Category: Hazure Skill “Alarm”, jitsuwa fūin kaijo no nōryoku deshita. Ochikobore no shōnen wa, nemuri kara sameta megami-tachi to yasashī saikyō o mezasu

It was a vast chamber shrouded in dim darkness.

Pale blue light poured in from a hole in the ceiling. Perhaps there were magic stone lamps up there, but due to the dungeon’s disturbances, the room felt like it was shrouded in the gloom of pre-dawn. A corridor stretched straight from the chamber, faintly visible in the fog.

Glancing back toward us, countless barrels were scattered about. Some lay on their sides, others stood upright. All emitted thick, black smoke.

“Hmph!”

The massive Thor stomped on one of the barrels, crushing it. Black powder spilled out from it. Lightning crackled at Thor’s feet, incinerating the powder instantly.

“The Ashes!”

Solana glared around the chamber.

I felt a chill at the sight of the barrels. The black smoke made the dimness seem even darker.

“…All of the barrels in this room?”

“Yes. So you’re right, this is a major base for slave traders.”

The goddess rose into the air. Her golden light drove back the darkness.

“As the Daughter of the Sun, I shall purge this evil.”

The barrels throughout the chamber erupted, spewing even more black smoke. They surged toward Solana, as if resisting, but a wave of her hand shattered them.

“Know the light of the sun.”

Golden light rained down. Each barrel was crushed, its contents annihilated. The black smoke vanished from the dim chamber, revealing the corridor stretching ahead.

Felix-san picked up fragments of the broken barrels in his hands.

“…It looks like some kind of magical rune has been inscribed here.”

Safi peered up from below, and Uru from above, each of them leaning toward Felix-san’s hands to get a closer look.

“More than that—it’s an actual magical rune.”

“Runes are written characters. Even low-level ones can be used by monsters. It seems they sealed magic into barrels and stored them here in the dungeon.”

Felix-san let out a sigh. Together with the other Warrior Corps members, he surveyed the fragments scattered across the room.

“No wonder they couldn’t be found on the surface no matter how thoroughly we searched. If the storage had failed, the dungeon itself would have caused chaos. The monsters could have acted as guards in the meantime.”

The slave trader who had targeted my sister… we had just cut off one of his sources of power.

I activated my skill to sense the area. The presence of monsters was dense, yet the floor was eerily silent. Even the source of the roar we had heard earlier seemed to be lying in wait.

Surely… they are in the boss room.

Mia-san ran her fingers through her red hair and tapped her shoulder with her axe.

“So, before the Warrior Corps could step in, they decided to scatter it all for effect, huh?”

We moved toward the corridor ahead.

Thanks to the blessing of Uru, the God of Hunting, I could sense the ground beneath my feet. I crouched and signaled for everyone to halt.

“If that’s the case… the enemy must have passed through here.”

The main corridor had the feel of a cave. Rough, jagged walls. A high ceiling with stones hanging like icy stalactites. The passage is wide enough for a carriage to pass. It didn’t resemble the artificially hidden areas, so this must be part of the dungeon’s original structure.

And on the moss-covered ground, a clear trail of many footprints was imprinted.

“The people who scattered the ashes… they were afraid of the Warrior Corps and fled into the normal areas?”

It was a rough guess, but Felix-san nodded in agreement.

“That possibility is high. Eventually, they’ll either be found by other adventurers or attacked by monsters…”

I stood up.

Now was not the time to worry about them.

We pressed forward toward the boss layer once more.

The recommended adventurer level for Flocia Dungeon is level 30. The thirteenth floor, its deepest level, was a maze of long, intersecting corridors. Monsters could appear from the waterways on either side, making this area a sort of preliminary battle before the boss.

If we were to challenge the boss, we’d have to keep moving forward through the layers.

—Suddenly, Mia-san stopped in her tracks.

“…We’ve dealt with the ashes. Should we just turn back?”

“That’s not an option.”

Felix-san shook his head.

“The monsters strengthened by the ashes… most likely the boss is manipulating the flow of water, sending them to the upper layers.”

“…If there’s a strengthened boss, we can’t just leave it be.”

Mia-san nodded in agreement.

I felt the same way.

“I have concerns as well.”

Sigris placed a hand on her chin. The Medicine God, Sigris, lowered her blue eyes and spoke in a cold, measured voice.

“Goddess Freyja’s dungeon seems designed to draw water from the lakebed, purifying the entire lake. If the monsters distort this system, the surrounding farmland could wither completely.”

Everyone fell silent.

We had just seen Flocia city and the lush green lands around it on our journey—it was impossible not to imagine them turning to ruin.

“Let’s move forward, everyone.”

Keeping our detection skills active, we continued through the dungeon. Once a fight was inevitable, there were countless things we had to check and prepare for.

“…Gods, how does it feel?”

Soaring above us, Solana shivered slightly.

“Hm. As expected, the deeper we go, the stronger the seal becomes. Especially—near the boss chamber, the chill intensifies.”

The goddess furrowed her brow.

“…Strange. This is colder than any seal I’ve ever felt before.”

“Rion”

Solana started, turning her gaze toward me.

“From this point onward, we cannot intervene easily. To maintain our strength, we will return to the coin.”

“Understood. That’s fine.”

Scattering light around them, the gods returned to the coin.

Nils-san watched with interest as all five gods retreated. We shared a little about each other’s abilities, and then, at last, we arrived in front of the boss chamber.

“…It’s quiet. In the end, no monsters appeared on this floor.”

“Ah, that’s…”

I responded to Nils-san.

“The Temple of Odis has strengthened the seal with an item called the ‘Frost Orb.’ The ashes were scattered some time ago, so right now, the orb’s power might be prevailing…”

A thought crossed my mind.

Could the reason the gods felt such cold in the deepest layer be the influence of this ‘Frost Orb’?

Still, with Solana’s enhanced seal-breaking ‘Awakening Light of the Sun’, the gods could stay on the surface for longer periods.

Even so, if they feel a chill so strong that they can’t venture outside, doesn’t that suggest something lies beyond the boss room?

—Something sealed with extraordinary power.

That “something”…

What kind of goddess is Freyja, really?

“Frost Orb?”

Felix-san cleared his throat to stop Nils-san, who was tilting his head.

“Rion, let’s go ahead now.”

“…Y-yes.”

The entrance to the boss area was a waterfall.

As we approached, the waterfall split into two, creating a path like a curtain opening. A room so large that the end was barely visible. The walls were as high as cliffs, with water flowing into them. There were several puddles in the room, glowing pale blue in the light of the magic stone lamp on the ceiling.

In the center of the room.

Its bulging eyes turned towards us.

A monstrous fish-dragon had appeared.

A pillar-like legs and shining, sleek scales. Its eyes were emotionless like a fish’s, and a low growl escaped from its half-open mouth.

『It’s like a dragon version of the Sahagin. A noble dragon fell and mingled with the fish.』

Loki chuckled.

I instinctively felt that this was different. This was the real boss.

Nils-san vigilantly readied his sword and glared around.

“In a dungeon where the ashes were scattered, even the boss would experience strange behavior…right?”

The bright red light of the magic detection covered the ceiling.

“Above!”

The moment I pointed that out, the ceiling collapsed.

A large shadow attacked the monstrous fish-dragon, sinking its fangs into its neck.

A pained scream echoed out. Its long tail flexed, flicking rocks away. But even so, the shadow held down the dungeon boss with overwhelming strength.

A scene of brutal massacre.

The boss blackened and turned to ash. Smashing the scattered large magic stones, the new boss roared. It was a roar exactly like the one that had echoed throughout the vast space of the elevator.

“…Haha.”

Mia-san’s smile trembled.

I heard the voice of God in my head.

A crystal dragon appeared.

Countless crystals glittered brightly, forming armor on the dragon’s back.

Its eyes were far too intelligent to be considered a monster.

It turned its body towards us, and I could see the terrifying amount of muscle pulsating beneath its light blue scales. It lowered its massive, tree-like legs with a thud, making an earth-shattering rumble.

It smiled at us so gently it could almost be called a grin.

―A feast, when I’ve only just woken up huh.

The voice made my whole body go numb.

『A high-ranking dragon is equal to a monster general.』

Solana’s words made my mouth start to churn.

“T-then, this…”

Does that mean he’s on the same level as Skorl from the royal capital, or maybe even Flamebone Surtr…?

Nils-san’s sword shook, Felix-san groaned, and Mia-san let out a dry chuckle.

I couldn’t look away from their wide-open eyes. My breathing was getting heavy, so I readied my short sword and steadied myself.

There was still no response to the alarm horn, Gjallarhorn.

“We can win, I’m sure!”

The dragon spread its wings as if to greet us.

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

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The lift descended at a pace as slow as a walking stride. The ride was quiet. I could feel neither the mechanism moving nor the floor vibrating. If the scenery on each floor hadn’t flowed past above us, I might not even have realized we were moving.

“…This is another secret of the dungeon, huh.”

Nils-san murmured, glancing briefly at Safi before looking at me.

“You’ve kept surprising me at every turn.”

Ah—I realized something.

Nils-san shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He didn’t look angry, but I couldn’t help lowering my gaze.

“I’m sorry. I really meant to tell you before we entered the dungeon…”

After Felix-san’s speech to the Warrior Corps, I had intended to explain about the gods and Safi to Nils-san. As he is going to be part of the party, he needed to know about the gods in case of an emergency. Eventually, I wanted him to understand the truth of the myths in the Frost Orb chamber of the Odis Temple.

But before departure, Nils-san had been absent for a short while, and I hadn’t had the chance.

“…Ah, so it was that time.”

Nils-san gave a wry smile.

“Sorry. After the speech, I was looking for my collaborator. I received word last night that we could meet.”

Felix-san narrowed his eyes.

“You’re saying you gave him information about the slave traders?”

“Yeah. In the end, we couldn’t meet. I was searching for a while, which is probably why I crossed paths with you, Rion.”

Nils-san relaxed his expression, as if to say we’re even.

…I couldn’t really bring myself to ask, “Did you get lost again?”

“So? Is there anything else you can tell me?”

“Y-Yes… uhm…”

The lift shook suddenly.

We had entered a narrow, vertical passage, and the scenery was now completely obscured. Using my detection skill, I noticed a sound growing steadily louder.

“…The sound of a waterfall?”

We must have reached close to the tenth level.

Then, suddenly, the view brightened.

“Wow…!”

I was overwhelmed—it was a sight unlike any other.

Beyond the vertical corridor lay a breathtaking panorama. A sheer cliff stood several dozen meters ahead, spilling water that scattered dazzling light everywhere. The space seemed to form a gentle circular shape. 

Taken as a whole, it resembled an upside-down cup. We were inside it, descending downward.

“All of this… is from magic stone lights…?”

Mia-san was dumbfounded.

The cliff, the distant ceiling, every surface glittered with light. Even below, the water reflected the glow. Water and light floated in the dimness, as if someone had plucked the stars from the night sky and scattered them throughout the dungeon. From the numerous waterfalls cascading downward, I could feel the vitality of the water itself with every breath.

“A space this vast..…”

Felix-san immediately brought a hand to his mouth.

“No… that makes sense. The dungeon isn’t shaped like a tower, but like an island—like a mountain. It follows that the lower we go, the larger the space becomes…!”

“I see… that’s how it is.”

Safi nodded with satisfaction, glancing at me briefly.

