V1C10

Translated by SoundDestiny Edited by SoundDestiny

After Harumachi-sensei went home, I pondered what to do afterwards.

My original plan was to explore the third floor with Sensei.

Since Sensei had gone home abruptly and if I were to explore, it would be on my own.

My strength would be greatly reduced.

And as well as exploring, I had other options.

[Lucky Band] and [Special Sleepover Ticket].

With these two items, I can do erotic things to someone.

Even without using them, I could easily have sex with Fuyushima-san.

It was also possible to raise my Lv.

Exploration or Sex?

I was a little troubled but I easily came to a conclusion without spending too much time on it.

All I have to do now is explore….

‘Well, that’s right……’

I gear up, stand at the entrance to the dungeon and let out a big sigh.

What I feel between my legs is weariness and a slight ache.

I’ve ejaculated so much that I can’t even seem to get an erection anymore.

I couldn’t possibly use my penis any more, no matter what position I thought.

My libido is sated and exploration would be better than eroticism at the moment.

“…..okay”

I firmly grasped the [Romance Crossbow] and started to walk towards the end of the stone corridor.

As I walk, I look at the palm of my hand and see the number 17 written there.

Eight times with Fuyushima-san and once with Harumachi-sensei.

My Lv, which was 8 previously, seems to have gone up.

‘With this Lv, it’s probably okay to explore alone….but I can never be too careful.’

The lvl of monsters in the third floor is between 10 and 15, so all the enemies that appear are of a lower rank.

Based on my experience so far, I can win almost without danger if my Lvl is 3 higher than theirs.

Only this time, I should have little difficulty in combat.

I continued down the first and second floors, using the direct passageways.

Soon, I arrived at the third floor.

“…….”

A reddish-black landscape unfolds before my eyes.

The third floor is still eerily coloured.

I braced myself, pulled out my smartphone and launched the mapping app.

My last exploration ended quickly, so the map was barely filled in.

‘I went with the right-hand method last time, so this time I should try to go along the left-hand wall…..’

Deciding on this plan, I turn left at the first fork, which divides into left and right.

The road immediately turned at the end of it.

I look beyond it with alarm, and this time there is a straight passage of about 30 metres.

‘…. It’s quiet. No sign of the monster.’

Breathing slowly, I move forward.

For the time being, it seems like the troublesome enemy ……[Dungeon Runners] on the third floor are not nearby.

However, the [Angry Butterflies] and [One-Eyed Balloons] are basically silent monsters, so I can never be too careful.

They may be higher in level, but if I strike them by surprise, they’ll take some serious damage.

I continue on my way and carefully make my way down the passage.

There is a considerable sense of tension, partly because Harumachi sensei is absent for the first time.

If I make a mistake today, there is no one to help me.

…… and about fifteen minutes into the exploration.

At the first of several turns, I saw something unusual.

‘! That’s……!’

At the end of the turn, a long passageway.

In the middle of it, there is something floating in the air.

It was red, spherical in shape and about two metres in diameter.

It looked like a perfectly large balloon, but it had a huge, gaping eye in the centre, with a vicious mouth with fangs protruding just below it.

There is no doubt……it’s a [One-Eyed Balloons].

“………….”

I quickly hid in a corner and put my smartphone in my pocket.

Then, with both hands on the [Romance Crossbow], I peaked out to see what the enemy was up to.

Perhaps I was lucky not to be spotted, but there was no sign of alarm.

They are just floating in the air, staring at the wall.

I closed one eye and saw that the number floating in the air was 13.

It seems to be four levels lower than me but how advantageous will it be in battle?

‘I have some distance and I can strike first. The question is how many arrows to use….’

While aiming using the iron sights, I pondered.

I can probably get at least two shots off before the enemy gets close to me.

However, there are a total of five arrows in the [Romance Crossbow].

Whether to use two of them here is a bit of a question.

Of course I can return home once I run low on arrows, but there is a good chance that I will unexpectedly encounter a lot of enemies on the way back.

It is better to save arrows and fight close quarters as much as possible.

