Chapter 3

Using all the items, I enhanced my own status.

*****

Name: Shouta Tenchi

Age: 21

Level: 1

Strength: 36 (+32)

Dexterity: 13 (+9)

Stamina: 28 (+24)

Agility: 35 (+31)

Magic: 18 (+16)

Intelligence: 8 (+6)

Luck: 60

Skills: Level Gacha, Appraisal Lv1, Appraisal Interference Lv1, Body Enhancement Lv2

*****

"The same skill can come out from the gacha, and when combined, the level goes up. Come to think of it, some of the high-level players' skills were partially revealed, and they also had skill levels."

I looked at the capsule toy machine in front of me.

I focused on the text written there again.

"Use the owner's level to get luxurious items!"

"Each gacha will be R rank or higher."

"10 gacha will definitely give you one SR rank or higher."

"Box remaining: 70/100"

"...70 left. I wonder what will happen if I draw them all. Will the contents be updated? Or will it end when they run out...? If so, is there a way to replenish them? For example, getting the 'Level Gacha' skill again..."

My head started to hurt at that thought.

"Those hellish three years, again? And this time, there's no guarantee it will happen in three years. ...Ah, forget it. I'll think about it when it happens. That's what I'll do."

When I turned around, there were slimes wriggling out of the dungeon again. Their movement speed was so slow that it was hard to tell if they even had the intention to attack.

"For now, there's still a little time until sunset, so I'll hunt another 100 or so."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

"...Too easy."

I ended up hunting about 300 slimes, not just 100.

My dexterity has dropped, but even so, the important stats for close combat, 'Strength' and 'Agility,' were almost the same as before using the skill. Thanks to this, despite being level 1, I hunted them down at the same speed as before, if not faster.

The biggest difference was the existence of the 'Skill: Body Enhancement Lv2.' It's a skill rumored to give a first-class athlete's physical ability to an ordinary person just by having Lv1. I had obtained Lv2. On the contrary, my movements were so fast that my thoughts couldn't keep up, and I almost crashed into the wall several times while passing through the slimes.

As a result of the mass slaughter of slimes, my level rose to 8 again, and unexpectedly, I gained SP each time. I poured all 14 points into 'Luck,' the core of my being.

*****

Name: Shouta Tenchi

Age: 21

Level: 8

Strength: 43 (+32)

Dexterity: 20 (+9)

Stamina: 35 (+24)

Agility: 42 (+31)

Magic: 25 (+16)

Intelligence: 15 (+6)

Luck: 74

Skills: Level Gacha, Appraisal Lv1, Appraisal Interference Lv1, Body Enhancement Lv2

*****

"When I get to 11 again, I'll spin the gacha, start over from 1, and allocate SP to 'Luck'... If I repeat this, maybe I'll meet the 'Rainbow Slime' again."

By the way, in this consecutive 300-slime hunt, I only got 'Blue Slime' twice and 'Green Slime' once. Well, that's about it.

"Well, time to go back. ...Ah, how should I report to the Dungeon Association? When I exchange money, my level... I'm a regular, so they probably won't check, but what if they find out?"

Thinking about such things, I left the dungeon.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Dungeon Association Branch 777.

The Dungeon Association is an organization established to counter dungeons, with one branch for each dungeon. Some branches have reception desks to convert magic stones and items obtained from dungeons into money, shops selling weapons and items made using dungeon technology and skills, and facilities where dungeon explorers can train and wait.

...But Branch 777 is a dungeon that has been abandoned by the world. Now, I am the only challenger, and it is considered to have no profit, so there is only a reception desk.

It was a bustling place when it was first established, but now it is a shadow of its former self.

There are only two staff members.

"Oh, it's Shouta-kun. Welcome back!"

"Thanks, Aki-san."

One is Aki-san, the manager of Branch 777, who handles both reception and administrative work.

At first, she complained about being dispatched to such a remote area, but now she greets me with a beautiful smile. I wonder if something changed in her mindset.

Speaking of changes, she used to have her hair down, but after I told her that a ponytail suited her better, she's had it in a ponytail ever since. I guess she liked it?

"Heh, if you mention it, here comes the slime hunter."

"Hey, Daimon-san? Shouta-kun is our ace, you know."

"Heh, sorry, sorry."

The one who speaks with such a grumpy mouth is Daimon-san, the security guard of the 777th Guild. In the turbulent era when dungeons were overflowing, he was active on the front lines, but he retired from the front due to a serious injury and became a security guard. Since dungeons can overflow with monsters if left alone, it is a rule to station security guards at the entrance of dungeons.

However, this is an abandoned slime-only dungeon.

Even if it overflows, it is easy to handle, so only Daimon-san is stationed as a security guard. Moreover, he is not always on duty and is only seen about four times a week, showing a lack of enthusiasm.

One of the reasons he lacks enthusiasm is probably that I have been coming here for three years, and there has never been a monster break.

"Aki-san, can I exchange money right away?"

"Sure thing. How many did you hunt today?"

"About 500, I think."

I lined up the 'Tiny Magic Stones' that drop occasionally when I defeat 'Blue Slimes' on the counter. There are about 300 in total. They are usually much fewer, but the drop rate seems to have been affected by my continuous increase in 'Luck.'

"Wow... As always, you hunt an incredible number. And the number of magic stones too. Even though they are the weakest monsters, if you can hunt so many in a short time, wouldn't it be more profitable to go to another dungeon? You could do well in other dungeons too."

This invitation from Aki-san has become a regular occurrence. I think she's flattering me, but in the past, I was so focused on seeing beyond the slimes that I declined, thinking it was beyond my capabilities.

But now, it's different. I have confirmed what seems to be the end of the slimes. So, my current goal is to spin the gacha inventory and, more importantly, to increase 'Luck' as much as possible.

In that case, leveling up with just slimes is inefficient.

With my current stats, I shouldn't have much trouble with other beginner dungeons, and if I reach level 11, I can spin the gacha again and aim for higher levels.

There's still the drop test for the 'Rainbow Slime,' but if I don't develop the 'Luck' stat, it will take years again.

In that case, it might be good to try other dungeons that I haven't even glanced at before.

"...Alright. I'll try other dungeons."

"Really!? I suggested it, but I thought you'd decline. Did something change in your mindset?"

"Ah... Something like that."

"I see, I see. Aki-neesan is happy! ...Here, the appraisal is done. 322 Tiny Magic Stones at 200 yen each, minus 20% dungeon tax, that's 51,520 yen."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome!"

After receiving the money, I chatted with Aki-san, who had a satisfied smile on her face.

We exchanged contact information via the 'Dungeon Communication Network App' and, with her seeing me off, I headed home.

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