kscans

Chapter 143 - Episode 105: The Green Forest

It was late July now, and summer vacation was about to end.

As a sense of gloom swirled within me, the place we headed to was—as you might expect—a dungeon.

It was for work, of course, but I also needed to gather materials for Byakuren.

Rocking back and forth on a bus with no other passengers besides ourselves and the driver, we made our way to the target dungeon.

That golem had performed admirably in the Minotaur's dungeon. But in doing so, it had sustained heavy damage.

In its forced march to join our battle against the boss monster, it had lost its left arm and leg.

And in its final throw while supported by Ooyama-san, its right hand was destroyed from the wrist down.

Its entire body was covered in cracks large and small; anyone could see it was beyond repair. It would be faster to build a new one from scratch.

Erina-san and the others apologized, but I was the one who said it was fine to use it until it broke. Besides, Byakuren was originally built to be a wall.

Well, I was happy they offered to cover the repair costs for my equipment. I'll have to give them something back from my share of the crystal orb sale...

But I digress. Since I was rebuilding it anyway, I figured I'd use a different material than 'Treant' wood. Considering we'd be going into 'B-Rank dungeons' from now on, its current performance wouldn't be enough.

The dungeon where I could get the drop items I was after just so happened to be the same one mentioned in the investigation request from the Professor. Killing two birds with one stone.

While I was lost in thought, we arrived at the Dungeon Store's parking lot. We met up with Mia-san, who had brought 'Ukon' and 'Sakon' in a light truck, and we all headed to our respective changing rooms.

I changed into sturdy clothes that would be easy for my allies to carry me in, just in case I got knocked out and my Arcane Gear was unexpectedly dispelled.

Jumpsuit and a stab-proof vest. Before putting on the vest, I checked the grab handle on the back to make sure it wasn't damaged.

A helmet with a steel plate insert, and hiking boots. I put on leather gloves and held my backpack in my arm. I'd have Erina-san put this in her Item Box later.

Finally, I clipped an earring onto my earlobe and left the changing room.

I made a quick trip to the restroom just in case, then sat on a nearby bench and casually looked over the local newspapers and Dungeon Agency notices posted on the bulletin board.

So the 'Matango' dungeon, which was thought to have been depleted, has reappeared, huh...

I thought dungeons would eventually dry up if you kept killing the monsters, but maybe they respawn indefinitely after a certain period. Or maybe there's a limit to how many times they can respawn, and eventually the monsters will stop appearing.

Either way, I'm not sure if I should be happy or disappointed.

As an adventurer, it's good news, but as someone who's been nearly killed by monsters countless times, it's complicated.

'Oh, Kyou-chan-kun. What article are you looking at?'

Aira-san's voice came through the earring via Telepathy.

"Nothing much. Just saw that the Matango dungeon is back."

'Ah, that news. It seems a life without dungeons is still a long way off.'

"I wish all monsters were Matangos. They're famous for being weak, after all."

'Indeed. They're the famous monsters that got mobbed by a group of elementary schoolers during an outbreak and beaten up by a housewife on her way home from shopping.'

"...So you're saying they're stronger than you were before you Awakened, when you'd lose a one-on-one fight with a grade school girl and end up crying. When you put it like that, I can't be too optimistic."

'Heheheh... You shouldn't say things like that. I might cry, you know. For real.'

"Sorry."

And to think that same weak-bodied college student now has the physical ability to fight a brown bear bare-handed... Awakening and levels are amazing.

Though if it came down to an actual fight, her lack of guts and skill would probably get her completely pummeled.

'You didn't just think something unreasonable about me, did you, Kyou-chan-kun?'

"Nope, not at all."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kyou-chan! Now, it's ninja time, yeah!"

"Then be stealthy."

"I'm always stealthy. Because I'm a ninja."

I winced as Erina-san emerged from the changing room with a loud voice. The glares from the reception desk and shop were painful.

