CH 68

Chapter 68: Instant Dungeon [α]

“ “ Instan-[α] (yes)?!”

The next day, Yuto goes to his Party Members and tells them about obtaining the [α] key.

As far as the origin of the key is concerned, he explains that it was from the Treasure Chest.

Otherwise, no matter how he tries to explain it, his story would start unraveling from the seams.

Eliz: “Wait, Mr. Yuto. Did you go to the Dungeon after we parted, yes?”

Yuto: “Oh……...um……..” Yuto realizes his mistake, but it’s too late.

Eliz and Dannan gazes suddenly change and pierce Yuto.

Dannan: “Yuto, you need to be more careful.”

Eliz: “You should not go into the Dungeon without us, yes. It’s too dangerous!”

Yuto: “.............yes, I’m sorry.”

Adventurers are carefree individuals. There is no rule that says you need to always act as a group with your Party.

But it was inconsiderate of Yuto to have gone to the Dungeon without telling any of his Party Members.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing a Dungeon Raid solo. But because of that, he could have at least told them what he was planning to do.

Yuto bows and apologizes sincerely.

Dannan: “And so you got a new [α] key from that Treasure Chest?” Yuto: “Yes, and I also got this from the Treasure Chest too.”

Yuto takes out the Nereids’ Staff from his inventory.

As soon as they get a glimpse of the staff, Dannan and Eliz’ eyes immediately shift to observe it more carefully.

Dannan: “Whoa……..what’s that? It looks amazing……”

Eliz: “It’s an amazing staff, yes. I can tell by just looking at it.”

Yuto: “I was wondering if Eliz could try using it.”

And with that, Yuto offers the staff to Eliz.

But Eliz immediately crosses her arms in an X, and shakes her head furiously side to side.

Eliz: “I can’t, Mr. Yuto. I can’t use an amazing staff like that, yes!”

Yuto: “But this staff seems to have the ability to multiply the Magic Power poured into it. If you use it, Eliz, then I thought you could cast Healing Spells much easier. So please, Eliz, could you try using it?” Eliz: “But…….”

Yuto: “Think of it as helping everyone in the party.”

With Yuto begging her, Eliz begrudgingly accepts the staff from him.

She holds it with both hands close to her body and closes her eyes.

Eliz: “...........hm?”

Yuto: “What’s wrong?” Eliz: “I’m pouring Magic Power into it, but it’s not amplifying like you said, yes.”

Yuto: “What?”

Yuto tilts his head at Eliz’ words.

When Yuto used it the day before, he most definitely felt his Magic Power get amplified.

But sure enough, the jewel at the end of the staff remained unchanged. There was no light emitted from it.

Yuto: “Eliz, let me borrow it for a moment.”

Eliz: “Yes, yes.”

Getting the staff back from Eliz, Yuto pours his Magic Power through it.

Then, the jewel that was dormant before began to glow.

Eliz: “Wow～ that’s so beautiful, yes.”

Dannan: “That’s amazing. How is it doing that?”

Yuto: “I’m guessing, but I think this light…...or rather this jewel has something to do with its ability to amplify Magic Power.”

Dannan: “So if this jewel doesn’t glow, Magic Power isn’t getting amplified?” Yuto: “Probably.”

But with Dannan’s words, Yuto draws in his chin to think.

Yuto was able to make the jewel glow, but Eliz could not. Yuto couldn’t think of any reason why that would be the case.

Eliz: “Mr. Yuto. There’s a chance that it’s because I’m the one wielding it that it’s not responding, yes.” Yuto: “WーWait, that can’t be! Eliz, you’re able to cast amazing Heal Spellsーー”

Eliz: “No, I didn't mean it like that, Mr. Yuto! Please calm down, yes.”

Eliz panics slightly at Yuto’s defensiveness of her abilities and waves her hand to calm Yuto down.

Eliz: “There’s a chance that the staff only responds to Magic Power used for Attack-Spells, yes.”

Yuto: “........Magic Power for Attack Spells?”

Yuto tilts his head to think.

There is, for certain, Magic Power related to Attack Spells.

When casting a Spell, if you are casting {Fireball}, Yuto can detect the presence of a {Fireball} forming.

But this time, they were pouring Magic Power and were not directing that Magic Power to any specific Spell.

Yuto thought that pure Magic Power would not be different prior to being used for an Attack or Heal Spell.

Dannan: “You mean to say that there is a possibility that the staff is able to distinguish if its user has any Attack Spells capabilities, huh….”

Eliz: “Yes, yes. The staff is probably analyzing the user through the Magic Power being poured into it, yes.”

Dannan: “I see…that does make sense……”

With Dannan’s additional insight and interpretation, Yuto grunts a breath of frustration.

With that logic, the reason why Yuto is able to make the jewel glow, and Eliz can't fits.

Yuto: “..........then this is a staff for Attack Spells?” Dannan: “Probably.”

Eliz: “Yes, yes.” With that analysis coming to light, Yuto sags his shoulders in disappointment.

Yuto: (I thought with this, Eliz finally had a good weapon…….)

