Chapter 45
“…! Wh-where did you suddenly come from?”
Startled by her sudden appearance, Leo jumped up in surprise.
“Hm? I told you yesterday, didn’t I? If I got caught contacting you all, I’d be done for. In that kind of situation, I can’t just proudly walk out through the main gate, can I? So I used a secret passage only I know about.”
With a mischievous grin, Ferdia dusted off the leaves clinging to her hair.
It was certainly a dramatic entrance.
“Well then, let’s get going. Everyone ready?”
Ferdia loosened up with a few shoulder rolls and then took the lead, guiding them.
Up to the edge of the forest, it was still a relatively normal woodland, not yet fully consumed by darkness.
Of course, the trees were so dense that it was darker than usual.
How long had they been walking?
“Hm, looks like this is where the real darkness begins.”
Adrian swallowed dryly, speaking in a tense voice.
This meant they were now entering the danger zone — where enemy combat power increased threefold.
“I’ll prepare magical lighting!”
Leo skillfully opened his spellbook and began casting a light spell.
Even the weapon he used yesterday had flashy effects, but the legendary-grade weapon I gave him was practically blinding with its brilliance.
If you’re the kind of gamer who loves flashy weapons, it was the kind of eye candy that would leave you writhing in “QUBUDEUGO” — the agony of wanting something you can’t have.
As Leo cast his magic from the glittering spellbook, a large glowing orb formed from the spinning mana crystals and floated into the air.
Thanks to that, the forest, once shrouded by thick leaves blocking all sunlight, was lit up.
However, the powerful darkness created by the Demon God Poneros didn’t budge — it still cloaked the forest without retreat.
Everyone tensed up at the sight of that unnatural darkness.
“Well then, guess I should get ready for battle too.”
With a bold grin, Darren pulled out the massive axe strapped to his back.
It had many scars — understandable, since it was the same axe his grandmother Clemens had used in her youth — but it was well-maintained and the blade was still sharp.
“…”
Rena also began casting silent buff spells, strengthening her hands and feet with magic.
‘Guess it’s my turn now.’
In the game, the dungeon intro cutscene would show party members drawing their weapons one by one.
I remember how my heart would swell watching that.
And now… I’m doing it myself.
It felt a bit embarrassing, but I pulled out my weapon.
Then, I used the secret technique I learned last night.
I pulled the trigger, pointing downward.
A brilliant magic circle appeared, and I could feel the air around me grow warmer.
The overwhelming darkness that didn’t budge even against Leo’s light magic… seemed to recede ever so slightly.
“Whoa… that’s awesome.”
Leo muttered in awe, mouth agape.
“Oh, so it’s true — there really is a hero blessed by the goddess.”
Ferdia also murmured in admiration, taking a step toward the darkness.
“Uh-uh, you just point the way. There are tons of monsters in there. I’ll take the lead.”
Darren blocked her path and boldly walked into the darkness.
He was a pretty reassuring sight from behind.
The rest of the party followed Darren into the darkness.
And now, only I remained.
I took a step forward, nervous.
As I moved, the magic circle followed, pushing back the darkness just a bit more.
And then — it happened.
[You are entering the dungeon: <Silvagrove Forest>]
A holographic status window popped up.
Finally, the dungeon entrance.
* * *
What is a dungeon?
Originally, the word referred to a prison located in a castle’s basement.
But in games, the term is used differently.
It’s just a catch-all name for places where waves of enemies appear, and you have to defeat the boss to clear it.
It doesn’t have to be underground either.
This jungle was the same.
A space where monsters — corrupted by the influence of Demon God Poneros — swarmed.
Where you must defeat the boss leading those monsters.
That was the “dungeon” we were in now.
Whew, this was nerve-wracking.
This was going to be real combat — nothing like the fights we’d faced before.
Stronger enemies too.
If you charged in mindlessly, you’d likely find yourself flat on your back before realizing what hit you.
Then all you could do was wait pathetically for a healer to revive you.
“Hah, without a guide, we’d have gotten lost after just a few steps.”
Darren grumbled.
He wasn’t wrong.
Only about five meters around us was visible.
