Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Ancient Camouflage (2)
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After the goblins, we faced countless more enemies.
"Eyes forward! The ground's shaking!"
Sena's shout rang out, and at the same moment, the dirt floor ahead erupted like a volcano.
Rumble rumble boom!
Bursting through the dust cloud was a mole the size of a man.
"It's a Moleman!"
"Gah! Fall back!"
Its eyes had degenerated to mere traces, and its pink snout twitched.
But the real threat was the massive shovel-like claws on both hands.
"Keeek!"
The instant it kicked off the ground, it swung those ridiculously huge claws wildly in all directions. My tail nearly got sliced clean off.
"Reti! You okay?"
"I'm fine!"
Whew... my tail. That was close.
While we dodged, the area around where the Moleman had burst out was left in ruins.
Slash!
It kept swinging its arms, sweeping the surroundings. Every time its claws whistled through the air, chunks of stone from the floor or nearby pillars were gouged deep. Getting hit by that would shatter bones.
And there was another reason to be cautious with these things...
It was from a post I'd seen on the Adventurer Gallery while researching the Ancient Camouflage Dungeon.
Don't Mess with Moles Carelessly
My Bronze Badge buddy who frequents deep dungeon levels and keeps up steady sword practice... We went down into the Camouflage Dungeon together and spotted a Moleman in the ruins...
It's a low-level monster, so he went to grab it barehanded to show off. People around tried to stop him, but he said it was fine and punched it...
Then he vanished right before my eyes... Dragged underground in an instant...
Only a single scream left behind as he disappeared deep into the earth... Still haunts me...
Never touch a Moleman carelessly after that.
That's why you let your guard down.
Aigoo...
Tch tch, natural selection.
You assholes talk shit 'cause it's not your story.
'So, ignoring them just 'cause you can't see 'em ahead is a big mistake, huh?'
The Moleman's specialty is dragging prey into underground pits.
"Fall back! Even our shields can't block that!"
Sena grimaced as she raised her shield.
No matter the goddess's blessing, it was too dangerous for close combat.
"Then we just don't let it get close."
I stepped forward calmly and gripped the lever of my Rapid Bowgun.
Distance: about 15 meters. According to the Magic Slate's encyclopedia, Molemen are slow once they're out of the ground.
Plenty of time while it lumbered toward us.
Clack, thwung!
The first bolt sank into its thick belly.
"Keeek?"
The moment it flinched in pain, my hands were already loading the next shot.
Clack, thwung! Clack, thwung! Clack, thwung!
The crisp mechanical sounds rang out in rapid succession.
The Rapid Bowgun's strength is its relentless fire rate, giving no room to breathe. Before it could even raise a claw, three bolts thudded into its shoulder and chest.
"Kreurgh..."
The Moleman didn't get a single swing in before it turned into a porcupine.
"Whoa, this thing's a lifesaver."
"Sena, one more for the head!"
Thwung!
Of course, I didn't forget the coup de grâce to the skull.
Get dragged away, and you'd end up a molekin without a doubt.
Mani approached in awe and inspected its claws.
"Check this out! The blades are still razor-sharp! Cut these off and sell 'em—the smithy'll pay top coin for the material."
"What about the hide?"
"Too bulky right now. Takes up too much space and weight."
We deftly harvested the Moleman's claws. Short fight, solid haul.
[Press on! Ever onward!]
With occasional cheers from Rodentia, we pressed deeper into the ruins.
True to its name, the Ancient Camouflage was endlessly deep and vast.
Passing crumbled corridors, we entered a massive cavern thick with glowing blue moss on the walls.
"Whoa, look! Mana Herbs!"
Sena pointed to purple herbs blooming in rock crevices—prime alchemist bait, top-tier ingredients.
As we excitedly rushed over...
Thud!
A heavy arrow slammed into the ground right in front of us.
"A-ambush!"
"Shields up!"
We yelped and hunkered down behind our shields.
Soon, four burly, villainous-looking human adventurers burst from the shadows, weapons raised. Scarred faces as standard, eyes that screamed bandit.
"Die, you filthy monsters... Huh?"
The lead archer drew his bowstring, then froze mid-pull.
He peered down at us three cowering behind shields, his terrified expression easing as his furrowed brow relaxed. He clicked his tongue.
"Damn it! Thought you were goblins."
Mani popped her head over the shield, bristling.
"Hey, mister! You got eyes just for show? Who're you calling goblins?!"
"No, I mean... You little runts were scurrying around..."
"Little?! You mocking us for being short? Bigger is better, huh? First dwarf you've seen? All short folks goblins?!"
Mani jumped up, swinging her hammer furiously. The bear-like men unexpectedly shrank back.
"D-Dwarves? No, that's not..."
"Uh, sorry... It's so dark in here..."
"Yeah, wasn't really gonna shoot. Just a warning shot, warning shot!"
The scarred swordsman scratched his head awkwardly and apologized. He looked like he'd rob us blind, but surprisingly polite.
