The forest, shrouded in ominous energy, was eerily quiet.
The sounds of birds chirping were absent. No footsteps of beasts could be heard. Even the sound of branches moving in the wind lacked strength.
However, it was not so easy to detect the sense of foreboding hidden in the tranquility.
The energy, mixed within the air of the forest, was quietly concealing itself behind the calm.
If I didn’t pay close attention to the forest, I’d probably just think it was a dark, silent forest. But how would others perceive it?
"Young lady."
I glanced sideways at Feibi, who had quietly approached me, and placed my finger on my lips.
There was no need to inform the others about this.
After all, the ominousness in this forest would dissipate while they were inside the dungeon.
It would be better for everything to end without anyone knowing, rather than unnecessarily worrying them.
"...Understood."
Though Feibi seemed a bit hesitant, she didn’t press me further.
No sooner had Feibi stepped back than Adrig, who had been guarding beside Vishy, spoke to me.
Why is this old hag suddenly being so polite? I tilted my head, wondering, then realized that Vishy still hadn’t removed her mask.
Has she not taken it off yet? Is this old hag that impressive, or is Vishy really that clueless?
A surge of desire to rip off the mask rose in me, but I forcibly suppressed it. It wasn’t the time for that.
Hmm. Would it seem strange if I spoke alone?
Nodding quietly without a word, Adrig crossed her arms in the air.
Low-class? Adrig’s tone was so serious that I almost asked, but I held myself back.
Seemingly amused by my reaction, Adrig chuckled lightly and said she’d explain properly later before turning away.
Ah. This is so annoying. I get that it’s a complicated situation, but I hate how she only adds to my curiosity with her vague hints.
Ugh. If Adrig, a necromancer, is calling them low-class, what’s really going on in this forest? Is the situation more serious than I thought?
...
For now, it’s better not to approach the forest. Let’s take a detour. We don’t know what could happen if we enter.
Since I’m with my friends, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks. I deliberately made a wide detour and headed toward the dungeon’s location.
"...I didn’t think there’d actually be a dungeon here."
The place we arrived at was a mountainside further beyond the forest.
If I weren’t out of my mind, I wouldn’t have expected to find a dungeon in such an inhospitable place.
This area was somewhat of a hidden spot—hard to find by normal means, but if you searched long enough, you could stumble upon it.
Like many hidden dungeons, this one was more difficult than the usual dungeons in the area, but it offered more unique rewards as well.
From what I remember, the reward at the end of this dungeon would be a passive related to magic power, which would certainly benefit everyone.
"Are we going in right now?"
"It looks like the prince is scared of the dungeon door. Are you afraid, poor prince?"
"That’s not it."
"Do whatever you want. I’m not going in this time, so you can do whatever you like."
"...You’re not going in?"
"Not going with us?"
"Lucy. You’re not going?"
When I said I wasn’t going in, the others, except for Feibi, showed surprise.
They really like me too much. They’re so shocked that I’m not going into the dungeon with them.
"Hey, you. Are you Lucy Alrn?"
...Huh?
"Lady Alrn, are you feeling unwell? You don’t seem to have a fever."
Eh?
"This isn’t Lucy. Lucy doesn’t refuse to explore dungeons."
When I finally understood the situation, I bit my lip.
Ah, so they think it’s strange that I, who am obsessed with dungeons, wouldn’t want to explore one?
They think that someone like me, who’s so passionate about dungeons, would never refuse to explore one?
Yeah. I won’t deny it.
I really enjoy the game world, Soul Academy, and I loved exploring its dungeons.
It’s not just that I liked them—I was so obsessed I memorized the routes of every dungeon in the game.
Naturally, I never pass up an opportunity to see the real thing.
But still. Still, I’m not crazy enough to let a dungeon affect my priorities like that!
I suppressed the urge to shout because I knew it would sound harsh, but that only made my friends worry more.
"Thinking back on what this guy does, it’s actually stranger that he’s still fine. He’s the one going through the most grueling hardships."
"So you’ve been pretending to be strong all this time? We didn’t even know that."
