Chapter 22
──3 days later
As soon as the seal caused by the Dungeon Wave was lifted, a large number of explorers rushed out of the dungeon.
Over 100 in total.
These were the people who had been left trapped inside when the temporary dungeon lockdown occurred due to the Dungeon Wave.
As they burst out of the dungeon, members of the self-defense forces waiting nearby lent a hand to the weakened explorers, carrying those unable to move on stretchers.
I watched the scene from a short distance away alongside Dr.
"Every time a Dungeon Wave happens, a huge number of explorers get trapped like that."
"Being trapped must be tough. It was sealed for 4 days, right? How did they survive? Did everyone bring food with them?"
"The manual for when a lockdown happens states that the frontline raiding teams must immediately turn back. Other explorers do the same, all returning to the dungeon's first floor entrance. If there are many explorers, some among them will have food production skills. There are even cooking skills and soft drink skills, you know."
"Anything goes, huh."
"Oh, look, those are the three A-rank explorers known as the 'Walking Family Restaurant.'"
As he pointed it out, I saw men with robust physiques wearing white chef hats emerging from the dungeon.
"From the right, it's 'Fried Potato' Tanaka, 'Melon Soda' Asakura, and 'Hamburger' Goto."
"Are you joking?"
"I'm serious! That's their nickname, so it can't be helped. Even you are 'Finger Man' Akagi, you know."
Hearing that, I started to feel like I'm a joke too.
"Still, A-rank explorers, huh. They've got an incredible presence."
"Yeah, they're on a whole different level."
"How far apart are B-rank and A-rank?"
"You can think of it as an 'insurmountable wall' between them. Hahaha, well, Finger Man, don't rush your life. I'll admit you're strong. But those explorers over there are on 'another stage.' Being granted the right to step into the dungeon's abyss means being allowed to invade all floors, fighting and overpowering otherworldly civilizations on the front lines. It's a mission they bear."
So, becoming A-rank unlocks all floors.
I definitely want to reach that level.
As I watched the Walking Family Restaurant leave, I thought about such things.
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──Perspective of the Walking Family Restaurant
The Walking Family Restaurant consists of great explorers.
All three trained under the same master and forged an irreplaceable bond through harsh training, forming a tight-knit team.
Among the A-rank explorers who are top-tier chefs, they stand out with an exceptional presence.
The three were greeted with cheers from everyone on the surface.
As messiahs who saved the lives of many explorers trapped in the dungeon, and simply as handsome chefs with good looks, everyone was captivated by them.
Wanting to take a brief rest, the three hurried back to the hotel.
At that moment, one of the top among the top, Hamburger Goto, turned back.
Fried Potato Tanaka and Melon Soda Asakura, wondering what was up, turned back as well.
"All roads lead to Hamburger."
"......What's wrong, Goto?"
"It's his usual bad habit. Leave him be. It's not like the potatoes are getting cold."
"Finger Man. That guy's no ordinary person. He's well-kneaded under high pressure. He'd make a fine hamburger."
"......What do you mean, Goto?"
"He's saying the guy's pretty fired up, using quirky phrases like oil reused for the fifth time."
"......Don't say that, Tanaka."
"Don't get so heated. It's not like you're getting fried."
The most sensible one, Melon Soda Asakura, couldn't keep up with the incomprehensible conversation of his two childhood friends.
(These guys are insane.)
"However, the difference in ground meat between an A-rank Hamburger and a B-rank Hamburger is significant. How much can that guy knead himself from here on out, or will he chicken out and turn into a Chicken Steak? It all depends on him."
"......Is Chicken Steak running away, Goto?"
Hamburger Goto turned his gaze away from Finger Man, turned his back, and left the camp.
At that moment, a group of high school girls from the Walking Family Restaurant fan cluster waiting outside the camp rushed to surround the three heroes.
Handsome, chefs, muscular, explorers, A-rank.
Today's trending topic on dungeon SNS is practically set.
────
──Akagi Hideo's perspective
The dungeon has been unlocked.
For the past 3 days, I've been quietly working on dailies.
The breakdown of the dailies was the unpleasant trio of 'Probability Time: Coin,' 'Barry Botter,' and 'Probability Time: Coin.' It was really tough.
Having overcome the ordeal, I think I'll challenge the dungeon without hesitation.
My level went up a little too.
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Akagi Hideo
Level 99
HP 6,560/6,560
MP 1,080/1,080
Skills
'Finger Snap Lv4'
'Phobia Syndrome Lv2'
'One Strike'
Equipment
'Blue Blood Lv2' G3
'Proof of the Chosen One' G3
'Secret Map' G3
'Adolphene's Holy Shroud' G3
'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' G4
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Just a little more until level 100.
