Sousetsuka

Chapter 104 Sea Vacation (4)

 

Brush, brush, Chief Seacat is brushing her face against me.
It's impossible to defeat her now that she's gotten attached to me! In order to ascertain just how things come to this, I plan to establish a contract with Differing Soul Telepahty.

"So yeah, I want you to form a contract with me and become a magical cat girl (physically)."

Unyan?

Chief Seacat tilted her head in confusion. Um okay, sorry, just messing with you owwww? Mitama-san, please stop pulling my cheek. Owowowowow.

Tettere~♪ Chef Seacat submitted

Ah, this means OK.
Then I've gotta give her a name. But, a cat-like name... I've gone and used Tama already.
Umu, Nyan*-sensei or Ki*i would be too shoddy... I look around to search for hint. Futsuno, Mitama, Kagura... Dance? Speaking of dance... Ame-no-Uzume?
How about Uzume!?

Nyaan!

Tettere~♪ Uzume acquired Etania Common Language.

She learned fast!

"Uzume, can you talk now? Why were you marching with so many seacats?"

Uzume nodded. This kitten is really clever.

"We, tried, to, cross, over, the, sea..."

From her disjointed speech, turns out these cats are not dungeon-borne monsters, they come from outside to look for a place to live at.
Uzume had been here since she was little, then some times after she settled in, she saved a young beached Kraken. That Kraken appeared to be relatively intelligent as well (apparently monsters with high intelligence can sometimes be spotted in a dungeon, per Eleanor-san), and they became fast friends that went beyond races.
After a while, Uzume got to be in charge of a pack of seacats while continuing a symbiotic relationship with the Kraken.
However, that Kraken suddenly went mad a little while ago and started going on a rampage. Its behavior changed, from hunting only prey it required to live to eating down everything in sight, it even started going for Uzume's pack. Left with no other choice, they abandoned their dwelling and began a wandering life, that was when they cornered a Maguros after a hard struggle. But then, I went and cut it up when it got away from them with space warp. They came this far to get back at me for snatching their prey.

True enough, there's quite a lot of thin looking seacats here and there. It's not like I'm against keeping them, but I don't think it's good to shut these active sea cats, not to mention the food expense.
Meaning, we've got to settle the matter upstream.

"So err, I know that we're in vacation and all, but I just can't bear to leave these kittens alone, mind if I do something about the Kraken for a spin?"

"...Everyone knew you would say that, Nobu."

"Yeap yeap, I mean I cannae' say no to these round eyes of 'em either."

"It's just, please don't push yourself too hard since Nobusada-san always manages to put himself in harm's way whenever you do this."

"Listen to her, Nobu-chan. Turn around and run right away if you think it's bad okay~. If it seems hopeless, we'll all think together about taking these kittens home with us~."

Even Sefi-san... Oh geez, they're all such dependable wives!

Huh? I don't see Kagura-san anywhere.

"M-milord... Please save me nojaaa."

Buho. She's being swarmed by kittens turning into a cat's paw behind Sefi-san.

They all immediately dispersed with Uzume's cry, but man, lil' girl Kagura-san's got to face so many dangers in life.


<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >



So yeah, I've gone all the way to the far side. By making use of a new composite version of all high-speed magic, [<<Flight System>>], I arrived at Uzume's former dwelling in no time. I put Uzume on my shoulder during the flight since she looked like she was struggling to keep up with my speed halfway through.
Uzume got down on the sea surface and dived in. Looks like she's looking for that Kraken in question.
Guess I'll look with Space Grasp myself.

Found it!

There's one big thing. Its body alone is about five meters long. Double that size if we include its legs. Will this thing get even bigger with age? I could just imagine a huge Kraken coming out of the dungeon if this is left alone. Let's ask Eleanor-san later what happens then if that becomes a reality.

I can't use [Space Camouflage] in unison with [<<Flight System>>] due to some sort of compatibility issues, so I come closer slowly and confirm the situation with Discerning-sensei from a distance.

Once I got close enough to catch it with bare eyes, I saw it restraining a huge turtle that looked like it would fit right in Urashima Tarou's story, the Kraken was about to chew its head. OH, it's a Kaijuu clash! I have Uzume back off just in case. Can't let her get dragged in this.

High Kraken
HP: 346/1022 - MP: 139/388
State: Mana Water Deficiency, Debilitated
An evolved Kraken monster. As one of the possible evolutions, its size is small compared to ordinary Krakens, however it's highly intelligent and even capable of speech. They can cast magic and are feared as devils of the sea by sailors.

What the heck?

Its state is clearly weird. Its HP and MP would recover every time it bit on the turtle, but then they would immediately decrease. And that keeps repeating ad infinitum. Is it like when you've got food poisoning and on IV yet can't stop eating?
If I can just find out the cause of this phenomenon, perhaps I can turn back its sense.

I tried to deploy Discerning-sensei to find out the cause, but since the Kraken is so far deep down inside the sea, it's not going too well.

Guess I've got to get closer?

Right when I thought that. Something slippery is wrapping my legs. Taken by surprise, I ended up getting entangled in no time. Due to the shock, I lost control of [<<Flight System>>], undoing it.

Objection! No one's gonna cheer seeing a man getting entangled in tentacles!!

Putting my strength into it does nothing, can't get away at all. Feels like they're gluing harder even. Fine then, eat my magic!

"Repulsion!"

A repulsion force got generated with me in the center, repelling the Kraken's tentacles away. Uwoo, my whole body is all sticky, gross.
And since the force is spherical shaped, I'm floating above the sea. I immediately switched to [<<Flight System>>] and got away from the hotbed of tentacled area.

