Touring the Imperial Capital (7)

Fool, as if a Dungeon Master would fight head-on.

No matter how firmly you plant your stance, it doesn't matter if the foundation flips over.

"Alright, I win."

"As expected of Kehma—so underhanded. No one beats you when it comes to dirty victories."

Rokuko smiled. Is that supposed to be a compliment? It probably is. Dirty and underhanded are compliments to Dungeon Masters, right?

"… My, my. Looks like you lost, Misha?"

"No, wait! That was cheating, wasn't it?!"

"The rule was you lose if you take even one step. Didn't you take more than one step? If anything, it would have been a splendid loss if you'd just stayed put. To begin with, it was your fault for not being wary of earth magic after hearing those rules. Fufu, calling yourself a resourceful general is laughable, isn't it, Misha?"

"Waaah…"

Misha cried, but Haku-san's judgment didn't waver.

"Now then, about Core Number 666. What do you want to know? I'll tell you what I can."

"First off, what type of Dungeon Core is Core Number 666?"

When I asked, Haku-san closed her eyes for a moment, as if trying to remember.

"Hmm, my memory is fuzzy since she uses humanization. At any rate, being from the Demon King faction, she's either inanimate-type or demon-type."

"Inanimate-type?"

"I have a Living Armor too, it's like that. There are also things like mimics."

So that's what it is. Then I should probably assume things like that will appear in the Dungeon Battle.

"Let's see, also—and this is information Rokuko-chan knows too—she has red hair and wields a blazing magic sword. And this time's victory condition, 'Destruction of the Dummy Core.' It was 666 who insisted on destruction rather than just touching."

"Oh right, that was the case. She definitely wants to smash and crush something."

"Hey Rokuko, there's some pretty important information there."

"Eh, that she wants to smash things?"

"No, the part about destruction."

Since she's the one who proposed it, there must be some hidden intention behind it.

Of course, that could be a feint… but even so, it has meaning.

At the very least, I can't win just by gathering rats for a suicide attack. Rats don't really have enough attack power.

"Hmm, I can't say any more about 666. In the first place, discussing the true form of a core that uses humanization is a breach of etiquette."

With that, Haku-san wrapped up the conversation.

I'd like to learn more about this etiquette stuff, but at least she told me the essentials.

"By the way, Kehma-san, that was a splendid [Create Golem]."

"Yes, [Create Golem] is my specialty."

I ended up showing one of my cards, but I'd originally planned to reveal this one.

It would be discovered immediately that I can add golems without using DP. In truth, while this skill is somewhat rare, it's not like there aren't adventurers who know it.

Moreover, since you can get it through DP, Haku-san as a Dungeon Core would obviously know about this skill.

"You can supplement your monster forces without using much DP if you have creation or summon-type skills… fufu, I haven't done it lately, but I used to rely on that method a lot in the past."

I knew it. There's no way Haku-san wouldn't have used such a cost-effective method.

Summon-type is a magic skill that calls monsters that exist somewhere in this world to serve you. Since it continuously consumes magical power while in use, it's not that convenient for dungeons, but pinpoint summoning something as a boss substitute is no problem. Also, the magical power consumption apparently changes based on the strength of the monster summoned.

"If there are any other creation or summon-type skills you'd recommend, please tell me."

"My, they're all in the DP Catalog, aren't they? I recommend all of them."

… Then it might be worth spending all of this 500,000 DP on those. Even if the dungeon gets confiscated, scrolls I've used on myself won't go to waste.

"By the way, [Summon Golem] is the upgraded version of [Create Golem]. If you master it, you can even summon Stone Golems and Iron Golems."

"That's good to know."

If I'm lucky, I might even be able to summon Mithril Golems or Orichalcum Golems. It might be a good idea to spot-use one as a dungeon boss if I can.

While I was thinking about that, Niku was asking Misha for more training.

"Misha-sama, I want to become stronger… Please."

"Sure thing. Beastkin and Werebeasts are like relatives after all. Let's get along, Kuroinu-chan."

Misha extended her hand. Niku nodded and shook hands with her.

And then, just like that, Misha punched Niku.

Niku was sent flying about 3 meters.

"Hyahaa! Some lowly dog doesn't need any fancy training! Besides, I don't go easy even on children in real combat! Letting your guard down on the battlefield is inexcusable!"

"Guh… I let my guard down…"

"Can you still stand? I'll hold back juuust enough not to seriously injure you, so get pummeled to your heart's content. Excellent adventurers are the guild's treasure after all. But I'm going to teach your soul that cats are superior to dogs!"

"Bring it… on…!"

So there's some kind of rivalry between dogs and cats in this world too. Misha enthusiastically trained Niku as if bullying her.

Whenever she got too injured, Haku-san healed her with [Healing], and Niku would get beaten up again.

This continued until evening.

Niku couldn't land a single hit on Misha the entire time.

"… Phew, not bad reactions for a dog. You show promise."

"Yes… thank you…"

Niku was sprawled out flat on the ground. Good work. Seriously, good work. Tonight's dinner will be all-you-can-eat hamburgers, Niku's favorite.

Meanwhile, Rokuko had fallen asleep on Haku-san's lap partway through. Must be nice. Well, that's Rokuko-exclusive though.

"… Ah, is it over?"

"Oh? You woke up. They just finished, Rokuko-chan."

"… Ah, s-sorry, Haku-neesama, drool—! [Purify]—"

"Fufu, I don't mind."

By the way, apparently Misha can fight for seven days straight without rest.

Fighting a whole week without sleep — she's not human… Ah, she's a Werecat.

… I'm tired just from watching. When we get back, I'll use Niku as a hug pillow and sleep.