CH 26

When we headed to the place where the five parties were, we found that there was already a crowd of people there, so many that we couldn’t see the back. This is a place where ordinary people are not allowed. How could so many people gather here even in such a condition? The title of “strongest” is amazing.

The cameras seemed to be rolling as we entered the Dungeon Market, and we could hear the voices, though they were small. At the same time, you can see how much stronger they are than the people around them.

“How how are they?” (Haru)

Haru’s skill is not enough to grasp the strength of the enemy, so she asks me.

“From the looks of it, I’d say they’re all around level 20. I wonder if they have a lot of combat experience?” (Kei)

“How about this, look at those people closely.” (Haru)

“Hmm? What do you mean?” (Kei)

I feel something flowing from Haru’s hand. I’ve always felt that something. It is obviously magic power.

The magic power that leaks from Haru spreads to the surroundings in a low concentration without changing its density. It passes through the 20 people in the five parties. And nothing happens. No, one person moved.

“How was it?” (Haru)

“I don’t know who it was, but one of them reacted. Maybe it’s some kind of magic skill. One of the women in the group, her name is…” (Kei)

“Yamato Nadeshiko, or Grapevine Association, which one?” (Haru)

“Ah, the Grapevine Association. The one with the beautiful women.” (Kei)

“Then it’s no big deal.” (Haru)

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to make decisions based on that, but it’s not a great way to measure risk. By the way, you can use magic outside the dungeon?” (Kei)

“I can’t use magic. However, as soon as I got out of the dungeon while being conscious of the magic inside my body, I could move my magic outside.” (Haru)

“ Hmm, I can’t do that. I can’t do it. I don’t know what magic is in my body.” (Kei)

“It’s just something that feels normal, you know?” (Haru)

“Well, that’s fine for now.” (Kei)

As Haru started walking with her back to the crowd, I followed her. The woman who reacted as if she had noticed the magical power earlier probably thought it was just in her mind. Everything seems to be normal. If there’s a next time, I wonder if she’ll realize the true nature of her discomfort then.

We have already lost our interest in them for not noticing the magic. Their sense of magic is probably equal to or less than ours.

The crowd begins to move towards the back, where there are no stores as if the location of the filming is moving. I looked at them from the side and saw a young man talking into a microphone in the distance. No, his face looks like that of a boy.

He seems older than me, but with an innocent look on his face that everyone around him loves and will grow to love. The other person didn’t even seem to notice me. That’s true. From their point of view, I’m just another onlooker.

“He’s the hero huh?” (Kei)

Somehow I murmured such words.

“Hey. I’m going to buy some armor, because they won’t let me in the dungeon without it.” (Kei)

“Oh, that’s right. I want a jacket that can be stored easily for the time being.” (Haru)

We soon forgot about them and went shopping for things.

“Now, where are the parts of the body that absolutely must have armor to protect them when entering a dungeon?” (Kei)

“Legs, chest, head. Legs, chest, and head, to prevent injuries to vital points and means of escape.” (Haru)

“Well, I guess you’re right. But what about a helmet for something as dreamlike as exploring a dungeon?” (Kei)

We came to a store that sold protective gear, and there were many helmets lined up in front of us. There is a wide variety of helmets, from plain ones to ones that scream safety first.

“I don’t like these.” (Haru)

Haru is really critical.

“Oh, this time a young people came. How about a helmet? Would you like to buy one?” (Clerk)

As we looked at the helmets, a clerk came out from inside the store.

“Isn’t there anything else?” (Kei)

I didn’t want to explore the Tokyo dungeon wearing this helmet, so I put my trust in him and asked.

“Wow! Of course, there is. The price will be higher. Come on, your sister too.” (Clerk)

The excited shopkeeper smiled and went back inside the store.

“Well then, do you want to enter, Haru?” (Kei)

“Huh, yes?” (Haru)

Haru was puzzled by the shopkeeper’s personality, but she still followed along.

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“How tall are you two?” (Clerk)

“172 cm.” (Kei)

“158 cm.” (Haru)

“Okay, here you go.” (Clerk)

As soon as I entered the store, the clerk asked me how tall I was, and as soon as I answered, two pieces of clothing came out. Both black, and look like hoodies.

“It’s a hooded jacket made of a stab-proof material. The rest of the jacket is made of sturdy material, and it’s thin and loose, so you can wear it over your gear without any problems. It’s a popular item here.” (Clerk)

The clerk says it’s a popular item, but I’m pretty sure that’s just because people don’t want to wear helmets.

I tried on the hoodie, and it was indeed thin and loose except for the hood, so I could wear it over my clothes. But it is also a little short.

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed. The hem is shortened so as not to interfere with the use of weapons. It’s also very popular. There’s also pockets on the inside……” (Clerk)

I thought about it as I listened to the shopkeeper. To be honest, I don’t care if the hoodie is loose or thin.

“Hey, why don’t we buy one in a larger size and remodel it?” (Haru)

“ Oh, that’s fine.” (Kei)

I sneakily consulted with Haru while the clerk was still talking, so as not to be overheard, so we decided on a plan.

