Chapter 2

As cherry petals danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

With what Suzune said, the way to spend the next two days was almost decided. The entrance to this dungeon appeared in my backyard, which means it's mine. If I work for six days in the dungeon, it will only be one hour in the real world. That means I can have more leisure time. I decided to do DIY.

"First, I'll surround the yard with a fence so that neighbors can't see. Next, I'll secure the entrance so that rain and other things don't get in. Then, the stairs and the safety zone. The stairs are steep, so I'll install handrails on the walls and lay rubber sheets to prevent slipping. No, I'll also prepare a hoist. For the safety zone, I'll lay wooden planks and wallpaper, and check if I can get electricity from outside. If the time flow gradually speeds up from the stairs, it might be possible. If not, I'll have to prepare a home battery."

My plan is to turn the safety zone into a "workroom." I can't place things that consume electricity constantly, like a refrigerator, and internet communication will be difficult. But I should be able to do work on a computer. I also want to place a sofa and be able to take a nap. I immediately set off in my car to the home center.

"I want to make some modifications to the yard. There might be some noise, so please bear with it."

While buying the boards to block the view of the yard, I also bought some Japanese sweets to greet the neighbors. I prepared some slightly expensive sweets. It's better not to be stingy with such greetings. After greeting the neighbors, I started the DIY. The home center had convenient items. A privacy fence kit, 90 cm wide and 180 cm high, was enough for the yard, which isn't very large. I used artificial vines to cover any gaps.

Next, I started modifying the yard. It was a small yard, not even two tatami mats. I pulled out all the weeds and leveled the ground with a shovel. Then I laid tiles to prevent sunlight from reaching the ground, so there was no worry about weeds growing.

I surrounded the entrance to the dungeon with concrete bricks and covered them with a blue tarp. By the time I finished this work, it was almost a whole day.

"I never thought my first job would be a foot massage."

Lying on a beach chair in the first layer's safety zone, I had Suzune massage my thighs and calves. Though she complained, she followed my orders. Suzune, skilled in sexual techniques, was also good at massages, which felt very comfortable after my muscle fatigue.

"If you wish, I can do something even more pleasurable. I can soothe something hotter and harder with my hands, chest, or mouth..."

Her white, slender hand slowly reached down. But I didn't stop her. When Suzune looked up, she sighed. I had fallen asleep from the comfort of the massage.

When I checked my watch, two hours had passed, but it was only about a minute in the real world. It seemed Suzune continued to massage me even while I slept, and my thighs felt much better.

"About the future plan. First, I want to prepare thoroughly."

Lying on the beach chair, I talked about hiding the entrance and the DIY plan for the safety zone, and Suzune looked exasperated.

"This dungeon appeared in my house, so no one else can enter. I will modify this room as I like."

"Indeed, if that's the case, there shouldn't be any problems..."

"Hmm? Do you have any complaints?"

"No, there's still something I haven't told you about the dungeon system, which is bothering me."

Hearing Suzune's words, I thought of a possibility.

"Are you saying monsters will come out of the dungeon?"

"That won't happen. For the time being... There are two ways for monsters to come out of the dungeon. One is to be cardified and have the owner become a 'Dungeon Slayer.' Slayers receive rewards based on the difficulty of the dungeon they slay, but all slayers gain the ability to 'cardify.' They can manifest cards on the surface for a certain period of time."

"I see, so if I slay this dungeon, I can bring Suzune to the surface?"

"Yes. At that time, you can do as you please with me..."

"No, I'll look forward to it. What's the second way?"

I laughed and encouraged her to continue. Suzune is as beautiful and seductive as a gravure idol or an actress you'd want as a lover, but her tendency to mix in "sexual matters" during conversations is a flaw. However, she quickly returns to the main topic, so it's not a big issue.

"The second way is if humanity loses to the dungeon."

Hearing those ominous words, my smile disappeared.

"One orbit later, meaning one year from now, the dungeon system will fully activate, and 666 dungeons will appear worldwide. If humanity cannot slay all the dungeons within ten orbits, a massive monster outbreak will occur. Monsters will overflow from the unslain dungeons, endlessly flooding the surface."

"Wait, so if we don't slay all the dungeons within 11 years, monsters will overflow and destroy the world?"

"Due to memory loss, I haven't actually seen it, but I know that many civilizations have been destroyed this way."

I covered my mouth and thought. Until now, I thought I could just live a fun and interesting life in this dungeon, but if the world will be destroyed in just ten years, it's not someone else's problem.

"At least, I need to make sure I'm not exposed as the first contact. I also need to search for other dungeons. I probably won't find them all, but..."