Once the stickiness and fear settled down, I got my composure back and resumed my observation when I noticed something wrong in the surroundings. It's overflowing with abnormally high magic essence. Almost feels like the small room where a boss spawns. The glittering lights on the sea surface is not only due to light reflecting, I believe it's also due to magic essence drifting in the sea. Don't quote me on that though!

I hurriedly look at High Kraken, and see its MP gradually decreasing.

That means. Mana is leaking out of the High Kraken, and to compensate for that, it's chasing down prey like crazy. Meaning the cause is... won't know without getting closer to the main body past those tentacles.

Now then, I've got to make it stop moving, and my usual M.O. for restrain would be.

Air Bind -> Doesn't work in the water!
Graviton -> It's just gonna plunge it deeper in the water, game over!

Figured~.

Now then, what to do here...






Previous Chapter

14





<Vega> was in <Jade's Restaurant> again that night.

As Lecan started drinking early, Cozwolth dropped by.

"Yo, Lecan!"

"Hey."

"HAHHAHHAHHAHHA. Ya from dungeon?"

"Yea. Got back this noon. Taking a break for three days from tomorrow."

"We're divin' in tomorrow ourselves. Gonna take it easy this time, planning to explore for five days."

"Don't you guys use dungeon inns?"

"Those're no good. Stayin' there throw off the tension. Also, a waste of time."

"Agreed."

"I see! Knew you got it."

"S'cuse me, passing through. Are you Lecan?"

"Yea."

"I'm Nuru. Healer of <Azcariz>. I heard you can use <High Recovery>?"

"Yea."

"Wut? Lecan. Ain'tcha a swordsman."

"I am."

"Why in the hell could a swordsman use frigging <High Recovery>?"

"Beats me."

"I was a bit skeptical myself, but there's no point for Veta telling a lie, is there. So is the girl over there, Eda then?"

"Yes."

"Oh you're so cute. Forget adventurer, you look like a perfectly 14-year old girl. Can't believe you've got to floor 31 with that face of yours."

"Floor 31?? Yer' jokin' right. Lecan just got to this town the other day."

"Think we first saw you on the 24th of month five. We just arrived at this town that day."

"<Jaira> had beaten the dungeon boss that day, the dungeon went dormant for five days. So ya mean they went from floor 1 to floor 31 in just ten days? That's absurd."

"Absurd whatever, it's a fact that they saved <Jaira> guys and some young adventurers from getting beaten to death by a spider on floor 31, on top of that Lecan and Eda even saved the lives of eight seriously injured peeps with <High Recovery>."

"<High Recovery>? This big burly man, and this lil' girlie?"

"Big man, you're the last person he'd want to hear that from."

"HAHHAHHAHHAHHA. But whoa, two <High Recovery> users in a party eh? That's damn enviable."

"So you see, Lecan. According to the story, you two cast <High Recovery> on eight people. And some even had several retakes. And yet you didn't drink even a piece of blue potion. How are able to keep your mana up?"

"I'd like to say I won't divulge my ability, but well, got a small magic stone?"

"Eh? Ah, will this do?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Good enough. Watch this."

Lecan absorbed the magic stone on his palm, making it lose its shine.

"<Absorption> huh. I knew it. I had an inkling that would be it. But this means you can use body type <Recovery> on top of special type <Absorption> then? And you call yourself a swordsman? That's a foul play you know. Huh wait? You didn't do preliminary casting just now, did you?"

"It's a secret."

Lecan handed back the emptied magic stone to Nuru.

Apparently, preliminary casting is to be expected when you absorb mana from a magic stone. Nuru didn't seem to mind too much about it since she was drunk, but Lecan decided not to absorb mana from magic stones in public in the future.

"Thanks for the treat."

"Oh please don't be so cold now. If you teach me, I'll treat you to something even better."

Nuru pressed her voluptuous breasts on Lecan as she said that.

"Oy, Nuru."

"Leave me alone."

"Not that. That."

Someone just entered through the front door, it's <Jaira>'s swordsman, Kagaru.

Kagaru went straight to Lecan and presented a bag he brought with him.

"We owed you one today."

That he would come at this timing must mean that he had given tips to the restaurant to inform him when Lecan had come.

"Yea."

"<High Recovery> costs five gold coins at the temple in this town. Since you cast it on four <Jaira> members and four <Pezan Toorzam> members, I brought four big gold coins. Accept it."

"Sure."

Lecan took and immediately put the bag in his overcoat's pocket without looking inside.

"Bye."

"Yea."

Kagaru left <Jade's Restaurant> with that short parting word.

"Heard <Jaira> guys poured lotsa money at the temple when their recovery user Doren was dying."

"Yes. Rumor said they got <Purification> cast on him."

"What. Is there a <Purification> user at the temple here?"

"That's not something anyone's privy of. But they apparently did ask the help of the best healer."

"Must be expensive."

"You can't even imagine. But Doren couldn't be saved in the end."

"Kagaru's got it real rough."

"He sure is. By the way, I just noticed, if it isn't Heles-chan sitting over there."

"I have been in your care."

"Really sorry about that. I really was on board of you joining, you know."

"No. I'm aware just how unreasonable I was being. Painfully so."

"Oh hearing that takes some loads off my shoulders. So now you're hiring Lecan-chan then. How'd you manage to find such a good man anyway?"

"I did not employ him. I'm merely acting as a temporary member of his party."

