Volume 6 Chapter 13 New Equipment
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It is the final week of February, and we were riding the train toward the Sword-Hammer Cave. Since we had changed our equipment, using public transport was a bit of a hassle, but it was necessary. Risa was busy apologizing to everyone on the train.
”I’m so sorry, guys. It’s all my fault for saying something so weird when it’s our last time,” Risa said, sounding genuinely apologetic.
”Risa, you were the one who brought it up, but it was also a perfect chance for everyone to swap out their gear, right? Honestly, we were planning on taking the train from the start, so it’s really not a problem at all,” I replied, keeping my tone reassuring.
”He’s right, you know. I’m actually looking forward to testing out my new blade,” Yurina added with a confident nod.
”Me too,” Chifumi chimed in.
Yurina was carrying an extra sword in addition to the one she usually wielded. Asari had brought her new equipment, a set of gauntlets. It was the same story for Chifumi, Mitsuki, and myself.
The third-semester dungeon training was scheduled to end with this trip. This would be the final time we dived as part of our regular curriculum. We were still allowed to enter the dungeon for independent practice on holidays, so if we wanted to, we could theoretically challenge the boss on the 20th floor before our grades were finalized.
However, we already knew that our current progress was enough to secure a passing grade. Judging that there was no need to push ourselves any further, we planned to explore the dungeon in a different way than usual today to expand the variety of our combat tactics.
We were carrying all the equipment we might need in the future, just in case we ever had to dive into the middle levels or beyond.
”Oh, right. My sister wanted me to give this to everyone,” Risa said. She pulled a small bag of cookies out of her bag.
”Momono-san is heading out today, right?” I asked.
”Yeah. I bet she’s just about reached the hotel in the Old Capital by now. The real test is the day after tomorrow. I really want her to do her best,” Risa replied.
Mama-san was accompanying Momono-san as her chaperone for the second round of entrance exams. Apparently, the Naruse merchant guild had a branch office there, and Papa-san had pulled strings across the entire company to ensure his daughter had everything she needed for the exam. It was typical of the wealthy to use such saturation tactics.
Since Momono-san had more than enough brains to pass on her own, the adults around her could afford to be relaxed. Entering through the regular route was the best path. I remembered hearing that there were “back door” routes available for children who lacked the necessary ability, but those were primarily intended for sorcerers. I recalled that for a plain-folk student, using such a path required a massive amount of money and connections.
”Since it’s our first time dealing with the Old Capital University, Papa is getting really worked up… He says he’s worried if it’s just Mama there alone. Karin-neesan and Kurumi-neesan both went to universities in the Imperial Capital, so we could all help them out with things there. But when it comes to the Old Capital, well, it’s a bit harder for us to help…” Risa explained.
I had heard that Risa’s older sisters, the first and second born, were studying business at universities in the Imperial Capital. I assumed they planned to work hard at Papa-san’s company in the future—or rather, that one of them would likely inherit the business.
”Mind if I ask why Momono-san didn’t choose the Imperial Capital?” I asked.
”Hm? I haven’t heard the full details myself. I can guess, though,” Risa said.
”Guess?”
”If I read my sister’s thoughts… Reason one: because Shiho-san is going to the Old Capital University. Reason two: the Imperial Capital is already well-covered by my other sisters, so she wanted to blaze a trail in the Old Capital. Reason three: she wanted to be free in a place where the Naruse family estate’s eyes couldn’t reach her as easily… something like that,” she explained.
”I see…”
”The biggest reason is that first one. Momono-neesan has been stuck to Shiho-san like glue since we were kids,” Risa added.
”That’s the opposite of the impression I got,” I admitted.
”You’d think so, right? But between those two, Shiho-san is the one holding the reins,” Risa said.
Human relationships are never what they seem. Speaking of relationships that aren’t what they seem, the one between Risa and Shoji-kun is the same.
Today, for a change, Shoji-kun’s group was also traveling with us. Heading to the dungeon on the final day with all the equipment one could carry was a rite of passage for Sorcerer High School students. Even for those in the Tower Dungeon group, they would at least dive twice—once for their first time and once for their last.
I glanced sideways at Shoji-kun. He had the kind of physique you’d expect from a sorcerer with a bit of extra padding, while Risa was a slender, buxom beauty. You’d never guess it just by looking at them, but they were actually closely related. There were a few parts of them that looked oddly similar. I wondered if there was an alternate timeline where Risa ended up joining Shoji-kun’s group due to family circumstances.