“As expected of a god’s handiwork.”

『U-uhm…』

Solana’s voice came faintly from the gold coin. She seemed about to say something, and I quietly asked,

“What is it?”

『…Even compared to the dungeons in the royal capital, this mechanism is incredible.』

“That’s true.”

The space was vast enough in both width and height to fit an entire castle inside.

Looking down, the lift didn’t seem supported by anything; it floated through the air as it moved. Considering the magic required… it truly was astounding.

Solana’s voice continued.

『…Could this really have been just a simple emergency shelter…?』

I couldn’t continue speaking.

Instead, I felt a new vibration beneath me. The air began to tremble, gradually growing stronger. Soon, it became a roaring gogogo, shaking the entire space.

Safi flattened herself to the floor.

“W-what!?”

The waterfall flowing in suddenly surged with incredible force. Even though it should have been dozens of meters away, spray flew toward us.

My eyes followed the water instinctively.

Below, the water twisted into a tornado-like whirl. Then it surged upward. The spiraling column passed right beside us and rose, sucked into a hole carved into the wall above.

“There’s a monster in the water!”

Nils-san pointed at the watery vortex.

The power of Blessing of the God of Hunting captured a red glow.

A Sahagin—or rather, a small water dragon. The monsters rode the water, rising and heading straight for the hole in the wall. I couldn’t help but gasp aloud.

“Monsters…. to the upper floors…?”

One by one, whirlpools of water carried the monsters upward to the higher floors. The sight was overwhelming—but terrifying.

『Hmm… the dungeon is activate? If that’s the case, this is bad.』

As if responding to Loki’s voice, the sound intensified. A rumble from the earth—yes, I’d never heard anything like it before, but this must be what an earth rumble feels like. The air, the cliffs, the floor—all of them vibrated.

Safi screamed, clinging tightly to the platform. Everyone else lowered their stances as well. The lift swayed from side to side, still moving down. Falling from such a height would mean being slammed dozens of meters down.

The slow movement of the lift felt maddening.

“Ah… this is why I hate lifts!”

“It’s not my fault, you know!?”

Mia-san and Safi bickered quietly.

Among the rumbling, a low growl came up from the lower levels. The sound echoed, striking my ears again and again.

『A dragon specie…』

Thor’s words echoed in my head. 

I remembered. Flocia Dungeon. The monsters on the boss floors were large dragon species.

“…Could the boss have regained its strength from the ashes and is now disrupting the dungeon?”

Even the lesser water dragons could manipulate water.

Could it be that a larger boss is controlling the water throughout the dungeon, carrying monsters upward…?

“Seems like that’s a possibility,”

At Felix-san’s words, Safi shouted.

“W-wait a minute! This thing is powered by that water too!?”

The lift shook. It rocked side to side, then back and forth, suddenly losing the stability we had held until now. We were tossed from side to side like leaves in a storm.

“We’re… falling!”

Nils-san’s warning and the lift losing power happened at the same instant. The descent accelerated.

No—it wasn’t just speeding up. We were falling.

““Waaah!””

The drop looked like more than four floors!

I gripped the gold coin in my pocket desperately.

“Wake up!”

Light scattered, and the gods appeared.

One by one, they caught us as we floated through the air.

Solana caught me, Uru caught Mia-san, and Sigris held Nils-san securely. The most impressive was the massive Thor, who carried Safi, Felix-san and the three Warrior Corps members all at once.

A crushing sound echoed from below. The lift must have slammed into the ground.

“This… this is…”

Nils-san stood frozen, stunned.

Even as Solana and the others released their grip, we continued to descend slowly, wrapped in golden light.

I straightened and nodded, trying to look as much like an adventurer as possible.

“This is my power that hasn’t been revealed until now.”

It was time to reveal my Alarm skill to him.

“My Alarm skill has the ability, “Unseal”, the power to lift dungeon’s seals. And—”

I gestured toward the gods who were supporting us.

“These are the ancient gods who once battled the monsters. Right now, we are—awakening them to fight, so that an ‘end-of-the-world’ scenario, like the one announced in the global message, does not come to pass.”

Nils-san looked back and forth between me and the gods.

His wide eyes were filled with surprise, and perhaps even awe.

Thor, towering over two meters. Solana, radiant like the sun. Sigris in blue armor. Uru in his hunting garb and Loki, the dark-robed deity.

The gentle golden light enveloped us, carrying us downward through the swaying, immense space.

“I believe… this will let you protect your family too.”

I reached out my hand.

Nils-san pulled a charred necklace from his pocket and closed his eyes.

“…The gods… huh.”

He smiled firmly and took my hand.

“Understood!”

Almost immediately after the handshake, we landed atop the shattered lift.

The lowest level.

—Guuoooooooh!

The roar of the boss echoed through the long corridor.

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

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With the Lesser Water Dragons defeated, the dungeon fell into silence. Amid the sound of the waterfall, the ringing of a hammer echoed. Safi is repairing the waterwheel.

The rogue party that had caused the commotion had been knocked unconscious and tied up in the corner of the room. Nearly fifty adventurers were now staring, switching their gaze between Safi and us.

The large number was because another party, which had split off from us to explore after the battle, had finally arrived here. The preliminary map predictions had been correct after all. The hidden area circled the fourth layer. The two groups had apparently converged in this large central room, the midpoint of their separate routes.

The other group had also made progress. In addition to rescuing the captured adventurers, they had discovered stairs leading to the lower levels.

Clang, clang.

The hammer rang out, and each strike sent pale blue sparks scattering from the base of the waterwheel.

“Now, then.”

Felix-san cleared his throat.

While Safi continued the repairs, we had something we had to tell the adventurers—something about the dwarves.

“…Huh?”

The adventurers’ eyes widened.

“Dwarves… in the depths of Alvis?”

“Aren’t there supposed to be only monsters down there?”

“…So they’re an ancient race from the Great Sealing Era?”

Exclamations of surprise erupted all around.

Felix-san did the explaining, while I, Mia-san, and Nils-san stood slightly behind him.

Nils-san said nothing, but his brows furrowed slightly, as if he were troubled or unsure about what he was seeing.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it…”

“Are there any other secrets in the dungeon?”

“Now’s the time—just tell us!”

Depending on the situation, I might have to reveal the power of Wake-Up or even the truth about the gods.

But—

『…These people… they’ve believed in Odis all this time, haven’t they?』

Solana’s words made me lower my chin. The conversation fell silent, probably because both I and the gods shared the same feeling.

“Yeah…”

The myth that had ended in the gods’ victory was actually a story of defeat.

Ancient gods were awakening one after another.

If any of this were revealed, it would surely cause a bigger uproar than even discovering the hidden area. It was precisely because the gods had subdued the monsters—that was the myth—that the Kingdom of Asgard remained at peace.

Images of farmland and villages without walls from our sea journey flashed through my mind.

The reason people could tend their fields without fearing monsters, the reason they could live near the dungeon safely—it all rested on their trust in the chief god, Odis.

The dungeon’s blessing, the magic stones, were used for countless purposes: lighting, furnaces, and more. Myths were the very foundation of that security.

If the truth were to spread, doubts about the temples would arise. And since even the Raven Warrior Corps belonged to the temple’s organization, any mistrust and chaos would reach us as well. At worst, the cooperation of the adventurers here might vanish entirely.

Whether they would believe me was uncertain.

Even if the adventurers accepted it, the nobles and royalty might not. And if that were the case, the Warrior Corps that had declared “there are lies in the myths” would find itself in an extremely precarious position within the kingdom.

How wonderful it would be if I could tell them everything I knew and truly earn their trust.

But—this time, I wasn’t sure that honesty was the right choice.

Before entering the dungeon, I had revealed only the secrets of the hidden area and the ashes of the titan. That had been the absolute limit, the line Felix-san and Pauline-san had decided: “This is all for now!”

The gold coin in my pocket trembled, and the voices of the gods came one after another.

『See? This is getting messy. Let’s just go out and say it already.』

『Hold on, Thor… the Warrior Corps has its position to consider.』

『Uru is right, but politics… all the way here in the dungeon? I have to say… it’s a bit of a buzzkill.』

My cheeks grew hot. I wanted to speak up, to say something. After all, none of this distrust would have existed if Safi hadn’t been put in danger in the first place.

“Um…!”

“Wait, wait, you two.”

Two people stepped forward from the line of adventurers.

One was large, like a gray grizzly bear, carrying a stone hammer. The other wielded a greatsword.

They scanned the adventurers around them.

The hammer-wielder looked at me and smiled. He was the one who had come to our aid during the pre-entry briefing.

“Let me guess—you weren’t just keeping secrets for no reason. It’s that the truth was too big to explain, right?”

He was looking directly at me.

Should I just nod honestly…?

As I hesitated, he stroked his rough red beard.

“So? For now, why don’t you leave the questions to us?”

A voice of protest started to rise, but the greatsword-wielder silenced it with a hand. His sunburned brown hair and battle scars etched across his face marked him as a seasoned veteran.

“I agree. If we start asking questions, there’s no turning back. After a message broadcast to everyone, I understand how you feel—but at least the Warrior Corps never lied. Let’s try trusting them a little more.”

Our eyes met. I planted my feet firmly, standing my ground, and nodded in agreement.

“I’m sorry. But right now, please prioritize our objective—exploring the dungeon and rescuing people.”

The two of them seemed to show consideration for us. As adventurers and contractors on this quest, providing the necessary information was enough. They drew that line clearly.

The tension in the room eased. Just then, the waterwheel sparkled brilliantly. Raising her hand was the small blacksmith—Safi.

“Finish it… Blessing, Bless!”

The hammer came down on the magic stone at the base. A clear metallic chime echoed through the room.

“Whoa…!”

The adventurers murmured in awe.

Bathed in the stone’s light, the ancient mechanism seemed to awaken. Surely, it hadn’t worked in a thousand years. Creaking and groaning, it shook loose clumps of moss-covered soil as the waterwheel’s base shifted. Sliding along its rails, it pushed the wheel toward the waterfall.

An inverted cascade rose from the bottom to the top. The waterwheel began to turn, catching the reversed flow. The engraved patterns on the base glowed. The light spread outward along the floor in a perfect circle, like ripples on water.

A little behind us, along the back wall, the floor shimmered. Columns about waist-high circled the glowing area, marking its boundaries.

“The lift’s over there.”

Safi headed toward the glowing floor, peering down at the central platform.

“The magic stone on the control panel is huge. It’s probably a direct line to the lowest level… feels like it’s meant for hauling supplies, though.”

She puffed out her chest and called back to us with a cheerful laugh.

“So? Are you done with your little meeting?”

Her bright voice made us exchange glances.

“…Yeah, for now, at least.”

The adventurers let out wry smiles.

“Alright, we’ll leave it to you then.”

“Seems like they weren’t as bad as we thought, anyway.”

A few of the adventurers shot us knowing glances, and I found myself smiling a little.

But from now on, we had to stay alert.

We would part ways with them and take the lift down to the lowest level. There was a high chance that the ashes of the titan, which loosened the monsters’ seals, had been scattered there.

“Alright, everyone—let’s go.”

We moved toward the activated lift.

“…It’s safe to ride it, right?”

Mia-san bit her mouth nervously and poked the lift floor with the tip of her axe.

Safi pouted, inspecting the central platform.

“What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t trust me?”

