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[Sandstorm Dungeon] used to be a rocky mountain with the appearance of remains (traces of what makes up the base of ruins). After the expansion of Viridis, they investigated the surroundings, and as a result, they discovered an underground labyrinth recently.
The first layer is roughly 1km x 700 meter floor with the shape of a shovel.
The edge of the shovel became the entrance. After crossing the passage which turned into the form of a maze, there is a straight corridor around the hand grip. Beyond that, there is a stair that led to a lower floor. After descending to that floor, there is a path shaped like the edge of a shovel except in the reverse direction. It descends steadily the same way as before.
The lowest floor which was confirmed is the tenth floor, where the escape transportation circle is, and if you haven’t registered a return point beyond that floor, you will be returned to the entrance automatically. If you had registered at a different location beforehand, you would have the option to travel elsewhere.
The main living monsters are sandworms, sand scorpions, poison bat, sand viper and those sorts of magical beasts, mummy, skeleton types of undead, as well as sand golem sort of magically created beings.
“-oh, is that so?”
“As- as a novice, you’re quite good, Hiyuki-san.”
While we were walking, Joey was impressed with the explanation I gave, and Fiore strangely was fired up her rivalry as a pro.
No, this sort of information is something which you could easily see in the guild if you looked it up, but you guys actually had intended to really go there without a plan huh.
“Speaking of which,” I stood next to – or more accurately, looking up at the towering Amazonian, I asked her, “Is it really fine to accompany us to past the time?”
“I don’t mind. To begin with, this is my main job. Also, I’m actually interested in this dungeon.”
The beastman adventurer (incidentally she seems to be an A rank adventurer) Chloe replied while twirling her beloved red staff – the Ruyi staff and laughed.
“ーand, speaking of which, what happened to the two people that were accompanying you?”
It’s probably about Tengai and Mikoto.
Chloe looked around, trying to search for them who had disappeared at one point despite indications they were still there.
“Ah, for the time being, they’re on standby.”
“Eh, since they were so serious, I thought they would properly object that you want to go to the dungeon, but they’re properly abiding your will, aren’t they.”
“If I had to share my opinion, you would always object to it.” Tengai’s dissatisfaction leaked out while he’s in the pet fusion. Speaking of which, Mikoto is on standby in the air, so Tengai was frank about his opinions.
Speaking of which, to better support Joey and the rest, I’ve worn the sacred equipment Rose of Secret: Blue Velvet, and the battledress “Warfaring Rose Anne Of Gaiastein” which I had obtained, and more, prepared for all sorts of things, and just in case, the go all out equipment (Since it’s saintess mode in pet fusion, Mikoto would have been a better choice, but Tengai had objected strongly.)
Well, it’s not clear what level of difficulty the Sandstorm Labyrinth is, if it has to be done, I could summon Kokuyou via shadow movement, it’s probably fine, I thought.
With such feelings, the four people walked, gossiping about the recent state of affairs. Well, Fiore is shy so she mostly talked to Joey, and around an hour, we reached Sandstorm Labyrinth.
As the eyes can see, it really feels like it became a dungeon when you put a pile of rocks together, and the earth had a hole cracked open, continuing into a stairwell.
Thus, there was a small shack at the entrance, and this is where they collect entrance fee and receive those who have paid for the entrance.
And then, we paid the entrance. Understanding that Joey and the girl didn’t carry any Cress Free Country’s currency, they exchanged the coins separately to be fair (I wonder what was he honestly intended to do here…) Moreover, we registered the time we’re entering the dungeon and the exit date the dungeon with a pen at the register.
Looking at the page before me unintentionally, there were names of those who came out of the dungeon were crossed out with double lines, but, within the ledger, the names of those who exceeded the scheduled time long ago still remaining on the list. It’s perhaps around the rate of one out of twenty people. Is this a lot? Or very little, it is difficult to discern.
And also, we bought a map of the dungeon since it was being sold there.
◆◇◆◇
At the point of entering the dungeon up to ten steps, they were confronted with a difficult problem.
“It’s dark, isn’t it, teacher.”
“It sure is. At Ala’s ancient ruins, no matter which floor you’re on, it’s bright.”
At the sight of the two of them who are stopped as they are stuck, unintentionally, under the dim light, Chloe and I looked at their faces.
Naturally, as a vampire, darkness doesn’t affect me.  (Speaking of which, it is more comfortable than under the blazing sunlight), as for Chloe, the light coming from the entrance is probably the same as broad daylight.
