The Dungeon Seeker

CHAPTER 9 – THE ANCIENT TREE ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

▼ ▼ ▼

In about a 20 kilometer radius space

This floor is a floor that is lush with natural vegetation. Although they are few, there are animals too, and they are not monsters also.

The light of the light moss that passes through the treesーーthe sunlight that filters through the leaves are very comfortable.

Inside the forest, while sitting under the sun, I spoke to the boy that suddenly appeared cheerfully.

「Haha〜! Brother! It’s good that you were able to reach here」

A short black-haired boy in front of me.

Somehow, I feel a familiar feeling from him.

That’s rightーーhe is……Japanese. It’s not only how he looked, but from the way he stands and his atmosphere. He is no doubt Japanese.

I wonder how many years it has been ever since I went a trip from Japan to this different world……and like this and that, to the smell of my hometown after a long time, it’s just that my tear glands are tearing.

「That way of speaking……you’re……Ossan?」

「Oi oi, don’t call me Ossan. Even if I’m like this, I’m only 25 bro?」

Petrified.

The boy got petrified.

And he clearly broke an expression.

It’s true that from the past, I was not seen as my age because of my Ossan face and tone……

I mean, wait a minute, boy.

The boy’s expression was, super……disgusted-like expression. *Gyo*, that sound effect somehow feels very fitting for it.

Oi oi……isn’t it okay, if you don’t be like totally turned-off with my true age like that……

Mixed with Kansai-dialect, I let out a sigh inside of me. (TL: No Kansaiben for translations (´・ω・`) )

「I mean, boy, how amazing……that you were able to reach this far deep……」

And there, the boy started to look around the surroundings.

「Ahh, as Ossan also knows, they were really tremendous guys. And……here is……?」

「As you can see, the whole floor is a safety area. You also saw the cannibal village right? It’s the same with that」

「……」

「So, can you put that away? There isn’t any monsters here yo?」

But, the boy wouldn’t put away the handgun that he was holding from earlier.

He was being cautious from the surroundings ever since we met, and he wouldn’t break the tightened expression that he has.

Well……I think that he can’t be blamed.

After all, up until here, he probably had gone through the jaws of death, and if he doesn’t have at least that much cautiousness, it’s impossible that he would be able to survive.

And, there, the boy made a friendly smile to make me relieved.

I have decided to live on this floor, but just like the other adventurers that had left this floorーーhe probably would leave here soon.

And, as a senpai, I cannot let him go without anything.

I should make friendship with him here, and treat him with a meal or a drink at least.

Well……basically, I’m a very kind big brother.

「Boy. What’s up, making a very tight face」

「Unfortunately, it was a terrible path and life you know……my human disbelief is also in its extremes」

And there, *Un*, I nodded.

「Yosh, then, I’ll say sweet stories for you」

「Sweet stories? What is that so suddenly?」

Dubiously, the boy looked at me as if to check my eyes.

And there, *Hyuu*, I whistled.

「That’s right. A story about an adventurer once upon a time, met with a fairy inside the labyrinth hell, and fell in love, started to do a self-sufficient lifestyle, and live happily on a floor somewhere」

“Meaning……”, I continued.

「In other words, it’s me!!」

“Ahh……”, and, there, the boy nodded as if to guess something.

“Ah!……this guy……kukuku……”, I broke to a smile.

Because, the boy’s eyes were mixed with sorrow.

ーーthis guy……he’s virgin huh. Did he get jealous because of the story with girls?

Un, I know. I know.

I was also like that after all. Until I came to this floor……I was also like that.

But, stories about stupid couples easily changes to laughter.

If you open your mouth, it would become a smile.

If it becomes a smile, you’d open your heart.

If you’d open your heartーーyou’d open your crotch.

It’s the theory on making women fall, but it also has effects on men.

The thing called a smile is a communication that can be understood anywhere.

The boy……I want to make him have a very good meal and a very comfy bed, I really want to send him to the next floor with a refreshed mind and body.

And for me who is like that……I need to make him smile.

And, with that, I’ll continue with the sweet stories.

「And, well, I think you got it with what I told earlier……there are no monsters here, but there is a Fairy Dryad. Well, it’s my wife though」

And there, the boy pointed with his left hand.

「In that cabin……is there the Dryad?」

“Ahh”, I nodded and continued the story.

「She’s an amazing beauty you know? For me who was tired of clearing this labyrinth that’s so impossible……she made me give it all up and make me decide to live here」

「I see……huh. So, Ossan, right now, are you happy?」

「Ahh. A beautiful wife, delicious food, and surrounded by nature……I’m super happy yo. After all, my heart is always connected to Dryad」

「It looks like it’s not only the heart though……by the way……Ossan?」

「n? What?」

「Tentacles……it’s entering your ears you know?」

Tentacles?

