Chapter 60

"Hey, you two, how can you not even have enough money for the inn?"

After the break, during the meal, Ochazuke addressed the two who were short on cash.

Leao and I rushed into the oldest inn in the first district, the closest one to Leao. While Ochazuke was paying the bill, Leao was led to the room and apparently logged out on the bed. I was there for the payment, so I didn't know the details of what happened in the room, but it seemed he was in a hurry.

"That's expensive! Ten thousand silver!"

"Well, it's probably the most expensive inn in this country."

"It's well-maintained despite being old, and the food uses some rare ingredients."

"We didn't have time to go to the second district, so we should just accept it."

"Even this is a cheap room."

"No, no, before that, you borrowed all the registration fees for the clan from Homura, right? I lent you all the money for the transfer, didn't I?"

...Huh?

"Less than ten thousand silver?!"

Sure, I paid for Leao's fish, but where did it go?

"Ah! I thought it was the cost for one of you."

"That's terrible!"

The shocking fact was that both of them had less than ten thousand silver from the start. Leao had used up the money for the fish that he was supposed to have after the clan was released. It's no wonder Ochazuke was complaining.

The inn, which specializes in adventurers, is known for serving meals even at odd hours. The rooms were originally large for high-rank or low-rank use, but some have been remodeled. The newly remodeled rooms are relatively cheaper, though it's a matter of comparison.

I recalled an unnecessary fact: in the real world, an Arab royal family was suspected of not paying for a room that cost three million per night, and it made the news. The inn in Air might be at that level.

"By the way, Homura, Rengard is system-recognized on the bulletin board."

"System-recognized?"

"Apparently, the consignment items include things that players can't make yet, and there are a lot of cheap dishes that can't be sold for much, but they all have high ratings, which is suspicious. It's linked to a date event with the receptionist at the adventurer's guild, so it's thought that system sales are mixed in with the consignments. What did you do?"

"Besides alchemy and medicine, I think Homura just sold whatever he felt like."

That's right.

"Oh, the 'Resident Theory' also came up."

"What a fun guy!"

"Maybe if you respond to comments during transactions, it won't be mistaken."

"Or you could respond with slightly off-the-mark mechanical comments to fuel the system sales theory."

I won't do it because it's too much trouble.

"Alright! Let's help out somehow!"

Leao declared with a good smile.

"Just kidding, though."

I made sure to clarify.

Party conversations are completely inaudible to outsiders, but clan conversations sound like consonants are missing to those around, and the volume and tone are still transmitted. The content can't be understood, but the atmosphere can be felt, so it's not very useful during exploration. There are requests for improvements, but I think it's good that you can't see everyone's faces when they're silent.

"Hey! Long time no see."

As we were chatting, Roy and the others arrived.

"Are you heading out now?"

"Yeah, we're going to the first dungeon. How about you? Just got back?"

We finished greeting each other, and Crow asked, and I asked in return.

"Yeah! I lost, I lost."

Roy answered brightly.

"Is it tough?"

"I chose [Pain Sensation Release]."

"I passed out with a thud."

"The shield broke down."

The twins swayed their long tails and added. Kaede and Momiji's fur is a vivid red close to orange, and their eyes are golden.

"Being a shield must be tough, huh."

"I definitely won't choose it."

"Combat styles with fists hurt too."

"What's it like to have [Pain Sensation Release]?"

"First, it's obviously painful. Not just where you're hit, but your feet hurt from bracing, and your palms hurt from gripping the shield so tightly that your nails dig in."

"Combat styles are also painful if the ground is rocky or uneven. Your feet hurt from stepping, and your fists hurt if you punch at a bad angle. There are still adjustments, and you can rely on stats, but it's pretty close to reality."

"Ugh."

Shin looks displeased at Ake's explanation.

"Shield users might not want to choose [Pain Sensation Release]. As a healer, I don't get attacked much, but if I flinch from pain during an area attack, my healing slows down. That's what caused the breakdown this time."

"Attackers can target specific body parts, so it's painful, but as a backliner, I'm lucky that Roy takes most of the hits."

"Did Crow choose [Pain Sensation Release]?"

"I did. If I can't handle it, I'll switch back."

Crow, who is usually quiet, is surprisingly decisive.

"Other than [Body Part Destruction] and [Training], [Resolve] is also effective with [Pain Sensation Release]."

"[Resolve] influences skills with willpower."

"Apparently, if you're motivated, the power of skills, including healing, increases."

Shirayuri, following the twins, said softly.

"Even if it increases by 5%, I don't like pain."

"Me neither."

"Ha ha ha ha ha."

"Well, it's a matter of personal preference."

We received a visitor invitation from Roy's clan. This allows us to switch to Roy's [Chronos] clan chat. It's useful for trial membership and visitors.

We entered the adventurer's guild right across from the inn.

This guild doesn't handle requests or buybacks; it specializes in managing entry and exit from the dungeon. The usual functions are handled by a new guild. The inn faces both the new guild and the old guild for dungeon entry and exit.