Currently, Eliz is using a wooden staff used commonly by Healers.

Her staff quality isn’t that high. So its efficacy as a Healing Staff is so so.

Yuto really wanted to upgrade her equipment to a much higher grade, and his disappointment was equal to his high hopes.

Eliz: “MーMr. Yuto, you don’t have to be so discouraged, yes. My staff isn’t that bad. I can still use it, yes!”

Yuto: “........yーyeah, that’s true.”

Yuto wanted to get Eliz a new staff.

But it just didn’t work out this round. And there are still plenty of opportunities to do so in the future.

And with that, Yuto set the issue aside in his mind.

Dannan: “So what are we going to do with that [α] key?”

Yuto: “If we can go, I would like to go, but what do you think?” Dannan: “Hmmmmmm…..well, if it’s harder than an S-Rank Dungeon, there’s no way we would come out of there alive.”

Yuto: “That’s true. I wanted to see if the Guild had any further information.” Dannan: “Yeah, that would be best.”

Yuto’s group headed to the Adventurer’s Guild.

There were several receptionist counters there, and they head to the information counter.

“Good morning. What can we do for you today?” Yuto: “Actually, we wanted more information about the Insta-[α] today.”

“[α].........I see. Please hold while we gather the information available.”

And with that, the receptionist pulls out a very thick file from the bottom of the counter.

The receptionist at the Information Counter delivers a lot of different kinds of information to Adventurers.

Anyone can ask for more information.

Information is critical to raise the survival rate of Adventurers, and most information is not restricted or confidential.

But, depending on the information you are seeking, there are times when you are required to pay gard to the Guild in order to acquire it.

These are information that Adventurers obtain, and they form a contract with the Guild concerning it.

In exchange for the information, there is a payment required.

The payment will be divided between the Guild who is handling the information, and the rest will be delivered to the ones who delivered the information.

The payment is a valid payment to the Adventurers who risked their lives to obtain it.

But that doesn’t mean that payment for the information lasts forever.

As time passes, the price of the information will gradually lower until after a certain period of time, it becomes free.

Just like vegetables, information loses its freshness and value as time goes on, and it can no longer be sold after a while.

But regardless, the information Yuto sought had a price designated.

“It will be 10,000 gards for the requested information. Would you like to proceed?” Yuto: “.........how about it?” Dannan: “It’s worth it.” Eliz: “Yes.” Yuto confirms with the two other members of his Party, and brings out 10,000 gards from the Party’s collective funds.

“As far as what we have gathered about the Instant Dungeon [α], we have learned 3 things thus far”

<<<<>>>>

One, the difficulty is on part with C-Rank Instant Dungeons

Two, the inside of the Instant Dungeon is definitely differently structured from other Instant Dungeons

Three, the Dungeon will not initiate unless multiple people enter through the door.

<<<<>>>>

This was the information Yuto and his Party gained with 10,000 gards.

“With an additional 50,000 gards, I can provide more detailed information. Would you like to proceed?” Yuto: “.........what do you think?” Dannan: “Nope, we don’t need it.” Eliz: “I agree with Mr. Dannan, yes.”

Yuto nods at each member’s opinion.

Everyone in Yuto’s Party is a C-Rank Adventurer.

If they were to enter a Instant Dungeon C, they would be able to conquer the Dungeon without too much difficulty.

If the Instant Dungeon [α] is on par with a C-Rank difficulty, then they do not need any further information than that.

They all reached the same decision as far as what they could gain with 50,000 more gards.

Yuto’s group leaves the counter and starts walking away.

Yuto: “If it’s a C-Rank Dungeon, then we have a solid chance of making it through.”

Danna: “That’s true. We had no trouble with clearing our previous Insta-C. As long as we’re careful, we should be fine.”

Eliz: “Yes, yes. But it’s still scary to go into a new Dungeon for the first time.”

Yuto: “That’s true.” Yuto smiles at Eliz’ honest feedback.

A Dungeon is truly a terrifying place.

A small mistake can lead to your death.

As you get stronger as an Adventurer, it’s easy to start forgetting that fact.

Eliz’ words helped Yuto realize this, and flatten his perspective back to normal.

But even then, you can’t explore if you are too scared.

If you do not take a step past your fear, you cannot go on any Adventures.

When you should step forward.

When you should seriously consider stepping back.

When is it safe enough or too dangerous.

You will have to always calmly analyze and make a decision on what is an appropriately difficult exploration - this is a required skill for all Adventurers.

Yuto has one foot stepped into the B-Rank Adventurer Realm.

Although his Level is still well-below that threshold, his Skills are B-Rank Level.

As a point of fact, Yuto has thus far defeated a Mithril Golem and a Chaos Slime.

If all the Monsters who appeared are B-Rank, that’s a different story altogether, but according to the information, the Instant Dungeon [α] was said to be at a C-Rank standard.

Yuto: (It is interesting that you have to enter it as a party though…….)

But with that, Yuto decided to challenge the Instant Dungeon [α] with his Party.