Chapter 15

(￣(エ)￣)つ "Daily Rank 1st"

(=ↀωↀ=)つ "3000 Bookmarks Exceeded"

...I'm so happy I feel like I'm going to spit blood.

Thank you all so much!

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□ <Tomb Labyrinth> 【Paladin】Ray Sterling

I heard about the <Tomb Labyrinth> from my brother in real time yesterday, and three days ago in <Infinite Dendrogram>.

It was during a break while shopping for equipment.

"This country's largest dungeon is in the capital, Kuma."

After telling me about the appropriate levels for beginner hunting grounds around the capital, my brother began to add more information.

"Inside the capital? What do you mean?"

"This capital has a dungeon called the <Tomb Labyrinth> in its underground, which is the largest in the Alter Kingdom, and indeed the largest on this continent, Kuma. ...By the way, the lower levels are swarming with monsters that can't be compared to [Demidragworms], Kuma."

At those words, Nemesis and I looked down at our feet.

"Will this country perish before the war with the Dryfs even begins..."

"The <Tomb Labyrinth> is a divine dungeon, Kuma. The monsters inside cannot leave the dungeon, Kuma."

"Divine dungeon?"

Hearing the unfamiliar term, I echoed it back, and my brother immediately began to explain.

...He really likes explaining things.

"There are two types of dungeons in <Infinite Dendrogram>, Kuma. One is a natural dungeon. This is something that has become a dungeon due to various circumstances, Kuma. The <Old Orchard> where we fought the [Demidragworm] is a typical example, Kuma."

My brother also said that intelligent monsters' nests and fortresses that have been overrun by monsters are included in natural dungeons.

"The other is a divine dungeon. This is something that was created as a dungeon from the beginning, Kuma. In other words, it's a dungeon created by the game operators, Kuma."

"Hmm?"

"The differences from natural dungeons can be broadly divided into three points, Kuma. One, there is no outflow of monsters from the dungeon."

Otherwise, it would be too dangerous to live in this capital, right?

"Two, monsters respawn automatically regardless of the ecosystem or factors."

Respawn, huh.

This world is not only realistic in terms of human personality and life, but also in the ecosystem of monsters. There are male and female monsters that reproduce, and they don't just spawn for no reason.

Just as Tiaan doesn't resurrect after death, monsters can also become extinct if they are hunted too much.

However, the monsters in divine dungeons are an exception and seem to spawn endlessly.

It's also normal for undead to spawn without corpses.

"Three, boss monsters are placed at certain floors, and in addition to drops, additional rewards are paid."

Just like the monsters, treasures also spawn infinitely. The deeper the floor, the higher the grade of the treasure, and in the deeper areas, items worth a million ril or more are dropped as a matter of course.

It's truly a source of infinite wealth.

"There are other divine dungeons, but the only one that is this easy to enter is the <Tomb Labyrinth>, Kuma. When viewed as a game, this is the biggest advantage of belonging to the Alter Kingdom, Kuma. The only conditions for entry are the [Permit] item and being a <Master> belonging to the Alter Kingdom."

At that point, my brother paused and said this.

"This is also one of the reasons why the Dryfs are targeting the Alter Kingdom, like fertile land. After all, the Dryfs can't enter the <Tomb Labyrinth> unless they conquer this country."

From the Dryfs' perspective, the Alter Kingdom is like a treasure chest filled with infinite wealth, isn't it?

"Is the reason you didn't move to your preferred country even after getting a costume that can hide your appearance, and continued to belong to the Alter Kingdom, to explore the <Tomb Labyrinth>?"

"I've hardly ever entered there, Kuma."

It was an unexpected response.

"Why?"

"......After the fifth form, Baldr is too big to use inside the dungeon."

It's not that "too much is as bad as too little," but it makes you think that everything has its pros and cons.

And what kind of <Embryo> is bigger than a tank, Kuma-bro?

◇

And now, Nemesis and I are exploring the <Tomb Labyrinth>.

I thought it would be pitch black since it's an underground labyrinth, but surprisingly, there is a faint light.

It seems that luminous minerals are embedded in the walls and ceiling of this labyrinth.

It can't be fluorescent stone since it glows in the dark... but this is a fantasy world, so there must be all sorts of mysterious minerals.

After descending the stairs leading down for about three minutes, we arrived at a flat stone-paved passage.

The width is quite wide, and about ten people could walk side by side.

On the other hand, the ceiling is not that high. As my brother said, if you're too big, you might get stuck and can't move.

