Chapter-02 · EP-039
Episode 39: Sunday Adventure
Sunday. The academy's dungeon was quieter than usual.
"Don't people explore on their days off?"
I had holed up in the academy dungeon. To get a potion.
During yesterday's exploration of the Shinjuku Dungeon, I had strongly felt the necessity of a potion.
Without a potion, I couldn't actively push forward, and I might not be able to handle an emergency like yesterday's.
Statistically, it was said that a potion would drop about once for every 100 slimes defeated.
But even when I defeated a large number of slimes with Yuno and the others, a potion didn't drop.
Was my drop rate unlucky?
…No, that wasn't it. When I defeated the Acid Slime, I got a Rank 4 potion.
"Maybe that's why they're not dropping now."
Thinking that, it made sense.
But really, if I were lucky, one would drop soon enough.
Well, it was fine. If one didn't drop, I could just buy one at the academy store. But I had no money. Should I get a part-time job? But then I wouldn't have time to explore dungeons. A dilemma.
While searching for slimes that were hard to find, I was mulling this over in my head, but finally, a Rank 1 potion dropped for me! It happened right when I defeated the tenth slime of the day.
"Oooh! I did it!!!"
I couldn't help but shout out loud. But I was that happy!
I had feared I might end up fighting slimes all day long, so getting a potion early in the morning was a stroke of luck.
I checked my watch. It was only 9:00 AM. I still had the whole day ahead of me. If that was the case, I decided to go to that place that had caught my interest yesterday. The Explorer Recycling Market.
In front of the dungeon-related building near Shinjuku Station, several tents and simple tables were lined up.
This was the "Explorer Recycling Market," which was open only on weekends. Active explorers and retired veterans brought their unwanted equipment and items to sell in a flea market format.
"…Whoa."
I couldn't help but exclaim. It was far more bustling than I had imagined.
I had pictured something like a run-down bazaar, but seeing tables lined with weapons, hangers displaying armor, and a miscellaneous assortment of metal fittings and tools of unknown purpose stirred something in my explorer blood.
I walked around, looking at the goods.
There were rusty daggers with a "500 yen" price tag, and gadgets with labels like "Magic Sensor" that I had no idea what they were used for.
There were also rings with tags saying "Appraised, No Curse" displayed, probably magic items. Just browsing was enjoyable, thinking that maybe someday I'd buy something like that.
"Welcome! See anything you like?"
"Ah, I came to look for weapons today."
It was fun browsing, but this stall didn't have weapons or armor.
"If you're looking for that, you should check out the shops run by skilled explorers. The more capable they are, the more particular they are about their gear."
"I see."
Enjoying the conversation with the shopkeeper, I continued looking at products at several stalls.
"Welcome. I'll give you a good deal, young man. This leather jacket is blade-resistant. It'll withstand two cuts."
The person who called out was a woman—though her eyes were a bit too sharp to call her just a lady. Probably still active.
"One-third the price of a new one. Looks like it might fit. Try it on."
"Thank you. Um, what about this iron dagger over here…?"
"That was my husband's, before he retired. No chips on the blade, but it's heavy, so be careful. The balance isn't bad."
I picked up the dagger, feeling its weight and balance. It definitely had far more killing power than a wooden sword. Using this to slash monsters… I imagined what that would feel like.
"…I'll take this. And the jacket too."
Together, they came to 7,000 yen. After some bargaining, I was lucky to have the odd amount knocked off.
"Thanks, miss!"
"Oh, calling me miss! You're a smooth talker!"
With my past life memories, I had known not to call a woman "auntie," so I called her "miss." She got shy and gave my shoulder a hard smack.
Smack!
"Ow!"
She was definitely stronger than me. She'd kill a customer if she didn't hold back!
I thought that but didn't say it.
Anyway, compared to the new weapons and armor sold at the academy store, this was a much better deal.
Satisfied with the nice-looking weapon and armor I'd acquired, I naturally wanted to try them out… and there was a dungeon right in front of me.
Maybe I'll go for a bit after lunch.