Volume 1 - CH 46

Volume 1

Chapter 46-Second level scenery and mysterious buildings

(TL by Rafael)

After eating and resting, we slowly walked down the stairs.

According to Nene, who had gone out on a precautionary mission, the second underground level had a different kind of "badness" than the first.

When we reached the end of the stairs, I understood what she meant.

"This is amazing, ......!"(Yuki)

I couldn't help but exclaim at the strangeness.

"We're still in a dungeon right......?"(Silk)

"It's a labyrinth, but there's sky!"(Marina)

Silk looks confused, while Marina is excited.

It's a bit of a contrast, but I can't help but understand both of their feelings.

If you look up, you will see a blue sky ...... and a plain with a gentle breeze blowing through the green grass, spread out in front of you.

"Let's calm down. There should have been a description in the log as an 'external environment type level'."(Yuki)

"But, Yuk. We're still on the second floor, right?"(Rain)

Rain was right.

It's not that it wasn't recorded on ......, but the level is too shallow for it to appear.

This was not the case with the preceding party's delivery.

At least this level was confirmed in the documents, and it should be deep ...... at least 20 levels below the ground and beyond.

Benwood described this as "the labyrinth no longer being mended".

The deeper you go into a labyrinth dungeon, the more strongly it reveals its nature.

For example, in the Ruins of King Aurias' Castle, the deepest part of the labyrinth is the throne room, and it is King Aurias and his Kingsguard who appear there as the master of the labyrinth.

In some labyrinths, it's not until you get to the end of the labyrinth that you find out what it was all about.

"Everyone, be on your guard. Don't ever let your guard down."(Yuki)

It's obvious that this is an anomaly, but there's something I need to make sure of.

I have to confirm whether this is simply an anomaly of an external environmental hierarchy appearing in a shallow layer, or whether a deeper layer is rising up.

This situation itself must have been communicated to the people concerned through the "live transmission."

If so, we need to find something to base our decision on.

If we go back and report that there was an abnormality, we won't know what the abnormality is and we'll have to do it twice.

"Are the wind primers working?"(Yuki)

"The wind is too strong, so it's not working."(Nene)

I knew it.

With this much breeze blowing, we couldn't rely on the minute flow of air.

Now, how should we attack this wide open plain?

First, we should check the edge. According to Benwood, even if it looks like a vast forest or wasteland, there is a definite edge.

If that's the case, ...... we should start by identifying them.

"Nene, get a look ahead."(Yuki)

"What direction are we going?"(Nene)

"Straight ahead. Come back after a thousand steps."(Yuki)

"Rogerssu"(Nene)

Even in this situation, where she would have to take a different kind of precaution than in the past, Nene was unwavering in her efforts.

I can't stay upset forever either.

"Oh, crap. I should've brought my telescope."(Yuki)

"You want me to use magic to see?"(Rain)

I see, the sorceress Rain can use the Telescopic Eye.

"Please  do. Take the right direction first."(Yuki)

"Yeah,Take me on your shoulders."(Rain)

"Hmm?Oh, okay."(Yuki)

If Rain, who is small in stature, wanted to see far into the distance, she would need some height.

I crouched down, made sure Rain was on my shoulders, and then stood up.

(...... Be Normal Yuki, Don't pick up any sense about softness or warmth now.)

While telling myself this, I slowly turn my body to the right.

"There is no such thing as a ...... demon monster. And now  the opposite side, please."

I did as I was told and spun around to face the other way.

I saw Rain, who had been watching ahead for a while, tilt her center of gravity slightly.

"......?There's a house over there."(Rain)

"A house?"(Yuki)

"Yeah. A small house with a blue roof. It's pretty far away. It's ....... My eyes are watering."(Rain)

"It's fine  and you can stop now, thank you."(Yuki)

It's a spell that gathers magic into the eyes, it can be very taxing.

I've been thinking about this for a while, giving Rain, who has come off my shoulder, a "Refresh Mana" to restore her magic power continuously.

It is not uncommon to find remnants of buildings, or rather residue, in labyrinths.

Even here on the first level of the Colorless Darkness, it's not uncommon to find what looks like a decaying guest room or a window stuck to the wall.

But if it's an entire house, One might think there's something ...... wrong with it.

"I'm back. There was nothing to be found within a thousand steps."(Nene)

"Welcome back, Nene. I asked Rain to use her telephoto magic on this one, and we found a structure on the left. I think we'll head there now."(Yuki)

"I understand. Do I need to scout ahead?"(Yuki)

Oops. This is a mistake.

If I had the Telescopic Eye, I should have asked her to use it before sending Nene out. I'm not sure if I've lost my composure with the change in situation.

"No, there was no sign of the enemy. Let's all stick together."(Yuki)

Everyone nodded at my suggestion and we started to move.

We walked carefully through the second level, which was covered with a carpet of comfortable grass.

Unlike ordinary labyrinths, we can't be too optimistic if we think this is one big room.

The large size means that there is a risk of being surrounded by mobile demons ......, such as wolves or dragon raptors.

Also, there was a "sun" in the sky of this hierarchy.

I hope it's just a magical artifact instead of a light, but if it's literally the sun, then there must also be night.

Normally, day and night would be irrelevant in a labyrinth, but what if this hierarchy had a concept of day and night?

But if there is such a thing as day and night in this hierarchy, I can't leave out the possibility that it is a trap or a gimmick in itself.

"I can see it now."(Nene)

Nene, who was leading the way, stopped and pointed.

The building we saw looked like a normal sized house ...... and surprisingly it even looked like a new building.

"Now, will there be demons or snakes ......?"(Yuki)

(TL: Or a new harem member)

I was nervous at the sight of the strange scene, but I started to give them all reinforcement magic, just in case.