Author: Yume Neiji

I was shocked by the fact that this is a different world, I look like this but I’m a former President. I do have a good reputation for my quick recovery. Well, there are times when I want to die especially when I reached my limit, but, recalling the time when I got divorced and got robbed of my child is not that of a big deal for me.

By the way, I don’t really understand why I got divorced. It happened a short time after my wife suddenly changed her attitude and expressed that she wanted a divorce. My son was about five years old at that time while I was in my early thirties.

I detained my wife, but she ultimately took our child away. At that time, I felt more anger than sadness and I tried to take legal actions but I couldn’t find my wife and son. Even when I contacted my wife’s parent’s house, they told me that there was no such daughter in their house, and it come to a point where I don’t know what I was doing.

I filed a search request for my wife and son, I even hired a detective but I could not find any information. Even the traces of being in the same university had disappeared, I had no choice but to be at a loss.

Who was my wife? Where and what is our son doing now?

I don’t know. I just don’t understand.

“I couldn’t go home at that time, I wonder if I was hated because of that…”

I muttered as I changed my mood. Even if I recalled the past, I can’t do anything about it. Besides, I’m reborn now. I should live a new life.

I then packed the items I collected in my rucksack and carried it on my back at once. Since I could not fit them all in my rucksack, I borrowed a usable rucksack but I guess it’s a bit overkill to carry all three.

In addition to that, there’s also the tiger meat. I wrapped the meat in the leaves of a banana like tree (quite larger than that) which grew in the miniature garden.

“Ughh… Heavy…”

There’s a considerable weight on my back. Still, I walked without throwing away anything. Then a problem emerged, I don’t know where the exit is. I have confirmed that the entrance is closed and will not open anymore.

“What should I do…?”

Looking at the wall of the room, I found that there’s a large triangle engraved on it. Below that, I can see something like a rectangular hidden door. The surrounding wall and the hidden door are subtly different in color.

When I pushed it, the hidden door opens with a loud noise. What a mechanism! The thick wall opens up with just a little force. I passed through quickly and I can now see the water canal. I immediately understood that I’m now outside the room. When I let go of the door I was pushing, it closed with that same loud noise.

It’s fascinating because it doesn’t look like there is a hidden door when it is viewed from the outside. I tried pushing the closed door but I couldn’t open it from the outside. It seems like I can only enter from the other hidden door.

I reached for the wall where the large room is, I hope the dead can sleep peacefully. Carrying the heavy luggage on my back, I finally arrived at the hideout, I then slumped to the floor.

“I’m dead tired.”

While saying so, I get up and start preparing my meal. I’m the only one here, so I have no time to rest.

“Today as well, orc’s meat is fine.”

I removed the meat from the box next to the stove. This wooden box was originally in this room, I decided to use it as food storage. It’s convenient because it comes with a lid to block odor.

“Ah right, I found a frying pan at the disposal site.”

I took out the frying pan from the rucksack and placed it on the stove. I then added some water to boil in the pot next to it. It’s great that this stove has two burners.

When the meat was placed on the hot frying pan, a fragrant aroma filled the area. I also made soup while putting up with my hunger. Well, I only added some chopped vegetables and seasoned it with salt and pepper. When the food was cooked, I put it on the table and start eating.

“Mmm! Delicious!”

I agree that hunger is the best seasoning, whatever you eat is delicious. After I finished eating the steak and soup, I gulped some water and then I lay down on the sofa.

“Oops, I haven’t done my sword practice yet.”

I grabbed the sword and just like an after meal exercise, I start practicing some swings and foot-handling for about an hour. When I was a student, I had a kendo lesson so I based it on that. Recalling today’s battle with the tiger, I can see that it cannot cope with my kendo movements. So I decided to aim for Shinichi Tanaka’s swordsmanship, which is a mixture of kendo.

The higher the goal, the better.

After the training, I bathe in the water canal. I was once again assaulted with strong sleepiness so I decided to sleep on the sofa.

　◆◇◆

When I wake up, my body feels light. I immediately took off my clothes and went in front of the mirror, once again, I turned to a different person from before I slept.

Blood vessels stand out in the firm muscles from my shoulder to the arms. My chest has enlarged and my abdominal muscles were in perfect proportion. Ultimately, my physique has change, but it is hard to say that it is normal.

