Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: To the Hotel
I succeeded in filming inside the dungeon.
As a preliminary investment, I bought a notebook PC, aiming to officially release dungeon footage and monetize it.
If I can earn money through videos, I won't have to engage in the dangerous act of fighting monsters.
I can't keep going on forever, gathering tiny magic stones like picking my nose, and earning who knows how much.
I only want the money for FIRE (Early Retirement), after all.
I'm not thinking about becoming famous by defeating rare monsters or wanting to be a hero or anything like that.
I decide to stay at a hotel where I can use electricity freely for video editing.
Before that, since I had a little time, I went down into the dungeon with Sana and succeeded in taking down prey.
I visited the campsite carrying one of the prey, a Lizardman.
For some reason, a Harpy was riding on top of the Lizardman.
This Harpy seems to be the individual I caught before, but she probably escaped and flew back here.
The campsite is lit up with brilliant fiber optic lights, becoming a major base.
It seems water pipes have been laid out as well.
After all, the dungeon is a national enterprise now.
National budget is poured in, turning it into a massive production factory for materials.
Adventurers diving into the dungeon are essentially outsourced contractors.
To efficiently produce materials from that incomprehensible otherworldly space, infrastructure maintenance is also necessary.
It would be quite tough outside of developed nations, and only Japan and America seem to be recovering from a global catastrophe.
"Hey! Is anyone buying a Lizardman~!"
"We're buying! Let us buy it!"
A bearded businessman wearing what looks like rubber joints and rubber boots came running over.
"Wait, the shoulder area is blown off by magic..."
"It's fine! It's still warm, right?"
"I just finished it. I haven't even taken out the magic stone yet."
"Alright, how about 700,000 yen including the magic stone?"
Eh? That much?
"I don't really know, but is it that expensive?"
"Yeah, the meat is like chicken and delicious. Plus, the leather on this one is high-class."
Listening to his story... as I heard before, it seems leather goods and furs from monsters are popular among the wealthy.
In the past, rich people were associated with images like fur, but due to animal rights and such, real fur has gone out of fashion.
So now it's monster leather and fur.
If the target is a monster, no one will start talking about animal rights... at least for now.
Well, there are religious groups shouting "Coexistence with monsters!" but their public evaluation is heretical.
"Is it like crocodile leather? I heard there's Lizardman leather armor too."
"Oh, it's light and durable. It costs a bit, though."
"I might want that..."
He was checking the Lizardman's corpse.
"The leather on the belly and back is expensive, so the shoulder isn't much of a problem."
"Then, can wolf furs be sold too?"
"Oh, we'll buy them! About 50,000 yen per one..."
If that's the case, if I take down even one wolf a day, can I manage my life as an adventurer?
I thought I could make a living just from magic stones, but surprisingly, the side income is huge.
"Then, that price is fine... split the amount half and half with that girl over there."
"Understood."
I handed over my Adventurer Card, and the man started preparing some kind of machine.
"Cards shouldn't work here, how are you going to pay?"
"Wait, I'm making one now."
"Making one?"
The man pressed a few dials and switches -- clunk.
"Here, take this to a cash exchange office on the surface and they'll cash it for you."
What he handed me was a card lined with 2D barcodes with holes punched in the paper.
The clunk sound was likely a mechanical analog computer and a punch card system.
Since electricity can't be used, there's no choice but mechanical systems...
Anyway, I presented the amount to Sana.
350,000 yen each for the two of us, split evenly.
"Eeeeeh?! Th-That's way too much for me to take!"
"This is like you took it down yourself."
"Gya!"
The Harpy on top of the Lizardman let out a scream.
"Hey hey, there's a live Harpy too?"
The businessman's eyes sparkled.
Well, if I sell this one and it escapes and comes back, a perpetual motion machine is possible.
Though the escape was probably just luck.
"No, this one is different. Hey! If you stay there, you'll get eaten!"
"Gya!"
She flew into the darkness.
"This one is amazing... is she tamed?"
"Seems like it."
"How did you..."
"I don't know."
Maybe because I caught her alive.
Or maybe because I fed her.
"Harpy sells high too, so if you catch one, unload it to me, gahaha!"
"How much does an Orc go for?"
"One is about 800,000 yen. Orc meat is high-class. For big ones, it can reach around 1 million yen."
"Heh~"
"Orc leather is expensive too."
I'd heard the stories, but it seems more flexible and durable than ordinary pigs.
Since it's high-class, it wasn't sold at local home centers, but...
Could it be sold in the Special District?
Since the strait tunnel has turned into a dungeon, it wouldn't be strange for such things to circulate locally.
Well, there were also talks that since that place is rural, infrastructure hasn't advanced.
