Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Selling Various Things
I took on the job from the government to dispose of treated water in a dungeon, while the Princess and Kaorulko were diving into an unprepared dungeon during that time.
Just as my work was about to finish, a large monster attacked from deep within the dungeon.
It seems to be the boss of this dungeon.
For a boss to come all the way to such a shallow layer, did it get furious because I dumped so much water?
If that is truly the case, then flooding the dungeon with water would be dangerous.
Rather than that, it seems the government was trying to utilize the dungeon for something, but now that is gone.
All the various plans they had are completely thrown off.
Panicked Hareyama-san is making calls everywhere.
Naturally, she must have contacted the Prime Minister first.
As proof of that――.
"Oh, it's from the Prime Minister."
『We're in trouble, you know?』
"Even if you say that, having monsters come out of a dungeon is within the realm of expectation."
『Well, if you say so, it is true...』
"Even in the Tokyo Special District, there is a possibility that giant monsters will overflow onto the surface."
I sent a photo of the defeated monster to the Prime Minister.
『W-what? A thing like this came out?!』
"Yes, if not for us high-level adventurers, there might have been severe damage."
『Mumumu...』
"Before that, dumping a massive amount of things into a dungeon might cause monsters to come out to the surface――it's called a stampede."
『That is a problem!』
Well, dumping things into dungeons is done in various countries.
If a real stampede occurs, dumping things might be halted.
"Um――just to confirm, since the dungeon disappeared because of you guys, there won't be any demands for compensation, right?"
『This is an accident, after all――isn't this something that could happen in any dungeon?』
"That is correct. Even in the Tokyo Special District, there is a possibility of that happening."
『Oh my, don't say scary things like that』
"No, it's a fact."
『The whole world really gets tossed around by dungeons』
"Originally, they are things beyond human understanding."
『That is correct』
For now, it seems there will be no talk of compensation, so I am relieved.
If I did all this for free――I would run away.
I won't do it again.
――And so, the work was cancelled here.
Since the dungeon for disposing of waste is gone, there is nothing to be done.
The Princess and I decided to return to the Special District, but it was already pitch dark.
Night flight is possible, but there are issues with noise and various other things.
We decided to spend the night at the site.
We rested in the camper van prepared by the Yaegashi Group and took out a notebook PC from the Item Box.
Since the generator is in the car, we can use it as much as we want.
Well, it does consume alcohol or gasoline as fuel.
Immediately, I edited the combat scenes I photographed today.
I compiled them, but since it was originally a secret dungeon, would it be bad to upload it?
For now, I tried contacting Hareyama-san.
A reply came immediately.
『No good』
As expected, it's a no-go.
Selling monsters shouldn't be a problem.
There is no evidence of where they were caught.
If we say "We caught them deep in the Special District's dungeon and they ended up in my Item Box," there is no way to investigate.
That part too, the Item Box is a cheat.
"Darling~"
While I was fiddling with the PC, the Princess hugged me.
If we compete every day, normally the body wouldn't hold up, especially since I am an old man.
Even for someone like me, with the benefits of being a high-level adventurer, the harsh daily competition is nothing.
She and Kaorulko, one match with no limits.
Kaorulko dropped out quickly, and the 1-on-1 match between me and the Princess continued until the sky turned white.
When dawn broke, we returned to the Special District.
――The day after returning to the Special District.
The fierce combat and the matches with the Princess were nothing.
As long as I can eat, infinite stamina supports me.
I am enjoying these benefits to the fullest, but isn't this borrowing against my life?
Experiencing that dungeon with the root-like, old-man-colored atmosphere makes me suspect there might be such a trap.
Well, diving into dungeons is only for a few years, and even if my lifespan shortens by 10 years, the Yaegashi Group's life-extending measures would extend it, making it a net zero.
Setting that aside, in front of my eyes, two beautiful women were arguing as if looking in a mirror.
"Why are you here!"
"Of course, I have business."
My sister Kako, who was lounging on the sofa in the suite of the hotel where we were staying, was glaring at the Princess.
Beside her was a small case made of duralumin.
The reason Kako came here was for a transaction with me.
Kaorulko brought her some coffee.
"I called her."
"Darling?! Why?"
"Didn't Kako-san say? It's a transaction."
I took out an Elixir from the Item Box.
"Waa! Is this the rumored Elixir?! I'm seeing it for the first time!"
She was entranced by the golden liquid floating in the bottle.
