Chapter 21 Hidden Dungeon, Tried Diving In (Easy)
One day at the Adventurer's Guild [Divine Gemstone], I was called by the receptionist Niina-san.
There, S-rank adventurer Aerial-san and the members of the party [Twilight Dragon] were gathered.
"Leaf-san, I have a request. We want you to accompany them and dive into a hidden dungeon."
"A hidden dungeon...?"
I had never heard of the term before.
My buddy Mercury-san explained it to me at our lodging.
"Occasionally, hidden dungeons are discovered within dungeons. Those tend to have really high levels of difficulty."
"Why me for a high difficulty dungeon? I'm still only ranked F..."
S-rank Aerial-san answered my question.
"Actually, some guild members haven't returned from the hidden dungeon. Plus, a distress signal was sent."
"A distress signal... Isn't that a magic tool provided by the guild?"
I got one when I entered here too.
It's like a magic tool scroll. When you put magic power into it during an emergency, you can let the guild know about the danger.
With the buddy system and all, I really felt like they were nice to rookies.
It's like they care about each other.
"I see, since you received a distress signal from them who went into the hidden dungeon, Aerial-san and the others are going to help. So, you're saying I should go with you?"
"That's a relief to hear, Leaf-kun. It's better to have someone who can provide treatment if there are any injured."
I thought a healer should go, but apparently there's no skilled healer who can handle the hidden dungeon.
Even if they bring a healer, if they can't protect themselver, they'll just be a burden.
...Huh?
"Sure, I can heal injured people, but I'm not exactly an expert. I'm just a F-rank Pharmacist."
Aerial-san and Niina-san chuckled, while Mercury-san sighed and said,
"When will you realize how exceptional YOU AREEE!"
"Well, Mercury, you got your hands full... But he sure is humble."
"You'd say he's humble, but it's because the elders in his village are so extraordinary that his sense of normality is messed up..."
A messed-up sense of normality?
Could that be true? I don't know. But it's true that the elder people are strong. I'm weak (that's the conclusion).
"This request can only be handled by Leaf-san. Please!"
Niina-san bowed her head.
This guild is kind to newcomers. One of its members is in trouble. There's no way I won't help.
Master also said to use that power for the sake of others.
"I got it! I'll follow along!"
Everyone cheered.
"I might be a burden, but please take care of me!"
Everyone made a subtle face. Why?
And so, I headed towards the hidden dungeon for the rescue.
* * *
The dungeon we were aiming for was located in a forest not far from the capital city.
A dungeon, also known as a labyrinth.
It seems to be a dangerous place with monsters and traps everywhere, causing many adventurers to lose their lives.
The hidden dungeon is said to be an even more dangerous dungeon that randomly appears in such places.
"Is this your first time in a dungeon, Leaf-kun? That's surprising."
Mercury-san, who is walking beside me, asked.
"Yes. Training and herb gathering were all done in Abyss Wood. [Dungeons] are new to me."
"Oh, I see. I kind of get how things will go from here..."
Mercury-san seems really worn out.
I wonder if she's tired from getting here.
"Want some Elixir to drink?"
"Thanks... Just stop teasing me already... sigh"
Mercury-san drinks the elixir with a gulp.
I made enough stock before coming here.
"But, is it okay? Dungeons are dangerous, right? It's my first time in a dungeon, so I'm a little worried."
"You'll be fine, Leaf-kun. If you can't handle it, then we're in trouble."
"Huh! I'm not okay?"
"That's right! You're the strongest, so if you can't handle it, then NOBODY CANNNN!"
"But, I'm not that strong."
"UGHHH!"
As Mercury-san writhes in agony...
Aerial-san, leading the way, stops and looks at us with a serious expression.
Have we arrived? Uh, I'm getting nervous.
"This wall is actually fake."
As Aerial-san puts his hand on the wall, it slides open... and he goes inside.
Wow, it's like Old Man Sasuke. His ninja skills, like passing through walls.
"The wall is disguised with illusion magic."
Mercury-san also goes into the wall. I followed after them.
Unlike the bare earth dungeon from earlier, inside was surrounded by mysterious glowing blue-white minerals.
"From here, we need to be careful not only of monsters, but also of traps."
"Yes! Oh, Aerial-san!"
"What's wrong, Leaf-kun?"
"There's some sort of sulfuric acid trap at your feet..."
Click!
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
"AERIALLLLLLL!"
It's bad!
Aerial-san got caught in a trap.
Suddenly, a hole opened up under his feet and he fell.
I jumped into the trap right away.
"Leaf-kun!? Hey, it's a sulfuric acid TRAPPPPP!?"
I caught Aerial-san in midair.
Then I tossed him up to safety.
"Aerial-san, are you ok?"
Aerial-san was safely caught by our friends waiting above. Phew, that was good.
SPLASHHHHH!
"Oh no! Leaf-kun fell into the sulfur trap!"
"We need to help him now!"
"It's too late... He fell into a pit filled with sulfuric acid. He'll be dissolved in an instant..."
"Huh? But I'm still alive though?"
I climbed out of the pit.
Mercury-san and Aerial-san looked shocked.
"Why are you still alive?"
"Why do you ask? Well, I have a Poison Immunity constitution."
As part of training to become a pharmacist, I have been ingesting many poisonous plants and substances since I was young.
I have gained complete immunity to all kinds of poisons.
"Oh, I see...Leaf-kun, even after taking the Hydra's Acid Antidote, you were perfectly fine. So sulfuric acid wouldn't affect you now..."
"P-Phew, I'm glad you're safe...thank you for saving me."
Aerial-san bows deeply.
"No, helping out your friends is only natural! There's no need for thanks! It's good that your clothes didn't get dirty."
"Hey, you! It's not enough if your clothes get dirty! If you had dived into sulfuric acid!"
"Oh, I didn't realize that."
"That's right! Normally you would melt and die!"
"Huh? But I'm still alive?"
"You're not normal at all!!!! Can't you hear me? Are your ears clogged!?"
"I can hear you! There's no sulfuric acid stuck in my ears!"
"That's not what I meant!"
Mercury-san held her head in her hands and crouched down.
Oh, by the way, my clothes are not melting from sulfuric acid. The cloak of my master I'm wearing is super sturdy, it won't tear or melt at all.
Meanwhile, Aerial-san had a trembling expression and said with a pale face, "I'm glad I survived before splashing into the acid!"
"By the way, Leaf-kun, how did you notice the trap?"
"I have a good nose. I've been sniffing out herbs in the forest and collecting them."
"I see... so you sniffed out the smell of sulfuric acid. Impressive."
If there are more traps ahead, my nose might come in handy.
It feels good to be useful to others!
"Oh, you poor hidden dungeon's traps... we have a monster with a sense of smell around here."
"A monster with a sense of smell? Who are you talking about?"
"You... It's about YOUUUUUUU!"
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