Growburn Village – Dungeon (1)

I stood at the village entrance with my party. Everyone was fully armed for battle.

Yesterday, we gathered sufficient information about the dungeon through the village chief and villagers, and purchased various supplies.

And this morning, we finally set out to explore the dungeon.

“Before we depart, let’s all do one final check.”

When dungeon exploring, missing even one thing usually leads to hardship.

At my words, Jade drew his sword and swung it lightly.

“I’m fine as long as I have a proper sword.”

“Potions, staff… and scrolls. Rena, I’ve packed everything you mentioned.”

“Hup!”

Meanwhile, Karlson was lugging a large bag.

“Huff, I’ve packed everything you requested too.”

Given how much I’d asked him to carry, it looked quite heavy.

Well, it might be a bit burdensome, but since we’re paying him, Karlson should make the effort.

“Be careful out there. If you sense any danger, retreat immediately.”

The village chief waved at us. He’d come to see us off to the dungeon.

“Yes, we’ll be careful and return safely.”

I nodded and waved back.

Compared to other uncooperative chiefs I’d met before, he was like an angel.

“Alright, let’s slowly head toward the dungeon now.”

It was finally time to depart for our first mission.

**

Several dozen minutes later, we’d reached deep within the forest. The dense trees blocked sunlight, making the woods dim despite it being daytime.

Still, remnants of old paths used by villagers remained, so movement wasn’t difficult.

According to the chief, monster numbers had suddenly surged around here one day.

Eventually, this led to many attacks on people moving through the forest.

While searching for the cause, the village hunters scoured the woods and discovered the problematic dungeon.

They naturally requested assistance from nearby cities, and though adventurers occasionally came to this remote area… none ever returned, just as initially heard.

With such rumors spreading, adventurers naturally stopped coming.

“…Excuse me.”

Karlson suddenly approached and whispered to me.

“What? Is something wrong?”

“It’s just… since you haven’t visited for days… If last time was problematic, I’d like to apologize.”

‘Ah.’

He must’ve been anxiously waiting after I stopped visiting.

Karlson hadn’t done anything wrong. Him forcing himself on me despite my reluctance was actually a plus.

My reason for not having sex with Karlson was obviously Annie. Plus, getting caught with Karlson again after being discovered once would spell disaster.

“Hehe, that’s not why. Circumstances have changed, so I won’t be able to do it with you anymore.”

“Huh?”

Karlson looked utterly shocked by the sudden news. Understandable when hearing he couldn’t fuck me anymore.

“It’s hard to explain the details. Anyway, thank you for everything until now.”

“But this is so sudden…”

“I know it’s disappointing, but it can’t be helped. Still, we had fun, right? Let’s end this cleanly.”

“…Understood. It was truly good while it lasted.”

Karlson nodded, looking like he wanted to grab me immediately. Still, he didn’t act clingy.

What a good man.

I did want to taste Karlson’s cock one last time too. It wasn’t bad at all.

“What were you two whispering about behind my back?”

As we stopped talking and looked ahead, Annie approached me and Karlson from the front.

Her irritated tone clearly showed suspicion.

“Haha, it wasn’t anything important.”

“Just casual talk. Wait a moment.”

I brought my lips to Karlson’s ear.

“If you do well as our porter, I’ll visit you one last time before we leave. Got it?”

“!!”

At my whisper, Karlson’s eyes widened suddenly.

His reactions are so entertaining.

“I believe Mr. Karlson understood me. Annie, let’s hurry.”

I winked at Karlson by closing my right eye and quickly walked ahead with Annie.

“So what were you doing? You’re not planning to sleep with Karlson again, are you?”

“Annie, don’t you trust me? I was just ending our previous relationship. This is all thanks to you.”

When I expressed gratitude, Annie smiled brightly, seeming pleased.

“Hehe, that’s a relief.”

“So please take care of me from now on too.”

I tightly hugged Annie in my arms.

“Eek!”

Annie startled and pushed me away, creating distance.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“Y-You hugged me suddenly, so I remembered last night.”

“Ah… But it felt good, right? And you repaid me in kind too.”

“That’s true, but… I was scared when you wouldn’t let me go.”

“I’ll go easier next time. Then it’ll be okay?”

“Mhm.”

Annie nodded.

Judging by her reaction, I must’ve gone too far last night. But Annie was so cute I couldn’t help myself.

That day, I kept going until Annie was sobbing.

“Hngk, Haaahn! Stop, please stop now!”

“Sorry, but this is educational for you. Endure a bit longer.”

We rubbed our pussies together, and instead of just finger-fucking, I delicately stimulated her vaginal walls.

Annie came countless times.