What do you mean?

「Tentacles? ?」

「……also some thin ones in your mouth, and……also in your nose……」

My sight suddenly got dyed with red.

*Gunyari*, my head got distorted, and I cannot think.

I cannot think of anything.

Suddenly, the words that the boy said, I can’t understa, understan, stand, n’t under. Impos, unde, underununnunder.

supepepepepepe.

Incapable to deal with.

Incapable to understand.

A difference between reality and consciousness has emerged.

The possibility of a significant progress of mental pollution has emergedーーRequest Protection.

Requesting mental pollution corrective operation.

ーーRequest Finished.

……………

My sight suddenly returns.

The light of the light moss that covers the floor, I feel like it’s strangely bright.

Somehow, just like waking up……how can I say this……right now, in an instant……I feel like my consciousness flew……but well, it’s anemia or something.

「So, what did you say right now?」

With a smile, I asked the boy.

「Why is Ossan being entangled by the tree’s tentacles? And……are you really 25?」

「Entangled……? I am……really 25, though……」

「It’s something I knew, but……really, you aren’t……conscious of it huh. Aren’t your body being hanged by tentacles in the air, and tentacles have entered all the holes that is a hole……」

「……?」

「Can’t you even see your own palm? There’s even thin ones on your urethra you know? Your life force absorbed……aren’t you like a wrinkled old man……」

「……?」

And, I checked my own palm.

There was a light brown color, lost its hydration, I see, it’s really like an old man’s hand.

And there I noticed that I was fully naked.

And, that I am lightly floating from the ground.

No……I was entangled by something like a tree’s vine, and that I am being suspended.

Suspended……Dryad……life force……stolen……skin, body……it cannot retu……return to normal.

Return, it cannottentacleitfeelsgooditfeelsgoodwife, tentaclesmywifeitfeelsgooditfeelsgooditfeelsgood, unde. Impos, pospospos!

supepepepepepe.

Incapable to deal with.

Incapable to understand.

A lethal difference between reality and consciousness has emerged.

ーーto block the mental pollution of the parasitic host, requesting forced shutdown of consciousness.

…………………

…………

……

ーーand just like that, my consciousness completely faded out.

▼ ▼ ▼

ーーA few hours earlier.

After he gained the victory against S-Rank adventurers, Junpei stepped into the next floor.

There, it was a huge forest with a lake in the middle of it.

The greens are very deep, and the chirping of birds echoes through, and the light intensity coming from the light moss is also very strong.

From time to time, boars and deers also show up, to it seemed like it was not that different from the mountain forests in the outside world.

If this was Japan in the summer, as a camp site……you would probably be able to see families having fun with barbecues, and enjoying their vacation.

In reality, “What a peaceful scenery……”, is what, Junpei’s honest opinion was.

And most of all, the thin silver particles that were fluttering all around.

It can almost be seen as the same with what he saw at the cannibal village.

ーーthe whole floor is a safety area.

That’s right, and that’s also why, that because deers and boars exists, he can think.

To explain further, in the cannibal’s floor, even if they wanted to create a food chain, other than humans, there were no insects and animals existing.

And, in this floorーーit was there.

Just like that, Junpei, while thinking of the natural environment of this floor, he was walking at the lakeside.

However, he doesn’t break his stance of being ready for a fight.

Even if it was a safety area, he couldn’t be sure if there was no dangerーーno, it is when he is letting his guard down, that there is a possibility that a small fry can trip his feet.

Rather than the time when he is confronting a strong enemy, right now, with one glance……the one that can be seen as a peaceful scenery is more frightening……Junpei thought, and ruminate the experience he had before, and made a wry smile.

And.

He saw.

Inside the forest, very near to a cabin. Entangled by countless tubes and tentacles, a naked old man hung from a big tree.

That man, literallyーーin all of the holes of his body, tubes and tentacles are plunged.

All of his body’s skin, weltsーーprobably, something like a thin root that ate his way from the tentacles to inside his bodyーーit was all covered with that.

From the effects of the roots running throughout his body……as if it had a hypostasis, the surface of his whole body’s skin were dyed with a violet color.

And, moisture was lost from the man’s skin, and just like a wrinkled old man over his 80’s that was often asleepーーhe seemed like half of his life force were lost.

The tentacles that plunged from his ear, enters his brains. and circumferences from the top of his head to its insides, and pierces through where his skin was torn open.

As of how his brain that was exposed from his skull seems, inside his brain were also fully covered with thin roots.

And there, Junpei, “……ahh”, nodded as if to give up.

