I will insert three chapters on the 16th and 17th. I apologize to those whose bookmarks have shifted!
After considering the previous 'Swift' listing, I will take a break from the auction talk.
After savoring the sweet tea that Hana made, I remembered something.
"Oh, that's right. I have a few requests for the two of you..."
"Please tell us anything!"
"Tell us anything!"
"Haha..."
I glanced at the branch manager, but the two of them reacted as I expected. There was no significant response.
"I think you noticed from my skills, but I've taken the 'Dual Wield' skill. However, I don't have any other weapons besides this 'Guardian Spirit.' So, could you please find something simple for me with today's magic stone sales?"
"Understood. I'll have it ready by tomorrow!"
"While I'm at it, I'll also select the next item for when the skill sells at the auction!"
"Hehe, please be gentle. ...Ah, and about the auction sales, please set aside the money to pay off the two of your debts first, without using it for anything else?"
"Hehe, understood."
"Can't help it, can we?"
The two of them smiled happily.
"Oh, and Branch Manager,"
"Ah, what is it?"
She seemed a bit surprised to be addressed.
"Yesterday, I heard from Aki that you reported the skill stacking issue at the meeting."
"Yes, but since Yoko left the meeting halfway, it was postponed to tonight."
Well, Yoko left the meeting because we came to see her, and with the emergency situation, after we told her about the 'Golden Bug,' she had to leave again and was busy, so the delay was inevitable.
"I have additional information on that issue. Branch Manager, you mentioned earlier that there was a strange number in my status, right? Do you, by any chance, have 'Appraisal Lv5'?"
"Yes."
Yeah, as expected, she softened.
Before, she would have been cautious and vague about such information, but she answered smoothly.
"The report is about that. I discovered it when I got Lv5. When you stack skills, you can see the current progress of the stacking in your status."
"...Ah, I see. So this '1/3' means that. I understand. Since I have 'Appraisal Lv5,' and the other branch managers know about it, I'll report it as something I discovered. 'Appraisal Lv5' was previously thought to be unnecessary beyond Lv4 because no one knew its exact effects. But with this information, the value of 'Appraisal' will increase, and it will also prove the stacking. ...But is it okay to share this information so freely? All of this is information you discovered on your own. Normally, you could receive money or rank points as compensation."
Ah, ranks...
I remember there's such a thing. But during my time in this beginner dungeon, I never thought I would need it.
Even if I go elsewhere, it would only be to other minimum-level dungeons like 'Unlucky Hole' or 'Heart Dungeon.'
"Hmm... I enjoy uncovering the mysteries of the dungeon. So, once I discover something secret, I don't really care what happens after that... Well, for important things, I do have a bit of a possessive streak. But for other information, I think it's fine to share. I'd rather it be used effectively by someone who can make good use of it and help others. That's the best outcome. Besides... I've already received two important people from the branch manager. I can't ask for more."
I mean, in the sense of the two daughters, and also because I have two excellent ★3 and ★4 senior receptionists and a branch manager-level officer as my dedicated staff. Asking for more would be greedy. So, if I can make the branch manager happy with the information I've gathered, I'm happy to share it freely.
Just, I'm not ready to share information about gacha, 100 enemies, or 'Luck' yet.
"True, I want results since I've given you two, but I also want you to receive rewards based on your achievements."
"If that's the case, please discuss it with the two of them. I want to leave such matters to them."
The two of them nodded.
They would take only what is necessary if there is a reward and convert it into something useful for my adventures. I have no worries at all.
"...Amachi-kun. I don't know if you were trying to sound cool, but ranks are essential?"
"I don't know much about it, but I thought they weren't necessary for using beginner dungeons..."
"That's true, but didn't you forget something important? To marry two people, you need a certain rank."
"...Eh?"
Is that true!?
Now that I think about it, I've seen news on TV about someone marrying their nth wife, and they were all high-rank adventurers. I thought it was just because they had money, but it's different.
When I looked at Aki, she was smiling wryly.
"Oops, you didn't know, did you?"
"That's because the sister was embarrassed and skipped the explanation."
"Ugh. It's just so vivid. Besides, normally, people would look up what they can do with a higher rank. Normally."
"Sister, you can't apply normal standards to Shouta."
"Right."
I feel like I'm being insulted, but maybe it is a normal standard. But until now, I didn't need to aim higher; just hunting slimes was enough...
Yes, it's my fault.
"Phew, you're a handful. Amachi-kun, what's your current rank?"
"F..."
"Second from the bottom... Listen carefully. The reason for the polygamy system is that in the first few years after the dungeons appeared, humans were too cautious about the dungeons, causing frequent dungeon breaks with overflowing monsters. This led to a decline in the human population. As a solution, the law was changed to allow adventurers to have multiple partners. However, not everyone can do this. For two people... at least C rank is needed."
Three ranks higher...
"Aki, Maki. How long does it usually take to reach C rank?"
"Normally, it would take 2-3 years..."
"But Shouta is not normal. Thanks to the 'Super Strength' contribution to the guild, he has already accumulated a lot of points for rank up. I haven't applied for the update yet because I thought it would be easier to do it all at once."
"Really?"
"Yes. But don't worry. Depending on the results of tomorrow's auction, if even one 'Adamantine Armor' is sold, part of the proceeds will go to the guild. That alone will secure enough points for C rank."
"...So, you mean..."
I don't have to do anything?
"Amachi-kun, be grateful for your two excellent dedicated staff."
"Aki, Maki... I'm not much, but please take care of me."
"Yes, we will."
"You can rely on us more!"
"Then, please manage the auction proceeds as well."
I don't know how to use it.
"Are you going to let go of money management too? ...You really are selfless. Normally, people would want to use the money they get. Amachi-kun, you have none of that."
The branch manager sighed in exasperation.
Hmm. When I saw the price of 'Precognition' at several hundred million, my eyes almost popped out. But if 'Adamantine Armor' sells, I'll get the same amount of money. Yet, I can't really feel it...
"My wish is to be able to enter the dungeon every day and have a healthy sleep... For food, as long as I can eat sweets regularly, I don't need to eat expensive things... Ah, but Maki's cooking is the best."
"Shouta-san...! I'll make it every day!"
"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it."
"Hehe. Mom, Shouta-kun is like this. He doesn't even know about our hometown."
"Huh?"
Hometown?
"Come to think of it, Shouta-san, you've never mentioned it. Even when you gave your last name, there was no reaction..."
"Oh, is that so? Selfless or ignorant... At this point, it's truly remarkable. How can someone lack such common knowledge?"
"Hmm?"
What are you talking about??
"Hehe, Shouta-kun looks so curious. Have you heard of the Hayabusa Zaibatsu?"
"Hmm? ...Hmm, I think I've heard of it somewhere."
"See? That's the level of your knowledge."
"Such a person exists... I feel bad for suspecting Maki of being after money when she first approached me."
"Shouta-san only thinks about the dungeon."
"If that's the case, you should know more. Amachi-kun, if you're going to have the two of them, there's something you should know."
The branch manager then told me something incredible.
Her father, and Aki and Maki's grandfather, is the director of the Japan Dungeon Association.
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