Chapter 42, Am I About To Hit the Level Cap or Something?

Translator: Lizz

 

I just stare blankly at the status screen displayed in my goggles.

 

Because it looks like this.

 

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Name: Tatsuga Kagetora

 

Explorer Rarity: SR

 

Level: 98

 

HP: 9990/9990

 

MP: 5131/5131

 

Strength: 9987

 

Speed: 8769

 

Resilience: 9545

 

Dexterity: 7276

 

Luck: 9991

 

S Skill: Dragon King

 

Skills: Spinning Slash, Insight

 

Usable Magic: Fireball, Alter Ego

 

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“…Huh? Wait, Miria!”

 

<Yes.>

 

“Am I about to hit the level cap or something?”

 

I figure I’ve been racking up a ton of EXP, but I’m getting stronger way beyond what I imagined!

 

<No. Your level keeps going past 100, so it won’t hit a counter stop.>

 

“Oh? Really?”

 

Now that I think about it, the level cap is kind of a mystery. Top rankers never show their stats, and no one actually knows what the peak level is.

 

I just assumed from general game knowledge that 99 might be the cap.

 

“Maybe if I enter Dungeon Festival, I’ll be the strongest one there?”

 

<No. There are many explorers whose levels exceed 100.>

 

“Seriously? So I’m still just getting started?”

 

This is wild. Explorers really are a bunch of superhumans.

 

“Wait? I’ve somehow learned an S skill. Dragon King Slash?”

 

<It is a sword skill that deals massive damage to a single enemy. Additionally, its effect changes depending on the dragon-type summoning cards you possess or any dragons present at the time. Use it at a critical moment.>

 

“Oh, so the effect changes. I need to be careful when I use it.”

 

It probably consumes a lot of mana too. Spamming it might not be a good idea.

 

<Yes. Please be cautious when using it. Changing the subject, you’ve completed many missions from the last dungeon clear. Would you like to receive all the rewards at once?>

 

“Oh, right, I haven’t claimed them at all. Go ahead.”

 

<Understood.>

 

As expected, a huge pile of items drops all over the cramped apartment.

 

“Whoa!? This haul is insane again!”

 

<You’ve received three weapons, four pieces of armor, ten each of four types of recovery items, two magic cards, twenty weapon materials, ten summoning cards, and two exclusive dungeon keys.>

 

“Awesome. What should I do… If I’ve got exclusive dungeon keys, maybe I should explore before Dungeon Fest.”

 

<You can also use them with the auto-run feature. With your current level, you can now auto-run up to three locations simultaneously.>

 

Auto-run… I think that’s the feature where my clone explores dungeons on its own.

 

<Kagetora-sama, you can currently auto-run the Cave of Evolution and the Cave of Growth. Shall I proceed?>

 

“Ah, yeah, go for it!”

 

<Understood. Starting auto-run now.>

 

Then, a window suddenly appears near the ceiling. It’s a screen I haven’t seen before.

 

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Cave of Evolution [All Floors]

 

Time remaining: 09:57:32

 

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Cave of Growth [All Floors]

 

Time remaining: 09:57:32

 

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Not set

 

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Looks like it finishes in about ten hours. Still, it feels kind of strange.

 

<Now then, regarding the upcoming Dungeon Festival that you’re aiming for, Kagetora-sama, it will require not only leveling up but also enhancing your equipment.>

 

“I feel like my gears’ gotten pretty strong already. Can they still be upgraded?”

 

<Yes. Significant improvements can be expected in your equipment. Since materials have been gathered, shall we begin weapon forging?>

 

“Ah, wait a sec.”

 

Come to think of it, Rena invited me out for drinks today.

 

“I’ve got a party to go to! Let’s do it when I get back.”

 

<…Understood.>

 

“Wait, did your tone just drop? You okay?”

 

<I’m fine.>

 

“R-Really?”

 

Her voice changes tone sometimes. Must be one of those clever AI touches.

 

<Kagetora-sama. Do you need navigation to your destination?>

 

“Wait, you can do that?”

 

<Yes, I can.>

 

“Ah—hold on. Let me check the place.”

 

I search for the location on my phone. It’s kind of tucked away, and I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, so I feel like I might get lost.

 

“I’ll look it up online, so I think I’ll be fine. But it’s my first time going there, so I’m kinda nervous.”

 

<I can provide voice navigation, so you’ll reach the location without getting lost.>

 

“That’s super handy! Wait, isn’t this just for dungeon streaming subscriptions?”

 

Up until now, she’s only helped with dungeon-related stuff. But this feels like she’s supporting my real life too.

 

Just as I start wondering, a reply comes about ten seconds later.

 

<Kagetora-sama, you recently renewed your subscription. As a continuation bonus, navigation services outside of dungeons have been unlocked.>

 

“No way! Subscriptions are amazing. Alright, I’m counting on you!”

 

<Understood. Please tell me the destination and the name of the place.>

 

Still, with how convenient this is, anyone would want to use the subscription.

 

I haven’t seen anyone else using it yet, but I wonder if more people will start.

 

Anyway, with Miria’s cheerful voice guiding me, I arrive at the location with plenty of time to spare.