Chapter 24

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When we ducked through the entrance gate, a wide stone passage about 5 meters wide and 4 meters high came into view. This dungeon seems to have been built with plenty of room, so we shouldn't have any trouble swinging our weapons around during combat.

The lamps embedded in the dungeon walls at intervals of a few meters provide some light, ensuring that there is at least a light source within the dungeon. However, compared to the fluorescent lights and LED lighting we are used to, the lamp light feels quite dim. Right now, we're near the entrance, so the light from the gate is shining in, making the passage not feel too dark.

We turned on the high-intensity LED lights on our helmets to ensure visibility inside the dungeon.

"Since it's our first attempt today, and the battery for the lights will last about 4 hours, let's turn back after about 2 hours, okay?"

"Yeah, that makes sense. It's our first attempt, so that's probably appropriate."

"Right. There's no need to push ourselves too hard when we're not used to it."

Yuzi and Hoshizuki-san agreed with my suggestion without any particular objections.

The policy for this dungeon exploration is to prioritize our lives. Since it's our first day, it's enough to get a feel for the atmosphere of the dungeon. We're not going to rush in recklessly.

I have already leveled up at home, so I should be able to handle the monsters that appear on the surface level easily. However, I have no actual combat experience. Killing slimes with salt doesn't really count as combat experience.

I placed my hand on the hilt of the military sword hanging from my left waist and raised my voice to muster my courage.

"Alright, we're all set, let's go!"

"Okay!"

"Yes, let's go."

The order of our advance was Yuzi in the lead, followed by Hoshizuki-san and me. We lined up in a single file, with the vanguard, middle guard, and rearguard, and began our dungeon exploration.

First, I used my appraisal skill to check if there were any traps in the dungeon. The results were quite interesting, and I tilted my head back, my face contorted. After recovering from the shock, I stopped the two of them and gathered them at the edge of the passage, out of sight of the other explorers.

I didn't want the other explorers to hear this.

"What's up, Daiki?"

"Nothing, just listen, both of you."

With puzzled expressions, they followed my instructions and leaned in. I prefaced my explanation and then whispered the details.

"Don't be surprised, but when I used my skill to check the dungeon, it seems there's a hidden room behind the wall on the right side of the entrance pillar."

"!? !? !?"

I quickly covered their mouths with my hands as they were about to shout in surprise.

Well, I can't blame them for reacting that way...

"Be quiet."

"Sorry."

"Sorry."

I released my hands from their mouths, and they apologized in whispers. It's not like I needed their apologies.

Once they had calmed down, I explained the details in a whisper.

"It seems that hidden room has a warp device that allows free movement between floors, like a transfer room."

"Warp... transfer..."

They looked dumbfounded. I chuckled at their reactions.

Why do I have to deal with such a troublesome situation on the first step of our first dungeon exploration?

It's no one's fault, but I stomped on the stone floor to suppress my frustration. The loud sound echoed in the dungeon, and it seemed to snap the two of them back to their senses.

"Hey, Daiki, is that true?"

"Yeah, unfortunately."

"But, Kusakabe-kun, I've never heard of such a thing before. It's not mentioned on TV, online forums, or in the association's newsletters..."

That's right. The reason they were so shocked is because of that.

As far as the general public knows, there is no information about floor warping or transfer rooms in the dungeon. Occasionally, there are reports of explorers falling to lower floors due to pit traps, but that's the result of a trap, not a means of freely moving between floors.

That's why deep dungeon exploration is currently only conducted by a few specialized military teams that can ensure long-term logistics.

The existence of a transfer room in such a situation...

It just reeks of trouble.

"What do we do?"

"I don't know, what can we do...?"

"Should we report it? It just reeks of trouble..."

"..."

Yuzi fell silent at my question. Of course, such a problem can't be answered immediately.

While Yuzi and I were silent, Hoshizuki-san asked me about the transfer room.

"Kusakabe-kun, can we enter that transfer room?"

"Wait a moment, Hoshizuki-san. I'll check again with my skill."

I used my appraisal skill again on the wall where the transfer room was located. I hadn't checked the details before because I was too shocked. This time, I calmly examined the results.

Ah, I see. That's why no one knows about it.

"It seems we can't enter the transfer room right now. It seems the system is locked until the dungeon's lowest level is cleared."

"Like a reward for clearing the dungeon?"

"Probably. Once it's activated, it seems we can move to any floor freely."

"In that case, maybe we should just leave it for now?"

The usefulness of a transfer room in dungeon exploration is obvious. If we can conquer a vast dungeon with minimal logistics, the benefits are immeasurable.

However, reporting something we can't use right now would be a waste, and there's a risk that the transfer device could be tampered with and rendered unusable.

So, for now, the transfer device is just a useless object.

"Right. Let's forget about the transfer room for now?"

"That's probably best."

"Agreed."

With their agreement, we decided to temporarily forget about the transfer room.

Still, what is this? We've only been in the dungeon for less than 5 minutes, and I'm already feeling exhausted. I'm starting to want to go home for the day.

---

While we were chatting about the transfer room at the edge of the passage, several groups of explorers passed by, giving us strange looks. I can understand why they would be curious, seeing us just standing at the entrance of the dungeon.

Once we finished discussing the transfer room, we talked about what to do next.

"Well, shall we go back?"

"I'd love to say yes to that temptation."

"Me too. I'd be tempted to agree unconditionally."