Noticing me staring, Risa whispered to me in a low voice.
”What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?”
”I was just thinking that Risa is cute,” I replied.
”Thanks,” she said.
Her expression and tone remained perfectly calm. I kind of wanted her to give me a cuter reaction, like getting flustered. Seeing my dissatisfied look, Risa leaned in and whispered so only I could hear.
”You say that to me in bed every night; I’ve gotten used to it. The one who gave someone with my looks this much misplaced self-esteem is you, Minoru (my Master). You should be aware of that,” she teased.
”Ugh. I mean, those are my honest feelings. And telling you makes you feel better, doesn’t it? I suppose I have been overusing it lately. And besides, I’ve educated you in many other ways…” I countered.
I blew a soft breath against Risa’s ear.
Instantly, Risa let out a small “Ngh!? ♡” and shifted her hips. I could see the goosebumps rising on her legs.
Recently, the “training” of Risa—or rather, conditioning her to have a Pavlovian response—had been progressing quite well.
”My head might be calm, but my body is something else. I reacted a little. No more of that in front of others. …Tonight, you’d better take responsibility and spoil me, okay?” she murmured.
”Of course,” I promised.
Satisfied with Risa’s sweet behavior, I straightened my posture and returned to my serious expression. Risa, who had been rotating between the homes of her group members, was currently staying at the Tatemiya family estate for the long term again. She was planning to be my partner again tonight.
The train arrived at our destination on schedule, and we transferred to a bus to head toward the dungeon. The surface of the Dam lake, as always, was calm and still.
The order for entering the dungeon was decided as Komoda → Tatemiya → Shoji. We didn’t play rock-paper-scissors for it.
The Komoda group was going to explore the 20th floor and challenge the boss today, so I let them go first. Since Shoji didn’t have much intention of pushing forward with the conquest, I ended up letting him have the second slot.
After the Komoda group disappeared, Shoji approached me. I remembered this situation. It was the same way back when we first entered. I decided to listen to what he had to say.
”The Head House members asked me to warn the former administrator. Please be careful,” Shoji said.
”The former administrator, you mean Risa’s mother? May I ask why?” I asked.
”I can only tell you so much… but it’s regarding a theft. My family recently realized that several magic tools had gone missing from the house, and she is being suspected as the culprit,” he explained.
”…That’s not exactly a calm situation,” I muttered.
Wait, was he allowed to tell me about his family’s internal mess?
”If anything were to happen to your side, it would become an issue between our houses. Compared to that, this is… well. Besides, that apprentice Dungeon Manager already knows,” he added.
”Anri-san?”
”The Shoji house has decided to provide full support for that person moving forward. Ogura-san has agreed as well. Right now, we’re in the middle of cleaning up the mess left behind by the former administrator. It’s just one of many blunders,” Shoji said.
”Geez. That sounds tough,” I replied.
”It seems she was doing things even more messily than we expected. It wasn’t just that person; it seems the administrative operations were falling apart even before that. But she was meticulous about covering her tracks, which is what makes it so nasty. …In a way, you might be the one in the most trouble. Right now, the former administrator is undoubtedly obsessed with her daughter—with the girl over there. The reason is still unknown. Please, be careful,” he warned.
”Understood. Thanks for the warning,” I said.
Oh, there was one more thing I needed to ask.
”Those stolen magic tools, what kind of things were they?”
”One of them was a barrier-construction device used to confine apparations while transporting them alive. It’s a top-tier item with considerable performance…”
”Tatemiya-san, you are ready. Please enter,” the announcement played in the waiting room.
”Oh, looks like it’s time,” Shoji said.
”Yeah. Thanks, the information really helps,” I replied.
I thanked Shoji-kun and headed toward the dungeon entrance with Chifumi and the others.
”What were you two talking about~?” Chifumi asked.
”Just figuring out how Risa’s mother managed to bring those Snow flies all the way here,” I lied smoothly.
”Ohh~,” she responded.
While we were talking, Yurina, our Vanguard, had reached the point where she was waiting for my signal to enter the dungeon. We entered the dungeon in order, just like always.
We released the Snow flies at the entrance to the 15th floor. We ensured we had enough light and performed a final check of our equipment.
