Earth With Dungeon: Saving the World With an Economic Boom

Chapter 207. Knowledge Sharing

Northwestern Kanto. A world where no people live anymore, where monsters roam freely, Gunma. Gunma has already been taken over by the forest. Taken over.

There are no plains, no ruined buildings, not even decayed houses. It’s all forest. The towering trees are all ancient, likely several hundred years old. The place has been so overrun by the forest that the term ‘taken over’ seems appropriate.

A world with no civilization, starting and ending with the forest. It looks like an untouched forest, with no signs of human intrusion.

Under the midsummer sun, a river cuts through the forest, sparkling. A mother deer and her fawn drink leisurely from the river. When they hear the faint sound of a helicopter flying low to avoid radar detection, they look up and, mistaking it for a large bird of prey, run back into the forest.

A boulder, about five meters in size, shakes and stands up, sprouting arms and legs. It’s likely a monster of the riverbank. Its type is unknown, but it seems to be a golem-type monster. Detecting the scent of humans, it readies for battle, but the helicopter, not intending to fight, passes overhead.

Hearing the faint chopper rotor noise, Amano Sakimori sighs as he looks out the window.

[Hey, it seems like no one lives here either.]

[It’s too dangerous here, even more than the plains. People couldn’t have survived.]

Shizuku-san, floating like a ghost, agrees through telepathy. Yeah, this place seems bad. I hope there aren’t any high-rank monsters, but there probably are.

[Is there any building left in a place like this? Yukika-chan can’t see anything.]

Yukihana, in her modified kimono [Hōshū], flips her hem and comes to my side to look out the window.

[That’s right. Serika-chan, it doesn’t look like there are any buildings here.]

[There should still be a hotel in the hot spring area. According to the map, it’s just ahead. Ah, look, that monument-like protruding rock. That’s the former hotel.]

Shizuku tilts her head slightly and lets her glossy black hair flow as she agrees with Yukihana’s words. Serika, piloting the infantry transport helicopter, responds telepathically, so I look ahead.

Just as Serika said, there’s a rocky mountain within the forest. Covered in greenery, it’s a half-collapsed hotel, with half of it buried in the soil, leaving only the skeleton and framework.

[How did it end up like that…?]

While I wonder why the hotel turned into a rocky mountain, Serika asks a favor.

[For now, can you clear a landing space for the helicopter? I’ll open the hatch.]

[Got it.]

I stand up and activate the reinforced armor suit ‘Sage’. Pouring in mana and synchronizing with the magic power, the suit swells and transforms into a mechanical reinforced armor suit. The transformed armor suit feels reliable, though its futuristic appearance makes me chuckle a bit. It looks like the protagonist of some sci-fi movie.

[The reinforced suit made with the Philosopher’s Stone multiplies human power dozens of times. It’s the exclusive equipment for fairies guarding treasure chests. Haaa.]

Shizuku-san, speaking in a boyish tone, seems pleased watching me and mimics my words. Is this really the equipment for fairies guarding treasure chests?

[Master, it’s a reference. In an old manga, there was an organization protecting out-of-place artifacts.]

Yukihana’s words, as she covers her face with her hand, make me uneasy.

[My equipment isn’t some kind of joke, right?]

[It’s not a joke in that sense. So don’t worry.]

When I mutter about it being like joke equipment from a game, Shizuku chuckles. I trust you, seriously.

The hatch starts opening, and the wind rushes in. My coat flaps noisily, and I squint against the wind pressure.

[A coat and reinforced armor suit in midsummer… I’m not hot thanks to temperature resistance, but the others were shocked.]

Walking out from the headquarters in this outfit, Jun and the others, who were about to go to work, were startled. Even short sleeves are too hot in midsummer, so no wonder they were surprised at this getup… I look into the distance.

[Sakimori-san always wears black. So everyone will get used to it soon. When you’re not in black, they might not even recognize you.]

[That doesn’t make me happy at all.]

I respond with a wry smile, shielding my face with my hand from the wind, and look outside. As the helicopter circles the rocky building, I search for a suitable landing spot.

All I see are towering trees with no gaps, but… squinting, I spot some remaining concrete.

[That looks like an old parking lot. Let’s use that.]

Gathering mana in my hands, I’m slightly surprised at how easily it accumulates compared to before. This must be the power of the equipment. The bracelet amplifies mana, allowing for less draining magic use. Stopping the telepathic conversation, I cast a spell.

[Alright, time for a debut of the new equipment.]

[Fire Dragon King]

Releasing a vast amount of mana changes the world’s laws. Flames roar from my hands, illuminating my face. Though it’s my own magic and doesn’t harm me, the heat is intense. Yukika quickly steps away from me, which is sensible, but I wish she’d appreciate it.

Flames erupting from my hands turn into a dragon, opening its fiery maw and attacking the towering trees. The flaming fangs bite into the trees, making them spew fire from within. The fire dragon pours flames into the trees like poison. The bitten trees turn to ash from the inside out.

[No extension fires, burning only the trees accurately to the roots. Your magic control is as precise as ever.]