"Could it be, you're selling it to the Group?!"
"I was told I could do whatever I wanted with it..."
"Guu... you did say that, but..."
"The Yaegashi Group is doing life-extension business, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"I thought that if you studied this Elixir, it might help with that. They might buy it for a high price, don't you think?"
"That's not certain."
"Then I'll just list it on a net auction, so don't worry."
Hearing my words, Kako stood up.
"Stop that! The Group will buy it!"
I was waiting for those words.
"Then how much will you buy it for? Yes! One voice!"
"1 billion!"
"Sold!"
It was said to be several hundred million when listed at auction, so 1 billion is no complaint.
"Is it okay to buy it for such an amount?!"
The Princess was worried about the amount proposed by Kako.
"Even if you don't worry, the matter is settled within the Group."
"Then, you really want to get your hands on it?"
"That is correct."
Kako straightforwardly affirmed my words.
"We don't know when the next one will be available."
"Well, yes."
Wait a minute――previously, when the Elixir was put up for auction, does that mean there were people who cleared the dungeon?
No, for a simple dungeon where only goblins and slimes appear, that might be possible...
How big of a scale is a dungeon where Elixirs come out?
The giant worm that attacked us was weaker than a dragon.
Even in lower-level dungeons, if you clear them, will Elixirs come out?
Still, clearing everything completely seems quite difficult...
Well, it's no use for me to worry unnecessarily.
This golden liquid is going to be bought by one of the world's top companies.
Will the results of the research extend life even further?
Rumors are circulating on the net that some places are already researching whether recovery potions can be used for life extension.
Kako carefully took the golden bottle and opened the duralumin case.
Inside was a red cushion, and she carefully placed the small bottle in the gaps of the cushion before closing the metal box.
The case had a metal wire attached, connected to her bracelet.
It was very secure.
"If you're going to do that, shouldn't you have someone else carry it?"
"Regarding this, I cannot trust anyone outside the family."
"Well, it is an expensive item after all."
"If you can buy it with money, anyone with money might pay any amount."
As mentioned in the previous conversation, we don't know when the next one will appear on the market.
Thinking about that――I didn't think too deeply about it, but I used the Elixir because I felt sorry for the child...
To someone who knows the value of an Elixir, it must have looked like a foolish act.
Well, I don't regret it.
I believe that after saving Mio-chan, I am here now.
Since I got what I was aiming for, it seems Kako will leave soon.
"You're busy."
"I am actually busy."
When I opened the door, two burly men in black suits were standing there.
They were her guards.
"Those guys won't betray you, right?"
"The close aides are families who have served as guards for generations."
――That means they are also holding the guards' families hostage.
"Even if they betrayed you, they couldn't escape from the Group."
"Well, that's true."
The Group has a network all over the world and many cooperating companies.
The underground society probably doesn't want to make the Yaegashi Group an enemy either.
I rode the elevator with her and saw her off to the helipad.
"I want to greet your parents about the Princess..."
"What does Sakurako say?"
"She said it's not necessary――but it can't be helped, right?"
"Fufu――well, yes."
She had a little devilish smile on her face.
"Please tell them from you, just in case."
"I understand. Since you provided something like this, I think I'll be remembered well."
"Well, that's good."
Since it seems to be a matrilineal family, I'll be greeting Mother, right?
Since she is the Princess's mother, she is probably beautiful.
As a man, I'm curious about that too.
While thinking silly thoughts on the rooftop, a tiltrotor aircraft flew over immediately.
It's probably the same type of aircraft we rode.
She is so rich I can't even imagine it.
Amidst the roar and howling gale, I exchanged final words with Kako.
"Then, please tell my relatives about me!"
"I understand!"
She boarded the aircraft with her guards and soared high into the sky.
"Well, let's see what happens?"
As I was about to return to the room, a message came in.
『I want to see the monster from before!』
The sender of the message was Sensei.
I sent her a photo of the monster that seemed to be the boss, and it seems she wants to see it.
She asked to see it immediately when I sent the photo, but unfortunately, I was out.
"That's fine, but since it's huge, we'll need a place."
『How big is it?』
"It's the size that fits in my Item Box, so about 10 meters."
『If so, we can manage it on the institute's grounds!』
"It might get stained with bodily fluids, is that okay?"
『U, um...』
If it's the dissection facility inside the institute, we could wash it with water, but not on the grounds.
There is a high possibility it will become a stench incident or something.
