CH 232

We reach the foot of the mountain. There’s no sign that it collapsed due to the tremors, and we even see what looks like ruins. They used those white rocks as construction materials. Looking at the ruins, I can picture a grand building standing here, although it’s gone now.

“It’s here. Taula, watch your step.”

I say as we jump down from Hipopo. There are white rocks of all sizes scattered all around.

The footing here is terrible, so I think it’s best if Hipopo stays behind.

“Yes. But are you sure that place underground is all right?”

“The exterior collapsed because it was built in a later age, but what’s underground is a dungeon.”

“Dungeon?”

“Like the one near Putaresque. Where the 『Points』 were… Now that I think about it, you’ve never been in one before…”

I explain as we approach the rubble.

“According to the knowledge I got from the shaman, there are various types of dungeons that were created when this world was created. Apparently the underground space here itself was secured as a dungeon. But still, it’s a dungeon, so a tremor isn’t enough to bring it down.”

“I don’t really understand, but I guess dungeons are just that sturdy? But Rust, don’t you need a key to enter these places?”

“Dungeons were created by the world (server) itself. They won’t budge at the slightest thing. And yes, we need a key.”

I grin as I take a cylindrical magic crystal from my pocket and show it to Taula.

“I tried replicating it.”

“…Of course you did.”

Taula compliments me, and I ignore how she also sounds exasperated as I check the position.”

“It’s probably here. Hmm… It might be too cramped for the Hipopo brothers to dig.”

There are several conspicuous pillars piled on top of each other.

“Rust! I hear something!”

Warns Taula while I think.

And then, the ground beneath my feet violently shakes, before it sinks and something jumps out.

I reflexively jump back, and check out of the corner of my eye if there’s any rubble where I’m landing.

I turn my head to the side, and see the tip of my bangs flying away, having probably been cut by something.

I can see said thing’s trajectory out of the corner of my eye, so I turn back and to the left, and jump back again.

I take the glove off my right hand, and throw it up into the air.

That thing that popped out of the ground is an enemy, and its second attack is coming from the front and to my right.

But that’s right where I’m swinging my arm down.

I concentrate curses in my right hand as hard as I can, and just as I’m about to swing it down, a blade comes from behind me.

The blade passes close to me and pierces the enemy, stopping it in mid-air.

It’s Taula.

“Sorry Rust. I’m supposed to be your sword, and yet you were exposed to danger again…”

“No, you made it in time.”

I grab my glove as it falls, and point to the four-armed enemy that Taula pierced with her sword while telling Taula she doesn’t have to apologize.

It looks a lot like the subordinate of the ‘Third Seat of Immorality’ that attacked us in the mausoleum, but about a third of the size.

Is its size the reason why it was so fast? Those four claws are pretty sharp too. But I’m glad we could deal with it.

I touch the hair it cut while thinking about the enemy’s power, when suddenly I hear a puffing sound, and see the enemy has turned to smoke.

I guess it died.

“Rust, can I ask you something?”

Asks Taula hesitantly as she puts away her sword.

“How did you dodge that attack? You were even getting ready to counterattack. Aren’t you bad at even just exercising?”

Asks Taula as her eyes are on my right hand. I can see her eyes trembling with doubt and uncertainty.

“Eh, why? Yes, why?”

The question takes me by surprise, and I give a dumb answer.