Chapter 3

The entrance to the dungeon is a cave that opens up on the riverbank.

I showed my provisional driver's license to the staff at the guardhouse in front of the entrance and stepped into the cave.

After walking a little, I came to a place where a glowing magic circle was drawn on the ground.

The cave was a dead end here.

I stepped into the magic circle.

As I stood in the center of the magic circle, the pattern on the back of my right hand glowed, and my vision was enveloped in a white light.

A moment later, I found myself in an unknown place.

It looked like the inside of a cave, but the walls around me emitted a gentle light, giving it a slightly surreal atmosphere.

The place where I was standing was about the size of a small conference room.

Looking at the ground behind me, I saw the glowing magic circle.

I thought it was the exit of the dungeon, but to be safe, I stepped on it again to make a round trip.

It worked as expected.

Well, I've confirmed the way back.

Now, it's time to start exploring the dungeon.

Three paths extend from the room.

There seem to be cave passages in front, to the left, and to the right.

"Alright. Let's go."

Strangely, I felt no fear.

Explorers can sometimes lose their lives, but I had a calm mindset, accepting whatever might happen.

This might be due to the influence of becoming an explorer.

Since I don't know which path is the right one, I decided to go straight ahead.

The cave meandered gently as I walked.

"...It's long. Actually, nothing's happening."

After walking for about ten minutes, the same cave continued endlessly without anything happening.

After walking for another ten minutes or so, I came to a crossroads.

To avoid getting lost, I decided to go straight.

After walking for a few more minutes, I came to a "T" intersection.

I decided to go straight again.

About ten minutes later, I saw something running towards me from the front of the cave.

It was humanoid and small.

Its head resembled a fierce dog, with red glowing eyes and drool dripping from its mouth.

It held a crude knife in its hand.

It suddenly lunged at me.

I confirmed the feel of the spear in my right hand and prepared to counterattack.

This must be the first-layer monster, the Kobold, as the old man at the armory had said.

"Take this!"

I thrust the spear forcefully when the monster was within range.

The monster let out a screech.

The spear pierced its chest.

When I pulled the spear out, instead of blood, a black mist-like substance leaked out.

The Kobold (tentatively named, abbreviated hereafter) staggered but did not fall.

It lunged at me again, closing the distance.

I thrust the spear again, thinking to deliver another blow.

But this time, it quickly jumped to the side and avoided it.

"Damn...!"

I barely avoided the knife it thrust at me.

Losing balance from the forward momentum, I delivered an elbow drop to it and thrust the spear into it again while it was down.

That seemed to be the final blow, as the dog-faced monster turned into a black mist and disappeared.

For some reason, the knife it was holding also vanished in the same way.

A single gem, a mix of black and purple, was left behind.

Monsters are apparently defined as something different from ordinary living beings—specifically, "non-living things."

This definition likely has ethical considerations from the human side, but since actual phenomena that defy the norms of ordinary living beings occur with monsters, the definition of "non-living" is not entirely incorrect.

"Huff, huff... phew. Managed to win."

I picked up the gem and put it in my wallet.

The gem was about the size of my pinky finger.

This gem is apparently called a "magic stone."

If I bring it back, it can be sold at a "cash exchange" for a certain price.

According to the training I received, a Kobold's magic stone is worth 400 yen.

To be precise, 10% source tax is deducted, so the net amount before refund is 360 yen.

It's quite a harsh world to risk my life in battle for 360 yen, but there's no point in complaining.

Checking my status, I saw that the "Experience" bar had changed from "0/10" to "4/10."

There's hope for the future.

"Alright. Let's keep going at this pace."

I decided to proceed further.

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