As we descend the dungeon stairs, we see the lower level.
My sense is that I’m about two floors down from the building.
The dungeon is built of white stones shaped like bricks, giving the impression that it’s well maintained, although frugal, just like the buildings above.
I touch the wall and observe my feet, then the messy-haired boy poked me on my arm.
「 Hey, do you not have a weapon? 」
「 We didn’t plan on going to the dungeon today so I don’t 」
「 Eh? Do you plan on having only the lady fight for you? Cruel 」
「 No, no, we’re just going in for a trial, so that’s why I didn’t bring anything 」
「 But… 」
「 Don’t worry, it’s just the first layer. If you want, I can just fight barehanded 」
「 Oh, okay… 」
What’s with that unconvinced look on your face?
I’ll show you then, my skill-reinforced fists.
Only if Euphy fails to take it down.
The first thing we see as we descend the stairs is a long passageway stretching in front, to the left and right.
It’s about as wide as a two-lane road, and the ceiling is high enough.
Did I just get into a game world? That’s what I thought when I saw it.
I mean, this is just a maze dungeon.
I almost thought to myself, that it was going to be hard without another party member.
It’s usually 4 members, right?
「 Daiki-sama? What’s wrong? 」
「 Oh? No, nothing. I guess this is a dungeon, I thought 」
「 Isn’t it? 」
Don’t look so curious.
I’m sure I can’t convey this feeling.
It seems that I was weird. I pat Euphy’s head as she makes a smile, yet a confused look, then I talked to the boy.
「 Then, guide us to the next level down. I just want to see where it is 」
「 Okay 」
The boy responded and went to the left side.
Euphy’s the vanguard, the boy is behind her, and I’m following right behind them.
It’s not like I’m afraid so I’m sending the two to the front, okay?
Euphy has a weapon so she goes to the front, and if something comes from behind, I can deal with it.
「 Wait 」
The boy suddenly stopped in his tracks and said.
I approached him to see what was going on, then he closed his left eye and thrust his right hand in front of his face, making a peace symbol upside down, as if looking at something between his fingers.
Doing that, I can see the emblem of the guild on the back of his hand.
I didn’t notice because I wasn’t aware of it, but he has an affiliation.
「 What is it? 」
「 A trap. Look at the floor over there 」
I looked carefully at where he was pointing and I find a slight protrusion on the ground.
「 That’s a trap? Will something move if you step on it? 」
「 Yes. Ground traps are usually falling rocks, it’s going to hurt, you don’t want to step on that, do you? 」
「 Well yeah. Do you remember the location of the traps? 」
「 No. Traps move around, and they change locations when moved or left untouched 」
So it’s automatic.
This is just becoming a game-like dungeon.
Still, finding traps that don’t stand out, it’s important to have a guide it seems.
「 So, what’s that pose about? 」
「 Was that weird? I was told that it’s easier to find it that way 」
「 No, I think it’s fine. Quite good 」
Honestly, this boy making that kind of pose is cute.
No, no…
Let’s not open that door.
After a while of avoiding the traps and moving forward, we turned several times down the passage, then the boy stopped, and his beast ears are twitching
「 Ah, there are some monsters ahead 」
「 You can find them? 」
「 Yes 」
I speak to him from behind, but the boy was staring at the turn a little ahead.
Earlier, he noticed the trap. He might have a skill or something?
「 Euphy, take care of it. Boy, stay next to me 」
「 Understood. Leave it to me 」
「 Nee-chan, good luck 」
Euphy, cheered by the two, moved forward, and the two things appeared from the corner.
Woah.
It’s the classic slime.
They’re huge.
They’re about as tall as Euphy’s waist!
It’s not just bouncy, but it’s also wet, there are six of them coming this way.
For a moment, I expected Euphy’s clothes to melt, and it would look lewd, but she just charged in and cut the slimes instantly. The slimes then vanished and puffed smoke.
「 You’re strong, Nee-chan! 」
Of course, Euphy’s strong, I raised her.
You’re giving her an enthusiastic look, but don’t fall in love, okay?
