Volume 2 Chapter 7 Unnamed Upper Layer Area
Making sure not to lose sight of the adventurers' party, we left the town and headed into the eastern forest. We kept our distance from the four of them and followed while hiding.
To venture deeper into the dungeon, we had no choice but to have someone defeat the monster. It's definitely not safe and there are many problems. If we're found, we might be seen as suspicious, or worse, we could be attacked. But right now, it's absolutely necessary to get hold of the book.
Our client, Albert, is a lord. If we can prove that we're useful, we might get more work. There's also a possibility of getting a job through recommendations. For that, we need materials for negotiation.
We observe the adventurers. The four of them are talking as they head deeper into the forest. They've already passed the point where they collected herbs, and they haven't encountered any monsters yet, so things are going smoothly for now.
As we hope that everything continues without any trouble, there was movement. We hid in the shadow of a big tree, watching the situation closely.
"...Did they notice us?"
"It should be fine, but it might be better to hide just in case."
The adventurers were constantly on alert, wary of their surroundings. It seemed they hadn't noticed us tailing them, as they investigated a location far from where we were. Eventually, they seemed to confirm it was safe and started moving again.
"They seemed awfully concerned about our surroundings. I wonder what it was."
"I don't know. Let's keep our distance and continue forward."
I almost blurted out that it might be a den of vicious monsters, but I decided to keep quiet to avoid Leanne changing her mind.
"Look. There's something drawn on the trunk of the tree."
"This is..."
On two large trees standing across the road, there were several red symbols composed of circles. I didn't know what they meant, but the paint looked like blood, which gave me an eerie feeling.
"It doesn't seem like a trap."
"There's no point in thinking too deeply about it now. Let's move forward before we lose sight of them."
As we ventured further, a large horizontal cave finally appeared. It seemed to be the entrance they had been aiming for, the entrance to the dungeon.
The adventurers lit their torches and lanterns that they had prepared and disappeared into the darkness without hesitation.
"We've arrived, it seems."
"Are we really going in? If you want to reconsider, now's the time."
"It's too late to turn back now."
"Yeah."
"Are you dissatisfied?"
"I am, but even if one of us is missing, it's over at that point. Do you think you can survive alone?"
"I can't even imagine."
We stopped our pointless chatter and gazed at the entrance of the dungeon. When and for what purpose it was built, no one knew. Furthermore, according to the guild's investigation, it even affected the surrounding environment. It was filled with even more mysteries. If there was such an unknown place within their territory, it would pique anyone's curiosity, not just Albert's.
Leanne lit the lantern for us, and we began walking with determination.
"It's not getting any brighter. I feel like the darkness is winning."
"Actually, it's convenient that it's hard to be noticed, isn't it?"
"That's true, but... let's be careful not to trip."
The dim, wide passage had a gentle, warm breeze flowing through it. Just taking a few steps in, an odd sense of unease and anxiety stirred within. Maybe the unseen darkness ahead instinctively triggered a feeling of fear.
Thankfully, there were large rocks scattered around, providing hiding spots. It seemed like there wouldn't be any issues as long as we moved quietly. Let's hope the path isn't too complicated.
We followed the light of the adventurers ahead as a guide. The further we went, the greater the unease became as the entrance seemed to get farther away.
After a short distance, the four people stopped. A man who seemed like the leader dropped his torch to the ground and drew his sword. After shouting and yelling, it became quiet again. The adventurers started walking once more.
I shone the light on the ground where all the commotion had happened, and there were two short, green-skinned humanoid figures lying there. They were probably goblins.
"...So adventurers have to deal with this kind of thing?"
"I feel a little grateful to Eric-san."
"Maybe it was a good thing I didn't buy a knife."
Thinking that having a weapon would solve everything was a naive idea. It seems like we won't become decent adventurers anytime soon.
From a quick glance, the goblins didn't seem to have anything valuable, so we passed by without touching them.
Maybe we were lucky, but after that, no more battles occurred. We descended the stairs and continued deeper into the unknown. We couldn't see the sky and had no way to check the passing of time. However, since it seemed like a straight path, it shouldn't be too difficult to turn back.
"Hey, isn't it getting brighter further ahead?"
"You're right. It even looks like there are trees growing there."
We could see a place with thick trees in the distance, along the road. We were supposed to be heading downwards, but...
"Can you put out the fire?"
"Yeah."
Inside, there was a wide space. Above us, something like the sun was shining, and there was a forest with a stream. It definitely looked like the outside.
