Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka volume 1

by volume 1

  My sigh merged with the somewhat chilly morning air. I walked alone on the main street that has a very different atmosphere at noon. The big road that was neither noisy nor complex gave off a open feeling. The stone-based shops that were built on both sides of the street still had their doors closed tightly.

  The eastern skies were already bright. Even if it was early in the morning, you could still feel a breath of humans. There were hobbits who were preparing to open a shop, and also dwarfs that were adventurers discussing something in their team. Looks like they are going to the dungeon.

  I was also wearing equipment for entering the dungeon while escaping from Kami-s……Leaving the house. So if the others saw me, I would be classified as the same type as them.

  “Ah~ I forgot to eat breakfast……”

  GURRRRUUUU, after hearing the sound coming from my body, I looked left and right while walking around and stared at the surroundings.

  This is bad, I forgot to eat. So hungry.

  Looks like I won’t be able to concentrate and focus on exploring the dungeon if I don’t get rid of this sense of hunger.

  I didn’t want to lose my determination on saving money today, but there was really no other way, so what should I buy…….

  “……! ?”

  I furiously looked backwards.

  Stopping my footsteps to look at the back.

  ……An unpleasant feeling. Although it was not the type where I detected killing intent, the slight breath was from a kind of powerful adventurer……Was I being observed?

  A feeling of danger. Just like when you are assessing an item, ordinary people absolutely couldn’t imitate it, a relentless gaze.

  A shop employee preparing to open up a sidewalk café, a team of two beastmen conversing in an alley, a girl looking onto the street from the second floor of a shop……That scenery appeared in my vision while I repeatedly shifted my vision to moving objects.

  With my blank brain, I surveyed my surroundings.

  There was no trace of anything suspicious in the shopping street that hadn’t opened up in the morning. Instead strange gazes were gathering towards me, who was standing in the middle of the road. However, at this time I had no energy to take note of this.

  Did I think too much……?

  After listening to the sound of my excessive heartbeat, I couldn’t help but make a puzzled expression.

  “This……”

  “!”

  I immediately changed my pose and turned around to the voice coming from behind. To any onlookers it must have looked like I was acting like a scaredy-cat.

  The person who addressed me was the same as me, a human girl.

  She was wearing a white blouse and a leaf-colored knee-length long skirt. On top of this was also a slightly long half apron around her waist.

  Her black hair that had lost its luster was tied into a small knot, and a tail was hanging down below that knot. Looks like it was a type of ponytail.

  Her eyes, that had the same color as her hair, were seemingly innocent and cute. Her milky white and smooth gentle face displayed a surprised expression due to my vigilant action.

  It was only a harmless civilian……W…What have I done! ?

  “S…Sorry! Because I was a bit surprised……!”

  “N…No problem, I’m really sorry that I scared you……”

  I hurriedly apologized, but the other side also followed and apologized. I really am so sorry.

  She should be a bit older than me. But it looks like it should only be a difference of one or two years.

  Isn’t this the shop employee that I’ve just seen arranging things in the sidewalk café?

  The one that was tenaciously trying to move a table alone……

  “I…Is there something wrong?”

  “Ah……Yes. You dropped this.”

  A purplish-blue crystal was placed in her outstretched hand.

  “Huh? ? A…Ahhhh?”

  I crooked my neck to look at the waist bag above my butt. I usually put the that I obtained from monsters into this fist-sized waist bag.

  Usually I would tighten it, but did I loosen it for a reason this time?

  I remembered that yesterday when I exchanged the money, I should have given all the Magic Stones to the guild. Could it be that I remembered wrong?

  Besides Adventurers, it was impossible for others to have a ……Yes, it must be like that.

  “S…Sorry. I’m grateful for it.”

  “No problem”

  She answered with a smile that made me feel comfortable. My frown when I was apologizing also changed to a smile because of her smile. Able to meet up with such pure kindness made me completely relieved.

  “Are you preparing to go to the dungeon so early?

  “Yes, I am simply going to the……”

  The shop employee continued to talk with me. Because I was troubled on how to end this, I was grateful that she spoke first.

  After exchanging a few more words, I said my goodbyes.

  ……Just when I was thinking of this, Guru, my stomach issued out such an embarrassing sound.

  “……”

  “……”

  The shop employee, who widened her eyes inconsiderately.

  I, who was blushing furiously.

  Then, she let out a “pfft” and leaked out sounds of laughter. A violent blow. I bowed my head and let the steam emit from the top of my head.

  “Ohho, your stomach, are you hungry?”

  “……Yes”

  “Could it be that you haven’t eaten breakfast yet?”

  I, who was shy and could not directly look at the shop employee, nodded.

  She took up a thinking pose, then suddenly hurried away from here.

  She passed through the café, which was mentioned before, and disappeared inside, but she returned shortly.

  What she didn’t have when she left was —— a small basket cradled under her slender hands. From inside, you could see a small bread and some cheese.

  “If you can, please eat this……Because the shop hasn’t opened yet, this cannot be called a formal meal.”

