episode_0026

Ugh…!!

Aria strangling my neck with both hands.

A dark mage sticking a dark sword into my back.

A status window babbling strange noises.

A black something looking down at me from up there.

Lastly, even the status window spouting nonsense.

It’s a nightmare.

Once in a while, I have nightmares like this.

The reason I have such nightmares is simple.

Because I came to a strange place and am living a life I didn’t want.

Moreover, it’s not even a smooth life.

As soon as I transmigrated, I was chased by strange guys, became someone’s archenemy. Slashed by swords and sent flying by fists.

All the transmigrators in various media live lives of ease, so why is this happening to me?

If they want something, they should sort it out in this world themselves, why did they call someone from another world?

Countless questions and the anger arising from the answers to those questions were slowly eating away at me.

The longing for a hero I felt as a child is long gone.

Those who appeared in various games were superhuman beyond belief.

I am keenly feeling it these days.

Creep.

Darkness gradually descends and begins to swallow me.

My breath is getting increasingly choked.

My body is pressed down as if I’m suffering from sleep paralysis.

Slowly collapsing.

“…!!!”

“…Sir!!!”

“Mage Sir!!!!”

I woke up from my sleep.

Hanse’s face was before my eyes.

Hanse awkwardly smiling, hiding a worried expression.

“Haha, you were sweating so much I was worried and woke you up. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

After wiping the cold sweat with the handkerchief Hanse offered, I got up from the bed.

This place is an inn in the 2nd floor Safety Zone.

Normally, the price of an inn in the Safety Zone is quite steep, but the innkeeper who recognized me provided two rooms for free.

Thanks to that, the three men and two women were divided into two rooms, resting until the Dungeon Reset.

The current time is 10 PM.

In two hours, it’s the Dungeon Reset time.

Anyway, it was about time to get up.

I tidied up my bedding piece by piece and got out of bed.

A double bed and a small sofa.

Hanse and I slept on the bed, and Kailek slept on the sofa, but Kailek is nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Kailek?”

“He wasn’t here when I woke up either. Didn’t he go to train as usual?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Whenever I see Kailek, I can only admire him.

“It’s almost time, so let’s go too.”

“Yes!”

After finishing all preparations with Hanse, I also packed Kailek’s backpack and went down to the first floor.

Grace and Luka were eating.

It was dry whole wheat bread and a pale soup, but I’m grateful to be able to eat this much in the Dungeon.

Normally, I live on jerky and hard biscuits alone.

Even if I boil soup using soup blocks sometimes, there’s a limit.

Because without a refrigerator, it spoils quickly.

Grace was eating the carrots she had packed separately.

Another annoying thing about Elf-ization is that I can’t eat cooked vegetables.

So Grace packed a lot of hay-like dry grass.

Crunch, crunch.

Leaving Grace behind, who was eating a slightly withered carrot in the corner with a truly reluctant expression, Hanse and I also started eating lightly.

A little while after the food came out, Kailek returned from his training and joined us.

Kailek tearing into hearty dried meat, fitting of a Barbarian.

Seeing that, Grace couldn’t stand it and went outside midway through.

Time flowed, and the Dungeon Reset time approached.

Having finished preparations, we came out of the inn.

Thronging.

The Safety Zone is full of explorers similar to us who plan to go up to the 3rd floor as soon as the Dungeon is reset.

Many explorers were already waiting in front of the portal.

“This… isn’t it a bit late to join the line now?”

“Well, let’s go slowly. The [Great Cemetery] in the west where we’re heading is a place explorers generally avoid.”

As Luka said, unlike the north which is generally targeted by other explorers, we are going to the least popular western field, so there’s no need to rush.

“Anyway, since we’re late to line up anyway, how about we watch the Dungeon Reset?”

“Is there anything to see in that?”

Dungeon Reset. I hadn’t planned to watch it, but the party members’ reactions weren’t bad.

“It’s better than you’d think.”

“Let’s go watch!!!”

“Mage Sir, you should see it at least once.”

Since everyone said so, there was no reason to refuse.

We moved away from the portal and headed towards the entrance of the Safety Zone.

There were quite a few people here too.

Some were there to watch the Dungeon Reset, but most were explorers planning to farm on the 2nd floor right after the reset.

After sitting for a while and talking with my comrades about this and that, the time for the Dungeon Reset arrived before I knew it.

