CH 209

Episode 209: Dragged into metastasis

We start investigating the dungeon while avoiding other explorers. I'll have the Kagema search every nook and cranny of the dungeon, and we'll investigate every corner of the place where the incident happened.

We head to the third floor.

"Okay!! Luck, it's another race to the third floor."

"Won."

WHen I ask Luck to compete like before, Luck suddenly becomes motivated. This time it's just a simple speed competition, so maybe Luck thinks it has a chance of winning.

"Alright, we start when this stone falls, okay?"

"Won."

When I pick up a suitable stone and hold it up so that it can be seen by Luck, Luck nods that it understands.

"Hoi."

last time I learned how to throw stones really lightly. It doesn't pierce the ceiling like the previous first stone, and the stone flies in a neat arc.

Then, the stone fell.

"Don!!"(TN:Dunno why it's chat bubble instead of -Don!! like normal SFX, but W/E)

At that moment, we run. I feel like the dungeon shook on our first step, but I think it's probably just my imagination.

I search for the shortest route to the next floor, select the shortest route and push forward.

"Hah hah hah hah ..."

Luck was chasing after me so hard that I wouldn't leave it behind. Last time I ran a monster-hunting race with it, I pulled away from it, but it seems to be growing up quite a bit, with Luck following me.

But, I'm still not serious.

"Then, I'll get serious, shall I? Can you follow me?"

"Won!!"

"Okay, that's the spirit!!"

When I ask Luck that came after me, it barks as if it is only natural.

If it's that energetic, there's no problem!!

I put more strength into my legs and start running.

"Woooooooooooooooooooon."

After Luck howls, something like black mist clings to its legs and it starts running. As a result, its speed increases, and it is following me without being left behind due to my speed.

It seems that Luck has really grown this time, and it looks like it's going to be a battle that I can't let my guard down.

After that, we were in a dead heat, until we were about 500 meters away from where the disappearance incident happened on the third floor.

I am still unable to pull apart from Luck.

"Okay, from here it's the last spurt!!"

At the end, I run with all my might, running about 100 meters.

"Hah hah hah hah."

Luck also desperately follows while sticking out its tongue in pain. But, that was also the limit.

All of a sudden, I can't hear Luck running.

Confident of victory, I run through the target area at top speed.

But, then a black shadow appears in front of me.

It is Luck.

Apparently, Luck was hiding in my shadow. It makes no sound at all. And Luck passes the destination barely ahead of me.

"Uwaa. Luck, that's dirty!!"

"Won."

"What? The use of shadow power wasn't prohibited!? ... Haa ... Certainly, it's as Luck says. It's my loss."

I unintentionally shout that it was cowardly, but I am told back with a fair argument that I can't argue back against, so I have no choice but to admit defeat.

"Won."

"Next time, you're going to win fair and square?"

Luck won the match this time, but he still hasn't won by fighting head-on in a fair and square manner, so it may think that it's actually a loss.

"That's what I want too!!"

In that case, I will also fight with Qigong at that time. Then I should never lose.

"Won."

However, the next moment, Luck barked as if anticipating my thoughts.

"What!? Qigong is prohibited? Haa ... It can't be helped ... I won't use Qigong and will fight just like this time."

"Won!!"

Deciding that I should keep the cheat of using Qigong a secret, Luck disappears in satisfaction with that answer.

"Well then, let's reward Luck before checking it out."

"Won."

When I try to reward Luck, Luck rubs its head against my body like a headbutt while breathing hard.

It seems to be very happy with a reward.

"Well, calm down. The reward is Black Minotaur Meat!!"

"Woooooooooooooooooooooon!!"

After Luck calms down, it hears that its reward is Black Minotaur Meat, and it howls at the ceiling in joy.

It's a rare ingredient that even I can't get enough of, so it can't help but be happy.

"Here you go."

"Won."

Luck receives the Black Minotaur Meat from me and stuffs its mouth with deliciousness.

"Then, I'll start first."

"Won."

While Luck is eating meat, I begin to explore the area first. After a few minutes, Luck joins Fuhito and tries various things such as sniffing, digging the walls of the dungeon, and continues the investigation for about two hours.(TN:Author randomly added a 'Fuhito' here when it's supposed to be first person ...)

"Luck, what about the Kagema?"

"Won ..."

As far as I could see from the situation, it seems that there is no particularly good information from the Kagema.

"Tch. No clues ... Let's take a break."

"Won."

We can't find any clues, so we decide to rest here.

"Won!?"

However, at that time, Luck lets out a strange voice.

"What's wrong, Luck?"

"Wowon."

"What!? One of the Kagema is gone?"

"Won."

According to Luck, one Kagema has disappeared from the dungeon.

If we can find out what happened to that one, we should be able to understand the situation about the disappearance of the other missing people.

"Can you get in touch with it?"

"Won."

"Then, please."

Luck closes its eyes for a while after answering my question that it would try it.

"Won."

"What? You say the area is surrounded by a forest? Also, there are monsters, so it looks like a dungeon?"

"Won."

"But it doesn't look like a forest dungeon at all ..."

Apparently it's alive. In other words, the Kagema has transferred somewhere. Moreover, in a dungeon somewhere different from this dungeon.

I have a rough outline of the disappearance cases.

Perhaps, after the time when Stampedes occurred frequently, other dungeons were included in the transfer destinations of transfer traps.

Also, while teleportation traps used to be stationary, they may now be constantly moving within the dungeons. Then, it would be explained.

"So, is there an explorer who disappeared over there?"

"Won."

"Then, please."

For the time being, the hypothesis has passed to some extent, so I'll have the Kagema search for any missing people nearby.

"Won."

"Are you serious."

After waiting a while, a surprising reply comes back.

It seems Alice-chan was that person. However, the monsters that appear seem to be D-rank dungeon monsters, and she seems to be hiding and scared.

"Let the Kagema guard Alice-chan for the time being."

"Won."

Luck nods at my instructions.

It's good that Alice-chan was found right away, but I can't go help her because I don't know where she is.

In order to do that, I have no choice but to get caught in the transfer trap. As expected, I don't know where the teleportation trap is.

For a moment, it seemed to emit light, and my field of vision moves to a cave dungeon-like place, much like the Namioka Dungeon.

"Uwaa. I did it now ..."

By the time I realized it, it's already too late. Without being able to report the results to anyone, I get caught with Luck and am sent to another dungeon.