Sunday.
The weather was clear.
The temperature is mild.
Today was an ideal day for dungeon exploration.
I parked my bicycle in the designated area and waited in front of the donut shop near the station.
The bus pulled up, and a girl with emerald-green hair stepped off.
It was Azuma-san.
She hadn’t noticed me yet, so I waved my hand, and she turned to look at me.
「Sorry to keep you waiting.」
「I just arrived myself.」
It felt like a scene like meeting up for a date.
Though sadly, I didn’t have a girlfriend.
Azuma-san glanced around and asked,
「Has the person who was supposed to come with us not arrived yet?」
「No, we were planning to go together, but she suddenly couldn’t make it due to a family matter. Got a morning message about it.」
「…..!? Is that so? Heh, that is so.」
Her expression is brightening.
Was she perhaps shy or reserved?
I had been looking forward to exploring with Milk, but now that plan was dashed.
She even baked homemade cookies for everyone.
Despite being in a hurry, she’d made the effort to deliver them to my house this morning.
When I mentioned this to Azuma-san, she commented, ‘She’s quite formidable, isn’t she?’.
Indeed, Milk’s feminine prowess might be intimidating to other girls.
But Azuma-san, who prepared bento lunches for us, also had her own share of feminine strength.
「So, which dungeon are we heading to today? Umeda Dungeon, or perhaps Wakakusa Mountain?」
「Actually, I thought we’d explore a rare dungeon today. How about Tennoji?」
Tennoji—known for being home to Oshino Harukas, once Japan’s tallest building until Azabudai Hills surpassed it—had a dungeon adjacent to it.
In the heated discussions about where to build a dungeon within Osaka city—whether in Namba or Tennoji—Tennoji emerged victorious.
And so, right near Tennoji Station, nestled beside Oshino Harukas, lay the grassy expanse known as the Tenshiba. There, our dungeon awaited.
The local community buzzed with excitement.
Little did we know that just a year later, the Oshino Group would acquire the Tenshiba Dungeon. Fate works in mysterious ways.
「Tenshiba Dungeon is in Tennoji, right? I only thought only hotel guests could enter it.」
「That’s true but I have a connection. When I called to confirm, they said we could go in.」
「Is it possible that Ichino-san is incredibly wealthy?」
「Not at all. My father is a salaryman, and my mother is a housewife. Nowadays, a full time housewife is unusual, but we’re an ordinary family.」
The remarkable one is not me—it’s Gyuuzou-san.
By the way, we had the option to dine at the Oshino Hotel’s affiliated restaurant for free, but Azuma-san’s homemade bento held far greater value.
So, this time, we’re sticking to dungeon exploration only.
With our destination settled, we boarded the train together.
During the journey, we talked about family
「Ichino-san, you have an older brother, right?」
「Yes, though we don’t live together due to the age gap. And what about you, Azuma-san?」
「I have a younger sister—still in high school. She’s a bit spoiled so I’m having a bit problem with her.」
「You are very reliable so I guess that’s what spoiled her.」
「Oh, no! I’m not that reliable.」
Despite her embarrassment, I admired her determination to venture into the dungeon even after such an incident.
After all, being an Awakened didn’t obligate anyone to explore dungeons.
「By the way, your home is closer to Umeda Dungeon than Expo Park Dungeon. Why were you there that day?」
「Ehto, it’s a bit embarrassing, but there’s something I really want. I heard a rumor that it appeared in the Expo Park Dungeon in the past. Granted, it was on a lower floor, and it only happened once. It’s like chasing after the second loach—a bit embarrassing.」
「Nonsense! Nothing to be ashamed of. By the way, what is this coveted item?」
「The Saint’s Elixir.」
The Saint’s Elixir-a magic medicine that is a counterpart to the Hero’s Elixir.
While the Hero’s Elixir heals any injury, the Saint’s Elixir can cure curses and ailments.
But wait—
「Could it be that someone in your family is seriously ill?」
「N-No, not at all! Everyone in my family is perfectly healthy!」
She denied it hastily, perhaps embarrassed by her outburst on the train.
Well, the allure of the Saint’s Elixir makes sense—it’s even more valuable than the Hero’s Elixir.
They say that acquiring it could fund a lifetime of adventures.
We changed trains and arrived at Tennoji Station.
It was a busy weekend, especially in the grassy expanse known as the Tenshiba, where various food stalls had gathered.
Although they were still setting up, I expected even more people once they officially opened.
Contrastingly, within the entrance gate of the Tennoji Dungeon—reserved exclusively for hotel guests—it was serene. I showed my black card for entry permission and deposited our valuables. Then, we headed to the changing rooms.
Since keys weren’t allowed inside the dungeon, most people entered in their regular attire for lower-level dungeons. No need for elaborate gear; the temperature remained comfortable.
I emerged from the changing room in my usual clothes.
Soon after, Azuma-san, stylish in her tracksuit, stepped out.
With her short hair, she exuded an athletic vibe.
「Thank you for waiting.」
「You changed. That tracksuit suits you.」
「Thank you. These clothes are special to me—I didn’t want to get them dirty.」
「But they’re just Uniqlo, right?」
「Well, you bought them for me, Ichino-san.」
Oho, you say the sweetest things.
However, if you hold me in such high regard, perhaps I should have splurged on more expensive attire after all.
And so, off to the Tenshiba Dungeon.
On the first floor, I encountered someone who looked like an adventurer, busily stuffing slimes into a bag.
Apparently, these were slimes meant for beginner training.
Since the novice orientation starts at ten o’clock, there shouldn’t be any other visitors yet.
Armed with a map of the dungeon, I proceeded confidently to the staircase leading to the second floor.
「You know, it seems that slimes are everywhere on the first floor.」
「But the Black Dungeons are different, it seems.」
「I’ve seen videos too. Those are like a whole other world.」
Videos of the Black Dungeons have surfaced not only in America but in various countries. In each case, monsters equivalent to level 50 appear right from the first floor, giving the dungeons a high-difficulty feel.
Even if they were open to the public, climbing to the summit of Mount Fuji seems like too much trouble. I’ll stick with this dungeon here—so I thought as I ascended to the second floor.
And then—
「There’s a monster over there. Shall we go defeat it?」
「You can tell?」
「I have the Presence Detection skill. It sprouted when I reached level 10.」
Veteran explorers call the process of learning new skills ‘sprouting’.
Humans possess seeds of talent, and as their levels increase, those seeds begin to bud. That’s the poetic explanation. In truth, it feels more like weeds suddenly popping up.
「That’s a handy skill. It must make exploration much easier. As for me, I only have wind magic.」
「No, wind magic is excellent. Its low mana consumption allows you to use it repeatedly against enemies weak to it and even to ghosts. Unlike me—after I use a single powerful spell, I’m done for.」
「That magic skill is actually amazing! You’re like a legendary hero!」
Although Azuma-san praises me, using magic with names like ‘Hell’ feels more like something a demon king would use than a hero.
As I walked toward where the monster was, I found a tentacled creature carrying a pot on its back.
「Ah, it’s a Pot Octopus.」
「Just as it appears.」
However, that pot seems to be a growing part of its body, much like a turtle’s shell. Its attack methods are limited to spitting ink and entangling foes.
Thankfully, it’s not much of a threat, and the ink it spews disappears once the defeated Pot Octopus vanishes—so no worries about stained clothes.
By the way, if you break the pot, it will die.
「Hey, Azuma-san, want to take it down?」
「Yes! Release: Short Wind!」
The wind blade flies toward the Pot Octopus, but it merely grazes its pot.
「Once more—Release: Short Wind!」
This time, it hits, shattering the pot.
The Pot Octopus lies defeated, leaving behind a D-Coin.
「Phew, I did it.」
「Are you okay?」
「Just a little dizziness from casting consecutive spells. I’ll be fine.」
Magic induces a sort of vertigo when used in rapid succession.
Apparently, the higher your magical power, the more consecutive spells you can manage. But for now, two in a row is her limit.
「I missed the first shot. It really is harder without a staff.」
「A staff, huh? Try using this.」
I took out a mage’s staff.
「Huh? What happened to Ichino-san’s bag—wait, is that an Item Box!?」
「Yeah, something like that.」
「Amazing! Isn’t that a rare skill? Truly impressive, Ichino-san.」
Item Boxes are rare, but they’re not unheard of.
Technically, it’s inventory, but those who know about Item Boxes describe them as invisible containers where you can store things.
About the size of a wardrobe, so it’s a level below my inventory.
Still, for small items, it can hold more than ninety-nine, so it’s not entirely inferior.
「Ah, this is a mage’s staff, isn’t it? 」
「Yes, it came out of a D-Can. 」
「But wait, weren’t D-Cans supposed to produce items no larger than a can? 」
「True, but somehow this one slipped through. I’m more of a sword fighter myself, so I rarely use staves. If you’d like, feel free to use it. 」
「But—you could sell it—?」
「I’ll lend it to you. I won’t be using it anyway, and you can return it whenever you want. 」
「Understood… I’ll borrow it then. 」
「Great. Now, over there, there’s another monster. Shall we test it out? 」
I guide Azuma-san, and there, two Pot Octopuses await.
「How about this: Azuma-san takes down one, and then I’ll finish off the other? 」
「Certainly. Release: Short Wind! 」
Azuma-san casts the same spell as before.
But this time, the wind blades don’t merely graze the pot—they slice the Pot Octopus into quarters.
The difference in power leaves Azuma-san wide-eyed.
No, it’s not just a matter of power.
Why are the wind blades now twofold instead of one?
「I-Ichino-san, is this truly a mage’s staff!?」
「I-it should be. Can I borrow it for a moment?」
As I reach for the staff, a sharp crackle—like intense static—sends my hand recoiling.
「I swear, I didn’t do anything!」
「I know.」
I believe it was a regular mage’s staff.
Could it be that the appraisal results were falsified?
I hope I didn’t accidentally hand her a cursed weapon.
Let’s appraise it again.
【Archmage’s Staff: A legendary staff that significantly boosts magic power and guides magic toward awakening (Exclusive to Ayame Azuma). 】
…..Wait, what?
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