I’m heading out to go around realtors today.
I don’t have appointments or anything, I’m just going to visit them starting from the one close to the station.
It’s just past ten, and I enter the first one.
I ask if it’s okay that I don’t have an appointment, and I’m told it’s okay, so I ask about renting.
Hm, it doesn’t look good.
I hear the same I heard the other day, that I should ask the guild. And when I tell him the guild only deals with pro seekers and ones that have made contributions for many years, I’m told there’s no way that’s true. And that the guild has housing complexes for seekers.
Hn, what?
Did that guy yesterday tell me that because he didn’t like me? I need to check this later.
By the way, is there nothing else?
◇ ◇ ◇
Every realtor says the same.
There’s one Urban Renaissance Agency apartment, but it’s far from the station, so it’s no good for me.
It’d be fine if I had a car, but while I have a license, I’ve never bought a car.
All I’ve ever driven was my parents’ car. I’m pretty sure I’d have an accident if I got behind the wheel right now.
Leaving that aside, I used up my whole morning to no avail.
All I’ve gathered is that the world at large doesn’t trust seekers, and that the guild has property it rents to newbies too.
Every realtor said the same, the guild does have things to rent. Then what was that all about yesterday? I’ll send that guy’s hat flying the next time I see him.
◇ ◇ ◇
I get off at the station closest to the dungeon, and sit down at a bench after the ticket gate.
There’s no real meaning to this, but while I’m here, I might as well look for property on my smartphone.
I swipe down, and find the guild’s renting site for seekers.
…I won’t forget this, baldy.
As I seethe quietly, I suddenly hear a cute voice call out to a handsome guy, saying ‘fat mister!’.
I turn around, and ask what is it, with my deep voice.
Mei, the girl calling the handsome man, is thrown off when he looks at her. I’m sure she’s surprised because of the sheer level of coolness.
Surely I’m just imagining that anxious look on her face.
She starts looking around, and takes a few steps back.
Is there someone scary behind me?
I turn around to check, and see rugged looking seekers passing.
I’m sure she’s scared of them. Come on guys, don’t scare a kid.
I turn towards her again, and her expression is still the same, so I tell her with my deep and gentle voice that it’s okay. And she trembles for some reason.
It’s not that cold today, but a cold breeze blows sometimes. Like now. It makes sense for her to be shivering.
I want her to be warm and not catch a cold, and I’m sure her grandma… Wait. Where’s her guardian?
I look around, but don’t see anyone who could be it.
Did she come here alone? That’s worrying. I ask her, and she hugs a man she says is her father.
This man is usually wearing a suit, but not today. It must be his day off. He’s wearing a down jacket like Mei, and behind him is a girl I think is in middle school, and a boy I think is in his rebellious phase, bluntly turning away.
This man isn’t wearing what he usually wears, but his parted hair and small mustache are still there. I immediately recognize him.
It’s been a while, Master Azabu.
I’m a little surprised, and greet him.
I didn’t expect him to be Mei’s father. People say it’s a small world, but it sure feels like it.
Apparently the other two are his kids too, and they’re out shopping. It’s almost Christmas, so they might be here to pick presents too.
We chat for a bit, and end up walking and talking as we head for the shopping mall.
I ask if I’m not being a bother, but he says we’re going to the same place anyway.
No, Master Azabu. A short talk is one thing, but I think it’s awkward to add some guy when you go to places with families.
See? The boy and girl aren’t saying a word, they’re just on their phones.
It’s just me and Master Azabu talking, with Mei interjecting here and there to talk about her kindergarten friends.
Awkward.
This just isn’t flowing at all.
It doesn’t look like Mei cares, but I feel a certain sort of way, and I think Master Azabu is thinking this was a mistake too.
I never expected to fall into a situation like this on the few minutes it takes to get to the shopping mall. This is much tougher than the dungeon.
Well, being self-conscious is just going to make it worse, so I decide halfway through to just start talking about myself.
Purposefully not reading the room is a move I can do at a time like this.
I talk about moving, and how I was treated by the guild. It doesn’t have to be heated or anything, it just has to not be quiet. Then these minutes will pass quicker.
“…Shut up.”
I hear the rebellious kid saying something, but I ignore it.
Master Azabu looks apologetic, but it’s okay. I was the one who decided to talk.
And kid, you’re getting scolded later.
I fast talk as I explain what happened in the guild, and Master Azabu says it must be that guy.
He tells me about him, and his impression of that guy is the opposite of mine.
