6 - Episode 5 Inside the Dungeon

Oh ......"

Stepping into a cavernous dungeon at the foot of a mountain - a grassy plain spread out all around.

A forest existed in the distance, and even a river flowed through it.

When I looked up, I saw a beautiful sky that seemed bluer than the one outside.

Although I was supposed to be inside the cave, I could not help but be amazed at the grasslands as far as the eye could see.

(This dungeon has a different atmosphere from "The Abyss." ......)

In my mind, I compare this dungeon to the one we are currently in.

The "Abyss" is basically a cave type dungeon with no grasslands, volcanoes, or glaciers, no matter how far underground you go.

The dungeons we dived in during the "Gathering of Tribes" period were also cave-type dungeons, so it was a fresh surprise to see grasslands spreading out as if we were outside, even though we had entered a dungeon.

There are several types of dungeons: some, like "The Abyss," are caves, others, like this one, are meadows that are no different from the outside world, and still others are intricate labyrinths.

The reason why this is the case is a mystery even to experts, and there is even a widespread argument among researchers that it is "the power of the evil gods.

Thus, there are multiple types of dungeons.

Master Dark."

I see other adventurers are coming later. Let's move on now."

Nemmu, standing behind me, calls out to me and I start walking.

He started moving so as not to get in the way of the adventurers who would come later.

They continue walking toward a secluded spot - a forest visible in the distance.

Gold, walking in the lead, looks around with interest.

It really is a big place," he said. Even if it's not that big, isn't it bigger than the city?

Perhaps. But when I was at the "Gathering of the Tribes" I heard that it was a tasty dungeon where you could earn money and get treasure chests,......, but there is a big difference between seeing and hearing. If the dungeon is this large, outdoor lodging supplies are a must, but on the other hand, if you stay in the dungeon for a certain period of time and kill monsters, you can get materials and magic stones in one go. And since we'll be in and out in a shorter amount of time, we'll have a better chance of stumbling upon treasure chests."

As for why I chose the dungeon in this city - it is that far from the city where I stayed during the "Gathering of Tribes" period, and there are few beings who notice me.

I thought it would be easy to raise my rank due to my good reputation among adventurers.

However, when I opened the lid, I found that it was a dungeon of the open-air lodging type. ......

"Master Dirk, would you like to change places?"

Nemum calls out to me from behind.

As expected, after entering the dungeon, he removes his hand from my shoulder and takes some distance to look behind and around me.

Since we are not far from the dungeon entrance, I can see other adventurers here and there, but no one tries to listen in on our conversation even though they are paying attention to us because they do not know when they will be attacked by monsters.

I shake my head at Nemum's suggestion.

I was surprised at how much space there is on each floor, but that's all there is to it. It doesn't change what we do.

Our goal is to raise our adventurer ranks and gain access to a wide variety of information as we move up the ladder.

All we have to do is defeat monsters, advance through the ranks, and raise our ranks.

The work remains the same.

Besides, these dungeons are fresh and interesting. Since it's a good opportunity, why don't we stay here for the time being and raise our adventurer ranks?

Wahahaha!"　It's true, usually everywhere you look, there are rocks everywhere."

I like it. It's a dungeon where Master Dirk rules.

Since I had only entered cave-type dungeons before, this dungeon, which also had grasslands, forests, and rivers flowing inside, was honestly fresh and interesting.

Gold and Nemmu did not disagree with my opinion, and agreed to raise their adventurer ranks in this dungeon.

We walked along lightly as if we were on a picnic.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

We arrived at the forest without being attacked by any monsters.

We proceeded further into the forest to avoid being seen.

Nemumu.

...... Monsters in a 100 meter perimeter, no popularity.

R, detect, R, silent, SR, magic jamming released.

It's not that I don't believe in Nemum, but just to be safe, I scouted the perimeter with my "Infinite Gacha" card.

After confirming that there is no one popular, he uses "Silent" to keep his voice from leaking out, and "Magic Jamming" to block or make impossible any magic or other means of surveillance.

After ensuring their safety, they move on to their next action.

Then let's quickly find the stairs of this level and go to the second level."

'Lord, don't we have to kill the monsters on this level?'

It's easier to raise your adventurer rank by defeating monsters on the second and preferably third floors than on the first, right?"

