Volume 5 Chapter 4 Dungeon of the Puppeteer
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I can’t sleep.
The thought that I might be able to save Ms. Nina soon makes it impossible to stay still.
Panic is the enemy. I need to rest and get into the best condition to face what’s coming. I didn’t sleep much last night. I have to sleep now.
I know that, but the more I try to sleep, the more things pop into my head. My mind just won’t stop racing.
Even if I stay here, it’s wasting time. Maybe I should go for a solo dungeon run to check things out first.
I crawl out of the single-person tent. It’s a new tent I bought in the capital, clearly a knockoff of Earth products. The capital has stores selling goods brought by summoned Heroes, or replicas of them. That’s where I got it.
I once set up a tent like this with my uncle when we went camping by Lake Nojiri in middle school. The foldable poles are flimsy, but they’re compact and easy to carry.
It was pretty expensive, but even if I made it myself, it would cost me time and materials. So, I decided to splurge a bit.
* * *
Anyway, the tent where Ms. Nina and the others are sleeping is a traditional style from this world, something you’d see Mongolian nomads use. It’s quite large, but it folds up small enough to fit in a cart. I could have slept in there too, but I wanted to try out my new tent. Plus, it’s a bit awkward sharing a private space with the opposite sex for long periods. That’s something Miss Floria told me.
Standing guard in the dark outside was Ms. Claire.
After discussing it before bed, we decided to put out the campfire at night. Ms. Joa and Ms. Claire, who have good night vision, will take turns keeping watch. Monsters that can be deterred by a campfire aren’t much of a threat anyway. What’s really scary is whatever might be drawn to the fire from a distance.
”Is something the matter?”
As I was rummaging through the cart, Ms. Claire approached.
”I can’t sleep. I thought I’d try going into the dungeon alone for a bit.”
”This dungeon is filled with unknown dangers. Please, don’t let your guard down.”
Since I started accompanying the Valley of Trials, I feel Ms. Claire’s attitude toward me has changed. She used to obey me reluctantly because of her subjugation skill, but now she’s like a loyal retainer. Now she treats me with the same or even more respect than Ms. Joa. Maybe the title of clearing the Valley of Trials makes her see me as a real warrior?
”I’ll be back by morning, but if Ms. Nina wakes up first, please tell her not to worry.”
I’m just scouting ahead, not planning to go into the boss room. If the intel is right, it won’t take long. No need to fight, so I probably don’t need to bring my weapons this time.
Carefully climbing the half-rotted log staircase, I peek inside through the hatch. The narrow vertical shaft continues deep below.
I try hooking a rope ladder onto the hatch’s edge, but the hooks are too small, barely catching. It seems like it could come loose easily if bumped. When I bring Ms. Nina in, I’ll drive stakes into the ground and run a safety line from there.
I manage to squeeze through the narrow hatch into the interior. Inside is just as cramped──the shaft diameter is barely wide enough for a person on my back to squeeze through. Still, if the rope ladder slips, I can at least hold on with my arms to prevent falling.
Unlike I imagined, there are no pipes or meters or any mechanical stuff inside. The shaft walls are covered with hexagonal, scale-like tiles, giving me the feeling of being inside a giant creature’s body.
Less than ten meters down, I reach the bottom of the shaft. At this height, I could probably jump down and only sprain my ankle. But of course, I don’t plan to do such a stupid thing ── don’t underestimate your strength.
It’s not well known, but most deaths of large flying monsters are from falling. They often die falling from only a slight height. When it’s obviously dangerous, we watch carefully, but thinking “I’ll be fine” and being complacent is the most dangerous.
According to Uno, most of the heroic tales of dragon-slaying that humans tell are just stories of dragons accidentally crashing to their doom while flying. Excited young dragons, not yet skilled in flight magic, often leap without using their magic during battle and end up smashing themselves to bits. It’s a rather foolish own goal for a dragon that can’t even be scratched by human swords. For the sake of the dragons’ honor, let’s keep the truth hidden.
* * *
By the way, the bottom of the vertical pit opens up to a slightly larger room. Its structure is entirely nonlinear, resembling the inside of a living organism more than a machine, despite the scales covering the floor like tiles.
Oddly, there’s not a speck of dust in this dungeon that’s been abandoned for years. It’s clearly been maintained regularly, which means this dungeon is still alive.
A particularly large tile is set into the wall in front of me. It’s a beautiful hexagon, with one side longer than my height.
According to the information, this must be the door to the boss room. It’s unusual for a dungeon to have the boss fight right after you enter. It seems we need a golem companion to get into this boss room, but will the Doll Princess be recognized as a golem?
I try pushing the door, but it doesn’t budge. It’s just a regular wall. Without Ms. Nina, it seems we can’t go any further.
Staying here any longer would be a waste of time. We’ve seen enough to fulfill our initial plan, so we should withdraw.
After climbing the rope ladder and crawling out of the narrow hatch, Ms. Joa was on watch. It took more effort than expected. If I look at the stars, it’s almost time for the eastern sky to brighten.
If I hurry, I should be able to get a light nap before morning. I quickly slip into my tent. This time, sleep comes quickly.
When I wake up, the sun is already high. Damn, I overslept. What am I doing, wasting time like this when I have none to spare?
Over the bonfire, a kettle boils and steams. The smell of roasted dried meat stimulates my appetite. Ms. Nina has already prepared breakfast. I greedily devour the roasted meat sandwich and wash it down with hot tea.
”I’ve also prepared a lunch box just in case.”
”The boss room is nearby, so it probably won’t take long, but I’ll take it just in case.”
Ms. Nina doesn’t eat, so she made this for me. It’s wrapped in oil paper, so it won’t be in the way. I’ve also prepared emergency rations, but those are only for when things get really bad.”
First, let’s tie the rope to firmly secure the ladder piece. I was going to drive in a stake, but I managed to tie it to a big tree near the entrance instead.”
If I get badly injured and can’t climb the ladder on my own, Ms. Claire and the others will pull the ladder up with a rope.”
For fighting the boss, I’ve brought a Mithril cleaver and an upgraded Indra Gun.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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