“Well, since it is a racial difference, nothing can be done.” we nodded to each other. – Nope, they could actually prepare beforehand if they knew about this earlier, I think.
And, the design of the ancient ruins at Ala could be too kind. If only it had a harsher environment to be experienced then it would be great.
“Wait, if I remember correctly, we brought lamps…”
Joey rummaged around for his things noisily, and near the foot of Fiore who tried to help, a poisonous viper approached. Without a word or sound, Chloe hit the poisonous sand viper with her Ruyi staff.
“If it’s to light up the area I can do something about it. — illuminating light.”
From the tip of the crescent moon model of Rose of Secret: Blue Velvet, a lump of light emerged, illuminating the area to make it seem like midday.
I nonchalantly threw that lump of light above our heads, and the light floated in the space right in between the four of us.
“I think this should last for half a day.” As I walked, the light also followed us.
“Ahh, what a convenient thing.”
“We’re saved thanks to Hiyuki tagging along.”
“Wha- what is this, this magic?! I’ve never heard of such a thing before…”
I responded to the three of their different reactions with a light shrug.
◆◇◆◇
Now that our sight is improved, there are no problems afterward. As we had a map, we advanced quickly through the first to the sixth floor.
Again, the monsters that came from this floor too, were the poisonous snake Sand Viper and sand scorpions as large as puppies, Poison bats which are effective with physical attacks. Because they are easy opponents, I entrust them to Joey’s sword and Fiore’s magic, and we only help out when there is a situation they can’t handle.
It’s just that, the only exception is the Sand Worm which appears on the 5th Floor. Just recalling it makes me sick, the thoughts of that sand-colored earth or ragworm monster. It’s impossible for me mentally.
At the moment when they entered the small room, the sandworm raised its head from the floor of sand. Me and Fiore who I’m not familiar with had screamed “KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” Hugging each other while screaming, we were in a frozen state.
And instead of me who was not considered part of the battle force, Joey and Chloe chopped and crushed it while yelling, and thanks to that they were bathed in greenish blue fluids …
“Gyaaaaa!!!”
And, once again, we screamed together, but as expected that was improper so we are reflecting on what we’d done.
It was a small mercy that the sandworm only appeared once.
Temporarily, Joey and Chloe were washed with water by Fiore’s magical spell, and afterward, she apologizes as she bows.
Later, there will be blank areas and small mistakes on the 6~8th floors of the map, our speed will have to decrease, and the monsters that will appear here will be mummies or skeletons and such which are the undead types, Joey’s magical sword of light will surely be of use.
“As expected of teacher!”
Fiore had cheered, but as she had changed her magic to a fire type which is effective against undead, an attack of quick wit and adaptability, Joey isn’t that much to be impressed of.
With such feelings, we somehow made it to the ninth floor, where we rested on the stairs that leads us further inside.
◆◇◆◇
“Starting from the ninth floor it’s completely blank.” spreading the dungeon map, I sighed.
What’s written were just scribbles of “The monsters on ninth floor are golems, sand golems, etc.” and “The boss of the tenth floor is Sphinx.”
“Golems, huh? My sword is not suitable towards dealing with them.”
In this case, it’s almost the same as dealing with the Rock in a game of scissors paper stone.
Well, if it’s to split rocks with purely sword skills, or to brute strength it with force is different, for Joey’s case, it isn’t enough for either one of them.
“Could always destroy the cores that are their center. As for the method, Fiore ojou-chan attack the main body with magical power, and Joey distracts it, gradually cut it down, destroying its leg, and once the core is found, and to chop it down is the way to go right.” Chloe suggested this method for now.
Joey nodded as if he understood her comment, but when Fiore heard it, she bit her lips and looked down.
“It’s not possible.”
Before long a voice leaked out from her mouth as if it was gone as it entered.
With a smile as if she was going to cry, Fiore answered, “I do, but it’s not possible.”
From there, turning her eyes devoid of envy or admiration at me, she said, “You’ve noticed it, haven’t you, Hiyuki-san. That I’m just a half-baked magic caster.”
“…”
“Even though I can construct magic spells, compared to the magical power behind instantaneous casting and the combined magical strength the difference is bigger. It’s fine if it’s a small magical beast but if it’s a golem, I’ll be unable to deal any damage to it. I’m just a powerless magic caster.
“Um, but, didn’t you use magic properly earlier?”
“Yes, teacher. My condition today just seem to be good. But this is thanks to Hiyuki-san’s buff isn’t it?”
“…it’s true, I’ve cast buffs which boosts magic casting.”
“I’m envious. Very much so.” Fiore murmured as she looked down.
—–