“Ugh… ugh…”
Yokota was still struggling to defeat three goblins.
“Huff… huff… huff…”
He was breathing heavily, clearly in pain. Yokota was covered in injuries. His face had been beaten so badly that it was swollen and bruised to the point of being unrecognizable.
“Ahahaha. Man, how weak can you be? Taking this long to deal with three goblins.”
“H-help me…”
Yokota managed to squeeze out the words while being pummeled by the goblins.
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“Help me…”
“Huh? Kill you?”
“No, help me…”
Yokota’s voice was faint. He seemed to be in really bad shape. He’s probably going to die soon.
“Did you forget how you’ve treated us all this time? Are you so stupid that you forgot? Do you really think I’d help you? How dumb can you be? Haha…”
“Please… help me…”
“Ah, I’m getting bored of watching you. I want to hunt a bit more on the lower floors today, so I’m heading out. Later.”
I waved at Yokota and walked deeper into the dungeon.
“Ughhh… eek… gyaah!”
From behind, I could hear Yokota’s screams mixed with sobs. The sound of goblin clubs hitting his body kept going. But I didn’t look back.
☆☆☆
I kept hunting until 7 PM, and by then, I was really hungry.
I hadn’t had dinner yet.
I decided to call it a day and head back above ground.
I went straight to the Hunter Association.
One of the receptionists at the Hunter Association was a girl about my age. Probably a high school student. They might have hired extra part-timers for the weekends when it gets busier. She had a ponytail and was pretty cute.
“Um… I’d like to exchange some dungeon drops for cash.”
I placed the backpack filled with drops on the counter.
I didn’t want anyone to know about the Item Box yet, so I had transferred the drops into the backpack in a secluded spot.
Of course, the gold decorations on the “Beginner’s Mithril Sword” were too noticeable, so I kept it in the Item Box. To avoid looking suspicious, I equipped the “Iron Sword” I had been using before instead.
“Is this all of it?”
The receptionist girl’s eyes widened. She must have been surprised that a shabby-looking high school student in a tracksuit had brought in more drops than expected.
“Yes, please.”
“……”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, as long as you can present the Hunter License issued by the Association, we can exchange them for cash.”
I handed over the license as instructed. The license was a card about the size of a driver’s license and also served as an ID.
“Alright, um… Mr. Kanzaki, right? Please take a seat and wait for a moment.”
“……Mr. Kanzaki.”
After waiting for about 15 minutes, my name was called. I stood up from the chair and went back to the counter.
“The total is 32,000 yen. Would you like to receive it in cash?”
“Yes.”
Whoa! In just one day, I made 32,000 yen!
This is way better than a part-time job.
And this is only my first day seriously diving into the dungeon.
If I level up and take down stronger enemies, I’ll start getting higher-value items and magic stones. If that happens, I could make a ridiculous amount of money.
The blessing [PPG “First Final”] and my player skills are truly fearsome!
This is so much fun!
While I was celebrating, I felt someone’s gaze on me and looked up.
The receptionist girl was staring at me.
“Mr. Kanzaki.”
“Yes?”
“Are you a high school student?”
“Uh, yeah…”
“Then we’re the same. I’m Asakaze Erika. I’m a first-year at Shirosou Academy.”
“Eh? That elite girls’ school?”
“Elite? Not really… My parents are just regular town doctors.”
Nah, that’s still a pretty good family.
“Were you in the dungeon by yourself?”
“Uh, yeah…”
“That’s amazing…”
Erika’s eyes sparkled.
“I’m working here part-time to save up for hunter gear. It’s really expensive, you know.”
She looked at me with admiration.
“That’s so cool… I’m jealous. I want to try being a hunter soon too… Ah… I wish someone would take me with them…”
“Ahaha… I think it’s best to go with someone experienced and strong at first.”
“Mr. Kanzaki, you’re strong, right?”
“Nah, not really.”
“You give off this strong character vibe. Like an aura or something… I want to be a cool hunter like you.”
“Me? Cool?”
“Yes. You have this sharp, rugged look. You must be really strong… I wish I could learn all about dungeon strategies from someone strong like you.”
“Well, if you look at my gear, you can tell it’s nothing special. This tracksuit? I bought it for 2,480 yen at a discount store.”
I said while pinching my clothes.
“But not many people can bring back that many drops in a day. Especially not alone. Ah… I wish there was someone strong who could take me with them…”
Wait, is she… hitting on me?
But I don’t want too many people to know about my abilities yet…
Two other receptionists in their mid-20s behind the counter were also glancing at me.
They were whispering, but maybe because my level had increased and my hearing had improved, I could hear what they were saying.
“That guy, isn’t he kind of cool?”
“Totally. He’s cute but also has this sharp look. I wish I was the one handling him.”
Me? Cool? What’s going on? Did leveling up make my body more toned? I don’t get it.
