Rent a Girlfriend: Dungeons and Andventures (Short Story) Part 2
Returning to this Story
Characters:
Kazuya Kinoshita
Chizuru Mizuhara
Mami Nanami
Ruka Sarashina
Sumi Sakurasawa
Nagomi Kinoshita
Yoshiaki Kibe
Shun Kuribayashi
Sayuri Ichinose
Harumi and Kazuo Kinoshita
Mimi Yaemori
The Adventure Continues:
On Floor 45, Kazuya cut down a High Class Level 5 Minotaur and then as he pulled his sword free, he beheaded another Level 5. Generally, it took a Party of five or six members that were Level 5 to face a group of Level 5 Monsters. But in his case these Monsters were still considerably weaker than him. The benefit of defeating a High Class Level 5 Monster was that the Magical Stones could be sold for more. Due to that Level 5 Magic Stones had a variety of uses. Mainly for HP Potions, Mana Recovery and depending upon the Stone a Complete Recovery Potion. That and it gave someone a lot of Experience Points. Not that he needed the latter. According to his Status Board that he kept hidden from just about everyone. He was now a Level 9 and was halfway to becoming a Level 10. There were only three other people in the World that were Level 10, and they all were in different Countries at other Dungeons. After dispatching all seven of the Monsters, he looked at his Watch and frowned. "Well, that is it for today. I need to get back before 7 PM so I can take Chizuru out on a date." He muttered picking up the Stones and putting them in his Bag. He had hoped to at least make it to Floor 50 today. But got slowed down when he got to this floor. This had been the third batch of High-Level Monsters that had attacked him. So, it took some time to defeat them and then collect the Magic Stones. After drinking some water from his Canteen, he headed back towards the stairs that led upwards. When he reached the twenty fifth Floor, he stopped at the Adventure's Safe Zone. A man-made fortress that was funded and built by the Guild. Everyone that worked there was at least Level 3 or above. Employed by the Guild to staff and protect the Fortress from the Monsters. He only stopped there briefly to refill his Canteen and then continued towards the First Floor and the Entrance to the Dungeon. Once through the Steel Reinforced Doors, he went to see Momo about turning in his Magic Stones.
"Wow...Level 5 High Grade Magic Stones and there are twenty-nine of them. That is really impressive." Momo said as she examined the Stones. "At Twenty Thousand Yen a Piece...You got yourself some good Money this time." She commented with a smile. "So...How about you take me out tonight to celebrate? We could start with dinner and then go to a nice Love Hotel. After that...We fill out a Marriage License and then go back to the Love Hotel?" She asked and Kazuya sighed as he shook his head. She continued to smile. "Yeah...Yeah I know...You and Chizuru are dating. Never hurts to ask does it?"
"Well I guess I will see you next month...Momo." Kazuya said as he was about to go over to the Cashier.
"Wait...What do you mean..? Oh that is right. You got Civil Service Duty this next month." Momo said and Kazuya let out a groan. "Hey before you go...How about letting me check your status?" She asked and Kazuya thought about it. Right now, at Level 5, he was only allowed to venture to the 55th Floor. If he let them see that he was now a Level 6, he could go all the way to the 65th Floor. Five floors from the 70th and the Sea of Sand. His goal. To be the first to be able to go beyond that.
"Okay...Why not?" Kazuya said as he returned to the Reception Desk that Momo was working at. She placed a Device on the Counter and he put his hand on it. Then focused his Mana to indicate that he was a Level 6. Making sure that it no way indicated what his true level was. Momo's eyes widened and she gasped.
"YOU ARE A LEVEL 6 NOW!" Momo said loudly and everyone around them stopped talking and all eyes turned towards Kazuya. As Momo's voice echoed through the entire Guild.
Date Night:
It took Kazuya almost an hour to leave the Guild. He forgot that something like someone becoming a Level 6 was a huge deal. First he had a private meeting with the Guild Master and was promoted to Rank A. Then a bunch of News Reporters showed up and wanted an interview. But thanks to the Guild Master and Momo, he was able to sneak out by jumping from the Second Story Window onto a nearby building and making his escape. The main problem was he was now going to be at least an hour late for his Date with Chizuru. So by the time he got back to his Apartment, he found her waiting with her arms crossed in front of her as she glared at him.
