Chapter 3

The next day... I arrived at the entrance of the dungeon, which was about two stations away from my house.

Last night, I did some research... It seems that you can't just freely enter the dungeon from the start. The first time, you enter the dungeon with a person called a "guide" who explains the dungeon and watches over you as you defeat weak monsters. Then, based on your performance, the guide issues a permit stating how many floors you are allowed to explore.

So, I first went to the reception and completed the procedures to receive the guide's lecture.

◇

After completing the procedures... I was led to a different room. There were a few other people who seemed to be entering the dungeon for the first time today.

After waiting for about ten minutes... a well-built man entered the room. He stood in front of us and began to speak.

"I'm Kudo, your guide for today. Nice to meet you all."

The well-built man, who introduced himself as Kudo, was the guide. Kudo continued.

"...The names and numbers on the list are correct. I'll give you the detailed explanations once we're inside the dungeon... For now, everyone, let's go!"

When he said that, everyone else got up and started moving out of the room, so I decided to follow them. But just before I passed through the door, Kudo tapped me on the shoulder and said with concern,

"...You don't look so good. Are you okay? If you're not feeling well, we can reschedule for another day."

"Ah... I'm fine. I look like this normally."

In response, I tried to answer in a way that wouldn't worry him too much.

Indeed, I was quite tired, as Kudo had said... but there was a reason for it. Before entering the dungeon, I had practiced the method to activate a mana ball in the park since I wanted to be prepared for combat. However, my remaining MP dropped to 1. It seems that when your MP decreases, you feel a fatigue similar to after a marathon. My pale face was definitely due to that.

My skill, "Dungeon Inner Magic Essence Arbitrage," is only effective inside the dungeon. At this point, my MP has only recovered to the level of a normal person's natural recovery. However, once I enter the dungeon, I should regain my energy.

With that in mind, I answered in a way that made it seem like my current state was normal to avoid unnecessary worry.

"...If that's the case, then it's fine."

Kudo seemed to understand and said that.

"Still... to be honest, you don't seem to have much stamina. If you feel like you can't handle it, don't hesitate to say so, okay?"

Kudo continued.

...Yeah, I get what you're saying. I'm sure anyone would be worried if a scrawny guy like me showed up. Honestly, I never even considered this kind of work before I got my skill.

It all comes down to whether the mana ball works properly. With that in mind, I followed Kudo into the dungeon.

◇

As soon as I entered the dungeon... I felt a surge of energy throughout my body.

"Status Open"

I whispered to myself. Then...

─────────────────────────────────

Koyama Koichi

Lv.1

HP 10/10

MP ∞/10

EXP 0/200

●Skills

＜Active＞

- Mana Ball

＜Passive＞

- Dungeon Inner Magic Essence Arbitrage

─────────────────────────────────

Indeed, my MP had fully recovered and was displayed as "∞/maximum."

So far, everything was going according to plan. As I was thinking this, Kudo grabbed a nearby monster and began his explanation.

"This is a typical monster found on the first floor... the Mouse—Mouse. I'll use this to explain the necessary points briefly."

Kudo changed his grip to make the monster more visible to us.

...Who named this monster "Mouse—Mouse"? It sounds like a copyright issue waiting to happen.

...No, no, I shouldn't be thinking about such things. I need to focus on the explanation.

With a renewed focus, I listened as Kudo continued.

"First of all... the monsters in the dungeon are incredibly strong. Even a Mouse—Mouse, once it reaches level 10, can be grabbed like this... but at your current level, you'd end up bloodied and bruised trying to subdue it. ...Never let your guard down, got it?"

"「...Yes!」"

When Kudo paused, we all responded in unison.

To think that such a small mouse could leave us bloodied. This is the dungeon, all right.

I resolved to listen more attentively.

Kudo then stepped on the Mouse—Mouse's tail and let it go. He took out something that looked like a razor from his pocket and continued his explanation.

"However... for monsters on the first three floors, regular firearms are effective. For example... this stun gun. ...Here."

Saying that, Kudo pressed the stun gun, which he had mistaken for a razor, against the Mouse—Mouse. After about three seconds, smoke started to rise from the Mouse—Mouse, and it collapsed.

Then, after two seconds, the Mouse—Mouse turned into a glowing stone. Kudo picked up the stone and continued.

"...That's how it works. At first, you'll use weapons to defeat monsters. Then, you'll get items like this—this time it was a magic stone. It's a bit dull, but when you're a beginner, it's important to earn these items and experience points."

...The stone is called a magic stone. I hadn't researched that far, so this was new to me.

As I was thinking this, Kudo concluded his explanation.

"As you defeat monsters, you'll level up and might even get skill scrolls that allow you to learn magic. Once you can use magic or fight bare-handed, you'll be able to defeat monsters on the fourth floor and beyond, where firearms are ineffective. ...When you reach that point, you'll be considered a full-fledged adventurer. Aim to become one."

"「Yes!」"

We all responded to Kudo's words. Then, we started searching for the next monster.

"The Mouse—Mouse is quick when in combat mode... but usually moves at a turtle's pace. The key is to catch it off guard and kill it instantly. ...If it gets dangerous, I'll step in, so try to defeat the Mouse—Mouse on your own, one by one."

So, it was our turn to actually hunt the Mouse—Mouse. After walking a bit and finding another Mouse—Mouse, one of today's participants stepped forward and started the hunt.

◇

Finally, it was my turn. In front of us was a Mouse—Mouse, moving at a turtle's pace, just as Kudo had described.

"Last one... Koyama, right? Do you have a weapon ready?"

"...Sorry. I've been practicing the mana ball. Can I try to defeat it with that?"

In response to Kudo's question, I answered. Kudo frowned and said,

"Mana ball...? It's true that anyone can use it... but that magic has a very low damage efficiency. As a beginner, you'd probably only be able to land an effective hit by pouring all your magic power into it... It might be better to give up on that."

It seemed Kudo was worried that I would run out of magic power and collapse.

Indeed, I was quite exhausted with just 1 MP left... and if I used all my magic power to defeat the Mouse—Mouse, I might collapse. So, it was understandable that he was worried.

But... that wasn't a concern for me now. In fact, it was fortunate to know that a mana ball with about 10 MP could defeat it.

"Is this enough?"

As I said that, I floated a mana ball with 10 MP in my palm. Seeing this, Kudo's expression changed.

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