Earth Dungeon 29

Test

Chapter 29. Dungeon Core

The old man who defeated Goblin King collected its cores and looked around. n the dimly lit large room, there are only the corpses of the dead and motionless goblins and a shadow tiger that has almost been killed. Mike seemed to have survived and was washing its face with its front paws while letting a cute meowing sound. For some reason, Mike was the only one whom I could individually identify, making him appear to be a special individual.

Among them, Sakimori looked around and voiced his question. He had expected a door leading deeper into the dungeon with a dungeon core floating inside, emitting a mysterious glow. However, there was no door around him.

"Where's the dungeon core?"

Surprised by the unexpected result, I looked around in confusion, but Shizuku calmly crossed one leg over the other and intertwined her hands above her head, giving a bewildering pose. She responded with a childish smile.

"Dodododo, I'll tell you the truth, Sakimori-san."

"Please, tell me quickly."

Although she had a surprisingly serious expression and was about to speak, she suddenly became displeased, turned her face away, and untangled the strange pose.

"We're almost there. Here."

Shizuku pointed her index finger toward the center of the hall. Then, a magic circle that scattered black particles like sparks appeared on the ground, and from its center, a hexagonal crystal about three meters in size with a slightly transparent glow emerged.

Amazed by the intricacy of the event and focused on the Dungeon Core, which I saw for the first time, I observed the center— there is a faintly glowed jet-black crystal. It still looked unpleasant, but it was impressive. After all, I had been fighting in dungeons for over 20 years, and this was my first time seeing a dungeon core.

"You can cry in awe against my chest? I'll pat you like a saint, so it's okay."

"I hope the cushioning improves a bit. Ouch! Wait, don't kick me!"

I giggle and pat her head as the beautiful girl puffs out her glossy cheeks that look so soft to the touch, and then she does a low kick. Her smooth hair felt like it wanted to be touched forever, but.

"Hehehe, it's a 'pat-pat.' It's fine. I'll make a popping sound like 'pop-pop-pop. Kruppo~."

"Are you a pigeon? So, this dungeon core has quite an atmosphere, huh?"

I ask the adorable girl, who is in a good mood and imitating a pigeon while pressing her head against me with a laugh, and Shizuku returns to her serious expression and opens her mouth.

"You'll understand if you touch it. Give it a try. Only one person can touch it."

"Hmm?"

As Sakimori turned his serious expression toward her, ready to stop fooling around, and reached out his hand toward the dungeon core. It felt smooth and cold, and then the dungeon core turned into black particles and was absorbed into Sakimori's body.

"...How is it?"

In response to Shizuku's unusually nervous question, Sakimori twisted his head and was about to answer that there was nothing when an image appeared in his mind as if a log was being displayed.

[Dungeon Core D obtained. Stored in the store.]

I could feel the image displayed like a log in my head. The store automatically absorbed it. That's unusual.

"Was it automatically absorbed into the equivalent exchange store? Shall we check the list?"

I wondered why it was automatic and turned to Shizuku.

"I'm glad... That was my biggest concern."

Holding onto Sakimori's waist tightly, Shizuku murmured in a frail voice. From her anxious tone, I could sense her relief, so I gently stroked her head again. She rarely showed her true emotions. She had many secrets and seemed suspicious, but I had to be kind to my partner.

"In that case, is it okay for me to give you a kiss?"

"Don't test my sanity. What's with this?"

Suddenly, Shizuku switched from a serious expression to a mischievous smile and stuck out her tongue. Sakimori returned a wry smile but was surprised to see the surroundings changing. The large cave, including the slightly glowing ground and the ceiling, all turned rainbow-colored and distorted.

"The space is returning to its original state since the Dungeon Core is gone. I'll answer before you ask—I'm letting you know that all the monsters inside will be expelled as cores. Including the treasure chests. It's not a gentle feature, so be careful not to let it pile up on the surface where others can take them."

"It's fine if it's just for myself, but it could become a problem as the floors get deeper. Well, I suppose we'll figure something out."

"That's right. I'll go to sleep now. Show me the store list when you get home, okay?"

With a cute wink, Shizuku's physical form faded once again, and she fell into a deep sleep. "See you later," and I nodded, too, as the light enveloped me in front of my eyes.

I found myself standing on the ground. Beside me were the corpses of the goblin king, numerous monster cores, and several wooden boxes. It seems that monsters I defeat turn into corpses.

"Whether it's a kind or harsh feature... for now. I'll take them home. Mike, I'll put them on your back."

I had Mike and the others carry the wrapped cores, large swords, armor, and such in the penthouse. In the living room, I looked at the list of items that I could exchange for dungeon cores and had a grim expression.

"Skill level-up potions..."

It was an unbelievable feeling. Among the exchangeable items, I found something surprising and unintentionally groaned with a serious expression.

It was written as follows:

[10% Skill Level 3 Up Potion] 

[50% Skill Level 2 Up Potion] 

[100% Skill Level 1 Up Potion]

There, I saw a list of potions for increasing skill levels. It seems that by using multiple potions, we could raise the skill level.

"So, we can obtain these potions from dungeon cores?"

[Yes, if you obtain 10 dungeon cores, you can raise your level to 3.]