‘…… let’s just shoot once. I think it’s not gonna be a hard battle due to the lvl difference and it’s better not to waste arrows.’

After much deliberation, I came to that conclusion.

Lvl 13 is a middle class enemy in this third floor.

It would be a waste to use two arrows against one opponent.

I keep my finger on the trigger with my sights perfectly set.

I aim for the middle of the [One-Eyed Balloons].

The monster hasn’t noticed me, so it should be quite surprised by my sudden attack.

If possible, I’d like to take that opportunity to get close to the monster at once and aim for a follow-up attack with the knife.

Eventually, my index finger pulled the trigger.

Bash!

An arrow is shot out at high speed from the [Romance Crossbow].

It flew into the middle of the [One-Eyed Balloons] and sucked in, just as I aimed.

And the moment it landed, a bang sound rang out.

“……Ooo!”

The unexpected ending caused an unintentional cry to leak out.

The [One-Eyed Balloons] , which was supposed to be floating at the end of the passage.

It burst like a real balloon, flattened and fell to the floor and…..immediately turned into a swarm of light particles.

Apparently, the battle was over with a single blow.

‘Amazing……this [Romance Crossbow] is powerful to begin with, but the effect increased by lvl has made it even more powerful?’

A lvl 13 enemy was killed by a single blow.

The [Twin Dolls] we fought yesterday didn’t fall even after two shots at lvl 11, so considering that, their attack power seems to have increased considerably.

Of course, there is also the possibility that the arrow just happened to be the weak point of the [One-Eyed Balloons].

But even then, it wouldn’t be a one-shot.

It’s more natural to assume that my attack power has simply increased.

“…..Okay.”

I take out my smartphone again and resume my exploration.

I can never be too careful, but from the feel of the current battle, it still looks like I won’t have a hard time against the enemies on this floor.

I continued to fill in the map at a slightly faster pace than before.

On the way, I encountered the [One-Eyed Balloons] again, but this time it was lvl 12.

Naturally, I defeated it with a single blow and continued my exploration in almost no time at all.

…..and about 40 minutes after the start of the exploration.

With the map nearly half full, I finally spotted a familiar entrance at the end of the passage.

‘Nice, the small room ……!’

My heart is racing, not from nervousness but from anticipation.

There will be enemies, so of course I have to keep my mind sharp, but even so, I don’t feel like losing because of the previous battles and my attention has completely turned to the items.

I couldn’t wait to see what items I would get this time.

“Su…..Haa…..”

I realise that I have let my guard down and try to take a deep breath to calm myself down.

……Yeah, I think I may have got my heart rate down a lot.

I feel like I’ve regained some of my wariness to the monsters inside, although my expectations for the items haven’t been completely extinguished.

After taking a few deep breaths, I finally approached the entrance to the small room with my stealthy footsteps.

I cautiously peeked inside and saw that there was a…

‘…. I see, the guardian of the treasure chest is an [Angry Butterflies]’

As usual, the treasure chest is in the centre of the room.

There was a huge yellow butterfly perched on it.

If it spread its wings, it would be about the same size as a [One-Eyed Balloons].

In reality, it is unbelievably large.

It looks beautiful in its own way, but if I look closely at the pattern on its wings, it looks like the Japanese character for 『anger』.

[『怒』]

I can’t think of any other name than [Angry Butterflies] when I look at this pattern…..

It would have been easy for the writer of the diary to give it a name.

‘Lvl……13? It’s the same level as the [One-Eyed Balloons], which I defeated with a single blow just now.’

If I close one eye and look at it, the number 13 floats over the [Angry Butterflies].

It’s a number that almost makes me feel relaxed.

But I hurriedly told myself not to let my guard down and put more strength into the hand that held the [Romance Crossbow].

There is no guarantee that I will be able to defeat them with a single blow this time as well.

The monster will do everything in its power to defeat me and if I’m not careful, it will be obvious that I will be in for a world of pain.

And…

‘As I recall, the [Angry Butterflies] attack by scattering scaly phosphorus. Even if I can defeat it, it will leak it out and that would be dangerous if I inhaled it.’

I recall the characteristics of the [Angry Butterflies] described in the diary.