"Hee? But you guys are aiming for the lowest floor right?"

"Lecan-dono has no intention to at this point of time. However, I'm betting on the slightest possibility of Lecan-dono setting his sights on the lowest floor."

"Oh really. I hope it goes well for you. Ufun. Lecaan. Put me in once you're done with Heles-chan, okay. You can even put in me."

"Whoa, hey now, yer' talking nonsense. Ya drunk?"

"I am. Why would anyone not drunk in this restaurant."

After a while, Falcan the dual blade, <Azcariz>'s leader came by and dragged away the drunkard lady.

The next day, Lecan brought Heles with him visiting several stores to sell mats. The store owners were shocked to see him selling complete intact legs, but they paid handsomely for those.

They got 132 gold coins in total. 33 gold coins per person.

And since the sum from the missing magic stones had become insignificant by this point, Lecan split the amount for four evenly.

He also gave half of the four big gold coins to Eda.

Eda went into raptures and declared that she would go shop for clothes.






Previous Chapter

13





Eda fell pensively silent.

The thing about <Pezan Toorzam> and <Jaira> must be weighing on her mind.

Exploring the dungeon at her state of mind is dangerous.

Lecan thought about stopping their expedition short and going back to the surface, but that would turn her prone to running away. She'd want to retreat into her shell whenever she faces a stumbling block, or gets involved in something that corners her mind. Only road to ruin awaits when you can't run away anymore then. He's got to press ahead, even for a step, here.

"Eda."

"Un?"

"Forget about it."

"U-un."

"Guess that's asking too much."

"I feel so bad for them. Both <Pezan Toorzam> and <Jaira>."

"Right."

Her ability to empathize with others is Eda's virtue, a virtue that has saved Lecan's life.

Hence, he won't deny it.

"Had we taken <Pezan Toorzam> along with us on this floor, what do you think would happen?"

"Eh? Won't you get it done in no time at all, Lecan?"

"What would <Jaira> do in that case?"

"Eh? They're gonna, umm. I dunno."

"They'd come along too."

"Eh. Why?"

"Us, <Willard> haven't done anything that warrants any merit in this dungeon."

"Un."

"However, <Jaira> has glowing achievements and reputation to uphold."

"Un."

"That <Jaira> left a job they had taken upon themselves to some newbies with a dubious background, completely washing their hands off the matter. Can they really do that?"

"I-I guess they can't."

"<Jaira> wouldn't be able to keep their face until they proved themselves superior to us <Willard>. This group of people follow us around from behind. What are they gonna do?"

"D-dunno."

"They might do something, they might not. In other word, we would be facing magic beasts in front of us while a group of skilled adventurers with unpredictable behaviors are behind us. Don't you think that's dangerous?"

"It is, I think."

"And even though <Pezan Toorzam> might look calm on the surface, they had just lost two of their friends. They must be shaken to the core. We can't predict how people in that state would act. <Jaira>'s mage seemed awfully shaken as well."

"Now that you mention it."

"Exploring a dungeon while babysitting those two parties is simply unfeasible. Also, a mistake on our side could mean the total annihilation of <Pezan Toorzam>, even <Jaira> wouldn't get out of it unscathed."

"Un."

"In other word, accepting that request could potentially lead to the death or injuries of many people from three parties. But now, no one would die since we didn't take it."

"I see. So that's how it is."

"Eda."

"Un."

"If you become an adventurer, you'll come across pitiable people. You can't fight magic beasts if that makes your mind waver. You'd die."

"U-un."

"A heart that sympathizes with others is worthy of praise. But you must leave it behind when you're exploring. Otherwise, it'd lead to your death."

"Un. Got it."

(That might have been too forceful.)

(Wonder if that was enough to slightly alter Eda's view on things.)

Lecan is bad at expressing his beliefs.

What important is how harsh this world called dungeon. Eda has to experience it firsthand in all its coldness and mercilessness.

That's exactly why Lecan didn't accept Kagaru's request. He could not afford to.

'We're strong, this dungeon is a piece of cake, even with extra baggage like these people are, traveling through this floor is easy peasy', anyone who harbors such train of thoughts will not survive dungeons. 

Death is constantly lying in ambush even when you've made your baggage at its lightest and yourself at the apex, that's just how it is with dungeons.

Additionally, you should never agree to a proposal or a plea for help by someone with unknown motives inside a dungeon. Something Lecan had to learn the rough ways many times over.

If Eda finds herself in a similar situation in the future, and rejects the other party's idea because she recalls Lecan's attitude today, that's a success.

In reality, just taking <Pezan Toorzan> along without <Jaira>'s accompaniment by firmly declining them wouldn't be that dangerous.

However, doing that would likely cause Eda to wrongly consider that it's okay to help people in this kind of situation.

How Lecan didn't want to show his ability was a factor, but he absolutely could not accept Kagaru's request, so it wouldn't put the wrong idea in Eda's head.

"All right. Arios. Heles. Kept you waiting. It's time to fight."

"A moment please."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"What."

"We should decide on our formation."

"Formation?"

"Indeed. Stand by positions, turns to go on offensive. And other things like which techniques to use, we should decide on those properly."

"Useless."

"It is not useless. Formations and coordinations are the basic of the basics in the knights."

"Forget the knights' practice here. That's not how you coordinate in a dungeon."

"No uh. The Royal Knights are applying that in Dungeon Finkel even now."

"Heles-san."

"Arios-dono. Please tell him."

"You can't do that."

"What?"

"Since when did you have the authority to order Lecan-san around?"

