I returned to the surface and headed first to the dungeon’s general information building.
Inside this building are mainly basic facilities such as the magic stone exchange office and the equipment storage.
I went to the magic stone exchange counter, and handed over to the staff eight magic stones from the kobolds that I had obtained, and they gave me a receipt with a number.
Then, I waited for a bit.
It seems the evaluation is done, and instead of the magic stones I handed over, I received cash and a payment receipt.
“Sorry for the wait. We have deducted 10% of the purchase for the magic stones as withholding tax, so you will receive 2,880 yen.”
Two thousand yen bills and eight coins were placed in a tray and handed to me.
I put the money in my wallet, gave a small bow to the counter staff, and then left.
…It’s an inexplicably spicy sensation.
Usually, my part-time job pay is deposited in my account, so this was the first time I received cash earned by myself.
My cheeks naturally loosened.
“But, 2,880 yen…”
I muttered those words where the staff couldn’t hear me.
I had been in the dungeon for about four hours, and calculating it, it resulted in approximately 720 yen per hour.
Even considering my net salary, it’s not fair compensation for the risky work I did.
It seems like exploitation is everywhere.
But, I have hope for the future.
Although the exchange price of kobold magic stones on the first level is low, as you progress to deeper levels, the exchange price of the magic stones from the monsters lurking there increases.
I have expectations for what’s to come.
“Anyway, it’s time for lunch.”
Looking at the wall clock, it was around half past one in the afternoon.
I had missed lunchtime by a bit.
I left my spear at the equipment storage counter and exited the general information building.
By the way, the equipment storage is quite good.
Unless you deposit extremely valuable items or a massive amount of equipment, the storage fee is free.
It’s an advantage of publicly funded facilities.
I got on my bike and decided to head to a nearby ramen restaurant.
I visited this area quite frequently regardless of the dungeon, so I had some knowledge of the nearby establishments.
But at that moment, something unexpected happened.
“Hello!”
I heard a female voice coming from somewhere.
A voice unfamiliar to me.
I discreetly looked around, and my eyes met those of a young woman.
She was riding a bike at a distance, smiling kindly at me.
Her face was unknown to me.
She seemed to be around the same age as me, probably in her late teens or early twenties.
With black hair tied up in a ponytail, she was dressed in a hoodie, pants, and sneakers.
At first glance, both her facial features and proportions seemed quite adorable.
I thought she wasn’t talking to me, so I looked around, but aside from me, I didn’t see anyone who seemed to be her companion.
“It’s you, isn’t it?! Did you just come out of the dungeon’s general information building?”
The woman approached me and stopped her bike.
“Um… yes. I just came out of the general information building…”
“Great! Nice to meet you! I’m Kotachi Kazane. I started as a Seeker about a week ago, and when I saw you, a Seeker of the same age, I decided to muster the courage to talk to you. Wait, you are one, right?”
“Uh, yes, well… yes, I am…”
“…Did it bother you that I approached you, by any chance?”
“No, not at all…”
Confused by being suddenly approached by an unknown (very pretty) woman, I was stunned and stuttering.
Once again, I demonstrated my difficulty in communicating and my awkward introverted gestures. I had no talent for maintaining a smooth conversation in moments like this, and my mind couldn’t keep up with the unexpected.
Nevertheless, Kotachi Kazane didn’t seem to mind my awkwardness, approaching me in a friendly manner.
“Um, can I ask for your name, if you don’t mind?”
“Ah, uh… well… my name is Taichi Rokuyari.”
“Oh, what a cool name! Rokuyari-san, have you finished exploring the dungeon today?”
“No, I was thinking of going to eat ramen. There’s a restaurant nearby…”
“Is it lunchtime already? I haven’t eaten yet either. If it’s alright with you, can I join you?”
“Eh…? Oh, yes. If it’s okay with you, I don’t mind.”
“Great! I always wanted to talk to someone from the same guild.”
“I doubt I can be of much help…”
Facing the enthusiastic Kotachi, I could barely keep up with my responses.
She turned out to be a stronger opponent than any dungeon or monster…
