Chapter-08 · EP-114
Episode 114: Armored Boar
After shaking off Tatsunori Susa's tail, I wandered around the explorer market outside the dungeon building.
I was looking for a new weapon.
I had a theory about why I needed a new weapon.
Dungeon exploration required high attack power.
Especially for me, a solo explorer; I was the only one who could attack. The longer it took to defeat an enemy, the greater the risk of taking counterattacks.
Until now, I had focused on efficiency in my exploration.
The academy's recommended route is "explore floors equal to your level, defeat 100 monsters, and level up." It's safe, but time-consuming.
In contrast, my method is "explore floors one level above your own, defeat 10 monsters, and level up." It's ten times more efficient, but also ten times more dangerous.
In fact, I'd been injured many times. As I progressed to deeper floors, I started struggling more.
So I began thinking about what I should do if I continued this method.
Then I remembered Iori's fighting style.
Iori is a master of swordsmanship, and in the Shinjuku Dungeon, she used a real sword as her weapon. Her attack power was probably overwhelmingly higher than other explorers of the same level. As a result, she was leveling up easily using the same method as me.
And I realized: if I was going to take risks and explore floors one level above my own, increasing my attack power was essential.
Swordsmanship like Iori's isn't something you can acquire overnight. So first, the weapon. If I used a weapon overwhelmingly stronger than a wooden sword, my exploration would become even more efficient.
With that in mind, I looked around the market at various shops displaying weapons and armor to find a new weapon.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a sword suitable for a beginner."
I entered a weapon shop and called out to the owner.
I thought it would be faster to get a recommendation than to search myself.
"For a beginner, huh. Over on this shelf."
The owner guided me to a shelf with various swords on display.
I picked one up. The blade was sharp; it looked like it would cut well.
"How about this?"
The owner looked at the sword and answered.
"That one prioritizes sharpness. But if you handle it roughly, the blade will chip quickly."
Chipping… I defeat dozens of monsters a day. It would probably wear out quickly.
I gently placed the sword back on the shelf.
"Do you have something sturdier? I don't mind if it's a little less sharp."
"Then this one."
The owner took out a different sword.
The blade wasn't sharp; it was closer to a blunt weapon. But it had a solid, heavy feel.
"This type among iron swords prioritizes durability. It's resistant to chipping and easy for beginners to handle."
"Can I try it?"
"Sure, outside the shop."
I took the sword and stepped outside.
I did a practice swing.
The solid weight felt good.
Another swing.
It was easy to swing. It was definitely heavier than a wooden sword, but with my current strength, it was no problem.
A third swing.
Yeah, it felt right in my hand. This was it. I'd go with this sword.
"How much is this?"
"30,000 yen."
30,000 yen…
It felt a bit expensive for just an iron rod. But thanks to the antidote business, I had some budget to spare.
Besides, this was a weapon I'd be entrusting my life to. I didn't intend to be stingy.
I could have considered even more expensive weapons, but the practice swings felt good, and I trusted the shop owner's recommendation. So I decided on this sword.
If it didn't work out, I could just trade it in and look for another weapon.
"I'll take this!"
Having bought a new sword, I finally headed to the Shinjuku Dungeon.
I returned to the dungeon building and went to the floor where the portals were lined up.
I touched the portal leading to the fourth floor.
I was enveloped in light, and my vision warped.
The next moment, I was on the fourth floor.
I looked around.
No one was there.
…Good.
But I couldn't let my guard down.
The tail who had been following me until just now might still be watching.
And there might be more than one tail.
They probably didn't know which floor I went to, but just in case, I decided to put as much distance as possible.
I started running at full speed.
Toward the fourth-floor boss room.
The fourth-floor boss room.
There was the familiar giant caterpillar.
The Venom Hairy Caterpillar.
An opponent I had struggled against before with my wooden sword.
But this time was different.
I raised my iron sword and approached, keeping my distance to avoid its venomous hairs.
A single slash.
The sword cut through the caterpillar's body.
The battle was over in an instant.
I had antidote with me, but I defeated it without taking a venom attack.
The fact that I was Level 5 now contributed to defeating it much more easily than before, but the decisive factor was definitely this iron sword. It felt incomparably easier than with the wooden sword. A strong weapon is indeed essential.
Then I descended to the fifth floor and began exploring.
Here, Grey Wolves and Big Boars appeared.
Grey Wolves – gray wolves. Fast.
But with an iron sword, I could defeat them in one hit. Even when they came in packs, I could cut them down one after another.
Big Boars – large boars. Their charges were troublesome.
But if I circled around and slashed them, they also went down in one hit.
Things were going smoothly. I didn't even need to use my secret weapon, the Water Jet Cutter.
I judged that I could probably challenge the fifth-floor boss as I was.
Just then –
A chill ran down my spine.
…Someone was there.
I felt a gaze.
Could it be… had the tail followed me all the way to this floor?
It wasn't a skill or anything. My natural sixth sense told me.
I didn't know how they had tracked me this far, but once we were in the dungeon, losing them was impossible. I had no choice but to give up.
But –
The tail didn't seem to be attacking me.
They were just observing.
I felt a little relieved.
Then, I would do what I came to do.
Deciding that, I headed to the fifth-floor boss room.
When I opened the door, a giant boar appeared.
The fifth-floor boss, the Armored Boar.
Its body was covered in hard, armor-like carapace.
I raised my iron sword.
The boar charged.
Rumble-rumble-rumble!
The ground shook with a rumbling sound.
I leaped sideways to dodge – and slashed!
Clang!
"It's hard!"
The sword was deflected. The carapace was too hard.
Another charge.
This time, instead of slashing, I thrust.
Aiming for the gaps in the carapace.
Shnk!
The sword sank into flesh.
"Bumoo!"
The boar cried out.
I see. Thrusting into the gaps in its carapace was effective.
I continued dodging and attacking, aiming for the gaps.
I struggled, but –
With the final blow, the boar fell.
It vanished, dropping a gem.
I did it!
I clenched my fist. I had defeated the fifth-floor boss.
Then I descended the stairs to the sixth floor.
The sixth floor also had a landscape of lush trees, similar to the previous floors.
I checked my watch.
It was only 10 o'clock. There was still time until the afternoon meetup.
I could go further. Deciding that, I advanced through the sixth floor.