Chapter 33

The most difficult dungeon, "Shinjuku Station," had partially become "Shibuya Station."

I apologize for the error and have corrected it.

By the end of the week, several changes had occurred as they continued hunting.

First, the number of Silver Wolves killed per day stabilized at 300.

Even without a time attack, the number would exceed 300. With effort, it could reach 350.

This indicated that Seiki and his companions' base levels had improved.

However, pushing for more kills only increased the number of monsters that couldn't be disassembled.

Even if the experience points were slightly lower than from three Silver Wolves, hunting a slightly stronger monster seemed more efficient.

It might be time to descend deeper.

Next, Seiki and Kuren's skills had finally improved naturally.

Seiki Akihoshi (27) Gender: Male

Skill Points: 3

Evaluation: Swordsman

- Vitality

Stamina 1 → 2

Natural Recovery 0

- Strength

Strength 1 → 2

- Agility

Burst 1

Dexterity 1 → 2

- Technique

Weapon Proficiency

One-handed Sword 1 → 2

Throwing 1

Light Armor 0 → 1

Stealth 1

Imitation 1

- Intuition

Detection 0

- Special

Accelerated Growth 3

Tame 0

Kurasaki Kuren (18) Gender: Female

Skill Points: 3

Evaluation: Mage

- Vitality

Stamina 0 → 1

Natural Recovery 0

- Strength

Strength 0

- Magic

Magic 1

Magic Aptitude 1

Magic Control 1 → 2

- Agility

Burst 0

Dexterity 0

- Technique

Weapon Proficiency

Blunt Weapon 0

Light Armor 0

- Intuition

Detection 0

- Special

Luck 1

Seiki allocated 1 point each to Stamina, Strength, Dexterity, One-handed Sword, and Light Armor.

Kuren's Stamina and Magic Control each increased by 1 point.

As a front-liner, Seiki's improvements were reasonable. In fact, Light Armor was a bit late in improving.

Kuren's skill improvements, aside from Stamina, were in Magic Control. This was likely due to her dodging Friendly Fire while dealing with the quick wolves.

While Kuren was the main attacker, Seiki's skill improvements were more numerous.

At first glance, Kuren seemed to have more experience from the number of attacks and damage dealt, so it was unnatural for her skills not to be higher.

Perhaps Accelerated Growth also applied a bonus to skill growth.

Other changes included Rara fully recovering.

From the top leaves to the bottom, she was now vibrant.

The flower on her head seemed to have a deeper color.

This might be due to the monster meat fertilizer or the magic stones.

Regardless of the former, the latter might increase in power as more treasures are buried in the soil.

Considering the 100 potatoes from the boss, this possibility is quite plausible.

However, the attack method is the release of treasures.

The more attacks, the weaker it becomes, which is quite pitiful.

As always, Shizune was still not in high spirits.

She was always listless.

After finishing hunting and heading to the shop, Shizune was still not in high spirits.

She had a troubled look and let out a small sigh.

"…I need you to buy the materials."

"Understood. Show me the materials."

"Alright."

Their conversation was formal.

It was very dull.

"The buyback price is 187,500 yen. Oh, by the way, the dissection knife you mentioned before has arrived."

"That was quick."

"Yes, it was made on an express order. And the whetstone too. Do you want to sharpen it?"

"Please do."

The dissection knife was made from the fangs of a Silver Wolf.

Despite being for dissection, it had the "I" logo of Ichibishi's entry model.

It cost 100,000 yen.

The sharpness was the same as the current short sword used by Seiki.

However, it couldn't be used in battle due to its different purpose.

As Shizune sharpened the short sword with the whetstone, it seemed like she wasn't really looking at her work.

Was she not concentrating? Or was she unable to concentrate?

Still, she did her job well.

When she touched the blade, the thin skin cut easily, as if it were brand new.

"How much do I owe you?"

"……"

"Hey!"

Shizune was so spaced out that Seiki raised his voice.

"What's going on? Shizune has been acting strange lately. Where did the energy from before go?"

"…I'm not always energetic, you know."

"I understand that, but it's been like this for a while, and it's affecting my mood."

"I don't care about that. …But if it's bothering you, maybe I should ask you something."

