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[In any case, this phenomenon was not confirmed before the new floor had been discovered so…]
The red-haired woman crosses her arms.
She took a glance towards her comrades.
[My Drunken Sword Party is more important for me than some reward… we’re not going to go further as long as this weird situation is in this ruins. I’m sorry, but we’re going back now. I guess, for now… we’ll wait and see.]
The tanned man nodded a bit towards the red-haired woman and turned towards me.
[If you were to meet other mercenaries, could you tell them about this as much as possible? Well, it’s actually up to you what you would do from now on, but I think that we still need to know what this weird situation really is.]
[I understand.]
[It may be just me being meddlesome, but I recommend for you to go back to the upper levels too. Well, I think you should leave the investigation to the private soldiers of old man Harclay.]
I modestly smiled towards him.
[Thank you for your concern.]
[By the way… Are you venturing through the ruins alone? It looks like your luggage is quite light…]
As expected, it must have been strange to be alone around this floor huh.
Moreover, the only visible equipment I’m carrying is just a dagger and a small hammer.
[No, I have some friends with me.]
I point towards my bag.
[I’m the one who dismantles the monster materials and carries them in my bag. However, it seems that I’ve gotten lost as I was escaping from a monster… before I knew it, I was already at this level.]
In case that they would ask, I guess I’ll just mention Mist’s name to them.
Fortunately though, they didn’t ask for the name of this friend of mine.
[Ah, so that’s why. That had happened before. While they’re escaping from monsters, they would find themselves straying towards a floor more difficult than they could. And, what would you do now? Are you going to the upper floors with us?]
[Thank you very much, but just the thought is enough. I just can’t leave my friends behind.]
The mercenaries exchanged glances between themselves.
“What should we do?” or so what their eye contact seems to say.
[I understand. However, don’t push yourself too hard, okay?]
[Yes.]
[I’m sorry, but I can’t afford enough time to help you find your friends right now. Well— this might sound terrible, but I don’t think there’s really any reason for us to think about others in this kind of situation.]
[No no. It’s enough for me that you had told me about this incident.]
The Drunken Sword Party began to leave.
I turned my feet towards the 14th floor.
Pigimaru peeped out from under my clothes.
[Pii?]
[Ah, yeah… these “abnormalities” that they’re talking about was actually the corpses of the monsters that I had killed with my skills.]
As expected, it’s not possible for me to easily handle their corpses and disguise the true cause of death.
There’s also numerous monsters that I had encountered from the upper floors.
In other words, can I say that the raid has become easier for me?
If the story about this incident were to spread towards the upper floors, the number of mercenaries that would descend further should decrease.
Then, the possibility of me getting into some unwanted trouble with other mercenaries has become lesser.
Since they had already noticed the effects of my skills, then there is lesser concern for me to hide the corpses.
[It may have just become more convenient for me now.]
* * *
I pass through the 14th floor without difficulty.
I heard that there are no traps in that floor.
I proceeded deeper into the 15th floor where a new floor had been discovered.
It’s just that, passages with a lack of pyroxenes began appearing more and more.
However, it’s not really that big of a problem.
Compared to my time at the Disposal Ruins, this should still be Heaven.
[I also have this with me.]
I take out the leather bag and inject magic energy within it.
Now that I’ve obtained a hemp bag and a backpack,
the interior of the leather bag have been relatively empty.
It had become quite easier for me to hold.
I’ve just entered the 15 floor and started to wander about. I didn’t immediately enter 16th floor and check out this new floor.
I check out the map that I’ve brought.
Fumu…
This 15th floor is spreading out to one side huh…
I see.
[It seems that I had found a hidden passage, huh.]
I continued to go forth.
Although it’s considerably lesser than the ones from the upper floors, there are still some pyroxene buried around here.
[That should be enough of a light sources in some places…]
I can’t feel the presence of other people anywhere.
I still continue further.
I also started filling up the gaps that have been in the map as I proceed.
Well, it’s not really necessary to fill in everything.
I will just fill in at the areas where I had went to.
Mapping places is only good when you have the composure to do that in the first place.
Kashak~
I’m also writing some simple notes on the map.
The monsters that I had encountered— I can’t write about that huh…
Speaking of which, there are some monsters that I don’t know what their official names are.
[Should I just give up on writing the description of the monster…]
Pigimaru kept on being vigilant as I was writing.
[Pigii!]
[Hmm?]
A protrusion came out from behind my neck.
I turned towards my back.
Scattered around behind my back, I could see the figures of multiple monsters.
They look like a herd of monster that looks like they’re half-horse, half-human.
