Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Equipment.
There are many ways for a person to gain experience points for leveling up and getting stronger.
First, you could just kill any living being that inhabits the planet's earth like animals, or plants that are contaminated by Mana. But, these two methods are only giving the person who killed it a small decimal number of experience points so not everyone is fond of this way of leveling methods.
Then the second, there is a human killing method, you can gain some experience points by killing humans. But, of course, that act was considered illegal in modern society. However, there are some exceptions if the person who committed it was a natural psycho or there is another reason they couldn't avoid.
Despite all the methods above. There are also other options to gain experience points faster by killing a monster that came from a Gate or a Dungeon. This method is usually the one that has been used since ancient times. Not only will they get experience points, but they will also get their carcasses that could be used for various areas in craftsmanship.
First, what is a Gate? The gate was a phenomenon where the surrounding Mana began to gather in one spot so intensively that it could cause cracks in space and create a portal for the monster from another realm to invade planet Earth.
The gate is also divided into two categories. One was just a pure portal hole that connected this world with the monster realm, and the other was a Gate for a trial that had been prepared by a higher being, for those who have been chosen or stumble upon them with pure luck, as the destined one that could bring change to the world.
As for the other option, a Dungeon, it was a place where a Gate used to be there before it assimilated itself with planet Earth and created a maze that had many floors. Some of them were underground and some of them were towering to the heavens.
Inside the dungeon, there is a complicated maze that will confuse the people who will try to test their luck and search for an experience point. There is also a trap, treasure, and even a monster house where monsters spawn in waves.
Soma with a bated breath keeps his form straight while keeping his running pace low to not tire himself out.
[Quest progress 30 minutes clear]
The translucent window appeared before him and he stopped his running, then he bent his head upward sucking a lot of oxygen to his lungs.
Soma, now standing before the huge two wooden pillars that were made from a hundred-year-old tree, stood towering like a gate supported by the same hundred-year-old wooden crossbar on top, painted with vermillion color in front of him. As the gate to enter the Meiji Jingu. Soma stood before its first torii gate.
"Ha.. ha.. ha.. ..Hell yeah, ..I made it".
Thirty minutes, it was time he took to arrive at his destination from his house. Usually, it would take an hour or so if he is walking. But today, he was jogging to complete his daily quest also, so it was the perfect two-bird-with-one-stone event for him.
Soma regulated his breathing as he took a bottle of plastic filled with clear white water from his spatial ring that Mr. Ito gave him this morning along with the entry permit card. The bottle contains isotonic water to replenish the ions in his body to rehydrate himself. Twisting the bottle cap before putting it in his mouth, Soma gulped the contents until it was empty.
After emptying two bottles of isotonic water. Soma sighs in relief, as his heated body begins to cool down and his racing heart slows down.
[Reward All stats +1]
Witnessing the reward that had been given to him, raised his spirit up. Soma looked at his surroundings where the place was quite boisterous, with a lot of people probably heading to the same place Soma wanted to visit.
Soma began to walk forward and he passed the first torii gate. His body was enveloped by a strange sensation before it disappeared leaving him dumbstruck. He ignored it, then he resumed his walk leisurely while also trying to cool down his body temperature by enjoying the green scenery from the moment he entered the gate.
A row of tall trees gives a fresh atmosphere welcoming him inside, with fresh air that enters his lungs and the relaxation it provides for his eyes.
There are a lot of people who also have the same purpose visiting here. There are five groups of people that have a lively atmosphere in their group, a group of dozens of people walking briskly with a tense atmosphere, and so on. The most important thing from their trait was, that all of them were wearing a battlesuit.
There is a person who wears leather armor and there is also a person wearing chainmail or metal armor walking briskly in his surroundings.
It was not a weird thing in this world. Because the place they want to visit is a dungeon that emerged a hundred years ago near the third torii gate that has a wide area affter entering the temple gate from the Meiji Jingu.
Everyone around him gave him a strange look. Because of the appearance of a young boy wearing a sports jacket for running and walking leisurely while admiring his surroundings like a country bumpkin.
