Chapter 12

Episode 12: Even Beautiful Girls Need Money to Live

Hello! I’m Kei, a registered dungeon rescuer!

I prioritize helping girls! Nice to meet you!

So, today is the third day since I started dungeon rescues.

At first, I was worried if someone like me, a pretend explorer, could actually help other explorers.

However, that worry was unfounded.

Since obtaining the Star Reader’s Staff, I’ve been in good form. Scythe… no, staff? I don’t know.

“――Kei, I’ve visually confirmed the rescue target and the dungeon master. Align with them.”

“Yes.”

Nodding in response to Mizuki Senpai’s words.

To be honest, Mizuki Senpai, who is assisting me with rescues, is incredibly strong.

She didn’t appear in the original story—why is she this powerful? She mentioned her rank as B, so her skills are undoubtedly top-notch.

Mizuki Senpai points her twin pistols at the dungeon boss.

From the two gun barrels aimed at the monster shaped like an incomplete dragon, flames and water are unleashed.

They are released in bullet-like shapes towards the dragon.

The dragon notices it, but there aren’t many things one can respond to once bullets have been fired.

Furthermore, those bullets are decoys.

“I’m going!”

I charge forward.

Simultaneously, the bullets converge in front of the dragon, generating steam around the area.

Its vision must now be completely covered in white.

I leap into that cloud of steam.

With my enhanced dynamic vision from the red bracelet, dodging the wildly swinging tail that blocks my view is easy.

As soon as the tail passes by me, I slash it with my dagger.

That concludes my job.

“Mizuki Senpai!”

“Yeah.”

By the time the steam clears and we can see our surroundings again, the dragon has already collapsed on the ground, paralyzed.

Mizuki Senpai aims her pistol at the fallen dragon.

“Hmm, looks like there’s a core and some magic stones too… shall I wash them off with water?”

Lowering one of her guns, she mutters this.

Soon after, water bullets are fired from the gun she still holds.

What should be described as rain, these water bullets rapidly strip away all the flesh from the dragon, leaving only its core and a few magic stones behind.

Mizuki Senpai nods, confirming the enemy’s death.

“It’s over. Good work, Kei.”

Just one minute after engaging with the dungeon master.

This is the entirety of our current rescue operation, Mizuki Senpai and I.

Or rather, Mizuki Senpai is just too monstrous. No wonder she could single-handedly handle dungeon rescues and become Factom General Academy’s top earner.

I just utilize paralysis and enhanced dynamic vision to slice up the boss.

Lacking firepower, Mizuki Senpai simply selects the appropriate gun from behind and shoots.

Mizuki Senpai wields twin pistols.

Moreover, her abilities allow her to handle water and fire bullets. Simple yet absurdly powerful.

“Good job, Mizuki Senpai.”

“Yeah… Sorry for the wait. I’ve come for a dungeon rescue. I’m Teruue Mizuki from Factom General Academy.”

Mizuki Senpai helps up the student who had collapsed in front of the dragon.

The student exhales, relief evident on their face, finally able to relax.

“Thank you so much! The dungeon level was higher than expected…”

“Thank goodness you’re safe. Now, let’s discuss the rescue compensation.”

Mizuki Senpai and the rescued student begin their discussion.

While the standard rate isn’t clearly defined, if there are magic stones, they are handed over. If not, cash or something of equivalent value is given instead.

The core that forms the dungeon itself is rarely offered as compensation.

Even without considering that, Mizuki Senpai has never requested a core.

Apparently, “An already unknown academy offering a high-value reward like a core would discourage further rescue requests.”

Indeed, people wouldn’t offer cores as rewards to an unknown academy whose strength is uncertain.

“Kei, negotiations are done. Let’s head back.”

“Ah, yes.”

Negotiations are entirely left to her.

I don’t really know much about that side of things.

The rescued student seems to have already exited the dungeon, so we leave as well.

“By the way, what was the reward?”

“We received all the magic stones that appeared. It was ten times the amount we requested. Very generous.”

“Huh, they’re pretty generous.”

“It was a high-rank dungeon. Just bringing back the core alone is considered more than sufficient results.”

Dungeon difficulties range from E to A.

Generally, C is around the difficulty line for regular explorers, while B requires synergy or A-rank explorers.

And A-rank dungeons need S-rank explorers to even be permitted entry—they’re devilishly difficult.

Just saying, there are no S-rank dungeons. If there were, the world would easily end.

…Well, one does appear later in the original story! And it’s ridiculously dangerous!

Incidentally, my target TS Dungeon is B-rank.

It was rated B due to its uniqueness, but its actual difficulty is much lower. Well, that’s excluding the downside of turning myself into a girl.

For me, though, that’s an advantage.

“Today, let’s buy some meat on the way home, Kei.”

“Yes! By the way, I saw a flyer advertising a meat sale at the supermarket in the central district!”

“What!? Really?”

Mizuki Senpai is more serious during moments like this than when dealing with dungeons.

After leaving the dungeon, we make our way back.

Dungeons appear in the designated Dungeon Special Zone within this academy city of Hinotuchi.

This is because the Apis Council used an incredible machine to impose rules and directionality on dungeons that randomly appeared in Japan.

Thanks to this, even though we’re near the center of the city, craters are scattered everywhere, along with remnants of buildings and massive trees with exposed roots.

This is mainly due to the fights between academies over dungeon exploration rights. What’s happening to the security here?

“…Kei, thanks. You’ve made things much easier for me.”

“Not this again? I’ve heard enough. All I do is rush in and stab with my dagger. You’re the one delivering the finishing blow, Mizuki Senpai.”

“You’re hitting stationary targets. Until now, I had to handle both student rescues and combat simultaneously. Crushing the boss right at the start was impossible.”

Mizuki Senpai sighs deeply as she speaks.

“Miroku can’t leave the academy much since she’s the student council president, and Toa is timid. Besides, her armament isn’t suited for rescues.”

Her words remind me of Toa-chan’s weaponry.

Holding a colossal cannon nearly twice her height, she’s definitely not cut out for saving others.

“I’m glad you came to our academy.”

“I’m glad to be of use.”

“Yeah, and there’s one thing I want to ask.”

“Yes?”

“Is the uniform size correct?”

Mizuki Senpai pointed at my jacket.

Actually, it’s wrong.

I intentionally chose a size larger to hide the red bracelet that inexplicably appears on my left wrist. Because of this, I’m stuck wearing this outfit even in summer.

Star Reader’s Staff, could you tone it down a bit and consider my situation…

“Does it seem okay? I don’t have any issues.”

“Really? Then that’s fine.”

She seemed like she wanted to say something more, but Mizuki Senpai stopped questioning after apparently accepting it.

After that, we spent about five minutes talking about meat when Mizuki Senpai’s Dive Gear sounded an incoming call.

“Hm? Senpai, did it ring?”

“Yeah, this is… a rescue request?”

Mizuki Senpai opened a window, revealing a map.

No, it wasn’t just that.

“Great, I got through! Teruue Mizuki-san, we have an urgent dungeon rescue request for you!”

Complete with the operator’s frantic voice.