Chapter 23
An awkward silence hangs between me and the Dr.
"That Dr.... my map..."
"It's not yet time to panic."
"That's what the perpetrator would say."
I let out a small sigh.
A single tear rolls down.
My map, aaah...!
"Don't be so quick to despair, Finger Man! Behold, this anomalous substance!"
"Item name: 'Labyrinth Conqueror'...?"
I try putting on the sunglasses.
Nothing happens.
Since the Dr. says, "It might only work inside the dungeon," I decide to enter the first floor.
A three-dimensional map appears behind the black lenses.
This must be a 3D map.
It shows the entire floor.
It even marks the hunting grounds.
Its function is quite similar to the 'Secret Map.'
Could it be that this is the evolved—no, transformed—form of the 'Secret Map,' even changing its item name...?
I check the details.
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'Labyrinth Conqueror'
Nothing excites an adventurer more than finding treasure.
In addition to identifying monster hotspots, it reveals the location of treasures hidden in the labyrinth.
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No doubt about it.
This is an anomalous substance (anomaly) that evolved—no, transformed—from the 'Secret Map.'
Though its nature has slightly changed, it's effectively a superior version.
The only downside is that it's harder to take pictures with my phone when updating today's hunting grounds on SNS—
"Something appeared."
When I swipe my finger from the temple—the part that goes over the ear—to the side of the lens, the 3D map, which only existed inside the black lenses, appears in the space before my eyes.
No way. I can even share it.
Actually, this is ridiculously high-tech.
Huh? It's completely superior?
Amazing.
The grade I'm curious about is—
"Status."
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Akagi Hideo
Level 101
HP 4,856/6,992
MP 420/1,160
Skills
'Finger Snap Lv4'
'Phobia Syndrome Lv2'
'One Strike'
Equipment
'Blue Blood Lv2' G3
'Proof of the Chosen One' G3
'Labyrinth Conqueror' G4
'Adolphene's Holy Shroud' G3
'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' G4
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Aah—! It's G4 now!!
Good job! Good job, 'Labyrinth Conqueror'!
It properly grew from 'Secret Map' G3! Good, good!
"I see. So, by enhancing it with the G4 'Mugen High-Load ver3.0,' you obtained the G4 'Labyrinth Conqueror' as well. Hmm."
"Did you figure something out, Dr.?"
"It's still too soon to say for certain. I'm a scientist. I won't make assertions at this ambiguous stage."
He actually sounds like a proper scientist.
But suddenly acting all scientific... I don't know how to react.
"From what I see, 'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' seems stable. I'll take it back for now. You'll be coming to the dungeon tomorrow anyway, right? Come get it in the morning. Then we can continue testing."
"Are you pulling an all-nighter?"
"Eh? You're not? I'm already on my second all-nighter! Huh? You've done zero all-nighters? Ohhh, I see. Rookie."
This old man suddenly got as lively as a college student.
"With this energy drink, I can easily go for three all-nighters!"
So he *is* basically a college student.
Before I could even retort, All-Nighter Mount Dr. took the 'Mugen High-Load ver3.0' and left.
Before returning to the hotel, I go back into the dungeon to briefly test the 'Labyrinth Conqueror' sunglasses.
Near the first-floor entrance, I spot an unfamiliar symbol.
When I approach, I find a small stone box hidden in the shadow of the dungeon wall.
"A treasure chest?"
Upon opening it, pale blue particles enter my body—probably EXP. The box contains crystals.
I see. So the "treasures hidden in the labyrinth" are treasure chests.
A bit of EXP and crystals.
Maybe sometimes they even have anomalous substances inside.
Well, that's nice.
This is good. Exactly what I wanted.
Honestly, I've started questioning whether spending all day cremating Chihuahuas in the dungeon is really the best use of my time.
Treasure chests? Now that's exciting.
Suddenly, I'm looking forward to exploring.
That said, this crystal is huge for a first-floor crystal.
One of these is equivalent to walking around the first floor all day.
If I keep collecting bonuses (treasure chests), I might end up with even more rewards.
"As expected of treasure chests. Happy to find them, happy to open them."
Having fully grasped the 'Labyrinth Conqueror's' changes, I decide to wrap things up by putting today's haul into a box that once held Christmas presents.
"Welcome back, Akagi! Oh, is that a treasure chest? Even small ones are rare! As expected of the beloved explorer!"
"This box is kinda cute, isn't it? Can I take it back as decor?"
"Absolutely not! What nonsense are you spouting, Akagi? Honestly!"
She rejected me with a *huge* smile.
Come on, you didn't have to scold me...
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Today's Appraisal
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Crystal 7,296 yen
Crystal 5,001 yen
Crystal 5,963 yen
Crystal 5,209 yen
Crystal 5,396 yen
Large Crystal 10,960 yen
Large Crystal 10,440 yen
Large Crystal 12,096 yen
Small treasure chest 20,000 yen
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Total 82,361 yen
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Dungeon Bank Account Balance 1,996,199 yen
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Shurado Investment 6,000,963 yen
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Total Assets 7,997,162 yen
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My treasure chest was mercilessly priced by the appraisal machine.
Ah, right, that chest is definitely the type they'd buy out... I kinda wanted to keep at least one in my room......
"Good work today! Let's do our best again tomorrow!"
"By the way, Shurado, the money I deposited seems to have increased a little."
"That's how asset management works! You didn't even know that?"
Ouch, oww, that stings, Shurado.
I'm sorry, I'm ignorant, so please forgive me, don't scold me with that smile.
"Since it's expected to grow on its own, feel free to check whenever you like!"
"Wow, it's amazing that it increases even without doing anything."
Whether asset management is amazing or Shurado's decisions are outstanding, I don't know... but anyway, good!
"By the way, Akagi! Those sunglasses..."
This is bad.
I don't know why, but I feel like I'm about to get my feelings hurt.
"They actually suit you pretty well!"
Ah, I'm happy.
I totally thought she'd say something like "They look so lame!"
Passing Shurado's fashion check is a big deal.
My cheeks loosen up. Ehehe. Ihihi. Ohoho.
"But walking around at night wearing sunglasses is dangerous, so you have to take them off! Bad kids who don't take them off... get this!"
Shurado swiftly took the sunglasses, folded them, and slipped them into my coat's chest pocket. Cute. Amazing. She smells nice. Playing around with a beautiful girl is so fun (virgin).
"Hey! There's a line forming behind you!"
"Hurry it up already!"
"Who's the dumbass taking their sweet time at the counter? Move!"
"Hey, idiot, stop it, it's Finger Man's turn!"
"Even if it's Finger Man, watch your mouth!"
The explorers forming a long line behind me started getting rowdy.
It can't be helped—this is peak appraisal rush hour.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yes! See you tomorrow! Good night, Akagi!"
I walked out of the camp's inner area with quiet steps, greeted the police officers, passed through the outer area, and into the night's darkness.
Unable to hold back, I started skipping.
"Buchi (black brooch), you did great~, good boy good boy, I'll polish you again later."
I got closer to Shurado today too.
Still in a giddy mood, I returned to the hotel.
Another exhausting day today.