Everyone was wearing gear different from their usual setup. I couldn’t afford for anyone to make a mistake just because they weren’t used to their new items.
First, I checked my own. I had brought a collapsible short spear from our family’s Warehouse. It was a spear just a bit shorter than my height, capable of both slashing and bludgeoning damage. There was no deep meaning behind this change.
Next was Yurina’s sword. She hadn’t just brought the sword she usually equipped; she had purchased and brought a new blade with elemental properties. She was practicing her swings off to the side. It was a brand new sword infused with wind-element magic, which had good compatibility with Severing Sorcery. She couldn’t dual-wield, so she would have to choose one to equip.
As for newly introduced equipment, Asari’s gauntlets were also a new addition. By using the gauntlets as a catalyst to activate Silicic Armor, she could manifest a small but powerful shield.
Chifumi had attached a brand-new Majo’s Tears to her ear ornament. It was the third Crystal of Power that Hinoki had finished creating the other day.
Mitsuki and Risa had changed the configuration of their usual weapon attachments.
Mitsuki had changed the chain attached to the hilt of her Hama Kongou, and Risa’s assault rifle now had a magazine of a different size. Both were one step above our existing gear in terms of Mana conversion efficiency, storage capacity, and output.
I had purchased so much equipment that my wallet felt incredibly light. There were no apparations in the Sword-Hammer Cave that dropped Uniform patches, so making money was tough. But in exchange, our combat strength had increased significantly. Today, I planned to hunt mantises indiscriminately and earn our keep with their drops.
”First, we’ll warm up with the crickets and newts. After that, we’ll fight the mantises,” I announced.
”Got it~” the group replied.
The final dungeon exploration of the semester had begun.
In the hallways, the combat encounters were now limited to crickets, bats, earthworms, and moles. At the branching paths, four types would appear: newts, newt-mimics, geckos, and gecko-mimics.
I didn’t have much to say about fighting these guys. If I had to mention something, it would be the existence of rare apparations. Up until now, our encounters with rare apparations had been zero. My wallet was desperate for some grasshopper drops, but there was no sign of them. My “greed sensor” was working a bit too well.
We finished off the small-fry apparations without issue and decided we were good to go. We proceeded down the dead-end hallway.
We pummeled the mantises that appeared and exorcised them. I would save putting them into a Runaway State for another time. I prioritized gaining combat experience against strong enemies with our new equipment.
We defeated two non-runaway mantises and managed to get one body-part drop. That was a good pace.
While we were moving to find a third mantis, I sensed a presence different from usual. What appeared in our line of sight was indeed a mantis, but it was the largest one to have appeared yet. It was twice the size of the next largest one. Furthermore, there was one shocking point.
”Are there two of them?” I asked.
”Looks like it~,” Mitsuki replied.
We hadn’t entered the open area yet, so the mantises hadn’t noticed us and weren’t attacking. Even from a distance, I could see a small Mantis Swordsman riding on top of a giant Mantis Swordsman.
”To me, it looks like the small one on top doesn’t have a head?” Risa commented.
”…It does look like that~,” Yurina agreed.
As Mitsuki and Chifumi said, it had no head.
”Is the big one munching on something? Isn’t that the small one’s head?” Risa asked.
”Cannibalism…” Yurina whispered.
I could hear the conversation between Risa and Yurina. The larger mantis was holding something, and I realized it was indeed the head of the other one.
We all listened as Asari explained.
”That is a rare Mantis Swordsman variant. During combat, even the one without a head will act normally. It’s simply a simultaneous battle against two enemies,” Asari explained.
”I didn’t expect to run into a rare Unique Variant. A simultaneous battle…” I muttered.
A rare Unique Variant. We could experience fighting Unique Variants as much as we wanted in this dungeon, so we had combat records. I recalled the records I had looked over previously.
When I thought about what would change with multiple enemies… it would be bad if our Vanguard was focused-fired by two of them. But if I held off one and Yurina and Mitsuki held off the other, I thought it would be possible to break their coordination.
What I was worried about was that there was a water source at the edge of the plaza. These rare Unique Variants go into a Runaway State.
”The Mantis Swordsman itself hasn’t been strengthened, right?” I asked.
”Yes. According to the records, their individual strength doesn’t change significantly. They can still enter a Runaway State,” Asari replied.
