Chapter 5 of 10

Chapter 5

8 min read1,898 words

"Kuwoooooo!"

Ducking under the orc's punch, I smashed my cudgel into its knee. As it crumpled, I crushed its head. It wouldn't turn to smoke with just one or two hits. I swung the cudgel in a frenzy. Eventually, the orc disappeared, turning into a thousand-yen note.

"Seems this is the right way to fight. Unarmed orcs rely on their brute strength to attack. The most important thing when striking is the feet, especially the big toe's grip. Once you take the power out of their knees, an orc's punch is nothing to fear. Of course, the first attack might be a kick, so more verification is needed."

I repeated the verification with each orc I defeated. I experienced, processed, and turned it into experience, from which I derived rules and lessons. The learning method I used in business was also effective in the dungeon. I spent time defeating dozens of orcs, focusing more on the "quality of combat" than the number.

"At this rate, we can advance to the third floor much faster than expected."

While eating the curry Akane prepared, I reflected on today's battle. This isn't a game. It's not a world where you can become stronger just by earning experience points. You need a clear strategy and a feasible plan, and in the execution phase, you must focus on efficiency and quality, and verify everything properly. This is what almost all businesspeople who have advanced to a certain level do.

"I want to continue fighting on this second floor for a while longer. At least until I reach D-rank."

"Finally, we can start pushing the limits of human potential? I'll help you."

According to Akane, the ranks F, E, and D are within the human domain. F is for ordinary people, E for athletes, and D for legendary fighters or warriors. Lü Bu Fengxian and Tsukahara Bokuden would likely be D-rank.

After finishing my third bowl of curry, I picked up the supplement bottle. The enhancement factor induces physical enhancement, but that alone won't make you strong. You need to take in nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins. Since you can't get a proper meal in the dungeon, I use supplements.

"Akane seems to have already reached D-rank?"

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【Name】 Akane

【Title】 Seductive Kunoichi

【Rank】 D

【Rarity】 Legend Rare

【Skills】 Kunai Technique Lv4

Scouting Lv4

Sex Techniques Lv3

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The level of her sex techniques has increased due to "adult reasons." I'm not old enough to turn down every invitation from a beautiful and seductive woman.

"I'm a character card integrated into the dungeon system. I naturally become stronger by absorbing the enhancement factor. If I stay with you, I might eventually reach SSS-rank."

Akane is a "Legend Rare" card, the highest value among all cards. There are 108 LR cards, and all of them are character cards. They can appear in gacha, but more verification is needed.

"The drop rate for D-rank orcs is about 1%. I suspect the drop rate varies based on the monster's rank and my own rank. Since the orc is higher-ranked than me, the drop rate is low."

"But you're getting stronger at an accelerating rate. You'll likely reach D-rank before long. Your physical age is also reversing. You look like you're in your early thirties now."

I'm not as bulky as a bodybuilder, but I feel like my muscles are more condensed. It's as if my body has been reborn.

"Let's do another round. As usual, I'll kill a hundred goblins before heading to the second floor."

"Sure."

I placed the cudgel on my shoulder, ending my brief rest.

One hour on the surface is 144 hours, or six days, in the dungeon. I take showers in between, so my cycle is about three hours on the surface, which is six days in the dungeon. As a business consultant, I also have client visits, so on workdays, I spend three to four hours in the dungeon and the rest of the time at home. I finish my desk work in the dungeon, so I have a lot of free time.

"Six days in the dungeon yield 16 to 17 million yen in drop rewards. With 10% for utilities and food, that's 1.5 million yen per day. Over 30 days, including weekends, that's 50 million yen. But with a blue tax return, half of it will be taken as taxes. What should I do?"

The world is supposed to end in about 11 years. Thinking about that, paying taxes seems ridiculous. But to avoid the end, I need to gather allies. It's impossible for me to destroy all 666 dungeons worldwide on my own.

"When I reach D-rank, I'll acquire the skill 'Induction.' I'll use it to buy neighboring houses, rebuild them, and make them livable for party members. Then, I'll establish a dungeon-specialized company and gradually take over dungeons worldwide..."

The dungeon, with its accelerated time, is a wonderful space if there are no monsters. For example, fermenting food takes a lot of time, but doing it in the dungeon would significantly reduce costs.

"First, I'll aim to legalize the income from the dungeon and establish a dungeon-specialized company. As my rank increases, so will my earnings."

I put the 3 million yen in the safe and headed to the bedroom.

"No way, a 10 million yen monthly consulting contract is impossible. The tax office will notice."

Iwamoto, the owner of a pachinko chain and my childhood friend, showed interest in my proposal at first, but he waved his hand when he heard the amount.