You don't need Orc leather gloves in daily life anyway.
Ordinary pig or cow leather is enough.
I admire monster-made armor too, but the special fiber and carbon armor I use is light and durable enough.
However, it seems monster leather has an advantage in magical defense.
There's no way ordinary materials we use have magical resistance.
"Speaking of which..."
With Sana's magic, the Lizardman ended up like that, but it could also be thought that because of magical resistance, it ended up like that.
If it were another monster, it might have been blown away more spectacularly.
In that case, it would become unsellable.
We can't just cull them; we have to hunt them.
That part is difficult.
Well, when in a pinch, we can't afford to say such things.
"..."
She who received a share of the huge money still seems to feel guilty.
As I said before, this includes hush money.
"Sana, can you use the cleaning magic?"
"Y-Yes, I think I can... Clean!"
Blue light from the magic danced and soaked into my body, and the blood crust dried up, peeling off my clothes and skin and falling down.
"Still, this is convenient."
"You don't need baths or showers, right?"
"But you want to take a bath, right?"
"Yes~ hehe."
She laughed at my words.
She seems to have gained a bit of confidence.
"Kip! Kip!"
A Harpy-like cry was heard from the darkness.
It seems adventurers are on alert, reacting to that sound.
We jumped into the darkness away from the campsite and took out a bicycle from the Item Box.
"Hey! Harpy! Don't get caught by other adventurers!"
I put Sana on the back and started running through the dungeon's darkness.
"It's pitch black, I can't see at all~!"
"I can see, so don't worry."
"Gii~!"
I heard a Harpy sound again.
Is it her, or another Harpy?
If it's another individual, she's an enemy...
My hearing ability has improved, so I should be able to distinguish them...
No, since I haven't encountered other individuals, I can't absolutely say it's her.
I stopped the bicycle for a moment, and there was a flapping sound nearby.
"Kip!"
It seems it really is her.
"Hey hey, do you intend to follow?"
"That Harpy?"
"Seems like it."
"You're quite popular."
"Hahaha, being popular with monsters... if I were popular, I'd ask the Bon-Cut-Bon older sister."
"I-I do have a bit of confidence too!"
Saying that, Sana hugged me.
"With you, it might get a bit problematic..."
She is technically an adult, but there are public eyes to consider.
"If I'm fine, that's good..."
"No... society won't allow that kind of thing, hahaha."
Well, I have no intention of making a move anyway.
Now that I know the Harpy's identity, we started speeding on the bicycle with peace of mind.
We encountered monsters along the way, but since we had no intention of fighting, we fled at full speed.
"Gauu!"
Along the way, persistent wolves got in our way.
They have speed and stamina, so we can't shake them off.
If the ground was asphalt, we could go full speed, but inside the dungeon, the monsters have the advantage.
I took out the Rebar Mace from the Item Box and slashed a wolf on the side while running.
"Gyaing!"
Since the opponent flinched, I stopped the bicycle.
Sana jumped off, so I threw the bicycle there too.
"Take this! I'll teach you a lesson!"
"Gyan!" "Gyaing!"
After taking down about three, the others fled.
"Here, finish them off."
"Y-Yes!"
After Sana finished off the wolves, she seemed to level up again.
So she's Level 9 now.
With this, we should be able to manage the 1st or 2nd floors.
She seems to have learned magic too.
I put the three wolves into the Item Box.
I should cash them in all at once soon.
After earning money, when I retire, I'll reveal the Item Box and cash everything in at once.
That way, there won't be any lingering issues.
"Alright, if we dawdle, we'll meet enemies again."
"Yes!"
She seems to be getting used to the dungeon too.
Maybe because her level went up.
After all, there is a certain sense of invincibility.
Because of that, people get mistaken.
They start saying things like "Superhuman" or "Chosen by the gods."
Returning to the 1st floor, I got off the bicycle at a suitable spot and stored it in the Item Box.
I checked, and it seems the Harpy isn't following.
She finally understood, as expected.
I took out three wolves from storage instead of the bicycle.
I wrapped them in blankets and carried them.
Going out of the dungeon as is, I exchanged the wolves.
55,000 yen per wolf, 165,000 yen for three.
I split it with Sana.
Next, I headed to the cash exchange place to cash in the paper barcode card I got inside the dungeon.
Searching on my smartphone, it seems to be on the 1st floor of a building.
Unlike the surrounding shacks, it looks like a government building.
A wide floor is lined with machines that look like automatic refund terminals.
I stuck to one of them and inserted the paper card.
『Payment has been transferred』
When that announcement played, money was deposited into my smartphone.
"I see, so this is the system."