  “Ehhhh! ? If that’s the case, then I’m really sorry! Plus, shouldn’t this be your breakfast……?”

  The shop employee smiled shyly.

  Uwaah……This person is definitely the type that releases her cuteness from within.

  Although it was not the same type of appearance that makes one comfortable like Wallenstein and Kami-sama……But it seemed to be the type that would attract you more, the closer you get……

  How should I put it, the type would give off a feeling so that even if the gods see her, they will absolutely praise her.

  “If I ignore this, I would feel guilty. So Mr. Adventurer, please accept it.”

  “T…Too cunning……”

  Being requested in such a way, how could I possibly still have room to refuse her. Using such a smile to say such words, that’s too cowardly.

  I, who was disturbed to the max, didn’t know how to respond while the shop employee closed her tiny eyes.

  After opening her eyes, this time she had a slightly mischievous smile, and placed her face close to my eyes.

  S…So close……

  “Mr. Adventurer, this is consistent with my own interests. Although I would lose a bit if I fill your stomach here, in exchange……

  “I…In exchange……?”

  “……Tonight, you would have to have dinner at the shop where I work.”

  “……”

  This time, it was my turn to widen my eyes.

  I thought for a while understand the meaning of this sentence.

  Facing the smiling shop employee, the thick walls that I unconsciously place around people when I meet with them for the very first time, were completely shattered.

  Following, I also broke into a smile.

  “Really……So cunning.”
r />   “Oh ho, quickly accept it. Today my salary will certainly increase.”

  The shop employee said to me, you’re welcome.

  What, this person is actually very calculative.

  “……Then, I’ll see you tonight!”

  “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

  Until the end, the shop employee continued to maintain a smile. Although I was set up, it feels like I was drinking tea cozily. Thinking about this, I suddenly became shy again.

  The shop employee watched me as I held the small basket in one hand.

  At the end of the long street, in the middle of the city, the dungeon was located underneath the cloudless morning sky’s skyscraper facilities.

  I suddenly remembered something when I was approaching the white skyscraper, and stopped to look back.

  I spoke to the incredulous shop employee, who was still watching me.

  “I…I’m Bell Cranel. May I ask for you name?”

  “It’s Seal Flover, Bell-san”

  We exchanged smiles and our names.

  × × ×

  The dungeon already existed before the gods descended to the Lower World.

  Although it was not as massive as before, but streets were already built on top of the dungeon, it was said that it was made by a predecessor of the guild.

  To summarize it,in ancient times there were people who cooperated with the current and the old guild and fought against the monsters without any from the gods.

  “GYAAAAAUUUU! ?”

  “Ha!”

  A part of me couldn’t believe it, but the other part was in awe. Thinking that there were really such powerful people in the past.

  Compared to me, who obtained Kami-sama’s and was finally able to defeat the , there exist people who genuinely defeated the monsters from the dungeon with their own bodies in the past.

  “SHYAAAA !”

  “Hah! ?”

  “GUUUUUUUU! ?”

  If and only if.

  If the people from ancient times were here.

  If those true warriors that defeated the enemy alone were here.

  Those powerful warriors would certainly face this situation by pinching their nose and running away.

  “ “ “ “ “ “GROOOOAAAAAAAAAAA” ” ” ” ” ”

  “This is impossible——! ? “

  At least to me, it was completely impossible.

  “Damn it! NOT FAIRRRRRR!

  “ “ “ “ “ “GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” ” ” ” ” ”

  Turning my back towards the horde of Kobolds, I desperately ran. A total of six monsters were chasing stubbornly after me.

  The location was currently the first floor of the dungeon.

  Light blue walls and ceilings filled my entire vision.

  The dungeon, where one could not see the sky, stretched endlessly in all directions. Forking roads, crossroads, a slight downhill. In this neat and orderly path that was placed throughout underground, I ran while waving my arms.

  Because it was still early in the morning, I could not see any traces of other Adventurers on the first floor of the dungeon. I, who had managed to hunt monsters smoothly earlier on, had unfortunately met a group of Kobolds.

  Initially, there were eight of them. Although I managed to kill two of them before I was surrounded, they had actually managed to lay a beautiful encirclement. Thus, I had no other options except for one. That is ——To run.

  At first, it was rare for Kobolds to form a pack. Using their sharp teeth and claws as their weapons, Kobolds usually move by themselves or with one other. As a beginner Adventurer, what I say isn’t very convincing, but I have certainly never come across such a situation before.

  Including yesterday’s Minotaur, I truly feel that these few days didn’t have anything pleasant happening, and instead there was danger.

  Have I obtained someone’s hatred or have I been secretly cursed……

  “!”

  I quickly jumped into the right –angled corner, braked and then turned around and hid my presence.

  I decided to ambush the Kobolds. I prepared to attack them the instant they turned this corner.

  Thinking about what I had to do next, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

  If there were other Adventurers at the scene, would they make fun of my decision as “foolish”?

  However, since the first floor’s paths are quite wide, it could easily become a unfavorable battle of one facing many. So no matter how much I try to escape, it will be difficult to create a one vs. one situation.