Seiki sensed a "nothing to lose" attitude from Shizune.

What kind of trouble could she be facing?

The first thing that came to mind was the shop.

Seiki selling too many materials might cause it to go out of business.

That would be a problem.

If it closed, he would have to go all the way to Sapporo to sell materials and buy equipment.

If that were the case, Seiki would do his best to help her.

"Actually, the branch manager of the Sapporo buyback shop has gone missing. At first, we thought he had fled due to poor performance, but from the IC card history, it seems he entered 'Chikaho.'"

When the card is swiped at the gate, the entry and exit of adventurers are automatically recorded.

This allows checking if someone who hasn't returned is inside the dungeon.

However, that's all that can be done.

It's impossible to know exactly where they are inside.

"How long has he been missing?"

"About 5 days."

Shizune's mood changed around that time.

Indeed, she seemed quite worried about the branch manager.

"…Aren't you going to help him?"

Shizune probably has an adventurer's license and a high level.

Seiki thought she would be better suited for searching the dungeon.

But Shizune shook her head.

"I have a shop to run. I'm a branch manager, a manager. Closing the shop for a few days because a colleague hasn't returned from the dungeon is out of the question."

She wanted to help but couldn't due to her position.

"Well, you could go on your days off."

"Have you ever seen me take a day off?"

"……Now that you mention it, no."

Maybe the shop is open year-round?

That's super black, isn't it?

"Seriously? Not joking?"

"Yes. In a place like this, there's no difference between work and rest."

"I see."

Indeed, Shizune was only busy when Seiki appeared.

Even if every day was work, it wouldn't matter if the actual work time was less than an hour.

"So… If I place an order, will you accept it?"

"It depends on the content."

"Right. I want you to search for the branch manager. The location is 'Chikaho.' The dungeon's 8th floor."

"What's the basis for the 8th floor?"

"The weapon shop requested materials from Silver Wolves, and it seems he entered the dungeon to meet the deadline. Silver Wolves appear from the 6th to the 8th floor, so I think he's probably somewhere in that range."

"I see. How long do you want the search to take? It's impossible to find him until then. He might not even have bones left."

"……"

Seiki's words made Shizune's lips twist.

But it's better to imagine the worst to avoid panicking in the worst-case scenario.

The fact that he hasn't returned for 5 days suggests a high possibility of death.

If she placed an order without facing reality, she might receive complaints if the result wasn't good.

In the design industry, sometimes clients think a simple stone can be turned into a diamond by a professional.

Professionals aren't magicians.

No matter how much a stone is processed, it will only become a pretty stone.

Similarly, when accepting an order, it's necessary to make the client imagine the worst outcome to avoid leaving a bad impression later.

If they say, "You said you would search! Why didn't you find anything? I'll sue you!!" and get angry.

They might become even more agitated if you say, "I said I would search, not that I would find him."

Seiki is still a beginner as an adventurer, but he has already dealt with contracts and orders at his previous company.

Seiki doesn't think Shizune is a bad client. However, the more important the person they want to find, the harder it is to control their emotions.

That's why Seiki deliberately mentioned a cruel future.

Did she understand his intention? Shizune's chest moved as if she was swallowing something.

"…I see. How about a month?"

"That's long. What's the basis?"

"She has a Magic Bag and is prepared for emergencies."

"I see…"

Seiki thought for a moment before speaking.

"Sorry, I don't want to leave for a month, so I won't accept the order."

"Why not!? You were about to accept it!"

Shizune became agitated.

Her usual energy seemed to return as her anger pushed away her worries.

"No, I have a reason for not wanting to leave."

If he left for a month, Rara would likely wither.

Unfortunately, Seiki's mind was more concerned with Rara's life, which he could reach, than with the life of a stranger far away.

"Adventurers are really selfish! They talk about saving Japan and helping others, but they won't help a stranded adventurer. Are adventurers just talk!?"

"If there was a stranded adventurer right in front of me, that would be different. The stranded location is 'Chikaho.' Why should I, who am far away, be blamed for not helping a stranded adventurer in 'Chikaho'? If you want to help, ask Sapporo adventurers."

"Seiki-san, Seiki-san."

Kuren tapped Seiki's shoulder.

