Chapter 44 Source of Information
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…… Tester Life: Day 15, Night. 1st Floor, teleportation room. Sanada Yakumo ……
”Ah! Guard-san!”
”Oh, it’s Yuki, huh.”
As I stepped into the first-floor teleportation room, the members of the Battle Sports Club¹ were already gathered. Their president, Yuki, called out to me immediately. I raised a hand in a casual wave as I stepped off the Teleportation array², and the group came running over.
”Thanks to you, we actually made it to the third floor today! If we hadn’t had your warning, that Guardian battle on the second floor would’ve been a disaster. Thank you so much,” Yuki said.
”Is that so? I’m glad no one was hurt.”
So they’d managed to spot the double wall and avoid the Sword Rabbit’s³ rookie-killer trap. Even if you know it’s there, that hidden passage is so narrow you have to go through one by one. If the person in front doesn’t defend properly, the party gets picked off. It took them about six days, but that’s understandable – that double wall is incredibly deceptive.
”It was only because you gave us those hints and told us to stay sharp, Guard-san.”
”I never mentioned the double wall. You found that through your own ability. But really – did you wait around until this hour just to say thanks?”
It was already nearly 7:00 PM. Most students enter the dungeon around 8:00 AM and return by 5:00 PM. I usually leave at 9:00 AM to avoid the morning rush and head back around 6:00 PM. By this time, the crowd of testers is usually sparse. Now, the room held only about thirty people, including Yuki’s group.
”Yes. We heard from another party that you’d left your room this morning.”
”Ah, I was cornered by Oida and Kume out of nowhere. It was a total mess.”
If it weren’t for them, I would’ve been back much earlier.
”You mean about Tsukigase-san? The second-year in the swimming club?” Yuki leaned in closer. “Did you… did you really buy her?”
”Purchase isn’t the right word… but I guess I can tell you guys. She was the 5th Floor Subjugation Reward⁴.”
I don’t mind people who are sincere – the ones who can give a proper thank you even for small things. Those types recognize a debt and try to pay it back. On the flip side, I have no interest in helping people who can’t show basic gratitude. They’re the ones who will casually return a favor with a grudge. That goes double for Oida and his lot who clearly hold a grudge against me.
”What?! A subjugation reward?!”
”Careful. It looks like another party just got back. Let’s move further away.”
The Teleportation array flared, and a group of exhausted-looking students materialized. I guided the surprised, shouting Yuki toward a corner of the room. We were far enough now from the other parties who were busy distributing magic stones and loot. This room had somehow expanded to about thirty meters square since I last saw it.
”S-sorry. It was just so unexpected, it came out before I could stop it.”
”If you think about it for a second, you’ll understand. No matter how much I’m soloing, it’s impossible to rack up two million DP⁸ in just two weeks.”
Kume, the English teacher, had noticed that much too.
”T-true. So that means the fifth-floor Guardian is special? Like a mid-boss?”
”Something like that.”
”Then, if we also defeat the boss on the fifth floor…”
”A Rank-1 is impossible. The first person to clear it after me gets a ticket for a Rank-2 slave⁵. The third group gets Rank-3, and after that, it’s just tickets for cheap, low-rank slaves.”
”Rank-2!”
”What? You have a girlfriend in Rank-2?”
”Ah… actually, my sister is there.”
”I see. That explains why you’d want to save her.”
So he has family here. That explained why he’d been asking me about small breasts before. He was probably wary that I might be the one to buy her.
”Some of our club members have lovers in Rank-4, too,” Yuki added. Behind him, two students looked pained. They must be the ones.
”I get it. That’s why you’ve been working so hard.”
This group, along with the Karate and Kendo clubs, seemed especially desperate. Other parties had individuals who were frantic, but it didn’t seem like the whole group shared that intensity. The desperate ones just stood out. Since it’s only been two weeks, people are still clinging to the safety of their classmates and clubs. But eventually, the fear of losing their loved ones to someone else will drive them to leave their current groups and form parties made up only of those with family or lovers at stake.
