Chapter 653 Vol. 14 - Ch. 767 - A Spooky Cavern Adventuer

The entrance to the next floor was at the summit of a very tall cliff. In fact, every entrance to the following floor was located at the tallest place.

The cliffs were kind of structured like staircases, with vast fields spread around at certain heights where you further climb another cliff. It was truly a mysterious dungeon filled with mountains.

Due to these staircases like structure, it'd been given the nickname «Stair Dungeon» nickname. Though the formal alias was «Mountain Dungeon».

The cliff before us was truly tall, almost ten floors tall.

"Wait, you want us to climb us? Is it even possible?"

Lana inquired, her eyes widening as she tried to seize up the cliff. She probably must've been imagining rock climbing.

Well, she wasn't wrong, but only half correct. The shortest way to reach the top was either rock climbing—it was among the kit of exploration jobs—wall-run, or elevator, aka someone first hit the top first and then dangled rope for us.

But putting that aside, there was another, and formal option as well, so it would be fine.

"There's a path we can take to reach the top. However, there's only that one route, so we wouldn't be able to avoid encounters with monsters, and it's dark inside. It's also called «Adversary Zone» for that reason."

I explained to everyone while pointing at the gaping hole in the cliff. It was a cave entrance, but barely wide enough. Unlike the beginner dungeon's cave, the dimension here was narrow enough that Ester could easily bump her spear against the wall when using it. And «Carriage» was also impossible here.

I could feel Sierra's exasperated gaze on me, but was it? Hopefully it wasn't the same.

"So, this will take us to the top?"

"That's how it is."

"Goodness, why didn't you say it beforehand?! You really gave me fright for a moment there!"

Hehe. That was a nice reaction, Lana. I was really looking forward to seeing that!

Ahem, but I made sure to keep my inner joy concealed, and basked in revelry inside my mind.

"Just to be sure, Zephyr, there are monsters inside, and we can't avoid them?"

"Yep, we can't. I'd like you to take the vanguard here."

"Alright. And another thing... there aren't any ghosts or something inside, right?"

"Nope, not at all. This dungeon only has plant-type monsters. Well, some of them may have hideous appearances, but they're definitely not ghosts. Just think of them as withered silver grass."

"......I see."

Sierra's gaze was located to the cave's entrance, a flicker of unease reflecting on them.

"Nevermind. Maybe I should take the lead."

"Hmm?"

"I mean, until everyone has familiarised themselves with movement inside a narrow cave. Though I will need your support, Sierra."

"......Okay. And, thanks, Zephyr."

"Mhm."

It didn't seem like Sierra would be able to perform her best. The inside of the cave was quite dim, and in a way, the monster there was quite creepy in appearance. ...Yeah, I could see her mistaking them for ghosts in darkness.

I decided to take the lead until Sierra was confident enough to take the lead. Hearing my tone that would take no for an answer, Sierra didn't contest.

"Speaking of, any traps there?"

"There are. But we can count on Karua's «Intution». Right?"

"Hn, I will."

Even a cave in the advanced dungeon wasn't easy... for anyone not with appropriate shortcut skill to directly climb above. If anyone ever doubted exploration skills, they really ought to come here and realise the wonder they could achieve. Who'd not like to avoid traps and monsters all together, eh?

I further hammered out a few details to prevent any mishap, and finally ventured inside.

The inside was... yeah, quite gloomy. It wasn't complete darkness, but neither was there enough light to properly see each other. Just like how a hot environment could inflict DOT (damage over time), this environment inflicted us with the effect of «Reduce the accuracy of attack inside darkness» debuff. I'd never recommend anyone to explore it without proper measures.

"Alright, I am going to bring up the light."

"...You're awfully prepared, aren't you?"

The measures were quite a few. Either brought something like a lamp item, or equipment with «Night Vision» skill. For today, I prepared «Drone Lantern» item. The name was self-explanatory enough. Once set off, the «Drone Lantern» would constantly hover around us in the air, and it even had an auto-tracking option. Quite a high-tech item, eh? I wondered what principle it even worked on.

