Episode 69: Trump Card for Conquering the Stratum
The International Dungeon Research Organization was urging people via email to report anything that might be relevant immediately, but Aisha had no intention of reporting anything at all.
“There’s no way I’m letting go of such a wonderful test subject, you fools! If I use him, I might be able to unravel the mysteries of the Black Dungeon.”
Aisha shifted her gaze to a small box placed next to her computer.
“And more than anything, he’s probably the only person who can use this Demon Ore. I’m looking forward to it. Kukuku.”
Only an eerie laugh echoed in the hotel room.
◇◇◇
“Hey, Yuma! Your arms aren’t straight. Put some spirit into it!!”
“Y-yes, sir.”
In the morning, the president and Yuma were doing push-ups in their hotel room. The president had told him to do 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and 50 squats, three sets a day, so he was putting it into practice starting today. It was his first time doing serious muscle training, so it was quite tough.
“Alright, push-ups are done. That’s it for the morning. We’re running to the Dungeon, so it’s not over yet!”
“Yes, sir…”
Yuma wondered, grimacing, how the president could be so energetic even though he was over forty. After wiping his body with a towel, he went to pick up Aisha. He was told to come into the room for a moment, so he and the president went inside. Aisha’s room was exactly the same as the room they were staying in, and they sat down on the sofa next to the bed.
“Sorry to bother you. I wanted to discuss something.”
Aisha sat on the sofa opposite them, crossing her legs. She was in her usual style, wearing a white blouse, black pants, and a lab coat.
“What is it? A discussion? Aren’t we going to the Dungeon now?”
The president frowned. Aisha said, “Of course, we are,” and clasped her fingers together.
“Kotaro, what do you think? Isn’t it going to be difficult to conquer the stratum as we are now?”
“Yeah, it is! I’ve been saying that from the start!!”
The president snapped at Aisha, who was grinning.
“Going to the fiftieth stratum with just two people is reckless. Normally, you’d form a Seeker group of five to eight people!”
Even when the president said it was reckless, Aisha’s expression didn’t change.
“Yes, I know. That’s why I have a proposal.”
“What is it? A proposal?”
“If Yuma-kun gets stronger, Kotaro, your burden should be greatly reduced. Don’t you think?”
“Well, yeah… I guess so, but it’s not that easy!”
It was as the president said. He had started muscle training and was being taught Martial Arts, but it would be months or years before he saw any results. Unless the Demon Ore showed any significant effect, it was impossible to get stronger quickly. Yuma thought so and looked at Aisha with a dumbfounded expression. But Aisha smiled faintly with an expression that seemed to dismiss it.
“Don’t worry, I’ve thought of a countermeasure. Just wait a moment.”
She stood up and brought over a Boston bag that was placed in the corner of the room. It was an old bag with worn spots. She took out a metal tool and a fist-sized white cylinder from inside. Aisha smiled cheerfully as she lined up the white cylinders on the low table.
“W-what are these?”
The president asked Aisha, bewildered.
“Fufun, they’re processed nitroglycerin.”
“Huh!?”
Yuma thought he had heard something outrageous, but he cautiously looked at the president’s face, hoping he had misheard. But the president was completely pale.
“The other day, when I visited my Laboratory, I had Yuma-kun show me his Pickel. I made these to match that weapon.”
“Nitro!? You mean a bomb? You know that’s definitely against the law!”
The president shouted, but Aisha didn’t care.
“It’s for meaningful research. There’s no problem. Yuma-kun, bring your Pickel, I’ll attach the tool.”
“Y-yes…”
Yuma looked at the president next to him, wondering what to do, but the president was speechless in amazement. Yuma reluctantly took the Pickel out of his bag and handed it to Aisha. Aisha happily fitted the metal tool onto the head of the Pickel and attached the white cylinder to it.
“Yuma-kun, if you apply a strong impact to this part, it will explode. You can use it if a powerful Monster appears.”
“Huh… But if it explodes so close, won’t I be in danger?”
“Yes, it’s dangerous. That’s why you should use it when you’re using Metallization.”
Aisha said it as if it were obvious and turned her back to Yuma to get something.
–This is too reckless. She’s going to blow up the Monsters along with me!? What is that woman thinking!
Just as Yuma was feeling indignant, Aisha wore a fearless smile and brought over a small box this time. She placed the box on the table with a thud and sat back down on the sofa.
“W-what is this box?”
Yuma was wary, wondering if it was something else terrible. When Aisha opened the box, there was only one black, round stone inside. Was it a Demon Ore? There were many red streaks on the surface, as if blood was flowing.
“This is a Demon Ore that was discovered three years ago. The reason why the Black Dungeon’s regulations became stricter, and why many researchers withdrew from the Black Dungeon, is because of this.”
Aisha took the Demon Ore out of the box, placed it on her hand, and held it out in front of the president and Yuma, who were staring at it intently.
“The Bloodstained Ore (Bloody Ore), that’s what this Demon Ore is called.”