“Hmm? Have you decided?” (Clerk)

“Yes, do you have one with a double layer of fabric on the inside and outside?” (Kei)

“Oh, you’ve got a good point there, big brother. That’s right. It’s true that being thin and light is an advantage when fighting. But I have noticed that it is also difficult to use. First of all, it’s so thin that if there’s a weapon on it, it’ll cut through in a flash, revealing the clothes inside. Also, you can’t store the weapon inside the clothes. It would be a dream to open the front of my coat and find a knife inside. That’s why we developed a hoodie with slightly stiff leather inside. This parka has a Velcro strap instead of a zipper to make it easier to open. The whole thing is also made of stab-proof material.” (Clerk)

“Then I’ll buy that one, the one with a double-layered structure and only the hood is stab-proof.” (Kei)

“Good choice.  It’s 50,000 yen each.” (Clerk)

“It’s expensive, as expected.”

While lamenting the price of the clothes, I bought the hoodies and headed for the next store. Apparently, the same company runs two stores, one for the top half and one for the bottom half.

Again, I wondered, but since there were no strange clerks after that, we were able to complete our shopping easily. The pants were the stab-proof fabric that was sewn into the joints of existing clothes. The breastplates were 40,000 yen each, and the 600,000 yen I had brought with me was almost gone.

“Well, it’s time to go home.” (Kei)

“Yeah. Next time let’s head to the Tokyo dungeon next time, okay?” (Haru)

“Oh, the transportation costs. I think I’ll just come back tomorrow and leave behind a record of my entry into the dungeon. When we get back, we’ll hunt for a Minotaur and have meat for dinner.” (Kei)

“Yeah. That’s right. I’m tired because there are so many people today.” (Haru)

The majority of the people in the dungeon market are still onlookers to the TV and are clustered in one place, so the entrance to the dungeon market is fairly empty and we can get out quickly.

“Then, start remodeling using magic.”

Haru declared as soon as we got home. The excitement is slightly different from usual, but I’ll leave it at that.

“I’ll start with the weapons. For now, they’re all too light and too weak. I’m sure the earth’s metal is too weak, regardless of the blacksmith’s skill.” (Kei)

In other words, metals that are obtained from ordinary ores outside the dungeon have no difference in hardness even inside the dungeon. Not surprisingly, although there would be no problem using it on the first floor, it will be easily destroyed by the black wolf and treated like it’s nothing by minotaurs.

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On the other hand, mysterious metals are taken in the dungeon and those with metallic properties such as horns are just like ordinary hard metals outside the dungeon, but by bringing them into the dungeon, it increases in strength and flexibility. That’s why you can’t use ordinary weapons in the dungeon.

“First of all, I will change the material through [Alchemy].” (Kei)

The materials are collected in large quantities by forcing a stampede in the forest. We have everything from metal to cloth.

The first thing to use for the metal is a steel battle ax dropped by a minotaur. Since there are two in total, this is will be used for our two weapons. Alchemy skill is a skill to reform another thing with a substance with similar properties. So if it is made with metal, it can be transmuted with a different metal. If it is cloth, it can be transmuted with a different cloth.

It is important to note, however, that the material used for transmuting the weapon will disappear. It doesn’t matter what the volume ratio is between before and after the transmutation. Even if you transmute the metal of a battle-ax to a sewing needle, the battle-ax will disappear.

It is similar to games with material synthesis. Whatever you use for synthesis will be used up.

Well. That’s why I’m going to do it right away.

The steel battle-ax is steel, but it is not like steel outside the dungeon. I’m sure it’s similar to the steel that exists on Earth, but it contains magical properties. That’s why it can be analyzed.

“Well, [Alchemy]. Hmm?”

When I transmuted the metal from the battle-ax to the Tonfa, I felt something strange and stopped. It’s not like I’m working with my hands, because I’m just using my skills. The metal was transmuted from the battle-ax, which turned into mist and disappeared.

But what is this discomfort?

“Haru, I feel that something other than magical power was flowing from the ax to Tonfa. Try to analyze it.” (Kei)

“Hmm? Okay.” (Haru)

Haru stares at Tonfa and raises his face.

“This might be worse than I thought. Especially if it’s not a tonfa. Here’s the paper. Oh, here are the analysis results.” (Haru)

Haru gives me a piece of paper with the analysis results.

“Steel Tonfa… Steel Tonfa [Skill: Strong Slash]” (Kei)

“So, did you move the skill? I’m not sure how you can cut with a tonfa.” (Haru)

“I will try it on the sword for the time being” (Kei)

Haru hurriedly told me to transmute the metal from the battle-ax to my sword. Then, something different was flowing like from before.

“Hmm, it’s a success.” (Kei)

“Steel sword… Steel sword (skill: Strong Slash)” (Haru)

I was able to transfer the skill properly to the sword.

“By the way, what kind of skill is [Strong Slash]?” (Kei)

“Wait a minute. Cooldown.” (Haru)

The two of us waited idly for the time to pass, but one minute was sooner than expected and the result was revealed.

[Strong Slash]

Type: Skill

Cool time: 10s

Correction to Slash

“I’m not sure what the point of this is, even if it’s on Tonfa. I’m not sure how much time I have left, so let’s not experiment too much. We don’t have a lot of time, so let’s experiment in moderation.” (Kei)

“That’s right. Then let’s test our skills. Then let’s go get some good meat.” (Haru)

Even though we had just bought a weapon today, we were feeling great and went into our dungeon in the basement. By the way, we didn’t do some sparring, but we did some warm-up exercises.