Chapter 83
Hello there, I'm Akagi Hideo—an A-rank, a member of the bourgeoisie, a Platinum member, and also the factory manager.
I obtained the ultimate super-strong Power Mode and brilliantly defeated Shirokko.
The Chiba Civic Hall was sacrificed in the process, but, well, that's that and this is this. I didn't do anything wrong. Yes, this topic is over.
"No, this is bad! The blown-up fragments of the civic hall are raining down on the town!"
This situation is way too serious for jokes.
I kicked off the ground with all my might and soared into the sky, snapping my fingers nonstop to blow away or evaporate the rubble.
Then, with the power of my primordial partner, the 'Proof of the Chosen One', I'll somehow pull it all together without any more victims.
The sound of sirens is echoing through the town.
It's like a full-blown disaster out there (※dead accurate).
Since the scene was turning into a complete mess, let's just escape to the EXP factory before we get dragged into trouble.
——Some time later
We made it inside.
Feels like it's been a while since we've come back. Man, that was one intense battle.
We built the entrance to Chiba's city center inside the sewers, away from the remains of the civic hall.
So it shouldn't get discovered.
"Hahh, thought I was gonna die......"
Over in the garden plot where the 'Tree of Experience Points' is planted, the Doctor is sitting with his knees hugged, looking exhausted.
I'd like to move on to the part where I brag about the experience facilities, but it doesn't feel like the right time. Guess I'll have to hold off. Maybe?
"Finger Man, you're one crazy explorer, aren't you?"
"Heh heh heh."
"To think you actually defeated the S-rank explorer known as part of the Aberrant Conglomerate..."
The Doctor turns his worn-out face away. Right over there, the long-haired man—Shirokko—is kneeling, restrained by the Black Swamp monsters. Yep, we caught him.
On top of Shirokko's head sits the majestic Shimaenaga-san.
"Chii chii chii!" she stomps on him with her tiny feet in sweet revenge. Well, she has every right to stomp on him as much as she wants.
I panicked a little when she died, but she's still as fluffy as ever, thank goodness. I thought there might be some death penalty or something, but there's no particular change. Her level hasn't dropped either. She's just pure white and fluffy. Fluffy.
By the way, Vladimir's already been subjected to Gii-san's tentacle play, so he's standing there frozen. He's been brainwashed. Right now, he'll do anything you say. With just a word, he'd run around Chiba's city center flashing his panties in a miniskirt. Not that I'd actually make him do that.
"Finger Man, what are you planning to do...?!"
Oh? Shita Chichigasky is barking boldly.
Ah, we caught him too.
"What I'm going to do? Isn't it obvious?"
"Chii chii chii!"
"Gii!"
From what I've heard, this guy's a massive scumbag.
There's no need to keep someone like that alive.
"If we let you out, you'd just slip away and play it off again, wouldn't you?"
I snap my fingers in front of Shita Chichigasky's face as I say that and point at him.
"Guh......"
"It's my finger that will judge you."
——Snap
Even I'm impressed with how crisp that sounded.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaah——"
And he's charred remains. Shita Chichigasky is dead.
By the way, the ashes are neatly on top of a magic circle.
Thanks to Daily-kun's outrageous act, the EXP Lighter is happily full to the brim, so I'll slowly and secretly siphon it off. Private EXP (maybe?)
"Chii chii chii♪ (Translation: Since I'm off suspension, that EXP belongs to Chii♪)"
Here comes Shimaenaga-san, gleefully approaching to claim Shita Chichigasky's EXP.
But a wait signal comes in—this junior restrains the flying bean pastry with a black tentacle. Too bad, Enaga.
"Ch-Chii?! (Translation: H-Hey, what are you doing, junior?!)"
"Gii (Translation: Suspension isn't technically over yet, senior.)"
"Chichichii chiichichii! (Translation: That can't be true, Chii! It's definitely been lifted, Chii! I'll confirm with Hideo!)"
"Shimaenaga-san."
"Chii......! (Translation: Please, Chii......!)"
"......Just this once."
"Chii~♪"
"Gii (Translation: Permission granted.)"
And so, Shimaenaga-san is officially off suspension.
Well, you earned it. Just this once, okay?
Shimaenaga-san looks absolutely thrilled to have gained experience points.
But she's not leveling up. Hm.
Maybe this guy's EXP just isn't worth much?
Shita Chichigasky's no good after all, huh.
"Ugh... ngh... it... hurts......!"
Oh? Ohhh?
Just when I thought he'd been reduced to charred remains, Shita Chichigasky starts reviving from the ashes. Seems the ring on his finger is the catalyst. Hm? Wait, isn't that an anomalous substance?
"It's one of the Doctor's revival-type anomalous substances."
Shirokko's voice rang out cool and clear.
Through his long hair, his sharp eyes glare at us.
"Revival-type anomalous substance?"
"The Doctor's version is higher quality than mine. He'll come back over and over with fewer penalties."
"Thanks for the info. Being able to kill him multiple times is a great deal, isn't it? (Heh heh heh, that just means I can farm EXP from him endlessly, right? Gotta squeeze him dry.)"
"......(A great deal, huh. For someone leading a major criminal organization, he sure gets this furious and seeks revenge over a friend's honor... what a loyal guy.)"
Oh. Hey, if he's just gonna revive anyway——I've got a great idea.
Wouldn't turning him into metal boost the EXP?
"Gii."
"Hm? Gii-san?"
Gii-san whipped out a black tentacle and smacked the freshly revived, completely naked Shita Chichigasky to death again. RIP.
"Um... Gii-san? I wanted to metalize Shita Chichigasky."
"Gii."
Ah, he just one-punched the revived Doctor again......
The Doctor keeps instantly dying in silence and reviving, only to have Gii-san suck up his EXP.
Hmm. Knowing how smart Gii-san is, he probably already thought of what I was planning... so he must have a reason for this. Maybe the Doctor—or rather, humans—can't be stored in the 'Metal Trap Room Lv2'?
"Gii (Translation: Whether you metalize a human or a Dungeon Dachshund, the daily EXP output doesn't change. So it feels better to just whack him here—more satisfying and more efficient.)"
Well, Shita Chichigasky's EXP doesn't seem all that great anyway, so I guess it's fine to let Gii-san have it all.
"Chii chii chii! (Translation: I'm not letting you hog it all, Chii!)"
Not so fast, says Shimaenaga-san.
Alright, alright, you two share nicely, okay?