Earth Dungeon 47.2

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Chapter 47.2. Analysis

Serika employs a lot of zero-skill-level crafters. Considering the labor costs, the profit wouldn't be that significant. 

She must be trying to change that situation even a little. However, she wants benefits for herself too.

"So, what's in it for me-nya?"

"I'll appoint you as an investigator. With your authority, it would be challenging to obtain certain things and divert something somewhere else. I'll provide funds to establish a company for investigations in the outer city. You can be the president. It'll make things easier for me too. Alongside that, you can also work as a spy, leaking information from the outside."

"Hmm, I'll think about this proposal seriously-nya. Becoming the head of a company... Even if it's just a small one, it's a good idea-nya. I might be able to handle some material distribution too-nya."

"That sounds great! It's a really good idea. I'm in! But, will it work out smoothly?"

"Don't worry-nya. I'm experienced in negotiations like this-nya. Nothing is certain, so I can't make promises-nya."

"Negotiations are unpredictable, and besides, I got it for free... uh, I mean..."

Serika hurriedly covers her mouth. She said something unnecessary. However, she didn't let that slip away. Her eyebrows furrow, and her tone becomes somewhat serious.

"Got it for free? Even though it's a magic tool?"

"Well, uh, haha. I got it for not being able to sell it in the abandoned town you nyow?"

"And you don't know its effect?"

"Well, I tried it once-nya. But the effect was so-so, so I lost interest in it-nya."

"I see..."

Staring at the silver cup, Serika seems to have a troubled expression for some reason. It's indeed a silver cup. It's not hard to believe that she can't trust getting it for free. 

But, in the abandoned town, silver, let alone gold or gemstones, is practically worthless. Even if I tried to sell it, it would fetch me a meager price. It's no wonder Serika, who doesn't know the rules of the miserable abandoned town, is confused.

"That child cleared the dungeon solo, right? I wonder how they managed to do that."

"Sakimori can use shadow familiars, you nyow. I guess... He sent them to scout ahead to the stairs and cleared it all at once using his Type 22 automatic rifle-nya. And he's not a child. He's a middle-aged man. From what I've heard, he's a man who's been hunting monsters for 20 years seeking strength-nya. He's quite cool and rugged-nya."

"I see. Karin has a thing for older men, huh... Hmm, a self-made man. Well, I shouldn't expect someone like that to be around. If he's seeking his strength, he would consider me nothing more than a nuisance."

Seeing Serika troubled, Karin tilted her head. Is there something bothering you-nya?

"Don't worry too much. Those who try to do things like that solo will likely die soon. For now, let's use the silver cup wisely and make the negotiations as soon as possible. This silver cup is said to break within half a year."

"Nyaa? Can you appraise it to that extent, even though it's your first time seeing it-nya?"

"Ah, well, the [Appraisal] skill is quite versatile. Anyway, consider this a token of appreciation as an upfront payment. It's awkward to take something for free."

Karin stood up from the chair and reached into the pile of junk on the desk, pulling out a glass bottle. 

Serika tossed it casually, and I hastily caught it, examining the bottle. Inside was a red liquid that reflected Hanari's face, shining like rubies.

"...Is this, by any chance, a status-up potion-nyaa?"

"Yeah. It's one with not much effect. It raises your stats by about 200 points."

There was a small inscription on the potion bottle. I didn't know what was written there, but understood the meaning.

The status is up by 200 points if I remember correctly.

"There should still be an effect for you. Just barely, I guess?"

"I doubt your nerves are good enough to leave such an expensive thing lying around-nya."

I opened the lid and immediately drank the potion. A sweet taste spread in my mouth, and my status showed an increase of 200 points.

"I've told you this before, but keep your HP and Strength at the same value."

"Does that make a difference-nya?"

It was a theory that Serika had secretly told Karin since she gave her the status potion when they first met. It was a theory that hadn't been of concern in the inner town, but Serika was worried about it.

"It's fine if it's just a little, but I don't want you to be ruined by getting enhancement skills from dungeon cores. You're my precious friend, and I want you to be careful about what lies ahead. You provide me with various information too."

"Well, it's nice to be relied on for information, nyahaha."

Serika felt embarrassed and covered her face as if washing it like a cat, and Karin watched her with an amused smile.

"Hehe. I have to take care of my allies. You see, I don't have any family or relatives."

Serika's family died three years ago when she was starting to show her power and rise to prominence due to the monsters overflowing from the dungeon. She got caught up in a stampede caused by the monsters appearing there without anyone noticing the existence of the dungeon. It's a rare story in the inner town.

"That's true. I'm Serika's precious friend-nya."

"Thank you, Karin. I'm happy to hear you say that."

The backlight coming in through the window shone on Serika's face, and although her expression couldn't be seen, Karin smiled and thought Serika must be smiling too.

Serika felt embarrassed and covered her face as if washing it like a cat, and Karin watched her with an amused smile.

"Hehe. I have to take care of my allies. You see, I don't have any family or relatives."

Serika's family died three years ago when she was starting to show her power and rise to prominence due to the monsters overflowing from the dungeon. She got caught up in a stampede caused by the monsters appearing there without anyone noticing the existence of the dungeon. It's a rare story in the inner town.

"That's true. I'm Serika's precious friend-nya."

"Thank you, Karin. I'm happy to hear you say that."

The backlight coming in through the window shone on Serika's face, and although her expression couldn't be seen, Karin smiled and thought Serika must be smiling too.