Chapter 22

Second update of the day.

In the mid-afternoon of the capital city.

I was looking for a rental property in the capital and found an empty storefront.

It wasn't suitable for living, but I thought it would be enough to create an entrance to the dungeon.

I also asked the nearby shops what kind of stores they used to be.

It seemed that stores changed and closed down every few months, and I learned that it was a cursed place.

The shopkeepers either died or fled in the night, and none of them had good experiences.

I immediately went to meet the landlord, who was managing the store.

The landlord was a plump middle-aged woman.

"Huh? No way. I'm renting it out as a store, so just living there is out of the question. It would be a legal violation."

"Is that so... Can I sell anything I want?"

"Sure. In the past, there have been a bento shop, a jewelry store, a potion shop, a juice stand, a tailor for clothes and armor... but they all went out of business pretty quickly."

Lilicia tilted her head.

"The location isn't that bad, so why is that?"

"I don't know. I'm having a hard time finding tenants. There are even rumors that the place is cursed, which is really bothering me."

"Hmm..."

I put my hand on my chin and thought.

-- I'm not trying to make a profit from business.

I just need a place to connect the entrance to the dungeon.

If so, why not pretend to run a store?

I could just stock the store with things that ordinary people don't want.

"How much is the monthly rent?"

"Since there are no takers, it's 70,000 goats. It's cheap, right? I'll take three months' rent upfront."

"That's about the same as a regular room for a month..."

Lilicia added.

It's a smaller space than a regular room, but since it's a ground-floor store, this price is reasonable.

Since I need to create an entrance to the dungeon, which must be on the ground floor or underground, the decision was already made.

I nodded.

"Then, lend me that store. The rent and all the contract procedures. I'll leave it to you since it's a hassle."

I took out three large gold coins.

The landlord shrugged and took the money.

"Sure, but what are you planning to sell? I'm not suspicious, but it's necessary for the application forms."

"Adventurer-related items... that kind of thing."

I bluffed, but even I thought it was vague and not a proper answer.

I glanced at Lilicia for help.

Lilicia nodded, shook her silver hair, and began to explain confidently.

"Basically, we are adventurers, so we want to sell items that we have left over from our adventures. We also want to sell items that the guild buys at a low price but that people sometimes want, like leaves and mushrooms from collection quests, or parts from slaying monsters."

"It's a kind of answer, but I don't really understand. Why sell things you can pick up for free in the forest?"

The landlord looked at me suspiciously.

Even Lilicia, who is usually quick-witted, was at a loss for words.

However, thanks to Lilicia buying me time, I had a flash of inspiration.

I smiled confidently and spoke with assurance.

"That's because... there are deadlines for quests. If you exceed the time limit, you might have to pay a large compensation or penalty. So, when you're just one item short of completing a quest and time is running out, we plan to sell it for five times the guild's buyback price."

After finishing, I smiled slyly.

Next to me, Lilicia also smiled sweetly, like an angel.

We both had such confident smiles that it was hard to believe we had just made it up on the spot.

-- We might have a talent for fraud.

The landlord pressed her hand to her chin and grunted.

"Interesting! You guys are really thinking it through. Since you're planning to open a store, it might work out well, especially since the adventurer guild is nearby."

"Yeah, I think it will work."

"Yes! I hope it does."

"So, when do you plan to start? It's necessary for the paperwork."

"Let's see..."

Lilicia glanced at me.

I said casually.

"I still need to gather materials, so I'll open in a week."

"Hmm. Got it. I'll take care of the registration and legal stuff."

"Thanks."

"Here's the key. Don't tamper with the exterior. You can change the interior if you want."

"Got it."

I took the key and thanked the landlord before leaving.

As we walked down the cobblestone back alley, Lilicia looked up at me in admiration.

"Amazing, Master! I didn't know you had such a business plan."

"No, it was mostly a bluff."

Lilicia looked worried.

"Will it be okay?"

"As long as it can serve as an entrance, it'll be fine. Lilicia, you did a good job buying me time. I'll need your support from now on."

"Yes, Master! -- But, will it be okay... I'm worried."

