Vol 1 Chapter 15 – The Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

Since the moment they stepped into this wide chamber, Miriam’s instincts had been screaming one thing at her.

They had wandered straight into what adventurers called the “Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber.”

She had never set foot in the place before, yet she believed it without a shred of doubt.

Maybe it was the crushing pressure radiating from whatever lurked in the back of the room.

That something still hadn’t noticed them. It hadn’t aimed any hostility or killing intent their way.

Even so, merely standing here made Miriam feel as though an iron weight were squeezing her heart.

(All because of that pint-size princess…!)

Miriam shot a glare at Debora, whose usual carefree expression vanished the instant she felt the same pressure.

Pinning all the blame on Debora was unfair—Miriam knew that.

She understood they had been lured here by some kind of magical interference.

But she still couldn’t bury the anger she felt toward the tiny princess.

Miriam had never liked the royal family of the Kingdom of Vilemse, starting with King Rei himself.

These days, even the tiniest inconvenience was a fuse the royals could light to set her temper off.

“Erik, let’s sneak out while we still can.”

She tugged at the sleeve of the young man who was her partner.

Erik would gladly throw his life away to save a stranger, but right now no one was under attack.

Surely, he would agree to retreat.

Yet, instead of giving her the answer she wanted, Erik shook his head.

“Miriam, remember? Once you enter the Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber, there’s only one way out—you have to defeat the room’s master.”

Miriam gasped and looked behind her.

Where an ordinary corridor should have been, a thick stone wall now blocked the way.

Yes—this was the chamber’s most terrifying trait.

The moment you lost your way inside, escape became impossible.

There was only one exit: slay the monster that ruled the room.

And from its fearsome reputation, it was obvious that would be anything but easy.

“Eek…!”

A strangled squeal slipped from Miriam’s lips.

As she stepped back, her heel bumped into something.

Looking down, she saw a human bone.

Squinting through the gloom, she realized it wasn’t the only one.

Bones lay scattered across the floor, some piled haphazardly, others propped against the walls.

“All of this… every single one…!”

So these were all that remained of fallen adventurers.

This many people had been swallowed by the room and died here?

Their bodies and even their bones had never been recovered, never seen sunlight again.

The thought sent an icy shiver racing up Miriam’s spine.

“I’ve never read a story this bad…”

Debora tried to sound nonchalant, yet a bead of sweat slid down her cheek.

She, too, sensed how grotesque the room was.

She might be young, but she was strong enough to be feared as the “Spoiled Princess.”

Granted, that nickname came mostly from her habit of blowing up anything—or anyone—she disliked.

Clatter…

“!?”

The bone Miriam had nudged let out a sharp, ringing clink.

Debora jumped at the sound, while Erik—hidden from her view—gave Miriam a look that said Nice one.

Unfortunately, they weren’t the only ones who reacted; the room’s master began to move as well.

From the darkness at the far end came heavy, thudding footsteps.

They were definitely getting closer.

Sure, the noise had triggered it, but since the moment they’d been absorbed by the Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber, the master already knew they were here—so Miriam wasn’t really to blame.

Even so, Debora opened her mouth to curse her friend, only to freeze as the monster stepped into view.

“I see…”

Erik murmured softly.

Because his voice trembled, Miriam mistakenly thought he, too, was paralyzed by fear.

Compared to him, though, the terror she felt was on another level.

Two razor-sharp horns jutted from the creature’s forehead—one charge could punch through plate armor.

A single glare from its predatory eyes seemed capable of snatching a weakling’s life.

With that hulking, muscle-bound body, it could reap human lives bare-handed.

Its crimson hide looked like rage made flesh…

“A-an ogre…”

Miriam’s voice quavered as she named the monster.

GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Almost answering her, the ogre bellowed.

The air vibrated so violently that, despite the distance, Miriam’s eardrums felt ready to burst.

The ogre’s keen eyes locked onto the three intruders.

Prey at last. How long had it been since an adventurer wandered in here?

The ogre was starving.

Not for food—its hunger was the thrill of killing humans.

One man, two women. Plenty to satisfy.

The man looked like he could fight; the monster would kill him today.

The two weaker women it would keep alive, tormenting them bit by bit before finishing them off.

That way, it could endure until the next adventurer blundered in.

Grinning, the ogre settled on its plan and charged straight for the woman who had flinched at its roar—the one who’d kicked the bone and made that irritating noise: Miriam.