Volume 1 Chapter 42
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Somehow, it felt like ages since I’d last challenged the “Phase One”¹ dungeon. In reality, it had only been a few days, but after the intense, heavy “extracurriculars” I’d shared with Haruka-san, I suppose feeling a bit out of sync was only natural.
I checked my gear. I had my own [Goblin Sword] now, so I only needed to rent a [Kobold Breastplate] before heading down the stairs. Once I stepped inside, I found the same unchanging dungeon atmosphere waiting for me. My first order of business: a warm-up against the unarmed Goblins lurking near the entrance.
”…Alright! Fifteen minutes flat! That’s a new personal record!” I panted, wiping my brow. It seemed that taking down a weapon-user last time had significantly boosted my Dungeon Infiltration rank². My lack of raw attack power was still a frustrating bottleneck, but at least weaponless Goblins didn’t stand a chance anymore. With my [Goblin Sword] in hand, I could systematically dismantle them without breaking a sweat.
”Next up, the weapon-users,” I muttered to myself. “I’ve had enough swords swung at my head by now to get over the initial shock. I can do this.”
I pushed deeper into the dungeon. There was a world of difference between an unarmed monster and one holding a blade; just the mental strain of dodging a jagged edge over and over was enough to leave me drained. Fortunately, these Goblins weren’t exactly fencing masters, and they didn’t have the capacity to learn from their mistakes. I parried a Goblin’s clumsy swing, throwing it off-balance, and immediately drove my blade into its exposed flank.
(Still, easier said than done,) I thought, my heart hammering against my ribs. (Having a real blade whistling toward your vitals is terrifying every single time.)
Goblins were rumored to have the same amount of “HP” regardless of their gear, but it still took about thirty minutes of constant pressure before this one finally started to slow down. Once its movements grew sluggish, it couldn’t even swing its sword properly. I moved in for the kill, finishing it off with a series of clean slashes.
”Nice! Forty-five minutes! That’s a huge improvement over the two-hour slog from last time!”
No loot dropped, but that was to be expected. The drop rates in Phase One were notorious for being stingy. Besides, my real target today wasn’t a grunt with a sword – it was the one waiting further in.
”A magic-user… Finally, a real fantasy battle.”
I’d seen people with [Mage] jobs using magic back in Phase Zero, but this would be my first time actually standing on the receiving end of a spell. You could argue that my (Pressure Point) skill was a form of magic, but as a guy, there’s just something about “proper” spells that gets the blood pumping.
”I mean, we’re talking Fireballs because that’s what the magic-using Goblins use…”
According to the reports, the magic-using Goblins launched spheres of flame roughly the size of a baseball at around 100 kilometers per hour. I’d spent hours with Mana and Minami-chan, training to dodge projectiles significantly faster than that, so I knew I was prepared – but a flaming ball of death was still a hell of a lot more intimidating than a tennis ball.
”There he is… The one with the staff.”
A hideous, hunched dwarf gripped a short wooden wand. I narrowed my eyes and slowly closed the distance. At the ten-meter mark, I intentionally kicked a loose stone to announce my presence. The Goblin snapped its head toward me, baring its yellowed teeth as it hoisted its staff.
”Gugyagyagya!”
It let out a shrill, grating shriek and swung the wand. A blazing sphere of flame erupted from the tip, whistling through the air with a violent hiss. It was faster than I’d imagined – the heat hit my face before I could even blink. I dove to the side, rolling across the cold stone floor just as the fireball scorched the air where I’d been standing.
”So fast! Fire is no joke! Wait, but now is my chance!”
Apparently, these Goblins couldn’t spam their spells in quick succession. The moment it finished a cast was the ultimate window for a counterattack.
”Huff! Ha! HAA!”
I lunged forward, raining a barrage of sword strikes down on the magic-user. I didn’t give it a second to breathe, focusing all my damage on its frail frame.
”Almost there…”
I noticed the Goblin’s grip tightening on its staff again. Anticipating the next cast, I leaped backward to create some distance.
”Gugyagyagya!”
Another Fireball soared toward me. Now that I’d seen it once, I was much calmer. I sidestepped the flame with room to spare and immediately charged back in for Full Beatdown Time. I repeated the cycle – dodging and punishing – about ten times until finally…
”GUGYAAAAAA!”
The magic-using Goblin let out a final death rattle and dissolved into a cloud of black smoke.
