Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Dungeon Chaos is Everyday -2
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Chirp chirp.
The chirping of birds announcing morning.
Of course, there couldn't be any birds in a dungeon. It must be some bird-like monster making the noise.
"Hoo..."
I let out a sigh and peered inside the tent.
There were two girls, fast asleep in each other's arms.
I'd managed to slip out somehow, and now they were like this.
Anyone seeing them would think they got along great.
Purple hair and green hair tangled messily together. Should I wake them up soon?
'I want to savor this peace just a little longer.'
I was certain. The moment those two woke up, the morning peace would vanish. They'd chatter away and make things difficult for me.
"Just a bit more rest."
The words slipped out from exhaustion—my honest feelings, without me even realizing.
It wasn't bad. The unique silence of the dungeon.
Of course.
"...But those two aren't the only uninvited guests."
In a dungeon, unexpected visitors were par for the course.
Shh shh shh.
A sound of something slithering swiftly across the ground came from beyond the bushes. Not the pounding of a beast-type monster running.
It felt quieter than that.
Probably some low-to-the-ground monster, shorter than a beast.
And in this Black Widow's Forest, there was only one type like that.
'Black Widow Spider.'
Sure enough, a massive spider emerged from the bushes. A giant spider, pitch black all over with only its eyes glowing red.
I gripped my club tightly.
'One alone is no problem.'
Black Widow Spiders were dangerous in groups.
But just one? I could handle it now.
Worst case, I had Desperate Strike.
And I could just wake Melissa.
"Let's give it a shot."
I waited, club in hand.
I wouldn't advance. My job was to guard the tent and deal with the monster.
Shh shh shh!
The spider crawled swiftly. Even its thin legs looked threatening.
"The body."
A solid whack to that plump torso with the club and nails would deal massive damage, for sure.
Aiming small with mediocre skill might just miss.
I gripped the club and swung.
Such a simple action.
But as I shifted into position for a big swing—
"...Hm?"
Something felt off.
'It's ignoring me?'
The spider was ignoring me completely.
Charging straight ahead without a glance.
If I had to compare... yeah, like a terrified person fleeing.
For a mere monster, the emotion felt vividly real. What on earth had it gone through?
Anyway, I lowered my weapon and stepped aside. The spider brushed past without stopping.
I was puzzled but let it go.
Weird stuff happened in dungeons all the time.
Probably just fleeing after losing a turf war. Thinking that way made it no big deal.
Instead, what I had to face now was...
"Melissa, wake up."
"Mmm..."
"Agnes, you too."
"Huuu..."
Far more annoying than that spider.
The two rubbed their eyes and sat up.
Agnes, used to danger, was already alert. Melissa looked deeply asleep despite her insomnia.
"Sleep well... assistant?"
"...Thanks to you."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. So go wash up quick."
You look like you slept great? I wanted to snap back but held it in.
Sleep habits, what could I do? The unharmed one had to endure.
"Get up, eat, and help me out."
"Help...?"
"You're awful... Think you're the boss here too?"
To the grumbling pair, I made it crystal clear.
"If you won't work, don't eat."
Starve.
Was that one word so terrifying?
"I'm up."
"I'll work."
The two jumped up and started eating.
Why couldn't they just behave nicely? Had to threaten to get obedience.
Feeling like I had bratty little sisters, I chuckled and reassured them.
"Eat slowly. It won't be tough work."
Leaving the two wolfing down bread and soup, I looked up at a massive tree.
A colossal tree towering at least 30 feet high.
Atop it hung a single fruit with a brownish sheen.
"What's that, assistant?"
Melissa, having finished eating, showed curiosity.
"Cacao."
"Cacao as in..."
"Yeah. The fruit that becomes cocoa or chocolate."
"Oh ho. It grows here?"
Cacao normally grew in tropical rainforests.
That's why I'd planned to hunt for it before entering the dungeon.
Now with daylight, it was clear. Cacao pods hanging everywhere on the tree.
"Seeing that, I can't just sit as a chef."
Harvest cacao, maybe make chocolate dishes. Chocolate's the most popular ingredient, right?
So many possibilities.
Cocoa, chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate fondue... and more.
The pity was, stuff harvested in the dungeon couldn't be taken out.
'Gather a few for research, gain recipes and experience.'
Then use that knowledge later.
I'd brought chocolate ingredients anyway, so I could make some, but no need in a dangerous dungeon.
"Agnes. Need your help."
"The great dragon lady is required?"
"Yeah. See that up there? Fly and drop them down."
"Understood."
Agnes finished eating and took flight.
Flapping her wings, rising higher.
I looked up to watch—
"...Melissa."
"Hm?"
"Sorry. Cover for me."
...then whipped my head away.
Agnes, wearing a skirt after all.
"Perverted."
"I'm being considerate."
"Sure you are."
"Catch!" came Agnes's shout. Melissa started grabbing the falling cacao pods.
After about five hit the ground.
"That's enough."
Harvesting done.
"Gonna dissect those fruits now?"
"Yeah. Should be fine."
"I'm good with it."
"The dragon lady approves too. We'll scout nearby."
"Okay. Everyone do their thing."
Day two in the dungeon began.
I spent time breaking down and studying the cacao. Melissa and Agnes explored nearby.
One odd thing: before they left, a few more spiders fled.
"Did that earlier, now again."
"...Hm. Better check it out."
"Please do."
"Hope it's just losers from a turf war."
...Nothing'll happen, right?
Hoping so, I focused on the cacao.
Maybe then, I should have remembered.
