Chapter 21

Shion Dungeon.

It is the E-rank dungeon that beginners first challenge after becoming adventurers.

The reward for clearing it is just one level up, and the resources from the labyrinth are quite meager.

Still, the reason there is always a steady number of people is because of the variety of monsters that appear.

You can gain experience fighting various types of monsters, such as humanoid, beast, and bird types.

Moreover, the monsters themselves are only slightly stronger than ordinary people.

In fact, an adult male with a metal bat could easily defeat them.

It’s perfect for beginners.

Because of this, I thought it would be easy to clear and chose it as my second target for exploration.

As expected, the challenge itself was easy, and I was progressing smoothly.

However—

“Is it impossible again!?”

—If it didn’t show any signs of ending even after over 100 attempts, the story would be different.

I began to recall the days from when I started tackling the Shion Dungeon to today.

DAY 1

I arrived at the Shion Dungeon, which is a 10-minute walk from my house, and was first surprised by the number of people there.

“Wow, there are quite a few people. Well, it’s spring break, so I guess a lot of people who just graduated from high school are coming here.”

While there are exceptions, generally, one must be 18 or older to obtain an adventurer’s license.

Therefore, many people become adventurers right after graduating from high school.

It’s kind of like a driver’s license.

It costs money to get one, so I don’t have it.

May fortune smile upon the young.

I wished this in my heart (even though I’m only a year older) and began my challenge.

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: ………………

Since it was the first day, I still had some leeway, but I decided to stop after 25 clears.

Although I hadn’t yet figured out how many clears it would take, I had originally thought it would take at least 50, so it wasn’t a problem.

Let’s take it cool and easy.

So, I leveled up 25 times.

DAY 2

When I returned to the Shion Dungeon, I was thinking about the problem I had noticed the previous day.

The problem was that there were several times more adventurers in the Shion Dungeon compared to the Yume Dungeon, which increased the risk of encountering someone after using the dungeon teleport.

Although I wasn’t noticed, there were more than five instances yesterday where adventurers were found in the vicinity of my teleport destination.

I need to be more careful today.

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: ………………

On the second day, I completed 30 clears.

Although I was a bit discouraged when nothing happened even after exceeding 50 clears, it was still within my expectations.

This is a lower-ranked dungeon than the D-rank Yume Dungeon, so I was prepared for at least 100 clears from the beginning.

So, I leveled up 30 times.

DAY 3

From this day on, things started to look a bit grim.

The mental fatigue from trying to avoid other adventurers and the sense of futility from only gaining one level per clear, no matter how hard I tried.

Still, I wasn’t at my limit yet, and I managed to put in a good effort.

Heave ho, heave ho.

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: ………………

I exceeded 40 clears.

Combining this with the number of clears from before, I must have already done 100.

However, I still hadn’t completed the dungeon.

Even though I had leveled up 40 times, I didn’t feel much joy.

DAY 4

By the time I arrived at the Shion Dungeon, my motivation was already gone.

I repeated the same routine, clearing the dungeon and defeating the dungeon boss over and over.

Ah, I see. This must be what it means to lose one’s heart…

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: Level Up”

“Dungeon Clear Reward: ………………

“Is it impossible again!?”

Midway through, I finally reached my limit and shouted.

Yeah, I need a break! Hana said it’s important to rest sometimes!

I leaned against a large tree a little away from the Shion Dungeon’s gate and sat down.

Ah, how refreshing the breeze in the shade of the tree is.

I continued to gaze blankly at the adventurers near the gate.

There was no particular meaning to this action.

However, I suddenly noticed that a few adventurers had gathered and were whispering while looking at me.

Oh no, did they think I was suspicious? Even if not, they might have seen me use the dungeon teleport.

As I was getting nervous, they approached me.

An unexpected encounter. No, I’m not the bad guy! The world is the bad guy! I wanted to say this even before they said anything.

While I was thinking this, the central man among the approaching adventurers spoke.

“Um, are you a scout!?”

“…Huh?”

And that’s what he asked.

Thanks to everyone, I was able to achieve the number one spot on the daily ranking.

Thank you so much!