Chapter 4

To collect 100 Goblin Cards, it is estimated that one must defeat around 5,000 goblins. At first, this seemed like a harsh condition, but now it has become much easier. Initially, it took two hours to hunt 100 goblins, but now it takes less than an hour and a half. Moreover, I have noticed subtle changes due to my rank increase. It seems the drop rate has slightly improved.

"Previously, I would get 2 to 3 Goblin Cards from 100 goblins, but this time, I got 4. Was it a coincidence, or has the drop rate increased? I need to verify this."

After that, I hunted 2,000 goblins, counting the number of dropped cards every 100 goblins. Comparing the data from when I was at rank F, I became convinced.

"Before the rank-up, the average was a little over 2 cards, but after the rank-up, it's a little over 3 cards. This is based on a sample size of 20. It's almost certain that the drop rate changes with a rank-up."

"Such effects from a rank-up are unheard of, aren't they?"

Shuon tilted her head. But I was certain. Unlike in games, in reality, you don't become stronger because of a rank-up; you rank up because you've become stronger. But if that's the case, why does the rank system exist? In a company, rank is determined by seniority and evaluation, which in turn affects the base salary. So, in the dungeon system, the rank system might reflect the drop rate.

"I'll verify this again when I reach rank D. It should become clear then."

I already have over 50 Goblin Cards. I put them in a card case for a card game, wrote the number on a Post-it note, and stuck it on. After 10 years of independence, such meticulous management has become a habit.

"Mr. Kazuhiko, you are so meticulous. Most male warriors don't pay attention to such details..."

"I'm not a warrior, and I don't aspire to be one. If I have to say, I think my goal is to become a 'Guild Master.'"

I smiled, recalling a light novel fantasy series.

Only a little over 4 hours have passed in the real world, but in the dungeon, 5 days, or 120 hours, have passed. Finally, the total number of Goblin Cards exceeded 100.

"I'm sick of goblins. I don't want to see them for a while."

When we returned to the safe zone, Shuon complained for the first time. The repetitive battles must have caused mental stress. I apologized sincerely.

"I'm sorry for pushing you. But the verification was necessary. Next, we'll head to the second floor."

I, too, don't want to fight goblins for a while. Even though the drop rate improved halfway through, I've defeated over 4,000 goblins. Moreover, my rank is still E. The physical strain is repetitive, so absorbing enhancement factors doesn't make me much stronger.

"102 Goblin Cards in total. Alright, let's open the status screen!"

Holding the card case with 102 Goblin Cards, I opened the status screen.

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【Name】 Kazuhiko Ejima

【Title】 First Contact

【Rank】 E

【Owned】 102/∞

【Skills】 Card Gacha (11)

Healing Magic

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"Seriously, 11 consecutive gacha? The designer of the dungeon system must be a net game player!"

I commented on the screen. The system designer is probably a transcendent being not bound by the framework of intelligent life. But there's a hint of human-like aspects. I thought I'd like to meet them if possible.

"Congratulations, Mr. Kazuhiko. But it's strange. The 'Potion' you obtained earlier doesn't seem to be counted..."

"Ah, probably the Card Gacha only counts if you keep the cards on you. Last time, when I left the cards behind and entered the dungeon, they weren't counted. I'll use this gacha to change monster cards and unnecessary item cards."

"Understood. Monster cards have no other use besides summoning and fighting. Mr. Kazuhiko's skills will become even more important."

"Right. I don't know what the world will be like in a year, but I can't imagine Goblin Cards that can't manifest in the real world being traded at high prices. Buying them at a low price and using them for gacha seems like a good idea."

With that, I activated the gacha skill. I stopped at the screens for "Character Gacha," "Weapon Gacha," "Armor Gacha," and "Item Gacha."

"Wait a minute. 11 consecutive means 11 draws in the Item Gacha? That's not necessary. I need a weapon, though."

"Entering the second floor will require a weapon. The first floor was easy, but this is an A-rank dungeon. The danger level will increase significantly."

I stroked my chin. I'm interested in the Character Gacha, but what I need now is a weapon. Considering the second floor, I also want items. After some hesitation, I decided on priorities.

"Let's start with 5 draws in the Weapon Gacha. If we get a useful weapon, I'll use the remaining draws on the Item Gacha."

