members? Is it that important a skill? If anything, if you made it public, I think you'd have your pick of party members and invitations."

Ah, I think I stepped on it.

Let's change the subject.

"No, it's really a skill that only lets me move around. Can't I keep it a secret?"

"...Even if I somehow managed to cash it in without the other staff finding out, the records would remain. There are almost no parties in Chiba that regularly bring back magic stones from Floor 16 or higher. Naturally, if a Floor 16 or higher magic stone gets cashed in, the branch manager will probably check it. At the very least, I think you'll need to speak with the branch manager."

Did I manage to change the subject?

But the branch manager, huh?

All the branch managers nationwide are former Self-Defense Force Triple-Ranks, right?

I exchanged a brief greeting with him when I got my adventurer license—he was a slender but intimidating-looking older guy.

He'd probably be hard to persuade.

I won't say it's for the country's sake or anything, but I wonder how long I can keep my [Gate] ability secret.

Association staff aren't supposed to ask about special skills either. Maybe I can do it?

"...If you would accept the conditions I'm about to set, I wouldn't be opposed to helping. I'll persuade the branch manager as well."

Oh? The situation's changing.

"What kind of conditions?"

"That you don't proceed any further until I say it's okay."

"I don't understand? Why would you ask that?"

"The Association staff exist not for the benefit of the Association or the country, but for the safety of adventurers... At least, that's what I believe. I can't overlook any more reckless behavior."

Is that what it means to be an Association staff member's duty?

I don't think I'm being that reckless, though?

"If it's not reckless, then that's fine? Specifically, what kind of conditions do you mean, Watanabe-san?"

"First, that you form a party. That you have a full 5-person party. That your equipment is fully prepared. That your level has risen sufficiently. Of course, even if you don't have all five people, if you're strong enough to convince me, that's fine too. But if not, I won't let you go to Floor 20..., to the boss floor."

"You won't let me go"? Does she mean by force?

"Strong enough to convince you?"

"Yes. If you can defeat me, I have no problem with you heading to Floor 20 right now."

"Right now"? You're Double-Rank too, aren't you? How many levels apart are we?

We did a practice match before too—could it be that this person just wants to fight?

"Watanabe-san, you're Double-Rank, right? You can't become Double-Rank without clearing Floor 20, but you're telling me I have to beat you to challenge Floor 20?"

"Going forward alone is that insane... Wouldn't you normally think about gathering companions first? I don't mind if it's two people or three people. Let's start by gathering people."

That's true. But calling it "insane" is a bit harsh, isn't it?

Party members depend on Soushi, I guess.

I'll talk to him about it tomorrow.

It would be a problem if I progressed too far before I could make companions.

Besides, I'll probably have to start from the first floor again.

Suddenly taking Soushi to Floor 20 with me.

That's the kind of thing that would be insane behavior.

Even I know that much.

Alright, she seems motivated, so I'll play along.

For this, I'll go with the strategy of pretending to lose while feeling frustrated about it, and secretly getting my magic stones cashed in.

She gets to do her job feeling good about herself, and I get my money. Nobody loses out.

It's like winning the match by losing the fight.

"Understood. My friend I'm planning to form a party with has a birthday less than 2 months away... Before that, I'll defeat you. I'd like to have our match right now, if you please."

"Huh? What? Right now? If you're planning to form a party, couldn't you just wait until then? Huh? Was I misunderstanding?? Huh? You fight and then proceed forward???"

Let's lose this match quickly.

This was the beginning of what would later become famous—the showdown between the receptionist and the high school student.

Huh? Haven't we done this before?