Chapter 53 Interlude Eleven – The Prison Of Hot Sand, Iii
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
PS: Chikako -> Hano-san (Friendly-like tone), Akari -> Satou (The lockpicker)
”It’s so hot… I’m gonna die… I’m so thirsty~”
”Okay, please be quiet for a bit. You’ll just use up more energy.”
After walking through the desert for a few hours, Satou Akari had to remind Hano Chikako again, who kept complaining endlessly.
”Ugh, I just can’t stand this silence. I’m always complaining, so I’m worried Akarin is mad, or annoyed by how noisy I am and just wants to get rid of me.”
”…Wouldn’t that problem be solved if you just stayed quiet?”
”……………………………………………Oh, never mind. I can’t do it. Silence like this where I can’t speak at all is just unbearable.”
Chikako just said what she was thinking at the time, probably feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of the desperate situation.
”I’m not really mad, and I’m glad I’m not alone. See?”
”Hmm?”
Chikako looked at Akari’s offered left hand for a moment, then realized and extended her right hand to hold it.
”This way, you’re not anxious, right?”
”Yeah… Uh-oh, I’m starting to feel excited for some reason. Maybe I wouldn’t mind being held by Akarin.”
”How easily you fall in love. Aren’t you into Tsuchimiya-kun right now?”
”Yeah! Tsucchi is great! He’s strong and cool, yet kind and cute, so I can’t help but want to attack him. I can’t die until I do something naughty with Tsucchi again.”
”Tsuchimiya-kun isn’t Evold, so be gentle with him.”
”Being gentle, huh? I’m not so sure about that. But you know, back then, we were pretty serious, right? It was the first time I saw Hiromin and Akarin feeling like that. Tsucchi didn’t show up for class the next day, and I was worried, but he seemed pretty lively doing other stuff. And he hung out with Akarin again. He even has a harem with Evold, so… it’s totally different from being just a regular Level 1.”
”Yeah, that’s true. Tsuchimiya-kun seems to have exceptional physical and mental strength as an ordinary person. I didn’t expect him to move around so much. If he became Evold, he’d be quite something. Yet he’s not aggressive at all.”
”Yeah, exactly. Even though I look like this, he treats me like a regular person like Tomocchi does, which feels refreshing. Oh, speaking of Tomocchi, she seems pretty serious about stuff. It makes me a little nervous, though.”
”Hmm…since it’s Tomoko’s first time and her first experience as an Evold, she might not be able to control herself. I should probably do something to help…”
Akari, thinking of her important childhood friend, suddenly stopped in her tracks. Chikako, who was holding her hand, also stopped a step behind.
”What’s wrong, Akarin?”
”There’s a monster nearby.”
Akari looked around warily.
”Huh!? Another Earthworm?”
”I can’t see it, but probably.”
”The wolf pack from earlier suddenly stopped chasing us, so this area must be dangerous, right?”
”It’s actually convenient. Other monsters won’t come near, and they’re ambush types, so we can manage if we’re careful. Let’s take a detour around this area.”
”Okay. Their nests make your ankles sink in the moment you step on them, even though you can’t see them. Let’s proceed cautiously.”
The destination is just around the corner. It’s a rocky mountain towering over a hundred meters (300ft) high, which looks even bigger up close than from afar. It’s probably several tens of kilometers long. The steep slope, like a vertical cliff, seems impossible to climb, but the large crevice we could see from far away should provide shade from the sun.
”But still, if we were our old selves before becoming Evold, we’d probably have been unable to move by now.”
”Yeah, you’ve got a point. It’s tough, but we might still be able to make it that far somehow. It’d be nice if we had water or something.”
”Yeah…”
Water supply is a pressing issue, but honestly, we can’t expect much. At least if there were some moisture-loving plants around.
The rocky mountain towering before them is cracked and split along several vertical lines, resembling a cluster of ruined buildings. After some time, the two of them managed to reach a crevice about 30m (98ft) wide.
The crevice, sandwiched between cliffs on both sides, gently curves, and they can’t see beyond its depths.
”Maybe this crevice leads all the way through to the other side of the rocky mountain.”
”Yeah, it’s pretty wide. Let’s rest for a bit and then head further in.”
The two of them took a break in the shade. Sitting down, they found their bodies heavier than expected, and getting back up seemed like a struggle. The rocky mountain was completely dry, and they couldn’t expect any moisture. Akari opened her belt pouch and took out a pale glass bottle.