It's a bit troublesome, but since electricity can't be used in the dungeon, there's no choice.
But if the amount is wrong, you can't file a complaint.
Is that part okay?
Worried a bit, I left the cash exchange place.
Now, what should I do next?
She should be able to earn safely on the 1st and 2nd floors.
I want to film deeper layers, but I can't take her that far.
If the danger increases, I won't be able to protect her.
I have her cast the Clean magic on the dirty blanket.
Still convenient.
Since I haven't eaten lunch, I bought a kebab at a shop on the way.
It's probably monster meat, but I've gotten used to it completely.
Well, it tastes like normal meat more than I thought, no weird taste, and delicious.
"Alright, since we've started earning, let's go back. Mio-chan is coming home."
"Yes!"
Outside, it was already past noon.
Today, I plan to stay at a hotel.
The innkeeper Oba-chan might make a bad face, but it can't be helped.
I can't edit videos there.
Arrived at the inn.
"I'm sorry, I'll be staying somewhere else today."
"Oh, is that so?"
"I'll be back tomorrow, so I'll pay. Don't lend it to anyone else."
"I understand. You must have various circumstances, so..."
She seems to have understood.
Well, if she said no, there's no choice -- I'd just look for another inn.
"..."
Oba-chan was looking at me.
"What do you want? You might not want to lose customers to a business rival."
"No."
"Then --"
"No, nothing -- young guys who come to stay often disappear suddenly."
"Did you make money, or did you become a Buddha in the dungeon?"
"I thought you were a lousy old man, but you're surprisingly capable, huh."
"Daisuke-san is very strong! He defeated the Orc on the 4th floor in one hit!"
"Eh?! Did you take this child that far?!"
"Well, it's for leveling up. I gave proper instructions."
"Even so..."
"Once you level up, you can earn easily even on lower floors."
"..."
Oba-chan seems to have some dissatisfaction, but she doesn't know about my level.
"Well, it's fine."
I left the counter.
Back in the room, I had a late lunch.
I tried the kebab I bought, and it was spicy and quite delicious.
At first, I was scared of eating monster meat, but I can eat it normally.
"It's delicious."
"Yes."
I bought some for Mio just in case, so I'll let her eat it soon.
Since I'm staying at a hotel today, I plan to order room service.
It will probably be extremely expensive, but it can't be helped.
While eating, I checked the uploaded video.
Access numbers seem to be increasing steadily.
There are many voices wishing for more videos inside the dungeon.
After all, people are curious about what's inside.
On the other hand, there are many negative comments like "Faked," "Fraud," "CG."
If you have complaints, just don't watch it -- I think that, but for now, writing negative comments is more common than praise.
Well, I don't care.
Even if it goes viral negatively, money comes to me.
While watching the video, Mio returned.
"Mio-chan, welcome back~"
"I'm home~"
"How was school?"
"..."
"It was fun."
"Did you make friends?"
"..."
"Yes."
She seems quiet, but surprisingly sociable.
Well, her older sister isn't introverted either.
An introverted child wouldn't become an adventurer, right?
She might look quiet on the outside, but the fire burns within.
"Did you eat school lunch?"
"Daisuke's curry was more delicious."
"Hahaha, thank you."
Since my younger sister returned, I'll prepare to go out.
First, I have to reserve a hotel.
The price seems cheaper at Haneda, but we need to pay for three people's boat fare.
Also, it seems the Special District hotels have adventurer discounts.
If so, the Special District hotel might be better.
"Mio-chan, we're staying at a nice hotel today."
"Hotel? Different from this one?"
"There's a fluffy bed and a bath."
"Yay!"
"Since your older sister learned the Clean magic, you might not need to take a shower."
"Umm?"
She doesn't seem to understand well.
Anyway, I made the reservation, so I'll pack the air mattress and manga and head out.
I packed the luggage into the Item Box and left the room.
"Then, see you tomorrow."
I greeted Oba-chan.
"Have fun."
"Bye-bye~"
Mio waved happily.
For Oba-chan, it might be complicated feelings.
She can't make a bad face when the child is happy.
The three of us went outside.
"Daisuke, where are we going?"
Mio doesn't know the destination.
"According to this map, if we go to that street, we should see a big building..."
Walking together, a building about 30 stories high came into view.
It's a huge difference from the surrounding shacks and Kowloon Walled City.
Is it okay to build something that big on this reclaimed land?
According to the net, it seems to be run by the family of Bikini Armor Princess, one of the top dungeon runners.
It was written that she is a young lady, but is it true?
Having such a wealthy family, yet doing adventuring, she must not be after money.
Feeling spirituality in an unknown space, wanting to see her own limits, seeking the truth of the world... I get a feeling of high consciousness.
