Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Sold for a High Price
I, who had become an adventurer, immediately went to the dungeon.
The Level 49 I had obtained was, as expected, quite a powerful force.
I was able to defeat the monsters on floors 1 through 4 without any trouble.
My senses had sharpened, and being able to see in the darkness was quite advantageous.
If I were just leveling up normally, at what point would my night vision have kicked in?
It felt like my senses were gradually being honed -- that sort of feeling.
I had decided to return after defeating the Orc on the 4th floor, but I was attacked by monsters again.
The screams coming from above were from a flying monster -- a Harpy.
A monster with giant wings and the face of a woman.
Since they are flying, even if I run away, they might chase me.
Besides, according to the monster catalog, they can be sold for a high price.
What on earth do people buy monsters for?
Anyway, if the price is high -- let's try catching one.
"I decided that, but how should I defeat it?"
Aiming at a flying enemy with a slingshot seems quite difficult.
Probably the attack will be done with the claws on their feet.
Just like eagles or hawks.
At that moment, they will come straight at me -- won't they?
If they come in a straight line, it will be easy to aim for them with an attack.
For now, to provoke the enemy, I decided to try attacking with the slingshot.
I don't intend to hit them, but if I do, it would be lucky.
"Here I go!"
I swung the slingshot back and forth and threw it at the enemy.
For the sake of it, a white line like a deviation shot appeared, but because of the distance, it didn't fly exactly as intended.
Besides, since it takes time to hit the target, if they change course in the meantime, naturally, it won't hit.
"Gyaah!"
Angered by my attack, the Harpy raised its giant claws and dove straight at me.
Just as I hoped.
If they come straight at me, it's easy to hit the target.
The Harpy must have seen that I don't have a weapon like a sword.
"Sack Summon!"
I took sandbags out of the Item Box and threw them one by one with an underhand throw at the monster diving straight at me.
"Gyah!"
"Here! Here! Here!"
It felt more like placing them on the Harpy's path than throwing them with aim.
They have speed, so they probably can't make a sudden course change.
They reflexively grabbed the first sandbag with sharp claws, but the second and third bags were too late.
They collided directly with the monster's body.
If something weighing several tens of kilograms collides, there will be considerable damage.
The Harpy lost speed and crashed to the ground.
"Gih! Gih!"
As I thought, it seemed to have taken damage and couldn't move from the spot.
I took out the Iron Sand Bat from the Item Box and flashed it horizontally across the Harpy's head.
I intended to catch it alive, so I hit it lightly.
The head looks human-like, so this should cause a concussion.
It was flapping its wings, but couldn't move properly.
I can say my attack was successful.
The face really looks like a beautiful human woman.
I illuminate it with a chemical light.
The feathers are dark, and the hair is black too.
The hair on its head is messy and the face is dirty, but it should look pretty if groomed.
On the upper body, there are well-shaped breasts -- I see, no wonder it fetches a high price when you look at it like this.
I peek at the lower body.
This part is completely bird-like, so it seems to have a cloaca.
"I see..."
Now is not the time to be impressed.
I was able to catch it while keeping it pretty.
If I don't restrain it, it might recover quickly and escape.
"Right."
I took a blanket and rope out of the Item Box and folded the Harpy's wings, wrapping it in the blanket.
The blanket will smell like bird droppings, so I'll wash this one -- or if the smell doesn't go away, I'll use it exclusively for this purpose.
Or, if there is a cleaning magic, would this also become clean?
I brought all the blankets from home, so I still have stock.
The Harpy was wrapped tightly with rope over the blanket, with only its face sticking out.
With this, it can't escape anymore.
It seems the concussion is subsiding, as it is looking around nervously.
It doesn't seem to be struggling.
Let's carry this one and head up.
Since it's alive, it won't fit in the Item Box.
The deal is that you can't make money unless you catch it alive.
I hoisted the wrapped Harpy onto my shoulder and started walking towards the exit.
Because of the high level, I have more than enough power and don't get tired, but my stomach is hungry.
I started heading back through the dungeon, but I had been careless about something.
You encounter monsters on the way back too.
Thinking about it, it's natural, but in games, once you clear an event, you return via portal, so...
I can't seem to shake off the game mentality.
I must break free from this kind of thinking.
If you are truly a beginner, you might end up in a dangerous situation due to carelessness.
I have no intention of fighting anymore, so I'll just run away.
My leg strength has been enhanced, so I can achieve quite a high speed.
In this era, the Olympics have been canceled for a long time, but I'm sure to win a gold medal.
"Phew..."
Let's take a break.
My stomach is hungry.
Having increased power feels like being Superman, but the hunger is unavoidable.
I took out bread and canned coffee from the Item Box.
"..."
The wrapped Harpy was looking at me.
Since it was caught and couldn't move its hands or feet, it was very well-behaved.
