Sōzoku Shita Sofu no Ie no Urayama ni Danjon ga Dekimashita

Takatsugi-kun Prepares His Equipment (Part 2)

The trial cutting area had a straw dummy set up.

I swung the axe I had hoisted on my shoulder, bringing it down from the upper right to the lower left!

The centrifugal force combined with the axe’s weight unleashed a terrifying amount of power!

As expected of me!

To be this skilled on my first try—yeah, I must be a genius!

…However, the force was so immense that the axe ended up buried deep into the ground.

And now it wouldn’t come out.

Then that old man chimed in again, uninvited.
“Use your hips. Don’t rely only on your upper body—engage your lower half too.”

I was just about to try that!

This geezer never shuts up!

Next, I decided to pick out some armor.

But again, the old man had something to say.
“The dungeon’s dangerous, so you’ll want full-body protection.”

I ignored him and chose something lighter.

A simple leather set that covered my stomach and other vital areas, plus the shoulders.

Since I carry the axe on my shoulder, if I don’t have armor there, the shaft digs into my flesh and hurts.

Besides, the axe is already heavy. If I added more weight, I wouldn’t be able to move properly.

Even now, if I’m not careful, the weight throws me off balance.

The old man probably just wants to sell me more expensive gear—but I won’t let him.

I paid for the items with the cash I’d withdrawn earlier from the ATM in the lobby on the first floor.

I’m the customer here.

If the customer wants something, the shopkeeper should just listen and do as they’re told.

Seriously… what an annoying old man!

Translator’s Note:

The straw dummy (藁人形) used for tameshigiri is a common feature in Japanese-style weapon shops in fantasy stories, used to test cutting technique.
The narrator’s persistent arrogance and refusal to take advice—despite benefiting from it—continues to highlight the comedic contrast between his ego and reality.