Episode 17: The Rookie of Expectation
One of the Seekers approached the fallen Salamander, checking its wounds.
The ‘Water Vein Dagger’ lent by the company had accurately pierced the monster’s vital point. Even the veteran Seekers were impressed by the skillful technique.
The monster’s body began to crumble, eventually turning into sand and disappearing.
In the place where everything had vanished, something glittered.
“This is…”
The veteran Seeker picked it up, shifting his gaze to the high school student undergoing a vital check.
Just an ordinary high school student who could be found anywhere.
The Seeker man, holding the item he picked up, headed towards the high school student.
◇◇◇
“Are you really alright? There are no abnormalities in your vitals, but…”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you very much.”
Amasawa Rui thanked the Seeker man who was concerned about him and stood up. He noticed that the Salamander had disappeared, but another Seeker was approaching from that spot.
The man who came before Rui was over 180cm tall, with a large build, carrying a large backpack and equipped with knives, hammers, and a large electromagnetic baton all over his body.
In appearance alone, he resembled a soldier.
“You’re Amasawa Rui-kun, right? I’m Ishikawa, the person in charge of this trial session and the leader of the five Seekers. First of all, thank you for saving the woman. I appreciate it.”
“No, it was nothing. I just did what anyone would do.”
“Even so, it was remarkable. Accurately piercing the Salamander’s carotid artery, its vital point. Did you aim for that?”
“Ah, yes… I’ve been researching Dungeon monsters, so if I know the monster, I also remember the location of its vital points.”
“I see…”
Ishikawa held out a small stone in front of Rui. It was a sparkling red stone, a Magic Gem [Ruby].
“This is what the Salamander you defeated dropped. You have the right to possess it.”
“Eh!? Is that alright?”
Rui was surprised, and the Seekers around Ishikawa were also taken aback.
“I-Ishikawa-san, is that okay!? That Ruby is 0.7 carats!”
Ishikawa snorted at his fellow Seeker who was offering a word of caution.
“It is clearly written that in this trial session, the ‘Magic Gem’ dropped by the defeated monster can be taken home by the one who defeated it. So this is yours. Take it.”
“Y-Yes! Thank you very much!”
Rui received the Ruby from Ishikawa and stared at it intently. The Mana Index of the 0.7 carat Magic Gem [Ruby] was 700.
Its market transaction price was over 14 million yen.
◇◇◇
“Ugh~ I’m sleepy.”
As it approached early autumn, the morning commute was gradually getting chilly. Yuma, yawning, went to school as usual, only to find the front of the school gate bustling.
“What’s this?”
He saw several station wagons parked, with people carrying various equipment.
“Yuma, good morning!”
“Oh, hey, Kaede.”
Kaede, his childhood friend, called out from behind.
“What’s all the commotion about? Do you know?”
“Ah, this? This is probably… that!”
Kaede pointed to the front of the school entrance. Many people were gathered there. People with cameras and microphones seemed to be surrounding someone.
Squinting, he saw a familiar face with slightly brown, smooth hair and a refreshing smile.
“That’s– Rui!?”
“I got a message yesterday, apparently Rui found a rare Magic Gem in the Dungeon. He also saved a woman at that time, so it’s become a bit of news online.”
“H-Heh~”
Yuma was surprised that Rui was getting attention, but he felt a little complicated that he was in contact with Kaede.
The two went closer to observe the interview.
“I heard you saved a woman who was attacked by a monster. Weren’t you scared?”
Rui, bewildered by the female reporter pointing a microphone at him, scratched his cheek bashfully.
“W-Well, I was just acting without thinking at the time… but I’m glad the woman wasn’t injured.”
“It was a strong monster, right! The Elceed Corporation Seekers were also surprised that a high school student like you defeated such a strong monster!”
“W-Well, it’s true that the Salamander is originally a strong monster that resides on the tenth floor, but I was able to defeat it because of the Dungeon weapon that Elceed Corporation lent me.”
“Even so, a Ruby ‘Magic Gem’ dropped from the monster you defeated, right? I heard it’s worth over 14 million yen! Do you plan to sell it?”
–14 million yen!? Yuma was speechless.
Rui got his hands on something like that?
“No, I want to become a ‘Seeker’ in the future, so I think I’ll use the Magic Gem myself.”
He’s not going to sell it? Something worth 14 million? Yuma was even more shocked to hear that.
The principal, who was listening to the conversation next to Rui, interjected with a beaming smile.
“No, no, Amasawa-kun is also excellent in academics and can go on to a prestigious university, but he has a strong desire to be useful to society–”
“He’s a student you’re very proud of, Principal-sensei!”
“Yes, of course! After all, he’s been hired by that Elceed Corporation, so my joy is exceptional!”
Yuma frowned as he listened to the principal’s story.
“What’s Elceed Corporation?”
When Yuma asked, Kaede gave him a dumbfounded look.
“You don’t know? It’s Japan’s largest Dungeon-related company! Rui wanted to join that company the most, but it’s amazing that he was scouted and got a job there~”
“I-Is that so.”
Looking at Rui, who was talking with a smile, Yuma’s chest tightened. That guy worked hard and fulfilled his dream. Compared to that, what about me?
Leaving Kaede behind, Yuma awkwardly hurried into the school building.