This dungeon wasn't crowded, but it wasn't empty either. I wish she'd be more aware of her surroundings.

"Erina-san, if you're too loud, you'll bother the people at the store, you know?"

"Okaaay."

Mia-san, leading Ukon and the others who had been waiting in front of the changing rooms, joined us, and we headed for the gate room.

We checked in at the reception and went through the thick metal door. In front of the now-familiar white gate, we deployed our Arcane Gear.

I checked to make sure my helmet and breastplate weren't askew, then handed my luggage to Erina-san.

I took one deep breath. I glanced at the other two, and they nodded back.

"Aira-san. We're entering the dungeon now."

'Right. It's a shame I can't accompany you. Oh, what a shame! Such a terrible shame!'

"Once you pass the adventurer exam, I'll help you level up."

'Eh, no thanks.'

"I've already accepted the request from my client."

'Curse you, Grandmother!'

After cracking a smile at the disappointing college student's roar, I confirmed that Erina-san and the others had placed their hands on my shoulders.

I stepped into the pitch-black interior of the gate.

Instantly, the familiar feeling of the ground disappearing beneath my feet, yet without any sense of floating, made me frown. I don't think I'll ever get used to this.

The next sensation that came from the soles of my feet was the soft feeling of earth.

My vision was filled with thick trees, and the light of the sun poured through the gaps in the lush green leaves. The ground was a dark brown, almost black, with sparse patches of light green grass.

Normally, this would be a peaceful forest where you'd expect to hear the chirping of small birds. The fresh, grassy air that filled my lungs even felt somewhat delicious.

But this was a dungeon. There was no sign of birds, or even insects. The only things here were monsters that attack people.

The light filtering through the trees was a fake sun, and this forest was inside a dome-like rock wall. A typical forest-type dungeon.

I drew the sword from my waist and checked the feel of the hilt.

"We've entered the dungeon. Commencing exploration now."

'Understood. It's a relatively easy forest to navigate, but it's still easier to lose your sense of direction than in a normal dungeon. I'm watching through the mirror on Ukon-kun, but you all be careful not to get lost.'

"Roger."

"Yes."

"Got it!"

After we each replied to Aira-san, I made eye contact with the two behind me and started walking.

There was plenty of space between the trees, so swinging a sword wouldn't be a problem. The canopy of branches and leaves overhead was so dense, it really showed how massive these trees were. The trunks were so thick it would take several adults to wrap their arms around one.

The dungeon, reminiscent of a spring day, felt incredibly peaceful at first glance.

Feeling my guard almost drop in the relaxed atmosphere, I tightened my grip on my sword's hilt to remind myself of its weight.

A little way in, I found a tree with a cloth wrapped around it. The sturdy, thick cloth had letters and numbers written on it in yellow.

"Aira-san. We've found an SDF marker. We're currently at 'R-3.' The pseudo-sun is in the four o'clock direction."

'Hmm, hmm... In that case, proceed straight ahead in the ten o'clock direction from Ukon-kun's perspective. After a while, you should find another SDF marker.'

"Understood."

After confirming Ukon's direction, I started walking as instructed.

The air was so tranquil it felt like we were on a picnic, not in a labyrinth. The sound of my boots on the soft earth was pleasant.

That tranquility was shattered by Erina-san's quiet, sharp voice.

"Lots of footsteps headed this way. Eleven o'clock. Number... around twenty! Doesn't sound human!"

"Got it."

I drew my arming sword and entered a combat stance.

Just as Erina-san had warned, a group of enemies came into view.

It was a horde of humanoid figures made of dirt. Golems.

They had no heads, just stout torsos, arms, and legs. They were about 180 centimeters tall. They weren't carrying weapons, but I could see stones embedded in various parts of their earthen bodies. Their fists and kicks could easily smash a car's hood.

They looked just like the pictures on the Dungeon Store's website. They were the enemy, no doubt.

Keeping the group of golems in sight as they weaved between the trees, I scanned for the 'real target.'

