Volume 9 Chapter 17 At Dadamajima, Kamikake Gorge
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
China, who had been coiled around my wrist, slipped into the mountain stream with a wet nuru and dove.
Now about two meters long, the garden eel swam just a short ways upstream before stopping where the riverbed turned sandy.
”Seems like here.”
The garden eel jabbed the tip of its tail into the sand and began digging.
”What are you doing?”
She says she’s diggin’ to where the Ancient Land Deity is.
”For real?”
So it’s under the riverbed sand…? Is the Ancient Land Deity some kind of river bug or something?
It ain’t like it’s just right there. The Ancient Land Deity’s holed up way deeper. We gotta go all the way down to the bottom of the earth. China’s diggin’ a tunnel to get there.
Bottom of the earth, huh…? Can a single garden eel really bore a hole that deep? That seems impossible.
That’s why she got special power from the Ancient Land Deity. The Ancient Land Deity’s built some kinda sorcery defense line deep underground. You could dig forever and never reach it physically. But with the ‘key’ China’s got, she can break through the defenses and get to where we need to go. Right now she’s just diggin’ a tunnel big enough for us to pass through.
I relayed the information I’d gotten from Hinoki to the rest of the team waiting around us.
As everyone watched in admiration, China kept drilling away. Sand piled up around the edge of the hole, and China’s body slowly sank deeper into it.
Then, all of a sudden, China’s digging stopped.
She turned her face toward us, trying to communicate something.
Not that it matters, but the front-facing face of a garden eel really doesn’t look much like a fish…
We got a problem.
”What happened?”
She says there’s some kinda barrier in the way.
”A barrier set up by the Ancient Land Deity? But from what you said earlier, China should be able to pass through, right?”
Nah, she says the key she got from the Ancient Land Deity won’t let her through this one. Sounds like somebody else made it.
”So someone else sealed the Ancient Land Deity from above…? Like what happened to Hinoki.”
Hinoki said they were holed up for defense and got hit with a sealing barrier from above. Sounds like the same situation.
Dunno. Could be a seal, could be someone protectin’ the Ancient Land Deity instead. But either way, the effect’s the same – keepin’ people out.
”…Just to be sure – this wasn’t something Hinoki or their old allies did, was it?”
We didn’t do nothin’ like that. And our allies…
Hinoki on my shoulder turned their head toward Risa. Following my gaze and Hinoki’s, Risa blinked a few times, then shook her head a few seconds later.
She says Asunaro doesn’t know about it either.
”So at least it’s not our fault.”
Yeah, guess so.
Relieved, but the situation hadn’t changed one bit.
”Can we break through this barrier?”
China says there’s nothin’ she can do about it.
”So we’re screwed? We came all this way, just to get blocked by some random barrier and retreat without even meeting the Ancient Land Deity? That’s pathetic and I can’t accept it. Can’t we do something?”
Hmm…
Hinoki turned back to China and started some kind of exchange. I couldn’t follow what they were saying.
…
At some point, Risa – no, Asunaro – joined in to discuss countermeasures. Eventually, they reached a conclusion.
Let’s just smash the barrier and break through.
”So brute force it is, huh.”
I’m fine with that – we’re sorcerers after all. No idea what breaking the barrier might do, but at worst the dungeon collapses. If things get ugly, we can always use Return Slips to escape and plead ignorance.
”How exactly?”
Moo charges in to punch a hole, China pries it open, and Asunaro holds the gap.
”I see. And that’ll work?”
Asunaro, having switched with Risa, nodded.
”China says the barrier feels like a lump of sandstone. Moo should be able to break through.”
Like a steel-type attack being super effective against a rock-type barrier? Not sure it’ll be that simple… but I’ll trust my comrades.
”Moo, you can do it, right?”
… (nervous sweat)
Called out, the Scale Earthworm emerged from the shadows – just the tip at first – writhing restlessly. Judging by the direction it was facing, it seemed to be pleading with Asunaro about something. What exactly, I couldn’t tell.
”Stop your whining. If you’re the prince’s servant, then steel yourself and give it everything you’ve got. What’s the point of a retainer who can’t serve their master? Prove your worth.”
…
Asunaro’s words sounded cold. Moo’s movements stopped. The earthworm slowly sank back into the shadows.
”Huh? It went back?”
”…”
Mitsuki muttered. Asunaro said nothing. But I could feel it – Moo was about to get serious.
The shadow’s entrance was narrow. I’d better widen it a bit.
From my expanded shadow, Moo burst out with full force – larger than when we’d faced it as the boss of Sword-Hammer Cave. A nearly three-meter-diameter earthworm rose from the shadows, twisted midair, and dove headfirst straight into the hole China had dug. With a massive splash, Moo slammed into the riverbed, and the dungeon’s ground shook from the impact.
China had already evacuated from the hole. The roughly twenty-centimeter-wide tunnel China had bored was now being widened and deepened by Moo. The river’s flow shifted, curving around the edge of the hole – water wasn’t pouring in.
”Whoa…”
Sawa let out an awed breath.
Before our eyes, the nearly twenty-meter-long earthworm was disappearing into the hole. Its digging speed didn’t slow – if anything, it seemed to accelerate.
”We’re going pretty deep.”
The hole China dug was deep. That barrier’s way down there. …Alright, let’s go too.
Moo’s rear end vanished into the hole. We needed to dive in after it.
”Though it doesn’t look like they’re just gonna let us go easy.”
I hesitated to go immediately because of our surroundings – specifically, the dungeon’s lesser monsters swarming in. The tremors from Moo’s digging were drawing monsters from all around. Already, winged reptiles circled overhead, and monkey troops emerged from between the trees. Since this was an open-field dungeon, monsters would spot us and close in even if we stayed put.
”We’ll handle this!”
”Minoru, you all go on ahead~”
From behind Asari’s Crystal Wall that materialized to protect everyone, ranged attackers shot down the winged reptiles.
”We’ll stay here too. Take care of business and come back soon.”
”Hurry up.”
Manaka, Sawa, and the others staying behind to guard the hole – that was a huge help.
”Thanks! I’m counting on you.”
I dove into the hole and landed on top of Moo. Asunaro walked to the edge of the hole and looked down at me. Frost formed along the rim – that must be how she was stabilizing the hole.
”Asunaro, you’re not coming?”
”No. I’ll wait here.”
Probably best if Asunaro don’t meet the Ancient Land Deity directly.
Sounds like there’s some history there. Well, if Hinoki says so, I’ll trust that.
”Got it. Hold down the fort.”
”Leave it to me. When you get back, let’s mate. I’ll be waiting, Prince.”
”Yeah, yeah.”
Even as we talked, the hole grew deeper, and the distance between me and Asunaro widened. She grew smaller as she looked down at me, and the surroundings grew darker. No light reached us from outside, and we needed air. Wind sorcery and the light from Snow Flies covered those needs as I silently cheered Moo on.
We dug a long way – felt like well past three hundred meters in depth. Maybe because we were inside a dungeon, but none of the usual nuisances like the surrounding earth heating up or groundwater flooding in occurred. No sounds of battle from the surface reached us down here.
Gradually, Moo’s movements slowed – then stopped.
”What’s wrong?”
We reached the barrier.
”Moo, can you do it?”
I patted Moo beneath my feet. Its flesh squirmed in reply.
Moo’s ready too. We got this.
”Alright – GO!”
I temporarily clung to the earthen wall and used my auxiliary sorcery to enhance Moo. Wreathed in light, Moo began spinning – its rotation speed gradually increasing. But it wasn’t digging deeper. I couldn’t see what Moo’s tip was doing, obviously – so I used vision-enhancing sorcery to check.
There was a barrier at Moo’s tip. Moo was ramming it headfirst, using its scales like a drill. The mesh-like barrier sorcery resisting the giant drill began to warp, the distortion slowly growing.
Thirty seconds passed at max rotation speed. Finally, the moment arrived.
A cracking sound – like glass splintering – came from the barrier. Then, in the next instant, it collapsed all at once. Moo plummeted straight downward – wait, plummeted?
”Whoa, wait!”
I dove downward after Moo in freefall. Catching up midair, I stowed it away. My right hand grabbed China’s tail – she was still clinging to the side of the tunnel we’d just come through, her long garden eel body serving as a makeshift rope for me to hang from.
”Phew.”
I could feel Moo trembling inside storage – suddenly dropped into open air, it was clearly startled.
”Moo, you did great. I’ll reward you later.”
Don’t just say it with words – actually give ’em somethin’ good.
”Of course.”
I planned to prepare a proper treat.
”So… where exactly are we…?”
In the pitch-black darkness, faint red lights glowed weakly here and there. No sign of monsters yet. I released the Snow Flies for light and looked around while dangling midair.
Beyond the barrier lay a strange space. If I had to describe it – a cavern of stone and flesh.
A cavernous hall surrounded by rock walls. That alone was similar to the Sword-Hammer Cave’s boss room – though this one was slightly smaller.
The biggest difference was the red, flesh-like patches clinging to the walls in various spots. Clearly foreign matter. They were connected by fleshy cords like tangled webs, all ultimately converging on a rectangular mass at the center of the cavern.
