Chapter 19 Interrogation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As soon as a dazzling light overflowed from the Magic Circle, the scenery changed and in front of me stood many students. The students were divided into several parties, each engrossed in their own discussions, creating a bustling commotion.
I wonder if everyone is heading to the dungeon now. Unlike the first dive, they are calm and orderly, and many of them are equipped with proper weapons and armor. It seems like things have changed a lot while we were in the dungeon.
Anyway, we’re back.
I take a moment to reflect on my own condition.
Tina…is not here.
It seems she can only come out in the dungeon. It’s inconvenient that I can’t use the storage room, but I have already come up with a solution for that.
For now, let’s go outside. As I make eye contact with Higurashi and head towards the exit, I was stopped by a tall, blonde woman in her mid-twenties who seemed to be a staff member.
”Wait, you two. When you come back, make sure to pass your player cards through the log crystal.”
”Player cards?”
Higurashi and I tilt our heads in confusion.
”Are you kidding? When diving, you’re supposed to present your card. If you come back and don’t pass through the log crystal, you’ll be treated as a non-returnee. Don’t make me go through the trouble.”
The staff directs an irritated tone and cold gaze towards us.
This person seems quite formidable. Somehow, I can sense that from the way she carry herself.
”Oh, we’ve just returned for the first time since our initial dive. Sorry for not understanding the situation. Could you please explain things to us?”
Higurashi calmly requested an explanation from the irritable staff.
”What are you talking about? I’m busy right now and don’t have time to entertain jokes. Behaving like that towards the School Management Committee is subject to punishment.”
”School Management Committee?”
”You know, that thing. In the school, there are knights and kingdoms, which sounds fake and makes you laugh, right? So, wouldn’t it be easier to accept a name like this?”
”Oh, now that you mention it, that’s true. I thought they were just acting all high and mighty, but they’re actually trying their best to adapt to us.”
”You…”
””Ah…””
Before we knew it, the blonde lady staff member was trembling with anger.
”Don’t mess with me! I’m stuck taking care of these kids in a two-shift system, and after my shift ends, I have to do paperwork and all sorts of things, so I don’t get enough sleep!”
”Calm down! That’s just a complaint! Anyway, please listen to what I have to say!”
”Yes, I’ll listen to you plenty! Come here! I’ll lock you up in a cell!”
And so, we were dragged by the stressed-out lady into a separate room, as if being pulled along.
* * *
”Alright, first, tell me your classroom and name.”
Me and Higurashi were taken to a simple room with wooden desks and chairs, like an interrogation room.
There were no windows, just a file cabinet in one corner, and a soldier armed at the entrance.
”This might be faster.”
Me and Higurashi handed over student ID cards with our photos on them.
”Higurashi Asuka and Tsuchimiya Takeru…? Oh? Are you really on the list of first-day casualties?”
After comparing our photos and faces, the lady muttered in confusion as she flipped through the documents.
”What? What does that mean? Have you really been diving into dungeons until now?”
”That’s what we’re saying. This is a magic stone, but if you’re willing to buy other items as well, we’d like to split it with Tsuchimiya-senpai.”
When Higurashi handed over a bag filled with magic stones, the lady’s expression changed.
”Hey, hey, what’s with this amount!? This size makes it a mid-floor boss level monster, right!?”
The blonde lady is flustered as she holds a magic stone about the size of a ping-pong ball in her hand.
It’s the magic stone of the mutated species of Owlbear, the Floor Boss of the 3rd floor. According to Tina, rooms that have been left untouched for a long time can cause monsters to mutate into powerful ones, and this time it followed that pattern. Thanks to that, we were able to enjoy a slightly thrilling battle.
The lady began giving instructions to the soldiers standing at the entrance in a panicked manner.
”Wait! I’m going to handle the registration process for new player cards, so bring the documents and the Appraisal Orb! Also, let the relevant departments know! There are last survivors of the First Dive!”
”Yes!”
* * *
”So, why didn’t you come back at that time? The simple Magic Circle end time was written in the instructions, wasn’t it!”
We were explaining the situation to the blonde lady female staff while she preparing to make player cards. And for some reason, she’s angry.
”Well, it seemed interesting. The instructions didn’t just say ‘must return’, it only mentioned the time when the Magic Circle can’t be used, so I thought it was okay to do whatever I wanted.”
”Well, that may be true, but… It said that strong monsters come out at night, right?”
”Goblins were good for practicing chaotic battles, but I’ve gotten used to that too. They did mention that if we stayed, we could fight challenging monsters, right? The floor boss on the 3rd floor seemed pretty good.”
”It’s not like that at all! It’s definitely not like that! We didn’t expect the first-time diver to just settle in the dungeon!”
