Ch.149 Reconfirmed in Dungeon - It Seems Even a Little Girl Could Manage it

Dungeon.

Ten years ago, when you enter this place, those with the right aptitude, like me, develop magical powers.

That first time I went into a dungeon... I applied on a whim on a bored day, was guided inside, and stepped in.

And then there's this acquired power... this sense... that it's been there since the start.

It seems that this sense has gotten stronger since I got this body.

How strange.

...Hmm.

Is this perhaps a trade-off for the loss of stamina, muscle strength, and reach?

It seems that women generally have more magical power than men...the reason hasn't been definitively stated, but the prevailing opinion is that "since the dungeon itself is a game-like system, maybe it's HP and STR for men and MP and INT for women?"

This apparently leads to the conclusion that men are satisfied with their strength and women are satisfied with their intelligence, a conclusion perfectly suited to the times.

The world of politics is scary, isn't it?

But it might be easier than we think.

So, I tried various things to see if that was because I had changed from a man to a girl, and it seems that if I compensate for my physical strength with magic, it's not that difficult... Right?

Looks like it.

Probably.

It's like I'm using magic instead of brute force to support my arms...

Bang.

[Oh, that's good. It's the usual Haru-chan]

[I think she was feeling unwell last week or something, because she hasn't been hitting at all for a while]

[This one-shot kill sure is addictive]

I can't use this strength boost forever though.

So I keep it off while moving and only turn it on when sniping.

Regardless of the gun's weight, it actually makes it easier to aim.

Firearms and sniping skills.

There are also stealth and reconnaissance skills.

Those skills' strength increased all at once probably thanks to my magic and this body.

...Honestly, if I put aside the travel aspect, everything else is actually quite easy, which is a strange feeling.

[But, you still have to take breaks, ok?]

[Haru-chan, you can't. If you catch a cold or something, you can't dive again until you're completely recovered]

[She doesn't really read the comments though]

[Well, she might take a look in the end]

Phew... I'm tired.

That feeling of being debuffed when you're feeling unwell, or after staying up all night, or after doing heavy labor.

...From now on, I need to make a greater effort to give up my seat on the train or elsewhere to the elderly or children... Well, I'm a child myself right now though...

Yeah.

As I thought, I can see monsters that are far away too.

But, overall, this body is quite a disadvantage... I simply don't have enough stamina to dive deep, even though my equipments are light.

Even with dropped items, I have to be careful about selecting them, otherwise I'll be crushed by the weight myself.

...Well, at least I've managed to take the crystallized materials.

Let's move forward.

[Haru-chan is even more energetic than before]

[Glad to see you're doing well]

[We're happy]

Luckily, I have an aptitude for dungeons, so I spent my free time in college exploring them, and before I knew it, I had reached an intermediate level.

So, if I made this my main job, I could probably make a decent living.

In some months, this side hustle of mine was even more profitable than my actual job.

...But I was still surprised that I was fired so easily...I had heard bad rumors about the company's performance, but was it really that bad...?

W-well, I guess it's easier to refuse boarding than to sink deeper and deeper into a sinking ship...?

While I'm acutely aware of the precariousness of the intangible system that is a company, I also savor the tangible feeling of earning a living solely with the skills I possess, and so I dive in again today.

◇◆◇

I trudged along with the sunset at my back.

A young girl walks with the sunset as a backdrop.

It's kind of decadent, isn't it?

"Phew... I'm so tired."

It's really tough to conceal my identity when I'm shopping on the way home or on the bus...

But at least I know things will work out somehow.

Apparently, tax-related matters can be handled with the documents sent by the company.

When I said, "I absolutely cannot speak. I've developed a mental disorder that prevents me from even answering video calls," they just brushed it off with a casual "Oh, really..."

Well, these days things are pretty strict, and I guess it would be a hassle if I threw a tantrum and refused to quit no matter what.

Thanks to that, I won't have to worry about something as old-fashioned as someone barging into my apartment, so I can be fired with peace of mind.

...For now, I guess I'll just have to earn some daily wages by diving dungeons, not as a day laborer, while I wait for my body to recover.

I probably can't go back to my old company, but in this era of labor shortages, and since I'm still in my twenties, I'm sure someone will hire me.

So the only particular problem is... well, I can't just casually stop by a cheap place for a drink on the way home.

That's the only disappointing thing.

That's really disappointing.

I used to look forward to having a light meal and a drink by myself on my way home from work, feeling pleasantly tipsy.

Can I go?

Shall I go anyway?

"...No, no, let's not do that."

Sure, if I use my stealth skills to camouflage myself, I might be able to give off the same vibe as my old self, but there are people out there who, even without dungeon aptitude, can still see right through me.

Getting reported and taken into protective custody in a place like that would be no joke... Ugh... Yakitori, gyoza, ramen, okonomiyaki... I'm hungry...

It's always at times like these that the downtown area smells so good.

I should go home soon... I'll go home, cook, drink, and relax...

◇◆◇

3rd Person POV

"So, is he doing it again today? Well, you can pretty much tell from the live stream."

"Yes, he went into the dungeon without asking for help from any relatives or friends... and he didn't seem anxious at all. But is that really alright?"

"You're right, Mr. Chairman. It appears that his age, gender, and even race have changed while he was in the dungeon, so perhaps the association should take him under our protection..."

"No can do."

The usual office.

The elderly man, who was called the chairman, and the middle-aged man who had recently become a regular fixture there.

They allowed only a select few to continue investigating "him."

"Due to the 'covenant' of the 10 of us, unless Haru-chan asks for our help... while we may eliminate potential sources of concern, we cannot make contact with him ourselves."

"Yes. In particular, 'Queen'—excuse me, a certain individual—is very adamant. She declared that 'if anyone tries to change 'his' will, the state will intervene.'"

"That is...... I understand..."

The document, marked "Top Secret," contained a rough record of "his" movements over the past week—a rough estimate based on GPS data, as he was frequently lost sight of when he went out.

"Their obsession is not normal, so I think it's best to maintain the status quo for now."

"Hmm. ...So, this is Haru-chan now—"

An elderly man, a middle-aged man, and their subordinates peer at images that were forwarded to them by one of their subordinates.

"...Isn't she just too cute? My heart almost stopped when I first saw her."

"She's cute."

"Very."

"Hey, you guys, if you leak this..."

"I understand... I don't want to be used as a cannon fodder."

"Besides, I won't tell anyone about how cute this person has become."

"Good."

"...A young child with eyes that seem to have given up on something. If it weren't for 'his' 'unusual stealth skills,' rumors would have already spread."

"It is also fate that it did not turn out that way."

Everyone sighed.

"...With that beauty... he could easily be in the entertainment or film industry, right?"

"No, in this day and age, a lot of individuals can do it."

"Well, even without that, he could be really popular as a dungeon streamer."

"Yes... without waiting for the future."

"Well, considering his appearance and skills..."

(TL: I'm conflicted as to what pronounce I should use here, cuz they're using 彼 (him) for our mc from time to time despite the gender change)

The room was eerily silent.

"...Well, if I'm going to be called to heaven thanks to the idol I found at this age, maybe that's okay?"

"That won't do, Mr. Chairman. you need to build up your resistance properly."

"The honor of the Dungeon Association Chairman dying a glorious death."

"Please stop, it doesn't sound like a joke considering your age."

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