Chapter 174: The Dungeon Master Who Waited a Long Time
"Eight-zero million Eris. It sounds like a lot, but in reality, it's not enough for us to live a rich and happy life."
This was because, after the battle with the Winter Shogun, many things in the party needed to be restocked.
For example, the magic crystals that Megumin had squandered. A single one cost 100,000 Eris. If they were to buy another hundred, one-eighth of their savings would be gone in an instant. Not to mention, there were also the two weapons belonging to him and Darkness that had been destroyed.
"Therefore, we're going into a dungeon."
"I don't want to!"
Kobayashi's proposal was instantly rejected by Megumin. She prepared to run away, but was just as promptly caught and brought back.
This explosion loli... he had even accompanied her to cast her Explosion magic, but the moment he mentioned going into a dungeon, she became so resistant. It really broke his heart.
But she had her own thoughts.
"I don't want to! I don't want to! After all, in a place like a dungeon, I have no value at all! Explosion magic will cause the dungeon to collapse, so I can't use it. I'm really just a completely ordinary person!"
How many dungeons have you not destroyed?
Besides, who was it that said before that you could be called on for anything, whether it was carrying luggage or whatever, as long as you weren't abandoned?
He complained in his heart.
At this moment, Darkness suddenly turned her head and said, "Mmm, wait a minute. My greatsword was broken, and the new equipment needs some time. If you're counting me as part of the combat force..."
"Don't misunderstand. This mission is just 'us.' Without you," he said, pointing to himself and RyuZU, indicating that only the two of them would be going into the dungeon this time.
"——!"
Darkness's eyes moistened, and she blushed. Her heart was probably half excited and half hurt. Oh well, if half of it was excitement, then he couldn't be bothered with her.
Let the perverted knight entertain herself.
"What? So that's how it is."
Hearing this, Megumin looked relieved.
To be honest, he suddenly had the thought of teaching her a lesson.
Aqua, who was lying lazily on the sofa, said strangely, "But why do you suddenly want to go to a dungeon? If you're going, you absolutely must have a thief in the party. Where's Chris? I feel like I haven't seen her at the guild recently."
"Chris is very busy lately, because a certain unreliable, idiot senior dumped a big mess on her," he said, looking at her with a meaningful gaze.
The idiot goddess seemed to feel a wave of malice and couldn't help but rub her shoulders.
"Kobayashi, why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing," he said perfunctorily.
Then, he said to the others, "Don't worry. I've already learned the [Detect Traps] and [Disarm Traps] skills needed to explore a dungeon. And this time, I have RyuZU as my guard. In a dungeon where the monsters aren't affected by the season, it's highly unlikely we'll run into any danger."
He was preparing to go to the Arch-Lich Keele's dungeon, to fulfill his final wish and acquire the treasure he had left behind.
He had originally planned to go at the beginning of his journey, but at that time, he didn't have enough strength to act alone in a dungeon, nor did he have the ability to purify him and complete the quest.
Later, because he had obtained a large reward for defeating a general of the Demon King's army, he had forgotten about this matter. And now that the party was short on money, he had no reason not to go.
"Since that's the case, then I'll go with you," Kazuma volunteered. "I've learned the skills too. Unlike these hopeless problem children, I should be able to help in a dungeon."
"A helping hand? ...Alright. You can come too, Kazuma-kun."
He agreed, then turned his head to the useless goddess who was hunched over and trying to sneak away. "Aqua, you're coming too this time. I have a hunch I'll need your help."
"Ehhh—"
"I'll buy you high-grade sparkling liquor when we get back."
"I'm ready! When do we leave!"
The idiot goddess instantly got into the zone. Her level of seriousness was frightening!... As expected of you, Aqua!
After some simple preparations, the group set out. Because they had the powerful bodyguard RyuZU, they soon arrived at the foot of a certain mountain.
Then they followed a small path straight up, and before long, they saw an inconspicuous small wooden hut with the words "Shelter" written on it.
"This is it."
He pointed at the black cave entrance next to it, his expression slightly twisted.
RyuZU, who was closest to him, said, "Master Kobayashi, your heart rate has quickened. Don't tell me that even as an adult, you're still afraid of the dark? How ridiculous."
"It's not that I'm afraid of the dark. It's that I'm seeing bad things."
The newly added [Spirit Vision] to his [Spectator] allowed him to see the ghosts wandering back and forth at the cave's entrance. Although they were harmless and not aggressive, the gloomy cave entrance still made him feel a little spooked.
"I smell it! The faint scent of a lich!" Aqua's nose twitched slightly. Like an excellent hunting dog, she had immediately discovered the Arch-Lich Keele, who was hiding deep in the cave.
Letting out a long breath, he said, "Alright. Then from here, I, RyuZU, and Kazuma will go in together. You guys wait for us in the shelter. If we're not back in a day, then I'll have to trouble you to go to the town and ask the adventurers for help."
Although, with [Shambhala], they should be able to teleport out easily. But just in case, he had to say what needed to be said.
Darkness asked with concern, "Are you really going down? Just the three of you?"
Megumin also chimed in, "Never mind Kobayashi, who has Miss RyuZU to protect him, but if Kazuma goes down, he'll definitely just be a burden, right? Why don't you just stay in the shelter with us?"
"What do you mean, a burden! I've already learned the [Night Vision] skill! I'm definitely more useful in a dungeon than you!"
One wanted to drag the other down, and the other wanted to prove that he was more useful than the other. For some reason, they had suddenly started competing with each other, even if the direction of their competition was a little off.
"Rest assured. Kazuma-kun has learned [Stealth] and [Probe]. It's highly unlikely he'll be discovered even if we run into monsters."
"In other words, our rule this time is to avoid all the monsters, grab the treasure, and get out. Got it?"
Kazuma looked at Megumin with contempt.
The little loli was so angry she almost swung her staff and sent him and the dungeon flying with an Explosion. Fortunately, Darkness stopped her, and Aqua also consoled her from the side. Otherwise, she really might have done such a thing.
"Let's go."
He called out and strode forward.
The entrance to the dungeon looked like a natural cave, but as soon as they entered, they saw a very well-built staircase leading all the way to the interior. The well-maintained path made their progress much faster.
He and Kazuma used their [Stealth] skills, and RyuZU, not being human, did not attract the monsters' enmity.
I don't quite understand the behavior patterns of low-level monsters. If I have the chance, I should study them properly.
Just like that, the three of them went straight down, bypassing numerous monsters and low-level liches, and soon arrived at the deepest part of the dungeon.
"As I thought, there's nothing here."
Kazuma sighed helplessly.
Keele's dungeon was the most suitable for beginners, which meant that countless adventurers had already visited it. Therefore, the treasure here had long since been taken away.
In his opinion, this trip, besides gaining experience, was just to try their luck.
However...
"Who said there's nothing? Isn't this an unvisited room, and the dungeon master who has been waiting for a long time?"
As he spoke, in an inconspicuous place to their left, a hidden door suddenly opened.
"—Please come in, guests."
A gentlemanly, elegant, yet inexplicably gloomy voice came from within the room.
(End of Chapter)