kscans

Chapter 88 - The Church Dungeon and the Crouching Girl

The dungeon entrance was inside the church, just like the one in Richel. A black circle, about five meters in diameter, was set in the center of the floor. Something like black flames rose from it. One of the knights had adventurer as their second profession. He transported us down to the tenth floor. I would have preferred to clear the dungeon methodically from the first floor, but we didn't have that kind of time. Eighteen of us—six from Levante, six from Altair, and six from the Knight Order—descended to the tenth floor of the dungeon. This would be our team for clearing our way to the Area Guardian's room. It was a huge party. The interior was a cave with exposed rock faces, like a limestone cavern.

"So it's not an orderly, sectioned dungeon like the one in Richel."

"The terrain and the monsters that appear change with each dungeon,"

Myra dutifully replied to my mumbling.

"Moving as one big group is fine, but I'd like to have one battle with just our six. Secretly, if possible."

"Why secretly?"

she asked, a puzzled look on her face. Had I said something that strange?

"If Avea thinks I'm weak, she won't let me go to the Area Guardian's room."

"But you've been doing morning training with Avea-san, haven't you? I'm sure she already knows your strength. It seems like you really want to go to the Area Guardian's room this time, Mash. You're usually so cautious."

"Because we have to. I believe my, Famu's, and Mizuki's special skills will see us through. Anyone else might lose. I don't want to send them."

"Famu and Mizuki... It's a shame you don't count me as part of your main force."

"That's not it. It's because we have you, Cecily, and Aira for support and firepower that I'm even willing to step in. We may have come together by chance, but we're a well-balanced party. More than I deserve, really."

As I was talking with Myra, I noticed Fang and Doris watching me. They looked like they wanted to tell me something. Just as I started to approach them, a giant Worm burst from the ground, shaking the earth. Its massive body had to be at least five meters long. It slithered toward us in a serpentine rush. It looked slow, but its movements were surprisingly quick. At its tip was a cylindrical mouth large enough to swallow a human head whole, and I could see sharp fangs lining the inside. I dodged and slashed with my sword, but the blade couldn't cut through the Worm's tough hide. It was hard.

"Watch out for the saliva it spits from its mouth! It's corrosive!"

The warning came from behind me; it was Zofia, the knight commander. Just as she spoke, the monster spat a glob of saliva.

"Nasty!"

I dodged instinctively. But as I lost my balance, the Worm's tail whipped around and struck me. The blow sent me flying, and I slammed into the cavern wall.

"Dammit!"

I picked myself up and readied my sword again. But there was no need for me to jump back in. Avea, Beers, Fang, and the knights had already surrounded the Worm and were attacking it in unison. Despite its tough hide, their combined assault tore it to shreds in moments. Mizuki and Famu stood back and watched, just as I did. This group was more terrifying than the monster. As I watched, Doris ran over to me.

"Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah. More importantly, was there something you wanted to tell me?"

She furrowed her brow in a troubled way, yet there was something comical about her expression. I'd thought it before, but her face really did remind me of a raccoon dog.

"...I kind of have to pee,"

she whispered, glancing around.

"What? Didn't you go before we entered the dungeon?"

All eyes in the vicinity immediately turned to us.

"Hey, don't shout! It's embarrassing!"

"S-sorry."

She grabbed the hem of my clothes and tugged.

"Please come with me to that little alcove over there."

"Wait, you want me, a man, to come with you while you do it? If you need a guard, I'll have Famu go."

I was about to call Famu over, but Doris tugged harder on my clothes.

"N-no! You're my master now, so you have to take proper care of me!"

The stares from the others were painful. Mizuki looked particularly like she wanted to say something. I could tell her to just hold it, but I couldn't say the same to Doris, who had only recently joined us.

"...Alright. Sorry, but could you all wait for a bit?"

I called out to the group. Doris and I separated from the others and headed for an alcove where we wouldn't be seen.

Once we were out of sight, she lifted her robes and started to pull down her underwear.