Lilicia's smile turned to a frown, and her eyebrows drooped in concern.

"What's wrong?"

"...I'm worried about the 'cursed place.' I have a bad feeling about it."

"Hmm."

Normally, I would laugh it off, but since the angel Lilicia sensed something ominous, it's worth paying attention to.

I took Lilicia's hand and nodded.

"Got it. Let's go check it out now."

"Yes!"

Lilicia and I walked hand in hand to the store.

◇ ◇ ◇

Lilicia and I arrived at the store in the southeast district of the capital.

It's on a side street behind the adventurer guild.

We entered the store with the key the landlord gave us.

The store was small.

Since the previous store was a bento shop, there was a counter a few steps inside and a kitchen in the back.

After entering, Lilicia frowned deeply and examined the floor, walls, and ceiling.

"How is it, Lilicia?"

"...There's something."

"Hmm."

I didn't feel anything.

Lilicia turned to the entrance.

People could be seen walking on the street outside.

"I want to investigate as an angel, but..."

"It's dangerous. Why don't we also buy some materials to cover the windows and change the interior to your liking?"

"Yes! I'll do my best!"

Lilicia clenched her small fists and got motivated.

We walked around the city, visiting lumber yards, fabric shops, and glass shops. (90,000 goats)

Following Lilicia's instructions, we changed the interior.

The walls were painted cream, the counter became a glass case, and curtains were hung over the windows facing the street.

Now, it couldn't be seen from outside.

Lilicia, with a serious expression, pressed her large chest with both hands.

"Let's go."

Her white wings spread out.

"--- Dark Magic Detection"

A white wave emanated from Lilicia and slowly spread out.

Unlike before, it was moving slowly.

After a while, she stopped, holding her hands in front of her, her wings curled around her body.

---

She tilted her head, her silver hair swaying.

"There's nothing... Why is that?"

"Maybe any low-level monsters would have died when I entered the store?"

"Hmm... That's possible. Can we try another method?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Lilicia took a book from her backpack and started reading.

It was a book about angelic magic.

"Let's see, advanced Dark Magic Detection..."

Lilicia took out her flail and extended her hand, letting the weighted chain hang vertically.

"Dark Magic Detection"

The flail glowed gold.

She slowly walked around the store, keeping the chain hanging.

When she reached the kitchen floor, the chain began to spin in a circle.

She stopped and looked at me.

"...Master, there seems to be something under here."

"Hmm. Let's check it out."

We went to the kitchen and examined the floor.

Tapping it with my fingers, I heard a hollow sound.

"The space below is hollow."

"Should we go down?"

"Let's do it."

After searching, a part of the floorboard lifted up.

Peering inside, I saw a bright, glowing hole leading down.

"Is this a dungeon!?"

"It's definitely a dungeon!"

Then, the sub-unit I received from the dungeon core started to vibrate.

Looking at the screen, I saw a mouth symbol.

I spoke to the screen.

"What's wrong?"

*There's danger! Danger warning!*

"What kind of danger?"

*It's a rival entrance.*

"Huh? A rival?"

*Yes. The dungeon in the east of the capital has extended a passage here!*

"The east of the capital! It must be huge to reach under the capital!?"

*No, it's even bigger.*

"Huh?"

*The mountain range from the east to the south of the capital, all of it has been turned into a dungeon. Even the great canyon beyond the mountains.*

"Wow! It's that big!?"

*Even I was defeated by it. It has four cores.*

"I see..."

*Master, please protect me.*

"Of course. You're already an important companion."

*Thank you, Master!*

I ended the call.

-- If the dungeon core is destroyed, my plan for a residence will be ruined.

To secure my living environment, I need to defeat the dungeon in the east of the capital.

I looked at Lilicia.

"What do we do? Should we inform the guild?"

"I think we should. A dungeon that vast is beyond our capabilities."

"Got it. Let's go."

We closed the store and headed to the adventurer guild.

Total funds: 42 large gold coins, 22 gold coins, 11 large silver coins, 58 silver coins.

4,436,800 goats.

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The next update is tomorrow

→ 23. Discovery and Reporting of the Dungeon and Its Mechanisms