"Then, shall we not go to the Special District market? I'd like to ask if they can buy it. I don't think it's a size that can be stored at the institute."
The Special District market assumes that transactions of monsters will soil the place.
Besides, magic can barely be used in the Special District, so it can be cleaned.
『As long as I can get a sample of the organization...』
"What time is it?"
『It's fine!』
"Then, let's meet at the Special District market――contact me when you arrive. I'll head there immediately."
『Understood』
Well, well, will someone buy such a gross thing?
Earthworm meat probably can't even be eaten.
"Princess, I'm going to the market for a bit."
"Are you going to sell that guy?"
"Yes, it's a bit iffy if someone will buy it, hahaha."
"..."
She looks like she wants to come along too.
"What will the Princess do?"
"..."If I go to the market, it will cause a commotion..."
"The Princess and Kaorulko stand out."
In that regard, I am just an ordinary old man.
If I blend into the crowd, no one will notice.
"Uuuu..."
After a while, a message came to my smartphone.
It was Sensei.
The institute at Haneda where she is located is close to here.
It takes a little time by boat, though.
"Well, I'm going."
"Wait a minute! What was that message just now?"
"See, it's my former university professor. She wants to see that monster and get a sample."
"I'm going too!"
"Huh? Well, if it's casual clothes, it should be okay?"
"Alright!"
Are you getting ready right now?
"Sensei might be waiting, so let's go early."
"It can't be helped."
"Wouldn't it be better without makeup and wearing glasses so you won't be recognized?"
"True――glasses!"
Unfortunately, I don't have fake glasses.
Kaorulko's glasses are real glasses with prescription lenses.
――Thinking that, the Princess was borrowing glasses from Kaorulko.
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"These are fake."
"Eh?! Is that so?"
Kaorulko told her that secret.
"I really had bad eyesight, but when I became an adventurer and leveled up, my nearsightedness was cured..."
Does that mean it will get bad again if my level drops?
Or will it stay as is?
Still, there are many mysteries.
"I see――well, Kaorulko's glasses suit her, so it's fine."
"Muu..."
The Princess looked displeased after hearing my words.
"The Princess's glasses are cute too."
Well, since she is fundamentally beautiful, any outfit must suit her.
"I see!"
I left the room while the Princess was in a good mood.
She was wearing a blouse, a culotte skirt, and black tights.
Her hair was in a ponytail, and she was wearing glasses today.
At a glance, no one would know she is a top ranker.
Since she is beautiful, I think she will attract attention, though.
We went down in the elevator and greeted the staff.
As soon as I stepped outside, it was a crowd.
The market is close to the hotel.
"Well――where is she~"
I searched for the market.
"Oh, isn't that you, brother! The settlement for that dragon and others from before will be completed soon."
Now that I think about it, I forgot.
"Was it expensive?"
"Yes――the scales turned into money. After all, there were so many."
It seems there were about 2000 pieces, large and small combined.
"Also, the dragon skin sold high as a material."
"Is it used as material for rare high-class goods?"
"Something like that. It's one of a kind."
"Well, dragon scales and skin are truly legendary."
Leather armor made of dragon leather sounds amazing.
"This time being the first to appear on the market is also big."
"There's a bonus for the first item, right?"
"Well, yes."
Indeed, this time was the first, but we don't know if there will be a next time.
If no adventurers appear to defeat it, that will be the only dragon.
"So, did you bring anything to sell today too?"
"Yes, but I'm looking for someone."
"What kind of person?"
"A woman with glasses and freckles."
"Could it be that university professor from before wearing a white coat?"
"Yeah, probably that one."
"If so, you saw her just now――she was asking various things about the monster."
"Definitely."
Following the direction the buying old man told me, I found Sensei wearing a white coat.
She had a cooler box hanging from her shoulder.
"Sensei!"
"Oh, Niwa-san!"
Her face lit up brightly, but then disappeared immediately.
"What's wrong?"
――"Are you with Cherry Princess again?"
"It's natural that I am with Darling, isn't it?"
"More than that, I want to see it quickly!"
She pulled my hand along with the Princess's words.
This person is really on her own pace.
"Yes, yes."
I returned to the old man's place.
"Oh, brother, did you find her?"
"Yes――and I want to bring out the big guy..."
"Hey! Again?!"
He was dumbfounded, but it's not my fault.
Well, basically because the level is high, the level of the target to be defeated inevitably goes up, which is unavoidable.