A veteran’s skills are different.

Plus, she couldn’t even resist because of the “education” pretext, just trembling adorably.

Of course, Annie tried getting revenge on me too.

“Rena, you enjoyed yourself, didn’t you? I’ll return the favor.”

“Pfft, think you can?”

Fortunately, Annie immediately picked up the techniques I taught her.

“Well, similar to earlier… Urk?!”

“Oh! This is your weak spot? Your breasts are sensitive too.”

“W-Wait, stop for a sec- Ohh?! Haaahn, Hngk, Heh!”

“No. I’ll keep going until you pass out.”

“T-That’s too… Haaahn, Hheeehk!”

Anyway, it was a mutually satisfying conclusion.

“Hold on, everyone focus.”

-Swish.

Jade drew his weapon. He’d been walking ahead alone while checking the map.

“The dungeon shouldn’t be far now. Be cautious of monster ambushes. The chief said there are many goblins and orcs.”

“Got it. Annie, you ready?”

“Yeah!”

I stopped chatting with Annie and gripped my weapon.

Jade was clearly more tense than us. He didn’t even have time to mind our conversation.

Clearly feeling the pressure of being the Hero.

In the village, Jade alone had run around all day gathering information.

Though heroes are meant to endure hardships, I felt guilty letting him handle everything while we followed comfortably.

‘I should support him as a senior inside the dungeon.’

It’d be disastrous if Jade broke down.

Though if he does collapse, I could always heal him with my body.

Shortly after, we arrived at the marked location to find a large cave entrance.

“This should be the dungeon. I planned to just clear today’s monsters if there were many, but now what?”

Jade stroked his chin while pondering before the entrance.

I’d actually expected multiple monster attacks, but none had occurred.

‘This might make dungeon conquering harder.’

The dungeon might be using surrounding monsters.

Only one way to know the truth.

“Seems we have no choice but to enter the dungeon.”

“Right. We can’t return empty-handed after coming this far. Even better if we can fully clear it!”

Annie seemed reluctant to turn back. But her slightly excited demeanor needed tempering.

Dungeons aren’t places for carelessness.

“Annie, focus from now on. One mistake in a dungeon can cost your life. We knew this dungeon was high-risk when we came.”

“…Got it.”

At my warning, Annie adopted a more solemn expression.

“Good, then let’s proceed. Everyone follow me carefully. Mr. Karlson, follow slowly at the rear.”

“Understood.”

We began entering the dungeon entrance.

Though torches dotted the dungeon interior, it remained quite dark.

“Can’t see well ahead. Rena, should I light a torch?”

“No need. Ta-da!”

Annie cutely chanted, and her staff began glowing brightly.

“Wow, magic works!”

Jade marveled at the illuminated surroundings.

“How’s that for brightness? Feels like I’m finally using magic properly.”

“Our Annie did so well~”

“It’s praise, but why does it feel weird…?”

Annie looked awkward at my exaggerated compliment.

She hadn’t had many chances to shine until now. I’d seen her more as a cute friend than a mage.

Regardless, Annie finally got her moment as a mage.

“Alright. Now that it’s bright, let’s proceed. Watch for traps as we move.”

Jade resumed walking, and we followed.

**

Heroes have many advantages beyond slaying demons-especially in dungeon exploration.

One key strength is easily neutralizing magical traps.

“Hold on, everyone wait.”

-Swish

Jade stopped and slashed the wall ahead.

-Hummm

A magic circle appeared before fading away.

“That was an alarm spell. Probably to detect intruders. Impressive-we’d have struggled terribly without you.”

“It’s nothing. My right eye shows me all installed traps.”

Annie watched Jade continuously disable traps with admiration.

Jade’s right eye glowed blue as he dismantled numerous dungeon traps.

Normally, forcibly breaking magic circles could cause explosions. But before a Hero who sees all magical structures, that’s impossible.

Thanks to this, we reached the dungeon’s depths quickly and safely.

Otherwise, we’d have needed Annie’s detection magic at every step.

-Tap, tap

Suddenly, faint footsteps echoed from deeper inside, growing louder.

The dungeon’s owners had finally come to greet us.

I pointed at the approaching group.

“Disabling the alarm was good, but we’ve gone too deep.”

“Squeak! Intruders!”

“Chk! How’d they bypass the traps?”

“Quick, inform the master! Squeak!”

The armed orcs conversed among themselves before some ran inward.

This meant all dungeon monsters would soon swarm us.

“Looks like we’ll be fighting non-stop now?”

“Great, I’ve prepared spells in advance.”

“I’ll charge first-Rena, cover my rear. Going in!”

As Jade charged the orc horde, we began our fierce dungeon battle.