Alvis’ dungeon has features that other dungeons don’t have.
—That is, it is a real “mine”.
After getting ready at the Dancing Dwarfs’ Pavilion, we head into the dungeon.
The entrance is a gaping hole in the middle of the mine, and it is so impressive that several horse-drawn carriages can pass by. It’s made of rocks, but the surface of the rock is smooth, as if it had just been quarried.
“This is……”
Safi spoke from behind Felix-san’s back.
Since the dwarf would attract attention, Safi hid in the backpack even in the dungeon. Thanks to her Ring of Protection, she should be able to deal with seals for a while, but…….
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
“N-nothing……”
I wanted to ask more questions, but my eyes were drawn to the inside of the dungeon.
“Whoa……!”
The ceiling is about 10 meters high. Many magic stone lanterns are hung from it, making it as bright as midday, despite being a dungeon.
In the large hall that can be seen, the voices of buying and selling echoed out. To my surprise, some people were even shopping in horse-drawn carriages.
“T-this is the first level of the dungeon, right?”
“That’s right.”
Mia-san smiled. Like it’s fun to see me so surprised.
Well, it would be impossible not to look around like this.
“Alvis’ dungeon is a rare dungeon with a market on the first level. Slimes do show up sometimes, but everyone knows that.”
“E……eh!?”
Felix-san added.
“Furthermore, it is officially recognized by both the Adventurer’s Guild and the Temple of Odis.”
I heard a little bit about it from my father. However, the reality is beyond imagination. Because around the thick pillars, there are adventurers who are setting up shops.
A horse-drawn carriage passes in between.
“Get out of the way!”
“Make way!”
An extra-large axe, likely something that had just been excavated, arrived on a cart. It was being pulled by strong adventurers.
Boom!
The huge axe was placed on a conspicuously high stage. Then people gather there in a hurry.
The person on the stage, with his thick belly and arms, had an outstanding presence.
“Alright, alright! This golem-sized giant axe was excavated from the second layer of Alvis! It’s made of Gran steel, which cannot be refined with modern technology. All it takes is melting it down and casting it into a rare item that’s sure to become an exceptional product!!”
His speech resonates all the way back to the entrance, followed by high-pitched sound of clapping hands.
“Let’s start from 80,000 Gent!”
An auction!
Apparently, the relics from the dungeon will be auctioned off inside the dungeon!
As I stand there in shock, I almost bump into a party of adventurers walking by.
“It seems a boss have come out in the 5th level.”
“That’s a bit early, right?”
“Is the strength of the monster increasing?”
“Just as the general message said……”
My ears picked up on such conversations. I wonder if the monsters’ strength has changed due to the “Titan’s Ashes” even in this seemingly thriving dungeon.
God’s overall message of predicting the “end times” also seems to be taken more keenly here than in Kalmar. It’s probably because it’s a city of adventurers.
『……There are signs of ashes. It’s very strong, it is coming from the bottom. 』
Solana told me from the gold coin.
『This might be the unpleasant presence Safi felt when she woke up. 』
That means it’s a dungeon where there might be titans…
I had expected this from the information we had received beforehand. But hearing the voices of the adventurers, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency.
I’ts bustle and crisis.
“Okay! 100,000 Gent! The price is settled at 100,000 Gent!”
The voice announcing the end of the auction brought me back to reality.
Mia-san is smiling.
“Magic stones are bought by the guild, and there is a separate market for ores. But anything dug up in the dungeon gets snapped up right here by the blacksmiths.”
The huge axe was loaded into a carriage and disappeared into the entrance in a flash.
I wonder if it will go straight to the forge as it is.
“……It’s kind of amazing.”
“Yeah, it’s great. I too want to be the first to get my hands on the finest raw materials —I guess that’s what a blacksmith is all about.”
Adventurers would find weapons in the dungeon, and sell them. After someone buys it, they dive into the dungeon again.
So, this dungeon is where weapons are both used and created huh…
Felix-san tapped his staff on the ground.
“Okay, let’s go down.”
I slapped both of my cheeks and scolded myself for getting carried away. I tucked my chin in and responded with a firm yes.
From here on, it was a real combat.
“It’s training time.”
“T-training?”
Felix-san seemed a little surprised. But he quickly shrugs.
“Certainly, it’s training.”
“Uhm. We are going to spend two days training in the dungeon, and then we are going to the bottom level, that is, the boss level on the last day…… is that right?”
I confirmed the planned schedule we had decided on beforehand. Spending three days on “training” seems a bit leisurely. The power to protect Lu may lie dormant here. Safi’s friends must be there too. I really want to challenge the boss right away.
However, it is Felix-san and Mia-san’s experience that we followed.
“Rion, don’t be impatient, especially at the beginning.”
Looking up, Mia-san’s eyes are serious. Felix-san also had his hand on his coronet, rubbing it.
“Fire-wielding monsters appear here. Rion-san is at level 20, but I would like to raise it to at least level 22, and if possible, I want to raise it to at most level 25. The recommended level of this dungeon is level 25, but—”
Felix-san paused then he continued,
“The flames of monsters stimulate our instincts. In other words, they cause craze. You may lose your composure in fear, panic, become ill, and even die —it’s something that can actually happen.”
“That’s why we had to change our equipment huh.”
“Exactly.”
We had switched to Alvis’ Dungeon gear.
I am still wearing the gauntlets that Lu had given me. However, the crystal on my left gauntlet had turned red.
It’s the work of Safi, the dwarf blacksmith.
The cloak for travel has also been replaced with a material that is resistant to fire. In addition, Safi also has runes engraved on our armors. The runes, “Fire fist” and “Ice block” ―― meaning, flames stagnate.
“In this dungeon, in addition to the lowest level boss, there is also a larger mid-boss. It would be a good idea to fight them beforehand to test your skills.”
At that moment, a male and female adventurer walked up to us. A burly man is carrying a large backpack. The other one, the woman, was carrying nothing.
The two of them stopped with their feet in attention position.
“Felix-dono.”
“We’ve arrived.”
I was surprised by the suddenness. But when I looked closely, I saw they were the Raven Warriors, who had been traveling with us. I didn’t recognize them at first because they were wearing Alvis’ dungeon’s gear.
Felix-san introduced them.
“I’ve ordered them to meet up here. I’m going to have them carry Safi on their back.”
As he spoke, Felix-san handed the backpack containing Safi to the two of them.
“In addition to magic stones, there are heavy ores and relics here. For that reason, it’s not uncommon to have two people ―the so-called supporters, to help carry items.”
Support specialists, I guess. I’ve heard that such people are necessary in dungeons with many levels.
I bowed my head to them.
“Pleasure to work with you.”
Now, we’re ready to go.
It’s time to begin my exploration.
I checked my short sword on my left hip. Safi has engraved runes into our weapons as well.
When I remember God’s voice, I feel inspired.
| Blue Crystal Short Sword [Jinrad] |
The dwarf blacksmith bestowed on my weapon a wind magic rune, the same as the spirit that resides within it.
“Let’s go!”
We descend to the battle layer.
In this new dungeon, I’ll try out the new powers I’ve received from the gods and my allies.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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