Otherworld Dagashi Shop Yahagi

Teacher Rittenpike’s voice slightly trembling, she spoke with a questioning tone.

[Kikka-san, what do you mean by there’s a number there?]

[Here. I normally wouldn’t have noticed it because it was so dark, but I could see it from the light emanating from Rufu.]

Teacher Rittenpike bent down and looked at the spot Kikka pointed to.

It was carved just around the forehead of the gargoyle statue.

While the passage of time had caused it to fade, there were certainly traces that seemed like something was there.

However, it’s difficult to say whether it really is a number.

That etched line could simply be seen as just facial wrinkles.

[Isn’t that just a single vertical gland? How can you say it’s a number?]

[If that’s the only thing I had seen, I wouldn’t have known about it either. However, look here…… and here.]

Kikka also pointed to where the Arabic numerals “2” and “3” were written.

Such numbers were imprinted casually on a fingertip or on the tip of a wing, and in this dimly lit dungeon, it was so small that if you didn’t know they were numbers, you might miss it.

Looking closely, I can see the number “24” on the palm of the hand, so there seem to be quite a few numbers engraved on the gargoyle statue in total.

[You’re saying these are numbers? They seem totally different from the letters we use……]

[These aren’t our country’s numbers. They are the numbers of Yahagi-san’s home country.]

Kikka confidently explained.

[When you say Yahagi-san, do you mean that one with the Dagashi Shop?]

[Yes.]

[How do you know these are numbers from his home country?]

Product name: Number Chocolates

Description: Five colorful go stone-shaped chocolates are placed in an Arabic numeral-shaped wrapper sheet. When consumed, it provides a 3% bonus to the accuracy of Attack Magic.

Price: 10 rims

The wrappers of number chocolates are shaped like Arabic numerals from 0 to 9.

Kikka often buys this, so despite being numbers from another world, she ended up memorizing Arabic numerals.

[Oi, Kikka. Let’s get out of here. We’re still in the middle of the exam.]

Kurtz urged Kikka.

In their midterm exam, their completion time also becomes a factor in their grades.

They don’t have the time to dawdle in a place like this.

[Right, let’s come back and investigate this another time. Well then, Teacher, if you’ll excuse us.]

[Stop right there!]

Kikka and the others were about to hurry on, when Teacher Rittenpike sharply stopped them.

[What is it? We’re in the middle of our exam……]

Teacher Rittenpike’s eyes were glowing red.

I could see a hint of wicked thoughts within them.

[This could be a historic discovery! This is just my hunch, but if these numbers are touched in the right order, the trap on this gargoyle statue will be disarmed and some treasure will appear. So, why don’t you teach me this foreign country’s numbers?]

[That is……]

Rittenpike clearly just intends to snatch whatever treasure that is.

Gort quickly intervenes.

[This is something Kikka discovered. We’ll investigate this ourselves at a later date.]

[Wha……]

Rittenpike was at a loss for words, but suddenly speaking in a soft, coaxing voice, she started to cajole Kikka and the others.

[Come on, don’t say that. I’m a researcher of ancient treasures. This matter really interests me. Of course, any treasure found here will be yours.]

[Is that true?]

[Don’t get me wrong. As a researcher, I just want to be present at the historic moment of its discovery. Plus, if the trap here is successfully disarmed, I can promise you grades bringing you up three to be the top of the school. I’ll even give you a letter of recommendation for graduation.]

[However……

The three only looked at Rittenpike suspiciously.

No wonder they would. Even I can’t believe what she’s saying.

[Hmph, if you don’t want to, then fine. However, you’re all going to fail this midterm exam.]

The three were outraged by her audacity and protested.

[How the heck did it turn out like that!?]

[This is tyranny!]

[That’s heartless!]

However, Rittenpike didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

[Disrespect to your teacher nets you a deduction of points. This is an official authority given to me after all.]

Once she said it like that, there’s nothing Kurtz and the others can do.

It’s a form of power harassment, but I suppose it’s the kind of thing that goes on in otherworld schools.

Rittenpike smiled maliciously.

[Suit yourself. You can flunk out, or you can stay here, disarm the traps, and get the glory of being top of the school.]

D*mn, Rittenpike must be intending to snatch the treasure away from Kikka and the others.

It’s possible that she might even consider killing the three of them to silence them.

We have to get there as soon as possible!

When I regained consciousness after releasing Clairvoyance, Pluto was running across the open space in the dungeon entrance at full speed.

I informed Michelle behind me.

[Michelle, the gargoyle statue on the 2nd Underground Floor. Kurtz and the others are there! Hurry.]

[Alright!]

[Come on, Pluto. I’m counting on you. We’ve got to save everyone.]

[Kyuehh!]

.

The adventurers hurriedly gave way to the Underworld Dragon, rushing forward with great speed.

Without even slowing down, Pluto puts his foot on the dungeon stairs.

Please, make it in time.

As I prayed this within my heart, I used Clairvoyance again.

<Afterword>

Number Chocolates

𝚋𝚎ｄ𝚗ｏｖ𝚎𝚕．ｃｏ𝚖