Dungeon Site and the Final Clue – Part 01
Dungeon Site and the Final Clue – Part 01
Dungeon Site and the Final Clue – Part 01
News of the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas flying through the sky plunged the Man Gnome village into sheer terror. Fearing an attack on their hidden village, the elders declared martial law, ordering everyone to stay indoors.
Except for Raiga’s team, who were investigating the dungeon, members of Distant Girdle scattered across different countries were also summoned back to the village. The elders, along with the Attending Awls, locked themselves in the council chamber for discussions. Occasionally, the director of Ultimate Mirk would lumber to the hall to join them.
“This is ridiculous,” Distant Girdle’s Rikido, also known as Granryuk, muttered to himself as he strolled through the quiet village. Windows that were normally open had been shut, and despite residents being indoors, the village seemed uninhabited.
Due to Granryuk’s unauthorized act of sending Hikaru outside, his tally for the Black Wedge Gate had been confiscated, and he was placed under house arrest, which he was currently violating. Not that he had a lot of places to go to in this small village. While other members of Distant Girdle were reuniting with their families in seclusion, Granryuk found himself alone. He had parents but no wife or children, making times like these particularly lonely.
“Maybe I should get married.”
“Oh? Is there someone you like?”
Startled by a response to his soliloquy, he turned around.
“Don’t scare me like that, Yoshino.”
“What do you mean? You’re right in front of the institute.”
“Oh.”
He realized he had walked all the way to the research facility.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at home?”
“I stay at the lab. It’s the same thing.”
“That’s a stretch.”
“There are others like me.”
Yoshino opened the institute’s door, revealing several people engrossed in research inside. It seemed like most were staying at home.
“Any developments on the situation?”
“Not much. There’s only so much we can learn in this facility.”
“I doubt the elders know much either. Calling back the Distant Girdle to the village will only keep us in the dark.”
“Are you planning to call them out on their decision? You’ve got guts.”
“Oh, please. Weren’t you at the Black Wedge Gate with us?”
“Yeah, thanks for the save.” Yoshino smiled.
Since she was present at the time, suspicions naturally arose about whether she had cooperated with Silver Face or betrayed the village. But Granryuk insisted he had dragged her out against her own will. Since Yoshino didn’t really have a tally, she wasn’t punished.
“Say, Yoshino.”
“Don’t say any more.”
“Huh?”
“You’re probably planning to do something risky. You wandered to the institute muttering about wanting to get married, so you must be really troubled.”
The Man Gnomes lived in a small society, so Yoshino understood Granryuk quite well.
“I didn’t say I wanted to get married. I was wondering if I should get married.”
“Same difference. If you didn’t want to, you wouldn’t be thinking about it.”
“Anyway.”
“Oh, spare me.”
“Can I borrow the tally you keep here in the institute?”
“…”
Yoshino fell silent. Granryuk regarded her gravely.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Tallies are only issued to the Distant Girdle. And the elders keep a few for emergencies.”
“You guys study the tally. There’s no way you wouldn’t have one.”
“We weren’t making much progress on it, so we returned it to the elders.”
“Did you know? When you lie, you tend to cross your arms and look away.”
“…”
Arms crossed, Yoshino turned her gaze back to Granryuk.
“Why, you…”
Just before she could burst into anger, Granryuk swiftly bowed his head.
“Please! Like I said, the only way to truly understand the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas is to go there in person. The Distant Girdle needs to take action!”
“Raiga is already there.”
“Wouldn’t two people gather more accurate information than just one?”
“…”
“Just tell me where the tally is. I’ll handle the rest on my own.”
“…”
Yoshino remained silent for a while, then turned away and walked off. Granryuk sighed heavily, believing he had failed to persuade her. Maybe he had rushed things.
After watching Silver Face confidently head towards Bios, I can’t just sit around under house arrest in the village.
Granryuk regretted not going to Bios with Silver Face back then. He had stayed behind to avoid causing trouble for Yoshino.
“You’re still bowing your head?”
“Huh?”
Startled, Granryuk saw Yoshino’s feet. He looked up to find her standing there, letting out a weary sigh.
“Here’s your tally.”
