I’m unemployed but I’m exploring the dungeon again today – Chapter 68 – Sixty-eighth day

After that, Chisato took me out of the dungeon. She was really worried, and asked me if I was okay in the head.

I wanted to complain about her way of worrying, but she was staring at me like she really was worried, so whispering I was okay was all I could do.

When she asked me what I was doing, I said with a straight face that I was seeking life advice, and she looked exasperated.

She said with a sigh that monsters can’t understand me, but I’m pretty sure that orc did that time.

Maybe that video was real.

Not that there was any reason to actually show it to her.

“Ah, this is you, right?”

…No.

She seemed shaken when she saw that video.

She gulped her dark mocha frappuccino, and let out a big sigh.

It’s not me. It’s not.

I’m sure there’s pretty of fat seekers nowadays. It must be one of them.

It’s my face? I just went through that. Do it again? Oh okay.

Look closely, does it look like me? Don’t back away, look, look. It clearly isn’t me, right?

Eh? I’m too close. Well it’s easier to compare that way. So? It’s not, right? Say it’s not me.

Yes, I’m glad you understand.

I grabbed Chisato’s hand as she was backing away, and pulled her closer. She finally relented and admitted I’m not the guy in the video.

But we were so noisy that we got thrown out of the cafe.

Chisato stared at me, but I tried to play it off with a laugh and saying these things happen. I don’t know if it worked.

We went to a park and sat on a bench, and I asked her why she was exploring the dungeon alone.

She’s not the type to step in front and fight monsters on her own. She uses a magic gun, the type whose power changes depending on the bullet.

The bullets are pretty expensive too. The cheapest are a thousand yen, but they can go beyond a million a piece. And since the power depends on the bullet, an expensive one can be a one-hit kill, and a cheap one can be weaker than an earth bullet.

They also need magic energy to be used, so the user can run after if they fire them one after the other.

I wanted to ask if it was okay to use something that takes money and magic energy like that, but as if reading my mind, she showed me her magic gun.

She infused it with magic energy, and as if straight from science fiction, it glowed faintly and the gun barrel turned into a sword.

Wow! Cool!

My heart raced as that weapon tickled my chuunibyou, and the eighty centimeter blade made my cheeks flush.

And as if enjoying my reaction, Chisato brought it closer to me and intensified its shine.

Cool. It’s hot, really hot. It’s releasing heat!

What are you doing in this intense late summer heat!?

She kept bringing the hot gun barrel closer as if wanting to grill my skin.

I quickly got away, and when I turned around, I saw a grin on her face like a child that just pulled off a prank.

◇ ◇ ◇

Apparently Toufu’s party is going to the dungeon starting today, and Chisato wanted to practice with a magic gun they got from a treasure chest last time.

I heard that they actually went back after finding two treasure chests. So one had Chisato’s magic gun.

I don’t know what the other one had, but apparently it was worth a lot. I’m jealous.

Also, the magic gun that’s now Chisato’s primary weapon is fascinating. She has to buy bullets, but considering it can also be used as a close range weapon, it leaves no room for complaints.

I want one of those too…

And perhaps because I’m being tempted to cheat on my weapons, when I get to the guild, the seeker that approached me yesterday and his friends surround me.

Hum, what is it?

I told you yesterday that wasn’t me. I can’t do that. Please take your leave.

It’s not about that video?

…Hn? Another video?

You saw the video of me taking out the boss of the tenth floor and want to ask about the weapon I used? And if you can have it?

…Are these bandits!?

I step back once I realize what they are. They’re after the greatsword of fortitude. It’s happened multiple times. I’m sure the video got their attention.

I reach towards the tyrant battleaxe, and activate the magic energy within me. I think they can tell something about me changed, because I can also tell they’re switching to combat mode.

I drop my posture so I can move at any time.

I don’t know how far I can go against six opponents, but I can at least take a few down with me. I brace for that, and the guy rushes to stop me from doing that.

He says it was a misunderstanding, and that he phrased it wrong. He says something about fighting not being allowed in the guild, and raises his hands to emphasize that he doesn’t want to fight.

Does he really not want to fight? He lets go of his weapons and stares at me.

Defenseless seekers… Would a preemptive strike work?

As I think that, an old woman smacks me in the head.

When did you…!?

I was being cautious, but I didn’t even notice her getting close.

That hurt! What are you doing!?

Eh? I’ll be banned from here if I take a weapon and go all violent?

…Sorry.

I let go of the battleaxe and face the seekers. And for some reason, the old woman tells me to listen to him.

◇ ◇ ◇

We go to a lounge on the third floor I didn’t even know was here.

Apparently only pro seekers can come here, and they exchange all sorts of information, with some exceptions.

Normally I wouldn’t be allowed here, but I got permission just this once.

So, what about the greatsword?

I sit on a sofa, and a guy with twin swords sits on the other side. He says he’s Masamitsu Kumagai, and I introduce myself too.

And then he tells me about the greatsword of fortitude.

He says it was his little brother’s weapon, and he passed away during a hunting quest.

Said quest was about hunting a unique monster, and he says that when he got to the place where the fight happened, the greatsword of fortitude was gone.

Eyewitnesses said the unique monster was using a greatsword, and judging by its description it had to be the greatsword of fortitude. And eventually Kumagai saw it using it too.

And that leads to a question. How come I have it?

I tell the truth, that I defeated the monster and took it. He whispers I see to himself and faces down.

And then he suddenly asks to have a match with me.

…Why?

◇ ◇ ◇

The twentieth floor.

I’m in the boss room of the twentieth floor.

Kumagai’s party is standing in front of the door so no one comes in.

I thought a match was a pain and didn’t want to do it, but I agreed on the spot when he said he’d give me something in return.

I don’t know why he wants a match with me, but he looks fired up. It’s not really resolve either, it’s like he’s trying to settle something.

Maybe it has to do with his dead little brother.

His stance is natural, but he’s not careless. It looks full of openings, but if I try to cut at him, he’ll counter immediately.

I’m using the greatsword of fortitude, because that’s what he wants.

The tyrant battleaxe would be better against a person, and I wanted to try copying the warrior kobold’s moves, but he wanted me to use the greatsword.

I swing it high and hold it ready, focusing on dealing with his moves.

And then the beast with fangs known as twin swords dashes.

It’s a short distance, but the sudden change of pace leads me to misjudge the distance and swing.

My greatsword cuts the air, and Kumagai closes the distance immediately, putting the twin swords against my neck.

It really ended in a second. The difference in experience and technique was evident after one move.

I never had a chance.

I’ve said this before, but my technique is nothing more than imitation. It works on monsters, but it’s nothing when I’m faced with a human warrior and technique that comes from experience.

His moves are the kind made to kill whatever’s seeing them for the first time, but the dead can’t complain.

And the loser has no right to grumble.

This match has been a painful reminder of my weakness.

I can’t just swing my greatsword. Every move has skill behind it, and martial arts are all about uplifting them.

Compared to Kumagai, I’m just a fool who pushes through with his skills.

Kumagai lowers his swords and says.

“Can you fight with your full power?”

It happened in an instant, but I was focused and trying to fight. The proof is that even his leader, who’s serving as referee, is tilting his head.

Kumagai ignores my surprise and holds up his twin swords again.

I get it. He wants to beat me up.

Good grief…

“…Limit Break.”