Chapter 1: The Everyday Life with a Dungeon
“–How did this happen?”
Before his eyes was a metallic body, trembling and pulsating, a rare “Metal Slime.”
Facing it was Mitaka Yuma, an ordinary high school sophomore. In his left hand, he held a Flashlight, and in his right, a common Hammer bought from a home center.
He was currently inside a Hole in the Backyard.
The Hole was only about a meter deep and not even the size of a tatami mat. He was crouching like a turtle, glaring at the Metal Slime, a situation that was far from ordinary.
The Slime writhed its body as if it were about to pounce at any moment.
Why did it come to this…? Yuma, with a bewildered expression, tightened his grip on the Hammer.
Going back a few tens of minutes–
“Regarding the subsidence that appeared near Harumi Wharf, the government has dispatched an investigation team. It is likely to be a small-scale Dungeon…”
“Yes, that’s right. There are five Dungeons in Japan, and if this is certified as a Dungeon, it will be the sixth case in two years.”
“Is this something we should be happy about?”
“Well, it used to have a scary image, but now it is generally recognized as an important place for resource extraction.”
“Is there a possibility that they will continue to increase in the future?”
“There is a good chance. The number of civilian ‘Seekers’ is increasing every day, so the conquest of the strata will continue. We must get used to it.”
“Yes, thank you. We have heard from Mr. Hashida, a Dungeon expert. Now, let’s move on to the weather. Mana-chan!”
The aimless news flowed from the TV that was left on.
Dungeon-related topics, which would have interested many people in the past, were not uncommon now.
On a summer afternoon, Mitaka Yuma was lazing around in the air-conditioned living room of his home. He was lying on the sofa with his smartphone in hand, watching TV without any particular interest.
He had nothing special to do, just lazing around.
Yuma, who had too much time on his hands, searched for video sites on his smartphone.
The top screen showed a video about Dungeons.
“Yeah! Look, this is the ‘White Dungeon’ in Sapporo. We are currently conquering the 18th floor. There are a lot of fairy-like Monsters!”
A young man with dreadlocks was standing on a cliff, taking a selfie. Even though it was inside a cave, the surroundings were as bright as daytime.
Dungeons have a light source from the beginning, and the scenery is no different from the outside. When he changed the direction of the camera he was taking a selfie with, it showed a flock of something flying.
For a moment, he thought they were birds, but they seemed to be different. Coming towards him were creatures like semi-transparent Clione. They passed right next to the man and soared into the sky. They descended again, drawing an arc.
“Whoa, they look cute but they’re belligerent! But I’m not scared, just watch me.”
The man pointed five fingers at the Clione.
Light ran through his fingertips with a crackling sound, and thin lightning burst forth. The Clione that touched the lightning were electrocuted and fell to the ground one after another.
“Haha, how about my ‘Thunder Magic’? It’s pretty cool, right? Monsters of this level are easy to deal with!”
The man released more “Magic” and defeated many Clione. And–
“Ah! Look, everyone!! The Monster dropped a Magic Gem. A ‘Moonstone,’ which is traded for about 1.4 million. I did it, I’m lucky today!”
The video ended with the man overjoyed. The number of views exceeded 1.2 million.
“Hmph, how stupid!”
Yuma felt sick and closed the video.
He threw his smartphone away and looked up at the ceiling.
Seven years had passed since Dungeons appeared. The underground labyrinths, which initially caused anxiety and fear among people, were now accepted into society as a major industry.
Even Yuma, who was not particularly interested, had heard rumors.
Unknown creatures in the Dungeon, the “Magic Gems” that these creatures produce, and the magic that can be used by “Magic Gems.”
Some people, like the man in the video, had made a lot of money in the Dungeon…
“Woof woof! Woof woof woof!!”
The barking of his dog could be heard from the Backyard.
“What…?”
Yuma sluggishly got up from the sofa and looked towards the Backyard. Mamezou, his usually quiet Shiba Inu, was persistently barking at something.
What’s wrong? While thinking suspiciously, Yuma put on Sandals on the veranda and went down to the Backyard.
Although it was a shabby house, the site area was 150 tsubo (about 495 square meters), and the Backyard was unexpectedly large.
Mamezou, who was let loose in the Backyard, was glaring at a place where shrubs were planted, growling “Uuuh.”
“What’s wrong?”
Yuma walked to the place where the shrubs were growing, thinking, “Oh, geez.”
Under the blazing sun, glaring at the pouring sunlight, Yuma was feeling sick of it all. Even if unrealistic things like Dungeons appeared, only a small number of people could profit from them.
People who were raised with investment from large companies.
People with high physical abilities recognized by the government.
People who were originally popular and had sponsors.
Only those guys make a profit. The world remains unfair, and nothing changes. As a complete commoner, he would never have a chance.
While cursing the hopeless reality, Yuma was living his days listlessly.
Until he found a mysterious Hole behind the shrubs in the Backyard.