Chapter 65

After finishing our meal, we called out to the people waiting outside. Then, about a hundred people teleported in all at once, making the place lively in an instant.

The number of people participating in monster extermination on each floor is set to increase by a hundred every five floors, as the transfer arrays are connected. Ultimately, a thousand people will enter the dungeon by the time we reach the 51st floor. From there, it becomes dangerous for adventurers below SS rank to delve deeper, so we will proceed alone.

The first group to arrive included high-ranking adventurers like Mizuha and Zekt. The twin guild masters of the Red Twin Inn, Sherry and Lotte, noticed us first and ran over. Sherry was equipped for a rear guard role, while Lotte was equipped for a front guard role, but both were dressed in a unified red color scheme.

"…Dick, good work."

"Thank you for defeating the Dragon Chimaera. You saved us from a dangerous situation. It's a good thing to have a reliable man around."

"No, I just provided support. Everyone did a great job."

"…That's why your reputation keeps rising."

"Wh-What? I just follow you, that's all. I don't think of Dick as a man or anything like that?"

Sherry chuckled at her flustered sister and looked into the dim cave.

"The rest of us will explore the cave and defeat monsters on floors that match our strength. That's what I heard."

"Right. We'll go ahead and take care of the powerful monsters."

"…Thank you. Actually, I and my sister want to follow Dick and improve our skills. But there might be monsters as strong as the Dragon Chimaera on the way, and we might hold you back."

Sherry, being serious, seemed hesitant to let us go ahead and ensure safety. However, she was right; even in the shallow floors of the dungeon, there's a possibility of encountering powerful monsters. I don't want to think that the second floor is the Dragon Chimaera's nest, but it's not impossible.

"Whether it's the Dragon Chimaera or other mutated monsters, it's best not to provoke them. I don't think we'll miss anything, but if you encounter any problems, let us know. I'll give you a magical communication device that might work in the dungeon."

"…Earrings?"

A magical device that allows conversation even from a distance. I've already distributed them to my guild members, but in the dungeon, magic can be blocked in some areas, so they might not always work. However, if you're on the same floor, they should connect with high probability.

Sherry took the earrings adorned with transparent magic stones, held them carefully, and pressed them to her chest.

"…Thank you. I'll take good care of them."

"Yeah, keep them safe."

"Sister… Dick, you say such things without thinking. It's hard to let my guard down."

"Huh? Oh, Lotte should have one too. Both of you are guild masters and might lead separate parties."

I gave Lotte the earrings, and she and her sister exchanged glances. Sherry smiled, and Lotte blushed.

"Al-already… I just want to be with my sister…"

"Sure, I understand. Thanks, Lotte."

The bond between sisters is a good thing, I thought, which was unusual for me. Watching Sherry pat Lotte's head made me feel warm.

Just then, another person approached. It was Leonoide, with his distinctive silver hair.

"Hey, Dick. I wanted to say goodbye before you left. But you're still as impressive as ever."

"Thanks, Leonoide. Sorry for the trouble."

"No, it's fine. I'm like an old soldier, and this big job has me feeling young again."

As the oldest guild master, I asked him to represent all the guild masters and oversee the adventurers, especially since the guild master of the White Goat Inn was restrained.

"The first group is selected to secure a base. With the transfer array exposed, it's not easy to defend."

"Thanks. The transfer array is connected to the one in the White Goat Inn's grounds, so we have guild members managing the transfers. When you transfer, let them know your destination."

"Right, that's convenient. I'll make sure the administrators have guards to prevent the young ones from rushing into the deeper layers."

With that, the base was secured, and high-ranking combatants like Sherry were tasked with clearing the remaining monsters on the first floor.

"Good luck, Dick. We'll just take care of the monsters on this floor, right?"

"With this many people, it shouldn't take long. This is just a start."

Zekt looked a bit unsatisfied, but maintaining the deeper magic arrays means dealing with stronger monsters. For now, it's just a warm-up.