Although the [Angry Butterflies] do not attack directly to inflict damage, they are covered with harmful scales.

If I inhale it, I’ll lose control of my body for a certain period of time.

Moreover, it is said that the scales turn into light particles once they are defeated, but the anomaly continues even if they are defeated.

If a [Dungeon Runners] were to unluckily run into me in such a situation, I would surely take heavy damage.

Such a situation that should definitely be avoided.

‘For the time being, I should be prepared to use all the remaining arrows I have left.’

I brace myself, and quietly set up the [Romance Crossbow] so that no one can detect my presence.

The [Angry Butterflies] remain perched on the treasure chest and do not move.

It does not seem to notice me at all.

I slowly pulled the trigger.

Bash!

“ＢＵＡＡ……!?”

……a hit!

An arrow pierced the two wings of the [Angry Butterflies], and it let out what sounded like a cry.

However, because of the arrow, it was unable to move its wings and fell to the ground and began to writhe. ……A few seconds later, it stopped moving as if it had run out of power, and at once turned into particles of light.

‘…..I won, right?’

Watching the particles of light being absorbed into the dungeon, I lowered the [Romance Crossbow].

It was an easy victory.

Although I was cautious, I was able to end the battle with a single blow.

It seems that I can confidently defeat enemies up to at least lvl 13 with a single blow.

“….. Alright.”

After confirming that the light particles have completely disappeared, I enter the small room.

Yeah, there’s nothing particularly wrong with my body.

The scales seem to have disappeared.

I approached the treasure chest as it was and slowly opened its lid.

Inside…

‘…..eh’

I looked inside the treasure chest in anticipation.

There was something very unexpected inside.

This is the kind of thing that……boys wouldn’t be able to mistake for something else.

The kind of magazines that kids shouldn’t see at the end of a convenience store bookshelf.

I actually keep a few of them in my room.

Yes, I mean, this is …….

“Ero, erotic books……!”

I rub my eyes and look again but the contents of the treasure chest remain the same.

There are just the usual instructions and the… erotic book with an obviously quesntionable cover.

‘This erotic book is the item……?’

The effects of the previous items were not clear from a quick glance, but this time they are even more unpredictable.

It looks like a very ordinary erotic book, and to be frank, it wouldn’t look out of place even if it were sold in a convenience store.

Well, the illustration on the cover is right in the middle of my strike zone, so I would normally like to read it.

I picked up the manual, bewildered.

If I read this,I’ll know what this item is.

The…..manual says.

『The [Supreme Erotic Book], the ultimate erotic book that projects the reader’s desires. As the content directly expresses the reader’s proclivities and desires, it is guaranteed to satisfy their desires if read. By writing a name in the name box on the back cover, the reader can be made aware that he or she is the owner of the book. Number of times it can be used: ∞ times.』

“…..I see”

After reading the manual, it finally makes sense.

I thought the cover was very much to my liking but apparently that was only natural considering the item’s effect.

It’s a projection of my desires, so it’s only natural that it’s to my liking.

However, the effect of this item is quite tricky.

Simply put, this item can only be used as a masturbation toy.

There appears to be no effect of raising Lv.

The ability to show that you are the owner by writing your name may seem like a strange feature.

However, my mind was able to successfully conjure up an effective use for this [Supreme Erotic Book].

……No, this item was probably designed to be used in that way in the first place.

The fact that I can write my name on it shows that the creators had a clear aim in mind.

“……”

I put the [Supreme Erotic Book] in rucksack and stands up.

I got some good stuff, but the exploration is not over yet.

Of course, I will retreat since I’ve an item and there are only two arrows left in the [Romance Crossbow].

But at this rate, I have to dive into the dungeon again.

Perhaps it might even be possible to complete the items on the third floor.

I left the small room as it was and went back the way I came, looking at the map.

“Okay….. resuming the exploration”

After returning home and recharging my arrows, I returned back to the third floor.

Standing at the entrance, I regained my confidence with the [Romance Crossbow] in my hand.

The [Supreme Erotic Book] that I obtained earlier was left at home and there is no risk to explore from this point on.

