arc01 · 005-ep5
Episode 5: Level 10
With the experiment done, I headed straight for floor 3. Putting my high AGI to work, I skipped past everything up through floor 2 and set foot onto floor 3, where the level 9–11 monsters roam.
"Alright, time to get back to leveling!"
I psyched myself up and equipped my steel pipe—my eighth partner already. Man, I want a real weapon soon.
Giant centipedes look disgusting, so I threw myself into leveling, praying I'd run into horned rabbits as much as possible.
◇
Just like during spring break, I stayed in the dungeon until nightfall, and finally hit level 9.
As good a place as any to stop, so I decided to head back. Today's exploration: over.
Back home, it was time to prep for tomorrow. Nothing quite fancy enough to call cooking, but I made myself a light meal and ate. I set aside some side dishes for tomorrow's lunch, got the laundry and bath out of the way, and hit the sack. I'm glad all this comes to me effortlessly—reincarnation perks. A first-playthrough high schooler might've really struggled here. Well, in that case, I probably wouldn't have gone this hard on the dungeon in the first place.
The next morning, I made some rice balls, packed them into my bento, and headed to school.
It's not a college-prep school or anything, so there still weren't any classes today. Just a day of stuff like picking class officers, health checkups, and club intros. There is absolutely no way I'm joining a committee or a club.
When I walked into the classroom, a decent number of people were already there. I aim to arrive five minutes early, but everyone else apparently shows up even earlier.
Just like yesterday, I played the very air itself—invisible—and took my seat. Skimming dungeon threads on my phone, I lent an ear to the conversations around me.
"So I went to the dungeon for the first time yesterday. Yeah, the centipedes were a hard no. Way too gross."
"Right?? They're awful. If it were just the rabbits it would've been fine."
"Seriously. Can't even level up because of them. Worst."
"Leveling up means money, y'know. …Nope. Still couldn't do it."
"If we could use magic we'd have a shot, though~"
I know, right.
I want magic so bad too.
"Oh, speaking of rabbits, I saw a weird guy yesterday."
"Ooh, tell me!"
"There was this guy petting a rabbit with like, terrifying intensity. Dodged every single one of its attacks while petting the fluff around its back. He just kept going and going, so I kind of couldn't look away."
"What? That's hilarious."
"He's probably a serious bunny lover. He let it go at the end, too."
"So sweet."
……………
I—I'm never doing anything eye-catching again.
◇
The school events wrapped up without a hitch. I even chatted a little with some classmates, so I shouldn't stand out badly as a total loner anymore. I'll just blend into the introvert crowd and blaze home at top speed—a proud member of the going-home club.
And so, today, like every day, off to the dungeon.
Just like yesterday, I skipped straight through floor 2 and kept leveling on floor 3. Horned rabbits and giant centipedes couldn't keep up with me anymore. Honestly, I'd expected more of a struggle with no skills and a steel pipe for a weapon, but I guess my stats are high enough that it turned into a cakewalk.
"Fshaaah!!"
That charging attack—dodging it used to take everything I had, sometimes even left me hurt—now looks downright slow to me.
"Hup."
Dodge, then bring the steel pipe down. The same old flow I've run a thousand times.
"This is basically a grind now."
I muttered that while watching the rabbit dissolve into motes of light. Honestly, I'm getting pretty bored of this. It's the same thing over and over and over.
Bored or not, I kept grinding.
◇
"Oh?"
It was quite late by the time the moment finally came.
『Experience points gained』
『Kobayakawa Takeru's level has risen to 10』
『Upon reaching level 10, your skill slots have been expanded by 1』
"Yes…! Finally… it's here…!"
Savoring the joy, I opened my status screen.
************************
【Name】 Kobayakawa Takeru
【Level】 10
【Status】
・HP: 280 / 280
・MP: 38 / 38
・STR: 53
・VIT: 52
・AGI: 78
・DEX: 53
・INT: 47
・LUK: 4
【Skills】
・Plunder
・(Open slot)
【SP】 11
************************
Ohh, the skill slot really did increase!
SP is… 11, huh. Just about what I expected.
When I touched the SP section of the status screen floating in midair, a list of learnable skills popped up.
"Hmm. This matches the internet info too. Now then, what should I learn~?"
There weren't many options, but I browsed through the skills on display. Nothing that looked especially strong… no, this is exactly the part I should think through carefully. I'll go home, check the net, and mull it over.
And so, retreat, retreat—time to head home.
"Oh, right. Hitting level 10 means I can move up to D-rank, doesn't it? Gotta file for that."
I'd completely forgotten, but as long as I stay E-rank, I can't go past floor 4. Better get that updated ASAP.
At the guild reception, I handed over my magic stones and materials to cash in while reporting that I'd reached level 10.
"Congratulations. If you could undergo a level appraisal here, we'll issue your D-rank license once it's confirmed."
As she said this, a crystal-like item was set down. The so-called appraisal orb. A magic item that displays the level of whoever grips it, palm-sized. Supposedly a dungeon-born item. No idea how it works.
I already knew about appraisal orbs, so I gripped it without ceremony.
The number 10 floated up inside the crystal. Kind of like fortune-telling, huh.
"Confirmed, thank you. I'll take your guild card now—please wait a moment."
"Roughly how long will it take?"
"It'll be quick. Three minutes at most, so please wait nearby."
"Got it."
Huh, they can make those that fast.
Well, driver's licenses have photos and they come out quick too, don't they. Think of it that way and it adds up.
With time to kill, I took a fresh look around the adventurer guild.
It has the exact vibe of a government office or a bank. Really different from your typical isekai, huh. The reception staff aren't all beauties either—young and old, men and women alike. Seriously, so modern-day.
"Thank you for waiting. Here is your D-rank license. Please present this one from your next dive onward. Your sellable items have also been deposited into your registered account, so please confirm the amount."
"Yes, thank you very much."
"Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No, nothing in particular, so I'll be off."
"Thank you for your patronage."
She gave a little bow, and I set off for home.
D-rank license.
Starting tomorrow, I can challenge floor 4. A floor with monsters unlike anything so far. Their strength jumps up a whole tier—going in without skills will be rough.
Now then, what new skill should I learn? Can't wait.