Chapter 2

The first day of summer vacation.

I had been told beforehand, but still—just as expected, I was the only student attempting to obtain a “Dungeon’s Blessing,” the so-called “Dungeon Gacha,” during summer vacation. Because there was no reason to arrange a dedicated bus or supervising teacher for a single applicant, I ended up being transported to the Ginza Branching Dungeon mixed in with groups from other year levels.

In other words, I traveled together with the students from the school I’ll be attending next: Meiou Explorer Academy.

The academy’s high school division and the main campus are fairly close to each other. This was my first time stepping foot on the academy grounds of my future school, and from there, they kindly took me to the dungeon by microbus.

By the way, the area around the dungeon is generally off-limits to civilian vehicles. The fact that the academy is allowed through just shows how specially privileged it is.

“Whoa, so you’re planning to enroll? But choosing to take the ‘Dungeon Gacha’ during summer break—now that’s pretty bold! I like your style. Looking forward to seeing you on campus, Akira!”

“Likewise, Akitsu-senpai.”

In the bus, I got approached by a third-year student of the academy—the only one who took interest in me, the lone high schooler.

His name is Akitsu Aomei. Extremely cool-sounding name.

Meanwhile, mine is just Higashiyama Akira. The definition of ordinary.

“Well, I’m also taking on the dungeon during summer break, so I get the appeal. Gotta chase that romance, you know?”

“Right? They say you mostly get joke-tier blessings or skills, but honestly, that’s fine too.”

“Exactly. The classic trope—‘looks useless at first, but becomes amazing once mastered.’ It’s almost tradition.”

Yes, yes, exactly that. It’s a standard storyline in web novels.

Of course, I also know full well it won’t go that smoothly in reality.

While chatting like that, we gather at the entrance of the Ginza Branching Dungeon.

As expected, many explorers attempt the dungeon during summer vacation. Most of these people aren’t full-timers—they’re “part-time explorers.”

Getting an Explorer License is extremely difficult, and supporting yourself solely through dungeon exploration requires significant “combat aptitude.”

Because of that, most explorers are part-timers, challenging the dungeon seriously during long breaks to raise their Existence Level.

“By the way, Akitsu-senpai, did you really never enter a dungeon until your third year?”

“I focused on nonstop training. I got my license just before summer vacation. Starting tomorrow, I’m going all-in on dungeon diving. You don’t have your license yet, right?”

“Yeah. The earliest I can take the exam is in October, but honestly, I don’t feel confident. Probably won’t make it until December…”

“The written exam is the real hurdle. Do your best. If you get it, let’s try tackling the dungeon together sometime.”

By then, I’m sure Akitsu-senpai’s Existence Level will already be higher.

People often shorten it to “level,” but it really is just like a game’s level.
When you defeat a monster in the dungeon, the scattered mana is absorbed by nearby humans, strengthening their bodies.

That’s the only way humans can absorb mana. Eating the “magic stones” monsters sometimes drop does not give you power—experiments proved the only outcome is a hospital stay…

Also, if you take a magic stone outside the dungeon without special equipment, its mana disperses and vanishes. So they must be stored in special containers for exchange. This is the main source of income for explorers.

“Now then, everyone from Meiou—let’s proceed to the first floor, where you will receive your Dungeon’s Blessing. Those without a license may not proceed to the second floor and beyond, so please be mindful.”

Finally, it was our group’s turn to enter the dungeon.

A wide staircase leading underground like a huge subway station mouth.

This part is an artificial facility. Beyond it lies a “dungeon-generated grand hall,” a safe zone where no monsters appear, equipped with prep areas, small shops, and a space specifically for people like us who are here simply to obtain their blessing.

We descend the stairs, and once we pass the last step, we’re inside the dungeon.

And here, we will receive our blessing or skill.

My heart pounds. But this hall is also a busy passageway—we quickly move to the edge where the Meiou group gathers to receive their blessings.

“Alright, Akira-kun, let’s check…!”

“Y-yes!”

Before entering a dungeon for the first time, we are each given a certain device.

Its creator is unknown, yet it is distributed to explorers worldwide. Made with extremely advanced technology, a relic of the dungeon itself, said to be created using mana—a new natural resource—at its core.

A thin metallic wristband worn on the arm, commonly called a Window.

The name comes from the fact that… it projects a floating display in the air, like a window or digital screen.

Ever since dungeons appeared in this world—over fifty years ago—new particles called mana elements began to accumulate throughout the Earth. As their presence increased, strange new natural phenomena started to occur.
And as dungeon exploration advanced, the global concentration of these mana elements rose as well.
It was around that time that this particular device was unveiled worldwide.

Since humanity’s technology had already progressed—people were accustomed to smartphones, PCs, and flat-screen TVs—the device was surprisingly well accepted. There was little confusion in learning how to use it.

On the other hand, those in engineering fields were shocked and bewildered. They’ve been struggling day and night to analyze this unknown device ever since.

I open my personal Window.

Displayed there is the user’s personal data.

Numerical representations of my abilities and physical status. My current level and a rough indicator of my stamina.
And… the blessings or skills I possess.

“…Alright, what did I get…?”

I scroll through my status screen with my finger.

Numbers I’ve never seen before—visualizations of my own abilities, appearing for the first time.

For reference, anyone entering a dungeon for the first time always starts with all stats at 1.
They’re only approximate indicators, and individuals with the same numbers may still differ slightly in ability.
As you grow, the differences become more apparent, so there’s no need to worry too much about it.

And then… at last, the blessing or skill I received appears.

“What is this? 【Replication Lv1】? Never seen this before… Is this a skill rather than a blessing?”

Displayed at the bottom of my status page was a skill I had never encountered.
Maybe if I dig through old documents, I’d find someone with the same ability. I’ll have to research it later.

But something else unsettled me even more than this unfamiliar skill.

I noticed there was still space to scroll further down.

The skill should be displayed at the bottom—yet there was more beneath it.

Wondering if maybe a “Back” button was down there, I scrolled further—

“Huh? What is this?”

Sitting there as if it were a second skill was the text 【Inheritance Bonus】.

What the heck…? What did I inherit? Whose what did I supposedly inherit?

No one here had the answer.

Strangely enough, when I tried showing my Window display to others, everyone could see 【Replication Lv1】, but not the text 【Inheritance Bonus】.
They all said the same thing.

Still—I did manage to learn at least something.
Someone actually knew what 【Replication Lv1】 was.

According to them, it’s an ability that allows the user to replicate objects with almost zero mass.

…So, like, I can use unlimited tissues? Or maybe increase my hair…?

Anyway, I couldn’t obtain any information at all about the mysterious 【Inheritance Bonus】, and thus, on the very first day of summer vacation, I ended up returning home carrying a massive question mark in my head.