Birds struggle before they are caught, but they become quiet when they realize it's hopeless, so it's similar to that.
"Do you want to eat too?"
"Kunka kunka..."
She was sniffing the scent of the bread near her nose.
After I pretended to eat the bread and offered it again, she bit into it with a gulp.
"Haha, you're eating normally."
It's bad to give human food to wild animals, isn't it?
But this is a monster, so what will happen?
I wonder what they use live monsters for.
Pets? Lab animals? Many possibilities come to mind.
They are unknown creatures appearing in this world.
After taking a break, I hoisted the Harpy again and started walking.
I returned to the base where the exit of the 4th floor and the entrance to the 3rd floor intersected -- but.
It seemed like many people were running around frantically.
I could see people lying on the ground, so something must have happened.
Were they attacked by monsters?
Well, "it has nothing to do with me," that sort of thing.
Sorry, but as a beginner, I don't have the luxury to help people.
If I pass through a dark place, they won't see me from over there.
I carried the Harpy and came to the entrance leading to the 3rd floor.
"Hey!"
One of the men there approached me.
"..."
Well, I only had a bad feeling, so I ignored him and started climbing the passage.
"Hey!"
So persistent.
When I turned around, it was a face I recognized.
The man who bothered me when I was going down, talking about how I was a novice or something.
"Oh..."
He must have noticed too.
"What? Do you need something? I'm in a hurry to return."
"Do you have any potions?"
"I don't."
Of course, it was a big lie.
"Help me! My companions were attacked by monsters, and some are seriously injured."
"I'm a beginner, so I can't do anything."
"Are you carrying a Harpy?!"
"Sorry, but I'm in a hurry."
His attitude wasn't like someone asking for a favor, and I had no obligation to help.
"Helping each other is necessary in the dungeon, right?"
Yes, here it comes -- intimidation disguised as noble words.
When the world stood still -- my family had stored supplies for emergencies, but those who smelled it came.
They said helping each other was necessary during emergencies, and talked about Noblesse Oblige and such.
Well, I understand if it's neighbors or people who have taken care of us daily, but those who say such things are people with no connection whatsoever.
Not only that, they were the ones who usually mocked me and people like that.
Naturally, since I am not a broad-minded person or a saint, I firmly refused.
Then those guys started spreading bad rumors about the village.
These kinds of people don't challenge me one-on-one.
They snitch, increase the number of people, and take a position of superiority by numbers.
Well, in my hometown, those guys were disliked, so no one joined them.
Not only that, they caused trouble in another place and were kicked out of the village.
"I'm a beginner."
"There's no way someone who can catch a 4th-floor monster alive is a beginner, right?"
"No, didn't you say you were a beginner? You said you were a nuisance. Nuisances are obstacles, right? Well then."
"Hey, wait! Hey!"
The opponent drew his weapon.
"Hey hey, is this robbery now?"
"Shut up! Do you know who we are?!"
"I'm a beginner, so I don't know at all."
"It's the guild 'Dancing Darkness'!"
In that case, whatever I do is self-defense, right?
"Oh, really -- waaaaah! Help me! It's a robbery!"
Since I was holding the Harpy and had no intention of dealing with him, I deliberately shouted loudly.
"Damn it!"
No matter how much he swung his sword, I could clearly see the tip of his blade.
It shouldn't hit.
I dodged the sword and tripped the man's leg, causing him to roll over.
As I made a commotion, other people gathered around.
"What's wrong?!"
"That guy tried to force me to give him a potion."
I deliberately made a scene.
"Damn it!"
"He really drew his sword?!" "Hey! Which guild are you from?! This is a problem!"
Although Japanese law doesn't apply in the Special District and inside the dungeon, PK (Player Kill) should be bad no matter what.
If both parties belong to a guild, it becomes a conflict between guilds.
It feels like an 8○3 movie.
For now, since I don't belong to any guild, they might have thought, "This guy has no backing, so it's safe."
Dungeons are surprisingly rotten places.
Well, as time passes, interests and factions form everywhere, so it's the same everywhere.
Someone said -- absolute power corrupts absolutely.
"You said 'Dancing Darkness', right?"
"Yeah, that place..."
One of the people who gathered seemed to know.
It didn't seem to have a very good reputation.
"Tch!"
The man clicked his tongue and returned to his companions.
"Thank you. You saved me."
"He's a terrible guy." "I understand he's desperate since there are injured people, but..."
I handed the smallest magic stone I had in my pocket to the people who had gathered.
Even if it's a small token of appreciation, gratitude is gratitude.
No one gets upset receiving it.
This is the real helping each other.
If it hadn't been those guys bothering me, I might have been able to help the injured people.
Well, "it has nothing to do with me," that sort of thing.
"Is that... a Harpy?"
The people who helped me seemed interested in my load.
"Well -- well then, I'm in a hurry."
