CH 83

“Oh, there was a change.” (Kei)

“Really…” (Haru)

When we got to the bottom of the monument, we saw a hole in the wall behind the monument. As we approached the monument, a part of the wall lit up and disappeared.

“But this has nothing to do with the anomaly, does it?” (Kei)

“Yes, it probably does. Maybe we just defeated Rimdobmur and now we can go to the next level?” (Haru)

“I guess so. Let’s go there anyway. It’s our first new level, so let’s be careful.” (Kei)

“Okay!” (Haru)

We entered the cave that had formed behind the monument and soon found ourselves on a gentle staircase heading downward. It was an uneven staircase that looked like it had just been carved out of rock.

The dungeon was not bright like the previous floors, and the only light source was coming from the forest.

Still, as we descended the stairs, the light source gradually faded, and it became pitch black. Not only could I not see my feet, but I also couldn’t even see my hand in front of me.

Fortunately, there were no signs of monsters around me, but if they appeared in a place like this, I would have no choice but to run. If I could use my [Spatial Awareness], I might be able to fight, but I don’t want to fight in such a situation.　　

“Oh, how about this, [Bomb].” (Haru)

A small dim ball of light shines on Haru’s hand after her chant.

“It’s not a satisfactory light source, but it is better, right?” (Haru)

The light in Haru’s hand is from her [Bomb] spell was reduced. It’s certainly not enough light if we have to fight, but now I can see my feet, somehow.

“No, it’s enough. Is your magical power consumption enough?” (Kei)

“Hmm. If I intensify the light, it will consume a lot, but if it is about this much, my magical power recovery rate is just enough.” (Haru)

“Is that so, keep at it.” (Kei)

The ground changes as we walk while being alert to the surroundings.

Until now, the path had been bumpy, but suddenly it became smoother.

“It’s paved.” (Kei)

“I’ll strengthen the light a little bit.” (Haru)

The ball of light moved a little farther from Haru’s hand and becomes brighter.

“It’s cobblestone. It’s as if a machine was used to make it. Maybe all these cobblestones are the same size, until the millimeter.” (Kei)

Haru touches the stone pavement and confirms it.

“It doesn’t look like it’s been worn out over time, and it feels like it’s freshly made. There is still sand here. The places where there is sand are sparse and uneven. It’s hard to believe that it was created together with the dungeon. Brother, do you think the wind blew it this far?” (Haru)

“This cave, the road was created only after we approached it. There was no wind that I could feel. What if the sand is blown by the wind that does it matter?” (Kei)

“No, there’s more to it. Does it mean it’s been like this since the dungeon was built?” (Haru)

“Or maybe a monster has come and brought it.” (Kei)

I took a step back and patted the ground on the unpaved rock surface.

My hands remained clean. I could feel the unevenness of the ground, but no sand.

“Haru, the sand is only on the cobblestones. I don’t think it’s on the rock surface.” (Kei)

“Really? Let me check.” (Haru)

Haru checks the rock surface while moving the light on her hands. She walked around for about a minute before returning to me.

“Brother, there are two possibilities. This rock surface may be an area where monsters cannot enter, and another is…” (Haru)

“The other possibility is that the rocky surface was created later. Is that it?” (Kei)

“That’s right. That would mean that there are no monsters in this place right now, or at least they’re not walking around, so I think that’s more plausible.” (Haru)

“Well, I haven’t seen any monsters so far. So, you’re saying that before the rocky surface was formed, someone entered the area, right?” (Kei)

“I don’t know if it’s the dungeon creator, a monster, an alien, or an Otherworlder.” (Haru)

It’s something I’ve never paid attention to before, but the darkness around us makes me warier. I guess that’s why such trivial things bother me.

I wondered if there was any sand in the area in front of the boss room where the monsters couldn’t get in.

Now I don’t know. If there was sand on the ground, was it there originally or did it stick to our shoes? Or it could be the ground that was scraped by our shoes.

In that case, would it be absorbed by the dungeon?

If it was sand that came in from our shoes, it would disappear. But what about sand that has been scraped off the ground? I don’t know.

We had entered this part of the dungeon to answer our questions, but now we had more questions.

“Shall we go forward for now?” (Kei)

“Yeah. I don’t know if I think about it anymore.” (Haru)

The first thing we need to do is to find out if there are any monsters in this cobblestone area.

There are many things I don’t understand, but I feel like I’m getting closer to the essence of the dungeon. That’s why.

“We’ll have to be more careful than ever.” (Kei)

“Don’t walk too fast and erase the evidence.” (Haru)

We are not stopping.