"Talking too much is cruel."

"…Hmm."

Adventurers risk their lives, and those who enter the dungeon always bet their lives.

However, that doesn't mean they risk their lives unconditionally for everything.

You should risk your life because someone wants to be saved.

If you don't go to rescue, you are cold and inhuman.

Shizune's attitude, which seemed to say this, irritated Seiki.

That's why he refused.

Seiki decided that he would only risk his life unconditionally for saving civilians and within his reach.

From a humanitarian perspective, he should expand his range.

But in modern times, there are too many lives that can't be saved.

If he doesn't limit it, the weight of reality will easily lead to self-destruction.

However… he did say a bit too much.

He was a bit immature.

Seiki bit his lip and reprimanded himself.

"Can't you help somehow?"

"Umm…"

Being away from Rara for a month….

Was this thought showing on his face? Kuren pouted and whispered to Seiki.

"If you can't leave her, take her with you. It's not like you can't move her, right?"

"…Oh, that's true."

Since he planted her in a planter, he could carry her.

Kuren's suggestion made a lot of sense.

With this, the biggest concern for Seiki was easily resolved.

If so, he would search the 8th floor of 'Chikaho' for a month.

He could level up and get a reward. It's the best order.

There's no reason not to accept it.

"Alright, I'll accept Shizune's order."

"Really!?"

"But you have to cover the expenses for a month, separate from the order fee."

"Of course. The base reward is 300,000 yen. Whether found in one day or not found in a month, 300,000 yen is guaranteed. Next, the discovery reward is 200,000 yen. If found in one day, the total is 500,000 yen. Sounds good, right?"

"Indeed."

For a rescue order in the upper floors, this is a normal or slightly higher price.

However, it wouldn't cover the costs during the rescue.

Seemingly reading his thoughts, Shizune held up five fingers.

"Materials obtained during the exploration period will be bought at a 5% premium. Additionally, appraisal fees and equipment repair fees are free. Accommodation, medical, and food expenses are also covered. How about that?"

"Great."

"Right? So… will you take it?"

Seeing Shizune's unusually serious expression, Seiki nodded seriously.

A person who usually talks about being the best, an angel, and a beauty, is now thinking about someone else and giving their all.

He wanted to respond to her prayers.

Seiki was moved by Shizune's thoughts and resolved to find the branch manager.

*

After Seiki and the others left, Shizune slowly exhaled while closing the register.

This sigh was different from the ones she had been letting out for the past few days. It was very warm.

"It's good that someone has decided to search for that idiot…"

He's really an idiot, she muttered, but her expression was soft, contrary to her harsh words.

The branch manager of the Sapporo buyback shop, Oi Sosaka, entered the dungeon to gather materials for Silver Wolves because she couldn't obtain them from adventurers.

Employees at Ichibishi are trained to handle rough adventurers, but this training is for safety, not for gathering materials on their own.

Going on a business trip and getting stranded is ridiculous, Shizune thought.

If she had always planted seeds with adventurers, gathering materials for Silver Wolves would have been easy.

Her inability to do so was a failure as an employee.

Moreover, Shizune had been buying a lot of Silver Wolf materials in K-town, causing a surplus.

Even when she suggested moving the inventory, Oi Sosaka ignored her.

If the inventory had been moved, there would have been no need to hunt Silver Wolves.

It must have been her pride that wouldn't allow it.

What an idiot.

A real idiot.

Baka baka!

"F… Fu fu…"

It's because of such incompetent people that employees like her, full of talent, can shine!

In other words, she is the darkness.

Her existence is to make Shizune shine even more!

Losing her would be a great loss to the world!

"I won't let her die! So stay alive. Survive no matter what. Seiki is coming to help you! —Even if you're an idiot! Hehehe!"

Now, how will I scold her when she comes back?

Shizune, with a completely sunny mind, thought about it.

She was playing the role of an idiot to desperately forget the worst outcome.

……Probably.

*Product Transfer

Product transfer involves pushing inventory to other stores.

This increases the sales targets for the receiving store, leading to complaints.

It is a cruel and inhumane practice allowed only to companies with many branches.

(This explanation may be far from the truth.)

The next update is on Sunday.