”Let’s just drink this for now.”
”A healing potion? Feels like a waste, but yeah, we might be at our limit.”
Currently, all party members have one Minor Healing Potion and two Tiny Healing Potions each. Although the two of them seemed relatively energetic, Akari could tell they were already dehydrated due to the effects of Evold’s stamina. Despite being able to move, they were already in a state of dehydration. There was a risk of sudden death once they crossed a certain line.
”Let’s start with the Tiny one. Since we probably won’t have any water for a while, let’s savor it.”
”Yeah, got it.”
The two of them removed the cork from the bottle and slowly drank up the potion. It wasn’t very delicious with a slight sweetness followed by bitterness and astringency, but it was their first drink in a long time.
”Doesn’t this taste like sp*rm?”
”Stop it. Don’t imagine things like that.”
”Oh, but I feel lighter now.”
While the amount of liquid wasn’t much, thanks to its recovery effect, their vitality returned. After taking a short break, the two of them started walking towards the back of the crevice.
”Beyond the rocky mountain is a desert…”
After advancing about 500m (500yd), they could see the exit of the crevice, but what they could see beyond it was just sand. The visible range was still narrow, so they hoped for some kind of terrain change, but the chances seemed slim.
”There’s a crevice over there.”
Chikako pointed to a large crevice in the cliff to her right. When they went to take a look, they found that it was a dead-end about a hundred meters in, but the left side of the wall seemed to have steps cut into the rocks, leading upwards.
”Should we go take a look?”
If they can reach the summit, they can see the surrounding terrain, and they want to explore every place they can before wandering back into the barren desert again.
The two climbed up the gradually sloping slope as if clinging to the wall.
The slope was about 20m (65ft) high and had advanced about 50m (165ft) in distance before it stopped. At the end of the slope, there was a large square entrance that looked like it had been carved out of the rock wall.
”Is this… a dungeon?”
The stone passage leading deeper into the dungeon was quite dark, but there was light visible further inside.
”It looks more like natural light than the glowing phenomenon of a dungeon. Maybe we can get out from there.”
”W-what should we do? There might be monsters, right?”
”We have no choice but to go. There are monsters even in the desert, and there’s still hope compared to aimlessly wandering under the scorching sun. If it’s a dungeon, there might even be a teleportation Magic Circle.”
”Yeah, you’re right…”
Chikako felt hesitant, but seeing only despair in the desert, when Akari strongly asserted that they should go, she felt like she had no choice but to go.
As they entered a dark corridor, the floor was illuminated by round lights.
”Is that an LED light?”
Before she knew it, a small object was emitting light in Akari’s hand.
”I bought this at a 100 yen shop before. I haven’t changed the battery for about half a year, but it seems to be working fine.”
The small flashlight that fits in the palm of the hand has enough light.
”Oh, right. If need be, we can use the light on our phones.”
”That consumes quite a bit of battery.”
”And charging cables are expensive too.”
Some students who had charging cables make a business out of charging phones. Due to high demand, prices have been going up, with the current rate being 300 yen per 1%. The school newspaper club seems to be a major source of funding, alongside advertising fees in the school newspaper.
”It feels like we’re in some sort of ruins.”
On the right just as they enter the passage, there is a small room, but it is empty and there is nothing inside. White sand is piled up on the stone floor.
”This must be a lookout post for soldiers.”
Akari slowly walks ahead in the dark passage about 2m (6.5ft) wide. Chikako also shines her phone light on the ground.
Akari sometimes stops and stares at the walls or ceiling for a while, or pokes the floor with a spear tip.
”Wait a minute. This might be dangerous.”
On the floor illuminated by the flashlight, there are white debris-like objects.
”Bones?”
There were scattered large animal bones.
Akari was poking around the floor in that area, but when she pushed a certain point hard, an iron grille suddenly fell from the ceiling with a loud, heavy sound like hitting a big stone.
”What, what!?”
”It seems like traps to deter intruders were still active here.”
With a loud grinding sound, seven iron bars were being pulled up into the ceiling hole. Their tips were sharp like spears.
”Whoa… If I were alone, I’d definitely be dead.”
”Follow my footsteps.”
Akari carefully proceeded down the passage. Chikako, with a serious expression, followed Akari’s footprints on the sand and dust.
Eventually, the two of them traversed the long passage and reached the end.
