“Wow, this atmosphere is no joke.”
The dungeon created by the Academy was more convincing than expected.
Despite being made for students, I thought it would feel kind of mediocre.
It was pitch black as expected, with an unpleasant dungeon smell and vibe that was surprisingly authentic.
“This is way too dark. With this, it’ll be hard to secure a clear line of sight.”
“Uh, I can do a simple Light magic if you want me!”
“Oh, would you mind doing that then?”
Wwoooomm–
Emily immediately made a light float in the air in response to Cynthia’s request.
As the light from Emily’s fingertips illuminated our surroundings, everyone seemed to relax.
‘Hmph. As much as I prefer the darkness…’
Except me.
“Shall we head in then?”
“That’s good. Like last time, I’ll take point and we’ll maintain the same formation…”
“No, I’ll go first here.”
“Huh?”
As Elaine was speaking, Cynthia stepped forward.
‘That does make sense.’
Even with Emily’s light securing our vision, it clearly had its limits. In situations like this, it’s right for someone with sharp senses like Cynthia to take the lead.
“Considering how dark it is and how hard it is to see, it’d be better if I go first.”
“Ah…”
Cynthia’s logical and serious argument left Elaine no choice but to reluctantly nod.
When we were preparing for the competition, we had already decided on a formation to move through the dungeon.
Elaine was always at the front then.
As the most reliable and only knight position, it was only natural for Elaine to lead.
I didn’t have any major complaints about that either, but now that we’re here, the situation is a bit different.
It’s so dark that we can barely see 5 meters ahead.
Especially considering the level of the previous obstacle course, there’s a good chance we’ll encounter dangerous monsters or traps.
In such cases, it’s better for someone agile and skilled at reconnaissance to carefully take the lead.
While that’s common sense…
“No, I’ll take the lead.”
“Huh?”
Blocking Cynthia’s path to the front, I stepped forward.
“Anyway, you’re also a ranged character, right?”
Well, strictly speaking that’s not the real reason, but I roughly justified it.
Though we cleared the first and second tests quickly, this is where the main event begins.
If we want to come in first place beating out the other grades, we need to advance quickly from now on.
For that, it’s most efficient for me to lead.
“Come on, let’s go quickly…”
Wwoooomm–
Something unexpected suddenly appeared in the air.
Elaine started to draw her sword at the sudden change, but stopped.
The thing floating in the air wasn’t a threat or trap.
<Current 1st Place: 3rd Year>
It was a message informing us of the competition’s progress.
“Hey, look at that. The third years are in first place.”
“…Of course. And if I recall, this third year group already cleared the dungeon exploration last year. It’s only natural they’re moving fast.”
“Tsk, what’s so natural about that? We need to be in first.”
“Lord Ryu, that’s impossible. No first year has ever won this competition.”
“So? Then we’ll be the first. First year Ryu, claiming first place!”
“…”
Neither Elaine, Cynthia, nor Emily responded to my declaration.
Clearly, despite my repeated pre-competition statements about aiming for first place, no one believes me.
“Tsk. What’s with this lack of response?”
“Surely you’re not serious, are you?”
“Huh? What about?”
“About making first place our goal.”
“Of course. If I don’t come in first, I’ll be so frustrated I won’t be able to sleep.”
And it probably won’t end with just sleepless nights.
This isn’t a side quest, it’s the main quest.
Only by coming in first will we clear the quest and receive the reward of ‘Magic’.
Magic that can be cast simply by shouting, without complex calculations.
This is a must-have.
“Were you joking before?”
“I, I thought you were…”
Cynthia and Emily chimed in.
So their lack of reaction until now was because they thought I was just kidding around.
“Of course I’m not joking. Haven’t I been working hard?”
I poured some emotion into my words and it seemed to finally get through.
Still, they don’t seem to seriously think we have much of a chance to come in first.
‘Anyway, the third years are in first place right now. We’ve been going smoothly so far, but they’re definitely fast.’
We didn’t encounter any major obstacles in the written test or obstacle course.
Thanks to Emily’s performance, we breezed through the written test instantly, and Elaine helped us quickly clear the obstacle course.
Frankly, we had this relaxed mindset that maybe we could be in first place.
But the third years are in first currently.
“Well, let’s hurry up then.”
Swishh–
As I spoke, the glowing message informing us of the current first place dissipated.
It’s a little disappointing that we’re not in first, but we’re probably not too far behind.
Still, better to get a move on just in case.
“Yeah… At least there’s only one path, so that’s a relief.”
“Alright, I’m going ahead now. Keep up, alright?”
“…Are you serious about this?”
Despite muttering under their breath, Cynthia and the others matched my pace and followed.
