Chapter 4: Start of Dungeon Life

At first glance it looks like a warehouse.

White dust-proof cloths are everywhere, making me understand that people were here long ago. The walls and ceiling are made of concrete giving off artificial cold feel.

The floor is made with wooden flooring and it is a little old and full of scratches but it does not look rotten. There were four lighting stands in the room, warm reddish light were shining brightly, like the color of a light bulb.

Looking at the back, I can see something like a fireplace. I immediately look inside, but it seems that it is difficult to go outside because some iron grids were firmly set in the chimney part. However in the worst case, I may go outside from here. It may not be connected outside though as I cannot feel the wind.

Looking at the wall just to the left of the fireplace, there was a large mirror on it. Immediately after rushing over, I saw my own appearance. I really did become a young person.

My face looks younger and my body grown into a teenager. The slightly long black hair and the shallowly carved face invite nostalgia.

“I really did rejuvenate… exactly the same as before…”

As I confirmed myself, I am overflowed with joy, sadness and a little fear. I don’t know the reason, but I became younger. I might be able to start my life again. At the same time, the suspicion as to “why?” rises.

 “……..There may be a hint here.”

Randomly stripping off some white cloths, furniture and bookshelves appeared from underneath. Seeing the bookshelf, I pick up a book.

The book’s spine had letters that I can’t understand, and the title also had letters that I didn’t know of. A magic circle was drawn under the title, and it had a strangely smooth feel as if it was made of leather. Somehow, it’s an old book in which the word spellbook fits nicely.

When I flipped through the pages inside, I couldn’t read what was written with all of the unknown letters. Moreover, every page is closely spelled from top to bottom. It was even handwritten, which means that it was written by a considerable intellectual.

 “I can’t read it at all…. how about the other books…”

I put the book back on the shelf, then I picked up another book and I started reading in the same manner. As expected, I couldn’t read it, I can’t understand even a fragment. However, since magic circles appear like illustrations, I can barely judge that it is a book about magic.

Having stopped reading the book, I sit down on the sofa, making a creaking sound.

I give up. I have no idea if this is the world after death or not. Besides, I don’t even know what to do from now on…

I feel hungry when I think about such things.

“Is it about time to prepare my meal?”

As I check inside the room, I discovered something that look like a stove. A magic circle is engraved in the rectangular metal box. It looks like a stove, so I checked it out and found a button like thing in the corner of the box. When I pushed it, a fire came out of the magic circle. Undoubtedly, it’s a stove.

“Un, it looks like the fire is coming out of the magic circle, but is it really gas that’s coming from somewhere?”

For the time being, I tried to smell it. Of course it is odorless. Gases such as propane are known to be odorless because they have an artificial odor. Either way, I decided to turn off the fire and open the stove.

“………W-What is this?”

Inside the box, a stone that look like a red gem was installed. A metal claw firmly holds the fist-sized gem and there is nothing else around it.

There is only a stone.

When I turn over the cover on which the magic circle is drawn, something like a small mechanism is attached to it. I don’t understand the meaning of it.

“This thing doesn’t produce fire because of machines or gas. It might be better to think that it’s working magically.”

It’s unbelievable, but when I actually experience it like this, I can understand that magic exists. Or there may be another word for it in this world. It’s really interesting.

I put the stove back together then I immediately take out the saucepan and meat from the backpack. Unfortunately, I only have rock salt as seasoning, so I decided to put up with salt alone.

I cut the oak legs into slices with the knife and toss them into the saucepan. It would be nice to have a frying pan, but unfortunately I don’t have one. And I don’t feel like rummaging in this room.

My rejuvenated stomach rumbles actively and urges me to eat quickly.

 “Something like this is all right.”

I cooked it quite a bit just in case, but it looks like pork no matter how I look at it. I found few plates near the stove so I put the meat on it. I placed it on the table in front of the sofa, took out the fork from the backpack and put my hands together.

“Thanks for the food.”

Nervously, I put the meat in my mouth. After biting a bit, I confirmed that there was no poison while tasting the meat. It takes courage to eat something you don’t know.

I have eaten something close to garbage, but I can do that because of my trust in Japanese food. It’s the first time I’ve ever eaten one’s feet and I don’t even know what the creature is exactly.

“Un… this is delicious.”

As expected, it similar to pork. It’s very juicy with tender meat. Every time I chew, the juice overflows and the sweetness of the fat spreads in my mouth. Moreover, it is not greasy.

I know because I ate so much high class food until I get tired of it. This is high quality pork. I became so hungry that I devoured the meat. I was excited about the high-quality meat for the first time in several years.

 “Fu, I’m getting sleepy.”

I lay down on the sofa and decided to take a rest.

　◆◇◆

“Hmmmmm, is this the 20th floor?”

When I woke up, I immediately looked up another book. There are more than 200 books on the shelf. It’s a great source of information for anyone who doesn’t know anything. However, since the characters are unreadable, there is no choice but to judge from the illustrations.

And there is a book that caught my eye. Something like a map is drawn in detail inside, and letters are written in places.