”Still no loot, huh? Man, the grind is real.”
Grinding the first floor of Phase One wasn’t going to make me rich, but it was the only way to level up safely.
”Well, the rumors were right. A magic-user really is a glass cannon. Once you get past the spells, they go down way faster than the ones with swords.”
I stood at the top of the stairs leading down to the second floor. I looked into the darkness, then checked my remaining stamina.
”Alright, that’s enough for today. I’ll keep running laps on this floor until I can do it in my sleep. Hopefully, I’ll see a Dungeon Stone³ sooner or later…”
I turned back and made my way toward the exit, leaving the depths of Phase One behind for now.
—
Summary:
Hirosawa Kanade returns to the Phase One dungeon to test his growth after his encounter with Haruka. He successfully optimizes his clearing speed for unarmed and Armed Goblins. Finally, he faces a Goblin Mage, successfully dodging its Fireballs and defeating it using tactics learned from Mana and Minami.
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Trivia:
- The protagonist rents equipment (Kobold Breastplate) rather than buying it to save money.
- Fireballs fly at 100km/h, which is slow compared to the training he did with Mana.
- Goblin Mages have a ‘cooldown’ or interval between spells.
- Dungeon loot drop rates are low, emphasizing the difficulty of making money early on
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Character Insight:
The protagonist shows a methodical, risk-averse approach to growth, prioritizing mastery of a floor before descending further.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author uses standard JRPG mechanics (HP, Phase tiers, cooldowns) to provide a familiar structure for the reader.
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Glossary:
Notes:
• Haruka – Izumi Haruka, known as “The Prince” among the Four Heavenly Kings for her androgynous beauty and dignified aura, bears severe burn scars from a Slime Acid Bullet and suffers side effects from Hirosawa’s skill. She calls herself “boku,” has a large bust second only to Higuchi, and serves as a 3rd-floor Priest. A trusting classmate and close friend of Mana, she was healed by Kanade and is currently hospitalized after an intense encounter with the protagonist, while being stalked.
• Minami – Minami-chan, the ‘Loli Princess’ of the Four Heavenly Kings, is a petite, doll-like Light Warrior with twin-tails, a fluffy-skirted outfit revealing cute-symbol-marked cotton underwear, and panties, bound by ropes and wearing an eye mask. Despite her flat physique and Pressure Point side effect, she wields dual swords with deadly precision, leads the group in dungeon progression speed, and playfully idolizes her peers—having personally trained the protagonist in projectile evasion.
• Mana – Class President and one of the Four Heavenly Kings, she wields the Sage job with elite close-quarters martial arts, sporting a long black ponytail, glasses, and neat attire with bracers and leg guards. Kanade’s primary partner and emotional anchor—appearing in his mind as his reason for fidelity—she guides the harem through pressure-point side effects, administers his restorative liquid from Hirosawa’s skill, and requires sexual release to counter aphrodisiacs. Fiercely loyal and disciplined, she trained the protagonist in projectile evasion, pierces Large Slimes on the third floor, and serves as a benchmark for power levels, balancing businesslike logic with heightened combat prowess.
• Hirosawa Kanade – Hirosawa Kanade is a quiet, cute male student at National Third Dungeon Academy, Phase Zero power level, who wields the Unique Job Vital Point Practitioner and pressure‑point cheat skills. His Pressure Point ability can physically alter others and induce lactation, causing unique side effects. He is the story’s protagonist and narrator.
• Hirosawa – Kanade, a quiet, cute male student at National Third Dungeon Academy, Phase Zero power level, wields the Unique Job Vital Point Practitioner and pressure‑point cheat skill. He can alter bodies and induce lactation via pressure points. Methodical explorer, uses a Goblin Sword, and has raised his Dungeon Infiltration rank. Protagonist and narrator.
• Kanade – Hirosawa Kanade, a small-statured Vital Point Master at National Third Dungeon Academy, wields the unique Pressure Point skill to manipulate tenketsu for defense, augmentation, and touch-based buffs—its erotic side effects forcing him to flee sexual advances despite his deep infatuation with Mana, whom he fiercely protects. Driven by integrity and feelings of inadequacy, he relentlessly trains to unlock Phase One, recently succeeding. He shares a close bond with Minami, balancing his powerful abilities with profound personal vulnerability, his cheat skill eliminating his refractory period to fuel his unyielding grind.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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