Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Dungeon
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"The dungeon was recently discovered, and based on the information from the church, we can infer that the necromancer who raised these skeletons is probably inside."
Necromancer.
It was a term for bizarre, gloomy, antisocial psychopath mages who got their rocks off on corpses.
Those brutal pieces of human trash would gladly dig up graves for bodies and commit murder whenever they felt the need—true serial killers.
Saying it out loud, they didn't seem all that different from adventurers (some adventurers did rob and kill for fun, after all), but unlike adventurers, these guys wielded magic that went beyond miracles: the power to raise the dead.
There's a fine line between a gentleman and a scoundrel... That was exactly the difference between adventurers and them. Anyway, that's the kind of bastards they were. Disgusting, horrific, and dangerous.
"So you're saying a necromancer raised these skeletons?"
"That seems highly likely. Zombies with flesh rising due to lingering evil magic in the area isn't uncommon, but skeletons with just bones? That's not very convincing. It's more reasonable to assume someone artificially intervened."
So, yeah, there's probably a necromancer hiding in this dungeon.
I was a bit curious about why zombies popping up felt natural but skeletons didn't, but whatever. Point was, this dungeon wasn't just filled with monsters, undead, and adventurers.
"Necromancer... that shit strong or what?"
"Depends on the rank, I guess. Even mages have noobs."
But I had my doubts.
From the rumors, necromancers were supposed to be these cruel monsters. But look at these bony fuckers shambling around. These busted-up weaklings didn't give off any ominous vibes—not even a hint of malice.
They looked like skeletons a kind-hearted science teacher prepped for class as a surprise.
And these were the ones I could confidently call "total pushovers."
These skeletons were legit cannon fodder. I couldn't even see the point in making them, and the necromancer proud enough to summon this trash didn't seem all that impressive. Unless there was some conspiracy, anyway.
"I heard the church puts a big bounty on necromancers if you bring 'em their head..."
"That's true. If they're wanted, the bounty skyrockets, but our church offers a base reward of 10 silver."
"10 silver!"
But the suspiciously high bounty made me uneasy—I couldn't just get excited.
Like with the kobolds, anything moving had a purpose. Nothing was more dangerous than a criminal with clear intent. Criminals' obsessions were beyond imagination.
"Judging by the skeletons' level... No, jumping to conclusions is dangerous. Anyway, we need to investigate more... Shall we go deeper?"
Elise asked, raising the suspicion of a necromancer again.
We were in the same party, but Elise had her own church mission. She probably didn't want to drag us into it without asking. What a considerate nun.
"I'm fine with it. We're already in—might as well scout a bit more."
"Same here. Let's explore a little further."
Meriya and Kobson chimed in. I agreed. A few tin cups and some old trinkets weren't satisfying. Even without the investigation, we needed to poke around the dungeon more. Mostly for the loot.
"Then let's go, Sister Elise."
Elise nodded. We passed the bone tower we'd made ourselves. I half-worried they'd get back up and attack from behind, but even if they did, it wouldn't be a problem. And with how smashed they were, standing again seemed impossible.
Skeleton smog (bone dust swarming like crazy) didn't feel realistic, even in fantasy.
"Hey, more skeletons over there."
The fourth basement was crawling with them—every corner had more. We smashed them easily, looted, and pushed on. Bone dust flew everywhere. Bad for the lungs.
"Getting kinda boring."
Meriya said, mimicking Kobson with a roundhouse that snapped a skeleton's waist. I was bored too. All the crap we'd picked up was weighing me down. I already had six rusty rings on my fingers. What was I, a madam?
"Here come more."
Kobson strode forward, set down his lantern, and spun his fist like a windmill before punching. He planned to toy with three or so.
The fights happened in a lax atmosphere. Tension was fading. These lanky, slow-walking skeletons were no threat. Useless as guards.
But as life goes,
shit hits when you're truly off-guard.
—Fwoosh!