The adventurer's guild is the only one in the first district, located across from the barracks at the entrance to the dungeon. It's a necessary organization for managing the dungeon and adventurers, so it's natural that it's there. It was built by demolishing old shops for medicine, magic potions, alchemy, and repairs.

The four demolished shops were given new locations in the first district and continue to operate. They also have branches in the second district, which face the main street and are in prime locations.

We headed to the adventurer's guild at the entrance to the dungeon.

Inside the building, there are counters for administrative tasks, and three small counters where only two people can fit, side by side. You pass through these to enter the dungeon. The rightmost passage is for adventurers starting at the first floor of the dungeon, the third passage is for those using the teleport array to go to floors below the fifth, and the middle passage changes based on the crowd.

The leftmost passage, between the small and regular counters, is for returning adventurers. The wall displays the cost of teleporting to each floor.

"The teleport cost is high."

"Whoa! Five thousand for the fifth floor!"

"Ten thousand for the tenth floor, one thousand per floor."

"Can't use it!"

"Save up quickly."

"I'm out of money too."

We chatted as we headed to the counter.

We, of course, took the right passage, passing through and holding our guild cards to the black stone tablet at the counter.

"You can return using the teleport array if you reach the fifth floor, but there's a boss, so don't push yourself and consider coming back the way you came."

"Thanks, we'll do that."

With the guild staff's advice, we left the adventurer's guild. A high cliff loomed, and the entrance to the dungeon opened at its base. Looking back to the right, we saw a large iron gate and another sturdy, thick gate beyond it.

When we left the guild, we passed through two iron gates, and the staff closed the one we passed through before the next one opened. We haven't heard of monsters overflowing from the dungeon, but it's probably a precaution to prevent them from escaping into the city.

"Wow, it looks like the entrance to an abandoned mine."

"Great atmosphere."

"An adventure!"

"The gate is huge."

"What are you looking at when everyone is looking at the dungeon?"

"You always get interested in strange things."

I stated my honest thoughts and got a retort. As usual, we chatted and entered the dungeon.

《You have reached the 'Dungeon' of the Dungeon City.》

《Please choose whether to activate [Pain Sensation Release].》

"Here we go."

"I'll do it for now."

"Me too."

"Me too!"

"I won't."

"Same here."

"Um, maybe I'll try it, just in case."

"Your speech is getting choppy."

After the announcement of the [Pain Sensation Release] title, we entered the dungeon with excitement. The first enemy we encountered was a High Goblin, which is smarter than a regular goblin and attacks in coordination.

"Ouch, my fists really hurt!"

"Being a melee fighter must be tough."

What? Me?

I use magic, what's the problem? The cave is narrow, though.

"Well, Kikuhime isn't using [Pain Sensation Release], so we'll proceed normally for the trash mobs."

Ochazuke said this while summoning Ruru, and the enemies quickly turned on each other.

Just a moment ago, we were commenting on how well the High Goblins coordinated.

The trick is to guide the attacks of the enemies charmed by Kikuhime to the one she's targeting, or to take down the one receiving the most attacks. Unlike the mushrooms' poison, which only wears off with physical attacks, a few hits will bring them back to their senses.

"Ruru is as bad as ever."

"Hehe, but since Ruru didn't learn any new charm skills, higher-level enemies might not be affected. It's a close call now."

"Spirits are quite powerful and convenient, but in regular battles, you can only summon them once per fight due to the cooldown, so they don't level up easily."

"I think I use them a lot, but they don't level up."

The enemies near the entrance were just High Goblins, but deeper in, High Goblin Mages and Generals appeared as expected. We knocked down the occasional blood-sucking bats and continued.

"Should I learn [Throwing]?"

"You haven't learned it yet?"

"I don't have enough skill points. I thought I'd learn [Ki Bullet] or something, but now I only have [Fire Magic] for ranged attacks."

"How about [Jump]? You don't need skill points for experience."

"Maybe I'll try some actions that can earn it."

"Shin can use fire, so it might be okay, but there are enemies strong against physical attacks, so I recommend [Throwing] for its piercing attribute."

"Specialization is strong, but if you're going to different places, it's safer to have it as insurance. Besides, you're not planning to level up [Fire Magic], right?"

Ochazuke predicted Shin's actions. Shin, who had been using [Fire Magic] enchanted on his fists, had since obtained the [Flame Fist] skill and had been neglecting magic.

Despite the lack of tension, we had three scouts, and the reassurance of being able to heal everyone with a water spirit if needed. While our firepower might be lacking, the elf's shield and two thief-type attackers and a magic swordsman have less HP than usual.

As long as we avoid surprise attacks with scouting and heal frequently, it should be fine.

"Ah, stairs!"

"Really?"

"What do you want to do? Fill the map?"

"It's fine for the first floor."

"Let's go, then."

"Got it, got it."

So, we headed to the second floor underground.