Even if this were Japan for example.

Whatever surgery would be done, this man wouldn’t survive.

Because, this man, rather than being eaten or being parasitized by the tree, he already has “integrated” with the tree.

While holding his vomit, Junpei continued to observe the man.

It looks like his wastes were dripping freely from his waste organs, his thighs were stuck with a brown paint brush-like dried object andーーrotten wastes that had stacked in the ground swarmed by flies.

And, within that unbearable stenchーーthe hanged man were smiling with an expression of ecstasy.

「Oi oi, Dryad. You really like it huh……everyday everyday, if you close in to me like that, my life force would be pulled out……and I’ll really become a mummy you know? I’m already very exhausted」

The man being hanged, started licking his lips with a grinned face.

And, the man’s hands moves first, and his hips moves faintly next.

*Kakukakukakukaku*, is he moving, or is he not, after doing a stroke with his hips like that……the man peed.

Who wonders, that in that pee, something that cannot be seen unless you squint your eyesーーwhat a withered old man would release, his last drop……the faint white thing that was mixed on it, if Junpei had noticed it.

「Oi……you……?」

When Junpei called out like that, the man’s eyes suddenly regained life, and while drooling, he opened his eyes wide.

「Haha〜! Brother! It’s good that you were able to reach here」

Within the blood-shot wide eyes where a few thin tubes were injected to his tear bags, his black eye only moved, and shined brightly.

And also, covered by a very sticky mucus, his mouth where big and small tentacles were entering opened widely, and with a voice that was over exaggerated, the man said that with his utmost.

「That way of speaking……you’re……Ossan?」

「Oi oi, don’t call me Ossan. Even if I’m like this, I’m only 25 bro?」

Most probably……this man, he doesn’t understand the situation at all.

Junpei, he couldn’t move from that place.

“……this time, finally came……”, Junpei thought.

Until now, the one who had written the letters that gave him hints.

He was only running away, and……some time in the future, it was easy to guess that he would be like this.

Or maybe, an encounter with his skeleton.

Or maybe, without noticing, the notes have disappeared.

Or maybe again, miraculously meet with both of them alive, and……fight together.

That’s right, fighting together might have been possible. Even Junpei who had a lot of human distrust……if it was the one who wrote that notes, he might’ve thought about it.

But.

The one he owes his life to, has already……became a grotesque.

He had expected a lot of situations, butーーin most of what he could imagine, in the worst situation, it looks like the two met.

To the too much of the situation, Junpei couldn’t look straight at the man.

「I mean, boy, how amazing……that you were able to reach this far deep……」

While looking around the surroundings, Junpei asked the man.

「Ahh, as Ossan also knows, they were really tremendous guys. And……here is……?」

「As you can see, the whole floor is a safety area. You also saw the cannibal village right? It’s the same with that」

And when he carefully checked the surroundingsーーonly in one place, there was no silver particles were existing.

And soon after, *Potori*, the sound of wastes being excreted from the man’s anus.

Already, Junpei didn’t know what to do.

「……」

「So, can you put that away? There isn’t any monsters here yo?」

Being told by that……there was no way for him to put away his weapon.

Clearlyーーthis man, he was given some kind of treatment by a dangerous being, and clearly from whoever would look at himーーhe is in an “out” situation after all.

「Boy. What’s up, making a very tight face」

「Unfortunately, it was a terrible path and life you know……my human disbelief is also in its extremes」

「Yosh, then, I’ll say sweet stories for you」

「Sweet stories? What is that so suddenly?」

And there, *Hyuu*, the man whistled.

「That’s right. A story about an adventurer once upon a time, met with a fairy inside the labyrinth hell, and fell in love, started to do a self-sufficient lifestyle, and live happily on a floor somewhere」

“Meaning……”, the man continued.

「In other words, it’s me!!」

“Ahh……”, and, there, Junpei nodded as if to guess something.

ーー”This idiot……he got done with seduction……” he thought.

And, still wandering to his dreams and fantasies until now, and that……he was living in a world full of cheerful delusions.

“There’s the saying “The husband is always the last to know”……”,Junpei’s headache wouldn’t stop.

「And, well, I think you got it with what I told earlier……there are no monsters here, but there is a Fairy Dryad. Well, it’s my wife though」

And there, Junpei pointed with his left hand.

「In that cabin……is there the Dryad?」

「She’s an amazing beauty you know? For me who was tired on clearing this labyrinth that’s so impossible……she made me give it all up and make me decide to live here」

Junpei asked while letting out a sigh.

Of course, in the direction of the cabin, he heightened all of his concentration, and did not forget to miss to sense any danger.

