We entered the dungeon. My throat felt tight. I walked down the familiar stairs leading down to the bottom floor. I can’t believe that there is so much tension just because my destination is different.
“Rion, are you serious?”
Mia-san asked me.
I looked at the short sword I held on my left and took a deep breath.
“Yes. Today I’ll be aiming for the boss on the lowest floor.”
There is a boss in the dungeon. As the name suggests, it is the strongest monster in the dungeon. The adventurer first aims for this lowest-level boss. Killing it, one can obtain magical power, making it easy to level up. And sometimes, the boss monster even drops powerful items.
Defeating the boss of the dungeon is also an achievement for adventurers. You could say that a dungeon boss is the keeper of high-priced magic stones and items, and it’s also the keeper of the right for an adventurer to challenge other dungeons.
Above all that, it may also be the key to Lu’s illness.
“Hmm… Well, I think it’ll be okay even if it’s just the two of us.”
Mia-san crosses her arms.
“Rion is level 9 and I’m level 30 after all.”
“………Right.”
I’m sorry for relying on you too much.
The boss of the Eastern Dungeon is said to be around level 10. A level 10 adventurer can defeat it solo, and a level 5 adventurer can win against it with a party of three.
Well, this dungeon is known as the dungeon for beginners, so the boss is not very strong.
“There have been cases where other parties have challenged the boss after the skeletons started appearing. But apparently, the boss was just as good as before.”
“Still, we can’t let our guard down.”
“Right. I know that. That there are no absolutes in the dungeon. Adventurers don’t usually go on adventures because of that.”
Mia-san and I went down the exploration layer and headed straight to the level where the target enemy is.
『Rion, be careful. 』
It was Solana’s voice.
『……I’m slowly starting to remember many things since we came in this dungeon today. 』
(Eh?)
『The things in my head that I couldn’t remember, I’m gradually recalling them. 』
『It might have something to do with the anomaly I’m about to talk about』
Solana added.
『Dungeons are the place where monsters are sealed away, and it is managed by the skills of the Royal family, right? 』
I nodded.
The dungeon has been sealed with a powerful seal. It was said that it’s due to the Royal family’s skills, but that’s just a rumor. Not much information reaches the commoners after all.
『The sudden appearance of the skeleton probably means that the seal has been loosened. 』
(……That’s certainly true, but ….…)
Is there such a thing?
(Ah!)
Such possibility made me turn pale.
Could it be that I “unsealed” it without my knowing?
『It’s not you. It did not look like that. Someone else has unsealed the dungeon. 』
I felt more desperate than ever.
『The founding myth of the country says that the gods won a crushing victory. But…… when I look at the monsters, I can’t help but think that it is different. 』
I glance sideways at Mia-san.
It was hard to respond, but Solana kept talking. It was as if she is venting her anxiety.
『It wasn’t a crushing victory. The gods were oppressed. My…..』
Solana suddenly stopped talking up there.
『Yes, that’s right. Why did I forget all this……the seal, my memory…… Maybe that is also why I am only starting to remember it now. 』
(What’s wrong?)
『……My loved ones have lost their lives in the final battle. 』
(……T-they’re dead?)
『The death of a God, annihilation. 』
I gasped in shock.
Mia-san looks at me suspiciously.
『There’s something about the founding myth and these dungeons where monsters can be resurrected that’s worrying me. I have a bad, very bad feeling about both. Rion, be especially careful today…… Even if you think you can win, I want you have to be extra careful.』
Roger that.
With that intention, I stared straight ahead.
“Rion, what’s wrong?”
“No, it’s just…… let’s be more vigilant.”
“I see. It’s true that the dungeon is awfully quiet today.”
I also found that strange.
Somehow, there is no sign of activity in the dungeon today. May that of the monsters or people. Well, it’s still early in the morning, so there are no other adventurers around.
But monsters…..
Our footsteps echoed inside the dungeon.
『The sealing magic must be stronger once deeper in the dungeon. My manifestation is also limited in time. 』
My ability, 【Unseal】 does not use magical power. But of course, it puts a strain on Solana.
(I’ll try to do it on my own as much as I can.)
With such determination, we descended the stairs to the boss’ room.
| A werewolf has appeared. |
A voice from God echoed in my head. Unlike Solana, it was businesslike and lifeless, it’s more like a voice transmission.
There are two red lights in the dark.
They were eyes.
Mia-san crouched down.
“It’s here.”
The boss of the Eastern Dungeon is a monster called werewolf. It was a wolf standing on two feet, and it was the first time I had seen it in person.
It is a head taller than an adult. It is covered in dark fur and I could see bulging muscles undulating in its arms and legs.
Awooooo.
It howled. The air shivered, and my heart felt like it was going to freeze.
“Are you scared?”
Shaking my head at Mia-san, I hold up my blue crystal short sword.
“Wake up!”
The crystal shone and the spirit released its power. A wind blade reaches the werewolf. But I only made a small scratch on its arm.
It’s tough!
Mia-san and I faced the werewolf, keeping a distance that allowed us to cover each other.
『There’s something strange about its presence……』
Solana spoke.
The werewolf did not move even though it was injured. It’s as if it doesn’t feel any pain.
Mia-san also felt suspicious. She readjusts her chain axe.
“It’s strange, it’s supposed to be an aggressive monster.”
Once again, a voice rang in my head. But it’s much darker and murkier than usual.
| Werewolf has appeared. ―――― Human※are※※Ki※※ |
I had never heard a voice like that before. I feel shiver down my spine. It’s like something tingly crawled all over my body.
It’s fear.
Like that fear when Gideon took me to a back alley and grabbed my throat.
| A werewolf zombie has appeared. |
The darkness in the area converged towards the werewolf.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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