Chapter-11 · EP-171

Episode 171: Negotiation

After school, guided by Professor Kushinada, I arrived at a small reception room at the edge of the school building.

I had originally planned to join Hikaru's training session, but I cancelled that and came here instead.

When I opened the door, Tatsunori Susa was standing by the window.

He turned around as I entered.

Level 43. The strongest person in this academy right now was waiting for me.

"Excuse me."

In the reception room, two sofas were placed facing each other. Susa gestured for me to sit. I sat down on a sofa. Susa sat opposite.

Professor Kushinada left after guiding me in.

So I was now sitting face-to-face with this strongest of men, one-on-one.

I tried to keep my usual expression so as not to reveal my inner tension.

On the table, someone had thoughtfully placed two cups and a pot of tea.

A silence followed.

It was Susa who spoke first.

"Well… look. I'm sorry about before."

"Huh?"

His first words were an apology. What was his intention?

"I'm a civil servant. I have a duty to serve Japan and its people. Looking back, I realize I was expecting the same kind of response from you. But you're not a civil servant at all."

I listened silently.

"I asked you to provide information on high-rank potions without offering anything in return. Let me apologize for that."

I see. This man, as a Self-Defense Force officer, thought it was natural that when you discover a dungeon strategy, you shouldn't keep it to yourself but disclose it to the nation. And he realized that I, an ordinary citizen, have no such obligation, and that I hold the rights to the strategy information.

"So then, how about this: in exchange for providing what you probably need most right now, will you tell me about the high-rank potions?"

What I need most? What could that be? I couldn't think of anything immediately.

More importantly, it seemed he had finally moved from demanding free information to offering appropriate compensation.

But what did I need?

I had several tens of millions of yen in my bank account thanks to selling a few potions. More than I could spend quickly.

As for weapons and armor, I planned to buy better ones as I progressed further, but at this stage, I wasn't particularly struggling.

What could this man possibly offer in exchange for information on potions?

"I won't let you pretend you don't know now. You've obtained Rank 3 potions multiple times, and no one else knows where you got them. I've been diving into this dungeon every day trying to find it, but in the end, I couldn't. I thought if a student could find it, I would easily, but I was wrong. I admit defeat. So won't you make a deal with me?"

"A deal… What exactly can you offer me?"

Judging that I had admitted to having information on high-rank potions, Susa looked relieved and continued.

"Do you know what 'unexplored areas' are?"

"…Places in the dungeon that no one has ever entered, right?"

"Yes. And have you ever heard of 'hidden passages' or 'hidden rooms' in unexplored areas?"

"No… but I can imagine. They're common in games too."

"Games… well, that interpretation is probably correct. And in those places, nine times out of ten, there is a Skill Orb."

Hearing that, my eyes widened.

A Skill Orb. When I got a Skill Orb in the Arizona Dungeon, it was also in a place where no one had probably ever been.

In unexplored areas of dungeons, Skill Orbs can sometimes be found.

"So you want me to give you information in exchange for that Skill Orb?"

"Yes. What you need most right now, since you have no skills, is a skill, isn't it? But they're not easy to get. How about it? Not a bad deal, is it?"

Officially, I was supposed to have no skills.

In reality, I had the troublesome skill Skill Camouflage, and by using it to copy my companions' skills, I had an excess of skills.

In other words, Susa's aim was off.

But for a different reason, I did want a Skill Orb. For Hikaru's sake. I wanted an orb with a magical skill for her.

"…"

"What's wrong? You're not dissatisfied, are you?"

What should I say?

"Um… what skill is it?"

Yes, the important thing was the type of skill.

There are many different kinds of skills.

A combat skill would be nice. Conversely, if it's a skill I already have, I don't need it, and I also don't need skills that wouldn't be useful for my fighting style.

If it's a magical skill, I don't need it for myself, but I would want it for Hikaru.

At my question, Susa hesitated.

"That… I don't know."

"Huh?"

"I won't know until I look."

"Wait! You want to exchange my information for information about a Skill Orb that might or might not be there? At least find the Skill Orb first before bringing this up!"

Was this guy trying to exchange information about a place where a Skill Orb might or might not exist for information on how to reliably obtain Rank 3 or higher potions multiple times? That's too lopsided!

If it turned out there was no Skill Orb, I would be the only one losing out!

When I got excited and raised my voice, Susa started making excuses, looking apologetic.

"Wait. Hear me out. First, I haven't found a Skill Orb yet because there's a theory that Skill Orbs are discovered by the person who needs them."

I'd heard that theory.

That they're guided by destiny. I don't know if it's true.

"So if I find it, it would likely become a Skill Orb that I need. If you're going to obtain it, it's better that you find it yourself."

I see. That means if I find it, there's a high chance I'll get a combat Skill Orb that I need.

Well, it's not something I need right away.

"Also, in my experience, hidden passages like this almost always contain a Skill Orb. I've experienced it several times."

"…Is that so."

"Okay. How about this? If you obtain a Skill Orb in the place I show you, then you tell me about the high-rank potions. If you don't find one, I'll prepare another form of compensation."

He's getting desperate, this guy…

But what should I do? It depends on the type of Skill Orb…

Just then, an idea struck me.

"Right, Susa-san, could I ask for one more thing?"

Hearing that, Susa looked surprised.

"Meaning a Skill Orb alone isn't enough? Don't be greedy… No, or are you just a good negotiator? Well, fine. If it's within my means, I'll consider it."

"Level me up, please."

"Level you up?"

Yes, the coveted leveling.

The kind that noble children receive. Paying a high-level explorer to accompany you and raise your level. A quick way to level up.

Dungeon exploration is fun, but I don't like pain. If possible, I want to explore at a higher level with ease.

Hearing my request, Susa thought for a moment, then answered.

"If that shortens my mission period here, then using my free time to level you up sounds good. But I can't take you to the floors I explore right away; you wouldn't level up that way. You have to raise your level step by step."

"I know."

"Also, we need a time limit, or it'll never end. How about one week?"

"Seven days total? Does it have to be consecutive? Or can it be seven days spread out?"

"Spreading it out would be more convenient for me. And you have classes on weekdays. How about we explore every weekend for a total of seven days? How does that sound?"

"Deal! That works for me! Nice to meet you."

"So, in exchange for the Skill Orb information and seven days of leveling, you'll tell me about the high-rank potions?"

"Yes!"

Awesome! It pays to speak up.

Having a Level 43 explorer level me up is a rare opportunity. I'll raise my level a bunch in one go!

Susa looked at me, slightly exasperated by my excitement.

"Maybe you're happier about the leveling than the Skill Orb?"

"Huh?"

I panicked, feeling like he'd read my mind.

To Susa, the Skill Orb information was probably more valuable than the effort of leveling me.

To me, it was the opposite.

And I felt great joy that this negotiation had ended in great success.