◆◇◆

The ruin dungeon was exceptionally large compared to others I've seen. With high ceilings, if each floor is this size and there are a hundred floors, it would take months to explore to the deepest part on foot.

However, with Cody, we can use the light sword to grasp the terrain as long as light reaches. We can always find the shortest path to the next floor and detect powerful monsters from a distance, so we didn't hesitate when we descended to the second floor. However, the second floor was also vast and had very poor footing.

The second floor, like the first, was a cave with exposed rock. However, the humidity was abnormally high, and the walls and floor were covered in moss. We cast a 'Stable Walking' spell to prevent slipping and coated everyone's shoes.

"Even the monsters in the shallow floors have mutated over time. The Giant Bats' eyes have completely degenerated, and they're not very cute."

Occasionally, Giant Bats attack from the air to drink blood, but Cody's sword spirit automatically shoots them down. They are usually as big as a child's arms spread, but the ones in this dungeon are as big as adults. Miralca uses array magic to break them down, and Yuma purifies their souls.

"Fruit-eating bats are sometimes valued as food. But we don't need them now."

"If we run out of food, I hope we can cook them well. Is that possible?"

Cody asked worriedly, and Verlaine answered for me.

"It's possible, but if we can activate the magic array on the sixth floor, we can return to the surface instantly. In secret, we can connect to the transfer array at the Silver Water Bottle Inn, so if we reach the array, we can return and get warm meals and sleep in a soft bed."

Verlaine raised her index finger proudly, and everyone's eyes sparkled. The women, especially, love baths and would prefer not to spend a night in the dungeon.

"The humidity is making our clothes stick. Ugh, there's another puddle… Ah! There's a big frog. That purple frog is poisonous. We can defeat it without touching it, but…"

"I have an idea. We can purify the water in the puddles we encounter and turn it into holy water. That way, the monsters will lose their will to fight."

"Right. Poison Frogs release toxic mist when defeated, but drinking holy water makes them harmless."

Avoiding combat can prevent us from getting too aggressive. Aileen should be fine, but fighting while worrying about the toxic mist is troublesome.

"Let's purify the frogs with holy water, Yuma. Can you do it?"

"Sure, I can do it. Here we go."

Yuma dipped her finger into the puddle, and the stagnant water immediately purified, changing the color of the frogs in the water—making them non-toxic instantly.

The frogs croaked and hopped away without attacking Yuma.

"…Amazing purification ability, as always. The water seems to be connected, and all the pools are turning into holy water."

"Ah… Purifying the defiled land feels so good. Thank you, goddess."

"Sometimes I think Yuma might be a goddess herself… In fact, she might be the most valuable in dungeon exploration."

Yuma could purify a cursed land or a thousand-year-old dungeon, floor by floor. In combat, she is never in danger. Enemies don't target her in the party, and she purifies spirits before they can get close, leaving no openings.

"Walking with Yuma at the center seems to make everyone feel better."

"Right. From now on, I'll carry Yuma as a protective talisman."

"D-Dick, I appreciate it, but it's embarrassing…"

Her only weakness is her lack of physical strength, which hasn't changed. Despite her weight, she has grown healthily. Carrying her somehow feels purifying.

"Dick, don't shake too much. I can tell if you're doing it on purpose."

"…I won't. Master, watch your step."

"Mm… My clothes are getting damp. We should dry them when we reach the third floor."

"Getting wet can lower your body temperature, so it's a good idea."

I didn't realize it at the time, but the atmosphere changed subtly until we left the second floor.

◆◇◆

The second floor wasn't supposed to be a water area according to the blueprint. Over the years, water spirits must have gathered to create that environment.

The third floor, contrary to the blueprint, was a dense forest. The traces of the Dragon Chimaera were still visible, with trees burned and a path cleared. We wouldn't have to push through the dense forest—however.

"---Giiii!"

"We didn't call for you! Take this!"