”It seems like it leads outside after all.”
Far beyond the exit, they could see a wall of rocks opposite. When they stepped outside, it was a small open space with a staircase carved into the rocks leading downwards.
”Could this be… a town where people lived?”
Below them were dilapidated stone buildings, and several structures that seemed like remnants of large facilities. Most of them had collapsed roofs and were in ruins.
”It looks similar to Machu Picchu’s ruins. It doesn’t seem like it was a large town, but if people lived here, there might be a water source. Let’s investigate.”
As the two went down the stairs and entered the ruins of a gorge, they peered into the sand-covered dwelling remains, spotting remnants of chairs, tables, pottery dishes, and containers here and there.
”Akarin! There’s a treasure chest here!”
Chikako, who had been searching the other dwelling remains across, called Akari excitedly.
”Huh!? A treasure chest!?”
Upon entering the still-roofed dwelling with an exaggerated gesture, Chikako noticed two entrances at the back of the square room, with a misplaced treasure chest visible in the smaller room on the left.
”Why would this be here…”
”Could this place be a dungeon?”
”I don’t know… I’ll open it just in case, but please watch out around us.”
”Alright!”
While Akari was filled with various doubts, Chikako seemed to be getting more and more excited.
The square room had windows turned into holes, and a treasure chest was placed on the white sandy floor.
Carefully examining the surroundings, Akari checked the treasure chest. When she discovered that it was rigged with explosive traps, her skill reacted, displaying accurate information on the window.
”‘Poison Bomb’ – a dangerous combination trap not usually seen in lower levels.”
Akari held her left hand over the keyhole and activated the Master Key skill. A metal key appeared in her right hand, which she inserted into the keyhole and turned.
With a click, the lid opened, and light poured out as the treasure chest dissolved into particles of light. As usual, there were treasures inside.
”Chikako!”
Akari called out to Chikako, who was keeping watch outside.
”It’s open? How was it?”
”As you can see.”
Inside were piles of coins, a iron spear, chestplate, scrolls, rings, and a hairpin adorned with gems.
”Wow! This is a jackpot!”
”Indeed. But it’s almost certain now that this is a dungeon. The question is, how far does the dungeon go?”
”Hmm? What do you mean?”
”Is this ruin a dungeon, or is this desert itself that we were teleported to through the Magic Circle a dungeon?”
”Oh…a desert being a dungeon, is that even possible? Aren’t dungeons supposed to be underground labyrinths?”
”There’s no ceiling in this ruins. But it’s definitely a dungeon.”
”I see… but if that’s the case, then anything could happen, right?”
”If there’s no Magic Circle here, we’ll have to search every corner of the desert. We might even have to defeat a Floor Boss to go back.
”Uh… I wonder how everyone else is doing. There’s a chance that it’s just us here.”
Akari picked up a spear and tested it by giving a light poke.
”Are you already equipping it?”
”Yep. Judging by the type of trap set in the treasure chest, we’re probably on the 10th floor or higher. My current abilities won’t cut it against the monsters here. I need to level up my equipment. No time to worry about cursed items. Chikako, put on that breastplate too.”
”Okay, got it.”
The scroll, when checked with magic, revealed a spell called ‘Sandstorm.’ There were six gold coins, eighty-two silver coins, and over a thousand copper coins, so they decided to leave them behind.
”I’m not sure what metal this ring is made of, but it’s too plain for a decoration. It might be a magic item.”
”How about the winner of rock-paper-scissors wears it?”
”Sounds good. Let’s do that.”
They faced each other and synchronized their breathing.
”Rock, paper, scissors!”
Akari chose rock. Chikako chose scissors.
Then, they checked each building for any Magic Circles one by one.
”The sun seems to be setting.”
The light hitting the rock wall was turning reddish.
”I don’t like spending the night in a dungeon. Looks like the water’s dried up too.”
In front of them was what seemed to be a circular stone pool made of sand, maybe a spring.
”We can’t find a well, so they must have drawn water from somewhere. Maybe the facility just stopped working. Let’s check the high places while it’s still light.”
Looking around, they saw a staircase carved into the rock wall at the back of the village. They hurried through the village and began to climb the stairs.
When they reached the top of the stairs, they emerged onto a large, narrowing plateau sandwiched between cliffs. There was another staircase in the far right corner, leading deeper into the rocky area.
As they climbed the stairs and reached the rocky area, they found a rugged path ahead. While walking, Chikako spoke to Akari.