"Kazuchan, your idea is interesting, but the most you can get is 3 million yen a month. Top consultants sign contracts for that much. If you're okay with that, I'll take it. I know a few trustworthy businesspeople who might bring it up to 10 million yen or more."

"Thanks, Iwachan. This money isn't shady. You have to believe me."

"I do. Kazuchan wouldn't do anything illegal. If you were, you wouldn't bring up a tax-related proposal like this."

Our friendship since we were seven is strong. Iwamoto prepared the contract on the spot and placed 18 million yen for six months on the table.

"Six months. 3 million yen per month, to be transferred as consulting fees."

"It's a win-win for me. I'll have 36 million yen in expenses, which will save me in taxes."

It might look like tax evasion, but 18 million yen in taxes will come from the dungeon. I have no guilt.

"I'll introduce you to some of my contacts soon. With this much tax savings, they'll definitely be interested."

After shaking hands, we decided to go out for drinks for the first time in a while.

It had been a month since I first entered the dungeon. I had killed almost 20,000 orcs, and my orc cards exceeded 100. It was time to start verifying the gacha.

"Let's start the gacha. Status open."

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【Name】 Kazuhiko Egasubara

【Title】 First Contact

【Rank】 E

【Cards】 100/∞

【Skills】 Card Gacha (11)

Healing Magic

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First, I'll do 11 gacha with 100 goblin cards, then 11 with 100 orc cards to see if the rarity of the cards affects the gacha results.

"First, with the goblin cards..."

"Are you going for items?"

Of course, items. I don't need to change my weapons or armor, and I don't need more characters. The most I've used in the past month are items like potions. I selected Card Gacha from the status screen and did 11 gacha.

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【Name】 Potion

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A tasteless and odorless general potion. Useful as a cold medicine when drunk, and as a healing ointment when applied.

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【Name】 Potion

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A tasteless and odorless general potion. Useful as a cold medicine when drunk, and as a healing ointment when applied.

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【Name】 Magic Potion

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

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

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【Name】 High Potion

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A highly effective potion that can heal severe cuts to internal organs and brain damage.

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【Name】 High Potion

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A highly effective potion that can heal severe cuts to internal organs and brain damage.

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【Name】 Paralysis Recovery Medicine

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A medicine to recover from the "paralysis" state where the body is numb and cannot move.

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【Name】 Stylish Earring

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

An earring made by a jeweler as a side job. It has no effect other than its appearance.

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【Name】 Antidote

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

Effective when bitten by a venomous snake or eating poisonous mushrooms. It doesn't work on all poisons.

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【Name】 Time Stop Barrier

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A barrier that can stop time in a safety zone by placing talismans at the eight corners and the exit of a room. It is deactivated when someone enters.

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【Name】 Simple Canteen

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A sturdy canteen made from animal skin. It can hold two liters of water.

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【Name】 Stylish Pendant

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A pendant made by a jeweler as a side job. It has no effect other than its appearance.

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"11 gacha, 3 Uncommon, 8 Common... the probability is the same as before. Next, let's do 11 gacha with orc cards. There should be a difference between F-rank and D-rank."

I have a secret hope. People get obsessed with gacha in online games, and they must have this kind of "hope." It feels like buying a lottery ticket.

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【Name】 Potion

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A tasteless and odorless general potion. Useful as a cold medicine when drunk, and as a healing ointment when applied.

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【Name】 Blanket

【Rarity】 Common

【Description】

A blanket made from animal fur. Very warm.

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【Name】 High Potion

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A highly effective potion that can heal severe cuts to internal organs and brain damage.

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【Name】 High Potion

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A highly effective potion that can heal severe cuts to internal organs and brain damage.

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【Name】 High Magic Potion

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A potion with a higher magic recovery rate compared to a Magic Potion. Tasteless and odorless.

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【Name】 Disposable Barrier

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A barrier that can be set up in the dungeon. Monsters cannot enter the barrier. Disposable.

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【Name】 Oath of Bond

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A bond that can enforce one absolute promise. Naturally, you must also keep the promise.

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【Name】 Magic Leather Bag

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A leather bag with a capacity of about 10 cubic meters. Time inside the bag progresses at the same rate as outside.

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【Name】 Lucky Ring

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

Might slightly improve luck. Affects drop rates?

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【Name】 Uh-Huh Lotion

【Rarity】 Uncommon

【Description】

A lotion used by adult couples. Has a very high healing effect. Disposable.

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【Name】 Drop-Up Band

【Rarity】 Rare

【Description】

Increases the card drop rate of monsters by 10%. Effective just by wearing it.

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"Of course! Akane, look. There's a clear difference between goblin cards and orc cards!"

The results were as expected, and the outcomes exceeded my expectations, making me excited.

"With F-rank cards, 80% were Common and 20% were Uncommon. For D-rank, it's 20% Common, 70% Uncommon, and 10% Rare. So, for E