The Dungeon's Core (1)
All of them were highborn heirs from various nations, and right there in front of me was a princess. So when I started feeling the pressure, they each began chiming in with their opinions one by one.
"As a goldkeeper, I say this: Kirgil is a man worth observing and recording."
"Hm, thanks to you yesterday, Kirgil, I got to witness Guldin's courage firsthand. It's made this trip worthwhile for me."
"I saw it! When you caught the basilisk, Kirgil-nim, you were just as fast as Hero Darjilka! Your spear throws were as precise as Hero Kirailan's!! You're so strong!!"
"I consider traveling with Kirgil-nim under the guidance of the light to be my sacred duty."
"……"
Inadia was keeping quiet, probably reading the room.
Listening to all this embarrassing praise was giving me goosebumps.
Before we set out for the dungeon, I'd told Ashu I might try putting on a bit of a show from here on out, so in the end, I'd taken on the leader role.
...Is this really something to cheer about?
Anyway, the moment the decision was made, everyone's information popped up in the Status Window. But nothing on Inadia.
Status Window Updated
Party member data displayed.
Inadia's information: Not available.
Well, I figured as much. Right now he might be bowing his head, but once we're out, he'd turn back into that arrogant noble lording over me.
That guy's good at hiding his true feelings.
For now, we needed to gather intel.
The basilisks were definitely an unexpected monster. Inadia claimed—more like made excuses—that this was supposed to be the spot for some massive monster turtles originally.
Which meant this dungeon had grown since before.
Not only had it added new monsters, but the core was probably deeper now, not here.
I asked first whether we should keep pushing forward in this uncertain situation.
"True fate is forged in adventure. I want to go."
"I came to this country to learn from the unknown."
"Kyahaha! Shining in the clutch—that's the real Guldin way!"
With the big three weighing in like that, we decided to press on. Seeing their enthusiasm for exploration, it was clear Inadia's dungeon tour was doomed from the start.
Decision made, we started moving again.
I... was still bringing up the rear. Still playing pack mule.
Command's always from the back. If you strut up front like some showoff, you can't keep an eye on the whole group.
Same deal with Inadia—I put him back up front. He had that fancy shield all to himself.
Not out of spite; tanks are supposed to eat hits first. And Inadia's gear was top-notch. The guy probably sleeps in that armor. Does it come with a massage function or something?
But I pushed him a bit further ahead this time. That way, if a basilisk struck, it wouldn't wipe us all at once.
Passing the stadium-sized boss room, we hit a passage like zone 2—but three times wider.
Guess this was zone 3 from here on.
Zone 3's gimmick: lighting. And plants and trees thriving off it. Like an indoor botanical garden unfolding before us.
Originally, the core was supposed to be around here, end of adventure. Now? Just traces of it replaced by a basilisk nest, nicely lined with grass and straw.
Nest, huh. Made me think the whole dungeon—botanical garden included—was a farm for raising basilisks.
That vibe reminded me of the Three-Colored Forest where I'd wandered. Different concept from the monster dogs and turtles. Those felt custom-made for this place.
While walking, Hairil—right in front of me—kept glancing back. First from my left, now my right.
Like taking a dog for a walk off-leash.
Dashes ahead, turns to check if owner's coming. Dashes again, checks again.
"Kirgil-nim, I saw it! You hunted that basilisk as fast as Darjilka! It was so cool!"
She finally couldn't hold back her excitement and talked to me. Eyes sparkling like a kid meeting a hero.
Embarrassing, but not a bad feeling. Her antics were cute, too. Made me want to give her an autograph or something.
Oh, wait...
"Hairil, what do you mean 'as fast as Darjilka'?"
"When Darjilka-nim runs, paths open in the plains. Leaves whirl like tornadoes. He drops enemy necks like fruit, harvests the enemy commander's head. The wind..."
"Hold up! So you know exactly how fast Darjilka is?"
"Yes! The other heroes, too! ...Huh!?
Kirgil-nim, don't tell me?"
"Heh, bingo. Got another good idea."
