episode_0095

People often use the term ‘green hell’ when referring to the jungle. That expression couldn’t be more appropriate. It’s just too terrible here.

As soon as we entered the dense forest at the entrance, we were greeted by thick trees and tangled vines. Along with bugs, humidity, and heat!

In this naturally formed maze, you can’t see an inch ahead. Every meter we advanced, all sorts of vines and plant stems blocked our way. True to plants found in dungeons, they were incredibly tough and wouldn’t cut easily. Because of this, everyone in our party was channeling magic into their weapons to clear a path.

“Ugh, it’s so dense! Irene, is this the right way?”

“Directionally, yes. Look at this.”

Irene, who was diligently clearing a path with a machete at the front, showed me the electronic map linked to the inertial navigation sensor. Looking at the map, even accounting for sensor error, we could see our position was consistently moving in a straight line.

“We could take an easier path if we just turn back a little. The forest density there is lower than here, and there’s a path. Should we turn back now?”

“Anywhere is fine with me. What about you, Violet?”

“Time is precious! Let’s just keep going straight!”

We didn’t just come to play. We came to grow.

“Even so, it’d be better to go comfortably, wouldn’t it? I’ll open the way.”

“Open the way? What does that mean?”

“Squad 1, assemble!”

Leaving my bewildered friends, I gathered some of the Violets who were advancing nearby. Since we could sense each other’s positions, we gathered without getting lost even in this chaotic jungle.

“Assembly complete!”

Once all the black-masked Violets had gathered, Unit 1 immediately gave an order.

“From now on, let’s create a path. Clear away everything that blocks our way.”

“Understood.”

The Violet Company simultaneously drew their swords and axes. From now on, our task was to be the engineers. Red magic coated the swords, and a burning sword aura surged forth.

Snap!

“Cut them all down!”

Dozens of Violets quickly began to clear a path for the party to pass. These tough bushes, which even a chainsaw wouldn’t get through, fell in an instant. Soon, a passage wide enough for one or two adult men appeared before our eyes. My friends’ expressions were filled with surprise.

“We can go this way. Let’s go!”

“Ah… so there was a way like this. Not a bad idea.”

As Irene’s golden eyes, full of interest, looked around, the Violet squad became a giant lawnmower, creating a path that was easy to travel.

Walking on the cleared path made our journey a bit more comfortable. But it was still hot. Very humid. Daphne, who was following behind, stopped for a moment and wiped my sweat.

“Ah, thanks for that. It was uncomfortable getting into my eyes.”

“It’s definitely hot in the jungle. But how is everyone doing, Unit 1?”

She pointed to the Violet squad working ahead and the rest of the company patrolling around the party.

“Even Unit 1 Violet is sweating so much. But the other Violets are wearing such stuffy outfits and even masks. They must be incredibly uncomfortable.”

Her reaction wasn’t mere apprehension. The air inside this dungeon was as humid as a sauna, and skin quickly became sticky. It wasn’t a metaphor; it was genuinely like a sauna. The display on Daphne’s staff showed the temperature here to be about 40 degrees Celsius.

I wondered how plants could grow so well in such heat. Was it the power of aether?

“Don’t worry, they won’t collapse from exhaustion.”

Unit 1 Violet pointed a hand at Unit 12, who was close by, to Daphne.

“That’s Unit 12. Do you see the steam rising around Unit 12?”

“You’re right. Did she put ice inside her body or something?”

“Exactly, it’s similar! We put ice packs inside their clothes.”

As long as we have teleportation abilities and inventories, our supplies are infinite; we can get whatever we need from outside the dungeon at any time.

We had already made various preparations for the heat. We froze plenty of ice packs in the refrigerator at home. Then, whenever needed, we just put the ice packs inside the Violets’ clothes. Teleporting ice or similar things into their masks also makes them a bit cooler.

“Ah, I forgot to give some to you guys too. Use this if you’re hot.”

Unit 1 and Unit 12 handed out freshly taken cold ice packs and ice cream to their friends. Irene gladly rubbed an ice pack against her cheek. Daphne also took out a cold water bottle from her inventory and handed it over. The water tasted refreshing.

An hour passed like that.

“At this rate, it feels like we’re on a picnic. There are hardly any magic beasts either.”

“The academy said they deliberately control the population for safety. And there’s only one type of weak magic beast, at the Scraxx level, that uses barrier fields.”

Listening to their conversation, I leisurely walked through the jungle cleared by the Violet squads. Vines and bushes were piled high on the ground, but it didn’t impede walking.

