Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Evacuation Begins
To clear the entrance to Floor 7, located 100 meters below the ground, we decided to construct scaffolding from single pipes.
Of course, the materials were transported from my Item Box, and everything was ready.
We were assembling it smoothly, but――.
We were attacked by a monster no one had ever seen before.
A monster believed to be a Chimera appeared alongside a woman from the Labyrinth Cult.
It seems this Chimera was her doing, and it turned out the culprits were the members of the guild Dancing Darkness who fled alongside the Labyrinth Cult.
Something about becoming one with the dungeon and changing through the power of a great god or something like that…….
From my perspective, isn't it not a god, but an Evil God?
They used them just for their own purposes, then tossed them aside.
I feel a bit sorry for those scoundrels.
The Princess says such emotions are unnecessary.
With the battle over, I checked the surroundings.
The dungeon was dead silent, as if nothing had happened, but the corpses of monsters rolling before my eyes showed that reality.
"Surely, this won't fetch any money, will it?"
First of all, I don't want to put something like this into my Item Box anyway.
The only Magic Stone that looked like it could be sold was crushed.
The scaffolding is destroyed and cannot be repaired anymore.
"Really, it's a case of working hard for nothing and getting exhausted in the process……"
"Haaah~"
Iroha also sat down in a squatting position and let out a huge sigh.
"Cherry Princess gathered Magic Stones from Golems along the way, so she might be slightly in the black, but I'm completely in the red."
"Should we make some money at the intermediate floors again?"
I proposed this to Iroha, just in case.
"After seeing that, I can't get in the mood for that……"
She pointed at the Dancing Darkness members who had turned into a lump of flesh.
"Well, I suppose……"
Speaking of which, I had forgotten―― about Gorilla.
I headed towards Mikan, where he had been blown away to the corner of the dungeon.
"Are you okay?!"
"Ah, yes."
Mikan is taking care of him.
He doesn't seem to be dead.
I took out a recovery potion from my Item Box.
"Use this."
"Thank you……"
"Well, given the intensity of that battle, healing and potions are just necessary expenses, right?"
"I'm sorry……"
"There's no need for you to apologize."
"Did you see that! I can still go on!"
Gorilla opened his mouth after thinking he had recovered a little with the medicine.
I was a bit dumbfounded when he got punched by Mikan.
"Before that, you should say 'Thank you'!?"
"Well, he did save us from his attack."
If he can grumble like that, he should be fine.
Perhaps he will start patrolling seriously in the dungeon as well.
What's a bit concerning is that Gorilla and Mikan seem to be getting along well.
Does this mean they got back together?
If so, the childhood friend who is the vice-leader of the Golden Path is still the losing heroine, isn't she?
Well, I have no intention of interfering with other guilds.
Since Gorilla seems to be fine, I returned to the Princess's side.
"Princess, what do we do?"
"Obviously, we retreat."
"It will be a bit late if we go now. Should we camp here again or return to Floor 6?"
I think it's around 3 PM right now.
"If we stay here, we might be attacked again. Let's return to Floor 6."
"Understood. I'll tell everyone."
"I'm counting on you."
I went around to everyone who was receiving treatment and informed them that we were retreating to Floor 6.
"Phew, no choice!"
Iroha got up from her seat.
"My magic is also running low……"
Yuuki had used quite a lot of magic too.
Naturally, the girls would be the same.
I handed the dungeon hot water, which served as a substitute for Magic Potions, to the sorceresses.
"This is very helpful."
"Thank you~"
The girls bowed in unison.
"I'm sorry for making it feel like a human experiment."
"No, this is a valuable thing."
Actually, even though there is a mountain of it in the tank of my Item Box, I was just lucky to realize that this has high utility value.
"Darling, aren't you going to sell that?"
Iroha joined the conversation.
"Darling-san, I want you to sell it!""I want to buy it too!"
"But, if we can clear Floor 7 and reach the hot spring, we can get it for free, you know?"
"Really, is there a hot spring?"
"Yes, yes. The Princess and Kaorulko went in too. It's quite large."
"Hee~"
"I want to create a magic recovery spa there using Yuuki's Fix magic."
"That sounds good."
Yuuki seems enthusiastic as well.
"To that end, we must eliminate the members of the Labyrinth Cult."
"Yes!"
Iroha clapped her fists together.
Speaking of magic recovery, I had left Kaorulko behind.