If they both went into a double runaway, it would be a disaster. However, judging from our combat experience so far today, I judged it was perfectly possible to exorcise them without letting them go berserk.
”Alright, we’ll move carefully so they don’t go berserk. Let’s do this,” I decided.
After confirming with Asari, I told everyone to stick to a safe strategy for the fight.
”Got it~”
”Ugh… I’m getting so excited~”
”Leave the support to me.”
”Leave the parts destruction to me!”
”I’ll do my best with support too!”
Everyone showed their motivation.
Before the fight, we took plenty of time to discuss the flow from the start of the battle to the finishing blow. Things rarely go exactly as planned, but that didn’t mean we should just go in blindly. We decided on the conditions that would require follow-up support, the order of attacks, and then, with Yurina in the lead, we entered the waiting area.
The giant mantis, which had been munching on the head of the smaller one, stopped eating and looked at us. It tossed the head away and turned its entire body toward us. It must have recognized us as its new prey.
At the same time, the mantis that had lost its head began to move. While still headless, it hopped off the back of the giant mantis, spread its wings, and struck an intimidation pose with its scythes held high.
We were six against two.
It was fine. No problem.
The battle against the rare special apparation had begun.
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Summary:
The squad departs for their final dungeon training session at the Sword-Hammer Cave, utilizing a variety of new, specialized equipment. Tensions rise as Minoru receives a warning from Shoji regarding the former administrator’s dangerous obsession with Risa. The group enters the dungeon and immediately encounters a rare, two-part Unique Variant Mantis Swordsman, forcing them into a precarious simultaneous combat scenario.
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Trivia:
1 The Naruse family uses “saturation tactics,” overwhelming problems with excessive resources and influence, which is a hallmark of their wealth.
2 Back-door routes for university entrance exist but are functionally restricted to sorcerers, making them prohibitively expensive for plain-folk.
3 Risa’s family dynamics are counter-intuitive, with Shiho-san effectively holding the leadership role over the seemingly dominant Momono-san.
4 Shoji’s family is cleaning up the mess left by the former administrator, who was hiding administrative failures through meticulous cover-ups.
5 The Mantis Swordsman Unique Variant is a rare encounter where two entities share one combat space, with the headless individual acting independently.
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Translation Notes:
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Notes:
• Risa – A tall, slender, buxom Naruse guild student with twin-tails, this bold, wealthy lady stays at the Tatemiya estate (Yurina’s house). Sister to Momono and Anri, and Minoru’s primary partner, she manages family drama, cooks for the protagonist’s party, guides Yurina, and distrusts Komoda. In combat, she provides long-range support using a sniper-type magic pistol, Magic Bullets, and Snow flies.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student and samurai girl residing in Risa’s house. During a festive play, she wears an apron, cat ears, a collar, and a tail. As a confident evasion-tank vanguard in Lord Minoru/Shoji’s party, she fights alongside Mitsuki and acts as Chifumi’s protector. Trained by Anri, she uses a katana, iaijutsu, Mana, and Severing Sorcery to unleash invisible, slashing edges.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s beautiful, kimono-clad childhood friend, partner, and lead household witch. A supportive, inquisitive older sister figure who loves cooking, she fiercely protects Minoru and manages team admin. In combat, she wields immense Mana for recovery and long-range AOE freezing sorcery, using stone projectiles and ice to bind enemies. She recently received a Majo’s Tears accessory.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Mitsuki – A tall, short-haired, dark-skinned OniMai clan girl with a massive, muscular build, this haughty, shy transfer student is a wealthy Sumo and assassin candidate. Koki’s sister and Minoru’s clingy friend, she aids his, Ryota, and Shoji’s teams. Wielding a chained Kanabo/Hama Kongou, this observant explorer uses Oni-fication, physical support, and status-cleansing recovery magic.
• Asari – A tall, long-haired, curvy Kasakura honor student with glasses, this analytical strategist is Minoru’s devoted partner and Risa’s future host. Close to Mari and Nagase, her home is the party’s next stop. Utilizing gauntlets to manifest crystal barriers and Silicic Armor, she is a defensive specialist knowledgeable in Aberration mechanics, currently suffering from mana exhaustion.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Momono-san – A petite, chubby high school senior with gentle, drooping eyes, Risa’s older sister, Momono-san, is a refined yet mischievous tutor and supportive companion. She cleverly orchestrates family interactions and uses Risa’s favorite pastries as leverage. A friendly girl, she is also a friend of Aikawa and displays a welcoming curiosity rather than hostility toward Risa’s partner.
