Chapter 79

Harihiko descended to the 15th floor and narrowed his eyes.

"......"

The atmosphere was different from before.

An unpleasant feeling made his spine tingle.

It seemed that Akane also noticed the change.

Instead of immediately activating the gate, she stood next to Harihiko, bracing herself.

"Hey, what's the air like?"

Completely different from when she was trapped in the slime, Akane's tone was very serious.

Just that alone made Harihiko's sense of crisis rise by 50%.

The dungeon sky, which had been clear, was now slightly overcast.

It was as if the dungeon was rejecting them.

"For now, let's postpone leveling on the 15th floor."

"Yeah."

"Eh, eh?"

Harihiko and Akane's conversation left Kuren alone.

Kuren's detection skill was still at level 1.

Perhaps because of that, she couldn't sense the atmosphere.

Akane, on the other hand, must have a high detection skill due to her high combat ability.

So far, she hadn't shown any competent combat skills, but that was just like her.

However, Harihiko's interest was drawn to a different angle of the situation.

While she cries and whines against overwhelmingly weaker opponents, Akane stands firm against equals or stronger opponents.

No matter how much he tried to provoke her, she didn't seem to waver.

This duality was very interesting.

"What happened?"

"There might be a rare species."

"Eh... a rare species?"

Kuren slightly gasped.

She instinctively crouched, a result of her usual training.

Harihiko was impressed by her immediate reaction to the danger.

"If it's a rare species, we might not be able to win."

Harihiko nodded silently at Akane's comment.

While there are individual differences, rare species are overwhelmingly stronger than the monsters of their floor.

For example, a rare centipede is about 8 floors stronger, and a rare lizardman is about 20 floors stronger.

If a monster from the lower floors like 'Chikaho' appeared, Harihiko wouldn't be able to handle it.

"Akane, what should we do?"

"Run."

"Very clear."

Harihiko couldn't help but chuckle at Akane's answer.

Indeed, running is the best option.

Both the monster parade and rare species will naturally disappear after a while.

However, some monster parades and rare species don't disappear.

If they don't, they will definitely cause a stampede.

"If we find the problematic monster, we'll run. After that, we'll request high-level adventurers. How does that sound?"

"Safe bet. Do you have enough money?"

"I don't know the going rate."

Harihiko currently has over 1 million yen in savings.

However, if a strong enemy appears, he would need to hire a team of high-level adventurers.

For example, hiring a team of high-level adventurers would exceed Harihiko's funds.

However, there's no option to not call them if Harihiko can't handle the monster.

The 15th floor has few obstacles.

However, tall grass makes it difficult to visually spot monsters.

As a precaution, they visually searched, but couldn't even see a werewolf.

Harihiko expanded his detection to the limit.

The sensation of the detection made his nerves heat up.

Sweat trickled down his temples.

His detection touched a monster.

"---!?"

Instantly, Harihiko lowered his stance.

At the same time, he signaled Akane and Kuren to do the same.

The silhouette he detected had four legs and a long body.

It had a beast's head with large horns.

"...It's a deer."

"A deer?"

"Yeah. A deer monster."

"Troublesome."

While Kuren tilted her head in confusion, Akane seemed to understand. Her face contorted.

"I think in another dungeon, it appears on the 24th floor."

"Why is a werewolf rare species a deer?"

A deer is not an evolved form of a wolf but prey.

It doesn't meet the conditions to appear as a rare species.

"Maybe it came up from below?"

"Ah... I see."

Harihiko slapped his knee at Akane's suggestion.

A rare lizardman also appeared on the floor of the sloth.

The sloth is a pangolin, so there's no relation to the lizardman.

It must have come up from a lower floor.

In that case,

"There's a possibility it could cause a stampede."

If it can climb stairs, it can also go outside if it wants to.

The deer monster should be defeated quickly before it causes problems.

However, as a 24th floor monster, it's beyond Harihiko's current capabilities.

Using the skill board, there's a possibility he could defeat it.

However, it's just a possibility.

Harihiko's physical level is equivalent to the 15th floor, so even with skills, the success rate of defeating it is low.

Harihiko would have to risk his life in battle.

It would be better to take another approach before being forced to make that decision.

"Can you defeat the deer, Akane?"

"I don't have the power to defeat it. I'd need an attacker at least on my level."

"I see."

Defeating power refers to the ability to deal damage to monsters.

Akane's weapon is a blunt weapon. While it can deal damage, its ability to take lives is only slightly better than a dagger.

In the worst case, if she had an attacker at her level, they could defeat it.

The fact that she didn't say it was impossible gave Harihiko a slight sense of relief.

"Akane, can you issue a request for a hunt?"

"I can accept the request, but whether I can gather adventurers depends on Oi. My jurisdiction is only in K-town, so I can't help with gathering adventurers."

"That's fine."

"What about you?"

"I'll continue to scout. Kuren, can you be the communicator?"

"Understood."

To defeat this rare species alone, a few strong adventurers would be enough.

