kscans

Chapter 38 - Christmas Interlude: IF Route

Christmas Interlude: IF Route

"Wake up, Master."

"Ngh..."

A flat voice and the feeling of my shoulder being gently shaken. I opened my eyes to find a doll-like, perfectly sculpted face right next to mine.

I'm still not used to it, so it startled me a little. But thanks to that, I was wide awake.

"Good morning, Byakuren."

"Good morning."

With those words, the long, black-haired girl... Byakuren... gave a polite bow.

To be precise, she's not a girl. She's a 'golem.'

Her glossy black hair, her skin finer than white porcelain, her well-proportioned features, her voice like the ringing of a bell, her bombshell figure. All of it is a 'thing' I created.

If I had to describe it, I suppose she's a 'variation of a flesh golem'... though the materials weren't human corpses, but carbon, ammonia, and the like that I bought online.

"Breakfast is already prepared. Please have it once you have changed."

"Alright. Thank you."

Byakuren, dressed in a maid outfit, gave an elegant curtsy. The slightest movement caused her large breasts to sway beneath her apron dress, and the desire I had 'vented yesterday' began to swell once more.

But it's not right to start things off first thing in the morning. I quickly changed out of my pajamas, and Byakuren took my discarded sleepwear to the washing machine. I washed my face in the sink and used the toilet.

"Time to eat."

As I ate breakfast in the kitchen, I thought about how strange it was that the golem I created was a better cook than I was.

Currently, I'm renting this house and living alone. It's about a twenty-minute drive from my parents' house.

And it's about an eight-minute drive to the dungeon.

Land near a dungeon is something everyone avoids. It's only natural, since you'd be the first to be in danger if a stampede occurred.

There are businesses and individuals who rent out such houses for cheap. The Dungeon Agency manages these cases, negotiates with local authorities, and helps find housing for adventurers.

My parents were against it, but I persuaded them by saying, 'I need my own workshop to strengthen my combat power for dungeon exploration.'

...To be honest, the biggest reason was that I had always longed to live alone.

However, it's not a complete lie. This Byakuren is proof.

The data and knowledge released by the 'Alchemy Enthusiasts Club,' the contents of the book in my 'Arcane Gear,' and the power of my 'Nucleus,' which I only unleashed because I was alone.

Through these, Byakuren's power and speed are comparable to my own.

Also, since she has a literal steel skeleton, her durability is high. But when you touch her, she feels no different from a normal human.

The Alchemy Enthusiasts Club still considers it 'theoretically possible but lacking the technology,' and although the formulas have been released, they haven't been put into practice. I forcibly realized it with the boost from my 'Nucleus.'

However, using the club's data, it seemed I could only create beautiful girl types... so since I was at it, I designed her with all my fetishes.

Her performance is not an issue. She's strong enough to fight alongside me in a dungeon. Her fuel efficiency is, as expected, poor. Still, I want the numbers as insurance in case something happens.

...Yes. I'm a solo player.

In the final test of the adventurer course. I, who couldn't team up with anyone at that time, went into my first dungeon with just the examiner. I think the exploration itself went smoothly, except for getting my sword stuck in the ceiling at the beginning.

And so I started safely as an 'E-rank,' but I had no companions.

...Apparently, there's another adventurer in the class next to mine. It seems they took the test on a different day.

But she's a girl, and more importantly, she seems to have already teamed up with someone else, so I can't invite her. She's blonde and has a loud voice, so she stands out, but I often see a woman on a motorcycle at the school gate shouting 'Momo-chaaan!' and running up to her.

She was a cool woman in a rider suit. With a combination as fitting as a beauty and a beautiful girl, there's no room for me to get involved.

"I'm done."

"Yes. I will clear it up."

"Okay, thanks."

I leave the dishes to the stoic Byakuren.

While Byakuren takes care of the housework, I check a dungeon-related news site on my phone. I mainly look at the market price of drop items, but there are a few other news items that catch my eye.

Recently, the free sale of some drop items has begun, and the number of adventurers is increasing. However, it seems to be unpopular with various media due to the high risk of death. I remember it well because my parents also said a lot to me.

Last month, I think, just after I became an adventurer, there was news that a party of four adventurers was killed by a boss monster.

I was planning to go to that dungeon, so that surprised me.

But it's difficult to truly empathize with 'death' seen through a screen. I never felt like quitting being an adventurer just because it's 'dangerous.'

In fact, it's the opposite. I need more power. I need strength to protect myself and my family. Of course, I intend to leave what I can't handle to the Self-Defense Force. Like dragons.

So, I'll go to the dungeon today as well. It's Sunday, so there's no school.

"Byakuren. Get ready to go to the dungeon."

"Understood."

Once her housework was done, I called out to her and got ready myself.

After changing, I headed to the entrance, and Byakuren soon followed.

Black Western-style armor covered her entire body. I sat at the entrance and helped her put on her greaves.

A black knight is romantic, but I've heard somewhere that in reality, the armor is painted black to hide scratches and dirt.

Similarly, this paint is also to hide the flaws in my own work. The materials are also things I bought locally, so I'm not confident in its strength. I have her wear it mainly for 'disguise.'

"Alright, let's go."

"Yes."

