I Reincarnated as the Mob Flame User Destined to Die in the Early Stages of the Game, but When I Cleared the Event Before the Protagonist, the Heroines Followed Me - Chapter 28 - Advancing in the Dungeon With Alicia and Estelle

Chapter 28 – Advancing in the Dungeon With Alicia and Estelle

I formed a party with Estelle and Alicia and we headed towards the hidden dungeon near the castle.

The hidden dungeon cannot be entered until the second week after clearing the game.

If you try to enter, the party will stop you and you won’t be able to stay there.

However, I was able to enter normally.

It’s impossible to clear it to the end, but you can progress without any problems until halfway through.

We entered the hidden dungeon.

“This place is too dangerous and no one dares to enter.”

“I see. Then there must be a lot of treasure here.”

This dungeon has up to 50 floors, and although only level 1 monsters appear on the 1st floor, there are a lot.

Most of the dungeon is a maze, making it easy to get lost.

Immediately, four goblins and two orcs attacked us.

Alicia ran and instantly killed the monsters that appeared.

“I got them, nyaa~”

“Thank you, but this dungeon has a long way to go, so let’s take it slow.”

Alicia and I took turns keeping watch as we advanced deep into the dungeon over several days.

Due to the supply situation, my Storage skill is also essential.

We progressed smoothly without struggling in the lower levels.

[Dungeon 5th floor]

“There are a lot of monsters, nyaa~”

“Yeah.”

We’re fighting against 13 goblins.

I took the lead, attracting monsters and defeating goblins that approached with my mace.

Alicia attacked from behind and reduced their numbers, while Estelle watched from behind.

Alicia and I continued to defeat the monsters with our weapons.

As the monsters were weak, we had no trouble.

To conserve MP, I used my mace to defeat the monsters, but I didn’t feel like I was risking my life.

I used to think my lack of agility made me weak for party battles, but as I increased my speed stats, I started to see myself as a decent tank if I step forward to fight.

Alicia can defeat the enemies that I can’t defeat, and Estelle will take care of healing.

If Claire, the attacker, joins the party, it might become a well-balanced party.

Forming a party to battle is quite enjoyable.

I was starting to have fun.

We continued onward.

“Another treasure chest, nyaa!”

“Let’s collect it right away. Ah, it’s 15 potions.”

The contents of the treasure chests in this dungeon were of high quality, and everyone’s excitement rose each time we opened one.

[Dungeon 15th floor]

“Estelle, are you okay?”

“…I’m… I’m fine.”

Estelle was starting to feel tired.

Estelle’s level has increased, and so has her physical strength. But she may have pushed herself too hard.

I thought it was fun, but perhaps I hadn’t considered things like level differences enough. I was getting carried away.

“Estelle, I might have pushed you too hard. Let’s return for now.”

“I’m fine.”

“But…”

“I’m really fine! I’m growing stronger. This is a time of trial for me.”

A time of trial? That’s basically saying she’s tired.

Using healing magic in a tight situation where MP is running low might raise the level more than using it in a relaxed state with plenty of MP.

But if we return now, Estelle will feel bad.

Alicia and I can easily defeat monsters, but Estelle’s combat power is not high because she mainly uses healing and recovery magic.

Also, no matter how many treasure chests appear, everyone’s excitement has waned.

They’ve gotten used to opening treasure chests. After all, we’ve opened so many while progressing through the dungeon.

[Dungeon 23rd floor]

Alicia also started feeling tired.

We kept acquiring treasures and accumulating money, but everyone’s energy was waning.

“Alicia, aren’t you tired?”

“It’s okay, nyaa~”

Everyone is enduring.

Is it better to just not ask everyone?

Once we progress a little further, I’ll decide to return based on my judgment.

We kept opening treasure chests.

I played this game over 10 years ago before my reincarnation, so I don’t remember what’s inside each chest.

But it doesn’t matter!

I’ll take everything!

[Healer’s Collar obtained]

This treasure chest contained equipment to increase Estelle’s favorability.

“It just looks like a regular collar.”

“It’s strong, so I took it. If Estelle equips it, her favorability towards me will increase, but the performance of the equipment should be strong.”

“I understand, I’ll equip it… But I’ll have to take off my clothes.”

“I-I’m sorry. Let’s do it later.”

Such settings didn’t exist in the game.

It seems I’m not familiar with the finer details.

“I understand. More importantly, I’d like to take a break.”

Estelle has started asking for breaks more often.

Estelle’s limit is near.

I emphasized to everyone,

“I’m getting tired too. Let’s leave the dungeon when the time is right.”

I didn’t feel tired, but I should say it just in case.

I can deal with the monsters, but staying in the dungeon for too long can wear down the mind.

Having undergone combat training since childhood and then living a life of going to dungeons, my sense is probably different from normal.

Even if I ask Estelle or Alicia, the only answer I get is that they’re okay, but I don’t think either of them are really okay.

[Dungeon 28th floor]

Despite saying that, we’ve come this far.

I remember that there should be a safe zone on the 30th floor.

I thought it would be easier to go down than go up.

As we kept advancing, we opened more treasure chests.

[Warrior’s Collar obtained]

I got equipment to increase Claire’s favorability, but she’s not in the party.

“If we can reach the 30th floor in this dungeon, there should be a safe zone. Let’s rest there for a while. If there’s no safe zone, we’ll go up.”

“I understand, nyaa~”

“I…understand.”

Maybe I pushed the party a little too hard.

Both of them are really tired, especially Estelle.　

Am I the only one who isn’t tired and still feels energetic?

My body has been strong ever since I was little.

My HP and physical defense talents are SS-ranked. Even if I’m slow, my body is tough.

[Dungeon 30th floor]

We aimed for the safe zone as quickly as possible.

When we arrived at the safe zone, there was a well-maintained farm about the size of a playground, and a house in the center.

It’s just like in the game.

“A kind golem is managing the safe zone here.”

“Welcome, please take it easy and relax.”

A golem with a hoe approached us.

“It’s amazing! It’s like paradise here!”

“There’s a river, nyaa!”

“I want to take a bath.”

Alicia and Estelle headed towards the river in high spirits.

“Golem.”

When I called the golem, it turned to me.

“What is it?”

“I want some fruit. Then, I’d like a meal. After that, I’ll take a bath.”

“Understood.”

The golem went to get some fruits, but it seemed strangely happy.

I sat on a chair resembling a terrace seat in front of the house, waiting. After a short while, The golem returned with cut fruit.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After bathing, Estelle and Alicia returned.

“There’s fruit, nyaa?”

“I asked the golem for it. I also asked the golem to prepare food and a bath for me.”

“It’s strange. I know humans can create golems, but there’s no sign of humans here. How is the golem repaired?”

This dungeon is the remains of an alchemy civilization that developed long ago.

That’s why the items’ performances here are high, and the golems continue to move automatically thanks to the auto-repair system.

“There is a theory that there was an alchemy civilization that developed here long ago, though I don’t know the details.”

“So people in the past created the golem, nyaa?”

“If alchemy civilization is true, then I guess so. By the way, I have a suggestion. How about taking a break here for a while?”

“I agree!”

“Let’s do that, nyaa!”

Thus, we decided to take it easy here.

Then, I noticed something.

Everyone’s equipment is gradually improving in the dungeon, but there’s no equipment for me.

Maybe I should ask my father to make some since I’ve saved up some money?

~ ~ ~

(T/N: Dem… It’s just like in SAO where they had a whole floor to rest, flirt like newlyweds and raise their child… Definitely S1 is the best SAO season, can’t convince me otherwise)