Chasing the slave traders who had fled inside the dungeon, we set foot on Dungeon Island.
There was a gaping cavern before us, with a waterway stretching deep into the darkness. This is likely where the enemy had escaped. One of the piers nearby held a dragon-prowed longship, docked headfirst as if it had crashed into place.
The gate leading into the dungeon was left wide open. A few guards were slumped by the entrance, clutching their injured arms and groaning in pain.
“…So this is all the defense they had? This dungeon’s supposed to be recommended for level thirty and up though.”
As we ran, Mia-san brushed back her red hair.
Felix-san answered her,
“The lake serves as a natural moat, so they probably don’t station many guards here. The place isn’t just managed by nobles or the Adventurers’ Guild—several merchant companies are involved as well. They likely don’t want to spend too much on maintainance either.”
I glanced back over my shoulder.
Mia-san, Felix-san, me and about fifteen members of the warrior corps, and the swordsman Nils—together, we formed the party that would descend into the dungeon.
“The enemy’s inside. I’ll guide us using my detection skill.”
With the blessing of the God of Hunting, I could sense the faint echo of fleeing footsteps ahead.
We stepped into the dungeon. The moment we crossed the threshold, I was captivated by the overwhelming sight.
“Amazing…”
Even though we were in pursuit, I couldn’t help whispering in awe.
The first floor of the dungeon was known as the Exploration Layer. The area had no partitions at all—the far wall, over a hundred meters away, was faintly blurred by the distance. The entire space glowed in a pale blue hue, reflections from the waterways that crisscrossed the floor and mirrored the light of the magic lamps embedded in the ceiling.
“Water… dungeon?”
To be precise, it was more of a waterway dungeon. Even the air was thick with the essence of water spirits.
“Over there!”
Mia-san pointed ahead. We jumped over the small waterway and crossed the bridge over the larger one. A few dozen seconds later, we descended the same stairs as the enemy.
Behind me, I caught the low murmur of the warrior corps discussing our next move.
“Felix-dono! With this many people, we’re well over the dungeon’s recommended party size. The monsters will start swarming toward us!”
“It doesn’t matter. The enemy has even greater numbers. They’ll be the ones attacked first.”
The second floor was much the same—another exploration layer. We quickly found the next staircase down. I could feel it. The distance between us and the enemy was closing.
“Mind if I ask something?”
While running, Nils spoke up.
“The next floor should be a combat layer, right? What if the enemy made a surprise attack?”
“Well….”
Felix-san answered for me.
“We’ll leave a few warriors behind to secure the prisoners for transport back to the surface. The rest will press forward. Because…..”
I recalled what had been said earlier. Adventurers usually delved into dungeons in small groups—seven members at most. Too large a party only made it easier for monsters to detect you.
And that gave me an idea.
“.…Because that’s what the enemy’s after?”
There were nearly twenty of them ahead, and as they fled, some were starting to fall behind. That’s why it felt like the distance between us was shrinking.
Felix-san nodded.
“They’re using their rearguard as bait. To draw in monsters or our forces, buying time for their vanguard to escape. It’s a classic tactic.”
“Like a lizard dropping its tail huh.”
Nils muttered.
I swallowed hard. The coin at my chest trembled, and Thor’s voice echoed faintly from within.
『A sloppy retreat, if you ask me. Between this and that river ambush, their moves are starting to look careless.』
I tilted my head.
“I wonder why though?”
『Who knows. But when we’re struggling, it means the enemy’s under pressure too. And when things seem too easy for us—well, that’s when they’re usually planning something.』
In other words, don’t let your guard down.
Just as I steeled myself, the sharp clang of weapons rang out ahead.
The combat layer opened up before us. It was an expanse of rough-hewn stone, like the inside of a cave. And on the air drifted a foul stench—thick and oily, like rancid grease gone bad.
“Monsters! Battle begins around the next corner!”
I kicked off the floor and sprinted toward the sounds of battle. When I burst into the combat area, what filled my vision was a humanoid figure covered entirely in scales. Its body gleamed wetly, slick with a coating of viscous slime. Its fishlike eyes were bloodshot, glaring straight at us as it brandished a three-pronged trident.
“Gigiigi”
That rasping cry sent a shiver crawling down my spine.
Several bodies lay sprawled across the ground—probably the river bandtis who’d been ambushed.
“A sahagin.”