“It’s not that… it’s just that dungeon lifts aren’t always safe at the bottom.”

Felix-san leaned on his staff, adjusting his small coronet.

“…That said, we don’t have much time. We’ll head straight to the lowest level. The others, take the stairs down and continue the rescue operation.”

Felix-san beckoned to the Warrior Corps.

I tried to clear my head for a moment.

Eight parties were participating in the rescue. Of those, three parties—about twenty people—were members of the Raven Warrior Corps. Some remained outside the dungeon or stayed behind to guard the city. That meant only a limited number of warrior corps could enter the hidden area.

Felix-san called over one of them and gave detailed instructions.

“If you find walls that respond to magic keys, create a passage to connect with areas outside the hidden section. Adventurers are continuing to clear the normal sections on the fifth floor below. If we can link the paths, the rescue will proceed faster. One labyrinth engineer will stay here; the rest will go with you.”

“Understood.”

Felix-san raised a finger toward the Warrior Corps, who nodded seriously.

“If you’re short on hands, feel free to call for reinforcements. If their levels match, those who went off on their own earlier may also join the rescue team.”

“…Understood.”

“If I do not return, I’ll leave the rest to Sugin.”

The Warrior Corps bowed deeply.

This was clearly a transfer of command.

The reality hit me—we were about to challenge the lowest level, recommended for level 30 adventurers.

I slapped my face with both of my hands, trying to push the anxiety out of my chest.

Two adventurers stepped forward from the group—the hammer wielder and the greatsword user from before.

“May the blessing of the chief god be with you.”

The greatsword-wielder prayed for me. Then, the larger hammer-wielder bent slightly at the waist toward me, showing his support.

“…To be honest, I didn’t believe in hidden areas or the ashes of the titan at first. But after seeing this… there’s no way to doubt it.”

The hammer-wielder stood tall, pointing to his face with his thumb.

“Let me properly introduce myself. I’m Loyd, of the Stone Hammer.”

“And I’m Melissa, wielder of the Azure Greatsword.”

“I’m Rion.”

I shook hands with the two of them.

Loyd-san stroked his chin thoughtfully, a look of deep admiration in his eyes.

“…So you’ve been fighting while carrying such secrets all this time, huh.”

Safi, who had been inspecting the platform, raised her head.

“Alright, check’s done. Shall we go?”

The party heading to the deepest level would be only us.

Mia-san, Felix-san, Nils-san, Safi, and three Warrior Corps members assigned as transport support.

The rest would take separate routes—moving on their own.

“One more thing, if I may?”

I spoke up.

In the area the slave traders had used, the chances of finding it were low. We’d been careful on the surface, too.

But still, even a little…

“If you find a monster encased in ice, be careful.”

Loyd-san and Melissa-san narrowed their eyes.

“…I see. So the sealed things aren’t…”

“…all ‘good’ things.”

The adventurers seemed to sense the danger. After all, they likely knew about the giant monsters reported in the global message and those that had appeared in Alvis.

Loyd-san raised his hand.

“Thanks for the warning!”

He turned back to his party.

“Let’s go!”

Safi nodded, and the magic stone at the base of the platform glowed.

The softly shining floor began to descend slowly—heading down to the lowest level.

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

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The straight water beam pierced the porter-supporter’s backpack. Inside was Safi.

“Waaah!”

From the torn backpack, a head with green hair popped out. Her limbs spread open, and with her tools scattered the dwarf blacksmith rolled onto the floor.

The adventurers’ were left dumbfounded.

“W-Waaah!”

Another water strike followed immediately. Safi scrambled around, her eyes and feet spinning as she ran.

She dashed toward the rogue adventurers, and both parties let out screams.

“Kyaaah!”

“Uooh!? What is this thing!”

“Giii!”

Screams from Safi, the adventurers, and the cries of monsters mixed together.

Nils-san and Mia-san froze, while Felix-san pressed his temples, looking pained.

From the gold coin came a reverberant laughter. It’s Loki for sure.

…I mean, there’s no time to daze around, right!?

“Help!”

I kicked off the ground and leapt toward Safi. Rolling forward, I scooped her up into my arms. Behind us, bursts of water struck the floor, each impact echoing like thunder.

“R-Rion…!”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to put you in danger.”

Her dark eyes were glistening. Perhaps from fear, the skin around her eyes and her cheeks were flushed.

“God… the golden—”

Before she could finish, a golden light enveloped her body. Strangely, it felt warmer than usual.

“Thank you.”

『Y-Yeah…!』

I positioned myself to shield Safi from behind, facing the three dragon-kind before us.

The enemies were called “Lesser Water Dragons”. Dragons typically appear around the boss layers of dungeons. But in the Flocia Dungeon, the smaller ones start appearing from the mid-layers onward.

They were slightly larger than wolves. Their hind legs were powerful, claws gouging the floor as they advanced. Their forelegs were wings, which allowed them to swim through waterfalls and waterways as if flying through water. Their blue scales glistened like jewels when wet. Yet their yellow eyes were narrowed in a sinister glare. There was no mistaking it—they saw us as prey.

“Kaaah!”

One of them lifted its head and bellowed.

Let’s get this straight. Right now, there were eleven sahagin in the room—and three Lesser Water Dragons.

“Leave the small fry to us!”

The adventurers stepped forward, forming a wall in front of the sahagin. Two parties—equal in number to the sahagin, but far stronger in skill and power.

I activated Blessing of the God of Hunting to sense their positions.

“Watch your rear!”

I shouted the warning and focused on the dragons.

Mia-san and her group, along with another adventurer party, were coming to support us.

Our enemies had wings—and on top of that, they wielded dangerous water magic. Even if we surrounded them in numbers, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

The lesser water dragons let spheres of water drift around them, ready to launch attacks at any moment. We adjusted our formation as well.

Whoever struck first would risk a punishing counterattack.

So we waited—waiting for the precise moment to strike with a single, decisive blow, while the dragons held their ground. Time stretched unbearably. Each second felt like dozens.

Then my eyes met one of the Lesser Water Dragons.

“….Fuu”

I exhaled sharply and shifted my stance. Lowering my hips, it looked as if I were about to charge, ready to slash. In exchange, my torso was left completely exposed.

But I remembered Nils-san showing me the “stance change as a lure.”

“Kaa!”

The enemy took the bait.

One of them unleashed a water strike—but I had anticipated it.

I knew it would hit my torso!

“Wake up!”

I deflected the blast with the blade of my short sword. The water spirit Undine, residing in my right-arm gauntlet, twisted the flow of water, helping to reinforce my defense.

The Golden Flame flared brighter, overpowering the force of the water.

“Ha!”

I sliced through the water blast. Stepping forward in a single motion, I cut one of them down as I passed.

“Not bad!”

One of the adventurers praised me, but two enemies still remained.

“Kaaah!”

With a roar, the remaining two unleashed their water attacks.

Both aimed straight at me.

“Ha!”

Mia-san stepped in to cover me.

Smiling, she positioned herself between me and the lesser dragons, bracing her axe to intercept the strikes. The Crimson Axe, which I had acquired in Alvis, could absorb magical attacks into its blade and reflect them back.

“Not bad at all. Leaving the return strike to me—!”

When Mia-san swung her axe, magical energy surged like a whirlwind.

One of the lesser dragons leapt into the air to evade, while the other tried to shield itself with a wall of water—but the pressure of the magic pushed it back.

“Kaaah!”

The lesser dragon lost its balance.

An adventurer rushed in. It was Nils-san. His raised sword glowed with a pale blue light.

“Dragon Cleaver!”

He activated his Swordsman skill. The blade severed the dragon’s neck.

Now only one remained. The one that had leapt into the air. It conjured a sphere of water, aiming at the adventurers, but a greatsword-wielding warrior formed a wall, blocking the attack. One by one, they deflected the water blasts with ease.

This person was skilled, too.

The Lesser Water Dragon let out a frustrated cry and circled the ceiling.

Safi gasped.

“W-Water! It’s trying to escape into the water!”

Felix-san traced magical runes with his fingers.

“Ice Blade—Ibarak!”

The base of the waterfall, where the dragon was about to dive, froze solid. The Lesser Water Dragon, caught mid-leap, found its feet trapped in ice.

“Kaaahhh!”

Before the thrashing dragon could retaliate with magic, I called upon the power of the gods.

“Thor… Sigris…!”

Here I go.

The coin in my pocket burned with heat.

Skill,『Divine Protection of the God of Medicine』was activated. 【Sigris’ Spear】⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅a ranged support. The magical effect is channeled into the spear, delivering it to the target.

Skill,『God of Thunder’s Divine Protection』was activated. 【Hammer of the God of Thunder】⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅Shoots a powerful lightning attack.

Pale blue magic swirled around my hand, shaping into a spear wreathed in lightning. Perhaps sensing the move, the adventurers swiftly stepped aside to either side.

“Thunder Spear!”

I threw it, and a flash of light cut through the air.

Lightning danced across the waterfall’s spray. The spear struck the dragon, sparks scattering before it faded into nothing. Silence returned to the dungeon, broken only by the echo of the waterfall.

I let out a long, relieved breath.

“…That was an incredible display of power.”

The watching adventurers were dumbfounded.

Their gaze eventually shifted to Safi, who had plopped down onto her backside.

“Wait… what is this?”

“A child…?”

Felix-san exchanged a glance with me.

Everything about the dungeon, from the loosening of its seals by the ashes of a titan to the hidden areas, it had all been communicated to the adventurers. Otherwise, the dangers of the quest couldn’t be properly understood.

There had been other dungeon in the royal capital and Alvis where monsters had suddenly grown stronger. Those adventurers who had heard the rumors seemed to understand immediately.

But Safi—her existence as a dwarf, and anything about the gods—had not been shared. If I went so far as to say, “There are lies in the myths”, it would throw everything into chaos. The strategy wouldn’t matter at all if that happened—it would be completely pointless.

Many held deep reverence for the god, Odis-sama. Not everyone would accept it as my mother once did. But still… at the very least, I had to properly explain about Safi.

“Let me explain, Felix-san.”

“But…”

Our eyes met in a silent standoff, and eventually Felix-san closed his eyes.

“It can’t be helped, then.”

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

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“I see.”

Safi’s eyes sparkled from inside the backpack.

Our gazes met perfectly. She might have been talking to herself, but with the Blessing of the God of Hunting enhancing my hearing, I could hear her clearly.

“What is it?”

I asked softly, running alongside the transport-supporter.

Even jostled by the backpack, Safi whispered to me. Her dark eyes peeked through the gap in the backpack’s lid.

“Just as I thought… this is the ‘Watertight Zone.’”

I had never heard that term before.

“It’s a section designed to prevent flooding in emergencies. This area is already underwater, isn’t it? The walls on the other side must be under incredible water pressure. Without proper measures, if there’s an attack or an earthquake that causes flooding, the water will come rushing in all at once.”

I remembered the vast body of water outside the maze. The dungeon on this island—one could even call it a submerged dungeon.

A chill ran down my spine.

“Y-Yeah… that makes sense.”

“They intentionally design rooms that are easy to flood. In an emergency, the flooding starts there. And it ends there. The thick doors contain the water in a single room, and the channels quickly drain it away.”

I recalled each of the rooms we had opened so far.

Indeed, every single one had a heavy door.

