Chapter 5: Friends

The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter — LNCrawler · All chapters

Chapter 5:
Friends

“HOW DO YOU DO, SIR, I’m Noir Stardia. Say, I just want to make sure, but what’s the last thing you remember?”

“Remember? Ooh! That’s right! Yes, I got attacked by that disgusting zombie and was running for my life, and…huh. I don’t remember anything after that.”

“That’s probably because you were turned into a zombie.”

“Wh-what?”

“I’m afraid you were infected by that very zombie, and you’ve been one for three hundred and fifty years. But I just used one of my skills to cure you.”

Vashelle seemed to be in shock. So shocked, in fact, that tears and snot streamed down his face. “S-so, that means I’m already a three-hundred-and-eighty-year-old grandpa?! Please tell me this is a joke.”

“Well, you look plenty young on the outside. Maybe you didn’t age while you were under the influence of the contagion?”

“Seriously?! Oof, that’s good news, at least. You said your name was Noir, right? Sorry to ask, but would you be willing to escort me back to the first floor? I’ve had quite enough of this dungeon.”

“Of course. But first we need to go to the fifth floor, where your dear friend Tigerson is waiting for you!” I said in a cheerful tone.

I mean, he was going to be reunited with a cool friend like Tigerson, who wouldn’t be stoked about that? But Vashelle froze.

“Seriously?” He clutched his head and sank to the floor, wailing.

He seemed a little, uh, emotionally unstable. And here I thought elves were supposed to be even-tempered.

“Tigerson’s still waiting for me? It’s been three hundred and fifty years, hasn’t it?”

“Yup. But he’s been faithfully waiting for your return. He followed your order to the letter and hasn’t ever left the fifth floor.”

“No way… How can he be so…” Vashelle’s eyes filled with tears as he was overcome with emotion. “Tigerson was just a random nickname, you know, but he liked it so much… I know he looks intimidating, but he’s a really sweet guy. We met before we came here, when he saved me from a monster attack. He almost left without saying a word, but I stopped him and asked him to be my friend and comrade.”

Apparently, at Vashelle’s request, Tigerson’s face had filled with awed delight. At that moment, Tigerson said: <I’ve never had a friend before.>

“I originally entered this dungeon so I could propose to my hometown sweetheart,” Vashelle explained.

“You were looking for a ring?”

“I was after an even greater treasure, in fact, and Tigerson was kind enough to accompany me.”

Tigerson’s skills were powerful even against the rigors of the hidden dungeon, and they quickly made it to the fifth floor. But by then, Vashelle was starting to feel guilty about his lack of contribution to the party.

“I hadn’t done a single thing. That’s why I wanted to tackle the sixth floor on my own. I mean, can you really call yourself a friend if you’re always the one being protected?”

I felt a weight sliding off my shoulders as I learned the whole story. Tigerson hadn’t been abandoned, after all.

“Noir, no, Mr. Noir, I beg of you, please take me to Tigerson!” Vashelle bowed his head deeply.

There was no way I could say no. Plus, reuniting these two comrades was why I was here to begin with.

“Of course. Come on, let’s get going.”

“Thanks!”

I escorted Vashelle straight to the stairs, taking care to look out for zombies on the way. And at the top of the stairs to the fifth floor, waiting for us, was Tigerson. Frankly, he looked adorable.

<My friend! You are safe!> Tigerson roared for joy and bounded forward to nuzzle Vashelle.

“Tigerson! You’re such a dummy! How could you wait here for three hundred and fifty years?!”

“Come on, I mean…oh…fine! I guess we’re both idiots in our own way.”

Tigerson and Vashelle rejoiced in their reunion as I watched with a big smile. Then Vashelle remembered something and the atmosphere changed abruptly.

“Listen to me, Tigerson,” said Vashelle.

“I think I want to give up on exploring this dungeon.”

<Hmph, I think that is a very good idea. I believe this dungeon is far too dangerous.>

“And, uh…I think I should go back to my hometown. I’m sure my sweetheart has found another man by now, but just in case…”

I guess there was a chance she was still waiting for him? The one problem was that Vashelle’s hometown was in elf territory, where other species weren’t permitted.

“So, well, this might be goodbye for us…”

Tigerson was clearly hiding how he felt. Vashelle’s face, on the other hand, was full of emotion.

“Life is finite,” he said in a pained tone. “Yet I wasted three hundred and fifty years of yours. I’m so sorry.”

“From now on, I want you to use your time for your own sake, Tigerson. This is a request as your friend.”

Tigerson knelt and Vashelle climbed on his back. They invited me to join, but I turned them down.

“I’ll wait at the entrance for you,” I told them. “Watch out for monsters.”

With that, I used my Dungeon Elevator skill to return to the first floor and left the dungeon. They probably had a lot to catch up on, so I figured it was better to give them some quality time with just the two of them.

After a pretty long while, Vashelle and Tigerson arrived at the dungeon entrance looking at peace with themselves and each other. They must have spent their time together well. Vashelle got down off Tigerson’s back. It was time for them to part.

“I guess this is goodbye.”

“When things calm down, I promise I’ll come see you again. Stay safe.”

<Hmph, I shall. My health is my one redeeming quality, after all.>

“Ha ha, you said it. And as for you Mr. Noir, I have nothing but gratitude. When next we meet, I promise to bring you delicious food and fine goods from my country.”

“I can’t wait.”

“And could I ask you to look after Tigerson? Unlike myself, he has no family to speak of.”

“I’m not sure I’m a fitting replacement for you, Vashelle.”

“All right, then. Well, I just want to say that I had a great deal of fun exploring the dungeon with you, Tigerson.”

Together, we watched Vashelle walk off down the road. He turned around several times to wave at us and, each time, Tigerson let out a howl of goodbye. Once Vashelle was entirely out of sight, Tigerson turned to me.

<Noir, I must thank you. Come visit me in the future that I might repay you properly.>

“No, no, you don’t owe me anything. But what are you going to do now?”

“Oh, well, okay.”

<Goodbye,> he said and returned to the dungeon.

There was something heartbreaking about watching him just up and return. I started wondering if he was telling the truth about having forgotten something. It was entirely possible he was just putting on a brave face.

I stood there for almost an hour, trying to figure out whether I should follow him. Ultimately, I marched back inside and used my Dungeon Elevator skill to go straight to the fifth floor. I proceeded carefully down the large hall, keeping an eye out for giant ants.

I had nothing to worry about.

“Holy crap, is this all Tigerson?”

The level was littered with monster corpses. I kept going, taking care not to trip over any of them.

As I went, I heard a moaning. I tiptoed toward it, nervous to meet the source, until I stopped in my tracks. Tigerson was facing one of the back walls, howling at the ceiling.

No…he wasn’t howling. He was crying.

I walked up behind him and touched his back. His fur was plush and thick.

“Tigerson… You really miss Vashelle, don’t you?”

“You’re not weak. Anyone would be sad. You know what? If you’d have me, I’d love to be your friend, too. Not to replace Vashelle, but maybe it’d make you feel a little better not to be alone.”

“Yeah. Only if you want to, of course.”

Tigerson fell silent for a while and then turned toward me. He looked me square in the eye. <There is…nothing of particular interest in being my friend.>

“You said you wanted to repay me, right? Well, this’ll do just fine.”

<Oh…I see. Then from today forward, you are my friend, Noir. Climb upon my back.> Tigerson knelt down and I got on up. The view really was fantastic.

“Got it! Let’s go!”

Tigerson dashed on through the dungeon as I held on tight, reveling in his luxurious mane. It really did feel amazing.