Year 7442, Month 10, Day 4
Today Bel's level increase and she became level 7.
The effects of training her magic are appearing favorably. Still it's amazing when their MP is high from the start~ But, it seems that she didn't have aptitude for using wind magic. The same type as sister huh? Since the range on her "Super Sense of Hearing" increases with level up as well she's a radar of the party along with Angela. This one is 10 m per 1 level. Though you know the details better than Angela's "Super Sense of Smell". Whether they're walking on two legs, dragging themselves along, or have multiple likes like an insect, as long as she focuses for a period of time she can figure out the identity of most monsters from their footsteps. It's obviously useless if they aren't moving though. But, in my case I have to have things enter my sight so I'm useless when it comes to monsters that are around a corner or somewhere I can't see, so it's big that we can notice monsters that are outside of normal field of sight.
..............
Year 7442, Month 10, Day 7
Today Zulu turned level 8.
I have him lined up with Zenom as the front-line attacker and charging in like a certain assault commander. Through leveling up he's become even more able-bodied and powerful. It seems that he can see much better than my Identify with "Night Vision" as long as it's in his valid range. Everything in his field of sight feels brighter and even when there's just a bit of light it seems that amplified and reflected in his eyes. It's short at 5 m per 1 level but effective. It differs from Zenom's Infrared Vision in that he can't see at all if there's no visible light. Infrared vision can only see 3 m per 1 level after all.
He hasn't used "Instant Speed" up until now so I don't really know how it works. I'm sure it's something you use in a pinch. Since after he uses once he can't use it again for several hours it's unnatural to have him use it just for inspection in a dungeon where you never know what will happen. I guess I'll have him try using it when we're doing formation training next time. If it's now then his strength and speed should increase for 8 seconds.
...........
Year 7442, Month 10, Day 25
Since we started vigorously earning experience points from the start of this month excluding Zenom everyone's levels have increased by 1 more each. On the other hand, I haven't earned much experience at all. Since I decided to train my attack spells on my days off, it's something that I was prepared for so it's fine though. Our levels are, I'm at 13, Zenom is 16, Ralpha a 9 that's close to 10, Bel is 8, Zulu is 9, Angela is 8. It seems that there was a bit of an obvious tendency to put priority on Ralpha but it can't be helped.
Since it would be bad if my skills got dull we ignored the efficiency of earning experience points and wandered around fighting things on the 1st floor without using magic while ignoring the boss rooms. Since I leveled up several times in a short period, I think I'm at least self-conscious of it but even if no one says anything about it I was just disappointed. However, it seems that even without saying it everyone had some thoughts on it. Angela and Zulu occasionally look at me staring at the hand I'm holding my weapon with with a strange face after killing a monster as well.
Now then, we're going to start aiming for the 3rd floor today. We all confirm our equipment the same usual in the entrance plaza. Weapons, good. Equipment, good. Map, good. Preserved food, good. Everything is good. I simply announce our plans for today. In order to avoid wasting as much time as possible I'll use spells on the 1st and 2nd floors. If it's possible I'll consider freezing them in order to earn some experience. And then, somehow we'll aim for the 3rd floor. Even the most precise map of the 2nd floor probably only has about 70% of the whole illustrated. We've come along trying to fill in as much of the empty spaces as we can but even then we've only been able to fill in a small portion.
If we're going to have to make round trips to the 4th floor, 5th floor, 6th floor, and on after this when it's best to fill in as much of the blank space as possible. The people form the top teams are probably doing that as well. After we all grabbed on to the teleport crystal rod and before I chanted the incantation for teleporting this time we all checked our equipment once more. There's no problem, then, let's go "Daguto!"
We cut through the 1st floor using my magic. There were four rooms but I don't know if it was because someone else passed through before us but there was no boss in it. Next time, maybe I'll try holding out until the boss of the room revives. I'm interested in what kind of interval there is between when they revive or how they revive. Is there a difference in the intervals between monsters or such, I'm sure there's a lot to investigate on that end.
