The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter - Chapter 128

 

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Weasalopes”

 

Master was suffering……

 

Using【Item Appraisal】 I investigate the cursed chains of death restraining the master.

 

Rank S. Share life with the target.

 

I knew that, after all, master told me about that before. She would die if I cut the chains.

 

Could it be that they also bring pain?

 

「Master, are you constantly feeling pain? Or is it something temporary?」

 

『You still believe that? Aren’t you cute, Noir-kun.』

 

No good, huh. I don’t think that she will say how it is even if I press her for an answer.

 

She isn’t a person to make others feel depressed by telling them a thing they can do nothing about.

 

For now, I stopped questioning her about the curse of death chains.

 

『Rather than that. Aren’t you neglecting Olivia for too long? Please limit neglect play to bedroom only.』

 

「I’m relieved that you are the same as always. I’ve encountered a lot of troubles during the trip.」

 

『Do tell me! Primarily about your one-night stands!』

 

You know that I’m not a man who’d do that, don’t you!

 

And while mixing in some jokes I told her about what happened during the trip. Seems like master had fun listening.

 

Thus, I ended up asking her advice about S. Was I wrong in my choice. She answered frankly, without even thinking about it much.

 

『It’s not like correct and wrong answers always exist. Though popular opinion might say that it’s wrong, it might be a just thing for you personally. But I think I would’ve done the same as you. If adventurer Olivia was still active.』

 

「Yes!」

 

I nod with a smile. With just one phrase she cleared all of the doubts I had on my heart.

 

After all, she is my master.

 

Parting with her by saying that I surely will come again I go to the 7th floor next. Using【Dungeon Portal】I get all the way down there in one go.

 

It’s useful, but after using it I have to wait for an hour before I can activate it again. And it looks like it won’t be possible to edit it to make repeated use possible. The required LP is too high.

 

Naturally, I came to the 7th floor to meet with Dori-chan.

 

Walking through the floor full of greenery I search for her.

 

Finding a green-haired girl of about seven or eight years old I run up to her.

 

「Dori-chan, have you been well?」

 

「Noir-chan! You came again.」

 

She is a dryad, so generally, she would be considered a monster. But her appearance was that of a young girl. Her character also was kind, truly soothing.

 

Taking my hand she starts spinning in place like in a dance.

 

As I went along since she seemed to have fun, my head began to spin.

 

「Whooooa… The world is spinning.」

 

「Spinny spinny go away!」

 

Gently brushing my head said Dori-chan. This is really relaxing.

 

Walking through the forest with Dori-chan I have a carefree time. It seems that Dori-chan remembered something important when it came to the time to go back.

 

「I thought that I have to tell you.」

 

「Tell me anything.」

 

「Actually, from time to time a strange monster appears on this floor.」

 

Since it sounded odd I ask her for more details.

 

Though she called it a monster, it actually resembled a human and had a red horse as a mount.

 

Human in shape, iron mask, armed with a sword.

 

Appearing from the dimensional distortion it would observe the surroundings for a while. If it concludes that there is an enemy nearby it would attack.

 

A few wolf-type monsters were spotted once but were slain in a matter of seconds.

 

「What about Dori-chan?」

 

「It saw me as well, but immediately left, showing no interest.」

 

Was she spared because she looks like a little girl? No, I doubt that a monster capable of such thinking can be found in this dungeon.

 

It could be that it’s simply interested only in strong opponents.

 

Anyway, it began appearing recently. Is it somehow related to my advance through this dungeon……?

 

「I will be careful, but you Dori-chan also shouldn’t get near it.」

 

「I will be careful.」

 

Patting her head before parting I then left the dungeon.

 

◇ ◆ ◇

 

It’s completely night.

 

Half running I enter the living room of our house.

 

The family already finished the meal. I often come back late, so I told them to eat without me if I won’t show up on time.

 

「You’re back, Noir. I’ll get the meal ready.」

 

「Mother, I will help as well.」

 

When I tried to enter the kitchen I felt a weird stare. It’s Alice.

 

For some reason, she was glaring at me.

 

「What’s wrong?」

 

「…Nothing.」

 

Turning away she went up to the second floor.

 

She seems angry. She rarely shows such an attitude. Usually, she would be taking initiative and would prepare dinner for me by herself.

 

I asked parents and Toramaru about the cause, but it seems no one knew the reason for this.

 

Well, she also might have days when she’s not in the mood.

 

If I leave her alone, she would get over it by tomorrow morning.

 

But such naive thinking was disproven the next day.

 

Leaving the room upon waking up I saw her leaving her room as well, so tapping her on the shoulder I greet her. That very instant Alice snapped.

 

「Please don’t touch me!」

 

「So-sorry…」

 

「Onii-sama is selfish. Really, why are you so!」

 

「……Ehm, I apologize if I did something wrong.」

 

「Do you actually think that? In that case please don’t leave the house anymore and hole up in the safety of your room.」

 

Eeeeeeeeeeeeh, is she asking me to become a shut-in? Alice seemed quite angry, as she didn’t look me into the eyes.