“And if even that isn’t enough to stop the water, I think this passage will be sealed off by walls. The reason the walls and ceilings are flat is that this area was deliberately carved by humans or gods. It’s not a natural cave.”

Safi really is an expert on underground areas. Even though she looks like a little girl, the way she speaks has the air of a ‘teacher’.

“…Safi. Did you perhaps anticipate everything?”

There was also testimony from the captured slave traders, but the unclear parts of the dungeon’s map were filled in by Safi.

“Yes. That’s why I could read the structure of the fourth floor. If it’s a watertight zone, there should be a mechanism behind it, and the corridors can’t be made overly complicated.”

At that moment, a voice called out from ahead.

The adventurers who had gone on ahead had found the people being held captive.

“They’re here!”

“Found them too!”

Safi and I exchanged glances.

“Go!”

“Yeah!”

I could hear Safi muttering.

“At this rate, I think there’s an even bigger ‘mechanism’ somewhere. If I notice it, I’ll let you know.”

“Got it, thanks!”

We increased our speed and caught up with the adventurers ahead.

The thick door had been thrown open, and about ten men and women were standing outside. One of them, carrying a greatsword, lifted the corner of his mouth in a grin.

“Hey. Did you find two rooms?”

I was ready to use the goddess’s blessing to heal them if they were injured. But the people bowing to us only looked pale. There seemed to be no physical injuries. They weren’t even trembling—they were standing firmly on their own feet.

Felix-san stepped forward, hand on his chin, thinking.

I listened carefully in the direction we had come from.

“…What should we do? Should we send these people to the surface for now?”

Felix-san thought for a moment, then he shook his head.

“Let’s bring them along as we advance. The party that headed outside the hidden area earlier should be returning soon.”

To escort these people to the surface, we would need to send a new escort party. Right now, we’re exploring with about twenty people—roughly three parties.

Felix-san probably wanted to avoid reducing the number of parties. There are dangers—monsters, and possibly hidden slave traders or river bandits. But at the same time, we need to get as many rescued people out as quickly as possible. There are more floors, and as we go deeper, unknown areas increase.

Once again, I realized just how impressive Felix-san is. Behind his narrow eyes, he must be thinking about an incredible number of things.

『No matter the era, the front lines always struggle with logistics… (Sigh).』

Uru let out a heavy, gloomy sigh. Somehow, even the gold coin felt heavier.

“Then, let’s move on.”

Mia-san called from the front, beckoning us forward.

We continued deeper into the hidden area, escorting the rescued people.

Since the hidden area circled around the dungeon, it was long. Just after discovering another room where people had been captured, the escort party returned.

“Felix-dono”

They were out of breath, having clearly run a great distance. Something about their demeanor seemed off, sending a shiver through my chest.

“‘Sugin, what is it?’”

“We’ve received a report from the warrior corps exploring from the 8th floor onward. The dungeon monsters are stronger than expected.”

A sudden tension gripped the group. Some adventurers were hearing about the Titan’s Ashes for the first time today. Yet everyone had already witnessed its power firsthand.

Ash that loosens the seals—and monsters that have grown stronger. The combination of this information left nothing but a bad feeling.

“‘…Solana, what’s your take?’”

『I can feel it too. Deeper down, there’s a strong, unpleasant presence. It’s not just a few small pouches… if it’s been scattered, it must be a lot more.』

Mia-san crossed her arms, considering the situation.

“‘I don’t think the adventurers who went ahead could have reached such deep floors, nor carried that much ash.’”

“Yes. This must be the slave traders first real trap.”

Saying that, Felix-san quickly issued instructions.

“The escort party should take the rescued people to the surface. If the overall danger level of the dungeon is high, you may escort them directly to the surface yourselves.”

“Understood.”

After sending the rescued people away, we proceeded further into the hidden area. The sound of water, which had been present all along, grew louder. Our pace quickened. The gently curving corridor suddenly opened, and we stepped into a bright chamber.

“W-what is this…?”

It was no wonder the adventurers were stunned. I was also at a loss for words.

The first thing that caught my eye was a waterfall. In the vast, well-lit room, the right wall was entirely taken up by a waterfall, spraying mist. But something was strange. Normally, waterfalls fall downward—but this one flowed upward.

“A waterfall… flowing upwards…?”

I could only gasp at the sight.

“I knew it.”

From the backpack of the transport-supporter, Safi whispered.

“They’re using water pressure to create an upward flow. The force of water trying to enter the dungeon from the lake is concentrated in this chamber, generating a stream that rises. They probably borrowed the power of magic or spirits—but the principle is simple.”

I remembered the spirit stones at the start of the hidden area, each housing a water spirit, an Undine. And I thought of the abundant rivers and lakes I had seen on the journey to Flocia.

“The god of fertility—”

『Is also the god of water.』

It was Sigris, the Valkyrie, who spoke. Her presence made the gold coin vibrate.

『This water flows to nurture life and heal people. Goddess Freyja is a god of fertility, using the power of water to enrich many lands.』

The power of fertility sealed within the dungeon.

Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck.

Even in the Eastern Dungeon where Thor had been, I had trembled at the power of the gods sealed within. In Uru’s dungeon, which contained ancient nature.  In Loki’s dungeon, infused with magic. In Sigris’s dungeon, which had become a hall of death—I had felt that power.

Awe, that word even came to mind. But this upside-down waterfall, flowing from below to above, was different from any of the other gods.

“This dungeon may even have the function of drawing water up from the depths of the lake and circulating it. Just as abundant water nourishes the lands from the lake…”

Indeed, the first floor of the dungeon was a network of waterways.

I tried to imagine it.

The abundant water from the lakebed was being drawn up, reaching the surface, and nourishing the land as it flowed.

Which meant—

“Something designed for people…?”

The great waterfall was majestic, and perhaps due to the magic woven into it, it shimmered slightly. A god who had used such power to enrich human fields must have been… a kind one, surely.

“This is…”

Nils-san squinted against the spray, as if dazzled. Nearly twenty adventurers must have been captivated, their eyes drawn to the mechanism left behind by a god long ago.

“Rion.”

I was startled by Safi’s voice. A hand suddenly popped out from her backpack and poked my shoulder.

“Look, can you see it? In the far right corner.”

She pointed to a ring about five meters across.

On its decorated pedestal were numerous gears. It was a little away from the waterfall, but perhaps from constantly being sprayed with water, it was completely covered in moss. A magic stone about the size of a human head glimmered, half buried in green.

“It’s a waterwheel. See the rails underneath? That’s how they moved it closer to the waterfall to make it spin.”

“So… it’s a power source…?”

Safi’s eyes looked downward through the gap in her backpack.

I think she nodded to my words.

“Yes. If it’s working right, there should be a lift attached.”

At that moment, a scream echoed from the back of the room.

The large chamber led to a passage. The corridor that circled the dungeon likely extended further. This room might be roughly the midpoint of the outer perimeter path.

Using the blessing of the God of Hunting to detect magic, I sensed several human presences and red glows moving toward us.

“There are five humans and eleven monsters. Most likely… Sahagin!”

“Not again!”

“Looks like I won’t be eating fish for a while.”

“I have a feeling you’ll still try to eat some though.”

Mia-san shot back at Felix-san’s remark.

Nils-san drew his sword.

“Damn! These are probably the last of the rogue party!”

The ones who had fled into the room were indeed adventurers. They had pushed forward beyond this chamber.

On our side, there were nearly twenty people. In front of me, an adventurer wielding a greatsword shouted,

“Hey, you! Ain’t you Barry, that wandering bum?!”

“Handle the Sahagin or what the hell are you doing?!”

The one at the forefront was likely someone with the <Thief> skill. Small and quick, he threw a dagger behind him before sprinting straight ahead. When he looked up, I noticed his nose was bright red.

“Help us! It’s not just the Sahagin!”

I noticed red glows in the distance. They were moving steadily toward us at a level lower than the floor.

They were swimming through the water channel!

“T-they’re coming from the waterfall too!”

Overhead, shadows appeared from the spray of the waterfall. I moved to intercept them.

“Wake up!”

The Sylph whipped up a gust of wind. Yet, the monsters withstood it. It seemed the wind had been countered by something—perhaps a wall of water.

Three figures landed on the ground.

Their blue scales were wet with water, giving them an almost ethereal beauty. They were slightly larger than wolves. Their forelegs had turned into wings. Their eyes, when they looked at us, were unnervingly calm.

“Dragonkin!?”

“Small water dragons! Be careful—they’re intelligent and can use magic.”

The three small dragons floated spheres of water around their bodies.

They were aiming for the densely packed group of people!

“Spread out!”

Felix-san’s command rang out.

From the floating water spheres, beams of water shot out like rays. The force was enough to pierce the ground, and in some places, a single strike could leave someone on the brink of death.

The elite adventurers dodged swiftly. But the porter-supporters carrying their loads weren’t so lucky—the water pierced the edge of a large backpack.

Inside of it was Safi.

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

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Skill,『Sun’s Divine Protection』was activated. 【Golden Flame】⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅Improves physical ability. Further effects for a limited time.

The goddess’ power wraps around my body. I blocked the sahagin’s three-pronged trident with my short sword.

Sparks flew. Behind me, the woman who was being attacked lets out a sharp gasp.

“Uuh”

Relying on brute force, I knock the weapon upward. The sahagin’s torso is left wide open, and my sword slices across it. A clean line is carved into its scale-covered chest, then a dark blue blood gushes out from it in a burst.

“Gi…gi…”

With a dying groan, the sahagin crumbles into ash.

“Are you alright!?”

When I turn around, the woman’s face is deathly pale. She’s looking at me, yet her eyes aren’t really focusing on anything. It somehow reminds me of how my mother looked when she was completely worn down.

『This is awful…..』

Solana’s voice trembles as if she’s biting her lip. I feel exactly the same.

“They kept you locked up in a place like this….?”

The dim room held five other captives. All of them had their hands tied behind their backs and were huddled against the walls. This was the outermost ring of the Flocia Dungeon. A hidden area that circled the dungeon like a belt.

I’d never imagined slave traders would turn such a place into their base.

But now…. it was all painfully clear.

“It’s done on my side.”

Nils raised his sword, signaling the end of the fight outside the room. Battles had been breaking out even beyond this chamber. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The monsters hadn’t spawned inside the captives’ chamber. Most likely, monsters that appeared in the corridor forced their way in.

That small delay… that tiny margin of time…

It was the reason rescue arrived before the captives were killed. 

The room itself wasn’t more than ten meters across, but the ceiling stretched unnaturally high. Somewhere, it must have connected to the waterway. Thin streams of water trickled down the walls and drained into grooves in the floor. Wooden plates lay scattered on the ground, the kind used to serve meals.

Every one of them was empty.

The prisoners—each with a gaunt, hollow-cheeked face— turned their eyes to me and asked,

“Wh–who are you…?”

The one who spoke was the woman I had just rescued.

“Where….where are we?”

Her next question twisted painfully in my chest. Of course they couldn’t possibly know they had been dragged inside a dungeon. The lake had hidden entrances scattered everywhere. River bandits could raid a village, abduct people, and secretly ferry them here without anyone realizing.

My thoughts grew darker and darker, and I forced myself to pull them back.

“We—we came to save you. You’re safe now.”

I smiled to be reassuring, but it probably looked a little strained. Even so, the captives finally widened their eyes. Men and women, boys and girls alike—all of them stared at us with tears beginning to swell.

