Chapter 148: To the Basement Level

"……hmm."

Returning to the "Adventurer's Inn" (Bamboo Route), I immediately explain the situation to the "Gambler."

"So you're saying you came back straight away?"

"Uh-huh."

"Too naive."

Yeah.

Just as I expected.

"Frankly, I don't like being left out like that."

"……That was just a precaution, in case I started making trouble."

"So basically, I was being held hostage without even realizing it."

Well, depending on how you look at it, that's exactly what happened.

"If you want us to trust you, isn't it only fair to show some genuine sincerity?"

"That's the best solution I could come up with, given my position. I can't really blame you for that."

"...'Warrior.' You're a bit too considerate of your opponent. That kind of attitude will eventually get you destroyed."

"We'll deal with that when the time comes."

"…………"

The "Gambling Master" stared at me intently for a while, then sighed.

"Ah, whatever....It's early tomorrow. Let's get to bed already."

Grabbing the pillow and the stuffed bear (Number Two), he burrowed under the blanket.

▼

The next day, humming a tune, we hunted down the remaining "Iron Slimes." As usual, we opened the door to the "Boss Room" that appeared in front of the "Adventurer's Inn."

I'm coming in...

"Alright, passed!"

That's fast.

A muscular, fit man greeted us with a lively voice.

He wore a smile that radiated pure joy, as if his emotions were entirely focused on happiness.

Come on! Go forward without hesitation! I won't stop you!

And they say it for me.

"...Is that really okay?"

"Okay. At least, there's no 'law' preventing us from doing it."

Hmm

After hesitating for a moment, I said,

"If you're saying that... then..."

"Indeed, you may rest easy. The 'King' is currently asleep and won't awaken for a few more hours."

As expected.

For the record, I'm Ryusou. I'm the older brother of Ryuga, the one you knocked out on the previous floor....The objective for clearing this floor is to inflict a certain amount of damage upon me, the so-called "Guardian Knight"... but today, I just can't be bothered! I never engage in fights I know I can't win. I'll concede defeat to you without hesitation.

...You're quite an honest person, aren't you.

According to Haruna, it seems that all the "players" of the "Floor Boss" are forced to be here.

If that's the case, then our presence—aiming to defeat the "King"—must be convenient for them.

That being the case! Both of you, slowly and steadily head down to the "first basement level"! And I truly hope you become the ones to clear this "dungeon"! Of course, as someone entrusted with the "boss room," I'm not officially encouraging such things! But personally! I'm looking forward to your tremendous efforts!

...They're probably the kind of person who couldn't lie even if they tried.

Wait a minute

Then, the "Gambler" sighs and says.

"We're not trying to make it easy and move ahead quickly... right?"

I nodded silently in agreement.

Ryutsume raised his eyebrows, about the thickness of two fingers, and muttered,

"...Hmm?"

"Though I appreciate the gesture, I'd like you to compete properly."

"I don't mind at all....After all, I'm strong, you know?"

The "Gambler" slapped his cheeks with both hands, pumping himself up.

"It's fine."

Apparently, the "Gambler" would be taking the first move.

"Just heard a distasteful bit of gossip last night... I felt like I needed to vent, so I thought I'd take it out on someone."

▼

"Guh... I'm done."

After confirming that Ryusaru had dropped to his knees, we moved forward.

"Just as my brother said—unusual techniques, not skills, it seems."

"Company secret."

The gambler seemed intent on keeping his promise to Haruna, appearing unwilling to elaborate too much about his "secret techniques."

"Then, we'll be moving ahead."

"Very well... but first, let me offer one warning."

"What is it?"

If your strength is what I believe it to be, conquering the "first basement level" shouldn't be too difficult....But the next floor is currently the one where the greatest number of "players" are stagnating. Those who choose to stay put rather than push forward. Don't fall in with them—don't take the easy way just because it's tempting.

...Huh.

Thank you for the warning, I truly appreciate it.

Turning our backs on Ryusetsu, we moved on to the next level.

We didn’t feel any need for special alertness, since we’d already confirmed the situation on the first basement level from Haruna earlier.

“What exactly is the key to the boss room appearing on this floor?"