I pressed the gacha screen.

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【Name】 Dagger

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A regular knife. Be careful not to neglect sharpening.

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【Name】 Club

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A club made of oak.

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【Name】 Dagger

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A regular knife. Be careful not to neglect sharpening.

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【Name】 Kunai

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

Useful in close combat and can also be thrown.

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【Name】 Steel Spear

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A three-meter-long spear made of steel. Sturdy but somewhat heavy.

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"..."

I sighed, arranging the five cards. After using 50 Goblin Cards, I got 4 Common and 1 Uncommon.

"50 Goblin Cards mean, even with a 3% drop rate, it's equivalent to 1,666 goblins. If it takes 1.5 hours to defeat 100 goblins, 50 Goblin Cards represent about 24 hours of effort. And this is what I got?"

"Mr. Kazuhiko, you don't need to do such detailed calculations..."

Shuon scolded me, but I ignored her. I'm a management consultant; cost-effectiveness is always on my mind. Collecting cards for gacha seemed inefficient. It was too unprofitable. Just as I was about to close the screen, I stopped.

"No, wait..."

As I progress in the dungeon, higher-rank monster cards will be included. If I assign a value of F to Goblin Cards and S to Dragon Cards, 10 F cards and 10 S cards can't have the same value. The designer of this system is a net game player. There must be some "engagement factor" to keep players hooked.

"Since it's the lowest-rank Goblin Cards, 10 are needed, and the returns are low... That makes sense. I would design it that way."

To verify this hypothesis, I needed more samples. I pressed the Item Gacha next. It seems 11 consecutive draws can span across gacha types, so I could draw 6 times.

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【Name】 Potion

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A general-purpose, tasteless, and odorless potion. Useful as a cold medicine when drunk and as a first-aid ointment when applied.

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【Name】 Magic Potion

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A general-purpose, tasteless, and odorless magic recovery potion. Slightly restores magic power when drunk.

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【Name】 Magic Water Bottle

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

Looks like a water bottle but can hold a large amount of water. However, it becomes heavier accordingly.

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【Name】 Stylish Ring

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A ring made by a gemcutter as a side job. It looks good but has no additional effects.

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【Name】 Antidote

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

Effective for snake bites and poisonous mushrooms. Not effective against all poisons.

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【Name】 Time Stop Barrier

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

By placing talismans in the eight corners and the exit of a room, the time in the safe zone can be stopped. It will be deactivated when someone enters.

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"4 Commons and 2 Uncommons in 6 draws. Roughly, 80% Commons and 20% Uncommons. In the next gacha, I'll use 11 draws with second-floor monster cards. If the results are the same, the cost-effectiveness of the gacha is low. If different, my hypothesis will be proven. Still, what is this last one?"

I manifested the "Time Stop Barrier" that appeared last in the Item Gacha. Shuon seemed to recognize it.

"This is an item used by knight orders and armies when tackling dungeons. By placing these small talismans in the eight corners of the safe zone and the activation array at the exit, time in the safe zone can be stopped, allowing you to preserve water and food without spoilage."

"Amazing! This is useful. But why is such a beneficial item only Uncommon?"

"Mr. Kazuhiko, who can use this?"

Shuon's words made me realize. Stopping time in the safe zone means monopolizing that room. In a dungeon where many people can enter, this item is useless unless you can monopolize the entire dungeon.

"Only armies or knight orders with a royal decree to tackle a dungeon and exclusive access can use this barrier. That's why it's not rare."

But this dungeon is different. It appeared in my backyard, making it my property. I decided to use this item immediately.

"First, I'll place these small parchments in the corners of the room... and then the array at the exit of the stairs leading back to the surface. Since time flows faster in the dungeon, I'll need a strong adhesive."

After placing them, I tested it immediately. Just before leaving, Shuon flicked a 500-yen coin. As soon as I activated it, I saw the 500-yen coin frozen mid-air from the stairs.

"Success. Let's go back."

Entering the safe zone, the 500-yen coin fell as if nothing had happened, and Shuon asked, "How was it?"

"Success. This will help with DIY in the safe zone. First, a bed. I'll get a high-end mattress used by athletes. While we're at it, I'll consider installing a high-capacity battery. There should be a 5,000-watt portable battery."