”Doesn’t it smell sweet?”
Indeed, there was a sour, sweet smell drifting from somewhere.
”Maybe there are plants growing somewhere.”
It means there’s a water source. Before long, the sun set, and the two relied on the light of their flashlights to continue down the path.
”Oh!”
Once they reached the top of a steep hill, their view opened up, and they both exclaimed.
Below them was a flat area surrounded by rocks, with three large wagons parked. A fire was burning, and there were several figures moving around. It seemed like they were having a party, with lively chatter and laughter.
”People…? Wasn’t this supposed to be a dungeon?”
”Yes, that’s right… let’s check the situation first–“
”Excuse me! Can we ask something?”
”Oh! Wait, Chikako!”
As Chikako waved her hand and started descending the slope, the commotion suddenly stopped, and Akari reached for a magic scroll.
A man armed with armor and a sword walked towards them from the group.
”Young ladies, where did you come from? You’re not monsters, are you?”
A man, with his hand on his sword, approached at a safe distance and spoke.
”Hey, excuse me! There’s no way such a cute monster exists! We ended up here after wandering through the desert over there. Who are you guys?”
”You guys crossed the desert!?”
”Crossed…I wouldn’t say that. We were suddenly thrown out from the dungeon and now we’re in trouble. We want to go back…oh? How do I explain that over there?”
”Dungeon? Are you adventurers?”
”Adventurers? Is that what they call it around here? Anyway, I don’t know how to get back. Our throat is dry and we’re hungry too.”
”Hahaha! A spirited young lady, aren’t you! I like you! It’s fine, take your time!”
A sturdy old man approached from the group, looking pleased.
”Gaston-san! Is it okay?”
”Ahh, I don’t mind. They don’t seem like monsters or bandits. If you’re adventurers, I’ll hire you as escorts to the town. There’s still space in the wagon.”
”Seriously!? Thank you, old man! Akarin, come here too! It looks like everything will be okay!”
”Geez, you…”
With a sigh, Akari also descended the hill to join Chikako.
The rugged old man named Gaston is a merchant from country called Miredonia, on his way from the Bunera village in the Count’s territory through the plains to the Akrata town.
The two girls were welcomed into these small caravan of around ten people, including guards.
”Sorry, but you two will have to share a blanket. We have to leave early in the morning, so make sure to get some rest.”
”Okay! Goodnight, Begner-san!”
”Goodnight”
Chikako and Akari snuggled together in the small space of the wagon bed and lay down. Sleep was already starting to overcome them.
”I wonder where the dungeon starts and ends…”
”I’m so tired. Let’s just go to sleep for now. We can think about difficult things tomorrow.”
”Yes, that sounds good.”
Both their mind and body were completely exhausted. It was fortunate that they were able to secure a safe place to sleep.
Even though there are plenty of water and food, their throat still felt dry and their stomach empty.
(Oh? What did I eat again…)
Chikako couldn’t remember, it was like trying to recall something through a fog. She suddenly noticed a sour, sweet smell wafting through the air.
(What was that smell…something rotten, like blood…)
Somewhere in the distance, it felt like an alarm was ringing.
(Anyway, I need to rest…I’ll think about it again tomorrow…)
Akari’s thoughts were gradually overtaken by drowsiness.
* * *
’Master, please turn left there!’
I followed Tina’s instructions and ran down the rocky path. Maekawa-san and Nishina-san were right behind me. The rough, sandy-colored rocks were dyed red by the setting sun.
’Master! You’re currently under a mental attack! It seems like you resisted it!’
Suddenly, Tina’s warning caught me off guard.
”Did you say a mental attack!? Are there monsters nearby?”
When I looked back, I noticed that Maekawa-san and Nishina-san were further away from me. Although they were running, their movements were clearly sluggish.
”Maekawa-san! Nishina-san!”
When I stopped, both of them came to a halt in front of me.
”Tsuchimiya-kun, what’s wrong?”
”We have to go help Akari and the others quickly…”
What I was saying made sense, but both of them seemed to be out of focus.
”Get it together! Maekawa-san! Nishina-san!”
”Huh? Tsuchimiya-kun… right? What’s wrong?”
”Huh!? Tsuchimiya-kun?”
When I shook their shoulders, both of them blinked their eyes and looked at me with a surprised expression as if they had just woken up.
