Chapter 46

Today's update is on time ('ω')

Unfortunately, it's not a meal scene...

After finishing our meal and rest, we slowly descended the stairs.

According to Nene, who went ahead to scout, the second underground floor had a different kind of 'creepiness' compared to the first floor.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, we understood what she meant.

"Wow, this is amazing...!"

I couldn't help but exclaim at the strangeness.

"Is this inside the dungeon...?"

"There's a sky in the labyrinth!"

Silk looked confused, while Marina was excited.

Though they were contrasting, I couldn't deny either of their feelings.

Looking up, the vast blue sky spread out... and a gentle breeze blew through the green grass, creating a wide plain before our eyes.

"Let's calm down. The records should mention an 'external environment layer.'"

"But, Yuki, we're only on the second floor, right?"

Rain was right.

It wasn't that the records didn't exist... but it was too shallow for such a layer to appear.

Even in the live streams of the parties that went ahead, nothing like this happened.

At least according to the documents, this layer was confirmed to be deep... at least from the 20th underground floor onwards.

Benwood described it as "the labyrinth no longer pretending."

The deeper you get in the labyrinth, the more its nature is revealed.

For example, the deepest part of the 'Orias Castle Ruins' labyrinth is the throne room.

And the 'King of Orias' and his royal guards appear there as the master of the labyrinth.

In some labyrinths, the true nature is only revealed at the deepest point.

"Everyone, be on high alert. Don't let your guard down."

It's clear that this is abnormal, but there's something we need to confirm.

Is it just that an 'external environment layer' has appeared in the shallow layer, or has the deep layer risen up?

This situation should be known to the relevant parties through the "live stream."

So, we need to find something that can serve as a basis for judgment.

If we just go back and report that it's abnormal, we'll have to come back again without knowing exactly what's wrong.

"Is the [Wind Attractor] working?"

"The wind is too strong for it to function."

Of course.

With such a gentle breeze, it's impossible to rely on subtle air currents.

Now, how should we tackle this vast plain?

First, we need to check the edges. According to Benwood, even if it looks like a vast forest or wasteland, there is a clear 'edge.'

So, let's start with that.

"Nene, please go ahead and scout."

"Which direction?"

"First, go straight. Come back after a thousand steps."

"Got it."

Even in this unusual situation, Nene goes ahead without hesitation.

I can't stay shaken forever.

"Ah, damn. I should have brought a [Telescope]."

"Want to try using magic?"

Right, Rain, the magician, can use <Far-Seeing Eyes>.

"Yeah, please. Start with the right direction."

"Okay. Give me a piggyback."

"Huh? Oh, right."

Rain, who is short, needs some height to see far.

I crouch down, and once Rain is on my shoulders, I stand up.

(...Stay calm, Yuki. Don't focus on the softness or warmth right now.)

I remind myself and slowly turn to the right.

"...No sign of monsters. Can you check the opposite direction, please?"

I do as asked and turn around.

After a while, I feel Rain slightly shift her center of gravity.

"...? There's a house over there."

"A house?"

"Yeah. A small house with a blue roof. It's quite far. ...Ugh, my eyes are stinging."

"It's okay now, thank you."

The magic that focuses magic power in the eyes is quite taxing.

I give Rain <Continuous Magic Power Recovery> after she gets down from my shoulders and think for a moment.

It's not unusual for remnants or traces of buildings to be left in the labyrinth.

Even on the first floor of this 'Colorless Darkness,' there are decayed guest rooms and windows on the walls.

However, a whole house... there might be something significant here.

"I'm back. There was nothing special within a thousand steps."

"Welcome back, Nene. Rain used a far-seeing spell and discovered a building on the left side. We're going to head there now."

"Got it. Do you need me to scout ahead?"

Oops. That was a mistake.

If we had Rain use <Far-Seeing Eyes> first, we could have sent Nene out after that. I lost my composure due to the changing situation.

"No, there were no signs of enemies. Let's stick together."

Everyone nods at my suggestion and we start moving.

We carefully walk on the comfortable grass carpet of the second floor.

Unlike a regular labyrinth, we can't be too optimistic here. It's one big room.

The vastness means there's a risk of being surrounded by mobile monsters, like wolves or running dragons.

And one more thing, there's a 'sun' in the sky of this floor.

If it's just a magical item to provide light, that's fine, but if it's literally a sun, then there must be a night.

Normally, labyrinths don't have day and night, but if this floor does, it could be a trap or a mechanism.

"I can see it."

Nene, who was leading, stopped and pointed.

The building we saw looked like a regular-sized house... and surprisingly, it looked brand new.

"Well, let's see if a devil or a snake appears..."

Tension rose at the unusual sight, and I started casting enhancement spells on everyone as a precaution.

How was it ('ω')?

If you were "surprised" or "wanted a meal scene," please change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ and support us.

If we accidentally get a book deal, I might add a meal scene in a new chapter or as a bonus SS.

Thank you very much.

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