6. Dungeon Agales
We pushed deeper into the dungeon without ever properly deciding what to do about my ability.
After clashing with a few more packs of honkrodiles and wiping them out, a vibration hummed from the alarm magic tool in my bag, signaling evening time.
I called out to Bella, who was leading the way, and Cheong-ah behind us. "It's getting to be evening."
"What? Already? How far in are we?"
Dungeons varied wildly in size and difficulty depending on their layout and the monsters inside. Monster types were one thing—they came in all sorts—but size? Some were no bigger than a study room, while the largest could span an entire forest. Until you cleared one, it was impossible to know exactly what you were dealing with.
That meant adventurers tackling dungeons always aimed for ways to make it smoother and safer. Spotting the profit potential, merchants stocked all sorts of items tailored for dungeon runs. One of those was the magic tool designed to track outside time—a necessity in a world where humans couldn't detach from it anymore.
A clock. Who the hell treated a clock like a magic tool? Sure, it had vibration alarms and bell chimes, so it kinda fit the bill.
"We've come pretty far. Just the honkrodiles we've seen probably number over a hundred."
"Pfft... didn't even feel it. Tsk. Fine, if the party leader says so. So, what's the plan?"
"Dunno... First dungeon for me, so I packed everything I could think of, but it's tricky. Head back or camp here?"
As I pondered, Cheong-ah quietly raised her hand.
"Um, honey?"
"Yeah? Got an idea, Cheong-ah?"
"No, not that... I was just wondering what you meant by 'head back' or 'camp.' Does camping mean staying here inside the dungeon?"
"Oh, that?"
I started explaining, pulling a glowing blue iron plate and two scrolls from my bag.
"Heading back means using these to open a warp gate right here."
"What's that?"
"Coordinate designation plate and warp scrolls."
One of those dungeon essentials I'd mentioned. No clue how they were made, but toss the plate on the ground and activate a scroll on top, and it'd whisk you to the dungeon entrance. To return, rip the matching scroll pair—it opened a gate you stepped through. Range was short; had to use it near where you'd exited. Never tested it myself, obviously. Scrolls were one-use; the plate lasted forever if cared for.
Cost? Roughly ten gold for the plate, two per scroll pair. Twelve gold total—enough in this world to settle in a rural village, buy some fields, and live the cozy farm life.
A hefty expense, but dungeon delving demanded it eventually. I'd splurged.
Cheong-ah stared at the items in my hand, eyes wide with wonder. "Whoa. How do they even make stuff like this? So cool."
"Beats me. Mages tinkered with magic stones to make dungeons easier and safer, and this came out of it."
"Hmm, really? So what about camping?"
"Hold on."
I stowed the plate and scrolls, then pulled out an orb etched with magic circle patterns. Not too big—about the size of an adult man's thumb and index finger formed into a circle. Like turning a 500-won coin into a sphere from childhood marbles.
"This."
"And what's that?"
"Well..."
Processed magic stone, created a safe zone inside the dungeon. No idea on the mechanics. Place it on the floor, sprinkle the bundled reagent, and it turned a radius around the orb safe from monster detection.
Roughly five gold for the orb, three for a set of five reagents.
"Hmm. Kinda like a barrier or formation, right?"
"Barrier or formation...?"
Come to think of it, yeah. Exactly that.
As I muttered, Cheong-ah nodded eagerly. "Yes, barriers or formations. Techniques used by Yuldo shamans..."
"It's fine, I get it."
"As expected of you, honey. So knowledgeable."
She flashed a soft smile.
"They say shamans and mages overlap, and sure enough, this works the same."
"Nah, not made by mages."
"Huh? Then who?"
"The Church."
"The Church? You mean the Goddess faith? They make stuff like this?"
"Of course. They research magic stones as hardcore as the mage towers."
While I explained to Cheong-ah, Bella—who'd been watching with hands behind her back—yawned boredly. As I wrapped up:
"Yaaawn~. So? Out or rest here?"
"Hm..."
No real dilemma. Cave interior, but swamp floor—soggy, sticky mud everywhere. Camping here? No way. Fire pit tricky on wet ground; gathering dry wood impossible. I'd bought a semi-permanent burner, but its heat couldn't match a real bonfire. Plus, as a magic tool, it'd drain mana if left on too long—another purchase down the drain.
I carefully stowed the orb to avoid cracking it, then grabbed the plate and scrolls.
"Let's head out. Camping here's no good."
"Fine by me. I'm in."
Bella grinned wolfishly in agreement. I carried the plate to a monster-free corner and set it down gently. Not cheap enough to mishandle.
Meanwhile, their chatter drifted over.
"Hey, but Bella."
"Yeah?"
"What if you opposed? I'd back honey no matter what."
"Uh... Dunno? Munch popcorn?"
After that, we tore the scrolls and warped out.
We gathered decent branches, fashioned torches, tore some leftover cloth, soaked it in oil, and lit up.
Bella's lazy scavenging brought some damp greenwood, but not much—if it caught, it'd burn eventually.
Whoosh—the flames grew steadily.
Out came the prepped goods: iron rods and stand for hanging a pot over the fire, cast-iron pot, kitchen knife, cutting board, assorted veggies, pork.
As I unpacked, Bella eyed me. "Hey, Ian. What the hell did you pack, and how's it all fit in there?"
"Good question, Bella."
"The bag?"
"Yeah. Bought this last time too."
Looked like a plain bag, but another magic tool. The classic sub-space spell in a magic world—ubiquitous as national rule. Not infinite; maybe half the cargo wagon from our last royal capital trip.
For a bag, that was damn useful.
"Fancy. Must've cost a fortune."
"Normally, yeah. But I snagged it on sale."
I shot her a look screaming ask the price.
Bella flinched back a step, then rolled her eyes lazily. "Uh... yeah? How much?"
"A whopping fifteen gold."
I beamed proudly. Her face scrunched.
"And that's cheap?"
"Original's over thirty. Half off—total steal."
"Heh. Fine, whatever. But dude, that cash could've bought a light magic magic tool."
"Ahem. Said I'd get one later. Drop it."
"Just sayin', it's a shame."
Ignoring her, I rushed camp setup. Pulled the tent from my Dimensional Bag and assembled it. Cheong-ah fitted the iron rods over the fire, hung the pot, then started prepping veggies as requested.
"How do I cut these?"
"Carrots fine dice. Onions too. Potatoes as well."
"Pork?"
"Pork needs chew—bite-sized chunks?"
"Got it. Quick."
And Bella? While we worked?
"Kyahaha... Fuck, one arm makes this way better!"