Level Eater

Having received a book as a bonus, Tatsuro thought about the dungeon outside the town while putting it away. Suddenly, a curiosity that had been on his mind arose.

"It's unrelated to the dungeon, but why is the road from Tofas to Lyadas so inconvenient? Don't they think about improving it?" (Tatsuro)

"Oh, that. The moss growing there is crucial. It's a rare thing that only grows in a few places worldwide. There's a possibility that if you mess with it, it won't grow anymore. So, they've left it as it is as part of nature conservation, at least that's the official reason." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Is there a hidden reason?" (Tatsuro)

"Well, just between us. We were secretly researching if we could create artificial magic stones using that moss, and then generate magic fluid from it. That's why, for now, it's being preserved as a natural breeding ground, waiting for the establishment of cultivation methods and regular harvesting purposes. If we figure out the cultivation method, we'll probably start development without hesitation." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

According to the encyclopedia Tatsuro read before, magic stones are masses of magical power that only dungeon monsters have in their bodies. Magic fluid is then produced from them and widely used as various fuels. According to the current conversation, if they can artificially create what can only be obtained from dungeon monsters, towns without dungeons nearby can secure an energy source.

"Why the need for secrecy?" (Tatsuro)

"We want to prevent interference from other organizations, misappropriation of achievements, or the total destruction of the moss due to reckless harvesting by greedy individuals." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Is that so, Tatsuro-kun?" (Ai)

"Well, generally speaking, that's true." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"In other words, was it okay for us to know about this?" (Tatsuro)

"We believe you won't misuse the information. It's a sign of trust." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

Unaware that they were receiving such a weighty token of trust, the warehouse door opened, and Gillian entered. Although his face still seemed discontented, it was slightly better than before.

"Father! Everything is ready." (Gillian Mac Dermott)

"Ah, good work. Let's go outside then." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Yes" (Ai)

"Yes." (Tatsuro)

Following Reginald, they entered a spacious room. There, the items requested by Tatsuro and the others were stacked. After expressing gratitude for these, when Tatsuro tried to put everything into the [Item Box], he noticed that the usage limit was close to full.

"Ai, it seems the Item Box is getting full again, so I'm going to expand it." (Tatsuro)

"Really? Well, dragon meat does take up space." (Ai)

"Yeah. I'll take care of that." (Tatsuro)

So, Tatsuro's SP became (5), and he upgraded to [Item Box +5]. At that moment, when he was storing the dragon meat, he hadn't paid attention, but now, he checked the additional functions of the Item Box, combining +4 and +5. +4 allowed optional acceleration of internal time, while +5 enabled individual settings for time progression.

(Combining individual settings with delay and acceleration might be useful.)

Thinking about such things, he stored everything in the considerably expanded Item Box. Since they had made good purchases this time, when Tatsuro conveyed this to Reginald, he seemed pleased. By then, Gillian had returned to his usual self towards Tatsuro and expressed his gratitude again for rescuing him from the thieves.

When the two were being watched by the father and son, they were led by a maid and left the mansion. When they were completely out of sight, Gillian, who couldn't say certain things in front of Tatsuro and the others, confided in his father.

"Father, it's absurd to sell it at that price based on uncertain promises alone. Even considering he's my benefactor, isn't it going too far?" (Gillian Mac Dermott)

"Haha, true. As a merchant, one should accurately assess the value of goods and offer them at a price that reflects that value." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Then why!" (Gillian Mac Dermott)

"Well, Traugott asked me. He knew my father, your grandfather in your case, and he requested a favor." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"A favor?" (Gillian Mac Dermott)

Surprised that his grandfather knew the famous blacksmith, Gillian was curious about the favor.

"Yeah, that's right. First, sell the Armor and coat together. Second, sell them to a young man and woman. Third, they should be capable individuals. Those were the conditions. I was told that if someone meeting these conditions came, I should hand them over for free. So strictly speaking, those items weren't our merchandise; they were just borrowed space in the warehouse." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"Why would he ask for such a thing?" (Gillian Mac Dermott)

"Who knows? That's something only the late Traugott could answer." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

Hearing his father's words like that, Gillian was about to agree since the items had such history, then he suddenly remembered…

"Oh, right. About 80 million was probably too much, don't you think?" (Gillian Mac Dermott)

"I lent a corner of the warehouse for decades, you know? Even if those two items were free, considering the quality and the effort we put into maintaining them, it's a fair price. Well, you can think of it as paying rent for the withdrawal." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

"…You really are a merchant." (Gillian Mac Dermott)

"That's right. Regardless of who the other party is, even if it's the benefactor of my son's life, giving away goods for free is disrespectful to the items. I can't allow that; it's a matter of pride." (Reginald Mac Dermott)

Listening to his father's words, Gillian squinted his eyes as if looking at something dazzling, realizing that he wouldn't be able to match that for a while.

Although they had indeed obtained a remarkable deal, they never realized that they might have gotten it for free. The day ended with the two returning to the inn after claiming their bargain.

The next day, after having breakfast, they entered the newly reopened department store.

The interior was even more extensive than Obsul's store, displaying a wider variety of items. Starting with the first-floor food section, Tatsuro replenished dried goods and seasonings with a long shelf life. Holding hands with Ai, they continued shopping, examining each floor. Around the tenth floor, they found a place selling plant seeds.

They stopped there, searching for something useful for their journey.