Arrived at the building.
Above a few steps, there is an entrance with a large revolving door surrounded by full glass and iron frames.
"Mio-chan, stay with your older sister."
"Yes."
It has sensors and rotates automatically, but it might be dangerous for a single child.
I remember news about accidents where children got injured.
Walking on the marble floor entrance hall to the front desk.
Everything is sparkling, a huge difference from the miscellaneous Special District.
"Waa~"
Mio looked up at the ceiling chandelier with sparkling eyes.
"A-ah! Daisuke-san! It looks very expensive!"
"Well, it seems to be the most expensive in the Special District actually."
"..."
"Don't worry. I'll pay the bill."
The cost for one night for three people is about 100,000 yen.
50,000 yen for a single person, but I reserved a twin room.
Staying here every day is impossible, but today it's for securing electricity.
"I made a reservation, Niwa..."
I showed the smartphone with the reservation to the hotel staff in a suit.
After reading the barcode, the procedure was complete.
"A twin room, right?"
"Yes."
Taking the key, I rode the elevator to the room.
The key is non-contact type, opening just by holding it.
Getting off the elevator, I walked down the red carpet corridor -- arrived at the target room.
"Here."
Standing in front of the door, the key made a sound.
Turning the knob, I entered the room.
Since it's a twin room, there are two large beds inside.
There is also a round table.
White wallpaper and bright lighting, a room overflowing with cleanliness, a huge difference from that four-sided mortar wall room.
There is a desk and chair, so I can do editing work.
"Wa~!"
"It's beautiful~"
The sisters looked around the room.
Well, compared to that room.
"Mio-chan, which bed do you want?"
"Umm... this one!"
She pointed to the bed by the window.
"Then, Mio-chan, you sleep with your older sister on that bed."
"Yes!"
Looking out the window -- the mound of the dungeon and the dungeon entrance with its black open mouth.
In front of it, a crowd of adventurers and businessmen gathering.
Looking at it like this, it's clear what's happening in front of the dungeon.
"Oh~! You can see the front of the dungeon clearly."
"Really~ It's like this."
"If we buy a drone, we can do aerial shots."
"Ah! Drones are probably in a no-fly zone."
"Eh?! Really?"
Searching online, it seems to be true.
"I see. If it were okay, there would be people doing it by now."
Well, with the semiconductor shortage, drones are extremely expensive now, so they won't be easy to get.
"Mio wants to see too!"
She brought a chair and sat on it after taking off her shoes.
"Look."
"Amazing~ So many people."
"Your older sister and I are inside that black hole over there."
"Are there many scary monsters too?"
"Yes, hahaha."
"Over there, I can see Mio's school!"
She pointed to her right hand.
You have to look quite sideways, but a building that looks like a school can be seen.
"How many people go to school?"
"Umm, I don't know..."
"Well, that's right."
Normally, you wouldn't know.
Searching a bit, it seems to be about 250 people.
40 people x 6 classes, something like that.
Now they are divided, so maybe 20 x 12 classes.
"Mio-chan, how many people are in your class?"
"Umm? About 20 people?"
As expected.
I thought everyone diving into the dungeon was with children, but there are people doing business here too.
Searching, it seems there are two schools.
There is no middle school, so it seems they go to Haneda.
Well, by middle school, there shouldn't be danger on the way to school.
Although it's a special district like a concession, those who harm children seem to get a massive lynching.
There are children inside the dungeon, so that probably has something to do with it.
"Alright, I have to set up various things."
"What will Daisuke do?"
"It's work~ Why don't you and your older sister go take a bath?"
"A bath?!"
The girls' eyes sparkled.
They ran into the room that wasn't opened to check the bath.
I'll leave the bath to Sana.
I have things to do.
I took out the battery and charger from the Item Box and connected them to the outlet -- three at once.
If I run it until morning, it should be fully charged.
I put it under the desk to avoid obstruction.
I also took out the notebook PC and set it up.
Checking the battery level -- this one is full, but since there's an outlet, I'll use AC power.
There is a LAN terminal on the wall, so I connected the notebook PC.
This should allow me to use fiber optic cables.
I'll try measuring the internet speed just in case, and sufficient speed is coming out.
"Alright! It works."
I connected the external HDD and am ready.
I took out the action camera from the Item Box.
I removed the HDD unit from it and connected it to the PC.
It was recognized immediately, so I copied the contents to the PC.
"Let's check the contents -- Oh! It's recorded properly!"
It's footage of me fighting the Lizardman.
Footage of monsters is important, but this time it also captured the actual PK attack.
Showing that there are guys like this -- it will serve as a warning to new adventurers.
Well, veterans probably know that.