Chapter 6

"But... didn't Kudo-san let me fight because you thought I could defeat the Lesser Rock Golem?"

I asked, curious.

Then... I got this answer from Kudo-san.

"No way. I just wanted to see how much your power would hold up against a Lesser Rock Golem. If I judged that you could reach the level to defeat it after 1-2 weeks of leveling up, I intended to grant permission to clear up to the fourth floor in advance. It's like... an exemption from the preliminary test."

As he said this, Kudo-san, who had regained some composure, picked up the magic stone and continued.

"I never thought you could defeat it from the start. In the past, there was an example of a young oil tycoon who bought deep dungeon items and defeated a Lesser Rock Golem at the beginner stage... but without any items, you're the first. Seriously, what an incredible rookie."

"Is that so..."

I can't really feel it when compared to the oil tycoon's son...

Honestly, that's all I could think.

Then, on the way back from the dungeon.

"By the way... Furuya, is that the maximum power per shot?"

Suddenly, I was asked by Kudo-san.

"No... it was until just now, but I leveled up during the battle, and my Mana Ball seems to have evolved to V2."

"Is that so, leveling up... right. ...Wait, you said Mana Ball V2! How many people have had a Mana Ball V2... and isn't that too early..."

When I answered, Kudo-san said this with a slightly exasperated tone, looking up at the sky.

I wonder if declaring this will affect the permission floor evaluation?

Well, I'll find out soon enough.

◇

When we came out of the dungeon and waited in the usual waiting room... Kudo-san came in with cards for everyone.

Is that the permission card?

As I thought this, names were called one by one, and people started receiving their cards.

"Next, Furuya."

After everyone else had received their cards... it was my turn.

"I'm issuing you a permission card to clear up to the seventh floor."

And I was told this as I received the card.

"W-What... the seventh floor!?"

I was so surprised by the unexpected number that I ended up asking for confirmation.

If it takes 40 shots of gum to defeat a monster on the fourth floor, how can I be allowed to go up to the seventh floor?

Just because I declared my level-up and Mana Ball V2, does it really go that far?

"Yeah. There's an enemy on the eighth floor that's immune to non-elemental magic, so I limited it to the seventh floor. Well, you'll get an elemental magic skill scroll soon, so let me know when you do. I'll raise your permission floor."

As I was thinking this, Kudo-san explained.

So, in other words... if non-elemental attacks worked on the eighth floor monster, he was planning to allow me to go deeper.

And the condition for raising the floor is just getting a skill scroll, which is pretty lenient.

"I have high hopes for you, so please don't take unnecessary risks, okay?"

While I was staring at the card, thinking about various things, Kudo-san continued.

...Yeah. I don't plan on taking unnecessary risks.

I came here to make money, not to lose my life, which would be counterproductive.

For now... since it's noon, I'll go for a Lesser Rock Golem hunt on the fourth floor after lunch.

That's the plan I made for today.