“That’s taking a while…”
I, along with Helen, rode the automatic elevator to the underground dungeon at the East A Adventurer Guild. To clarify, Helen is a slave and considered personal property, so she’s not counted as a person. As an A-rank adventurer myself, I was able to enter Area A with Helen without any issues.
(Speaking of which, Mohit-san wasn’t here today.)
I wanted to know if I had seen Korome, but the information is confusing. There’s information about hunting Golden Badgers in Area B. And there’s information about Mohit-san heading underground in Area A. Of course, there’s a time lag in information from information brokers; it’s possible he was in Area B yesterday and Area A today, but she’s someone difficult to track. However, it’s a big help that her inn is identified.
“Ah! Speaking of which, Helen, the Fairy Ring!”
“Nina-san gave it to us when we split into two parties.”
“That’s a relief. I always gave it to you when we descended on the magic elevator, so I thought it was with you.”
As expected, she’s thorough about such things.
“The woman hero might be there where we descend, but stay calm.”
“…Yes.”
“You sound unsure. I’ll handle it.”
While we were talking, we arrived at the 180th floor underground.
“Wow, it’s well-built.”
The area we landed in was inside a proper cave. Guards were diligently protecting the entrance, and there was even a medical room and a resting area. A person who looked like a cleric, wearing guild clothes, was casting Heal on returning adventurers.
“Huh? Mohit-san, were you with them?”
“Ou! Just giving some guidance to an A-class party.”
“You’re energetic. Ah! Um, have you seen *that* person?”
I hope that gets through to him properly.
“Haven’t seen her today. Of course, I wouldn’t know if she came before I descended.”
“Thank you!”
Just as we were about to head outside, Helen summoned six succubi. They are still in training, so they were summoned from the rift of space rather than created from magic stones.
“Ho, quite magnificent succubi.”
“Mohit-san, are you complimenting them?”
“It’s quite impressive to have so many different types.”
After such a conversation, we headed outside. It seems that pair hunting is quite difficult in this area. Mohit-san earlier was in a party of seven, and even they looked like they were struggling.
“Alright, it’s time for our party of eight to show their skills!”
Although, six of them are succubi. Thus, we began hunting Helmonkeys and Deep Maws like crazy. Basically, the five succubi in the vanguard were doing most of the fighting. Apart from Helen whipping the Dragonfly, an insect-type monster that swooped in, my role and that of the white Holy Succubus was to provide thorough care with healing magic.
(Ah, this might be surprisingly easy.)
Getting carried away, I took out my trusty partner, the Pride Sword, which had returned from maintenance, and decided to test its edge.
(I got it back from Nina-san at the information broker.)
I don’t know if it was right after I was kidnapped by the Dwarf Princess yesterday or this morning, but it seems Nina-san took it along with the Berserk Sword after I had lent it for maintenance.
“Alright, I’m going to cut down that Three-Piece Skunk!”
It’s a dangerous monster that can put you to sleep with its smell, but it’s fine if I go first. In this manner, we continued hunting relentlessly from the 180th to the 190th floor, enjoying the attacks of the succubi enhanced by my special ability. We spent time that could truly be called “Succubus Onslaught” until, before I knew it, it was probably sometime past noon.
“Helen, this is serious! I’m hungry.”
“…Understood. Let’s head back.”
“Still, the succubi’s movements are incredibly sharp.”
Is it because of my special ability that enhances them? Or is it because my ability is doubling for Helen, or doubling for the succubi, or both?
“…Thanks to you, we’ve gathered a lot of magic stones.”
“There were a lot of earth attribute ones, so let’s sell the surplus.”
“It’s better to keep the wind attribute ones, even if there are many.”
We returned to the cave, navigating the sudden underground canyon, and were checked by the guards. After showing my Adventurer Card, I asked something that was on my mind.
“Ah, guard-san, for example, if a party that can only enter up to Area B comes here, and they can’t hunt anymore and want to go back to the surface, what happens?”
“In that case, we escort them back to the surface with a guard and take them to the gate.”
“I see. So they don’t just tell them to ‘Go back to the Dungeon! Get lost!'”
That’s considerate. Given that lives are on the line, it’s natural. And I heard something good! After a sigh of relief, I boarded the magic elevator.
“Helen, I have something I want to try with this.”
“…What is it?”
“Let’s go to the S-class elevator within the dungeon and have them send us back up.”
Yes, this way I can legally enter Area S!
“…Understood. If it will help us find clues.”
“There’s a non-zero chance of being promoted to S-class, you know.”
(What will it be like? I’m excited. Brothels in Area S!!)
When we returned to the fifth floor of the Adventurer Guild, Mohit was slumped on the sofa, exhausted. It seems he’d been pushing himself all day, but he was watching to see if the woman hero would come for me, so I gave him Komomo.
(If I give too much, it runs out surprisingly quickly, so just one.)
At the reception, I handed over a considerable amount of earth-attribute magic stones. And from the diligent, mature receptionist, I received more good news.
“Congratulations, Helen has leveled up to fifty-two.”
“…Amazing, truly amazing!”
“After hunting that much, we should get her to fifty-five quickly.”
The receptionist for Area S, Granny Marina, beyond the reception desk, was fast asleep. I almost gave up on giving her Komomo because she wouldn’t respond when I called out to her, but Grandpa Mohit said, “Give it to me, I’ll pass it on,” so I gave him one.
(The moment I got on the magic elevator, it seemed to have pounced on it.)
Then, from the first floor, we went outside. We peeked into the high-class restaurant rumored to be frequented by where Korome often goes, but she wasn’t there. We then passed by a brothel. Wow, I just noticed it’s open twenty-four hours. Amazing.
“May I help you?”
I was addressed by a beautiful older sister, different from before. Perhaps a hostess outside the establishment? Yes, the elegant type.
“No, I was just thinking it’s quite a lovely brothel.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re not a slave?”
“No, we don’t have any slaves here at ‘Temptation Lips’ in Area A.”
“Oh, so you pursue this purely as a profession, then?”
They look expensive.
“We also offer out-calls.”
“You come to the inn?”
“Yes, even to other areas or dungeons.”
“Dungeons? You mean… in dungeons?”
“We occasionally join parties and engage in combat. We do charge hazard pay, though.”
Huh? They do that too? Come to think of it, at the brothel in Area B, it seemed like a former adventurer slave was working as a prostitute. I see, so there’s that kind of use for them too. It’s quite interesting.
“You too, older sister?”
“Yes, I’m a Magician.”
She casually showed me a staff from her Item Bag.
“Ah, by any chance, is the Female Hero here?”
“No way.”
“Right?”
We exchanged useful information and parted ways, with the promise of returning another time.
(So the first older sister I met before was also a back-row type then?)
That makes me even more excited about the prostitutes in Area S.
“…Master, that expression.”
“No, no! I’m not going to have sex! I was just imagining!”
“…Brothel addict (mutter).”
Um, how do you tighten the Collar of Sub…??