"Are we really inside a dungeon?"
"It's a strange place. It's so bright even though it's underground."
In the center of the plaza, adventurers were sitting down to take a rest. It seemed safe since there was no sense of tension. It was convenient for us too, with plenty of trees to hide behind.
"Let's move along the wall so we won't be found."
"By the way, do you think we'll find what we're looking for?"
"...Sorry."
I had hoped it would be a place like an old ruin, but there were no buildings or signs of life left. It wasn't going to be that easy...
There was a road continuing further into the back of the plaza. This dungeon might be even bigger than we imagined.
If we continued like this, we wouldn't find anything. We didn't know how far that party had gone, but we couldn't let them return just yet.
Next to me, Leanne curiously touches the wall covered in vines.
"This wall looks artificial."
"It's hard to believe that such a place could occur naturally."
"I wonder how it was built."
"Maybe it was made by a genius architect from the past or something like that."
As Leanne walks along the wall, suddenly, I hear a rustling sound. I look and see that the vines seem to be moving away to her as if they have a mind of their own.
"Whoa! That's dangerous!"
I quickly grabs Leanne's arm and moves away from the wall. The vines return to their original position, as if nothing happened.
"It could be a plant-like monster."
"I don't get that feeling, though."
As Leanne approaches again, the vines start moving once more, revealing a perfectly intact and beautiful stone wall where they used to be.
"I said it's dangerous."
"But it doesn't seem like it'll attack or anything."
"Just wait a bit."
Leanne stepped back, and I slowly approached to get a closer look. The vine returned to its original position. It seemed that the vine only moved upward when Leanne stood nearby.
"Why does it only react to you?"
"How would I know? You should ask the person who built it."
"They're long gone."
Leanne stood in front and waited, and a rectangular line was drawn on the wall. The outline of the line gradually became clearer until it transformed into a double wooden door. I was taken aback by the sight, something I never imagined.
"It's a door."
"You must be joking. 'I don't know anything like this'."
"It's our first time here, so that line doesn't make sense."
"...? I guess you're right."
It felt like an adventure story I used to read when I was younger. Hidden treasures beyond a secret door. It was a dreamy tale.
"If no one has found this path yet, there might be treasure, not just books."
Leanne sighed with a hint of pity as I spoke with a bit of excitement.
"Haa... There's no way that's true. How many adventurers do you think have been to Voljanath? It's definitely already known."
"It's okay to dream a little, right?"
Even though Leanne seemed completely exasperated, it's true that if this place still remains hidden, many people would have come here, so it's worth a shot.
Leanne gently pushed the door, and it opened slowly. The sterile, white corridor, about enough for two people to walk side by side, was dimly lit without any source of light. At the end of the corridor, another similar door could be seen.
"So, what's the plan?"
"There probably isn't anything significant left, but let's check, just in case."
Since it's a safe place where adventurers rest, it doesn't seem dangerous.
The door at the back was not even locked and opened smoothly.
"What is this place?"
It was a small room, half buried in debris. The only things present were a rickety desk on the verge of collapse and a decaying skeleton slumped against the back of a chair.
The skeleton wore a white cape with blue lines, slightly dirty but strangely pristine. I briefly considered selling it, but something held me back from stripping it off the bones.
On top of the desk, there was a single rectangular blue box. Nothing else adorned the room.
"Don't get too close. It might be an undead."
"But it doesn't look like one."
I opened the metal box, revealing three books with brown leather bindings inside.
The books showed no signs of weathering and had a pleasant touch. In stark contrast to the nearby corpse, they seemed as if they had been placed there recently.
I picked up one of the books and flipped through its pages. They were filled with neatly written, beautiful characters, but I couldn't make sense of any of it. Were they ancient scripts or perhaps a language from a distant land?
"It really happened."
"......"
Leanne didn't respond, just staring at the human bones.
"Did you find something?"
"I wonder why this person was alone in such a place."
"It's not our business to worry about."
"That's true, but..."
"Pull yourself together. We don't have time to give them a proper burial. We need to get back quickly before another monster appears. If you want to investigate thoroughly, you can hire guards or whatever after we receive the payment."
"...I guess you're right."
But still, it feels too easy to get our hands on the desired item. It almost seems too good to be true.
Maybe it's worthless, but I don't have the knowledge to determine that anyway. It's questionable that it hasn't been taken considering how prominently it's placed, but we should bring it to Wallace's shop regardless.
"We got something that seems like it. Let's get out of this place as soon as possible."
"Yeah."
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