「I see……huh. So, Ossan, right now, are you happy?」

「Ahh. A beautiful wife, delicious food, and surrounded by nature……I’m super happy yo. After all, my heart is always connected to Dryad」

「It looks like it’s not only the heart though……by the way……Ossan?」

「n? What?」

With all of that, tears almost fell on Junpei’s eyes.

With even how it was, until recently, he was only a normal high school student.

Inside the disheartening labyrinth……his letter, with a ridiculous tone, that doesn’t forget the humor.

Just only, something like reading a letter, it was that one-sided communication, but……although there was also the hints for surviving that directly affected him, but other than that……in the meaning of the healing of his heart, he was more or less, have been saved.

But, that has also ended.

If he……would only continue on seeing a bad dream, it would be his part to make him wake up.

He wanted to save him if he could. But……already, it’s clear that it was too late.

Then, the one who would assist him to die should also be himself.

Thinking of that, Junpei started to speak with resolution.

「Tentacles……it’s entering your ears you know?」

「Tentacles? ?」

「……also some thin ones in your mouth, and……also in your nose……」

In an instant, the man closed his eyes, and completely stopped his activity.

And, convulses. His hands and feet greatly moved.

His whole body trembled.

Hanged by the tentaclesーーwithin the cradle of tentacles, the man greatly moved.

His tongue moving uncontrolled, spew saliva everywhere, and his body threw to its back.

*BikuBikuBikuBikuBikuBiku*

As if he had received a very strong electric shock, he convulsed for many times.

「supepepepepepepepepepepepepepe」

Unpleasantly high pitched, an unpleasant sound coming from his tongue vibrating.

And, when the unpleasant sound stopped, once again, the man opened his eyes widely, and while slobbering, he opened his mouth.

「So, what did you say right now?」

With a silent tone, and a composed tone.

And one that was unfit to that, blood-shot eyes.

To his crinkled smile, the drooping saliva suits him.

「Why is Ossan being entangled by the tree’s tentacles? And……are you really 25?」 .

「Entangled……? I am……really 25, though……」

「It’s something I knew, but……really, you aren’t……conscious of it huh. Aren’t your body being hanged by tentacles in the air, and tentacles have entered all the holes that is a hole……」

「……?」

「Can’t you even see your own palm? There’s even thin ones on your urethra you know? Your life force absorbed……aren’t you like a wrinkled old man……」

「……?」

And, the man made a gesture as if he checked his own palm.

In an instant, the man closed his eyes, and completely stopped activity.

And, once again, convulsed.

*BikuBikuBikuBikuBikuBiku*.

As if he had received a very strong electric shock, he convulsed for many times.

「supepepepepepepepepepepepepepe」

He got petrified for a while, and the man started laughing.

「HYA, HYA, HYAHYAHYAHYAHAYAHYAAAAHAYAHAYAHAYAAAAAAAAA」

And, after convulsing for a while……the man closed his eyes, and completely stopped activity.

Looking away from the man who stopped moving, Junpeiーーhe turned his sight to the tree that hangs the man.

Its height was probably about a 10-storey building in modern Japan terms, and it feels like the width of the trunk has a diameter of 15 meters.

And there, Junpei called out his item box.

He kept a large amount of highly volatile oil in stock from the cannibal village.

Just like this, if he stimulates the tree a little, if there were no counterattacks, he thought that he would return all of it into ashes together with the man.

There’s the way of pulling the handgun’s trigger, but if the bullets hit the target, something like the vibration from the air, or something like a sixth sense……anyways, compared to doing it grandly, there exists a real response.

In this case, the response meaning, it was about stealing the life of a man with no resistance in his own will, it was about he would directly receive that raw feeling.

It’s true, that Junpei had the resolution from the experiences he had in this labyrinthーーbut even so, from his side, the things that common people would hate, it’s not like he had started to have a bad taste of liking to do that in his preference.

But, it’s also true that he needs to assist the man that was being hung, and there was no way for him to make waste of his useful skills and experiences.

The thing needed to do, he needs to do it properly.

But, if he’s going to do it anyways, rather than directly, indirectly……for his mental health, that might be better.

“Well then……”, Junpei, he removed the wooden cover of the oil pots that he took out.

A distinctive irritating odor, that smells similar to gasoline, or maybe to ethanol.

When that tickled his nose, one girl appeared from the cabin.

ーーForest Fairy, Dryad.

Golden silk hair that extends to her waist, and a slight brown-colored fine skin.

Her age was only about 15-years-old, an adult woman’sーーthe voluptuousness of that, combined with the innocence of a child’s, or maybe all of those mixed artisticallyーーa girl that has an unparalleled beauty.