"It's not an order. I'm just putting forward a suggestion."

"Planning formations and tactics is indeed the basic of group battle."

"Isn't it. No doubt about it."

"But that is a standardized way of mobilization applied to any opponent, a general purpose coordination borne out of necessity to make it workable on any unit, any situation and any knight. I admit that it is indeed highly practical, however. One thing for sure, the formation employed by knights works under the assumption it will be deployed in a group vs group fight."

"And what's wrong with that."

"Who knows? Don't ask me. However, Eda-san and I are here to learn what lies beyond that from Lecan-san. If you have a problem with it, kindly leave this party right away."

Heles had a sullen look on her face for a moment when she heard the usually amicable Arios's unexpected harsh talk down. However, she breathed in deeply before speaking again.

"Lecan-dono. Please pardon me. I shall abide by your commands."

The party had been walking ahead even while they were having that entire discussion, but then Lecan stopped.

"There's a magic beast beyond this rock. I'll rush on ahead frontally. Arios, you're to the right, Heles to the left. Eda, start by shooting some arrows at the magic beast from outside the sand pit. You're also in charge of healing. Let's go."

"Yes."

"Wai-"

Lecan charged in right after he said that. Arios followed right behind him. Heles had a late start. Since Eda wasn't even in position when Lecan rushed out, she hurriedly took up her bow but she had missed her timing by then.

Lecan blocked the dissolving liquid with his shield and struck a hit on the spider's head. The instance the spider stopped moving, Arios cut off a joint on its left leg.

Followed by a blow to its head by Lecan, killing the magic beast.

Lecan cut off the remaining seven legs of the spider at the joints, and put them inside <Storage>.

He scooped out the two eyes and put them in <Storage> as well.

He cut up the abdomen, grabbed the venom sac inside, put it in a bag exclusive for sacs, and stowed it away in <Storage>.

"No, err, Lecan-dono. Just what's up with that <Box> anyway. How is that even a <Box> anyway?"

"Told you, quit asking."

There's some good news.

The magic stone taken from this magic beast was quite a bit larger.

Enough to be called a large magic stone.

From here on is a treasure trove of large magic stones.

They continued to fight many battles. Since Eda was ready during the second battle onward, she'd shoot an arrow at spiders' abdomen before Lecan got to it, drawing their attention.

Since Lecan kept suddenly rushing out, it always turned into a confused melee. Heles got hit several times, injuring her. Lecan got splashed by the dissolving liquid many times over as well, scalding his face and throat.

Both of which were fully healed by Eda's <Recovery>.

"Lecan-dono. I won't complain about your commands, but could you please stop swinging that huge sword horizontally. It's awfully dangerous."

"Dodge it."

"You're asking the impossible."

They kept battling without having lunch until afternoon, defeating the giant variants in the end.

Ten ordinary variants worth of two giant variants. No treasure chest popped up.

"Alright. This concludes our expedition this time. We'll be taking a three day break starting tomorrow. Rest your body well. Heles. Tomorrow we're selling the mats. You're coming too. Great job, everyone. Wash your body, take a breather and then gather at <Jade's Restaurant>. I'll treat you all to dinner like usual. Order everything you want and stuff yourself full."






Previous Chapter

12





"Two users of <High Recovery> eh. <Willard> is quite a blessed party."

Swordsman Kagaru, <Jaira>'s leader told Lecan so.

<High Recovery> is the advanced form of <Recovery>.

Some people interpret elementary level <Recovery> as <Heal>, intermediate as <Recovery> and advanced as <High Recovery>, or so Shira told him once before.

"Kagaru. We healed Veta at her behest, then we got another request from her and you to defeat the magic beast and fix you guys up."

"Yeah. We owe you a huge one. You really saved our hide there. I mean, you even healed up those horrible wounds. Not even temple coulda handled that."

"We can expect suitable rewards for this, no?"

"Of course. Which inn you guys're staying at."

"The inn is just for sleeping, just come to <Jade's Restaurant>. We often have dinner there while in town."

"Got it. You guys are pretty loaded eh. No surprise there though."

This floor is indeed popular with adventurers, there's eight other parties besides <Jaira> and <Pezan Toorzam> exploring this floor right now. One of those parties was fighting nearby and Lecan's group happened to pass by them on their way back to the entrance, that party asked about what had occurred then.

Since they couldn't lie about it, Kagaru told them about the gist of things.

Rumors of <Jaira>'s failure completing a quest would spread through the grapevine in no time now.

"Hey so, Lecan. I've got something to ask you."

"I'll lend an ear at least."

"Can you guys create this floor's <Mark> for our <Pezan Toorzan> folks here? You get three gold coins for this quest. I'll pay for it."

"I refuse."

"Don't say that, at least hear me out."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"I don't need to."

"<Pezan Toorzam> had the <Mark> of floor 19. We went straight to this floor from that floor in order to create the <Mark> here. It should have been finished by now if not for that accident."

"I don't care about your circumstances."

"We've used up all our potions, poison and food you see, we can't continue this expedition."

"You guys must have the Mark on this floor. Let <Pezan Toorzam> stand by outside this floor while you guys, or some of you go buy supplies outside."

"Lecan. I'm sure you understand. Our party just got a thorough beating. We're in no condition to 'fite right now."

"Not my problem."

"I'll pay ya five big gold coins."

"I refuse."

"But you guys just got to this floor yourselves. Meaning you're gonna travel through this floor anyway, yeah? You just gotta take <Pezan Toorzam> with you. Then you're gonna get five big gold coins just like that. Ain't that easy money."