[I wouldn’t be able to clear a space otherwise.]

The magic flames, controlled with precision, burn only the trees. Though some fallen leaves catch small flames, it’s not enough to cause a wildfire.

In a few minutes, the former parking lot, now an open space with heaps of ash, is ready. Extinguishing the remaining fires with [Aqua Mist], the space is sufficient for the helicopter to land.

[Thanks. Now landing.]

A casual voice’s thoughts flew over, and soon after, the helicopter landed.

“Quite a performance. Its power has increased, so I don’t need to infuse as much mana. Less mana consumption is a big help. Thanks, Serika.”

While unloading the equipment from the hatch, I expressed my gratitude. I realized it was a highly useful piece of equipment for a mage.

“Fufun, this should be fine for a while, right? Next time I make equipment, help me gather materials, okay?”

Serika, brimming with confidence, puffed out her chest proudly. As expected of the crafting specialist.

[It’s quite the equipment. We might not need new gear for a while. It should last long.]

[……………………..]

As Shizuku nodded in admiration, Serika’s face immediately turned expressionless and she glared at Shizuku with half-lidded eyes, but I decided to stay silent.

Outside, cicadas held a relentless chorus, and the sunlight was dazzlingly bright. Ash from burnt trees floated in puddles, splashing and leaving black footprints with each step.

[Mike and the others]

I snapped my fingers, summoning familiars from the shadows. Led by Mike, nearly a hundred dark tigers, dark cats, dark snakes, and dark crows appeared.

“Exterminate the monsters in and around the hotel.”

“Meow, meow.”

With a cute meow, Mike instructed his subordinates, and they scattered.

Inside the hotel, the floor was covered in dirt, spider webs adorned the corners, and the reception counter was shattered. The lobby, which should have had sofas and tables, was empty. The desolate scene looked like it had been abandoned for centuries.

[Summon All Units]

With a flick of my index finger, Shizuku’s body emerged from the interdimensional space.

She landed gracefully, her sleek semi-long black hair fluttering, and her cute cherry blossom lips curling into a smile. Extending her arms horizontally, she twirled around and faced me, the beautiful girl partner.

“You didn’t have to come all the way here,”

Shizuku boasted with a pose.

“Shizuku, save the jokes for later. Let’s get the equipment inside quickly.”

Serika’s words from the helicopter left Shizuku shocked and stumbling. She seemed to have been planning another joke but was cut off by Serika.

With a resigned expression, Shizuku helped carry the equipment into the abandoned hotel with Yukihana. They effortlessly carried generators and pods large enough for people, displaying strength that belied their delicate appearances.

[Dark Teleport]

Before helping, I teleported Sei over. As the magic circle appeared, Sei materialized, kneeling with her hands crossed over her chest.

“Hijiri Sei. I have come at your summons, President Sakimori.”

“Ah, we’re preparing now, so please assist us.”

Still somewhat bewildered by Sei’s extreme reverence, I helped everyone.

In the center of what must have once been a hall, we placed the equipment and began assembling the capsule pods. Serika worked swiftly.

“This place should be safe enough.”

“I don’t trust it at all. Serika, you’re a terrible friend.”

“I trust you, Shizuku. I’m sure you’ll follow the template and go berserk.”

Laughing, Serika took out chains and attached them to the pods. They looked like restraining chains. Template, huh… Shizuku probably would do it. She loves clichés.

I took out spirit stones from the item box and walked around the abandoned hotel. It was still daytime, so sunlight streamed through holes, keeping it bright.

After a while, I returned to find the preparations complete. Mana was already restored.

The generator cables connected to a totem-like device, which linked to the capsule pods. Serika noticed me while busily typing on a laptop and gave a thumbs-up.

“All set here. You?”

“No problem on my end.”

I nodded while pocketing mana potions. Drinking them supposedly has stronger side effects, but I prepared three anyway.

“I’m fine too. As long as this pod doesn’t turn into an Apostle.”

“What’s an Apostle?”

Lying in the pod, Shizuku spoke confidently. Yukika bound her and the resting Sei with chains too thick to be mere restraints, clearly believing they would go berserk.

“Alright, we’ll share knowledge and look for discrepancies. Focus on areas of suspicious knowledge. Shizuku, it’s dangerous, but I trust you.”

“Hehe, Serika. I’ll show you my deep love for Sakimori. I won’t go berserk.”

Despite being immobilized by restraints, my confident partner declared.

“Got it, I trust you.”

Serika pressed the enter key on the laptop, and the pod closed with a whir.

There was no further noise, just the loud cicadas. As nothing happened, I got bored and spoke to Serika.

“Honestly, do you think it’ll be alright?”

“Well, I believe in Shizuku? But I also considered the worst-case scenario.”

Serika’s words were cut off by a bang as the capsule lid blew off.

“We- we- succeeded. Na- natural transformation.”

As the restraints shattered, a humanoid figure made of darkness stood up, its body formed of eerie mist.

“It’s a failure.”

It seemed the attempt had failed, and I narrowed my eyes and clicked my tongue. As expected, she went berserk.