Chapter 194 The Fourth Settlement and the Urgent News
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Okay, I’m opening it! This time for sure… come on, Introductory Permit¹!”
With a shout fueled by her ‘Desire Sensor²‘ at full blast, Leticia flung the treasure chest open.
As expected, the copper chest contained only two Grade 4 Mana Recovery Potions and a small pouch of silver coins. There wasn’t even a shard of an Introductory Permit.
”Ugh… two duds in a row,” Leticia whined.
”Heh, luck doesn’t stay on your side forever,” I said.
At the first settlement we raided this morning, the chest held a magic tome-a Light-element one that Leticia had been dying for. Since that stroke of incredible luck, the third and fourth settlements had yielded nothing but potions and silver.
Based on my time on the 11th and 12th floors, I figured this was par for the course. I’d already resigned myself to the idea that we’d only find about two permits per lap, so I wasn’t particularly disappointed.
Karen, Sayaka, and the others outside gathering Magic Stones likely felt the same. They were seasoned veterans, tired of riding the emotional rollercoaster of treasure chest RNG. The proof was that none of them were in here with us. Even Karen, who used to be obsessed with the loot, now just waited outside for the results. It was the right move.
Actually, it was more surprising that every settlement so far even had a chest. I wondered if the spawn rate was guaranteed.
I’d find out after one full lap. More than that, I wanted to know the drop rate for the Permits. If the 12th floor was 25%, was this one 20%? We were trudging through the rain down these long town roads; I wanted at least a decent return for the effort. Especially since we had to collect ten fragments this time instead of seven.
”I really thought a rod like Sayaka’s magic staff would pop out,” Leticia muttered.
”A rod, huh? You’d certainly look the part of a Holy Maiden if you had one,” I replied.
Since Leticia had learned Light Shield³, I definitely wanted to get her a rod-something to boost her casting speed. Since they were shorter than staves, she could probably handle one with one hand.
The Shop sold staves, but when one of the baseball club students bought one, it didn’t have any casting speed buffs. It only cost 3,000 DP, after all. Sayaka’s staff came from a copper chest, and since it was the only item inside, it had to be worth at least 20,000 DP. You didn’t get those auxiliary effects unless the gear was high-end.
Speaking of which, Leticia’s Light Shield had been a lifesaver on the road. Whether it was intercepting a Rain Hawk that Karen missed or warding off a Green Wolf during a back-attack, she was doing great. She had even jumped in to help Hanako from a distance, blocking an Orc’s blade. The shield shattered on the second hit, but tanking two hits from an Orc was impressive.
Hanako seemed annoyed, but Sheena’s praise had Leticia beaming. She was the type who improved rapidly with a bit of positive reinforcement. Being able to move a light barrier freely within a two-meter radius was incredibly versatile. If she got a rod, she could cast it even faster. I was starting to want one for her.
No, don’t let the Desire Sensor catch onto you, I thought. Keep it cool.
I took the items and led the pouting Leticia out of the Orc’s house. Sayaka’s group was waiting, and they all gave Leticia a wry smile. She was an open book.
”There was a chest, but the contents were trash. It sucks,” Leticia reported.
”If we found four chests in a row, I’d call that a lucky day, Leti,” Karen said, trying to cheer her up.
”She’s right,” Sanae agreed. “On the 12th floor, we went through several settlements in a row with nothing at all.”
”Ugh, I remember. That was exhausting,” Sayaka added, her face darkening at the memory.
It really does wear you down when you wipe out several settlements for zero reward. I couldn’t wait for Yuki and his group to taste that special brand of futility.
”Well, that’s how it is, Leticia. We’re ahead just by finding the chests. Keep at it tomorrow. You’ll hit the jackpot eventually,” I said.
”Fine… I’ll get it next time. If I do a ‘ten-pull,’ I’m bound to get a hit,” she replied.
”You think this is a Gacha⁴ game? Well, I guess it is,” I muttered. A ‘dark-pot’ Gacha where the odds are stacked against you. Those were the worst.
”Haha, maybe a ten-pull is the secret. Let’s work hard again tomorrow, Leti,” Sayaka encouraged.
”Yeah! I’ll do my best to protect everyone!”
”I’m counting on you,” Sheena said. “Your Light Shield is the lynchpin of our defense. You’re far more reliable than a certain high-maintenance masochist pig.”
”I’ve got it! I’ll protect everyone so Hanako doesn’t have to!” Leticia chirped.
”Hey! I’m working hard too! I’m useful during the raids, aren’t I?!” Hanako shouted.
”You make a decent meat-shield, certainly,” Sheena replied, “but it’s a problem that you force Leticia to burn her Mana on Heals every time.”
”That’s because of the wound you gave my ass with your rapier! I saw you do it!”
”That was your own fault for trying to throw your shield away, you pig,” Sheena countered.