However, I don’t want to take any damage, so let’s concentrate on the safety during the exploration.

‘For now, given the shape of the map, it’s better to turn right at first…….’

My smartphone screen shows a half-filled map.

After all, the third layer also seems to be a 400 metres square, and what has been revealed so far is mainly its left side.

The right side is largely unexplored.

I take the first branch to the right and continue walking along the wall on the right.

Eventually, I see the entrance to the small room I discovered yesterday.

“………..”

I pass through with caution.

There is a possibility that the guardian has been defeated and a different monster has accidentally entered the small room and that it will attack me.

…… However, it seems that this fear was unnecessary.

There was only an empty treasure chest in the small room.

‘There have never been two enemies in a small room before…..and maybe monsters other than the guardian are not allowed to enter….’

I proceed down the passage, pondering in my head.

However, I can’t say I have a lot of experience in the small rooms and there is no way I can come to a clear conclusion.

I decided to stop thinking and concentrate on the exporation.

But then…

‘…………..!!’

I notice a small sound of something repeating rhythmically.

Gradually, but …… clearly, the sound is getting closer to me.

It is coming from ahead.

There is a turn about ten metres ahead, but it seems to be coming from beyond.

‘A [Dungeon Runners] or ……!’

I immediately realise what the sound is and set up my [Romance Crossbow] in front of me.

Perhaps this is the sound of footsteps running down the passage.

I can’t think of anything else, and I’m probably right.

The [Dungeon Runners] is a kangaroo-shaped monster, so its footsteps seem to have a characteristic rhythm, thump, thump, thump.

The sound continued to get closer ….. and eventually a brown thing came flying out of a corner with great force.

“ＧＵＢＵＵ！”

“!!!”

A brown thing was running too fast and crashed into a wall and squealed.

It’s definitely a [Dungeon Runners].

I calm down and set my sights on the enemy, who is staggering and slowing down, but still coming towards me.

There’s no need to rush to shoot.

With my current attack power, if I hit it, I should be able to take it down with a single blow, or at least stop it from moving.

The worst thing that can happen is that I miss and while I’m reloading, the monster will get too close.

“ＧＵＵＵＵＵ!!”

“…………..”

The [Dungeon Runners] rushes towards me with a ferocious cry, perhaps as a threat.

But I am not afraid and slowly pull the trigger.

Bash!

The arrow is fired at high speed and flies in a straight line to the Dungeon Runner with a precise aim.

And then…

“ＧＵＢＵＵ……!?”

Hit.

The arrow pierces its chest and the [Dungeon Runners] falls backwards, blown away by the impact.

I pull the lever of the [Romance Crossbow] and load the next arrow, muttering to myself, [Okay].

If it stands back up, I’ll immediately hit it with another one.

I will never allow it to get close.

….. However, it seems that such preparation was not necessary.

The [Dungeon Runners] flapped its legs and writhed in agony, then stopped moving limply and turned into a particle of light.

“…… Okay”

Finally, I lowered the [Romance Crossbow] and nodded to himself.

Victory.

The [Dungeon Runners] coming at me at breakneck speed was terrifying, but it was good that I was able to fight it successfully without letting it disrupt my pace.

I’d say it was a battle with a hundred points.

I wipe away the sweat that is now starting to seep out of me and pick up my smartphone again.

The exploration continues.

“……………”

As it is, ten, twenty, thirty minutes…….

Luckily, the exploration went on without encountering any enemies and the map filled up steadily.

And before I could discover the last small room, I reached the middle of the floor.

‘Hmm …..I knew the entrance to the next level was here ….’

What appeared in front of me was a long, continuous descending staircase.

It is the entrance to the fourth floor.

As usual, the wind is blowing towards the back, as if inviting me.

“…………”

Naturally, I turn my backs to the staircase and resume my exploration on the third floor.

There should be one more item in the third floor and it would be a bit reckless to challenge the fourth floor alone, where the enemy levels are higher.

It would be better to concentrate on exploring the third floor today.

I went back the way I came and took the last branch in a different direction.