"Eh? Are you carrying that all the way up?"
"That's my intention..."
According to the man, there are merchants at the dungeon campsite who buy things, so it's better to sell them there.
The Adventurer Card probably can't be used here, but how are they buying them?
"Is the buying price different from outside?"
"Well, since transportation costs to get it out from here are required, it will be cheaper."
The buying price will be a bit lower, but if you sell it here, you can return to hunting immediately -- that's probably what it means.
"I plan to finish for today."
"Oh? You're quite light-equipped, aren't you..."
The adventurers seemed surprised to see me in completely casual clothes.
After thanking them, I headed for the exit carrying the Harpy.
Maybe I should have brought a bicycle.
Running doesn't tire me, but a bicycle would be faster.
Isn't there teleportation magic?
On the internet, rumors of teleportation traps are whispered.
There are no magic circles, but suddenly companions disappear, so they say it's that.
No one has returned from the traps, so it's unknown if it's true.
If it is true, I must be careful.
I walk aiming for the 1st floor.
As people gradually increase, I am more likely to be noticed.
Well, basically the inside of the dungeon is dark, so unless someone gets close, they won't know what I'm carrying.
"Phew..."
When I returned to the 1st floor, I saw many chemical light lights.
So many people are here, which gives a sense of security.
Ordinary people probably get a sense of security from this and are doing monster extermination work here.
I returned to the hall on the 1st floor.
The bright lights on the ceiling are dazzling.
"Hey, someone is carrying something?" "Is it a monster?"
Being bright means being noticed.
People's gazes pierce through me.
I should dispose of the monster I'm carrying quickly.
When I exited the hall, I waved my Adventurer Card and passed through the gate.
Outside, there was a large, hairy monster that I had passed on the train earlier.
From the conversations of the people, it seems that thing is a "Troll."
Using a train to transport it up to here -- does that mean it's worth that much money?
More importantly, I need to sell what I'm carrying.
"Hey! I caught a living Harpy, is anyone buying?!"
There was an immediate reaction to my voice.
"Harpy?!" "Is it really alive?!"
Surrounded by many merchants.
"See, I have it wrapped in a mat, it's alive, right?"
"Seriously..." "It's true." "Are there any wounds on its body?"
The men peered into the face of the Harpy wrapped in the mat.
She, suddenly surrounded by many people, looked around nervously.
"I think the body is clean... but I can't unwrap it here."
"..."
Several merchants were whispering something to each other.
"Could you wait there for a moment?"
"Sure..."
One of the merchants started making a call somewhere.
While waiting, wondering what they were doing, a cage on a large cart was brought in.
So these things are common -- meaning living monsters are traded normally.
So pets? Research materials?
Developing a pathogen that wipes out all monsters?
No, if the dungeon disappears now, resources will disappear too.
But weakening them with poison or such would make them much easier to defeat, I think...
Hasn't anyone tried it?
I'll search on the net later.
More importantly, the Harpy.
I get into the cage with it and unwrap the mat.
I thought it would struggle, but it remained quiet.
Maybe it was cramped, as it spread its wings and flapped them.
Judging from the reactions around, it must be rare.
I also took a video with my smartphone.
Since it's a video from close range, it has impact.
Normally, you can't get this close.
"Wow! The wings seem fine?" "It doesn't seem to have any wounds or injuries." "How did you..."
Merchants were peering in from the surroundings.
Since the Harpy seemed fine, I got out of the cage.
I also filmed the scene of it being in the cage.
"How about 1 million yen?!" "We'll offer 1.1 million!"
The men surrounding me shouted.
One shot for 1 million yen.
With this, I could make money just by targeting Harpies every time and going back and forth.
If I catch 10 of them, it's 10 million yen.
Satisfied with the Harpy's condition, the merchants started raising the prices one after another.
"Alright! This one is 1.2 million!" "1.3 million!"
A somewhat tough-looking stubborn old man with a stern face shouted.
"1.5 million!"
"..."
At the voice of 1.5 million yen, no one else continued.
"It's decided! Well then, I'll sell it for 1.5 million yen."
"Yosh!"
The old man made a victory pose.
1.5 million yen in one day.
If I do the same for 10 days, it will be 15 million yen.
Well, it probably won't go that smoothly.
"Hey, brother! If it's a Harpy, bring me the corpse too."
"Eh?! Is the corpse okay?"
"The meat of this one is delicious, and there are people who buy it as a stuffed specimen."
So they eat it?
Its face is cute, so I feel a bit sorry for it...
And stuffed specimens -- that's not a very good hobby, I suppose...
Speaking of which, I feel like many houses in the past decorated with stuffed specimens.
Rich houses had stuffed pheasants or hawks.
Somehow, I heard there were many stuffed armadillos too.
"Okay, I'll do my best."
