Ordinary Person × Modern Dungeon × Summer Vacation Life = Rise to Success!? 〜A Private Dungeon Was Made at the Remains of a Secret Base From Childhood〜 - Episode 40: 2nd Private Dungeon Investigation ①

Episode 40: 2nd Private Dungeon Investigation ①

The day after the hearing survey about the Ota Dungeon…

The four of us—members of the secret base—were once again gathered in front of the private dungeon.

“Ugh… It’s embarrassing that we left with such a sentimental mood yesterday…”

Shi-chan was fidgeting awkwardly.

“Eh, it’s fine! I’m happy to see you again, Shi-chan!”

Otama-chan looked like she was having fun.

“I-I’m… happy too…”

Manamin also seemed glad.

Manamin treats Shi-chan differently than she does me or Otama-chan… Was she always like that?

…Well, whatever.

“Alright, today we’re all exploring the inside of the private dungeon.”

—The reason the four of us were able to gather like this was due to a few coincidences overlapping.

One—

When the four of us entered the private dungeon yesterday, the dungeon expanded and a Japanese-style house area appeared.

Two—

When we reported the changes in the private dungeon along with the hearing to the Tochigi Prefecture Explorers’ Association, Otama-chan immediately received instructions for an on-site investigation.

Three—

When Shi-chan reported the current state of the private dungeon to her superior in the government,

 “That secret base might have been expanded for your sake, right? Since it’s a good opportunity, why don’t you accompany the Association’s investigation? It might be beneficial for you. It can also serve as a means to investigate Natsume-kun.”

—was what she was told.

And lastly—

Manamin wasn’t even called. She just casually showed up.

“Shi-chan, doing this two days in a row must be tough.”

Even though southern Tochigi is relatively close to Tokyo, it’s about 90 km away.

Just the one-way drive must be tiring.

“Tomorrow’s a weekday too, so do you have to go back again today?”

Shi-chan smiled slightly.

“Yeah. I do have to go back. But today I can head straight home. So I can relax a little bit.”

“Eh, then let’s all go for dinner tonight! We’ve got a lot to catch up on!”

Otama-chan tried to jump on Shi-chan. But Manamin pulled her off.

“Geez, Tamatama, you’re so inconsiderate. She said only a little bit, right? She’s got work tomorrow, so let her go home early. Have you even ever really worked?”

“I-I don’t want to hear that from you, Manamin!”

“Fufu…”

Shi-chan laughed happily.

“Sorry, Tama-chan. I’ll come again on a day off next time.”

“Okay! I’ll be looking forward to it! Yay!”

Otama-chan hugged Shi-chan.

Yeah, everyone’s still close as always.

I’m happy too. And more than anything, it’s comforting.

“Alright, let’s get going. Otama-chan, I’m counting on you.”

“Okay! Now, we’ll begin the on-site investigation of the Type-5 dungeon!”

With Otama-chan’s declaration from the Tochigi Prefecture Explorers’ Association, the door to the private dungeon was opened.

*Miin miin miin miin…* (Cicadas buzzing)

When the door opened, a countryside landscape and blue sky spread out.

“No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing…”

Shi-chan looked around curiously.

“A region-reflecting floor… It should probably be considered a type of local specialty floor.”

Manamin was saying something similar to what Yamada-san from the Explorers’ Association said.

Otama-chan looked at Manamin.

“Seriously, Manamin, you really shouldn’t be here. Even if you say you have a [Green] license, what would you do if a monster shows up? It’s dangerous.”

“Tamatama… Are you trying to leave me out? That’s the worst.”

“Th-that’s not what I mean! I’m saying there *might* be danger!”

“It’ll be fine. This is the first floor. And more importantly, we have Ko-chin who defeated a Dragon. Besides, by law, you can’t restrict my actions.”

“But…”

I placed my hand on Otama-chan’s shoulder.