[Hihiiieeeyyeeeaaahhhh—!!!]
I fired off my tried and tested combo.
The monsters were then paralyzed and poisoned.
There are no signs of them struggling.
They eventually died soon after as I walked away and left their corpses behind.
[Funnn…]
If you look through the legends about this place, there are no mountains nor valleys in this place.
[No. Let’s not accept those stories literally.]
[Pii.]
* * *
I got down two floors deeper already.
I’m now in the 17th floor.
The landscape that I had been seeing for quite some time are like those scenery you could find in a ruins.
I feel like I’m in a ruins dungeon.
I’ve also discovered what seems to be a residential area.
I entered one of the larger rooms in there and found a shelf containing precious metals.
Is this the belongings of a resident who used to be an archaeologist?
I’ve took all the small precious metals and jewels that I could carry.
I want to keep the space in the backpack just for monster materials.
Passing through the residential area, I went further deeper into the ruins.
Since the area I’ve been traversing on had been unexplored before, I wouldn’t be able to find any break rooms that mercenaries had set before.
If that is the case, will that residential area be my temporary home base for now?
I couldn’t find any room where they had these doors that could only be opened and closed by injecting magic energy.
I can’t even lock the doors.
&n
bsp; If that’s the case, I guess I’ll just have some sleep even if it’s just a bit light.
That’s what I had been thinking but—
[Hmm?]
I arrived at a passageway where there’s quite a tall ceiling.
When I was about to reach the end, I could see the figure of a really splendid gate.
There must be something behind this gate…
As for my weariness… well, I’m still fine.
[…Let’s go.]
There’s no use in just standing still in here.
I stood in front of the door.
Exerting power unto both of my hands,
I push the door wide open.
I immediately swerved to the side and hid behind a wall.
It’s dangerous to just step in and expose myself to the enemy.
I need to keep an eye out and observe the enemy first.
I still remember that bitter experience when I was suddenly struck by a laser by the Soul Eater…
I carefully look into the room.
The air around the place is quite dusty.
The structure of the place kind of looks like you’re somehow inside a temple.
There are pyroxene that were neatly arranged on the walls.
They make a beautiful contrast between the black wall and the white light.
Were these pyroxenes placed here by human hands?
At the back of the room, there’s a stone statue of a humanoid dragon that could be seen (though I can’t really see the expression it’s making).
A large stone statue.
Hmm?
Wait a minute?
A humanoid dragon statue?
A room that had something that looks like an altar and a stone statue of a humanoid dragon within it—
[…………]
I look at the altar in the back of the room.
There was a Sakazuki that was neatly placed in the center of the altar.
I can feel some kind of majestic aura from the Sakazuki.
(PR/N: Sakazuki are flat saucer-like sake cups commonly used in ceremonies)
You can even say that this Sakazuki is enshrined.
There were some glittering gems that were embedded in the outer surface of the Sakazuki.
These gems kind of looks like they’re precious stones.
These gems kind of reminds me of reptile eyes…
That means…
[Is that the Dragon Eye Sakazuki?]
It seems that I have arrived at where the target of this raid’s recruitment is.
Chapter 57
The Value of the Treasure
I step into the room.
I can’t feel the presence of any monster.
As for Pigimaru— well, he also didn’t make any particular reaction.
It’s fine for now, but…
I move in front of the altar.
I look up towards the stone statue that’s suspended near the wall.
It may be just a premonition but…
[This statue would probably move.]
If you had got in touch with the stories in modern Japan, you would most probably have expected it already.
Those mechanisms that would begin to move the moment that you get your hand on the treasure.
This gimmick is really common in role-playing games.
This stone statue is absolutely suspicious.
…………
Should I do the first strike against it instead?
I extend my arm towards the stone statue.
[
Suddenly— The stone statue began to change color from the top of his head to its clavicle.
[Pii? Pii!]
Pigimaru began reacting to it.
Life began appearing and could be visible on the scales on its skin.
Immediately after that, I could visible feel its presence as its killing intent began gushing forth towards me.
[—Giieeegggeee, shhhiiiyyyaaahhhh!]
However, it’s already too late.
[Ouh—oogggeeehh!?]
The monster have already been paralyzed.
Is it perhaps the influence of paralysis?
Its change in color stopped halfway.
Next should be… applying poison.
Pokopoko…
Pokkooo…
[Gyyoooohhh, gueeeehhhh…!?]
The top part of the gigantic humanoid dragon’s body, the part that had turned into flesh earlier, became dyed in poison.
[Gigiieeehhh…!]