He says he’s excellent as an employee, and while his explanations are precise, his way of saying them is bad and he gets on people’s bad side. Being seen as someone with a bad personality affects that sort of thing too, meaning he’s annoyed quite a few people.
Apparently he gives cordial advice if you speak to him more, and while that’s fine for people who have known him for a long time, it means he’s not suited for customer service.
And Master Azabu also says that the hat is a sore topic, so I should be careful about that.
Yep, I definitely stepped on that mine.
He also tells me about property. Apparently that guy wasn’t lying, and the guild really doesn’t rent unless you’re registered.
The apartments for newbie seekers are in bad spots, away from the station. So they wouldn’t suit me, he says.
He’s also really surprised I’m not registered. And says I really should.
But despite Master Azabu’s recommendation, I have to decline after that leak.
He looks exasperated, but accepts it as personal freedom.
We got into this more than I expected, but we’re here at the shopping mall. We say goodbye, and while I want to tell the rebellious kid not to bother his father, I decide not to do that in front of him.
Now that I’m alone again, I head to the weapon shop.
◇ ◇ ◇
I head straight to the corner with the armor, protectors, and shield.
I learned yesterday that I’ll die without armor.
Hobgoblins aren’t that strong, but that’s if I’m fighting one. If there are more, it’s different.
I faced them three times on the thirty-first floor. First there were three, then two, and lastly, six.
I was cautious, and I overpowered them with with Physical Strengthening the first two times. But it really dragged on the third time.
Three in front, three behind them.
Two in front had axes, and one a sword. The three had shields, meaning they knew defensive techniques too.
In the back, one was a mage, and two archers. It was a nice balance.
Like I said, they’re not strong one on one, but their coordination becomes pretty annoying when there are six.
I could deal with the vanguard, but I had trouble with the archers in the back. Unlike the mage, these ones had no delay, so I had to deal with rapid arrow attacks.
Even if I had an opening and tried to attack the vanguard, the archers stopped me. And when I fired back with earth bullets, the vanguard’s shields blocked them.
Time passed, I kept activating magic, and eventually used Limit Break without thinking.
Even if I had more magic energy, it would run out if I did these fights repeatedly.
If only I could block attacks with defensive equipment, I could overpower and crush the vanguard. If I can’t do that, I’ll die eventually.
And so, I need equipment.
◇ ◇ ◇
Hm, expensive. I knew it, but that’s a lot.
I could buy a car for that much.
It might seem natural, considering this is to protect my life, but everything I see comes with six zeroes. Add one more for full equipment. Seeker equipment really is a money hole.
I’ve sold the equipment I got from the hobgoblins, which got me about the monthly salary of an entry level salaryman, but it’s not enough.
I can get myself a shield, but nothing more.
I could get something of a lower rank, but considering what I went through yesterday, I worry about how long that’s gonna last.
Hm, let’s get a buckler.
It costs four hundred thousand yen! That much!?
Dealing with these high amounts is messing with me.
When I go up to buy it, the owner asks if I want to get the arms of the magic mirror armor repaired, but I glare and say I don’t have the money.
If you want to repair them, how about lowering the cost? I ask, and he makes a cross with his arms.
I snort, and leave the weapon shop behind.
◇ ◇ ◇
The thirty-first floor.
I’m continuing where I left off yesterday, and I want to test the buckler I just bought.
Giant’s buckler Ver.3
Made with iron, magic steel stone, and a small amount of adamantite. A round shield that provides high defense and can be attached to the arm (made by he Alchemist Corporation)
Durability: 63
Four hundred thousand for this.
I want to question it, but I’ll need it for my adventures beyond the thirty-first floor. Not to mention that its value is halved the moment I use it.
Maybe being a seeker isn’t profitable…
No, it’s okay. Kumagai lives in a high rise apartment, and said he makes millions of yen in a single exploration.
Believe it. If I don’t, I have to look for a job.
◇ ◇ ◇
I parry a hobgoblin’s down swing with my shield, kick it, and carve into its stomach with the claws from my divine bird boots.
I dodge an arrow, and respond with earth stakes. But it sees it coming somehow and easily dodges.
I try to close in on the archer, but it rapid fires arrows.
I still get close by blocking with the shield, and cut it down.
That felt pretty good. The small size is an issue, but it also means its easy to swing and doesn’t get in the way.
After a few more fights, I see the addition of the shield is enough to widen what I can do, and I don’t have trouble like yesterday.
I nod with satisfaction, and hope to make even more money today.
And I find a treasure chest on the way back.
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