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Chapter 1

Minor Skill

“Currently, Japan has around 1,000 dungeons of varying sizes, one of the highest numbers in the world. Of these, 300 are clustered together in what is frequently shown on TV as the Academy District.”

Our homeroom teacher, adjusting his glasses, paused briefly to take a breath.

“The Academy District is so focused on dungeons that it’s often called a ‘Dungeon City.’ This means it needs a massive number of mercenaries who work to clear dungeons. But don’t get the wrong idea—amateurs aren’t welcome. The district seeks mercenaries with proven skills, gained through real experience outside the Academy District’s dungeons. By the way, I’ve heard that some of you have been venturing into dungeons as mercenaries yourselves.”

A few students flinched noticeably at the teacher’s words.

This was history class, and the mercenaries in the room had likely let their guard down.

“I hate dungeons. And I hate mercenaries. They treat their lives too carelessly. We’re outside the Academy District, so most people here would be better off living ordinary lives. You’re all students preparing for your high school entrance exams. For now, focus on studying for those.”

For the majority of the class, this topic didn’t hit home. After all, there were fewer than 20 students in our grade who worked as mercenaries.

Until yesterday, I counted myself among the majority who didn’t care about mercenaries. But starting today, I would join the ranks of the mercenaries my teacher despised.

The reason was simple—and ridiculous. I was broke.

Due to various circumstances, my family had no money. High school entrance exams? Those were the least of my worries compared to what I’d eat tomorrow. If nothing changed, I wouldn’t even have lunch—a packed meal—tomorrow.

To avoid that, I needed money. And for a middle schooler, the only legal way to earn money was as a mercenary. So, I decided to take the plunge.

Which brings me here, standing before a dungeon.

Naturally, I didn’t show up in my school uniform. After heading home, I changed into more practical clothes.

Looking around, I saw many others like me—dressed in school tracksuits or beginner gear sold online. A while ago, I even spotted someone in my school’s tracksuit. That’s probably how the teacher found out some students were dungeon diving. Tracksuits have names written on them, after all—an obvious giveaway.

Most lightly equipped individuals were either around my age or slightly older. In contrast, the few who looked like they belonged in battle gear were mostly adults, drawing stares from the student crowd.

Those adults must be full-time professionals. They had an entirely different vibe.

But despite their presence, I was the one drawing the most attention.

I knew why.

It was my outfit.

Sure, my black hoodie, worn with the hood pulled low, was perfectly normal for someone aiming to stay low-key.

But the rest of my ensemble was the issue.

A black mask. Black sunglasses.

I looked like someone who’d get reported to the police if seen near a school.

But there was a reason for this getup: I didn’t want my classmates or teacher to find out I was dungeon diving.

At first, I thought I wouldn’t care if they knew, but as the time approached, I panicked and grabbed a mask and sunglasses from my drawer.

Such is the fragile mental state of me, Toru Ishiguro.

“Hey, you in all black! Wait up!”

Just as I was about to tap my freshly issued guild card on the dungeon gate—an entrance scanner that looked like a train turnstile—I heard someone call out from behind.

All black… Yeah, no doubt they meant me.

“What is it?”

For a moment, I considered pretending not to hear and continuing on my way, but then I noticed the approaching woman was wearing a guild staff uniform. I decided to stop.

Causing trouble would be bad. Best case, I’d get a warning. Worst case, my guild card could be revoked. Without it, I’d be banned from entering dungeons—game over.

“You’re new here, right? Haven’t seen your face before.”

“Yeah, it’s my first time.”

I answered hesitantly, unsure if I’d broken a rule.

“Ah, don’t worry so much. I just noticed you’re not carrying a weapon and wanted to check in.”

“Oh,” I replied, realizing the issue.

Most people here were equipped with swords or spears as they entered the dungeon. In contrast, I was empty-handed. And solo, at that—a rare combination.

“It’s fine. I’ve got a ‘Weapon Creation’ skill, so I can make weapons inside the dungeon.”

“‘Weapon Creation,’ huh? That’s… an unusual choice. Not bad, though. Most people these days go for something like ‘Swordsmanship’ or ‘Fire Magic,’ so it caught me off guard. Sorry for holding you up. Good luck in there.”

“Thank you.”

After a polite bow, I quickly stepped into the darkness of the dungeon.

She was pretty… I thought, as the darkness swallowed me. It was too dark to see much, but then I realized I was still wearing my sunglasses.

No wonder I couldn’t see anything.

I made sure no one was around, then removed my sunglasses and mask—things I didn’t need inside the dungeon.

“A minor skill, huh…”

I recalled the guild staff’s words.

To be honest, I would’ve preferred something like ‘Wind Magic.’ Most dungeon strategy videos recommended starting with a basic skill, like one of the “◯ Mastery” or “◯ Magic” types.

Beginners, limited by their low magic compatibility, could only afford one skill. Naturally, most chose something straightforward and offensive. But basic skills were expensive, often costing tens of thousands of yen.

I didn’t have that kind of money.

So, I picked up the bargain-bin special: Weapon Creation. It cost just 100 yen. Honestly, the price was so low it felt suspicious.

Weapon Creation allows you to create weapons by reshaping magic stones with dungeon energy. That’s the gist, but the description was vague because the skill was so obscure that little research had been done on it.

Most people wouldn’t choose Weapon Creation, even after gaining the ability to hold multiple skills later on. By that point, they could afford to buy good weapons outright.

Still, I felt like this skill was made for me. Weapons are consumables, and with my tight budget, constantly buying replacements was unthinkable. With Weapon Creation, I could craft as many weapons as I needed.

As I mulled over my situation, I found myself in an open area.

The dungeon’s oppressive darkness eased a bit, revealing the surroundings.

That’s when I noticed it.

A few meters ahead, a blue, bouncing, liquid-like creature—a slime.


How a Broke Mercenary Becomes a Hero: Dedicating Youth to the Dungeon

How a Broke Mercenary Becomes a Hero: Dedicating Youth to the Dungeon

金欠傭兵が英雄になる方法〜青春をダンジョンに捧げる〜
Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Japanese
A broke young boy decides to delve into dungeons. However, to register as a dungeon-mercenary, he must purchase a skill costing a hefty 100,000 yen—a sum far beyond his means. Just when despair sets in, he discovers a skill labeled as a “Special Sale” for only 100 yen. Though its suspiciously low price—three digits below any other skill—raises alarms, desperation drives him to buy it. The skill is called Weapon Crafting, a niche ability that merely allows the creation of weapons. Unlike other combat-oriented skills, Weapon Crafting is ill-suited for battle. Yet, through clever use and sheer determination, the boy survives the dangers of the dungeon, overcoming challenges one after another. He hunts monsters to collect magic stones, which he then uses to forge weapons, enabling him to take on even stronger foes. Through this cycle, he begins his climb as a mercenary. Together with his companion, Hotaru, the boy’s youth becomes consumed by the world of dungeons.

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