  And if I had continued to run away, I could have encountered other monsters.

  If I’m gonna do it, I should do it quickly.

  “……!”

  The footsteps of kicking the ground gradually became closer.

  Facing the moment that had yet to come, my gaze fell to my hand.

  The five fingers were tightly gripping the small dagger.

  Bell Cranel is a dagger user. This dagger only had a 20 centimeter blade, it was also the only weapon I own.

  The hand holding onto the handle had sweat coming out of it. Listening to the numerous echos of the beastly roars, I tried to calm myself down and take a deep breath. Fuuuu Haa, taking a deep breath.

  Then the next moment, the face of the beast with red eyes appeared from the other side of the wall.

  “Uwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

  “GUUUUUUUU?”

  By the time we had both caught the other’s presence, I had already rushed towards them.

  As the reflection inside the pupil of the Kobold in front of me gradually become larger ——Stab.

  My dagger entered the opponent’s heart. That was the first one.

  After seeing the unexpected scene of what happened to the Kobold that had turned the corner, they were shaken. However, my actions and momentum did not stop and disappear there. Using the Kobold that I killed as a shield, I rushed towards the crowd of Kobolds, then rolled onto two of them and made them fall down to the floor.

  “G…GAAAAAA! ?”

  “Fu!”

  “GYOGU! ?”

  The two that were forcibly pushed onto their backs were not the same, so I used the roll earlier to swiftly stand up.

  Turning around, I stabbed at a muffled Kobold’s throat. Two down.

  “GUAAAAHHHHHH! ?”

  “!”

  “GOOO! ?”

  The three that were frozen stiff due to the attack finally started moving again.

  I dodged the first one and took the time to kick the head of the other one that was on the floor like a soccer ball. The sound of a broken neck rang out.

  The Kobold’s head was twisted and faced an abnormal angle. Three.

  “I WIN!”

  “GYAIN! ?”

  A declaration of victory.

  The remaining Kobolds already could not surround me. Because low level monsters with low intelligence could not cleverly cooperate. Right now, I cut open the fourth Kobold’s stomach. Only two remain.

  Shortly after, I crushed the last Kobold who stared at me with terrifying eyes.

  “Fuuuu~~……Finally finished”

  Against the Kobolds that stopped moving, I sat down.

  Although it was my first time facing that many enemies…… it was lucky that I escaped from the danger.

  And I still did not have any injuries, so I did well.

  Perhaps there are a number of ways to do it better than what I did. However, as an Adventurer that didn’t have a teacher, it was impossible to order me to do things that I didn’t know of.

  Because ’s only member is me, I didn’t have any senpai or companions to teach me how to fight. Although self-learning sounds nice, in reality, I was still a rookie. Thus, for the current me, saying self-learning could only be heard as unreliable proof.

  If I don’t want to die, I could throw away my pride and ask other ’s experts for their fighting methods……But, if I do this, it will certai
nly not only affect me, but also Kami-sama, and I heard that the relationship between becomes very complicated.

  After placing all kinds of things onto the scale, I had a feeling of wanting to try and improve myself.

  And, , I could still fight.

  Only think of fighting 1 on 1 at the dungeon.

  Never chasing it deep.

  Flexibly using the advantageous terrain.

  Thus, I still clearly remember the information of dungeon that Eina had instilled to me , as if it was my only flesh and blood.

  Standing up, I headed towards the corpses of the Kobolds. Facing their appearance of tongue sticking out because they had been completely out of breath made my conscience take a bit of a blow. But I shook my head and lifted the dagger once again.

  In one breath, I waved the dagger downwards, and dug out the heart. Ignoring the twitching body and the scattering of the blood, I immediately took the shining purplish-red fragments located at the center of its chest.

  That is the

  From monsters, you can obtain crystals filled with magic……At least I heard. As always, I was not sure about the details about things. Looks like it was just like what Kami-sama had said, I really should read some books.

  All in all, these crystals have incredible powers, and you could use this thing to exchange money at the guild. This could also mean that the Magic Stone is the source of money for Adventurer.

  The best example is the in our home, , after passing human technology and processing, help various aspects of life——For example, using it as an ignition device or a freezer to preserve food. Thus a is treated as a precious resource. I heard that the Labyrinth City,through exporting Magic Stone products to other countries and regions, has earned many benefits. But in these circumstances, instead of saying the Labyrinth City, why not say that it was the guild that has achieved these benefits.

  Strictly speaking, what I obtained from the Kobold is not a , but a .

  This thing is only the size of a finger nail. According to what I verified, what you obtain from monsters from the first to four floors should only basically be this size. The exchange rate was extremely low. Looks like the larger the Magic Stone, the more the guild will pay.

  I stared at the purplish-blue crystals in my hand, suddenly, the Kobold’s body that had the Magic Stone removed changed. At first, only the color pigments seem to fall out, then in the next instant, you’ll notice that the head collapsed, finally the entire body will turn into ash and disappear without a trace.