episode_0222

The purpose of visiting a dungeon is usually threefold: monster hunting, treasure seeking, and boss extermination. Since the first dungeon was discovered, these have been carried out in that order.

Basically, a dungeon is an area created when powerful magical energy warps space, and it usually has a single boss that governs the entire area. The magical energy constantly flowing from the boss spawns monsters, and if they aren’t dealt with in time, a “dungeon break” occurs, where monsters overflow.

The order of dealing with a dungeon: First, exterminate the monsters. This is to prevent interference with subsequent tasks. Monsters are generated endlessly until the magical energy disappears, but they aren’t constantly being generated. There’s a gap after you wipe them out. You can also obtain byproducts from their corpses.

Second, use that gap to find the boss. The place where the strongest magical energy is felt within the dungeon’s area—that’s where the boss is.

Also, when a dungeon is created, the warping of space can connect it to pre-existing areas. You might find ancient artifacts, magical tools, or magically-enhanced tools accidentally created from natural mana. These items are considered treasure, so many adventurers seek them, dreaming of a sudden fortune.

Third, exterminate the boss. Once the dungeon’s ruler, the boss monster, is defeated, the concentrated magical energy disperses, and the dungeon is liberated. However, unless it’s an extremely dangerous dungeon, most dungeons are stable, so dealing with the boss to clear the dungeon isn’t very common. It’s treated like a golden goose.

So the main focus of adventurer activities is hunting and exploration. If killing the dungeon boss is like catching the goose, hunting and exploring are simply waiting for the goose to lay golden eggs. It’s easy, safe, and the rewards are generous.

So we hunted, now it’s time for exploration, isn’t it?

Conveniently, the mock dungeon, while having the academy controlling all aspects, was no different from a normal dungeon. Monsters could be hunted, and treasure could be explored.

After a fierce hunt and a quick meal, Yuri’s Delta squad reached the treasure area. The outer edge of the area was a tropical rainforest region, slightly hotter and more humid than the safety zone. The vegetation was dense, the trees tall—it was like a jungle.

‘Jungle… treasure… reminds me of Indiana Jones.’

That’s exactly what it was like. Even though a jungle-like treasure area appeared, I only gave instructions while watching the broadcast screen. Seeing the adventurers’ exploits only from beyond the screen, it was inevitable that old adventure movies would come to mind.

“I… also… want to… adventure…”

My legs were starting to get stiff. Sitting in one place for tens of hours and only using my head is really not suited for me.

「I’ll go in soon, Unni.」 「Oh, yeah, okay… I’ll be looking around, tell me if anything seems off.」

I’m feeling a bit grumpy for some reason.

* * *

After about 5 minutes of hacking through the undergrowth, Yuri stopped, sensing an ominous aura just ahead. She raised her hand, signaling a halt to the squad members behind her.

Shhh-

She hid her body behind a tree and peeked out. Having circled the area once before entering, she knew she was in the center. As if to prove it, several large stone pillars stood before Yuri.

In the center of the pillars, a large temple stood tall. At a glance, it also looked like a stone pagoda with its upper part torn away. A large door beckoned, subtly exuding traces of mana as if inviting them to enter. Stone steps led down to it.

One of the squad members moved close behind Yuri. She adjusted her glasses, carefully observing the temple. Then, as if something came to mind, she spoke.

“…There’s a trap. It seems to be an altar frequently made by goblin shamans. The surrounding stone pillars and staircase decorations all match what I’ve seen in the documents.”

Delta Squad is composed of the top performers in 1-A’s written exams. Second to Sixth place. Even if they lack a little in real combat, their knowledge of dungeons is thorough. For reference, Yuri is sixth.

“What kind of trap?” “It’s like… a barrier. The moment someone with mana enters, it signals the shaman, and goblins will pour out from all directions.” “Can it be disarmed?” “Ugh…”

The cadet groaned, adjusting her glasses. Her knowledge of monsters was extensive, but her magical knowledge of disarming barriers was a little lacking.

But that’s why 1-A’s brains were all gathered here. Yuri’s gaze shifted to another squad member behind her, who nodded immediately.

