Published at 9th of August 2022 07:04:19 AM
26 - The Old Man From The Countryside Faces A Dungeon
“… We're here,” Selena said.
“Hmm, this seems perfect, doesn't it?” I said.
We road a horse-drawn carriage, pitched camp to spend the night, then began again the next morning, arriving at the outer edge of Azalamia after a few more hours of travel.
As we saw the vast forest before us, we climbed down the carriage and walked for about 30 minutes.
And now before us, there was a hollowed out-cave on the side of a hill that jutted out a bit.
I think it's a little much to call it a “dungeon”. However, it could be a good challenge for training young newcomers.
It seems that there are ruins where there's a wide variety of vile monsters and traps that bring instant death, but this one isn't so horrifying. I really get the sense now that “Adventuring” as a career involves betting your life for fame.
“You were all pretty comfortable yesterday, huh?” I said. “Seems you're all used to this.”
“N-No!” Porta said nervously. “You humble us.”
Adventurers have to camp out, so it's difficult.
Missions aren't limited to day trips, after all, but this was natural.
By the way, it seems that the preparations for travel are done by the trainees themselves for experience and Selena didn't do anything to help them.
I didn't help, either, because I wasn't told to do anything in particular. Now that I think about it, even though the location is relatively close, I feel like it's dangerous to consistently go on dungeon raids. I'm really ignorant and sorry for it.
On that note, if the party of trainees wasn't fully prepared for this, they wouldn't have even be allowed to set out.
Their training would be over.
It's said that those who can't accurately predict and adequately prepare for the number of their members and traveling to their destination are disqualified as Adventurers.
In that respect, it seems this team was the best.
Selena didn't say anything in particular and we spent our night safely.
“Well then… let's, get ready…” Salkatz spoke up.
The five of us stand seriously at the mouth of the cave.
As the party's seeker, Salkatz would be leading.
Once he took a quick look into the cave, he touched the bracelet on his left arm.
Afterwards, it has dimly lit up, one thing came to my mind:
“Is that a magical device, by any chance?” I asked.
""
“Ah… yes, it is…” Salkatz said, almost frightened.
At first glance, it seems that talking with him would be difficult but you could handle a kid like that if you don't push or pull him too much. You can pick up the conversation as needed and talk to him naturally.
This is the advantage of seniority. I'm not too proud of it.
“Can you explain what kind of effect it has?” I asked.
“Oh, right…” Salkatz said, nodding as we continued onward.
Then, he stood in the center of our group and raised his left arm a bit.
“Umm… this will shine when there's a living creature nearby… now that there's 5 of us, including me… the more there are, the stronger the light…”
“… I see, so it's suitable for taking point, isn't it?” I said.
Salkatz looks like he's struggling to explain.
Is his bracelet like a detector?
Living creatures near you—the closer you are to humans and monsters, the more intense the light. If you first note the amount of light for 5 people, you'll be able to get some warning if there are suddenly more.
The intensity of the light was also insignificant, so you don't have to worry about being found out by others. In any case, we'll use torches or something to light up the dark.
It really is convenient, magical equipment. I don't seem to have a chance to use it but somehow, I want one. It's no wonder that Thyssel was addicted to collecting them.
“O-Okay!” Porta shouted. “Now, let's go! Salkatz! On your call!”
“Ye-Yeah…” Salkatz said. “Let's go…”
With that, we invaded the cave.
Our order is Salkatz first, followed by Porta and Nedley. Bringing up the rear was myself and Selena.
As I was observing them, Selena had hardly spoken since we entered Azalamia Forest. It seems the three newcomers knew this and didn't bother talking to her, either.
I could be wrong, but I don't think I'll give any advice because I'm just a chaperon. Perhaps the trainees have been instructed not to rely on their chaperons.
Yep.
If that was the case, it may not have been good for me to talk to Salkatz like that. This old man is regretful.
Our 5-person march continues, we continued without conversation.
There is cool but moist air in the cave. There was a slight odor that was mixed with the peculiar stench of a closed room without ventilation.
“… Got company, huh?” I whispered, keeping my voice down.
“We do,” Selena said, whispering back. “Well, that goes without saying.”
She's right, it need not be mentioned. This training was also for seeing their combat ability.
“What monsters are we expecting?” I asked.
As you'd expect, the newbies should have been informed about their targets. Otherwise, they can't take any measures against them.