"You are late!" Chizuru announced as Kazuya climbed the steps.
"Sorry. It took longer than I thought to...I am sorry about being late." Kazuya said and used his key to unlock his door. He then explained why he was late. While he showered in his bathroom, Chizuru waited inside his Apartment. She had never been in his Apartment before and she could tell that he was not much of a Housekeeper. A stack of letters were spread out on the table unopened. Some different types of Magazines were stacked by one of the End Tables and besides them were a stack of Books. A layer of dusk could be seen on some of the flat surfaces and what really surprised her was the TV. It still had the Warrantee Stickers on the Screen and the Remote was still in the Factory Sealed Plastic bag. Indicating that he may have bought a TV, but he had not even turned it on yet. When he finally came out of the bathroom, he was wearing blue jeans and a T-Shirt. "Sorry again about being so late." He said as he used a towel to dry his hair. She smiled and shrugged.
"It is alright. We can always just go see a Movie first and have dinner afterwards." Chizuru said not really upset anymore. "So you are Rank A and a Level 6 now?" She asked and he nodded.
"Yep...Though it still does not get me out of doing Civil Service for the next month." Kazuya said with a frown and an exasperated sigh. "Man! Doing Civil Service is really going to suck."
"Why? You do get paid for it?" Chizuru asked as they left his Apartment and he let out another exasperated sigh.
"Yeah...But it is only fifty thousand Yen a Week." Kazuya said and Chizuru looked at him oddly.
"That still is a lot of Money. Just to have you on call and do a weekly ride along for the Month. Though I do not understand why they have anyone that is above Level 4 do Civil Service?" Chizuru thought about how much she gets per week doing her Rental Girlfriend Job and it is about half of what he was going to get.
"To answer why it sucks. Is I made over two hundred thousand Yen today. That is what I usually make each time I go into the Dungeon, and I make that at least twice a week. But we are not allowed to go into the Dungeon when we are on Call for Civil Service." Kazuya said as he held Chizuru's right hand in his left. Then they walked towards the Closest Movie Theater. Once there they would pick a movie to see. "As to why the Government wants Level 4's and above to do Civil Service...Think about it. A Level 2 can probably lift up a mid-sized car and even though there are some Police Officers that are Level 2. Having someone at Level 4 who could probably pick up a 26,000 Pound Box Truck can intimidate a Lower Level to behave themselves." She did not ask about the Magic that each Level could use. Not really wanting to know how dangerous someone could be.
"So they are more of a deterrent. To ensure that no one breaks the law." Chizuru had never considered that. That there were ones out there that were so strong they could heft up a Car or something even larger than that. "Wait...You are...Well you told me your real Level. Just how strong are you?" She asked and Kazuya leaned closer.
"I could probably lift up two Tractor and fully loaded Trailers at the same time. But what the Guild and everyone else believes...A Level 6 could lift a Cargo Train Engine just as effortlessly." Kazuya told her and Chizuru looked down at their joined hands. If he wanted to, he could easily crush her hand into powder without any real trouble. Then there was the fact that there probably wasn't anyone on the Planet that could stop him if he ever went rouge. Though she knew he wouldn't. It then dawned on her about something she had read.
"Is it true...I mean no one has ever reached that Level. But is it true that if you...Reach Level 20? You will essentially become a Demi-God?" Chizuru whispered to him and Kazuya inhaled sharply.
"I never thought about it. I guess. That is what I also learned...In truth I don't really know." Kazuya said and as they neared the Movie Theater. They stopped talking about his real Level and changed the subject into a more casual conversation. One that a couple might have instead. Such as when he could take her out on another real date.