“I promise we’ll get you home.”

Warriors and adventurers began gathering at the entrance of the chamber. More than twenty rescuers had arrived, and the people who’d been held captive bowed their heads again and again in gratitude.

Felix-san stepped forward.

“Alright, let’s do as planned. We’ll form an escort party for them.”

Those selected were five adventurers, joined by one member of the Raven Warrior corps—six in total. We handed them one of the magic keys and had them head toward the exit of the hidden area.

Once they reached the regular section of the dungeon, they would pass the rescued captives over to the party currently sweeping the monsters there, then return to us.

We were on the fourth layer now. If the escort team tried to go all the way to the surface and back, it would take far too long. The ones who had entered this hidden area were among the best adventurers Flocia had to offer. Many were adventurers the Raven Warrior corps had hired before. We wanted them to stay here and support the rescue efforts in the hidden area as much as possible.

“Felix-san, should we call for reinforcements from the parties outside?”

Felix-san thought for a moment, then shook his head.

“For now, it isn’t necessary. We’ll keep moving forward and look for any other victims. We still don’t know how long the hidden door will remain open. And with only a limited number of magic keys, bringing in too many people would just hinder our movements.”

The warrior corps operated with strict discipline. But among the adventurers, things could be more complicated. In fact, there were adventurers who had traded with slave traders and even brought in titan ashes, the very substance that lures monsters.

“Ugh..”

They still crouched at our feet, groaning. They’d probably been coaxed by the slave traders into sneaking into the hidden area. Judging by the situation, they must have scattered the ash nearby.

I gave them recovery potions, so they should regain their strength before long.

Before too much time passed, the five men and women finally came to.

“Uhm—”

“Hey!”

I started to speak, but Mia-san cut me off.

She narrowed her eyes dangerously and prodded one of them with the tip of her axe.

“You lot. You’re the ones who took a magic key and that weird ash, right?”

The adventurers froze, their faces tightening as they began to tremble.

“N-No way…”

“We didn’t really believe there’d be actual people down here…”

Mia-san clicked her tongue sharply.

Perhaps they didn’t take the information about someone being held captive seriously and instead prioritized the exploration.

Mia-san raked her fingers through her red hair and glared at them.

“Hand over what they gave you.”

The adventurers reluctantly took out the magic key (a slightly soot-stained piece of metal one)  to the hidden area and a pouch filled with red-black ash. Several of the other pouches were empty. They had clearly already scattered their contents.

“T-they told us that if we spread this ash, the dungeon’s seal would loosen even more, so we…. we just…”

A bitter taste rose in my mouth.

That was the same logic Gideon had used back in the royal capital.

“Did it never cross your minds that you’d be putting civilians in danger if anyone was actually being held captive?”

“Uh… t-that… we didn’t think there are captives.”

“Even if you got magic stones or relics out of it, that wouldn’t mean anything compared to someone’s life.”

The adventurers jerked their heads up, as if stunned awake.

“Was there anyone else who entered the hidden area?”

“There was one more group ahead of us. We dunno about the rest….”

At least one more group, then. 

Felix-san tapped his staff against the floor. His gaze were stern. The adventurers shrank back under his gaze.

“The hidden area, the ash that weakens its seals—all of this have been explained to you above ground. And since you still chose this path, then you must bear the responsibility.”

After the speech at the guild, we’d gone over the details: the procedures, the boats, everything. The existence of the hidden area, the danger of the ash that raised the dungeon’s difficulty and summoned monsters—those warnings should have reached many of the adventurers.

The mining town of Alvis would never create titan ashes again.

But this dungeon still held leftover ashes, and if they were used, the deeper layers especially would become far more dangerous. That was why our party wanted to descend the floors ahead of everyone else. Only the deep layers—the truly lethal zones—were something we could not entrust to the volunteers.

But even with that, at least 20 people still managed to sneak up on us.

『It seems our enemy this time is well-versed in human nature.』

I nodded at Sigris’ words.

Felix-san sighed and gestured in the direction we had come from.

“Take their weapons and bring them back to the surface.”

“Understood. Stay safe.”

The warriors nodded and took the adventurer and the captured person with them.

Mia-san exhaled.

“…I knew it would be busy, but it is very hectic.”

As we gazed ahead, the corridor curved gently. It was a wide road, wide enough for a carriage to pass through. The walls and ceiling were made of smooth stone, a stark difference from the cave-like floors we’d reached so far.

The sound of water echoed faintly in the silence.

Felix-san cleared his throat.

“Even at this stage, there is some good news. The enemy could have laid far more elaborate traps, but they haven’t. For now, it seems the captives are safe.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I didn’t want to speak it aloud, yet the words slipped out.

“There is a possibility that they could have been killed.…”

Felix-san closed his eyes and pressed a finger to the small coronet on his head.

“They may have chosen to weaken us, the ones who decided to help, deliberately. Not to stop the rescue, but to allow it, draining our strength in the process….”

Nils-san struck the wall. The impact from a first-rate adventurer made the stone tremble.

“Let’s hurry.”

A sharp, gleaming look in his eyes.

Nils-san took a necklace from his pocket. He was gripping it tightly—no doubt it was something his kidnapped sister had left behind.

She could very well be somewhere in this dungeon.

“Yes!”

I took the lead, running down the long corridor once more. It curved gently, and my earlier guess that this passage circled the dungeon seemed correct. Occasionally, I noticed small waterfalls. The sound of water trickling from inside the walls reached our ears.

Along the way, doors were spaced out every few dozen meters, sometimes clustered together. Every time we saw one, we checked inside. Curiously, each door consistently led to the right—toward the outside of the dungeon.

The thick doors were heavy. Even without locks, anyone who wasn’t an adventurer would have struggled to open them.

“Nothing here. No one’s in this room.”

“How about over there?”

“Same here!”

Each of us broke the locks and pushed inside. Almost all the rooms were storage rooms for weapons or provisions. Occasionally, a door was left wide open—likely by adventurers who had gone ahead on their own, or by river bandits.

I handed the lead to another adventurer. Using magic to detect life was draining, so we needed to take breaks. The effect of the Golden Flame had already worn off.

Then, a cool voice came from my right.

“I see…”

Running beside me was the transport-support member of the warrior corps. The lid of her backpack was slightly open, and a round, curious eyes peeked out.

“Fufu~n? Just as I thought, there is a mechanism to be triggered somewhere.”

The dwarf blacksmith, Safi, muttered. Apparently having figured out the structure of the hidden area.

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

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A flood of monsters burst forth. Fishmen also known as Sahagins, water horses or kelpies in other terms, and blue bats called sirens.

Mia-san swung her chain axe with a clang and shouted,

“Damn it! Is this some kind of monster-call trap?”

That would normally be a trap set in the dungeon to summon monsters. It was close to that, but not exactly. What lay scattered on the ground were bags containing the titan’s ashes.

The injured adventurers groaned in pain. They had been lured by the slave traders into rushing ahead to the hidden area of the dungeon. They’ve been given the ashes that attract monsters along with the “key” to the area. It was a trap designed to exploit the adventurers’ own greed.

“Warrior Corps, block them!”

I shouted, glancing back.

“The other parties—keep watch outside the room!”

For the rescue in the hidden area, we were a massive group of fifty. Only three could pass through the entrance at a time, and the rear rows probably hadn’t yet grasped the situation. I didn’t even want to imagine the chaos if they panicked in the presence of monsters.

It would have to be handled by the lead members of the Warrior Corps alone.

A group of sahagin immediately leapt at us.

“Gigigi!”

A grating scream cut through the sound of rushing water.

Mia-san hurled her chain axe, striking down one of the monsters, while Felix-san froze the waterway with his ice magic. Wrinkles creased his narrow eyes.

“There are so many of them…!”

There really were. I dodged a kick from a kelpie and drove my dagger into its throat.

“I want to get through quickly… but—!”

Sahagins leapt at us from both sides of the waterway. I sidestepped a spear, slipped inside its guard, and slashed its flank. As I turned, a siren was gliding toward me.

Air condensed in its gaping mouth, ready to strike.

“Rion!”

Nils-san stepped forward, slicing the air projectile with his sword.

I ran along the wall, circling around the low-flying sirens and cutting through the base of its wings.

The coin in my pouch vibrated.

『This formation is bad.』

Just as Thor had said.

The monsters’ arrival coincided perfectly with our entry into the room. On top of that, there were injured adventurers near the entrance whom we had to protect.

“We can’t afford to stop here.”

At the far end of the hidden area, people held as slaves were waiting. The adventurers carrying the titan’s ashes, which summoned the monsters, had already gone ahead.

We had no choice but to hurry.

“—Gods!”

I clenched the coins in my pocket.

The coin case Lu had made stirred my resolve.

“Wake up!”

The gods were stirring.

First, the Valkyrie Sigris waved her spoon. Particles of light rained down upon the injured adventurers, healing them instantly.

“W-what is this?”

“It… doesn’t hurt anymore?”

The adventurers must have been astonished. Magic poured down from the sky, and their wounds vanished in an instant. And on top of that, they couldn’t even see the gods’ presence.

“Fall back!”

I shouted, but Felix-san’s voice overlaid mine.

“Stay outside. We may need to ask about the party that rushed ahead and how many there are.”

The adventurers nodded and fell back toward the entrance.

Even as they retreated, the gods continued their work.

Solana unleashed golden light, smashing clusters of monsters into the walls. Thor’s hammer struck the ground, and the lightning that scattered from it reduced the Sahagins to ash. Fleeing kelpies were meticulously shot down by Uru’s arrows. Not a single one escaped the precision of the God of Hunting.

“This is…”

Nils-san muttered as he cut down monsters.

“I can faintly see human shapes… is that your power?”

I hadn’t introduced the gods to Nils-san yet. So I thought he couldn’t see them—but… had the gods already revealed themselves to him?

“Can you see them?”

“Yeah. Faintly, but it’s enough to coordinate.”

Nils-san gave a brief smile and sliced a sahagin that leapt at him in two.

The flow of battle was shifting. Thanks to the gods’ fierce intervention, I could finally take a breath and turn my attention to keeping watch over the area. If even one person could observe the battlefield freely, the party’s overall strength would increase.

“…There are a lot of them.”

“Wah!”

Loki floated lazily, hands clasped behind his head, completely at ease.

…This god is seriously laid-back.

“…Loki?”

“I just have something to say. Thor’s power has already become yours, and it seems Uru’s power is starting to settle in as well, isn’t it?”

Every now and then, a brownish light glimmered over my chest—probably the light of the God of Hunting. The blessing hadn’t matured yet. I could feel Uru’s power from time to time, but Blessing of the God of Hunting hadn’t actually increased in strength.

It was… stuck at a standstill, for now.

“…Yeah, that’s true.”

“However, I can’t say I’m thrilled about being outpaced a little. I’m a god of magic, after all, while you… you don’t really have any magic-like power, do you?”

Loki pursed his lips.

“But you seem to be getting along with the spirits just fine. It’s like you introduced a friend to another friend, and those two hit it off while leaving you behind.”

…W-what does that even mean?

Loki grinned, as if he had just thought up the ultimate prank.

“Anyway, I’ve got a good idea for this situation.”

Even while talking, he continued scanning for threats. Any enemies that emerged from the water were quickly wiped out by the gods’ power. The last siren was shot down midair. A magic stone bounced off with a ting.

“Is that the end?”

