LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 83 (Self Edited) – Going into the Underground Dungeon
Chapter 83 (Self Edited) – Going into the Underground Dungeon
As Soma knew the way to go into the dungeon freely, he came to the entrance of it on the next day.
The entrance of the dungeon was located at the corner of the training ground. Considering that going to the dungeon was a part of the basic training, it was probably reasonable for it to be there. Strictly speaking, the training ground was set up in the vicinity because the entrance of the dungeon was there, but… that didn’t matter much.
By the way, the training ground didn’t have a foundation roof. The changing rooms were different, but the mock battle was usually performed outdoors. So, even on the raining days, it was possible to do training, but… how far it couldn’t be done was unclear.
However, since that was basically the basic, there were exceptions to it and one of them was the entrance to the dungeon.
“Hmm… I have never been around here, but is it supposed to be like this?” (Soma)
The students would inevitably come to the training ground upon receiving swordsmanship lesson. But, the lesson was proportionally close to the center. Although the entrance of the dungeon was in the training ground, it was toward the corner of the ground.
Perhaps, the management thought of this by chance. It was obvious given that there were definitely monsters inside it.
The dungeon looked extremely ordinary if one said it based on its appearance only. There were no differences from the surrounding buildings, but… it was so different on the inside.
Speaking of the impression of the first sight–…
“It is a sanctuary… or perhaps, ancient ruins, huh…” (Soma)
“In terms of image, you are basically got it right. Rather than being abruptly felling like a training ground, have you mentally prepared?” (Hildegard)
“I surely got the feeling.” (Soma)
Soma looked back while listening to the voice from the rear. The one who was there was a young lady with green hair and green eyes.
She was an important person of the Royal Academy. This time, Soma was going to sit for the test and she became the person who would be the guide and the examiner as well.
“At any rate, for the headmaster to conduct the training… are you really free to do this? Same goes to yesterday, you were there in the library.” (Soma)
“Do you have something else to say? After all, I am the number one person in this academy, you know?” (Hildegard)
“Of course, I know that, right?” (Soma)
Well, since she had some business in the library yesterday, it was fine to accept it even if she didn’t have to, but today was probably no good. Speaking of why this situation happened in the first place, it was due to other lecturers was rejected.
First off, Carine was told yesterday that Hildegard would be busy today, and all other lecturers encountered today, which also included Camilla, received similar words. Although she still didn’t tell more than half lecturers, she told them she was going to do this, but that didn’t count because they were told that she had a promise to see people of the swordsmanship conducted the training.
For that reason, Soma was worried when she appeared and said that. He was somehow worried, but since it couldn’t be helped, he had to accept her as the guide and the examiner.
No matter how much he thought about it, she was a person with a lot of free time based on her behavior.
“…Well, it’s true that you help me in this matter, and I really appreciate it.” (Soma)
“Hmm..? Uh, hmm, it’s good that you understand it! You owe me for coming here today! …So, be more appreciative, alright?” (Hildegard)
“Don’t get carried away.” (Soma)
While talking that, they went through a passageway and eventually, they reached a big hall.
But rather than the hall itself, what Soma concerned was the slight sense of incompatibility felt the moment he got there–….
“Hmm…? Just now… is it a barrier?” (Soma)
“Although I’ve prepared such a thing, it will be enough in an unlikely event. For example, even if monsters come out from the dungeon, there is a barrier to prevent problems. Well, there has never been such a thing happening here until now, but considering that this area is also part of the kingdom, it is necessary to pay full attention.” (Hildegard)
When Soma headed toward the center of the hall while nodding to the statement, there was a hole… or rather a staircase. The material was probably stone, and the staircase continued downwards.
“That looks like a man-made staircase, but you didn’t do this on your own, right?” (Soma)
“At least when I came here, there was already such a thing. When considering that, I didn’t ask around. Perhaps, it is already like this from the beginning.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm…” (Soma)
There were documents mentioned about the ancient ruins clearly made by people, but the dungeons were somewhat unclear. Judging from the monsters and things like that, it was hard to believe that dungeons were something made by people. According to the documents, it was found abruptly. So, some said God made it.
Be that as it may, if one inquired the reason why dungeons were made, nobody knew it, but again… that didn’t really matter to Soma. There might be clues on how to make Soma used magic in this place. That itself was already good enough.
“Now, I would like to go in soon, but… the content of the test is secret, isn’t it?” (Soma)
“It’s because there is no meaning if you prepare the countermeasures. It also depends on respective lecturers, so this is the part where it is difficult to guess. Consequently, I have only one thing to tell you. And that is we’re going up to the tenth layer.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm…” (Soma)
By the way, the training of dungeon exploration was done in the class. Basically, it was done with parties of four to six people. Moreover, the leader of the party would be the middle school student who had definite abilities. Thus, safety was guaranteed to the utmost. Nevertheless, there were still students inflicted with serious injuries. It seemed that there was one or two people die in every year, but… for the time being, that information was put aside.