If I take this passage, I should be able to fill in the blanks on the map.

‘…. And how far does this dungeon go? The diary only had data up to the fifth floor, but……’

While proceeding through the corridors, for the first time in a long time, I have doubts about the dungeon itself.

The third floor is almost finished and probably tomorrow I will move on to the fourth floor.

At this rate, I should be able to reach the fifth floor soon.

But what happens after that?

Does it end at the fifth layer, or does it continue on to the sixth and seventh floors?

If so, how far will it go?

There are so many things I don’t know.

‘Well, it’s probably useless to think about it, but the number of…..floors directly affects the number of items. …..If I end up on the fifth floor, I might not be able to waste too many items’.

The number of items is three per floor.

This means that if the dungeon ends at the fifth level, there are only seven items left.

If I consume them carelessly, I may regret it later.

Well, items with a usable count of ∞ times will stay with me forever……

‘But, the number of usable times is inversely related to the effectiveness of the item…..’

I looked back at the items I’ve acquired so far.

The four items with an infinite number of times are the [Fate Intertwined Umbrella], the [Lucky Band], the [Romance Crossbow] and the [Supreme Erotic Book].

What they all have in common is that they do not directly lead to increased lvl.

They are all effective in getting a girl into the mood, but they do not directly induce sex.

None of them can be used to instantly increase Lv.

On the contrary, the [Night-Calling Candle] and [Craving Extract], which definitely increase Lvl, can only be used a small number of times.

Perhaps the number of times they could be used was reduced because they were more powerful.

If I could use them as many times as possible, the exploration would have been a piece of cake.

“……….!”

But just as I was thinking about it, my footsteps jerked to a halt.

Around the corner, a slightly longer passageway.

At the end of it, I saw a familiar entrance.

‘Small room…..With this, at last, the third floor has been conquered?’

I got into the right frame of mind and approached the entrance, killing any sign of life.

I took a sneaky peek inside and…..found a treasure chest and a monster guarding it.

The red, round appearance is the [One-Eyed Balloons].

Its level is…..15.

The highest level of the third floor, a fitting end.

“…………”

I took a deep breath, I set the sights of my [Romance Crossbow] on the centre of the [One-Eyed Balloons], which turned its back to me.

I have four arrows left, so I have plenty of time to spare.

It’s a top-level enemy and I don’t mind firing two shots.

I quickly prepare to reload and calm my breathing.

Then, after taking enough time to steady my aim, I slowly pull the trigger.

Bash!

“ＫＥＫＥＥ!?”

The now-familiar sound of firing.

The arrow flies on target and pierces the middle of the enemy.

However, the [One-Eyed Balloons] does not burst.

As expected, since it has a high Lv level. The monster seems to be durable.

“ＫＥＥＥＥＥ!!”

The [One-Eyed Balloons] turns towards me, drifts through the air and approaches.

It is surprisingly fast.

It seems to be trying to take a bite out of me when I see its fanged mouth viciously open.

However, I calmly pull the lever of the [Romance Crossbow] and load the next round.

Then, I fired a second arrow into the mouth of the [One-Eyed Balloons] that was right in front of me.

Pan!

A loud popping sound.

I closed my eyes but when I opened them….the monster was no longer there.

I looked at the floor and saw that the flattened red thing had turned into particles of light.

……It looks like I’ve won.

“Fuu…….”

Exhaling a tired sigh, I lowered the [Romance Crossbow].

The [One-Eyed Balloons] that loomed right in front of me was quite powerful.

If I wasn’t used to fighting, I would have escaped in panic and ended up taking damage.

In that sense, it was a close contest.

Nevertheless, a victory is a victory.

I went into the small room and opened the lid of the treasure chest to check the loot.

Inside…

“……an hourglass?”

Inside the treasure chest was the usual instruction manual and a small hourglass.

I immediately picked up the manual and read the contents.

『The [Hourglass of Stagnation], an hourglass that can stop the thoughts of any target. The effect is triggered by looking at the target and placing it while strongly reminding it to [stop]. Duration: 30 minutes. Usable number of times: once.』

Read only at Travis Translations