Chapter 40: Second Private Dungeon Internal Investigation ①
The day after the hearing about the Ota Dungeon…
The four of us Secret Base members had gathered once again in front of the Private Dungeon.
“Ugh… It’s so embarrassing after leaving in such a sentimental mood yesterday…”
Shi-chan fidgeted awkwardly.
“Eh, it’s fine, isn’t it? I’m happy I get to see you again, Shi-chan!”
Otama-chan seemed to be enjoying herself.
“I-I’m… happy too…”
It looked like Manamin was also pleased.
Man, Manamin treats Shi-chan differently from how she treats me and Otama-chan… Was she always like that?
…Oh well, whatever.
“Alright, today we’re all exploring the inside of the Private Dungeon.”
—That we were able to gather like this, the four of us, was due to a series of coincidences.
One—
Yesterday, just as the four of us entered the Private Dungeon, the dungeon expanded, and a Japanese House area appeared.
One—
When we reported the changes within the Private Dungeon to the Tochigi Prefecture Explorer Association, along with the hearing investigation, Otama-chan was immediately given instructions for an on-site survey.
One—
When Shi-chan reported the current state of the Private Dungeon to her superiors in the government, they said,
“There’s a possibility that Secret Base was expanded for you, right? Since it’s a good opportunity, why don’t you accompany the Association’s investigation? It might benefit you, and it also serves as an investigation of Natsume-kun.”
And finally—
Manamin, who wasn’t even invited, just casually showed up.
“It must be tough for Shi-chan, two days in a row.”
Even though it’s southern Tochigi Prefecture, relatively close to Tokyo, it’s still about 90 kilometers away.
The drive one way must be tiring.
“Tomorrow’s a weekday too, so do you have to go home today as well?”
Shi-chan smiled faintly.
“Yeah. I do have to go back, but I can go straight home from here today, so it’s fine. That means I can take it a little easy.”
“Eh, then let’s all go out for dinner! We have a lot to catch up on, right!”
Manamin pulled Otama-chan away as she tried to jump on Shi-chan.
“Jeez, Tamama, you’re so inconsiderate. She said ‘a little easy,’ didn’t she? She has work tomorrow, so let her go home early. Have you ever actually worked a day in your life?”
“I-I don’t want to hear that from you, Manamin!”
“Fufu…”
Shi-chan laughed, amused.
“Sorry, Tama-chan. I’ll come again on my next day off.”
“Okay, I’ll look forward to it! Yay!”
Otama-chan hugged Shi-chan.
Yeah, they all get along as well as ever.
I’m enjoying myself too, and more than anything, it’s calming.
“Right, shall we get going soon? Otama-chan, I’m counting on you.”
“Okay! Well then, we will now begin the on-site investigation of Dungeon No. 5!”
With the declaration from Otama-chan of the Tochigi Prefecture Explorer Association, the door to the Private Dungeon was opened.
Miiiiin-minminminmin…
Opening the door revealed a sprawling rural landscape and a blue sky.
“No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing…”
Shi-chan was looking around everywhere.
“A floor reflecting regional characteristics… I guess we should consider it a type of Local Area Floor.”
Manamin was saying something similar to what Yamada-san from the Explorer Association had said.
Otama-chan looked at Manamin.
“Seriously, Manamin, it’d be better if you didn’t come. Even if you say you have a Green License, what are you going to do if monsters show up? It’s dangerous.”
“Tamama… Are you trying to exclude just me? That’s the worst.”
“Th-that’s not what I mean! I’m saying it might be dangerous!”
“It’ll be fine, right? This is the first floor, and more importantly, Ko-chin, who defeated a dragon, is here. Besides, legally, you can’t restrict my actions.”
“But…”
I placed a hand on Otama-chan’s shoulder.
“Since we’re all here, can’t we all go? That house might have appeared for Manamin and Shi-chan.”
There might be “something” there for the two of them.
“Hmm, well, I don’t think monsters will appear, probably…”
“However, how about this: Manamin stays at the very back and isn’t allowed to go ahead on her own?”
“Muu, I guess that would be okay… Ko-chan, you’re too soft…”
“Fufu, Tama-chan. If anything happens, I’ll fight too. Okay?”
“Hmm, if Shi-chan says so…”
“Well, I guess I can put up with that much.”
Alright, it’s decided.
“Okay, let’s go, for real this time. Our target is that wooden house. We’re investigating its current state!”
“Yeah!”
Everyone raised a hand in response.
They’re really getting into it.
It was surprising that Manamin joined in too.
She might have just been playing along for Shi-chan’s sake.
As I was thinking that,
Pikon!
A voice echoed in my head.
『Achievement—《A user of the skill 【Childlike Heart】 proposed a common objective for a party of four or more within the dungeon, and it was adopted》—cleared. You have acquired the skill 【Bond of Friendship】.』
“Ah…”
“Wh-what’s wrong? Ko-chan…”
“My skills increased…”
“Eh?”
“Eh!? Natsume-kun! Really!?”
“—Yeah.”
I opened my status and checked the skill I had just learned.
Name: Natsume Kouichi
Level: 32
Experience: 1155/3169
HP: 301
MP: 129
Attack: 138 (Bonus +23)
Defense: 114 (Bonus +13)
Speed: 189 (Bonus +17)
Intelligence: 86 (Bonus +2)
Skills: 【Childlike Heart】, 【Item Drop Enhancement】, 【Water Resistance (Small)】, 【Sleep Skill Nullification】, 【Water Walking】, 【Slashing Power Up (Small)】, 【Butterfly Dance】, 【Vigilance】, 【Poison Absorption】, 【Bond of Friendship】
Special Abilities: Monster Creature Encyclopedia, Mass Assault, Monster Capture Net (Lv1), Bug Sumo (Stag Beetle), Cheering, Wormhole, Thread (Lv1)
“Whoa, Ko-chin… No, Papa, you’re this strong…?”
“I’m not your dad! And don’t correct yourself like that.”
Man, it’s good that my skills increased, but…
“I’ve gained this skill called 【Bond of Friendship】, but does anyone know how to use it?”
Like 【Item Drop Enhancement】 which I learned before, it’s a skill whose details aren’t clear from the name alone.
It seems difficult to even guess its effect.
“Sorry, I’ve never heard of it.”
“Me neither.”
“I thought I knew a fair bit, but this one…”
“…I see.”
It doesn’t seem to have any negative effects, so I’ll just have to wait and see for now.
“Natsume-kun, why did you suddenly learn a skill?”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly sudden… Apparently, I cleared an achievement because a user of the 【Childlike Heart】 skill set a common goal for a party of four or more.”
“An achievement…”
“I see…”
It seemed Shi-chan and Manamin had some thoughts on the matter.
“Did you figure something out?”
“Well, it’s just a guess, but…”
“It’s the same kind of trigger as when Tamama learned 【Rental】, right?”
“Eh? Eh? I didn’t do anything!”
“Tamama, just listen for now. Shi-chan, you go first.”
“Ah… okay.”
Shi-chan prefaced her words with, “I don’t know if I’m right, but…”
“Perhaps, Natsume-kun, the skill you learned is a party member support skill. Considering the acquisition conditions, isn’t it a skill to help us, who are with you right now?”
“Yeah. I don’t know the specifics, but it’s probably a skill that’s useful for ‘achieving goals together as a group,’ not just this one time.”
“I see…”
I don’t know the specific effect, but it makes me kind of happy.
“Ko-chan, then, shall we go check it out right away?”
Otama-chan smiled at me from my side.
“—Yeah.”
I looked at the expanded area of the Private Dungeon.
“Let’s go, once more. Time to explore the new area.”