I thought we could break through the stone walls and ceiling, but even when I tried to slash them, not a single scratch appeared.

It seems that this dungeon is indestructible.

"I was worried because of the ominous name <Tomb Labyrinth>, but it's a rather clean dungeon once you enter."

"Yeah. It might be cleaned by some kind of power."

In this dungeon, it seems that management by the operators takes precedence over the realism of the world.

"I was worried about what would happen in a graveyard on the surface, but this is no problem. I'll cut down the monsters one by one!"

"But apparently, the monsters in this floor are all undead."

"......Eh?"

I pointed to the end of the passage.

As the saying goes, "Speak of the devil," there was a creature with only bones left, wrapped in tattered clothes.

To prove that it was a monster, the name [Civil Skeleton] was displayed above its skull.

It had no weapon and was approaching with its bare hands, making a clattering sound.

It seems to be the corpse of a civilian, not a soldier or knight.

However, since the monsters in this divine dungeon spawn naturally, they are not the corpses of the deceased.

This is just a monster with the setting of a civilian undead.

...Well, the [Skeletons] that appear outside this dungeon are probably real corpses.

However, I had never paid attention to this in other games or manga, but the clearly dislocated joints are concerning.

There is no muscle or other connecting tissue, and the joints are open, yet they move normally, which is a mystery.

Moreover, in <Infinite Dendrogram>, which boasts a quality no different from reality, the [Skeleton] made of bones is too scary.

The white bones with a slight trace of red or yellow from dried body fluids are too realistic and unpleasant.

For a moment, I thought, "Maybe I should have chosen the anime view."

"......"

"Nemesis?"

"......"

No response.

It seems she is in a state of emptiness.

We're going to have a close combat battle with those things using Nemesis...

"Alright, let's do it."

I swung Nemesis, the greatsword, at the [Skeleton].

The [Skeleton] stretched out its thin, bony fingers, but I shattered its arm and shoulder along with the fingers.

Next, I swung the greatsword at the [Skeleton]'s head with the flat side.

The [Skeleton]'s head was crushed as if by a blunt weapon.

It seems that one hit was enough to defeat it, as experience points came in.

The amount of experience points was less than the wolf from yesterday. It makes sense given the feel of the fight.

However, as the information suggested, the monsters on the first floor are about the same strength as a beginner hunting ground. This means we can level up here.

"......Isn't there a way to do this without touching them?"

"What other way is there for us to fight besides cutting and smashing?"

I haven't learned any attack magic, and Nemesis' skills are only defensive [Counter Absorption] and contact counter [Vengeance is Mine].

I did buy some consumable magic items, but they are limited.

If we want to defeat the enemy, we have to use close-range physical attacks.

"That's true, but... it's mentally tough."

"At least these [Skeletons] are okay, right?"

They are not really the bones of someone who has died.

Then, even if they are creepy, they might be surprisingly clean. They are dry and newly formed.

"Mmm... Thinking that way might make it a bit better."

"Right, right. Ah, another monster... ..."

Nemesis and I were speechless at the monster that appeared around the corner of the passage.

The monster was also an undead monster like the [Skeleton].

However, this monster was "fatter" than the [Skeleton].

This was because rotten, maggot-infested flesh was attached to the bones.

The attached flesh was missing in many places, and from the cut surfaces, yellow or dark red body fluids were dripping.

<Infinite Dendrogram>, which boasts a sensory experience no different from reality, even transmits the indescribable stench of decay.

And above the monster's head, the name [Wound Zombie] was displayed.

Explorers who see this unspeakably hideous monster must make a 1/1D6 SAN check...

"...Huh! I was so grossed out that my mind wandered to another game!"

It was just too much...

Of course, in an undead lair, there would be [Zombies] as well as [Skeletons].

Unlike the quiet [Skeletons], the [Zombie] groaned and approached us, dripping body fluids.

"Alright, let's start the battle."

"What!? Wait! You can't be serious about cutting that with me!?"

"......That's not a real corpse, it's a monster created by this dungeon."

"No, no, no, no! No matter how newly formed, I don't want to cut something that terrible!"

"Nemesis..."

In response to Nemesis, who was seriously reluctant...

"I'll polish you when we get back, so please bear with it."

"No, no, no, no, no!?"

I urged the screaming Nemesis and charged at the [Zombie].

To be continued

(￣(エ)￣) <To celebrate the daily rank 1st, I'll update again at 22:00 today, Kuma>