”Oh, right. With seasoning and rice, you could survive for another month there. Should I have mentioned that before doing that next time? Earlier, you said something about being treated as a non-returnee person if you don’t pass through the card.”
Higurashi asked a serious question with a thoughtful look while crossing her arms.
”Wait! Hold on a second! I’m feeling dizzy! Um… I’ll give you the ‘Dungeon Bookmark’ later, so check it out there!”
As some staff members opened the entrance and came in, they placed large crystals and documents on the desk.
”Okay, put your hand on the crystal from 1B22.”
”1B22? Oh, that’s the class and attendance number.”
”Then I’m 2D17. It feels like we’re suddenly being managed, huh?”
”In animal farming, we don’t give names to livestock for meat. It’s hard when you get attached and then have to send them off.”
”Oh, you seem like a regular person. Probably the type to sob uncontrollably and take a while to recover when a pet dies. I get it, I get it. We’re also preparing for the unknown time of our deaths.”
”J-just hurry up! Don’t analyze people’s psychology on your own!”
The lady is screaming with a bright red face.
”Is this okay?”
”Yes, just stay still… Level 5?! You’ve grown so much in just one week… This might be a new record.”
”I’ve been hunting monsters from morning till night. Especially the ones that drop meat. Especially those.”
”I see, I see. Your class is Magic Spearman… Among the lower classes, it’s a top-level class. Is it because of your gift? Did you also acquire skills at the same time?”
The lady is looking at a crystal and writing something on a document.
”Gift? Are you talking about the crystal gacha? I got Magic Swordman, but it turned out like this when I started using a spear. I also got a skill called Flame Sword.”
”What?! That’s a rare and excellent high-level skill! It’s something that heroes would have… Ugh, I’m so jealous…”
”I thought it would be easy to use, but it’s actually a great skill.”
When the lady brings a small crystal closer to a large crystal, the small crystal emits a yellow light. She hands it over to the staff along with some documents, and the staff leaves the room.
”Next is 2D17.”
”Ah, okay.”
I place my hand on the crystal, and the lady peers into it intently.
”Level… 1!? Huh!? What does that mean!?”
”Well, I’m curious about that too. No matter how many monsters I defeat, I don’t level up.”
”I’ve never heard of something like that. Could it be a ‘system’ glitch? You managed to survive quite well even without being an Evolde.”
”Evolde?”
”It refers to humans who have magically evolved through the system’s level up.”
”So basically, it means level 2 or higher. Is there any way to fix this?”
Well, since I’m doing it myself, there’s no way it can be fixed.
”Hmm, when it comes to the ‘Player System,’ there’s a lot we don’t understand, so we can’t really get involved. We have some technology that can interfere with certain stats, but it’s been passed down for a long time. Sorry, but you’ll have to figure it out on your own.”
”Got it. I wasn’t expecting much, so it’s no big deal.”
”You’re taking this pretty lightly. I’ll report to the boss, so I’ll let you know if we find out anything.”
”Thanks. You’re a nice person, lady.”
It hurts a little to tell a lie.
”Stop it! Don’t call me, lady! You’re being too familiar! I have a position of authority, you know!”
”Um, middle management lady?”
”…Okay, Lugia. Call me that.”
”Got it, Lugia-san.”
As soon as Lugia heard the term ‘middle management,’ she sighed and seemed to be weighed down by a heavy atmosphere. She seems to be struggling between the higher-ups and the lower ranks.
Lugia-san approaches a large crystal and places a small crystal next to it, then hands it to an employee who has been recording the whole process.
”After this, I will hold onto the items you want to sell along with the magic stones. There is a special counter for selling, so from now on, you should go there to get a paid appraisal and sell your items. The currency will be unified in your world’s currency, and it will be deposited into your player card. All buying and selling can be done using the player card. We confirm the identity using magical waves, so only the person themselves can make purchases. The amount we bought from you this time will be deposited into your player card.”
”This is more high-tech than I expected.”
Whether it’s electronic money or magic money, it feels like we’re just giving away items for free in exchange for fictional money that can only be used within the school. In reality, we can use it to buy items and food, so it’s not that bad. However, since they can freeze our accounts at any time and leave us with nothing, it’s certain that we are being controlled just with that vulnerability.
On top of the table, I arrange the items to sell. There’s even a magic sword dropped by the floor boss on the 2nd floor, but since my main weapon is a spear, I’ll sell it to make some money. I actually have a lot more stored in my dimensional storage, but for now, I’ll only take what I can carry by hand.
”This is wild boar chaton? It’s so tender and delicious…”
I look at the large blocks of meat wrapped in fur that Lugia seems to be eyeing greedily. Apparently, “chaton” is a general term for the meat of young wild boars.
”If you’d like, you can take two or three of these.”
”R-really!? But even one of these can fetch a pretty good price.”
