[If itās that low, I donāt think you can ever get any drop.]
[Wait, wait a minute, is S really that low?]
[Eh? Doesnāt it start from A B C Dā¦ā¦.]
Emily counted again from the start using her fingers.
Itās certainly true that if you go by the sequence of the alphabets, S would be almost at the end of the alphabet and might be even worse.
But, since the day I was born till now, the games that Iāve played during my generation is giving me a different impression of it.
S is clearly higher than A.
To double confirm, I looked at the board again.
āāāļ¼ļ¼ļ¼āāā
Vegetation S
Animal S
Mineral S
Magic S
Special item S
āāāāāāāāā
Is this good, or itās actually quite bad?
But Iāve got a feeling that itās the best.
Having all S is rather high spec, I canāt think of any words to say but to admit that I am now a cheat-like character.
Though, Emily thinks itās bad.
I wonder which one is true.
[Letās try it.]
I looked around my surroundings. If I were to confirm the drop rate, I would first need to find a monsterā¦ā¦.a slime and defeat it.
But in order to achieve that, I first need some sort of weapon.
Even though I know itās futile, I seriously searched around the vicinity to find for any weapons but, something like a weapon canāt be found that easily right?
Even a stick would be fineā¦ā¦..
[What are you searching around for?]
[Iām trying to find a weapon to defeat the slime because I want to confirm whether the drop rate S is really as you said, the lowest.]
[Then, wanna use mine?] she said as she swung the hammer straight towards me.
[Catch!]
The force of the hammer dropping almost made me fall down too..
I tried lifting the hammer up from the ground.
I bend my waist, and clenched my teeth.
Even though I used all my strength, it didnāt even budge at all.
[100 Kilo isnāt something to be carried lightly you know !]
[S, sorry !]
As Emily apologized to me, she took the hammer back with one fell swoopāusing one hand too! I trembled while thinking so.
Although on the outer appearance, she seems to be a cute 130 centimeter girl, but when she lifted up a hammer with over a hundred kilo, whatās more with one hand.
Not to mention she used that while spinning too!
After watching something like THAT, my spine froze, while cold sweats are dripping from my back.
[Then, is something like this better?]
As if not realizing my frightened expression, Emily took out a green stick from inside her bag.
Wait, looking at it closely, it doesnāt look like a stick. While standing still, the tip of the stick is sharpened. Itās a bamboo spear.Ā (TLN: Good oldĀ maple story~)
While receiving itā Iām scared to receive it but, surprisingly itās a just a regular bamboo.
The weight is just right and the thickness is also just nice to grip it on my hands.
[If itās this then thereās no problem.]
[A slime has appeared~]
Emily explained the position of the slime.
Inside the undergroundā-I mean the cave, a slime has appeared since the start.
Pon, Pon, Pon.
While bouncing like a gum ball, it is heading to my direction.
I hold the bamboo spear in position.
Those who attack first wins. While thinking so the slime came flying towards me.
I lowered my back and positioned the bamboo spear in a horizontal direction and push it out as hard as I can.
It seems the bamboo spear has penetrated the slime after hearing a āTsuburiā sound.
A strange feeling is being conveyed through my hands right now.
The slime who was pierced at the center of its body stopped moving.
Afterwards, it melted from the bamboo spear and fell onto the ground.
Then, the dead body vanished andā-bean sprouts dropped.
Just like something youād see from a supermarket, itās an estimate of two kilo worth of bean sprouts !
[Awe, awesome! This is the first time Iāve seen this much drop from a monster.]
[I remember you said that if a drop rate is high then the item would also increase right?]
[Thatās right ! The rate and the amount, both will increase.]
[How long will it take for Emily to get this amount?]
[Ettoā¦ā¦..]
A slime appeared from the opposite side.
Emily took her hammer, and positioned it towards the slime.
While enduring the blow of the slime, she waited for the right moment, and whack the slime with her hammer.
Endure it, then attack.
This was Emilyās fighting style from the very moment Iāve met her.
After the slime has vanished from her blow, more bean sprouts appeared.
This time itās something like when youāre shopping, and thereās a limited time sale where bean sprouts are 30 Yen a bag, becomes to 10 Yen per bag. This was the amount that was being dropped.
Looking at it closely, the gap seems to be 1/10th the amount I had.
[Something like this~]
[That means mine is more. Have you experienced something like this before, Emily?]
[Nope. This kind of drop, even if I were to hunt in Teruruās first floor for about two years, it would be impossible to get this amount, not even once.]
[I understandā¦..So that settles it then. That S is higher than A.]
[Why is it that S is higher than A though? Itās weird.]
[You know, itās that kind of thing~]
To be honest, I do not understand why either.
Even though I donāt know, but it is a fact that S is better than A.
Now that I think about it, besides S there are SS or SSS too.
