Chapter 20
The dungeon has been sealed due to the Dungeon Wave.
In other words, I can no longer enter the dungeon itself.
They say the seal will be lifted in a few days.
I was sipping on an energy drink alone, sitting at the terrace of a skewer stall at the camp, killing time by watching anime on Prime.
Suddenly, a shadow flitted across the corner of my vision, and at the same time, my wireless earbuds were swiftly pulled out.
Who dares to take the earbuds of this bourgeois explorer, Akagi Hideo-sama——and with that inner bravado, I looked up at the face of the earbud thief.
"So, you were here! Akagi!"
"Ah, Shurado."
I stood up instinctively.
Shurado waved it off with "No, no, don't mind me!" and sat down opposite me, grabbing one of my skewers and starting to munch on it. Shurado is the one who doesn't mind, huh. She's cute, so it's fine!
"The cleanup after the Dungeon Wave has settled down for now, so I came to deliver your reward!"
"There's a reward for the Dungeon Wave?"
"Of course! All the explorers who participated get a reward!"
Since it's difficult to completely distribute all the dropped crystals, they apparently allocate a fixed amount based on contribution.
They say my share this time accounts for quite a large portion of the total.
I check my Dungeon Bank account.
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Dungeon Wave Reward +1,205,000 yen
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That's what it showed.
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Dungeon Bank Account Balance approx. 1,913,838 yen
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1.2 million?! Amazing. That's a huge amount!
"Is it really okay to receive such a high-society reward?"
"Of course! In fact, this amount is still on the low side! Akagi, you fought incredibly well! You're amazing!"
Shurado starts rubbing my hand, saying "Amazing, amazing! So amazing!"
Her hand is smooth, soft, small, and cute. What is this feeling? This happiness, being touched by a woman, is so much fun (※virgin).
"Anyway, I think dungeon entry will be prohibited for about three days! Or rather, you physically can't enter! Don't do anything reckless like trying to break through with a finger snap, okay!"
"I won't, obviously. Ah, by the way, I wanted to ask something."
"What is it! Why does a Dungeon Wave happen?"
"According to overseas academic journals, when a dungeon's conquest is near, it releases the monsters it contains into the outside world to cut off pursuers!"
"So, does that mean the frontline explorers have found the dungeon boss's room?"
"I think that's the most likely possibility! This dungeon is close to its end! Probably about a week until it's fully conquered!"
"Ah, the dungeon is ending... That's surprisingly fast."
"Even so, this one has taken a long time! This dungeon is quite a big deal!"
Shurado says that and then, with a "Well, I'll be going now!" heads back toward the tent. It seems she still has a lot of work to do. Unlike me, she looks busy.
"No point staying here, huh."
I can't enter the dungeon for a while.
I want to go into the dungeon.
I want to be in the dungeon more than playing games or watching anime.
My body has become like that.
Is it the pleasure of leveling up?
Or do I just like collecting money?
I don't really understand my own feelings.
But I love the dungeon.
The next morning.
"Daily Mission"
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★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day!
'Daily Muscle Training: Squats Part 2'
Squats 0/1,000
Consecutive days: 19th day
Steady Rank: Silver Multiplier 2.5
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This kind of thing is fine.
Let's get it done quickly.
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★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day!
'Daily Muscle Training: Squats Part 2'
Squats 1,000/1,000
★Today's Daily Mission Achieved!★
Reward: Wisdom of the Ancients B (50,000 EXP)
Skill Nutrient B (50,000 Skill EXP)
Skill Nutrient C (10,000 Skill EXP)
Consecutive days: 20th day
Steady Rank: Gold Multiplier 5.0
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Ahhh!?
It's here!!
Everyone! It's here!
Gold member! Thank you so much. It's finally here!
Well then, as the bourgeois explorer and Gold member Akagi Hideo, I humbly declare that I will make full use of energy drinks and old books.
Pikon!
(Skill level has gone up)
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'Finger Snap Lv4'
Snap your fingers to crush any hardship.
Convert life energy into an attack.
Conversion rate ATK100:HP1
Unlock condition: Achieve 200,000 kills with One Snap One Kill (or achieve 5,000 kills under the same condition in a short period)
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God.