So, I should be able to ask this question.
“Mostly Goblins,” Selena said. “The rest are Big Bats, Cave Worms, etc. Let's just see what they can do.”
“Understood,” I said.
The names sounded familiar.
Goblins are like the representatives of small monster species, who lived in forests and caves.
An individual isn't that strong but they come in hordes. If they can't deal with them properly, these young newcomers may have an unexpected struggle.
You could say they were perfect opponents for a training exercise.
Alongside the big bats and cave worms were, well let's put it this way, large bats and large caterpillars. They've got no special abilities and are prey that can be dealt with as an extension of your usual hunting.
""
I've been hunting them here and there myself back in Bidden Village, so I can't help but feel nostalgic.
Well, I'm glad the monsters were ones they could manage.
Of course, I can't let my guard down. The important thing here isn't that I come out of this raid successful, but that I rescue them from the jaws of defeat.
“… They're here,” Salkatz said. “In the back, maybe, more than one of them…!”
“Un-Understood…!” Porta said, now even more nervous. “Nedley…!”
“Ri-Right…!”
Both of them are swordsmen and seem to be competent with standard short swords. Each draws their blade and braces for the enemy.
Salkatz also drew the dagger around his waist and prepared for battle.
–Gyagyaa…
A hissing sound, not human, echoes in the cave.
From the depths of the darkness, the vague silhouettes of the sources emerge.
Their size was tiny, like young children.
They didn't have bulging muscles, but scrawny builds than an average adult would be able to win against easily enough.
However, their green skin, their pair of exposed fangs, and the wide-open, reptilian eyes, all inhuman features, inevitably erase any thoughts of them being harmless.
Goblins, the representatives of small monster species, are here.
“Master,” Selena whispered, “I think you already know…”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding back. “Let's go see how these young ones handle themselves.”
I know it. It doesn't make sense for me to draw my sword here.
“There's, 6…!” Salkatz said.
“3 against 6…!” Porta said. “Let's do it, the both of you!”
“Ri-Right!” Nedley cried.
These there are excited to confront the monsters.
Inside this remote cave.
The on-the-job training for these new adventurers has quietly begun.
26: The Old Man From The Countryside Faces A Dungeon
“… We're here,” Selena said.
“Hmm, this seems perfect, doesn't it?” I said.
We road a horse-drawn carriage, pitched camp to spend the night, then began again the next morning, arriving at the outer edge of Azalamia after a few more hours of travel.
As we saw the vast forest before us, we climbed down the carriage and walked for about 30 minutes.
And now before us, there was a hollowed out-cave on the side of a hill that jutted out a bit.
I think it's a little much to call it a “dungeon”. However, it could be a good challenge for training young newcomers.
It seems that there are ruins where there's a wide variety of vile monsters and traps that bring instant death, but this one isn't so horrifying. I really get the sense now that “Adventuring” as a career involves betting your life for fame.
“You were all pretty comfortable yesterday, huh?” I said. “Seems you're all used to this.”
“N-No!” Porta said nervously. “You humble us.”
Adventurers have to camp out, so it's difficult.
Missions aren't limited to day trips, after all, but this was natural.
""
By the way, it seems that the preparations for travel are done by the trainees themselves for experience and Selena didn't do anything to help them.
I didn't help, either, because I wasn't told to do anything in particular. Now that I think about it, even though the location is relatively close, I feel like it's dangerous to consistently go on dungeon raids. I'm really ignorant and sorry for it.
On that note, if the party of trainees wasn't fully prepared for this, they wouldn't have even be allowed to set out.
Their training would be over.
It's said that those who can't accurately predict and adequately prepare for the number of their members and traveling to their destination are disqualified as Adventurers.
In that respect, it seems this team was the best.
Selena didn't say anything in particular and we spent our night safely.
“Well then… let's, get ready…” Salkatz spoke up.
The five of us stand seriously at the mouth of the cave.
As the party's seeker, Salkatz would be leading.
Once he took a quick look into the cave, he touched the bracelet on his left arm.
Afterwards, it has dimly lit up, one thing came to my mind:
“Is that a magical device, by any chance?” I asked.
“Ah… yes, it is…” Salkatz said, almost frightened.
At first glance, it seems that talking with him would be difficult but you could handle a kid like that if you don't push or pull him too much. You can pick up the conversation as needed and talk to him naturally.