Wooosh.

The Dungeon begins to shake.

Soon, it starts to emit light and change its form, becoming tiny water droplets.

Bubble bubble bubble.

In the dark night. Water droplets holding light rise into the sky.

It wasn’t a feeling of being incredibly beautiful.

But it was decent to just stare at blankly, like watching a bonfire.

Other party members and people seemed to like it quite a bit.

Thanks to it, my restless heart also calmed down a little.

By the time all the water droplets disappeared, the Dungeon had already returned to its original state.

“Let’s go!!!!”

Seeing the explorers shouting and starting to go down to the 2nd floor as soon as the reset ended, I got up from my seat.

*

Dungeon 3rd Floor.

Unlike the 1st and 2nd floors, this place doesn’t have a single distinct name.

The reason is the giant fields divided into four directions: East, West, North, and South.

North is the [Orc Sanctuary]

South is the [Blade Canyon]

East is the [Cursed Swamp]

West is the [Great Cemetery]

The place we are going is the [Great Cemetery].

There’s the request to obtain Meteorite Iron, but also.

The monsters born here are mostly ghosts and undead types.

It is said to be a place with many monsters whose physical damage is halved, making the difficulty comparable to the 4th floor unless you have a party with mages or cleric types.

However, conversely, if you have mages and cleric types, it’s a place where you can easily win.

Meaning it has good compatibility with me.

Since most parties active on the 3rd floor usually don’t have mages or priests, it is generally an avoided location.

That’s why the supply amount of [Meteorite Iron] that Lyman mentioned has become extremely scarce.

Coming out of the portal, you see paths in 4 directions, and there is no one on the path leading to the Great Cemetery.

At most, a few priests are gathered near the entrance.

Somehow, their gaze seems to be directed at me.

Feeling unpleasant, I turned my head away.

“Let’s go!”

Following behind Grace, we set foot on the path towards the Great Cemetery.

On the 3rd floor, you must pass through the giant maze in the center to reach each field.

If on the 2nd floor you could somehow go up without a guide, from the 3rd floor, it’s impossible.

Because the appearance of the maze changes with each Dungeon Reset, it’s difficult to even pass through without a strategy or cards that help with finding the way.

“That’s why occasionally, people get lost in the maze. Of course, you can come out of the Dungeon by taking the red portal, but.”

Grace mutters, pressing her elven ear to the floor to listen.

Her voice has a tone as if appealing to her strength.

It’s the voice I heard in the hidden dungeon on the 1st floor before.

“A stream of water flows on the floor of the maze, connecting to the correct path. Of course, it’s very faint and hard to hear.”

Prick!

Luka also seemed confident in her hearing, pressing her ear to the floor and starting to listen.

But as if she heard nothing, she shook her head and got up.

“Certainly, the Elf-ization Curse Card isn’t bad. It used to be hard to hear clearly, but now I can hear it quite well.”

Grace began guiding the way with certainty.

Whenever a fork in the road appeared, Grace would put her ear to the floor and listen for the sound of water.

Maybe I can do it too?

I spread my senses and tried to read the water.

…It doesn’t work.

The walls and floor of the Dungeon seem to block the approach of mana itself.

“By any chance, can’t you break through the wall?”

“No. They say even explorers from the deepest floor couldn’t break through. Of course, Treasure Moles can.”

“Treasure Mole?”

“They exist. They are incredibly rare monsters.”

Tap tap.

The firmness I felt by tapping the wall a few times with my fist.

Would Terrain Manipulation work?

I draw cards.

[Rain] [Strike] [Force Field] [Momentum] [Water Splash]

As expected, it didn’t come out.

Next hand.

[Mana Overload] [Earth Wall] [Immolation] [Shield] [Shield]

As expected, it’s an unwritten rule that it never comes out when you’re looking for it.

While I was continuously drawing cards, Grace suddenly raised her arm and stopped.

“One monster ahead.”

Immediately, we swiftly took our positions.

Hanse and Luka at the front.

Behind them, Grace and I.

Kailek at the very back.

I felt impressed by how smoothly we moved, like one body.

This is a party.

Before encountering the monster and entering combat evaluation, I consumed cards first.

[Shield]

[Shield]

[Earth Wall]

After casting one Shield each on Hanse and Luka.

I created an Earth Wall behind Kailek, gifting him high ground.

Thump.

Thump.

