The Frontier Alchemist ~ I Can't Go Back to That Job After You Made My Budget Zero

"Not even close, Rust."

"Yes, it is. Not even half. We're going to have to fundamentally change the way we collect."

Today, Roa and I were in a dungeon deep in the underground ruins.

We were busy preparing for the impending arrival of the pioneering team, but we managed to make time for it. However, neither Ary nor Haruhammer had time in their schedules, so it was just Roa and I attacking the dungeon.

This was the seventh dungeon attack of the day.

During the six time lapses, there were many developments.

One of them, and the most important one, is the box in front of us. We found it while exploring a building in the dungeon. It was placed in the middle of the room, on a raised platform like an altar. It is immediately noticeable upon entering the room. It is clearly placed as if it is asking you to find it.

Roa is poking the box curiously with the tip of his spear.

I do not know what it is made of, but it is a very thin material, and it does not seem to be damaged at all by Loa's spear. And it does not move when I try to lift it from the altar.

Inside the box, I have just put the gold coins we have collected.

And on the back of the lid of the box are written the same primordial letters that appear on the translucent plate.

"<

I mutter the words again, which I have read many times. The treasure chest is probably the box in front of me. However, it is made of flimsy boards and looks rather poor, as if it were just a child randomly putting boards together.

And yet it is impossibly sturdy. I can see why Roa would want to poke it around with a spear.

"Loa, you should probably stop poking it with your spear."

"Yeah. Rust, it's time to go.

With Loa's voice, the time-up sign appears for the seventh time.

It seems that Roa has learned by feel when the time is up.

He is transported to the underground ruins.

"I'm hungry.

"Well, I guess that's enough of the dungeon attack for today. I'll treat you to dinner as a thank you for accompanying me in the dungeon.

I invite Roa to join me, eager to entertain him with my new menu.

"Good. Rusto's food doesn't taste good. I'll eat with my sister."

My enthusiasm is in vain, and I shrug my shoulders and leave Roa as we exit the underground ruins.

I've developed a new menu with an arrangement of potions that relieve fatigue, but there's nothing I can do about it.

After tasting it, I decided to bring some to the Kagero Agency members at the headquarters, and went to the bamboo room I was using as my room.