My strength is getting better and better, I could now easily hold the three rucksacks I had left alone. Holding the sword is now as light as holding a knife. That’s not all. Perhaps my eyesight has improved too, the room has become even brighter, and my mind is now clearer than ever before.

I sat down on the sofa and held my stomach as I laughed heartily.

“Ahahahahahahahaha! What is this! Isn’t this amazing!”

I can’t stop laughing. I am not good at exercising after all, if anything, I am the type that does not have muscle easily. I was never born to have this much muscle, and I have never achieved physical remodeling in such a short period of time.

This growth rate is absurd. I wonder who won’t be dumbfounded by this.

“Ah- I laughed so hard. My stomach still hurts.”

I get up from the sofa and start exercising. The muscle training that was so painful when I was a student can be done easily now. It’s such a pleasant feeling. This way, I could trust my muscles.

“Now then, this should be enough for muscle training, should I sort out the luggage?”

As I separate the harvest from each rucksack, I noticed something.

Where did the resident of this hideout store their food and daily necessities by the way?

That is not all. There are no toilet or bed in this room.

“Did they do their business in the water canal below? Uh-, no, that’s really dirty…”

Then, the bookshelf came into my eyes.

“Perhaps…”

When I slide the bookshelf to the side, it slides like a sliding door. As I look closely, there are rails under the bookshelf. I want to tell myself that I should have investigated more a while ago.

From the back of the bookshelf, a thing that looks like an entrance appears. And I can’t see anything behind it as it’s too dark. I stepped forward for the time being, then the two lighting stands in the room turned on in response to me.

I think that the stand is made of magic circles and mysterious stones, not some sort of mechanism.

Eventually, I want to check it so I directly went inside. There was a bed in the center of the room. There are doors on the right and left walls, as expected, it should be the toilet and storage place. I tried opening from the right door first.

“Is this the toilet?”

When I opened the door, there was a Western style toilet inside the small room. There are small buttons on the wall. I then tried pushing the button. Water flowed into the toilet bowl with a loud flush. It’s convenient, but I was a little curious where this water is flowing to.

It doesn’t mean it’s flowing down the water canal, right?

Next, I opened the door on the left, I can see that there are many shelves with a large space. I looked into the shelves and found that what used to be food has weathered into powder.

So was the corpse at the disposal site, it has weathered rather than being corrupted. And from the ingredients here, I can’t see any small insect. Seeing that, I am now convinced. For some reason, bacteria cannot reproduce in this dungeon. Otherwise, there is no explanation for it.

I could deduce that creatures below a certain size cannot live in this dungeon. I can only think of that as the reason. However, I got caught up with one thing.

How did the plants in the miniature garden breed in the absence of microbes? Microbes are natural cleaners. It decomposes many things and returns everything naturally. The plants should be absorbing those nutrients and grow thanks to it, but if I think in that way, my previous reasoning might be wrong.

“Hmm, I could only make a conclusion by observing the dungeon.”

I resumed on checking the storage room. The shelves can be used as food items, but I planned to collect many weapons and armor in the future. I want to secure a space for that. Therefore I shifted the shelves slightly to create a larger space.

“Something like this should do. Well then, I should put the garbage together.”

I brought a white cloth and then I placed the weathered and powdered ones in it. I carried it on my back and then I head to the disposal site.

“It’s definitely around here…”

I walked around while kicking the area that seems to be the entrance with my foot, only one place opens slightly. I barged in there and slide down the slope, I then sprint through the passage. The formidable leg power carried me to the disposal site like a wind.

No matter how many times I look at the place where the corpses are piled up, my heart still hurts. As a parent, this scene is quite sad, there would have been a different life for them if they didn’t die.

I wanted to bury them in the ground but the floor of this room is inorganic and hard, like it was made of concrete. I apologized to them that I could not do anything. I then scattered the powder in the cloth near the mountain.

“Now then, it’s time to get back to it………Hn, what is that?”

Looking at the hole in the ceiling, I found that there was something like a thorn attached at the inner part. Good. There is something I’m interested in. Something like a black cloth is caught on one of the thorns. I felt that the black cloth was slightly rippling, but the light was moderate.

 “Hmm…..must be my imagination. Let’s head back for now.”

