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Chapter 73: Advance, Retreat, And Then…
「Pure Silver?」
The president raised his brow as he asked.
「It’s one of the rare ores. It’s a magic ore that rarely drops from the golem. They’re the strongest kind in regard to physical strength reinforcement. Their effect are quite significant despite their small size.」
「Oooh, that sounds like a good thing! Since that’s the case, let Yuuma to eat it.」
「The heck you’re talking about! I have to prepare necessary experiment and place to gain the data for this rare article before Yuuma ate it!」
「The heck you’re talking about! It’s just deadweight if we don’t use that now when we need it the most!!」
The president and Aisha started their quarrel in the dungeon in which they had no idea when the monster was going to attack them.
Yuuma was looking dumbfoundedly at the two but then, the president put an end to their quarrel by wresting the magic ore of “Pure Silver” from Aisha’s hand.
Aisha who couldn’t beat the president could only sit on the ground, hitting the ground beneath her to vent her frustration. Though Yuuma was worrying about her, the president approached him with a smile on his face.
「Oi Yuuma, eat this! This will make our battle much more easier.」
「A-Ah…」
Yuuma took a glance at Aisha. She looks like a crybaby whose candy was just robbed by her childhood friend.
「Leave her alone! Raising the efficiency of dungeon capture is far more important than worrying about this selfish fella.」
「Y-Yeah.」
Yuuma received the “Pure Silver” from the president and swallowed it. He had no trouble swallowing it thanks to its small size.
That moment, he felt the familiar heat in his stomach, which spread to his entire body.
It was the feeling of digesting the magic ore that he was already familiar with. And yet, he felt nothing had changed than usual even after he tried to move his limbs.
「How do you feel, Yuuma?」
「Well… Doesn’t feel like I become stronger.」
The president then glared at Aisha who walked with tottering steps toward them.
「Oi Aisha! How much is the reinforcement effect of this magic ore?」
Hearing that, Aisha heaved a sigh, shook her head sulkingly.
「If we’re referring to the overseas research in the past, that magic ore should’ve reinforced stamina, agility, and physical strength. If that “Silver” is big, the increase should be 10% for physical strength, 7% for agility, and 6% for stamina.」
「The heck, another small increase.」
Aisha’s brow furrowed hearing the president’s remark.
「SMALL YOU SAY!? IT’S LITERALLY THE SAME AS RAISING THOSE THREE STATS BY 10%!! Don’t you understand just how rare is such amazing magic ore!?」
「Yeah yeah, I understand.」
The president went ahead while giving such a half-hearted reply. When advancing beyond the 40th floor, the resistance of the monster became more and more fierce.
The president could barely fight back, and while Yuuma could somehow defeat the monster with explosives, he had to protect Aisha too.
Nevertheless, they managed to arrive at the 56th floor.
「Yuuma, how many minute left you have for your 『Metallization』?」
「Around ten minute I guess.」
「How many of the explosive we have left?」
「Just thirty.」
The president and Yuuma had such a conversation while hiding in the shade of a rock. There was a monster resembling that of an iron monkey on top of a rock or a steep cliff.
They’re walking while looking at their surroundings with both their hands on the ground, just like monkeys.
「So that’s the monster called “Vali”.」
Rather than a monkey, its behavior was similar to that of a gorilla.
On top of being exhausted, their magical power was also nearing the limit.
And even with their last trump card, Yuuma’s 『Metallization』, the activation time was nearing its’ end. More than 150 explosives had already been reduced to just 30.
「Oi, Aisha! We’re almost at our limit. We’ve to go back and return tomorrow.」
「What in the world are you talking about! You’re telling me to return empty handed after we arrived at this point! We have to secure two bloody ores at least!」
The president and Aisha started another bikering session. Yuuma agreed with the president that they had to go back but he was too tired to join the two.
A while later, Aisha spoke again.
「Kotaro… It’s just two. It will make the dungeon capture become more easier later.」
「If you really need it, you can still get it from your own “Channel” right?」
Aisha shook her head as if to answer the president’s question.
「Bloody ore is only available for minorities among the researchers, it isn’t available in the market for obvious reasons. Since there’s strict regulation for transferring it to other people, the easiest way to get it is from a dungeon. That’s why I leave this matter to you, Kotaro. This is our only chance.」
The troubled president looked at Yuuma.
―― If possible, I want to go back to the surface  but… We might not be able to reach the same place even if Aisha commissioned us again.
「Let’s try it president, I have yet to use bloody ore either, so I think it should be doable with the two of us…」
「… I see, since that is your decision.」
「Okay, let’s do it, Yuuma.」Said the president as he was facing forward, his previous hesitation had already gone.
「Yuuma, I’ll draw their aggro, use that chance to unleash your power at once to crush them! We will retreat as soon as we retrieved the dropped magic ore!!」
「Understood!」
「Okay, let’s go, guys!」 Said Aisha happily upon seeing the president and Yuuma reached an agreement.
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Metal Slime