Chapter 18

The cane I gave to Azuma had somehow turned into some kind of overpowered weapon, the Great Mage's Staff.

I decided to investigate further with a detailed appraisal.

[Great Mage's Staff: The appraisal results are disguised until the owner is determined. Once the owner is determined, additional properties are added according to the person.]

The additional properties were as follows:

Continuous Magic: No penalty for using magic up to four times in a row.

Magic Awakening: Significantly increases the power of magic.

Magic Guidance: Increases the accuracy of magic and can be given a tracking function.

Disguise: Can disguise the appraisal results.

Ownership: Cannot be used by anyone other than the owner. The staff can be returned to the owner by consuming 20 magic points.

Indestructible: This staff will never break as long as the owner is alive. It will self-destruct when the owner dies.

Magic Recharge: Significantly increases the recovery speed of magic points.

Great Mage: Increases the owner's magic power by 50%.

This is ridiculous.

"Kazeno, what's wrong?"

Azuma asked, looking worried.

"Well, how do I explain this... The appraisal information of the mage's staff was disguised. When I appraised it, it turned into a different staff."

"Disguised!? Wait, what? Kazeno, you can use appraisal skills!?"

Actually, it's detailed appraisal.

It seems I've been found out by Azuma, but I can't explain the appraisal skill without explaining the staff.

"Yeah, well, let's put that aside for now. When I appraised it, it turned into a staff called the Great Mage's Staff."

"I've never heard of such a staff."

"It's apparently a legendary staff that guides magic to its awakening."

"Legendary!? Sorry, I used it without knowing. I'll return it."

"No, it seems to have become a specialized weapon for you. Probably, only the first person to use the staff can use it. The reason it was repelled just now is probably because of that."

"Then... I can't even leave it at the dungeon reception, can I?"

"Yeah, that's right... but since it's not a sword or a knife, you can carry it without a permit. You could keep it in a guitar case or a golf bag when you're not using it. Let's finish the battle for now."

I said that and then defeated the other Tsubotako, which had fainted from fear after being torn to shreds by my companion.

Then, I explained the effects I had just investigated, and Azuma was trembling like a lost puppy.

It must have been as shocking as suddenly being handed the nuclear launch codes.

"Well, you can probably disguise it as a mage's staff in daily life. If it's stolen, you can return it to your hand by consuming magic points."

"That's not the issue."

"If you want to become a top explorer, this staff will definitely be a great help to you."

"But... I feel bad about it, Kazeno. I already owe you so much."

"Are you going to continue being an explorer? If so, I'll ask for your help with dungeon exploration from time to time. I'm mainly physical, so I had to run from a horde of ghosts last time."

"Together... is that okay?"

"Of course. I'll ask you."

Her staff is already at a cheat level.

In the near future, she will surely become a famous dungeon explorer.

If that's the case, it's a good idea to get on her good side now.

I've heard that solo exploration below the tenth floor is tough.

"I'll do my best! I'll become an explorer worthy of Kazeno!"

"Great spirit! Let's have lunch then."

We collected the dropped items and sat on the floor to eat.

Azuma took out a bento box from her bag.

"This is your portion, Kazeno."

"It's big."

It's about twice the amount of Azuma's.

"Men eat a lot. Is it too much?"

"No, I'm hungry, so it's just right."

I opened the bento box.

The bento was in two tiers, with onigiri on the top.

Three types: umeboshi, salmon, and noritama.

The bottom tier was side dishes.

"Wow."

Karaage, tamagoyaki, hamburger, spinach in broth, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and wiener sausages.

The menu felt like a classic bento, but the karaage and hamburger didn't feel like frozen food.

Could she have made all of this just for the bento?

Wow, what a precious bento.

I ate the karaage with gratitude.

I chewed it thoroughly.

The outside was crispy, and the inside was juicy.

The flavor of the chicken was maximized.

It must have been double-fried.

That extra effort makes all the difference.

For the second piece, I squeezed the lemon that was placed next to it.

Yeah, it's refreshing and delicious.

"Do you like lemon on your karaage, Kazeno?"

"I'll use it if it's there, but it's fine without it."

"I see. I'll definitely include lemon from now on."

Did she hear me?

I said it's fine without it, right?

But it's delicious.

That's right.

High-end restaurants are certainly delicious, but a high school student's meal is just fine like this.

I ate the hamburger with ketchup.

Yeah, this is delicious too.

Ah, I'm so happy.

"Kazeno, you have a grain of rice on the corner of your mouth."

"Huh?"

I tried to wipe it off with my finger, but I didn't feel any rice.

"Stay still. I'll get it."

Azuma reached out her hand.

I started to feel nervous.

Just getting the rice off.

Maybe because I was nervous, Azuma seemed nervous too.

That's when it happened.

"Someone's coming!?"

Something caught my presence detection, and I stood up.

At the same time, I noticed the rice had fallen.

"Is it a monster?"

"No, I think it's a person. It doesn't seem to be attracting any monsters."

I said.

How dare they interrupt our bento time.

I haven't even eaten half of it—though I'm getting full.

I saw a figure in the direction of the presence.

But it was quite small.

About the size of an elementary school student—though they can't enter the dungeon, right?

So, is it someone over eighteen?

Then it started running towards us.

And I was surprised by its appearance.

It was a ninja.

And the ninja was a blonde twin-tailed girl—a kunoichi.

At first, I thought she might be an Awakened, but her features seemed a bit different from Japanese.

Maybe she's from overseas?

"Nice to meet you! You must be Kazeno Taiga, right?"

"Yes, that's me, but—"

"I've been wanting to meet you!"

She said and hugged me.

For a moment, I didn't know what was happening.

I'm not being sardine-folded... right?

"What are you doing to Kazeno all of a sudden!?"

"It's just a greeting?"

"We don't hug as a greeting in Japan!"

Azuma pulled her off me, angry on my behalf.

It happened so quickly, I barely felt anything.

Well, the reason is probably her chest—no, I shouldn't think about that.

"Um, we just met. How do you know me?"

"I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Oshino Hime. I'm the same age as you, eighteen."

"Are you Japanese?"

Azuma asked, surprised.

Yeah, I thought she was from overseas.

"Half. My father is American, and I lived in New York until last year."

I see, that makes sense.

...Wait, what?

What did she say her name was?

"Oshino?"

I've heard that name before.

Is it just a coincidence?

"Exactly as you imagined. My mother is Arisa Oshino, the president of Oshino Resort. I'm one of King Campbell's mistresses."

Wait? The information isn't processing.

I know that the chairman of the Oshino Group is a woman named Arisa Oshino, but King Campbell's mistress?

Is this the third heroine?