Chapter 30
Happy New Year!
I'm Akagi Hideo, a bourgeois, Gold member, and B-rank explorer.
I spent the New Year at home while completing my daily tasks.
Man, home is great. The food just keeps coming endlessly.
And the ozoni is delicious. It's my foolish little sister's ozoni.
And yet, it's free! Amazing. My little sister is kind on New Year's Day.
Mmm, the mochi is so chewy and irresistible. Delicious.
Thinking about bro freezing in the Bering Sea makes it taste even better.
I slurp ozoni with my old man, little sister, and myself, the three of us under the kotatsu.
The old man leaves the living room first.
Then, my foolish little sister opens her mouth.
"I couldn't meet Finger Man-sama."
Huh?
"Weren't you at a girlfriend's house or something?"
"I went to Gunma. I told you, didn't I?"
No, you didn't.
"I went all the way to that undeveloped land... Ahh!"
"I see. I want another piece of mochi."
"1,000 yen."
"It was 500 yen for Father, wasn't it, little sister?"
"1,000 yen."
Huh, it's more expensive just for me, huh.
"Isn't there a big brother discount?"
"Hmm, 2,000 yen."
"'Discount' is written as 'cut and subtract,' you know..."
"3,000 yen."
No way, this girl!
She only sees me as someone who gives her money now!!
I give up on the mochi.
"Big brother, you were in the dungeon, right? Didn't you meet Finger Man-sama?"
"Why Finger Man-sama?"
"Finger Man-sama is an incredibly amazing explorer who can defeat any monster with just a flick of his finger. Big brother, you don't even know that? You're so behind!"
"I know. He's amazing, right, Finger Man?"
"Add 'sama' to it."
"...... Finger Man-sama."
"Rumors say he's a secret weapon hidden by the Dungeon Foundation or even an SCCL-applied anomalous substance."
"Es, see... what?"
Isn't she more knowledgeable about dungeons and anomalous substances than me...?
SCCL? What's that? So many English terms, it sounds kinda cool (idiot).
"Look, look, isn't this super cool?"
My little sister shows me a photo on her smartphone.
A handsome foreigner who looks like he could star in a Hollywood movie is on the screen.
"Who's this?"
"Finger Man-sama."
"No, not at all!"
"?"
"Ah... I think differently. I believe Finger Man is more down-to-earth. That's what I think, anyway."
"Then, is it this person?"
This time, she shows me a photo of a Japanese guy.
But again, it's a muscular, handsome guy... Wait, isn't this Hamburger Goto?
The information seems to be all mixed up.
Foolish little sister, you're being swayed by the braggarts of the internet society.
But, well, it's kind of funny, so maybe it's fine like this.
Lately, this little sister of mine has been showing shades of a money-worshipper.
A blooming high school girl, I get that she wants to have fun.
But I can't accept her neglecting this big brother.
I hope that when she finally uncovers the true identity of Finger Man and realizes it's me, she'll fall for me all over again. See, revealing your identity yourself is lame, right? Making the other person realize it on their own is what makes the heart flutter——
"I guess I'll go change now. Here, I don't need this mochi, so you can have it."
My foolish little sister gives me a piece of mochi from her ozoni into my bowl.
She finishes her soup, places the empty bowl in the kitchen, and stomps up the stairs with a bang, bang, bang.
"...... She showed affection first. Guess I have to pay up."
So, you're giving me mochi after all.
Even if you act nice now, I won't forgive all the times you've oppressed me.
This big brother won't be fooled.
So, I'll only give you 1,000 yen.
————
Even without a dungeon, I complete my daily tasks every day.
Why? Because it's daily.
Nothing more, nothing less.
After enjoying the delicious ozoni, I spin a coin on the back of my finger in my room while taking on today's routine.
"Daily Mission"
————————————————————
★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day!
'On the wall of Shawshank'
Break through the wall with a hammer 0/10
Consecutive days: 34th day
Steady Rank: Gold, multiplier 5.0x
————————————————————
Doesn't seem too hard.
Alright, let's get to it with energy today too.
"Big brother, I'm heading out now!"
I hear my little sister's voice from downstairs.
I just remembered. It's New Year's Day.
I have to go to my grandparents' house.
"Damn it...! Ah, what do I do? I'm not ready!"
"Chee-chee-chee!"
Shimaenaga-san is holding up my coat with its feet.