I raised my voice at Mia-san, who was wiping the sweat from her brow.

“Not yet!”

In the next instant, splashes erupted from the water channels on both sides. Once again, Sahagins leapt into the air.

It must be the second wave.

Loki called out.

“Rion! Use the water spirit Undine to form walls of water! Make several of them!”

“Eh…?”

Sahagins are water-based monsters, right? Would this even work?

“Just do it!”

Following his command, I awakened the spirit in my gauntlet.

Undine, in the form of a mermaid, stretched walls of water between us and the monsters, like drawing a cloth across a space. In no time, multiple shimmering curtains of water had formed.

“There!”

Loki extended a hand from his black robe and snapped his fingers. The monsters immediately began attacking in the wrong directions—kelpie horns, Sahagin claws, and siren air blasts.

Every strike missed entirely. At worst, the monsters even attacked one another.

“Illusion.”

Loki said with a laugh.

“I used the water you raised to show the monsters a false image. Water can reflect appearances—or distort them.”

When the god snapped his fingers again, the water curtains shattered. The illusions created by the water vanished. The monsters froze, realizing they had been striking at empty air, confused and disoriented.

Their cries echoed as they reacted reflexively.

“Now!”

The monsters had left a deadly opening.

I kicked off the ground, and my companions followed in stride—swords and axes, spells, and blades danced. One by one, the disoriented monsters turned to ash.

Finally, the wave of monsters ceased.

A heavy silence fell. From the frozen waterways and waterfalls, the cracks formed by magic spread with sharp, snapping sounds.

“Just now… what was that?”

My throat trembled.

I couldn’t help but stare at my right-hand gauntlet where Undine resided. The water spirit swirled inside the pale blue crystal, but the illusionary power surely wasn’t hers alone.

Felix-san planted his staff and groaned.

“I see. You supplemented magic with the reflection of water. For a brief moment, the monsters must have seen countless copies of us, like mirrors facing each other.”

“Exactly. It wasn’t an offensive spell, and the spirit handled the water manipulation. The magic only made the reflections appear real. With the spirit’s help, you, Rion, might even be able to create basic illusions yourself.”

Loki winked at me with one eye.

“Rion. Illusion is the power of deception, of trickery.”

As the battle ended, the gods gradually faded, their forms thinning. Before disappearing completely, Loki closed his eyes and spoke to me.

“Depending on your resolve, you can use it any way you choose. As a hero with limitless potential, Rion, face it, and decide how you will wield it.”

The god slowly vanished.

I couldn’t help but glance at Nils-san, reminded of the time we had sparred together.

—If you’re truly protecting something important, don’t be choosy about your methods.

Wake up skill held infinite potential. And precisely because of that, I might have to face what I can do with that power.

The inner chamber had fallen silent.

The gods had already returned to the coin, leaving behind only countless magic stones scattered across the floor.

The adventurers who had entered the room stared wide-eyed.

“…All this… you lot did it?”

The veterans could probably tell how overwhelming the numbers had been just by looking at the scattered magic stones. Some might have even glimpsed the scene from outside.

I drew in my chin and straightened my chest.

“Yes!”

The adventurers exchanged looks—some exasperated, some impressed, all complex.

“…You don’t look like it, I guess… or what can I say.”

“Still, that was an incredible number of monsters.”

“So the ashes that awaken monsters… were real, huh?”

“The Raven Warriors, huh.”

The adventurers stared at me intently.

Just as questions were about to start, Mia-san clapped her hands.

“Now that the fighting’s over, let’s move!”

““““Okay!””””

Everyone replied in unison.

The exit from the inner chamber was already open. When we spoke to the injured adventurers, a bad feeling was confirmed. There were other parties incited by the slave traders, who had rushed ahead into the hidden area with the keys they had received. They were likely carrying the ashes as well.

There’s no time to waste.

“Yeah…!”

We passed through the first room and followed a cave-like corridor.

Eventually, we reached a fork in the path.

“From here, we’ll split into two groups.”

Felix-san leaned on his staff and swept his gaze over us.

“The hidden area is likely circular. That means it runs along the outer edge of the dungeon. Splitting into left and right groups to explore and then reconvening will be more efficient.”

The adventurers nodded in agreement. We will split up, four parties on each side to explore the hidden area. If they found any captives, one party would stay behind to guard them while the others retreated to rescue them.

“…Once this floor is cleared, you’ll be aiming for the deepest part, right?”

The adventurer bearing a stone hammer reminded me. He had come to our aid this morning when the Water Transport Bureau director was giving his speech.

I remembered him well—he had mentioned my father.

He had a body as large as a golem’s, yet his eyes were gentle, and it seemed he genuinely cared about my safety.

“Mm. We can’t ignore the lowest level.”

No one knew what awaited in the hidden areas of the lower floors. The most dangerous was the bottommost floor—the boss layer.

Freya might be there, and if the slave traders were hiding anything, it would likely be there as well. For the sake of rescuing captives and scouting the depths, someone had to go.

“You’ve already decided on the divisions, right?”

Felix-san was about to speak, but a large hand gently stopped him.

“No, it’s fine. I saw your skills earlier. Your hearts as adventurers are united.”

The hammer-wielding adventurer thumped his broad chest with a solid thud.

“Stay safe, alright!”

The hammer-wielding adventurer went right at the fork; we headed left.

Screams of men and women reached us almost immediately. The Blessing of the God of Hunting  alerted me to the presence of many more.

A battle was already underway.

“…They must be the adventurers who rushed ahead, carrying the ashes.”

Nils-san shared the same thought.

“Let’s hurry.”

The corridor curved gently, the screams and clash of combat burning a sense of urgency into my chest.

Through the open doorway of the next chamber, I could see people fighting—and the monsters. Women and children had been captured.

Memories flashed—of Lu and me a little while ago, and of Gideon trying to kidnap us in the royal capital.

“We will save them—no matter what!”

I didn’t want anyone to die.

I kicked off the ground, clad in Golden Flame.

A woman with her hands bound behind her back, crawled as she tried to escape. A Sahagin raised its spear. I intercepted the attack, parrying it with my short sword.

“I’ve come to rescue you!”

As I declared, sparks flew from the weapons that collided.

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

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Spring sunlight glittered across the lake. Countless boats with their sails swollen with wind, skimmed over the water. Flocia Dungeon lay at the lake’s center. Naturally, if masses of adventurers wished to reach it, an equally large number of boats was required. And so, a fleet had formed.

There were messenger vessels from the Adventurers’ Guild, and escort ships apparently supplied by the Raven Warriors. Every prow pointed toward the same destination.

“Preparations are complete.”

A man stood at the pier, his ornate hat catching the sunlight. He was the director of the Water Transport Bureau.

After slipping away from the Warrior Corps in the crowd, he now watched the fleet depart from a quiet corner of the docks. The easternmost side of the harbor bordered the slums so there were few eyes around to notice him.

Frost crawled over the director’s body. When the chill burst into shimmering light, the fat man was gone. He was replaced by a slender merchant. Rata the Ratbone smoothed down his short-cropped chestnut hair.

“If I had stirred them up a bit more, I could’ve pulled twenty or thirty percent of those adventurers onto our side.”

Rata had used his shapeshifting ability to slip into the crowd at the Raven Warriors’ speech.

Since the global message, many adventurers had come to Flocia, inspired by the word “hero”. Surely, some of them harbored resentment toward the Raven Warriors for claiming control over the dungeons. And Rata had intended to stoke those feelings—maybe even push things toward division, if fortune went his way.

“But tsk, tsk…. children’s logic really is the worst to deal with.”

The boy’s words had changed the tide. “Adventurers protect people”, a line of pure idealism, yet it had been enough to hold many of the adventurers back from dissent.

Still, the day wasn’t without its harvest. 

Being able to see the boy wielding the horn with his own eyes and managing to disturb the adventurers’ unity were his worthwhile gains.

While walking through the harbor in the guise of the director, many parties had secretly approached him. There were still adventurers eager to hear more about the “director’s” proposal.

To them, Rata had handed a certain item. It would throw the Warrior Corps into confusion and draw their attention toward the dungeon.

“Now then….”

Rata gave a shiver. He lifted his gaze to the towering structure overlooking Flocia. From the building of the Odis Temple, he could feel a harsh, biting cold emanating outward. Most likely, they had strengthened the seal in the area by some means. The difficulty of the dungeon should have dropped as a result.

Even Rata, a monster himself, would not be able to approach the temple easily.

“We’ll start preparing as well.”

(He had been quite useful today. I’m sure that somewhere beneath the water, the real director of the Water Transport Bureau was pleased.)

Rata thought. And with a satisfied chuckle, he started walking toward the temple.

◆◆◆

Before my eyes, the fleets of boats entered the dungeon island one after another. After dropping off the adventurers at the pier, they immediately departed, making room for the next vessel. Ships too large to dock sent small boats back and forth to ferry people ashore.

Adventurers disembarked in a steady stream, and those who arrived moved into the dungeon in that same order.

Our party—Felix-san, Mia-san, Nils-san, and me—had been among the first to arrive. Yet we would be the last to enter. We had the role of guiding the other parties into the unexplored areas.

“What an incredible number….”

Parties streamed into the dungeon, and somewhere along the way, I gave up trying to count them. 

In total—Warrior Corps included—more than three hundred people would be entering the dungeon at once. Roughly twenty percent of them were what you’d call elites. They were the ones who would push into the uncharted area and free the captives taken by the slavers.

The parties that had already gone in were tasked with thinning out as many monsters as possible inside the dungeon, securing a safe route for the rescued people to escape later.

Eventually, the flow of boats came to a halt. Aside from us, seven other parties—around fifty people—were waiting near the entrance. 

Felix-san, leaning on his staff, swept his gaze over the group.

“Has everyone brought the keys as arranged?”

Felix-san was referring to the items used to unlock the hidden area.

They were thumb-sized pieces of metal. The dull, gold-colored magic keys numbered only three in total. They had been confiscated from the slave trader overseer and distributed among the gathered parties.

“…This?”

A man carrying a greatsword held his key up with a dubious look.

“Looks like a piece of scrap metal to me.”

“It’s infused with magic. My apologies that we don’t have enough for all seven parties. Please coordinate your use of them carefully.”

The adventurers nodded to Felix-san.

“Understood.”

“We’ll be moving in loose formation anyway, and the hidden area doesn’t look that complicated.”

They accepted the explanation so easily because they were convinced by the map provided beforehand. That was thanks to Safi, the dwarf blacksmith. The structure of the hidden area had been predicted by an underground specialist.

I glanced toward our party’s transporter supporter.

Inside the big backpack, Safi was probably puffing out her chest with pride.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Mia-san raised her voice, and we plunged into the dungeon.

The first and second floors were what they called the exploration layers—areas where no monsters appeared. Even at a time like this, the sparkling water was breathtakingly beautiful. Basking in the abundant vitality of the water, we dashed forward.

Nearly fifty people in total—far exceeding normal party limits—but all were high-level adventurers, so our pace was swift. In the blink of an eye, we descended deeper into the layers.

“Now, we’ve reached the combat layer.”

I led the way.

Using Blessing of the God of Hunting, I scanned for monsters.

It didn’t take long to realize just how few there were. The parties ahead had been systematically thinning out the monsters from the third floor onward. And the Odis Temple had strengthened the seals, lowering the dungeon’s overall difficulty.