• Momono – Momono-san, Risa’s older sister and a daughter of the Naruse family, is a petite, chubby high school senior with gentle, drooping eyes preparing for university exams in the Old Capital. Intelligent yet chaotic, she speaks in an influencer dialect. This mischievous tutor teases Risa, orchestrates family dynamics with pastries, welcomes Risa’s partner, and bonds with Aikawa via magic engines.
• Naruse – Naruse is the paternal surname of sisters Anri, Risa, and Momono, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by their influential hotel/dungeon manager mother, this wealthy old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild provides institutional support to local establishments. They reside in an understated, modest private estate featuring an integrated dungeon and a small dojo.
• Papa – The head of the Naruse family and merchant guild who orchestrates support for his daughters. Known as an influential father, he is frequently used as a convenient cover story for the acquisition of rare items.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Kurumi – The second eldest Naruse sister and older sibling to Risa. She currently resides in the Imperial Capital, where she attends university as a business student.
• Karin – The eldest Naruse sister and older sibling to Risa, she is a university student currently studying business at the Imperial Capital.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Shiho – A petite, long-haired, bespectacled senior and shy magic-engine collector, averse to men but animated about hardware. Expert in magic technology, she manages equipment-borrowing approval, is Momono’s close companion, and studies at Old Capital University.
• Shoji – A serious silver werewolf beastman and top-ranked 5th District sorcerer student in a white uniform with a typical physique. An observant strategist using magic pistols, he leads a squad with Ryota and Komoda, and associates with Kotoha. Sharing a hidden blood relation to Risa, he tracks scents, seals dungeons via her/Anri’s lineage, and provides intel on the former administrator to conquer the Tower.
• Minoru – Minoru Tatemiya is a lean, plain, black-haired student, hidden Demon Lord, and reincarnated mob protagonist. This analytical narrator and Master tactician rules the 5th District using inherent, defensive, and shockwave sorcery. From his estate, he manages dungeon logistics, hosts Hinoki, and guides Majo allies (Mai, Mitsuki), while maintaining a complex, training-based relationship with Risa.
• Tatemiya – Minoru, bearer of the prestigious Tatemiya family name, is a sorcerer protagonist and head of a traditional lineage house. Specializing in electrical defensive sorcery, he guides a powerful group of women and witches (including Kotoha) to search for powers. He utilizes the Tatemiya household as a central hub to live and bond, conversing with Megumi and Minoru about regional gathering spots.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male classmate and leader of the influential Michinori family’s Komoda house who commands a Sword-Hammer Cave squad. While hiding mechanics for prestige, he coordinates travel, exchanges intel, interacts with Ryota’s group, and seeks an alliance with Minoru. Outperforming Shoji’s group in speed-runs, he shares the dungeon space and serves as a party meeting benchmark.
• Anri – The fourth Naruse sister, Risa’s older sibling, and apprentice Dungeon Manager whose family guards a District 5 dungeon. Controlled by Yukizuki Anri, this private-school leader/sorcerer knows the Shoji house’s internal situation. Wielding a spear and staff, she commands mind incense, insects, and Aberrations. She mentored Minoru’s group, was kidnapped by Ogura, and brought premium meat as an apology.
• Ogura – A distant Shoji-branch sorcerer, engineer, and dungeon manager handling local sites, mountain resources, and cleanup after the former administrator’s tenure. Identified by Shoji via scent, they alter their appearance by transforming into a werewolf via beastification sorcery. Manipulated by hypnosis, they are suspected of searching for the shrine.
• Hinoki – Sharing Minoru’s consciousness, this sharp-tongued, non-binary Oni-fied centipede Aberration is a 30cm metallic-shelled field leader summoned via Inherent Sorcery. Acting as an independent shadow support, scout, and flanker for the squad, they crush enemies or shift into a massive reptilian form. They guide insects, track boss spawns, and craft Crystal of Power accessories for allies.
• Majo – A member of Minoru’s group whose presence is noted to be vital for success.
• Mantis Swordsman – A mantis-type Unique Variant and lower-ranked species of the Head-Hunting Mantis, standing over 3 meters tall and wielding two giant scythes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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