Inario Dungeon (6)
The monster turtle, worn out from the relentless back-and-forth, panted heavily, showing clear signs of exhaustion.
Inadia seized the moment, raising his sword and thrusting his entire body toward the turtle's head.
"The hero of Darania shall open the path! [Pierce!]"
At last, the monster turtle collapsed, its head pierced through the forehead, drooping limply.
Inadia shook the blood from his blade, wiped sweat from his brow with one hand, and turned back with vigorous, refreshing energy.
"Everyone, you don't have to be scared anymore!! I..."
Chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp...
Should we react to Inadia's little show now that it's over?
Everyone exchanged glances, standing around blankly.
Just ignoring it.
Ashu, beside me, politely covered her mouth, finished chewing her jerky, and swallowed.
Then.
"Oh my! How impressive! Sir Inadia, to face that terrifying monster alone and bring it down—truly remarkable!"
She clapped along with a bright smile, cheering him on. So, everyone except Panash gave a few perfunctory claps—five or six times—to ease the awkward atmosphere.
Saintess through and through. Charisma aside, her social skills are top-tier.
But no matter how I look at it, she eats so elegantly.
"Ah, th-thank you. Um... even behind us, things like that..."
Inadia finally realized what had happened behind him, looking extremely flustered.
If only that one monster turtle—the one he fought—had appeared, his actions would have seemed heroic, befitting the leader of this group.
But there were two. That's why it looks different.
The so-called leader hadn't even noticed if the other one was killing or being killed behind him.
So, my take on it?
It's not something to condemn, but from a leader's position, it's nothing to brag about.
In short.
'Well, you had your hands full too.'
That's it.
"Hahaha... We've all done great work, so let's rest here."
The guy whose nose had been sky-high until he turned around suddenly got humble real quick.
Guy's got a knack for reading the room when it suits him, even if he's a total prick.
With turtle corpses like barricades on both sides, it felt like we were inside a defensive position.
Seemed safer than last night, so we extended the break and decided to take a nap.
Besides stamina, mana recovery is affected by mental state too.
"Porter, you're not even using magic—why rest? You stand watch."
Ha... this guy's picking on me again. Thinks I'm an easy target?
I have mana too... but sigh, can't say that.
As irritation bubbled up, Panash spoke to Inadia.
"Let him rest. It's necessary."
"Sir Ierpanashi, what do you mean? He's just a porter."
"As goldkeeper, I say this. I am certain it's needed."
"Sigh, could you explain why?"
"As an immature goldkeeper, I lack the experience and knowledge to explain.
Though my judgment may have errors,
it is never false."
"Sir Ierpanashi, I bear the heavy responsibility of guiding you all. Please respect my opinion here."
"Then, on this day...
Inario's son, Inadia, declares he does not recognize Ierpanashi as goldkeeper.
Henceforth, pursue the truth that allows you to deny me."
"Y-yes!? N-no! Sir Ierpanashi, I'm sorry!
I made a mistake. My ignorance led me to speak out of turn!!
I do not deny you, Sir Ierpanashi. I never will!"
"...Then?"
"Porter, rest! Right now! I'll take afternoon watch! Hurry!"
Inadia was sweating bullets, making a huge fuss.
Another worldview expansion I don't know about. Whatever it is, the atmosphere turned deadly serious.
As I blinked in confusion, Ashu whispered in my ear.
"That arrogant noble just nearly declared war on the next Ierpanashi representative. In a friendly gathering, no less."
My nap was important enough to potentially shatter international relations? What the hell?
No background knowledge, so I can't fully grasp it.
Urgh. Too tired now—I'll ask later.
Honestly, I had a rough guess.
Panash, with his sharp eyes, must have vaguely figured out my ability. He knows I moved with something beyond fast reflexes, so that's why.
Whatever. For the sake of friendly international ties, time to sleep deep.
Gotta savor the great leader's precious watch shift.
Closing my eyes for now.
"...Sleep well?"
"Huh!?"
Felt like I just blinked, but Ashu's smiling face was right there, startling me. Guess I conked out hard without realizing.
