Chapter 62: The IPO Opening Bell
Notice. Founder's Festival officially commenced. Current visitor influx: 142% above initial projections. Warning. High-density magicule signatures detected in the VIP sector. Probability of political friction: 68%.
The morning air in Tempest doesn't just smell like pine anymore; it smells like opportunity, street food, and the faint, ozone-metallic tang of high-level sorcery. I stand at the yawning stone archway of the newly inaugurated Dungeon, my silver-white hair perfectly styled, my obsidian suit absorbing the sunlight.
Look at this crowd, I think, my internal persona mentally calculating the entry fees. We've got Blumund merchants, Sarion researchers, and even some Lubelius "pilgrims" who definitely aren't spies. It's beautiful. It's the ultimate diversified portfolio.
"The betting pools are reaching critical mass, Lord Shinji," Vesper says, standing half a step behind me. She holds a crystal clipboard, her expression a mask of clinical apathy. "The merchant lords from Blumund are currently placing 5-to-1 odds that the 'Lightspeed' Hero will clear the first ten floors within the hour."
"5-to-1? They're overvaluing his 'Hero' status based on sentiment, not data," I respond, my voice porcelain-cold. "Let them bankrupt themselves. Vesper, increase the magicule density on Floor 3. I want the 'luck' variable to face its first real resistance."
"Understood. I shall coordinate with the Floor Guardians," Vesper bows.
"Master Shinji!"
I turn to see Fuze, the Blumund Guildmaster, hurrying toward us. He looks like he's aged a decade in the last twenty-four hours. Behind him, Masayuki is being swarmed by adoring fans, looking like a deer caught in the headlights of a high-speed magitrain.
"The crowd is waiting!" Fuze gasps. "The 'Lightspeed' Hero is ready to make history! Are the safety measures... truly absolute?"
"In Tempest, 'absolute' is a baseline, not a marketing buzzword," I say, my sea-grey eyes locking onto Fuze. "The resurrection bracelets are synced to the Dungeon core. If he dies, he returns to the surface. The only thing he stands to lose is his reputation—which, currently, is the most inflated asset in the Jura Forest."
Masayuki approaches the entrance, his hand trembling as he grips the hilt of his ceremonial sword. The crowd erupts into cheers, a wall of sound that makes my [Universal Perception] spike.
"Masayuki-kun," I say, stepping into his path. The cheering dies down instantly, replaced by a heavy, expectant silence. "The opening bell has rung. Go show the world the ROI of a Hero's luck."
"I... yeah. Right. Let's do this!" Masayuki squeaks, his voice cracking.
He steps across the threshold.
Notice. Hero Masayuki has entered the Dungeon. Unique Skill [Chosen One] active. Notice. Localized probability shifting to favor 'Fortune' outcomes.
The first floor is a simple labyrinth of stone corridors and low-level slimes. I watch via a manifested magical screen in the VIP lounge, where the Sarion delegates and merchant lords are huddled, clutching their betting slips.
Masayuki isn't even looking at the map. He trips over a loose stone, falls forward, and happens to hit a hidden pressure plate.
Warning. Trap triggered: Arrow volley.
The crowd gasps. The arrows fly—and Masayuki, still falling, accidentally sneezes, causing him to lurch to the left. Every single arrow misses, thudding into the wall where a high-level Mimic was hiding. The impact kills the Mimic instantly, dropping a 'Rare' chest directly into Masayuki's lap.
"He's incredible!" a merchant screams, throwing his hat into the air. "He cleared the room without even drawing his sword!"
Assessment. Statistical anomaly confirmed. Probability of clearing Floor 1: 100%.
This is disgusting, my internal persona snarls. It's like watching someone cheat at a rigged casino and win. He didn't even use a skill; he just existed at the world until it gave him what he wanted.
"Efficiency is... impressive, in its own way," I say aloud, my face remaining a mask of cold composure. I turn to Vesper. "However, the market needs a correction. Activate the Floor 5 boss early. I want to see how his 'luck' handles a variable that doesn't care about coincidences."
"Shinji," a familiar voice calls.
Rimuru walks into the lounge, looking refreshed and remarkably relaxed for a Demon Lord. "You're really putting him through the ringer, aren't you? Veldora is already complaining that the Hero is making the dungeon look 'too easy'."
"I am merely conducting a stress test, Rimuru," I respond, adjusting my gloves. "If he survives Floor 5, I'll acknowledge him as a blue-chip asset. If not... well, we'll have plenty of 'Heroic' gear to auction off for the reconstruction fund."
"You never change," Rimuru laughs, taking a seat. "But hey, the architecture is holding up. My growth curve might be steep, but this... this is something else. My current systems are stable, but they aren't sufficient for the long-term vision of this nation's defense. We need this dungeon to work."
I look at him, then back at the screen. Rimuru's path is the correct one for a King, I think. But for a Capitalist? My current architecture is stable, but not sufficient for my long-term vision. I need to find a way to monetize the very laws of luck itself.
"Vesper," I say, my eyes narrowing as Masayuki reaches the Floor 5 boss room. "Record everything. I want a full breakdown of the 'Luck' frequency. It's time to see what happens when the bubble finally pops."
Current Magicule Reserves: Infinite (Linked). Location: Dungeon VIP Lounge. Status: Floor 5 Boss Encounter: Imminent. Soul Capacity: 38%.
Chapter End.