"Hey, this is just an act, right? Are you really going to do it?"

"Yes, just in case..."

"Aren't you embarrassed?"

I asked, pulling out my smartphone.

"Of course I'm embarrassed. But I figured you'd be used to seeing this, wouldn't you?"

Doris's face was flushed, whether from excitement or embarrassment.

"Nope, first time."

"Really? This is my first time doing this in front of a man, too. It's a little exciting..."

She squatted down. Her vulva, below her pubic hair, was clearly visible. The ripe look of it excited me.

"I should have told you this before we entered the dungeon, but I've been to this castle before, when I was with the Men in Black,"

she said in a small voice.

"Did you meet the king?"

"No, they were preparing to welcome him at the time. I had the pilgrimage pass Isark carried, and Mii and I entered the church that serves as the dungeon entrance. The castle staff must have been busy, because we only saw the gatekeeper and the knight who guided us to the church. The church itself was empty, so I offered a prayer at the altar. While I was doing that, Mii found the basement and went inside."

"Mii had that special skill, Crystal Control, right? Was that when the dungeon was created?"

"I don't think so. At the very least, there was no entrance back then,"

she replied. She'd gone to the trouble of pulling me aside to tell me this. There was no reason for her to lie. If Mii's Crystal Control was responsible, it meant the skill had the power to execute a command given to a Crystal Core after a certain amount of time had passed. It was hard to think of the Men in Black's visit and the dungeon's appearance as a mere coincidence. Why would they leave such a trap behind? Mii was said to be based in the city of Furufto. It was possible she'd left more of these little presents for us at our destinations.

"Mash, I think it's coming..."

Doris said while I was lost in thought.

"Coming? What's... oh."

I had almost forgotten she'd called me over to use the toilet. A stream of liquid shot out from between her legs, spreading into a dark patch on the ground. I held up my smartphone, watching the scene intently.

"So it really does come out from there..."

"P-please don't be impressed by something so weird. And it's really embarrassing, so please don't stare so much!"

What started as a trickle became a steady stream, then gradually weakened. It had a strange, transient beauty to it. When she was finished, she gave a little shiver.

"...I'm done."

Perhaps aroused by being watched, she gazed up at me with a rapturous expression.

"That was strangely moving. I think you've awakened a new fetish in me, Doris. As thanks, I'll wash you off."

Before she could reply, I used water magic to clean her private area.

"Ngh... nnh... ahn..."

she moaned.

"There's some sticky stuff coming out. At this rate, I'll never finish washing you."

I reached out to touch her properly, but she grabbed my hand.

"If we make them wait any longer, they'll get suspicious."

Lost in Doris's lewd display, I'd forgotten we were keeping everyone waiting.

"Tch. I think they're already suspicious, but I guess it can't be helped."

I pulled my hand back, and she quickly pulled up her underwear.

"Was it just you and Mii who entered the castle?"

"Yes. The other members went on ahead toward Nieren,"

Doris confirmed with a nod.

"And what's this pilgrimage pass?"

"Myra-san probably has one. It's a certificate issued by high-ranking church officials, like priests. If you have one, you're considered a pilgrim and are permitted to pray at the altars of churches you normally can't enter."

"Do you still have it?"

She shook her head.

"Isark had it."

When we returned, the party had already started moving toward the Area Guardian's location. Famu and Mizuki came over.

"It doesn't seem like she was lying..."

Famu said, apparently sniffing the air.

"Maybe I should ask Fang to come with me next time,"

Mizuki mused.

"N-no way. Mizuki, I absolutely forbid it."

I didn't want to be compared.

"So, how was it?"

Mizuki clearly didn't believe Doris had taken me along just to go to the toilet. But I couldn't share what she'd told me in front of the whole group.

"It was great. Very exciting,"

I said, even though it wasn't the answer she was looking for.

"...Pervert. Don't you dare ask us to show you, too."

"I would like to record you doing it as well, Mizuki."

