Chapter 434: Another Discovery
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 434: Another Discovery
Some might wonder what the chances were of finding a male just by tailing them in this vast cave, but I was feeling pretty confident.
If there were no males at all, that would be one thing, but if one did exist, it had to be somewhere around here.
I mean, it makes sense, doesn’t it?
If the key to all of this really is a monster’s penis, then it’s practically a given that the Goddess created this dungeon, and that this was the reason she sent me here.
If that’s the case, wouldn’t she have designed the dungeon to place the monster that drops the penis near the passage that uses it?
And so far, that had been true for every secret passage that used a penis as a key.
Therefore, this area, right next to the ant nest, was where the male Kobolds were most likely to be.
I activated my stealth and began tailing the nearby Kobolds.
The whole “my Assassin level is low” thing was only really a problem on the third and fourth floors. Around here, there was virtually no risk of the monsters seeing through my stealth.
The only potential issue was running out of essence and having my stealth break, but that shouldn’t happen if I was only using stealth.
Besides, Diana had replenished my mana before I left.
In any case, a period of tedious tailing ensued.
The creatures moved about cautiously, surveying their surroundings as if on high alert, which was mind-numbingly boring.
I don’t know how long they’ve lived here, but this was a cave whose existence even the Guild was unaware of.
We were likely the only force to have invaded this place in a very long time, yet they were still so diligent with their patrols.
Were these behaviors also programmed into them by the Goddess?
I’m so bored I’m starting to have all sorts of random thoughts.
But after wandering around for so long without seeing anything, maybe there really isn’t such a thing as a male Kobold.
The time I promised the girls I’d be back is approaching. Maybe I should just give up and head back.
Just as I was thinking that and about to turn around, I finally spotted a Kobold making a suspicious move.
The Kobold I had been following was still scurrying around, but I noticed another one over by a wall, climbing it like a rock climber.
The other Kobolds passing by didn’t react at all, which made it clear that this wasn’t some unique behavior of that one individual.
But what was it doing? There was nothing to be gained by climbing that cave wall…
Just as I thought that, the Kobold, which had climbed higher than my head, suddenly vanished from sight.
Could it be…!
Of course, without Diana’s magic, my vision in the pitch-black cave wasn’t great, but seeing it disappear so unnaturally in an instant convinced me.
There’s definitely something up there.
I immediately started climbing the same wall where the creature had disappeared.
When I reached the exact height where it had vanished, the hand I extended suddenly sank into nothing, and my body pitched forward, causing me to tumble right through.
There was a space on the other side, leading over the wall.
Honestly, I felt completely blindsided.
Kobolds, at best, only come up to around my waist.
Naturally, when we were all searching together, we had focused our efforts on scouring the lower areas. I never imagined there would be a passage up so high.
No. At this height, it would have been hidden by shadows even if we had been looking up.
To think I passed this spot several times while circling the area and didn’t notice a thing.
Pretty clever, for a Kobold.
As I thought that, I dusted off my knees, stood up, and lifted my head. My eyes met with a pair of blazing, glaring eyes.
That’s right. We made eye contact. My stealth must have broken when I tumbled in just now.
The owner of those eyes was, as expected, a Kobold.
However, it was far too massive to be called a Kobold.
It was well over my height, definitely more than two meters tall.
Its thick limbs, reminiscent of an Orc’s—no, even thicker—were bulging with muscle, and a threatening growl rumbled from between its sharp teeth.
Seeing it, feeling the bloodlust piercing my entire body, I was able to instantly gauge its power.
This thing is on a completely different level from the normal Kobolds.
No. It felt leagues stronger than not only the normal Kobolds, but even the boss Kobold we fought a few days ago.
I see. So that’s how it is.
I’d thought it was strange before.
Unlike the normal floors where the giant Magic Stones were hidden away, in the smaller sub-layers like the ant nest and this place, the giant Magic Stone was displayed brilliantly right in the middle of the boss room both times.
As if to emphasize, this is the boss room.
And think back to when we first met the Queen Ant in the ant nest.
Normally, a Floor Boss never leaves its designated position.
But the Queen Ant had broken through a wall to reveal herself to us.
As if she was trying to lure us to her.
Right. The creatures we thought were the bosses of these sub-layers until now were all fake bosses.
The real one is probably the one that drops the penis.
Just like this one right in front of me.
“Kieeeeee!”
The creature let out a high-pitched shriek that didn’t suit its massive frame. Then, instead of coming for me, it grabbed the head of the Kobold next to it and slammed it into the ground.
With a sickening squelch!, the small Kobold’s head split open like a watermelon, and it stopped breathing.
Was it punishing the one that led an enemy here?
In other words, it’s utterly ruthless.
Furthermore, judging by that movement, its physical strength was as immense as its size suggested.
I’ll say it again, this thing is in a different league from the other Kobolds.
“Kieeeeee!”
Still gripping the dead Kobold’s head, the creature shrieked once more, then charged straight at me, swinging the smaller Kobold’s body like a club.
Whoosh! The sound that echoed in my ears was far too menacing to be the sound of a once-living creature being swung around.
…Well. So what?
I didn’t want to get blood on me, so I deliberately jumped far to the side to dodge the attack, then coated my fist with Saint’s Touch and slammed it into the creature’s abdomen.
“Kiihiiik!”