Soma ignored all of those gazes that were directed at him and kept his pace while observing his surroundings, diving into the wonder. Passing the second torii gate. Soma felt the same sensation and began to raise his pace. He saw a verdict that was written by the emperor from the Meiji Era standing there showing its presence to the world trying to gather everyone's attention. But, everyone like Soma just ignored it and turned right as he began to see the third torii gate, and the place was brimmed with people.
There is a stall that stands on the side of the road that sells the items that are needed for their raid in the dungeon. Soma stopped in his tracks as he observed the surrounding stall with interest.
"Hey, welcome I got the item to support you in your raid, there are healing potions and mana potion also an antidote in case you are poisoned inside..".
"Here, we sell some cheap second-hand equipment, and there is also equipment that we acquired from the dungeon, trust me it will help you in your raid".
"Is there no party that needs a porter?, I am an experienced porter, ready to dive into a middle-level dungeon".
"I am also a porter that could provide a buffer".
The stall owner vigorously tries to promote the items they sell in their stall, and also there are some people who offer themselves as supporters for the party that needs it.
Soma pondered, he looked down at his appearance. There was not a single piece of pieces of equipment that protected his vital area. He soon realized that the way he is right now. Forget about the entry permit, the person guarding the dungeon will chase him away as soon as they catch sight of his existence.
"Should I buy some?".
With no other option, Soma reluctantly approached one of the stalls that sell second-hand equipment.
"Hey, welcome youngster. How could I help you".
The stall owner greeted him with his business smile as he probed soma from head to toe to ascertain his customer wealth. Soma ignored the rude stall owner and pick his phone from his spatial ring. Luckily, he brought his phone and there is still some savings in his bank. He nodded his head as if already calculated everything.
"How much for a full set of leather armor?".
"Oh, full set of leather armor, right? You are quite a lucky one, youngster. I just received the items in my storage. It was a second-hand item that was used by the famous awakeners, and I think it will fit you just fine. The material from the armor was made from the lizardmen's skin. It has a tough and smooth surface..".
"Please, just show me the item please".
Soma's ear feels like it might fall off hearing that person's sales pitch. So he interrupted his explanation and urged the stall owner to show the thing in his possession.
"Yes, please wait for a bit".
The stall owner turned toward the back before he opened a large chest behind the stall and began to rummage the items inside. Then retrieve a full set of the leather armor Soma requested.
"Here they are, the full set of leather armor".
The items consisted of one leather armor that covered his chest, a pair of gauntlets with arm guards that covered until the elbow parts, also a pair of shin guards that reached knees along with a pair of leather boots.
Like the stall owner said it has a rather smooth surface and had a scale pattern like a common lizardman. Looking at its size, Soma also agrees that the thing will perfectly fit in his body. He reluctantly opened his mouth.
"..How much for the prize?".
The stall owner flashed his white teeth and rubbed his hands together before making an O gesture with his index and thumb fingers. "Not much, it was just Five million Yen".
"What the hell!". (That's so fucking expensive).
Barely holding onto his dropping jaws. Soma, whose eyes were wide open, looked at the stall owner and he met with the creepy smile that the stall owner showed him, he averted his gaze.
Soma covered his mouth lost in thought. "..Shit I only have Seven million Yen in my bank, and if I used Five of it there are only two million left. The matter of school tuition and everyday living expenses can't be covered by the part-time alone. I could get some fortune in the dungeon. But, it depends on my luck. …How should I proceed from this? Should I buy it?". He turns his gaze toward the shining armor as if inviting him to buy it, Soma's brows twitch as he apologizes to his late parents. "Father, Mother, please forgive this stupid son of yours..". Muttered Soma in his mind.
"..Then I will..".
"Wait a moment, young boy over there!".
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Resett
Resett First of all, please don't take any offense as I describe the scenery in the Meiji Shrine/Meiji Jingu. I only know the place description from the internet and mostly on Maps. So, I am sorry if there is any mistake in my description and I hope you can tolerate it, Thanks.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone