Chapter 93 Monster Trap
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…… Tester Life: Day 39, AM, 9th Floor – Sanada Yakumo ……
”Looks fishy.”
”It is far too suspicious-nee,” Sheena said.
”I’m certain it’s a trap,” Sayaka added.
A copper chest sat dead-center in the vast chamber.
It was bait, plain and simple.
* * *
Three days had passed since we began scouting the 9th floor.
New traps had been added – poison needles flying from doors – growing more frequent and subtle the deeper we went.
Goblin squads still capped at six, but now they consistently fielded a lethal mix of wizards and archers.
We pushed through the delays, steadily mapping the 9th floor until over half the map was filled in.
Expecting a standard room, I had Saizou disarm the entrance; we stepped in to find a lone copper chest center-stage.
The room was massive, three times the usual size – easily thirty meters square.
In the heart of the void sat the type of copper chest ¹ usually reserved for a Guardian’s ² defeat.
You’d have to be an idiot not to smell a trap.
”A room rewarding a copper chest… that reminds me of the Monster House ³,” I muttered.
”I’m no dungeon veteran, but I’ve heard tales of adventurers opening a chest only for monsters to burst through the walls,” Sheena remarked.
”A vicious trap indeed… but it sounds exactly like something this place would pull,” I said.
”I suspect the same,” Sayaka agreed.
Both I and Sayaka nodded in agreement with Sheena’s assessment.
The copper loot was tempting, but there was no reason to play a losing hand.
However, I couldn’t stop thinking about those hidden stairs from the 4th-floor Monster House.
They might recycle the same gimmick here – or they might not.
So far, the Guardian rooms were right on the main path, unlike the kobold floors; simple scouting found them.
But the 9th floor might be a curveball, lulling us into a false sense of security while hiding the real path in a Monster House.
The memory of that 4th-floor secret was the only thing making me hesitate to walk away.
”Alright, let’s dance with the devil and see what this trap has to offer,” I said.
If it were late evening, I’d pass to save mana, but we were still pre-noon with plenty of Capacity ⁴ to spare.
”Indeed-nee. With you, Master, we can handle scores of mere goblins,” Sheena said.
”My Mana Capacity is still high as well; I’m ready,” Sayaka said.
”Then let’s do it. Saizou, crack it open. Rock, watch his back.”
”Krit!”
”Bark!”
At my word, Saizou advanced on the chest, shadowed by Rock’s massive shield.
”Sayaka, prep a full-power Ice Arrow ⁵ and hold. Sheena, you’re with me.”
”Understood! ‘Ice Arrow’!”
”By your will, Master,” Sheena replied.
Sayaka manifested three frozen bolts aloft; Sheena drew her rapier, arm loose, eyes scanning the perimeter like a hawk.
I drew my machete and braced my buckler, dropping into a low crouch, ready to spring.
The moment Saizou’s fingers grazed the lid and he peered inside…………
The front and side walls disintegrated, unleashing three squads of six – archers and wizards included. Eighteen goblins total.
The archers already had arrows notched; the wizards were finishing their fireball ⁶ incantations.
Tch! Zero chill on these bastards!
”Rock, Saizou! Fall back, now!” I barked.
Rock hauled ass backward behind his shield just as the first volley of fire and steel screamed through the air.
Arrows from three angles slammed into the chest where Saizou had stood; Fireballs impacted the floor, erupting in sequence.
Rock and Saizou retreated toward us, the greatshield weathering a storm of stone splinters and burning embers.
Twelve blade-wielding goblins – four from each direction – surged forward to run them down.
’Ice Arrow!’ ‘Ice Arrow!’ ‘Ice Arrow!’
Frozen bolts whistled over the charging grunts, punching straight through the chests of the wizards prepping their next spells.
’Fireball!’ ‘Fireball!’
I checked the flankers with twin, double-capacity Fireballs, scattering the side groups before barking out the next phase.
”Sayaka, snipe the archers next! Rock, cover her! Saizou, flank left and harass! Sheena, with me – we break the center!”
”Yes! ‘Ice Arrow’!”
”Bark!”
”Consider it done, Master,” Sheena said.
On the beat of their replies, Sheena and I slammed into the central goblin line.
’Wind Cutter ⁷!’ ‘Wind Cutter!’ ‘Wind Cutter!’
I shredded their momentum with a flurry of Wind Cutters; Sheena blurred past me, her blade finding throats and hearts with surgical precision.
I deflected a stray arrow aimed at her with my buckler, then used the same motion to bash the skull of the nearest goblin.
I spotted the archer who’d taken the shot, but an ice arrow was already blooming from its chest.
Saizou materialized behind the remaining stragglers, starting his bloody work.
Leaving the left to Saizou, I pivoted to meet the final group charging from the right.
But Sheena was already there, having finished the center and leaped into the right flank like a silver gale.
Their archers had already fallen silent.
I drew level with Sheena, and together, we systematically erased every remaining goblin from existence.
”That was a hell of a vicious trap,” I said.
Slaying the last one, I turned to Sheena.
”Yes, it was wise to remain on high alert-nee,” Sheena replied.
”We survived because of your insight, Sheena. You saved us.”
If I’d gone to open that chest with Rock, we would’ve been caught in a perfect pincer.
Sayaka and Saizou might not have made it out of that clusterfuck.
Not for the first time, Sheena’s “other-world” knowledge proved invaluable.
From bestiaries to dungeon lore, she was a walking encyclopedia – proof of her years as a princess’s elite guardian.
