Live Dungeon! Chapter 3, Lucky Boy

~9 minute read · 2,175 words
Previously on Live Dungeon!...
Tsutomu, a newcomer to the "Dungeon of the Gods," awakens with a mysterious cane after respawning. He learns about "Diver" status and the "God's Rule" from a guild staff member named Garm. Tsutomu decides to sell the valuable cane to afford his status card and asks Garm to act as his escort and provide dungeon tutorials.
A month has gone by since Garm accepted Tsutomu's request to instruct him in defense and knowledge-based skills. During this period, Tsutomu began to perceive the game's world through a new lens, fully embracing Garm's teachings. It was during this time that Tsutomu was first introduced to the terrain information system. This system allowed him to determine if an area was safe and pinpoint the locations of high-quality shops. While the in-game shop locations remained the same, the interface shifted from a third-person perspective to Tsutomu's current first-person viewpoint. Garm imparted numerous other lessons to Tsutomu, covering topics from general common sense to equipment utilization. Consequently, despite a high-quality gemstone, living expenses, and a bounty being pilfered in January, Tsutomu remained unconcerned. His newfound knowledge had revealed a straightforward method for generating income. The black staff, previously appraised by Tsutomu, was recognized by the cat people as being worth at least twenty high-quality gemstones. Following the provision of an appraisal form, the cat people proposed its transport to the guild for auction. The final bid for the black staff amounted to thirty-two top-tier gemstones. Although the guild retained one gemstone as an auction fee, Tsutomu was left with over thirty of the highest quality gemstones. In monetary terms, this equated to approximately 30 million Gold. With a modest lifestyle, this sum would sustain him for roughly twenty to thirty years in this world. However, Tsutomu had not abandoned the hope of returning to his original world. He felt no strong attachment to his friends, as their connections were primarily based on mutual benefit. His primary regret was the inability to apologize to his parents. While he would have been content to remain in this world if there were no hope of return, a plan was currently forming in his mind. Dungeon conquest. He harbored a belief that successfully conquering a dungeon would enable his return. Tsutomu had arrived in this world via an item known as the "Invitation from God." This implied the existence of a divine entity overseeing the entire dungeon system. From this, a logical conclusion could be drawn. Fueled by the desire to escape this world, Tsutomu began strategizing how to utilize the 3 million Gold he now possessed. The current highest floor reached by adventurers is the 59th. This progress had remained stagnant for approximately six months. Garm had suggested that joining higher-level clans would be the most effective strategy for ascending to the 100th floor. Nevertheless, Tsutomu was also aware of the existence of what were termed "Back Dungeons." Concerned that conquering these hidden dungeons might be a prerequisite for his return home, he decided it would be more advantageous to establish his own clan. Establishing a clan required 1 million Gold. While the financial aspect was not an issue, the creation process also mandated a minimum of three party members, including himself. "Good day, lucky boy! Are you being taken by Garm on a walk again?" "Wow, that equipment is gorgeous! Wanna give me some money?" "How about you join my party? Oh yeah, but we have to split the loot!" Within the newly constructed guild dining hall, such taunts were directed at Tsutomu. When Garm, seated beside Tsutomu, cast a stern glance at the adventurers, they would quickly click their tongues and retreat. As the adventurers had observed, Tsutomu's equipment was markedly different from what he wore a month prior. He was clad in white trousers and a pale white robe. A custom-made belt encircling his waist held an elongated container, within which resided a green healing potion. He managed a large backpack and an expensive magical bag, both equipped with defensive functionalities. An assortment of other equipment and items were also stored within them. Tsutomu proceeded to upgrade his equipment using a portion of his remaining 20 gemstones, disregarding Garm's counsel. The moniker "first-floor treasure chest hunter prodigy" spread like wildfire throughout the guild with incredible speed. This was amplified by the fact that he had been identified by the cat people as the individual involved in the auction. Now, venturing outside the guild premises, he was readily singled out and mocked for his apparent exceptional luck. The rapid dissemination of this news was facilitated by numerous monitors, strategically placed throughout the city by God. These monitors, numbering in the dozens, displayed live feeds of various individuals engaged in dungeon exploration. In this town, which otherwise resembled a medieval settlement with the exception of magic stones, the broadcasts transmitted by God were typically the most entertaining content, thereby attracting considerable attention. There was a black mage named Alma, holding a prominent position within a clan. She was quite popular in the city due to her striking appearance. She was currently engaged in a relaxed conversation with some acquaintances, recounting how she, wielding the black staff she had acquired at the auction, had effortlessly vanquished the dragon boss on the 60th floor.

“I’m truly grateful to Lucky Boy! It’s likely due to him that I managed to break through the barrier of the 60th floor.”

This declaration was broadcast by the highest-ranking guild within the dungeon. Tsutomu’s visage was plastered across the city, complemented by newspaper articles that spun the narrative in amusing and peculiar ways, alongside the futile attempts of adventurers to gain substantial G by capitalizing on Tsutomu’s story.

[This must be the sensation people experience when they win the lottery…]

Within the guild, he was dubbed “Lucky Boy.” This moniker often extended to the city as a whole. Such was the extent of their disdain for Tsutomu, and he was growing weary of it.

It was, in truth, rather unfortunate. The guild had been observing Tsutomu for some time and felt a pang of sympathy for the title he received despite his earnest efforts. Among the few who remained steadfast by Tsutomu’s side was Garm, who had become his party member. Furthermore, Amy, the catkin known for circulating rumors about him at the auction, was also drawn into becoming his party member and was graciously loaned out by the guild at no cost.

“I’m sorry, Tsutomu.”

Tsutomu continued to assure Garm that he was fine, even as Garm squeezed his black doggy ears in frustration each time someone in the guild referred to Tsutomu as Lucky Boy.