"Shimaenaga-san, are you helping me get ready!?"
"Chee-chee!"
So as not to trouble Shimaenaga-san, I quickly change clothes, roughly fix my bedhead, and put on my coat.
But then, I reconsider.
Wearing 'Adolphene's Holy Shroud' on a regular day feels a bit odd.
I take off the coat and hang it on a hanger.
Even when I try to choose alternative clothes, I'm at a loss for what to do.
Lately, wearing 'Adolphene's Holy Shroud' has been enough to pass the fashion check, so choosing other clothes is quite a dilemma.
"Chee-chee-chee!"
"Hm? Shimaenaga-san, you're bringing 'Adolphene's Holy Shroud' again... I'm not wearing that."
"Chee-chee-chee!"
"Huh? You're so insistent... Please put it away in the closet properly!"
"Chee-chee-chee!"
"You're really pushing for that equipment... Should I wear it?"
"Chee-chee!"
"Buchi too? The sapphire brooch as well? 'Blue Blood Lv3' too? Wait, I should take everything?"
Shimaenaga-san grabs dungeon equipment from all over the room and tosses it to me.
Just going to my grandparents' house, but being fully equipped feels a bit much...
Suddenly, a message pops up on my smartphone screen.
The sender is Shurado.
Shurado: Happy New Year.
It's Shurado. I look forward to working with you this year.
Shurado, Happy New Year.
You're sending a personal message to someone like me, Akagi?
To me, even though we've only known each other for a short while?
Sending me a private message... I'm so happy I could cry.
But, what's this?
The vibe feels a bit different.
So, Shurado has this formal tone in messages.
Shurado: The world is completely enveloped in a relaxed, carefree mood.
However, explorers must prepare for encounters with dungeons.
Only explorers can stand against dungeons.
Daily diligence leads to the early discovery of dungeons.
On behalf of the Dungeon Foundation, I request your cooperation.
Ah... this is the kind of message sent to all explorers...
I thought it was something special just for me... Ugh, I'm so cringey for getting excited... Just because she was a bit nice to me, I'm already acting like a boyfriend.
Shurado: Encounters with dungeons lurk in unexpected moments.
You must not neglect your preparations, Akagi.
Huh? Wait, this message... is it just for me?
Shurado: Actually, this is only for you, Akagi.
Were you surprised?
I've been played with!
I mean, isn't she way too good at manipulating my emotions!?
"Big brother! What are you doing!? You said we're leaving! Ugh... why are you smirking at your phone, so creepy..."
"H-Hey, don't just barge in like that!"
I chase my little sister out and get back to preparing.
Encounters with dungeons lurk everywhere, huh.
Those are the words of the sage, Shurado.
With Shimaenaga-san's strong recommendation too, I'll go all out with full equipment as usual.
"Chee-chee-chee"
I get my equipment ready, finally tucking Shimaenaga-san into my chest pocket, and dash down the stairs.
——1 hour later
Arriving at my grandparents' house, I finish greetings, eat delivery sushi, and spend some family bonding time.
By the way, I love tuna sushi.
I love tuna anywhere.
Lean, medium fatty, fatty tuna. I love them all.
Tuna is the only winner.
"Oh, where's Masato?"
My grandfather asks about bro.
Tension fills the air.
If they find out he was banished to the rough seas, won't I get scolded?
Old man, what do we do!?
"He's in the Bering Sea."
He just answered normally!?
Old man, shouldn't you soften the blow a little!?
"Oh, I see, the Bering Sea must be cold."
Wait, you're just accepting that!?
No grandfather would hear their grandson is in the Bering Sea and just reply with 'must be cold.'
My old man is a bit odd, but his father, my grandfather, also has a pretty warped sense of things.
"Chee-chee-chee"
"There, there. Want some tuna?"
"Big brother, why is Shimaenaga here...?"
"Huh? Oh, I picked it up in Gunma."
"Huh. So, Gunma has Shimaenaga just lying around."
"Yeah."
Spending family bonding time, I decide it's about time to do the daily 'Sho-shank Wall Break,' so I head to my grandfather's garage.
Since my grandfather was there, I asked, "Can I make a hole in the wall?"
He just casually replied, "Sure."
Even I think this is a crazy conversation.
I found a hammer in the garage.
It's a sledgehammer, the kind Shurado often carries around.