”Fufu, I am simply glad my memories of a past life could serve you,” Sheena said.
”Heh, ‘past life,’ huh? Well, as long as you’re focused on the present, I don’t mind,” I replied.
Sheena clearly harbored some bitterness about her previous stint. Expecting a cushy castle gig only to spend two years in the mud before dying is a raw deal.
Regardless, as long as she isn’t chained to her ghosts, we’re good.
”Forgive me, Master. I allowed an archer to get a shot off,” Sayaka said.
”Forget it. Archers cycle faster than wizards. You should be proud you dropped two before they could even blink.”
When I gave the order, they were already drawing back. Nailing them both at that exact moment was a masterclass in timing.
”Even so… I must train until I am even faster,” Sayaka muttered.
I’d praised her, but Sayaka’s expression remained clouded with self-doubt.
She’s too damn serious for her own good. Though, that diligence certainly pays off in the bedroom.
A bit of a chore, but I need to lift her spirits. Can’t have her moping during our post-raid session.
”Ice Arrow has a long cast time; focus on accuracy over raw speed. You’re already indispensable, Sayaka. Just keep being reliable.”
”Ah… Yes, Master!” Sayaka cried.
Her face lit up instantly. She just wants to feel needed. The ‘Crotch Crest of Subjugation ⁸‘ really is a terrifyingly effective tool. I hope the damn thing stays active forever.
Sayaka thanked Rock for the cover; as I watched the big dog preen, Saizou returned from his harvest with a length of chain in hand.
”Hm? Was that in the chest?” I asked.
”Krit.”
Saizou chirped his affirmation and offered the metallic prize to me.
”A chainmail shirt (kusarikatabira ⁹), huh?”
I took it – it was a finely crafted shirt of black-iron mail.
I tried draping it over Saizou’s shinobi gear, but it was way too baggy for his frame.
But then, the links began to contract, tightening until they formed a second skin around Saizou’s body.
”Enchanted gear, then,” I said.
It clearly had a self-sizing enchantment.
That explains why it was the only thing in the copper chest.
”Alright. Wear that mail under your ninja suit, Saizou.”
It made him look even more like a proper shinobi. Saizou dropped to one knee with a series of chirps – likely his way of saying “I am most grateful.”
I could see the corner of his mouth twitching upward beneath his hood; he was definitely pleased.
While Saizou geared up, we split the party to investigate the alcoves where the goblins had been lying in wait.
”No hidden doors or stairs here. Hey, Sheena, Sayaka – anything on your end?” I called out.
”Nothing here either-nee,” Sheena said.
”All clear over here, too,” Sayaka added.
”A dud, then. Or maybe there was never a secret path to begin with.”
Either way, it means we can’t afford to skip these rooms if we find more.
It’s a pain, but getting a copper chest even on a ‘miss’ is a massive upgrade from the 4th floor’s pittance.
Last time, we nearly died for three lousy wooden boxes.
Just thinking about it pisses me off.
With this crew, though, it’s hardly a struggle. Now that we know where the ambushes spawn, it’ll be a cake-walk next time.
I’ll just treat these as high-reward bonus rooms.
Anyway, it’s noon. Time to take a break and refuel.
I handed Rock a sports drink and Saizou his favorite candy, telling them to relax in the corner.
Then, I pulled Sayaka and Sheena close for lunch – and our daily ritual of dungeon s*x.
—
Summary:
Yakumo and his party encounter a suspicious copper treasure chest on the 9th floor that triggers a massive 18-goblin ambush. After a coordinated counterattack, they defeat the monsters and obtain a magic self-sizing chainmail for Saizou. The chapter ends with the party taking a break for lunch and s*xual activities.
—
Trivia:
- Yakumo is specifically looking for hidden stairs because of a previous mechanic on the 4th floor.
- The goblin squads on this floor now consistently include both wizards and archers.
- Sheena was a royal guard for two years in a past life and was involved in constant warfare.
- The copper chest was actually a ‘bonus room’ reward even though it was a trap.
- Saizou’s chainmail is ‘enchanted gear’ that automatically adjusts to the wearer’s size
—
Character Insight:
Yakumo continues to show a blend of tactical leadership and manipulative care, using praise to ensure Sayaka remains mentally stable for her role and upcoming s*xual ‘duties.’ Sheena’s competence and historical knowledge are increasingly vital to the party’s safety.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Monster House’ is a common trope in dungeon-crawler roguelike games (such as Mystery Dungeon) where a room filled with loot triggers a massive monster spawn.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Yakumo – A 25-year-old human male. He has facial scars, stab wounds, and gunshot scars from his time in a war zone. He works as a school guard.
• Sana – Black ponytail, hooded/sharp eyes, kyudo practitioner, average height.
• Sheena – Beastman Soul-less Doll with rabbit ears and a large chest. Flawless face, approx 165cm height, F or G cup, narrow waist, large hips, and a fluffy tail longer than a rabbit’s. Now, her ego is back.
• Sayaka – The academy’s premier beauty and a member of the swimming club. Currently classified as a Rank 1 Slave. She is seventeen years old and a virgin. E-cup. She has blue, short, boyish hair. Her best friend is Sanae.
• Saizou – A newly summoned Goblin. Intelligent with a small horn on his forehead and jagged teeth. Wears ninja-style clothing (shinobifuku) and uses poison daggers/knives.
• Rock – A male Kobold summoned from a Magic Sealing Crystal. He has grey fur, round eyes, and a face resembling a Shiba Inu. He wears a leather jacket and a pilot’s cap
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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