Week One: Civil Service is Boring
Sitting in the Back of a Police Car, Kazuya wished for the required Month to be over. At least once a week he had to ride along with two Police Officers while they were on Patrol. Along with being ready to go confront any misbehaving Adventurers that decide to disobey the Law. Last year when he was tasked with Civil Service. The only incident he had to go to. Was a Level Three was using Firebolt to destroy his EX-Girlfriend's Car. Melting it into a slab of metal. There were not many Adventurers that would risk not only having their Guild License suspended. But going to jail for using their strength and magical powers outside the Dungeon. Not even the worse Adventurers around would risk that. "Sir...I was wondering. Is it true that you are now a Level 6...A-Rank?" The Officer in the Passenger seat asked him and Kazuya nodded.
"Yes. Just found out three days ago." Kazuya replied and both Officers whistled.
"I cannot imagine how strong you must be. I mean I am a Level 2 and so is Honji." The Officer that was driving said as he gestured over to his Partner. "It took me and him almost seven years to reach that...How did you do it?" The Man asked and Kazuya shrugged.
"No idea. I just kept going into the Dungeon and Fighting Monsters." Kazuya said feeling bad that he just lied. His special skill was the real reason he progressed so high and so fast. But he decided long ago not to mention anything about it.
"Yeah, we both did that when we turned 16 and became Adventurers. But our levels never went up until later after College. That is when we joined the Police Force and then it took us working out almost every day. To reach Level 2." Honji said flexing his arm to show his Muscles. They continued to talk about this or that and the times and monsters they all faced in the Dungeon. Thankfully the tediously boring night went by, and he was dropped off at his Apartment around 6 AM. Feeling anxious and wishing he could go back into the Dungeon.
At his Apartment door, Kazuya glanced over towards Chizuru's Apartment. It was early and pondered on perhaps seeing if she was awake yet. Even though he knew he had to go get some sleep so he could attend Class later. He really wanted to see Chizuru. As he thought about it. Her door opened and she stepped out and smiled at him. "Good Morning Kazuya." She said cheerfully and he smiled back at her.
"Good Morning." Kazuya said back.
"I know you should probably get some sleep. But how about we go out for Breakfast?" Chizuru suggested and he instantly agreed. "Good. Go change and I will go get dressed." She told him and they both went into their respective apartments to get changed.
At the Diner, Chizuru sipped her Coffee and found she really liked having breakfast with her Boyfriend. But she had an alternative motive on why she wanted to have breakfast with him. She was about to ask him for a favor.
"It is a trap. You are testing me...Right?" Kazuya asked and Chizuru chuckled.
"No. It is not a trap or a test." Chizuru could tell he was not completely convinced. "Okay...A friend of mine is a Rental Girlfriend and...Well she is extremely shy. So I was hoping that going on a Practice Rental Date with you might give her the confidence to change." Again Kazuya looked at her with a lot of skepticism.
"No this is a trap. My Perception Skill tells me that it is a huge trap." Kazuya said and Chizuru cocked her head.
"You have the Perception Skill?" Chizuru asked him and Kazuya coyly smiled.
"No. But still I know it is a trap. My Spider Sense is tingling and that tells me that I am in danger." Kazuya watched as she smiled and then laughed.
"It is not a trap, and you are not Spiderman. It is exactly what I said it was. It is just a Practice Date so maybe she will gain some confidence. I...I really don't have anyone else to ask to do this that I trust." Chizuru said telling the truth. She did not trust Umi or anyone at the Actor's School to go out with Sumi. That only left her Boyfriend. Who she trusted fully. Kazuya Let out a sigh.
"Okay. As long as you promise that this not a trap. Though you have to warn her...If I get called for something by Dispatch. Then I have to go." Kazuya told her and Chizuru fully understood. He was on Call for about another three weeks.
"Alright. I will set up a place for you and her to meet. Oh and thank you Kazuya." Chizuru said with a small smile. She was going to tell Sumi about Kazuya being on call. She was also going to tell her friend not to get any funny ideas. After all Kazuya was her Boyfriend. Her real one and she was not about to lose him to anyone. Not even her friend.