Lugia’s eyes sparkle with anticipation.
”Yes, it’s a bribe.”
”Don’t say that so plainly!”
”I’m just kidding. But I really don’t know anything about the current academy, so if you could give me some information or advice, I’d be happy to give you these.”
”Well, if it’s just that much… I was planning on teaching you the bare minimum from the beginning anyway. So, I’ll really take it, okay?
”Please, go ahead.”
”Thank you! Hehe, with just this, I can reward my subordinates… I mean, support them through their hardships.”
It seems really tough, huh?
After that, we were able to get information from Lugia-san about our school life.
First, our top priority mission is to reach the deepest part of the dungeon. We still have classes from Monday to Friday in the morning, but there doesn’t seem to be any penalty for not attending. Many subjects have been replaced with classes about the player system and the dungeon. Since students also want information, most of them are taking classes and then diving into the dungeon in the afternoon. It was said that it’s not a bad idea to attend because announcements from the School Management Committee are made during homeroom.
Dive into dungeons is possible at any time, but dungeons at night are dangerous as many undead appear. Before diving into the dungeon, you will need to submit paperwork with your party members and expected time of return.
Titles, skills, and magic other than class titles will be deactivated and cannot be used within the school. I had heard this information from Tina in advance.
The school management committee generally does not intervene in personal disputes, but will punish students who use deadly force to cause injury or are involved in murder. Higurashi was worried about this, but she seemed to be taking better measures than the worst, which made me feel a little relieved.
”Also, the mission was announced last Tuesday. The mission is to reach the 3rd floor by June 15th next month. If you can’t achieve it, you may become a sl*ve, but it looks like you’ve already reached the 4th floor. Once you receive a mission, you need to dive into the dungeon once. When you leave, you will be teleported to the magic circle you used. The magic circle hierarchy is recorded on the card, so you can use it to clear the mission.
Being a sl*ve means working as a sl*ve if you fail to complete a mission, but your level of education is much higher than in this world, so it is highly unlikely that you will be used up as a labor sl*ve. People with excellent grades will be sought after by the government as candidates for civilian positions, and there are many buyers with good conditions. However, if you tell this, the number of people who will seriously dive into the dungeon will decrease, so please never tell anyone else.”
For starters, it seems like Lugia-san is weak to bribes. It’s definitely a bad idea to say things to the involved parties.
She’s probably indirectly telling me, a level 1 guy, that there’s an escape route if I hit a dead end. She’s a good person after all.
”Also, the current students are living together in a 12-person dormitory prepared here. The existing double rooms in the student dormitory require a 50,000 yen deposit and a monthly rent of 20,000 yen. If you pay 70,000 yen upfront, you can move in immediately. You guys can easily afford that, right? Since there are no other students with that kind of flexibility, at least until the end of next month, I think it’s effectively a single room. From July, you’ll also be able to use the high-class dormitory in the special zone. Whether you choose one or the other, you can handle the procedures at the student affairs office in the entrance hall, so it’s best to go there right after this.”
This is important information. It’s because it’s where I’ll be sleeping tonight. I can’t bear the idea of living together in a 12-person room, being an introverted person who loves solitude, so the student dormitory is the only choice for me. I wonder what happened to the room and the belongings I used before.
”Looks like you have a player card.”
A staff member entered the room and handed Lugia-san a purple shiny cloth. When Lugia-san opened the cloth, two cards came out and handed them to us.
I have a white card and Higurashi has a blue card.
”The color of the card represents the level. Level 1 is white. Levels 2 to 5 are blue. Then every 5 levels are green, yellow, orange, red, and black. You can change the level by passing it through the log crystal. The color will change on its own after you know it. Also, the purchase amount this time is… 1,425,500 yen. 712,750 yen is charged to each card. The procedure is now complete. Yes, go now.”
My name and the number SGH2D17 are written on the card.
I got a player card, so I guess I’ll get a dorm room.
”Also, be careful about equipment theft. We don’t get involved in anything like that, so it’s your own responsibility. Also, bare tips don’t taste good, so go to the weapon shop and buy some sheaths.”
We stand up, and Lugia-san reminds us to be careful in a matter-of-fact tone. This person is really worried, huh?
Indeed, Higurashi’s spear might catch people eye. It’s a named weapon called “Avian Spear (Tori-sashi),” dropped by a mutated species of Owl Bear, the floor boss on the 3rd floor. It has a simple and sleek silhouette, despite its sturdy and rough appearance. The tip is thin and elongated like a triangular cone, sharp as a needle. It doesn’t even chip when thrust into a stone wall, and it doesn’t budge even when Higurashi puts her weight on it. It easily slips into the flesh of monsters, effortlessly penetrating all the way to the base. On the 4th floor, there were monsters covered in armor-like hard skin, similar to an armadillo, but the spear pierced through them like tofu.