Wearing a pure white one piece, she approached Junpei slowly.

And there, *Pan*, a dry sound.

The soil under Dryad got burst. *Biku*, the girl’s whole body trembled.

The smell of gunpowder enveloped the whole place, and Junpei changed the aim of his handgun from her feet to the middle of her eyebrows.

「Don’t come any closer……more than that. So, you’re the Dryad that tricked Ossan huh?」

「……that’s right. Your recognition is correct」

The distance between them is only about fifteen meters.

Small, that you can even thing of it as a breeze, the Dryad’s voice.

Junpei who started to talk, roughens his voice as if to get irritated.

「Speak with a louder voice. I can’t damn hear you」

“Un”, she nodded, and the Dryad said.

「……I got it」

It was better than earlier, but still her voice was still small.

Shaking his head as if to give up, Junpei asked.

「And, you’re the one who tricked Ossan right?」

She got silent for a while, and Dryad, she started to talk carefully, as if to choose her words.

「I am Dryad……the Spirit that dwells in that tree. I am……able to continue to live by gaining life force from that tree. And for that tree, the source of nutrients……I provide the source of life force. That is the meaning of my existence. The tree and I……we have that kind of symbiosis」

「……so?」

「The man that hangs, I seduced him. Human’s life force is high quality. The tree gets really happy. If they are treated properly, they can become a source of nutrients for up to 20 years」

「……source of nutrients huh」

「That’s right. Humans are valuable source of nutrients. That is why my appearance, is optimized for humans and adjusted to right now」

「Adjusted?」

*Kokuri*, Dryad nodded.

「Skill【Mimicry (Super-Class)】. Originally, if I do not use【Mimicry】, looking from your perceptions, you can only see me as a tree monster」

「I see, that’s a pretty convenient skill」

“Anyways”, Junpei asked Dryad.

「Why are you telling me the whole story so easily? As far as I can see, you don’t look like you’re lying……your demandーーwhat is the conclusion you’re heading for?」

「……it is nice that it was a human who gets straight to the point」

And, she continued sorrowfully.

「……we Dryads……we are, a very weak race」

From earlier, there’s a reason for Junpei to take a high-handed attitude.

That is, as she had said earlier, the following appraisal results has come out was the reason.

【Dryad】

Danger Specification ▼ ▼ ▼ D

Characteristics ▼ ▼ ▼ Tree spirit. Their appearance originally is a humanoid tree……more rather, a tree monster that has hands and feet. They mostly have an appearance of a beautiful boy or girl thanks to the【Mimicry】skill. Using most of their appearance, they deceive or maybe seduce humans. After they have a very close relationship, they let their target intake a huge amount of secretion fluid that has aphrodisiac and confusion effects, and make them a complete captive. And, they sacrifice it to the tree that is their original source, and makes them its nutrients. The existence called Dryads are created as the tree where they came from’s hunter and negotiator. In a meaning, the thing called Dryad, it might be close to calling them one of the organs of the tree.

【Ancient Tree】

Danger Specification ▼ ▼ ▼ E

Characteristics ▼ ▼ ▼ Not able to gather enough nutrients alone, and uses Dryads to hunt all kinds of plants and animals. Just like a normal tree, does not have a way of counterattacking foreign enemies. However, having the effects of the powers of the evil gods that spread in the Interstice Labyrinth, its experience points is immeasurable. In that meaning, it is a very delicious monster for adventurers.

「A very weak race huh……that’s probably true. It’s also like that with【Appraisal Eyes】. Danger specification D and E……you’re laughable small fries」

「……that’s right. That is why, I am telling you all of it」

「Meaning?」

「……please let us off」

Junpei shook his head sidewards and let out a sigh.

「Before I ask what you want to say with that, there’ something I want to confirm」

「……what?」

「Why, are you not deceiving me? Or maybe, not doing that effort?」

「……firstly, the ones who saw the result of the person who got deceived, I do not have the skills to deceive on top of that. Also……」

「Also?」

「……I do not will for many preys. As the word “root rot” exists, moisture and nutrients……it would be poison if there are too much」

「Well, having a full stomach isn’t good for humans too. So……your danger specificationーーI know your strength. On top of that……the experience points too」

“And with that”, *Kokuri*, Junpei cracked his neck.

「Until now, adventurers have appeared here right? Leaving out the ones that got caught, there should also be ones that didn’t. And so……for those guys, how did you get though?」

「……that is」, when Dryad started to open her mouth, Junpei stopped her with his hand.

「No, just a little, the story doesn’t have enough details. So, I’ll ask?」

And, he continued.

「In exchange of me letting you off……what would you prepare for me?」

Dryad made an expression as if it was a letdown, or maybe surprised.

