Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: Watching a Short Film
No matter how much money I save using the Item Box, it's pointless.
I was thinking there must be a better use for it――.
I came up with a good idea.
Wouldn't it work to make a movie starring Iroha?
She's beautiful, and that physique of hers.
It would surely become a powerful film overflowing with energy.
――That said, I can't make a movie.
Let the specialists handle their own trade.
I decided to use the connections of Quadrifoglio, who always edits my videos.
The person she introduced was a tall woman dressed entirely in black.
I was a bit worried about entrusting it to her outright, Flaminia.
I gave her a bit of the budget and decided to have her make a sample video.
I want to expect a video worthy of being called "professional."
According to their talk, if a young person makes a blockbuster, big shots in the film industry might interfere.
Even if that happens, I intend to push through as an independent film made by me and my companions at my request.
We aren't involving any advertising agencies, and I'm the one paying.
The cast are also my fellow adventurers.
After asking them to produce the sample video, about a month passed while Iroha and the others lightly patrolled the dungeon.
I actually want to dive deeper, but the problem is that 7th Floor.
They say you level down if you stall, but so far there are no signs of it.
How long until the level down happens?
Is there about a year's grace period?
Even searching the net, the answers vary, so I don't really know.
――One day like that.
"Oi!"
When I returned from the dungeon, messages had piled up.
I went back to the hotel to check――it seems a video sample was sent from Quadrifoglio.
I'll transfer it from my smartphone to my PC and watch it right away.
It seems Princess and Kaorulko will watch it with me too.
"What kind of story did you make?"
It seems Princess is interested too.
Well, she must be bored.
We can't break through the 7th Floor of the dungeon, so we're just running around the same place.
I can't exactly ask those Labyrinth Cult members to send us to the deeper layers either.
They are clearly enemies after all.
I watch the video with Princess and the others.
"Wait!"
Kaorulko put on the brakes.
"Huh? What?"
"I will prepare drinks and a projector."
"You don't need to watch it so formally. It's just a sample."
"It's fine!"
Since I had told them, they might have been secretly looking forward to it.
If so, I will wait a moment.
Somehow, popcorn was even inside Kaorulko's Item Box.
I connected my PC to the projector and closed the window curtains.
When the video started, Quadrifoglio-san and Flaminia-san appeared.
It seems they received the money and were discussing what kind of movie to make.
There were other men and women, but they must all be companions.
The location was a cheap apartment room, the camera fixed.
It was like watching a play.
Did they use someone's actual residence as the stage for this apartment too?
"Are you guys acting in it yourself? Hahaha."
"You deposited the budget, didn't you?"
"Of course."
They were having a meeting, but they got bored quickly, started surfing the net or playing around, and the day ended.
The next day, since they had money, they bought alcohol and made a fuss.
In the meantime, about half a month passed.
For real, this is bad! We have to shoot something!
Give us ideas! Ideas!
The staff are all holding their heads.
What if we all run and lift barbells and make a diet documentary? Is that no good?
That's definitely no good!
We really have to do something!
Everyone seems like amateurs, but their anxiety comes through clearly.
The structure of this video is likely a documentary touch to create the sample for me.
"Haha, this is a common sight when school summer vacation homework isn't done and the first day of school is near."
"Surely it won't end like this?"
Princess is worried――.
"Well?"
We won't know what happens until we watch to the end.
Why did it come to this!
Everyone in the video is holding their heads, but suddenly the director stood up.
Quiet! The biggest crisis has befallen us! Here, I, the unworthy Flaminia, will take charge!
Ohhh~! Clap clap!
Everyone is applauding.
Don't panic, everyone! I knew something like this might happen! I have obtained something from the dungeon!
Something?!
It's this!
She struck a pose and held up something black.
What is that?!
Fufufu... this is a rare drop item that can reset any phenomenon!
Ohhh!
As expected, Princess Flaminia!
Everyone surrounds her praising her.
Fufufu――praise me more.
But, how did you get such a valuable thing?
U! Th-that is...
Surely――you didn't use the budget for making the sample video, did you?!
It's fine! If we reset everything with this rare item, everything will be solved!
...
Everyone doesn't seem to believe it, but it seems they have no choice but to bet on it.
Come! Miracle Summoning! Now is the time for a miracle to visit! I pray that the power to change fate descends upon this place! Give us a helping hand!
She raised the black item and chanted a prayer.
