Chapter-10 · EP-150
Episode 150: AI Is Great, Isn't It?
"The current Shinjuku Gyoen was originally maintained as an imperial garden. Then, in Showa 2, it was designated as a national park and opened to the public.
In Showa 20, immediately after the end of the war, the year when dungeons appeared simultaneously all over the world, a dungeon also appeared in a corner of Shinjuku Gyoen. That is the current Shinjuku Dungeon.
This area, originally state-owned, has been entrusted to the Japan Dungeon Administration (JDA) for management since the dungeon's appearance, and remains so today.
Due to its convenient location in the city center, the Shinjuku Dungeon is now known as the dungeon that attracts the most explorers in Japan."
The three listened silently to Meiris's explanation coming from my smartphone.
"I see. Still, AI really is convenient, isn't it?"
Murasakimura's comment was more about Meiris than the explanation of the Shinjuku Dungeon.
I answered him.
"Well, yeah. Especially since this AI is optimized for explorers. By the way, you can use it as much as you want at the reference room here."
"Huh. And you have it on your smartphone, Ichinose-kun. Maybe I'll do the same."
Somehow, the conversation seemed to be going off on a tangent.
I had Meiris explain the dungeon to guide the three, who were visiting the Shinjuku Dungeon for the first time today.
"Well then, you three, let's get registered at the reception so you can enter this dungeon."
Following my instructions, Murasakimura and the others registered, then changed into their exploration gear in the changing room.
Thinking back, when I first came here, I was wearing the academy-issued jumpsuit, and I felt out of place among the stylish city explorers, which was embarrassing.
But with the clothes I bought today, I could say I've also become accustomed to the city, couldn't I?
As I checked my outfit in the full-length mirror and grinned, Murasakimura and the others finished changing and gathered.
Murasakimura was wearing the latest model of the outdoor-style jacket from BLACK SWAN he bought today. Sendo and Akaishi, I don't know when they bought them, but they were wearing pretty cool exploration gear too.
What was it? Everyone looked stylish and I was envious.
"What's wrong, Ichinose-kun?"
"N-nothing. Well, let's go!"
Today, I planned to carry the luggage, so I was wearing a large backpack. If any drop items appeared, I would carry them.
Instead, I had the three bring only the minimum necessary equipment.
Akaishi's mace looked a bit heavy, but he chose it himself, so he'd have to carry it.
And so, we arrived in front of the first-floor boss room.
It seemed like there was an even longer line than usual today.
"What a huge line. Are city dungeons always like this?"
I answered Murasakimura's question.
"Yeah. From here on, you have to wait your turn to challenge the floor bosses, so you have to factor in the waiting time when planning your exploration."
Using that waiting time, I explained the plan for today to the three again.
"Now, let me explain today's exploration plan again. Since Murasakimura needs twice the usual score to level up, if you explore normally, you'll continue to fall behind everyone else. So, I want you to try using my exploration method to level up as quickly as possible."
Hearing my explanation so far, Sendo asked a question.
"I understand that, but what exactly is your exploration method? If there was a way to level up faster, wouldn't everyone be doing it?"
"Well, that's true. In short, there's a risk."
"Risk?"
"To put it bluntly, the academy recommends exploring floors equal to your explorer level to level up, but I explore floors one level above my own. That means level 2 on the third floor, level 3 on the fourth floor."
Hearing my explanation, the three looked puzzled.
Then Sendo asked the obvious.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"It is dangerous. But by doing it, in my experience, I can level up about ten times faster."
"But the academy didn't teach us that, did they?"
I answered Murasakimura's question.
"Yeah. Probably, the academy's curriculum is designed for everyone to level up safely. But even among level 1 explorers, there are weak people and, like Akaishi, very strong people. I don't think just because you're the same level means the same floor is suitable for you."
The three thought about my explanation, but Sendo seemed to understand.
"Perhaps you're right, Ichinose. Even in academics, we can understand something just by reading the textbook once, but in class we sit through hour-long explanations broken down for us. That's to make sure everyone understands, catering to the slower students. Exploration is probably the same. If so, strong explorers might be better off challenging the next floor down, as you said."
His comment about academics sounded a bit boastful, but at least Sendo seemed to understand my theory.
And Murasakimura, hearing Sendo's explanation, also seemed convinced.
"If Mamoru says so, I'll try it. But Ichinose-kun, if you think it's dangerous, we're retreating."
"Of course. But I think you guys will probably be fine. Akaishi, are you okay with that?"
"Yeah. I'll follow Murasakimura and the others' judgment."
After that, we talked about how to fight the Huge Slime and chatted while waiting our turn for the boss battle.
Finally, our turn came.
"Well then, let's go for your first challenge against the first-floor boss!"