“Pure Silver?”
The president raised an eyebrow as he asked.
“It’s a rare item. It’s only dropped by specific Golems on rare occasions. It’s among the strongest of the strength-enhancing types. Even this small amount has a considerable effect.”
“Oh, isn’t that great! Then let’s have Yuma eat it.”
“What are you saying! Such a rare item should be taken to the Laboratory to get accurate data!”
“What are you talking about! If we don’t use it now, it’s meaningless!!”
In the middle stratum of the Dungeon, where Monsters could attack at any moment, the president and Aisha began to quarrel.
Yuma watched in amazement, but in the end, the president snatched the “Pure Silver” Demon Ore, settling the matter.
Aisha, frustrated, knelt down and pounded the ground. Yuma was worried if she was okay, but the president approached with a beaming smile.
“Hey, Yuma! Eat this. It might make combat easier than it is now.”
“H-haah…”
Yuma glanced at Aisha. She seemed to be collapsed and crying.
“Ignore her! We’re being put through the wringer by her selfishness, so improving the efficiency of the Dungeon Conquest is more important.”
“Y-yes, you’re right.”
Yuma swallowed the “Pure Silver” Demon Ore handed to him by the president. It was quite small, so he didn’t have trouble swallowing it.
His stomach became hot, and heat rushed through his entire body.
He definitely felt the sensation of absorbing the Demon Ore. But even when he moved his limbs, he didn’t feel much different.
“How is it? Yuma.”
“No… I don’t feel particularly stronger.”
The president glanced at Aisha, who was trudging along behind them.
“Hey, Aisha! How effective is this Demon Ore?”
Aisha, still sulking, reluctantly shook her head and answered.
“If we refer to overseas experiments conducted in the past, it seems to be effective in three areas: strength, agility, and endurance. With that size of ‘Silver,’ it will probably improve strength by 10%, agility by 7%, and endurance by about 6%.”
“Is that all?”
At the president’s disappointed words, Aisha frowned.
“What do you mean, ‘is that all?’! It raises three abilities by about 10% simultaneously! There aren’t many Demon Ores this amazing. Don’t you understand?!”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
The president brushed her off lightly and hurried ahead. As they advanced beyond the 40th Stratum, the Monsters’ resistance became even fiercer.
Thanks to the president’s desperate response and the bombs Yuma used, they managed to defeat the Monsters, but protecting Aisha was quite a burden.
Finally, they arrived at their destination, the 56th Stratum.
“Yuma, how much longer can you use your ‘Metallization’ ability?”
“About ten more minutes is the limit.”
“How many bombs do we have?”
“We’re down to less than thirty.”
The president and Yuma spoke in hushed voices while hiding in the shadow of a rock. On the steep rocks and cliffs, there were black, ape-like Monsters.
They put both fists on the ground and walked around, looking around.
“That’s a Varlin.”
Indeed, it looked like a gorilla wearing black armor. The president grimaced. He was already exhausted, and his Magical Power was running out.
Yuma’s “Metallization,” which had been their lifeline, had little time left. The 150 or so bombs they had were now down to less than 30.
“Hey, Aisha! This is impossible. We need to head back. Let’s go home for today.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! We can’t go back empty-handed after coming this far!! Secure at least two Bloodstained Ore (Bloody Ore)!”
The president and Aisha glared at each other. Yuma also thought they should return, like the president, but the atmosphere wasn’t one where he could interject.
After a while, Aisha spoke.
“Kotaro… two is enough. Just two more will dramatically make the Dungeon Conquest easier.”
“If you want them that much, can’t you get them through the sales channels?”
Aisha shook her head vigorously at the president’s question.
“Bloodstained Ore (Bloody Ore) is only circulating among some researchers and is not available on the market. Transfers are also strictly regulated, so the only way to obtain it is in the Dungeon. Please, Kotaro. This is our only chance!”
The troubled president looked at Yuma.
–If possible, I want to go home… but if we go back here, I don’t know if we can come again in the same way, and I’ll be in trouble if they tell me to go again.
“Let’s just do what we can, President. We haven’t used the Bloodstained Ore (Bloody Ore)’s ability yet, and if it’s just two…”
“…I see, that’s right. Understood.”
The president didn’t seem enthusiastic, but he said, “It can’t be helped, let’s do it, Yuma,” and turned forward.
“Yuma, I’ll draw their attention, and in that gap, unleash your power and defeat them in one go! If a Demon Ore drops, collect it and run away immediately!!”
“Understood!”
As the president and Yuma braced themselves, only Aisha smiled happily, saying, “Let’s do that, let’s do that.”