"It’s simple. Destroy three or more 'Return Points' scattered throughout the dungeon."

...A 'Return Point,' huh.

Now that you mention it, I remember there were those.

We never paid much attention to it before, since we've always used the "Return Crystal" (10,000 gold) to return to the Adventurer's Inn.

"Still, that's just plain unreasonable, isn't it? What kind of thinking leads to destroying 'Return Points'? It's as if they don't want us to clear the dungeon at all."

Indeed, without Haruna's information, we might have been stuck in a long, drawn-out battle.

"There are probably many 'players' lingering on this floor because the clear conditions aren't clear."

At that point, we arrive at the "First Basement Level."

"...Huh, so this is what it's like."

The moment I take a step forward, I immediately understand what kind of place this is.

I press down on the floor of the "First Basement Level," squishing it slightly,

"It looks like the walls are made of material that absorbs shock."

I can feel just how awkward the movement is.

Sleeping outdoors doesn't seem too tough, at least not that much.

Indeed, it feels like no cushion needed.

"What was that 'slime' on this floor again... um, what was it exactly?"

The "Feather Slime," was it?

Depending on the name called, or perhaps drawn by the "Ring of Shura," a creature resembling a "Feather Slime" floats lazily in the direction of sight.

"Hey, already..."

The "Feather Slime" has the appearance of a white pigeon without a head or legs, and feels delightfully soft and fluffy to the touch.

"What's that? So cute... Don't you think it's adorable?"

"Hmm... Not really. It's kind of like a turkey that's half-cooked and half-processed."

"I really want to catch one and keep it as a pet."

"You're crazy. Don't be ridiculous."

"No, no matter what you say, I'm keeping it. I've already given it a name—Elisabeth."

"...Well, it's not related to the conditions for the 'Boss Room' to appear, and it's not a monster that needs to be killed, so it doesn't matter much..."

"Come here, Elisabeth..."

As I called out, the "Winged Slime" twitched violently and jumped.

Oh no, it's going to run away...

I hesitate, wondering whether I should instinctively use the 'secret technique' I learned from Shunna-san.

Since I don't know what might happen, I can't afford to waste too much mana...

...That's what I thought.

That hesitation decided Elizabet's fate.

Boom! The sound of gunpowder exploding struck her ears, and Elizabet was blown apart in a mess.

"YEEEEEEEEEELIZABETTTTTT!"

The corpse of the "wing slime" turned into a dozen or so golden coins glowing with golden light.

"Alright! One down!"

In front of her line of sight stood a young man holding a shotgun.

He was probably around twenty-five or so—tall and slender, with a half-foreign appearance and smooth, flawless skin that looked almost like it had been permanently waxed. A gentle-looking young man.

"Wait... oh! Hey, you two—do you happen to be... part of the same group?"

"Ah, hey... um, hi..."

I gave a modest greeting.

According to Ryuzari, those who stayed on the first basement level were people who chose to maintain the status quo rather than move forward.

It seems Sasaeda-san didn't rely on me much either, and I get the feeling it's better not to get too deeply involved.

"Sorry for startling you. This area was basically designated as my hunting ground."

"No, it's fine."

"You two, you kind of feel like you've just arrived here, don't you?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I'm Kinjō Ryōma. I'm a 'Ranger,' though to be honest, it's mostly just a title."

"May I take a look at your skills, if you don't mind?"

"Sure, go ahead... Not anything impressive, though."

"Then I'll take you up on that."

...Hmm.

Level 27, is it?

All the skills I'm seeing are ones I've seen before, so you're probably not much of a threat.

"Anyway, I'd like to introduce you to the others. I'll show you to the Adventurer's Inn."

Following his smile, we moved forward down the passage to the "first basement level."

In the middle of the way,

"...This isn't good."

Suddenly, the "Gambler" muttered with a bitter expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Uh... that two-horse thing... it's bad."

"What about it?"

Had he sensed some ominous atmosphere?

I leaned in closer, tense.

"It's too much of a strike."

"A strike?"

"Yeah, guys like that J-rock type—kinda... actually, pretty much my type, me, the master."

………….

……………….

……………………Ah, right. (Uninterested)