”Are you okay? You seemed a bit strange just now. It seems like you were under some kind of mental attack.”
”A mental attack? Oh…I smelled something sweet, and then I feel like my memory has been fuzzy.”
”Yeah, me too…I can still smell that scent now.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t paid attention, but there has been a sweet smell mixed with a hint of a fishy smell since earlier.
”Is it this smell? It’s sweet, but it kind of reminds me of the smell of blood.”
’Oh, I think I know now. That scent, it has a hypnotic effect, so please be careful. If you are put under a hypnosis state and a hallucination Magic is cast on you, you can hardly resist.’
”Is it the work of a monster?”
’As long as you watch out for the hallucination Magic, they are not that strong of a monster. Let’s hurry!’
”Okay! It seems like both of you are hypnotized by this smell. Be careful because when you’re hypnotized, you can’t resist magic illusions cast by monsters.”
””Got it!””
As we start running again on the rocky path, a cluster of red dots and two blue dots appear on the automap.
”They’re close!”
We rush through the rocks and come out into a slightly open area. At the edge, there’s a creepy plant about 3m (10ft) tall.
Its thick green stem sways slightly, and at the top, there’s a large red flower resembling a Rafflesia. Numerous thin vines with leaves extend from its body. Two girls lie on the ground as if embracing each other, covered in vines. The vines are adorned with many red flowers, resembling blood.
’This is a Bloodthorn! It’s a monster that captures prey by showing them illusions and feeds on them!’
”Satou-san! Hano-san!”
When I raised my voice, the Blood Thorn spread its vines towards me in a threatening manner with a large red flower.
I felt a surge of anger, but using a Flare Bomb or Lightning Bolt would involve Satou-san and the others. I grabbed the Kondou Spear in my hand.
’Resistance to hallucination Magic, successful! It won’t work that easily if you’re not in a hypnotized state!’
I slashed through the wall of vines with the Kondou Spear, but there were too many!
”Ice Spear!”
Nishina-san’s voice echoed as an ice spear pierced through the large flower-like head.
”Geiiiiii!”
Even though it’s a plant, it let out a scream. Taking advantage of the vines’ disrupted movements, I circled around to the back and swung the Kondou Spear, causing the large flower to fall and the vines to wilt powerlessly. Maekawa-san delivered the finishing blow by thrusting her spear through the stem from the front.
”Akari! Chika!”
We removed the vines that were wrapping around the two girls while cutting them off from the main plant. Blood dripped from the cut vines.
”Ugh…”
Calling out, the two regained consciousness.
”Akari!”
”Akari! Are you okay!?”
”Hano-san! Are you okay!?”
”Huh? …Is it morning already?”
Hano-san rubbed her sleepy eyes and woke up.
”Aaaahhhh!?”
Hano-san suddenly opened her eyes wide and screamed.
”What’s wrong, Hano-san! Are you okay!?”
”Tsuchimiya-kun… Please take off the mask.”
”Oh, this?”
Maekawa-san noticed and realized she had been wearing a mask. Hano-san must have been surprised to wake up and see an unknown person in front of her. It seems she didn’t notice the name written on the forehead.
”Huh…? Tsucchi? And everyone else… Why!?”
When we opened the bag, Hano-san finally realized it was me and started to look around in surprise. Satou-san also looked around with a bewildered expression.
”We all came to help. Looks like we made it in time.”
”Tsucchi! Thank you, everyone!”
Hano-san hugged me.
”Hey, where’s the old man? And the rest of the caravan?”
”The caravan? You two were all under some kind of illusion caused by this creature. You were about to be drained of blood while you were sleeping.”
”Ew! What is this thing? It’s so gross!”
Hano-san noticed the Bloodthorn and turned pale. The tendrils were still slowly writhing like tentacles.
”Gaston-san… he said he’s a merchant from a country called Miledonia…”
”Yeah, yeah! That’s it! Akarin saw the same thing! It feels so real, it doesn’t seem like a dream at all.”
’Miledonia… it’s a nostalgic name. It’s a country that doesn’t exist anymore. These creatures use memories from absorbed humans. Those memories are passed down to their descendants, and some individuals are quite intelligent.’
”It seems like they create illusions from the memories of the people they’ve eaten.”
”Did it eat the old man too?”
Hano-san looked a little sad as she folded her hands and prayed silently.
After collecting Bloodthorn into the storage container, we used tree branches to return to our base.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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