"Do you think we could beat Lucy if we attacked her?"
"Freya Kent, that’s not possible."
"Kent, Lady, I don’t think that’s a good idea."
"Really?"
What’s more frustrating is that my friends are genuinely worried about me.
If it were just a joke, I would’ve laughed it off, but the worry on Joy and Arthur’s faces was so sincere.
Why does this make me angry? Because these idiots seriously think I’m a lunatic who’d risk my life for a dungeon!
I feel like I’ve done similar things before, but still, the fact that they believe I’m crazy enough to take such risks really bothers me!
"Hey! You idiots!"
I was seething with anger, so I shrank my mace into a smaller size and stuffed it into my pocket, clenching both fists.
"...Lady? Why did you put your mace away?"
"I’m going to show you how it feels to be in good shape, you idiots. You guys prefer things like this more than words, right? Huh?"
"Wait... Lucy Alrn, calm down. We didn’t mean it like that."
"Ah~! I can’t hear the poor prince’s voice because it’s too pathetic~! I’m not sure, but I think you like it, so I’ll go~!"
"Speak! With words!"
It wasn’t hard to teach my friends their place.
Arthur and Joy, of course, couldn’t beat me in close combat, so that was obvious. And Freya, well, she wouldn’t even fight me, so she just shrunk back.
Once I silenced everyone, I stood in front of the three of them and spoke.
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"You guys always depend on me when I’m around, don’t you? No matter how awesome I am, it’s uncomfortable when you just cling to me like this. You need to be able to stand on your own."
Since they knew better than anyone what it meant to explore a dungeon with me, they all seemed to understand the point. Even if they didn’t want to admit it, they had no choice but to agree.
"Um, Lady Alrn. We understand we need to explore the dungeon ourselves. So, what will you do in the meantime? Do you have something planned with the person you brought along?"
"Why do you care what I do, idiot?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. I appreciate that you like me, but being this obsessive is kind of creepy, you know? Can you hold back?"
"I-I never said I was obsessed!"
Once I saw that they understood, I decided to promise that if they finished the dungeon quickly, I would ease the punishment, motivating them to give their best.
Then I whispered to Feibi.
"Even if you’re just a lowly saint, a saint is still a saint, so you can watch idols, right?"
"...Of course, Lady."
I had Feibi agree, trusting her, and once my friends entered the dungeon, I turned my gaze to Vishy, who was still sticking close to Kal. Adrig, who had been standing nearby, shrugged.
"Are you worried about losing your sidekick?"
"Of course, why would you ask? There’s probably no one as petty as the lone old hag."
"Hey. Miss."
Seeing Adrig’s veins bulging, I chuckled softly when Kal cautiously spoke.
"Why? Clumsy dog?"
"Who are you talking to?"
At the sound of Kal’s voice, full of fear, I grinned.
"Is it strange? They say dogs are good at noticing odd things, but I guess you’re not one?"
"Are you... joking?"
"Hey, clumsy dog. Are you saying I’m just mumbling to myself because I’m crazy?"
"Eh?! No! That’s not it. It’s just...!"
As Kal, flustered, waved his hands, he froze upon hearing a voice from behind and turned slowly, his joints creaking like a puppet.
When he saw Adrig waving at him, he collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
Ah, so it seems he’s not fond of ghosts.
What a coward.
"Adrig?! What did you just do?"
"Then why did Kal..."
"He’s a scared little dog. That guy’s afraid of gloomy ghosts like the old hag."
"...Really?"
"Why else would he end up like that?"
At the mention of Kal fainting from fear of a ghost, Vishy’s gaze turned icy.
If it’s already this bad, it’ll be trouble later. There’s still much more ugliness Kal can show.
I chuckled at the thought and turned my attention to Adrig, who was trying to hold back her laughter.
After receiving my gaze, Adrig cleared her throat and began to speak.
"Guess you’re old enough to be sharp. Not like a loner at all."
"Old hag. You..."
"...Hey. Old hag. Say that again."
"Not that. The part after."
"Yeah. That part."
Is a new dungeon about to form here?
Really!?