Mia-san muttered, the chain of her chainaxe are clinking as she readied it.
“In Flocia dungeon, you see these things all the time. Some call them water goblins, but don’t be fooled. Its danger level is on a whole different scale.”
I nodded. That should be. This dungeon’s recommended level was thirty after all.
That made it tougher than either Alvis or the Royal Capital’s Western Dungeon, which both had a level twenty-five recommended level.
“Let’s break through!”
There were more than ten monsters ahead. We had to cut a path through quickly and resume the chase.
“Gigigii!”
A trident lunged toward me.
Golden flames flared to life around my body. I knocked the weapon’s shaft aside with my short sword and, as we passed each other, I slashed across its neck. The sahagin burst into gray ash, spraying blue blood through the air as it fell.
“Come on!”
I pressed forward, fighting as I advanced.
Two more came at me from opposite sides. I stomped down on the trident of the first one, vaulted upward, and kicked off the shoulder of the other one to gain distance. Then, bracing myself in midair, I thrust my left gauntlet forward.
“Wake up!”
The fire spirit, Salamander, launched a blazing fireball. One sahagin was blown apart instantly, while another leapt back in panic. Perhaps instinctively recoiling from the searing heat.
“Gigi?”
It turned its head in confusion—but by then, I was already gone. I kicked off the ground and slashed across its side from the flank.
“Not bad.”
The voice came just as I was catching my breath after the flurry of movement.
I froze in surprise. The speaker was standing ahead of me—meaning they’d already cut through the monsters even faster than I had.
“Fuu.”
Nils exhaled softly, stepping past the sahagin that lunged for him. All I heard was the clear, ringing shing of the blade being sheathed. A heartbeat later, the sahagin split neatly in two—top and bottom—before crumbling away into ash.
“What’s wrong?”
He glanced back at me with a faint smile. My chest tightened with awe.
There was no doubt—he is a master swordsman. It had been a long time since I had seen swordsmanship like that, well, not since my father.
A moment later, Felix-san and Mia-san caught up to us.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Let’s move. With this many monsters cleared out, the rest of the warrior corps can handle the cleanup and take the bandits into custody.”
I nodded and pressed onward.
With both the Blessing of the Sun and the Blessing of the God of Hunting active, the sounds of fleeing footsteps reached me far more clearly than before.
We descended another staircase—down to the fourth floor. Something about the enemy’s movements had changed. They weren’t heading for the next staircase anymore. Instead, their footsteps veered steadily northward.
“.…They are moving toward the outer wall of the dungeon.”
Maybe there was a hidden area there—something only they knew about.
“Let’s hurry!”
The sound of many fleeing feet echoed ahead, while our own boots splashed sharply against the quiet water. Sweeping the area with mana detection, I saw it clearly—points of red light, converging toward us and toward the slave traders up ahead.
When combat is unavoidable, we handle it through formation. Nils and I took the front line, clearing a path. Mia-san covered the midrange with her chainaxe, while Felix-san handled long-range support with his magic.
The enemy, on the other hand, was faltering. With their numbers thinned, they were struggling badly against the monsters. We passed several river bandits crouched along the corridor—injured, abandoned, and left behind.
Eventually, we cornered the slave traders.
Only five subordinates remained, along with the overseer draped in a black robe. The rest had likely been sacrificed as bait for the monsters.
On our side, we were down to four—me, Mia-san, Felix-san and Nils. The rest of the warrior corps had stayed behind in the passageways to hold off monsters and escort the captured bandits back to the surface.
“…Please, surrender quietly.”
I stepped forward.
The overseer twisted his lips into a sneer and pulled something from within his robe.
“Kuku, we’ll see about that.”
It was a small piece of metal, no larger than a thumb. It was tarnished and blackened with age yet beneath the corrosion, it might once have been gold.
Then, turning toward the wall, the man raised his voice and shouted:
“In the name of the God of Fertility, I command you―Open the gate!”
In an instant, the wall behind the overseer split open, sliding apart to both sides―just like a Seal Release triggered by my wake up skill.
“Wha—!”
The slave traders vanished into the opening, their laughter echoing mockingly back at us.
“They’re getting away!”
Mia-san shouted.
We all sprinted forward at once.
Come on—before it closes!
I pushed off the ground with everything I had, racing toward the closing opening as the heavy stone doors rumbled shut.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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