Normally, the more people that enter a dungeon, the more monsters they attract. That rule didn’t apply when there were so few enemies to begin with.

We reached the fourth floor, nearing the hidden area. The scent of blood suddenly grew stronger.

Proceeding cautiously, we came upon a wall with a hidden door yawning open.

Solana’s voice called out.

『Rion, the entrance to the hidden area—』

“Yeah, it’s open!”

What was going on?

We had made sure to close it properly before returning to the surface. I poured magic into Blessing of the God of Hunting. The red light expanded gradually, revealing the area within my sensing range.

『This presence…. there’s also the ashes of the titan.』

As we dashed into the hidden area, everything became clear. An adventurer party lay fallen in the shadow of the entrance.

“Hey, what happened here?”

Mia-san rushed forward.

I froze at the sight of something lying near the fallen party.

“This is….!”

On the ground lay a bag burned with a red-black flame. It’s the titan’s ashes. And there, scattered nearby, were charred metal pieces. The same type of magic key used for the hidden area.

“The Water Transport Bureau people…. they gave the keys to them, and in exchange, they scattered the ashes….”

Felix-san clicked his tongue at the groans of the injured adventurers.

“They must have struck a deal. The director hand over the magic keys, and in return, they spread the ashes. From the director’s words, he already had his eye on the parties likely to try going solo.”

The Titan’s Ashes loosened the dungeon’s seals, drawing monsters toward them.

Nils-san narrowed his eyes.

“In that case, the director really was….”

“At this point, there’s nothing we can do. He’s been missing since yesterday, but perhaps this was his way of showing outright hostility toward us.”

Felix-san regretted the situation, but there was no choice now but to press forward.

Clinking her chain axe into position, Mia-san spoke.

“Damn it. Did anyone else try going solo?”

A trembling hand from one of the adventurers pointed toward the far wall. An exit had already opened there.

But we couldn’t reach it yet.

Water channels ran along both sides of the room, and a waterfall poured down from the ceiling. From every direction, red light surged forward.

“Monsters incoming! Get ready!”

A tide of monsters crashed into the hidden area.

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

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The next morning, we made our way to the Adventurers’ Guild in Flocia.

Apparently, word of the Warrior Corps’ advance had already gone out yesterday. By the time our carriage arrived, a crowd had gathered in the square before the guild.

Under the clear blue sky, there must have been at least three hundred people. Truly, adventurers from all across Flocia had come together. The guild building itself couldn’t contain them all.

“Let’s go.”

Felix-san led the way as we stepped down from the carriage.

Looking out from the steps, it became clear just how diverse adventurers could be. Stocky axe-wielders, slender swordsmen, magicians gripping staffs—each of their weapons glinted in the spring sunlight.

Their eyes swept over us like appraisal. Every single one of us wore a cloak bearing a pair of crow—the unmistakable symbol of the Raven Warrior Corps.

Just to be sure, I checked my Bewildering Hat.

We are heading toward the podium set up near the guild entrance. Amid the crowd, I spotted a flash of blonde hair.

It’s Nils-san.

Our eyes met, and we nodded to one another in silent confirmation.

Felix-san climbed the podium, while Mia-san and I fell into line with the other members of the Warrior Corps, standing in a single row below.

“Good morning, everyone.”

Felix-san’s voice carried clearly across the square.

A warm breeze seemed to follow his words, as though even the wind encouraged him. Bolstered by that, he continued.

“My name is Felix, an adventurer of the Raven Warrior Corps. Today, I’ve called you all here because we have a request. In short—this is a mission for adventurers.”

There was no tremor in his voice, no hint of hesitation. Resoluteness—it was present in Felix-san, and in Pauline-san, who had authorized this operation. Both of them had made their resolve clear.

“There is a hidden section in the Flocia dungeon that has not yet been mapped. It was discovered just the night before last.”

The crowd remained silent. The dungeon had been off-limits even yesterday, and the previous night had already been a commotion. It was no surprise that many suspected something unusual had occurred.

“It is a vast, unexplored area spanning the dungeon. Just how large it is, we cannot yet say. We request all of you to assist in its exploration and to support the mission.”

At Felix-san’s signal, the Warrior Corps moved.

A wooden board, at least three meters wide, was raised next to him. It displayed the dungeon’s layout as recorded by the guild, with the newly discovered hidden section marked. Though aside from the fourth layer, most of the details remained unknown.

“But—”

Felix-san tapped his staff against the podium.

“We are not the first humans to enter this unexplored section.”

For the first time, a murmur ran through the crowd.

“There are those who have made the dungeon their base, abducting people and hoarding stolen goods. Let us call them slave traders, for they traffic in humans.”

Felix-san paused, letting his words sink in.

“This mission is not only an exploration of the dungeon—it is also a rescue operation. Within the hidden section are those taken by river bandits, and those illegally bought and sold as slaves, trapped and waiting to be freed.”

In the hidden area that served as the slave traders’ base, kidnapped individuals were imprisoned. River bandits’ interrogations had already confirmed this.

There is a reason Felix-san sought the cooperation of so many adventurers. The area to be explored is vast, and any captives found would have to be escorted safely back outside. Rescuing people who could not fight from a high-difficulty dungeon recommended for level thirty adventurers—this was no small task.

“Quiet, please!”

Felix-san tapped his staff against the podium, silencing the murmuring crowd.

“For most of you, it will be enough to enter the dungeon as usual and hunt monsters. That, in itself, will serve as the escape route for the rescue operations.”

He paused for a moment, then continued.

“Those confident in their abilities will join the Warrior Corps to explore the hidden area and rescue the victims. At least five parties will be needed to cooperate.”

Felix-san emphasized the number, spreading his hands wide as he spoke.

His eyes scanned the crowd. The adventurers’ initial unease seemed to settle.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Felix-san went on to explain the details of the rewards, and how any artifacts discovered in the hidden section would be distributed.

“I believe the will to protect people—from monsters, from the dungeon—is the same. Please, lend us your cooperation!”

His speech came to an end.

Polite applause crackled through the square.

From the crowd, a man began to step forward. Even as the adventurers’ gazes followed him, his demeanor remained unshaken. He pushed his belly forward and parted the crowd with an air of arrogance.

A smirk played on his lips.

His hat, encrusted with gold and jewels, glittered under the sun. A robe of garish red, designed to make his already huge frame appear even bigger, made him stick out among the adventurers.

“Splendid, splendid.”

He drawled. He looked to be around fifty years old.

Who is he?

His voice had a viscous, unpleasant quality, the kind that makes you instinctively wary.

“It’s quite moving. I’m sure some people will be fooled.”

There was an odd sense of authority about him. The heat that had been building among the crowd vanished, leaving the square in an eerie silence.

The man stepped directly in front of Felix-san.

“That’s the head of the Waterways Bureau, isn’t it?”

Mia-san whispered to me.

“He’s one of those we suspected. He wouldn’t be able to operate so openly unless he had connections with the slave traders’ warships, river bandits, or whoever controls the water transportation around here.”

I swallowed hard. The attention Felix-san had gathered now belonged entirely to the head of the Waterways Bureau.

The man pointed a thick finger toward the Warrior Corps.

“Raven Warriors! You say so, but aren’t you just planning to monopolize the power of the dungeon for yourselves?”

Felix-san narrowed his eyes on the podium, then opened his mouth to speak.

“Hoh?”

“I know of it. In the mining city of Alvis, the Raven Warrior corps monopolized the dungeon’s secrets! In fact, other adventurers haven’t even set foot in Alvis’s unexplored sections.”

It was true. We had kept the greatest secret of the Alvis dungeon hidden. After all, it was the existence of the tiny kingdom of Alfheim. That’s not something to reveal lightly.

The atmosphere began to shift. Many of the adventurers whispered to one another. The excitement that had been building now morphed into doubt.

“I would like to hear more,”

The Bureau Chief swayed his robe as he spoke.

“You’ve gathered all these adventurers, yet most of them won’t even be allowed into the hidden section. Is it your intention to monopolize the secrets and artifacts?”

“That is not the case. The reason is—”

Felix-san remained calm.

We already knew the operation in advance. Even some of the Flocia adventurers had been briefed since last night. It was, in other words, a matter of careful groundwork.

“We want those entering the hidden section to be highly skilled and already familiar with the Flocia dungeon. Naturally, this limits the number of participants. Furthermore, to move freely within the hidden section, one needs the magical keys. Only a limited number of these keys have been obtained, which is why participation must be restricted—”

The Bureau Chief didn’t even let him finish. His voice rose, commanding and sharp.

“In the world message, the word hero was mentioned! Do you intend to monopolize power worthy of a hero for yourselves!?”

“Nonsense.”

“Is that really so? In Alvis, you did exactly that, didn’t you? I’ve also heard the western dungeon of the royal capital was sealed off—”

Rapid-fire accusations, like a relentless barrage of whispers.

Mia-san frowned.

“…Strange. I never thought he’d have that kind of nerve.”

I felt it too—there’s a peculiar sensation seeing him. We were facing a human, yet it was the same uneasy premonition I feel confronting a monster.

“I’ll double the Warrior Corps’ reward for investigating the dungeon!”

He spread his arms wide, turning to face the gathered adventurers.

“And now, what do you say? Shall we be the ones to uncover the dungeon’s secrets? That is, if you don’t want to be outdone by the Warrior Corps.”

Even within the visible crowd, a few heads tilted upward to look at him.

Of course, I knew without a doubt that the Warrior Corps’ investigation was the right approach. We had to rescue the people trapped in the hidden area. We had no intention of monopolizing the dungeon’s power.

Yet the head of the waterways Bureau provoked the adventurers. Not with truth, but with emotion and greed!

“Artifacts, magic stones, whatever you find in the hidden section—I will buy them from you at prices exceeding even the guild appraisal, on top of any rewards!”

I could clearly see the change in some of the adventurer’s expression. The word hero had echoed across the public message. Yet the desire for power, the drive to obtain something… in the end, it all came down to this.

“Damn it. I should’ve restrained him from the start.”

Mia-san looked ready to throw her axe right then and there, wrapping the man in chains before anyone could stop her. The Warrior Corps instinctively held her back.

“Please, stop!”

“Hey… can’t we just capture him?”

“He’s a major sponsor of the Flocia Adventurers’ Guild, and a prominent figure in the city.”

Mia-san clicked her tongue in frustration. She ran a hand through her bright red hair and narrowed her eyes like a cat watching its prey.

“…But this is getting stranger and stranger. That old man—he’s openly antagonizing the Guild. What is he planning next?”

Felix-san seemed to share the same unease. From his position on the stage, his gaze carried both confusion and caution. One hand rested behind his back, seemingly signaling something to the Warrior Corps.

『…Hn?』

The gold coin trembled.

“Solana?”

『Yes. Though faint, there’s a troubling aura. Something akin to a monster…』

The man spoke again, his words slicing through the murmurs of the crowd.

“Recall the Blood-Red Sunset. There are even rumors that the Raven Warrior Corps suffered heavy losses there.”

The spotlight had clearly shifted to the other side. Murmurs spread through the crowd. The infamous “Blood-Red Sunset” in the western capital was well known even here in Flocia.

I knew now that it had been the battle where Ymir had awakened. To the general public, it was remembered as a catastrophe—an overwhelming horde of monsters appeared, claiming the lives of countless adventurers.

