Chapter 19
5 a.m. in the early morning.
I quietly wake up.
To be precise, I haven't slept.
I check the Daily Mission.
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★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day, bit by bit!
'Kung Fu Master's Teachings Part 2'
Put on a jacket 0/1,000
Take off a jacket 0/1,000
Throw a jacket 0/1,000
Pick up a jacket 0/1,000
Consecutive days: 18th day
Steady Rank: Silver, multiplier 2.5x
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Hmm, very well.
So, the Kung Fu Master has a Part 2, huh.
But, very well. Totally fine.
Better than probability or Calibur, very well, very well.
──────────────────
★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day, bit by bit!
'Kung Fu Master's Teachings Part 2'
Put on a jacket 1,000/1,000
Take off a jacket 1,000/1,000
Throw a jacket 1,000/1,000
Pick up a jacket 1,000/1,000
★Today's Daily Mission completed!★
Reward: Wisdom of the Ancients B (50,000 EXP)
Ancestral Wisdom C (10,000 EXP)
Skill Nutrient C (10,000 Skill EXP)
Consecutive days: 19th day
Steady Rank: Silver, multiplier 2.5x
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Pikon!
I'll use all the items.
I really hope my skill level goes up soon. It's okay if it does, you know? *Glance*
Thinking such things, I open the Dungeon Bank app. The grin on my face hasn't stopped since last night.
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Dungeon Bank Account Balance: 6,708,838 yen
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Hello, this is Akagi Hideo, the bourgeois explorer.
Total assets: 6,708,838 yen, provisional.
That's 6.7 million yen. So, what should I do?
I can eat beef bowls as much as I want.
I can eat McDonald's all I want too.
I can even go to the tonkatsu shop in front of the station without worrying about "600 yen for one meal...?" and just eat.
If I'm thirsty, I'll buy any drink I like from the vending machine.
Huh? Can't I do all this even without 6.7 million yen?
"......So, investment, huh? Is it investment?"
It finally begins.
My plan to multiply this by a million.
I don't really understand investment, but well, I'll manage somehow.
However, I notice a contradiction.
Huh? I realized I don't need a huge amount of money, so why am I restarting my million-fold plan? This is a contradiction...... a contradiction──.
My thoughts, which were lost in the fog, come back to me.
What's the point of having money?
I don't particularly have anything I want to do.
I'm happy when my money increases, but I don't really have a use for the money itself. Well, strictly speaking, there are uses, but they're a bit small-scale for someone who's acquired a fortune, or maybe it's because I'm small-scale myself, satisfied with small-scale happiness.
I thought about paying off my student loans, but it's not the right time yet. In the end, I just gave my foolish little sister 2,000 yen as pocket money.
Reply: Thanks~♡
Good, good, how cute: Reply
Reply: I love you, big brother~!
I love you too: Reply
Reply: 'Yes.'
Huh, that's it already?: Reply
Reply: Yup
From here on, it's pay-to-play.
Seriously, when did things turn out like this? Having to pay to be treated as a big brother.
Big brother is suffering: Reply
Reply: Just do your best for now
Anyway
Big brother is good at managing things
So I think
You'll be fine
Huh. Did she just act sweet?: Reply
Reply: Annoying
Send a super chat
I acted sweet first
Now it's a loss for acting sweet
She totally just sees me as a guy who gives her money now, huh. Since she's cute, I sent her 1,000 yen via Pay.
After that, I racked my empty brain and ended up sending a scratch pad for the cat at home. Still haven't used up all the money.
They say it's a waste to let money sit idle.
But I don't intend to multiply this by a million.
No, to be precise, I don't know how to.
Am I too ignorant?
Thinking about it, wasn't it insanely reckless to think I could turn 2 million yen into a million times more and become a millionaire? (※Realizing this now)
After agonizing over what to do with this fortune, I ended up coming to consult Shurado.
"Akagi, I've been waiting for you! In times like this, it's time for Dungeon Securities and Dungeon Wallet to shine!"
Shurado, the sharp foundation member, burst into action.
In the end, I was completely rolled over by Shurado, opening a securities account, buying virtual currency Dungeon Coins, bonds, and a bunch of other stuff I don't understand (really don't understand), and somehow ended up with asset allocation (what even is asset allocation?).
