Deception of the Carnivorous Insects
Among the dungeons near Start Village, Deception of the Carnivorous Insects boasted considerable difficulty. Only the most seasoned adventurers dared approach its vicinity. Tales of novices who underestimated it and paid the price circulated every year.
As with most high-difficulty dungeons, it was infamous for its generous rewards. Despite the guild's stern warnings, fools kept flocking there for that very reason.
Adventurers were inherently get-rich-quick schemers, always loading that mindset like a passive skill. If guild warnings were enough to turn them back, they'd never venture into the deadly embrace of dungeon delving, where death walked arm-in-arm like an old friend.
"This is the porter's first time raiding this dungeon, right?"
Johann's nickname had solidified as "porter." He didn't bother objecting. In a party where everyone else went by class, being called by name would have felt out of place.
"Yes, it is."
"Don't tense up. I'll handle the front line for sure."
Vints thumped his chest confidently. His boyish face and awkward expression made Johann wonder if he could really be trusted.
"That's right! Lord Hero is super strong, so no need to worry at all!"
The priest chimed in. She seemed to place absolute faith in him. Either she was naive to the ways of the world, or Vints truly had the power to back it up—or both.
Johann's gaze naturally shifted to the mage. He was curious about her take. Sharon was the most reliable member of this party.
"His skills are the real deal."
She replied curtly, her voice still chilly from their earlier spat. But there was no negativity in her words. Vints must have earned some genuine respect.
"How much farther to the dungeon? It's pretty remote. No other travelers in sight now."
"About ten minutes, I guess. Just keep following this path."
Johann peered down the narrow trail ahead at Sharon's answer. They had entered a dense forest, thick with foliage. Passersby had vanished from view ten minutes ago.
Birdsong greeted them sporadically. Even the clear, melodious trill of nightingales stirred unease for some reason. Vints, who had led with brash confidence, now walked with heavier steps.
"Let me brief you on the raid again. Vints takes point, I'll cover the rear. You stick in the middle with the priest. If you get hurt, tell her right away."
"Got it."
"Leave the healing to me!"
The priest added her cheerful interjection. Her sweet voice lightened the party's heavy mood.
"The monsters in Deception of the Carnivorous Insects have tons of illusion-based skills. Status effects are always deadly, but extra caution here. Speak up at the first sign of anything off."
"Will do. And you two? Mage and Hero?"
"Vints has his stigma, so no issue. I can protect myself. Your job is just to keep up."
"No worries there."
By the time their talk wrapped up, they reached the dungeon entrance—a massive cave exuding an ominous aura. What looked like a natural cavern was sealed by an artificially massive door.
Engraved on it was a spider ensnaring a butterfly. It felt like a metaphor for adventurers drawn to the dungeon like moths to flame. A loaded symbol.
"So this is the entrance."
"Haha! Finally here!"
Vints grinned and strode forward. Planting himself before the giant door, he glared at it with steely resolve.
"Let's go!"
Vints flung the doors wide. The dungeon yawned open to welcome them. Without hesitation, he marched into the labyrinth.
Mysterious Treasure Chest (??)
A treasure chest found in the dungeon. Seems to contain valuables.
"Mage! Man-eating hornets behind us! Support!"
"On it!"
Bees the size of a man's torso charged, stingers raised. Not just one or two—dozens filled the view, at least thirty. A swarm of bugs that size was revolting on sight.
"Water Barrier!"
Sharon slammed her staff into the ground. Water erupted from the parched earth like a geyser.
Pssshhh!
The watery wall blocked the hornets cold. But the threat lingered. It was just a stopgap, and frontal assaults pressed on.
"Hero! Front clear?"
"Worry about yourself!"
Vints drew his sword. The flame stigma on his forearm glowed. Light raced along the scar, engulfing the blade until a fiery bloom ignited at the tip.
"Seal of Flames!"
Blocking his path: carnivorous flowers lashing vine-whips like thorns.
"Watch the pollen too! Don't get sucked in and woozy like last time!"
Sharon fretted over him.
"Why bring that up now!? Focus on your rear!"
Vints swung his blazing sword. Flames painted the air scorching hot. One breath felt like it could sear your lungs. The priest winced, forehead creased, and fell back.
"You okay?"
Johann steadied her shoulder, checking her color.
"Ah, Mr. Porter. Thanks. I'm fine."
"Hero's strong."
"Right!? I told you—he's amazing!"
The priest beamed at the praise.
'Hero, huh. Kinda underwhelming? Can't hold a candle to Garnet sunbae with her fire powers... Below Vints, even.'
Vints fell short of expectations. No match for Garnet sunbae in flame mastery. Still, solid fundamentals.
"Haaah!"
With a mighty shout, his sword arced. The lashing vines met the fiery edge and burned.
Petals withered in the heat, pollen consumed by inferno. Vints's flames utterly dominated the monsters.
'Monsters aren't that tough either. Even compared to real-world dungeons. This is supposed to be a tough one?'
He could solo this blindfolded. But Johann hung back, observing. Combat was Vints and Sharon's show.
"Whew~ All clear."
Vints wiped sweat from his brow after felling front flowers and rear hornets. Sharon tallied calmly.
"More spawns than last time. Hmm. Push deeper?"
"What're you saying, mage? We barely got loot. Obviously we keep going!"
Vints eyed Johann's pack. It held dungeon drops—so far, only half-full. He wouldn't turn back till it burst.
"Mage! There! Treasure chest!"
Vints's eyes sparkled. An old chest sat in the spot he pointed. He bolted before anyone replied.
"Third one. More monsters, but chests too. Not bad business."
"Hero, careful. Could be a mimic."
Mimics—treasure chests that ambushed—lurked in every dungeon. Every tale of an adventurer's demise featured one. Public enemy number one.
"I know. Appraise!"
"I still don't trust your appraisals. Should've hired a thief over the porter... Ah, sorry, porter. Not shading you."
Sharon's slip gave Johann intel on this world.
'Standard party: Hero, mage, priest, thief.'
Real parties stuck to tank-DPS-heal. This world ran different.
"Anyway, not a mimic. Opening it."
"Even appraised, stay sharp. Strong mimics fool it."
"Heh. As if any mimic could fool my appraisal—"
The chest sprang open, belching black smoke like an inverted waterfall. Vints yelped, ass-planting backward.
"Wh-what!?"
"Hero! Shut it quick!"
Too late—Sharon's shout. A withered hand burst from the smoke, clad in rusted armor, corpse-like.
"Grrraaah...!"
A undead groan followed.
The priest clasped hands, lips quivering. One slip, and she'd scream.
"Grrraaahhh...!"
Out crawled a decrepit armored death knight. Its rusty sword pointed at Vints.
"Shit! Death knight! Summon-type mimic?"
"Unbelievable! Hero! Battle stations!"
Sharon snapped irritably. Total curveball.
"Porter! Priest! Stick together!"
"Y-yes! Got it!"
The priest swallowed sobs. Johann just nodded silently.