Reincarnated into a World Filled with Dungeons, But My Blessing Turned Out to Be the Most Challenging Dungeon

At the center of the store, there was an especially large pedestal, upon which rested a massive, colorless, transparent stone.

As I became interested in it, the store clerk followed me to the front of the stone.

“This is a core from the Arcana Dungeon.”

At those words, I furrowed my brows.

Anyone living in this world would recognize that accursed name.

Long ago, the gods created twenty-two dungeons to test humanity.

People took up weapons and staves, challenging those dungeons one after another.

Yet, no matter how powerful the warriors were or how wise the sages became, those dungeons remained unconquered.

Those who entered either perished entirely or barely escaped with fatal wounds.

The odds of survival were one in ten thousand.

These stories are widely known as cautionary tales, passed down to children so they would never foolishly attempt the challenge.

But in reality, those dungeons are not just myths—they exist across the world.

“You can see an engraving on this core. Apparently, it was already inscribed before the core was extracted from the dungeon.”

Following the clerk’s words, I examined the core and found the number VII etched into its surface.

“Is this… the real deal?”

Worried I might offend them, I asked hesitantly.

“Many people doubt it at first,” the clerk replied. “However, this core was obtained a hundred years ago by a group of explorers who suddenly appeared and risked their lives to claim it. The records of that event are well documented in the kingdom’s history.”

If it’s recorded in the official historical records, then it must be real.

(Eve, what do you think?)

Just in case, I sought confirmation from Eve.

『Yes… This core radiates an overwhelming power. If I had to guess, it’s at least a thousand times stronger than the second most powerful core in this store.』

Her words made me doubt my own ears.

The strongest dungeon core this store had in stock was Rank VI. While it wasn’t from the deadliest Rank VII dungeons, for this core to be that much stronger meant it truly held unfathomable power, just like the legends described.

“Is this core… for sale?”

It was probably unimaginably expensive. There was no way I could afford it.

But I had to ask.

This was what I was striving for—what I needed to reach the ultimate goal.

I swallowed nervously and waited for the clerk’s response.

“This one is priced at one billion gold coins.”

“…Huh?”

My brain froze.

That was an amount that could completely drain this kingdom’s treasury.

『Master, what are you going to do about it?』

After leaving the store, I bought a drink and sat down on a park bench.

I needed to organize my thoughts about the dungeon core I had just seen.

(What can I do? That price is beyond impossible…)

To afford it, I would need to rule an entire country and then sell that country off.

There was no way I could do something like that, and even if I could, there would definitely be resistance.

“In other words, they don’t actually intend to sell it.”

The fact that they didn’t even provide a buyout option confirmed my suspicions.

『So we’re just supposed to sit back and watch that amazing dungeon core without doing anything?』

Well, technically, Eve doesn’t even have fingers, so she couldn’t sit back and twiddle them even if she wanted to…

(It’s just impossible for now. But depending on how things go, there might be a way to obtain it…)

Though I had been shown something far beyond my expectations, I had still accomplished my scouting mission.

『That’s why you’re the Master! I can’t wait to see you get your hands on it!』

Listening to Eve’s excited voice, I started mapping out the fastest possible route to the top.