Thanks to the intense Dungeon Wave and the generous rewards from dailies.
Also, sometimes I hear the sound of leveling up for no apparent reason.
I still don't quite understand what it is.
With a black brooch and a sapphire brooch on my chest, wearing a warm brown coat, and carrying a duralumin case in one hand, I arrived at the camp.
I was empty-handed earlier, so I went back to the hotel to get my things.
"'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' mystery unraveling, I'm counting on you, Finger Man."
Seeing me off was Dr., whom I happened to run into, as I stepped into the dungeon.
Right away, I opened the 'Secret Map' and uploaded the hunting grounds to SNS.
Oh, I started getting reactions right after posting. Mostly from salarymen. Seems they're checking my Finger Man hunting grounds corner more than economic trends during their commute.
Hoping faintly to stumble upon another Resource Boss, I descended to the 9th floor.
Now, onto the 10th floor.
A new frontier.
"The 10th floor, huh."
The dungeon's atmosphere changed.
While it used to have the appearance of a faintly lit natural cave, the 10th floor looked like a labyrinth crafted by human hands.
Made of stacked stone bricks with organized pathways, it gave off an indescribable eeriness.
Opening the 'Secret Map,' finding the hunting grounds, and heading there with the sound of my soles clicking, I quickly spotted monsters.
It's a small Chihuahua Retriever.
I don't know how strong the Chihuahua Retriever I defeated during the Dungeon Wave was, but based on past patterns, smaller ones should be weaker.
So, I burned it with the AT600 flames of 'Finger Snap Lv3,' which is within one-shot range on the 9th floor.
The explosion of flames enveloped the Chihuahua.
However, as expected of a 10th floor Chihuahua, it easily broke through the flames and bared its fangs at me.
The Chihuahuas lately have been increasing in toughness.
They're all muscle-headed Chihuahuas pushing through with Super Armor.
But my finger snap is long-range with a 100% hit rate.
Super Armor is no match for it.
Slash, slash, slash──
In the end, it was defeated at HP10 ATK1,000.
That means its HP was between 901 and 999.
As expected, they've gotten tougher.
But......
──────────────────
Akagi Hideo
Level 99
HP 6,550/6,560
MP 1,080/1,080
Skills
'Finger Snap Lv4'
'Phobia Syndrome'
'One Strike'
Equipment
'Blue Blood Lv2' G3
'Proof of the Chosen One' G3
'Secret Map' G3
'Adolphene's Holy Shroud' G3
'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' G4
──────────────────
Let me be clear.
I have nothing but leeway.
Probably due to Dungeon Wave, Gold member status, and most of all, the power of 'Finger Snap Lv4.' No, seriously, this finger snap is way too strong. They won't nerf it, right?
But, well, it's also true that the enemy's strength growth rate has skyrocketed.
Without rushing, I'll work my way up from the 10th floor.
Running my hunting grounds routine for a day, I'll work up a good sweat before heading back.
By the way, I've barely expended any energy.
If I wanted to, I could pull an all-nighter, but doing so would feel like pressuring Shurado with "I'm working this hard, so you'll promote me, right?!"—which makes me feel guilty.
It's similar to flaunting overtime to look diligent.
I'll be the responsible adult who doesn't imitate such bad habits.
"Hey, Finger Man."
"Dr."
"You've been diving all day again? That's some impressive stamina."
"I don't have a stat like that."
"It's hidden. Doesn't show up in the status window, you see."
Is that so?
"By the way, how's that 'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' coming along?"
"Yes. The crystals can be retrieved without issue, no explosions, and it fulfills its role as a dungeon bag perfectly."
"Hmm, hmm. And the evolution function?"
"Haven't tested it yet."
And so, the Dr. and I decided to conduct an experiment in a corner of the camp.
Whispers of "Do those weirdos get along?" "Ugh, that pervy old man and Finger Man are close?" "Shh! Don't look!" reach our ears—hardly flattering.
"......Perhaps we should stop. I'll just continue the experiments alone, as before."
"Dr."
I call out to stop him as he turns to leave.
"You're my friend. Let me help."
"Finger Man, oh......"
The Dr. turns to me with teary eyes.
"Then, let's begin the experiment at once!"
I place the 'Secret Map' into the bag.
Inside are roughly 300,000 yen worth of crystals (I've learned to estimate the amount).
When I open the lid, most of the crystals are gone. The map has vanished too.
The unexpected situation makes the Dr. and I exchange glances.
At the same time, we look down at the "black sunglasses" sitting alone in the duralumin case.