We arrived in the area of the teleport room to the 2nd floor. It seems that there's another party ahead of us. Bel says she can hear voices talking. Going off of Bel's level the valid distance she can hear with her special skill "Super Sense of Hearing" is 80 m. This is just my guess but if there's even a small sound of 1 phon in this range then her ears can pick up on it when she's using the skill. In comparison, even my ears would be able to pick up a sound of 1 phon if it's near my ears. But, since sounds are conveyed through vibrations in the air, if there's distance between the source of the sound then it gradually gets dampened. If I'm even a bit far away then if it's a sound of 1 phon it probably won't reach my ears. Though I don't know for sure if it really isn't reaching. Well, the number is just an example so just ignore it.
Supposing that a sound of 100 phon is dampened by 1 phon each per meter it passes. Though there's no way it would reduce like a straight line graph through air resistance but for now let's think like that. In that can I would be able to hear a 100 phon sound from 100 meters ahead. In comparison in Bel's case, she can hear a 1 phon sound 80 meters ahead so for those 80 meters her audible range is wider than me. I'm sure it's more complicated but it's easier to think of it like that.
In the case this time, Bel said she can hear voices talking. It's hard to imagine that they're talking with the same volume inside of the dungeon as they would outside. She can probably here the voices of talking inside the party during their break because they're about 5 m away. If they were more than 10 m away then she probably wouldn't be able to hear them. They should be talking at a volume around there. In other words, what I want to say is just that the source of most sounds picked up by Bel's special skill often come from outside of the valid range of "Super Sense of Sound".
Well I'll put aside observations on Bel's passive sonar which are normally drooping down and stand on edge when using her skill for now. It seems that she can't pick up on the details of the conversation without getting closer so we need to start approaching them. It's most likely some other adventurers so I don't think it will turn into a conflict so easily but there's no harm in being cautious. I want to at least get a grasp on the number...8 people huh? Bel said that she can hear them laughing.
Well, I'm sure it's fine. After we approached to the side of the small room as expected even my ears could hear them. It seems that several people are talking. They should already be able to hear the sounds we're making. I wonder if they're not on guard? Or are they fools letting their guard down? I don't remember when it was but when the {Verdure Brotherhood} was in the opposite position as we are now and approached us we were considerably high strung while on guard.
After entering the room and it was where 8 men and women were surrounding a lightning magic tool making camp. Camp? Inside of the dungeon? It's true there are people who explore for several days to a week or so. It seems it's normal for the top teams to spend more than a week getting to the 5th floor and a back. That part I saw once upon a time with slaves with the elf named Rozwela or whatever had been exploring three days as well so I guess camping out is normal. Even I thought we would have to do so eventually. But, it's still the morning on the 1st floor?
"Hey~ My name is Alan Greed. I'm the leader of this party. I'm sorry to ask even though we entered after you but is it alright if we teleport to the 2nd floor first?"
I tried imitating Roberto Vilhaima the leader of the {Verdure Brotherhood} while saying it.
One of the members of their party stood up while replying.
"Yeah, feel free. My name is Leddo Anderson. I'm the leader of the party Black Topaz. Rather than that, you said you were Alan Greed right? That I would meet the {Slaughterers} here...Hey, if you have time can we talk for a bit? We'll at least offer some tea."
Yes? {Slaughterers}? We are? Are we called that violent sounding name? Why? And if you mention {Black Topaz} then aren't they one of the top teams?
Since I was called something outrageous I was confused for a moment but since it's a chance to talk with one of the top teams and I was a bit interested in why we were being called that so,
"Ha...It's fine. Let's take a small break."
I said that and approached her.
Just as I was offered I took a seat surrounding the lightning magic tool and took the tea I was handed. Leddo Anderson. 29 years old. Viscount Anderson Family Third Daughter. Level 17. It seems she can use void magic to level 4 and other than that water and fire magic to levels 3 and 4. She has glossily polished brown leather armor and a breastplate stuck on, with a short cloth cape around her, and her deep pink color hair is gathered up into a ponytail.