This is the advantage of seniority. I'm not too proud of it.
“Can you explain what kind of effect it has?” I asked.
“Oh, right…” Salkatz said, nodding as we continued onward.
Then, he stood in the center of our group and raised his left arm a bit.
“Umm… this will shine when there's a living creature nearby… now that there's 5 of us, including me… the more there are, the stronger the light…”
“… I see, so it's suitable for taking point, isn't it?” I said.
Salkatz looks like he's struggling to explain.
Is his bracelet like a detector?
Living creatures near you—the closer you are to humans and monsters, the more intense the light. If you first note the amount of light for 5 people, you'll be able to get some warning if there are suddenly more.
The intensity of the light was also insignificant, so you don't have to worry about being found out by others. In any case, we'll use torches or something to light up the dark.
It really is convenient, magical equipment. I don't seem to have a chance to use it but somehow, I want one. It's no wonder that Thyssel was addicted to collecting them.
“O-Okay!” Porta shouted. “Now, let's go! Salkatz! On your call!”
“Ye-Yeah…” Salkatz said. “Let's go…”
With that, we invaded the cave.
Our order is Salkatz first, followed by Porta and Nedley. Bringing up the rear was myself and Selena.
As I was observing them, Selena had hardly spoken since we entered Azalamia Forest. It seems the three newcomers knew this and didn't bother talking to her, either.
I could be wrong, but I don't think I'll give any advice because I'm just a chaperon. Perhaps the trainees have been instructed not to rely on their chaperons.
Yep.
If that was the case, it may not have been good for me to talk to Salkatz like that. This old man is regretful.
Our 5-person march continues, we continued without conversation.
There is cool but moist air in the cave. There was a slight odor that was mixed with the peculiar stench of a closed room without ventilation.
“… Got company, huh?” I whispered, keeping my voice down.
“We do,” Selena said, whispering back. “Well, that goes without saying.”
She's right, it need not be mentioned. This training was also for seeing their combat ability.
“What monsters are we expecting?” I asked.
As you'd expect, the newbies should have been informed about their targets. Otherwise, they can't take any measures against them.
So, I should be able to ask this question.
“Mostly Goblins,” Selena said. “The rest are Big Bats, Cave Worms, etc. Let's just see what they can do.”
“Understood,” I said.
The names sounded familiar.
Goblins are like the representatives of small monster species, who lived in forests and caves.
An individual isn't that strong but they come in hordes. If they can't deal with them properly, these young newcomers may have an unexpected struggle.
You could say they were perfect opponents for a training exercise.
""
Alongside the big bats and cave worms were, well let's put it this way, large bats and large caterpillars. They've got no special abilities and are prey that can be dealt with as an extension of your usual hunting.
I've been hunting them here and there myself back in Bidden Village, so I can't help but feel nostalgic.
Well, I'm glad the monsters were ones they could manage.
Of course, I can't let my guard down. The important thing here isn't that I come out of this raid successful, but that I rescue them from the jaws of defeat.
“… They're here,” Salkatz said. “In the back, maybe, more than one of them…!”
“Un-Understood…!” Porta said, now even more nervous. “Nedley…!”
“Ri-Right…!”
Both of them are swordsmen and seem to be competent with standard short swords. Each draws their blade and braces for the enemy.
Salkatz also drew the dagger around his waist and prepared for battle.
–Gyagyaa…
A hissing sound, not human, echoes in the cave.
From the depths of the darkness, the vague silhouettes of the sources emerge.
Their size was tiny, like young children.
They didn't have bulging muscles, but scrawny builds than an average adult would be able to win against easily enough.
However, their green skin, their pair of exposed fangs, and the wide-open, reptilian eyes, all inhuman features, inevitably erase any thoughts of them being harmless.
Goblins, the representatives of small monster species, are here.
“Master,” Selena whispered, “I think you already know…”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding back. “Let's go see how these young ones handle themselves.”
I know it. It doesn't make sense for me to draw my sword here.
“There's, 6…!” Salkatz said.
“3 against 6…!” Porta said. “Let's do it, the both of you!”
“Ri-Right!” Nedley cried.
These there are excited to confront the monsters.
Inside this remote cave.
The on-the-job training for these new adventurers has quietly begun.
Chapter end
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