[ā¦ā¦Emily, have you seen anyone with S stats?]
[Nope~ Never even heard of it once. Since A being the best is common sense.]
[I seeā¦..]
Even though I have no proof for now, I think no one has SS or SSS.
Drop rate all S.
For just a moment, I was sweating cold sweat while thinking that how I have to live my life in hell everyday while knowing that I cannot be strong.
But with this, then itās no problem.
And after relaxing, I became hungry.
Gyurururuā My stomach rang throughout the cave as I was hungry.
Emily glanced at me, it is kind of embarrassing when a girl is in front of me.Ā (TLN: For some reason, when I searched for the meaning of how Emily looked at Satou, the result has a lot ofĀ drawings like this~)
[Shall we have a meal then~]
As she smiled at me. Itās as if looking at a motherās smile when saying.
ā
At the usual spot, we light up a fire and on top of it is a pot with water in it being boiled.
[Even in this cave, thereās water.]
There are puddles of water nearby.
[If nothing drops from a monster thenā-For example, if the slime did not drop a bean sprout, then in return, it will drop air and water.]
[Aa, now that youāve mention it, you said that before.]
[And inside the cave, plenty of it is stored.]
[I see~]
While the water was boiling, Emily skilfully started cooking.
Next, she puts a bunch of bean sprouts into the pot that was dropped by the slimes. She then took out some garlic chives from her bag and tear it to a mouthful size and boil it in another pot.
After waiting for both pots to boil for another 10 seconds, she took off the pot. Then, she use some chili oil and some seasoning as dressing and mix it all together.
Even though she skilfully made the dish, but it seems that some steps were omitted.
Well, since thereās no kitchen in a dungeon, this in itself is fine too, I suppose.
[Here you go~]
As I was being served with bean sprouts, I took a spoonful and put it into my mouthā Delish!
This crunchy feeling coming from the bean sprouts, whatās more, the slight spiciness coming from the chili oil.
The freshness coming from the sweet and spicy taste really matches together.
[This, this can really go well with some sake~]
[Is that so?]
[You donāt drink?]
[Yeap~]
[I seeā¦.]
I then enjoyably munch on the bean sprouts.
Something this delicious, no matter how much there is I can eat it.
During that moment, Emily went ahead and cook a different dish.
She used the huge amount of bean sprouts that we collected and turned it into bean soup.
With the steam rising up, a red and green colour with the white bean sprouts can be seen in it making it a delightful meal.
[Please have this too~]
After receiving it, I drank it in one gulp.
With the taste of the bean sprouts, and the warmness of the soup, this certainly recovers and warmed up my body.
Even my heart isā¦..in bliss.
While thinking soā¦.tears starting flowing out.
[E, Eehhhh! Wh, what happened Yoda-san? Youāre cryingā¦..Was it not to your liking?]
[No, itās not like that.] I said while wiping my tears with my hand.
[Itās just that itās been a really long time since Iāve had such warm and delicious food with someone else.]
Recentlyā¦ā¦Iāve been eating alone.
When working at a service company day in and day out, I can only eat food bought from the convenience store during my 5 minute break.
Before damaging my body till I have to be sent to the hospital, those were the days I was living in.
While slurping on the bean soup, it certainly is delicious.
[Thankā]
Before I could offer my thanks, suddenly, something has covered my vision completely.
Though itās warm, and soft.
I have no idea whatās going on right now.
[Yoda-san.]
Emilyās voice was heard from above my head. I finally realized that I am being hugged by a girl for the first time.
Being hugged by a 130 centimeter tall girl.
[Previously, Iāve heard of this before in church. That is if someone were to work hard then they will be rewarded. Even if they are fast or slow, people who work hard will surely be rewarded.]
[That isā]
[But that isnāt the case.]
Emily was now gently patting my head.
[Even though you donāt get your reward even if you worked hard, but if you wait long enough, a bigger reward will surely come. The most amazing reward is those who get to be reborn again and be rewarded for it.]
[ā¦ā¦..]
[I know that Yoda-san has been working hard, I understand. Thus Iām sure that you will be rewarded afterwards.]
Emily whispered to me with a gentle tone as though a mother would do to her son.
ā
After finishing our mealā¦ā¦. I was being calmed down.
I mumbled so.
[By the way, is it now Noon? Or is it Night?]
[I think itās already night. This should be our third meal, so itās dinner.]
[Then shouldnāt we find a place to stay for the night?]
[If thatās what youāre worrying than donāt worry as after immediately leaving the dungeon, there are inns all over town that we can search for.]
[Is that soā¦]
While being taught various things by Emily, I sense that she stop moving..
[Are you going to fight more monsters?]
[No, itās time for me to sleep too.]
[Sleep? You arenāt going back home?]
[I am currently living in the dungeon. Since the drop is low, It is hard to earn a living. My dream is to someday rent my own apartment~]
Emily said naturally.