I went to her side.
She was slumped against the wall, so I made her drink the hot spring water as well.
"Daisuke-san, thank you."
"We're evacuating, but can you at least stand up?"
"If I drink this, I'll manage……"
It seems the effect is immediately apparent when drinking the water with almost zero magic power.
She, who was staggering even while sitting, was able to stand up.
"If there is such hot water, does that mean there is some method to dissolve magic into liquid?"
"That might be so."
"If we understand that mechanism, we might be able to create even stronger Magic Potions."
For now, there are too many things I don't understand.
It's like a game, but there are no strategy books or manuals.
I don't even know the specs, it feels like what kind of crap game is this.
"Staying here only increases the danger. The scaffolding is broken."
"Really! Nothing is going right!"
Iroha seems to be accumulating quite a bit of stress.
"You probably only had those guys [Dancing Darkness] as your pieces to play with."
"Damn it! I want to corner them somehow and knock them down!"
She was swinging her fists around.
"Wait, wait. If you rush in recklessly, you'll just get blown away somewhere or become material for the Chimera."
"Uu……"
"I'd rather not fight a Chimera-Iroha."
"I don't want that either."
But, if that really happens, we'll have no choice but to do it.
Someone has to do what needs to be done.
Once everyone's treatment was finished, we evacuated.
We collected the broken scaffolding.
Since Yuuki's magic is applied, even if it becomes trash, it won't be absorbed by the dungeon.
Let's take off the usable single pipes and use them as missile material.
Single-pipe missiles should be enough for shallow monsters.
Kaorulko was staggering due to running out of magic, but it seems she recovered a little with the hot spring water.
Since she can at least stand, I took out the bicycle.
I let her ride on the back.
"A bicycle~. Many people use them in the shallow layers, but if they break, they become a burden immediately."
Iroha, who was lending a shoulder to Gorilla, was looking at my bicycle.
"Without an Item Box like mine, it might be inconvenient instead."
It seems he was able to walk somehow with healing and potions.
We all headed for Floor 6.
The boundary between floors should be a safe zone, just in case, but we didn't slacken our guard in preparation for an attack by the Labyrinth Cult.
We arrived at Floor 6 as is and set up camp.
Everyone must be tired from the battle, and we need to rest.
In preparation for an attack, we decided to set up watch rotations.
Normally, safe zones are places for rest, but because of the Labyrinth Cult, that collapses, and the nature of the dungeon changes.
We won't be able to attack the deep layers carelessly either.
Even without that, we often struggle with resupplying supplies, so the safe zone becoming unsafe is quite tough.
"Damn, the Labyrinth Cult."
I can understand why Iroha is complaining.
If I and the Princess can't attack the deep layers, we will gradually level down.
First, I took out an air mat from my Item Box and let Kaorulko lie down.
"Daisuke-san, thank you."
"How is the effect of the hot spring water?"
"It's definitely working."
"If you drink it again, won't the effect double?"
"I wonder?"
"Shall we try?"
I made her drink the hot spring water one more time.
It feels like a human experiment, but potions were also tested on humans first, so this is like a rule of the dungeon, right?
If the effect can be stacked, this is a great discovery too.
"Speaking of which, I saw Yuuki's magic for the first time."
"I think that was the Light Bullet magic."
"Did he improve it?"
"Probably―― I can guess the mechanism."
"It seems to consume less magic than what Kaorulko uses."
"I got a hint, so I think I'll try it too."
Showing your hand and having it copied is unavoidable in the dungeon.
There are no patents for magic or combat methods.
"Gya!""Gyagya!"
While preparing the camp, the Harpies also returned.
They seemed a bit less energetic.
They might be a little scared because they encountered a monster they had never seen before.
I hugged the two of them together.
Their feathers were fluffy and warm.
The sorceress girls were gathered in a group, looking gloomy.
It seems their spirits are dropping because they got exhausted and attacked by a weird enemy.
Holding the Harpies, I headed towards them.
"You guys should drink the hot spring water again. Maybe your magic recovery will speed up."
"Is that okay?"
"Yes."
I put down the Harpies and shared the water with the girls.
For those who wanted more, I decided to sell it in exchange for Magic Stones.
I can't give it away for free too much.
"Looking at it like this, the Harpies are cute, aren't they?""They really are affectionate~"
"For me―― I only have memories of having my food taken or being pooped on……"
It seems some people don't have very good memories of them.