“Since we’re all here, can’t we go together? That house might have appeared for Manamin and Shi-chan.”

There might be something meant for the two of them.

“Hmm, well, I don’t think any monsters will show up…”

“However, how about this—Manamin has to stay at the very back and is not allowed to go ahead on her own?”

“Muu… If that’s the rule, then I guess it’s okay… Kou-chan, you’re too soft…”

“Fufu, Tama-chan. If anything happens, I’ll fight too. Okay?”

“Well, if Shi-chan says so…”

“I guess I’ll put up with that much.”

Alright, it’s settled.

“Then, let’s go again. Our target is that wooden house. Let’s investigate the current state!”

“Yeah!”

Everyone raised a hand in response.

They’ve got good spirit.

Even Manamin joined in, which was unexpected.

Maybe she did it for Shi-chan’s sake.

As I was thinking about that—

*Ping!*

A voice echoed in my head.

[Achievement: ”Inside a dungeon, a party of 4 or more adopts a common goal proposed by someone with the skill [Child’s Heart]” has been achieved. Skill [Bond of Friendship] acquired.]

“Ah…”

“W-What’s wrong, Kou-chan…?”

“I got a new skill…”

“Huh?”

“Eh!? Natsume-kun! Really!?”

“…Yeah.”

I opened my status screen and checked the newly acquired skill.

Name: Natsume Koichi

Level: 32

Experience: 1155/3169

HP: 301

MP: 129

Attack: 138 (Bonus +23)

Defense: 114 (Bonus +13)

Speed: 189 (Bonus +17)

Wisdom: 86 (Bonus +2)

Skills: [Child’s Heart], [Enhanced Item Drop], [Water Resistance (Small)], [Sleep Immunity], [Water Walking], [Slash Boost (Small)], [Butterfly Dance], [Alertness], [Poison Absorption], 

[Bond of Friendship]

Special Ability: Magical Creature Encyclopedia, Swarm Attack, Magical Creature Capture Net (Lv.1), Bug Sumo (Stag Beetle), Support, Wormhole, Thread (Lv 1)

“Whoa, Ko-chin… I mean, Dad, you’re super strong…”

“I’m not your dad. And stop correcting yourself.”

Getting a new skill is nice, but…

“This new one, [Bond of Friendship]—does anyone know how it works?”

Like the previously learned [Enhanced Item Drop], it’s a skill that’s unclear from the name alone.

(Note: Dude……… WHAT. is so unclear. about the NAME.. “Enhanced Item Drop”?!)

It seems hard to guess the effect too.

“Sorry, I’ve never heard of it.”

“Me neither.”

“I *think* I know quite a lot, but this one…”

“I see…”

It probably doesn’t have any negative effects. So for now, I’ll just keep an eye on it.

“Natsume-kun, why did you suddenly gain a new skill?”

“Well, it wasn’t sudden. Apparently, I fulfilled a condition—having a party of four or more with the [Child’s Heart] skill and proposing a shared goal.”

“An achievement…”

“I see…”

Shi-chan and Manamin seemed to have something in mind.

“Did you figure something out?”

“Well, it’s just a guess…”

“It’s probably the same kind of trigger as when Tamatama got [Rental], right?”

“Eh? Eh? I didn’t do anything though?”

“Tamatama, just listen for now. Shi-chan, please.”

“Ah… okay.”

Shi-chan prefaced with “I’m not sure if I’m right, but…” and then said:

“Probably, the skill Natsume-kun gained is a support-type skill for party members. Judging by the condition, it’s a skill meant to help us right now.”

“Yeah. I don’t know the details, but I’m sure it’s a skill useful for achieving goals together.”

“I see…”

I don’t know the exact effect, but I’m kind of happy.

“Kou-chan, shall we head out now?”

Otama-chan smiled beside me.

“…Yeah.”

I looked at the newly expanded area of the private dungeon.

“Let’s go once more. Time to explore the new area.”