Chapter 90
Shimaenaga-san and Gii-san are holding some unknown anomalous substances. Apparently, Gii-san had hidden them in a pocket dimension. As for Shimaenaga-san, maybe inside all that fluff? Not really sure. It's a mystery.
"Hey, hey, just what exactly did you two bring back?"
"Chii chii chii"
"Gii"
"Anomalous substances are one-of-a-kind, extremely rare items. Even if you steal them, if a Foundation explorer uses them, it'll trace right back."
"That's true."
"Even if you try to sell them, the moment you submit them for appraisal to the Foundation, they'll match them with the database and bust you instantly. If you want to turn them into cash, you'll have to funnel them through a broker."
There's this extremely well-versed doctor casually dropping commentary here.
"Doctor, have you... done this before?"
"Eh? N-No idea what you're talking about. I really don't know anything. Really?"
"Gii-san, if you would please."
"Gii"
Black tentacles smacked the Doctor.
"To fund my research... I once sold the prototype of 'Mugen High-Load'... called 'Chotto High-Load'... to a broker..."
Entering a brainwashed state, the Doctor confesses with a vacant look in his eyes.
This old man's definitely been up to stuff.
"But it was just once... I swear... Afterward, 'Chotto High-Load' exploded and I was almost killed by the broker... I haven't done anything bad since..."
Hmm, hmm.
Considering he's saying it while brainwashed, and that explosion part has a ring of truth to it, let's forgive him. I mean, I'm in no position to judge others either.
""Gii" (Translation: Brainwashing released)"
"Hah! What was I just doing...?!"
Now then, what should we do with these anomalous substances?
According to the great sage Shurado, we'll need to save up about 10 billion yen for Shimaenaga-san and Gii-san's upkeep, so we could sell them to a dungeon broker to raise funds.
But since we've got the chance, why don't we try using the 'synthesize' function of the 'Great Mugen High-Load ver6.0' a bit more?
"Oh, is this a gun? Shimaenaga-san was holding an old-looking gun."
"Chii chii chii"
"Oh ho, that's a Thompson Contender."
"Contender? Ah, now that you mention it, I was shot with this thing."
"Indeed. But this one's special—it's a dungeon-spec Contender supposedly put together by that damn genius inventor just for fun."
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'Dungeon Contender 2001'
Rear-loading single-action handgun
Notable for firing a wide variety of bullets
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Looks like there really is a gun called the Contender.
According to the Doctor, since it can shoot all kinds of ammo, explorers who use magic guns often keep one on them to adapt to different situations. Shirokko, too, was apparently carrying one as part of the basics.
"Chii chii chii"
"Ah, they've brought back something else too."
Shimaenaga-san was holding something like a belt in its beak.
The belt was loaded with bullets. I've seen cowboys in movies wrap something like this around their waist.
No doubt about it—it belonged to Shirokko.
He was wearing this under his suit? Or maybe it was in that jacket of his that's like a fourth-dimensional pocket? He's gone now, and his clothes were burned up, so there's no way to check.
"Quite the lineup. You don't normally see this kind of bullet variety."
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'Toni Desperado Incendiary Rounds'
Inflicts intense fire-elemental damage
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'Toni Desperado Freezing Rounds'
Inflicts intense ice-elemental damage
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'Toni Desperado Explosive Rounds'
Inflicts intense explosive-elemental damage
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'Toni Desperado Lightning Rounds'
Inflicts intense lightning-elemental damage
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'Toni Desperado Madness Rounds'
Inflicts intense madness-type spirit damage
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'Toni Desperado Loss Rounds'
Inflicts intense loss-type spirit damage
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They all look the same to me, but the bullets in the belt apparently have a range of effects. The only thing they have in common is that they're dungeon-grade rounds.
I guess that's everything we stole from Shirokko?
Thinking back, if I'd rummaged through that jacket, I probably could've found even more... Maybe I should've stripped him naked and turned him into charred remains?
""Chii" (Translation: That's a pretty wicked thought-face, chii)"
"Quite the selection indeed. Most explorers don't prepare this many varied attack options. He probably had those spirit-damage bullets specifically for anti-personnel use."
"Even the elemental rounds are for anti-personnel?"