If the corpse is okay, it's even easier, but monster meat is quite valuable too.
The Orc corpses are also in the Item Box, so they should fetch a decent price.
Should I publicize the Item Box and make money easily?
Even if I do this in the middle floors, my level will eventually drop.
If that happens, making money will become difficult.
If I earn about 3 million yen a day and continue for a month, that's 90 million yen.
Even after deducting 20% tax, it's 72 million yen.
If I do it for two months, about 140 million yen -- even with inflation, it feels like enough to FIRE in the countryside.
Hmm... at what point does the level drop start?
It shouldn't happen in one or two days...
I'll search for this later too.
"I'm counting on you!"
"Can I ask something? What do you do with a living Harpy?"
"I hear many are pets, but the eggs are said to be delicious too? Apparently a super-high-class item."
"Eh? Eggs..."
Well, since it's female, it might lay eggs -- but wait, do they reproduce inside the dungeon?
I don't think they do since they pop out of the dungeon.
Do they lay eggs if kept as pets?
While talking with the merchants, the people around were also taking videos with their smartphones.
It must be rare, after all.
Anyway, I received payment from the man who bought the Harpy.
Payment was made via a smartphone linked to the Adventurer Card.
Since the other party was a formal merchant with permission, the amount of 1.2 million yen, which was the purchase price minus 20% tax, was transferred.
"Well then, see you again."
"Phew..."
The cage containing the Harpy was carried away.
I had a feeling she was looking at me with resentment -- well, since she was caught by humans, maybe even a monster feels frustrated.
Or maybe she was worried about what would happen to her from now on.
Just when I thought I was released by the merchants, I was surrounded by adventurers again.
"Are you solo?!" "Won't you join our party?!" "Mine is better!"
I feel like there are many women dressed flamboyantly.
Isn't this an invitation for something other than an adventurer party?
I'm not interested in that kind of thing...
I was given business cards, but I returned them all.
"Eh?! Why are you returning the business cards?" "The worst..."
The women were dissatisfied because their self-promotion was ignored.
No, it's fine to be the worst.
I don't like women who show such obvious dislike either.
"Sorry, but I'm not interested in parties. Besides, is there anyone here who can dive to the 4th or 5th floor?"
"W-well..." "..."
All the women fell silent.
They probably aren't that high level.
It seems you need Level 20 or higher to go to places with Orcs or Harpies.
There's no benefit for me to party with those kinds of girls.
I'd have to babysit them.
I don't particularly want to continue the adventurer profession.
Once I have a lump sum of money, I'll quit immediately.
I also sold the other magic stones I got today to merchants, and that was worth tens of thousands of yen.
I realized that with my level, I can easily make money, and I got the money.
It seems I can live for the foreseeable future with this.
Today's work is over, so I decided to find a place to stay.
I searched on the net and found a decent place.
I don't expect a three-star comfortable life.
Since I lived in the countryside, I'm used to a life without many things.
I decided to go to the inn I found on the net.
For now, it seems the room is available, so I made a reservation.
Following the navigation, I walked along the winding passage at the street corner where shacks were piled up.
Then, a building like failed blocks appeared before my eyes.
"Is this here? It won't collapse, will it?"
I went up the wooden stairs and entered from the entrance.
"Welcome..."
There was a counter inside, and sitting there was a middle-aged Oba-chan with a cigarette in her mouth.
She had a slightly messy head and was wearing a tattered apron.
"I made a reservation earlier, Niwa."
"It's early, so the room is empty."
With her tone, it seems the room fills up if I'm late.
"What's the cheapest room?"
"A room with no amenities, just sleeping?"
"That one? How much?"
"5,000 yen."
"Then, that one."
"Is that okay? It really has nothing."
"Yes."
I paid in advance using my smartphone.
It seems Adventurer Cards aren't needed to use places like this.
Well, there seem to be many people who aren't adventurers either.
Guided by the Oba-chan, I went up the creaking stairs and arrived at the room.
I opened the door -- seriously nothing, an empty room with four mortar walls.
There was one small window, no bed, and no light on the ceiling.
The size was about 4.5 tatami mats, but since there was nothing, it felt spacious.
"Is this really okay?"
The Oba-chan was grinning.
"It's fine."
"Well then, here -- the key."
She looked surprisingly -- I received the room key.
There is a key, but will it be useful?
It's not an auto-lock or anything.
"Thank you."
"The toilet is on the first floor. Want to use the shower? It's 2,000 yen per use."
Expensive.
Are they making money off this?
"Okay."
"And! Using fire is strictly forbidden, and smoking is not allowed either!"
"Oba-chan, you were smoking yourself."
"I'm fine!"
Is that so.
The first day as an adventurer is ending in a room with nothing.
"Oh, right -- I wonder if the guy I was with when I came to the Special District finished his first day safely?"
Should I have exchanged contact information?