Still, thanks to the Harpies, a few more smiles appeared on their faces.
Once we figure out the effect of the water and the administration intervals, we can charge money or Magic Stones.
Well, I don't intend to sell it officially.
Even without doing that, uploading the video of this attack to the site should be worth tens of millions of yen.
No, before that―― hundreds of billions of yen from the government will come in, so we could stop the video…….
But I have a strong desire to record what I did.
If I hadn't become an adventurer―― no, if a dungeon hole hadn't appeared behind my house in that remote village.
I should have ended my life as an old man nobody in the countryside knew, but by uploading the videos I took to the site, I have access from all over the world.
At least, the people who watched the videos should remember that an old man named me certainly existed in this world.
I leveled up from an old man nobody knows to an old man someone knows.
If there were no dungeon, I wouldn't have gotten a huge amount of money, nor would I have dated those super-rich young ladies.
It feels like my life, which had suddenly twisted while the world stood still, has suddenly gotten onto a highway again.
I returned and ate a meal with Iroha and the others.
It seems we have completely become a single party.
"Haaaaaaa~"
Iroha let out another huge sigh.
"What is it? It's annoying!"
The Princess also complained, but I understand both feelings.
"Well, well, when we get back, let's all go wild!"
"Really?!"
"Yes, doing something like that is the best for times like this."
"Yay!"
Iroha hugged me.
I was about to be crushed by overwhelming pressure.
"She's my Darling!―― Well, I'd like to say that, but I'm in the mood too."
"Then, let's all go wild! Hahaha!"
Everyone has times when they are frustrated.
We have to vent our stress.
There is the option of raging in the dungeon, but if high-level adventurers like us rage in the shallow layers, it will be a nuisance to other adventurers.
We would be trampling the hunting grounds even though it has nothing to do with our levels.
I feel that my proposal raised the morale of the Princess and Iroha.
Kaorulko still hasn't recovered her magic, so she just lies still.
She will recover after sleeping and waking up.
We can only hope for the effect of the hot spring water.
In preparation for an attack, we set up watch rotations and went to sleep together.
The watch was decided by drawing lots.
Before that, if the enemy approached, the Harpies might make a fuss first.
Still, we can't leave it entirely to them.
We must be on guard too.
Fortunately, I didn't draw the lot, but it seems the Princess drew the duty.
"Shall I take your place?"
"No, it's fine."
My luck with drawing lots was quite bad, but since becoming an adventurer, it seems to have improved.
The status numbers are invisible, but maybe there is a luck stat.
Could it be that the number increases as the level rises?
Otherwise, it would be impossible to meet young, cute girls and princesses from good families.
I seem to be popular with other women for some reason too.
Well, as an adventurer, I have strength and money.
There is a possibility that I am popular just for that.
"Phew……"
"Gya""Gi……"
The Harpies were on my stomach, and Kaorulko was by my side.
Iroha and Koeda were sleeping nearby.
Well, well, I want to go back quickly.
――Returning to Floor 6, the next day, probably morning.
We all ate again and set off to head for the surface.
Gorilla and Kaorulko seem to have recovered after resting for a night.
I thought Gorilla took quite a bit of damage, but magic is amazing.
At Floor 6, we were attacked by monsters again and repelled them.
The difference from a game is that there is a proper return path.
We can't teleport in one step with a return item―― or something like that.
Maybe there is an item called "Wings of Something" for returning.
Just be careful of Lesser Demons.
They are too troublesome and don't give much experience points.
"If a Lesser Demon appears, leave it to us!"
"Yes!"
They use magic and shoot beams from their mouths.
Their combat power might not be different from the Manticore on Floor 8?
Why are they on Floor 6 then?
Will they become fodder enemies if a strategy is found for them like Golems and Wraiths?
Until then, we have no choice but to be sufficiently on guard.
As expected, everyone was exhausted during the return battle, and their spirits were low.
――That said, monsters don't hold back, so we can't just deal with them casually.
The Princess and I tried to pass the finishing blows to the girls as much as possible.
Even if we defeat them, it doesn't affect our levels.
We passed Floor 6 and returned to Floor 5.
The enemies gradually became easier.
We spent the night at the entrance of Floor 5, and thinking that we can return to the surface all at once tomorrow―― our steps became lighter.
