Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844414118669/episodes/2912051595894542190
Exploring the dungeon went surprisingly smoothly.
None of the monsters that appeared posed any real threat; they were all easy to take down one by one without even needing to coordinate. The layout of the corridors was simple, with no significant branching paths. On top of that, there weren’t any traps to speak of, so there was almost nothing that could be called dangerous.
—A D-rank dungeon. You could say the difficulty lived up to that rating.
“……Ah, another tiny magic stone, huh?”
Rio opened the treasure chest she’d found and let out what felt like her umpteenth sigh of the day.
Peering inside, she saw what appeared to be a magic stone emitting a dull glow. It was small for the size of the chest, and the quality wasn’t exactly top-notch.
“Well, I guess that’s about right.”
In a newly generated dungeon, there’s no point in expecting anything valuable.
Rio tucks the magic stone into her pocket and stands up.
Even though she’s complaining, she seems to be taking the reward home just the same.
“But hey! Almost every treasure chest we’ve found so far has been like this! Couldn’t you let me dream a little more? Like, something really big and flashy!”
Rio spreads her arms wide and says this dramatically.
She had seemed resigned, muttering “I guess it can’t be helped,” when she opened the first one or two treasure chests, but after the same uninspiring rewards kept coming one after another, she’d clearly had enough.
She puffed out her cheeks, clearly showing her dissatisfaction.
“It’s not so bad. Even a small magic stone like that can still be used as material for magic tools, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
I gave a wry smile at Rio, who slumped her shoulders and let out a huge sigh.
To be honest, I can’t say I don’t understand how she feels.
Just when you think you’ve gone through all that trouble to find a treasure chest, the contents turn out to be cheap materials you can just sell for cash, or a single low-quality healing potion that’s only useful in the early stages. Your heart races for just a moment when you open the lid with high hopes, only to be let down immediately afterward—that kind of thing wasn’t uncommon.
This was especially true in the low-difficulty dungeons early on.
Since the dungeons were easy to clear, the rewards were commensurate. Dreamy rare items or things that could instantly turn the tide of battle weren’t just lying around. It was a reality I’d been reminded of time and again back in my gaming days.
As I let my thoughts drift to those bitter memories from my past life, I shook them off and focused on the task at hand.
“Anyway, don’t let your guard down yet, okay? It’s a classic trope that something troublesome is waiting at the very end.”
“――Ugh… At least at the end, I’d like a surprise… like the contents of the treasure chest being more lavish or something… Instead of some troublesome monster showing up…”
“Hehe… Don’t worry, Rio. No matter what kind of monster shows up, Lord Rai and I will take care of it!”
Exchanging such lighthearted banter, we pressed on deeper into the labyrinth.
At first, Rio had been complaining about the contents of the treasure chests, but halfway through, she seemed to have changed her tune; she was now walking along, muttering to herself as she appraised the quality and size of the magic stones we’d picked up.
“…But with this much material gathered, I might be able to make a few prototypes once we get back.”
“For someone who was complaining nonstop just a moment ago, you’re surprisingly positive.”
“Complaining and harvesting are two different things! An inventor makes the most of whatever they can get their hands on!”
Rio said, chest puffed out. Her ability to switch gears quickly is surely one of her strengths.
And so, proceeding with an exploration so peaceful it was hard to believe we were inside a labyrinth, we eventually reached an open area. The walls were etched with numerous cracks as if from a powerful impact, and the floor bore the footprints of some creature—it was exactly the kind of place you’d expect.
“Is this the deepest part?”
“I suppose so.”
As I answered Liene’s question immediately and looked around—
“You two, look at that!”
Rio’s voice echoed through the room.
She was pointing toward the back of the room. On a clumsy platform that looked like it had been hastily built by piling up dirt and forcing it down—there sat a treasure chest of surprisingly solid construction.
“…I don’t know how to put it.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty obvious.”
Liene and I couldn’t help but share a wry smile.
The deepest part of the labyrinth. A treasure chest that seems completely out of place here.
Now that we’ve made it this far, there’s no doubt what’s coming next.
“—It’s coming.”
The moment she whispered those words, a heavy vibration rippled through the floor.
Just as the earth slightly bulged in front of the platform, a massive monster burst through the ground with a thunderous roar.
――～！！！！！
The monster shuddered as if shaking off the dirt clinging to its body, then let out a mighty roar.
It resembled a hedgehog. Its entire body was covered in prickly, needle-like quills, and though the red eyes peering through the gaps were round, the aura it exuded was clearly ferocious.
Its limbs were short but thick, and a dull vibration rippled through the ground with every step it took.