「……for me who have done this much to the same race of yours……without the will to speak about good and evil, straight to the point. It is really nice that the story is fast. And……you, you have【Appraisal Eyes】right?」

「Ahh. Yeah……it’s super class」

And, from her waist, she took out a blue shining stoneーーor maybe you can call it a jewel.

「……this is Dryad’s Tears」

「……」

「If you have【Appraisal Eyes】then its a fast story. This heals any kind wound unless you have died. In this amount……you can recover from a deadly wound four times」

“Ahh”, Junpei nodded as if to guess something.

「Throw that to me. Slowly, you hear. If you do a sudden movement or gesture, I’ll shoot you」

As Junpei has instructed, Dryad slowly threw the small stone to one meter ahead of Junpei.

He activated【Appraisal Eyes】, *Hyuu*, Junpei whistled.

Dryad who saw that gesture made a small laugh.

「……I do not lie. If you have【Appraisal Eyes】, you should know that I am not lying」

And, Junpei who activated【Appraisal Eyes】laughed as if to get dumbfounded.

「Ha!……this is too good of a story. No, that’s whyーーthe guys until now let you off huh」

【Dryad’s Tears】

Item Rank ▼ ▼ ▼ Legendary Class

Characteristics ▼ ▼ ▼ A coating medicine that cures any outside wound other than death. Prompts intense somatic cell division using hidden magic powers and physical forces, and prompts the same recovery effects of the Interstice Labyrinth’s safety area. ーーHowever, the existence of the Dryad that created it is the use requirement.

「I see now」

At the same time he ended saying that, Junpei whistled.

「But……your existence is a requirement……huh. That’s too good of a story huh」

“That’s right”, Dryad nodded.

「That is why, the adventurers that passed through here……all of them accepted the suggestion」

「Well, that’s the best……choice that you can gain from」

And there, Dryad created a very serious face.

Even if its the effect of【Mimicry】, faint tears that swelled, the begging of an unparalleled beautiful girl looking from below.

With only that, you might forgive everythingーーit was that kind of expression.

「I do not will for a fight. Only, if I can gain a source of nutrients regularly that would be enough」

「……I see now. It’s true, that the adventurers up until now, a peaceful relationship that was like that might’ve been enough」

「Humans also eat pigs and cows in order to live. Everyone understood that it was the same with that.」

And there, Junpei shrugged his shoulders.

「So……after I go through here without doing anything……what will happen to Ossan?」

「You do not need to worry about that. This man would not be saved whatever means you can use. It should also be easier to give up for you……if you want, would you like me to tell you the details of his condition?」

「…………since he’s going to die after all, give up in exchange of an elixir, you say? Or maybe, endure it you saying?」

Confirming that a vein faintly appeared from Junpei’s temples, Dryad tilted her head as if to think of that strange.

「Sentimental argument? This labyrinth……humans that are entering here should know. Balancing gains and losses……moving with that is the most wise」

「……balancing gains and losses huh. You’re really a bastard who’s looking down」

And there, Dryad reached out both of her hands in a hurry, and shook her head sidewards.

「……please calm down. Composedly……you can get it……if we talk」

Junpei aimed his handgun to the middle of Dryad’s eyebrows.

「Nope, I won’t get it. I can never get an understanding with you」

「……why? Humans should move balancing their gains and losses……you……are you saying you’re that kind of a person that does not move with that?」

And there, Junpei scoffed.

「It’s very simple」

And, he continued.

「For me, there’s a lot more to gain from killing you. I don’t need recovery medicines in the first place」

「……?」

「My defense powers are 5 you know?」

「……5? Impossible. Being able to survive in this labyrinth with that status……」

「I put all of my status in evasion alright. One hit of the monsters here, if I receive something like that directly……it’s “out” in the first place. That’s why I don’t need recovery medicines」

And, he continued.

「Looking at Ossan’s end, it’s also true that it’s sickening. So then, it would be better to just make you into experience points」

And there, Dryad has completely lost leeway on her expression, and the muscle fibers of her face were filled with tension.

「……eh? What do you mean……? I cannot understand……」

「That’s why, I’m telling you it’s like this」

“But”, Dryad refused to back down.

「……then! I am……I am only doing this for the prosperity of my race……. In fact, I have never sacrificed sources of nutrients that were too much. It is something that I needed to do in order to live……have mercy……」

*Pan*, a dry sound.

「Reason for monsters? Something like that, I don’t fucking care」

The smell of gunpowder enveloped the place at the same time.

After a blink of an eye, *Dosari*, the sound of the girl falling to the ground.

