episode_0114

“The dungeon is a ‘jungle’ terrain.”

This is one of the reasons why C-level dungeons become more difficult.

Its own ecosystem is formed within the dungeon.

It is different from previous dungeons, which were like ordinary caves.

There are many different forms, including deserts, snow fields, swamps, grasslands, etc.

The problem is that there is no sun, so you have to secure your own lighting.

Therefore, for any hero party, a wizard who can use lighting magic is semi-essential.

“It is identified as the first floor, but the terrain is quite curved. The monsters that appear include the ‘Jungle Giant Scorpion’ and many other unidentified monsters. The identity and location of the boss monster have also not been determined.”

I know what’s going on here, but I didn’t say it.

The group hoped for that.

They say they want to solve it purely on their own.

Several parties were agitated by the manager’s words just now.

These are probably people who are new to formal exams.

And my party was included among them.

The location of the boss monster was not known.

That means it is not a one-way structure like the previous dungeon.

“Participating parties that decide they can no longer proceed with the test can leave the dungeon. In this case, it will be considered a waiver. Also, the time limit for this test is.”

Wide terrain and difficult-to-identify boss monster locations.

Whereby.

“No.”

You never know when you will clear the dungeon.

This is the biggest fear.

‘Sometimes I go into a state of panic because of that. Our warriors won’t do that, though.’

Depending on the competency of the participant, the average time for a formal exam is between 1 and 2 days.

“Participants are all provided with the same amount of drinking water and food.”

This means that even eating is something that must be done by self-sufficiency within oneself.

Normally, you can take as much as you want from outside, but it is different for exams.

“Please understand that the manager is prohibited from accompanying you during the official exam.”

It is completely different from the temporary exam.

“Also, in this formal exam, the ‘Image Mirror’ invented by the Imperial Magic Corps will be used for the first time and will be broadcast to the outside world.”

The manager handed out food and small beads one by one.

“The coordinates of the bead will be relayed to the image mirror outside the dungeon in response to the coordinates. If you do not wish to relay, you can temporarily stop it by injecting magical power.”

but.

If I stay there for a few days, I’ll have to go run errands, but if that gets broadcast, it’ll be a big problem.

Vivian received food and a bead as a representative, and the bead had ‘1’ written on it.

Does this mean this is party number 1?

“Ends explanation. Entry will begin soon.”

The manager finished his explanation.

“Huhhh… .”

Vivian let out a long groan.

“Whoop, whoop… .”

Next to me, Helena was breathing heavily, her chest heaving.

“Phew… .”

Lucia must have been nervous, too, as she stretched and exhaled lightly.

“Hmm. This is your last chance. If you ask me to tell you right now, I will.”

I asked out of curiosity, but everyone shook their heads at the same time.

Aside from being nervous, I had already made up my mind that I shouldn’t do that.

“We’ll do it just between us… !”

Vivian said, clenching her fists.

“Ian… !”

Helena, who had already taken off her helmet, approached.

“Could you lend me a hand for a moment…? ?”

“Hands?”

I asked back and held out one hand.

Then Helena grabbed my hand with both hands, placed it on her forehead and closed her eyes.

It was the same prayer posture I had seen before.

“Huh… .”

Helena soon opened her eyes and her expression became much more stable.

She looked up at me and smiled contentedly.

“Thank you. My mind calmed down.”

“Ah, yes… .”

I don’t know why you’re praying with my hands, but if it helps… .

“Stir… . Hey, Ian… ?”

This time Vivian sneakily approached me.

“Before you go, can you give me a hug just once… ?”

“… Yes?”

“Ah no, no! that is! This doesn’t mean anything strange! Well, I just thought it would make me feel a little more at ease… .”

Vivian muttered, writhing her hands as if she were embarrassed.

“The last time I was hugged, I felt so comfortable… .”

She was staring at me without my permission, and before I knew it, she was right in front of me.

“Oh, why not… ?”

“Ah, well… . Yes.”

I was shocked, but gave permission.

If it helps you take the test, that’s fine.

-width!

Vivian lightly threw herself into the embrace as if she had been waiting.

“Hmm… .”

I don’t know if it was bad or good, but Vivian made a strange sound and put her weight on me.

“… Thank you.”

Vivian, who fell away from me, had a very flushed face.

Is it effective?

“… I will hug you too!”

“Yes? What… . Billion!”

Helena, who suddenly declared, rushed forward and was hugged.

“Seueueup, hoo… . Sooo… .”

She placed her face near the solar plexus and hugged me tightly, breathing deeply.

“Thank you… !”

I doubt whether it is effective.

Helena, who had looked calm after praying just now, somehow became even stiffer.

“Now it’s my turn?”

Lucia came naturally.

“… Do whatever you want.”

Unlike the previous two, Lucia slowly wrapped her arms around my waist and leaned in.

“Somehow, it’s like a big blanket, so it’s stable.”

“Is that helpful?”

“Sure.”

Lucia, who fell as slowly as when she got stuck, said that she had not yet fallen.

“I will do well. So, please watch closely.”

“Keep in mind.”

After Lucia fell, even Mercy was in chaos.

“Me too, me too!”

She, being a fairy, immediately hugged my cheek tightly, and Kati came up to my hand and bit it.

“The official warrior promotion test will begin.”

With the manager’s words, the dungeon door opened.

My group, party number 1, was the first to go in.

“Ian! I’ll be back!”

“I will definitely pass!”

