Author: Yume Neiji

『Rion?』

Solana asked as I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

We are at the fourth level. It was still on the shallow side of the Alvis dungeon’s combat layer, and I am getting used to the dungeon by defeating baby rock worms and subspecies goblins. 

As to be expected, there hasn’t been a big one like an adult rock worm for a while. The battle for me to get used to the new dungeon was just as our team had envisioned at the beginning.

“……It’s a big one, it’s getting closer.”

But now the approaching sound is clearly on a different level.

It’s four-legged, and there are two of them.

In my magic detection, a strong red light is reflected at a distance of about 50 meters. It was supposed to be a powerful enemy, but the vibration of the ground was faint. That means that the enemies have a habit of hiding their proximity. 

I think it’s the same magical beast type as the warg.

“……An enemy?”

The hood I wore shook as I nodded in reply.

Mia-san also stopped, perhaps sensing something as well. Felix-san also holds up his wand and is ready to use his magic.

“It’s fast. It’s a four-legged beast, much bigger than a horse.”

At my words, Mia-san put the hood of her fireproof cloak back on. She licked her lips and squinted her eyes.

“Oi oi. Don’t tell me….…”

At that moment, a bright red light burst out from the corner.

“!”

Hot.

There were two shots in a row. I reflexively jumped to the side to avoid it. A huge flaming bullet came through the position where I was.

“Garm……!”

Felix-san groaned.

I recalled the information we had gathered earlier. Like the adult rock worm, it is a powerful enemy that appears in the deepest part of this dungeon. The reason why Alvis dungeon has a high recommended level of 25 is because of the appearance of this monster.

Well, it’s other name is—

“Alvis’ guard dog ……!”

The two Garm opened their mouths wide. Flames were building up in their bright red mouths. Even though they were far away, the tips of their noses were smoking. That’s how intense the heat was.

Although they had high mobility, it was this monster called Garm that gave off the highest heat in this dungeon.

“Rion, we’re fighting too!”

Mia-san holds up her chain axe. Holding back my trembling, I pulled my chin back. I don’t want to show my pathetic side in front of everyone.

“Yes.”

I reactivate the “Golden Flame” that had been used up.

Chains rushed through the air.

“Gaah!”

Mia-san’s chain axe slammed into the side face of the howling enemy. One of the flames was interrupted, and what follows is Felix-san’s magic.

“Ice Blade!”

A white line appeared on the ground. It stretches out from Felix-san’s feet and crosses the Garm’s front legs. The heated air froze. Immediately afterwards, a blade of ice occurs along the line.

“Gaah!”

One of its front legs was torn off.

Not wasting the opportunity, I kick the ground. I jump under the chin of the guard dog. Then I quickly thrust my short sword in its throat. Flames from the dog’s spit leaked out of the wound, and my hands felt hot even through the gauntlet. It was a relief that the fireproof hood was protecting my face.

“Haa.”

I took a short deep breath and swung the blade. I slit its throat in a straight line.

“Ga, goo…gu….!”

Only one left.

As I jumped back from the fallen Garm. I noticed that the other one was about to fire the buildup flames in its mouth. Though it received a blow from the chain axe, it still seems to have enough will to fight.

The aim is—

『Rion!』

Me?

However, just when I was about to react, the gauntlet on my left hand glittered.

“Wake up.”

This time, I used “alarm” in the red crystal. 

What came out of the left gauntlet was a small lizard wrapped in bright red flames —it’s a fire spirit called a “Salamander.” This fiery spirit is stored in the red crystal of my left gauntlet by the dwarf blacksmith.

“Pyi!”

The spirit unfolds a barrier between me and the Garm that looks like a series of scales. 

It’s the “Flame Nullifier” barrier in my armor. That was another trick Safi added to my defense.

“Gaa!”

The Garm fired a fire bullet. But the scale-shaped barrier completely prevented the flames. If the garm had an expression, I guess it would have stared at me with dumbfounded look.

