Episode(87) The 41st floor Trauma
SOVEREIGN OF DEAH~(87)
Hm~
The 41st floor felt somehow different from before.
The dungeon itself was still a cave like structure, but compared to before when it had the feeling that 'This is a dungeon', now it just felt like getting lost in some ordinary cave.
It's definitely larger than before but it's also lost that fantasy dungeon feel.
That's not the only thing.
The overall vibe had definitely changed, however Nagisa felt his skin crawl more than ever before.
Are there enemies?
But where?
I didn't have much fear even facing unseen enemies. Les not forget the scorpion monster that literally became invisible before.
There was even once where gramps had left him to fend for himself on a mountain for several weeks without so much as a single flashlight.
Old guy said it was to train my night vision, does he take me for a fool?
Recalling the look on gramps face, it was easy to tell that he had been forgotten and this was a lie to deceive him.
I'm just surprised it actually took him two weeks to remember that he hadn't brought me back.
I should have thrown a tantrum and negotiated for something good. I was too young!
But, it was indeed a source of experience that helped him to grow.
Gramps didn't mean any harm either so, no harm no foul. I think?
In any case, I was the one who begged him to teach me the family martial arts at the time and it led to that situation.
Even so those three weeks helped me learn more about nature as well as ways to utilize it for combat.
But, what really worries me is that.
This floor kinda reminds me of when I found a damn huge spider in a crevice I was using to take shelter from the rain.
Shiver!
Even now that thing makes me disgusted.
Not being afraid of them was one thing, who could stand the sight of such disgustingly large insect close enough to give a smooch?
I seriously had to fight for my life!
Not to mention, their unpredictable movements left trauma in his soul!
Crawling around so quickly on eight legs was already so unfair, they could even sling webs and jump super high.
Those weren't insects, those were aliens I tell you.
He looked around slightly pale.
[I hope those nightmare's don't show up here]
If a spider could be so huge on ordinary earth, he couldn't imagine the size of a spider monster in this world.
Just not spiders! Anything except spider will do I beg you!
[Kiiiee!!]
This sound-
A shiver ran down his spine.
[You've gotta be kidding me!]
Nagisa hurriedly raised his sword ready to defend the attack, but-
?????
What's going on?
I'm sure I heard it from close by, yet why is this?
Nothing was there to be seen. Even the killing intent he sensed had vanished.
All that was there was the lonely cavern stretching into a long passage leading to floor 42.
[Was I just too paranoid?]
No, that couldn't possibly be true.
I could be on edge but my absurdly high perception would definitely not be incorrect.
There was definitely something there a moment ago?
This was different from the scorpion monster.
As long as it was in the same space, even if I could not properly perceive its location I could at least tell that it was present.
But, with this, aside from the slight warnings my perception gave it was like a hallucination.
Still, even if I can't tell your current location-
Judging by how his perception warned him, the monster must be close by.
Indeed, the space was much wider but all he had to do was swing wildly.
Nightfall was drawn from its sword and swung without target in sight.
Even so-
[Kiieee!!!]
Bluish purple blood spurted.
Watching as the space before him twisted and the outline of a spider one third his height appeared, Nagisa hurriedly retreated.
The spider saw this, and as if to say it would never let him go it shot a web towards him.
Hmph!
Don't think I won't fight just because you guys are disgusting.
He reached out a hand, grabbed the web and tugged pulling the spider towards him with brute strength. It had no resistance.
Nightfall curved through the air, easily splitting the spider in two.
[Spiders here seem even more annoying that back on earth]
Spiders were already so creepy, now you were telling me that they could hide their presence?
Additionally-
Nagisa glanced at the web on his hands and used some strength to tear it off.
These webs are quite strong, I'll have to be careful.
Hm?
Suddenly feeling something at his feet, Nagisa stabbed down with his blade piercing through the spider exoskeleton.
Almost at the same time he sensed something and swung the back of his fist sending another spider flying.
[Just how many of you bastard are there?]
One spider killed, five more appeared.
It was an endless horde and Nagisa felt like he was losing steam facing his natural enemies.
You know what, fighting you guys with a sword is useless. It'll just make it easier for you to surround me, if that happens I don't think I'll be able to take it.
Instead he turned and ran.
Rather than fighting with a sword, why not lure the enemies into open ground and use wide area magic to wipe them all out?
This way he didn't need to have these creepy bastards getting too close and he could end them in one move.
Come on! Follow daddy!
He ran deeper into the dark cave.
It was a bit difficult to see but perception allowed him to get around with ease.
At the same time spiders would swing out trying to block his path, but sensing them at the last moment, Nagisa avoided them with a roll or a twist and divided each opponent with a sword slash.
Just as Nagisa had sensed a large enough space ahead to make his move, a shadow about half his height appeared to block the path.
Hah!
But could it stop him?
mpossible.
Performing a series of incomprehensible parkour flipping and twists, Nagisa easily made it past the final gatekeeper and dashed into the open space with ease.
The spider shriek, no one knew if it was angry or embarrassed, none of that mattered.
The moment it turned to charge out for Nagisa, he had already twisted and swung his sword sending out a visible blade of mana.
Pfft!
There wasn't even resistance as the spider was split in half.
[Now then...]
Looking around, the size of this cavern was quiet huge. Possibly the size of a large football field.
There were also many different passages linked to this place, it was somewhat like an ant colony.
If I didn't have perception would I be able to take the correct path to the 42nd floor?
Now I see why people end up dead here. Strong monsters, powerful and deadly traps with pathways that lead to those monsters.
No normal person could make it out of this hell hole alive.
There were at least 10 different openings and perception told him all one was the incorrect choice. And, even that correct choice seemed to be dangerous.
Even if you had luck, dying in this place might be the best end you could have.
Well, none of that is really important now. What matters is that I make it out of this place alive.
Every other thought is dirt!
Soon, the creepy sounds of several legs crawling on the ground and walls echoed and a swarm of large spiders surged out of every passage.
Nagisa took a stance and grinned.
[Let's get rid of these nuisances]