Chapter 106
There is a term called "deep monsters."
It didn't start out with a clearly defined meaning.
Probably one of the explorers just said it offhand.
"Deep monsters" are, as the characters suggest, monsters that dwell deep within the labyrinth—in other words, dungeon monsters. The nuance changes depending on the user, but nowadays, it generally refers to monsters in the lower dungeon regions beyond the 30th floor.
Each explorer has a role suited to their capabilities.
Handling things up to the 9th floor is the job of C-rank explorers.
Rare resources like crystals and anomalous substances (anomalies) are scattered throughout the dungeon.
Collecting these resources is also a major goal in dungeon conquest.
Therefore, E-rank and D-rank explorers alike are tasked with the mission of "collecting resources evenly."
B-rank explorers are responsible for handling things up to the 20th floor.
These elite of the elite—less than the top 2%—are charged with the critical missions of collecting rare resources, retrieving anomalous substances, and conquering the dungeon. Dungeon conquest is always an urgent matter. Humanity knows little about dungeons, and we never know when monsters might overflow from them.
Explorers, kill the dungeon quickly.
A-rank explorers are those who handle things up to the 30th floor.
They are permitted to step into the deep labyrinth without restriction—perhaps they are like astronauts in their own right.
Whatever they may encounter deep within the labyrinth, they must overcome it.
And they must return and tell us—what was there.
Even if it looks like a deep monster, defeat is not an option.
————
——From the perspective of Akagi Hideo
Metal Kit. Give it back.
No matter how much I wish for it, it won't come back.
The same sense of loss as when Kitazato underwent rapid growth in the last episode of Uma Musume Season 2. Bring it back.
"Yep, lolis are the best......"
"......Finger Man?"
The silver-haired beautiful girl looked at me suspiciously. I feel like I'm getting a cold stare, but it's probably just my imagination. Yeah, definitely my imagination.
"Geffleboffle"
"......(Was that supposed to be a cough?)"
"We've recovered the Metal Kit, so let's keep moving."
"......Right. Not that I know where we're going."
For now, our current objectives are something like this.
① Metal extermination
② Metal destruction
③ Metal eradication
"Chi~...... (Translation: Good grief, chi. You're seriously hopeless, chi.)"
You're the last one I want to hear that from.
Shimaenaga-san shrugged in exasperation. Since it was just the size of a basketball, I gave it a fluff, then grabbed it and launched an Ignite Pass over there. For the record, there was no one to receive the pass.
Still, this is a problem.
I thought I'd done a pretty flashy attack, but surprisingly, the metal monsters—er, experience points—haven't really gathered. I even made a flashy pillar of fire on purpose.
Since Happy-san agreed to accompany me, I want to show some leadership.
Did you know? When you're on a date with someone of the opposite sex, it's important to take the lead, you know. (Age = ...)
So, based on ① Metal extermination ② Metal destruction ③ Metal eradication, let's ask Happy-san what we should do now.
"Investigate what's going on in this dungeon. Logically, we should meet up with the other explorers, right?"
That's what she said.
But, um, well, that's no good......
Because if I do that, the experience points, y'know. Yeah. Y'know.
"That won't do."
"......Why not, Finger Man?"
"......Hmph, why not, you ask...... Happy-san, you understand, don't you?"
"......(Is this a test? This cheeky junior... Still, I can't let him think I can't keep up intellectually.)"
No good. I can't cover it up.
My shamefully shallow thoughts are totally exposed.
Happy-san is going to be so disappointed in me......!
"I see. So that's what it is. (Feigns understanding)"
Huh? She accepted that?
"It's fine. I'm your senior, after all. Yeah. I did say I'd help you earlier."
I don't really get it, but it seems like she accepted it, so that's a win.
For now, let's add "uncovering this dungeon's secrets" to our current objectives.
① Metal extermination
② Metal destruction
③ Metal eradication
④ Investigate the Silver Dungeon
Alright, that looks good.
"Alright, Gii-san. Isn't it about time the Black Swamp monster you sent out for recon returns? Please tell us where the next prey is."
"Gii (Translation: I'm sorry, my master. The monsters of this dungeon have outclassed my underlings, and most of them haven't returned.)"
Huh? Weren't Gii-san's Black Swamp monsters supposed to be pretty strong?
Hmm, but I guess they did get decapitated by that person turned modern art over there.
"Gii (Translation: The Black Swamp monsters become stronger when I'm the one controlling them.)"
So Gii-san was an ace pilot all along. Gii's custom Zaku is the strongest. Period.
"But this is a problem. If that's the case, sending out recon units just means more lives will be lost......"
Even if we call it recon, all they're doing is walking through the black mist on foot, right? Doesn't seem too effective, so let's have them return before they die in vain. It'd be sad if they were killed.
But if that's the case, then the Chiba dungeon—no, the Silver Dungeon—must be really huge.
I wish the metal shiba inus would come to us like they did back at Grandpa's metal dungeon.
"Hmm, come to think of it......"
In my line of sight appeared a cause of death: Modern Art.
Akagi Hideo had a flash of inspiration.
Let's go with that.
"Finger Man......? What are you doing?"
Well, just watch.
(Daily Mission has been updated)
Huh? At this timing?
Let's at least check the contents.
Please, don't be anything too weird.
I'm fine with something simple. Really, just something simple.
"Suu...... yaa...... haaa...... Daily Mission! Yaa!"
Alright, bring it on! Something normal!!
─────────────────
★Daily Mission★
Let's keep at it every single day!
'Steel Mentality: Finger Man Channel'
Start the Finger Man Channel 0/100
Consecutive days: Day 109
Steady Rank: Platinum Multiplier 10.0x
──────────────────
Yep. That's a weird one. I'm dead.
————
——From the perspective of Trigger Happy
Finger Man, with a crisp expression, led Happy.
He stepped away from the heated crater and walked over to the corpse that had died a blasphemous death earlier. A body torn apart from within by roots.
"Heave-ho."
Finger Man casually grabbed the corpse and gave it a good tug-tug.
Happy couldn't believe her eyes. What on earth was this man about to do?
"Finger Man...?"
"Huh? It won't come off... Is it stuck or something?"
Finger Man's bizarre behavior showed no signs of stopping.
Still, there had to be some meaning behind it.
Happy silently continued to watch.
"—"
Finger Man suddenly stopped moving.
"Daily Mission update... huh? Steel Mentality... Finger Man Channel..."
Finger Man froze, hands mid-motion as he tried to move the corpse.
Something was clearly wrong. He kept muttering incomprehensible things like, "No way... stop... I can't do this... just kill me... this is impossible..."
Trigger Happy could no longer help but look at him with a skeptical gaze.
Was this guy... maybe actually sick or something?
Then, suddenly, Finger Man turned around, his face full of resolve as he looked at Happy.
"Yes, hello everyone, good morning, afternoon, and evening, it's Finger Man! Today, I'll be trying to bring this corpse back to life!"