"For the time being, I recommend focusing on this 'Abyss.' As an A-rank dungeon, it has abundant reinforcement factors, and you will become stronger."

"Hmm? I haven't heard about it yet. Are reinforcement factors like experience points in RPGs?"

Saying that, I displayed my status screen.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

【Name】 Egashira Kazuhiko

【Title】 First Contact

【Rank】 F

【Owned】 0/∞

【Skills】 Card Gacha

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＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

"Is this 'Rank' like a level? Reinforcement factors are like experience points, and Rank is like a level?"

"I don't know about RPGs, but Rank indicates strength. F is the weakest, equivalent to an average person. It gradually increases from E, D, C, and the highest is SSS."

"So, if I defeat monsters and get reinforcement factors, this will go up, right?"

"No, you become stronger, and then your Rank goes up."

Hearing Suzune's words, I felt a discrepancy and wanted to ask more.

"Wait. You defeat monsters, get reinforcement factors, your Rank goes up, and you become stronger, right?"

"The cause and effect are different. Your Rank goes up because you've become stronger, not the other way around. When you defeat monsters, your body takes in 'reinforcement factors' that enhance physical abilities. If you train in that state, you can become much stronger than usual. Specifically, increased strength, faster reflexes, recovery from illness, and rejuvenation of cells. Some people may even develop magic circuits and be able to use magic."

After her explanation, I finally understood. It's the same as reality. In games and light novels, you become stronger when your level goes up. But in reality, you work hard to become stronger, and the result is reflected in the level.

"In other words, constant effort is essential to become stronger?"

"I will assist you in that. I will also teach you how to fight."

"I understand. But for now, it's about 'preparation.' I want to modify this room and prepare equipment for entering the dungeon."

Putting Suzune back into a card, I returned to the surface.

In the end, I decided to spend a week on preparations. I attached handrails to the walls of the stairs with instant adhesive and used an electric cart to transport the wooden planks for the floor. I tried to supply power from the house, but it didn't work. So, I prepared a large-capacity battery. If I keep it in the dungeon, it will last for 10 years in the real world, so I need to be careful about what I place. Furniture, flooring, and wallpaper should be fine, but precision equipment should not be permanently installed.

"I used industrial instant adhesive for the handrails, so it should be fine. I made the wallpaper white. The floorboards are oak. Laminate flooring isn't designed for durability, but it should be fine. I made the sofa and chairs out of leather. If I maintain them with moisturizing cream, they should last for decades. The same goes for the desk. Since I'll mainly use a PC or read documents, it doesn't need to be too luxurious. For lighting, I'll use a desk lamp and a floor lamp. It's a bit of a hassle to carry the battery every time I enter, but with an electric cart, I can do it in one trip."

Finally, it became a comfortable space. In front of the entrance to the dungeon, I laid a large mud mat, considering the possibility of mud and blood. One week in the real world is 2.5 years in this room. If I clean the room and wax the floor, and maintain the chairs and sofa every week, it should be fine. If I get Suzune to help, it should be done in a short time.

"Really, you've modified the safety zone. This sofa is really comfortable... Hehe, Kazuhiko-sama, do you want to spend some time with me in this room? I'll make you feel so good, you'll be weak in the knees."

She leaned on me. I love women, and Suzune is a top-tier beauty. Drowning in her body isn't bad, but there's something I need to do first. I'm not young enough to let my desires get in the way of what needs to be done.

"Ah, sorry, but I want to work, so please go back to the card. Having someone around distracts me."

"Whaaat!"

Suzune looked angry, but in the next moment, she turned back into a card. I picked it up and put it in a card case, the kind used for "Yu-Gi-Oh!" and other card games.

"This dungeon system will probably be popular in Japan. There might even be card collectors. But how do I use this 'Card Gacha'? The screen doesn't do anything when I touch it. Oh well, I'll figure it out eventually."

In the empty room, only the sound of my slippers echoed. I sat in a chair and turned on my laptop.

Holding a large-capacity battery that can be carried with one hand, I left the dungeon. My backpack contained a laptop and documents. I worked for about 4 hours, but only 2 minutes had passed in the real world. It was an ideal workplace for someone like me.

"The yard modification isn't bad. Adding a garden roof was a good decision."

To prevent visibility from the second floor of the neighbor's house, I installed a garden roof in the yard. The next three days were completely off. I had finished all my work. The next day, I entered the dungeon again and, with Suzune, did the final check of the "exploration equipment."

"Bulletproof vest, bulletproof long-sleeved shirt, bulletproof pants. Goggles, work gloves, dust mask, safety boots, and helmet. Flashlight and shock-resistant watch for emergencies. Waterproof backpack. Two 2-liter bottles of water, 8 meals of solid food for calorie intake. Oil lighter, 3 thick towels. Disinfectant, tape, gauze, and bandages. Toilet paper and plastic bags. Notebook and pen."

