Fishing in the Pond

 

「If we use it skillfully, we might be able to make vehicles like motorcycles.」

「Yeah. But, a prototype…」

 

It still seems to be in a somewhat ambiguous stage?

It looks usable to some extent though.

 

「Steampunk!」

「How romantic!」

 

The two of them were talking about a topic only they could understand.

Well, I get the meaning, but still.

They’re probably talking about steampunk-style weapons or tools.

 

「We can’t make anything beyond prototypes yet, but do you have any requests?」

「Well then, can we modify a fishing reel into an electric reel?」

「Oh…」

「You always relate things to fishing, don’t you?」

 

For some reason, Shouko was looking at me in exasperation.

 

「Isn’t that just like you, Kizuna-kun? I’ll give it a try. Maybe I can make something to wind up the line like a drill.」

 

So I asked Romina and Sheryl to make an electric reel.

The result was a prototype motor reel.

It’s not as good as an electric reel, but we completed a reel that can wind up the line at high speed.

While making this, we went into the dungeon and did some drilling excavation with the prototype drill.

 

As a result, we were able to obtain a large amount of ore.

When we delivered the ores we obtained, Romina made me a dismantling knife.

Miraka Bread Knife.

A bread knife? The serrated blade was dully glowing.

 

「You said it was hard to cut Slimes, right? So I made some modifications to cut soft things. How is it?」

 

I see… Bread is soft, after all.

But what kind of tool is used to dismantle Slimes in the first place?

The game developers may have just settled on a bread knife since they couldn’t figure it out.

It’s also possible that Romina and the others don’t have enough technology yet to discover something more suitable for cutting Slimes.

 

「The Slime cores we brought back have a wide range of uses as fuel, for alchemy, and more. If used well, we may even be able to add accuracy bonuses and such.」

 

Romina seemed to be really enjoying playing with the materials.

She also made us some armor from Miraka Ore, Shouko and the others updated their equipment too.

I guess iron is outdated now?

Mithril and such still seem to be further ahead though.

After that, when Sheryl finished repairing the switch under the 20th floor…

 

「I did it.」

 

Sheryl gave a thumbs up with an accomplished look.

 

「Looks like you did it.」

「It was pretty close. Still far from mastering it though.」

「I see.」

「I wonder what’s beyond this point.」

 

Tsumugi pressed the switch.

Then… There was a chiming sound and a door opened.

Inside was a room, empty.

Just about enough room for six people.

 

「…」

 

I checked inside, just in case.

Next to the entrance door, there were numerous buttons.

Ground Floor : 20th Floor : ――

The buttons were placed unnaturally in countless locations.

But they didn’t react when pressed.

I had a good feeling and a bad feeling about this.

 

「An elevator?」

「…Seems like it.」

 

Yes, it was an elevator like those installed in department stores.

 

「A shortcut for dungeon exploration, huh.」

「I see… It was getting tedious to go all the way to the 20th floor each time.」

 

It’s considerate in a way, but… what about the condition that it cannot proceed without being repaired?

I mean, in terms of usability.

I wonder, if we had Peckle do it instead of leaving it to Sheryl, would it have been finished sooner?

No, there’s a high possibility that it took more time than Sheryl were to improve her skills.

After all, Peckle is just an assistant system.

It’s been proven so far that while Peckle isn’t necessary, using it does make things faster.

 

「Well then, let’s go to the next one!」

 

And so we quickly arrived at the 40th floor.

This time, when we arrived, the elevator lock was released.

Ah, of course we found Peckles and blueprints along the way too.

We can now create brick houses and three-story houses.

But these can only be used by Peckles.

 

「I’m getting pretty tired, so shall we head back for today?」

「Yes, I think so.」

 

It felt like we had been in there for about 7 hours, so it’s natural to want to rest.

Still, with the different flow of time compared to the outside, it feels like a waste of time.

 

And that’s how we’ve been struggling with the exploration each day.

Shouko and Tsumugi said the monster’s strength seemed to be leveling off.

It was probably an adjustment to prevent players from getting stuck after all.

Even so, according to Tsumugi, it’s more efficient than on the continent.

 

「Should we take tents and camping gear and rest at the safe zones while progressing?」

「It would save time, but…」

「Leveling up while grinding is also enjoyable, part of the charm of online games, isn’t it?」

「Well, I’m not denying that. Endlessly leveling up is part of the appeal of online games.」

 

That said, I was getting tired of the dungeon exploration routine.

A slow life has always been my soul style!

The goal isn’t to fight monsters and get stronger.

 

「Since everyone can fight without coordinating now, you guys should do what you want. I’ll try to master the Instant Dungeons! I’ll show off to everyone later!」

 

Oh, that’s perfect for me.