“Isn’t that ridiculous? Why should we obey such people?”

His sharp eyes swept over us.

“Won’t we be beaten to a pulp again this time? Kuku… There’s no point in helping the weak.”

Felix-san opened his mouth, clearly about to respond. But several adventurers raised their voices, attempting to restrain him.

“I’ll take the lead! You stay quiet!”

The words echoed in the crowd, and my arm twitched involuntarily at the tension.

『That’s fine, Rion.』

Thor’s voice came from the gold coin.

『That’s not the tremble of fear. It’s the tremble of a man before battle.』

Hearing him mention the fight where Father had died, my chest burned with heat. I lifted my chin and forced my voice out.

“Hey!”

The sound that came out was so loud, it barely felt like my own. I hastily clamped my hand over my mouth. Yet the attention I’d drawn couldn’t be undone.

At least, I’d stand tall. It would be far worse to regret staying silent.

“What was that?”

“Who spoke?”

I removed the Bewildering Hat. In the dungeon, I’d have to take it off anyway. There was no point hiding my presence from the slave traders anymore.

The heat burning in my chest felt like the surge I got when invoking the Blessing of the Thunder God—the will of the War God.

“…I don’t think it’s meaningless.”

The bureau chief glared down at me.

“Protecting people by slaying monsters—that’s the most important thing for an adventurer!”

Looking him in the eye directly, he was even stranger than I expected. That sly smile seemed like a mask carelessly plastered on. He looked down on me, yet at the same time, it felt like he was assessing me—scrutinizing me with an almost uncanny precision.

A chill crawled up my spine. Determined not to falter, I raised my voice.

“An adventurer doesn’t abandon those in need just to chase power!”

I locked eyes with him, refusing to look away.

“And you are?”

“I’m a member of the Raven Warrior Corps. My father died in what you call the Blood-Red Sunset.”

“…Kiki. I see. So it’s you.”

He muttered through clenched teeth.

“I know what you’re saying, but you’re putting the adventurers here in incredible danger, a pointless danger at that. Are you prepared to involve them, little hero”

He leaned in close, the smell of blood and sweat hitting me. I instinctively recoiled, but several hands intervened between us.

One was Mia-san’s. The others—three more—were adventurers I didn’t even know.

“I’m with the Warrior Corps!”

I shouted, determination burning in my chest.

Once one voice shouted, others quickly joined in.

“Yeah!”

“To protect people from monsters, huh?”

“Well, coming from a child, I suppose…”

Among the crowd gathering, Nils-san was there too. Our eyes met, and he gave a small, wry smile—part exasperation, part approval, probably both at once.

The man suddenly returned to his impassive expression and snorted, glancing between me and Nils-san.

“Hmph.”

With that, he spun on his heel and vanished into the crowd. The Warrior Corps tried to follow, but despite his bulky frame, he moved with astonishing speed, weaving through people like a shadow.

“Those willing to take the request, please line up here!”

Felix-san raised his hand.

The adventurers who had gathered began moving toward the Warrior Corps. With that, preparations seemed complete. Soon, we would board the ship and head for the dungeon.

◆◆◆

Some time later, at the harbor, I spotted one of the adventurers who had raised their voice earlier. He is huge, like a gray grizzly bear, and he carried a stone hammer on his back. Our eyes met, and he slowly made his way toward me. Scratching his head a little, as if embarrassed, he spoke, his voice quiet but sincere,

“…Back during the Blood-Red Sunset, I heard that the adventurer who saved people back then died. You lot were there too huh――well, I guess it’s fate.”

A warm wind blew across the lake.

Something made me ask a question, a hunch urging me on,

“…Could I ask the name of that adventurer?”

He looked momentarily surprised, then he broke into a broad grin,

“His name is Rutger.”

My father fought with integrity, and I’m sure that memory remains in the hearts of other adventurers as well.

I realized again—nothing he did was meaningless. There would always be people to carry on those feelings.

A proud, wry smile escaped me. I might never match him… but I felt proud just thinking about it.

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

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Several small boats were moored at the underground waterway’s dock. The men unloading the cargo all wore hoods pulled low over their faces. All of them were members of the slave traders.

Rata of the Ratbone clan stood with his arms crossed, quietly watching their work.

The pale blue glow of a magic crystal lamp barely managed to push back the gloom. It should have been morning by now, but sunlight never reached this underground harbor, leaving it forever shrouded in dimness.

Rata loosened the collar of his coat, letting the damp air around his neck escape.

The abandoned castle that hid Ymir had an underground waterway running beneath it. To transport enough food and slaves to satisfy their master, water transport was essential. Once, this same passage might have carried supplies meant for a siege.

When the unloading was finished, the men bowed in unison.

“That’s everything. And… there’s also a report about last night.”

At those words, Rata’s brow furrowed.

“…In Flocia?”

The man who had spoken gave a short nod and handed him a sealed letter.

“It’s confirmed, sir. The details are written here.”

“…Well done.”

With a dismissive wave of Rata’s hand, the men boarded their boats again and departed down the dark canal.

He clicked his tongue in irritation.

Six boats’ worth of supplies—yet Ymir would devour it all within a day and a half. Worse still, this new report threatened their future supply of slaves.

“Flocia… warrior corps? At a time like this…?”

Rata scanned the report with narrowed eyes.

It detailed how the Raven Warrior Corps had breached the Flocia Dungeon, the very place that served as their base of operations. Even the hidden sector sealed by a magical key had been uncovered.

It wasn’t an entirely unexpected move. Flocia was a vital hub for river transport and anyone with a hint of imagination could guess that slave traders might have a foothold there. But for them to have discovered the hidden area—that was a serious blow.

Rata clutched a handful of his chestnut hair, biting his lips in frustration.

“Damn it…!”

To feed Ymir’s endless hunger for slaves, he’d granted the river bandits permission to abduct people by force. Until recently, their stock had come mostly from the destitute ones buried in debt and desperation.

Which meant… the moment they’d resorted to more violent methods, the Warrior Corps had caught their scent.

—A blunder.

But not yet a fatal one.

“If the boy with the horn truly is there…”

Rata’s gaze drifted toward the shadowed waterway. Flocia lay just beyond. It’s so close that he could almost smell the damp stone of its dungeon.

“Then perhaps… if I lure them into the dungeon and set Ymir-sama upon them, I could erase those meddlesome fools entirely.”

His lips curled into an irrepressible grin.

It had taken him four long years to build the slave traders’ network from the ground up. Though he is a monster, Rata had learned to blend in among humans, reveling in the pleasures and profits of their world. His loyalty to Ymir was genuine—but the urge to preserve the organization he had created ran even deeper.

The World Serpent, Jor, despised Rata’s pragmatism. Yet the Ratbone of the Underways bore his pride like armor. He had built his empire of flesh and coin before Ymir stirred from slumber after all.

“…Kiki”

Rata’s face turned pale immediately after laughing. The ruined castle shook. Though it’s weak, it was enough to make his pulse stutter.

A dry click escaped his throat.

—Right.

He had nearly forgotten. Before anything else, he had to inform that giant that the quality of the  “meals” is about to decline.

At the underground wharf, drugged slaves lay strewn about like discarded cargo. All of them bore worthless, defective skills.

“…If it weren’t for the need to find rare ones, debt-slaves alone would suffice.”

Rata muttered, his nose wrinkling in distaste. Turning sharply on his heel, he retraced his steps through the damp stone passages. The echo of his boots followed him down the long corridor as he hastened toward the chamber where his master awaited.

“…Ymir-sama”

The moment Rata pushed open the heavy door, his body went rigid.

A towering figure—easily over two meters tall—stood with one hand pressed against the wall. Unkempt strands of golden hair spilled down his massive back.

“…Flocia.”

The voice rolled through the chamber like distant thunder.

Cracks spiderwebbed from beneath Ymir’s palm, crawling across the wall.

“Y–yes…”

Rata’s throat constricted.

The air was so tense it felt as though stepping any closer would reduce him to ash.

“Something worth devouring seems to have awakened… in the north.”

Ymir sniffed the air, his face still turned toward the wall, like a beast catching a scent. Before Rata could even deliver his report, his master had already sensed the disturbance in Flocia.

“The boy with the horn… he may have come.”

Flocia’s dungeon was already partially awakened. Hidden doors sealed by magical keys gave it remarkable value as a base of operations.

And yet, one unresolved mystery drifted through Rata’s mind.

“But—there shouldn’t be… any god left to awaken there, is there?”

His desperate murmur earned no reply.

“I’m going as well.”

Rata lifted his head.

“There’s power stirring in the lake. The battle with Odin… it’s reaching its peak.”

Ymir’s gaze was fixed on something distant—something Rata could neither see nor sense.

In the end, the war belonged to the giant alone.

Rata and Jor were merely shadows cast by their master’s will. If Ymir’s intentions could not be read, then there was no way to scheme against them. Perhaps it was simply the limit of his design—a flaw built into a creature made, not born.

“Fenrir, Hati, and the other wolf-boned ones who have yet to awaken—if I feed on this magic, they will stir as well.”

Ymir spoke without turning. The breadth of his back filled the chamber with menace.

“Well then, Rata. What will you do?”

“Y-Ymir-sama…”

Rata’s voice trembled as he dropped to his knees of his own accord, one hand pressed to his chest.

“I failed to prevent the Warrior Corps from entering Flocia and allowing our slave supply to falter. I have no excuse. But—please, grant me one more chance.”

His words tumbled out in a rush. He still valued the slavers’ network he had painstakingly built. He craved control over Ymir not out of devotion alone, but to protect that hard-won organization. Yet beneath all his schemes, a primitive terror smothered any further plotting—the fear that this time, his plotting might very well get him eaten.

“…I would go ahead of you myself, my lord.”

Ymir did not turn. Speaking to that immense back, Rata continued.

“Flocia is less than half a day from here. I’ll disguise myself and slip inside to sow confusion among the Warrior Corps.”

Ratbone Rata was not one to court risk. He had never taken to the front lines himself—until now, when he saw no other way to redeem his blunder.

“Since the world message, talk of heroes has drawn adventurers to Flocia. It is always a city of trade. If I dangle the dungeon’s secrets before them, I can prevent the adventurers from banding together.”

His tongue moved quickly, afraid to let the silence catch him.

“And besides,” he added, forcing steadiness into his voice, “there’s an old safeguard I called back some time ago. It’s about time I collected on that insurance.”

At last, Ymir moved his head—only slightly, as though some distant thought had just resurfaced.

“…Very well.”

Relief washed through Rata, loosening the tension that had bound every muscle in his body.

Ymir spoke, still facing the wall.

“Go on ahead, I will follow later.”

Rata bowed low. The gesture carried its own humiliation, yet his hands trembled not just from fear but from a strange, helpless thrill. To kneel before such overwhelming power—perhaps that, too, was a kind of ecstasy.

“My thanks, my lord.”

Crack. Crack.

Frost spread across Rata’s body, creeping over his skin like a living thing. The World Serpent, Jor, could swell its size in proportion to her magic—but Rata possessed another gift entirely. The figure of the refined merchant warped and shuddered, flesh and bone twisting until the man who stood there was someone else entirely.

Long ago, there had been a squirrel that scampered along the World Tree, whispering and tattling on all it met—Ratatosk, the Messenger of Malice.

And within Rata’s bloodline, that same power stand —the magic to assume another’s form.

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

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