Otoko Nara Ikkokuichijou no Aruji o Mezasa Nakya, ne?

Year 7442, Month 8, Day 14

On a hot day as summer nears it's end once again today the five of us are challenging the dungeon. Since we've explored the dungeon countless times we're already used to fighting the monsters that come out on the 1st floor. However, we still can't let our guards down. If we make a single mistake we could get seriously injured and even death is possible beyond that. I can't even remember the number of times the three front-line attackers have gotten injured. They usually end up being injured by opponents that appear in the afternoon when their ability to concentrate starts to break and we end up having to retreat. Today was the same. Unable to avoid the charge of a gnoll with a crude spear Zulu ended up taking an injury to his thigh.

I immediately assisted them and after wiping out the enemies I healed Zulu's wound. Zulu apologized but it doesn't particularly bother me. It's true Zulu was in the wrong by letting his guard down but it was also Bel and my mistake thinking Zulu would be fine so we weren't able to assist him right away and since we're advancing cautiously it's about the time start to become unable to focus. It's a bit early but since I'm sure there's still pain remaining in Zulu's leg we should head back for today.

It was when I was thinking that while I cut open the pitiful gnolls chest to take out the magic stone. I heard something that was clearly a humans voice from somewhere saying "save me". It's been two and a half months since we started exploring the dungeon and this is our first time coming across another living adventurer inside. We exchange glances and look further in the cave where the voice came from. Of course we can't see anything but we couldn't help but to do so. I guess this is a trait of living things.

"What should we do?"

Ralpha asked. Right now I'm strictly training her with magic. I'm sure she wants to freely use magic as well, she doesn't make any complaints and focuses on the training every day, but it will still probably take about 1 month before her void magic reaches level 1. It's really unfortunate that her MP didn't increase during her last level up. As a matter of fact a large portion of the combat we're doing lately has the objective of leveling up Ralpha.

"Let's move forward while keeping an eye on things."

After I respond and Bel said as well.

"But, I heard, save me. I think it would be a good idea to hurry."

Her manner of speech has gotten a lot softer. But, she still tries to speak politely to me and since it's unnecessary to tell her to go out of her way to fix that I've just ignored it. She just learned void magic the other day. She's training the same as Ralpha right now but in another week or so I'm sure her level will go up. Having more than 30 times the amount of MP than Ralpha is that much more valid in earning experience towards magic and it's to point where Ralpha is a bit pitiful. Zenom said to that Bel.

"There's no need to hurry. Everything that happens in the dungeon is your own responsibility. I won't say we shouldn't save them or not to save them. But, the area ahead of here we haven't passed by yet. There might be a trap. If we go to save them and get caught in a trap then it's pointless."

Zenom is a pillar of the party with how he's always calm and composed. There's a personal opinion in his words and everyone pays attention to those warnings. Obviously I do as well.

I washed my hands with water magic and after wiping them with a towel I opened the map and checked our current location once again. Going off the terrain from around where we teleported, the location we are is probably, here. If the map is correct then 100 meters ahead of us the cave should bend to the left and after continuing a bit from there it should connect to a large room. That large room should be connect to two other caves from the cave we're advancing through. Right, I bought a map, but this map was a fake. There seems to be a considerable number of mistaken places and while the traps are written down but there aren't enough to match up to them at all. We're treasuring it because it's quite a bit better than not having one at all but there's no way we can put all of our faith into it.

Zulu is watching as I confirm the map. I'm sure he wants to say something as well but he's careful of his position and actions so unless I give him permission he doesn't speak pointlessly. He's a good subordinate.

"Then, Zenom, take up the front with me. Zulu hold up the center and I'll leave the rear to Bel and Ralpha."

After giving simple instructions I ignored the gnoll's corpse and picked up my bayonet. Lined up with Zenom I cautiously start walking. Zenom hits the ground with a roughly 3 m pole as we move forward. Just before we were about to make it to the curve to the left the sound from Zenom hitting the ground changed. A trap huh? We walk around the edge avoiding the trap and after passing the trap we started walking towards the large room that should be ahead of here.

The voice calling for help is still continuing. After turning the corner it's gotten louder. I say,

"We're on our way! Give it your best!"

and just said that but after all raising our pace would be foolish so we carefully continued walking forward. I guess they heard my voice, the owner voice said,

"It's a slime! Be careful!"

And gave us the warning. A slime huh... I've seen one on the edge of Bakuddo once in the past. I'm sure the only attacks that will work on it will be my magic.

"Only magic works against slimes. I've seen one once in the past. There's no other choice than to burn it with fire...He probably can't be saved.."

After I said that I took the pole from Zenom and stood at the front. According to the story I heard from the hunter in Bakuddo, Zachary Dokush, it seems that slimes wrap up their victims and melt them. Being melted alive is a seriously frightening way of dying. It's probably for their sake that I kill them and put them out of their misery. I thought that.

I didn't turn around but I felt the presence of everyone following after me. These softies. Ah, do they intend to take the magic stone? Even I've never taken the magic stone from a human or non-human before..Do you guys seriously intend to cut open the chest of a person? Putting aside Zenom who's been an adventurer for countless years, I wonder if Ralpha, Bel, and Zulu intend to do that? I'll put it aside for now.

We approached close enough to look into the large room and nervously looked in. The large room is about 30 m in every direction and just like other places inside of the dungeon the walls and ceiling are giving off light. It was the scenery of hell inside the room. I heard Bel and Ralpha say "hi" as they held their breath behind me.