Chapter 6

After returning from the dungeon, I first headed to the Dungeon Comprehensive Information building.

Inside this building, you can find basic facilities such as a magic stone exchange counter and an equipment storage service.

First, I needed to exchange my magic stones.

I went to the magic stone exchange counter and submitted the eight Kobold magic stones I had obtained to the staff, who then gave me a number ticket.

After a short wait,

it seemed the appraisal was complete, and I was handed cash and a payment slip in exchange for the magic stones I had submitted.

"Thank you for waiting. The purchase amount for the magic stones is 3,200 yen, from which we have deducted 10% as a source tax, leaving you with 2,880 yen."

Two thousand-yen bills and eight coins were placed on a tray and offered to me.

I put the money in my wallet, bowed to the staff at the counter, and left the area.

...It's an indescribable itch.

I've never been handed cash for money I earned myself, as my part-time job pay goes directly into my bank account. I couldn't help but smile.

"But, 2,880 yen..."

I muttered this in a position where the staff couldn't hear me.

Considering I spent about four hours in the dungeon, that's roughly 720 yen per hour.

Even taking into account the net amount, it's not a reward that matches the life-risking labor. It seems the world is indeed a harsh place.

However, there is hope for the future.

The magic stones from Kobolds in the first floor are cheap, but the deeper you go, the higher the value of the magic stones from the monsters that roam there. I have high hopes for the future.

"Well, it's lunchtime."

I was hungry.

Looking at the wall clock, it was 1:30 PM, a bit past lunchtime.

I stored my spear at the equipment storage counter and left the Comprehensive Information building.

Incidentally, the storage service is quite reasonable.

Unless you're storing something particularly valuable or a large amount of equipment, the storage fee is free. It's a benefit of a facility funded by public money.

I decided to ride my bicycle to a nearby ramen shop.

I've been coming to this area frequently, so I'm familiar with the nearby shops.

But then, something unexpected happened.

"Good afternoon!"

A woman's voice came from somewhere. It was a voice I didn't recognize.

Looking around discreetly, I met the eyes of a young woman. She was on her bicycle a little distance away and smiled at me. I didn't recognize her face.

She looked to be around my age—late teens or early twenties.

She had black hair in a ponytail, and was wearing a hoodie, pants, and sneakers. Her face and figure were quite attractive at first glance.

Thinking it couldn't be me, I looked around, but there was no one else who seemed to be her target.

"Hey, you! You just came out of the Dungeon Comprehensive Information building, right?"

The woman stopped her bicycle in front of me.

I finally realized she was talking to me.

"Um... yes. I did just come out of the Comprehensive Information building..."

"Right! Oh, nice to meet you. My name is Kotachi Kaze. I started being an explorer about a week ago, and this is the first time I've seen an explorer around my age, so I decided to be bold and say hello. –Oh, you're an explorer too, right?"

"Um, yeah... I guess so."

"Did I... bother you by saying hello?"

"N-no, not at all."

I was flustered by the sudden approach from an unknown woman (a beautiful one at that) and was at a loss for words.

It was a typical reaction for someone with poor social skills.

I didn't have the smooth talking skills to handle such situations, and my mind wasn't processing things quickly enough.

However, the woman—Kotachi Kaze—seemed unfazed by my awkwardness and approached me warmly.

"Um, if it's okay, can I ask your name?"

"Um, ah, um... Rokusou Daichi. It's written as 'six spears'—Rokusou."

"Wow, that's a cool name. Rokusou, are you done with the dungeon for today?"

"No, I was just about to go get lunch. At a nearby ramen shop."

"Are you going for lunch now? I haven't had lunch yet either. If it's okay, can I join you?"

"Um...? Ah, sure. If you'd like, I'd be happy to."

"Great! I've always wanted to talk to someone in the same line of work."

"I'm not sure how helpful I'll be..."

Dealing with the persistent Kotachi, I could barely manage to respond.

This might be a tougher opponent than the dungeon or the monsters...

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