Seeker 21

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Chapter 21. The Second Day Of Dungeon Exploration

The cost was 5,000 yen for the minimum dungeon clothes, including the top and bottom.

There were also some dungeon shoes, but I decided not to buy them because they would rarely be damaged.

I did not want to buy shoes with special effects, because they were too expensive.

Dungeon clothes have the power of restoration under the condition that the seeker is wearing them, and even if they get dirty with blood or sweat, they will clean automatically, so there is no need to wash them.

It is a great help for me not to buy its replacements for laundry.

After buying clothes for the dungeon, I have about 14,000 yen left in my dungeon budget.

I tried to buy other equipment, but the Long Spear, a spear-type weapon that is a step above the short spear, cost 25,000 yen, which is also a bit out of my price range.

Oyaji-san gave me  [Item Appraisal] as a service and told me that my short spear and wood shield still had a [Durability Value] of 80 or more.

There is no need to buy new weapons right away.

So I decided to spend 12,000 yen to buy Leather Armor to increase my strength as much as possible.

That should boost my defense somewhat.

Even if I want to become stronger, I can lose my footing if I'm in a hurry to look up.

I would like to steadily increase my strength step by step, starting from my feet.

After we were done shopping at the armory, Kodachi-san and I headed for the dungeon.

But before that, I would like to talk about something later.

After consulting with the dungeon general staff, Nitta would get punished to a certain degree after various investigations.

A simple hearing conducted by an agency specializing in seeker-related disturbances, in addition to a fine of 30,000 yen and a stern warning, Nitta was given a suspension of his license the next time something similar happened to him.

Ohsako-san - according to the old man at the armory, he was concerned that a one-shot suspension might cause Nitta to get upset and get into more problems, and that it might be counterproductive as a crime deterrent.

Anyway.

After that, when he saw Kodachi-san or me, Nitta clicked his tongue and stopped messing around with us. I guess he didn't want to get suspended from his job.

I thought it would be difficult to maintain security related to Seekers.

****

My second day of dungeon exploration began after I became a seeker.

The search was going well.

Kodachi and I dove into the dungeon around midday, passing through the first and second layers by the shortest route and heading directly to the third layer.

On the 3rd floor, we explore the map while accurately destroying the swarms of monsters we encountered.

In terms of strength, there was not much difference from yesterday's exploration.

Perhaps it was because I had acquired [Spear Attack Power Up (+2)], but I could kill more kobolds with a single blow from my spear, but with goblins or stronger, I still had to hit them twice.

When I got hit by an attack. I feel my damage is reduced by about 30% thanks to the leather armor I have equipped.

With a slight increase in HP and agility, my overall margin was greater than yesterday, and the frequency of [Earth Heal] use seemed to have decreased somewhat.

Taking moderate breaks to eat lunch and snacks (which I had prepared in Kodachi'-sans [Item Box]), we continued our search for the 3rd floor for about half a day.

When the map of the 3rd floor was about two-thirds filled, we found a stairway to the lower level.

"Stairway to the 4th floor, we found it. It's ...... 7 p.m.?"

Kodachi-san looked at her watch and made a thoughtful gesture.

Incidentally, this wristwatch also seems to be a dungeon watch made using the energy of the magic stone.

"What should we do, Rikusou-san? Shall we go down to try it out?"

"Hmmm... ....... But there is a way back, isn't there?"

"That's right~."

It's already quite late.

Furthermore, my MP decreased to about half of its maximum value, and Kodachi-san, who has been using a lot of attack magic, has about 20% MP left.

"I'm afraid of pushing myself too hard, so I feel like I'd like to do the 4th floor the next time."

"I see. I was a bit worried, so let's not do it today, shall we?"

The conversation agreed in that direction.

We decided to continue with our dungeon exploration for the day to fill in the map of the 3rd floor a little more and then return home.

It was past 9 p.m. when we left the dungeon.

As usual, we went to the magic stone exchange counter at the dungeon information center to sell the monsters' magic stones we had defeated.

As a result, Kodachi-san and I each received 16,740 yen in cash.

Furthermore, during today's dungeon search, three treasure chests appeared, all of which contained a bottle of HP potion.

Kodachi-san said she would use these for her solo exploration, so she gave me 2,250 yen and agreed to take all three bottles.

Thus, my income from today's dungeon exploration totaled 18,990 yen.

Warm, my pockets are warm.

Also, during today's exploration, Kodachi-san and I each gained one level.

I went from level 5 to 6 and Kodachi-san went from level 9 to 10.

I was torn between [Item Box], [Rock Bullet], and [Spear Attack Power Up (+4)] as my acquired skills, but I decided to bet on [Spear Attack Power Up (+4)] here.

I thought it would be profitable if I killed goblins with a single blow, but the result was spot on.

I succeeded in taking down a goblin I encountered in a post-level-up battle with a single blow from my short spear.

From the results of subsequent battles, it seems that it is still not a sure-hit kill, but it is still a great improvement to destroy goblins with a single blow at a high success rate.

My status when I left the dungeon looked like this.

Rikusou Daichi

Level: 6 (+1)

Experience: 284/355

HP: 48/48 (+4)

MP: 20/40（+4)

Strength: 11（+1)

Endurance: 12（+1)

Agility: 9

Magic: 10（+1)

-Skills-.

[Earth Heal]

[Mapping]

[HP Up (Endurance x 4)]

[MP Up (Magic Power x 4)]

[Spear Attack Power Up (+4)]

Remaining skill points: 0

I'm steadily improving my level.

Let's work steadily and not be in a hurry.

After that, I went to have a late dinner with Kodachi-san, and it was time to say goodbye to her.

I have a full-time five-day job starting tomorrow, so I'll have to put off exploring dungeons with a party until my next day off.

"Well then, Kodachi-san, see you next week."

"Yes, see you next week. Even though ......, I might die of loneliness if I have to explore the dungeon without Rikusou-san. If by any chance you should cancel our appointment for next week, I'll call you at the contact number you gave me, okay?"

Kodachi-san says this with a superior look.

Cute. Is she trying to kill me?

I reply, trying not to let my inner feelings show, keeping my composure.

"That's scary. But I'm looking forward to diving into the dungeon with Kodachi-san again next week. I had fun today too. Thank you very much."

"Hehehe, the same to you. Thank you very much."

I parted ways with Kodachi-san and headed home on my bicycle.

Tomorrow I'll be back at my part-time job.

I decided to submit a resignation letter to my new job.