CH 26

I left the gate and went back to where I fell through the hole.

The giant skeleton was still down. There was no change.

I guess that’s enough for an initial investigation. If you want to go more deeper, you should search as a party.

「Let’s bring the evidence back.」

The first thing I saw was a large sword lying on the ground, too big for a human to hold, and it would be hard to carry it up the stairs. And I don’t have the physical strength.

There is a way to collect some of the bones and return home, but it would be too weak of an evidence to make the Lord move.

The only option left was the magic stone that had been the power source. It was as big as a fist, and if we knew that a demon with such a large demon stone was roaming near the village, the report of the dungeon’s discovery would be more credible. I’m sure the Lord will make a move.

I’ve decided!

I’ll bring back the magic stone!

I approach the giant skeleton.

As I walked around in circles, I saw the magic stone that was hidden in the bones.

It was reddish-black in color and glowed slightly. It was an evidence that the magic stone was in operation, and when I pull it out of the monster, the light disappears— eh it’s glowing?

It’s still moving!

The giant skeleton’s jaws made an eerie clattering sound as it sensed that I had noticed it, and it raised it’s arms wide, it’s bony palms closing over my head as it tried to crush me.

Magic won’t work in time!

I leaped forward, trying to find a way out. I heard a vibration from behind me.

I dodged the surprise attack just in time, but the attack didn’t just end there.

「What?」

I was grabbed by the ankle and almost fell.

I looked down and saw a bony hand growing out of the ground.

I kicked away the hand that had grabbed me, and distanced myself from the giant skeleton.

「The Giant Skeleton is calling out to his friends ……?」

Skeleton knights crawled out of the ground. There are ten of them. It is not impossible to defeat them, but it will take some time.

If I take the time to fight, the giant skeleton will also participate. There was no point in taking that much risk and staying in the field.

Bringing back the Giant Skeleton’s magic stone would certainly serve as proof enough, but there are other ways to move the Lord.

Worst of all, if I lead them here, everyone will be convinced that it’s a dungeon.

❝Them= villagers vigilantes’ group❞

If that’s the case, there’s no need to fight for my life here.

Having come to that conclusion, I turn around and run towards the stairs on the wall. I was going to escape.

However, it seems that the world is designed so that it doesn’t go well.

Just before I reached the stairs, a Skeleton Knight fell overhead me.