Chapter 69: Kanakon’s Awakening

"As a starting point, Kanakon-san, is it safe to say that you're not good with handling magic?"

"Y-Yes… I don't really understand the concept of 'building up magical energy.'"

: I can relate.

: That's why I gave up being an explorer.

: It's tough since you can't physically see magic.

: It's like being told to 'build up your blood flow'—makes no sense.

: If only there were a simple manual for that.

: Can't someone figure that out?

This is actually a pretty common issue. In the modern era, it's normal for humans to be born with magical energy circulating within their bodies. Whether consciously or unconsciously, everyone circulates magic in their daily lives. To wield magic, explorers must control this circulating energy at will.

For dungeon explorers, magic is the only means of fighting monsters without any weapons at hand.

"It seems like you're not good at building up magical energy, but you're quite good at circulating it inside your body, right?"

"Huh… you can tell just by looking at me?"

"No, I know that your physical abilities aren't something that can be explained by just athletic skills."

To put it bluntly, Miyamoto-san has no talent for using magic. She might be able to solidify some basic magic and fire it off in a straight line, but she won't be able to transform magic into another element like Asakawa-san or Kamishiro-san. However, that doesn't mean she can't handle magic at all.

While she may not be able to "build" magical energy, she is adept at circulating it within her body. This skill, though not magic in the strict sense, can explosively enhance physical abilities by circulating the magical energy inside her.

: Wait, is there a difference between magic control and circulation?

: Aren't they the same thing?

"What I taught during the basic course was magical control. That's about covering your body with magical energy to increase your hardness, but circulating magic inside your body is what enhances your physical abilities." Sёarᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

: Why didn't you teach both in the basic course?

: Shouldn't you include that as well?

: So, there's a difference between just getting harder and getting stronger.

: It's all about intentionally making yourself stronger, huh?

: What about the basics?

"I didn't teach it because it's actually a pretty advanced technique."

: ?? Huh??

: Wait, they're different?

"Controlling magic is like me telling you to 'make yourself sweat intentionally.' Most people would understand that they need to warm up their bodies through physical activity."

: Yeah, makes sense.

: So?

"Circulating magic is like telling someone to 'increase their blood flow on the spot without moving or using any tools.'"

: That's impossible!

: Yeah, no way.

: LOL

"Exactly. This is something you can only manage through innate ability... Although I do know a few people who've learned it through sheer effort."

It's a bit complicated, but that's the gist of it. Technically speaking, they're entirely different, but as long as it's understood, that's fine. The focus today is on how to help Miyamoto-san get stronger.

"Since you seem to have a knack for circulating magic, Kanakon-san, you should be able to handle the lower floors with ease once you're used to it."

"I- I can do that?"

"You totally can."

Dungeon explorer ranks don't have strict criteria like "achieve this and you'll reach C-rank." However, as a general guideline, an explorer ranked E should be able to take on multiple goblins at once without getting hurt. Meanwhile, someone ranked C, like Asakawa-san, should be able to take down a wyvern solo.

Currently, Kanakon-san is ranked E, so she's at the level where she can easily wipe out groups of goblins. To move up to D-rank, she'd need to be able to hold her own against the strongest monsters of the middle floors, like wyverns, and have the association acknowledge her abilities.

With that in mind, we've made our way to the 20th floor, right on the boundary between the upper and middle floors of the Shibuya Dungeon.

Even though this is technically still the upper floors, the monsters here are about as strong as those in the middle floors. Not many people are around... but it's also a weekday morning.

"Alright, let's start by taking down some monsters, just as usual."

"Y-Yes!"

: Don't be too nervous.

: It's still the upper floors, so you'll be fine.

: Yeah, but having way more viewers than usual is probably nerve-wracking.

: True, I'd be nervous too with that many people watching. Discover the unknown at m_vl_em_p_yr

: Same here.

: How does Kisaragi even stay so calm?

: He's pretty laid-back, for better or worse.

: That's just who he is.

Honestly, I don't even pay attention to how many people are watching. I started streaming just to record my dungeon dives and interact with normal people. These days, I do try to be more mindful of my audience, but at the core, that hasn't changed.

As we wander around the 20th floor, two steel ants crawl out from the corridor ahead. Steel ants are large but still exhibit the usual ant-like behavior—when threatened, they call for reinforcements. The key strategy is to take them down before they can summon help.

"Let's start with the usual approach."

"Okay… Here I go!"

With a shout of determination, Miyamoto-san hefts the dark, gleaming two-handed axe she carries and takes a powerful step forward. By circulating her magical energy and enhancing her physical abilities, her footsteps leave visible imprints on the dungeon floor.

: Fast!

: Wait, what?

In no time, she closes the distance, landing a brutal strike before the steel ants even register her as a threat. Her aim is precise, cleaving through the joint between the ant's head and body, rendering one of the ants immediately incapacitated.

"Haah!"

Without missing a beat, she swings her axe again, this time slicing through the hard exoskeleton of the second ant, dismembering it.

: Terrifying.

: Yikes.

: I thought she was just "big in the chest."

: I'm sorry for underestimating her.

: She's way stronger than expected.

: Yeah, now it really doesn't make sense why she's still in the upper floors.

: This time, I think Kisaragi's right.

See?

When you take a closer look, you can't help but wonder why someone with her strength is still stuck in the E-rank. She has the power to easily tear through the steel ant's armor, so why is she still in the upper floors?

However, it seems like her knowledge about monsters is a bit lacking. She lets out a sigh of relief without realizing that the first ant, whose head she severed, is still moving.

"That's dangerous, you know."

"Huh?"

Steel ants are, after all, ants. Insects can keep moving even when decapitated, and the steel ant is no exception. Just because its head is severed doesn't mean it's dead. As the ant tries to emit a danger signal, I release a burst of magic to blow its head to pieces.

"It's standard practice to make sure you crush a steel ant's head. If you don't, they'll keep summoning more indefinitely."

: Yup, learned that the hard way.

: Got close to dying because of it.

: Seriously, those things are a nightmare.

: Steel ants… yeah, I've got trauma from them.

: Didn't someone say getting bitten by them only causes redness?

: Yeah, that someone was the host of this channel.

That was a long time ago—don't remind me.

For beginner explorers, steel ants are tough opponents. I learned that lesson the hard way too.