“Pyi, Pyi……”

Rubbing its stomach contentedly, the Salamander returned to the crystal. 

If I could block the flames, it’s my victory then.

“Yaa!”

I kicked the ground and closed my distance to the garm. It seems that the fire bullets require the garm to open its mouth to store flames. In other words, there’s no need to be scared once you get close.

Just like the first one, I killed it by slashing its neck. 

The monster falls with a thud. The trembling paws made me feel that they were living beings after all. Even if it is sealed in this dungeon, the body will always be alive.

“Well done, you won.”

Turning around, I saw Felix-san’s smile.

Safi sticks her head out of her backpack and stares at the monster on the ground.

“……The monster just now is a Garm, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but….…”

“Are all adventurers as strong as you?”

Uh-huh…….

When I use the blessing of the Gods, my power rises tremendously. That’s part of my strength, but I’m only level 20 and I still have a lot to experience as an adventurer. I don’t think I can easily call myself “strong.”

“Even so….”

Safi looked around the dungeon.

“I can’t believe that the place where Alfheim used to be is now full of monsters.”

Her mouth was hidden inside the backpack, so I couldn’t see it. But I felt like she was smiling sadly.

“The end, the sealing, it’s starting to feel real to me.”

Solana’s voice comes from the gold coin.

『…… It’s also because we lost. Safi, do you recognize this dungeon? 』

“Ah……”

Safi hesitated.

“Yes… I guess so. I think it’s the palace.”

My eyes widened.

“P-palace?”

“Yes. But…… the terrain is so different, and to be honest, I’m not sure. I think I’ll be able to say more when I got definite proof.”

According to Safi, in the palace of Alfheim, the land of the dwarfs, there was a forge, a treasury, and magical tools that respond to “Mirror of the World Tree Yggdrasil”. But that’s far inside. In terms of the dungeon, it seems to be the lowest level.

“Hmm? Now that I think of it, don’t they usually put important things on the top of palaces?”

Mia-san asked, scratching her head.

“Not everybody likes tall buildings.”

Safi shakes her head with a stunned look.

“The dwarves’ palace was made by hollowing out a mountain. The main gate was halfway up, and the throne and forge were located on the lower level. There was a back gate at the foot of the mountain, and there was a magnificent building on the ground above the main gate, but…”

The dwarf blacksmith lowered her dark eyes.

“Perhaps, the top of the mountain has collapsed. When we entered here, we went through a great stone arch, didn’t we? It looked exactly like the main gate a long time ago.”

“The mountain has collapsed?”

Mia-san exclaimed.

“Then, was there a big earthquake?”

“No, I don’t know that much. I was asleep and when I woke up…… it was all over.”

At that time, not much was known about Alfheim. There were white dwarves and black dwarves, and there is no doubt that they were hostile to monsters in the same way as the gods. The story that some of the black dwarves have turned into goblins and other monsters seems to be true.

Safi is a black dwarf. It seems that the races were a little wary at the time—but that’s about all the big information.

Solana spoke from the gold coin.

『Hmm…… Do we have to go deeper?』

At that moment, the voice of God sounded in my head.

You leveled up. Your now level 21.

I was surprised.

Well, today, I defeated quite a few monsters, and I also defeated a strong enemy such as Garm. 

But to gain one more level….

“Did I absorb a lot of magic in the fight with the golem?”

In the battle that brought me to level 20, I defeated quite a few golems together with the Gods. Maybe I still had some of the magical power I gained then. 

I think about that as I pick up the Garm’s magic stone.

After defeating a few monsters for a while, the first day’s training was over.

『…… Hmm?』

On the way back, Solana calls out.

『Rion, isn’t that also the remains of a golem?』

“That’s true…..”

There is another remnant of a golem near the wall. This is the second time we have found one today.

Felix-san shakes his wand.

“Strengthen the Golem with the ashes of a titan—if there is such a magician, it seems that he frequently conducts experiments in this dungeon.”