Each of the spines covering its body seemed to have hardened, giving off a dull glow.
“…Whoa, it looks kind of cute, but it’s really fired up, isn’t it?”
“Don’t let your guard down!”
Liene steps forward.
She readies her greatsword, assuming a stance ready to strike at any moment.
Seeing her, the monster roars once more, then kicks off the ground and charges straight at us. With its fur bristling as it closes in, it looks just like we’re facing a giant chestnut.
I’d really rather not get skewered.
We all leap sideways, dodging its path.
――～！！！？？
A mass of spikes roars past right beside us.
And with that same momentum, it crashes into the wall.
“……Its power is decent, I suppose.”
Cracks ran through the wall where the monster had slammed into it, clearly demonstrating its force.
That said, its trajectory is linear and easy to dodge. If it’s a monster that behaves exactly as described in the game, it should be an individual incapable of adjusting its course after being dodged or using any attack methods other than charging.
Once it starts running, a minor impact won’t stop its charge.
I seem to recall it having that troublesome trait—but if I have the Light-Guiding Staff, defeating it should be a breeze.
“Rio. If I remember correctly, this Light-Guiding Staff glows in proportion to the magic you infuse into it, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s right? So… ah, I see…!”
Rio, who seems to have caught on to my plan, smirks.
“Hehe… That’s a good idea. Let’s do it, Rai!”
“Huh? Huh!? W-what are you doing…?”
While Rio looks fully convinced, Liene, who hasn’t grasped the situation, stares at her wide-eyed.
Rio creeps up behind her and covers her large eyes with both hands.
“Whoa!? Whoa!!? Rio-san!? W-what are you doing!?”
“Just trust me, just trust me!”
Saying that, Rio took Liene with her and stepped back, then turned to face us from a short distance away and gave a big nod.
She, too, had her emerald eyes tightly shut, looking as if she were fully prepared.
――～～！！！
The monster regained its footing and turned its body toward us once more.
Just as it let out another roar, it charged straight at us.
“……!!”
Once I had drawn the monster close enough, I turned my face away and thrust my light-conducting staff forward.
At the same moment, I poured every ounce of my magical power into it.
In an instant, a flash of light—far beyond mere brightness—erupted from the tip of the staff, bathing the hall in a white glow as bright as midday. It wasn’t so much illuminating as it was searing—such was the intensity of that blinding light.
――～！！？！？！
The monster let out a scream-like roar.
Its red eyes must have been hit head-on by the flash. Though the momentum of its charge remained unchecked, its trajectory veered sharply off course.
It veered off in the opposite direction—and with a thunderous “BOOM” that reverberated deep in the gut, it crashed head-on into the wall. Perhaps still blinded by the light, it lay sprawled on the ground, its legs flailing frantically.
“Liene! Now!”
“Yes!”
Liene, freed from Rio’s blindfold, kicks off the ground.
Closing the distance between herself and the monster in a straight line, she holds her greatsword horizontally. Her aim is a single point—the weak spot known as the abdomen, where the needle-like armor covering its entire body cannot reach.
“Haaaaaaaaaah!!”
With a battle cry that split the air, she thrust her greatsword forward, driving it deep into the monster’s abdomen.
The monster flailed its short legs as if unable to bear the pain, but when Linee pulled the greatsword out with a forceful jerk, as if to finish it off, it died instantly.
It went still like a puppet with its strings cut, and eventually vanished into black particles.
“…It’s over.”
Liene, who had been keeping her guard up with the greatsword still drawn, slowly exhaled.
“Good work, Liene.”
As I offered my words of appreciation, I too scanned the surroundings once more.
I sensed no new movements of magical energy. At least, it didn’t seem like there were any further reinforcements or traps lying in wait here.
“Wow, that was easier than I thought!”
Rio, who had been blocking Liene’s view until just a moment ago, suddenly broke into a wide smile.
“Using a light wand to blind them—ideas like that really are important, aren’t they! Hehe, I think my invention and how Rai uses his powers go together pretty well!”
Speaking cheerfully, Rio came over to my side.
Her emerald eyes, looking up at me, clearly radiated a feeling that seemed to say, “Praise me, praise me!”
“Yeah. You saved me, Rio. …Your magic tools are truly impressive.”
“…~~!! Hehehe… hehehehe! See!? See?!”
Smiling wryly at Rio, who was beaming with joy, I turned my gaze toward the treasure chest on the podium, radiating a dazzling glow.
Even though it’s only a D-rank, it’s a treasure chest enshrined at the very depths of the labyrinth.
I hope it contains something valuable…
With just a hint of anticipation in our hearts, we began to walk toward the treasure chest.
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