CH 114.1

By buying a watch, we can now accurately tell time.

『Is someone following us?』

『A group that looks like it has been for some time.』

『In that case, all that’s left is to randomly explore!』

Saying so, Ciel eyes the entrance of the den.

『Where should we enter from?』

『Let’s use the one with a lot of people. Though I say many, it’s moving forward smoothly, so it likely won’t waste us much time.』

『But there wouldn’t be any issue even if we chose an entrance where people can enter immediately, right?』

『You’re at A-rank, so I believe it should be fine. However, it’s not necessarily the same case for the group behind us.』

『That’s true.』

If we just quickly went in and continued deep below, we might not be able to achieve our objective for today. Besides, there could be a rule in place that requires immediate progression to a specific level after passing through the high-rank entrance.

It would have been better if we researched these matters beforehand, but because of Viviana’s matter I completely forgot.

Thus, we pass through the entrance that exudes an intimidating aura reminiscent of the Creator God’s power, entering the den.

The 1st stratum looks like a really wide field? There are no visual obstructions, it’s a sprawling space. Naturally, the ceiling and the walls are made of stone and now I’m sure I feel the Creator God’s power.

『The walls here seem quite hard.』

『Really? How hard?』

『Harder than the barrier Friere broke but not as much as the true barrier, I suppose?』

『So Ain’s barrier is harder. Just as expected, just as expected!』

Ciel says cheerfully, but it’s a bit unsatisfactory to hear my barrier being described as merely harder than a rock. Still, if it’s compared to the strength of a structure created by the Creator God instead, it does sound more pleasing to my ears.

The monsters of the 1st stratum are weaker than goblins, even common folks can defeat them. They are so feeble that even normal animals pose more of a threat, I’m conflicted about calling them monsters.

However, you can obtain magic cores upon defeating them, so it’s become a place of income for apprentice hunters. Children a bit older than Ciel are desperately chasing after their prey.

In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strata, the same scene unfolds but only with different kinds of monsters. Though at the 4th stratum, a slightly strong civilian would probably get injured and there are also monsters that could kill battle experienced people if they’re careless.

Like many hunters, Ciel only gives a side glance to that stratum and passes through. The people behind follow without any issue.

Entering the 5th stratum, it’s become a little more labyrinthine.

『It’s suddenly narrow now. Rather, it’s become a path?』

『It seems so. I think it’s now closer to what I was imagining it to be.』

『Really? Specifically, what were you imagining?』

『I imagined it to have paths confusing people, with traps and treasure boxes scattered around, and monsters suddenly appearing, I suppose?』

『Why would treasure boxes be in a place like this? And if it were, is it alright to bring them along?』

Well, I expected this question to come. How do I say this? As someone who’s been educated by the world of games at a young age, I don’t find it weird but thinking about it realistically, it is a weird thing.

These sorts of game settings, when incorporated into novels, are adjusted to be reasonable, if I remember.

『Perhaps it’s because what I’m imagining is a “dungeon”.』

『A “dungeon”, I see?』

『As for why there are treasure boxes in dungeons, in many cases, it’s to act as bait to lure and gather people, I suppose? In stories, that is.』

『Why are people being gathered?』

『Whether they’re to be killed or not varies, but mainly for the dungeon’s nourishment.』

While talking, Ciel randomly pierces a monster with a spear of stone. There might be usable parts and materials, but it’s tiresome so we only take the magic cores and leave.

In the case of dungeons, many are written in a way that the defeated monsters disappear on their own and it seems like it’s not much different in dens. However, only the magic cores remain.

So, how do you acquire materials then? You just have to harvest it quickly. It’s been discovered that things disappear after being in contact with the den’s floor and walls for some time, they say.

After getting through the 5th stratum, at the 6th and 7th stratum, there were no longer any hunters visible around. The people who may or may not be hunters following us are still there though. So maybe they’ll finally make some sort of move?

Just when I was thinking so, the stalkers movement changed.

『They shot an arrow…… didn’t they.』

『That’s true. It’s not an issue though. Actually, I couldn’t tell if it even hit.』