The Practice Date:
With a lot of reluctance and the belief that this was indeed a trap. Kazuya arrived at the entrance to the Tokyo Dome. Chizuru had selected the meet up spot and what they would do on the Practice Date. Though Chizuru also wanting him to do a recon for perhaps them also having a date at the Tokyo Dome. "Killing two Goblins with one Arrow." Was the term he had used and she agreed that it was. When he arrived, he saw the Pink Haired Sumi nervously and anxiously waiting for him. So he introduced himself and asked if she was indeed Sumi Sakurasawa.
The Date itself went reasonably well, though so far throughout it. Sumi did not speak and Kazuya wondered if she could be a Rental Girlfriend. If she was fit to be one. But he did admit she was extremely cute. As they neared the Ferris Wheel. He was not prepared to see someone he had hoped never to see again. Mami Nanami along with her brother and her Boyfriend. All three glared at him menacingly. "Oh look...It is Kazuya Kinoshita! Mister big shot Level 5! The Man that cost me my left arm!" Mami's Brother Shoto Nanami growled holding up the stump of his left arm that ended at his elbow. Kazuya inhaled softly and shook his head.
"I told you when I left you...That you three were not ready to go lower than Floor 20. Not at being only Level 2's." Kazuya said evenly and all three still glared at him.
"What did you expect? We told you that we needed to make Money and Level 2 Monsters Magic Stones are not as valuable as Level 3 and 4's. It is your fault for dumping us!" Mami said trying to make Kazuya feel guilty over what had happened to them. Kazuya shook his head.
"How is it my fault? You lied to me. Used me. Even made fun of me. I am sorry that you all got hurt. But I was not at fault. The Guild even told you not to go beyond Floor 15." Kazuya did feel guilty, and he wished they had heeded not only his advice but the Guild's. Mami looked over at the timid Sumi angrily.
"So, who is this? Some floosy that thinks you are so wonderful! I can tell you...He is not shit! We barely survived the dungeon thanks to this asshole!" Mami said and then gestured over at her brother and her boyfriend. "Let me tell you what happened to us because of him! My Brother lost his Left arm. My Boyfriend here...had his Vocal Cords severed and I...and I..." She ripped open her shirt to show a long scar that ran from her waist up to just below her left breast hidden by her bra. "This is what happened because of you! I will hate you for the rest of my life!" With that she closed her shirt and so Kazuya would not see crying. She turned and walked followed by her Brother and her Boyfriend. Kazuya watched them leave and let out another long sigh.
"Uhm...Sumi...Could we...I need to be alone." Kazuya said sullenly and Sumi nodded. After he left her, she pulled out her Cellphone and called Chizuru and told her about what had just happened. Then did as Chizuru asked. To keep subtle tabs on where Kazuya was going. For Chizuru was on her way.
Walking for several blocks, Kazuya stopped at one of the Parks and sat on one of the benches. He had seen Sumi following him and he guessed that she had contacted Chizuru and his Girlfriend ordered Sumi to follow him. "Probably to make sure I didn't do something stupid and keep tabs on me." He muttered somewhat believing or rather hoping within a short amount of time Chizuru would show up. But he also believed if Sumi told her about what had happened that Chizuru may find him so repulsive that she would probably dump him. With his head down, he placed his hands over his eyes and began to wonder what had happened to Mami, her Brother and her Boyfriend was indeed his fault. If he had just stayed with them, all three of them would not have been injured by the Level 4 Monster they had encountered. He found out that if it had not been for the timely arrival of a Party of Level 4 Adventurers. All three of them would have been killed by the Monster and may have even been devoured. Still the three of them blamed him for what had occurred, and he had to wonder if perhaps they were right. As he sat there, someone approached and sat down next to him. Taking his hands away from his eyes gently and when he looked over he saw that it was Chizuru.
"Sumi told me...She called me and told me what happened. Including everything they said." Chizuru said softly holding his hands in hers. When she had gotten the call from Sumi. She immediately cancelled the Rental Date she as on and then took a Taxi to where Sumi told her that Kazuya was at that moment.
"What they said...It is...True. It is my fault." Kazuya said gazing back down at the ground in front of him and Chizuru shook her head.
