Chapter 217: Level 3
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
As intense gazes turned towards me, I recalled last night’s events.
After the victory party had ended, I stood alone at my usual spot in front of the Hunter Association, surveying the downed figures snoring away around me.
Looking at the sprawled figures, I already knew that I’d be doing a brisk business selling hangover cures the next day.
Still, considering how happy and lively they were, a bit of a headache was probably fine. Now that the customer traffic had died down, it was time to look into the thing that had been niggling in the back of my mind for a while.
[1] I was already at 2 million points when Ramis started throwing concrete slabs at the Octo-Croc during our first wave attack. With the final blow, surely I should have gotten quite a number of points?
Surely, I should have enough points to reach my goal?
Nervously, I checked my current point balance.
3.24 million points!!
Yes! I’ve finally broken into the dream milestone of 3 million points!!
Ever since I saw the words [Level 3] in the system menu, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. And now, it was within my reach.
At Level 2, I gained the [Automatic Service Mode], which allowed me to access certain optional features, such as the concrete slabs, which I had been using a lot lately.
Now that I have the means to achieve Level 3, just what kind of new options would become available to me? As a vending machine enthusiast, my expectations became near impossible to contain.
At first, I had been uneasy because there was no explanation from the system on what I could achieve at Level 3. With this many points, I could have opted to learn at least three new Skills, [1] but after thinking about it, I still think that it was better to save the points and level up.
After all, even though there was no prior explanation, it never hurt to level up. I was fairly confident that levelling up would be the best decision.
Hopefully.
No, levelling up is essential for the future of our team! If you must know, this had nothing to do with my obsession with vending machines. Levelling up has everything to do with my friends!
Also, maybe a little bit for me too…
After hyping myself up a little, I finally exchanged 3 million points for a level up.
Nuuooohhh–!!! What is this power surging through my body?! So this is what Level 3 power is like!! Ah, but, now that I have… nothing really changed?
There was no dazzling light, no dramatic light, no flashy transformation.
Level 3 was clearly displayed on my system, but, just to be sure, I mentally moved the ‘cursor’ over the ‘3’ in hopes of getting a more detailed explanation.
Suddenly, additional description popped into my mind, and text began to scroll past my eyes.
Upon reaching Level 3, the effective range for [Barrier] and [Telekinesis] increases from 1 meter to 2 meters
Oh! That’s a pleasant surprise. I was under the impression that I would not see any enhancement in my basic abilities, so this was good news. With double the range, both [Barrier] and [Telekinesis] became far more versatile.
Wait, there’s more.
The time limit for transformation into other vending machine forms increases from 2 hours to 4 hours.
Not an especially big change, but still very welcome nevertheless. There were plenty of times when I had to watch my time limit, especially during battles. Having double the time could make quite a big difference.
Then, finally:
Vending machine types and functions have greatly increased. You may now choose from any vending machine that has ever existed, including foreign models and discontinued type. This applies to machines you have never purchased or interacted with.
[2]
!!!
This!!!
Overseas vending machines??!!
Discontinued vending machines??!!
[2]
This- how-? This is incredible!! There were so many foreign machines that I wanted to try, and now I could!!
There’s the one from England, and America too! To have access to all products ever sold through vending machines… my food and drink repertoire alone just skyrocketed!
I eagerly scrolled through the newly added features in the system. The sheer number of new types of machines alone was staggering. There were so many that I might actually lose my mind with joy.
[2] Oh, and these old models from decades ago, there were even legendary ones that only operated for two years before they were discontinued.
Also, look at these quirky foreign machines selling things that were not even available in Japan. Oh, if I could change form into one of them, how much fun could it be?
However, as I scrolled through the machines, I noticed that the product I wanted most was not there. Now that I had noticed the lack, I realised there were a few more products that I knew for sure existed somewhere on earth that were not on the list.
Perhaps, there were some conditions that needed fulfilling?
After all, even for the Japanese vending machines, I had to fulfil certain prerequisite conditions before I was able to use them. Rare or large-sized vending machines required a lot of points to unlock.
As for the vending machine I was targeting, the products sold were also much more expensive than usual. [2] So, this time, instead of searching through the products, I looked through the list of vending machines more closely.
Then, I found it. This vending machine option was definitely not there before, so it was probably added in after I reached Level 3.
As for the point cost… 210,000 points! Definitely doable!
That would leave me with just about 30,000 points left, but I have no choice. Not to mention, Director Bear had mentioned he would be giving me a monetary reward soon, so I could quickly replenish my point count. In addition to just general reward and monetary compensation for providing all the food and drink during the short siege, I would also have a share of money from the sale of the Octo-Croc bones later.
