Regarding the Matter of Beautiful Girls Relentlessly Seeking My Body (Experience Points) :
Honoka-san’s level was steadily rising, and she was now on the verge of reaching her goal of level 100. It felt like she was progressing faster than Ryoka-san did, but it was probably just a difference in individual pace. Or maybe Honoka-san was doing something besides touching things in the dark… but I’d rather not think about that.
Honoka-san’s mother was said to be around level 120 and usually hunted on the 111th floor. Being a close-range fighter, her safety would greatly increase if Honoka-san leveled up and could pair up with her as a wizard-priest hybrid.
For now, Honoka-san’s mother was hunting with another partner, but that person was planning to leave the party after the New Year due to an offer they couldn’t refuse.
However, Honoka-san’s progress was promising, and at this rate, she should be able to catch up before the New Year.
But as we were considering such matters, trouble came from an entirely different direction.
It was early December, the time when preparations for special Christmas dinners were just beginning.
“A suspension of your diver’s license…?”
“Yes…”
“This is really troubling.”
In the Anjour Terrace office were myself, Honoka-san, and her mother, Chika-san. A heavy atmosphere hung in the room.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Do you remember when Mom brought back a dungeon pufferfish before?”
“Of course! It was ridiculously delicious.”
“The poison in dungeon pufferfish is extremely potent. Because of how dangerous it is, handling it requires certification. My dad has the proper license, so it’s usually not an issue. But apparently, someone falsely reported to the Dungeon Management Bureau that Mom was the one catching, preparing, and serving them without a license. As a result, her license has been temporarily suspended.”
“To avoid any violations, we’ve always ensured that the fish were immediately killed and brought back without any preparation in the field. But no matter how much we explain, the bureau is stonewalling us with their ‘ongoing investigation’ excuse. Honestly, it’s so frustrating dealing with government officials… Looks like we’ll have to give up on the Christmas buffet this year.”
Honoka-san looked deeply troubled, while Chika-san appeared resigned to the situation.
“No way… I was so looking forward to the post-buffet staff meal…”
When I slumped forward in despair, Honoka-san and Chika-san burst into laughter despite themselves.
“Tatsuya-kun, really, at a time like this…”
“Well, I suppose it’s nice to know you were looking forward to it so much. Still, there’s nothing we can do this time.”
“Couldn’t you just purchase the ingredients at a loss?”
“We’ve thought about that, and my husband’s been running around trying to source everything. But it seems every supplier is struggling just to meet their own demands. Finding dungeon turkey at this time of year is nearly impossible.”
“Dungeon turkey, huh? I thought it would just be chicken.”
“Casual places use chicken, but our chef is very particular. He won’t compromise on quality. In short, we’re stuck. My husband’s still trying his best, but since I can’t go into the dungeon, there’s nothing more I can do.”
Saying this, Chika-san stood up from her chair and stretched.
“Guess I’ll just take an extended vacation. We have enough supplies to keep things running for another week, so we’ll stick to regular operations until then. After that, you guys should take it easy too. Especially you, Tatsuya. You’ve been working too many shifts. You’re in high school; you should be out having fun.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine. I’m only working because I want to eat the staff meals.”
“You’re so single-minded.”
Chika-san chuckled at my response and left the office.
Once it was just the two of us, Honoka-san looked at me with a serious expression.
“Tatsuya-kun, can I ask you to deliver a message to Son-san?”
“Uh, sure. What should I tell him?”
When I agreed, Honoka-san locked eyes with me, her gaze strangely intense.
“Tell him… to stay with me until morning today.”
“…Understood.”
Even though I knew that look wasn’t directed at me, I couldn’t help but react instinctively. Damn you, Son-san. You’re way too lucky.
Please ignore this author’s note part (it’s for site’s technical reason)
Author’s Note:
As you dive deeper into this world of dungeons and adventurers, we explore a blend of magical realism and traditional medieval fantasy themes. From the intricacies of leveling systems and hybrid classes like Wizard-Priest to the dangerous dungeons filled with venomous creatures like dungeon pufferfish, this narrative is steeped in lore that echoes the core elements of classic fantasy tales.
Worldbuilding Glossary:
- Dungeon Pufferfish: A venomous creature found within dungeons, whose poison is potent enough to require special handling certifications for its preparation. Dungeons are perilous, filled with dangerous beasts and treasures alike.
- Leveling System: The progression mechanic central to the characters’ development, often involving combat and magical prowess. It mirrors the traditional RPG system used in medieval fantasy settings, where adventurers increase their power by completing quests and defeating monsters.
- Wizard-Priest Hybrid: A unique class combination in many medieval fantasy games, blending the arcane power of a wizard with the healing abilities of a priest. This hybrid class brings a balance of offensive magic and supportive abilities, making it essential in dungeon exploration.
- Dungeon Management Bureau: A governing body responsible for regulating the activities of adventurers in dangerous dungeon environments. Similar to guilds or adventurer’s guilds in traditional fantasy settings, they ensure safety and enforce laws.
- Dungeon Turkey: A rare, magical creature often hunted in dungeons during the festive season. These turkeys, unlike their earthly counterparts, possess magical properties that make them highly sought after in feasts and special events within medieval fantasy worlds.
