kscans

Chapter 120 - The Water Steed

Episode 88: The Water Steed

The day after I swore to take revenge on that wicked, tyrannical, self-proclaimed ninja.

Ooyama-san, who had become a machine for killing giant spiders with a blank mind in the latter half, and Busujima-san, who was surprisingly adept at killing insect-type creatures, perhaps due to her knowledge of [Cursed Poison Magic], finished their level grinding in a single day.

In the end, they both leveled up to '15.' They were even in good enough shape to promote to 'D-Rank' if they wanted.

Well, their level grinding was purely for self-defense. They probably weren't actively seeking to go any higher.

...It might also have had something to do with not wanting to leave the dungeon selection to Erina-san anymore.

In any case, if they needed to level up for 'self-defense,' then the same applied to me.

So today, once again, I had come to a dungeon.

...It feels like the only things I'm doing during summer break are playing games at home and exploring dungeons.

Then again, the one time I tried to do something else, I got caught up in the Cuelebre's stampede.

Did I do something terrible in a past life?

"Alright, let's get to it today! [Invisible Ninjas], move out!"

"Right. I'm counting on you all."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Please take care of me."

Our party gathered in front of the changing room, including Mia-san.

As I watched Erina-san pump her fist in the air, Mia-san spoke to me in a low voice.

"Um... thank you for your hard work yesterday. I heard from my sister that you went through quite an ordeal..."

"Please... don't remind me..."

"Ah, right."

At night, I kept thinking I could hear that scuttling sound, and I had trouble falling asleep. Thanks to my ridiculously sturdy body, I didn't feel sleep-deprived, but I wanted to forget that bone-chilling sensation as soon as possible.

Would the feeling of cutting down today's monsters be enough to make me forget?

"...This time, I'm going to savor the feeling of each and every cut."

"Nee-san. Kyouta-kun is saying something incredibly disturbing."

"Don't worry about it, Mia. I got through last night with an ASMR recording of your voice, but he didn't have that. That's the only difference."

"N-Nee-san...! Uh, does that mean I should let Kyouta-kun listen to my voice, too...?!"

"What are you talking about?"

"About doing our best in today's exploration."

"Then it's all good!"

Erina-san placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and nodded grandly.

"Well then, let's head to the gate room."

"Right. I've got the camera equipment set up in front of the mirror on this end. I'm ready whenever you are."

We passed through reception and went to the gate room.

After deploying our [Arcane Gear] and doing a final check, they grabbed my shoulders and we stepped through the white door.

We emerged into a cave with exposed rock faces. However, a thin layer of water covered the ground, and we were once again standing on its surface thanks to Mia-san's magic. Cold, damp air flowed into my lungs.

The passage was quite wide, and the walls were rough and uneven, as if they'd been carved out. Looking down at my feet, the water was so clear I could see the bottom. It was only about ankle-deep, with what looked like algae growing here and there.

Even with my waist-mounted lantern-style LED light and the headlights of [Ukon and Sakon], the algae-like substance growing on the bottom was glowing, illuminating our path.

Looking up at the ceiling, I could faintly see stalactites. Unlike the ones in the troll's dungeon, these were of a normal size. If the store's information was correct, their hardness should be normal as well.

Checking the width of the passage again, it was wide and high enough for a large truck to pass through. There would be no problem swinging my sword.

I drew my arming sword from its sheath, gripping the hilt to test its feel.

"We have entered the dungeon. Commencing movement."

"Understood. That dungeon is, relatively speaking, more popular than the other 'C-Rank Dungeons' you've been to. The chances are low, but still, be careful of trouble with other parties and stray attacks."

"Understood."

I replied through the earring and started walking, taking the lead.

I stepped on the water's surface, creating ripples with the soles of my boots. The splashing sounds came from my boots, but it was a strange sensation to not feel any moisture inside them.

Unlike outside, a wind like the beginning of the rainy season flowed through the cave. I quickly spotted an alphabet and a number painted in yellow on the wall.

"Aira-san. It's 'D-4.'"

"Hmm. Then proceed straight ahead. When you see a crossroads, turn right."

"Roger."

Just as I gave that short reply, a sharp warning came from Erina-san.

"One set of footsteps is approaching. From the front... This isn't human."

"Got it."

"Ukon, Sakon. Assume combat positions."

Behind me, as I re-gripped my sword, I heard the sound of the Golems readying their shields and mancatchers.

Immediately after, I too could hear the sound of footsteps kicking up water. Splash, splash, something was racing towards us.

Its form was illuminated in the dark cave by the strange algae growing on the bottom.

It was a beautiful blue horse, as if it were sculpted from water itself. Its powerful form was a magnificent sight as it charged towards us, and its physique was clearly strong.

Its algae-like mane flowed, and even I, with no real knowledge of horses, was convinced that it was a magnificent steed.

But it was nothing more than a man-eating monster. If one were to carelessly leap onto its back, they would be dragged to the bottom of a deep river and devoured.