We left the house, locked the door, and walked to the Dungeon Store. It's a bit far to walk, but I don't have a car, and transporting a golem by bus is a hassle.

At the very, very beginning, Byakuren's exterior was just a kettle, so it was easy, but if I remove the flask, her current exterior will collapse. Even if she's artificial, I don't want to see a beautiful girl melt into a puddle, so I can't change it out.

After walking for about twenty minutes, we arrived at the Dungeon Store and put our valuables in a locker.

Then, with my adventurer license in hand, I went to the reception in front of the gate room.

"Yagawa Kyouta-sama and his golem, correct?"

They didn't check inside the armor, and we passed through the reception. I had previously shown them the state where only a cable connected her neck and torso while she was wearing the armor, so Byakuren is recognized as a golem.

...I'm a little worried if they don't check properly every time, but it's convenient for me, so I won't say anything.

In any case, we passed through the gate and into the interior.

Inside was a place made of stone walls and floors, like the inside of a castle or fortress from a fantasy work.

However, there were no windows, and the light from the torches attached to the walls eerily illuminated the surroundings.

I also turned on the switch of the lantern on my hip to increase the light source. I can see well enough now, but I want to be extra careful.

"Byakuren, be on the lookout."

Byakuren nodded silently. I took out a wooden stick about a meter long and a bag of 'coins' from her backpack.

I collected these from an 'F-rank dungeon' a little while ago. It's cheaper this way than buying iron plates from a store.

I poured the coins onto a piece of paper with a transmutation circle written on it, placed the wooden stick on top, and then, transmuted.

I prepared six simple, impromptu throwing spears, put them in a cloth tube, and had Byakuren hold it.

"I'll go ahead. Attack any monsters you find."

After confirming Byakuren's nod, I began the exploration. This is my fifth time in this dungeon, so I'm used to it.

After going a little further, I found the Self-Defense Force's paint, took out a map, and checked it. After confirming the route to the exit, I headed in a different direction.

With the free sale of drop items, now is the time to earn. I need to save money to make a golem to protect my parents.

They're not Awakened, so they have little mana. I need to create a simple golem that activates when you press a switch.

I need money to secure the materials for that. I'll need gems sold in stores, not just dungeon items.

Currently, if something happens, I have to run there myself. I can get there quickly if I run at full speed, but a few seconds could be the difference between life and death.

...I heard my parents canceled their trip for their wedding anniversary this year due to money issues.

But if they had gone out that day───

"Hup!"

My [Spirit Eye] reacted, and I knocked down a thrown stone with my left arm.

From ahead in the passage, three monsters appeared.

'Buo, buo...!'

'Bufuuu...!'

A pig's head, a plump belly. And yet, powerful limbs. Orcs.

If my parents had gone out that day, they would have been caught up in their stampede. The thought sends a chill down my spine.

'BUAAAAAH!!'

With a roar, two Orcs ran towards me. The remaining one was winding up to throw a stone about the size of a human head.

But before it could be thrown, a spear pierced its head. Byakuren.

Having made her in the form of a beautiful girl, it's become difficult to place her in the front line. But it's a great help to have her for support like this.

I readied my sword and closed the distance with the Orcs.

'BUGAA!'

Two axes swung down. I deflected them with a single flash of my two-handed sword.

'BUGYA!?'

I slashed the thigh of the surprised Orc on the right, and with the return stroke, I cut off the left arm of the other one.

Just as the right Orc knelt, a throwing spear flew into its skull, making a red flower bloom.

The last one, now one-armed, roared and swung its axe, but I easily blocked it with my gauntlet. I then thrust my sword into its throat and tore it sideways.

I deflected the splattering blood with wind and maintained my guard. After confirming that all three had turned to salt, I let out a small breath.

I immediately collected the drop items from the salt. Two coins and a crystal that looked like a pig's skull.

I'm lucky. This crystal is a rare drop, but it sells for a high price.

"Good work, Byakuren."

Byakuren, who had been collecting the throwing spears, nodded. After putting the drop items in the backpack on her back, the two of us, one person and one golem, started walking again.

We continued exploring as usual for about an hour, and on the way, we saw the boss monster, the 'Orc Champion,' so we retreated. While it was being held back by throwing spears, we managed to outrun it with our mobility and stamina.

I'll leave the rest to the Self-Defense Force and list today's harvest on the official sales site through the store.

Considering the current market price, it should probably fetch around '300,000 yen' in total. For an hour's work, that's more than enough.

The Self-Defense Force has sealed off the dungeon, so I'll head home for today.

"Let's go, Byakuren."

After changing, I set off for home with the golem in the form of a black knight, who nodded silently.

This life as an adventurer, I'm finally getting used to it.

I can now sell drop items, so I'm earning money. I have Byakuren, a beautiful golem... or, as the club would say, a 'homunculus wife.' My level has also gone up, and I'm now '10.'

Things are going smoothly, but I have one problem.

"Tomorrow is Monday..."

It's that I don't have any human friends.

In that sense, it's a boring daily life.

...Well, I can have sex with a busty beautiful girl (Byakuren), so it's all good!

Dad, Mom. Please forgive me for probably not being able to give you grandchildren.

Even without friends or a human lover right now, there are many things to enjoy.

All things considered, these days aren't so bad.