Chapter 67

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The day after we decided on our plan, on the second day of the Golden Week, we reached the 29th floor.

Facing the large double metal door directly in front of the stairs we had descended, I checked my watch and let out a light sigh.

"It takes about four hours to get here, as expected..."

"What do you want to do?"

"If we start the boss battle now, the time..."

While looking at my watch with a grim expression, Yuzi asked me what we should do next.

We have done some preliminary research on the area boss at the guild, but we don't know how long the actual battle will take.

The return time we set is also approaching, and we are hesitant about whether to retreat or advance.

"Since we've come this far, I want to challenge it..."

"Are you saying you want to fight the boss, Shizuka?"

"It's not that I want to, but I feel a bit reluctant to leave."

"Right."

Shizuka seems to be somewhat reluctant but willing to challenge it.

Indeed, we have spent a lot of time getting here, and I understand Shizuka's desire to challenge the boss.

"Since we prepared for the possibility of a boss battle, we can challenge it if we want to... What about you, Yuzi?"

"......I want to challenge it."

"Yuzi..."

Yuzi seems to be in favor of challenging the boss.

"Of course, I understand that the return time is approaching. We have already mapped out the route to here, so if we dive into the dungeon again, we can allocate time for the boss battle."

That's right. As Yuzi said, even if we don't force a boss battle now, we can challenge it with more time to spare next time. The stairs aren't sealed, and the boss isn't right in front of us.

"Then, wouldn't it be better to retreat this time? Timing to retreat is also important, right?"

"But we can't always avoid battles based on our convenience, can we?"

"......That's true."

Yuzi's point leaves me at a loss for words.

Indeed, right now, the difference in strength between the monsters in the lower floors and us allows us to fight at our desired timing. However, this may not always be the case.

Yuzi, looking at the large metal door, continues.

"I think this boss battle will be a type where we can't leave until the fight is over once we enter that door."

"......A deathmatch?"

"Probably. That's why I want to challenge it now. I want to experience a battle that can't be avoided under unfavorable conditions while we still have the advantage in terms of strength."

"......"

Wow...

Yuzi has a rather combative expression. Is he thinking too much like a warrior?

Well, I can understand what he's saying... Indeed, it would be good to experience a battle under unfavorable conditions.

"Shizuka?"

"......What?"

"Yuzi said this, and I understand what he means... What do you think?"

With the added condition of fighting under unfavorable conditions, I decided to confirm Shizuka's will again.

Shizuka was somewhat reluctant but willing to challenge the boss, so I can guess her response after hearing Yuzi's opinion...

"I'll agree, just to be safe. Indeed, we haven't fought under unfavorable conditions very often."

"Right."

"Then, I think it's better to experience it now. The more unfavorable conditions there are, the more mental pressure we will feel during the battle. If we feel pressured, we will become more anxious. If we encounter a monster that we can barely handle and we are not used to fighting in a state of anxiety, it could be dangerous. Besides, although this is an unfavorable condition, it's not a fatal problem like a time limit for returning. I think it's better to experience it while we can handle it with ease, as Hirose said."

Indeed, Shizuka also seems to agree with the boss battle.

With two in favor of the boss battle, and I am also somewhat in favor, it seems to be decided.

After looking at both of their faces, I concluded.

"Then... Is it okay to challenge the area boss next?"

"Yeah."

"I'm fine with it."

Both of them nodded in agreement with my words.

Phew. Then, I need to hurry and prepare for the boss battle.

Once it was decided to fight the boss, I felt a bit anxious, as Shizuka said, looking at my watch. This is the kind of mental state...

In front of the large door with relief-like patterns, we took a short break and prepared.

The time displayed on the watch had already passed the four-hour mark, and the longer the boss battle took, the later our return time would be.

I let out a light breath, composed myself, and called out to the two of them.

"Then, shall we go?"

"Sure."

"Yes."

The three of us advanced to the large door, with me leading the way. We were cautious in case there were any traps on the door. While using the identification analysis, I observed the door and sighed.

"Troublesome..."

"What's wrong, Daisuke? Is there a trap after all?"

"No... There's no trap."

"Then, what's wrong?"

"Well, there's no trap, but... it seems to be quite heavy."

I pointed to the large door and told the two of them the results of the door's identification.

"......Heavy?"

"Yeah, each side of the door seems to weigh nearly 10 tons."

"10 tons... like a large truck?"

"Yeah. Moreover, the thick door is in full contact with the ground, so the friction directly becomes resistance when opening it."

"......Geez."

"Meaning, to open this door, we need the strength to push a nearly 10-ton object?"

Yuzi's expression twisted slightly, and Shizuka let out a surprised exclamation.

I nodded silently in response to Shizuka's question.

"There seems to be a door opening assistance mechanism, though. Look, the indentation on the surface of the door."

"Indentation?"

I pointed to the door, and their gazes followed.

At the end of their gazes, there was a relief with a hole large enough to fit a ping-pong ball.

"If we insert a core crystal that fits the indentation, the assistance mechanism will activate."

"Core crystal... You mean the one we got from the Big Bear on the 28th floor?"

