Episode 155: Gate Key

"Looks like it's been ages since we saw the sun..."

The space we emerged into on the "ground level" was a dome-shaped room adorned with a painting of an endless blue sky.

"Anyway, what exactly is this place? I've never seen or heard of a building this huge."

"Who knows. Even if they explained it, we wouldn't understand anyway."

Yeah, probably.

The ground floor was clearly different in character from the maze-like spaces we'd encountered so far.

The endless, hastily drawn comic background-style white walls vanished, replaced by a dense, overgrown forest surrounding us.

When we turned around, we saw that the place we'd emerged from had become a cave, with a massive stone tablet standing firmly just ahead of it.

On it was written,

"Here lies sealed within this land a traveler from another world, one who journeys through time and space.

Let no one dare enter."

The words were carved into the stone.

"What is this, anyway?"

"I don't know, but doesn't it feel like one of those classic scenarios?"

Ah, yes—classic scenarios, I see.

Given that this space was originally designed by Nakamichi En, it's probably just one of his personal tastes coming through.

"Yeah, uh—first off, we gotta get our hands on this 'Gate Key,' right?"

"Yeah, assuming the info's accurate."

"Then, once we use it at a specific location,"

"It'll be the long-awaited 'Dungeon Master' battle....Now that I think about it, it feels a bit roundabout, though."

I feel the same.

Well, I suppose we can't proceed without meeting the clear conditions, so it's unavoidable.

"Then, let's quickly get our hands on that 'Gate Key' thing."

"Hey hey~"

Fortunately, there was only one path to follow. There didn't seem to be any confusing choices.

Soon, a small castle town came into view—about ten buildings lined up neatly. Right beside it stood a castle roughly the size of a love hotel in a city center.

"Whoa. Feels kinda like a run-down theme park in the countryside."

"...Maybe that's what it'd look like if you literally立体化 a town from a game."

At the town's entrance stood a castle gate, and just in front of it were two soldiers straight out of a fantasy RPG—stereotypical types, spears at the ready.

"Y-y-y, an unfamiliar face. Just what in the world are you?"

"A traveler."

Feeling oddly like I was playing along in a farce, I replied.

"Hmm, a traveler, you say? Yet there's only the sealed labyrinth in that direction. Surely you're not some otherworldly adventurer, are you?"

"I don't know, but probably."

"Such ominous news! It's believed that otherworldly adventurers bring calamity upon our kingdom. Out, at once—leave this place immediately!"

"No way."

"Ah, how dare you! A cursed otherworldly adventurer! Very well, let me be your opponent!"

At the same time, with a nimbleness utterly unlike the sluggish tone and movements he'd shown before, the soldier's spear leaps aside.

"——Whoa!"

A powerful thrust.

An ordinary person would have been pierced through the heart and died instantly.

Of course, that wouldn't affect us at all.

"Swinging that around recklessly is dangerous, you know."

Sighing, I seize the soldier's spear.

And I casually swing it toward the forest—poof.

"Aaah, that's terrible..."

The soldier, now weaponless, suddenly slumped in despair and collapsed right there.

"Whatever, do as you please."

"Then, I'll be taking my leave."

"Uh... yeah..."

I easily hop over the two soldiers, motionless like cicadas at the end of their lifespan, and pass through the city gate.

The town below showed no sign of interest in the minor altercation that had just occurred, remaining quiet and deserted.

The people passing by, much like those at the Adventurer's Inn, lacked any sense of vitality. Perhaps they were nothing more than NPCs—non-player characters—like those in a video game.

"Vortack's Shop, Gilgamesh's Tavern, the Adventurer's Inn... and—casino?"

I can't remember exactly, but Haruna once said,

The "ground floor" is a stage where your luck is tested ☆

And that's what they said.

The item needed to clear this floor, the "Gate Key."

The price? An astonishing forty million gold.

Anyone who's been serious about this up until now would be utterly broken by that number in an instant.

There's apparently a casino as some sort of rescue measure (?), but...

"…If I had a little extra time, I'd like to try my luck at the slots for just a moment."

"Sorry, but that's not possible."

"I know that. Still, it might turn out to be a rather precious experience. — Outside, it's like that. There probably isn't a single functioning slot machine left."

With a faint hint of reluctance, I pull the "Gambler" along and enter the building marked with the sign 'Boltack Store.'

"Hello, welcome..."

The man who introduced himself as Boltack V was a short, stocky man with thick, bushy hair—showing no trace of his ancestors' features.

"Oh, you must be the legendary 'Adventurers from Beyond the Veil'!"

"The legend?"

"Yes—my late grandfather told me many tales. Apparently, there's a mysterious traveler who comes to this shop, crossing through time and space."

"Time and space?"

Thanks to the kindness of generations past, I’ve been able to establish such a fine shop. Gilgamesh and the innkeeper from the Adventurers' Inn will support you, sir.

"Hmm..."

So that’s the setup, then.

"I’ve recently acquired an important item you’ll surely need—what’s known as a 'Gate Key.' It’s said to grant the power to escape from this world, no matter what."

"Then I’ll take it."

"But to obtain this 'Gate Key,' you'll need a hefty sum—four hundred thousand gold pieces."

Are you seriously asking someone who supports you to hand over money?

Is this script a bit too sloppy?

"If you don't have enough money, why not try earning more at the casino nearby?"

For some reason, this guy seems to be indirectly suggesting I should ruin myself through gambling.

Well, I’ve got plenty of gold on hand, so that’s no problem at all.

"Then, right away..."

Taking the familiar touch-panel terminal from King Voltaque V,

—999, Gate Key (400,000 Gold)

I select it.

Carefully tucking the silver key into my pocket.

"I still have about ten thousand gold left. Since I'm here, should I buy something?"

"Yes, indeed."

Continuing to operate the touch panel,

"To be honest, though, I'm not really sure what I want."

Since we've stopped worrying about money, we've done a lot of shopping—though honestly, I recall most of the items weren't very practical for actual use.

Indeed, among the expensive weapons, there were some even stronger than "Muramasu." But those tended to be unnecessarily heavy, bulky, or drain magic power excessively, making them somewhat inconvenient for everyday use. In my case, I already have the *Ultimate Sword* when I need power.

"So, how about this one?"

Pointing at it with a smile, the "Gambler" said, "That one—'Lucky Gold Coin,' the achievement reward item. Perfect price for spending leftover gold: 92,000 gold."

"What's that?"

"Can't blame you for not knowing. It's a job-specific achievement reward item—exclusively for 'Gambler'."

A job-specific achievement?

Something like that "Whip of Fate" thing, maybe?

"What does it do?"

"Simple and straightforward. Just wearing it makes your luck slightly better—about the same effect as 'Luck I.'"

"How exactly does that translate into actual luck?"

"Not by much. Maybe just a bit more likely to win at rock-paper-scissors."

What even is that?

"It's not much, really—just a small comfort, but it might come in handy someday."

True, I suppose having it wouldn't hurt at all, at least.

"Then, since I've got the chance, I'll take it."

"Alright."

When the "Gambler" selects the terminal, a coin clinks into existence before him.

Picking up the coin, engraved with the profile of a rugged-bearded old man on both sides, he stuffs it into his pocket alongside the "Gate Key."

"Alright... Well then, shall we go for the 'Dungeon Master (Final Boss)' battle?"

"Alright, alright~"