I then left the disposal site.

　◆◇◆

I wake up on the bed, and feeling refreshed, I start stretching. I finally came to sleep in a comfortable place. Considering the experience of sleeping in a blanket wrapped in cardboard, it’s natural that it feels great.

The current me is now invincible.

I get up from the bed and start the sword training after doing some light muscle exercise. Someone said that if the muscles awaken, the head will also wake up. It’s really strange, but I do feel like that when I tried it.

Now my muscles, wake up!

After the training, I start eating. To be honest, I don’t even know what time it is. So I’m not sure if this is should be the time for breakfast.

Nonetheless, I could say it’s morning because my body clock somehow informs me that it is morning. After finishing the meal, the next step is to prepare for departure. I put on a leather chest pad, shin pad and rucksack, then lastly, I equipped the sword and knife.

“Oops, I have to bring the bow and hoe.”

I had a bow with me yesterday but I missed the timing to use it. It’s also necessary to train on it. Well, the hoe is for the field.

“Alright, let’s go!”

I rushed out of the hideout and run to the miniature garden. I found the shortest route yesterday, so I will not take more than three hours getting there today.

As expected, I arrived at the stairs in about 30 minutes, I descend on the stairs without hesitation. What I can see is the same miniature garden as yesterday. With the scene of the overgrown trees, I feel assured that growing herbs here won’t be a problem.

“First, I should make a road.”

I grabbed the hoe and dig the ground from the entrance to the field. I don’t know whether it was the Mithril hoe’s efficiency, but I can cut even the roots of the grass, I can even easily dig the soil with weeds. This feels good.

I arrived at the field after digging around, I dig up the place that was once a vegetable garden. Mixing soil while harvesting vegetables creates ridges. Normally, I should be mixing it with fertilizers, but it is difficult for now, so I ignore it.

“It now resembles a field. Then, I’ll replant now.”

I replant the still-growing Hasai and then bury the Jagaimu in another ridge. In addition to this, I also planted Tamanne (onions) and Jinin (carrots) and decided to see the progress.

If the flower blooms, I will have to pollinate them, so it will be a long time before it can be harvested.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com).

“Next is bow practice.”

I grab the bow and pull the string. I could now easily pull the string that I could not pull before. After all, the benefits of muscles are endless. When I pulled out the string, the wind blew and a transparent arrow appeared on the bow.

Apparently, this bow does not need to carry an arrow. I was skeptical that there were no arrows in the storage area for the bows, now, it makes sense.

When I look closely at the bow, I can see that it is inscribed with small spell-like thing. These letters seem to have made it possible to create an arrow of air.

I aimed at the bird on the tree with the bow in place. A bird that looks just like a chicken eats nut in a carefree manner.

I’m craving to eat roasted chicken. I want that delicious thing. After I shot the arrow, it sticks near the bird and the arrow disappears. The surprised bird threw away the nut and fled. It’s a failure.

“The bow is pretty difficult. It will take time before I get the hang of it.”

I decided to practice bow shooting for a while.

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I start the exploration. While I am looking at the map I notice something, only the center of this floor is filled with a square. It feels like a big space for a pillar. I am interested in it so I decided to go to that place.

In about two hours, I arrived in the area then I tried to inspect the walls and surroundings, but I could not confirm anything. I examine it carefully like it’s a secret hideout, but it seemed to have been a misunderstanding. However, I am still concerned about it because of the little writing seen in the central part.

I start walking again, I reached the stairs in about three hours. Considering the time, it is quite wide, but since I’m only walking, the time can still be shortened. In addition, the detour may also be the cause.

The purpose is exploration so there is no need to hurry. The stairs continue down, and the end is pitch black. Just in case, I decided to pull out my sword before heading down the stairs.

“………”

When I went down the long stairs, I got surprised and fell silent. From the high ceiling, light is falling down. A wall can be seen in the distance. There were overgrown lush trees and waist high grass growing in the area. I could hear a bird-like cry, creating the illusion of coming to another world.

I immediately check the map to find out where the jungle in my field of view extends.

“So that’s it, this floor is like a miniature garden.”

This jungle spreading in front of me is one of the miniature gardens written in the map. For the time being, I decided to explore inside the jungle without removing the sword.