“Watch it! Hello!”

So the three of them were the first to disappear down the dungeon.

“Oh my, what would happen if I looked at it with such nervous eyes.”

“… Be quiet.”

I can’t help feeling anxious for no reason.

Other parties quickly entered the dungeon as well.

“Come on, let’s go!”

We moved to where mirror number 1 was.

There were a lot of people, but as the manager, I was able to watch from the front row.

“Oh, Ian!”

“Marie?”

Perhaps because she came early, Marie was near the front row.

There was also a familiar face next to him.

It was Helena’s old friend, Rachel, whom she had met at McDerlin Monastery.

“Ah, Ian… .”

For some reason, Rachel avoided eye contact.

The three people standing next to each other also have familiar faces.

These were the three warriors who were with Vivian when she took the temporary exam.

It looks like Marie brought all four members of her party to see it.

All four recognize me, but they look uncomfortable.

I think I roughly understand the reason.

“Ian did that because he knew it was Philip.”

Marie shrugged and explained.

I thought so.

“I don’t think it would be that difficult. What an amazing person he is.”

“That’s right.”

“Ahaha… .”

The four of us just laughed awkwardly at Mari and I’s taunt.

Now that I think about it, what is the manager’s guild like these days?

“Marie. How is the guild these days?”

“Hmm. Well, nothing much. There are some people who cry out that pennies have gone out, and some people that say it was a false accusation. It’s the same as before. ‘Hans’, who was the assistant master, was entrusted with it, and it seemed like he was just maintaining it.”

“Hmm… .”

Manager Guild.

If used well, it seems possible to raise the average power level of humanity.

If it’s my name, it’s worth trying to steal the master’s position… .

“Mari, are you greedy for success?”

“Why are you asking such an obvious question? Who doesn’t like money and power? If you put me in a high position and give me money, I will do anything.”

That’s right.

I need to find out about the guild’s internal situation through Marie and then come up with a takeover plan.

Later, Mari was promoted to assistant master level and managed.

Mari is a pretty trustworthy person.

That will happen later.

First of all, today we have to focus on the formal exam of the Fruit Heroes.

“Ian. What about Helena? How are you?”

Rachel asked cautiously.

Sure, Rachel and Helena were close, but because they were busy, they didn’t see each other often.

I answered by pointing my chin at the video mirror.

“It would be better to see it in person.”

“Oh! Coming out!”

Just then the screen turned on.

People let out amazing cheers.

I was also a little impressed.

It really feels like watching TV.

The first thing I saw was Vivian.

“It’s Vivian!”

“King Slime Slayer!”

On the screen, Vivian shrugged her shoulders and looked around.

-Ugh… . For some reason, I feel embarrassed because I think someone else is watching… .

It was truly Vivian’s first words.

Laughter spread among the audience.

-Isn’t it possible that your voice is also transmitted?

-Ne? omg! Now that I think about it, it seems like it was… . Can you hear me… ?

Vivian said, looking around.

Lucia, who was next to me, laughed.

-Even if you answer, we won’t hear it?

-Ah… ! I see… .

You really show it.

Before we knew it, the onlookers were busy watching the hero’s activities, making fun of Vivian, and loving Vivian.

Anyway, just like that, the official exam began.

*

Since the search area was so wide, my group seemed to be planning to set a base and investigate the surrounding area, gradually expanding the area.

-What do you think here?

The site that Lucia suggested was topographically quite high and had even ground.

There were many trees around, so it was good for concealment, and it was close to the water.

-Sounds good!

Helena and Vivian agreed.

The three took branches and leaves from the surrounding area and prepared a suitable spot.

‘Are you planning to take a break and have a meeting? It’s a calm start. ‘Not bad.’

That’s how I’m feeling it.

The bushes on the other side of the screen rustled, and a figure jumped out.

Before I had time to figure out the identities of the four people, a sharp voice was heard first.

-Hey. Philip You can meet parachutes in places like this?

The group faced them in a wary manner.

I was soon able to recognize their identities.

At the gathering of warriors earlier, the party was looking at this side with envy.

‘There’s no way he wouldn’t know it was being broadcast. Do you not believe it? ‘It may be an unfamiliar technology here.’

Among the onlookers, there were some who were debating whether what they were seeing was real or not, so it wasn’t something they couldn’t understand.

‘Or maybe they’ve already figured it out and are taking advantage of it.’

The warriors here are themselves entertainment for the people.

At the same time, warriors value not only fame but also recognition.

So it could be that it was intentionally done to provoke people.

Most people are enthusiastic about this kind of provocative conflict.

If that’s the case, they are quite intelligent.

Among the onlookers, there are quite a few people who think the same way.

With their current actions, they immediately attracted them to their side.

‘But still. ‘I never thought there would be a party like that, so openly, so early.’

Most of the people in front of mirror number 1 are people who support my party, that is, party number 1.

Sighs and jeers poured out, and Mercy, who was sitting on his shoulder, also looked worried.

The voice that had just sarcastically spoke again.

It was a woman with short black hair standing in front.

-You must have gotten there by luck and without any skills. Do you think C-rank dungeons are a joke? Why don’t you drop out before you get sold out?

“What is that guy!”

“That’s the ‘Vera’ party that failed the official exam several times!”

“What kind of mean things are you saying to the cutie Vivian!”

I quietly watched the situation.

Indeed, how will our innocent warriors overcome this conflict in my absence?

The first to come forward was the cutie Vivian.