Shot in between her eyebrows, matching the pulse of her heart, red colored blood gushed out like a fountain.

And, Junpei touched Dryad who had died, and did a complete butchery of her corpse.

ーーSkill【Mimicry (Super-class)】

「That’s right, if I have this……when I go outside……they will……」

Words he spoke to himself that has deep meanings, without seeming hesitations at all, he absorbed the skill card.

Other than that, there were a lot of items that has the name Dryad’s Tears that had dropped, but it has lost its effects since it was after her death.

It might be of use so he does not forget to put them to his item box at least.

「Well then……」

After he whispered, Junpei took out ten oil pots in total from his item box.

And, the highly volatile liquid, he poured it to the tree as if to hit it with it.

After doing that for two to three minutes, Junpei turned his sight of pity to the man that was hanging there.

「Ossan……are you really……already “out”?」

To Junpei’s question, the man answered while his saliva was drooping.

「aaー……」

A deep.

A really deep sigh.

Junpei took out a flint stoneーーand, took out his handgun as if to change his mind.

「If I’m going to assist you on your death……it would be better if there was only a little pain right. I will have your experience points as mine. And……Ossan’s skills also. I would never make waste of them」

When he noticed it, tears were overflowing from his eyes.

「Ossan. Thank you. If you were not there……I would’ve probably died a long time ago……」

And, Junpei turned his handgun towards the hanging manーー

ーー*Pan*, a dry sound echoed throughout.

*Bikun*, the man convulsed as if his body shook greatly.

The next instance, a huge amount of blood overflowed from his forehead.

While shedding his tears, Junpei moved towards the man without saying any words, and placed his palm on his body.

「ーーUse【Butcher】skill」

And, the man’s body were enveloped by light particles, and changed into skill cards and items.

Junpei reached out to the skill card, and crinkled his expression dubiously.

「Oi……what does this mean……? My【Butcher】is the highest level……on top of that, I wished for that to come out. Then, a hundred percent……that skill should’ve appeared right? What the hell is happening……」

He threw away the skill card, and Junpei quickly created fire to the tree.

*BachiBachi*, the sound of the tree burning echoed the surroundings.

After that, he would change this tree into experience points, and go towards the next floor.

And, Junpei had something that he really needed to confirm.

「No……there’s no way……but……」

“Either way……”, he continued.

「It’s something, that I would know soon」

And, in the next floor.

There, he encountered what he did many times before, after moving through floors, the safety area was positioned.

That only means, that it would be difficult to clear the floor, but anywaysーー

ーーJunpei, he took the letter that was left there.

And, he ended reading it once.

And then, he collapsed there, and started to laugh while hugging his stomach.

Or maybe, as if his ab muscles were tightening, or as if his muscles were clearly in pain, that kind of laugh, no, a burst of laughter.

His laughter couldn’t stop, and to the too much pain on his stomach, he even shed tears.

ーーJunpei thought.

When he thought of it, being able to laugh like this innocently, combined with Japan before the trip here……I wonder how long it was ever since…….

Or maybe, this level of burst of laughter, he might never have done before.

For about five minutes, he rolled around inside the safety area, and after he finally calmed down, he wiped his tear with his little finger, and spoke to himself.

「Okay〜……I’d continue looking forward from now on」

†

Haha〜! Brother! It’s been a while!

The floor earlier, that was really disgusting!

Both of us, let’s use Dryad’s Tears very carefully alright!

After all, this senses the biological reaction of Dryad……or rather, with the provision of magic powers, it seems to be maintaining its effects.

If that dies, there’s nothing that can be done.

It’s just……I was really surprised.

That, man who was being hanged……

ーーin this world, there’s really men who have the same tone huh.

Maybe, within you brothers, there might be ones who thought that that was me.

But, you can be relieved.

In the first place, I have the【Past Peek】skill! Being tricked there is an impossible game in the first place!!!!

I amーーno, Ossan will live on forever!!!!!!!

By the way, his true age, he said that it was 25, but I’m a real Ossan!

Well then, continue to look forward from now on alright!

Adios!!!!!

†

ーーand just like that, Junpei let out a sigh, and frankly said.

「But, 【Past Peek】huh……I wanted it for a little bit」

▼ ▼ ▼

ーーin some time, in a place somewhere, a dimension far away.

That one, he is called as the treasure hunter that had reached the highest peak of dimension in the whole history.

And, that one, he was also someone who had a friendship with influential persons all over the world.

And furthermore, that one, as a reincarnation from a different world, one who even have a unique skill.

ーーIn other words, he is the one who was leaving letters in every place of the labyrinth, the cheerful Ossan that was once a NEET.

Returning back to the main topic.