Then I will go forth and do my best to find the stairs to this tier!"

Nemmu's eyes lit up as she snorted, "It's my turn," but I let out a slight giggle and waved my hand.

Even if the hierarchy is extensive, Nemmu, with her LV 5,000, should be able to find the stairs in about an hour.

But even with her strength, it would still take around an hour.

Since that time is not worth it, I use the "Infinite Gacha" card to locate it and head for it immediately.

That's why she came all the way to the secluded depths of the forest.

Nemmu, I'm sorry to interrupt your exertions, but I intend to find her with the "Infinite Gacha" card, "SSR Senryaku-gan."

Sorry, I overstepped my bounds. ......

I don't need to apologize," he said. I'm just glad to see Nemm's motivation.

"......, Master Dirk!"

Nemmu was truly happy to be praised by me, her face reddened to the point that even her brown skin was visible, and her body trembled with moist eyes.

Ignoring her, Gold peeked into my hand with interest.

I looked at the card with interest. Is that how you're going to find the stairs in this hierarchy?"

Yeah, it's called 'SSR Clairvoyance' ......."

SSR Clairvoyant" - a card that allows the user to discover and see distant objects desired by the user. However, it cannot see objects whose conditions are unknown, unknown to the user, or too far away.

'This is another useful card. I am really surprised at how many cards the Lord has in his hand. That's my Lord!　Wa-ha-ha-ha!"

Convenience is convenience, but it also has various limitations. It's not something that can be universally praised.

At Gold's bold laugh, I do my best imitation of him and show him a shrug of the shoulders.

After shrugging his shoulders, he quickly uses his card.

I'll use it then. Clairvoyance Release!

Use "SSR Senri-Gan" with the image of a staircase.

Even though my eyes are closed, I can see the backcountry, which is far away from the forest.

The viewpoint advances automatically and discovers a staircase in the depths of a cave hollowed out of a huge mountain face.

At the same time, the clairvoyant card disappears from his hand.

'Okay, I've located it.

Explain to Gold and Nemum the location of the two-level staircase.

I explained that if they proceeded straight into the backcountry from this forest, they would find a cave hollowed out of the mountainside that looked like a dead end.

I'm glad it was in such an easy to find place," he said. Then let's move quickly to the second level.

I am certainly thankful that it is so easy to understand. We don't have to walk on the ground, we can get to this side of the city in an instant by the way we came!

It is quite a distance from my former hometown to this city.

Normally, I would have to travel down the river and take a couple of months traveling by horse-drawn wagon.

However, with the combination of the "SSR, Existence Hiding" and "SR, Flight" cards, I was able to quickly and easily travel through the sky to this town without being seen.

With this, it was literally a hop, skip, and a jump to the first level of the staircase.

He had calculated that deep into the forest, hadn't he? You've calculated your way deep into the forest, Master Dirk!　You have a great eye for detail!"

Thank you, Nemm. Let's get moving then."

It is nice to be praised with open arms, but it is still embarrassing to be praised honestly from the front.

I immediately use the card to cover up my embarrassment.

"SSR, cloaking presence, SR, flight, released!

First, "SSR, Existence Concealment" conceals our existence. Our presence cannot be recognized by the five senses, magical powers, or magic items.

The "SR, Flight" card literally allows us to fly for 24 hours.

When you say "Fly" in your mind, your body will soar up into the sky.

Once you have reached a certain altitude, you can start flying again by thinking in your mind in the direction you want to go.

I wonder if the view is spectacular, spectacular!"　The Lord's power is truly awesome. Such a view, I doubt those of us on earth will ever be able to worship!"

As much as it pains me to agree with Gold, you'd have to be a bird, or even a dragon, to appreciate this spectacular view. This alone is worth it for me to have come up to the ground - I'm in a dungeon now - but it was worth it. We are truly glad that we were summoned by Master Dirk."

I'm glad you two are pleased. Well then, let's move on to the stairs leading to the second level."

When I heard Gold and Nemmu's reply, I, who knew the location of the stairs leading to the second level, took the lead and flew in front of them.

We continued to fly toward our destination, gazing at the adventurers walking on the ground below us, fighting monsters, and the dynamic scenery of rivers, forests, and mountains.