The black item glowed blue and turned into colorful effects.
Ripples of light spread around, pure white flashes radiated in all directions, and faint rainbow-colored light streaks intertwined and danced in the air.
Sparkling light particles floated in the sky, rotating while shining as if stardust was swirling.
"Oh, aren't the effects here beautiful? As expected of a professional."
"Indeed!"
As Princess and I were impressed, a familiar sound came from the video.
A high-pitched sound like a bell ringing.
A black hole opened next to the panicked staff.
"Gua!" "Gyagya!"
Familiar green monsters bubbled out of the hole――goblins.
"Gyua! Goblins!" "Hiiii! Being violated!" "Adventurers!"
Everyone jumped out of the room.
Here, for the first time, the camera moves, going out into the hallway.
Since it's definitely not a real documentary, there must be a cameraman filming.
Everyone ran frantically down the hallway and tumbled down the stairs.
They were really tumbling, but are they okay?
"Gyagya!" "Gya!"
Goblins poured out through the open door.
At this time, the full view of the apartment appeared for the first time, but it was a truly normal apartment.
"These goblins are CG, right?"
"Indeed, probably――very well made."
Do such CG models exist?
They have detailed monster expressions and natural movements.
Even we, who are always facing monsters, think so.
"Hii!" "W-what do we do!"
While the staff were flustered, the door on the first floor of the apartment opened violently.
"What is this!"
What came out was a woman with long black hair.
Was it her loungewear? She wore a T-shirt and trunks, her toned thighs looking charming.
She held a sword, and from her movements, she seemed to be an adventurer.
Did they hire her for this shooting?
"Gyee!" "Gya!"
The goblins gathered on the second floor all jumped at the woman at once.
"Goblins?! Aiyaa!"
The woman who instantly realized they were enemies drew a white blade in a semi-circle from below.
The goblins caught by it were split in two.
They scattered their entrails and fell to the ground.
"Whoa! So realistic."
Even the detailed depiction of internal organs is possible.
Do samples like this exist?
Or did they reference the actual dungeon combat video I asked them to edit?
"Gugya!"
She swung down on the head of the goblin that landed with a return slash, splitting the enemy's body in half and causing it to collapse right there.
"What is this?! A spawn?!"
The adventurer who brushed off the monster's blood shouted.
"I-it's probably so..."
The directors answered quietly, unable to say they caused it themselves, but then the sound of wood being torn apart rang out.
Coming out by destroying the apartment's doors and walls was a giant with green skin.
Muscular, with pointed ears and sharp fangs, eyes glowing red.
With the giant appearing, the apartment was cruelly half-destroyed――the roof seemed about to collapse.
The depiction around here is amazing too.
"Hobgoblin!"
The woman shouted, but it was a bit flat.
Actually, there wouldn't be monsters right in front of her, and she's an amateur, so it's unavoidable.
Probably, even if Iroha were the protagonist, it would turn out like this.
I understood that, so I set the protagonist as taciturn.
"Goa!"
Wielding a shabby sword, the Hobgoblin jumped down.
The ground shook upon landing.
This part is a bit exaggerated, but it's likely an entertainment effect.
The woman dodged the monster's shabby sword thrust with a backstep.
The enemy's tip missed and dug into the ground, sending gravel flying.
Light Bullet! Strike my enemy! Magic Missile!
Blue light gathered in front of the woman.
"Oh?! Even though she's a warrior type, she uses magic too?"
The magic effects are also close to actual magic.
This part might also be based on my video.
A magical arrow was fired from the woman, piercing the Hobgoblin's torso.
Overpowered, the magic struck the first floor of the apartment behind it――blasting through the wall.
It feels like the Magic Missile's power is too high, but this part is likely an effect too.
Even with its body blasted through, the monster charged again.
Dodging the blade filled with extraordinary hostility, the woman cut up from below.
The sharp blade drawing a circle dug in, and the monster's right arm fell from its shoulder.
"Gwooo!"
The monster tried to approach further, but collapsed right there――and its head was crushed to finish it off.
Yay!
Cheers rose from Flaminia-san and the others.
Hearing that, the woman approached.
Here! Money!
A stern gaze from the woman――.
Huh?!
Looking at it, it seems to have spawned from your room, so I'm your savior.
Eh~ we don't have it on hand, so we'll consider it from now on...
Everyone gathered in a circle.