Gold member and this alone make today satisfying.
Let's see, what's this? HP1 for ATK100? Yes, God. SSGSS.
I'm invincible now. I don't feel like I can lose. I can go up to the 100th floor with this, right?
I want to test it out.
Well, an ATK100 ignition attack is no joke, so even if it's the undeveloped land of Gunma, as a moral and exemplary human, I won't go shooting it recklessly.
I wash off the sweat in the shower and throw myself onto the bed.
"I've got nothing left to do..."
If I were at home, I'd probably dive deep into PS5, but since I'm out here, I can't even kill time.
I'm the type of gentleman who prefers to settle in and enjoy games, so I'm not really interested in mobile versions.
As I'm rolling around, thinking about relaxing while watching anime, my eyes suddenly catch the emerald brooch.
Ah, come to think of it, I became C-rank but haven't posted about it on SNS.
I take a picture of the emerald brooch and upload it.
The caption I add is "First of many."
This shows that, for me, who aims for a big windfall, the emerald brooch is merely a stepping stone.
Right away, I get likes on my C-rank promotion post!
This person always gives likes to my posts!
Their name is Agent G.
Who on earth could they be?
Ah, a comment just came in.
Agent G: Hedonist
Wha—could this be a sharp criticism of me getting all excited about reaching C-rank?
Ughhh~//// So embarrassing, way too embarrassing!
I can't take it anymore, I've gotta own it or I'll lose my sense of self!
Agent G: Hedonist
Got a problem with that?: Finger Man
Ugh, just looking at the text, it seems like an angry reply.
This is so embarrassing, I look like some weirdo lashing out, whatever, I'll just delete it......
I delete the post and writhe in agony on the bed.
I shouldn't have done something so unnecessary.
The plus from 'Finger Snap Lv4' just got wiped out to zero balance with this.
"I'm not feeling it today."
As I spin a coin on the back of my finger while watching anime, a car commercial suddenly plays.
Somehow, I start feeling like maybe I should buy a car or something (so simple-minded).
I leave the hotel and casually wander over to the dungeon camp.
A black, high-quality car parked by the roadside catches my eye.
That car looks so cool.
If I had a car like that, could I take Shurado somewhere?
Wait, take her where?
I don't even have a hobby of looking at night views, nor do I dream of going on drives. If anything, I'm the type who loves staying home the most. This is bad, I'm losing sight of myself. Is it because having a lot of money has widened the scope of what's possible for me?
I tear my gaze away from the black, high-quality car and head into the camp.
Since it's the day after yesterday, of course, the dungeon is still sealed off.
"Ah, it's Finger Man......"
"Finger Man......sama......"
"The explorer chosen by the dungeon......"
I can hear the murmurs.
"Akagi! You've come at the perfect time! Over here! Come on!"
At the dungeon Countermeasures HQ camp, Shurado is beckoning me over. She's so cute, I scurry right over to her.
"What's up, Shurado?"
"Good news! It seems that word of your heroics during yesterday's Dungeon Wave reached HQ, and this morning, an HQ agent brought this!"
"Wha—this is!"
What's handed to me is a black box.
I recognize that box, overflowing with a high-quality aura.
I open it. There's a brooch inside. Though simple, the intricate carvings of its design draw the eye.
A blue gem, estimated at 2 carats, holds the mysterious hue of light pouring from the depths of the sea.
"Surely, someone from HQ must have been at the camp by chance and witnessed your moment during the Dungeon Wave! From here on, it's the realm of true professionals, a level only the top 2% of explorers can reach! Honestly, I feel like Akagi could even pass the A-rank evaluation......but anyway, congratulations!"
I return the emerald brooch.
In its place, I attach the sapphire brooch.
The deep blue shines quietly next to the jet-black decoration of the 'Proof of the Chosen One.'
From here on, it's the world of the top 2%.
A realm permitted only to true professionals, huh.
My finger snap has Evolved too.
I've become a Gold member as well.
And I've reached B-rank.
Today's just an amazing day, isn't it?
I'm looking forward to going to a new floor.