”And then, um, um…”
”Thank you, Lugia-san. I’ll bring you more delicious food when I get it.”
”Thank you for everything, Lugia-san.”
”Oh, yeah. Well, take care then. I’ll be waiting for you to bring me a souvenir.”
After saying goodbye to Lugia-san and leaving the room, Lugia-san hurriedly opened the door and followed after me.
”That was close, really close. I almost forgot.”
Saying that, Higurashi handed me a small glass bottle.
”What’s this?”
”It’s a contraceptive potion. We’re giving it out for free to all the girls for their first time. It lasts for six months. If you get pregnant, you won’t be able to dive into the dungeon anymore. Make sure to drink it.”
”Got it.”
And so, we finally said goodbye to Lugia-san and left the teleportation facility.
On our way to the entrance hall, Higurashi approached me.
”Tsuchimiya-senpai, I’m going to do my own thing for a while from now on.”
”Starting now?”
I had a feeling it would happen, but it’s quite sudden.
”Yeah, there are things I want to do, so I’ll keep in touch regularly.”
Saying that, Higurashi shows me her smartphone. In this world, we can’t normally use the communication function of a smartphone, but Tina’s extension allows us to use it.
Actually, the smartphones were already brought into this world from a different school and have been analyzed. They are powered by a special magic circuit, so the battery is always full. It seems that they can even be used without a battery. They also have a defense barrier, so they are not affected by minor shocks.
Higurashi and I can use our smartphones for a fee of 30 each.
Even though we can use them, we can’t access the internet, and we can only communicate with each other’s devices. It would be troublesome if other students saw us making phone calls, so we decided to communicate through group chat in advance.
”I wonder if Tsuchimiya-senpai knows what he should do from now on?”
Higurashi looked at me seriously.
”Ah, I get it. I have to start training right away.”
”No, Tsuchimiya-senpai must meet Asagiri-san!”
Higurashi approached me with a strong tone.
”Huh? Even if I go to meet her, it would be bothersome for Asagiri, right?”
Although we became friends in the dungeon, it would be tough if she comes back here and acts cold towards me. We don’t really have a reason to meet anymore.
”That’s not true! You’re going to meet Asagiri-san no matter what! Until then, I won’t get close to Tsuchimiya-senpai!”
Higurashi said that and quickly left.
Hmm, this is a problem. It was okay in the dungeon because there were special circumstances, but now that I’m going to meet a pretty girl like Asagiri at school, I feel nervous. She must also be having a hard time adjusting here, and I don’t think our conversation will be very exciting. It feels difficult to meet her just to make her say thank you.
I’ll finish my own tasks first and then think about it calmly.
I completed the contract for a room in the boys’ dormitory at the reception in the entrance hall. There was a crystal about the size of a volleyball, and it displayed the amount of money. I inserted my player card into it with some skepticism, and the card smoothly slid into the crystal as if it were made of water.
The displayed amount became 0 yen, and the payment was completed. Even a kind option like “Do you want to display the balance?” appeared.
The remaining balance is 642,750 yen.
After checking the room, I decided to eat something at the cafeteria and buy necessary items.
I put the proof of entry contract in my pocket and headed to the boys’ dormitory.
Along the way, I took out my smartphone to check my status.
Actually, I can manage inventory, display an auto map, and appraise items with my smartphone. However, instead of the screen appearing in front of me like usual, the map and status are displayed on the smartphone screen.
Looking at my status, except for the title “Magic Spearman,” the skills and magic are all blank. When I check the details, they do exist, but they are in standby mode and shown as gray text. I clicked on them and set the title to “Warrior” and activated the Phoenix Temple Spear Technique (Hououin-ryu). I unknowingly ranked up from the introductory level to the beginner level in dungeon life.
Warrior’s title enhances my physical abilities, and I can feel the difference. Once I confirm it, return to standby mode. Tina created a dummy display screen to be cautious of being appraised, so it should not be noticeable unless something unexpected happens. It’s good to know that it can be used anytime. The defense power is quite strong with the Magic Spearman’s defense barrier +1, so there shouldn’t be any problems.
Now, I go through the entrance hall and head towards the back to reach the schoolyard. In the corner of the schoolyard, there is a small gate that leads to a long and narrow park with bushes and trees that obstruct the view.
This park, which cuts through the school grounds from north to south, seems to be owned by the city. There may have been some adult circumstances involved in securing the land.
There is a small gate between the fence, 30m (98ft) away from the park, and once I pass through it, I will see tennis courts on all sides and the clubhouse of the tennis club in front of you. On the left side, there is the boys’ dormitory, and on the right side, there is the girls’ dormitory.
I walked along a familiar path and headed towards the boys’ dormitory.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.