A monster appeared from beyond the corner.

“Mole?”

That one word was enough to describe it, there was one huge mole.

Moreover, it was carrying a giant bag on its back. Something kept spilling out of it.

Is that the Treasure Mole Grace mentioned earlier?

“…Amazing.”

As soon as Luka muttered, as if unable to believe it. Grace whispered.

“Mr. Ivan, can you take that down in one hit? If you approach it, it’ll run away.”

“……”

『Until next draw 31…』

…The cooldown is still active.

“Can you wait for 30 seconds?”

“No, okay. Then Mr. Kailek, kill it in one hit.”

“Understood…!”

Kailek immediately drew his bowstring.

A giant harpoon-shaped arrow that he said he bought after much consideration this time.

I wondered how he could shoot such a giant harpoon bigger than himself.

He quickly dispelled my doubts.

Swoosh!!!!

The harpoon soared through the wind.

The sound of air tearing was heard.

The arrow that flew hit the wall and bounced off.

“It missed!!!!”

Perhaps the distance was too far, or perhaps it was still beyond Kailek’s proficiency.

“………?!!!!”

Startled, the mole urgently turned the corner and ran away.

“Treasure, treasure!! It’s getting away!!!”

The party members ran without anyone needing to tell them.

As if the mole had recognized me, I also entered combat state.

Slurp.

The cards returned to the deck.

『Combat Start. Draw 3 cards.』

『Energy 4/4』

[Pause(1)] [Body Enhancement(0)] [Strike(1)]

Not a bad hand.

First, I threw one card.

[Body Enhancement]

Enhanced [Body Enhancement] with the power of the Relic [Cat’s Paw] made my body light.

Not only that, but vitality and strength began to circulate through my body, making my running speed exceed Hanse’s.

Of course, it was still far behind Luka and Grace who had already rounded the corner.

I was third place, no less.

Turning the corner, I assessed the situation.

Grace throwing a dagger at the mole and Luka swinging a giant axe.

I’ll help.

[Pause]

Mana quickly surged forward and gripped the mole’s body.

Flinch!

The mole froze for about 0.5 seconds.

But that gap was enough for Luka’s axe blade to embed itself in the mole’s shoulder.

Kuaaa!!!

The mole, making a strange noise, swung its arm.

Hit by it, Luka was suddenly sent flying next to me.

Bang!!

It was a doppelganger.

I patted my surprised chest and ran forward.

Just then, the mole broke through the wall and escaped.

Luka and Grace following the mole.

I followed behind them.

“Can you possibly catch it!!”

Kailek was suddenly next to me.

“Not right now.”

“Then I’ll have to go myself.”

He immediately overtook me.

How is an archer that fast?

I climbed over the collapsed wall.

A new path appeared.

The wall on the left is broken.

I immediately followed.

Left, right, right.

This wall is needlessly tall, making it difficult to climb over easily.

“……”

I started to feel my strength draining.

That means a minute has passed.

『It’s your turn. Draw 5 cards.』

[Charge(1)] [Electrocution(2)] [Ice Arrow(1)] [Strike(1)] [Rain(0)]

Good.

This is the best hand for stopping a monster.

Except for Strike.

Kuaaaang!!!

Just then, the mole burst through the wall far ahead.

After rampaging around randomly, it seemed to have accidentally reached in front of me.

I throw a card.

[Rain]

A rain cloud instantly formed, pouring rain and soaking the mole.

Immediately, I threw two cards in quick succession.

[Charge]

[Electrocution]

Pazijijik!!!!

Electricity flew towards the completely soaked mole.

Originally, the effect of electrocution was excellent, but this time it was even more exceptional.

Isn’t it common sense that the electric effect doubles on someone who’s wet?

“………?!!”

The mole froze right there.

It’s not over yet.

As a finish, I fire [Ice Arrow].

Swoosh!!

The flying ice arrow froze the head of the completely soaked mole.

Okay, I’ve done all I can.

Now I just have to wait for my comrades to finish it off.

“Uwaaaah!!!!”

Just then, someone’s voice was heard.

Immediately, someone wielding a powerful sword cut off the mole’s neck.

“Caught it!!!!”

As soon as its neck was cut off, the mole began to slowly disappear.

Ding!

『Check card rewards.』

[Ifrit(4) – Power] – Summon one fire spirit that follows you.