"No it is not!" Chizuru declared sternly. "From what Sumi told me. You warned them...The Guild warned them and they did not follow that warning." She let go of his right hand and moved it up to gently turn his head towards her. "You once told me that the Dungeon is dangerous. That those that go in there risk their own lives. If they went to where they were warned not to go...Then whatever happened to them is no way your fault." He wanted to believe her, but after hearing and seeing what had happened to them it was hard for him to. But also Chizuru was right. The Dungeon is a dangerous place to go and if you are not ready or not strong enough. Then you court disaster.
"I thought you had a Rental Date. That you were on a Rental Date." Kazuya said evenly and Chizuru smiled at him. Retaking his right hand in her left. Now holding both of his hands.
"You are way more important to me than any Rental Date or any amount of money." Chizuru stood while still holding his hands and moved in front of him. "Come on...I am feeling a little chilled. Let's go home so I can help my Boyfriend feel better." She let go of his left hand and after he stood she walked with him towards the Train Station. Passing Sumi they both smiled at her and she smiled back.
End of Civil Service:
It being the last day of his required yearly Civil Service, Kazuya decided to just lounge in his Apartment and relax with Chizuru. She had come over and after complaining that his Apartment was a bit of a mess. She helped him clean it. As she sorted the papers on the Table, she discovered a stack of uncashed Checks. "Hey what are these?" She asked showing him the checks and he winced.
"Oh, I thought I threw those away. Here toss them out." Kazuya said holding a trash can out to her and she looked at him oddly.
"Wait...Why haven't you cashed these? There has to be...A couple hundred thousand Yen here." Chizuru flipped through them and could see that each was over a Hundred Thousand Yen.
"Those are nothing but retainer checks." Kazuya let out a sigh. "Did you notice that all of them are not from the Guild. But are from different Companies that want me to work for them in the Dungeon." He could tell that Chizuru did not understand. "Okay...We can sell any Magic Stones to anyone we want. I do not have to sell them to the Guild. So, these Companies want me to exclusively sell any Level 5 Magic Stones to just them."
"I think I understand. If you sell them to these Companies, then they don't have to buy them from the Guild and the Government. They can also get a lot more of the Level 5 Magic Stones then just what the Government restricts them from each getting." Chizuru said and Kazuya nodded. Then gestured to the uncashed Checks.
"Those there are Retainer Checks...They want to retain me to get them Magic Stones. If I cash them that means I am agreeing to work for them. Later they will come by with an exclusive contract and sure I probably would make more money. But they would want me to go into the Dungeon on more of a daily basis." Kazuya told her and Chizuru ripped the Checks in half and threw them into the Trashcan. She did not really like it that he went into the Dungeon every couple of Days. So, there was no way she would like it if he went every day.
"Are you going to the Dungeon tomorrow?" Chizuru asked already knowing that he was. Kazuya nodded.
"Yeah...Though Momo called and told me that the Guild Master wants to talk to me before I go." Kazuya said and then he let out a long sighing breath. "I already know what it is about. There are two other Level 6's and I am betting he wants to talk to me about us becoming a Party with them."
"Are you going to?" Chizuru asked hoping he did. She was worried that he might get hurt or killed if he kept going into the Lower Floors by himself. With others then at least he had someone to help him if he got into trouble.
"I might after I meet them. With the three of us...We might be able to go all the way to Floor 70 and the SEA OF SAND." Kazuya said and Chizuru winced. Remembering what she had read about that Level that had only been reached twice before and those that did it could go no further. The Chamber on that floor was immense and in the sand was some of the most dangerous Monsters that the Dungeon could ever have. From Five Meter Sandsharks. To what one Adventurer that went there called them Grabiods from that Movie TREMORS. Ten Meter Worms that resembled those Monsters in the Movie. She did not want her boyfriend to encounter either of those or anything else that basically swam in the loose sand.
"If you do and you can go there. Please be careful and please come back to me." Chizuru said sullenly and Kazuya smiled.
"I will. I promise." Kazuya swore and then looked about his Apartment. "Since we are done...How about we order a Pizza sit back and watch a movie?" He suggested and Chizuru smiled. Really liking that idea.
To be continued: Maybe