Low-level adventurers have no choice but to run away if they encounter a big monster.
The people at the market organized the customers and made space.
The customers seemed interested, and they were very cooperative at times like this.
Everyone here is only people with jobs or businesses related to dungeons.
Even if there are tourists, they would want to see rare things.
"Alright, I'm bringing out the big one, so be careful!――Summon!"
The corpse of a giant cylindrical monster came out of the Item Box and occupied the market.
"Woaaaaah!"
"Kyaaaaa!"
Cheers and screams were about half and half.
Honestly, it's gross.
I don't think many people like earthworms.
"What is this thing?!"
The buying old man was also screaming.
"Amazing!"
Of course, there were people with sparkling eyes and extremely excited.
It was Sensei.
"How about it? Isn't it rare?"
"I've never seen one! Is it a type of annelid?!"
"Annelid...?"
"Like earthworms."
"So it is a relative of earthworms."
"But the jagged mouth looks like a cyclostome."
Cyclostomes seem to be a type like lampreys.
Now that I think about it, it does look like a lamprey's mouth.
"Why is the blood blue?"
"Yes, that is..."
Red blood is due to hemoglobin that transports oxygen――meaning iron, so blue blood means copper might be transporting oxygen.
She was taking samples of the body surface and bodily fluids.
Since I haven't sold it yet, it is still mine, so it's fine.
"Haa haa――amazing."
Sensei was drooling, clearly excited.
It was a rather dangerous sight.
The crowd murmured, and everyone was taking out their smartphones to take photos.
Everyone holding up small boards in front of them looked like some kind of ritual.
If a stranger saw it, they would think it was strange.
"W-where did you catch something like this?!"
"In a deep layer... I can't say the location in detail."
"Haa..."
"How is it? Does it look like it will turn into money?"
"Nnn~ this is... the appearance is a bit..."
"I get it, hahaha."
Well, it is an earthworm after all.
"But, amazing. As expected of a high-level adventurer."
I haven't publicized my level, but the old man seems to understand that my level is high.
There is no way the level is low if you can defeat something like this.
"The body is no good, but aren't these teeth amazing? They look hard?"
I took out a Rebar Mace from the Item Box and struck the sharp, white, shining teeth.
It made a high-pitched sound like striking porcelain, but of course, there was no chipping.
"Osh! Then, I'll buy just the mouth area... Also, sorry, can I get a little bit of meat sample?"
"Maybe it might sell?"
"Well, I don't know."
"Will the dissection be done at the usual place?"
"Yes, I'll contact you when it's ready, so please bring it."
"Understood."
After the old man cut off a chunk of meat, he stored the giant monster in the Item Box.
"Oooooh~"
Voices rose from the crowd again.
"Ahhh~"
A disappointed voice came from Sensei.
"No matter how much you want it, there's no place to store something like this, right?"
"Well, that is true..."
Monster maniacs probably want to complete all monsters and display them in glass containers.
"Darling!"
The Princess pulled my hand.
"What is it?"
"You're sticking too close to that woman."
"She's my university professor!"
"Even so!"
"But, look――we have to consult about our children too."
"That is right? I heard about the plan. I am very interested."
"Guu..."
"Sensei also has to examine the sample she just took, right?"
"Oh, that's right! Then, please contact me if you catch another interesting monster."
"Yes."
After parting with Sensei and greeting the buying old man, we left the market.
Do I have to go to that disposal facility again?
Since the Princess is in a bad mood, we decided to walk around the market before returning.
We bought food and other things before returning to the hotel.
――And before evening.
There is a kitchen in the room, so I made curry in a big pot.
I cooked a mountain of rice.
If I put it in the Item Box, I can eat it anytime, and since we are all high-level adventurers, we need food anyway.
"Oh, that's right――Kaorulko."
"Yes?"
"It seems the settlement money for the dragons and various other monsters will be transferred, so please handle it."
"Understood."
While the curry was simmering, a message came.
Another call for work from the government? I was getting a bit tired, but when I looked at my smartphone――.
『I want to eat Daisuke's curry』
It was a message from Sana, but isn't this Mio-chan?
It seems she sent it using her older sister's smartphone.
"It's Mio-chan, right? I'm sorry."
――When I sent that, only one emoji of a crying girl was sent back.
Stop it――that attack works on me.
"I'm making curry now, so ask your sister? If your sister says it's okay, you can come eat curry."
I sent that when we were all staying at the hotel together before.
I wonder how it will go.