Chapter 5

The next day, the email sent by Akki contained information about a recommended dungeon.

Following the information, I arrived at the familiar Dungeon Association Branch 525.

Dungeon Number 777, which had transformed from a cave at the foot of a mountain, suddenly appeared as an entrance to the underground in the middle of a bustling street. Due to the high population density, there was a bit of panic when it first appeared, but the commotion quickly subsided. This was because the level of the monsters that appeared was low, and the dungeon had only about 10 floors, making it relatively easy to clear.

Now, it is popular among beginners as one of the dungeons where they can easily fight.

It is close to my house, but I had only entered this dungeon once before. I had come to the shop attached to this branch a few times to get my equipment ready, though.

Branch 777 doesn’t have a shop for selling items...

"Still, to be able to get a letter of introduction. I really owe Akki one."

Adventurer information is transmitted from the branch to the headquarters if the adventurer has given permission, and it can be viewed at any branch. I had made my face, name, and level public, but my level has dropped since then...

Since it’s unusual for a level to drop, I might make it private in the future. Akki would probably do it without asking too many questions.

Let’s get back to the story.

The letter of introduction is like a title given to the adventurer that the receptionist recommends. With this, adventurers can receive preferential treatment when moving to other dungeons.

"To think they would be so kind to a mere adventurer like me. I should thank them next time."

While thinking about this, I entered the branch and was immediately greeted by one of the receptionists.

"Hello, are you Shota?"

"Ah, yes. I’m from Branch 777. My name is Shota Tenchi."

Rustle.

Upon hearing the words "Branch 777," curious glances and whispers came from the people around me.

"Hey, did he say he’s from Branch 777?"

"Could it be that slime hunter?"

"I’ve seen that dull face before."

"I heard he can only kill slimes and is a failure."

"Can someone like that defeat other monsters?"

I received mocking laughter and suspicious looks from the people around me.

This is something I would encounter in most branches.

Anyone can see the information that is made public, and it includes a photo, so it’s not surprising that people recognize me. Plus, I had initially published my weak status and growth rate without thinking... When Akki told me, I made it private right away, but by then the information had already spread. Now, my weakness is a well-known fact.

Calculations based on the information show that even if my level exceeds 30, I would still be weaker than a typical level 10 human. I’m also known as a madman who enjoys hunting slimes and is pointed at behind my back.

So, this was to be expected.

"Shota-san, please come to the private room in the back."

"I appreciate it. May I ask your name?"

"I apologize for not introducing myself. I’m Maki, Akki’s sister. Please call me Maki."

Unlike her sister, Maki has short bob hair. It’s surprising that such a polite sister could come from such a sister... Maybe she’s a role model?

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

It seems Maki had heard about me multiple times from her sister Akki. After apologizing for the earlier incident, she carefully picked out some dungeon information for me. She’s as caring as Akki.

First, I received a map of floors 1 to 3. Then, information on the distribution of monsters on each floor. She also taught me the rules for when I encounter other adventurers in battle.

After that, I got to know Maki better, had a light chat, and visited the shop to buy equipment with the money I had earned from ‘Tiny Magic Stones.’

My current equipment is as follows:

‘Weapon: Iron Longsword’ 50,000 yen.

‘Armor: Iron Light Armor’ 40,000 yen.

‘Armor: Iron Gloves’ 30,000 yen.

‘Armor: Iron Greaves’ 30,000 yen.

All I did was replace the old equipment I had been using for a year with new ones.

They are all ordinary iron items, but I think they are sufficient for hunting in the entrance of a lower-level dungeon.

Just to be safe, I bought three recovery potions. Even if the enemies I face are weaker than me, it’s better to be cautious.

As I left the shop, I heard mocking voices again.

"Hey, did you see that? He’s level 30 and still wearing full iron equipment."

"Considering the slime hunter’s earnings, that’s probably all he can afford."

"Ha ha, that’s true! Slimes only drop ‘Tiny Magic Stones,’ so he probably only earns about 1,000 yen a day."

Indeed, my earnings were about 1,000 yen a day at first.

But after I realized that the ‘Luck’ I had raised for testing purposes also affected drop rates, my earnings doubled, tripled, and eventually increased by dozens of times.

Even though I send money home, I still have plenty saved. However, it’s said that equipment that doesn’t match one’s abilities can be dangerous. I don’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention, so this iron series still suits me.

Ignoring all the contemptuous voices and gazes, I entered the dungeon.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

"Sure enough, it’s crowded in here because it’s a popular dungeon."

Wherever I looked, there were people, people, people.

I had expected this from the map I received. The first floor of this dungeon is like an ant’s nest, a cave-type dungeon with a maze-like structure. The stairs to the second floor are straight ahead from the entrance, and people were flowing in that direction.

So, I decided to head for the edge of the map where there were fewer people.

After walking for a few minutes, I no longer saw or heard anyone, and I felt no presence. Then, a monster appeared in front of me.

"Ah, it’s a goblin."

‘Gigi gi!’

The goblin I hadn’t seen in three years looked the same as before: a small, green-skinned humanoid with a knife in its hand and a loincloth. Its face was ugly, showing open hostility towards humans. It was the epitome of a goblin, a template from fantasy works. I felt no fear from this goblin, which made me doubt my own senses.

"‘Appraisal’"

I decided to use the new skill I had obtained yesterday to check the information.

* * * * *

Name: Goblin

Level: 3

Equipment: Iron Knife

* * * * *

"Is that all? Maybe it’s a problem with the skill level."

I thought the goblin would be the same as a slime, but... Since it’s level 1, the information I can see is really limited.

‘Gigi!’

Just as I was casually commenting, the impatient goblin attacked.

However, its movement was too simple and straightforward, making it easy to dodge. I swung my sword in a counterattack.

Slash.

With the same light feeling as when fighting slimes, I cut off the goblin’s head.

The goblin died instantly, its body turning into a green mist and disappearing.

Left behind were a ‘Tiny Magic Stone’ and an ‘Iron Knife.’

"So weak. What was I struggling with back then..."

This should be no problem to fight.

Just then, I had an idea.

"What if I kill 100 of these here? Maybe something will appear."

So, I started hunting goblins one by one.

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