Hey! What are we going to do?!
We have no choice but to get money from sponsors...
How are we going to get it when we haven't done anything!
Hmm...
What if Flaminia and Quadrifoglio use their charms to press them?
That's impossible, impossible, impossible, like a snail!
While they were in a circle talking about this and that, a scream was heard.
"Gyah~! The apartment!!"
An elderly woman with white hair was sitting on the spot.
"Ah... the landlord..."
Everyone looked up, and the camera pulled up to the sky, showing the full view of the half-destroyed apartment before ending.
"No, it's not bad? I think it's quite amazing. As expected of a professional."
"Indeed! I think it's fine to entrust it to them."
"That's right! Daisuke-san! Are you thinking about my costume or something?!"
"No, not yet――but since she's the villain, she needs to look cool, so I think it's better to leave the details to the professionals with only rough instructions."
"They say let the specialists handle their own trade."
"Well, an old man like me doesn't understand fashion."
So, it's decided.
I'll contact Quadrifoglio-san right away.
"I have seen the video. It was wonderful. I would like to request the production of the film as is."
A reply came immediately.
Thank you!
"The monster videos were very realistic, but how did you make them?"
We made those by sampling Niwa-san's videos with AI.
You can do that now.
It seems they can also replace goblins with other monsters.
However, it seems limited to bipedal types.
So, if there are excellent sampling sources beforehand, the quality will improve.
"Then let's make a contract. Since we are a corporation for the time being, it will be a contract with a corporation."
Understood.
"When the contract is ready, I will send it to you, so please take care of it."
I am waiting.
I'll leave the contract to the judicial scrivener.
I, an amateur, don't understand it at all.
With money, you can force anything to turn like this.
You can even force things that shouldn't turn, which is a bit of a problem in itself.
"By the way――can I show this video to the scheduled cast members?"
Of course, it's fine.
"Thank you."
I immediately sent it to the cast and the collaborators.
The main character is Iroha, and Sana will help with magic.
I have already spoken to Sana.
Next――Eito for the heroine role.
If he watches this video and agrees to take it on.
"Okay, sending."
At the same time, I contacted the judicial scrivener and got his approval.
Now the story will start moving.
Just as I was thinking that, Iroha contacted me.
Not bad, Darling!
"I'm making a movie with staff who can make things like this. Look forward to it."
I wasn't very enthusiastic... but it might have become interesting.
"Right, having something moving makes a difference."
I laughed seeing acquaintances in the video.
"Huh? Who? Could it be a female adventurer?"
Yeah. Doing a job like this, let's tease them, ahaha!
For an amateur, that was quite decent acting.
Besides, if you tease them, the movie will be spread on the net more massively!
They might get revenge at that time.
Sana also contacted me.
It's amazing. It was fun!
"I'm sorry you weren't in the video, Sana."
No! It's a bit embarrassing to be in a movie...
Well, that's true.
It's a different matter if it becomes a topic on a video site or appears in online news.
Still, the power of the net to announce to the whole world so easily is amazing.
Ah, um...
"What's wrong?"
Money has been transferred...
"Oh, that's good. You won't have trouble for a while with this."
How should I use such a large amount of money...
"You don't have to force yourself to spend it. Just save it, right? Interest rates are high now."
"Haa..."
"For now, just put Grandpa in a great facility with medical and nursing care."
I am talking to Grandpa about that.
"I won't go to such a place! I'm staying here!"
He seems reluctant to move, and it seems the landlord gives him a bad look for living alone...
"Well, if something happens and it becomes a haunted house, it would be troublesome... if you get kicked out, finding a place to rent next time is hard, you know?"
Grandpa seems to understand that too, and he's becoming positive about the facility.
"If he complains, I'll tell him, 'You're making selfish demands while your granddaughter is risking her life to earn money!'"
It's fine.
"Hahaha, I see."
Sana seems to be having a hard time too, but I'm busy too, so I can't help with everything.
There's the tax accountant, the judicial scrivener, and Kirara, so it should be fine.
Well, there's no reaction from Eito yet.
How is it?
Should I contact him?
"Eito-kun, did you watch the video? You can be in a movie with this quality."
I was worried if there would be a reply, but a response came quickly.
I watched the video. I thought it was amazing... but I still can't make up my mind.
"It's a chance to get closer to Oga-san, your idol."
That's true...
