Chapter 146
My na is Trump Goodman.
Born in California, raised in California.
My favorite food is pizza. Though honestly, most Aricans would probably give the sa answer. It's to the point that when security questions online ask "What's your favorite food?", everyone just brainlessly types "pizza," making web security practically useless haha.
The other day, I ca across an interesting internet .
It was about my main profession—dungeon conquest—and apparently, a fascinating explorer has appeared in Japan. The na is "Fingerman." Supposedly, just by snapping his fingers, he can defeat monsters, and after he passes by, even the dungeon itself gets blown to pieces. I figure the rumor is exaggerated, but he does seem pretty unique.
According to the rumors, he conquered an inactive Archon Dungeon, or destroyed a Double Dungeon containing another Archon Dungeon in one blow—there's a lot of conflicting information going around.
Today, I've crossed the sea to Japan in hopes of eting this Fingerman.
If luck is on my side, I might just run into him.
I'm excited.
————
—Akagi Hideo's perspective
About 40 minutes swaying on the train from Ikebukuro.
Take the Tokyo tro Fukutoshin Line express and you'll reach Yokohama in no ti, no transfers needed.
Switching to taxis and heading to the site, I gazed out at the passing scenery along the coast until clusters of white tents—like those in disaster zones—ca into view.
It's the dungeon camp.
We got off in front of the camp, and Jiu-san and I stepped inside.
The camp was set up near the Red Brick Warehouse facing the sea, and true to form, it had a festival-like bustle with people of all ages crowding the outer periter.
"Hey, you guys, he's here!"
While lining up at a food stall for skewers, dia folks with caras suddenly got all loud and excited.
I've seen this kind of thing a few tis before.
A-rank explorers are popular.
Their nas are widely known, their faces circulate, and even in private life they have to watch out for caras.
So if you're ranked 10th, it's only natural to draw attention.
So I had Jiu-san stay in line at the stall while I went to deal with the dia.
"......Probably not Fingerman-san, I think."
"Gii (Translation: That's not my Master. Please sit down, you're embarrassing.)"
"Kyukyu! (Translation: Looks like everyone's staring at that foreigner over there, kyu!)"
Damn, co to think of it, there's no way the dia would be excited about .
As long as the urban legend of the mysterious explorer with an unknown face and identity hides , no caras will ever point my way. It's a little lonely.
Anyway, who the heck is it?
Who had the nerve to make look bad in front of Jiu-san?
Maybe I'll give them a little punishnt~ (Nichaaa)
"Hey Hey, calm down, calm down, let's all take it easy, dia folks."
"What brings you to Japan today?!"
"Just a bit of sight seeing. I'm hoping it'll be a morial experience if I get to et a celebrity."
"Why go out of your way to leave your ho region and co to a Class 1 dungeon in Japan?!"
"Think of it as a kind of courtesy as an explorer. Japan is known as a land of courtesy, right? Haha, kidding. I've been curious about this country's labyrinth-style dungeons. I've always wanted to see one for myself."
"There's a lot of buzz on social dia about you transferring from the USA Dungeon Foundation to JPN—any comnts?!"
"No such plans."
"Any comnt on the recent Fingerman Archon Dungeon conquest?! Do you think it's possible you'll be promoted to S-rank explorer?! Please, just one word, one word from S-rank explorer 'Trumpman'!!"
"Aren't you all getting a little too hot? Don't make comnt on that stuff."
Things are getting seriously wild.
That hefty Arican dude must be the celebrity. His belly looks so unhealthy, he's the very image of a pizza-loving fat guy.
The mysterious man—nicknad "the Arican Fatty"—was being guarded by Foundation staff bodyguards, giving a wry smile as he briskly headed toward the inner camp. He seed to be trying to answer questions as best he could, but the press was so aggressive, he couldn't keep up.
The inner sector is off-limits to anyone but explorers, Foundation staff, police, and the self-defense forces—unlike the outer area.
All the dia could do was watch the Arican Fatty's back as he disappeared into the inner camp.
"Who is that guy?"