Using 'Finger Snap Lv4' would make a hole in one hit, but according to Daily-kun's rules, it probably wouldn't count.
So, this time, I need the hammer.
"That's right, Hideo, if you want to make a hole, there's a storage shed in the backyard."
Led by my grandfather, I arrive at an old, large storage shed.
I didn't even know there was a shed like this.
I've come here every year, but I had no idea.
The inside of the shed was empty.
I swing the hammer and lightly make a hole in the wall.
"That's some incredible power, isn't it?"
"That's because I'm an explorer, Grandpa."
"Oh."
I crawl through the hole.
────────────────────
★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day!
'Sho-shank Wall Break'
Make a hole in the wall with a hammer and crawl through 1/10
Consecutive days: 34th day
Steady Rank: Gold multiplier 5.0x
────────────────────
Yup. This seems fine.
I crawl through one more time.
────────────────────
★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day!
'Sho-shank Wall Break'
Make a hole in the wall with a hammer and crawl through 1/10
Consecutive days: 34th day
Steady Rank: Gold multiplier 5.0x
────────────────────
It hasn't changed.
So, once I've crawled through a hole, it's considered already done in terms of judgment, huh.
I have to make a new hole every time. Is that how it is, Daily-kun?
"As an explorer, are you conquering dungeons, Hideo?"
"Yeah, I plan to make a living out of this."
Under my grandfather's watchful eye, I repeated the process of making holes and crawling through them.
────────────────────
★Daily Mission★
Let's work hard every day!
'Sho-shank Wall Break'
Make a hole in the wall with a hammer and crawl through 10/10
★Today's Daily Mission accomplished!★
Reward: Wisdom of the Ancients B (50,000 EXP)
Ancestral Wisdom C (10,000 EXP)
Skill Nutrient C (10,000 Skill EXP)
Consecutive days: 35th day
Steady Rank: Gold multiplier 5.0x
────────────────────
Alright, done.
"Hideo, can I have a moment?"
"What is it, Grandpa?"
"There's something I want you to see."
"?"
My grandfather headed deeper into the storage shed.
He pointed at the dark, damp floor.
There was a corridor leading underground.
The entrance was tightly shut, sealed with a padlock and chains.
...Wait, was this always here?
"It was around the summer five years ago, I think. Suddenly, the floor cracked open, and this hole appeared."
"A hole? ...What's it like inside?"
"It was like a labyrinth. It just kept going and going——"
"And then?"
"It was convenient for storage, so I put everything from the shed into the hole."
"That's why the shed is empty."
Wait, that's not the point.
At this timing, a mysterious hole?
And inside, it's like a labyrinth...?
This matches Shurado's advice... Could it be a dungeon?!
"Sometimes, I hear groaning sounds. They're not human."
It's a dungeon.
"Oh yeah, weird monsters come out from time to time too."
Definitely a dungeon.
"No matter how many times I swat them away with a broom, they keep coming."
Man, Grandpa, you're incredible.
"Eventually, they came attacking in a group of about 50."
Isn't that a Dungeon Wave?
"I swatted them away with a broom."
At this point, you're basically an S-class explorer.
"I felt like it would be a nuisance to the neighbors if monsters kept coming out on their own, so I sealed the entrance like this. But recently, the noises have been getting louder."
"Uh, wow, for now, let's report this to the Dungeon Foundation..."
"Could you take a look, Hideo?"
"Isn't it better not to open it...?"
"Come on, don't say that."
"No, seriously, we should report to the Dungeon Foundation first..."
"The key should be around here, ah, here it is, here it is."
"It's better not to open it!"
"No, just a quick look."
I said, don't open it, you old man!!
My grandfather smoothly undid the seal.
He lifted the floor door.
At that moment, a black arm reached out from inside.
Countless arms grabbed my grandfather tightly and dragged him inside.
"Ahh, Hi-Hideooo!"
"Grandpaaaa?! I told you not to open it!"
This is bad, really bad, seriously bad!
Anyway, I need to contact the Dungeon Foundation!
If I message Shurado, she'll help me out!
Shurado!: Akagi Hideo
Found a weird dungeon
Before I could finish typing the message, an arm reached out and grabbed my smartphone tightly.
After a 4-second tug-of-war, my smartphone was taken away.
"Ah! Don't mess with me, give back my phone!"
Without thinking, I jumped into the suspicious hole.