"I don't think so."

"Heles. Won'tcha speak for us. Hold it. I see now. Lecan, Heles must have hired ya with money. She must be. Then, Heles. I'm asking you. Five big gold coins. Take these four adventurers with you. Ya got nothin' to lose anyway."

"Kagaru. I have paid nary a penny to Lecan. Neither am I Lecan's client. Lecan is in this dungeon out of his own will, and I'm permitted to temporarily join them in exchange for providing information about this dungeon. Lecan is in charge of deciding everything about the expedition. That's what we've agreed upon."

"Lecan. I beg of you."

"I refuse."

"Kagaru-san. Sorry for going so far for us. No one would have died if not for my reckless action, and we would have this quest wrapped up without problem."

"Toris."

"This whole mess was all caused by us, so it's only natural that Lecan-san is unwilling to take us with them. Besides, now that our party is down to four, we can't do much even if we get a <Mark>. Since this accident was caused by our, the client's, inability to follow orders, the reward money we have left at the association is your party to take."

"We can't accept that."

"We will be taking a break for a while before starting afresh. Kagaru-san. We're truly in your debt. The fact that <Jaira> suffered no casualty was the silver lining in this cloud."

"Hold it, Toris."

"We shall head back above ground. Please don't worry about seeing us off since this place is right by the entrance. If you'd excuse us."

The four surviving members of <Pezan Toorzan> left floor 31 like they were fleeing.
<TLN: Mistranslated a line in previous chapter. There were two deaths.>

Swordsman Kagaru was glaring hard at Lecan with eyes full of grudge, but Lecan left the place while pretending he didn't notice. Eda, Arios and Heles followed after him.

Kagaru didn't didn't say a parting word as they left.

Nor did glaive wielder Takuto and shield user Mazz.

Veta the mage raised her hand to salute at them.

Leaving the spot was Lecan's way of showing sympathy. Once Lecan's group is gone, <Jaira> can gather materials from the dead Octocular Great Spider's body.

Lecan understood Kagaru's position.

<Jaira> holds the track record as a triple conqueror of Dungeon Ninae, they have a reputation to uphold.

Yet, they have let two of their clients die and even failed the quest, regardless of the circumstances. Their reputation will crash down at this rate. With them currently lacking manpower, this is exactly the crucial time to defend their reputation.

Thus why they tried to push the quest to Lecan by paying him a large sum. If Lecan got this floor's <Mark> for <Pezan Toorzam>, their quest would be considered a success. They would get rewards from <Pezan Toorzam> as well. Would be short of two big gold coins ultimately, but that's far better than completely losing face.

Lecan understood their position well. He understood and yet refused their plea.

Kagaru was quite persistent, but that was not for the sake of <Pezan Toorzam>, it was for <Jaira>'s, it was for his own sake.

Lecan declined the request since he didn't want his ability exposed. He may have reluctantly allowed Eda's <Recovery>, but Lecan absolutely has no intention to show off his ability.

(I was aware of Kagaru's circumstances.)

(I declined his request in spite of that.)

(Kagaru knew that I comprehended their circumstances.)

(He knew that I refused despite being aware of it.)

(They'll hold a grudge for sure.)

But he couldn't come up with an answer when he asked himself if there was a way out that would leave no grudge.

As such, Lecan stopped thinking about this matter.

He's got other things he needs to attend to right now.






Previous Chapter

10





It's not just smell of blood.

There's also sounds of ongoing battle.

Right next to where they are.

The three who got on the floor after Lecan also immediately sensed it and got on their guard.

A lone adventurer unsteadily ran out of a gap between pointy rocks.

They approached Lecan's party when they noticed them before finally tumbling down.

Their body is full of wounds and blood.

"Veta?"

Looks like it's someone Heles knows.

Eda ran up to the fallen adventurer and looked at Lecan.

She must be asking if she could cast <Recovery>.

Lecan shook his head.

"H-help."

Half of their face has melted with smoke rising out of it. Their body is full of wounds and blood. It's a woman. Right half of her long hair has been tragically melted down. Remains of a hat are sticking to it. She would have been worse off had not for the hat.

Lecan swiftly took a large red potion and sprinkled it over the woman's face.

Her wounds slightly healed but that was it.

This woman most likely had used red potions already. And not just one piece, but two or even three. Red potions cannot help her anymore in this state.

"Eda. Cast <Recovery> on her."

"Yes. <Recovery>!"

Eda is capable of casting <Recovery> without preliminary casting time. Even Lecan cannot do that. Eda's <Recovery> casting speed rivals that of Lecan's <Flame Spear>.

The woman's face gradually gets restored. As for her hair, even though the intact part returned to its former beauty, the lost part didn't get back completely.

"What amazing Recovery power."

Heles was astounded.

Arios didn't say a word. Perhaps he recalled the time she saved his life as he was watching.

That Arios turned toward Lecan.

"Shall we go?"

"No. We won't come uninvited to where another party is engaged in a fight."

"E-everyone's, at, their limit. Can't fight anymore. Help. Save them."

Veta seemed to have overheard Lecan, she spoke thus. The woman possesses quite powerful mana.

"We've got a request. Let's go see how it looks there and help if the situation permits. If not we're withdrawing."

This spot is right near to the entrance, shaking off a pursuing magic beast would be simple.

Lecan proceeded through the gaps between pointed rocks.

The three followed behind him.

"<Deploy (Parshoot)>"

Lecan turned the <Shield of Wolkan> on his left hand back to its shield state.

The sounds of combat is becoming quieter.