”Yes… the thought of my sister becoming someone’s sex slave… I can’t stand it! If that happens, I’ll… I’ll kill that guy!”
The light vanished from Yuki’s eyes, replaced by a dark, murderous intent.
”Alright, alright, calm down. It hasn’t been decided that she’ll be bought yet.”
”Y-yeah. You’re right. Sorry. I just get like this when it’s about my sister.”
”She’s your family. I understand the feeling.”
He clearly doted on her. However, I wondered if he realized that if he bought his sister, he’d be the one forced into that role with her? I decided not to mention it. It would be more interesting that way, and he didn’t exactly have other options.
Then, a thought occurred to me.
”Hey, why don’t you try this? Stick a piece of paper on the wall at the dungeon entrance with the names of the girls you don’t want anyone to buy. The Great Plaza is a safe zone, so trash and things don’t get absorbed by the dungeon even after twenty-four hours. If you post it where everyone can see it, people who don’t want to start a feud might hold off on buying them.”
”Wait… that’s a great idea! I’ll do that!”
”Just keep it to sisters and girlfriends. If you start listing every girl you have a crush on, no one will be able to buy anyone.”
Stealing a lover earns a grudge, but a crush is just something people have to give up on. I’d had that experience myself.
”True. I’ll include a note saying it’s limited to family and lovers.”
”Do that.”
”Thank you for everything today. I… it’s not much of a thanks for the info on the second floor and this advice, but please, accept these.”
Yuki held out five Grade-5 Potion⁹ from his bag.
”Don’t push yourselves. I have plenty of potions.”
I replied, pushing his hand back. They were a group of ten and couldn’t even monopolize treasure chests yet. Giving up five potions would be a massive hit. They were far too upright for their own good.
”Then… at least take some Magic Stones…”
”I don’t want them. Instead, tell me the rewards when you defeat the fifth-floor Guardian, and – just occasionally – tell me what the other students and teachers are doing.”
I wanted information. Who was progressing, and how much DP the runners-up were getting. That was worth more than potions.
”Wait, is that all?”
”Yeah. As you can see, I’m an outsider despite working for the academy. Between my looks and the rumors, everyone avoids me. I’m not looking to make friends, but I need to know what’s going on. The reward thing is just curiosity.”
”I understand. If that’s the case, we’d be honored to help.”
”Depending on the info, I might even drop some more strategy tips. You want to save those girls quickly, right?”
”Yes! We’ll gather everything we can and report back!”
”Good. Then we have a deal. I’m counting on you.”
Yes!
Their energetic shout followed me as I headed for the exit. I’d secured a source of information. I had no idea what Oida and his group were planning. He’d backed down today because he was scared, but once he ranks up, his attitude might change. He’ll probably try to use “protecting the students” as an excuse to use force against me, thinking he finally has a chance to win.
Not that I had any intention of losing.
Being able to monitor the teachers and students without doing anything was a huge advantage. Now, I could focus entirely on exploration. Smirking at my good fortune, I returned to my room.
* * *
”Welcome home, Master!”
The moment I opened the door, Sayaka threw herself into my arms. I hadn’t even stepped inside yet. Naturally, the sight of us hugging and her voice were caught by the guys hanging around the fountain.
”Sayaka, calm down. Let’s go inside first.”
I patted her back to calm her down and guided her into the room. Behind me, I caught the bitter murmurs of the students.
”Did she just say Master?”
”I’m so jealous!”
”Tsukigase-san… I hate him. I hate him so much…”
I didn’t care. If they had time to be jealous, they had time to be in the dungeon. I kicked off my boots. Before heading to the service room, I checked the door next to the entrance for the prototype Magic Stone Generator⁶. It was at 20%.
