The Dungeon of Fire - 6

"There's no doubt about it. Let's hurry and attach the ladder before descending."

We had prepared the ladder in anticipation of this situation.

Everyone quickly set it up, and in addition to the ladder, they also lowered ropes, making sure they had a way back as they descended into the hole. Inside, it was quiet. There were signs of battle—four bodies lying motionless. Yet, the enemy was still numerous.

All were sub-beasts.

The sub-beasts turned their gaze toward us as we descended.

Though it took time, having prepared thoroughly, we successfully repelled them without resorting to our ultimate technique.

We rushed immediately to the four fallen comrades.

Unfortunately, two had already perished. But the other two were still barely breathing. I used a healing crystal on both, yet this wouldn't be enough if we continued like this.

We won't make it unless we return to the nearest group of tents and have multiple people heal us simultaneously...

I explained the situation to everyone and quickly climbed up the hole, loading all four onto the tricycle. Kenny was the last to climb out of the hole, holding someone's bones and gear.

The group searching for the missing five people must be the right ones. Shortly after, we reached the first Monster House. We arrived without stopping, not even knowing what the enemy was.

During that time, I kept applying healing crystals to the two of them.

Clara took over driving, while the remaining two followed on foot, keeping a sharp lookout.

Originally, the speed was comparable to that of a bicycle in the original world—nothing particularly impressive—especially considering it was carrying six people and additional luggage. The vehicle moved at a pace similar to walking. No one spoke during the journey.

Even though it's already late, it's still faster than transporting normally. If I rush back, I'll get home quickly. Once I arrived at the tent camp, I handed over the responsibility to a guild member or another group's healer.

We took a break. We were eating together around the campfire.

"Those people we rescued... they managed to survive after all..."

Clara muttered quietly while eating.

"Ah, that's good. It was worth saving them."

"In dungeons, this kind of thing happens often. There's no need to worry about it. In fact, you've just saved lives that could've been lost. That's the best work you've done so far."

Alek said, looking at me.

"It helps to hear you say that."

Still, it's hard to get used to. Will I ever become accustomed to it someday?

Adventurers sometimes fight in wars as mercenaries. An elderly adventurer I once spoke to, who'd been at it for years, said he'd grown used to taking lives. I wonder if I'll end up like that too. That thought kind of bothers me...

No, I'll stop thinking about that for now. I need to focus on conquering the dungeon ahead. That day, I quickly got ready and went to bed.

The next day, though I couldn't tell if it was morning inside the cave, I began preparations with the feeling of early dawn.

When I'd explored here before, I'd roughly measured distances using applied detection magic. According to that, there should be a dead end just a bit further from where we progressed yesterday.

We advanced through the dungeon in our usual formation. Thanks to clearing the second monster house yesterday, the number of enemies appearing had drastically decreased.

We reached yesterday’s progress point without fighting a single battle.

“Feels a bit anticlimactic… not having to fight at all…”

“Clara, don’t let your guard down.”

“I know. We’re entering unexplored territory now, after all.”

"Taro, please help us."

Encouraged by Alek, I activated the exploration magic. Yet there was no response from the enemy.

Suspicious... There had been enemy reactions all along, but now there's no signal even from the soil nearby. What's going on?

Could it really be that we've eliminated everything? But we have no way to confirm. For now, we can only keep moving forward. We advance steadily, staying on guard.

The enemy just won't show up. The path is gradually narrowing. It feels like we should be nearing the next monster house soon, but our prior survey indicated a dead end.

I'm starting to feel hot. Maybe because we've reached so deep underground? Sweat's starting to come. The heavy gear we're wearing only makes it worse.

Looking around, I see everyone else is sweating too. Clara, in particular, has completely let her guard down, her arms hanging limply as she trudges forward listlessly. She’s fanning her chest, clearly suffering from the heat.

Kenny, surprisingly, isn’t sweating much. He really is tough in situations like this...

A white mist floats across the ground—perhaps there’s a steam source somewhere nearby? But there’s no sign of it anywhere around.