【Appraisal Result: Eve tree】

【Appraisal Result: Moyafu tree】

【Appraisal Result: Rubber tree】

I appraised the plants one after another, all of them are things I don’t know. I see some trees that are bearing fruits, but I can’t decide whether they are edible or not. I searched for something that insects were eating, but insect itself couldn’t be found. This is so unnatural, there are no insects here.

“There are no insects? Then what do the flying birds eat sometimes?”

I tilted my head. I hide and observe the birds on the tree, I think the birds that looked like red parrots are munching on some yellow-green fruit. I found the fruit as soon as I searched for it. I observe one piece of fruit. It looks completely peachy.

“The smell is sweet. It feels like peach to the touch, is it only the color that differ?”

When peeled thinly, a yellow-green pulp appears from below. I was a little lost, but I dared to bite.

“What is this sweet fruit!”

The aroma and sweetness penetrated in my mouth. It has a fresh and ripe peach taste. However, its sugary content is beyond imagination. The sweetness far exceeds that of high-class white peaches. It is so delicious that I had eaten everything before I knew it.

Another one, I tear off one more mysterious peach to be appraised.

【Appraisal Result: Momon fruit: very sweet and is called phantom fruit. Edible】

“It’s the fruit of a phantom tree huh, it should really be delicious….. Hn?”

I immediately noticed that the appraisal results had explanations. There should have been no commentary until now. I quickly opened my status.

【Status】 Name:  Shinichi Tanaka Age:  17 years old (56 years old) Race:  Homeless Occupation:  Homeless Magic attribute:  No Attribute Magic:  None Skills:  Appraisal (Intermediate) ↑, Pressure Point (Beginner)

I levelled up! The appraisal skill has become intermediate.

Dear me!, this appraisal skill is a convenient power. Not only the name but even the explanation is written, makes me feel really indebted to this skill.

Thanks! I’m grateful.

As I examined the fruits I saw previously, I found that most of them were edible. Moreover, many seemed to be varieties called phantom fruit, some of which may have been already lost. That was my intuition kicking in.

It’s edible because it may have been planted by the people who built the hideout. Humans cannot live on water alone. So maybe they were planting food on this floor. As evidence of this, many inscriptions were seen on the map.

When I move around the room relying on the map, I find something like vegetables this time. The grass were overgrown, but there are traces of farming underneath, such as embankments.

I don’t know how many years have passed, but the forgotten vegetables are still growing vigorously among the grass. When I pulled out something like a radish leaf, a thick white root appeared.

While I’m at it, I appraise it.

【Appraisal Result: Daikon: Has light taste but it has a lot of water. It is often used for pickles and has a wide variety of cooking methods. Edible】

I wanted to see radish, but it turned to be something similar. Rather, I should be glad that it is a vegetable I knew. In addition, many vegetables such as “Hasai” which is similar to Chinese cabbage and “Jagaimu” similar to potato were harvested.

This vegetables seems to be self-sufficient.

I took several hours to weed out and restore the former garden. I regretted it, I should have brought the hoe, but I decided to go ahead by packing the harvested vegetables in my backpack.

I reached the exit of the room by following a trackless path, the passage leading to the next room extends to the back.

There are many miniature gardens on the map, so I’d like to check if that is true. After walking in the dimly lit passage, I stepped into the next room. It’s a dense forest. The jungle was spreading likewise.

“The atmosphere has changed a little…”

The room I saw previously was an artificial miniature garden, but this feels like a real jungle for beasts. My instinct is telling me not to go any further.

“It might be better to turn back.”

When I looked back, a creature was blocking the entrance. It has a total length of 2 meters, and its entire body is intimidating with its blue and black stripes. The fangs sharply claim that it’s a natural predator.

The big tiger-like creature roars.

“Uh……”

I retreated from fear. No matter who, being stared by such tiger would not remain calm. That tiger is an object of fear. Still, I held my sword with my shaking hands. At the back of the place where I fled to is a jungle. It’s the tiger’s domain.

“Grrrrrrrr…”

The tiger lowered its posture while growling. It seems that it’s going to hunt me. I won’t let that happen, I activate the Pressure Point skill. Two red dots appeared on the tiger’s body. One is on the belly, the other is around the hips.