"Don't worry! I'll take care of everything for you, Akagi!"
If Shurado betrays me, there's nothing I can do. I'll give up at that point. I'll give her everything. But, I'll probably die.
After all, she completely holds the purse strings.
At this point, should I just let Shurado keep me as a pet? Huh, isn't that a brilliant idea?
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Dungeon Bank Account Balance: 6,708,838 yen
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↓－6 million yen
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Dungeon Bank Account Balance: 708,838 yen
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I entrusted 6 million yen to Shurado.
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New!! Shurado Management: 6,000,000 yen
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"I'll take good care of the 6 million yen! I don't think someone like Akagi can handle such an amount!"
Poison... it's working... being treated as incompetent is starting to feel addictive...
"Someone sloppy like Akagi needs a reliable partner who can manage the purse strings properly! For example, well, you know, someone like me, just kidding, ehehe──"
"Finger Man, good timing! Come over here!"
Interrupting Shurado's voice, a Foundation staff member rushed over. I couldn't quite hear the last part, but she was smiling cutely, so it probably wasn't anything important.
"Shurado, I'll see you later then. Thanks for everything. I'll study up on assets."
I need to gain knowledge so I won't be laughed at by the dependable Shurado.
"By the way, did something happen? You're in such a hurry."
"There's been a report from the dungeon entrance guards that a Dungeon Wave has started!"
"Dungeon Wave?"
The staff member explained.
Dungeon Wave.
It's a phenomenon where monsters overflow from the dungeon. It's one of the abnormal events seen in dungeons, named after the way monsters surge forward like waves.
Dungeon monsters are usually beyond human resistance, so even if just one escapes outside, it could cause enough damage to paralyze a town.
...This sounds like a pretty serious issue.
"Dungeon Waves are truly dangerous phenomena. Right now, we're gathering explorers who can move, but since it's early in the morning, most people aren't awake. The only one we can rely on is you, Finger Man."
I arrived at the dungeon entrance.
Explorers, Dungeon Foundation staff, police, and self-defense forces were all out in full force, setting up barricades.
There were barricades to begin with, but they were further reinforced with self-defense force armored vehicles lined up.
Is a Dungeon Wave really that dangerous?
Without much explanation, I was sternly told, "Absolutely do not let any monsters out," and instructed to head beyond the barricades.
It seems only explorers with dungeon factors are allowed to fight on the inside of the barricades.
I suddenly noticed the gazes of the police officers and self-defense force members focused on me.
"Tch, it's Finger Man."
"It's the real deal."
"The genius who rose to C-rank in just 20 days..."
"Rumor has it, if you get close to him, you'll be turned to charred remains."
"He looks ordinary, but he's a tough guy."
No, from my perspective, you guys seem way more intimidating. Yeah, way more.
Beyond the barricades, I found some explorers drinking sake. Since I have zero knowledge about Dungeon Waves, I figured I'd ask for more explanation.
"I should have met my ex-wife one last time..."
"It's been five years since the last Dungeon Wave... Heh, don't worry, I've already settled the inheritance talks."
Everyone here seems to think they're going to die.
"Tch, t-they're coming!"
Someone shouted.
All eyes gathered.
From deep within the dungeon, accompanied by the sound of the ground shaking and vibrations, a huge pack of Chihuahuas charged at us all at once.
Judging by their sizes, it's a mix of monsters from the first floor to the 9th floor.
There are so many. Thirty to forty... No, more keep coming from behind.
What is this?
Why is this happening?
"Why do Dungeon Waves happen anyway?"
"Who cares about that right now! Just focus on surviving and getting back alive!"
I got yelled at pretty hard.
I was just asking...
"Let's go! Don't let a single one out!"
First, the explorers capable of long-range attacks unleashed their skills all at once.
Fireballs, stone pebbles, water blades, cannonballs (?), throwing knives, billiard balls, bowling balls, Japanese archery arrows, smoke, and even regular gunfire—truly a diverse array of long-range attacks were unleashed.
Skills are supernatural abilities sublimated from an explorer's experiences and talents.
For me, it's the finger snap, but for other explorers, it's based on their previous jobs, school club activities, or hobbies—abilities they've honed become skills.
"Explode! 《Bomber Bowl》!"