"......That's an Arican explorer called 'Trumpman.' He's the 9th-ranked S-rank explorer. He's really famous for being both a businessman and an explorer—a real maverick. I saw online that he was coming to Japan, but I didn't think he'd actually show up."
"So he's here to conquer this Yokohama dungeon?"
"......Looks like that's what's happening."
If Trumpman conquers it first, won't my achievents not count?
Isn't this like your concert getting canceled due to rain on the first day of a national tour?
Unforgivable, Trumpman.
Not only does he steal my dia attention, now he's ruining my concert too?
"Gii (Translation: You never had any dia attention to begin with.)"
"Kyu (Translation: And it's not like you actually scheduled a concert, kyu.)"
"Please be quiet for a mont."
This is no ti to be eating skewers.
I took off running and entered the inner camp.
A particularly large tent had been set up overlooking the sea, and inside, a creepy black gate was poking up from the ground. A staircase led downward from it, opening into a cave.
But Trumpman wasn't there.
Where did Trumpman go?
Where the hell did Trumpman go?
Where did he go, Trumpman?
"Welco, Trumpman-san! We're truly looking forward to your performance in the Yokohama Class 1 Dungeon!"
I turned at the familiar voice to see Shurado-san inside the Dungeon Camp's Disaster Counterasures HQ tent—specifically in the appraisal desk or maybe reception area.
That comforting, reassuring presence of hers is always there no matter where I go. It made happy for a mont... but my heart turned bitter in an instant.
"What a cute young lady. She looks just like my wife did when she was young."
"Wow, I'm flattered! Thank you!"
No way... Trumpman, you bastard... Don't tell you're trying to steal Shurado-san from too?
First my dia attention, then my concert, and now Shurado-san?
Unforgivable. What a villainous playboy.
"Gii (Translation: That's mostly just delusional.)"
"Kyukyuu (Translation: Is Shurado-san your bride, Hideo-dono?)"
"Gii (Translation: That's also incorrect.)"
"Trumpman, could I have a word with you?"
"Ah, Akagi-san! We sure run into each other a lot lately! What a coincidence!"
I swear I'll protect Shurado-san.
"Who are you, anyway? I'm in the middle of a conversation with a cute young lady!"
"They call Fingerman on the streets."
"Hoho! To think I'd et the rumored Fingerman in a place like this! I must be very, very lucky!"
Trumpman let out a hearty laugh.
"So, what do you say? Let's tackle a dungeon together. Let show you so Japanese hospitality."
"Nice, hospitality! I've always wanted to experience that!"
Together with Trumpman, we descended through the black gate into the dungeon.
"Trumpman-san, I hear you want to conquer this dungeon?"
"Haha, that's right. I'd like to conquer one as a souvenir and make so lovely mories. So this is a labyrinth-type dungeon in Japan. Hmm, I see. With corridors like this stretching on forever, it's no surprise soone could beco a stray child!"
"Labyrinth-type dungeon. So there are other types of dungeons besides this maze-like kind?"
"Of course, Fingerman! Dungeons this standardized are actually the rarer kind!"
"That's not important."
"Ehh... but you're the one who asked..."
"Let show you a traditional Japanese art as a nto."
"Wow, traditional arts! I'm looking forward to it!"
I drew the Absolute Sword Excalibur in my right hand and gave it a few light bounces with my left to test its weight.
"In our country, we have a traditional art of silencing cheeky dungeons with kendo."
"Oh... that's one crazy traditional art!"
"Excaliburrrraaaahhh!!"
I swung the sword with all my might.
A searing light lted off the blade and the materialized power of destruction was unleashed.
The entire Yokohama Dungeon, consisting of just one floor, was engulfed in an explosion, taking with it the dungeon boss who had probably been waiting deeper inside.
"What a crazy explorer... I'm stunned......"
"Take it as a nto of your ti in Japan."
"...Haha, I like it! I love insane guys like you!"
Saying that, Trumpman rummaged through his pocket, pulled out his phone, and made a call.
