For the next few days, Kageichi put Kiraboshi through some simple basic training (by his standards).
Whether it was because Kiraboshi was young or due to her diligent nature, she picked things up quickly, which was a great help.
About a week later, Kageichi decided to move on to the next stage.
“Shall we buy Kiraboshi-san some equipment soon?”
“Ah, but I don’t have enough money to buy equipment… Dungeon-made weapons cost at least 100,000, even the cheap ones.”
“I’ll cover it. Think of it as an investment.”
Not wanting to be stingy about it, Kageichi took Kiraboshi to the store attached to the amusement facility from the other day.
The large dungeon shop, “Yamamoto Dungeoners Fukuoka.”
The Fukuoka branch of Japan’s largest dungeon chain store, rivaling a certain electronics retailer…
…Five minutes away from there, in a multi-tenant building, was “My Weapon,” the dungeon specialty store that Kageichi frequented.
“The store is small, but the quality is high.”
Kiraboshi’s eyes widened as she stepped inside.
The image was close to that of a musical instrument store.
Lining the walls and glass cases were swords, spears, rods, and other magical weapons that shone with blades instead of playing sounds.
In a separate corner, armor was displayed like mannequins in an apparel shop, and Kiraboshi was stunned by the prices.
“Sensei, this says 500,000… are such expensive things common…?”
“Ah, Kiraboshi-san. The products on the first and second floors are for Streamers, so you don’t have to buy them.”
“Eh?”
“Swords and rods look very ‘fantasy-like,’ don’t they? I’m not saying the performance is bad, but they emphasize appearance over power. The store charges extra for that.”
Certainly, the Streamers Kiraboshi knew mainly used swords, spears, and other otherworldly fantasy weapons.
In other words, trendy and cool items seemed to be the main products on the first floor.
“Our work isn’t glamorous. This way, please.”
Invited by Kageichi, they headed to the fourth floor—and again, Kiraboshi blinked in surprise.
Certainly, there were specialized weapons lined up.
…Scythes, for example. Or blunt weapons like clubs. Or pickaxes.
Of course, there were also swords… but they were plain short swords without any of the flashy decorations that Streamers used.
Then there was the Insecticide Spray from the other day, caltrops, a Bow… and something that looked like a pistol…?
“Now… First, you can choose any weapon you like. For beginners, I recommend a club. Except for slime-type Monsters, you can defeat most Monsters by hitting them with Magical Power… That’s the general idea.”
Kageichi raised a finger, warning her that this was important.
“If possible, I recommend choosing a weapon that resonates with you.”
“Resonates…?”
“It’s hard to put into words… what you might call the origin, the whisper of your Magical Power. Instinct. Desire. Choosing a weapon based on such fundamental things.”
In fact, Kageichi himself didn’t fully understand this.
However, he believed that Magical Power in this world, unlike the game LAW from his previous life, had a part that synchronized with the soul, or what could be called one’s instinct.
This was a guess based on the experiences of the Hunters he had met over the past two years.
“For example, my creed is safety, security, and no Stress. I sincerely desire peace, but… in essence, I am hopelessly arrogant, cold-blooded, and a Sadist.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes. Because my hobbies are bad, aren’t they? Setting traps for enemies, enjoying their unnoticed deaths by explosion, and then asking if they’re okay. What else would you call that but a bad personality?”
“You were aware of that…”
“Of course. Rather, it’s worse to be able to kill people without realizing it.”
There were many people in the world who selfishly justified themselves, insisting that they were not at fault—
Kageichi also felt that he was a bad person.
Understanding that, he was just an ordinary person who killed people a little for his own health and peace of mind.
“In that way, people have their own individualities, quirks, and irresistible fetishes. Kiraboshi-san must have them too.”
“…But I don’t have any special traits… Just being serious, or being able to study, things like that…”
“Well, first try a few things based on your intuition. If you’re stuck, you can ask the female clerk over there.”
Kageichi nodded to the woman standing at the register counter.
The woman with a green apron and a ponytail noticed Kageichi and smiled.
Kiraboshi was slightly taken aback.
…Asking such a lovely adult woman about clubs and such…? Even if Kageichi recommended it—
“…Does she even know about this stuff? She doesn’t look like she could hold a weapon…”
“Don’t worry. I know her well, and she’s just as messed up as I am. So, I’ll be away for a while.”
“Eh? Eh?”
“You should choose a weapon that suits you first. I’ll give you advice if you’re really stuck… but I think you’ll be fine.”
Kageichi deliberately left everything to Kiraboshi herself.
She was a serious and good girl, so if Kageichi decided, she would nod and say, “That’s fine.”
But that was wrong.
Weapons had compatibility—of course, it was important to change tactics depending on the enemy Monster, but she should also establish her most proficient weapon, or what could be called her “style.”
Leaving her, Kageichi headed to the register and nodded to the female clerk.
The clerk smiled and led Kageichi to the back of the register, chuckling.
“You’ve brought someone with you today, which is rare. What’s your relationship?”
“She’s my apprentice, for now.”
“Oh, amazing. Can I talk to you later?”
Leaving her with “Feel free,” Kageichi entered the staff room and pressed the elevator button at the far end.
—The reason for visiting the store today wasn’t just to find Kiraboshi’s weapon.
Dungeon weapon specialty store “My Shop,” basement floor.
There was no direct route from the ground floor, and the basement, accessible only from the upper five floors, contained…
A small Gate with swirling silver.
In other words, the entrance to a Dungeon.
When Kageichi stepped inside, he found himself in a cramped “cave” stage.
A little further from the entrance, he noticed a square, white house standing in the center.
“Excuse me,” he said, knocking lightly on the door. When he opened it, he was met with a stuffy heat and the sight of a girl—
However, she wasn’t an ordinary human. She was a rabbit girl with ears on her head, wearing work clothes, intently staring at a golden sword.
Looking at her slightly sweaty profile, Kageichi smiled, thinking, “Same as always.”
He sat down on a nearby chair to wait until she finished her work.
She wasn’t human.
She was a special woman called a Dungeon NPC, an existence that only existed in Dungeons, different from Monsters.