[Explosion(1)] – Cause one explosion at a desired location.

[Fast Cast(0)] – Magic preludes disappear for 2 turns.

It was the first 4-cost card to appear.

And a Power card, no less.

There was no reason not to choose it, especially for an Elementalist deck that was already planned to include lots of powerful cards.

After choosing the reward, I slowly approached the mole.

Flash!!

Just then, 5 silver cards popped out of the mole.

“Is this why they call it a treasure?”

A voice was heard from within the dust cloud.

A voice I hadn’t heard before.

Did someone intervene?

Since we’re probably not the only ones in the maze, that seems to be the answer.

He immediately ran forward to collect the silver cards.

A surprisingly fast speed.

At this rate, they’ll be taken.

Just as a man reached out his hand for the silver cards.

“What are you doing?”

Grace grabbed his wrist.

However, the man shouted at Grace with a voice full of annoyance.

“I caught the mole?!”

“Didn’t you see our mage discover and electrocute it just now?”

“…How could some Level 3 explorers have a mage? In the first place, could you have even caught this treasure mole if it weren’t for me?”

Taat!!

The man strongly shook off Grace’s hand.

Then, 4 men appeared from behind him.

“Don’t you know that the one who kills the monster first takes the loot?”

“Only if you hadn’t intervened, that is? You do know there’s a problem with stealing a monster that someone else was hunting midway, right?”

“This bitch…”

The man drew his sword and pointed it at Grace.

Clang!!!

But then, the blade shattered.

“You’re as brazen as ever, Galia.”

Kailek, who shattered the blade with one hand, looked down at Galia.

“Kailek…”

As if they already knew each other, Galia also looked at Kailek with hateful eyes.

However, Kailek paid no mind and continued to press Galia.

“If you want, I can give you the ‘duel’ you like so much.”

“Hmph, I heard you ate a strange curse card? Do you think you can handle us?”

The heat gradually rising.

The party members sweating cold sweat from the tension.

Hanse and Luka, who had arrived, joined Kailek’s side.

Galia’s party members also drew their weapons.

We cannot shed unnecessary blood here.

Perhaps I should show them the power to overwhelm them?

『Killing intent detected. Draw 3 cards.』

[Ifrit(4) – Power] [Water Splash(0)] [Blink(0)]

Just the right hand appeared.

I used the card I just got from catching the mole.

[Ifrit]

The basis of combat is taking the initiative.

Moreover, since they dared to disregard Grace, a more flashy and powerful magic was needed.

And as I expected, Ifrit was the answer.

Hwal-leu-reu-reuk.

Strong flames that flowed from the floor began to gather behind me.

A giant flame gathering in an instant.

Within it, two white eyes glowed.

With a lower body of fire but an upper body in human form, the fire spirit, Ifrit, was created.

“……”

The giant Ifrit, enough to capture everyone’s gaze.

It exuded majesty befitting a 4-cost Power card.

“Tsk!”

Galia suddenly sheathed his sword and turned back.

Since I proved that we could catch the mole without their help, it was a natural reaction.

Watching Galia’s party distance themselves, I withdrew my magic.

*

Thanks to the Treasure Mole breaking through the wall, we were able to reach the path leading to the Great Cemetery faster than expected.

Even if we proceeded quickly, we would normally have to camp out in the maze for about a day.

We were lucky.

Although we got into trouble at the end.

Anyway, we arrived at the Great Cemetery safely.

“We’ve arrived!”

The Great Cemetery, a dark and gloomy land conspicuous for the crescent moon floating alone as if there were no day or night.

We set foot upon it.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

『Deck List』

『Elementalist’s Deck』

[Strike] [Strike] [Strike] [Strike]

[Shield] [Shield] [Shield] [Shield]

[Charge] [Wind Blade] [Electrocution] [Fireball]

[Vortex] [Freeze] [Body Enhancement] [Blink]

[Ice Shield] [Darkness] [Immolation] [Water Splash]

[Ice Arrow] [Earth Wall] [Momentum – Power]

[Pause] [Fireball] [Lightning]

[Terrain Manipulation – Power] [Tidal Wave] [Force Field]

[Mana Overload(0)] [Hail(3)] [Rain(0)]

[Ifrit(4) – Power]

Attack Cards 13 cards

Skill Cards 17 cards

Power Cards 3 cards

Curse Cards 0 cards

Total 33 cards.