Our expedition to the Tenth Floor was set. The schedule was surprisingly tight, mostly because of Rache-san’s own enthusiasm; she had been so eager that she’d cleared her paperwork ahead of schedule before we even approached her. We had only just finished exploring up to the 15th Floor, so we’d originally planned to take it easy for a while. However, thanks to the Magic House, we weren't carrying any lingering fatigue from the dungeon. Since I didn't have many errands left in the city, I figured we might have simply ended up bored if we’d taken a longer break.
With the schedule fixed, it was time to tie up my other loose ends. My next stop was the Dungeon Research Institute. My goal, naturally, was to see if they’d managed to secure any Pandora Gifts. It had been nearly a month since my last visit—time spent hunting Golden Slimes, ordering a custom bed, and exploring the dungeon. Since the Research Society was a magnet for the world's dud items, I hoped they’d come across at least one.
I bypassed the empty reception desk as usual and headed straight into the research lab. The researchers were as oblivious as ever, not even glancing up as the door opened.
I scanned the room for Val-san. Instead, I spotted someone in a truly bizarre getup. They wore a peculiar headpiece and were draped in a jumble of mismatched accessories. The figure was tossing something into the air with a clatter—an Item-finding Rod. It looked like they were in the middle of an experiment.
"Oh, if it isn't Comrade Tort!"
While I was watching from a distance, the figure in the strange outfit suddenly spun around. I recognized that voice immediately.
"Ah! Is that you, Val-san?"
"Hmm? Ah! Yes, indeed! I suppose I'm unrecognizable in this attire, aren't I?"
Val-san laughed heartily. Clad in that Strange Bird Mask, the effect was more than a little unsettling.
"Why are you dressed like that?"
"To raise my Luck value, of course."
It turned out the suspicious equipment was all intended to boost his luck. Individually, most of the items weren't that odd, but the bird mask was a choice, and seeing them all worn at once was quite a sight.
"Is it working?"
"It seems to have some effect. By stacking the base increases from the equipment with the temporary enhancement from a potion, I've finally reached a breakthrough."
"I see."
According to Val-san, after nearly a hundred throws, about five of the rods had begun to point toward the research target.
The activation rate is still pretty poor, I thought. It worked in a lab setting where the target's location was already known, but it wasn't reliable enough for actual scouting yet. Since it required consuming a potion, it wasn't something a person could use casually.
Still, it was surprising that even with such heavy modifiers, the rate was that low. My own activation rate was around fifty percent. Even though my Luck value was over ten times that of an average person, the success rate felt disproportionately high—likely a hidden effect of a skill. I decided not to bring that up, though; explaining it would be a hassle. It was better to get straight to the point.
"By the way, did you find any Pandora Gifts?"
"Yes, we certainly did! Right this way."
Val-san led me to a storehouse while still in his full regalia. The clerk managing the room looked aghast at Val-san’s appearance, but Val didn't pay them any mind.
"This is all we’ve been able to secure for now."
"Oh!"
Val-san pointed to the long-awaited prize: a Pandora Gift. Not only that, there were two of them.
"Is it really okay for me to take both?"
"Of course! Comrade Tort, you provide us with research funds and ideas. This is the least we can do. Besides, our current 'hot topic' is the study of how Luck values influence items."
I see. Perhaps that was why research into Pandora Gifts had lost momentum. While luck certainly played a role in opening them, I imagine the experiments were simply too dangerous.
I certainly hoped they would continue on that path and keep handing the Pandora Gifts over to me. With that silent wish, I provided some additional research funds and a few of the Temporary Luck Enhancement Potions I had brewed.
My business finished, I returned to the Magic House installed inside the inn. I had checked off everything on my to-do list.
I wanted to open the Pandora Gifts immediately, but I forced myself to wait. I had a stockpile of C-Rank magic stones, and I wanted to prioritize making Status Enhancement Potions first. Both opening a Pandora Gift and brewing those potions required the Instant Death Evasion from my Destiny God's Smile, so I couldn't do them at the same time.
Besides, I was half-expecting some kind of interference from the Destiny God. That said, Halfa hadn't received an oracle yet either. I wondered what was going on. Between the Golden Slime variant and the business with Garnalava, things felt like they were coming to a head. I had heard something particularly concerning just as I was leaving the Dungeon Research Society.
Val-san had mentioned it in passing.
"Comrade Godfee might have returned," he had said.