Chapter 46

After the boss battle, we passed through a gate in a different direction from where we entered. There, we found a gate similar to the one at the entrance of the 10th floor, with nothing else around. Looking to the side, I saw the tents of the adventurers we had met earlier, indicating they were staying here.

A guard bowed politely to us, and Leonis waved in response.

"Well, this place is safe, but... other adventurers can enter, so we need to keep watch. Since it's your first time, you'll take turns on watch duty."

"Understood. Naga, brother, you must be tired, so why don't you rest first?"

"I'm fine... you rest first."

"Alright... Crane and I will take the first watch. Naga and Granos, you rest. We'll switch every three hours... next will be Raz and Naga, and the last will be Granos and Fol."

I wasn't tired and had intended to take the first watch, but Leonis took over and decided the pairs.

We set up two tents—one for us and one for Leonis—and went inside. Following Leonis's guidance, we gathered wood branches to make a fire, which illuminated the area.

Incidentally, I hadn't thought to bring firewood, but Leonis had prepared it... Some monsters avoid fire, so it's important to always be able to make a fire. Also, firewood isn't always available, so it's best to always have some. In caves, making a fire can produce toxic gases, so it's not allowed. Using magic to light the area is fine, but you need to manage your MP carefully.

Additionally, if we divide the watch into three groups, the middle group has the toughest job, so if you're not tired, you should volunteer for that shift. Apparently, fragmented sleep leaves you more fatigued. Hmm? Should I leave that decision to Lord Raz?

"He's fine."

He has the most energy left, and it's better to pair him with a tank. Also, considering that his brother has poor vision, it's a good decision. We'll be in the dungeon for several days, so we'll get used to it. Indeed, that makes sense, but I have a feeling something might happen...

I have a chill?

It's not a dangerous premonition, so it doesn't seem life-threatening.

"It's quiet."

"Yeah."

Even though we're on watch, no monsters appear.

Currently, we need to be wary of... other adventurers.

Anything can happen in the dungeon.

Adventurers attacking other adventurers... it's not an unheard-of scenario.

There are various reasons: if someone is caught killing, they end up in prison, become a slave, or even executed. Still, some do it out of jealousy or because of a grudge against a teammate... apparently, a few incidents occur every year. Adventurers are responsible for themselves. Guild-issued quests are mediated by the guild and are supposed to be safe. However, adventurers can take individual requests without much penalty. Therefore, some accept contracts to kill in secret. Others are hired by nobles to do such things...

"Do you know Leonis?"

"Knowing someone doesn't mean they're safe."

When I'm alone, I need to be more cautious and think of countermeasures. If I relax and rely on someone I know to keep watch, anything could happen. I need to be aware of that. If monsters appear, I need to be on guard. Leonis taught me that I won't grow if he does everything for me, so I need to think about what I can do.

I see... I'll think about it by tomorrow. I need to prepare a way to spend the night safely... otherwise, he might say, "Everything is an experience" and leave us to camp in the middle of a floor.

"So... what are you on guard against?"

"Well... there are so many factors involved that I'm not sure myself. They shouldn't be here..."

"Is there anything we can do to help?"

Leonis made a fire in front of our tent and positioned himself where he could see the entrance to Lord Raz's tent. He could also see the other adventurers' tents... though the distance made it hard to see clearly, I could tell he was on guard.

Probably... they shouldn't be here. They've probably already cleared this dungeon and are just here for material gathering.

I asked in a low voice, but Leonis seemed unsure of what to do.

"I hope it's just a false alarm..."

"I don't think it is... but if we can get through today, we should be fine."

"...What do you mean?"

"If a regular army comes and restrains us, there's nothing we can do... but if it's adventurers, they'll be reluctant to take the risk... so, would you and Naga turn against them?"

"They'd be reluctant... I saw how you and Naga fight today."

You're too strong.

The third stage of your unique skills is terrifying. I can clearly see the difference between the second and third stages.

Your sword attacks have penetration and critical hits... it's completely different from when you used a bow in the boss battle. With a sword, you're untouchable. Even with a bow, your STR is high, so you deal more damage than I do...

I can't tell how strong Naga is, but his stats grow quickly, so he's definitely strong. We won't know his true strength until he fights a dragon, but he's powerful.

"Because of your unexpected strength, I'm not sure how they'll act."

"Maybe it depends on Fol?"

"......Yeah. How much have you figured out?"

How much?

Hmm? I don't understand the question...

"Well... Lord Raz and the higher-ups have differing opinions, and Fol is here to keep an eye on Lord Raz, with different views... and I think some people want to get rid of us... is that wrong?"

"Pretty much... that's the situation."

"So, Fol can't get his hands dirty, so he might use adventurers... that's what you're worried about?"

"Yeah. Your idea is to get through today, right?"

"Right... there's no guarantee adventurers will be here, and there are few opportunities to make contact beforehand."

If Fol acts alone, we can just ignore each other... but I don't know his position. Is he giving orders or following them?

If I believe what my brother said about being watched, we need to consider that our strength is known... but, no, that's not the case. My brother and Naga have leveled up more than 10 times today.

Even if they have information, our strength has changed. Of course, they might have anticipated this, but realistically, they probably expected growth similar to mine... I think I grow at a normal rate, too.

Anyway, those adventurers don't seem very strong.

Also, I don't think the worst will happen. Lord Raz seems to lean more towards us than being neutral.

"Leonis."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"If we use magic to create a barrier that only allows recognized people to enter... what do you think?"

"Hmm... if they can't reach us, that's not a bad idea. But starting the day with depleted MP isn't a good strategy."

To avoid running out of MP... I can set up a composite magic barrier... it will use MP only when it's triggered, not continuously.

My MP growth is good, so I won't run out... in combat, though.

"I'm fine. It won't use MP constantly. I'll use MP to set it up, and it will regenerate naturally... more importantly, my brother's combat ability decreases in the dark."

"Granos will just have a hard time seeing. His movements won't be slowed, so he should be fine. I put him third, so he'll be on duty during the brighter hours."

"...Should we exclude the night watch?"

"Rejected. Today, yes. When it's just you, excluding the night watch is fine. It's dangerous to assign a watch to someone who can't detect enemies. If you assign it during the day, considering the loss of concentration, letting them rest at night is also fine. That's something the party members need to decide."

"I see... today... I think we'll be fine..."

I think my brother will handle it well.

My intuition isn't warning me of danger, so I don't think I'm in danger. I feel bad not telling them, but...

We kept watch, but nothing happened until it was time to switch.

"It's almost time. Wake Naga and switch with him."

"Yes. By the way, what about Leonis?"

"Naga will take the night watch, and I'll switch with Raz after teaching him... he's not good at teaching."

"Understood."

I went into the tent to wake Naga for the switch.

Just in case... I secretly activated a composite magic barrier. It will prevent anyone not in the tent from entering...

I feel bad that Leonis won't be able to enter, but this is the best way to keep it hidden.

Naga is looking at me, so I put my finger to my lips and smiled, showing him a note.

"The barrier is up. If anything happens, run into the tent."

Naga nodded and left the tent, so he probably understood. I'll leave the note on my brother's sword... no, he might not see it. I'll roll it up. That way, he should notice it by the oddness.

...If something happens, I might be the only one in danger.

But my brother and Naga are strong. Leonis will intervene before they can be defeated. I can confidently say that Leonis won't turn against us.

However... if Lord Raz's group isn't united, I need to increase my own value to avoid being discarded... I need to think about that.