Sudden events happen often in dungeons.
Chaos is everyday in dungeons.
"Assistant."
Melissa's small hand grabbed my sleeve. Startled, I looked at her. She pointed one way as I did.
"Unsettling aura."
"Unsettling aura?"
Melissa nodded.
Agnes agreed.
"Strange smell. Metallic... blood, probably."
As Agnes spoke, the metallic tang grew stronger. Listening, I glanced that direction.
Come to think of it, those spiders fled from over there.
"..."
We three fell silent, then without a word began packing to leave.
Didn't know what, but something happened.
No reason to face danger.
This training's goal was survival, not combat or hunting. Best avoid threats to survival.
No reason for risky stuff.
Unless you're suicidal or desperate for grades.
Luckily, no one in our group wanted that.
"Fall back and evac first. No need to face danger. Retreat, assess—if bad, go to prof."
Points deducted, but we'd live.
Grades matter, but not over life.
Melissa agreed. Agnes too. They nodded, packing gear.
Agnes collected dishes, Melissa broke camp. I scattered food scraps to mask scents.
Erase traces, leave confusing ones, then move.
A hit to pride maybe, but for survival? Worth it.
We moved quietly after.
Melissa perked her ears and spoke.
"Good call leaving quick."
Melissa sensed it.
Something came to our spot and started pursuit. Her beastkin instincts.
We'd put good distance, we thought.
Even as she said something chased us, she seemed calm.
They wouldn't catch us.
We firmly believed.
"...Damn."
If only Melissa, leading, hadn't stopped suddenly.
Melissa sighed deeply. Rare for her.
I knew without asking.
Things were going south.
"Looks like they're several times faster. Maybe ambushed at dawn."
"...Ah."
"Shh."
Melissa hushed us.
Beyond the bushes, red eyes gleamed. Not one or two—dozens.
They'd long encircled us in a massive net. Even noticing quick, escape impossible.
"Trouble."
"What now? I could solo out alone."
Alone.
That assumed just her.
With us? No guarantees.
Before I answered, the eyes' owners appeared.
Bipedal wolves—werewolves.
They wore Black Widow legs as trophies around necks.
Some dripped blood, legs twitching—fresh kills.
"...Agnes."
"Wh-what?"
"You're strong, right? Can take a few?"
"...Sorry."
"Huh?"
"That was bravado."
Bravado?
"This dragon lady is hornless dragonkin. Called half-breeds among us. No such power."
Growing mystery.
Why was she the diplomat?
'Think later. Survive first.'
Decision time.
All three get caught? Or one escapes to report?
"No brainer. Melissa."
"What, assistant?"
"You go."
"But..."
"No buts. You can escape, right?"
Nod.
Melissa nodded.
"Decided then. Me and Agnes'll manage. Go tell prof—incident."
Black Widow's Forest ruled by widows. Why werewolves? Secondary issue.
"That's the queen spider's head."
They paraded the forest queen's head.
Unsettling anomaly.
"...Can you do it?"
"Have to."
"No choice. Be quick."
"Please. Oh, and—when you go, make a racket?"
"Racket?"
"Yeah. Might help us."
"No idea why, but... got it."
Melissa nodded, stood abruptly.
No more hiding.
"Arrow!"
Arrow!
Magic arrows flew as Melissa bolted.
"...Hope Melissa pulls it off."
"Ethan. Now what?"
Melissa would succeed.
Werewolves numerous but not super strong individually.
Blast magic, path opens.
Now, us.
"Don't worry. I know a bit about werewolves."
Lucky—I knew their habits and ecology.
Use that, we two survive.
But.
"Agnes."
"Wh-what?"
"Stay confident to the end. They don't like cowards."
"Got it."
"And trust me. Whatever happens, it's for our survival. Okay?"
"What're you planning?"
"You'll see."
Crunch crunch.
Footsteps neared, excluding Melissa's direction.
For a while.
"...Stragglers."
A low, gruff voice muttered as a gray werewolf stepped out.
"...If I may be so bold, a question?"
"Ha! Human brat? Fine. Last mercy before death. Fits a chief's benevolence."
It laughed cruelly, granting talk.
I bowed politely and murmured.
"Truth is, I have something for you, Chief."
"Fleeing brat talks well."
"Not fleeing. I lured those two girls here."
Agnes looked shocked.
'Good.'
Confused expression.
Unsure if true, what nonsense.
"Hard to believe."
"Then."
To seal it.
'Agnes.'
Desperate Strike
Activated
'Sorry.'
Thwack!
"Kyaa!?"
I struck Agnes's nape.
The near-exhausting blow made her stagger and collapse.
"Hm?"
"How's this? Believe now?"
"...Bold."
"I'm sincere."
"What do you want?"
"Let me serve you, Chief. As loyalty pledge, offer this girl and a beverage popular among brave warriors."
Chief glared long.
Doubting my sincerity.
"Where's the other?"
"Sorry. Too feral, couldn't catch."
"Really?"
"Ask others."
Chief called another wolf, confirmed.
My words true.
Melissa did well.
"Hmmm..."
Suspicious chief.
But I knew.
Werewolf chiefs...
"...Unwavering eyes. Good. Keep promise, earn trust."
...loved the bold.
"Thank you."
"Shall we move?"
I bowed, supported limp Agnes.
Her legs dragged.
Carrying carefully, I thought.
'Sorry, Agnes. Hang on. Way to survive them came to mind.'
Survive?
No.
With this act, me and Agnes might...
'Slaughter them silent.'
Turn training wreckers into the departed.