The distance between us was closing, but there was no need to panic. I had a reliable magic user with me.

"Stop."

A powerful voice, laden with mana. With it, invisible threads shot out from the staff that struck the ground, extending towards the golems.

In an instant, the twenty-or-so golems froze. They stopped mid-stride, as if pinned to the air. A few lost their balance and toppled over, but they remained motionless where they fell.

[Civil Engineering Magic].

A school of magic that manipulates earthen figures. Mia-san's mana capacity was greater than that of the monsters here.

I had been told beforehand that she could seize control of these kinds of improvised golems for a short time.

Focusing wind around my blade, I swung it in a wide arc. The golems, now nothing more than stationary targets, were swept away by an invisible hammer, and half of them crumbled back into dirt.

Soil scattered and danced in the air, the trees swayed, and leaves fell from above. Amidst the chaos, Erina-san pointed to my front left.

"Kyou-chan! It's between ten and eleven o'clock!"

"Roger!"

As I replied, I stomped hard on the ground. I hit top speed from the first step, and with the assistance of the wind, I sprinted over small earthen hills and between the trees.

In the spot she had indicated, a grotesque figure emerged from behind a thick tree trunk.

It was a giant, about two meters tall. Its frame was humanoid, but its entire body was covered in deep green leaves.

It had no nose or mouth, only a pair of golden eyes that were fixed sharply on me. In its thick arms, which suited its warrior-like physique, it held a single sword.

Greenman.

A guardian of the earth and forest from European folklore.

It swung its blade at me—a weapon with a wooden hilt and guard, and a blade made of amber.

Its swordsmanship and speed were both comparable to that of an Orc Champion. A single blow could easily slice a vehicle in two.

But...

"Hah...!"

That's not enough to stop me now!

I brought my sword down in a diagonal slash, cutting through its blade and splitting its torso open. Its body, made of wood and earth, was easily cleaved in two.

But it was still alive. It jettisoned its bisected body, and its head took flight.

'Zazzazza!'

Making a sound like rustling leaves, the Greenman lunged, trying to bite me. As it bared its stone teeth, I slammed my armored left fist into its face.

The head flew through the air and crashed into a nearby tree trunk, shattering into pieces before falling to the ground. It immediately turned to salt.

"Hahh..."

With my back against another tree, I exhaled, still on alert.

The Greenman's true body was its head. From the neck down, it was just something it had created with [Civil Engineering Magic], same as the golem horde it had sicced on us.

Of course, since it was controlling that body directly, it was far more powerful than the golem horde, and apparently even Mia-san would have had trouble taking control of it.

In any case, the enemy could fly and attack with just its head. I couldn't let my guard down.

"Good work, Kyou-chan! No other enemies nearby!"

"The enemy golems have all self-destructed as well."

"Got it. Thanks."

At my allies' words, I finally let out a sigh of relief and glanced at the drop item Ukon had retrieved.

It was a single wooden plate. About the size of the wooden board that comes with kamaboko fish cakes. On its surface was a carving of a 'horned serpent.'

This was the new material for Byakuren's dedicated body. It promised greater strength and output than the Treant's drop item.

On the other hand, crafting with it would be a bit of a challenge.

"Aira-san. Combat over."

'Understood, good work. Hold on a moment... Okay. From Ukon-kun's perspective, the three o'clock direction should be your original path. Proceed straight again and find the next SDF marker.'

"Roger. We're counting on you."

'Heheh. Leave the navigation to me.'

I've never gotten lost with Aira-san's navigation. When you think about it calmly, it's pretty amazing. It would be difficult even if you were walking with a map in hand, but she's doing it while using a mirror as a monitor.

She's a weirdo and a disappointment in many ways, but she's a reliable ally.

"You two okay?"

"You betcha!"

"I'm fine."

"Alright, resuming exploration."

After getting confirmation from Erina-san and the others, I started walking on the soft earth again.

Now then. I hope we can gather enough of these on this trip.