I’d spent yesterday’s day off gaming and watching movies, and Sayaka probably watched some today while I was out. It looked like a 40% drop per day. Appliances really eat through power. That was a close call – if I hadn’t checked, the power would’ve cut out while I was gone tomorrow.
”Sayaka, this is the Magic Stone Generator. You put stones in here to charge it.”
”So this is how the electricity is made? It’s amazing.”
”It’s a prototype.”
I tossed in an E-Rank stone from a Goblin. The monitor jumped to 90%.
”Oh! It went up!”
”Looks like an E-Rank gives about 70%. I’ll leave a stack of stones here. Check it every day; if it hits 40%, top it off. Let me know when the supply gets low.”
”Yes!”
I pulled about ten stones from my Magic Pouch and set them on the generator. An F-Rank stone costs 30 DP and gives 10% charge. If I’m burning 40% a day, that’s 120 DP – about 3,600 DP a month. That’s essentially 36,000 yen for electricity. Expensive.
But that’s the price of a prototype. Fortunately, the room stays at a perfect temperature without an AC. I’ll just be grateful for the power. Magic stones are free if you’re willing to kill for them, anyway.
I headed to the service room to strip off my gear. Sayaka took each piece of armor as I removed it, setting them aside carefully. Once I was down to my skin, I told her I was heading for the shower.
She followed me, of course. She shed her room clothes and happily began washing my body.
”Find anything good to watch while I was gone?”
”Yes! I found a few action movies.”
”You don’t like romance?”
We’d watched a romance-action mix yesterday, but I assumed most girls would want the pure stuff.
”I… well, I like stories where men put their lives on the line to protect women.”
”I see. Plenty of that in action flicks.”
She was old-fashioned. In an age of political correctness, a girl who wanted to serve and be protected by a man was a rare find.
”Yes. That’s why I love men who are strong and kind… like you, Master.”
”Haha. Careful. I might show my true colors and disappoint you.”
”Never! You are so kind, and so strong… and… this part of you is so… impressive.”
Sayaka was washing my erect member now, but her touch was far more deliberate than simple cleaning. Her eyes were glazed with a familiar, feverish heat. It was likely the periodic arousal triggered by her Crotch Crest⁷.
”Sayaka. That’s an order. Use your mouth.”
”Yes, Master!”
She dropped to all fours, looking utterly delighted as she took me into her mouth. After a round of that and another in the cowgirl position, I finally made it back to the living room.
—
Summary:
Sanada Yakumo returns from the dungeon and meets with Yuki’s Battle Sports Club, providing them with dungeon floor strategies. He reveals that Tsukigase Sayaka was a special 5th-floor subjugation reward and helps the club brainstorm ways to protect their loved ones from being purchased. Yakumo returns home to Sayaka and manages his Magic Stone Generator before engaging in a sexual encounter with her.
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Character Insight:
Yakumo demonstrates a pragmatic and transactional morality, preferring to help those who show gratitude while ignoring those who don’t. Yuki’s desperation for his sister shows the high stakes for the student testers, while Sayaka’s devotion to Yakumo is deepened by the magical influence of her crest and her own traditional values.
—
Behind the Scene:
This chapter highlights the ‘game-mechanic’ aspects of the world, such as floor rewards and DP costs for modern conveniences like electricity. The protagonist’s suggestion of a ‘Do Not Buy’ list introduces a social layer to the dungeon economy.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Yakumo – A 25-year-old human male. He has facial scars, stab wounds, and gunshot scars from his time in a war zone. He works as a school guard.
• Yuki – A third-year high school student and leader of the Battle Sports Club. He is a national champion in medieval-style combat using swords and spears. He has a severe sister complex. He has hawk-like eyes and a polite but determined demeanor.
• Kume – An English teacher, suspicious of Sanada. Slicked-back hair, wears a shady expression.
• Oida – A PE teacher with a large build and a plain, non-intimidating face. He was formerly an Olympic developmental athlete for Judo. He uses a greatsword in the dungeon and wears tattered jerseys.
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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