“Bring it on! Hey! What happened! Come on!”

I spread my hands and desperately provoke the tiger. Carnivorous animals have an instinct that makes them want to chase after their prey escapes. On the other hand, I’ll be wary if this creature that is larger than me, has a will to fight.

I believe in the knowledge I received somewhere, I continued the threat of provocation.

 “Grraaaawrrr!”

The tiger jumped in with a momentary opening. I used my sword as a shield and prevented its forefoot and fangs, but I was pushed down with its force and was taken as a mount.

“Graawr! Graawr!”

The tiger’s face biting the blade get’s closer. It’s forefoot presses me to the ground with tremendous force, escape from here is a difficult task.

“Kuh… I died once! I’m not scared!”

I managed to pull out the knife I had on my waist and pierced the red dot on the tiger’s abdomen.

“Gugaaaaa !?”

The tiger flies off and rolls in pain on the ground. It’s probably in agony. As soon as I stand up, I grasp the sword and approach the tiger.

“It’s my victory!”

I swing down my sword around the tiger’s neck. The head rolls gently and bright red blood spreads on the ground. My hips gave out and I sit down on the ground.

“Hahaha……… I won against a tiger.”

Strangely, I was more satisfied than frightened. It made me more confident to win against the tiger than to win against the orc. I got up and carried the body of the tiger. I decided to take the corpse and return to the previous garden.

　◆◇◆

“This doesn’t work well…”

I started dismantling the tiger in the miniature garden without monsters, but it is quite difficult. Five hours had passed by the time I managed to mobilize all the knowledge I had learned. While thinking it’s acceptable as this was my first time, still, I want to do better next time.

There’s one thing I noticed in this miniature garden, stream is flowing through. Water flowed through a small hole in the wall, creating a flow across the room. The final point is the opposite wall, where water again flows into the small hole. When I scooped up the water from the stream, I could see glitter and light particles.

There may be no monsters because of this stream. However, it is strange that birds live here. I wonder if the tiger is a monster and the bird in this room is not.

Doubtful points linger in my head.

I, who procured the meat, decided to return to the hideout for the time being. In today’s exploration, map confirmation is the first priority. Coincidentally, I also got vegetables and meat, so it’s better to end it here today. I also want to explore a little more on the 20th floor where I live.

After going up the stairs and returning to the 20th floor, I was still concerned about the central part so I turned my feet around. I checked again but there was no place that would most likely be an entrance.

“I’m concerned about this… I can’t help but be concerned of it! If only I can read the letters, I’ll know what this filled part is! Damn!”

While grinding my teeth, I decided to return to the hideout. I can’t just spend all my time exploring. Sword training is also waiting today.

However I felt quite tired, probably because of the mental burden of fighting the tiger. I decided to take a break on the road not far from the hideout.

“Heigh-hoh ―Agyaaa!?”

As soon as I sit down on the floor and leaned my back against the wall, I fell back.

“O-Ouch!….. what the heck is this?”

I struck my butt strongly, so I checked the surroundings while rubbing it, a dark passage continued straight to somewhere. Looking at the wall that I have rolled in, there was a slope like a slide.

However, the place that seems to be the entrance is completely closed. Apparently, when I leaned on the wall, the door’s mechanism opened and I fall down here.

“The ceiling is low. Is it a feeling between the 20th and 21st floors?”

In order to get out of here, I have to go ahead. I decided to go through the frightening passage. However, the location of this place was not written on the map.

I wonder if I found a mechanism that the previous residents didn’t know about. I feel a little excited when I think so. If this hidden room turns to be a big discovery, I’ll live here. I won’t let anyone call me homeless anymore.

And then the passage ended and I arrived at a large room.

On each side of the square room, things like candle holders are installed, and on top of that, small crystals are placed. The crystals were shining and vaguely illuminating the room. Something is piled up at the center of the room that forms a mountain.

I approach the mountain and realized what it was. It’s a huge pile of corpses. Corpses of people and other creatures are piled forming a huge mountain.

I open the map quickly, the size and shape of the room coincide with the filled area. This is the center of the 20th floor and the mysterious place.

I’m lucky enough to find the entrance.