Shizuku, who had become intangible as if it were nothing, said, but I won't be deceived. Is this really how it works?

"Shizuku, it's not like we could always obtain these potions when touching dungeon cores, right?"

I narrowed my eyes, trying to uncover the true nature of this bonus item. It's hard to believe that a kind of item exists in the dungeon.

[It's a sharp observation, Sakimori-san. That's right, the gifts from dungeon cores are traps, just like before. And it will continue to be that way in the future.]

Shizuku replies playfully, twirling her body in rotation. It was as you expected.

"Could it be that all of these items, or even just some of them, we randomly get those??"

The store displayed a long list of skills and items, easily totaling over 10,000 varieties. Will we receive only one type from these?

[No, that is the list of items in the store. The actual rewards consist of approximately 10 predetermined level-up potions, status potions, and about 20 random items and skills. When we obtain a dungeon core, it transforms into one of those.]

"It sure takes a long time. How many times do I have to conquer the dungeon to obtain a level-up potion? But still, it's better than endlessly fighting for decades to level up, I guess."

It would be absurd for an old man like me to engage in inefficient battles to level up.

[Not necessarily. For each dungeon, you receive only one Dungeon Core. Those who seek level-up potions are numerous. And...]

"It randomly grants skills, right? These skills here."

I interjected, crossing my arms and leaning back on the sofa. It wasn't just about the items; there were various skills, ranging from unique skills to ordinary ones.

[For this reason, we need a sacrificial substitute who can use extra skills, except for potions, who will accompany us and touch the dungeon core when we clear the dungeon].

"That might be the case for low-level dungeons. But for higher ranks dungeon. There won't be such luxury, right??"

While the idea of a sacrifice bothered me, it made sense to ensure the safe acquisition of items. I could understand why a sacrifice was necessary if the dungeon core possessed the ability to grant skills. However, it was a trap.

"Skills like Strength Enhancement, which provides a +100 effect to strength, or Endurance Enhancement, which provides a +200 effect to stamina... Can you get something like this?"

I asked, grimacing at the unique skills listed under stat boosts. If people can easily acquire such skills, those who can't raise their status would be at a disadvantage. And for high-level skill holders, it would be even worse. I remembered that it would incur penalties unless the stats like stamina and strength were at similar levels.

[That's right. In this... um, let's see... for dungeon attack accompanied by skill-granting humans, B-rank is the limit. After that, you have to rely on your luck to progress. The lack of capacity to protect the sacrifice becomes an issue. As for skills, a warrior might obtain a skill that significantly reduces physical attacks but increases magical power, or a swordsman who prides himself on agility might lose it in exchange for increased defense.]

Shizuku tells me with a frown that there are traps, but it's worse than I expected. That's just an impossible game.

[Even if you try to surpass those traps and conquer higher ranks... the nonsensical skill combinations and skills that don't level up will inevitably hold you back. Unlike a game, the current situation is such that you can no longer progress.]

"I see. Even with a decent skill setup, it's impossible to clear low-level dungeons, let alone ones with high-level dungeons."

It's filled with traps. And some humans can avoid those traps. That would be me. The Equivalent Exchange Store absorbed the dungeon core. Even if they try to interfere with me, the Equivalent Exchange Store will become my shield. That's my skills, which sought only to become stronger, and were able to counter the dungeon core.

[Yes, I understand your importance now. I need you. Your power. We will surely become stronger. More than anyone else. That is my wish.]

Fixing her posture, Shizuku says it with a serious expression, and Sakimori comprehends it as he nods. It's something like that.

"You're serious. But just getting stronger isn't enough. Will you also assist as the savior who will save humanity? As my partner."

Sakimori smirks and twirls his index finger. He also needs Shizuku's power. He aims to become the savior.

[Of course. We are partners, after all.]

The girl smiles happily.

Shizuku, with a smile like a flower, tilts her head slightly. While admiring her face, Sakimori points to the store's list.

"So, Shizuku-san, we aim for the strongest skill setup. What skill will we acquire next?"

I said teasingly, and Shizuku immediately relaxed and proudly puffed her chest.

[[Aura Max Efficiency Conversion]. It's a function that can efficiently convert mana into a fighting spirit. Normally, there is a significant loss when converting mana into a fighting spirit, but with this skill, there is almost no loss. You also receive fighting spirit techniques as additional skills. That's the skill I wanted the most at this rank.]

Shizuku laughs like a beast. The girl in front of him is delighted to gain even more power. It's a good thing, a good thing.

[It means that normal attacks won't be fatal anymore. I'm sure we can envelop ourselves in [Aura] stronger than steel with martial arts."

[That's great. In that case, [Aura Max Efficiency Conversion].]

It's a unique skill that is marked as limited to one. I decide to acquire it without hesitation.

Black particles, giving off an even more ominous feeling than usual, rise from the store and envelop Sakimori. The method of use is imprinted in his mind, and he understands it immediately.

"For a while, I'll have to practice using the skill called fighting spirit. It should be a good way to pass the time alongside managing the market."

Now that he knows the secret of the dungeon core, it's time to start rebuilding the economy. Starting with something simple. Maybe he'll create a market.