The forest was a nest of Bug Bears, a humanoid monster. They aren't very large but use trees, stones, and bones to create weapons and attack in groups.

Aileen, without being overwhelmed by their numbers, deflected all the stones and blow darts with the steel plates on her fingerless gloves and quickly reduced the enemy. Cody also shot down enemies from different directions with her light sword.

However, their numbers were extraordinary—there might be nearly a thousand in the forest. They attacked relentlessly, as if we were long-awaited food, so we couldn't leave them alone.

"Leaving such agile monsters to the two front guards is best. Still, they're all hairy and not very cute… Can't they be more appealing?"

"Monsters are rarely cute. Fire dragons' young are an exception."

"Mm… I hope you and Miralca weren't hugging fire dragon babies and saying, 'They look like our babies,' or something. That would be cheating, Miralca."

"…I-I didn't do that. I don't know what he thinks, but I was just admiring the young dragons."

"Master, it's already over. We didn't need to help."

As Master said, the Bug Bears were eliminated, and their dropped items were scattered. They collect gems and minerals, so there were many shiny objects. We might find something useful if we examine them later.

"Seems the Dragon Chimaera was an exception. The other monsters aren't very strong. There aren't any super strong Bug Bears."

"The problem is the 50th floor. The reason the Dragon Chimaera had to move might not be just a lack of food but because a powerful monster moved up to the 50th floor."

"That's possible… I thought we could reach the next magic array quickly, but even weak enemies can delay us. We can't ignore them, so it can't be helped."

Cody, though not sweating, seemed uncomfortable with the damp undershirt from the second floor.

"Let's dry our clothes here, as I mentioned earlier. Master can keep watch, so there shouldn't be any problems."

"…Can't we push to the sixth floor?"

"It's not a big time investment, so it's fine."

Cody seemed eager to take off her clothes. The weakness of the demon lord's extermination team was humidity—embarrassing if the public knew, but a very real issue.

"…It doesn't have to be here. But continuing like this isn't pleasant."

"Can we take a moment, Dick? We need to reach the 100th floor as soon as possible, but wet clothes affect everyone's performance."

"Let's dry our clothes quickly and move on to the next magic array in good spirits."

Miralca, Yuma, and Aileen agreed. As the only man, I had to follow the majority.

"Then let's start a fire. Using fire and wind spirits, we can create a clean heat source. Fire spirits and wind spirits, change my magic into fire and create a floating fireball. 'Floating Fireball.'"

Verlaine has contracts with many spirits besides light. Her dark elf nature makes her dark spirit magic powerful, but she is also skilled in other spirit magic.

"Dick, later. We'll call you when we're done."

"Got it. I'll keep watch over there."

As my companions started to remove their equipment around the fireball, I chose the party's trust over my fantasies. That decision would surely be appreciated later—so I didn't look back.

"Finally, I feel better. My hair is wet too. What should I do?"

"Let's dry it too. Verlaine, can you lend us a towel?"

"Sure. I'm good at drying things, so leave it to me."

"Everyone, I know you're older than me, but… I'm not small, you know?"

"Dick is probably fine, so you don't need to worry."

"…That's a bit hurtful. Let's not talk about that."

"Is Cody smaller than Yuma…? Oh, you're loud. Can Dick hear?"

"He's a simple man, so he won't mind. A little courage to look wouldn't hurt."

"‘If you do that, you'll be eliminated’—that's what he'd say. Master's cuteness is unfair."

"Hehe… That sounds like something Dick would say. He's a coward."

"Ah, that's not true. I'd like to see Dick be a bit more assertive."

"Is that so? I like the current Dick, with his pure soul."

"What does 'pure' mean… Ah, never mind. There are things I shouldn't hear. I can't judge others."

(Why are they being considerate… And saying things I shouldn't hear, like Cody… No, what am I seriously listening to?)

The women continued their conversation while drying their clothes, and I continued to struggle with my inner conflict.