"Sorry for scaring the kids. C'mon, let's go. Can't rough up little ones."
"Right, dwarves ain't small!"
"...Ahem, good luck out there."
Embarrassed, the adventurers coughed awkwardly, snuck glances at us, and slipped into a side passage.
"What... was that a misunderstanding?"
Sena muttered, baffled. I shrugged.
"Not kindness. Probably guilt 'cause we're so small."
Thanks to that, the Mana Herbs were all ours.
Well, turned out fine in the end?
Even in a Bronze Rank Dungeon, the upper levels were crowded.
So we kept bumping into other adventurers like earlier—more often than expected.
The first party was the polite sort that backed off.
"What're rat brats doing here?"
"Huh? I claimed it first! Scram!"
Where there was profit, competition followed. Turn a corner, meet another party. Prime hunting spots and gathering points were already taken.
But we had our advantages.
"Chit chit!"
[Oho! Looks like the Horned Rat found something inside that wall!]
We were small.
So we could slip into spots no one else could reach and snag unclaimed loot. Using the Horned Rat to scout hidden passages others missed was a bonus.
"Got it! Mid-grade mana stone!"
"That's an ancient coin!"
Competition was fierce, but profits were juicy.
This must be what they call pioneering a blue ocean.
"Hey, what time is it? Any way to check?"
"Reti! Use the Magic Slate for that. See? Time's right here."
Sena pulled out her slate screen at my mutter. It showed a black-and-green clock image.
"It does that too..."
No wonder so many use Magic Slates.
They go for about one gold new, but used ones are cheap. Gotta get one.
Anyway, it's dusk outside.
Our packs and sacks were over half full—heavy on the shoulders, aching.
"Haa... beat. Wanna rest?"
Sena asked. No day-night in dungeons, but our bodies were screaming.
Can't leave yet—need to recoup entry fees. Sleep inside.
"Where though? Plaza's too risky."
Pitching tents in open areas invites monster or adventurer attacks. Then I spotted a gap in crumbled stone ruins.
"How 'bout there?"
It was a narrow triangular space formed by two collapsed walls. Entrance barely a meter high—tough crawl for average adult men.
But we're different.
"Perfect."
Mani giggled and slipped inside.
Me, Sena, Mani—our average height's 110-120 cm.
Child-sized by human standards. We ducked slightly and strolled into our "hotel."
"Whoa, cozy!"
Inside was roomier than expected. Tight for adults, but we three could lie side by side easy.
Flat floor, low ceiling. Deep and long.
Perfect rat hole.
"Block the entrance."
We piled nearby rubble to seal it, leaving a small peephole.
From outside, just collapsed rocks.
"Beds time."
I unrolled bundled cloth from my pack: oil-treated canvas lined with slime silk. Excellent waterproofing and windproofing. Two layers on floor, one as blanket.
We huddled and ate late dinner.
Menu: hardtack, jerky, cheese chunk.
"Water! Gimme water!"
Mani gulped from the canteen.
"Hey! Ration it! Half left."
I snatched it back. Sloshing sounded light.
"Thirsty though..."
"Shoulda brought more. One canteen ain't enough."
Mani suddenly asked.
"Sena! No water-making blessings? Heard some exist."
"They do... but that's for priests of the Agriculture God grandpa or Wisdom Goddess. Hearth Goddess handles fire..."
Sena smacked her lips regretfully.
Clean water in dungeons? Near impossible. Lucky we're out tomorrow—next time, more water.
"Still, good haul today?"
"Rough calc... five silver?"
Sena's eyes widened at Mani.
"Whoa! Two left after fees? In one day?"
"See? Worth the grind."
Post-meal drowsiness hit.
Can't slack on watch.
This is dungeon heart—enemy territory, barricade or not.
But we have ways.
First, pull out the Hamster Wheel for group prayer.
"Lord of the Hamster Wheel... Mother of all rodents... Guardian of the earth kin..."
[Very well! Summoning them once more!]
Rodentia haughtily munched cheese, cheeks puffed. She waved, and light rose from the floor.
Poof!
Ratty and Squeaky were summoned.
Our solution: Horned Rats.
Spirits need no sleep. Devout prayers boosted Rodentia's power—summon duration way up.
[Ratty on watch at the entrance gap! Squeaky standby inside! Wake the apostles if anything suspicious!]
"Chit!" "Chit chit!"
Ratty climbed to the entrance gap, peering out.
Their eyes glowed faintly in the dark.
Living security cams!
"Night, kids."
"Mmm, you too, Reti..."
Me, Sena, Mani pulled canvas over our heads and snuggled close.
Warm and soft chased away the cold stone chill.
Rough fabric, cramped space, faint moldy scent.
Hell for some, but heaven for ratkin me.
Corner nooks felt safer than wide beds.
'Instinct, huh.'
I dusted my tail, curled around it, and closed my eyes.
Tomorrow, deeper. More treasure awaits for sure.