"There's nothing that can be used as a weapon. I don't think you need the flashlight..."

"It's for emergencies. I wanted a gas mask, but it's useless if you don't know the type of gas."

"Leave that to me. The dungeon is generally non-toxic. There are poison traps, but the toxic air dissipates after a while."

I nodded and prepared everything. I put on the goggles and dust mask.

"Let's go, then."

Standing in front of the metal door, I grabbed the handle. The door opened automatically.

"It's brighter than I thought. The air seems clean. Maybe I don't need the mask?"

Entering the dungeon, I let Suzune lead the way. Her hips swayed in front of me. I thought about putting her in high heels.

"I can feel your lecherous gaze, Kazuhiko-sama. If you have that much confidence, it should be fine."

"Ah, no, I guess so. It's just... it's exactly as I imagined, and it's a bit anticlimactic..."

"Mostly, weak monsters appear in the first layer. They can be defeated by humans with their bare hands. But this is an A-rank dungeon, so anything could happen."

"Right, I'll be careful. I also need to map the area."

I started writing on a piece of paper, but Suzune took the pen from me when I turned around.

"Don't underestimate my abilities. I won't lose my way in a dungeon this simple. More importantly, I'm starting to sense the presence of monsters. Pay attention to your surroundings, not the paper."

Her eyes weren't smiling. I could only nod.

After a while, Suzune leaned against the wall, and I did the same.

"Turning this corner, there are monsters. Two of them... probably goblins."

She whispered. We moved quietly along the wall. At a fork in the path, she stopped and held up three fingers. Three, two, one... and she jumped out. I followed.

"..."

There were two grayish-brown, dirty little creatures with their heads cut off, and a seductive woman with a kunai in her hand looking down at them. The monster's body crumbled and turned to smoke.

"This smoke is the reinforcement factor. By fighting together, it will be absorbed into our bodies. By continuing to fight, our muscles and bones will be strengthened, and our skills will improve, eventually raising our Rank. And..."

Suzune crouched down and picked something up from the floor.

"This is the 'drop item' that monsters drop. It's money, as expected."

She flicked it at me. I raised an eyebrow when I caught it. It was a shiny 500-yen coin.

"Monsters, I thought they'd be some kind of vicious creatures, but I didn't expect them to be goblins that can only bite. This is the 20th one, and it's easy for Suzune."

Suzune calmly killed the goblin, and I picked up the 500-yen coin that fell.

"You should fight too, Kazuhiko-sama. You won't get stronger just by absorbing reinforcement factors. You need to move your body and fight to become stronger. Otherwise, you'll stay at F rank forever."

"Hmm, I guess so, but fighting... I've always made money with my brain."

Suzune shook her head in exasperation. She continued to kill goblins at her usual speed, 500 yen... no, goblins.

"This is the 30th one... huh?"

I heard a "gya gya" sound behind me and turned around to see a goblin standing in front of me.

"Ah!"

It attacked, and I tried to protect myself with my arm. Pain shot through my left arm as the goblin bit down with its sharp teeth. I called for help loudly!

"Hey! Suzune! Help!"

"Goblins are coming this way too. You'll have to handle it, Kazuhiko-sama!"

It seemed Suzune was also fighting. Meanwhile, the goblin kept biting my arm. Its sharp, jagged teeth, black eyes without whites, and unbearable stench filled me with fear, but I calmed down after about 5 seconds. Hmm, isn't this guy weak?

"Hey!"

I kicked the goblin's stomach, and it easily came off. The pain was real, but it was only as bad as being bitten by a dog. Since I was wearing a bulletproof shirt, my arm wasn't torn, just a few tooth marks.

"I see. If I think about it calmly, this is like fighting a 1-meter-tall child. Probably around 6 years old?"

Feeling suddenly confident, I punched the goblin that came at me again.

"This feels good. I've never hit a person before. Well, it's not a person, it's a goblin."

I kicked the goblin's face, and it let out a "pya" sound and turned to smoke.

"How was it? Your first monster slay?"

Suzune was suddenly beside me. The goblin's body and smoke were gone. It seemed she had lied to make me fight.

"Surprisingly, I had it under control. I think I can fight."

"The first layer is like bait to increase the number of intruders. Usually, it's just bugs or slimes that can be stepped on, but goblins in the first layer are typical of an A-rank dungeon. Still, you're surprisingly strong, Kazuhiko-sama. I was surprised by the power when you punched the goblin."

"Hmm, I guess so."

My vague answer made Suzune tilt her head and touch my right hand over the work gloves