It should be enough to get me through the Everlasting Floor.
With most of my immediate worries settled, it was time to scroll through the system and admire all the new vending machine forms and products that were now open to me~
Ah, it’s been a long time since I felt so excited.
Now, it was time to show everyone my latest vending machine form!
“St-ep ba-ck”
At my instruction, Ramis set me down on the ground and backed away. Once I was sure that everyone had moved far enough away, I triggered the long-awaited transformation.
“Eh? What’s that?!” Ramis covered her mouth in shock.
“Wh-what’s this? Hey, Hakkon! What’s this thing?!” Hyurumi was so close that she was practically pressing her forehead against my body, her eyes frantically taking in every detail, even as her hands tried to touch everything.
These two had the biggest reaction. As for the others, they were all frozen in place with their mouths open, minds unable to comprehend what they were looking at.
My form had extended sideways, longer and wider. My base colour was black, with 80% of the front view made of glass, allowing anyone to clearly see the product inside.
As for the product in question.
It was a small, yellow, four-wheeled, two-seater vehicle. A [3] sports car!
That’s right, I had transformed into a vending machine containing an actual sports car. This ‘vending machine’ doesn’t dispense the actual car. Instead, it dispenses pamphlets of the car in the shape of a can.
However, the car inside the machine was real, so I was free to treat it like a product. Speaking of which, this was a real promotional display for a famous overseas car maker that was once set up at Tokyo Tower and other major department stores.
It was one of the most remarkable novelty vending machines ever made.
The key point here was that I did not transform into a car. The car was a product! In short, once dispensed, the car could be used freely without any time limit.
[2] Imagine a sports car driving vending machine!
[2] How cool is that?
Speaking of which, after convincing Hyurumi to detach herself from my side, I reverted to my normal vending machine form, leaving only the sports car behind.
The others immediately crowded around this unexpected novelty.
“It’s got wheels, so it has to be some sort of wagon, but… that doesn’t seem right either…” said Hyurumi.
“It’s so round and cute!” exclaimed Ramis.
“It has two seats only. Which makes it kind of pointless as a wagon,” Hyurumi continued her speculations.
“Just right for Hakkon and… Pitee…”
“It looks pretty heavy for its size. Why bring something like this out?” Hyurumi muttered to herself.
“Master Hakkon must have a plan. I’m sure of it!” said the ever loyal Mishael.
Everyone then stared at me, eyes filled with curiosity and expectations. Very well, time to show them the might of this vending machine!
First, I did another transformation, this time into a [Gas Pump Vending Machine]. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, I used [Telekinesis] to manipulate the fuel cap and fill up the car’s tank.
Thanks to the additional one-meter range of my new Level, movements felt smoother than before. Everyone continued to watch in silence, unable to understand what I was doing, but trusting in me all the same.
Once the little car’s tank was full, I reverted to my normal shape and pondered what to do next. The best way to drive the car would be to do it from the driver’s seat, but I can’t fit in…
Well, the best way to do this would be to transform into my smallest form. Decision made, I transformed into my [Cardboard Vending Machine] shape and, after opening the driver’s side door with [Telekinesis], said:
“Ra-mis”
“In”
“Eh, uh, okay!”
Though she was still unsure what was happening, she quickly rushed over, picked me up and gently placed me in the driver’s seat.
“Thank you”
“Um, I’m still not sure what’s going on, but good luck!!”
I waited until she stepped back before closing the door. Then, still using [Telekinesis], I started up the engine, shifted gears and applied pressure on the accelerator.
The little sports car rolled forward smoothly.
“Woooaaahhh!!”
Everyone was clearly very impressed.
I sped up a little, made one loop around the wide, empty space before coming to a stop in front of my friends.
That’s right, I have excellent driving skills honed through my vending machine-hunting trips. Still, I never thought I would be driving a car in this other world.
This was all possible thanks to the Level 3 achievement. Without the added [Telekinesis] range and the product option, this would have been near impossible. With this, we should greatly reduce the time needed to conquer the Everlasting Floor.
Still, a sports car driving vending machine, huh?
I am not clear where I would head next!
[Gumihou: This is actually a really cool chapter.]
[1] Adjusted language for more natural delivery
[2] Adjusted text for dramatic delivery
[3] The original Japanese term was コンパクトカー (compact car) – which generally refers to the vehicle’s size, whether it’s a 2-seater or a 4-seater. However, since the description specifies a yellow 2-seater, the author was most likely referring to what English speakers would recognise as a ‘sports car’.
This is similar to how the Japanese word マンション (mansion) actually means ‘condominium’, instead of a luxury landed estate…
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