Chapter 17

The space inside the dungeon was mysterious. It seemed to be just a cave, yet it felt somehow vivid. If I were to exaggerate, it was as if we were advancing inside the body of some enormous creature. I could almost hear its breath.

"Ryuya-san..."

"Don't stray from me."

After entering the dungeon, I thought Noem might have been better off staying at the guild, just like Rondait. It seemed unlikely that she would have a role in this quest, and now that we were inside, it was clear that dungeon exploration was too much for her, still at level <3>.

However, given that she still had trust issues and couldn't leave my side, it might be safest for her to stay with me, even inside the dungeon.

"You two seem awfully cozy..."

The guide said with a lecherous look.

"Don't start anything in the dungeon. I've heard of adventurers who use the dungeon as a makeshift inn. Just because no one is watching...! Thanks to them, guides like us have to keep an eye out."

"I know the difference," I replied.

"Sure, if you had any sense, you wouldn't even think about diving into a dungeon at level <17>. How is that even equivalent to an A-rank?!"

Due to the guild card's limitation of displaying only the last two digits, my level was still publicly known as <17>. To avoid causing a commotion, it was probably best to keep it that way, though it was inconvenient at times.

"If you had some really good skills, you might be a powerhouse... But <No Skills>? How are you even strong!?"

He critiqued my guild card freely.

"Um... If you have good skills, do you get special treatment in the dungeon?"

Noem asked.

"Of course. Even an F-rank at level <1> can easily beat an A-rank if they have the best skills. That's how the world works."

The guide answered lazily.

"It's unfair, isn't it? No matter how hard you work, you can't match the luck you're born with. That's what skills are. Ultimately, how fulfilling our lives are depends on the skills we get from the blessing ceremony, and nothing else."

The resignation in the guide's voice was something that many others in this world must have felt. Despite the various metrics for adventurers' ranks, levels, and talents, nothing could surpass skills. The skills given by the gods were the strongest power humans could wield.

"So, how do you plan to complete the quest, Mr. No Skills? You're supposed to be the strongest adventurer recognized by the guild master, right?"

"I was told to ask the guide for details."

"Dumping the work on me, huh!? Fine, I'll tell you. The quest requires the root of Susu Suki, the horn of Shishi Shika, and Zuzu Sasa. All of these are extremely rare and hard to obtain."

Is that so...!?

"The root of Susu Suki, as the name suggests, is the root of the plant Susu Suki. It's highly valued for its medicinal properties and fetches a high price. People would pay a lot to get it."

I see.

"The difficulty in harvesting it lies in the fact that Susu Suki only grows inside dungeons. It's a plant-type monster, after all."

"Huh?"

"Look."

The guide pointed to a patch of grass that seemed unnaturally distributed on the ground. It was very small and narrow, like a small garden.

"Why is there a patch of grass inside the dungeon...!?"

"Don't get too close!"

Noem stopped abruptly at the guide's sharp voice.

"Approaching carelessly will get you killed. That's the plant-type monster Susu Suki."

"It just looks like a small patch of grass?"

"That's its camouflage. The main body of Susu Suki is the root you're after. It hides underground and grows grass-like appendages above ground, waiting for prey to wander in."

When an unsuspecting creature steps in, the grass entangles it, immobilizing it and draining its blood.

"The tricky part about Susu Suki is that damaging the grass is pointless unless you damage the root. The grass is just a peripheral part. Cut it or burn it, and it will grow back as long as the root is intact."

However, the root is underground. Dealing with the regenerating grass while attacking the root is extremely difficult.

"Don't think you can just pull it out like weeding. They'll sever the grass to avoid exposing their weakness. The grass is a regenerative part for them."

"Then, how can we defeat this monster?"

"The established method is to burn all the grass above ground and dig out the root before it regenerates. Alternatively, you could use a skill that penetrates the ground and damages the root."

However, we didn't come prepared for a controlled burn, and we don't have any convenient skills. I'm the familiar <No Skills>.

"Then... there's only one thing to do."

I walked casually and entered the area where the grass grew, which could be considered the mouth of the Susu Suki.

"Wh-What are you doing!? I told you, you'll die if you go in there!"

The guide's panicked voice echoed behind me.

Indeed, what looked like ordinary grass entangled my feet as soon as I stepped on it. The tips of the grass had spike-like structures.

They pierce the skin and drain blood. For a normal creature, this would be the end, but my level provides exceptional defense, so a plant's spikes can't even scratch me.

I hope they try their best to drain my blood. I'll take advantage of that moment to act.

"Ready..."

"Are you really... going to pull the grass out!? I told you the root will sever the grass before you can pull it out!!"

Thanks for your concern, guide. However, as a living being, it should take some time to detect the danger and react.

If I pull fast enough, even the root of the magic grass will come out of the ground.

"Go!"

In an instant, a strange lump emerged from the ground, scattering dirt. More accurately, it was dragged out.

"Whoa! What is this!?"

It looks like a root... or a radish!?

It's almost a radish, but with an eerie color!

"Guide! Is this the root of Susu Suki!?"

"Aaah!? Aaaaaaa...!?"

Anyway, it's the quest target.

We got the first one!