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17 November 2023

Dungeon Refrigerator 104

Test

[Art]


The time is the early 21st century. 

In the secret dungeon, on the 10th floor, Ezuki Nakihito, who encountered the boss-level monster [Queen of Flies (temporary name)] is now in a battle.

Despite being injured in the fight, Nakihito manages to escape, but unfortunately, he loses his left leg due to the wounds.

However, displaying his inherent eccentricity and introverted nature, he locks himself in the dungeon's anteroom and diligently immerses himself in creating his prosthetic leg.


Level: 38

Race: Human

Occupation: Teacher


Attributes:

Strength 245

Endurance 250

Intelligence 246

Spiritual Power 271

Agility 248

Luck 166

Melancholy 356


Blessing:

[Salt's Blessing]

Skills:

[Strong Acid 2]  [Agility]  [Disease Resistance 6]  [Usurpation]  [Slime 5]  [Space 4]  [Good Luck 1,4]  [Footwork]  [Meditation]  [Salt 5]  [Art]

Titles:

[Insect King]  [Saltmate]  [Salty Guy]


"(Powawawawawa...) Hehehe... This skill called [Art] is amazing. Creating things becomes fun, and I can concentrate so well..."


While crafting my prosthetic leg, I somehow gained a new skill, [Art]. By designing blueprints for my prosthetic leg and processing the exoskeleton of the King Cockroach with magic, I discovered that I could self-learn this skill. 

However, the effects of [Art] are not limited to that. As expected from the skill named [Art], I become adept at drawing, and there seems to be a positive adjustment to the dexterity attribute. Well, my Dexterity is still elusive and missing somewhere. Seriously, one might think you're a wanderer.

"All right... It's complete. But I can't test it until the injuries are fully healed."

My prosthetic leg. Modestly speaking, thanks to the effects of the [Art] skill, it turns out quite well. Inside, a frame similar to a sports prosthetic leg is installed, and the tendons of the Kamadouma are utilized. The ankle is designed to have tension in all directions, allowing it to bend according to the angle when the sole touches the ground. When the foot is lifted from the ground, it naturally returns to a neutral state. In other words, for walking, this prosthetic leg alone is sufficient without applying any force.

Of course, this is not enough for power, so I plan to inject slime-like fluid inside and control it with magic.

"(Squish... Squish... Squish) I can't wait for the test. In the meantime, let's create some interesting gimmicks... (Rustle...)"

One such gimmick is the [Enhanced Arm Project]. Considering the deeper dungeons I plan to explore, I might expose my body to danger in the future. 

In such situations, I might lose my arms or legs again.

However, what if there were temporary arms that I could use without sacrificing my actual limbs? Inspired by this fantastic concept, I came up with the idea of attaching enhanced attachments to the Bug King Suit.

The image is an arm resembling a mantis shrimp's long, slender claws. For example, even if I want to make the arm thick and robust, the body is the one that needs support. Making it too heavy would sway the body too much. 

So, I made it thin and long. The inside is controlled by slime-like fluid, so I don't need intricate structures. Instead, I focus on making it sturdy and unbreakable. In terms of atmosphere, you can imagine a rugged mechanical arm attached to a bazooka held by GOndam.

While contemplating such things and steadily working on the enhanced arm, I finish it effortlessly. 

Having the [Art] skill makes the work progress smoothly.

[Nyun! Unyo~n!]

"Wow, it moves interestingly!"

I attach only the body of the Bug King Suit, mount the enhanced arm on the back, and control it with magic. 

The operational state is good. The enhanced arm is attached to a rack on the back of the Bug King Suit, and it seems like a few pipes are carried on the back. 

From between the shoulder blades, the elbow extends downwards, folds upwards, then downwards again, and again folds upwards, creating two elbow joints.

At the tip, there are thin, scissor-like claws resembling mantis shrimp.

That should do. 

If there is a risk of losing an arm again, I can use this enhanced arm.

.....

"Chu... chu... chu..."

Kateshi Ruu held an apple in her hand, practicing kissing once again today. She had become quite persistent in asking Machi for kisses, prompting Machi to say, [Anything starts with self-practice! Whether it's kendo or baseball, everyone diligently practices their swings, right?] Ruu agreed, and so, with the apple handed by Machi, she continued kissing it earnestly.

Although Ruu had become a troublesome child, at heart, she had a straightforward, and serious personality.

"Wait for me, Coach! Okay, next is this..."

[Hmm... munch... nom nom... nom nom]

This time, she took a thick nylon string, resembling the stem of a cherry, into her mouth, intending to roll it with her tongue and tie a knot. However, it wasn't going well. Her tongue was starting to cramp, and her cheeks were getting sore.

"But I'll endure it! It's for Coach... for the sake of Coach's love!"

"(Nnn...! Nnn...! Nom nom...)"

With teary eyes, Ryohin continued to make chewing sounds. After telling Ruu that she was going shopping, Manami, who had left the room, called Shizue Niana to vent her accumulated complaints.

"Ring, ring... Hey, Machi, what's up?"

"Oh, Shizu, can I talk to you for a bit?"

Though Machii and Shizue often met at university, since Ruu was always by Machi's side, Manami called Shizue to catch up and seek advice.

"Sigh... What's going on with you, Machi?"

"Oh, Shizu, can I talk to you for a bit?"

"[Oh, Manami, what's up?]"

Manami shared her current situation with Shizue over the phone.

"Sigh... You're in quite a situation. That's really tough."

"Oh, come on, Shizu, don't say it like it's someone else's problem. You have debts to master, right?"

Machi brought up Egetsu to ask for Shizue's help.

[Well, I did receive various treats, and you did come to visit my house the other day.]

"See! So, please help me..."

[Well, that's impossible for me...]

"What? Why!?"

Shizue, who respects those who are more experienced in love than herself, says it's impossible, shocking Manami.

[Well, because... Coach and Ruu-chan's love is a delicate matter. If it were a more mature romance, I could give advice, but...]

"Oh... that's true..."

Ruu is too embarrassed even to hold hands with her lover, let alone kiss. Considering her level of confusion, Machi couldn't imagine that Shizue's advice, an expert in romance, would be helpful.

"Now, what do you think I should do, Shizu?"

[Hmm... Well, the quickest way might be to let the two of them meet and reaffirm their feelings for each other. What do you think?]

"Oh, Shizu, do you also think that?"

[Well, what about it? If you think so, then do it.]

"Well, I was thinking about that, but..."

Machi replied to the message from Ezuki, whom she had neglected for a while, but this time, there was no response, not even a phone call.

[Sigh, this is troublesome.]

"I know, right?"

[I understand. I'll try contacting him from my side too, so don't give up and try to contact him.]

"Yeah, please, Shizu. Well then... (click)"

[Haah...]

Machi hung up the phone with Shizue, gazing at the evening sky that had darkened considerably. Once again, she let out a deep sigh.

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