Chapter 45
The Future Daily Life
of a Loner Hunter
The surprise and panic of a chain wrapping around my arm, and a
mysterious excitement came and went in an instant, and then the very next
moment. The chain wrapped around my left arm easily broke and fell off with
just a slight twist of my arm.
「O-Ooh? Ah,
so that's how it is!」
That's right, I'm a Stray Bandit. Binding me is probably not an
easy thing to do. I want to complain a lot about having become a bandit, but it
seems the Class Skill I obtained, 『Restraint Destruction』, is stronger than I imagined.
Something like the restraints used by small fry monsters can apparently be
destroyed without much force.
「That was
close~.」
That chain tangled up my left arm, trying to seal my movements. I wonder
if it was an unexpected team play schemed by brainless skeletons. As if to
prove that unexpectedness, a bow and arrow were shot with good timing.
Normally, they intended to attack with a bow and arrow where my movements were
sealed by the chain, and further attack with katanas and spears. The Skeleton-kuns
have already started moving.
「You guys are
pretty good, huh.」
As expected of monsters on the Seventeenth Floor. Their movements
are good. But, at the point I destroyed the chain, I had already stepped
diagonally backward. Thanks to that, the arrows missed, and the spears thrust
at empty air. Even as a skeleton with a readied katana approached, the thrown
axe had already returned to my left hand. Toward the approaching skeleton, I
throw the axe again. While throwing, I move at the same time!
I maneuver to use the Skeleton-kuns standing lined up as a shield
against the arrows. I swing my hammer while being mindful of my positioning,
and the axe that returns to my raised left hand is thrown again the moment it
returns. It's an incredibly convenient weapon.
The hammer in my right hand is a certain kill, turning enemies into
light with a single blow regardless of their armor or defensive posture.
Because my control of the thrown axe is bad, it doesn't fly where I aim, but I
quickly realized that I can guide its returning trajectory depending on my
position. By doing that, I can hit Skeleton-kuns on its trajectory as it
comes back. If it were an enemy with high defense, I probably couldn't defeat
it in one hit, but against calcium-deficient Skeleton-kuns, I can beat
them without a problem.
It feels like I can defeat them all just pushing through with brute
force like this. But, I've decided not to do that. Separate from acquiring
magic stones and experience points, I want to enhance my own combat abilities.
The effect of the Ring of Seoritsuhime worn on my left finger is the
improvement of combat techniques.
Thanks to the assist from my equipment, I think the amateur me has been
able to exterminate monsters without any hindrances. My goal is to become able
to fight even without this equipment's assist. I will make the ring's effect my
own.
「Don't just
do it vaguely! Look at the enemy! Think and moooove!」
Predict the attack from the monster's initial movement, instantaneously
choose whether to evade, defend, or repel with an attack, and shift into
action. Because I'm consciously thinking about doing things I was previously
doing properly without thinking, I completely can't do it like usual. My
movements are clearly clumsy, and I normally make mistakes in the choices I
should pick.
What the heck, I really am weak, huh.
I've completely been getting by thanks to my equipment and skills. Both
are mine, but there's no way the current me is mastering them. In other words,
even if my numerical level doesn't go up, I have room to become much, much
stronger.
Because it's an 『Ultra Hard Mode』 where the required experience points for the next
level exceed 1 million as if it's natural, after all. If I don't put in the
effort, I'll get stuck somewhere. In order to get a transcendentally cool and
amazing Class, I will do my best!
To get used to using skills too, I finished my first battle on the Seventeenth
Floor while interweaving 『Rock-hard Armor』 and 『Twinkling Hammer』. What was
left behind were 9 high-quality magic stones. Just one of these should be a
decent price. Maybe 30,000 yen or so? After fighting a little more, I guess
I'll head back from the transfer circle on the Fifteenth Floor.
A fired-up labor brings an equally intense exhaustion. In front of the
transfer circle on the Fifteenth Floor, I purged all my equipment while
feeling true freedom again, and tossed them into my Dimensional Pouch. And then
it's time to change into my British young lady-style clothes.
The white ribbon blouses I bought 5 of might look the same, but
actually, the volume of the ribbons or the shape of the cuffs are different, or
they might be slightly different shades of whitish colors. The jumper skirts
are the same, with not only the colors but the fine details differing. For me,
I didn't really care much, but it seems that's where the fastidiousness of the
professional who chose them for me lies.
From among the various things I bought, like socks, stockings, lolita
shoes, and even hats, I just picked randomly and put them on. The professional
gave their stamp of approval that even a random combination is fine, so there's
no worry. I can walk with my arms swinging freely even in a fashionable town.
Probably, from a fashion professional's point of view, they'd want to butt in
about the color and shape of the Dimensional Pouch too, but I don't have that
much fashion sense. I'll just use the white pouch I always normally use.
「Aaaah, I'm
tired~, I'm hungry~, I wanna take a bath~.」
Once I'm ready to return, I quickly hop into the transfer circle!
Returning to the surface in a flash, even though it's already near 9:00 PM,
there are still a ton of Dungeon Hunters here, aren't there. Hurry up
and go home to rest already, good grief. How bothersome.
After just finishing my return registration, I hastily left the Kagurazaka
Dungeon. Rather than hastily, I practically ran out. Because I felt the
presence of someone about to talk to me!
I don't know what their business is, but I don't want strangers to
casually talk to me! Even after stepping outside from the Dungeon
Administration, my dashing movement continues. Even if I'm tired or out of
the Dungeon, I still have power to spare.
「Come to
think of it, what time is the hotel restaurant open until?」
I feel like they probably don't run a late-night service. I guess I'll
eat before heading back. Veering one street off the path heading straight to
the hotel, I enter a crowded street, which I kinda hate. Then, right there, was
a familiar signboard!
「Nice, it
really has to be this. A beef bowl, right.」
Despite it being my first time visiting the Kagurazaka branch,
there was a sense of relief as if I had returned to my own home. I finished
ordering in an extremely relaxed mood, and began stuffing the luxurious greedy
set into my stomach. Besides, the me today is different from yesterday. I
stretch my back straight, keep my knees together, and sit properly. Eating
elegantly, fitting for my outfit. Fufufu, fitting for the conclusion of a
perfect day.
However. My perfect end to the day was actually yet to come. While
taking a walk to digest my food and strolling down an unfamiliar street, you
know? Lo and behold, there was an oasis I never would have expected to exist in
the fashionable town of Kagurazaka.
「Are you
kidding me, there's a public bathhouse.」
Moreover, it was a good old traditional architecture-style public
bathhouse. Not some weird, pretentiously stylish one, but a traditional style
public bath. The storefront is different from those weak, half-assed ones. Just
by looking at it, the spirit is different.
I have no choice but to go. Because there is a pleasure there that can absolutely never be obtained in a cramped hotel room bathtub. Once again, into this place I was supposedly visiting for the first time, I was sucked in with the feeling of returning to my own home.