Volume 4 Chapter 5 The Level of the Hero
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
We step into the room of a Love Hotel.
This room is made in a subspace, a totally safe zone.
No one can get in here.
I operate the menu to display External Information.
Images like surveillance cameras pop up.
Watching it, my hunch was right on the money.
The heroic boys are following us, descending from the 2nd Floor.
’Hey, where’d that old guy go?’
One boy looks around the floor, all grumpy.
You can even tell through the screen that he’s steaming with irritation.
’The traces are gone here.’
Another boy says while checking the ground.
A bit of a shy kid, probably the scout.
’What’s that about? How’d he do it?’
’Did he use some space magic tool or something?’
As expected of the heroes.
Their guesses are pretty sharp.
You can’t underestimate their scouting abilities.
But they shouldn’t be able to get inside this Love Hotel.
’Even with space magic, the distance you can run away is predictable. Hiding should be their best bet.’
’So if we wait, they’ll eventually come out, right?’
’That seems likely.’
That ain’t happening.
’Still, how did that old guy manage to get his hands on such a cute girl?’
’Did he buy her or brainwash her maybe?’
’And how’d he make that money? He shouldn’t have the skills for brainwashing.’
’They say his skill is endless stamina, so did he seduce some rich lady for cash?’
’Like, using the money from one girl to surround himself with others?’
’That’s just low, man.’
The boys can say whatever they want.
Kéa is staring at the screen, her fists clenched tight with anger.
You can see the clear frustration in her eyes.
Lifia is also quietly staring at the screen.
Normally reserved, she now has a harsh look around her eyes.
”Well, they’re just talking out of their asses. No need to worry about it. Lifia, can I get a drink?”
”Yes.”
I’m patting Kéa’s head with a wry smile.
I guided the two of them to the sofa, got a drink from Lifia, and sat down.
I made them sit on either side of me.
I decided to keep relaxing while watching the boys.
Their mixed jealousy and wild guesses are pretty unsettling.
But when I think about it calmly, I can’t say they’re completely off the mark.
It’s true that I bought Lifia as a slave.
And the training I put Kéa through could, depending on how you look at it, be called brainwashing.
Am I a bad guy, maybe?
Nah, nah.
Lifia and Kéa will ultimately be happy.
Plus, I’m not forcing them in any way.
They choose to be here, wanting to stay with me.
Yeah, there’s no problem here.
Everything’s fine in the end.
I’m a good Master.
The boys keep chatting.
’So, shall we ambush them here and go for it?’
They start talking about something unsettling.
’Yeah, if we beat up that old guy, maybe we can free those girls from their brainwash.’
’What if it doesn”t work?’
’Then we just have to force it. Let’s all take turns!’
’In the dungeon, there won’t be any evidence left. Even if we get reported, they’ll trust us heroes more.’
’That beautiful girl is too good for that old man anyway.’
’Isn’t that a bit too much…?’
’Don’t you wanna do it? Then just watch!’
’W-well, I didn’t say that…’
They’re a sleazy bunch.
If these are the so-called heroes, then the world’s in trouble.
”Those guys really should be taken out!”
”Wait, wait.”
I calm Kéa, who stands up and seems ready to head outside.
Of course, I want to get rid of those guys, too.
But I still don’t know their true strength.
I can’t act carelessly.
’Then let’s kill time and grind some XP here.’
One of the boys excitedly suggests.
This is the dungeon’s 3rd Floor.
It’s a False Plain crawling with deadly monsters.
Only experienced higher-level adventurers can operate here normally.
They should’ve only just begun to gain strength on the 2nd Floor.
I can’t help but think they might be underestimating their own abilities.
’Is it really okay? Can we win with our current strength?’
A boy voices his worries, and another huffs out a laugh.
The rest of the group nods along as if agreeing with him.
’No big deal. Gaedaf guys are just exaggerating anyway’
Gaedaf, he’s the Gold Rank adventurer guiding them.
He’s probably planning training that’s safe and cautious.
But maybe the young boys find that patience kinda frustrating.
’We’re growing too fast, that’s why they’re freaking out.’
’Yeah, yeah. They’re probably scared of us catching up, so they’re purposely getting in our way.’
’Hahaha, no doubt!’
They all laugh innocently, matching each other’s words.
Their reckless confidence and youth seem to numb them to danger.
’Anyway, that useless old man wouldn’t even be able to come here. We’ve got this in the bag.’
One of the boys scoffs as he says it, and the others nod along, agreeing loud and proud.
’That’s right!’
’We’ve got this easy!’
They think I’m useless.
If I managed to get to Dungeon’s 3rd Floor, then they figure they can crush it even easier.
That’s the kind of logic bouncing around in their heads.
They’re riding high on excitement, totally unaware of the danger lurking right in front of them.
They even think this is a perfect chance to get some good experience.
And so, the heroes start their activities on the 3rd Floor.
They seem to move around only within sight, not going too deep inside.
They’ve got enough caution to decide not to go too far in.
The first thing they encounter is a rabbit-shaped monster.
Of course, it’s no ordinary rabbit.
Blur Bunny, a troublesome monster that can create endless copies of its real body.
If you don’t kill the main one, those copies won’t disappear──they just keep multiplying.
And they attack with sharp claws and teeth.
’Damn, how many are coming out!?’
’It’s endless, I can’t see the end!?’
’The main one’s here! Take it down!’
’Which one is it?!’
The boys swing swords, cast magic, and fight back with their skills.
They don’t seem to know much about the monster.
Yeah, that makes sense──these are rookies still trying to get stronger on the 2nd Floor.
They weren’t prepared for a fight on the 3rd Floor, after all.
In the end, they’re struggling hard.
They aren’t dead yet, but fresh wounds are piling up.
And if he had trouble defeating the monster, the sounds of battle would attract new monsters.
’Over there! A new monster is coming!’
’I don’t see it!’
You can’t tell from the screen, but it’s probably a Mirage Brown Snail.
A huge snail about a meter across.
Slow, but it’s a sneaky monster that uses optical camouflage to hide and ambush.
When it attacks, it shoots out toxic slime that definitely eats away at anyone who gets touched.
Maybe it was already lurking nearby.
Drawn by noise and vibrations, it’s slowly creeping up on the boys.
Still, their fighting is so bad it makes you want to cover your eyes.
It’s one thing to lack info, but their teamwork is completely nonexistent.
They just keep attacking the monster right in front of them.
Each of them is fighting however they want.
One boy, who seems to be the scout, is trying to call out the hidden monster’s location, but the others look too flustered to respond.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply