Even aboard the helicopter, the thunderous sounds of combat reached my ears.
Tension coiled within me.
「Are you truly okay?」
「It’s just warrior’s tremors.」
「Ah, so you’re scared.」
Despite trusting my words earlier, Hime now hesitated.
Well, the warrior’s tremors were a lie; truthfully, I’m really scared.
「Once we drop you off, there’s no turning back.」
「I’ll be fine. When all else fails, I still have an escape plan.」
「…at least that last part seems to be true. On behalf of all the Japanese, I appreciate your courage. Although, it’s odd for a girl like me to be Japan’s representative.」
「You do look like an elementary school girl.」
「I’m saying I don’t look Japanese!」
Hime sighed, her smile gentle.
「Ayame and that girl Milk from earlier—they don’t want you to die. Even if saving a million lives hinges on it, your death would devastate them. So, if you truly have an escape plan, use it.」
「I’m confident in my agility.」
「You’re actually telling me that? Someone who’s aiming to be an evasion tank with an Agility stat over 250!」
Her retort made me smile.
I owed her so much; I’d repay those debts in the dungeon.
Another reason not to die had just emerged.
I vowed to return alive.
-0-
In the next instant, the battle sounds that had filled the air abruptly ceased.
Hime’s negotiation must have worked.
The helicopter descended, landing squarely in the middle of the road. The door opened, and I stepped out.
Glancing back, our eyes met.
We nodded at each other.
Formalities were already settled within the helicopter.
It took off, leaving no room for retreat.
I immediately began my preparations.
PD generation—a staircase leading downward appeared.
Stepping onto the first step, I cast my magic.
「Release: Hellfire」
Flames shot forth, erupting into a colossal pillar of fire.
This was the beginning of hell.
※ Side: Hime Oshino ※
From the helicopter high above, Hime Oshino watched as the pillar of fire surged upward.
(That’s Taira’s magic… Incredible. To think he could really use it.)
She adjusted her binoculars, observing closely.
The swarm of monsters that had overwhelmed the Self-Defense Forces moments ago now showed signs of being whittled down.
With that much power, it’s no wonder that it can beat an Evil Ogre.
(At this moment—Taira becomes the most scrutinized explorer in the world.)
The media helicopters kept their distance, yet the pillar of fire was visible even from afar.
Those in the know would recognize it as fire magic.
Magic couldn’t be used outside the dungeon; even status effect significantly diminished beyond those walls.
But Taira shattered that common sense right now.
Surely, the world wouldn’t leave him be.
They’d seek the method behind his power.
And when that method became clear, explorers would transform into weapons.
Humans had just experienced the vulnerability of modern weaponry against these monsters.
And the alternative?
Explorers—humans who wouldn’t die even when riddled with bullets—capable of magic more potent than missiles.
(The idea of an ultimate weapon that requires neither money nor technological prowess—it feels like sacrilege against human history. And if it led to war…)
Taira would undoubtedly regret it.
Grieve over it.
But that couldn’t happen.
His secret must be safeguarded.
The pillar of fire rose once more.
Barely a minute had passed since the previous eruption.
(Go all out, Taira. As for what comes next—I’ll take care of it.)
Hime made her vow, silently praying for his safety.
※ Side: Taira ※
After using the Hellfire, I stepped into the PD to replenish my magic power.
It would take approximately two hours—120 minutes—for my magic to fully recover, assuming I remained physically well and didn’t engage in strenuous activity.
Inside the PD, time passed at only 1/100th the rate of the outside world, effectively allowing me to recharge in about a minute for another Hellfire.
「Seems that’s the situation.」
I explained to the Danpon.
「You’re really pushing the limits… When did you even verify that you could use magic with one foot still in the dungeon?」
「Hahaha, it’s all trial by fire! But is it still reckless?」
「It depends on the monsters. If any fire-resistant monsters show up, you’ll be in trouble.」
「Well, judging from the TV broadcast, it seemed mostly beast-type monsters, so I think we’re safe.」
However, if flame-nullifying entities like fire dragons or fire spirits appeared, that would be a whole different story.
In such cases, I’d have no choice but to wait inside the dungeon until my magic fully recovered.
「But there’s one more critical issue that Taira seems to have forgotten.」
「A critical issue?」
「Food supply. Will you have enough? Replenishing magic power consumes more energy than usual, so you’ll need to eat a lot.」
「Oh!」
Right, food… that’s really an issue.
In the dungeon, edible options were limited—mostly mushrooms and drops. But in survival situations, water was more crucial than food.
Luckily, mushrooms were about 80% water, so they’d help with hydration. However, relying solely on raw mushrooms wasn’t ideal.
Plus, mushrooms were low in calories.