The members of other parties also seem to have brighter expressions.
With this lineup, Floor 5 shouldn't be a problem.
Just as I thought the exit of Floor 5 was getting close―― I heard the sound of battle.
More adventurers should be increasing around here.
I think it's probably the sound of magic―― but something is a bit strange.
"Who is it~!"
Isn't this a request for help?
"Princess, I'll go check the situation."
"Understood. If anything happens, call for support. Well, if Darling is no good, we can't do much either."
"Hahaha, I'll be back in a moment."
I dashed towards the direction of the sound in the darkness.
Gradually, flashes of magic and a huge shadow approached.
Judging from the silhouette, it seems to be a Golem.
Did a party without effective magic get surrounded by clay dolls?
I called out to the party surrounded by Golems.
It seems to be a sorceress party consisting of women, but they might not have been able to cope with magic-only attacks.
There were two Golems.
So, isn't the spawn rate adjusted by the number of party members?
When we were here, they came out in swarms, right?
No, before complaining, there is something to do.
"Do you need help?!"
"Please!"
Hmm? I've heard that voice before…… no, first, let's clear what needs to be cleared.
If it's a Golem, I've already found a strategy.
"Gogogo!"
I dodged the Golem's punch smoothly, jumped into its range, and attached myself to its legs.
"Oraaa! Heaven and Earth Flip!"
With all my power, I threw the Golem's giant body.
"Go!"
One clay doll took a backflip and was half-destroyed.
I climbed onto its torso and took out a Rotting Knife from my Item Box.
Of course, the purpose was the large Magic Stone in the torso.
I stabbed the knife next to the Magic Stone, and the fixation loosened immediately, so I kicked the black stone, the power source of the Golem.
"Gogogo!"
The remaining Golem came to hit me along with its companion's body.
"Here we go!"
I jumped onto the Golem's punch, ran up, and landed on the opposite side from its back.
I attached myself to the stone block's leg.
"Oryaa!"
I flipped the Golem over with a Heaven and Earth Flip again.
Once flipped, I removed the Magic Stone, and that's the end.
Once you grasp the strategy, they quickly turn into fodder enemies.
Well, it's partly because my level is high…….
"Daisuke-san!"
I turned around at the sound of the voice.
"Sana?!"
I thought I had heard that voice somewhere…… it was Sana.
The other one, upon closer inspection, was Kirara.
The remaining one was a girl I had never seen before.
Kirara might have scouted her.
"Daisuke-san~!"
Sana hugged me while crying.
Given the situation, it must have been a close call.
"Why are you on a floor like this? Have you leveled up that much?"
"……"
Seeing her stay silent, it seems she hasn't.
"Kirara, you're a veteran, why are you in this situation?"
"…… Since Sana insisted so much…… when she said it was a matter of a woman's pride, I had no choice but to go along……"
She said it while looking away, pouting.
"Why are you doing something so reckless?!"
"Feee! I wanted to eat Daisuke-san's curry too!"
"Huh? Curry? Just go eat it."
"Idiot! That's not what I mean!"
I was called an idiot by Kirara.
She said it wasn't that, and judging from Sana's reckless action――.
Basically, she might have thought that if she reached a level close to mine, we could go to the dungeon together again.
She could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Princess and others―― that's probably what it was.
"If something happens to you, what will Mio do?"
"……"
She stays silent, but it's too reckless.
"For now, you all must have used up your magic, right? Let's return to the surface with us. If you stay like this, you'll be wiped out?"
"O-okay."
Kirara is a veteran and understands.
Really, enough.
The other sorceress also looks like a fairly young girl.
She is wearing a robe, and her bangs are long, covering her eyes, so I can't see her face well.
I collected the Magic Stone from the defeated Golems and decided to return to everyone with the three sorceresses.
I will take Sana and the others back to the surface as is.
It would be quite dangerous to send them back from here.
Did they think they would be fine because they fought a Treant with me before?
If so, I have some responsibility too.
Magic lights illuminated the path we walked.
It seems they still can't see in the darkness.
"Oh, that's right―― Kirara."
"W-what?"
"The leader of Dancing Darkness and all the executives were eliminated on Floor 7."
I think everyone.
There's no point in leaving the others.
"……"
She silently grabbed my clothes.
Kirara also seems to have had various things with those guys.
I will keep quiet about hearing the story from Dancing Darkness.