"...If you really want to see, I'll do it, but don't you start hating me, okay?"

"That's not it, Mizuki. It's exciting because you're embarrassed. If you just showed me like it was nothing, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Don't talk like I have no sense of shame!"

As I was talking with Famu and Mizuki, three Worms burst from the ground. Two in front, one behind. We were surrounded.

"I have a... proposal,"

I said, addressing Zofia and Avea as they readied their weapons.

"I have experience as an adventurer. No need for formalities in a place like this,"

Zofia replied with a wry smile.

"How about the Knight Order takes one, Altair takes one, and Levante takes one?"

"Sounds good. In that case, take the one in the rear. Altair will take the right, and the Knight Order will engage the one on the left in front."

Avea and I nodded in agreement. The other party members must have overheard our conversation, as the members of Levante cautiously gathered at the rear, facing our designated enemy.

"So we just need to defeat the enemy behind us, right?"

Myra confirmed. I nodded.

"Famu, Mizuki, and I will attack. Myra and Aira, you protect Cecily and provide support from the rear. I landed a blow on one earlier, but my blade didn't get through. They move like earthworms, but their skin is tough."

"Looks like it's my magic's time to shine!"

Cecily grinned and brandished her staff. A fireball shot toward the Worm. The monster dodged it with surprising speed.

"What?"

The monster then opened its mouth to bite and charged at Famu. Famu tried to dodge to the side, but the monster adjusted its course to match her movement.

"Kikuichimonji!"

She unleashed a vacuum wave to create distance, but the Worm's charge didn't stop.

"This is bad!"

I lunged forward, thrusting my sword at the monster's torso. The blade only slid off its hide, but my body check knocked the monster off course, allowing Famu to escape. The monster whipped its tail at me. I'd seen that attack before, so I was able to dodge it with room to spare. Mizuki, who had circled around to my opposite side, slashed at the Worm. Her blow sliced through its tough skin.

"Swordsman skill. My cutting power increased when I hit level twenty,"

she explained to my surprised look. What a dangerous woman. I almost wished she wouldn't get any stronger, for my own peace of mind.

"Alright, Famu and I will feint. Mizuki, you'll be the main attacker."

"Wait. I'll join the feint as well. My blunt attacks should be more effective against an enemy that blades can't pierce,"

Myra said, joining the front line with her mace. I began the feint. The Worm sprayed saliva, but I shifted my body to avoid it. After landing a strike, I kept a safe distance, continuing the harassment. Famu and Myra also kept moving, provoking the enemy.

"Stop darting around in front of the monster!"

Cecily yelled from behind. She wanted to fire a second shot. Famu, Myra, and I exchanged glances and simultaneously leaped out of Cecily's line of fire. An instant later, her fireball struck the Worm dead-on. The monster froze. Mizuki charged in. A blue light shone in her eyes. It seemed [Super Kill] had activated. With a single swing, the monster vanished. Mizuki picked up the Mana Seed the monster had dropped.

Both of the other fights were already over. The Knight Order had surrounded their Worm and beaten it to a pulp. Altair had done the same, with Avea, Beers, and Fang pummeling theirs into submission. Doris and the other member had apparently been providing support from the rear. We all took a moment to catch our breath.

"We're close to the Area Guardian's room. Let's move,"

Zofia said, and we resumed our advance.

"You think the Area Guardian here will be a Worm?"

I asked Myra. A bigger, more heavily armored Worm, perhaps? If so, I felt like I could end it quickly with a [Goddess Summon] right at the start of the battle.

"Since the dungeon is still forming, the Area Guardian can sometimes be different from the enemies on the floor."

"Is that so?"

I asked. Just then, Zofia turned around.

"For this dungeon, the chance of the Area Guardian matching the floor enemies is about fifty-fifty."

"...I see."

Challenging an Area Guardian without any information was a gamble. But we had no way of getting any. As I was mulling this over, the entire party came to a halt. We had arrived at the Area Guardian's door.