Chapter 59: A Shortcut Worth Paying For
The exam outline was as follows:
・Both parties will be equipped with high-performance drone cameras for exam supervision.
・The party that defeats the 20th-floor boss first wins.
・If both parties enter the boss battle simultaneously, the team that inflicts more damage before the boss is defeated wins. The drones have a function to measure damage.
・As the entire dungeon exploration process is part of the exam, the use of 【Spatial Transfer】 and similar abilities is prohibited until the 20th-floor boss is defeated. Violation will result in the disqualification of the offending party.
・Bringing items is unrestricted.
・Direct interference with the opposing team is prohibited. However, if such a result occurs unintentionally, it will be overlooked.
・An Explorer from the country will accompany each of the two teams. The Explorer’s duty is to ensure the safety of the examinees and must not attack monsters. Attacking a monster is permissible if unavoidable to protect an Explorer, but in that case, the party involved will be disqualified.
“…This is disadvantageous for us.”
Since Shi-chan can’t fight directly, the other team effectively has more members.
“That’s not necessarily true. Since it’s being held in your local area, you could say you have an advantage. Oh, right. Lastly, the most important rule.”
・The return trip from the 20th floor to the 1st floor will be treated as an A-Rank Party admission test. Applicants, with the consent of the victorious A-Rank Party, can accompany them on the return journey. If their performance on the return trip is recognized, applicants can transfer into the A-Rank Party.
“You can use 【Spatial Transfer】-type skills on the way back, so it might be a chance for Natsume-kun to show his true abilities.”
“…That’s pretty blatant.”
“What are you talking about? Well, head on in.”
We held up our Explorer licenses and opened the iron door sealing the Utsunomiya Dungeon.
The entrance to the Utsunomiya Dungeon, much like the Ota Dungeon, was shaped like a square manhole.
Lifting it revealed a staircase leading underground, resembling Oya stone.
Orange lights were periodically lit along the walls.
“Amazing…”
It has a different atmosphere from Ota Dungeon.
“Ko-chan, this is your first time here, right?”
“Yeah… I was prioritizing leveling up in the Private Dungeon, so I never got around to coming here.”
We descended underground, our footsteps echoing with a clack-clack sound.
After descending the stairs, there was a plaza made of stone.
Our two parties were lined up there.
“Both parties, please deploy your drones.”
At the instruction of Shi-chan’s superior, we activated the camera-equipped drones.
“I can view the footage from both drones on the magitech tablet I have here. Any cheating will be immediately apparent, so keep that in mind.”
He probably means we can’t use 《Wormhole》 on the way there.
“Be careful not to rush too much on the way and run out of stamina for the boss, or fall into any fatal traps. Are you ready?”
“—Yeah.”
“—Of course.”
And then, after a brief pause.
“Alright, begin!”
The start of the exam was declared.
“Follow me! 《First Penguins》!”
“Natsume-kun, the stairs are to the left!”
“Got it!”
From the entrance plaza of the Utsunomiya Dungeon, passages extended in three directions: left, right, and straight ahead.
The members of 《First Penguins》 were already running towards the left passage.
“Ah, Ko-chan! There’s a goblin coming from the front!”
“Kishaaaaaaaahhh!!”
It was running from the passage straight ahead.
It seemed to be targeting us.
“A goblin’s a piece of cake. I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry and keep running!”
“Ko-chan, roger!”
But, just then.
“【Fire Magic】【Mana Amplification】… Inferno Wall!!”
“—Hk!”
A woman’s voice from 《First Penguins》 rang out, and a wall of fire, as if to bisect the room, appeared.
“Kisha…”
The goblin was incinerated in an instant.
And after that.
“K-Ko-chan! This…!”
—A wall of fire remained, blocking the path to the passage.
“We can’t get through like this…!”
“Ah, sorry about that~. Was the firepower a bit too high~? Oh, the drone says it did 386 damage. Seems like it measures properly even if it’s overkill, huh? Hilarious~.”
“Alrighty, now that victory is assured, maybe I’ll start the stream. Let’s get the settings on the exam drone… Everyone, try to act friendly, okay?”
“Nonsense. I will not speak.”
“See ya, slowpokes (late majority). Now then… Hello everyone, Dungeon Innovators! This is Yagyu from 《First Penguins》. Today, a team actually appeared to declare war on us…”
Beyond the wall of fire, the members of 《First Penguins》 proceeded deeper into the passage.
“Assistant Inaba! Isn’t this an act of interference?!”
Shi-chan turned around and protested to her superior.
However.
“It was an attack aimed at the goblin, wasn’t it? Do you have any evidence to conclude it was for the purpose of interference?”
“This much firepower isn’t necessary against a goblin! And streaming during an exam!”
“It’s not prohibited, you know. It’s common for Explorers to stream, and some parties even incorporate rear support (operators).”
“I wasn’t told about this!”
Then, Manamin said to Shi-chan.
“Shi-chan, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Manamin…! But…!”
“Heh heh, let ’em do what they want. No problem at all.”
“What about that fire? Should I put it out with my 【Water User】?” Otama-chan asked.
The intensity of the fire didn’t weaken in the slightest.
However, Manamin said.
“Those guys don’t know a thing. The path they took is the shortest route to the stairs leading to the 2nd floor. Not the shortest route to the 20th floor.”
“Eh…?”
“Everyone, follow me. Even I can’t stomach this anymore. The time has come to use information I’ve only shared with my paying subscribers.”
