Chapter 46

"Ugo-oo-oo-oo...! What on earth just happened?"

I fell.

No, not figuratively, but literally.

I was standing on solid ground, but suddenly a hole opened up, and I felt myself being swallowed into it all at once.

And after falling, I finally landed somewhere, and the free fall stopped.

So, where am I?

"It's a dungeon...!"

One of the examinees who fell with me said.

"This maze-like interior... the unique eerie atmosphere of a dungeon... there's no mistaking it!"

Now that he mentioned it, it did feel that way.

I've only been in a dungeon a few times, so I'm not entirely sure of the differences from the outside world...

...Sorry, I'm just a young guy trying to take the A-rank exam!

"But why are we in a dungeon? We were definitely on the ground just a moment ago?"

In response to someone's question, I answered.

"It's obvious, it's that skinny guy's skill."

Just before I was dropped into the hole, I read his parameters through the shared eyes from Abinion.

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【Name】Sentence

【Type】Human

【Gender】Male

【Age】31

【Lv】42

【Skills】Dezone Spot

※Skill Description: Creates a 'hole' that connects different locations, ignoring distance and obstacles. The 'hole' has an entrance and an exit. The exit coordinates must be set first before the entrance 'hole' can be created. The exit coordinates will naturally disappear if they are too far from the user.

【Affinity】×

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According to the parameters I read, that skinny guy Sentence's skill can connect different places, ignoring distance and obstacles.

That 'hole' was the passage to that other dimension.

"That skinny guy used a skill to warp space and sent us to some dungeon. But his skill has a range limit. He can't send us to places that are too far away."

It's not detailed in the parameter section, but it probably just covers the capital of Rubrum where the exam is taking place.

"Is there any dungeon within that range that you know of?"

"It's the Rubrum National Dungeon. No doubt about it."

One of the examinees said.

The answer came back as if it were a given.

"Dungeons are dangerous areas infested with monsters, but they are also sources of valuable resources and wealth. That's why excellent dungeons are directly managed by the state, and cities often spring up around dungeons."

"Is the capital of Rubrum one of them?"

"Most large cities, especially capitals, are cities with dungeons. Dungeons generate that much wealth."

Come to think of it, the capital of Centaurian where I live also has a dungeon.

"So, we were definitely dropped into a dungeon owned by the Kingdom of Rubrum. The question is what that skinny guy plans to do with us."

"Skinny, skinny, you're so annoying!!"

As if on cue, the skinny guy's voice echoed from somewhere.

From above?

And his figure was nowhere to be seen?

"Is that it?"

Looking up, I saw a 'hole' in the ceiling of the dungeon.

It was the same kind of 'hole' that swallowed us.

"Heh, heh, I'm glad you understand so quickly! Cutting down on unnecessary explanations saves time!"

The voice echoed from that 'hole'.

It seemed to be using the 'hole' that connects dimensions as a speaking tube to send his voice from a different location.

"This is the content of the preliminary exam for you <Skill-less>! Escape from the dungeon. By doing so, I will recognize that you have the minimum ability to take the exam!"

"I see."

By the way, the reason his voice sounds so strained is probably because he's flustered.

I saw right through his skill, which he hadn't even explained yet.

"I won't set a time limit, but if you take too long, the exam will end, so please hurry. I won't extend the time for the incompetent. If you want to give up, you can ask for help from anywhere in the dungeon."

He calmly gave the instructions.

It seems he intends to fulfill his duties as an examiner to some extent.

"Let me make it clear, I have no intention of killing any of you. Even you incompetent ones are still guild personnel and can be useful for menial tasks. Please don't forget that we are not devils or demons."

With that, the dimensional 'hole' closed.

I knew what I had to do.

I had to climb out of here and reach the exit of the dungeon.

"Alright, everyone, let's go."

I announced to the various men and women gathered there.

The people here are bound by several common points.

They aim to become A-rank adventurers and have achieved considerable results as veterans.

And they are all <Skill-less>.

These common points gave everyone a sense of solidarity.

"Of course, we'll do it!"

"Skill users have always looked down on us!"

"Do you know how much we've struggled to get here? We'll show them that skills aren't everything!"

Their hearts were united by their shared dislike of the superior attitude of skilled adventurers.

"Yahahaha! That's the spirit!!"

"Kekekeke! With all of us working together, this kind of difficulty is nothing!!"

"Huhuhuhu! Let's all pass together!!"

The loudest and most boisterous laughter came from the mohawk trio we met earlier.

"You guys are <Skill-less> too!?"

"Oho-ho-ho-ho! We've stayed in the field for twenty years, enduring the lack of skills!!"

"Kusu-kusu-kusu-kusu! This is our seventh attempt at the A-rank promotion exam!!"

"Keta-keta-keta-keta! Our unbreakable spirit is our only support!!"

The mohawks, who looked like nothing but thugs, had clearly endured more than their fair share of hardships and setbacks to get here.

It's really surprising how different their appearance is from their reality.

"Can you at least stop laughing so loudly?"

"Sure, sure, sure."

They were surprisingly compliant.

In total, there are about twenty to thirty of us.

I think it's impressive that such a large proportion of the hundreds of examinees are <Skill-less>.

Even without skills, they have become B-rank adventurers and survived to take the A-rank promotion exam.

Their tenacity is evident at first glance.

If we work together, escaping the dungeon should be easy.

With a firm resolve, I took action to resolve one more concern.

"Abinion? Ah, Abinion? Can you hear me?"

I spoke to the empty air.

If someone who doesn't know the situation sees me, they might think, "Poor guy, he's lost his mind!" So I was careful not to be seen...

...A response came.

"Ah, I can hear you, Master? You seem to have been dropped into a rather strange place?"

The one I'm talking to is the demon spirit Abinion.

We can communicate, but he is not here.

As an ultimate transcendent being, she can do most things, including communicating with me from a great distance through the loyalty link.

"What do you command me to do? Should I punish the criminal who put you in such a mess and save you?"

(Communication)

"Don't punish. Don't chew."

Don't underestimate me.

Or the others who fell with me and share the same goal.

I'll overcome this accident on my own.

"Abinion, please continue to protect Noem. If anything unexpected happens, I know she'll be safe with you."

(Communication)

"You're as overprotective as ever, Master. But Noem has become quite strong recently. I'm impressed, despite her being a human."

That's...!?

I've been amazed by her aggressiveness recently too...

"By the way, what is she doing now?"

(Communication)

"The exam has already started. She's currently challenging it."

The exam has started?

So, the examinees with skills are already taking the regular exam, while we <Skill-less> are still struggling at this stage.

"Noem is being quite active. Would you like to see her, Master? Since you are connected to me, you can see through my eyes."

Can I see her directly?

And the image flowed into my head.

It was a strange situation where I could see something without using my own eyes.

In the image, Noem was...

...beating up A-rank adventurers.