I fetched five «Drone Lanterns», basically one for each party member, and turned them on. With this, our surroundings promptly lit up, dispelling the «Adversary Zone» debuff from us.

"We still can't see ahead of us."

"It's quite hard to grasp anything."

Needless to say, only the darkness around us had been dispelled, while the cave was still dark.

With our heightened vigilance, Sierra and I commented.

"What about you, Karua?"

"Hn, I can see. I will call if there's any enemy."

"Counting on ya, Karua. You're really helpful."

Karua had the «Nature Adaptation Pendant» that comes with «Environment Acclimation» skill. This item was strong enough to override the effect of «Adversary Zone», granting the user similar effect to «Night Vision».

"And no words for me?!"

"We're always counting on you, Lana. You're so reliable."

"Hmph, you can leave it too me!"

Lana had the same pendant as Karua. They're the fastest among us to spot any monster—I still had no idea how in the dungeon's name Lana was as effective as a scout—as well.

"Hn! Fron—"

"Enemy ahead! There are four of them!"

Ah... Karua's moment to shine was overtaken by Lana. Well, that does happen, occasionally.

"Thanks, both of you! I'm stepping forward."

"I will stop them from approaching. «Quad Aegis of Virtue»!"

While I put myself a few steps ahead of party members, Sierra invoked her shields, bringing two small shields each to my left and right. It reminded me of scrum like walls, a firm determination to block any opponent no matter what.

In the meanwhile, the monsters had approached close enough that even I could see them clearly.

"Hisssss!"

"ROOOAR!"

"Heh, so a group of «Treke» and «Tregre»! «Appeal»!"

Two of them had the appearance of a snake, while the other appeared as if moulded into the form of ogres. Had to say, that was... certainly a naming convention.

I promptly activated my aggro skill.

"Everyone, look out for friendly fire! Ester, focus on stabbing attacks. Lana, stick to AoE attacks!"

"Understood."

"Okay! I will start with buffs. «Sacred Protection»! «Blessing of Greater Agility»!"

"«Long Thrust»!"

"«Lightning Slash»! «Guard Rush»!"

"Hissss?!"

"Grrooa?!"

I'd already explained to everyone what to expect, and how to act before taking steps inside the cave, dividing our roles.

I was the vanguard. My role was to prevent chaos from occurring at any cost. I, alongside Sierra's shield, prevented anyone from targeting our rearguard.

Then, while we'd stopped their advances, Ester, Karua would approach with hit-and-run tactics. The goal was to eliminate one at a time, and quickly.

"That was a piece of cake!"

"Great coordination, everyone."

The battle didn't last for long. The opponents might be new, but everyone had a solid grasp on their abilities. Even if not perfect, they knew the fundamentals to block anything. It wouldn't have been possible if it was before, but here we were. We'd come a long way.

"So, how did it look for you, Sierra?"

"Hmm... that, «Treke» was it?, split up when I tried to cut it. And that «Tregre»'s arms were bending in the wrong direction."

"You alright?"

"They're, well, plants at the end, so kind of. But I am guessing these are not all the monsters out here, right?"

"Bingo. There are two more types of monsters."

"I see....... I think I will be relying on you until we confirm them. Is that alright?"

"—! Of course! Leave it to me. If anything, bring it on!|

That was something. Sierra said she was relying on me! I could feel my excitement meter cranking up!

"Geez, I think you're too sweet on Sierra, Zephyr."

"Alright! Let's continue our march! Everyone, follow me!"

"Huh—ah, slow down there, Zephyr!"

Lana appeared to be pouting, but I was too high-strung to focus on me, and boldly strided forward. Though at one point this excitement nearly cost me when I stumbled on a trap despite Karua's warning. Too much merry-making wasn't good for health, eh?

Well, fortunately I had the «Ground Trap Resistance LV6» skill, so the damage was negligible. Still, that was a mistake.

At some point, Sierra took over the role of vanguard from me, seemingly finally adjusting to the cave's atmosphere. The rest of the journey was easy, with neither monster a challenge for us, and soon, we're at our destination.

The top of the cliff was thick with fog as far as I could see. It was a needlessly undulating wasteland, and—the only thing out there was «Floor Entrance».