…It’s over.
Yeah. Sorry. I was just bored, so I tried to build up a little tension.
No, I mean, it’s true that this thing looks stronger than the Kobold boss. It probably is, in fact.
But come on. Let’s be realistic. There’s no way I’d lose to a monster on the 1.5th floor.
Not to a premature ejaculating bastard like this, who’s all for show with its intimidating appearance.
I pinned the twitching creature to the ground with my foot, casually stuck my knife in, and dug out the Magic Stone.
Its body began to decay, disappearing and leaving behind only its erect penis.
Does this thing really exist just for this?
It disappeared dropping only this, with no other items.
Does that mean there’s a high probability that the passage connected to the ant nest is somewhere in this room?
Should I investigate now?
No. I should go back for now.
It’s easier to search with everyone together, with Diana’s magic lighting the way.
Besides, I can’t just leave my girls waiting and worrying forever.
I put the penis in my inventory and hurried back to where my party was waiting.
“Hey, everyone. I’m back. Did you wait long?”
“Oh, ooh. You’ve returned. Right on time, I see. Mm-hmm. I shall praise you for that.”
Huh? Wh-what? This reaction is different from what I expected.
I was sure they’d all welcome me back with expressions full of worry.
What’s with this atmosphere?
Everyone’s face was bright red, and they were giving off this incredibly awkward vibe.
Diana, in particular, suddenly clung to me and started stroking my head, and I got the feeling it wasn’t just because I’d returned on time. Or maybe it’s just my imagination.
And her expression… how should I describe it? She looked embarrassed, yet also proud somehow. It was a complicated look.
Sara, for some reason, was glaring at me, while Leia and Matilda were staring at me in disbelief.
Silvia was trembling as usual, but since I wasn’t even touching her, and we were inside a dungeon, it was just as strange.
“What’s going on? What’s with the mood? Did something happen?”
“…I don’t know. You pervert.”
“You, to your Oppa, again… well, I’ll let it slide this once.”
Though I wanted to hear Sara’s cute “Oppa” again, I had to back down from her sharp gaze, which looked like it could draw blood.
“…Hey. Diana. What did you do?”
“Wh-what is that supposed to mean all of a sudden? Wh-what do you think I did?”
When I quietly asked Diana, she began to look noticeably flustered, just as I’d expected.
“Come on. It’s obvious just from the atmosphere. Why are you the only one smiling so brightly?”
“Is-is it not prettier this way? A fine sight for you, no?”
…Damn it. It’s so frustrating that I can’t argue because she’s right.
So damn pretty. Yeah, you’re drop-dead gorgeous when you smile brightly like that, you brat.
“M-more importantly. How did your tailing go? Does the fact that you returned on time mean you failed?”
It was obvious she was blatantly trying to change the subject, but I had no choice but to answer.
This was more important right now, and besides, it didn’t seem like she’d answer me no matter how much I pressed her.
I’m curious, but I guess it can’t be helped. I’ll just have to find out later, maybe leisurely in bed.
“No. I got it. Turns out there was a male after all.”
“Mm. Just as I thought! My intuition was correct!”
“Wait. You got it? Guwon, you fought it by yourself?!”
Sara, who had been glaring at me, rushed over as if she’d finally caught me red-handed.
Seriously, why is she so angry?
Judging by the mood, did she and Diana have another fight over the “main wife” spot?
If Diana won this time, then Diana’s and Sara’s reactions would make sense.
But then Leia’s, Silvia’s, and Matilda’s reactions wouldn’t add up.
What in the world were they talking about?
“N-no, it’s just that… it popped out of nowhere, so I reflexively threw a punch and it just keeled over and died.”
My apologies, nameless male Kobold.
But hey, it’s close enough, right? It wasn’t an honorable death anyway, so just let it go. The living have to live, after all.
“Hmph…”
“Really. It’s true. You saw me take out the boss in one hit a few days ago, right? A-anyway, let’s go to where it was. I think the passage is there.”
I soothed Sara’s unreasonable anger and led everyone to the room where the male Kobold had been.
“…To think a space like this was hidden here. How on earth did you find it? You truly are amazing, Guwon.”
Leia, who had been looking at me with disbelief just moments ago, was now smiling at me with her usual gentle expression.
But Leia, is it just my imagination, or does it feel like you’re standing about a step further away than usual?
No, of course, I’m happy enough with just that angelic smile.
But if possible, I’d like you to press a little closer and share your chest… no, your human warmth with me.
“I just happened to spot one coming this way. I was lucky.”
“In any case, now we just need to prove that this place connects to the ant nest. Well then, let’s get searching!”
Diana, for her part, still seemed to be in a good mood.
No, it felt more like she was forcing herself to look happy. …It makes me want to tease her a little.
Then again, after what I did last time, I should probably refrain from teasing her for a while.
Never tease her again for the rest of my life? Nah, that’s impossible. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.
Anyway, after searching the room, we found it. As expected, there was a place to insert the Kobold’s penis.
And also as expected, the passage led us right to the ant nest.
“Wow! It’s the ant nest! As expected of you, Guwon…!”
With this, it was proven that my abilities were essential to conquering the dungeon.
And as a bonus, that the Goddess created the dungeon.
Well, I was happier about the fact that my angel had finally hugged me again than the fact that my hypothesis was correct.