It’s change in color also stopped halfway.
It looks like its head is trying to squirm about.
It seems like it’s frantically trying to release something out of its mouth but…
The more it moves while it’s paralyzed, the closer it would be towards its death.
Bushhaaahh!
Bushhuuu!
Blood began spouting out of the ears and the mouth of the humanoid dragon.
This phenomenon only occurs when someone tries to forcefully move even when they’re paralyzed.
[Googguueee…]
Bucchiiii!
The part above his clavicle began cracking down into pieces.
The head with its tongue sticking out began tumbling over in the floor.
Crack…
Rattle…
The remaining parts of the stone statue also began crumbling.
Stones over varying sizes were scattered about on the floor.
Is the guardian of this treasure that so-called gargoyle?
It’s one of those monster-based traps where the nearby statues would suddenly move when someone does something.
[Speaking of those who conceals themselves as a stone statue, the Soul Eater was one of them, right? However, it’s good that this monster doesn’t have something like an Automatic Interception System like the Soul Eater had…]
It would have been really troublesome.
If this monster doesn’t have something I could take advantage of like that hobby of the Soul Eater where it bullies the weak, then I feel like couldn’t win against it.
[And, this should be—]
I pick up the Dragon Eye Sakazuki.
[Is this the centerpiece of this event?]
It’s a silver cup.
The silver color on its surface would sometimes look purple depending on the angle of where you’re looking at.
These golden jewels were the one who imitates the dragon’s eyes huh…
The stem part of the Sakazuki kind of resembles a dragon’s forefoot.
This dragon forefoot is designed to be holding the cup part of the Sakazuki from the bottom.
I wiped the slightly dirty surface of the Sakazuki with my sleeve.
Its glossy surface now reflects the light that the pyroxene have been giving off.
[This is quite beautiful.]
With its size, I could probably take it home with me.
Now then, what should I do?
[Hmm?]
[Piii!]
There’s the presence of someone behind my back.
As I turn around, I quickly hid my body behind the altar.
At the same time as I’m evacuating— I held out my arm.
However, I haven’t activated my abnormal state skill.
[…So, it’s you.]
A familiar face now stands in front of the gate.
I thought that I had some wonderful opportunity after that rumor about an “abnormality” lurking around in this ruins…
Or did she also continue in the raid because she also took the opportunity just like I did?
It seems that the person who entered the room also recognized me.
I could see that some of her alertness have become lower.
[So, it’s you.]
It was Mist Barkas.
* * *
Aside from the clothes she’s wearing, Mist was only equi
pped with just a forehead protector and bracers.
I can’t see any armor on her body.
Did she take it off before?
There are some light that were gathering in her forehead protector.
The light looks kind of like mercury as it flows about on her forehead protector.
Is that what she’s using as a substitute for lighting?
The light on Mist’s forehead is slowly weakening.
Now, her slender figure were illuminated on by the light of the underground pyroxene.
How should I say this?
She doesn’t fit in this monster-filled underground ruins.
She’s seems like one of those people who dons her dress while she walks through the Royal Palace.
Mist’s eyes fluttered as she looked down.
She grasped her left arm with her right hand.
It’s like she’s trying to suppress the emotion that’s about to burst out.
Her expression looks like she’s kind of depressed.
[Since the other mercenaries have been turning back, I thought that I would be the first one to arrive here but…]
It seems that she knows of this “incident” too.
However, it seems that she still continued on her raid despite the risk that she would face huh…
Her brows furrowed as she looked towards me.
She smiled, but it looks kind of forced.
Her voice also sounds a bit unreliable.
I stayed still for a bit as I waited for her vague reproach.
[It seems that I was still a bit naive in how I see things huh… Taking a rest just because I had some bit of trouble after encountering a group of monsters… Well, it seems that it had slowed down the speed of my raid.]
Is she admonishing herself?
It looks like she’s trying to blame herself because she lacks some power.
Fumu…
[If you need this Sakazuki, should I give it to you?]
[Eh?]
Mist looked up and turned towards me.
Her face looks like she’s quite stunned by my words.
[What did you just…?]
[I’ll give this to you if you need it that much.]
[W- What do you want in exchange?]
[Exchange for this?]
[I could give you 300 gold coins in exchange, umm… That’s all I can offer right now but—]
Mist’s line of sight began lowering down towards her lower body.
She gently put her hand towards the scabbard of the sword hanging on her waist.
[This sword, I think you might be unfamiliar with this too… but you should be able to get about 300 gold coins for this. Hati-dono, what can I do so that you would accept this exchange?]