 

What displeased her so much……? For Alice to get angry, it has to be something big.

 

She immediately left for school after breakfast was over. A bit dejected I follow after her.

 

「Good morning, let’s walk together!」

 

Emma runs along the road with a smile. They are swaying. I still lack discipline, since my eyes immediately go to her chest.

 

「Where are you looking? My face is here.」

 

While I was still staring downwards, Emma grasped my head and raised it, beaming with a smile. Unlike Alice, she is in a great mood.

 

「C’mon, let’s make LP.」

 

「Eh, aah, yes.」

 

*Squeeeeze* Emma’s hugs were a daily routine. But this one was pretty long.

 

I’m happy about this, but passers-by are staring at us, so it’s a bit embarrassing.

 

「If only Alice’s mood was just as good as yours.」

 

「She’s angry? Isn’t that unusual?」

 

I make a feeble nod. Even without me asking, Emma thought about possible reasons for that.

 

And it seems that the following was her conclusion.

 

「It’s probably because you keep getting yourself in danger. And Alice wants her brother to be safe and sound.」

 

That seems very probable. When I came back she was incredibly happy.

 

Thinking calmly, she might’ve taken that stance after realizing that I might waltz into danger once again.

 

「I’ll talk with her when I get a chance.」

 

「Do you best, wahahaha.」

 

「Aren’t you in high spirits.」

 

「Wanna hear? Then let’s hold hands, like when we were kids.」

 

No problem. Holding hands we go to school. Apparently, the reason for such a good mood was that she found a four-leaf clover.

 

Finding one can bring you happiness with your loved one.

 

It seems to be common-sense among a certain portion of girls.

 

「Women’s happiness, huh…」

 

This reminds me, I wonder what is happiness for the master. She doesn’t seem like a type to settle with loving one man only.

 

Is it living as she pleases? Then her current captured state should be incredibly painful for her.

 

「Emma. I’m going to use Great Sage, can I count on you if the headache comes?」

 

「Sure thing. So, what are you going to ask?」

 

「It’s about those hateful chains that bound master.」

 

Great SageーーI want to break cursed chains of death that hold Olivia in the Infinite Labyrinth. The way to crush them without killing Olivia?

 

【It seems to be on the 15th floor.】

 

Seems to?

 

Great Sage, what is the trick to it?

 

【Unknown】

 

I started to feel a bit of a throbbing headache.

 

【Great Sage】tends to give more pain the more difficult the question is.

 

If I didn’t have the resistance it probably would’ve been a very intense one.

 

On top of it, it’s rough that the backlash still occurred even though it didn’t know the answer. Seeing my expression Emma promptly kissed me.

 

The pain subsided thanks to that. Thanks as always.

 

「It seems that the question was quite serious.」

 

「Yes, but I found the clue.」

 

I don’t know the mechanics behind it yet, but some hint should be on the 15th floor. Although, it only seems to be there, so there is nothing concrete.

 

【Great Sage】also isn’t perfect. I shouldn’t put too much trust in it.

 

Anyway, next is the conquest of the 12th floor, so the 15th floor isn’t that far.

 

Which reminds me, a lot of weapons were lying around on the 12th floor… Ugh, my head starts to hurt again, so I’ll just stop thinking about it.

 

Now, today’s school was truly ordinary.

 

「ORA ORA ORA ORA! You aren’t running enough! In the end, you can rely only on your body! So first and foremost you should get stamina, what comes after it is stamina, and then stamina and stamina again!」

 

I feel like Professor Elna works us harder and harder day by day.

 

We are endlessly running around the campus, while people that drop out get their butts struck. Half of the people threw up when we were finally down.

 

Next, the teacher prepared a bow and target.

 

「Short dash, pick up the bow and hit the target.」

 

With a bow, one can make a long-distance attack.

 

But in real combat one actually ends looking for a chance while running around and only then shooting.

 

We perform the exercise in turns, one by one. The first boy dashed forth and back, and still breathing heavily shot an arrow.

 

The arrow flies towards the sky. It doesn’t hit anywhere near the target.

 

He does it one more time. We get two attempts this time.

 

「Yeah, zero points.」

 

「Hii?!」

 

The boy’s ass was kicked somewhat strongly. Harsh. However, as we became nervous, the teacher gave us words of encouragement.

 

「This much is nothing. In practice, you can get killed after taking a hit in such a situation. Put your spirit into it! Next, Noir Stalgia.」

 

「Yes.」

 

I make a short dash and return. Immediately pick up the bow and nock an arrow. Fuu, fuuu, it’s fine. As long as I stay calm there is no way for me to miss a target 10 meters away. Go.

 

ーーBullseye!

 

「He hit that?!」

 

「Noir-san, aren’t you training in secret too much?!」

 

「And right in the middle of the target!」

 

Classmates made a pleasant racket. Getting praised so much is a bit embarrassing.

 

I’ll keep quiet about getting【Archery S】during the trip.

 

Even Professor Elna seemed to be a bit surprised.

 

「…Passed with one hit. You grew a lot during the summer vacation.」

 

「A lot happened……」

 

A lot of strong people were there.