They went further and reached a wide sand pit.

There's a gigantic Octocular Great Spider in the center of the sand pit.

It's a total mess.

Its right eye is gone, it's lost two of its left legs and one right leg.

Its abdomen has been gouged out as well.

However, it's still moving around.

Still brimming with battle lust, it's growling menacingly at the new intruders.

"Do you need a hand!"

Lecan shouted out loud.

A big male swordsman that was barely standing on his knees turned around and spoke to Lecan.

"Save us!"

"Got it."

Lecan rushed straight at the magic beast.

The magic beast spat out dissolving liquid at Lecan.

Lecan blocked that with his shield, jumped into the magic beast's bosom a moment later and strike down its head.

Its head that was supposed to be immune to blades was squashed flat, the joint on its head got half-torn apart.

The magic beast cried out as it crumbled down with liquid spraying out of the wound on its head.

"Eda. <Recovery> on these guys!"

"Yes!"

There were nine adventurers.

Two of them are clearly beyond saving.

As for the remaining seven, Eda took care of two who suffered grievous injuries while Lecan cast <Recovery> on those with minor injuries.

Minor injuries that would reap their lives if left unattended.

Both Lecan and Eda cast <Recovery> with the thin wands Shira gave them.

Fortunately, the seven surviving people managed to escape death.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

11





The female mage they met first was a member of <Pointed Rocks (Jaira)>.

<Jaira> was one of the top parties that has conquered Dungeon Ninae thrice, but they lost their <Recovery> user in their last expedition.

And yet they thought they were more than capable of taking on a quest to create <Mark> on floor 31 and undertook one from a six-man party, <Lost Dragons (Pezan Toorzam)>.

It should have gone without a hitch.

<Jaira> immediately engaged a spider they encountered right next to floor 31's entrance. While telling <Pezan Toorzam> members not to enter the sand pit beforehand.

<Jaira> steadily made a good progress in the battle, smashing one of the spider's eyes, cut down three of its legs, and got to a point where landing a finishing blow was all left to do.

The leader, shield fencer Kagaru dodged a venom spit the spider shot in desperation.

That venom flew past him and hit the leg of <Pezan Toorzam>'s leader, swordsman Toris.

They have no idea why Toris was in the sand pit.

Perhaps he thought he could be of some help.

Perhaps he wanted to take a good look on the magic beast his party would hunt from then on.

The reason was a mystery, but his action was unnecessary, the one thing he shouldn't have done.

The remaining five members of <Pezan Toorzam> rushed into the sand pit in order to help the screaming Toris.

Due to the sudden influx of intruders, the magic beast turned its target toward their party.

During their attempt to save the six young adventurers from their impending doom, the four members of <Jaira> broke their coordination.

Magic beasts boast offensive powers that far outstrip the defensive powers of a human adventurer party, the only reason a human-formed party could defeat magic beasts without suffering a huge loss is because they all work together following the proper protocol that prevents a magic beast from making full use of their power.

They were thrust straight into hell the instance that coordination and protocol were thrown out of the window.

Along, with <Pezan Toorzam> naturally.

They crawled out of that hell as Lecan's group entered the fray.








Previous Chapter

9





Everyone took it easy as they slept and woke up.

And then they lit up a campfire and took their time having breakfast.

They're finally entering floor 31.

From here on is the real Dungeon Ninae, according to Heles.

Even if the magic beasts they will encounter look the same as the ones they have seen up until this point, those should be regarded as altogether different things.

"Floor 31 to floor 35 have lesser Octocular Great Spiders, floor 36 to 40 have regular Octocular Great Spiders, and from below there to floor 44 have greater Octocular Great Spiders."

"You mean like those Octocular Great Spiders on floor tens?"

"They look similar, but their size belies their similarities. Right. I believe they're around three to five steps tall."

Floor 31 is structured like a sandpit with rocks sticking out of the ground, the view is not good.

As you slowly trek the paths between rocks, you'll occasionally come across spacious sand pits, with one Octocular Great Spider occupying each pit.

The spiders on floor 31 onward are very territorial, even though they don't invade other spiders' territories, they will persistently chase down all invaders that run away in the middle of a fight. As you will end up going into other spiders' sand pits by running away, you're practically left with nowhere to run.

"Attacks just don't work on them. Their head and legs are so tough, bladed instruments cannot cut through them. Their abdomen is jelly-like, you can use blades on that part, but it would either deal absolutely no damage or worse, your weapon could get stuck inside it."

"Fumu? You're saying there's no point attacking their abdomen?"

"Indeed. It might be possible to deal damage if only we had <Yacklubend Explosive Arrows>."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"How about magic attacks."

"Their head and legs repel light and heat magic. It does work on their abdomen, but they can move around just fine even with half of their abdomen missing. They'd die if an attack gets to the heart however."

"What's stopping you from hitting that heart with non-magic."

"Their heart is their weak point. But it's located high up so hitting it is a tall order. Their legs defend their flanks, while their long abdomen hinders an attack from the rear."

"How do parties who get here defeat them?"

"Most seem to employ the strategy of having someone lure a spider head-on, then another cut off one or two of its legs, and then someone with a long reaching weapon, like spears or glaives, go for its heart. Many also opt to shoot curse and poison arrows at those spiders' abdomen to slow them down."

"Weren't their legs tough?"

"There are slight gaps on the joints where blades can pass through. This applies to their neck too, you can find joints where blades work."

"I see."

"However, facing them head-on means dealing with their biting attacks, full body slams and their legs coming from the flanks. They even have deadly venom and dissolving liquid attack to add."