And so, Manamin headed towards the passage on the right.
“Guess I’ll get serious too. 《Dress Change》!”
Manamin switched her outfit, transforming into the Moonbow Hermit.
“Shi. Hand over the companion device.”
“Eh? This one, but why…?”
“We too shall stream, and expose the defeat of those arrogant fools.”
“Mana… I mean, Harmin-sama, do you have a streaming account?”
“I’ve never actually streamed, but I have the settings. Shi, here you go.”
“Eh, it’s already done? Man, the security settings are lax… I bet their stream was a foregone conclusion…” Shi-chan muttered.
“Now, let’s start the stream. ‘Gekkou Ko-Channel,’ begin!”
“Eh, eh!? Wait, I’m not mentally prepared…” Otama-chan stammered.
“My name’s being used too…” I thought.
Manamin struck a mysterious pose towards the drone, holding one hand up to her face.
“O brethren who have partaken of the fruit of wisdom! I am the fallen king who commands both 【Light】 and 【Darkness】, the Moonbow Hermit.”
“Ko-chan, I’m starting to feel embarrassed…” Otama-chan whispered.
“Is it really okay to be doing this…? Wow, three people are already watching,” Shi-chan said, looking at the device.
《Hermit follower lol. Too cringey www》
《Did you get permission from the real person? Just because they don’t show their face, impersonation is a crime.》
“I am the genuine article. As proof, I am currently in the Utsunomiya Dungeon. We are in the middle of an A-Rank Party certification exam, a Real Time Attack against 《First Penguins》. If we win, our team will become an A-Rank Party.”
《Dropping famous party names again… I’m reporting you.》
《Wait a sec. It looks like First Penguins really is in the same dungeon.》
“Allow me to introduce my team. Some of you may know them… Natsume, Tama. And Explorer Shi.”
《Who the heck are they? www》
《Never heard of ’em.》
《Eh? Wait?》
《Isn’t that Ko-chan!!!》
“H-Hermit-san. Shouldn’t we get going soon…” I ventured.
“Mmm, Shi. Your impatience is understandable. However, we have already reached our destination.”
Before our eyes, the subterranean lake of the Utsunomiya Dungeon spread out.
“Harmin-sama… it’s a dead end, you know?” Otama-chan said.
“Mana… no, Hermit-sama, isn’t this bad…?” I asked.
The other team could easily be on the 3rd floor by now.
Even if we turn back now, it’s already…
“Worry not, Natsume. Look at that.”
Then, a light like a laser pointer extended from Manamin’s fingertip, pointing to the opposite wall.
《Light Magic?》
《Seriously? The real Hermit?》
《Hermit’s a girl?》
《Hey, at the end of the light, the wall’s indented.》
“That is a shortcut route in the Utsunomiya Dungeon. It connects to the 11th floor.”
《A shortcut!?》
《Not fake news?》
《I’m a local and I didn’t know.》
《Some gag streamer tried swimming in this water before, but they got pushed back by a mysterious current.》
“How do we get to the other side?” I asked.
“I shall go on my own. Natsume, you can use 【Water Walking】, can’t you?”
“Well, I can, but…”
It’s a skill I learned from a water strider a little while ago.
But what about Otama-chan and Shi-chan…?
“Natsume, activate 【Water Walking】 and carry them both. There’s no time for two trips, so do it in one go.”
“H-Hey!”
“【Dark Magic】 Nighthawk!!”
A black orb shot out from Manamin’s right hand, taking the form of a large hawk.
“Follow me!!”
The shadow hawk gripped Manamin’s shoulders with its talons and soared into the sky.
《She flew!》
《That’s how the Beast King flies!》
《Dark Magic!?》
《It’s really Hermit, confirmed!!》
“K-Ko-chan, Manamin’s leaving!”
“Damn it…! Shi-chan, get on my back! Otama-chan, sorry, but I’m going to carry you!”
“N-Natsume-kun, I might be heavy…!”
“Eh, eh!? Ko-chan!!”
I ended up giving Shi-chan a piggyback ride and carrying Otama-chan princess-style.
I felt a modest softness on my back and a gentle sensation in my arms, but I tried not to mind it.
“N-Natsume-kun…!”
“Ko-chan…”
I gathered mana in my feet and chased after Manamin using 【Water Walking】.
《Ko-chan could use Water Walking?》
《And with two girls, no less.》
《Go explode!》
《Go explode!》
《I wanted Ko-chan to carry me tooooo!》
Deep within an alcove in the wall, there was a small room with a glowing blue magic circle.
“Alright, let’s go. Get on.”
“Mana… Hermit…!”
I was about to complain, “Don’t just go off on your own,” but…
“Harmin-sama, thank you…”
“I’m kind of nervous…”
Since the other two didn’t seem to mind, I decided not to say anything.
“Alright, let’s go.”
When the four of us stepped onto the magic circle, countless particles of light rose into the air, and our vision was dyed a pale blue.
“This is a type of Spatial Transfer, but it’s not skill-based. Therefore, there’s no reason for it to be condemned.”
“Ah…”
When I came to, the four of us and the drone had warped to a different location.
The walls were the same as the first floor, but the mana lights scattered about were now a purplish color.
“This is the 11th floor. Our opponents are, at most, from the latter half of the 3rd floor. To use their vulgar phrasing, it’s what you’d call a ‘guaranteed win’.”