However, if it coincides with a monster parade, it could lead to a serious situation.

Currently, there's no sign of a monster parade.

There's not even a hint of one.

The werewolves that should be roaming the plains are not even present.

The absence of monsters that should be there further fuels Harihiko's sense of crisis.

Anything could happen at any time and place.

It's best to keep a constant watch.

If anything unusual happens, Harihiko will use the skill board to defeat it immediately.

Even if it costs him his life.

Harihiko couldn't help but wish it would end without coming to that.

* * *

【Group Chat】Shinjuku Reclamation Command Room, Building 402【Uprising】

869 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

We managed to push back to Shinjuku Station somehow.

This is thanks to the continuous guerrilla tactics we've been using.

870 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

Indeed, daily efforts are important.

It's really been a long time...

871 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

However, monsters are still coming out of the dungeon intermittently.

Still, it's much easier to defend now.

We just need to wait for the timing of the uprising.

872 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

When will the order to advance come?

The number of adventurers around Shinjuku is increasing daily.

Supplies are getting critical.

873 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

Indeed, universal medicine disappeared from the stores all at once.

Which team is in charge of logistics?

I hope they're using magic bags for efficient transport.

874 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

It's not enough.

How many thousands of people do you think are gathered here?

875 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

With the gathering of mid-level and higher adventurers,

the supply of materials from each dungeon has drastically decreased.

That's the most dangerous part.

Fortunately, we managed to get the crucial hot stones.

Thanks to Ichiryo, who supplied them in large quantities.

Without hot stones, both craftsmen and adventurers were struggling with production and repairs.

876 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

I can't thank him enough.

We would have had to fight with broken weapons and bare hands...

The adventurer who gathered a large amount of hot stones at this timing is a god.

877 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

It should last about a month.

By the way, do you think the leadership is just observing?

If this continues, adventurers will start moving on their own.

878 Name: Masatsugu★

Hello,

I apologize for keeping you waiting.

879 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

>>878 It's you!!

So, what's the deal?

Not moving now means you're waiting for something?

880 Name: Masatsugu★

>>879

Actually, that's the case.

But all preparations will be completed soon.

881 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

Great!

Then I'll do a thorough maintenance of my weapons.

882 Name: Bacon★

Don't forget to pump up!

883 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

>>882 Haha

Pumping up...

You won't be able to move from exhaustion, hahaha.

By the way, are you okay, old man?

884 Name: Bacon★

I apologize for worrying you.

I'm fine!

885 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

It's strange.

It sounds like "My muscles are fine!"

886 Name: Bacon★

HAHAHA

Alright, everyone, it's time for the uprising.

Get pumped up! Build your muscles!!

We'll show those hateful monsters a thing or two!

887 Name: Honorable Anonymous gathered for the reclamation of Shinjuku

>>886

I get it, you'll show your muscles (and eyes) on the front lines.

* * *

Harihiko, who was monitoring, caught the strange behavior of the rare species.

When a werewolf spawned on the plain, the boss sensed it and approached.

It spat out a black-purple lump from its mouth and threw it at the werewolf.

"---!?"

The eerie nature of the attack made Harihiko almost cry out.

The lump didn't seem particularly powerful.

However, the werewolf it hit suddenly fell to the ground.

It twitched for a while and then was swallowed by the ground.

(Could it be leveling up against the werewolves?)

Harihiko's spine froze.

He had never heard of monsters leveling up.

If they were, their strength could increase by their level, making them even more dangerous.

If monsters could level up against other monsters, it would be the worst-case scenario. Over time, they would become untouchable.

However, Harihiko couldn't fully accept this hypothesis.

The deer that spat out the black-purple lump didn't seem to have any murderous intent.

It didn't intend to kill, but the werewolf died, or perhaps it had another meaning.

Just observing the attack didn't reveal the deer's intention.

However, Harihiko felt the need to stop it immediately.

Whatever it was, that attack needed to be stopped.

Otherwise, it could lead to a serious situation.

He felt compelled to stop it even at the cost of his life.

Harihiko tried to restrain his body, which was about to move, with all his rationality.

If he moved now, he would definitely be killed.

The gap in strength between Harihiko and the deer was that wide.

Harihiko wasn't delusional about his own power.

He had become a mid-level adventurer and had destroyed a monster parade and a rare species with Kagemitsu.

Compared to before he had the skill board, it was a significant leap forward.

However, just because he was stronger didn't mean he could do everything.

Just having the skill board didn't mean he could easily defeat a higher-level monster.

The stakes in this battle were not chips but his life.

This was not a casino but a battlefield.

If he wasn't cautious enough, it would be game over immediately.

At the very least, he should be prepared to run if he was noticed.

Feeling a strong sense of crisis from the deer monster's actions, Harihiko quickly operated the skill board.

The serious part begins.

From here, the foreshadowing set up from Chapter 1 will come into play.

Please enjoy it until the end of Part 1.

By the way, who is this god who gathered the hot stones... (monotone)