Earth Dungeon 114.2

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Chapter 114.2. New Year

"Well, as usual, let's sell it at three times the usual price. It's a niche industry"

I can't help but smile sarcastically. However, it doesn't have much impact on the current industries like farming, livestock, and agriculture, and it's challenging to think of something worth selling in the core store.

"Hmm. Now that Yukihana-chan is part of the team, you can rest assured that I'll come up with useful suggestions. It's different from just having a woman lying around."

Yukihana, who was relaxing on my lap, looked at Shizuku with a smug expression, laughing while flaunting her ample chest. "She's a useful woman," she said.

Watching the swaying chest, Shizuku sighed, closed her eyes, and crossed her arms. After a contemplation, she clapped her hands and opened her eyes.

"Let's add magical items. [Spider Thread] and [Smoke Ball], right? Adding them will make D-rank extermination safer."

"[Spider Thread] and [Smoke Ball]? I can vaguely imagine the effects from the names."

Indeed, they were in the lineup.

[Spider Thread: D-Core 3, entangles the enemy with spider thread, stopping their movement for about 10 seconds.]

[Smoke Ball: D-Core 3, generates smoke in the surrounding area for about 10 seconds.]

Quite game-like items. They are relatively expensive, though.

"Ah, there was something like this. It often appeared in treasure chests."

Yukihana looked nostalgically at the lineup. It seems to belong to the debuff category?

"[Spider Thread] literally sends threads to the targeted opponent, slowing their movements. It usually gets resisted, so the actual effective time is about 3 seconds. [Smoke Ball] covers a 5-meter radius with dense smoke, making it difficult to see through."

"[Spider Thread] is often resisted; it's more of a comforting item. [Smoke Ball] is useless in combat because it obstructs our vision. It would be a hindrance to squads that use guns."

Shizuku and Yukihana explained the actual effects of the items. From what I heard, they do seem like comforting items.

"But selling them shouldn't be a problem. Let's sell them in sets of 5 for 15,000 yen. Smoke balls and spider threads are useful for escaping from enemies. Should we avoid adding offensive items?"

"[Scroll of Flame] is an option, but it's better to leave it out. It's likely to be used more against humans than monsters, considering the world's harsh realities."

"True. The world can be harsh. I have a feeling people will use them in ways we didn't intend. The enhancement items seem weak, so we don't need them, right?"

The core store is becoming more like a magic vending machine. Is it a good thing? Most enhancement items only last for 10 seconds, and their effects seem mediocre.

"As always, you're a slippery one. Do you have the phrase 'fair and square' in your dictionary?"

"Unlike that woman who just sleeps, I can't crush enemies by charging like a boar, like Yukihana-chan."

"A boar? That's unexpected. Rushing like an arrow and crushing enemies while dancing like a butterfly."

I listen to the two of them talking while considering. I need a flagship product. Something that stands out.

"Um... Let's go with the [Wooden Doll Crafting Scroll]."

[Wooden Doll Crafting Scroll: E-Core 3, can create a wooden doll about a meter tall from a wooden stick. A golem that follows simple instructions.]

Sell it for 5 cores, 1,500 yen. Yukika and Shizuku seem impressed.

"It's good for luring enemies and can also be used for carrying some luggage. Let's try using it."

When I summon it from the store, a scroll appears. I opened the scroll, a magic circle was drawn in the air, and limbs grew from the wooden stick. Literally, stick limbs. The wooden doll's limbs. It can carry about 20 kg of luggage. It can't do anything skillfully, like pulling a gun trigger, but it's sufficient. The effect lasts for 6 hours. It can't run; it walks at the speed of a child.

"Master, you think of interesting things. That will surely become a convenient gadget."

"The core store lineup has become quite interesting."

Shizuku and Yukihana are impressed, and I agree that it has become interesting.

"People will come up with various ways to use new items, I'm sure."

Humans tend to use things in unexpected ways. I look forward to interesting uses.

"Talulucan, the Circle Dance of the Blades!!"

Throwing spider threads at the wooden doll, Shizuku starts dancing with a pleased expression. While watching her inexplicable dance, I suddenly think.

"It's not something you do on New Year's."

Like a workaholic who can't forget about work.

"It must be an interesting New Year's gift for people."

Smiling mischievously while dancing, Shizuku says.

"That's right. With the addition of magical items to the lineup, people will surely look forward to new products in the future."

We don't know the future, but it would be nice if it turned out well.

"Now, let's eat rice cakes and go to bed."

Stretching widely, I stand up. It's late, but it's fine.

"I wanted to visit a shrine for New Year's, but there's no facility to worship."

"Yukihana-chan is expecting zoni."

Shizuku says regretfully, but I don't see any temples or shrines. They exist in the inner and outer cities, but I don't want to go there.

"Zoni, huh? I can only make a simple one. Don't complain, okay?"

After that, I might take a break during New Year's. Once the snow melts, I'll head northeast. I believe there are survivors beyond the plains.

I plan to explore a new market.