"What kind of dissolving liquid."

"It melts everything but metal. Even metal get slightly dissolved by it. Unless it's of very high quality metal. There is just no way to defend against this. Hence why red potions are indispensable to explore these floors. At any rate, only a shield warrior with good equipment should face those spiders head-on."

"Hou."

"And of course, if you stare at the four eyes on each of their sides, you'd suffer from headaches before succumbing to confusion."

"What's the carveable parts?"

"There's virtually no part of the spiders here that don't sell high. First of all, their eyes are the best catalyst for curse enchants. The head's exoskeleton works as a material for all kind of things including armor. The abdomen leather and legs also fetch for good prices. And most importantly, their venom. The <Deadly Venom> spewed by the spiders on floors below negates most poison resistances. If you could collect the venom sac way below their heart, or at least gather the spewed out venom, you would get some really nice return. Ah, and also."

"Hum?"

"There were barely any adventurers around up until this point, not the case from here on."

"Figured."

"Even though the enemies get progressively stronger as you go down, there's no huge difference in material quality up to floor 35. It's said that the rates of treasure chest spawning get better the lower the floor, but most people down here aren't here for treasure chests. By default, people flock on floor 31."

"Got it. We're going down now. Wear your armor."

Eda skillfully cleaned up the pan and plates.

Lecan put those as well as the still-burning firewood in his <Storage>.

"Really, just what's going on with that <Box>."

"Told you to quit asking that."

The party waited until Heles finished putting on her armor before going down the stairway.

The scenery on floor 31 came into view as they descended the stairs.

However, sounds nor smell don't get transmitted to where they are even if the scenery does.

Thus how Lecan failed to notice the abnormal situation occurring in the area near floor 31 entrance.

Lecan took <Sword of Agost> from <Storage> and put the scabbard back in. Then he set foot on floor 31.

At that exact moment, he detected a thick smell of blood drifting from somewhere nearby.








Previous Chapter

Chapter 103 Sea Vacation (3)

 

NYAAAAAAN

They avariciously run after the prey that has escaped their clutch. Relying on the faint smell of that prey as they run on the sea.
The smell suddenly disappeared just as it was getting weaker.
Unforgivable. Anyone who snatch their prey.
The glint in their eyes grew sharper as they looked at the direction of that smell, then they dashed out.







I went back to the beach, wiped Lunar Cat with magic water and began dismantling the tuna. I know how to roughly do it but no idea about the inside, so I'm groping around in the dark.
First of all, I cut off the gills and entrails. Since I have no clue what to use them for, I'm putting them in a stone bucket to mix up as fertilizer later.
Next I cut apart the joints and the head somehow.
Then I went for the dorsal fin, which was very hard. I managed to cut it off with some damage on the body.
I then cut it into two along the backbone and filleted the pieces, but it's so big and tough. I mean it even filled the entire kitchen table I made from stone to dismantle this thing.
Think I'll scrape off the meat on these bones and make some nakaochi donburi (raw meat on rice).
And now I just need to slice and dice it up. Oh ho, this one's quality piece, this one's medium-fatty piece. Nice~ it'll make for some good lard. Can't make sushi since I haven't been able to make rice vinegar, but this will do as a side dish. Aah, wish I had some wasabi.

As I was frantically handling the tuna, the girls had banded together watching me work with a serious look on their face.

"Wanna have a little taste?"

Can I really!? Everyone had that look on their faces.

"Try to dip a piece in soy sauce. Yup, it's good raw too."

They timidly carry their pieces to their mouth. You girls aren't eating carpaccio there, you know.
Once the red meat got in their mouth, "Nn~~~~~~", they started shaking with indescribable looks. I see it's to their liking. I can't even imagine just how much this kind of bluefin tuna would go for in Japan. Since I've got quite a lot, I'll share some for master and Boss-san.

"Let's all eat this together tonight, okay."

The girls looked dissatisfied for once. No err, didn't you girls just stuff yourself full you couldn't move. They finally relented after I told them that this would taste even better on an empty stomach.




Our vacation resumed after I was done with the time-consuming dismantling.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


"Ahaha, ufufu, you're a hundred years too early to win against me in water~"

The usually sluggish Sefi-san made her swift assault in the water.

"Kuh, who knew Sefi-san had this kind of hidden skill. 'K then you're asking 'fer it, I'm not gonna lose m'self."

Splash, splash, Futsuno-san pushed her way forward in the water.
They're having a huge water fight between adult team consisting of Eleanor-san and Sefi-san versus young team of Mitama, Futsuno-san and Kagura-san. All five are wearing paper target on their head as they engage in a confused melee.
As for me, I've been put on the prize stand, bound for some reason.
The victorious team is to be awarded dessert made by me.
That's the plan at least... but I was supposed to join in that kyakya ufufufu festival! They wrapped me up real good I can't even move an inch!!
I tried to flail around for a while before eventually giving up.
Yeah, I'd rather not miss everyone's charming figures.
Their healthy physiques flicking away sprays of waters are a sight for sore eyes.
Magic use is prohibited. Five beauties playing with water, splashing around. One of them is in lil' girl mode though.
They scoop out water shooting at each other's upper part. The adult team is lacking in manpower, but since Kagura-san is like that, they're perfectly balanced. Or not really, I thought they'd be in disadvantage, but Sefi-san's unexpected nimbleness proved highly challenging for the young team. I wonder if it's because Lamias are strong with water.
Though the young team have lots of levels under their belt, they were no match against Eleanor-san's physical prowess, she and Sefi-san worked together to snatch victory from the young team. Even though she didn't show any sign of using water magic, I'd overlook how it looked like she was controlling water.