Granryuk’s eyes grew wide. She handed him a leather pouch just big enough for the item. As he reached for it…
“No.” She swiftly yanked it back. “You can have it on one condition.”
“Wh-What do you want?”
She grinned. It was the most charming smile Granryuk had ever seen from her.
“I don’t trust a bunch of musclebrains to gather information on sorcery. We need someone knowledgeable, like a researcher.”
“Uh…”
Granryuk’s gut stirred. Yoshino found his twitching face amusing.
“In other words, taking me along is the condition. Escorting a lone researcher should be a piece of cake for the highly skilled Distant Girdle, right?”
The shrine was discovered by soldiers from Einbiest. Encamped on the outskirts of Agiapole for an extended period, the bored Beastmen had ventured into the nearby forest to hunt wild animals, where they stumbled upon it. According to them, the shrine hadn’t been there before.
Upon receiving this news, Hikaru and Paula visited the Einbiest camp to ask for directions.
“Hey.”
They were greeted by Gerhardt, standing with his arms crossed. Though appearing fully recovered and commanding, Hikaru’s Life Detection showed a significantly diminished life force. He must have literally burned through it in his days-long battle against the gigantic Chimera.
“You look well,” Hikaru said anyway.
“Good one.” Gerhardt studied Hikaru with narrowed eyes. “You’ve gotten stronger again, haven’t you?”
Following Gerhardt into one of the tents, they were introduced to a Simian Beastman who had found the shrine. His face resembled a hairy human, but his arms were unusually long.
“Let’s get straight to it, then. Show us to the—”
“Hold that thought.”
“Hmm?”
“Come inside,” Gerhardt said.
Just then, Jillarte entered the tent. Hikaru was surprised to see her fully armed, carrying a large backpack ready for a long journey.
“Silver Face, take Jillarte with you.”
“But why? She’s the deputy leader, isn’t she?”
“Einbiestians stick their necks into fascinating matters, regardless of titles. Since I’ve recovered, I figured I should let Jillarte go outside. She’s been holding the fort for a while.”
Hikaru had informed Einbiest’s army that he was only examining the shrine, but Gerhardt’s earnest request suggested they understood it was no ordinary place of worship.
Jillarte is strong, that’s for sure, but still.
They were up against Soaarunay Saak and the Saak family’s legacy. Hikaru honestly had no idea what might happen.
“Silver Face, I’ve grown stronger too,” Jillarte said. “I won’t drag you down.”
“I’m not doubting your abilities.”
“I think you are. You’re worried something might happen to me. That I could get seriously injured or be in mortal danger.”
That was exactly it. Hikaru was hesitant to bring her along because he wasn’t sure if he could even take care of himself, but Jillarte took it as him not wanting her to be in danger.
“Could you spar with me?” Jillarte asked.
“Spar?”
“If you see how strong I’ve become, I’m sure you’ll understand.”
“Huh? But…”
“Sounds fun! Go for it!” Gerhardt urged.
Hikaru found himself facing Jillarte in the camp’s clearing.
Soon, they were surrounded by dozens of Beastman soldiers and even temple guards.
“Who do you think will win?”
“Clearly Jillarte. Who’s that guy anyway?”
“Wanna bet?”
“Great idea.”
Hikaru wondered when they had all become friends.
I know she’s gotten stronger.
Hikaru had already checked Jillarte’s Soul Board.
【Soul Board】Jillarte Kostenlos Jäger
Age: 19 | Rank: 31 | 4
【Vitality】
【Natural Recovery】4
【Stamina】4
【Strength】
【Muscle Strength】5
【Weapon Mastery】
【Sword】4
【Shortsword】1
【Armor】2
【Agility】
【Power Burst】3
【Flexibility】1
【Balance】3
【Dexterity】
【Dexterity】1
【Willpower】
【Mental Strength】4
【Charisma】5
【Instinct】
【Instinct】2
Her Soul Rank had gone up by four. She had unlocked Dexterity and put a point on it, Shortsword, and Flexibility, proving her dedication to expanding her combat skills.
Once known solely for her skill with longswords, Jillarte now wore a short sword at her waist. This secondary weapon allowed her to engage in close combat and served as a backup in case her longsword failed.