Of course, they weren’t actually running despite their complaints.
And so, our dungeon exploration truly began.
With the light Emily created illuminating our way forward, and the others following behind in formation.
“This really feels like a dungeon.”
“Lord Ryu, have you been to a dungeon before?”
“Of course. Many times.”
“Naturally…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
A dungeon teeming with monsters and dangerous magic. At its deepest point, treasure always lies hidden, so when a dungeon is discovered, people are eager to explore it.
Especially for mercenaries who make their living through combat.
There’s no way I wouldn’t have been to one in the Arkaria continent. The first time I entered a dungeon was before I even formed the Black Shadow Guild.
I struggled greatly as part of a mercenary group back then.
After that experience, I always make sure to bring at least one scout when entering a dungeon.
Like someone with good senses, such as Cynthia.
“But I don’t have good memories of them.”
“Hmm. I see. I’ve never been to one. I think Franz must be the same.”
“Ah, um, I’ve actually been before! With my parents and sister…”
“Ahh…”
Elaine’s look of surprise in response to Emily’s statement was unexpected.
I have to admit, it was unexpected for Emily too.
Given how she seemed to spend her entire childhood studying, I didn’t think she’d ever been to a dungeon.
“And you, Cynthia?”
“Ah, me too. Dad made me go a few times. He said I needed to get used to seeing in the dark, so we didn’t even use torches.”
“… So it’s just me who lacks experience, huh?”
“Hm. You’ve been raised so delicately, so delicately…”
“What?!…”
As expected, Elaine took the bait at my provocation.
Such a fun character to tease.
She has a similar tone and behavior to Eddi, but lacks the tolerance for jokes, making for some satisfying interactions.
Although come to think of it, both Emily and Cynthia have dungeon experience.
Despite our casual chatting as we walk, dungeons are extremely dangerous places where d*ath can come at any moment.
Parents who bring their children to such places must have some strange thinking.
“Eek, hold on!”
“I-I haven’t had such a privileged upbringing either!”
“Tss! Elaine, be quiet!”
“…Grrr…”
Though Elaine knelt down with us when Cynthia and I simultaneously lowered our stances, she couldn’t hide her frustrated expression.
Still satisfying interactions indeed.
“Cynthia, what’s up? Is there something ahead?”
“There is something…”
‘What could it be?’
Preparing for any possible situation, I checked ahead.
As I concentrated on looking into the darkness, my vision gradually cleared.
This section ahead was just like the others we’ve passed so far.
However, there was some unknown presence ahead.
‘Is it alive…?’
If only Erica were here, things would’ve been much easier.
While I can see it, that’s about all I can do.
Erica would have instantly identified what it was.
At a glance, it appears humanoid and stands on two legs, though it’s unusually small.
The feeling I’m getting is off.
“Ah, maybe it was just mistaken perception.”
“Shall we proceed cautiously?”
“Uh-huh. What is it…”
“What could it be…”
Listening to Cynthia and Elaine’s conversation, I kept my eyes on the mysterious figure ahead.
The unidentified presence stood completely still.
At a glance, it’s suspicious.
While it doesn’t feel like a living being due to its complete lack of movement, it’s too humanoid to be an inanimate object.
“Let’s advance slowly.”
“Tsk, weren’t you just talking about rushing ahead because we need to be first?”
“…There might be something, alright.”
Despite Elaine’s jab about my earlier eagerness, I ignored her.
There’s no time to play around with Elaine now.
While this is an Academy-created dungeon for students, it’s still a dungeon.
I can’t afford to drop my guard just because I see something strange.
Especially when I’m responsible for the others.
Crick-crick-crick
We slowly approached the unknown presence.
I don’t know what Cynthia can see, but it’ll soon be in the light’s range.
‘Keeping still like that, it might be a rock. But it’s too humanoid for that…’
Wince.
“Uh!”
“Hmm?”
“Why are both of you suddenly…?”
As the light was about to reach the humanoid figure, I distinctly felt it.
The previously motionless figure made a slight movement.
Since Cynthia reacted along with me, she must have felt it too.
“Something’s…”
Wince-wince
‘What is that thing?’
“Something’s moving!”
Ssshhh
Cynthia stepped back quickly while shouting, and Elaine drew her sword with a serious expression.
Despite all this, I couldn’t take my eyes off the trembling presence.
The figure, which had started shaking, was now slowly moving its arms and legs.
As it began to move, an unsettling aura began to emanate from it.
‘What the hell is that?’
Eeeeek
It was enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Grrrr…”
“I-I can hear strange noises!”
As Emily cried out while hiding behind me, the shaking figure slowly began moving toward us.