A woman dressed in a blinding red and blue suit arrived and smiled at us. She was incredibly beautiful. She brought a duralumin case with her, and Trumpman took it, quickly opened it, and showed us the contents.
"This is the legendary anomalous substance 'Golden EXP' mined by our company, Stars Company! I'm giving it to you for the lovely mory you gave !"
"Anomalous substance...? This is it?"
"That anomalous substance lets you absorb a physical evolution material equivalent to experience points just by using it!"
Trumpman said, "Farewell, Fingerman!" and turned to leave.
"Wait a mont."
I threw the duralumin case back at him.
"Oh my, Fingerman, I went out of my way to give it to you and you don't want it?"
"No, since you gave sothing nice, I thought I'd return the favor."
Saying that, Trumpman opened the duralumin case I returned.
Inside were ten 'Golden EXP' units.
I had added nine, and Trumpman's was one.
"Oh my gosh... Fingerman... just who are you...?"
"Mr. Businessman, I don't co cheap."
"...Hahaha, I see. That was quite rude of . My apologies, Fingerman. Next ti, I'll prepare sothing much better."
As Trumpman said that, a helicopter descended from the sky. Holding a beautiful secretary in one arm, he grabbed the ladder and disappeared into the bright afternoon sky with a laugh.
Just who was he... Trumpman.
"Akagi-san, did sothing happen between you and Trumpman?"
"No, not particularly."
I headed to the appraisal desk to get today's appraisal.
───────────────────
Today's Appraisal
───────────────────
Small Crystal – 2,106 yen
Small Crystal – 2,175 yen
Pure Boss Crystal – 10,201,800 yen
'Legendary Marble' – 500,000 yen
───────────────────
Total – 10,706,081 yen
───────────────────
Dungeon Bank Account Balance – 10,737,013 yen
───────────────────
Shurado Investnt – 41,805,853 yen
───────────────────
Total Assets – 52,542,866 yen
(525.4 million yen)
───────────────────
Transferred 10.5 million yen from the bank
───────────────────
Dungeon Bank Account Balance – 237,013 yen
───────────────────
Shurado Investnt – 52,305,853 yen
───────────────────
Total Assets – 52,542,866 yen
(525.4 million yen)
───────────────────
"Honestly, Akagi-san, you're just too much! I told you just the other day not to clear dungeons too quickly!"
"I'm sorry......"
"Really, truly. Soone like you needs to be punished."
What kind of punishnt is she going to give ?
"It's currently 1 PM. We still have plenty of ti. First, the two of us will enjoy Chinatown to the fullest! We'll fill our bellies there! After that, you'll accompany to Ōsanbashi to draw ema! Then we'll make wishes to the Three Towers of Yokohama!"
Terrifying... or is it? Is this really punishnt?
"After that, we'll go shopping at the Red Brick Warehouse. And as punishnt, you'll ring the Bell of Happiness!"
What kind of punishnt is this?
It's more like a reward.
"Well then, let's get going, Akagi-san."
Saying that, Shurado-san took my hand and led out of the camp.
"...... Fingerman-san, where are you going?"
"Ah, Jiu-chan..."
"...... Hmm, it sounds fun. May I co along too?"
"Jiu-chan, you can't!"
"It's fine. Let's go to Chinatown, Jiu-san."
"Akagi-san?!"
You must be hungry anyway.
It would be an to leave Jiu-san out.
"Mmm, what a cunning strategist you are, Jiu-chan...!"
"...... I don't know what you an. Ah. Fingerman-san, here. I bought a skewer for you. Open your mouth, I'll feed you."
I'm so happy. Isn't this one of those "Ahn ♡" monts?
A reward from Jiu-san. It's kind of embarrassing—wait, what?! Shurado-san snatched my skewer in an instant!? What insane speed. Jiu-san's reward "Ahn" is gone!
"Akagi-san, you're only allowed to accept my rewards! I'm confiscating everything else! (Munch munch)"
A reward tariff was imposed by Shurado-san.
The tax rate is 100%.
Reviews
All reviews (0)