We were genuinely exhausted. Honestly, we wanted to turn around and go home, but we couldn't do that. If we went home now, it would be as if we hadn't come here at all.

Sigh...

"Then... let's go?"

"Okay."

"Yes."

Our voices lacked the initial enthusiasm.

Shaking our tired heads, we started walking with heavy steps. We cautiously moved deeper into the dungeon, using the appraisal skill to check for traps.

---

"Daiki, any traps?"

"None. It seems there are no traps on the first floor, just like we learned in the training."

---

As we learned in the training, there are no traps on the first three floors of the dungeon. We also learned that on the first three floors, only a variety of monsters appear individually. It's a very considerate dungeon design, with a tutorial floor included.

So, the real dungeon exploration starts from the fourth floor.

"Still, I'll keep checking for traps just in case. Hoshizuki-san, any monsters?"

"None so far. There's no sign of anything approaching us."

Hoshizuki-san, who was half-closing her eyes to sense the surroundings, shook her head slightly to deny my question.

Perhaps because many explorers have already entered, we haven't encountered a single monster despite exploring the dungeon for over 30 minutes.

That's probably why many explorers enter the dungeon early in the morning.

"What do we do? Should we go to the lower floors?"

---

Yuzi looked at a loss and asked us what to do next. Originally, we planned to explore the first floor today to get used to the dungeon. But, this isn't working out...

The distribution of monsters on the first floor seems to be sparse, and the respawn rate of monsters can't keep up with the speed at which explorers are killing them.

"I'd love to, but I'm against going to the lower floors before we get used to combat."

"I agree."

I understand Yuzi's suggestion, but I agree with Hoshizuki-san. We should stay on the first floor where we can retreat immediately until we get used to combat. After all, it's our first day of dungeon exploration, and we might panic when we actually kill a monster with our weapons.

If we go deeper into the dungeon without encountering any monsters and then have to retreat, something could go wrong. I want to avoid that.

"Still, not encountering any monsters is frustrating..."

"Yuzi..."

"Aizawa-kun..."

Yuzi's lingering gaze made me want to suggest going deeper.

Indeed, not fighting any monsters would be very unsatisfying. At the very least, I want to experience a battle with a monster once.

With that in mind, we walked around the first floor, searching for monsters. Then, after 10 minutes...

"!? Be careful, something is approaching! It's not human... it could be a monster!"

At Hoshizuki-san's warning, Yuzi and I drew our swords from their sheaths and got ready. Hoshizuki-san also readied her spear with a sharp gaze, staring ahead.

Then, about 10 seconds after Hoshizuki-san's warning, the monster finally appeared.

"It's here."

"That's a Hound Dog...?"

"Pretty big."

The monster that appeared about 10 meters ahead was a large, four-legged canine covered in black fur. It had sharp fangs dripping with saliva and bloodshot red eyes that locked onto us. To put it mildly, it looked like a vicious large dog that would attack at any moment. If it were outside the dungeon, it would probably be euthanized rather than captured.

First, I used the appraisal skill on the Hound Dog. The Hound Dog's level and other stats were revealed. The numbers weren't impressive, but it looked much stronger than its stats suggested. We had the advantage in levels, but my throat was dry with tension.

However, we couldn't keep staring at the monster forever. So...

"Let's go with the plan. Hoshizuki-san, use your magic to keep it at bay, then I'll try the thing, and Yuzi will finish it off."

I took a deep breath and firmly stated the plan we had decided on beforehand.

"O-okay!"

"R-right. Here... we go!"

They responded with tense, stiff voices. Yeah, they're as nervous as I am. The thought of going to the lower floors in this state makes me shudder.

I was glad we didn't go to the lower floors. As Hoshizuki-san's wind magic activated,

"Air Ball!"

When Hoshizuki-san declared the spell, a compressed air ball about the size of a baseball shot out from her right hand, which she pointed at the Hound Dog. The Air Ball flew toward the Hound Dog at the speed of a professional baseball pitcher's fastball. It reached the Hound Dog in less than a second and released its power.

"Yip!"

The Air Ball hit the Hound Dog and released the compressed air in a directional manner, sending the large Hound Dog flying several meters. The Hound Dog, which had been knocked back, struggled to get up and glared at Hoshizuki-san with bloodshot eyes.

The Air Ball seems to be a useful restraining spell, even though it didn't do much damage. It could be useful for maintaining distance from monsters.

"Next, it's my turn. Yuzi, if it doesn't work, I'll need you to follow up."

"Leave it to me!"

After seeing Hoshizuki-san's magic, I took out the thing I had attached to the side of my backpack, pumped the pump lever, and held it in my left hand, opposite the hand holding my military sword. The Hound Dog, which had been damaged by Hoshizuki-san's magic, let out a roar and charged at us. I aimed the thing and waited for the Hound Dog to get close enough, then pulled the trigger.

A jet of crimson liquid shot out from the tip of the thing and hit the Hound Dog's face. Then...

"Yow!"

The effect was excellent. The Hound Dog, still charging, fell clumsily to the stone floor. It tried to shake off the crimson liquid by slamming its face into the floor, but it was ineffective. The Hound Dog writhed in agony, spewing various liquids from its face.

The sight was pitiful.

"Whoa!"

We were all taken aback by the overwhelming effect.

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The dungeon has a standard facility, but it's not operational yet. For now, it's just an object.

The true identity of the crimson liquid will be revealed in the next chapter.