True: Caught in a Summoning Spell – Isn't a Storage Specialist the Strongest?! - chapter 9

Chapter 9: Dungeon Core

Standing there indefinitely was going to get exhausting, so I decided to ask the Core for a solution.

“Can you make a recliner here? Something like a barber’s chair?”

I visualized the chair in my mind and requested it from the Core.

“This is possible. Would you like to create it?”

“Please do. Put it right over there.”

A luxurious, barber-style reclining chair materialized beside the Core. I sat down, finding it exceedingly comfortable. Perfect for continuing my self-assessments.

Storage Specialist: A class that can utilize storage as a skill. Requires no MP for maintaining the storage space or managing items within. Extremely rare but classified as a general occupation.

Physical Defense: When an attack exceeds this value, the remainder is applied as physical damage to the PA. Formula: constant × level + equipment defense (constant for Storage Specialists = 1). Secondary magic damage is also counted as physical damage.

Magic Defense: When a magic attack exceeds this value, the remainder is applied as magic damage to the PA. Formula: constant × level + equipment magic defense (constant for Storage Specialists = 1).

PA (Protection Aura): Absorbs damage until it reaches 0, after which damage impacts health directly. Regenerates naturally.

MP: Used for magic. Consumption depends on the spell. Regenerates naturally.

Stamina: Consumed during physical activity. Consumption varies by action. Regenerates naturally.

Strength: Reflects physical toughness. A higher value speeds up PA recovery. Falls to 0 upon death. Slight natural regeneration.

Willpower: Reflects mental resilience. A higher value reduces stamina depletion and increases resistance to certain spells. Falls to 0 upon incapacitation. Slight natural regeneration.

Agility: Increases speed of actions and influences magic casting. Falls to 0 upon incapacitation. Slight natural regeneration.

Dexterity: Improves accuracy of actions and influences magic casting. Falls to 0 upon incapacitation. Slight natural regeneration.

Luck: Affects various actions. This value typically remains unchanged.

Skill: Storage
Enables storage of non-living items.
Storage space = proportional constant × 2Storage Level32^{text{Storage Level}^3} (proportional constant = 1.5 × Storage Specialist level; unit: meters).
Current capacity: approximately 8 cubic kilometers (equivalent to a cube with 2-kilometer edges). No weight limitations.

• Function 1: Time manipulation for stored items (0 to 1024x). Current setting: all items paused.
• Function 2: Remote storage/release (up to 1500 meters). Can store recognized objects and release items to recognized locations.
• Function 3: Batch storage (up to 1024 items of the same type simultaneously).

Titles:

• Skill Limit Breaker: Achieved skill levels beyond standard limits through special means.
• Conqueror of the Abyssal Labyrinth: Successfully conquered one or more Abyssal Labyrinths.

Blessing: Patronage of the Storage Deity—Grants the ability to store all non-living things. Boosts Storage Specialist level by +5.

Special Connection: The First Black Tome allows access to the World Unified Information Archive (ARCHIVE), providing detailed appraisal capabilities. Connection is maintained only within the Abyssal Labyrinth’s Core Room.

This setup is unreal.

After a while, I felt fatigued. “Core, can you create a monitor to display the dungeon’s interior? Something about this size.”

“This is possible. It will be created immediately.”

Wait—I didn’t need to touch the Core for that?

A 60-inch monitor appeared before me.

“Can you show me the Hero party?”

“Are these the individuals you’re referring to?”

“Yes, them.”

The screen displayed the Heroes sitting apart from the knights, taking a break.

“Can you add sound?”

Soon, voices began emanating from the monitor.

“Man, this sword is awesome!”

“Hikaru, you charge in too far ahead. You block me from casting spells!”

“Swinging this sword feels amazing. Honestly, we got lucky trading the porter for this weapon.”

“How are you going to explain tricking Kodama into opening the trapped chest? The knights know I appraised it.”

“Who cares? It’s not like we need to. Losing a useless porter for a weapon upgrade? Worth it. Besides, his Luck is insane—he’s probably alive somewhere.”

Their casual disregard was infuriating. Without my Luck, I’d have been dead! Still, that guy was right—I’m alive.

This so-called Hero was the textbook definition of a jerk. Honestly, cutting ties with these clowns was a blessing in disguise. My ridiculous Luck comes through again.

“Can I appraise through the monitor? It said no guarantees for distant objects, but it might still work.”

Let’s test that sword they took. “Appraise!”

Name: Azure Lightning Greatsword
Traits: Complete lightning resistance, +20 speed.

Hidden Attributes:

• Impulsiveness: -20 Willpower, -20 Dexterity, -20 Luck. Prolonged use causes mental degradation but increases Strength.
• Enchantment: Induces reluctance to part with the sword.
• Stat Camouflage: Conceals debuffs from standard appraisals.

A cursed sword? Perfect match for that trash Hero.

Let’s check the Hero himself. “Appraise!”

Name: Hikaru Kaneda (17 years old)
Level: 3
Class: Hero Lv. 1/5
Race: Human (Earthling)

Physical Defense: 41
Magic Defense: 41

PA: 165/165
MP: 315/315
Stamina: 295/315
Strength: 151
Willpower: 130 (150)
Dexterity: 80 (100)
Luck: 30 (50)

Skills: Fire Magic Lv. 1/5, Water Magic Lv. 1/5, Wind Magic Lv. 1/5, Earth Magic Lv. 1/5, Light Magic Lv. 1/5, Greatsword Technique Lv. 1/5

His stats barely improved. Levels add 1 point per stat? The Hero’s defensive constants are 2, huh. Handy display.

So, those parentheses show stats from standard appraisals—only I see the real ones.

Hero Traits:

• Double Experience Gain: Earns experience twice as fast.
• Enhanced Damage vs. Demons: Double damage against demonkind.
• Reduced Damage from Demons: Half damage from demonkind.

Even with these perks, can they really handle the Demon World Gate? Doubtful.

For now, I’m staying here as the Dungeon Master. I’ve got enough food and water stored to last a while. Eventually, though, I’ll have to leave. When the time comes, I’ll explore this world and figure out how to return home.