Chapter 615: One Must Not Rummage Through Other People's Purchase History

Generally speaking, the higher the Shell Layer of the Leviathan, the narrower it gets. Even so, considering it's literally the belly of a colossal whale... the Fourth Shell Layer "Machine Hut" is still reasonably vast.

"Weapons, weapons, weapons, armor, armor, armor, robots, robots, robots... Talk about a dismal ratio of organic matter."

Hyaaaaaaaaaaaa...

I felt like I heard an unimaginably high-pitched, hyper-excited shriek echoing from somewhere in the distance, but I ignored it. It's probably just a native cicada or something.

『Sunraku-sama, do you not intend to purchase any weapons or equipment?』

"Not for now..... Well, part of it is that I don't feel like I'm lacking in weapons, but..."

『But?』

"Aren't all of these using separate, external batteries?"

『Indeed. These armaments are indeed designed on the assumption that they will be used alongside an external Mana Particle Storage Device... However! Next-generation primitive humans possessing a Mana Organ can actually power them using their own mana particles!!』

"Well, I haven't expanded my mana storage capacity, ya know."

『Then an expansion device is just what you need! For you, it is only 300,000 Score right now!!』

Don't be so pushy, oi. When I showed her the Centipede Type Tausend (8-0.5) and asked if they could make something using the same mechanism as this, she flatly refused, saying that was only available for Amberjack Pass Level 4 and above. Seriously, what the heck.

"A puzzle, a puzzle, huh..."

Oh-hohohhhhhhhhhhhh!

I could have sworn I heard the voice of a human whose IQ had regressed below that of a gorilla somewhere in the distance, but I ignored it. That is the kind of existence that is beyond saving, no matter what.

"Rei-shi, did you figure anything out?"

"No... Um, only that they seem to sell things by individual parts, I suppose..."

That made sense. While the Type-Men series are naturally sold as base models, other things like boosters and batteries are prominently displayed as individual components. Also, are the Type-Men really just massive mechanical boxes, spheres, and square pyramids before they combine...? Does that thing actually move, or rather, does it move with that?

『That was implemented by utilizing reflections from our past experiences. During the battles of the Divine Age, we learned the hard way just how foolish uniform, standardized equipment truly is...』

"The Divine Age, the Divine Age, huh..."

An existence they still couldn't defeat despite possessing such a vast arsenal... Nine times out of ten, the enemy was a Raid Monster—an entity connected to Genesis. If that was the case, then I had a question.

"Hey Isana, do you know about the Old Continent?"

『The Eastern Continent? Since it is outside my jurisdiction, I only grasp it through hearsay and records.』

"Do you know if there's a colossal mechanical skeleton over there?"

『......Yes, I am aware. There is no way I could ever forget it.』

"What is Omega? Why make something of that absurd size, customize it for combat, and what were you all trying to defeat with it?"

『Next-generation primitive human, if that is what you wish to know, then reach "Wisdom." The final Amberjack Pass will unravel your doubts.』

A cold, dismissive response that felt almost like a prompt, yet delivered with a blunt, concise lack of friendliness. Still, that single question alone was enough to confirm that the thing was indeed of critical importance.

"Nice. I don't dislike that kind of 'waiting for you at the top' attitude."

I'll make you sing a different tune. I absolutely love taking down these self-important, high-and-mighty types with the sheer violence of levels... well, not that I'm actually going to punch "Isana." It's just a figure of speech.

"First is solving the puzzle, and to do that, grasping the entire layout... Is there a map or something?"

『Yes, there is.』

Wait, you actually had one!?

Indeed, the map of the Leviathan's interior represents a world spanning the inner surface of a sphere... which, in other words, makes it incredibly hard to read.

"Ah, looking at the overview... it's split fifty-fifty between human-use and tactical-mech-use areas."

Hmm... wait, is this window not just a map? There's some other page...

『Oh, you noticed...? Yes! If you order from that catalog, you can receive the finished products at the various Delivery Developer Zones scattered throughout this Shell Layer!!』

"Stop making me walk for mail-order deliveries, that's annoying."

Now, here's the real target. If the orientation of the displayed map is synced with the Leviathan's direction, then right below us, on the keel side, there is a giant sphere... Even an elementary schooler could tell you that looks suspicious.

"What is this?"

『If I had to express it in terms you could comprehend... perhaps a "cage"?』

"A cage?"

Hmm... the pieces are starting to come together, but the dots are still too far apart. I guess we need a middle point to connect them. Well, whatever, at least there's no time limit, so we can take it easy.

"For now, let's look through the catalog while checking out the actual objects nearby, Rei-shi."

"Y-Yes, indeed! There might be some hidden gems in here!!"

Unlike the two idiots whose eyes are completely glazed over with greed at the sight of a treasure trove, Rei-shi displays a reassuring level of caution. Is this the mark of a veteran gamer, or is it simply Saiga Rei-san's natural personality showing through? Her aesthetic sense, or rather... hm?

"Nn-ggh!!?!?"

"Um, is something—"

"Sunraku, lend me some moneyScore!!!!!"

"Hogufuu!!?"

"Rak—Sunraku-san...!?"

The exact instant my reflexively twitching finger pressed "Confirm," Rust's stomach—having launched herself over what was likely a mannequin clad in special Type-Men armor—slammed directly into my face.

"I have made a very, very critical discovery...!!"

"Mugugu, geddoffget off idjootyou idiot...!!""

*Grab*

"Let me help you."

"...Ah, thank you."

Honestly, don't go throwing sudden body slams at a fragile bunny girl, you robot-loving, pseudo-elf avatar.

Suspended in mid-air by the back of her clothes by Rei-shi, Rust looked exactly like a cat that had just been caught misbehaving. Yet, her mind was clearly far too occupied to care, as she kept her gaze locked onto me even while dangling.

"...Sunraku, lend me some Score."

"Gambling again?"

"...No, I found something insane."

Something insane? When I wordlessly asked what, Rust lightly patted Rei-shi's hand to get her to let go, stood on her own two feet, and pointed straight at my left arm as she spoke.

"...The Storage Key Chestoria. A budget version of 'that'."

"Ho-hoh? That is indeed a pretty crazy item."

"...Right now, I'm bidding against Yashirobird. That's why I need you to lend me some Score."

I see, I see, I see...

"Ah, sorry, but I actually don't have any spare funds on me right now."

"...What?"

"I ended up making a somewhat expensive purchase, yeah."

"I see... Then Psyger-0."

"Eh."

Quickly shifting her target the millisecond she determined I couldn't be milked for cash—I didn't hate that pragmatism.

Wait, what should I do? It happened so suddenly that I reflexively hit buy, but now I can't help but feel I went a bit too far with this impulse purchase. I should probably ask "Isana" if I can return it...

『Sunraku-sama, the Storage Key Inventoria you purchased has been prepared at the Block B Delivery Developer Zone. Could you please come collect it when it is convenient for you?』

"............"

"............"

"............Isana?"

『Yes, what is it?』

"Do you know what 'privacy' means?"

---

Author's Afterword

With a few minor specification adjustments, it's finally here: the budget version of Inventoria! The Storage Key Chestoria can store an infinite amount of item objects up to 5 meters in length, width, and height! No living organisms allowed, though!!

Additionally, Sunraku discovered the second Inventoria, which he impulse-bought, worn like a simple accessory on a mannequin's wrist. Kind of like a hidden dream-mouse.