I nodded, but the creepiness only increased. 

There are slave traders, but what is the purpose of the person who created this golem?

『Even here, the presence of the Titan remains, albeit faintly. 』

When I used alarm, Solana flew around near the golem core.

“And as expected, the further down we go, the stronger the presence of the titan becomes. But…”

The goddess hesitated.

“The more I explore—the stronger, the more unpleasant, and more burning it feels. This is……”

“What’s wrong?”

“Hmm……”

Solana’s expression was gloomy. It felt like she was covered in a dark shadow, like the sun on a cloudy day.

“Do you remember when we talked about the Flame Titan?”

“Yes…… They tried to burn the whole world to the ground.”

“Right. And that Flame Titan also had a ‘king.’”

Certainly, the titan’s ashes were made from the body of the titan who tried to burn down the world.

“……Do they look similar?”

“I think so. There is a golem in Alvis, and it has some of the ashes of titans mixed in with it. And if the ashes of the titans were born of Alvis…”

My throat moved slightly.

Does that mean that the one sleeping in Alvis is an especially strong flame titan…?

We left the dungeon. 

A sound like wind echoed from the depths. For some reason, it sounded like the groans of a giant. I felt like something was going to wake up in the depths of the dungeon.

I had to hurry up.

A sense of impatience is burning in my chest.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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“Wake up.”

A slash flew out.

—That’s the only way to describe it. A wind with a sharpness that is different from just a gust of wind flew towards the rock worm.

“Shaaaa!”

When Safi swayed and escaped with the backpack, the rock worm pursued her. And like that, the dwarf and the monster stared at each other, their mouths opened in the same way.

“Kikiki!”

“Nooooooo!”

One has bright red eyes and the other has teary eyes. 

The body of the monster stretched out from the ground. That’s when a wind blade passed through the middle. The rock worm then stood still. Safi, with teary eyes, has also stopped screaming. 

“……Eh?”

Safi blinked her dark eyes.

The body of the rock worm shifted up and down. The severed top half falls to the ground, turned into ashes and disappeared.

There was silence.

This is the power of Sylph―the awakened spirit, I guess.

“J-just now….…”

In my head, Uru’s voice echoed.

『Haha! That was amazing! 』

(Eh……?)

『I’ve never seen a spirit get this motivated. 』

His unreserved praise continued. I stared blankly at the blade that had unleashed the slash.

『The spirit may have wanted to support you. It may also be because of the wind magic runes carved by the dwarf, but still, that wouldn’t have happened if the spirit hadn’t been motivated. 』

I looked down at the blue crystal short sword and the glow that resided within it.

Wan! 

I think I heard the proud voice of the spirit sylph.

Felix-san also crossed his arms.

“……It looked like intermediate level magic or higher.”

The gold coin trembles again.

It was Loki. He seems to have withdrawn from his usual antics and is genuinely impressed.

『The spirit must have read Rion’s thoughts. It reproduced them, and a complex effect like magic appeared. 』

“M-magic…? Me?”

I’m sure I was told before that I had no talent for it. I have a decent amount of magical power, but I can only do things like start a fire with magic.

『Magic is imagination, the power of thoughts to form a picture. 』

Loki continues, 『The spirit made up for what you lacked. Probably the power part—the aggression. Still, the sylph must have really liked you. 』

With the magical powers that I thought I couldn’t obtain, I was able to save my comrade from danger. I felt relieved.

“Thank you.”

As I looked and spoke to the short sword, the crystal on it glittered with pride.

“Thank you too, Safi.”

If it was thanks to my stronger weapon, then I should also be grateful to the dwarf blacksmith.

Safi popped out of the backpack and smiled proudly.

“……Hmmm, welcome! But don’t forget the other kid.”

Of course. I checked my left hand. The crystal on my gauntlet was red. Safi had put a certain spirit into it. During our journey, we passed many carriages carrying ore from Alvis. Safi reacted to one of them, saying, “This one carries a fine spirit stone!”

