Chapter 22

Before heading to the dungeon, I, Zeros, and Shuna first bought a large number of magic recovery potions at an item shop.

The dungeon we are heading to this time is the "Necropolis of the Underworld." The recommended level for clearing it is 35, and it is home to many undead monsters. I plan to level up before challenging the boss, which means I need Shuna to cast spells multiple times. However, crucial spells like Magic Missile and Sacred Enchantment have poor efficiency, so we need to compensate with potions.

When she saw me buy over 20 potions, Shuna exclaimed, "Are you really buying that many!?" Well, considering that potions have a cooldown, we probably won’t use them all, but it’s better to be safe.

I also thought about getting Shuna a new staff, but hers already had an Intelligence +15 bonus, which was more than sufficient. For a novice adventurer, this is quite impressive equipment.

After this exchange, we took a carriage and traveled to a cemetery about an hour outside of town. This place used to be a settlement, and apart from the cemetery, there are no other notable landmarks. Despite being over a thousand years old, the appearance of the area remains unchanged, perhaps because it is a dungeon region.

When we arrived, Shuna first voiced her confusion.

"Hey, Zeros. Are you sure this is the right place? I’ve never heard of a dungeon being around here..."

"Don’t worry. Just follow me."

Leading the anxious Shuna, I moved to the back of the cemetery, where a single large tombstone stood.

...Yeah, this is it.

"Alright. Shuna, can you touch this and repeat the words I’m about to tell you?"

"Eh? O-Okay..."

Shuna tentatively touched the tombstone and repeated the words I told her.

"O mighty currents of magic, test my aptitude. May the gates of wisdom now open."

This is the keyword used in the "Asuka Raku Sei" trial to open hidden doors and dungeons.

As proof,

*Keyword confirmed.*

*Emblem name: [Emblem of Magic] confirmed.*

*Relevant skill confirmed.*

*Conditions met. The dungeon door will now open.*

After these system sounds, the tombstone creaked and shifted, revealing a corridor leading to the labyrinth. This is the entrance to the "Necropolis of the Underworld."

"Alright, now that we’re prepared, let’s head in."

"………………"

"Shuna?"

I called out to Shuna, who was trembling and silent. She awkwardly turned to me and slowly spoke.

"H-Hey, Zeros... What is this?"

"Hmm? Oh, to challenge this hidden dungeon, you need not only the [Emblem of Magic] but also a holy-type skill. My [Emblem of Nothingness] can clear the emblem requirement, but I can’t do anything about the skill. I really appreciate your help, Shuna."

I expressed my sincere gratitude, but strangely, she didn’t calm down. In fact, she—

"Wait, what’s a hidden dungeon!?"

She shouted with all her might.

(I see. This is where it starts in this world...)

After giving Shuna a brief explanation of hidden dungeons (she didn’t seem to fully understand), we stepped into the "Necropolis of the Underworld."

The corridor led to a labyrinth with an eerie atmosphere, typical of an undead habitat. However, there is enough light to move around without issues.

"Um, it feels a bit scary... It seems like monsters might attack us at any moment."

Shuna sounded anxious from behind. To reassure her, I said,

"Don’t worry, we’ll try to avoid monsters as much as possible, and I’ll only target solitary ones for now."

"Eh? If that’s possible, it would be best, but neither Shuna nor Zeros have the skills for that—"

"Detect."

"——Huh?"

I immediately used the Detect skill I had just learned. It consumes MP, so I want to use it sparingly, but we have plenty of potions for this trip. I’ll play it safe until Shuna’s level is in a safe range.

"…………"

As I thought this and looked back, Shuna was wide-eyed and her mouth was opening and closing.

"Z-Zeros, was that a skill...?"

"Yeah. Actually—"

Since we’re forming a party, I intended to tell her that I can use skills. Without skills, even I would find it difficult to clear this dungeon.

So, I gave her a similar explanation as I did with Il, but it took her a while to process it.

A few minutes later, once Shuna had a basic understanding of the situation, we started moving. We encountered the first monster shortly after.

Thank you for reading this far!

If you enjoyed it, I would appreciate it if you could bookmark it or rate it with the stars below the ad. It would boost my motivation, so please consider it!