I will insert three episodes on the 16th and 17th. I'm sorry to those whose bookmarks have shifted!
"Everyone, sorry for the wait!"
"Sorry for the wait."
She launched the communication software and greeted the camera.
It had been a day since Aki last participated, and for Maki, it had been several weeks.
"Oh, Aki-chan, Maki-chan. You both look so cute today!"
"Thanks for coming. The meeting hasn't started yet, so don't worry."
"Welcome, both of you. I heard yesterday was quite a challenge."
"I'm fine, really."
"Thank you for your concern."
Even after responding, the adults continued to call out to them, trying to entertain them. Normally, Aki and Maki would handle the situation with the grace of Prince Shotoku, but today, their minds were elsewhere, and they were absent-minded even when spoken to.
The adults had no idea about their situation, but after Shota's confession, the two were on cloud nine. They had almost been late for the meeting because they had been spacing out until the alarm went off.
"Ugh. Big sister, let's order takeout today. I don't have the energy to cook."
"Okay. But let's wake up early tomorrow? We need to make a bento for Shota-kun."
"Right. We need to be more composed."
"Ha... Still, wasn't Shota-kun even more handsome today?"
"Yeah. Just thinking about it makes my heart race."
"Hehe. Me too~"
The two continued their lovey-dovey conversation with the microphone still on, and the adults watched them with a mix of jealousy and blessing.
Just then, the last members arrived late.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"Sorry for the wait!"
"Did we make it in time? ...No, it seems we missed something important."
The branch manager of the Beginner Dungeon, Miki, the branch manager of the Heart Dungeon, Yoko, and the Director of the Japan Dungeon Association's First Headquarters, arrived. They took in the meeting atmosphere and the two girls who were oblivious to it, and they got a sense of what was going on.
"Aki, Maki. Stop that."
"Huh? Mom, when did you—"
"Flirting is fine, but turn off the microphone, please."
"…!?"
Realizing the situation, the two turned bright red, but Miki took control of the situation, ignoring them.
The others, surprised by Miki's calm demeanor, switched their focus.
"Let's begin today's meeting. The agenda continues from the duplicate skill acquisition issue discovered recently, and the resolution of the Heart Dungeon issue."
Miki operated her terminal and sent the materials to everyone.
The materials detailed each skill, all of which had been re-verified by Shota based on the original data.
- Super Strength: Effect duration 1 minute 00 seconds, cooldown 10 minutes. Doubles arm strength during effect.
- Super Strength II: Effect duration 1 minute 30 seconds, cooldown 9 minutes. Increases arm strength to about 2.2 times during effect.
- Swift: Allows movement at 3 times the normal speed during effect. Can accelerate further if running continuously. Maximum speed is 5 times. However, without sufficient 'Intelligence' to perceive and 'Toughness' to endure the strain, it can have adverse effects on the body.
- Swift II: Allows movement at about 3.2 times the normal speed during effect. Can accelerate further if running continuously. Maximum speed is about 5.2 times. However, without sufficient 'Intelligence' to perceive and 'Toughness' to endure the strain, it can have adverse effects on the body.
"Most of this is the same as the materials I sent yesterday, but there's a new discovery. The long-mysterious effect of 'Appraisal Lv5.' When used on an adventurer with duplicate skill acquisition, it reveals the number of duplicates currently acquired and the number needed for the next level-up."
"Hmm..."
"Very useful information. This will add credibility to the use of duplicates."
Several people received the new application positively, but one man raised his hand, questioning Miki. He was known as 'Lord' in the meeting, the branch manager of the Advanced Dungeon.
"Please go ahead."
"Yes. I confirmed it with my own eyes when I used it on the first person to discover this skill."
"So, you have someone who can acquire a large number of skills at your place. The 'Super Strength' incident from the other day, and the 'Super Strength II' and 'Swift II' in the materials. Not to mention the large number of skill orbs scheduled for tomorrow. It seems a person who has been inactive until now has started to act."
"..."
Miki chose to remain silent.
"Silence is consent, right?"
"Lord, weren't you told to stop pursuing this by the Director?"
"That was to prevent us from directly interfering with him. This is just a confirmation. The Director hasn't reprimanded me, and you must be curious too."
"That's true... But Aki-chan and Maki-chan are important to him. Are you okay with this?"
"Yeah? When an uncle says something like this, it usually means he approves. So, I'm happy that my loved one is being praised."
"It's a great honor to be recognized by Lord."
"Ka! This affection is making my face hot! The man who can make these two say such things is a sinner! If the Director hadn't stopped me, I would have gone to investigate him directly! ...Anyway, we've heard that Aki-chan and Maki-chan are now exclusively working for this man. We even know who he is. But there's no information about him. It's as if he's never been seen before, which is quite mysterious."
Indeed, he had been holed up in an unpopular dungeon for three years. Only Aki knew about his poor growth curve, and she hadn't shared the details with her sister.
When he left that dungeon, he already had 'Appraisal Interference,' so no one could obtain accurate, up-to-date information about him.
"In the future, we need to keep a close eye on the skills this man acquires and puts up for sale. If they are continuously listed, the value might drop in the auction."
"No, the information about duplicate skill acquisition will be released simultaneously, so it might increase both supply and demand."
"Ah, that's true. It's possible that people who were satisfied with what they had might want to get it back. 'Swift II' has difficult drawbacks to manage, but 'Super Strength II' has a longer effect duration and a shorter cooldown. People with plenty of money won't sit still."
"That's true. Also, it seems that completely new skills from a new type of monster will be listed tomorrow. We can't take our eyes off his actions."
As the men got excited, a seductive noblewoman who had been watching the meeting with a smile asked a question.
"Miki-nee. ...No, Aki-chan and Maki-chan are the right ones here."
Sakuya, who managed the Intermediate Dungeon, was a senior and a role model for the sisters and Yoko.
"Y-Yes!"
"Is it possible to make a direct request to him? To get skills without going through the auction?"
"Wait a minute."
"Yes."
They turned off the microphone to get approval.
"What should we do, Maki?"
"What should we do..."
They were hesitant. They wanted him to have the freedom to act as he pleased. They hoped he would prioritize his own growth in acquiring skill orbs and only list the excess. However, for him to excel in the future, he would need not only a higher adventurer rank but also connections with other associations.
As someone entrusted with diplomatic relations by Shota, it would be good to do a favor here. But it was difficult to agree wholeheartedly.
While they were pondering, their mother came to their aid.
"Sakuya. Let me answer on behalf of the girls. If the skill is among those we have listed, there's a high probability of securing it. However, there's no guarantee, and for other skills, it would need to be discussed. That's the best I can say."
"Is that okay? To decide without consulting the adventurer?"
"Yes. We're just asking him to bring back more. So, there's no certainty at this stage. Is that acceptable?"
As the two continued their discussion, the sisters were shocked by the proposal.
"Ask Shota...!"
"Ah, I never thought of that. It comes to mind so easily when teasing someone else, but not when it's about myself."
"Ask him."
For the sisters, who believed in serving and dedicating themselves to others, this was an unexpected option.
"...Hehe, that's fine. So, what can we choose now?"
"Right now, only 'Super Strength' and 'Swift.' Whether more will be added depends on him."
Thanks to Sakuya, a new way to acquire skills without going through the auction was established, and the meeting continued into the night. As a result, the detailed report on the Heart Dungeon was postponed to the next day.
"I feel out of place... But I might want 'Swift' for communication purposes... Can I get it at a senior discount?"
The branch manager of the Heart Dungeon muttered this, but no one heard her.
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