"Finally, we can bring in bedding? I don't want to spend my first night with Mr. Kazuhiko on a simple mat. I want a proper futon."

Shuon blushed and moved closer. "Maybe someday," I replied ambiguously and looked at the cards on the desk.

"We need weapons for the second floor. Probably a spear. Shuon, do you have any preferences?"

"I would like the kunai and dagger. I could handle the first floor with what I had, but I'll need backup weapons from now on."

"Right... I'll use the spear. For backup, I'll take the dagger. The club... I'll keep it for now."

I gave Shuon the dagger and kunai cards, which manifested with a pop. She examined them and nodded in satisfaction. I materialized the steel spear and held it. It was indeed a bit heavy, about 5 kilograms.

"The handle is like an iron pipe. If it were a solid iron rod, it would be too heavy to use."

"Once you reach rank D, you'll be able to wield heavier spears easily. But more importantly, you need to learn spear techniques, don't you?"

"Right. I'll check out some videos. But I don't want to take techniques lightly. First, I need to enhance my physical abilities. I've lost a lot of weight..."

"You look great, Mr. Kazuhiko."

My previously chubby jaw had become sharp, and the fat on my cheeks, back, and abdomen had significantly reduced. My biceps had developed, and my abs were starting to show.

"Looking in the mirror, I feel like a different person. I need to buy new shirts and suits..."

"Will you continue your job? You can earn enough from the dungeon, can't you?"

Shuon's words were reasonable. But I wasn't that optimistic.

"Shuon, this world is, for better or worse, an information society. If you have a large amount of money, the government will check where you got it from. It's fine if you live day-to-day, but considering the future, it's better to continue working. I also have something in mind."

What I had in mind was money laundering. I needed the cooperation of a pachinko chain owner, one of my clients, but it wasn't too difficult. First, I'd sign a consulting contract for 10 million yen per month. Then, I'd give them 10 million yen in advance and have them transfer it. Taxes would be incurred, but I'd consider it a necessary expense. The client would have 10 million yen in expenses, which would become tax-free slush funds.

"I'll consult with other clients. I think 4 or 5 companies would work... No, thinking about it, I should have taken the 'Persuasion' skill. Next time, I'll do that."

I took out a notebook and wrote down my ideas. My future plans were becoming clearer.

"First, I'll hunt about 100 goblins to get used to the spear. We'll head to the second floor after that."

Holding the Uncommon weapon "Steel Spear" obtained from the gacha, I walked through the first floor. The goblins appeared, only to be stabbed in the forehead or chest and turn to smoke. I practiced using the spear with both hands and one hand. Soon, I had hunted 100 goblins.

"Let's head to the second floor. Shuon, lead the way."

"As you wish, Mr. Kazuhiko."

With the seductive kunoichi leading, we descended from the deepest part of the first floor. We must have gone down about 20 meters. We entered what seemed to be the second floor.

"There's no room like the safe zone here."

"Probably, there's one somewhere on the second floor. There might also be a 'transfer array' to return to the first floor."

"Really feels like a light novel."

We walked through the second floor while talking. It looked similar to the first floor but wasn't grid-like.

"A maze structure starting from the second floor, fitting for an A-rank dungeon. But it's meaningless in front of me..."

Shuon smiled seductively but then frowned at the appearance of a monster. A two-legged monster, nearly two meters tall, with a muscular, ash-brown body, an orc.

"An orc? I didn't expect to encounter a D-rank monster on the second floor..."

"Grroooaaar!"

The orc, spotting Shuon, lunged forward with both hands. It didn't seem to have a weapon, but the bulge in its lower body hinted at another weapon.

"Disgusting!"

Shuon kicked off the floor, ran up the wall, and flew over the orc's head. She struck the orc's skull with a kunai. The orc rolled its eyes and turned to smoke. But even after the battle, Shuon's expression remained grim.

"Mr. Kazuhiko, this is unexpected. I thought E-rank monsters would appear after F-rank goblins. I didn't expect a D-rank orc..."

"Perfect. With D-rank cards, the results will be clear when compared to Goblin Cards. I'll fight the next orc."

"Please wait, it's dangerous. Ogres are incredibly strong and can easily crush a human