Was that – flesh mass, flesh cords – was it pulsing?
The central mass, presumably the origin point, was ash-gray. It looked like it was covered in countless small holes. That coloration vividly recalled something else – a grotesque boss from a pandemic-horror game, dormant.
”Hinoki – is that the Ancient Land Deity?”
Hmm… It looks like weathered rock. I can feel power, but it seems weak… and there’s a lot of weird stuff stuck to it. Was my opponent really like this? Did I just romanticize it in my memories?
”You’re worried about appearances…? Anyway, it sounds like that’s probably the Ancient Land Deity.”
Neither me nor China has ever seen it in the flesh, so I can’t say for sure.
”Fair enough. China, can you lower me down?”
The garden eel’s body extended, slowly lowering me. My feet touched the cavern floor – careful not to make contact with any of the flesh fragments.
”So? What do we do now?”
I asked China, now shrunk small enough to fit in my hand.
I thought there’d be another barrier inside the one we broke, with China havin’ the key to that one… but there’s no barrier.
”So this is the final destination after all?”
Yeah. That object X is the Ancient Land Deity, apparently.
So the Ancient Land Deity – the big shot among the monsters around here – is rock, lurking underground in Kamikake Gorge. As for what these flesh fragments are… unknown.
We came when called, but this place looks way too ominous. Is this, like, the final equipment-check moment before a boss fight? I wouldn’t be laughing if a boss battle theme started playing the moment I got closer to that rectangular mass.
…
Hinoki looked at the mass, then around the room, then back at the mass.
”Something on your mind?”
Hmm… those flesh-like things around here – I think they’re probably the Ancient Land Deity’s familiars…
”But?”
But it’s different from what I remember. Also… I’m feelin’ some other presence.
More and more suspicious.
”Are we being lured into a trap?”
Can’t say yet. Stay sharp.
Well, standing around won’t solve anything.
I steeled myself – and stepped toward the rectangular mass.
Notes:
• China – Garden eel monster with air-breathing capability. Takes bracelet form around Minoru’s hand. Guides the party through dungeon navigation. Communicates telepathically or through Hinoki translation.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Hinoki – An older classmate and powerful anomaly who speaks with a warm, blunt, Kansai-influenced dialect. Using they/them pronouns, they have a shy yet contrary personality and interact casually with the protagonist. As a mediator in the supernatural community, they secure bodies and support others, having bestowed fragments of their power upon Pape, Kram, and Risa.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• Asunaro – An anomalous White Centipede monster who received a fragment of Hinoki-sama’s power. Known as Lady Asunaro, she resides in Risa’s body, serving as a second interpreter. Saved by Minoru (whom she affectionately calls “Prince Charming”), she speaks with a flat tone but has genuine emotions. Her name is heard during the goodnight sequence, and she belongs to a group with a large presence.
• Moo – An earthworm creature that lives in the fields. Named “Moo” (モー) which is the sound a cow makes, creating a cute absurdity. Affectionate toward the narrator’s mother and seeks approval from the narrator. Uses a heart symbol (♡) to express affection.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• Mitsuki – Eldest daughter of the Onigahara estate, this 188 cm science-track classmate has short brown hair, a lean athletic build, an I-cup, and a mischievous grin. A determined vanguard and healer in Minoru’s group, she uses a golden mace and Oni-Transformation Sorcery. She bickers friendlily with Minoru, coordinates with Manaka’s companions, and uses recovery magic for service play and training.
• Sawa – Voluptuous, broad-framed yet recently slimmed-down, this confident, bespectacled Nieda student and game otaku is an IT-savvy Shisei member and core strategist in Manaka and Mitsuki’s circles. An upper-middle tier green-manipulation sorcerer who uses a hoe, sickle, and scissors, she controls security. She is a competitive Onibara disciple who bluntly complains to her childhood friend Minoru.
• Minoru – The protagonist and narrator is a black-haired Demon reincarnated from Japan, standing 183cm with sharp eyes. Pragmatic yet internally hurt, this eldest Tatemiya son wrongly believed his childhood friends abandoned him. Serving as ‘master’ to a mixed female group, he uses inherent spatial manipulation sorcery to command a handgun and subjugated monsters like Pape in mid-guard combat.
• Asari – A tall (175cm), braided black-haired Kasakura honor student with an E-cup, this analytical, quiet, and pragmatic science-track strategist serves as Minoru’s devoted partner and Risa’s future host. Close to Mari and Nagase, she uses a hand-armor gauntlet and Silicic Armor to manifest crystal barriers, switching between Vanguard and Mid-guard. Polite yet lecturing, she is currently recovering from mana exhaustion.
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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