It feels like steam would quickly dissipate and vanish, but in a confined space like this, maybe it stays trapped instead?

Thinking that, I carelessly touched the wall. But the dirt on the wall was dry. Wait—no, if it were warm, steam shouldn’t float in the air like that.

"What’s wrong? Taro, let’s go quickly."

Encouraged by Alek, I reluctantly hurried back, though I was curious. My vision was growing increasingly white, to the point that I could barely see a few meters ahead.

We moved forward without incident for a while. Then Alek suddenly told me to stop.

Before us lay something brown and lump-like. Approaching cautiously, I realized it was the corpse of a subbeast—perhaps a deer. There were no obvious signs of injury.

The ecology of the subbeasts remains unknown. What could have brought it this far? Upon closer inspection, I realized there were several more corpses scattered around. Though decomposed beyond recognition, they too seemed to lack any visible injuries.

Subbeasts should be stronger than ordinary creatures and unlikely to be killed so easily. If it realizes there's nothing here, it should turn back along the path it came from...

"Uhh... water... water..."

Saying that, Clara vigorously refilled the water tank attached to her magic tricycle.

"Clara, if you drink that much, there won't be any left for the return trip."

"What can I do? It's super hot! Kenny, you're the type who gets overheated—don't you need water?"

"It's hot, sure, but not that much. Why is everyone sweating so much?"

"You know, now isn't the time to tease."

"You two can't be fighting at a time like this!"

When Alex stepped forward to calm the two, Alex collapsed to one knee.

Alex had taken in enough water and salt.

No, that wasn't the issue—dehydration. Alex had to be helped quickly. But when Alex reached out to touch Alex, the body felt neither hot nor feverish—maybe even slightly cool?

Alex tried to lift Alex, but strength was fading. Damn it, am I dehydrated too!?

You okay, Taro? Switch places with me. I'll carry Alex.

Kenny stepped in. Alex was led by Kenny and drank water greedily.

Still, Kenny wasn't sweating at all. Is that even possible? It's too unusual.

Curious, I glanced around. Kenny and Alex's faces were clearly visible. Clara's face looked a bit hazy. Was it darker at the bottom?

"Get some water, Taro, quick."

Kenny, I have a question. Did you hydrate after the smoke started thickening?

I haven't done it yet. But I'm starting to get hot, so I was just thinking I'd have a drink of water.

This difference! Could it be...

Everyone, hurry and get out of here! It's poisonous. Get on the magic tri-wheel!

Just a minor dehydration. No problem.

You want to die! I'll listen to all your complaints, but right now, I'm leaving this place!

They must have sensed my desperation, because everyone quickly climbed onto the tricycle and hurried back. Clara took over driving while I, from behind, used healing crystals on everyone and pulled out a certain tool.

My head started hurting even though I wasn't using any magic at all.

My vision swims.

Clara's breathing has become rapid. Alex's face is completely pale. Kenny, the only one with stamina, has been prepared at all times for any emergency combat situation.

I never thought I'd end up having to use both of the secret strategies I'd prepared... I pulled out a large, clumsy chunk of magical stone.

This is a structure with a core water spirit stone surrounded entirely by degraded water spirit stones, the result of years of research finally taking shape over the past week.

I immediately activated the spirit stone. The degraded water spirit stones began to react.

The cluster of spirit stones glowed faintly, indicating that the effect had activated. A breeze began to form around it, altering the flow of air nearby. I stood up and tried to generate a wind that blew from above downward. The mist around us gradually cleared.

"Taro, that's... what you mentioned before..."

Alek asked, looking at me with a strained expression.

"That's right, a magic stone that manipulates air. It's still not working properly most of the time, and it's still in prototype stage, but this one moves better than any I've made so far. Now, don't talk much."

Gradually, the air around us grew thinner than the air surrounding us.

I had ridden the magic tri-wheel at full speed, and within minutes I'd passed through the area where the fog had thickened. I returned directly to the second open space. Another party had arrived, conducting surveys and exploration. Fortunately, they had a healer with them.

I barely made it.