"Thank you for the meal."
I said that and put the tea to my mouth. It seems that it isn't water made with magic but properly boiled, a rich smell spreads out in my mouth. They must have boiled it using a portable stove magic tool. I wonder if they're carrying water as well. They sure have some spare room.
"He's young."
"Barely an adult?"
"Are you saying they're really killing that number?"
"No~ no matter how you look at it that's a joke right?"
"I heard that as well. No matter how you put it in that short amount of time.."
..I can't do anything other than make a questionable face. Well I understand their feeling. It seems that Ralpha and the others are sitting in a circle a bit away from the members of Black Topaz listening. I need to do something before some idiot picks a fight~
"No, there's nothing bad about it. Just, I'll teach you something good. First, do you know about us?"
"Yes. If you mention Black Topaz then you're famous as a one of the top five strongest teams."
I said it like that flattering them but it seems that it's only obvious to them so it was ignored.
"Well, I guess so..We entered the dungeon yesterday afternoon. Rather it was almost evening. We spent until past midnight getting to here. And, since the time was late we just setup camp like that and we arrive at the current time. How many magic stones do you think we obtained during that time?"
"No clue, around 30 I guess?"
I know it's wrong but I tried saying it. By the way, the number of magic stones we obtained on the way here was 3 from room bosses, 6 from hobgoblins, 5 from orks, and 22 from gnolls along the way. Since the value of goblins magic stones are cheap and it's a waste of time gathering them we just skipped over them but there were around 30 of those.
"It's four. Two from room bosses. After that was two from opponents we had no choice other than to fight."
I had somewhat imagined it but what in the world is that? Isn't that way too few? Even the cheap magic stones from the room bosses sell for more than 50,000 Z (5 silver coins), so if you have two of those then you're not in the red but...I guess she noticed that I was making a vague expression after hearing that she asked me even further.
"How many did you guys earn coming up to here?"
Hey now, you're going to ask that? Isn't that something a robber would say? After I was remaining silent and,
"It's not like we're going to steal them. Well, if you don't want to sa"It's 36 of them.""
It can't be helped so I obediently said it and after taking the leather bag filled with magic stones off my waist I piled them up in front of me. I wanted to try hearing the impression, or rather the sense of values of a top team after all.
"Eh.."
"3...6?"
It seems that the members of Black Topaz were surprised as the number I stated. After Anderson heard that and,
"With just 6 of you and...just as the rumors say that's amazing. But you know, I'll teach you about it. The monsters on the 1st floor aren't all that strong. If it's the 1st floor monsters then even we could earn that many I'm sure. However, if you're aiming for the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, and beyond you should avoid combat as much as possible. 36 of them is probably about the number we'll have by the time we pass through the 4th floor. Only by saving our stamina to the very end like that can we finally reach the 5th floor. If it's like that then I'm sure you guys will find it difficult on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Just from a glance it seems about half of your members are quite young as well so your mana probably doesn't hold out that long right?"
It seems that she intends to offer some advice since I'm calling myself the leader of a recently famous party after finding out that I'm just brat smelling of piss.
"It's true that only three people in my party can use magic. Though only one of them can properly use magic in combat. Just as you say it's important to save your mana."
After I said that with a meek expression and Anderson said,
"That's right. And you were just about to go to the 2nd floor now right? It's normally to take a break in the small room with the teleport crystal and recover your stamina. In order to avoid exhausting your combat potential as much as possible you need to maintain your highest potential as you go to the lower floors. That's why it's ideal to avoid all the combat you can. About the only thing that you can't avoid is the rooms. Fighting that is. I just asked but if you already know about us then the conversation is fast. Listen well? Even for us it took over 8 hours to clear through the 1st floor. And in order to make sure we're in top condition we're resting before we go to the 2nd floor."