Inside the Interstice Labyrinth, in the middle of a difficult path.

The floor that he reached, it was clearly different to what there was up until now.

First, that floor was filled by the smell of ethanol for disinfection that is familiar to hospitals and etc.

Surrounding walls, floors, and ceilings that were all white. And strengthened glass.

There, it was clearly not of a fantasy world, and it was a place where it would be adequate to call it as something like a modern biochemical research facility.

A corridor that has only one way, the distance was so far away that around the end of it were blurry.

And walls at the right side, and in the left side, strengthened glass were placed, and you can observe that side from the wall.

First, what he saw first through the glass, were a capsule that has the size where one human individual could be placed inside it, one that is used for cold sleep in SF movies, and human that was sleeping inside the fluids.

Fully, without any gaps, it was a scenery as if eggs of insects were packed in one place.

When he used【Appraisal Eyes】, the ones that looked like sleeping humans, it said that they were homunculus(Also, things other than living beings, the magic tools in this facility, all of them couldn’t be appraised).

By the way, the thing called homunculus is an artificial living creature that is created from human sperm and blood cells using alchemy.

*KatsunKatsun*, the sound of his leather boots made echoed throughout the corridor.

When the next sight to his left side opens, there, one of the homunculus were being hanged in the air while inside the capsule.

And, while inside the capsule where they were still sleeping, just like a coliseum, they were confronting a low class dog type monster that is E-Rank class.

Inside the room that was full of white.

*Kishaー*, the monster that was about the size of a wolf moved towards the capsule while drooling.

And, from the capsule for cold sleep that enveloped the homunculus, one line of a flash.

Immediately after, *ZusuZusu*, the burnt corpse of the dog were lying there to its side.

He, having a special skill of level estimation, could observe that the homunculus’s level raised.

Was that attack done with the homunculus’s will, or was that an attack pre-programmed by the machine was unclear, but the decision was it was the homunculus’s win.

Without any sound, the homunculus’s capsule moved to somewhere, and the corpse of the monster was blasted away by the water flow and wind coming from the ends of the room.

And, the next homunculus’s capsule appeared from the ground, and was placed into a fixed position.

Next, a new monster fell from the ceiling to inside the room.

And, the monster moved towards the homunculus, and as if to repeat earlier, it was one shot by the flash.

Treasure Hunter, without knowing anything, all he could do was to watch that scene.

After he watched that for a while, he started to move forward silently.

In the next glass window, D-Rank, in the next glass window to that, C-Rank, and in the next glass window to that again, B-Rank monsters, they were being the victim by the homunculusーーprecisely, by the capsule that enveloped it.

And he saw the next glass window.

Homunculus and homunculus, they were confronting each other.

「With fully automatic……it means that they can’t use monsters more that A-Rank class huh. And leveling up with this kind of way……huh. Really……it’s sickening. These homunculi, they probably were already in a cold sleep as soon as they’re born……and would never even wake up……」

Even for him, he raised a voice filled with anger silently, and spit out what was the bone in his throat.

Homunculus that were facing the other homunculus.

Both of the homunculi, his guess was both of them were exceeding level 150.

And an abnormal situation occurred on one of the homunculi.

*Kasha*, with that sound, the capsule opened itself.

*Nuchari*, together with fluids, one naked homunculus were thrown to the floor.

That homunculus immediately woke up, butーーas the Treasure Hunter had guessed, it was forced to sleep from the time it was born, and this time, it was the first time that the homunculus woke up.

Not knowing the action of standing up, the homunculus could only flutter its hands and feet on the floor where the fluids were spreading.

Confusion, impatience, and anxiety.

To that homunculus that showed that expression, one shot of flash from the capsule.

The homunculus with its bare body became a burnt corpse, and the homunculus inside the capsule had its level go up.

And the scenery on the glass windows after that, homunculus vs homunculus were only continuing.

However, every time he moved forward, the homunculus’s levels raised certainly.

And the end of the corridor that he reached.

The level of the homunculus that ended its last fight, it has exceeded 500.

And, the magic circle placed in the middle of the room. The homunculus inside the capsule, moved without sounds, and was placed in the middle of that.

Andーーafter a blinding light, it was teleported to somewhere.

「……most probably, it was sent to the 『Clearing Front Line』. Dragon Claw Troupe. It is said that each one of them has an atrocious special unique skill. The kind of humans that are easily exchanged……then, to gain experience……the risk of dying must be extremely avoided. And what was devised there was really, even a baby could kill safely……capsule of experience points huh……really……what they’re doing is sickening」

While holding his light nausea, Treasure Hunter calmed his breathing.

And he placed his hand on the door knob that advances to the next floor.