"Oh, this one supposedly turns into sweet fruit when it grows" (Ai)

"Yeah, true… but it says it takes three years to bear fruit. We might return before it grows fruit" (Tatsuro)

"If we combine tree magic with the [Item Box], we might manage it. It's not that expensive, so let's buy a few for experimentation" (Tatsuro)

"Really? Then I'll pick a few too." (Ai)

So, the two purchased seeds that seemed like they could become their preferred ingredients and moved on. Along the way, Ai was drawn to the clothing section, and after some persuasion, Tatsuro reluctantly agreed to buy a few items there as well.

Excitedly dragging Tatsuro around, they arrived at a corner with accessories and jewelry stores.

"Ah, this might be cute! How does it look on me" (Ai)

Ai, holding a small necklace with a sun motif, asked Tatsuro how it looked on her. To be honest, Tatsuro did not notice the necklace and was charmed by her eyes, but when he managed to avert his gaze he saw that Ai looked good in her exotic costume, and above all she had a sun-like radiant smile.

"Oh, it suits you very well. It's cute" (Tatsuro)

"R-Really? Thanks…" (Ai)

Hearing genuine praise, Ai blushed. As they continued, Ai noticed a pendant with a moon motif near the one she had chosen. It had a simpler design compared to hers but looked elegant.

"Try putting this on, Tatsuro." (Ai)

"Me? Well, I'm not really into necklaces." (Tatsuro)

"Oh, come on! Pretty please!" (Ai)

"…Alright." (Tatsuro)

Unable to resist Ai's pleading, Tatsuro accepted the moon pendant and tried it on. Surprisingly, it didn't look too odd on a man, and Tatsuro found it quite fitting.

"It looks great, Tatsuro! It's like a matching set. Let's buy them together!" (Ai)

"Hmm, I'm not really into necklaces…" (Tatsuro)

Despite having a mental image that necklaces were for women, Tatsuro felt a slight resistance. However, Ai's "pretty please" attack had a 100% success rate in breaking down his feeble defenses. He ended up buying the pendant, and Ai happily led him to the payment counter.

"Ugh… You're really persistent." (Tatsuro)

"I can't help it. I'll do anything you want tonight if you buy it" (Ai)

"Alright, let's buy it right away." (Tatsuro)

"Immediate response!?" (Ai)

Tatsuro, or rather, Ero-lo, couldn't refuse, and after making a quick purchase, Ai dragged him away with a swift pace.

"Well, I said it, but… please be gentle." (Ai)

"It's okay. It's nothing dangerous." (Tatsuro)

"Hmm. Tatsuro, you looked lewd just now." (Ai)

"Men all have one or two or a hundred or a thousand big dreams." (Tatsuro)

"A thousand dreams!? Isn't that too much!? I only agreed to one this time!" (Ai)

"I know. One for tonight. The second dream next time. The third dream the time after that. If we take it slow, all dreams will come true eventually." (Tatsuro)

Although Tatsuro confidently spoke as if he'd said something profound, the content of those dreams was just a man's various desires.

Sighing at his so-called wise words, Ai mumbled

"Ero-lo…" (Ai)

"I am Ero-lo, indeed. What's up?" (Tatsuro)

"Don't get too carried away!" (Ai)

While bewildered by his shameless attitude, Ai still found joy in his affectionate requests. Holding Tatsuro's hand tightly, she embraced the complexity of her maiden's heart.

Witnessed by everyone present, this scene became the talk of the town, starting rumors about the silly couple is another story. After finishing their accessory shopping and putting on their new items, they continued searching for something genuinely useful for their journey. However, since Reginald had readily prepared anything noteworthy, they found nothing of interest.

Since their scale had grown, they looked at the weapons and armor with high expectations, but even though there was some slightly better equipment than ordinary iron, they were all mass-produced items and there was nothing that caught their attention.

"Oh now that I think about it, I forgot to replenish my iron supply" (Tatsuro)

"Since it is easy to get, and it is durable, so it is easy to use" (Ai)

While saying this, they were shopping around for iron ingots, and as they walked around looking for other rare items, they saw a sample of metal ingots that was more expensive than iron.

In the product name: Phoebus steel was written there. It was a metal with an unknown name.

Since they did not know the difference between it and ordinary iron, they questioned the female clerk about it.

"Excuse me. it's this metal. Could you tell me the differences from iron" (Tatsuro)

"Huh, Ah yes. This is Phoebus steel"

"Yes, it looks similar to iron, but how is it different from iron" (Tatsuro)

"Well Phoebus steel is harder and heavier than iron, but it weakens when bending and it is a difficult metal to work with, is there anything else you would like to ask me?"

"Ah, it's okay now" (Tatsuro)

The female clerk bowed her head and returned to her work after replying to them.

While remembering the characteristics of each type of metal from earlier. Tatsuro looked at the other shelves and found ingots labeled as Light Silver and Copper.

"Oh, there is copper" (Tatsuro)

"Copper? Really? The next one to it… Keigin? I wonder, is it silver" (Ai)

"Well, it looks more like aluminum than silver. See, the weight is like that too" (Tatsuro)

"It's true, it's light" (Ai)

With that, Tatsuro bought a small amount of Phoebus steel, copper, and light silver and left the story

After exploring various stores on each floor and finding shops catering to specific races not present in the town of Obsul, that seemed irrelevant to them, they decided to conclude their department store adventure.

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