[Kelpie]

Its eyes shining with high intelligence, the blue monster horse charged at us.

In response to the head-on charge, several ice spears flew through the air, scattering a freezing wind. In sync with them, a bo-shuriken shot towards the Kelpie.

The blue steed, however, dodged the ice spears with skillful steps. It showed almost no signs of slowing down; in fact, it seemed to be accelerating.

But there are always trajectories that are impossible to avoid. The bo-shuriken, aimed for such a path, struck the Kelpie squarely on the forehead and—

"Hee-heeeeeeeigh!!"

With no attempt to dodge or defend, the horse simply neighed and deflected the incoming bo-shuriken.

I caught the Kelpie's headbutt with my sword. The moment of impact, the water at our feet exploded, and the wind cloaking my blade clashed with the 'water current cloaking our opponent.'

A high-speed current of water was flowing over this monster horse's body. It deflected most attacks. A perfect offensive and defensive armor.

However.

[Concept Interference]

Without that, it was weaker than other monsters of the same rank!

One flash. The blade, cloaked in wind and water, split the Kelpie's massive body vertically. The pressure of the wind sent the two halves flying diagonally forward, followed by a rain of blood-mixed water.

After a few seconds, the water that had burst from its body like a sprinkler vanished, and the remaining body slowly began to turn to salt.

I confirmed it with my own eyes and let out a small breath.

"Good work, Kyo-chan. Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine. Any enemies nearby?"

"Don't sense any."

"Good."

Ukon retrieved the drop item and headed towards Erina-san.

Clutched in its stone hand was a fin shaped like a seashell. It changed color depending on the angle of the light and was apparently a material for a magic potion that allowed one to breathe underwater.

Then again, drop items that become potion ingredients don't sell for a high price. In this case, though, it could supposedly be sold to collectors as a piece of art for a good price.

But the main goal of this exploration was the remnants of civilization in this dungeon. We'd just consider this fin a bit of pocket money.

"I used the one I'm more used to throwing at first, but I guess for this opponent, this one's better."

With those words, Erina-san took out a mana-infused kunai.

"Ah, that's, if I remember correctly—"

"That's right! It's Kyo-chan equipment!"

"That way of putting it makes it sound like I was defeated and had my materials stripped from me."

"I wonder if you'd get some kind of set bonus for being decked out in full Kyo-chan-kun gear..."

"Nee-san! Please don't say such indecent things during an exploration!"

"Eh?"

Ignoring the unfortunate sisters, that kunai should have been made by Ooyama-san. I had been contacted by her about using my materials to grant it [Concept Interference].

It seemed she'd finished it at some point. As I was thinking that, Erina-san struck a mysterious pose.

"Rest assured, Kyo-chan. The new special ninja tool I ordered the other day isn't this. It's something much more amazing...!"

"Oh, okay."

I replied to Erina-san's winking bachikoon and turned my feet forward.

"Well then, let's resume the exploration."

"Hoi."

"Yes. However, I may not be able to participate as an attacker this time..."

"It can't be helped, given the matchup. The Kelpie has a skill similar to the Leucrocotta you fought before, called 'Water Absorb.' Water-based attacks will only give it more power, and you should assume that even ice will have its effectiveness halved."

"I'm just grateful that we're not bogged down by the water as it is. I'm very thankful to you, Mia-san."

"R-Really? Well, I'm a woman who gets things done when she needs to! Please feel free to rely on me more!"

Mia-san puffed out her magnificent chest, looking flustered. Under her blue cloak, her breasts, wrapped in a deep green one-piece, bounced with a tayun.

Crap, that one-piece... it shows a surprising amount of cleavage!

"What's wrong, Kyo-chan? Your face is kind of red."

Erina-san peered up at me, looking concerned.

Conversely, I was now looking down at her, and my gaze was drawn to her own large bust, wrapped in a tight inner shirt.

I suppressed it with reason and turned my face away with all my might.

"...I'm just drunk on battle and blood."

"Wow, that sounds so cool!!"

"That's definitely not it. As if Kyo-chan-kun would ever have such a battle-crazed thought. His head is pink all year round."

Tch, so Aira-san saw right through me!

But to argue here would be to admit defeat, so I quickly started walking.

"Let's get serious about exploring. Straight ahead and then right at the first crossroads, correct?"

"Right. I'll let you off the hook this time. You should be grateful for my saint-like kindness."

"...Yessir."

And so, I somehow managed to bluff my way through and resumed the exploration. I walked on, feeling the strangeness of walking on water.

"Hey, hey. Senpai. Kyo-chan said he's drunk on battle and blood!"

"Let's... not press him on that. He must be having a relapse of his second-year middle school disease."

"Eh, Kyo-chan's sick!?"

"N-No! That's not what I mean. There's a time in everyone's life when they can't distinguish between delusion and reality..."

...I feel like I've just been dealt a new wound, but since I managed to bluff my way through, it's fine!

Seriously, I need to get really, truly serious about this exploration. I swore it strongly in my heart.