「 Okay, I’ll pick them up, you can take a rest 」
The boy told Euphy and run towards where the slimes died.
I knew this in advance, but it seems that defeating the monsters in the dungeon produces items and magic stones.
Monsters here aren’t creatures, but something generated.
It’s almost a game-like system that I’m amazed by.
Looking at where the boy’s head, I see a shiny object lying on the ground.
That’s the magic stone.
I don’t know much about magic stones yet, but I heard that you can make magic tools, like the ones we used to boil our baths in the inn.
According to what I heard, it’s impossible to use the magic stones that appear on the lower levels, but they too have mana inside of them, which can be used to fill tools with mana.
While the boy’s picking up the stones, I speak to Euphy.
「 I’m sorry for earlier when you haggled. He just looked a bit pitiful 」
「 It’s not a problem. Now he’s feeling indebted to Daiki-sama, so it paid off 」
Hmm?
Wait, was that within expectations?
No, I don’t think Euphy does that, so it’s not calculated.
Right?
I hide my suspicions within my mind, and Euphy shows her flowery smile as usual. Then the boy returned.
「 Here you go. It’s only a small magic stone 」
Saying that he held out his hand and handed me three black stones.
It looks like obsidian with round edges
Two small magic stones earn one copper coin, right?
I don’t know if this is good or not.
「 There were six of them, but not all of them drop magic stones 」
「 We’re on the low levels. The further you go, the more you get, and the bigger they become 」
「 I see… 」
After the battle, we continued down the path, and we accumulated 15 magic stones, and we reached the stairs leading down another level.
「 Seems like we don’t have problems on the first floor 」
「 From how it goes, I think I can fight my way back a few layers on my own 」
I tried to give a slime a low uppercut, and the slime’s outer membrane broke and my hand got buried within, defeating the slime.
One punch and it sinks, slimes must be weaker than goblins.
Euphy’s right about the first level, we can go lower without any problems.
Speaking of which, when I looked at my hands after defeating the slime, I could feel like I touched liquid, but it was dry.
I think we won’t get dirty even if the monster is bleeding.
「 I’m closing up to Euphy’s level, I think we’re going to the lower floors sooner? 」
「 Right. This dungeon only has ten levels, right? 」
Euphy asked the boy, and he nodded.
「 Daiki-sama, how about we go to the fifth level and get used to that place? 」
「 Okay. Euphy-sensei can lead 」
「 Ahaha, what sensei? But thank you for accepting the suggestion 」
She’s smiling, but she’s still in her servant mode, probably because we’re in front of the boy.
「 Okay, let’s go back. Guide us on the way back 」
「 Okay 」
On the way back, there were hardly any slimes, probably because we already beat them on the way.
Going back and forth from the entrance yielded 21 small magic stones, meaning, we just earned a silver coin.
We might’ve gone straight to our destination without exploring, but it seems that it’s impossible to earn money on the first layer.
「 Good job on guiding us. Here’s the other coin as promised 」
「 Thanks, brother. Ehehe 」
He glanced up as I handed a single copper coin as the rest of his reward.
「 Hey, are you going to the dungeon tomorrow? 」
「 Yeah, we’re planning to go for the real deal by tomorrow 」
「 T-Then, I’ll guide you again 」
「 Hmm, let’s see. You did your job, so I guess I will 」
「 Really!? Yay! When are you coming tomorrow?! Should I wait in front of the inn? 」
「 Don’t be too enthusiastic. I guess we’re going off after we had our breakfast, want to eat? 」
Hearing my suggestion, the boy’s eyes opened wide in surprise!
「 Yes! I’ll be at your inn right in the morning! Where is it?! 」
Hahaha, what a good boy.
I’ll treat your breakfast.
He doesn’t seem to be getting good meals from the way he’s dressed.
Eat a lot.
You’re coming right in the morning, won’t you?
「 Oh speaking of which, what’s your name? 」
「 Hmm? It’s Nia 」
「 I see. See you tomorrow Nia 」
「 Okay, see you! 」
Then the boy grabbed the copper coin and ran.
He’s got a cute name.