「That’s it! D-cans! With my luck stat, I should get water-filled PET bottles, refillable canteens, maybe even some ca〇rie mate!」
I had over 3,000 cans that could be opened immediately, but many were currently inaccessible due to conditions like needing to warm them or offering flower seeds.
Still, at least 300 cans—about 10%—could be opened right now. They required specific phrases or being warmed for three minutes by human touch.
And surely, among those cans, I’d find the item I needed.
-0-
Six hours had passed.
「Release: Hellfire.」
I cast my fourth spell.
Before even confirming the pillar of fire, I returned to the PD.
Considering time efficiency, getting back into the PD even a second sooner seemed wise.
The Self-Defense Forces watching probably thought I was continuously unleashing flashy magic, but in reality, it was one spell every two hours—then just waiting around.
During that downtime, I focused on opening D-cans.
「Alright, open it… Wait, a blue magic stone?」
It was a magic stone that could fetch 5 million yen if sold, but I didn’t need it right now.
「Next condition for opening—Danpon, step on this.」
「Yes nano desu」
「Okay, open! What’s with the ‘Danpon stepping on it’ requirement?」
Inside the can—yes! Marshmallows!
Even detailed appraisal only revealed the standard ingredients list for regular marshmallows—the kind you’d find at convenience stores or supermarkets for about 100 yen.
I ate one.
Tasty, but I’m still hungry.
「Is magic supposed to make you this hungry?」
「Magic plays a part, but I think the real issue is your level.」
「Level?」
Come to think of it, I hadn’t checked. Since I could sense when my magic was full, I hadn’t bothered to verify it through my stats. But considering how spectacularly I’d been defeating monsters, maybe I’d reached Level 28.
――――――――――――――――――
Ichino Taira: Level 30
Exchange Value: 75,518 D (Ranking: 9k–10k [JPN])
Health: 450/450
Magic Power: 3/170
Attack: 167 (+16)
Defense: 161
Dexterity: 148
Agility: 144
Luck: 301
Skills: PD Generation, Presence Detection, Basic Swordsmanship, Simple concoction, Detailed Appraisal, Hellfire Magic, Inventory, Monstrous Strength, Stone Throw, Fire Magic
――――――――――――――――――
I’m level 30.
My luck stat surpassed three hundred.
And then, I discovered I learned fire magic.
By the way, the skill ‘Stone Throw’ has nothing to do with my level.
I learned it from a skill bead from a D-can, which I opened by accurately hurling a magic stone from ten meters away.
「Aren’t I leveling too fast…..? Even if the foes are formidable, can one’s level really jump by three all at once?」
「Well. you’ve been slaying monsters equivalent to level fifty. The experience point bonus due to level difference really adds up.」
「Wait, there’s an experience point bonus based on level difference?」
When I defeated the Evil Ogre, my level skyrocketed. I assumed it was because the Ogre’s experience points were unusually high.
Currently, the surrounding monster groups are all at least level twenty or higher.
Even in a nation without safety margins, such rapid advancement is rare.
「Rapid level-ups leave you famished. And the effect becomes more pronounced as your level increases.」
「Is that so…」
As for fire magic, I grasped the concept. Hellfire magic allowed only the use of Hellfire, but depending on mana consumption, various other fire spells can be casted.
With practice, proficiency increased, expanding the repertoire of spells and enhancing overall magical power.
Speaking of which, Ayame herself wielded several wind spells.
Munching on a marshmallow, I pondered.
But alas, all consumed.
My throat grew parched; I needed a drink.
「Open, D-can!」
I tapped the can with my sword.
Out tumbled a whetstone—a normal one, no special effects.
Was my sword’s edge truly that dull?
Did it yearn for proper sharpening?
I knew neither the correct technique nor whether using a whetstone was advisable.
Besides, all I want is water and food.
I had a hunch about the peculiar relationship between the conditions for opening the can and its contents.
Ever since that moment when I heated a can of corn soup over a fire and it transformed into a steaming delight, I suspected there was more to it.
Perhaps I should focus on cans that seem to be related to water?
But if it were that straightforward, where would the challenge be?
I wondered if there were more obvious triggers—like inserting the can into a vending machine or pouring its contents into a glass.
As I pondered, time slipped away once again.
「Off I go.」
I declared, ascending the stairs with the intent to cast magic.
But then, a black wolf-like monster materialized right before me.
「!? Swallow Reversal!」
I reacted instinctively, launching the wolf into the air.
「Release: Hellfire!」
I chanted, directing the spell at the airborne wolf.
However, in my haste, I misjudged the proximity.
The resulting explosion sent me tumbling down the stairs, landing me in a heap below.
For a moment, I thought I might meet my end… but no, it couldn’t be true.
No time for dawdling.
I scrambled to my feet, immediately assuming a defensive stance.
That wolf from earlier had followed me into the PD.
What in the world was going on? Wasn’t this a dungeon exclusively for me?⁉
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