The most important thing was the first grade of the elementary school. The average layer reached at the end of the grade was the fifth layer. For second grade, the average was eighth later, and the third grade which was the end of the elementary school was at the tenth layer.
In other words, the person that looked like a little girl asked Soma to reach the average layer reached by the end of the elementary school alone. Well, there was no problem anyway.
“By the way, may I ask the expected arrival time?” (Soma)
“Oh yes… it shouldn’t take more than two hours.” (Hildegard)
“Understood.” (Soma)
That was a bit more than enough. As a result of not given a map similar to the training, the requirement was five minutes.
By having a sword, there was no need for Soma to prepare something like readiness.
“Alright, shall we go in?” (Soma)
“Hmm, it’s time to start the test.” (Hildegard)
As Soma said that, they took steps forward to a gloomy place.
—
Soma let a breath of admiration when he took the last step into the dungeon. Although he had obtained information of dungeons to some extent, it was a fact that he was really impressed.
To put it simply, it was the sight. There shouldn’t be any light sources, but it was still possible to grasp the mysterious sight of the surrounding with eyes.
It couldn’t be said that it was similar to daytime as he expected, but there was a lot to explore.
“Hmm… I don’t really understand well that this is a dungeon.” (Soma)
“Perhaps, there is no need to make people understand. So, don’t be careless. I think you’ll be fine as long as you can react on things that you are supposed to.” (Hildegard)
While listening to something Soma didn’t know well about what kind of advice it was, he actually didn’t forget to put up his guard.
This was a kind of place where people should properly dig and drill thoroughly. Again, there was no strange indication that this place would collapse, but it was winding down and the visibility was very bad.
It was a structure spelling of surprise attacks–…
— Ruler of Swords – Divine Protection of Dragon God – Battle Ready – Special Rank Presence Detection: Surprise Attack – Null.
“Well, nothing will happen if you understand.” (Soma)
— Ruler of Swords – God Killer – Dragon Killer – Divine Protection of Dragon God – Absolute Slash: Self-taught – Gale Blade.
Soma waved his arm the moment he noticed a shadow that jumped out. He extended the sword until its neck, and the head was sent flying.
Despite being a humanoid, the monster was lower in height than himself. Its characteristics were sharp ears and nose.
From his memory, that appearance was one of the typical monsters encountered–…
“Hmm… that is a goblin, huh?” (Soma)
While narrowing his eyes to the something that dropped onto the ground with a thud sound, he put the sword into the sheath on his waist. The monsters of the dungeon appeared at the same level of the layer. By considering how the monsters weren’t extremely strengthened when descending into the layer, there shouldn’t be any problem if he progressed normally.
Rather, if it was a problem, it was that he didn’t know the way, but this was already lucky. Soma just had to believe his luck since he had no choice but to progress forward alone.
“Aah, by the way, I just think of this, but what should I do if I am attacked from behind? Should I protect you?” (Soma)
“No, that’s not necessary. In that situation, I will deal it myself. In addition, in the case where I was aimed or when there are groups of enemies, you don’t have to act proactively.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm… well then, what would you do in the case if you were aimed by enemies’ long range attacks?” (Soma)
“That would be difficult, but… it depends on the situation. In the end of the day, you don’t have to mind about me.” (Hildegard)
“Understood.” (Soma)
It would be a bit troublesome if he was told to proceed while protecting her, but since that was no longer necessary, it didn’t matter what would happen after. Soma didn’t hesitate to head out alone. He slashed the monsters encountered and progressed deeper.
Originally, he should harvest the materials, but there was no time for that. There was a limit of how much one could bring. Plus, that wasn’t his purpose today.
Soma didn’t know how he was being graded. Perhaps, there might be demerit points, but at this time, there was nothing else could be done. For now, he merely thought of that while going ahead, and executed the plan. He arrived at the end of it, and only five minutes had passed.
“Hmm, not a bad pace, isn’t it?” (Soma)
“Sure. For you to reach this far… I guess this is something I expected.” (Hildegard)
They were in a place a bit bigger than a hall, and the wall was hollowed out unlike what he encountered earlier. The next destination wasn’t anywhere in the front, back, left or right directions, but he had to go under. There was a staircase that led to the second layer.
This was also seemed to be a man-made object, but since he had received the advice, he probably didn’t have to care too much. Besides, since it was easy to move, there was no need to ignore the staircase.
When Soma turned around, he saw a calm and nodding figure, and then he nodded back. He faced forward and lowered his gaze a bit. After that, Soma went down the staircase.