I called over Panash—the nimblest in the group—then had Hairil chant the spell I'd taught her.
"Ierpanashi, [You are the gale hero Darjilka!]"
"Ierpanashi, You are the gale hero Darjilka!"
⟨ Heroic Enhancement ⟩
"...!?"
It worked.
Hairil's knowledge and imagery fit body enhancement better than basic attack spells!
With a clear image, it could manifest in unique ways, like Lirisa's stuff. Magic gets more mysterious the more you know.
Panash circled me and Hairil once at accelerated speed.
Eyeballing it, 2-3 times faster than normal. Quick, but awkward somehow. Body moving fast, but perception lagging.
Swing a holy sword like that, it'd look like some botched animation—creepy, jerky motions.
My Happy Moment stops everything around me but keeps my time flowing, so no issues. This spell sped up motion but left senses behind, making it feel off.
One step turns into three or four—you'd trip normally. But Panash balanced somehow.
Elf instincts kicking in. Soon he moved fluidly.
Panash, usually stone-faced, looked shocked. He glanced at me and rapid-fired:
"Nooneelseherecoulduseability."
Yep, high agility was key. Speed without matching senses = runaway car.
Run wild like that, smash into a wall.
But duration was short. Back to normal after a minute.
"Kyaaaaah...!"
Hairil was about to burst. Her robe flapping—tail must be wagging like crazy underneath.
Such instant success meant Hairil had real talent. Or maybe her imagery was that solid.
Could adapt spells for a few heroes like this, but crafting ancient-language nicknames was tough.
Long chants explaining rationale might work, but...
No style!
Plus, short was better for combat. In fights where seconds decide life or death, reciting a technique manual mid-battle? You'd be dead—or your ally—by the end.
The botanical passage stretched three hours.
Spotted palm-sized baby basilisks hiding in grass bushes multiple times.
No real threat, and they bolted at the sight of us. No point chasing. Our goal wasn't basilisk extermination.
Babies mean adults nearby.
Inadia up front suddenly dropped flat and hid under tree roots without a word. Everyone froze.
Guy's terrified of basilisks.
Ahead: wider space than the pond passage. Makes sense—no garden without a pond.
"One on the left, another behind the right tree."
Panash sneaked ahead quietly, confirming the two basilisks since Inadia wouldn't look up.
Could Happy Moment and wipe them easy, but for their experience, I'd hold off. Save it for emergencies.
So I fell back, planned, and issued orders.
"Inadia-nim, charge left. Panash-nim, Hodo-nim—hit them when they turn."
"You bastard, using me as bait?!"
"Use your shield, Inadia-nim. Or pass it to someone else."
"This shield and armor are my house's treasures. How dare you!"
This jerk's picking a fight again. Back to casual speech, too.
Atmosphere turning nasty—then Ashu blocked with her hand.
"Inadia-nim, didn't you say you were an adventurer? Don't you know what that means?"
"But these orders..."
"I'm delaying your punishment to keep us at full strength. If you won't cooperate, regrettable as it is, I have no choice.
Kirgil-nim."
Ashu had tipped me off beforehand. So I drew my sword decisively.
Used my ability just a tad—blade at his throat in a blink.
"Eek!!"
Wanted to skewer him right there. But killing a noble heir without rank? Post-dungeon, assassins and bounty hunters galore.
Even on Ashu's orders, they'd target me as warning to her.
Noble society's filthy and headache-inducing.
"Sorry! I forgot my place and acted out!"
Threat worked, good. Guy flips attitudes fast. Primitive fear's the only leash for him.
"Inadia-nim, that's two chances given. No warning on the third."
"Y-yes, sir. I'll follow the princess's orders from now on."
"No. You still don't get it. Not my orders—I'm not the captain. Let me make sure: repeat it clearly."
"Th... grr... Understood. I'll follow Kirgil-nim's orders from now on."
Ashu doesn't hold back when verbally slapping someone down.
Smiling gracefully, but venting pent-up grudges subtly.
I get it, but if she pushes too far, she might get hurt. Gotta tell her to ease up a bit.