“Leave the barrier removal to me. It’ll take about 5 minutes to analyze the incantation, please provide cover in the meantime.” “Understood.”

The male cadet also wore glasses. He adjusted them with his fingers, sporting a confident expression. With renewed vigor in his steps, he approached the barrier and reached out.

The female cadet clenched her fists.

“M-magical tools… The magical tools that can be found inside that temple will definitely be shamanistic tools. Things like candlesticks, grimoires, ritual daggers, etc.” “Thank you, that’s helpful. Don’t be too nervous, just do what you can.” “Y-yes… yes…!!”

Yuri gently reassured her. The tension in her hands and shoulders eased, and she let out a relieved smile.

Soon, the barrier was dispelled. The male cadet shrugged as if it were nothing, but beads of sweat dotted his forehead. Disarming magic is never easy. Yuri praised him for it as well.

All the squad members gathered in front of the temple. Each one swallowed nervously, trying to compose themselves. It’s a little scary, but it’s okay. Their squad leader, Yurias, was as reliable as Narias.

“There are no signs of monsters inside. Is the trap over?” “Yes. Goblin shaman altars only have magical barriers. They tend to overestimate their own abilities, so they wouldn’t set up separate, old-fashioned physical traps.” “Let’s proceed with caution, just in case. Everyone, let’s enter.”

Yuri, with her excellent senses, took the lead. She heightened her senses to the maximum, maintaining a steady tension with each step. She put her hand to her ear and sent a message.

「Unni, are you watching?」 「Yes. You disarmed the barrier well. The rest is exploration, right?」 「Yes. Can you signal if something appears outside?」 「Of course.」

It’s a goblin shaman altar, so you never know where goblins might pop out. Nari always warned her in dungeons that when things go well, you should assume the worst-case scenario.

They ascended the stone steps, reaching the entrance. A chilling wind blew from inside.

“Ugh-” “This…” “…is awful.”

Moreover, a stench so intense it made their spines shiver. The smell of rotting corpses mixed with various filth was almost unbearable. Yuri, with her sensitive senses, felt it even more intensely; she couldn’t stand it without covering her nose.

‘I want to clean.’

The urge to clean that always flared up upon seeing something dirty also gave her some trouble. In fact, enduring the desire to clean was even harder than suffering from the terrible smell. But a squad member unaware of this activated magic in the center of the formation.

[Aero Protection].

A pale green wind enveloped all members of the squad in a sphere-like form. It was a kind of barrier. Feeling the effect somewhat, Yuri removed her hand from her nose and cautiously inhaled. There was no smell.

“Whew… Thank you.” “I added a deodorizing effect to my usual wind barrier. It might deflect simple arrow traps as well.” “That’s reassuring. Let’s really go in now.”

They stepped into the darkness of the entrance.

[Light]-

One of the squad members raised a finger. At the tip, they gathered mana, creating a glowing sphere. Soon, the light spread outwards, illuminating the surroundings.

The internal structure was not very different from the outside. As it was a stone temple, the inner walls were also made of stone. There were occasional gaps on the floor, so they had to be careful not to stumble.

“It’s been… quite a while since the place was used.”

The female cadet with glasses carefully examined the walls and spoke. Her gaze was on the wall sconces. She extended a finger, tracing across the metal candlesticks.

Clang-

“It’s terribly cold. If it’s this cold, we don’t have to worry about a shaman being inside. Unless it’s an ordinary goblin, shamans tend to dislike the dark.”

Her knowledge was quite useful. Not only did she identify this place as a goblin shaman altar, that there was a barrier, but also whether there was a shaman inside. In terms of exploration, Delta Squad was, in a way, the dream team.

However, Yuri came to an abrupt stop.

‘Unless it’s an ordinary goblin…’

Always assume the worst-case scenario. She thought that ordinary goblins, who liked darkness, might remain inside the temple.

And, they soon found traces of them.

“The source of the smell… must be this.”

A large quantity of blood covered the floor, walls, and even the ceiling. It was so thickly caked that it was hard to tell when it was spilled.

And at that moment.

Rustle-

“Something’s there—!!”

They heard a living creature moving. Yuri, the first to sense the presence, entered a combat stance.