A weird noise hit my ears while I was ripping a skeleton's head off by hand. The dungeon only echoed with our grunts and breaking bones, so it stuck out like a light in the dark.
"Fwoosh?"
What the hell? Sounded like flames igniting...
"Dodge!"
Kobson yelled sharply. Realizing something was wrong, I dove without thinking. Better to dodge first. Judge later.
—Fwoosh!
Too late to fully react, but I twisted mid-fall to minimize damage.
"Ngh!"
The purple fireball grazed my shoulder by a hair. Magic? I nearly screamed. Burning pain...
"Huh?"
No pain. It sounded like it burst, but no heat or hurt. I thought it hit, but I'd dodged clean.
My agility must've bumped up a bit.
"What the—? Meriya! Shield up! Fall back to the corner!"
I shouted. Projectile meant retreat behind cover—this terrain sucked for it. Meriya dashed forward, raising her shield.
I rolled to my feet.
That's when it happened.
"Wha— what?"
This is...
"Motherfucker! What the hell!"
—Gurgle gurgle!
Bricks popped from the wall, black water spraying out. Pressure ripped more loose. Water burst everywhere, flooding the floor.
"Fuck! Water! What the fuck is this!"
The insanity nearly made me pass out.
We were fucked. Had to get out fast.
At this rate, the dungeon would fill with black water. I refused to drown like an idiot...!
"You fucking idiots! Dodge!"
I yelled in half-panic. Up to the upper floor. But the water was faster. Walls collapsed, flooding like a torrent. The dungeon drowned in black.
—Glug.
"F-fu... bbuuuaaaahh..."
Vision blacked out. Couldn't breathe. Water in mouth and nose.
"It's a curse spell! Kobson! Grab Katt! Meriya, shield the front!"
Elise stood in the water somehow, yelling. Sound echoed too much to understand. Then Kobson appeared, grabbing me.
This guy... swims better than expected.
—With firm will, resist the temptations of the wicked...
"Cure!"
Light flashed.
It shone like primordial radiance—brilliant, beautiful. I reached for it. Warm, comforting. Like returning to mom's arms...
In that warmth, I sensed death.
Is this death?
But so warm... death didn't seem bad.
Regretful life.
Heaven, hell, reincarnation? Maybe as an animal.
Personally, heaven or human rebirth. I'd killed here, but it was unavoidable—good deeds even. Might get bonus points. Smashing that bastard to pulp? Yama'd approve.
...
Or just nothingness.
In approaching death, that terrified me most.
"Are you alright?!"
"Huh? Yeah?"
Eyes open: mom's face. Dyed red hair, unbelievably beautiful. Wait, not mom.
Right. Reincarnated. New mom: red-haired beauty. Felt familiar...
"...You're back."
It was Elise.
"Gah!"
I jolted up, looking around.
No black water. Walls intact, solid. Only drool and tears on my face.
Hallucination? No way. Too real.
What the hell happened?
"Wh-what was that! Fuck, water suddenly flooding!"
"Calm down. Curse magic. You hallucinated. Skeleton mage ahead. I dispelled it—safe now."
What? Curse?
That purple fireball was a curse?
Fuck!
What a nightmare!
Too shocked for anything but swears.
What kinda spell is that?!
"Hoo... Thanks!"
I shook my head and stood. Battle raging—time to join. Meriya shielded in front; Kobson hacked skeletons behind.
"Back in action, barbarian!"
"Skeleton mage ahead!"
Another purple fireball flew. Curse magic. I rolled to dodge, but Meriya bashed it with her shield. It vanished on impact.
"Shield blocks it fine!"
Over there: staff-wielding skeleton mage.
Using endless skeletons as meat shields, sniping from behind! That coward pissed me off!
Mage!
Hated mages!
All mages were like that!
And that fucker just hit me with that terrifying curse!
"I won't forgive bugs that rip out my heart!"
I roared.