Before proceeding, we ate at the stairs. We couldn't set up a dining table, so we prepared easy-to-eat food.

I grilled two thin steaks for Shin, cut them in half, and made sandwiches with sautéed onions and lettuce-like leaves. We also had regular egg sandwiches, sandwiches with sunny-side-up eggs and bacon, sandwiches with anchovy paste and cheese, and sandwiches with tomatoes, ham, and lettuce.

I prepared several types and served them with milk and orange juice obtained from the second floor.

"Wow, the meat is delicious."

"Ah, but the meat is supreme...!"

"The saltiness of the anchovies is amazing."

"The egg sandwich is fluffy."

"...Mmm."

"Don't talk with your mouth full, and you don't have to force a comment!"

Still, I want to hear more praise for the food to boost my mood for the next meal.

Level 10 food has a status boost, but in other parties, they usually choose food that gives them an advantage in battle based on their class. Before a dungeon or boss, healers eat salads that boost their mental state, and shields eat bread that boosts their endurance.

Good food boosts motivation, and that's all that matters!

□ □ □ □ □

・Increase・

Title

[Pain Sensation Release]

□ □ □ □ □

Homura Lv.33

Rank C

Clan Zodiac

Class Magic Swordsman Alchemist (Assassin)

HP 1108

MP 1406

STR 47

VIT 25

INT 84

MID 32

DEX 27

AGI 52

LUK 37

NPCP [Galahad][－]

Title

■General

[Socializer][Circulating Power][Mystery Solver]

[Economic Leader][Lone Adventurer][Nine Lives]

[Sage][Elegant One][World Soarer]

[Pain Sensation Release]

■Blessings of the Gods

[Asha's Blessing][Val's Favor]

[Dul's Blessing][Fal's Blessing]

[Tasha's Favor][Verna's Blessing]

■Titles from the Gods

[Asha's Brief Guide]

[Dul's Earth]

[Fal's Saint]

[Tasha's Disciple][Tasha's Magic]

[Gods' Time]

■Slayer Series

[Lizard Slayer][Bug Slayer]

[Beast Slayer][Gel Slayer]

[Bird Slayer]

[Dragon Slayer]

■Master Ring

[Sword King][Wise King]

Skills (1SP)

■Magic and Spells

[Wood Magic Lv.26] [Fire Magic Lv.26][Earth Magic Lv.26]

[Gold Magic Lv.26] [Water Magic Lv.26][☆Wind Magic Lv.25]

[Light Magic Lv.20][☆Dark Magic Lv.28]

[☆Lightning Magic Lv.27][Scorching Magic Lv.1][☆Ice Magic Lv.22]

[☆Heavy Magic Lv.20][☆Air Magic Lv.22]

[☆Time Magic Lv.20][Druid Magic Lv.22]

■Healing and Holy Magic

[Holy Magic Lv.21]

[Illusion Lv.1]

■Other Magic

[Magic Shield][Stacking]

[☆Area Magic Lv.22][☆Attack Recovery Magic Lv.13]

[☆Magic Effect Lv.13]

[☆Action Chant][☆No Chant]

[☆Magic Charge Lv.9]

■Sword Skills

[Sword Skills Lv.28][Slash]

[Sword Lv.27][☆Flash Lv.24]

[☆Phantom Blade Lv.19]

■Throwing

[Thread Lv.16]

■Other Physical Skills

[☆Reflex Lv.27]

[Physical Effect Lv.6]

■Defensive Skills

[☆Steadfast Shield]

■Summoning

[White Lv.11]

■Spirit Skills

Water Spirit [Rufa Lv.10]

Dark Spirit [Kuroyaki Lv.19]

■Talent Skills

[Body Skills][Evasion][Swordsmanship]

[Code Breaking]

■Movement and Actions

[☆Carry][Jump][☆Hover][☆Fly]

■Production

[Alchemy Lv.19][Alchemy Synthesis Lv.18]

[Cooking Lv.18][Jewelry Lv.1]

■Gathering

[Harvesting][Mining]

■Appraisal and Concealment

[Appraisal Lv.24][Insight]

[Aura Detection Lv.33][Aura Dilution Lv.32][Concealment Lv.27]

■Enhancements

[Strength Enhancement Lv.5][Intelligence Enhancement Lv.6][Mental Enhancement Lv.6]

[Dexterity Enhancement Lv.6][Agility Enhancement Lv.6]

[Sword Skills Enhancement Lv.5][Magic Enhancement Lv.6]

■Resistances

[Alcohol Resistance]

■Other

[HP Natural Recovery][MP Natural Recovery][Night Vision]

[Map][Telepathy][☆Bedroom Skills]

[Equipment Change][☆Weapon Hold Lv.21]

[Life Magic][☆Attraction]

[Theft Prevention Lv.21][Trap Disarming]

[Lockpicking][Unlock]

☆ indicates initial acquisition, enhanced by event bonuses, etc.