"Likely so. When someone uses a defensive skill, whether it's an ice shield or a fire shield, the effective attribute attack changes accordingly."
"But he didn't really shoot at me, though."
"I know nothing about combat, you see. But in terms of spirit-damage, it's quite useful against people... Maybe Shirokko realized you had an extraordinary mental fortitude."
As expected, we were both Power-types.
Power resonates with Power. I completely understand now.
Somehow, the Doctor looks a little smarter. Is it just my imagination? Yeah, definitely just my imagination. (Immediate conclusion)
"Gii"
As for Vladimir's stuff, Gii-san did most of the looting.
1x 'Magic Sword Photon Edition'
1x 'Desperado's Toughness Enhancer 25'
3x 'Muscle PP'
8x 'Recovery Potions 3,000'
5x 'Recovery Potions 4,000'
"Gii♪"
They stole an absurd amount.
Truly an incorrigible child.
"All of these are Dungeon Foundation-issued dungeon equipment. Seems like he preferred to fight using clearly effective items instead of relying on unstable anomalous substances."
Huh, so there are people like that too.
Says a lot about his personality. Preferring to fight within a range where he could reliably resupply.
He probably wouldn't use Elixirs in FF either. I get that.
"Well, maybe it's just that the dungeon didn't love him."
"You can't use anomalous substances if the dungeon doesn't love you?"
"You probably can't even find them. And even if you do, they won't stick around long. They'll disappear somewhere due to some twist of fate."
"I've never lost an anomalous substance before."
"You're the kind of explorer who's loved by the dungeon."
I think Shurado-san has told me several times, "You're a beloved explorer!"
"Chii!"
"Hm? Shimaenaga-san, are you still holding something?"
Shimaenaga-san was chewing something in their mouth.
Hey, spit it out! Spit, spit!
"Tch!"
Was that a tongue click? Please, Papa can't handle a rebellious Calamity phase.
What came out of Shimaenaga-san's mouth was a mysterious substance.
The item name is 'Witch's Withered Finger'.
A finger? Is this really a finger?
With a name like that, it might be a high-grade cursed object.
Or maybe it's an anti-personnel infiltration item.
Let's hear what the knowledgeable Doctor has to say.
"Unbelievable... To think the 'Witch's Withered Finger' was in Dr. Shita Chichigasky's possession."
"So it's something amazing?"
"The details alone should make its power clear."
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'Witch's Withered Finger'
No longer hidden—everything has been exposed.
Therefore, sink it into the depths of the mud.
So that it may never again be seen by human eyes.
Curses the target and permanently seals the last skill they used.
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Whoa.
"If you hold it while harboring hatred toward someone and curse them, you can seal that person's skill."
"How much hatred are we talking?"
"Apparently, just thinking 'I can't stand their face!' is enough to meet the activation condition."
That's a pretty low bar for such powerful effects.
"However, the user is said to have to pay a price."
"What kind of price?"
"Unknown. Only the user would know. But they say it's something precious. These kinds of stories rarely end well."
I hold up the 'Witch's Withered Finger'.
Once Shimaenaga-san's saliva dries, it becomes clear that this is a withered index finger made of only bone and skin. Of course, it's severed at the base, and the nail has turned black and is sharply pointed.
Yeah, just from the appearance, it gives off an evil vibe.
I feel like I really shouldn't use this. Like it's going to curse my soul.
"That's a fairly well-known cursed anomalous substance within the foundation. Even I've heard of it."
"Huh, I see... If I passed it on to a broker, I might make some money..."
"Don't. It would definitely end up somewhere bad."
True enough.
Maybe I should just synthesize this evil thing into something more fun.
And so, it's cooking time.
Now then, let's toss the 'Witch's Withered Finger' into the 'Great Mugen High-Load ver6.0', and throw in plenty of crystals.
"Now, what should the last ingredient be~? There are so many I can't decide. I want something with a fun combo..."
"Chi!"
""Huh?""
Shimaenaga-san jumped into the 'Great Mugen High-Load ver6.0'!
Then, using their wings skillfully, they closed the lid?!
"S-Shimaenaga-san?!"
"What are you thinking, you bean pastry...?!"
"Gii!"
Sh-Shimaenaga-saaan!!!