We were surrounded by pitch-black fog — even the sky was obscured.
Even the compass spun wildly and wouldn’t work.
The forest was so dense, everything looked the same.
“You may not know this, but the forest changes day by day. The trees grow so fast, the paths constantly shift.”
Ferdia, who had been guiding us, explained.
That’s why we needed her.
Even in the game, the dungeon’s layout changed every time.
If the path had stayed the same, I wouldn’t have needed to wait for Ferdia.
I could’ve just memorized the route and led everyone myself.
But of course, that wasn’t the case.
“Hm, I see.”
Adrian, walking behind with her, nodded and began jotting down notes in a small notebook.
That was Adrian’s role in the group.
To record our battles.
For future heroes.
Even I was using those records to maintain this magic circle.
‘Though it’s exhausting as hell…’
At this rate, I might not even be able to fight properly.
My mana was being drained so fast I had to drink mana potions just to keep going.
“Lady Elaine, are you all right…?”
Seeing me pull out a blue potion from my inventory and down it in one go, Leo asked worriedly.
“Oh, no, I’m fine. Tastes great, actually.”
That was the truth.
Whoever made this added a sweet-sour blueberry flavor — it was delicious.
And no matter how much I drank, I never felt full.
Probably because the mana was absorbed directly and didn’t go through digestion.
That was a relief.
Imagine if everything I drank just went straight to my stomach or bladder.
In this forest — with no bathroom?
As someone used to hygienic, modern plumbing, that would’ve been unbearable.
Anyway, thanks to not needing to worry about that, I kept chugging, and my inventory was starting to fill with empty glass bottles.
I’d already downed three bottles — and the real fight hadn’t even begun yet.
I wondered just how many bottles I’d go through by the end of this dungeon.
And then —
“I sense something! Strong presence too!”
Darren, who was leading the way, gripped his axe with both hands, shifting into battle mode.
Finally — our first enemy.
The tension was real.
“Don’t go too far! If you do, you’ll be outside the secret technique’s range!”
I shouted, and Darren nodded, taking a few cautious steps toward the source of the presence.
Then —
“GRAAAAH!”
With a roar, something massive leapt out from the darkness.
A bear.
But not just any bear.
Black, spiky thorns covered its back.
Its claws were unnaturally long and sharp, and thick black liquid dripped from their tips.
It looked like even a scratch could be deadly.
“Ugh, what the hell is that?!”
Darren swung his massive axe to block the bear’s approach.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only enemy.
With bouncy little sounds — that weren’t cute at all — other creatures began swarming toward us.
“What… the…?”
Leo, flustered, cast a protection spell on Darren as he shouted.
“Mushrooms?”
“Yeah, those are definitely mushrooms.”
Mushrooms with eyes and mouths, hopping toward us without any legs.
In a horde.
Just like slimes, these were usually considered low-level monsters — kind of cute, even.
But seeing them swarm in real life… yeah, not so cute. Kind of creepy, actually.
Darren let out a “HRAAAH!” and swung his axe at both the bear and the mushrooms.
Doing his best to protect the party by drawing their attention.
“I’ll hold them off! You guys finish them!”
“Healing’s on me!”
Our tank and healer were doing their jobs.
It was classic party play — and I could feel the gamer spirit inside me start to boil.
Now it was the DPS’s turn.
I turned to look at my roommate — now my comrade and friend — Rena.
She gave me a determined nod and charged toward the monsters.
Sparks of mana crackled around her arms and legs.
She looked pretty badass.
‘All right, let’s do this.’
I aimed my gun at the enemies.
Target: the spiked bear — clearly the strongest one.
I fired.
Skill used: Frost Shot.
My plan was to freeze the big one so we could take down the weaker ones first.
The icy bullet hit its mark.
Just as the bear was about to slash Darren with its massive claw — it froze solid.
“Nice! Great shot, Elaine!”
Darren slammed his huge axe into the ground for a moment and gave me a big thumbs-up.
Even though he was bleeding from a small cut on his forehead, he didn’t seem to care.
“Hey, focus on the battle.”
Rena muttered disapprovingly as she kicked a tiny mushroom aside.