“But here is…”

I come closer to the mountain of corpses, none of them were rotted and dried. The upper one is still in its original form, but when it went to the lower one, it has weathered and became powdery. Furthermore, the powder seems to be sucked little by little into the holes in the floor of the room.

I realize that this is a disposal site. It’s a place to collect and destroy people and beasts killed from somewhere. I can only think so.

At this time, something is falling from the ceiling. I immediately shifted my eyes, I think there is a hole in the ceiling. At the top of the mountain, I saw a bloody, broken white man.

This is surely a dump site, like a garbage dump.

“Does this mean that the creatures that died in the dungeon will be brought here? Really, what’s with this place? I got more and more confused.”

I accidentally see a corpse carrying a backpack amidst the mountain of corpses. I don’t want to loot the corpses, but in order to live, I don’t have a choice.

I collect the backpack and confirm the things inside.

“Dried meat and bread. This is …”

I found a bottle filled with black powder and smelled it. Apparently it’s pepper. I got a good one. Then I found another small jewel, I tilted my head.

A red gem about the size of a marble. It feels like I’ve seen it somewhere…

Right, it’s the stove!

“Hmm, maybe this gem is a common tool. Seems like it’s worth it to retrieve it.”

After that, I loot few more corpses and collected food and tools.

Appraisal is a big success here as well. For those I don’t recognize, I used my Appraisal skill, I unexpectedly find some rare items.

【Appraisal Result: Necklace of the Medil family: A necklace made by processing a rare crystal called Saint Crystal. In the Medil family, it is passed down to the eldest son for generations. 】

I was relieved. I realized a fact and I couldn’t fool myself anymore. There is definitely a human town somewhere, where people live for a long time.

That rich living area I just secured…

Monsters I have never seen….

A dungeon that I don’t even know how far it goes…

Equipped with clothes that are impossible in modern time…

Presence of magic and skills….

All of them were asserting that this is another world.

I’m in another world… I am reincarnated in a different world.

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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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【Status】 Name:  Shinichi Tanaka Age:  17 years old (56 years old) Race:  Homeless Occupation:  Homeless Magic attribute:  No Attribute Magic:  None Skills:  Appraisal (Beginner), Pressure Point (Beginner)

This is the contents of the status.

It’s absurd, but for now, I understand that this is reality and decided to take a look. The first thing I was interested in was my age.

Looks like I have turned back to 17 years old. Of course the one enclosed inside (), 56, is my real age. No wonder, my current body is youthful and full of strength. So, this information can be taken as a fact.

It’s hard to believe but there’s no other explanation.

The next thing that took my interest was the race. I thought it should be human, but apparently it was a homeless race.

I see… I see…

―As if there’s such a thing!

I have always been a human. If you are certified as homeless from the time you were born, you will make your parents cry! I would like to offer a firm protest to this information!

Fu……  (deep breath)

However that’s fine. Since my race is homeless, it’s necessary to watch the situation first. This is not the real world. Perhaps in Hell, the deeds during one’s lifetime were reflected and became one’s race. I decided to think so.

Next is occupation.

It’s also homeless, there is no objection to that. I am certainly homeless, it was my livelihood. It may also be called work. In this case, it’s the correct information in a sense.

Next is the Magic Attribute.

Having magical attributes simply says that magic exists. It’s a lie right? Is what I’m thinking but after seeing those monsters, there’s no denying it –for sure, there’s magic here.

There are times I longed for magic and extra-sensory perception. I also have those dark history. However, I’m 56 years old now.

Trained in a tough society, I wore common sense and reality as an armor, but now it’s magic!

―I was so happy that my hands were trembling! I want to see magic quickly! Give me some magic!

Oops, I was too excited. Calm down. Information is still being collected.

The next thing that catches my eye is Magic. Seems like I can’t use magic yet because it says None. When I look closely at the magic attribute, it is written as “No Attribute” instead of “None”.

I can understand that I have no attributes. Eventually, I want to be able to use magic without attributes.

Now for the Skills, I feel this is the most important part. What has been learned are Appraisal (Beginner) and Pressure Point (Beginner). The red dot from before is probably the effect of this skills…

I’m not too sure, but somehow my intuition is whispering.

The question is which of these two displayed the red dot. I think that Appraisal skill taught me the weaknesses of the enemy, but it is also possible that it’s the Pressure Point skill that taught me of the weak point. From there, I decided to try using the two skills.

