CH 230

Episode 230 – Plans For The Day Off

After our first attempt in the canyon area, three days passed. And today, we finally managed to successfully clear the 17th layer. However, due to time constraints, we were forced to turn back on the 18th layer.

Still, we managed to get much more used to fighting the monsters in the canyon area, so the attacks we took decreased, and we were able to clear the 17th layer in a little over 2 hours. I hadn’t been able to come up with any remotely viable countermeasures yet, since clearing the Dungeon took us from the morning until night, so I had no time to think deeply on it. Nonetheless, I was starting to develop a vision for how we would go about reaching our objective of the 20th layer.

“Today was good, wasn’t it? If we can proceed just like we did today, I’m sure we can bring in a large amount of food and other cargo for our next attempt.” (Lewin)

“I a-agree. We’re only three people, so we can only carry enough for about 5 days at a time. If we make long-lasting emergency rations while going back and forth, we could probably s-store enough for about 15 days.” (Rosalie)

“If we can stock up 15 days worth of food on the 20th layer, we can also aim for the 30th layer!” (Lewin)

Rosalie and I cackled with delight as we sat in Araku Village, which had recently become the routine place for our review meetings. If we had to take a break at the 10th layer, the amount of food we could carry at once would most likely be enough for 2 days, but if I used [Plant Master] to synthesize vegetables, it should be enough for 3 days.

“Hmm, I wonder. We’ll have to clear the 18th and 19th layers first.” (Aruna)

“Well, that’s true. But there’s hope, isn’t there?” (Lewin)

“I’m a little worried about having to carry our luggage while clearing the Dungeon. Even if the rear guard carries 70% of it and the vanguard carries the other 30%, our clear speed will drop considerably,” Aruna said with her elbow on the table, propping up her chin as she munched on the secret menu dish from Araku Village, which was beans and meat in a special sauce.

…At first glance, Aruna seemed to have a thoughtless and somewhat negligent personality. But as I knew by her analysis of me from her testing me on our first meeting, she was actually quite the thinker.

To be honest, I was also feeling a bit worried about having to carry our luggage while clearing the Dungeon, and I wanted to aim for the 20th layer with a lighter burden first, but… we ended up deciding that it was unrealistic for us to be able to make it to the 20th layer in one day.

“That may be true, but I think that if we push ourselves a bit, we can reach the 20th layer before we run out of energy.” (Lewin)

“…You’re right. After a two day break starting from tomorrow, we’ll aim for the 20th layer― is that alright?” (Lewin)

“Y-Yes. I think that’s the safest way to go. I’ve already cleared it before so I agree with Jade-san, b-but it’s definitely safer to t-take another look at it.” (Rosalie)

Rosalie had the same opinion as me, but we had already officially decided to go with taking a break in the middle on our way to the 20th layer. Considering the speed at which we were clearing the Dungeon, I really thought we’d be able to make it to the 20th layer nonstop if we really pushed ourselves. It sucked, but nothing good would come out of being reckless in the Dungeon.

So far, my life had never been at risk while in the Dungeon, but a moment of carelessness could be fatal, and I had seen people easily lose their lives for this very reason. One example was the [Silver Wind Chime], where all of their members were killed in a single battle despite having the combined ability to reach the 40th layer. We really couldn’t afford to let our guard down.

“Then it’s decided. As for the schedule, the first day of the clear we will aim for the 10th layer. On the second day, we’ll clear up to the 20th layer, then return back to the 10th layer again. On the third day, we’ll leave the Dungeon― is that okay?” (Lewin)

“Mhm. No objections.” (Aruna)

“I’m a-also okay with that. I think we’ll have some extra time on the first day, so y-you’ll have some time to gather plants, fortunately. I think it’s fine to just reach the 10th layer and gather plants.” (Rosalie)

“Ooh! Great, I’ll be able to gather plants!!” (Lewin)

“Who would be happy about gathering plants… Weirdo.” (Aruna)

Aruna roasted me under her breath, but I didn’t mind. I really was looking forward to gathering plants.

I wanted to try my hand at mining ores in the canyon area, but ore tends to be heavy and would take up space in our baggage, and there were only veins near the cliffs. I had a strong desire for unique weapons and armor, and I wanted to get my hands on some one day.

“Now that our schedule is set, let’s split up tomorrow and the day after and do some shopping. If there’s anything that you need, please tell me. Ah, also… about our party name that I asked about before, if either of you think of a good name, I would appreciate it if you could share it with me.” (Lewin)

Since tomorrow was a day off, we didn’t worry too much about the time, and our review meeting continued on late into the night. The day after tomorrow, we would be meeting up and going shopping, and at that time we would split up to buy the things we needed.

Tomorrow, I planned to go to the Laudungeon Company to review the effects of the plants and make potions, and help Tobias with his interview. Then the day after that, I had to meet up with Aruna and Rosalie to go shopping. When I had more time, I was also thinking of consuming a large quantity of Magical Grass and Dumbbell Weed for the first time in a very long time.

I was excited to go shopping with Aruna and Rosalie, just as I always was when going shopping with others, like the times with the [Azure Alliance] and [Iron Gear]. I still didn’t know Landaust very well yet, and Tobias had given me some information about shops that he recommended, so I felt it would be nice to go check them out.

With the two days off full of plans ahead of me, I felt a different kind of excitement from the type I usually feel from clearing the Dungeon. I made my way home with quick steps, padding through the chilly, quiet streets in the midst of the late night.