It seems to be “Fire Spirit”, but …….

Mia-san dangled her chainaxe.

“It’s good that you defeated it, but isn’t this a bit of a warning?”

Scratching her red hair, Mia looks around.

I also used the <Protection of the Hunting God> to search the area. There was no sign of enemy approaching. 

There was a risk that Safi’s screams would attract monsters. But since we are still at the first level of the combat layer, it didn’t seem like there were that many monsters to begin with.

“Mm, certainly.”

I picked up the magic stone that has fallen. It is the size of a fist and is even larger than those from skeletons or orcs. I think it’s dangerous that a monster that should have been found into the deeper level has appeared and it can even drop something like this.

I called out to everyone.

“I think it would be better to tell the guild that manages the dungeon.”

If a large monster appears beyond the upper levels, it will be a major problem. Adventurers who specialize in shallow levels could find themselves in unexpected danger. Just like me in the Eastern Dungeon.

Felix-san glanced at the two supporters.

“Given the purpose of the investigation, I would like to keep our identity a secret, but… I guess that’s not going to be the case this time.”

The female supporter nodded her head and walked back to the top floor. She will inform the Adventurer’s Guild about the anomaly in the dungeon.

Like Kalmar, there may be others who are looking for me. That’s why I think it’s best to leave the contact to the Warriors as much as possible. The procedures for entering the Alvis Dungeon were also being handled in secret by the warriors. Well, apparently, they have people who cooperate with the adventurer’s guilds around the country.

“…Maybe the ‘titan’s ashes’ have been scattered more than we thought.”

As I spoke, I lowered the hood of his fire-resistant cloak.

The Rock Worm’s flame bullets were highly powerful. It’s better to protect my head even if I sacrifice a little bit of vision. In addition, when fighting strong monsters, it will inevitably catch attention, and in the combat layer, there is a limit to how much you can blend in with the crowd.

I think a fireproof cloak and hood would naturally hide my identity.

『I think you have until tomorrow to get used to the dungeon……..』

This time, it was Solana who spoke from the gold coin.

『Maybe we should hurry. 』

(Yeah….…)

If there are a lot of ashes scattered in this dungeon—that means the enemy’s evil plans are progressing, or this is an important place.

“Hey, come over here.”

Mia-san beckoned to us.

A stocky humanoid figure was lying, leaning against the wall. It was about three meters in size.

“This is….…”

“A golem, right?”

Mia-san put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.

“It hasn’t turned to ash. It’s not one that emerged from the dungeon, but one where a golem core was brought in, like in the Western Dungeon, isn’t it?”

“Excuse me.”

Felix-san went close to it and crouched on the ground.

“Hmm…. I see, I see…… I guess it’s an experiment.”

His coronet is sparkling.

“I’ve started to understand a bit about the slave trader in Alvis.”

Mia-san and I looked at each other.

Poking at the faded golem core with the tip of his wand, Felix-san explains.

“There is probably someone here who is controlling the golems. They should have been entrusted with some kind of task by the slave trader—perhaps mining ‘titans ashes’ or something similar. I can sense that level of ability from this golem. However—”

Felix-san paused and held up his finger.

“That guy also seems to be doing his own evil tricks.”

“……How do you know?”

Looking at Mia-san, Felix-san shook his head in dismay.

“The adventurer we faced in Kalmar was clearly of a lower ‘status’. The transport was supposed to be secret, but he let his guard down, and, blinded by a little money, he turned to pickpocketing —if slave traders are involved, they would never use such an adventurer.”

If so, then….

Felix-san continued,

“Perhaps the golem transport we discovered in Kalmar is a kind of side job that the golem user here do on their own—you can think of it like that.”

“S-side job……?”

My face twitched. What a dangerous job.

Felix-san shrugged.

“Slave traders must have some kind of network of contacts in different places, with those who do evil and those who supply them with power and slaves—so their interests are aligned.”

