Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Robot Vacuum Cleaner
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"Whoa. This is way better than I imagined..."
-Current Points: 6,760p
It had only been a day since registering Dry as an [Employee]. Yet in that short time, points had piled up to nearly 3,000. Not all of it was from Dry alone—some came from burning the felled trees and weeds in the [Incinerator], and more from scavenging gear off the demon tribe corpses in the trap sections and selling it in the [Shop]...
'Might as well check out the shop while I've got the chance.'
Now that he had a decent amount of points available, he decided to take a closer look at the [Shop]. He'd held off before because with so few points, peeking might tempt him to waste them on junk. But who knew what lay ahead? Better to scout the [Shop]'s inventory now.
'Most of it's the same as the 'Cleaning Game' shop in my memories...'
That said, a few items definitely not in the game were boldly listed in the [Shop]. Like this one.
-[Robot Vacuum Cleaner (Lv. 1)]: An autonomous robot that cleans on its own!
"This definitely wasn't in the game."
While browsing the [Shop] functions, he spotted something amusing: a robot vacuum cleaner. It was commonplace in 21st-century Earth households back home, but he'd never used one himself. And it sure as hell wasn't in the 'Cleaning Game'.
"For some reason, it's in the [Equipment] category with a level attached, so it must count as a 'cleaning tool' too..."
Curiosity bubbled up. He'd never used a robot vacuum in real life or the game, and this was a change to the 'Cleaning Game' he'd thought he knew inside out.
'Did the update apply?'
Before landing in this world, the 'Cleaning Game' had announced an update. Among the changes was a more diverse [Shop] inventory.
'Let's buy just one.'
-250p consumed to purchase [Robot Vacuum Cleaner (Lv. 1)].
It might be a waste of points, but with some breathing room in his balance, he figured it was smart to test new [Shop] items now. So he spent the points and bought a [Robot Vacuum Cleaner].
-Whirr?
"...It's just like the ones from Earth."
Suddenly, a flat white robot vacuum—like a round cushion—materialized before him. He'd never owned one back home, so seeing it up close felt oddly novel. He'd always wanted to try one.
"Perfect timing."
He'd seen how they moved in TV ads, so for a test run, he grabbed the robot vacuum with [Quick Movement] and teleported.
"The corridor's a mess from those demon tribes who trampled in yesterday..."
He'd warped to the hallway stretching from the entrance. Erzsebet's new demon tribe kin had tracked mud everywhere, leaving it filthy. He'd cleaned it once already, and while [Quick Movement] let him zip through even if it got dirty again...
"Alright. Show me what you've got."
-Whirrr...
He set the robot vacuum on the floor and activated it. A soft mechanical hum sounded as it glided forward, homing in on the dirt and grime. Its front intake sucked up the dust.
"Not bad."
Robot vacuums had a rep for spotty cleaning back home, but as 'Cleaning Game' gear, this one was doing a stellar job.
-[+10p]
"Oh. Points are coming in?"
While watching it work, a system window popped up over the cleaned path, announcing point gains. Did it count as his cleaning since it qualified as a 'cleaning tool'?
"Keep cleaning."
It seemed slow-crawling, so rather than babysit, he decided to check back later on its progress. With [Quick Movement], he returned to his original spot.
-Whirrr...
In the now-empty hallway, the robot vacuum pressed on alone, inching along the footprints.
"Chris. You sure we don't need backup?"
One of the three women trailing Chris—who'd left Delron after a single night and headed straight for the reported dungeon site—spoke up to their leader with worry in her voice.
"It's fine. Bringing extra people would just mean more casualties."
Chris flashed a friendly smile to reassure his comrade. When departing Delron, he'd turned down Bishop Stan's offer of reinforcements, opting instead for just himself and these three women—a party of four—to reach the dungeon's location.
"So cool..."
The red-haired woman who'd asked flushed at his words about minimizing sacrifices, but Chris's true thoughts were a touch different.
'Can't have my achievements diluted.'
Reinforcements would inevitably share the glory. He'd volunteered for this backwater precisely to conquer a dungeon unseen for decades and make a name for himself.
His title as Disciple of Radiance could've netted him backup—or even another 3-star Hero—but he'd stuck with his usual trio of 2-star women Heroes.
'Not wrong, though, right?'
Avoiding extra deaths wasn't a lie. His master had drilled dungeon dangers into him; average fighters would just get in the way.
"Besides... with you all here, what do I have to worry about?"
"Chris...♥"
Chris shot a sleazy grin to soothe the women behind him. They weren't ordinary ladies, after all.
Sera, the red twin-tailed mage. A 2-star Hero from the Flame Tower, infamous for incinerating thousands of demons.
Luna, the blonde in nun's robes. A 2-star Hero dubbed the 'Next Saint' for instantly healing severed limbs.
Lily, green bob-cut with a bow on her back. A 2-star Hero specializing in scouting, detection, and sniping.
And himself, a 3-star Hero.
'No way we fail.'
Overkill for a fresh dungeon, but Chris eyed his trusty women confidently as he realized they were nearing the bishop's described spot. He drew his Holy Relic 'Durandal'.
True to the bishop's word, a stately door stood alone in the forest clearing.
"There it is. Everyone, get ready."
"Got it!"
The women—who'd been gazing dreamily at Chris moments ago—sharpened their eyes and locked onto the entrance. Sera peered ahead and muttered.
"Hold up. There's a barrier."
Sera raised her staff and chanted briefly. A blood-red protective film around the door shimmered into view. But no one in the party panicked at the sight.
-Tap.
Sera approached and lightly tapped the barrier with her ringed finger. The ominous shield vanished without a trace. Knowing the power of Sera's Holy Relic, the group took it in stride and advanced beyond.
"Lily. Any traps or ambushes nearby?"
"No traps... Not sure about ambushes, but there's a faint presence deeper in the passage."
"Good. I'll take point. Luna and Sera in the middle. Lily, cover the rear and watch for flankers."
No room for carelessness inside a dungeon. Gripping Durandal, Chris heightened his focus and advanced slowly. As he entered the passage, an odd noise reached his ears.
-Whirrr...
A mechanical whir, like some device activating. The sound from down the hall was growing closer.
"They sensed us coming?"
"The barrier broke without a trace..."
"We expected this. Get ready, everyone."
Detecting the approach, Chris thrust Durandal forward and strode boldly ahead to meet the source. Inside the dungeon, nothing would faze him—he'd face it head-on and claim glory...
"...What the hell is this?"
-Whirrr...
Chris, sword at the ready, froze at the round object scooting across the floor toward them. He'd braced for a powerful demon sensing intruders—what was this?
"...Doesn't seem alive. No life force."
Luna, sensitive to vitality as a priestess, murmured at the round thing. Chris hardened his face and stepped forward.
"Whatever it is... if it's from inside the dungeon, it's bad news. Destroy it."
No leaving suspicious unknowns be. Chris raised his Holy Relic Durandal. Pure white light poured from the blade.
Aura.
The pristine glow marking a master swordsman enveloped the sword, exuding a chilling aura that could cleave anything.
"Hah!"
With a mighty shout, Chris swung down, certain his blade would shatter the mystery object in one blow.
-Clang!
"...?"
"...Wh-what?"
"...It withstood aura?"
A clear, metallic ring—like tapping an empty can. Durandal, which could bisect heavy armor effortlessly, was blocked by this tiny cushion-like thing. Unmarred and nonchalant, the unidentified object... the [Robot Vacuum Cleaner] merely resumed its signature whir.
-Whirr?