That’s also a way to enjoy it, huh.

If you raise the difficulty level, you can eventually get good equipment in the end.

 

「Do your best.」

「I’ll do my best with Tsumugi-san too.」

 

Those two are good at combat from the start.

They probably have the motivation.

If there were a few more combat-oriented people instead of half-baked ones like me, it would probably be more efficient overall.

 

「Well then, let’s go, Shouko-san.」

「Yes.」

 

And so Shouko and Tsumugi went off in pairs to conquer the dungeon.

Just from the few days I took a break, I could visibly see their levels rising.

Apparently they’ve been taking breaks in the safe spaces inside the dungeon, then resuming.

Since the dungeon’s time is calculated separately from the outside, grinding is pretty rewarding in terms of leveling up.

The difference in the sense of time is no joke.

Of course, there seems to be a limit though.

 

Oh, that’s right. When Sheryl finished repairing the elevator, an elevator appeared at the dungeon entrance too.

It’s a good hunting ground, I guess.

 

Just as Shouko and Tsumugi are focusing on conquering the dungeon, I need to defeat my own enemy soon too.

I had Romina make me a fishing rod with a Miraka Crystal, and improved my fishing skill as well.

Then I set up the motor reel Sheryl made.

I also attached a float and chose the materials for the hook carefully.

For bait, I took potatoes gathered on the island, kneaded them, and mixed in luminous moss we found in the dungeon so it would glow when put in water.

The time is …… at night, with that faintly glowing lure as a guide, I’ll catch the nushi!

 

「Hah!」

 

I gripped the rod and cast towards the pond.

Nushi. This time, I’ll see your form for sure!

The form that requires such skill and tools just to catch!

Slowly turning the reel… I set the hook.

Ever since I lost my Shining Lure on this island, I’ve been focusing on raising my Fishing Mastery for this moment.

All for this time!

With a swish of the rod, I send my challenge to that nushi.

Reel up the small fry instantly!

 

「Pen!」

 

Hey! You’ve been hard to catch lately, but now you’re biting!

Go away Peckle! I didn’t summon you.

You get it? With the recent increase in variations, I can’t tell them apart anymore.

Well, whatever.

 

With Shouko diving into the dungeon, now’s the time for me to focus on fishing!

I cast again!

Chiriri… Slowly turning the reel, I sharpen my senses.

The Shining Lure seemed to move faintly on the water’s surface.

 

…Now!

As I raised the rod, it twitched with a big pull.

A very different feel from when I got a hit before!

There’s no sign of the line breaking.

But… what kind of pull is this! A monster?!

Even I, who have reeled in giant squids, may get pulled into the pond by this strength.

 

「Grr… I can’t lose here!」

 

I have to get my Shining Lure back.

If the nushi runs right, I move the rod left. If it runs left, I move the rod right!

It’s useless to try to snag on rocks or driftwood!

Even if you try to cut the line, the line attached to this rod and reel has insane durability!

And this time it’s a motor reel!

Like a drill, it rapidly winds up the line powered by my energy as fuel.

 

Now… It’s a battle of endurance.

Will my energy run out first, or will your stamina?

It’s a duel!

And so I battled against the nushi alone at the pond that night.

 

「Ah, Kizuna-kun, it’s a nice night. A night like this is perfect for watching the moon or enjoying the night view…」

 

It seems Romina came to me while I was having this battle.

 

「Grrr… I absolutely won’t lose!」

「…Looks like you’re enjoying yourself. I’ll invite you another time. Fishermen seem to be a passionate people, like those on the front lines.」

 

Seeing me fervently fighting, she quickly left and went to sleep.

 

「Haaaaaaaaaaaah!」

 

Gyuiiiin! The motor reel made a sound as it rapidly wound up the line.

As a result of the long battle…

 

「Fish!」

 

I let out an involuntary shout as I successfully reeled up the thieving nushi that stole my Shining Lure.

With a splash, the nushi huge body leapt out of the water.

I’m convinced I had a defiant smile on my face then.

Finally… I caught it!

Now, let’s see what you look like!

 

「Whoa!」

 

Seeing the form of the nushi I caught, I wanted to let out a voice and tsukkomi at the same time.

 

「I can’t accept the reason why it has a stronger pull than the giant squid!」

 

I understand that since it’s a game, you need an appropriate level for the later maps.

Well… Can’t be helped, I guess?

It’s definitely true that it’s very big…

 

Anyway, I’ll take a screenshot first.

Then I’ll remove the glowing lure caught in the nushi mouth.

My Shining Lure is finally back!

That alone is a good harvest!