"You rest too, Ashu."
The reason I can talk casually like this? Everyone's asleep. Regardless, after barely sleeping last night and fighting hard, they're all out.
Even that annoying Inadia's dozing sitting up.
Ashu being up now might be her volunteering since everyone crashed.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
"......"
Sheesh. Don't sleep leaning on me—lie down comfortably.
I laid Ashu down and positioned her head on my thigh like a sofa armrest.
Better this way. If bored, I can stroke her hair or poke her cheek.
Don't grin at me—sleep already. You need the mana recovery too.
Hairil's magic light still illuminated us. Ashu must've been exhausted too; she fell asleep the moment her eyes closed.
Looking around, it's a bizarre scene. Resting surrounded by giant turtle corpses.
Impossible back in my old world.
But who cleans up these bodies?
Inadia's been here multiple times, fought these turtles, but he didn't haul the corpses out clean each time.
Maybe the dungeon has its own cleanup crew.
Thinking that, it feels like I'm inside a living creature's guts.
Speaking of, that second monster turtle from behind—where'd it come from?
No nests or turtles on the path we took. The bent passage hid its approach.
That bend wasn't random—probably deliberate.
"Hmph!?"
Hodo, who was sprawled out sleeping, bolted up, scanned around, and locked eyes with me.
"Heh."
He glanced at me and Ashu, smirking.
Means he'll keep quiet. Got it. I smiled back.
Hodo pulled something from his pack and started whittling with his dagger. Passing time till others wake, I guess.
Then Hairil, Panash—they stirred, stretched, ate portable rations to sate their hunger.
Finally.
"Urk! Looks like I dozed off too."
Inadia woke last. Ashu stood watch because of this irresponsible guy.
I lightly tapped the leg Ashu was using as a pillow, signaling her.
She rose silently, pretending to pray like a student who hadn't slept.
Natural. But everyone except Inadia knows. As long as he doesn't.
Hmm. This girl's out cold for a short nap—drooled on my thigh.
Gonna show her later.
"Seems we've rested enough. Let's move. We need to reach the next waypoint today. Hurry."
Somehow we took one or two hours, but this wasn't a campsite in Inadia's plan.
The party passed the monster turtle corpses and resumed down the passage.
Relying on Hodo's time sense again, we walked about five hours.
This stretch had straight paths, slopes, diagonal bends.
Felt like exploring slum alleys—no real ceiling, just that vibe. Couldn't use Hairil's magic every corner, so we carried torches.
Oddly, no enemies at all.
In gamer brain terms, prime spot for ambushes or mobs—nothing.
In games, they'd call it lazy design. Level design unfinished.
"Alright, last camp here today. Almost there."
We stopped in what felt like a proper hall, not a passage.
Wedding hall-sized. No carpet or marble—just hard dirt floor, like an unfinished building interior.
Perfect boss arena if not for the bare feel. But still empty.
Next waypoint close, so core tomorrow, probably.
Might see the dungeon heart everyone's talked about.
Panash's sternness worked—no watch arguments. Me, Hodo, Panash in shifts.
Prioritizing mana users.
Knight Inadia skipped as leader... better off. Waking a nasty boss sucks, and seeing his mug first thing sours the mood.
Possible final fight, so everyone checked or maintained weapons.
Dungeon core likely guarded by a boss monster—powerful beast.
Proof of conquest varies each time, they say.
Sounds like a trial ritual.
But Inadia's prep is off.
No new weapon maintenance, no orders or info for us.
Experience gives him that leisure, I suppose.
Probably an upgraded turtle or similar.
But.
Me, jinx incarnate—if I think it'll go smooth, it won't. Saintess foresaw bad vibes pre-departure.
Best if porter me sits out,
but just in case, I checked my gear.
Sword, spear, daggers, bow—all out. Tested draws, swings, sheathes for emergencies.
After rough check, looked around...
No way!! No freaking way!!!
Hairil hiked up the robe and revealed their tail!!
Silver like their hair! Fox-like, black tip!
Grooming that cute tail fur!!