Let’s try it out on something.

“Hmmm… What is this giant’s race?”

Words come to my mind when I used appraisal skill on the giant.【 Appraisal Result: Orc 】

It’s a success!

However, the monster I thought as a giant was from an Orc’s race instead. Speaking of which, I feel like there was such enemy too when I played the game. Enma-sama seems to like games after all.

“Okay okay, this time I’ll use Pressure Point skill.”

When I tried it in my own body, a green glowing dot and a red glowing dot appeared throughout my body. I already tried the red dot on the orc earlier so now I’ll try the green dot.

When I hit the green dot at the bottom of my foot, I felt strangely light.

The fear and excitement I had before settled down, and my calm thoughts began to rotate rapidly… If this is the effect of pressing the dot, it is amazing.

Not to mention running a massage shop, I could even be revered as the god of massage.

“It’s definitely determined that the red dots appeared due to this skill. But in both cases, it means that there would be intermediate and advanced levels. Hmmm…I think it’s better to train the skills somehow.”

When I tried appraising the knife, unexpected results were displayed.

【Appraisal Result: Mithril knife】

Hmm? What kind of metal is Mithril?

I’m not too sure, but I think it’s a good metal. I thought I would see “steel” after the appraisal but… It seems that Hell is full of things I don’t know yet.

I stand up and decided to cut off the right foot of the orc with the knife.

There are very few dried meats and breads on hand. So I decided to feed on the orc. I don’t like cannibalism, but I can’t be picky in a place where food is scarce. Orcs have the shape of a person, but they are clearly different from humans. If I have to say, it is only a humanoid pig.

Upon cutting the orc’s meat, a beautiful pink color comes in sight. With the surface’ rough skin, it doesn’t look delicious, but the meat inside is certainly like pork. I know that this meat is not so bad.

“I can only carry one leg. If there could be a backpack somewhere…”

Looking around the room, I found a person carrying a backpack amongst the human corpses. It has a little blood on it, but it’s not unusable. Looking inside, there was some water and food left.

“Sorry, I’ll take your belongings.”

I placed my hand on the corpse as I say sorry, I then took the backpack and carry it on my back.　There were tools as well as food in it. I may have found a good one.

Looking at the corpses again, all of them were strong men wearing leather armor. Most of the figures I could see are those of white men, some are of yellow race while others where dark men.　With their swords on their hips, they feel like they’re out of from a fantasy world.

“There are no Japanese…”

There was no Japanese figure in the corpses. I suddenly felt a sense of isolation in my heart. Even when I became homeless, I was still surrounded with Japanese people. Some of them even became my friends and shared with my loneliness. That’s why I may have forgotten my true loneliness.

I’m the only one here….

“Heh! I’m lonely! I’m homeless! I have accepted that long ago!”

I plunge the foot of the orc into the backpack and explore further inside the room.

“Oh? Stairs?”

I found a staircase in the corner of the room. The end of the stairs is dark, and moist air is blowing up. I could also hear a faint water sound. I’m a little lost here…

If there is a ground floor, I don’t know whether to go up or down.

However right now, not to mention water, there is no food left. Moreover, I don’t have enough power to fight monsters such as wolves and orcs head on.

I was just lucky to win the previous victory. It may have been me who was killed instead.

“I’ll go down here for now. If water is there, I can’t throw the possibility that there are people there too. First, I must secure a living area.”

Once I’ve decided, I go down the stairs without any hesitation.

◆◇◆

“Buwahahahaha! The water here is delicious!”

I scoop up the clean water flowing in the water canal and drink it up. There was a water canal down the stairs.

The appearance of the dungeon has also changed, the brick wall has become concrete, and a water canal was installed on the floor. It’s more like an old water supply. The width is about 3m, but the depth is not so much, it maybe up to my lower leg.

But what’s with this degree of clearness?

The water is very transparent and it has no odor. I was wary of raw water, but I’m not against thirst. When I took a sip, that’s when I noticed the delicious taste.

“Phew, it’s been a long time since I drank such delicious water.”

Satisfied, I leaned my back against the wall. There are passageways at both ends of the water canal. I checked the floor that I have descended from again.

