The World’s Only Max-Level Lazy Introvert Accidentally Goes Viral After Helping a Famous Streamer Who Forgot to Turn off Her Dungeon Stream - 42

Chapter 42: Government Exclusive Dungeon

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“This is…”

I stepped through the dungeon gate and I found myself frozen till in place for a few seconds due to the unexpected landscape stretching before me. 

“This is inside of the dungeon…?”

Shiro was equally confused by the view in front of us. 

Right. Typically speaking, the inside of a dungeon resembled a ‘cave world’. Aside from the torches mounted on the walls, there was no other source of lighting. The dungeon was filled with dark, narrow corridors that seemed to stretch endlessly with the occasional big boss area… or so it should be. Yet, this dungeon looked so different from the dungeon we usually saw. Hence why both of us were so bewildered by the sight. To put it simply, this dungeon looked like a vast space with giant blocks moving in a precise, orderly manner. It was one of those settings I often see in games. A puzzle dungeon where you had to skillfully jump from one moving block to the next ones to reach the boss area. 

“……”

I cautiously peered down below the blocks, but there was nothing there. Just endless darkness beneath us that seemed to stretch on forever. It seemed if I were to fall here—even by accident— I would be trapped within that darkness. Well, I could probably save myself with 《Teleport》 if worse came to worst. Looking upward, I saw an orange sky extending endlessly beyond the horizon. In a typical dungeon setting, you wouldn’t be able to see the sky. In a cave setting, we could only see the cave ceiling. Everything in this dungeon was really unusual. 

“Hahaha… I can see why you’re both so surprised.”

Seeing us at a loss for words, Iijima said so to us with a wry smile on his face. 

“The real reason why this dungeon was assigned as a government exclusive dungeon is precisely because of this. The whole dungeon itself is so different from other dungeons.”

I see. If the structure of this dungeon was so different from regular dungeons, it was only natural if the items you could gather in this dungeon would be different from the regular dungeons too.

“When this dungeon was first discovered,  the staff who was in charge of investigating this dungeon unearthed the name of this dungeon… If I’m not wrong, this dungeon is called Rendias Dungeon.”

“-!!”

Rendias Dungeon. The moment I heard those words, a fierce pain shot through my chest again. 

Why…? This was my first time hearing that name, but somehow… I felt like I had heard that name before? The name felt somewhat nostalgic to me…

“Ren-kun…!”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

I stopped Shiro as she was about to rush to my side and I somehow was able to stand up on my two feet again. 

“Rendias Dungeon… What do you mean by you ‘unearthed’ the name?”

“The staff member found a stone tablet with that name written on it. We haven’t been able to reach that staff member, so we don’t know where the tablet is now…”

“…”

I wonder what awaited us in this dungeon… Also, why did my body keep experiencing this random pain surge? I didn’t know why, but one thing was clear. This Rendias Dungeon was not a simple dungeon. I mustn’t let my guard down, even with status maxed out. 

“…Let’s go. I will protect everyone to the best I can, but since this is our first time in this dungeon, we need to be prepared for anything. Stay vigilant.”

“Understood!”

Jinba exclaimed with a loud voice in response to my command. 

★ 　★　　★

Just as we expected, this Rendias Dungeon was not an ordinary dungeon. Golden Celestial Wolves that could deal massive damage over a wide area, Strange Witches that could cast any status ailments… The dungeon was filled with creatures I had never seen before. 

Just before we entered the dungeon, Iijima had strictly said that we mustn’t record anything within this dungeon. His caution was understandable though. The structure of the dungeon itself and the monsters roaming within were on an entirely different realm from any other dungeon. This was not something that could be revealed easily to the public. Of course, since I had already reached the max level, I could counter these monsters easily even though I had never seen them before, but still…

“Take that!”

Shouting confidently, Iijima fired off a round from his magic gun. This gun was, of course, a special weapon designed to be used within dungeons. This weapon could convert the user’s MP into bullets to allow long-range attacks. 

“I have to say, I’m surprised. While I know Jinba can hold a fight on his own, but I didn’t expect Iijima-san to be able to fight inside a dungeon as formidable as this too.”

“Haha~ I still have a long way to go though.”

IIjima replied with a grin as he wiped the sweat from his brow. 

“I’m only level 30 and I don’t dive into dungeons as often as seasoned explorers. I’m definitely not comparable to you all.”

“No, I mean, that’s not what I was talking about…”

I was still a high school student, but Iijima was a working adult. He was already busy with his job as the Deputy Minister. So for him to be able to reach level 30 even though he rarely dove into the dungeon, Iijima must be naturally talented.

“You’re the impressive one here. To be able to reach the max level… I didn’t expect that was possible in the first place.”

“No,no… This is the only thing I have, so… I’m…”

Coincidentally, Jinba was at level 40. His fighting style was pretty straightforward and it actually suited him well. Basically, he just punched the enemy with his knuckles. That was all. 

“HYAHHHH!”

“Gyaaaaaah!”

Meanwhile, Shiori was making use of the training she had received when we were hunting Orichalcum Slime. She was able to take down the monsters around us without any issue. At this rate, we shouldn’t encounter any trouble if the monsters that appeared was only around this level. All that was left was… The dungeon’s innermost chamber, the boss area. 

But… What is this feeling?

This was my first time in this dungeon, but I kept having his inexplicable chill running down my spine. My body seemed to be trembling within, as if it was warning me not to go any further. But I was at Level 9999. No matter what was awaiting us, I should be able to take it down, and yet…

“Ren-kun.”

We were progressing through the dungeon slowly when suddenly, Shiori gripped my hand tightly. 

“It’s okay. No matter what happens, I promise I will protect you, Ren-kun.”

“….Ha. You’re quite the talker, aren’t you?”

“Of course. No matter where you go… Even if you were to disappear somewhere, I will still be right behind you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

To like someone like me this deeply… This girl was definitely a strange one. But somehow, I found myself feeling saved by her peculiarity.

And so, we finally arrived at the door leading to the boss area. 

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