Gideon might have been targeted in this way as well.

If the Eastern Dungeon in the Royal Capital remained as it was, slaves would be sent in and…..

I shuddered.

I wonder what is going on at the bottom of this Alvis Dungeon.

“……I’m going to get stronger faster.”

I need to level up as quickly as possible and go to the unexplored areas of this dungeon.

Eventually, the warrior who had been on the surface returned.

The Adventurer’s Guild’s answer is simple. “We’ll be dealing with it” —which meant that the lord of Alvis wasn’t doing anything about it.

This became more and more similar to the Eastern Dungeon in the Royal Capital.

“Grrrr……”

As I continued to train, I eventually heard a growl in the distance.

I used the <Protection of the Hunting God>, “Wild Heart “.

The magic detection that I had become accustomed to had caught a huge four-legged monster running towards us.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The exploration layer of the Alvis’ Dungeon continues up to the second level. The ceiling is a little higher than the Eastern dungeon in the Capital, and the passage is wider. The edge of the dungeon is connected to the mine, and it seems that equipment from that time and giant weapons for the golems are still being unearthed here.

We pass carts and carriages—there are horses in the dungeon—as we descend into the battle layer.

Eventually, we reached the third level.

“Let’s start by warming yourselves up.”

Mia-san shook her red hair and pulled out her chainaxe.

“There are some small fire-wielding monsters here. You should get familiar with them.”

As we talked, I used my ability, “Wild Heart” to sense the vibrations in the ground.

Footsteps? 

Hmm, no, it’s not.

Something is moving in underground.

“It’s coming from underground!”

Something like a snake jumped out of the ground. It raised its head as if it had grown out of the soil. On its head was a large single eye. Our images were distorted in its emotionless eye.

“It’s a baby rock worm.”

Mia-san told me.

By the way, Felix-san and the rest of the warriors are waiting at a slightly lower area. First of all, they want me to get used to the dungeon, so I’ll take priority in the fight.

“Be careful. It may be small, but it can still breathe flames from its mouth.”

With a slight purr, the ground shook even more. I jumped backwards instinctively. Something thrust up from directly below where I had just been.

“W-what……”

A stick? Or so I thought.

A number of “sticks” suddenly grew out of the ground. But “it” swell and turns its head to me. The same red light as before —but many times bigger—were staring down at me.

“……That’s an adult rock worm.”

Mia-san’s face twitched. The baby rock worm that had just emerged quickly fled underground.

“Oh? It’s not big!?”

“This is the kind that appears on the sixth level.”

I was stunned.

The Alvis’ Dungeon has a total of 10 levels. 

Does it mean that the monster that goes out into the depths suddenly came here?

“Kikikiki”

Four adult rock worms.

Well, I’ve also heard about this monster from my father.

Their surface is rough because they have a rock-like shell as their name suggests. They can also breathe fire from their mouth. In addition, they can dive underground and regardless of walls, they will chase you even if you try to run away.

“……Mm, troublesome huh.”

The four mouths opened sharply from my left and right.

“Uh-”

Flame bullets were fired at me. I reflexively dodged to the side. Flames grazed my fireproof cloak and exploded on the wall.

『Rion!』

“I’m fine.”

I responded to Solana’s concerned voice.

Flame bullets keep coming one after another. If I concentrate on dodging them, I won’t have any problems. However, in this way, it is also difficult to make an attack.

“……It’s hot.”

Even a mere scratch burned my skin. My fear of fire made me freeze up. It’s difficult to avoid and counter at the last moment like with a blade.

“Wake up!”

I summoned the spirit sylph.

“Wan.”

A gust of wind rushed through. A few rocks that had fallen to the ground lifted up and hit one of the rock worm’s eye.

“Kikiki!”

One of them, whose eyes are smashed and turned blind, swings its body around. On the part of its belly facing towards me, I could see white patches here and there. It is clearly different in color from its rock covering.

Does that mean that part is not armored…?