"Yeah, among the items we can get in the lower floors, it would be the core crystal from that large bear."

The Big Bear, a large bear that appeared on the 28th floor.

Its heavy strikes with powerful arms, agility that belied its large body, and high defense from thick fat and hard fur.

Most importantly, it was significantly smarter than any other monster we had encountered.

"Even without the assistance mechanism, the door can be opened, but what do you want to do?"

Core crystals are generally traded by weight, so the core crystal from the Big Bear is not particularly valuable.

I asked the two of them if they wanted to use the core crystal to open the door.

"Can we open it without using it?"

"If we push with considerable force, we should be able to open it. However, it would be a waste of energy before the boss battle, so I don't recommend it."

"You're right."

Yuzi and Shizuka nodded in agreement with my reasoning.

If we can avoid unnecessary exhaustion by using the core crystal, it would be better.

"Probably... This is a kind of selection for those who want to challenge the boss. There is an assistance mechanism as a relief measure, but..."

"Those who can't open this door don't have the right to fight the boss?"

"Probably. As our levels increase, our physical abilities naturally improve, so even solo explorers can open this weight with body enhancement skills. If the whole party pushes together, it should open. It's a clear method to select challengers, isn't it?"

"True, but... why is selection necessary? If this was set up by the guild, I can understand the intention, but this... was originally part of the dungeon, right?"

Yuzi's question is valid. Is there a need for the dungeon to select challengers?

I can't think of a specific reason, and a sense of unease builds in my chest.

"......I don't know."

"......I don't know?"

"What can I say? I really can't think of a reason."

Yuzi's face showed dissatisfaction with my answer.

However, without a specific answer, I can only say, "I don't know."

A possible reason that comes to mind is that the dungeon doesn't want unnecessary exhaustion from the challengers. Considering the existence of tutorial stages in the upper floors, it might be that the dungeon doesn't want explorers to be exhausted by reckless challenges.

As Yuzi and I discussed, Shizuka clapped her hands.

"Alright, both of you, that's enough. Let's finish this discussion after we complete the boss battle and return upstairs. Talking here won't lead to any conclusions and will only delay our return time."

"Ah, sorry."

"Sorry."

Yuzi and I apologized with guilty expressions at Shizuka's reminder.

Indeed, it wouldn't be wise to engage in endless discussions here. Given the time limit, we should have been more aware of the situation.

"So, what do you want to do? Use the core crystal?"

"Ah, yeah."

"I think we should use it."

"Then, it's decided. Kuze, can you take out the core crystal?"

"Ah, sure. Right away..."

I hurriedly searched my spatial storage and took out the Big Bear's core crystal, feeling anxious at Shizuka's assertive attitude. Her intimidating smile was scary.

"Here you go."

I cautiously handed the core crystal to Shizuka. It feels like I'm offering a tribute.

Shizuka took the core crystal I offered and pointed to the indentation on the relief for final confirmation.

"Is this where I insert it?"

"Yeah. The assistance mechanism should activate, and the door should open. The door itself is a kind of magic item, and the core crystal acts as a battery."

"Got it. I'll insert it. Be careful, as monsters might attack as soon as the door opens."

Shizuka inserted the core crystal into the indentation on the relief.

Yuzi and I drew our weapons and got into position, while Shizuka quickly moved away from the door and readied her spear. We avoided the front of the door and positioned ourselves on either side. Although we don't expect it, we don't want to be caught off guard by a surprise attack when the door opens.

However, nothing happened after a few seconds.

"......Nothing's happening."

The moment Yuzi complained about the lack of change, the core crystal embedded in the door began to glow. The light from the core crystal spread across the relief patterns, and the entire door began to emit light.

The door slowly creaked open, and a few seconds later, it was fully open.

"It's open."

"It's open."

"It's open."

We observed the open door for a moment, then looked at each other and nodded.

"Alright, let's go. We don't know what's inside, so be cautious."

"Right, I understand. Daisuke, once we enter the room, check for any traps. We can't fight the boss without ensuring the room is safe."

"Understood, leave it to me. Shizuka, can you sense anything in the room?"

"There's one monster in the room."

"One?"

"Yes. There's only one monster in the room right now. Of course, there's a possibility that more will spawn or that monsters will come from other rooms."

Indeed, that's a possibility.

"Got it. Let's proceed without lowering our guard as usual."

"Right, there's a time limit, but there's no need to rush."

"True, we've passed the halfway point, but there's no need to rush."

Yuzi and Shizuka deliberately mentioned the time limit. I understand that it's part of the goal to overcome mental pressure under unfavorable conditions, but my heart still beats faster.

After taking a deep breath, we entered the room with Yuzi leading the way.

In the dimly lit large room, the light from our handheld lamps illuminated the figure of a single monster standing at the back of the room.

A red body with thick muscles over 2 meters tall, clad in a simple black armor, holding a thick metal club as tall as itself. A single horn protruding from its forehead and sharp fangs visible from the corners of its mouth.

"Ogre"

The word that slipped from my mouth was the name of the monster we were about to fight.

This is a practice for a conditional battle with a non-fatal limitation.

I wonder how much the mindset alone will affect the outcome...