This isā Something similar to a homestay then?
Itās probably close to that.
Now that I think about it, she was carrying a lot of things like pots and seasoning.
At first I thought she was carrying this for camping butā¦ā¦..
[ā¦ā¦I see.]
After concluding so, I stood up.
[Yoda-san, please take this with you.]
[The bamboo spearā¦.. It it alright?]
[Yes, since not having a weapon is dangerous~] Emily gently smiled.
Iām becoming more and more touched by her gentle and kindness thought that itās starting to hurt my chest.
[I understand, Iāll borrow it for now. I will return it afterwards.]
[Okay~ I will always be on the first floor of Teruru if you need me~]
[Okay~] I nodded as I make my way outside of the dungeon.
ā
After gaining bare minimum information in town, I decided to exchange the bean sprouts that Iāve collected for cash.
This is the first thing Iāve learned.
First off, this worldās currency is named Piro. The value is similar to Japanās Yen.
The bag of bean sprouts that I sold was only 200 Piro, one night on the cheapest inn is 2000 Piro, and a full bowl of ramen is 500 Piro.
With some slight adjustments here and there, I assumed that 1 Yen is = to 1 Piro
After confirming that, Iāve also confirmed the price of things I want to get, and head back to the dungeon once again.
Teruru Dungeon, First Floor
There, I searched for slimes and defeated them.
After defeating them, bean sprouts dropped.
Then, I bring it back to town and sold it, and again went back and defeated another slime.
When Iām tired, I would rest on the spot.
Even though the dungeon floor is hard, but itās the same as when Iām sleeping on my desk when I was working back then, thus I didnāt mind it at all.
And so, the cycle of rest and work has begun.
First dayās earning, 5123 Piro.
Second dayās earning, 4970 Piro.
Third dayās earning, since I got a lot of drops thus I got 10210 Piro.
After working hard straight for 3 days with only an hours worth of rest each day. I finally reached my goal.
After enduring, I finally gotten 20000 Piro(Yen).
If itās this muchā.
ā
A town that holds roughly a few tens of thousands of people with 5 dungeon in it, Shikuro.Ā (TLN: The JP is called ć·ćÆć, so I just direct translate it to make it more easier XD)
The outside of that Shikuro, there being built was a 87-year-old apartment.
That is the place I brought Emily too.
[This is?]
[I rented it. 3 days worth of earning.]
[In 3 days ! Youāre amazing Yoda-san]
[And because itās old therefore thereās no rent deposit. This is the limit of 3 days.]
[But this is amazing. How much was it?]
[Per month is 20000 Piro.]
[20000, thatās amazing in itself~]
Emily said as she quickly went inside the room.
This isnāt something to be flattered about because I can only get a 87 Year Old livable place with a monthly rent of 20000 Piro.
But still, Emily looked around the home with envy.
Alright, this should be fine, as I thought.
[So, hereās the key.]
[Okayā¦..Wait, why did you hand me the key?]
[Starting today, this is the place you are living.]
[Whoās home?]
[Yours~]
[ā¦ā¦.Eeeehhhh]
[Of course, for next months and the following monthās rent, I will be paying for it. So rest assure~]
[Th, you canāt do this. This much isā-]
[This is as thanks for the soup~]
[ā-]
While holding her breath, Emily could not believe what she just heard.
[That soup has lots of flavours in itā¦ā¦It was also very warm.]
[ā¦ā¦]
[So this is my thanks for it. Even though itās not really a suitable home, but since you wanted a place to live.]
[ā¦ā¦I understand.] Emily said while nodding slowly and looking at me.
I was relieved and satisfied.
As thanks for the soup, this should do.
[Well then, I have things to doā]
As I was walking outside the door.
My clothes were caught, and I was forced to stop.
[Emily-?]
[Your handsā¦..they are full of blisters.]Ā (TLN: OMG I found aĀ pictureĀ that is relevant to this!)
[Eh? Ah Iām sorry. I guess itās due to me borrowing your bamboo spear and using it too often, I will wash it before giving it back to you.]
[You have dark spots below your eyesā¦ā¦]
[Theyāre still there? Haha, the marks will disappear after a while so donāt worry about it.]
Even though I stay up late all night but it will eventually disappear, what a mystery.
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦]
[Emily-?]
Why is she quiet all of a sudden?
As I was thinking so, she straightforwardly told me.
[Iāll make soup for you.]
[I see, then one bowl pleaseā]
[I make it for you forever, please drink it together with me.]
[Eh?ā-Th, that means.]
Without realizing, she was holding my hands.
Itās the same as that timeā Her motherly eyes are mercifully looking at me.
I sort of guess what she wants to say.
Are you sure? As I thought.
[Ne.]
While giving a gentle smile, she nodded and caught hold of me.
And like that, Emily and I areā Going to live together from now on.