Chapter 8

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008＿First Dungeon

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On the fourth day after my reincarnation, I became an explorer. At the Explorer's Guild, I registered my name and had my Record Card checked.

I never thought they could take out a Record Card from a living person, so when they asked to check it, I simply said yes.

I had been told beforehand that a Villager Level 1 was abnormal, so I decided to be a Traveler. As a Traveler, Level 1 is not a problem.

I intended to change my job to Villager when entering the dungeon, but outside the dungeon, I would remain a Traveler.

When the staff chanted, "Reveal his deeds under the light of day," the Record Card emerged from my chest. The staff checked the Record Card and returned it to me.

The returned Record Card contained my name, gender, age, job, skills, and criminal record. Of course, there was no criminal record.

Only now did I realize that my name had become Toui. Since my status also showed Toui, I felt that I was truly living in this world as Toui.

The only skill listed was "Agile Legs," which is a Traveler's skill. I wondered why my Unique Skill was not listed.

Annelise had said that skills possessed from birth are Unique Skills. Since they are innate, they are more powerful than regular skills. Because they are not regular skills, they become Unique Skills and are not listed. I decided to think of it that way.

But I don't have any combat skills. It's convenient, but a bit disappointing.

By the way, I still had the Record Card of a thief. Gorteo had told me that I could get money for it at the town hall, but I had completely forgotten about it.

"Does a dead person's Record Card remain forever?"

I asked Annelise.

"A dead person's Record Card disappears naturally after one year."

I don't need to cash it in immediately, but if I forget, I might not be able to. Since it's already late today, I can't enter the dungeon. I decided to go to the town hall, cash in the Record Card, and return to the inn.

"What is this?"

I showed her my Record Card.

"In the case of a living person, it disappears immediately, so even if it's stolen, there's no problem."

It seems to disappear naturally and can be brought out again. It's quite convenient.

I didn't forget to buy the dungeon booklet. It contains information about the monsters from the first to the fifth floor and a simple map.

At first, I thought the map was something else, but upon closer inspection, it showed the route to the boss room. I'm not sure if this can be called a map.

I entered the guild's cafeteria. I thought about ordering a drink because I was thirsty, but the only options on the menu were ale, wine, and water.

I ordered water, and Annelise ordered wine. It's surreal that the master drinks water while the slave drinks wine...

"I was surprised that they charged for water, but it's even more annoying that it's warm."

"Nobody drinks water in the guild's bar. If you want cold water, we can fetch it from the well."

"...No, that's okay."

I don't want to make the old lady work.

And about this place being a bar. After all, tough men are eating meat with bones, and they're drinking alcohol. It feels more like a cafeteria.

While drinking warm water in the bar, my Record Card disappeared naturally after about ten minutes. It's a strange phenomenon that makes me think this is really another world.

At the town hall, where Annelise guided me, my Record Card was also checked. There was no criminal record, so there was no problem.

While waiting at the town hall, I read the dungeon booklet. It's still strange, but I can read the language of this world.

Thanks to the booklet, I had a good time passing the time while waiting to receive the money.

I received 70,000 grils. Well, it's about 700,000 yen, which might be a decent amount, but it feels a bit low for the lives of five people.

It wasn't 10,000 grils per person, but 5,000 grils for the grunts and 50,000 grils for the thief's leader.

On the morning of the fifth day after my reincarnation, we headed to the dungeon.

Last night, I let Annelise use the bed. I can't tell an old lady to sleep on the floor. I thought about getting a larger room, but sleeping on the floor isn't that uncomfortable, so this is fine.

The problem is that the season is transitioning from late autumn to winter. If it gets cold to sleep on the floor, I'll reconsider.

The dungeon is slightly outside the town, in a small forest. A black vortex suddenly appears in the forest, like a hole in the space.

Around this area, stalls are set up among the trees, and many armed people, who seem to be explorers, are present.

Among these explorers, there are many with the job of Villager. There are quite a few of them. They are likely trying to meet the conditions to change their job to Swordman or other jobs by entering the dungeon as Villagers.

I had been checking the levels of Villagers since yesterday, and some were around Level 15. This is not only among explorers but also in the town.

It seems that you can gain experience and level up by doing anything.

The Villager explorers are equipped with swords or spears. There are no bows, only swords or spears.

Of course, there are no mages. It's natural since they are Villagers.

"Why don't they have bows?"

Even if they can't use magic, they should be able to attack from a distance with bows.

"Bows require arrows, which are consumables and more expensive than swords or spears, so nobody wants to use them."

It's a matter of money.

"Do they not buy arrows as a party?"

"Usually, they don't."

If each person has to buy arrows, it adds to the cost. If the reward distribution is higher, it would be fine, but that's not the case.

"If they luckily get a magic book, who uses it in the party?"

"The leader or the one who defeated the most monsters, or they sell it for money."

"I understand the leader, but if the one who defeated the most monsters uses it, wouldn't it decrease their combat power? After all, the more monsters they defeat, the closer they are to becoming a Swordman or Spearman. It would be more effective if they became a Swordman or Spearman."

"That's not the way people think. Mages are powerful, so everyone wants to become one. Therefore, the person with the highest contribution gets to be a mage."

"Hmm, that's inefficient."

"......"

I think it's inefficient, but since it's a matter of life and death, it might be the way it is.

While listening to the conversation, I bought grilled pond squid at a stall. I also bought some for Annelise, but I'm worried she might choke because it's tough. Can she even bite through it?

"I think the tentacles of the pond squid are more delicious."

This is a hint to buy the tentacles.

The old man smiled wryly but looked at me intently because it's good for business.

"......I'll take two tentacles."

"Aye!"

The old man replied with a bright smile.

Annelise's teeth seem to be in good condition, as she quickly finished the grilled pond squid and the tentacles.

I haven't even finished the grilled squid yet. Annelise's eyes are fixed on the tentacles I'm holding.

"You can have some."

"Thank you."

Where does Annelise's appetite come from? Her movements are more relaxed than mine, so she shouldn't be using that much energy.

She ate both her and half of my breakfast, which is truly mysterious.

Following a party of five Villagers, Annelise and I entered the dungeon.

We followed because everyone else was going in, but if no one was around, I wouldn't think of entering such a creepy hole.

I entered the dungeon without feeling anything, and in an instant, I was inside. The floor, walls, and ceiling were all made of stone. There were no fluorescent lights or torches, but there was a dim light.

"The inside of the dungeon is artificial."

"One theory is that the Demon King created the dungeon and the monsters."

"The Demon King......"

It's a cliché in other-world stories, but there is a Demon King in this world. Or rather, it's just said that there is one.

While walking, I asked Annelise about the Demon King.

Apparently, no one knows the true identity of the Demon King. No one has ever met him.

"If no one has ever met the Demon King, how can you say he exists?"

"It has been said for a long time."

It feels like the existence of the Demon King is created through a pile of superstitions and misunderstandings.

He might really exist, but I'll vote for him not existing. I hope there are no Demon King events. I pray this doesn't become a flag...

Well, this isn't idle talk, but let's start moving. No, let's start with our feet.

Thank you for reading.

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