And said that while I was returning the magic stones to my bag one at a time.
Just as I thought. I had guessed it based on what Angela said before and it was the actual case from the information I've gathered these past few months. In other words, they try to go around groups of monsters as much as possible or hold their breath waiting for the monsters to go somewhere while avoiding combat. If it's a room that they have no choice other than to pass through then they wait until the boss is at a distance where it can't catch up and then run through all at once. And they aim for the treasures that you almost can't find at all on the 1st and 2nd floors. In most cases, it seems that it's gems or ores. The articles of decreased adventurers are nothing more than a byproduct and a bonus. It's unknown how they get their hands on them but if they can just find a monster with a magic item equipped on it then it's the same as getting their hands on several hundred million to billions of Z, so until they fight ignoring the danger until then. There's roughly one party per year that gets that lucky and furthermore is able to return alive.
I return the magic stones to my bag while thinking a bit.
Putting it simply, adventurers who challenge the dungeon are the same as pillagers. Even if you ignore it monsters won't come out of the dungeon. I've heard that there was never even a single case of it happening. Well, you can't declare that it would definitely never happen from here on out but I'm sure there's no need for me to think of it as a possibility. In that case I'm sure the knight group would be their opponent after all. In any case, the reason why we go to the effort of entering such a dangerous place to enter the harmless dungeon is no other reason than to get our hands on some treasure. Wouldn't they normally call that a pillager? I doubt there's any kind of religious monsters that are holding on to gems or ores but just for the sake of gaining treasures we're killing monsters that aren't particularly doing any harm.
I'm sure there's no differences between Goblins, Orks, and Humans. If you were to say it then they're no different from non-humans. You can the conveying of wills to some extent among Goblins, they're just non-humans that have considerably lower thought process and levels of intelligence than the average human or non-human. It's no different than if we're forcefully pushing our way into the homes of the mentally weak who aren't normally of any harm to the outside and when they attack to repel the intruders we're killing them and stealing anything of value. And, in that case I guess since they're avoiding combat as much as possible they're still better compared to me? No, the only difference is the number we're killing and the things we're doing or the reason we're doing it should be the same.
"I see, that's true."
Anything more than this is pointless. The mana efficiency between them and me is different. I'll gratefully take their advice, but other than the advice it would be better to collect as much information as I can then aim for the next floor. I continue my words and,
"However, putting aside stamina when camping in the dungeon, aren't you unable to relax your nerves while remaining on guard?"
said that.
"Oh? Monsters won't approach within 100 m of the room the teleport crystal is located. Did you not know? That's why it's no problem as long as you have one person keeping watch."
What. So that was the case? I've started to feel embarrassed over how excessively we were on guard when the {Verdure Brotherhood} came. But, this is good information. If I can relax in peace inside of the dungeon then as long as I have plenty of food I can keep going as long as it lasts.
"Yes, I didn't know. Thank you very much for the valuable information."
I lowered my head to Anderson while saying that.
"It's fine. I'm sure unless it was a person that's made it to the 3rd or 4th floor they wouldn't know about it after all. Since there's always someone in the room with the teleport crystal to the 3rd and 4th floors, either way you'll quickly find out about it if you proceed from here on out. Don't worry about it."
Anderson waves her hand while saying not to mind it. Since it seems that Angela never made it to the 3rd floor she must not have known. Ah, that's right,
"By the way, previously when we went to the 2nd floor, but we've seen a strange pitfall is it alright if I ask you about it?"
I'll try asking about this. I had completely forgotten about it recently.
"A strange pitfall?"
It seems that Anderson was interested in my words as well.
"Yeah. It was stretched from one end of the cave to the other, with a length of about 5 m a large pitfall that couldn't be crossed over. The hole was covered by something like a transparent board and it was camouflages by dirt the same way as other pitfalls."