Immediately after exiting the sea of densely grown trees, we entered an area where trees grew sparsely.

“From here on, it’s an anomalous phenomenon zone. Everyone be careful.”

A warning sign appeared before our eyes. It was similar to the kind we saw last time in the Alkesia Forest.

“Violet, do you remember what we learned last time? If there’s a suspicious spot, throw a small object to check…”

Boom!

Screech!

Yelp!

No sooner had Irene opened her mouth to explain than a small explosion occurred in front of us. Two Violet Company scouts, who had been advancing ahead of us, were engulfed in flames and sent flying before the party members, falling face down.

“Yelp! I’m burning!”

“Stay still. I’ll put out the fire right away!”

Daphne, who had rushed over, aimed her staff and cast a spell. The fire only went out when they were drenched in water. When they tried to get up, she stopped them. Only after immediately completing treatment were the Violets able to stand.

“I told you there might be anomalous phenomena or traps. Did you just go right in?”

“Of course, I threw a sphere. But it exploded violently.”

“What? That can’t be right.”

Puzzled, Irene went to the spot. When she saw suspicious heat haze shimmering from the ground, she carefully took out a sphere and threw it. Just like before, loud flames shot up, and she quickly ducked her head. The power was stronger than expected.

“It’s true. It wasn’t your fault. To think the anomalous phenomenon’s power was this strong…”

The party and the Violet Company paused for a moment to examine the anomalous zone. Checking each one before entering was the standard procedure, but that would take too much time.

“Everyone, assemble!”

I assembled the entire Violet Company.

“I have a favor to ask you all. First, Irene. Could you use your unique ability on us?”

“Why suddenly?… Alright.”

Irene’s guiding sunlight spread from her body and enveloped us. With this, the Violets’ basic stats were temporarily enhanced.

Let’s add something else to this.

“Shields? For everyone?”

“Yes, we need them. Please.”

“Alright. Please gather a bit closer.”

As Daphne struck the tip of her staff onto the ground, the blessing of the Blue Eye enveloped us.

Now, the bodies of all members of the Violet Company were enveloped in golden magic, and each person was covered in a light green shield. They were several times sturdier than usual.

“We’ve done as you asked, so now tell us why you requested the use of unique abilities.”

“It’s because of this. Everyone. Prepare!”

“Ah, you, surely not…”

“Huh? Violet. Where are you going? Ah, ah…”

Irene, grasping the situation, let out a small sigh, while a bewildered Daphne stammered.

The Violet Company stepped forward.

It’s said that during World War II, some countries used prisoners of war for mine detection. Based on that idea, I decided to try something interesting.

When would we ever finish checking where all the traps and anomalous phenomena are? Checking with our bodies is the fastest way.

So we charged.

“Charge!”

The Violet Company, covered in buffs and now sturdy, charged forward. Before long, our surroundings were filled with the noise of various natural disasters.

“Follow me!”

“Ugh, I didn’t think you’d actually do that. You really…”

“Uh… uh… um, Violet, what’s going on? Huh?! What are you doing!”

As Unit 1 led the team forward, the remaining Violets became living mine detection equipment, reporting the locations of anomalous phenomena in real-time.

“3 o’clock direction, 25 meters ahead, vortex phenomenon! You could get swept away, so move to the left.”

“12 o’clock direction, gravity anomaly, walk 10 meters then turn right with the party!”

“Pull back a moment from there. Lightning will strike. Get down!”

Based on the Violets’ information, I successfully broke through the anomalous phenomenon zone quickly with my friends.

“I really didn’t think you’d do that. Even if that’s your style…”

“But we got through quickly, didn’t we? There’s no need to waste time there.”

Irene, shaking her head, glanced to the side for a moment. Daphne was staring blankly at me, seemingly astonished.

“Wait a minute, Violet. What in the world was that, um…”

Hehehe…

As I scratched my head, at a loss for words, the Violet Company members who had passed through the anomalous phenomenon zone began to appear one by one.

“We’re here!”

By some miracle, the majority of the Violet Company emerged unharmed even after being swept through the anomalous phenomena. This was thanks to being strengthened by double buffs. Although some Violets met an unfortunate end, they were immediately resummoned to fill the ranks, so no one would know.

“That was too reckless. Next time, please explain what you’re going to do, okay?”

“Alright…”

Although I received a scolding from Daphne, our schedule was able to proceed at high speed.

And so, several hours later, we reached a hidden passage that led to the ruins.

It was time to get stronger soon.