Something popped in my mind –this should be the map of this dungeon.

The map is counted from the first page in order, and it is just twenty when counting to the current location. I was very grateful because this place was also written on the map.

However, the problem is not solved. Rather, I feel that the mystery has deepened. In the first place, I don’t even know if this is underground or if I’m inside a building like structure.

“I still need to check the other floors after all. But I can’t compete with monsters at the moment.”

I think things thru while walking around the room. I think frantically, but the answer is already out. All I have to do is to strengthen myself. Well, enough of that, the problem is how to get stronger.

“…Is there something in this room?”

When I explored the room, I noticed that there’s still something covered with white cloth. I immediately checked it out, many weapons appeared underneath.

A wide variety of weapons such as swords and spears are organized, leaning against each other. I swallowed raw saliva –that is because the weapons reflected a silver light, as if they were waiting to be used. It’s exactly a man’s romance.

When I pick up the sword, it is a little heavy. Training will be necessary to master it. I tried to touch the spear and axe, but I feel that it is unsuitable to me.

The most striking one is the cane. The cane is made of old wood, and it has a very distinctive style and I could feel pressure from it. It has an antique design that a hermit has.

I tried to pick it up in my hand, but I suddenly had a bad feeling and stopped. The cane itself wears something like heavy air, I was worried I would somehow be rejected.

“If anything, it might have been the personal belongings of the resident of this room.”

I mutter so and a good idea flashed.

“…Wait a minute. I have an appraisal skill. I may find the perfect one by examining these weapons.”

I immediately appraise the weapons.

【Appraisal Result: Mithril Sword】

【Appraisal Result: Mithril Spear】

【Appraisal Result: Mithril Axe】

【Appraisal Result: Mithril Hammer】

【Appraisal Result: Mithril Thin Sword】

【Appraisal Result: Old Wood bow】

【Appraisal Result: Mithril Hoe】

I stopped the appraisal.

They all have different designs, but they seem to be made of Mithril. It seems to be different when it comes to the bow, but the strings are strong, probably because it is known to be of good quality, I cannot pull it out. I can’t do this without training.

…I can’t say anything about the hoe.

Incidentally, I see the cane I saw previously then I used the appraisal.

【Appraisal Failure: ***】

“It’s no good. Maybe I can’t see it unless I raise the level of my appraisal skill.”

Holding the Mithril Sword, I start swinging it. After gaining my young body, I have a lot of physical strength. I have to do something or else I’ll become restless.

I shook the sword for about an hour, I was sweating and I fell to the floor.

“Hah… hah… this is awful… it looks like I still have a long way to go…”

When I stood up to bathe, I noticed that there was a lion-like statue near the entrance that was still open. Even if there is someone right in front of me, I can still be overlooked, it seems that they would just completely pass by the stone statue as usual.

As I approached it, there is a hole in the left eye side of the statue. I put my finger in and something like a button touched my finger. When I pushed it, a chain appeared at the entrance, after I pulled it up, the entrance closed completely.

“The resident who built this didn’t really want to be found.”

I smiled at the device. When I activated the device again, the entrance opened and I could see the water canal outside.

Probably because the former residents had been bathing too, I was able to borrow something like a tub and towel inside the room. I take off my clothes then I sit down in a shallow water canal and wash my body. There seems to be no soap here, so I have to rub my body with the towel.

But young body is really good. It feels good to soak in water. When I picked up the water with my hands, I noticed that it was slightly sparkling. Particles of light shine and spill out of my hands fantastically. I was moved and scooped up the water many times.

“The reason I don’t see monsters on this floor is may be in the water. I found a good place.”

I felt as if I had found a garbage dump in a hidden area. It’s my own secret place now. After all, it is wise to secure a living quarter here. It’s also great if I can talk to others.

I remembered Shige-san, and then I felt angry at the monster that killed him. I want to be strong enough to beat such monster. After I finished my bathe, I return to my room and take a rest because I suddenly felt a strong drowsiness.

When I woke up, I felt strange. That is because I felt a light vigor overflowing in my body. It was like I became a totally different person from before I fell asleep. My muscles are tight, and the difference was clear from my appearance. My muscles have increased overall.

That said, my physique remained the same, medium build and average height. Yet it looked like it’s been a month since I started training.

I was so surprised at the sudden change. I wondered what caused it, but at the moment I don’t know because there are too many unclear points. Nevertheless, I am dancing for joy as this is too amazing.

It would be wonderful if a body that was a result of months or years workout would grow in only a few days. It is better to continue training here and verify whether it is true.

“Well then, should I get ready?”

As I was surprised to see my muscles, I decided to prepare my luggage. I’m going to look at the lower floors. At the same time, exploration of this floor will also proceed.

After the preparations were completed, I go outside through the hidden room’s entrance. When I pressed the left eye of the lion near the water source, I pulled up the chain at the entrance and the room closed. I also need to find out if there is device like this in the dungeon.

I’m looking forward to it. I opened the map and I start walking towards the place with the stairs.

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