The information about its weak point that I had reviewed suddenly occurred to me.

“Alright.”

I kicked the ground and move forward.

The remaining rock worms fired flame bullets at me, but I ran in a zigzag pattern to avoid them. The rune “Jinrad” carved into my short sword glowed green, and a wind swung around the blade, pushing me from behind.

Acceleration.

In one fell swoop, I got into the bosom of the rock worm!

“Take this!”

While sliding, I slashed at the opponent’s key point.

The blade sinks into the opponent’s body. I clearly felt a hit. I slid with the momentum, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the rock worm I slashed lying motionless on the ground. It then turned into ashes.

“……Can you continue?”

I respond by raising a hand to Mia-san. My training continuous.

“Yes. I now know its weakness.”

I feel like I’ve gotten stronger. Maybe it’s because I’ve leveled up to level 20.

If my magical power has also increased, I might be able to make much more use of God’s blessing than before. “Golden Flame,” “Thunder God’s Hammer,” “Wild Heart,” or a combination of these. If my magical power has increased, then I’ll have more cards to choose from.

“Kikiki……”

There are still three opponents in total.

As I waited to see what they would do, all three retreated underground.

“They’re coming from below!”

“Then―”

Skill: 『 Hunting God’s Divine Protection』was used. Executing【Wild Heart】. 【Wild Heart】……Detection. With magical power consumption, effects can be further increased.

I consumed magical power to follow their traces underground. I can see it in full view with a red light.

The next place they’ll appear is right at my feet.

“Ya!”

I jumped backwards and avoided their surprise attack.

The monsters may have been stunned as they stopped moving. Well, I had read their moves completely.

The rock worms’ bodies then stretched out completely upwards.

“Kiki……!”

They made desperate flame attacks.

I easily avoided the poorly aimed attacks and corrected my balance with my left hand. I firmly planted both of my feet on the ground and this time, I attacked.

There are two rock worms that grow vertically. From the current position, both are exactly in a straight line.

Skill: 『 Sun’s Divine Protection』was used. Executing【Golden Flame】. 【Golden Flame】……Improves physical ability. Further effects for a limited time.

『Go all out!』

“Yeah”

Solana’s voice was also answered by Thor.

『Haha! That’s generous of you. 』

At first, I was going to wait and see, but I changed my mind after defeating one of them. My level increased, my weapons have changed, and it is a new dungeon. I want to see what happens when I move with all my might.

“Fuu.”

In addition to the acceleration provided by the magic runes “Jinrad,” my physical abilities also increased. With one step, I closed the distance of five meters and sliced through the rock worm on the right, along with its shell.

Then I turned my wrist and aimed for the one on my left side.

My enhanced sensing abilities can tell me about the gap in their armor. The blade, which slipped into that gap, cut through the enemy’s body with almost no resistance, just like with water.

I looked back.

One collapsed and the other was split in half. Then both turned to ashes and disappeared.

“I’m sure there was another one……”

I detected it with “Wild Heart”.

Now that my physical abilities have been enhanced, I should be able to find it even if it ran away a little farther.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

There came a tremendous scream.

Apparently, the last one appeared in the rearguard, that is, in the position of the supporter who is carrying Safi on her back.

A small face pops out of the backpack and shouts with teary eyes.

“Why are you coming here!?”

The supporters are indeed from the warrior group. She dodged it leisurely, but the jaws of the rock worm snapped in front of Safi’s eyes with a bang!

“~~~~~!!”

……Her scream cannot be heard.

『…… It’s funny, so why don’t we leave it like this? 』

『『『『Loki!!!』』』』

Putting the mischievous God aside, who was being scolded by all the gods, we can’t afford not to rush this anymore.

Just as I was about to step forward, the crystal on my short sword flashed.

―Wan.

It was the voice of the wind spirit, the sylph.

……Does it want me to swing my short sword?

“Safi, bow your head.”

A blade of wind swept through the air.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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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 5^th 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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