I hadn't mention to the girls that Sefi-san had also liberated her second class. Since it would require divulging many things about her, it's presently a secret between me and Sefi-san.

Sefirot
Alchemist - Geomancer
『Alchemist - Water Mage - Wind Mage - Geomancer - Assassin - Doorkeeper (Home)』

That last one! That last one in particular!! Isn't that just a neet!?
No no, there's no way such an unworthy class exist in a fantasy world, right?
Geomancer isn't really a well known Class, it apparently lets you control stuff like water by possessing the mindset of 'feel, don't think'. In a sense, it's the perfect class for Sefi-san, won't say that out loud of course.

The secret prize, my body was presented to the adult team.
Since I felt bad if they didn't get the dessert, I made some grade-up stuff for the victorious team.






ScrapeScrapeScrapeScrapeScrapeScrapeScrapeScrape

What? Feels like I'm hearing sound of claws scraping against a pillar. But the girls don't seem to hear nor notice it. Which means something's up with the barrier?

Searching the surroundings with Space Grasp, I saw something small in the direction where I beat the tuna. Small things I've never seen before, can't make it out from here. There's quite a lot of them despite their size.


Slash Slash

Nuna!? The barrier got cut apart and those somethings invaded inside. How'd they cut it open so easily!?
That's weird, I mean this barrier even easily stopped Kagura-san's spear....

"All hands, attention please. Get away from the sea at once. Something has invaded the barrier. I'll meet them head on here, you girls go get your weapons."

"...I got it. We'll be back quick, don't push yourself."

I nodded and faced the sea ahead.
With just my trunks and Lunar Cat. I've raised my defense with Full Protection and Mana Clad. It's better than having water sticking to my clothes. 'Gan gon gan gon' I raised stone walls on the seashore to prevent them running past me.

Come now, show yourself up you unknown somethings!?


DODODODODODODODODODODODO

What then jumped into my view was.
A group of cats running on the sea surface.

""""""NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN""""""

There's like more than 30 of them. Why are cats running on water anyway!

Chief Umineko <TLN: Read as sea cat, means seagull.>
HP: 128/128 - MP: 42/48
A type of monster that dashes on water. Despite their small size, they make full use of their swiftness to overwhelm enemy. The mana they emit on their paws repel water enabling them to run on water surface. They mainly fight using their claws, but the older ones can also employ magic. These cats wander around all over the places, but they also have a habit of staying inside a dungeon rarely.

Umineko x 34
HP: 68/68 - MP: 23/36
A type of monster that dashes on water. Etc.


Oh I see, so it's that kind of monsters, I see. I can only accept this stuff by this point. Like hell. Umineko are birds, you dummy!


I'm having a stand off with a huge number of kitten-sized cat that are supposed to be monsters on the seashore. This situation must be unbearable for cat lovers. Naturally, that applies to me too!

35 of them huh... I could annihilate them all at once... But I can't bear to attack with those round eyes looking at me. As I was searching for ways out of this, I recalled something, rummaged my Dimensional Storage for that thing I was gonna use on Mitama and secretly let it ride on some reallllly weak breeze.


UNYAAAAAAAAAAAAN

Splash splash, one after another the cats dropped down the seashore. As expected of the chief, it hasn't let up its guard even while staggering. These Umineko are currently drunk. Indeed, it was silver vine I just sprinkled. It works even on monsters huh. I actually brought it with me to nyanyan with the drunk Mitama, wicked thought, good thing it found its use elsewhere.

FUSHAAAAAAA (I'm not gonna let this stuff beat me!)

Chief Umineko jumped out in an attempt to claw me. I blocked it with Lunar Cat, producing a CLINK sound of metal clashing. Looking closer, it seems to have clad its claws with mana. This cat must have cut the barrier.

CLANK CLINK CLANKK

Chief Umineko kept coming at me even while staggering. I kinda look like the baddie here.

UNYAAAAAAAAAA (OH NOOOOOOOOOOO)

I grabbed hold of it just when it jumped.

Funya! Funyaaaaaaaaaan (Kuh! Just kill meeeeeee)

NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN ((((B-BIG SISSSSSSSSS))))

INYAAAAAAAAN (How dare you put me, chief of umineko in this shameful state)

Behold! This fingerwork of mine! This power of mofumofu that brought even Mitama and Futsuno-san to their knees!
As I rubbed its throat and brushed its stomach, Chief Umineko's eyes started to loosen in rapture.

WANYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN (No not there, stop, nyoooooooooo)

NYANYAAAAAAAAAAAAN ((((B-BIG SISSSSSSSSSS!!??))))

With a shrill cry, Chief Umineko got knocked out. Oh and those voice overs you heard were narrated by Nobusada at his own's discretion.


Phew, good grief. That was a tough opponent?

For now, gotta pull those cats out of the seashore lest they drown. The girl's eyes were wide open when they got back fully armed only to be greeted with a huge band of cats.


In the end, all the cats prostrated themselves before me who had prevailed against Chief Umineko. Since their stomaches cutely rumbled all together then, I gave them leftover small fish which they ate in great relish.
Chief Umineko is currently sitting meekly next to me. The other cats also let the girls hug all over them after seeing their chief in that state.
Now then, wonder why these cats are even here anyway. Ah man, I can't bring myself to desert these cats and their different feels of mofumofu compared to Mitama's.






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