“Had I not possessed exceptional luck, I would still be struggling on the first floor, searching for party members. The fact that I could join a party with you and Amy is a genuine blessing.”

“From the depths of my heart, thank goodness he didn’t have to stress over names too much! It would have been mortifying!”

Garm then adopted a serious demeanor once more. Tsutomu joined Garm in the queue at the receptionist’s counter.

“Even with all that said, Amy still isn’t here, is she? We’ve been waiting for quite some time now.”

While glancing at the clock, Garm clicked his tongue in irritation. Tsutomu surveyed the guild hall with a wry smile.

“She should have arrived by now. It’s been a week.”

“Who on earth conceived of making such a grand spectacle out of this? It’s repulsive how they’ve besmirched your name simply because the heavens granted you a touch of fortune. If you consider it, they are essentially expressing anger at the divine. They’ve already stripped you of your guild affiliations and rendered your input meaningless, and now they’re attempting to cast you as some sort of criminal!”

“Let’s go!” Amy exclaimed, leaping from behind and placing a hand on Garm’s back. Executing a somersault, she landed gracefully before Garm and Tsutomu.

“How can you act so foolishly even though you’re so late!?”

“Unlike a freelancer, I actually had some appraisals to conduct. I was occupied with work! Oh, hello Tsutomu! My apologies for my tardiness.”

With his tongue protruding so far, it was difficult for Tsutomu to discern any genuine signs of regret. Taken aback, Tsutomu offered his customary response.

“Offer an apology by being punctual next time.”

“Alright! Oh, look there. It’s clearer over there. Let’s proceed! Let’s go!”

As Amy dashed towards the receptionist, a young man with an unusual hairstyle, Garm muttered his grievances under his breath as he and Tsutomu followed closely behind.

“Hey, old man! Hurry up, please!”

“Silence, you imbecile! Just give me your saliva!”

“I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Ah, Garm, it must have been challenging for you to escort Amy around all day. And you too, Tsutomu.”

“Ahahaha…”

The man’s smile bore a resemblance to something that even a dungeon denizen would recoil from. Tsutomu extended his hand and carefully placed his saliva onto the pristine paper being presented to him. Garm and Amy soon followed his example.

The receptionist collected the small slips of paper and inserted them into the imposing machine, augmented with a magic stone, situated behind him. Upon its activation, three status cards emerged and were placed upon the counter.

“Wow, spitting, huh? How uncouth!”

“Is it still problematic for Lucky Boy to sustain injuries?”

The taunts originated from Tsutomu’s vicinity. From an adjacent line, another party erupted in laughter. Nearby adventuring groups joined in the mockery of Tsutomu’s actions.

The personnel at the reception desk mandate that all adventurers submit a bodily fluid sample, mirroring the procedure for status card registration. The primary justifications for this requirement are twofold: manually managing a substantial volume of status cards is exceedingly time-consuming, necessitating the use of a magical rune that accepts a bodily fluid as input; the secondary reason is to streamline party organization.

Although both blood and saliva are recognized as bodily fluids, a tacit understanding exists among adventurers that those who provide saliva are perceived as cowards, fearful of needles. Tsutomu was forewarned of this nuance thanks to Garm.

Nevertheless, inflicting a wound upon himself each time was both painful and seemed like a waste. He would reserve the use of blood only if he wished to impress attractive receptionists.

Tsutomu could scarcely fathom the experience of functioning as a healer within a party composed of such individuals. While he certainly harbored his share of complaints regarding his present circumstances, he nonetheless felt immensely fortunate to be part of a party alongside Amy and Garm.

While Amy was occupied with appeasing the other parties, Tsutomu examined his status card, which was rapidly cycling through colors. It was nearing level 9, yet his stats remained unchanged. Observing such a high level, Tsutomu's demeanor shifted to one of greater self-assurance.

Both Garm and Amy's status cards displayed a blue hue. The color of a status card signifies a person's highest achieved rank. Tsutomu's was a yellow-green, indicative of the grasslands found in the initial levels. Garm and Amy's, however, represented the beaches of level 41.

“These bugs are really persistent, aren’t they?”

“How many times must I tell you, you don’t need to echo my exact words.”

“Wouldn’t that make us share the same sentiment as those bugs?”

Garm placed his status card onto the receptionist's counter.

“If that’s your attitude, then just shut up and don’t complain.”

“Yes, yes, this little puppy is so very obedient! He waits patiently without a peep! He’s so well-behaved it makes one want to throw up!”

“Do I need to resort to physical persuasion for you to finally understand?”

The receptionist let out a weary sigh as the three of them submitted their saliva samples.

“See, your party registration is now complete. Are the bounties also to be divided into three equal portions?”

“Yes.”

“Once you have finished updating your status cards, you are free to depart.”

“Hmph? There aren’t many folks queuing up anyway. You bald old man!”

Amy dashed towards the dungeon entrance, with Garm and Tsutomu following closely in her wake.

By the dungeon entrance, approximately five magical circles were arranged side-by-side, with a line of about five individuals waiting before each.

As parties stepped onto the magical circles, they vanished in a flash of light. Tsutomu was quite accustomed to this sight now, though initially, Amy used to scold him for being apprehensive.

The moment their turn arrived, Tsutomu immediately stepped onto the magical circle, Amy holding his hand tightly with a wide grin on her face.

“Huh? Does this still function if we’re holding hands?”

“Indeed. If the wicked Amy gets sent off to some random place, it’s no great loss. But Garm, on the other hand…”

Tsutomu reached out for Garm’s hand as Amy playfully twirled her white cat ears.

“Let’s go! We can have a rapid training session in the grasslands today. It’ll be a blast!”

“Destination: 1st Floor”

In a mere instant, the three adventurers dissolved into motes of light and vanished entirely from the guild hall.