The passageway continues along the water canal, a candle stand was similarly installed on the wall. The small crystals placed on top of the candle stand gives off a pale light. It’s a fantastic sight.

“This water is nice. It might be okay to build a living quarter around here. I’m sure there’s someone else here.”

Taking out the water bottle, I draw water from the water canal just in case. It is important to secure water because I do not know how far this water canal goes.

The reason the homeless set up their bed in the park is because of the toilets and water supply there. Securing water is one of the basics of a street life.

“Now, I have to find a place where I can live. But I’m alternating on whether I should aim upstream or downstream of the water canal.”

Naturally, if I aim upstream, I could reach the water source. Probably, going downstream would be a sea or lake. So I decided to aim downstream.

If I’m lucky, I could probably meet people once I can get out of here.

As I start walking, the saucepan and water bottle inside my backpack collides. It was good that I got something I needed from rummaging thru the corpses but the sound is too noticeable. If there are monsters on this floor, I think I’ll be a good prey.

I continued to walk just beside the water canal, and after walking for an hour, I found the end of the water canal.

“I see, it is like this…”

The water canal was cut off here while darkness spread beyond the area.

The water in the water canal pours into a huge vertical hole –like a waterfall. I looked into the bottom just in case, but the darkness was still widespread. Moreover, I can’t even hear the splashing sound of the falling water, I’m scared on how deep it is.

 “I give up… I wonder where I’m really at. I thought I’m in Hell, but maybe I’m making a big mistake here…”

As I was looking in the dungeon, I gradually realized that the major premise was different. I thought that this is the world after death but what I saw were still very different from my imagination.

Above all, I really did rejuvenate! I don’t know what I look like without a mirror, but I definitely know that my body is that of a young man.

In that case, one more hypothesis crossed my mind. Speaking of death, it’s not just about Heaven and Hell. There also reincarnation.

I may be reincarnated rather than rejuvenated. If that’s the case, I can consent, since I actually died once.

The problem is this place. If this is still Earth, I can return to Japan one day. After that, I want to know what happened to Tokyo. However, if this is a faraway place that I don’t know of, I cannot return to Japan –forever…

I looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Thinking again and again about the uncertain elements like this is my bad habit. I keep thinking about avoiding risk.

I don’t think such a man will be attractive. I’m that unappealing that even my wife turned away from me. It’s been over 20 years since then.

Is our son fine?

“Show your spirit, Shinichi Tanaka! You’re already a certified homeless person! When you’re this worried you can’t do anything!”

I inspired myself and decided to return the way I came. When I arrived at the starting point, I start walking upstream again. I feel like three hours have passed since I got down to this floor.

It’s about time to eat, but I want to avoid being caught off guard especially in this place where safety cannot be ensured. I continued walking the opposite direction and after an hour, I finally came to the water source.

Large amount of water are discharged from the mouth of a lion-like stone statue that is about 3 meters long. The water poured into the water canal gently and beautifully filled it. It feels like a sacred place because of this water source.

“So there’s a lion head facing the walls at both ends huh… these three lion’s head looks pretty cool.”

I approached the statue of the lion, which is the source of water, and I stroked it a little, it was smoother than I expected.

I could also predict that the craftsman had carved the lion from a block of rock without a seam. It can be seen that the craftsmanship is sophisticated and made by a very skilled craftsman.

This time, I felt strange when I approached the lion’s head faced on the wall. The left eye has a hole. Looking at the lion’s head opposite each other, both have eyes properly placed.

This is strange after all.

I was curious about it so I decided to put my finger in the eye’s hole.

“I felt a protrusion at the tip of my finger…”

It felt like a button so I tried to push it in, then I heard a clank sound from somewhere right after. A little vibration ran on the floor, looks like something is starting to move.

Garagaragara-  Gakon!

With such sound, I look at the water canal closely, a chain that hangs from the ceiling appeared before me which looks like a mechanism for a hidden door. I am deeply moved. There’s a device in front of me that I could only see in movies. I forgot myself and ran into the hidden door.

 “Wow?!”

The previous dark view was suddenly enveloped in light. It appears that the thing which looks like a light stand works automatically. A warm brown light illuminated the surroundings. When I finally get used to it, I was able to confirm what this place was.

In a nutshell, it was a place that could be called a warehouse.

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