"In the story, there are various delicious scenes where the Elf-kun carries you in his arms or you sleep together."
Well, there are no sex scenes.
Uuuu...
"If you show your good side, Oga-san might wake up to you as a cute younger person."
Well, I think it's unlikely.
Please let me think about it a bit more.
"Understood."
What is he worrying about so much?
Hmm.
That's it――if I actually meet Iroha and have her persuade him, his mind might change.
I'll try asking Iroha.
"If that's decided, I'll contact her."
When I contacted Iroha――the answer was OK.
I also contacted Eito――saying that Oga-san wants to meet him.
If he refuses after that, there's no hope.
I can't force him too much either.
When I sent him a message, a reply came.
"R-really?"
Of course, it's true.
"Uu... I'll go."
So――let's meet at the market.
It won't be at the hotel lobby or something like that.
"Princess, I'm going to meet Iroha at the market."
"Understood."
She replied while lying on the sofa.
"...You're not saying you're coming along, are you?"
"It's about the movie, right?"
"Exactly. There's a man who is reluctant to act, so I'm asking her to persuade him."
"Oh, that man like that woman."
"Yes, but he is concerned about that too."
"I'm sorry."
Even though she said that, her heart wasn't in it at all.
He is a rare beauty boy, but it seems it doesn't resonate with her strings.
Well, the condition Princess seeks in a partner is a man stronger than herself.
Iroha is the same.
Top-ranking adventurers are often people with strange values.
Maybe you can't go up unless you're a somewhat special person.
Leaving the hotel and heading to the market.
There are still many people, but no one looks back at an ordinary-looking old man.
An average appearance is convenient for times like this.
Humans aren't about looks, but they are about looks.
Arrived at the market.
I search for Iroha.
She's big, so I'll know immediately.
"Yo! Darling!"
"Sorry for calling you out."
"It's fine. I can't dive into the dungeon much anyway, so I was bored."
Since there's no way to break through the 7th Floor, everyone is stalling.
Some people have rushed into strange places and gone missing.
That place is a dungeon beyond human intelligence.
"Thanks."
"You're the one who said you'd do anything."
"Well, that's true. If it affects the guild's operations or something, tell me. I'll consider it properly."
"I know――by the way, where is that man?"
"Hmm."
Looking around with her――I found him.
"Oh, that's him."
"Huh? Which one?"
It seems she couldn't see Eito who had come close.
"Eito-kun, sorry for calling you out."
"...No."
He was looking down.
He finally got to meet his idol, a top-ranking adventurer.
Why isn't he trying to appeal here?
――I think that.
"Iroha, this is him."
"He's not a woman!"
She peered into Eito's face.
"No, he's a blonde beauty boy, but he's a boy."
"Hahaha! Darling, joking――really?!"
"In the main part, I plan to have him do special makeup to elongate his ears and make him an elf. Since he's a blonde beauty boy, he fits an elf perfectly, right?"
"Heh~ that's interesting."
"Right?"
"Ahaha! Then please take care of him!"
Iroha slapped his shoulder with all her might.
Since she knew he was a man, she held back nothing.
"Agya! It hurts!"
He was rubbing his shoulder.
Since he's an adventurer too, he should be okay, but it might be dangerous for an ordinary person.
"What is this, hahaha!"
"He's a huge fan of Iroha."
"Heh~, that's a weirdo, hahaha!"
"N-no such thing! Oga-san is, is beautiful and cool..."
"Iroha, why don't you carry him in your arms?"
"Huh? Like this?"
She lifted Eito effortlessly.
"Hyaahhh!"
"Ahaha, he's quite light."
"Auuu."
"I'm glad you like me, but my type is a strong man like Darling."
"Eh?!"
He was looking at Iroha and my faces.
"A~ha."
"Uwaaaaaaa!"
Eito thought something, shook off Iroha's arm, and ran into the crowd, disappearing.
"What was that?"
"He probably guessed our relationship."
"A~I see. Well, there's no point in hiding it."
"Now he won't come out anymore..."
Unfortunately, it can't be helped.
I parted ways with Iroha and returned to the hotel――night.
Eito contacted me.
I thought he sent some grudge or complaint――.
I'll do it.
"You'll do it? You mean you're okay with appearing in the movie?"
That's right.
I don't know what kind of change in mindset it was, but it's grateful that he's coming.
With this, the movie plan will advance one step.