A Middle-Aged Man Becomes the Strongest in Another World: The Physical Specialized Awakener - Chapter 5

The next morning, I picked up the armor I ordered and suited up, then headed out a bit later than usual toward the Big Boulder Dungeon. There was no one at the dungeon entrance anymore, it seemed the early parties had already gone in.

From what I’ve seen of other adventurers, there are four parties currently exploring this dungeon. I don’t know if that’s a lot or not, but either way, it’s probably best to avoid any unnecessary interactions to prevent trouble.

I took a deep breath at the entrance and stepped into the giant rock. The inside of the dungeon was dimly lit, but with my upgraded Vision skill, I could see just fine. The corridor was about three meters wide and tall. The walls were rough like a cave, but the floor was surprisingly flat, making it much easier to walk through than a real cave.

Honestly, it felt more like a man-made attraction than a natural dungeon. I guess that’s just part of the mysterious nature of dungeons in this world.

After going down a gentle slope, I reached a fork in the path. This is where the real dungeon exploration begins. I pulled out the map the guild gave me and double-checked the layout. The right path was the main route, leading down to the second basement floor. The left path was a dead end after a short distance.

I didn’t hesitate and chose the left path. I’m not here to rush into deeper floors, I need to fight monsters in a place where no one else is around. I slowly walked forward, focusing on my Aura Sense skill. Thanks to the Calm Mind skill, I felt incredibly composed.

Mace in my right hand, buckler in my left, I really did look like a character straight out of a game. Suddenly, something pinged on my Aura Sense. Something was coming around the corner up ahead. It was roughly the size of a child, walking on two legs.

“Gyaa?” It spotted me as it came around the corner and hesitated for a brief second. “Gya gya!” But then it raised what looked like a wooden club and charged right at me.

Green skin, ugly face… Yep, this was definitely a goblin, an F-rank monster at the very bottom of the rankings, just like the guide said.

The goblin swung its club, but before it could build up momentum, I blocked it with my buckler. I took the opening and swung my mace sideways into its torso. The goblin bent in half and flew back from the force. I stepped in to finish it off, but it was already dead. Its body melted into the dungeon floor, leaving behind the club and a shiny marble-sized gem.

“Phew… That was easier than I expected. I guess the lowest-tier monsters really are weak.”

Yesterday’s Boarwolf was also F-rank, but clearly on the higher end. There seems to be quite a range even within the same rank. Then again, maybe I’m just stronger now than I was yesterday.

I picked up the club and the gem and stuffed them into my pack.

The club looked useless, might work as firewood at best. But the gem, known as a magic stone, was actually valuable. Apparently, collecting and selling these stones is one of the main ways adventurers earn money.

After checking my gear, I headed further in toward the dead end.

I encountered three more goblins on the way to the dead end. Thanks to my Awakening, I adapted to combat pretty quickly. By the time I fought the last one, I could take it down before it even had a chance to swing its weapon.

I returned to the first fork, then walked to the dead end again for another round. Seems like the encounter rate drops once you’ve cleared a path, just one goblin showed up the second time. Looks like grinding in the same spot like in games doesn’t really work here.

Even more surprising, I was already numb to the violence. I didn’t feel a thing smashing in a goblin’s head. That realization shook me a little. I mean, I’m literally fighting for my life, yet I’m this calm? Maybe it’s the Calm Mind skill. If so, adventuring might be a dangerous profession in more ways than one. Lose your humanity, and you’re just a weapon. I’ll need to stay mindful of that.

With that in mind, I headed back toward the fork. Aura Sense pinged again, three goblins this time. “Gyaaaa!” Three of them came charging shoulder-to-shoulder, completely blocking the hallway. No way to run. That meant I had to go forward.

I ran straight at them, then leapt into the air right before contact. I kicked the center goblin mid-jump and knocked it down, then landed and finished it off with a quick strike. The other two skidded to a stop and turned around. I was already dashing at them. I smashed one in the face with my mace, down goes number two.

But at that moment, the last one swung its club at me. I blocked it with my buckler, but it still hit my shoulder a bit. In return, I brought my mace down right on its skull, three down.

“Whew… Got through that somehow.”

I had expected the possibility of group attacks, but fighting multiple enemies really is a different beast. I think I handled it well enough though, then again, these are just bottom-tier monsters.

I picked up their clubs and magic stones, then made my way back.

I spent the rest of the morning wandering around the first floor of Big Boulder Dungeon, but all I found were more goblins. Nothing else worth noting.

Fighting them in real battles helped, but because they’re weak, I didn’t feel like my level or skills were improving much. So I headed back to my usual training spot in the afternoon and focused on raising some skills there instead.

One reason I left the dungeon early was to avoid running into other parties. While I’m still weak, it’s best to avoid other adventurers. Hate to say it, but they’re way more dangerous than goblins.

“Goblin magic stones are 800 rom each. You’ve got 26 of them, so let’s see…”

“That’s 20,800 rom.”

“Huh? Oh yes, that’s right! You’re quick with numbers, Mr. Okuno.”

“I used to be a merchant, after all.”

I replied to the surprised receptionist while glancing around the guild’s lobby. It was still early in the evening, so only one party had returned so far. One of their members had gotten seriously hurt, and I saw him being rushed into the infirmary, covered in blood. I hope he’s okay.

“Is that guy gonna be alright?”

“Hm? Oh, probably. Injuries like that can usually be healed with a tier-2 potion. It costs 450,000 rom though. You used to be a merchant, so I’m sure you understand, it’s a good idea to save up.” 

She said it so casually. I guess that kind of thing happens a lot.

“Yeah, makes sense. By the way, what do people usually do with the goblin clubs?”

“Give them to the innkeeper, they’ll use them as firewood. Might even get you a free meal.”

“Good to know. Thanks again.”

“You’re very welcome.”

I don’t know much about the general education level in this world, but this receptionist seems pretty sharp. Compared to some of the more curt shopkeepers, she stands out.

I took my payment and left the guild, heading for the inn.

By the way, all currency in this world comes in coins. That said, it’s not like gold or silver coins. This country’s monetary system seems more advanced than what you’d expect from a medieval fantasy setting.

Before heading to the inn, I stopped by a food stall and bought something like grilled meat skewers. The inn’s food is decent, but it always feels like it’s missing protein. You need animal protein to build muscle, or at least, that’s what I’ve heard. Considering how much I’ve been exercising lately, I figured I should eat as much of it as I can.

I paid 1,500 rom for two skewers and bit into one on the spot. It was seasoned with just salt and pepper-like spices. The meat smelled stronger than what I’m used to with pork in Japan, but it wasn’t bad.

My jaw, teeth, and even stomach feel way tougher than before. Guess that’s another effect of Awakening. Even tough meat doesn’t faze me anymore.

Yeah, I’ll start actively including more protein in my meals from now on.

Maybe the knowledge I brought from modern Japan will actually give me an edge in this world. With that bit of hope in my heart, I headed back to the inn.