A high-speed spinning bowling ball.
But the Chihuahua deflected it with its snout and charged ferociously.
The scene was, in a way, quite surreal.
"Damn! My 《Bomber Bowl》 can't handle monsters from the 4th floor!"
"Move aside! I'll take care of this!"
An explorer with what seemed to be an enhancement skill stepped forward. Was he a firefighter before? Holding a magic sword, he dashed across the ground like the wind, slashing at the monsters. Wow, amaz—
"Uwaaaaah?!"
Just as he thought he'd cut down a Chihuahua, it bit through his magic sword and nearly bit off his neck instead.
If I leave him like this, I'll end up seeing a corpse, so I rushed to help.
——*Snap*
The Chihuahua shattered and burned to ashes.
Amen.
"Haa, haa, haa! T-Thanks, Finger Man...!"
"If you've lost your sword, you can fall back. I'll take care of the rest."
I handed my duralumin case to the former firefighter, freed up both hands, turned toward the dungeon entrance—and snapped my fingers.
HP 30, ATK 600.
With stats like these, Chihuahuas from the 8th floor are instant kills, and even those from the 9th floor are nearly dead.
A massive explosion rocked the dungeon entrance.
Dozens of monsters were reduced to ashes all at once.
"W-Who's skill was that?!"
"Tch, i-it's Finger Man!!"
"We'll get caught in it!! Get away!!"
"Fall back, fall back!!"
Fixing the power at ATK 600, I blew away clusters of monsters all at once.
The explorers retreated behind me.
Even with area-of-effect attacks, some surviving monsters still emerged.
So, I left the smaller stragglers for the other explorers to handle.
A division of labor naturally formed.
I kept a status window open on the side of my vision, and whenever my HP dropped by 200, I injected 'Blue Blood Lv2' into my left thigh with my left hand, fighting safely.
Pikon... Pikon... Pikon... Pikon
My level is rising like crazy.
I continued the annihilation area attacks for 10 minutes.
Finally, the momentum of the Dungeon Wave slowed down, and eventually, only a few monsters trickled out.
Since using ATK 600 was starting to feel like a waste of HP, I lowered the power and casually cut down the rest. It should be over soon.
At that moment, something darted across my field of vision.
"Finger Man!! Dodge!!"
Without needing to be told, I twisted my body and arched my upper body back sharply.
Sharp claws swiped through the air where my body had just been.
Looking over, I saw a huge Chihuahua.
It was about the size of a Golden Retriever.
"That thing came from the 11th, 12th, or even higher floors!!"
"This is bad! Even for Finger Man, who's still C-rank, that's too much! Run! That thing is way too dangerous!!"
Is that so...? I don't think it'll turn out the way everyone is worrying about.
"Garuruu!"
Leaning back——then, with a backflip, I put some distance between myself and the Chihuahua Retriever.
The Chihuahua Retriever charges at me.
I blast its face with ATK 600.
Even so, it doesn't flinch and tries to bite me.
What incredible toughness this thing has.
It's like it's got Super Armor or something.
I kick the monster's face with a yakuza-style kick, push it back, and create distance once again.
While stepping back, I rhythmically snap my fingers.
Once, twice, three times——
It doesn't die. There's no sign of it dying at all.
"Garuruuu!"
"Calibur"
42 times, 43 times, 44 times, 46 times, 47 times, 48 times——
Little by little, the Chihuahua Retriever's movements start to slow down.
I keep hammering it with continuous 'Finger Snap Lv3' at four snaps per second.
In the end, with a total of ATK 2120 and 106 HP worth of damage, the Chihuahua Retriever finally collapses, exhausted.
"Ahh, 106, huh... It's tough, as expected."
While doing the mental math, I shake my slightly overheated fingers with a tremble. If I have to face several of these, my HP (ammo) is going to deplete quickly.
"That's insane... What the hell was that...?"
"This is the top 15%, the difference between C-rank and us..."
"I think I might retire as an explorer..."
I notice everyone around me staring at me with tense, strained looks.
Feeling uncomfortable, I shout, "Give me back my case!" in a slightly high-pitched voice, snatch the dungeon bag from the firefighter, and escape from the barricade into the crowd.
Stop it, don't look at me like I'm some kind of weirdo.