Chapter 23

Immediately after using the Inferno of Hell, I entered the PD to recover my magic power. It takes about two hours, 120 minutes, for my magic power to fully recover, assuming I am in perfect physical condition and not engaging in intense physical activity. However, time passes 100 times slower inside the PD, so in reality, I can cast the next Inferno of Hell in about a minute.

"That's how it works," I explained to Danpon.

"You're really pushing it... When did you verify that you could use magic with one foot in the dungeon?" Danpon asked.

"Hehe, it was a last-minute test! So, is it really too risky?"

"It depends on the monsters. If there are fire-attribute monsters, you won't be able to handle them."

"That's true... From what I saw on TV, most of the monsters were beast-type, so I think it should be fine."

If a fire dragon or a fire spirit appeared, I would be in trouble. In that case, I would have to retreat into the dungeon and wait for the magic to wear off.

"Also, there's one major issue you're forgetting, Taiga."

"Major issue?"

"Food. Do you have enough? You need to eat a lot to recover your magic power, as it consumes a lot of energy."

"Oh, right."

Food... Yes, food was an issue. The only edible things I had were mushrooms and drops. In survival situations, water is more important than food. Mushrooms are 80% water, so eating them would solve the water shortage. However, eating raw mushrooms continuously was not ideal. Moreover, mushrooms have almost no calories.

"Right, D-cans! With my luck, I should get a water bottle or a canteen with water, or even a K〇ri-mate!"

I said I had over 3,000 cans that could be opened immediately, but many required conditions like boiling or offering flower seeds. However, at least 300 cans, or 10%, could be opened right away. These were cans that required specific phrases or warming to body temperature for three minutes.

Surely, the items I needed were among them.

Six hours had passed.

"Release: Inferno of Hell"

I cast the fourth spell. Before confirming the fire pillar, I returned to the PD to save time. I thought it would look to the SDF watching that I was casting spells in rapid succession. In reality, I was just waiting for two hours between each spell.

During that time, I kept opening D-cans.

"Alright, opened... It's a blue magic stone."

A magic stone worth 5 million yen, but I didn't need it now.

"The next opening condition is—Danpon, stand on this."

"Sure."

"Alright, opened! Getting stepped on by Danpon, huh?"

The contents were—yes, marshmallows! Detailed appraisal showed only the nutritional information of regular marshmallows, the kind sold for 100 yen at convenience stores or supermarkets. I ate them. They were good, but they didn't satisfy my hunger.

"Does magic make you this hungry?"

"It's not just the magic, but also the level."

"Level?"

I hadn't checked. I could sense when my magic power was full, so I hadn't bothered to check my status. I had been defeating monsters spectacularly, so I might have reached level 28.

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Ichino Taiga: Level 30

Cash: 75,518D (Ranking: 9k-10k [JPN])

HP: 450/450

MP: 3/170

Attack: 167 (+16)

Defense: 161

Skill: 148

Agility: 144

Luck: 301

Skills: PD Creation, Aura Sensing, Basic Swordsmanship, Simple Alchemy, Detailed Appraisal, Hellfire Magic, Inventory, Super Strength, Rock Throwing, Fire Magic

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I had reached level 30. My luck had surpassed 300, and I had gained Fire Magic. Incidentally, Rock Throwing was a skill I learned from a skill orb inside a D-can, so it was unrelated to my level.

"A bit too fast... Even if the enemies are strong, you don't usually jump three levels at once."

"Well, you've been defeating a lot of level 50 equivalent monsters. The experience bonus from the level difference is quite significant."

"Experience bonus from the level difference?"

When I defeated the Evil Ogre, my level jumped, but I thought it was because the Evil Ogre gave more experience than usual. The monsters in the horde were at least level 20, a 20-level difference, which would be rare even in a country without safety margins.

"Your hunger increases significantly when you level up, and the higher the level, the more pronounced it is."

"I see..."

Fire Magic, I understand. Hellfire Magic can only use the Inferno of Hell, but it seems there are several types of spells that can be used based on magic consumption. The more you use it, the more proficient you become, and the more spells and magic power you gain. Ayame used several types of wind magic, too.

While eating the marshmallows, I thought. They were gone already. I was getting thirsty. I wanted a drink next.

"Open, D-can!"

I tapped the can with my sword. Out came a whetstone. Just a regular whetstone with no special effects. Maybe it was telling me my sword was too dull and needed sharpening? I didn't know if I could sharpen my sword with a whetstone or how to do it properly. What I needed was water and food.

I had noticed that the opening conditions and contents of the cans were related. I had realized this when a can heated in a pot turned into warm corn soup. So, if I could find a can with a condition suggesting it contained water, that would be ideal, but it wasn't that easy.

I wondered if there were any obvious conditions, like putting it in a vending machine or a glass. As I opened cans one by one, the time came again.

"I'm going."

I climbed the stairs to cast the spell. Suddenly, a black wolf monster appeared in front of me.

"!? Swallow Return!"

My body moved instinctively, slicing the wolf upward.

"Release: Inferno of Hell"

I cast the spell at the wolf in the air. Just as I thought the distance was too close, I was caught in the explosion and fell down the stairs. I thought I might die... No way!

I didn't have time to be dazed. I stood up and immediately took a defensive stance. The wolf from earlier had entered the PD. What was going on? Wasn't this my personal dungeon?

The climax is approaching! How will Taiga overcome his greatest crisis? The first chapter ends in two more episodes.