"I've never heard about a pitfall like that..The only ones we know about the 5 m in diameter ones that are just about anywhere in the dungeon and ones that start to appear with sharp stakes buried in them around the 4th floor, after that there's ones where the wall becomes a pitfall. If you lean on it then you fall inside."
Hmn, I had thought there was a possibility that the types she's mentioning existed but it seems that even the leader of one of the top teams doesn't know about that pitfall.
"I see, we've only seen it that one time though as well."
It's unfortunate but it can't be helped. I want to try asking about more small tips like before but if we keep moving forward I'm sure we're find out naturally. I guess it would be best to leave it at this and proceed ahead.
"But, a pitfall that you can't cross over huh..since not even this 1st floor has been completely explored..Even more so if it's the 2nd floor then it might be an unconfirmed trap in an area that hasn't been cleared yet."
Well, I'm sure it's something like that.
"I guess so, then, it's about time for us to head to the 2nd floor. Thank you very much for teaching me about various things."
After saying that I was about to stand up but Anderson grabbed on to my arm and made me sit down.
"Wait, what were you listening to until now? Take a proper rest before you go. You guys entered this morning right? It's just past 9 right now. If you cleared through the 1st floor in around three hours then you must be exhausted right? Since you've gathered that many magic stones, you must have entered combat a number of times right?"
How troublesome. There's almost no exhaustion at all but..Since I used level 5 or 6 ice to freeze the monsters as we advanced, I've only used about 100 MP getting up to here. Obviously no one is injured and there's no problems with stamina as well.
"I'm really grateful for the advice. However, we have a bit of our own circumstances so we must hurry ahead. Also, we've used up almost stamina up to here so it's no problem at all. The tea was delicious. Thank you very much. I'm praying for the luck of everyone in Black Topaz."
After saying that I stood up and,
"Let's go."
headed towards the teleport crystal rod. Zenom and the others stood up as well.
"I see, then I won't say anything more. But one final thing. Be careful of an ice monster. Recently, it's extremely rare but there's ice discovered on the 1st and 2nd floors. There's something like the half-eaten remains of monsters corpses there as well. I haven't heard a story of adventurers encountering it yet but it's believed to be an ice monster that normally only appears on the 5th floor. If you come across a 3 m white lizard then immediately run away. It will use an ice breath. In order to oppose it you need at least level 4 high-ranking fire magic. Don't overdo things."
He~ something like that exists? I turn around and politely thank her then grab the crystal rod.
"Rogutare!"
And teleported to the 2nd floor. No matter what we must reach the 3rd floor and fulfill my promise to Angela this week.
Author's Note: (I didn't feel like translating these so just writing the names and you can gaze at the current stats of Al's party members for the current chapter, the numbers don't need translation after all.)
【Ralpha/25/12/7429】
【状態：良好】
【レベル：9】 Level
【筋力：14】 Str
【器用：17】 Dex
【固有技能：空間把握Lv.1】
【経験：106225(110000)】 Exp
【女性/14/2/7428・兎人族・コーロイル準男爵家次女】
【年齢：14歳】
【HP：90(90) MP：73(73) 】
【俊敏：19】
【耐久：12】
【特殊技能：超聴覚】
【特殊技能：地魔法Lv2】
【特殊技能：火魔法Lv2】
※ベルは最初のレベルアップ時にアル同様にMPがそこそこ増えた設定です。種族の性質と相まって能力値はちょっと低いです。
【Zulu/3/6/7442 ダディノ・ズールー/20/7/7422】
【状態：良好】
【レベル：9】
【筋力：18】
【器用：11】
【特殊技能：小魔法】
【特殊技能：夜目ナイトビジョン】
※白兵戦闘向きな種族なので素晴らしい能力値を誇っています。
【Angela/15/8/7442 マルソー・エンゲラ/12/8/7422】
【状態：良好】
【レベル：8】
【筋力：13】
【器用：10】
【特殊技能：小魔法】
【経験：65011(80000)】