Chapter 29: Takayama Dungeon Mystery

"Today, I'm going to hunt monsters in the mid-tier like a big boy!"

: Finally learned your lesson?

: How long did that take? A few days?

: Glad you backed off before getting yourself killed.

: I was hoping to see some lower-tier action, though.

: If even Asagao-chan can't do it, nobody can.

Due to a manpower shortage today, I ended up getting dispatched all the way to Gifu. Specifically, I was headed to Hida, Takayama City, known for its delicious beef. My mission was to explore the "Takayama Dungeon," located in the mountains. Normally, since I'm a high school student, I'm assigned to handle areas in the Kanto region, but today's situation was dire enough to pull me in.

Takayama City is crucial for Japan's food self-sufficiency. It used to be just a tourist spot, but now it's a booming place with a large population. The infrastructure is as developed as any regional hub, and it's really easy to get here from Tokyo or Aichi Prefecture.

The reason Takayama City has become so important in terms of food production lies in the Takayama Dungeon. It's the only dungeon in Japan that has been completely cleared to the bottom.

: I've been getting better at fighting lower-tier monsters lately... but I still don't have the courage to stream it live.

: Aww...

: Show us!

: You'd freak out if you saw it.

: Streaming with a guy? Expect backlash.

: Isn't it already a bit of a scandal?

: She's not even selling herself as an idol...

Currently, I'm watching Asakawa-san's stream from the backseat of a car as I travel to Takayama Dungeon. It's a holiday, so she's been diving since this morning. She's probably feeling the pressure to get stronger. Her fans must be pleased with the increased streaming frequency, though.

"We've arrived."

"Already?"

"Yes, it didn't take long."

The driver, an agent from the Explorers Association, had taken me to the dungeon surprisingly quickly. I had expected traffic, but it seems we managed to avoid any delays.

As I got out of the car, I saw the massive structure halfway up the mountain—the entrance to Takayama Dungeon. Around the dungeon entrance were numerous shops trying to attract tourists coming to explore the dungeon.

"How about we grab some lunch here on the way back?"

"Are we going to finish that quickly?" seaʀᴄh thё ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Don't worry, we will."

The agent looked at me in astonishment. Being from a regional office, he might not be familiar with my capabilities, unlike those at the Tokyo headquarters. He probably doesn't know how fast I can get things done. If traffic stays light, I'll be back in Tokyo before evening.

I showed my Explorer ID at the entrance of the Takayama Dungeon, and the receptionist seemed surprised. But I made it inside without any issues.

The problem that arose in Takayama Dungeon today is one that occurs irregularly but inevitably. It's at the 57th floor, the lowest level of the dungeon. Takayama Dungeon is relatively small compared to others like Shibuya Dungeon, with only 57 floors. Globally, it's considered a small dungeon.

As I descended, I couldn't help but notice that I've become somewhat of a known figure.

: Isn't that...?

: That's UNKNOWN, right?

: Seriously? Something's going on at Takayama Dungeon?

I'm definitely more recognizable now.

But I needed to focus on resolving the issue in the Takayama Dungeon.

I summoned Kirin and rode it through the dungeon. There's no point wasting time on minor monsters. It's a holiday, so the dungeon is crowded, which means the number of monsters in the upper floors should be relatively low.

Takayama Dungeon is always busy, but the crowd differs on weekdays and weekends. During the week, it's mostly people who are here for work. That's because everything harvested from the dungeon is food-related.

This dungeon is categorized as a "Food Dungeon," where common ingredients as well as rare ones that can only be found in dungeons are harvested. In Japan, Osaka Dungeon, Takayama Dungeon, and Sapporo Dungeon fall into this category.

Of course, these dungeons alone aren't enough to sustain the food supply, so regular agriculture still exists. Dungeon-grown food can be so expensive that it becomes unaffordable for most people, sold at market prices.

Takayama Dungeon is considered safe among food dungeons and is often recommended for beginners. The fact that it's fully cleared adds a level of comfort. Speaking of which, the legend who cleared this dungeon is none other than Kaede Jinguuji, the first-ever EX-ranked explorer. Thanks to her achievement, she remains one of the most recognized explorers in Japan, even overseas.

"Made it... good job, Kirin."

Even with Kirin taking the shortest route, it still took some time to get from the first to the 57th floor. It didn't take an hour, but moving through the dungeon nonstop can get a bit tedious. At least I had Asakawa-san's stream to keep me entertained.

The 57th floor, the lowest level of Takayama Dungeon, is vastly different from the maze-like upper floors. It's a huge, open space with a strange, mechanical-looking white floor. The circular layout of the area feels somewhat eerie. Monsters rarely appear here, and even those on the 56th floor seem hesitant to descend.

As for why I'm here in this desolate area... The 57th floor is notorious for occasionally spawning a powerful monster.

"It's here."

The ground rumbled as a massive crab-like creature burst through the floor. Its enormous size and tough exterior made it a formidable opponent. The 57th floor's boss monster, this giant crab, is a recurring problem. Even though it's been defeated multiple times, it always returns.

With a muddy, dull color and a look reminiscent of a snow crab, this creature lacks the bright red shell you'd expect. The earthy tones give it an unsettling appearance.

"Well, time to take you down."

According to the Association, this monster must be eliminated whenever it appears. The reason? Simply put, we don't fully understand the dungeon's mechanics, and leaving it unchecked could lead to unforeseen consequences.

But here's the thing—this crab is incredibly delicious. As a "Food Dungeon" boss monster, it's a delicacy. I've been looking forward to this mission just for the chance to taste it. The market price for this crab is astronomical, but I get to enjoy it as part of the job.

You can't underestimate a teenage boy's appetite!