Volume 4 Chapter 7 Exploring The Dungeon After A Long Time - 15Th Floor~
We've arrived at the 15th floor.
"We're doing pretty well, huh..."
It was Ice who said next to me.
"Yeah, we could probably make about three round trips! I guess that means we've grown too."
"Facing Windy-san and the super powerful enemies like the Wyverns was a big deal. Our experience points have gotten to the point where enemies on the 15th floor don't even faze us."
Toxy and Clay agreed with Ice's words.
The surroundings still had a cave-like atmosphere, and we easily fixed the torch in place, resting around it. We were somewhat tired, thinking about making some firewood using the torch once we got more fatigued, but I weren't that exhausted yet.
"Today's going well. We've wiped out a whole group of Manticores. It's great to have skilled scouts."
"Nihihi, Sandra, you're praising us occasionally too. Ice-chan, you're a skilled scout!"
"Hehe... I'm happy."
Three people exchanged smiles happily. Just by looking at them, it felt like watching three girls camping together, making me feel warm inside.
"And those three long-range artillery pieces are just too good. It's like a small army."
"It may sound like bragging, but we can't deny it, right?"
As Sandra proudly stated her case, Toxy reluctantly agreed with a wry smile.
Yes, the strategy up to this point is very simple. Toxy and Ice act as rough and precise scouts to instantly pinpoint surrounding enemies, then I, Clay, and Sandra's long-range artillery strike.
First, Clay bombards the enemy camp with rock artillery, then Sandra unleashes lightning. As Clay's shells shatter into pieces, I use gravity magic to manipulate those pebbles and take care of any survivors.
This long-range combo is incredibly powerful and precise. Even against a formidable enemy like a group of 20 manticores, we managed to wipe them out in just 30 seconds.
"Wade-kun is really good at making precise teamwork. He was like that even when he was a trainee."
"Oh, I want to hear more!"
"Curious, curious."
When Clay teased me, Toxy and Sandra got interested. Clay looked slightly surprised, widened his eyes, and started to speak ominously, "I remember it clearly. It was around the middle of autumn."
Then, with a smile, Ice approached me.
"Hehe... nostalgic, isn't it?"
"It was just a few months ago though."
"Even so, it was... a lot happened."
"Yeah, that's true."
Things progressed quickly. The underworld. Dragons. Nobles. And now.
It was just the right pace for me. I could become stronger without pushing too hard, and it was exciting and fun.
But how was it for everyone else?
"Wade-kun...?"
Ice seemed to sense my feelings and approached me with concern. Even though I was worried about them. It's a bit ironic to be worried by the ones who were being worried.
"It's nothing. I was just lost in thought."
"I see... Well, if that's the case..."
It seems the conversation ended there, with Toxy and Sandra commenting, "Wade, you're really something... If you don't have enough materials, you can still strategize in your own way, that's a lesson to learn from. I want to emulate that."
"Clay, please don't make it too dramatic."
"That's rude. I just told them just like I saw it."
Clay casually dodged my complaint and then I asked,
"So what now? We've reached the 15th floor with some energy left, do we continue from here or go back?"
"You don't intend to go back, do you, Wade-kun?"
"Wade-kun, it's more fun not to go back, right?"
"...I do."
"If that's what the leader thinks, then it's fine by us, right?
In response to Clay's call, everyone energetically shouts 'yeah!' There's no sense of being forced to say it. They must really have the energy to say it.
I take a breath and give the command.
"Alright, let's just advance five more floors. This time, we're just scouting. No matter what happens, we'll retreat at the 20th floor. Sound good?"
'Roger that.'
We stand up. Even with a short break, our stamina was almost fully restored.
I grab the torch and illuminate the path.
There's no sign of danger. The journey is eerily smooth. We continue on steadily, sometimes exchanging light conversations.
But is this what a dungeon is supposed to be like?
"Oh, I found a treasure chest!"
Upon Ice's report, I respond, "Oh, well done." Following Ice's shy guidance, we move towards the treasure chest where a snowman is guarding it.
"Alright, I'll open it."
"Can you open it, Sandra?"
"Before dungeon regulations, I used to explore solo dungeons. A versatile type that can move in a party."
"But, Sandra, you tend to let your guard down recently, right?" Toxy smirked.
"Oh, I give up my honor to you."
"No, I'll give back your honor."
While being teased by Toxy, Sandra fiddled with a thin metal tool to open a treasure chest.
Watching that, I spoke up.
"Come to think of it, this is actually the first time I've seen a treasure chest."
"What, really, Wade!? When Sandra and I dived together, we found quite a few by this point. They're oddly scarce this time."
"I've heard that finding treasure chests involves a lot of luck, Toxy-san. I guess Wade-kun doesn't have luck with treasure chests."
"Hehe... Wade-kun's only weakness, perhaps."
"Good job, Wade. Your likability just went up."
"Even if you show likability, it won't work for me."
As they bantered back and forth, Sandra stood up.
"It's over. Or rather, there wasn't a trap set in the treasure chest."
"Huh, has there been something like that before? Sandra, you were always messing around with it, saying things like 'it would explode if opened carelessly' or 'if you open it without disarming the trap, you'd be trapped and die,' and still opened it."
"It's rare, but it happens occasionally. Usually, there's just trash inside when you open it."
"Well, then I won't open it."
I was shocked by Toxy's dry response.
"Huh, you're not going to open it, Toxy?"
"Haha. It's your first treasure chest, so were you expecting something, Wade?"
"Of course! It's exciting, isn't it!"
Toxy asked mischievously, and I defended myself. Then, Ice made a suggestion.
"Well then, for this memorable first treasure chest, Wade-kun, you can open it... right?"
"Since you've been looking forward to it this much, Wade-kun, you have to open it."
"Even if it turns out to be trash inside."
"Leave the comfort to me, Wade."
"You guys..."
The way everyone teases me is gradually getting to me. I scratched my head, but unable to contain my excitement, I headed towards the treasure chest.
"Well then, let's open it up."
With a smirk, I foolishly opened the treasure chest.
Suddenly, a mysterious smoke that seemed quite fitting began to rise.
"Oh, could this be a special effect!?"
I was enveloped in smoke. My vision was filled with smoke, making me cough a bit. This much smoke is unnecessary.
I waved my hands to clear the smoke. When my vision cleared, the treasure chest was no longer there.
"...Huh?"
Not only that, the place where I was standing had changed from the cave earlier. It was now an old stone-built royal palace. In such a grand place, the five of us stood.
'...'
Everyone fell into a puzzled silence.
Where...? Here...?
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