Chapter 14: Inside the Dungeon

Chapter 14: Inside the Dungeon

In preparation for the next day’s dungeon raid, just as I had planned, dinner was Monster Chips.

I opened up everything in my inventory, which was 10 pieces.

The cards that came out were in order......

C Kobold Warrior: Cute and loyal

C Giant Crow: A big crow

R Zombie Knight: Scary and strong

C Pixie Fairy: Disturbs enemies

C Piranha Bird: Flying piranha!?

SR Turtle Ninja: A turtle ninja with a sword on his back

C Goblin: A classic of all classics

C Dancing Knife: A tinier version of the Dancing Sword?

R Stone Golem: Excellent in offense and defense

C Jack-o’-Lantern: Has menacing eyes

According to Merle and Mira, common cards are enough to deal with the monsters that appear in District 2.

If I’m really having a hard time, I can use two cards and I won’t lose.

While looking at the cards, I nibbled on a bag of potato chips.

I could afford up to three bags, but by the fourth bag, as expected, even I’d get tired of it.

Throwing them away would have been a waste though, so I gave them to Bottakuro’s proprietress, who was quite delighted.

I feel like I’m getting closer to the proprietress......

◇

I waited at the entrance to the dungeon in the early morning, and Merle and Mira came as promised.

[Good morning!]

Merle, who usually looks so carefree, feels very dependable this morning.

[I- I’m in your care.]

[Ei! Yuusuke-san, you’re too nervous! It’s not like we’re going to the 2nd Underground Floor, so you should relax a little more.]

[She’s right. Why don’t you have an anzu-bou?]

If I ate an anzu-bou, it would give me courage.

Doing as she suggested, I had one for breakfast.

[Unnn, I’m starting to feel more relaxed.]

[That’s good, let’s keep that up.]

[Well then, let’s go!]

Merle leads the way, with Mira protecting the rear.

Now that I was walking between the two of them, I was even less scared.

And thus, that’s how my first entry to the dungeon went.

The entrance to the dungeon was somewhat similar to the entrance to a subway.

The place is now different, but what I do is still the same as usual.

Although sales decreased a bit, customer traffic was still adequate.

After the morning rush was over, District 2 suddenly became quiet.

I heard that most adventurers go below the 2nd Underground Floor.

The only people on this floor were rookies, and every once in a while, I would hear angry shouts or the high-pitched sound of clashing metal in the distance.

I thought this would be a good time to leave, but the two other street vendors besides me showed no sign of closing up their store.

One is an old man, thin as a branch, and he brings with him the tools of a field smith.

Perhaps, his business is about repairing weapons.

The other was a woman about 30 years old, with a stall that had a sign that said “Herbal Tea”.

I guess I should at least say hello to them.

[Good morning. I’m Yahagi, a dagashi vendor. Pleased to meet you.]

[I’m Mirai, I sell restorative tea.]

[Ou, I’m Sanaga.]

Both of them aren’t very talkative.

[Are you two still continuing your business?]

[My business starts now. After those brats dull their weapons, that is.]

I see, there certainly aren’t many people who would stop by a smithy first thing in the morning.

[It would be the same for my herbal tea. My customers are the injured adventurers.]

It seems like her herbal tea has the effect of healing wounds.

It seems that these two have no intention of returning aboveground.

This is kinda troubling.

Merle and Mira dropped me off on the way here, but I’m on my own on the way back.

There are no adventurers nearby, and if monsters appear, I’ll have to fight them alone.

Even if I returned to the surface, I would have to come back again in the evening when it was time to do business.

Moreover, I have come here alone this time.

If that’s the case, I should probably stay here too......

As I was pondering this and that, thick fog suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

[Hmm!?]

Sanaga-san, who had been sitting leaning against the wall, quickly sat up.

Mirai-san, who was sitting at her herbal tea, also pulled out a spear from somewhere and held it at the ready.

[What’s going on?]

[They’re coming!]

[Coming, what is......]

[Monsters are coming.]

Are you serious!?

I took out the Gobin card I had tucked away in my breast pocket and braced myself.

However, I didn’t even have any composure to say that catchphrase “Alright, I choose you!” right now.