”Wait, what?” Sanae asked. “Against an Orc? Even Hanako isn’t that much of a freak, right?”
”You underestimate her,” Sheena said calmly. “Every time she blocked a blade, her breathing got heavier. At the end, she was pretending her shield got knocked away so she could let go. I had to jab her to make her stop.”
”Oh… wow…” Sanae muttered.
It seemed Sanae’s attempt to defend Hanako had failed again. Not that it ever worked. The subject of their talk, Hanako, was currently huddled under a collapsed roof with Lucy, munching on chili crackers and snorting with delight. Buhii! It was a lost cause.
”Alright, it’s getting dark. Let’s head back to the road and camp,” I called out.
We left the settlement and headed for the road. Everyone was fed up with being soaked. Luckily, the fireplace in the Magic Tent was powerful, and the Magic Armor was quick-drying.
Sheena and I had to rotate spare leather armor from the Shop, which was a pain, but better than wearing wet gear. Sheena still refused to wear Magic Armor, claiming it wouldn’t fit over her maid uniform. I suspected she was just embarrassed by how skimpy the armor was, given her noble background.
Inside the tent, we warmed up in the bath and eventually moved to the living room for a group session. After finishing with the others, I took Leticia and Karen to the bedroom for a second round. Leticia wore out quickly, but Karen was a dynamo. She’s really taken to s*x and seeks it out aggressively now. I’m glad I bought her.
Eventually, they both fell asleep, messy and exhausted. I cleaned them up, headed back to the living room to finish off with some ‘Wall-Butt’ service from the others, and finally crashed in the bedroom between Karen and Leticia.
The next morning, I woke up to Leticia’s mouth. After finishing with her and Karen, I headed to the bathroom. Karen even brushed my teeth and shaved me. What has my life become? I wondered as I looked in the mirror.
I walked over to the desk with the Magic Crystal, but before I could sit, the party comms rang. It was Tanaka Yuki.
I answered, and immediately, a voice-louder and more panicked than the usually cool Yuki-echoed through the room.
”Master Sanada! It’s a disaster!”
”Whoa, easy there. What’s got you this worked up so early?” I asked.
Sayaka and the others stopped making breakfast to listen.
”There was a murder in the Great Plaza late last night! Mimura is dead, along with five others! There are tons of injuries!”
”Mimura is dead?!”
I stared at the display, stunned. I could see why he was panicking. This changed everything.
—
Summary:
Sanada’s party continues their damp exploration of the 13th floor, facing frustratingly low loot drops from dungeon settlements. After a night of recovery and physical intimacy in their Magic Tent, a morning call from Tanaka Yuki shatters the peace. A mass murder has occurred at the Great Plaza, claiming the life of an associate named Mimura.
—
Trivia:
- The party is currently on Day 70 of the ‘Tester Life.’
- Leticia is specifically using the ‘Desire Sensor’ gamer term.
- The drop rate for Permits on this floor is theorized to be lower than the 12th floor (20% vs 25%).
- Magic Armor is quick-drying, but Sanada and Sheena’s leather armor is not.
- Sheena is a former noble, which explains her modesty regarding skimpy armor.
- Mimura was a known character (associate) whose death raises the stakes significantly
—
Character Insight:
Leticia is developing as a specialized rear-guard with her Light Shield, showing growth through Sheena’s praise. Sanada’s internal monologue reveals a growing sense of surrealism about his pampered ‘Master’ lifestyle, even as the dungeon’s brutality (the murder news) crashes back into his reality.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Desire Sensor’ is a legendary meta-joke in Japanese gaming (specifically Monster Hunter fandom) referring to the game’s uncanny ability to deny you the specific drop you need.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Leticia – French exchange student, animation major 1st year, silver hair, small stature, slim, large breasts, 13 years old.
• 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.
• Karen – An international student from America who often runs to school late with bread in her mouth. Considered a ‘main target’ by the protagonist. Voice acting major, huge breasts, same height as Sana.
• Hanako – A female Orc tamed monster equipped with two large iron shields and a black iron helm. Large breasts, wrapped in rags with a grass skirt. Revealed to be a extreme masochist.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s. Now, her ego is back.
• Sanae – She struggles with the sexual training and often shows frustration. Vice-captain of the Archery Club. Described as tall with a model-like build and sharp features. She has approximately C-cup breasts and is ranked as a 1st Rank Slave. She is Sayaka’s best friend. Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• 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.
• Lucy – A female Kobold familiar resembling an American Eskimo Dog. Now, she evolves into a Kobold Thief. Her height increases to approximately 140cm, her limbs become sturdier/leaner, and she retains a cute face. She wags her tail when happy.
• Mimura – Seiji (Former professional soccer, now a coach)’s accomplice, proposes the ‘monster train’ strategy.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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